Down between the lines of the elders a single Martian was running.
Seekin!
Seekin came to a halt before the altar, bowed before Malovar. His gaze did not go to the human rising to his feet. He looked at Malovar.
"I claim the privilege of taking his place, Sire," Seekin said. "According to the ancient law of the testing, I take his place."
Larkin blinked startled eyes. A glow came up in him. He was hardly aware of it. He had never seen this thing happen before, he did not know it could happen, he did not know that Martian minds worked this way. Surprise was in him.
Surprise seemed to be in Malovar too. Over the coliseum the silence seemed to become heavier as if thousands of Martians were each holding his breath in wonder and in awe.
After the first flash of surprise, Malovar's face became bleak again.
"Do you accept the human's fate as your fate, whatever my decision may be?" the Martian ruler questioned.
Under his brown, Seekin showed a creeping tide of white. He knew what was meant, knew it intimately and well. But his nod was resolute and undaunted.
"Yesterday he gave me valuable minerals in exchange for a valueless jewel. Thus he gave life to me and to my family. And he gave me more than was needed, so that something more might be grown—for someone else. Thus he has fulfilled the highest tenet of our law. Sire—" Seekin bowed low. "—whatever it may be, I accept his fate."