by J. T. Edson
‘There’s one sure way of proving it,’ Dryaka replied, releasing her hands and crossing to a large chest on the left side of the room. ‘A way which will remove all doubt. Let them see how an “Ape” arrow can penetrate a breastplate.’
‘Let them see—!’ Charole began to repeat, then the futility of the comment struck her. ‘How can we do it?’
‘By giving this to her,’ Dryaka answered, opening the chest and lifting something out.
Having started to follow the High Priest, Charole stared at him. Coming to a halt as if she had run into an invisible wall, she staggered back a pace.
‘Watching the Protectress’s reaction, Dryaka felt delighted. When the first doubts had started to be expressed, he had known that he would have to provide evidence of Dawn’s bona fides. Remembering the original event which had established that she was different to any other person with whom he had come into contact, he had decided it would supply the necessary proof. So he had given the girl’s bow a closer examination than anybody else had done. Deducing the purpose of the Rigid-Lock joint, he had connected the two sections. When he had found the retaining pin, along with some bow strings, in the pouch of her back-quiver, he had completed the assembly. Although he had not yet attempted to fit on a string, he was satisfied that he would be able to do so.
‘I did this while you were at your house, searching those two bitches’ rooms,’ Dryaka explained and replaced the bow in the chest. ‘But this is the first time we’ve been alone so I could show it to you and I wanted to be certain that no word of what I’ve done gets out. If nobody else had mentioned how she killed Tomlu, I intended to, and tomorrow we’ll let them see her do it again.’
‘It will work!’ Charole stated enthusiastically, after the High Priest had told her the rest of his plan. ‘All we have to do is make sure that nobody else is given an opportunity to kill them.’
‘There won’t be a chance of that!’ Dryaka declared. ‘As I warned the Council, I’m having guards placed in the cell-room and arena all night. Dawn “of the Apes” will stay alive until we’re ready to have her killed.’
At that moment, the rumbling beat of the city’s ‘talking drum’ xxxii began to boom out. It was delivering an announcement of the following day’s sacrifice and would be relayed across the nation.
‘Woltarn and the rest of the District Administrators might not be able to get here for the sacrifice,’ Dryaka remarked, as the message ended. ‘But that won’t matter. By the time they arrive, we’ll have the entire population behind us and proof which will turn so many of their adherents against them that we’ll be able to get rid of them as we planned.
~*~
A feminine challenge, followed by an angry exclamation in male tones and the clash of steel against steel broke the peace and quiet which had been pervading the camp in the grove. Around the three fires, Amazons, Mun-Gatahs, Bunduki and the leaders of the two nations woke. Snatching up weapons, they and their followers rose. Taking a moment to get his bearing, the blond giant led the rush to investigate.
Approaching the center of the disturbance—the picket line holding the mounts of Woltarn’s party—Bunduki saw something that he had feared might happen. An Amazon and a Mun-Gatah warrior were engaged in a duel with swords.
Before agreeing to Varbia’s request, Beryl Snowhill and the blond giant had insisted upon learning why she was being pursued by the High Priest’s men. In describing the events of the previous night, she had left out any mention of the murderous intentions harbored by the conspirators. Despite suspecting the truth, her rescuers had not pressed the matter. They were far too interested in the possibilities opened by her other information and they considered the rest of her party had paid an adequate price for whatever had been planned.
Leaving the blonde to escort Varbia to the grove, Bunduki had continued the reconnaissance. However, he did not bother to search for a point at which the walls might be climbed. Working back along the tracks of Varbia and her pursuers, although circumstances prevented him from locating the entrance to the secret tunnel, he had seen enough to be satisfied that she had not lied about the means by which she had fled the city. He had seen the way in which the trio had been brought around the city well clear of the walls as evidence that she was speaking the truth.
While riding to rejoin his companions, Bunduki had taken cover on catching sight of a Mun-Gatah approaching from the direction in which he was heading. He had waited in the hope of finding out who the man might be. Tall, burly, clean shaven, dressed in a plain helmet and tunic, there was nothing about him to identify the faction to which he belonged. The doubts had not ended until, coming across the quagga’s tracks, he had called the blond giant’s name and revealed himself to be Wol-tarn. Disguised as a banar-gatah rider, even to the extent of having shaved his beard, the Administrator was going to Bon-Gatah with the intention of checking Varbia’s veracity and gain first hand information regarding the latest developments.
On his return, shortly after nightfall, Woltarn had proved that he had spent his time usefully. Contacting his spy, he had learned of the arrangements Dryaka had made for the following day. In addition, he had attended the meeting at the Council Chamber and played his part in ensuring that the doubts regarding Dawn, which had been aroused by Varbia’s faction, were intensified. Unfortunately, neither he nor his spy had been able to discover how the proof that she really was an ‘Ape’ would be presented. All he had learned for sure was that Dryaka would be unable to survive the wrath of the population if none was given.
Having heard the announcement of the sacrifice the following day which was made by the talking drums’, Beryl, Bunduki and particularly Princess Athena would have liked to have set off immediately they received Woltarn’s report. He had warned them that any attempt at making a rescue bid during the night would be doomed to failure. From what his spy had said, Dryaka was taking no chances. There would be a strong force in the cell room and they would be detected as soon as they opened the secret door.
After a lengthy discussion, which included a description of how the sacrificial ceremony usually took place, a plan had been produced. However, as it could not be implemented until later, Beryl and the Administrators had told their followers to get some rest. Worried as he was, Bunduki had seen the wisdom of the suggestion and had joined the others in falling asleep. Like them, he was aroused by the sounds of conflict and realized that a contingency he had envisaged was taking place. What was more, he appreciated that the situation was dangerous and might ruin any chance of effecting the rescue.
In spite of the co-operation between the Amazons and the Mun-Gatahs, the traditional hostilities of generations could not be forgotten. Although there had not been any trouble, neither had there been any mingling between the subordinate members of the two races. All day, they had kept apart from each other; even to the extent of making separate fires. To lessen the chance of conflict, their leaders had set up camp between them and had maintained constant vigilance until they had settled down to rest.
‘Stop it, Sofia!’ Beryl shouted, as the blond giant dropped his bow ready to spring forward, a command repeated to his adherent by Korkar.
At the sound of her captain’s voice, the Amazon—who, apart from its ‘Nail’, Thalia, was the oldest member of the ‘Finger’ -sprang back and lowered her sword. Instead of obeying his superior, the Mun-Gatah leapt after the woman. Interposing her shield with alacrity saved her from the slash he directed at her. Before either could take the issue further, the blond giant reached them. Thrusting out his hands, he grasped each by the scruff of the neck and flung them away from each other. Such was the force he applied that they lost their footing. Even as they went sprawling to the ground, he turned towards their companions.
One glance told the blond giant that the affair was not ended, and could be a terrible threat to the success of their mission.
Gripping their weapons, the rest of the Amazons were formed up behind Beryl, glaring their hostility at the men. Nor
were the Mun-Gatahs, who had gathered around their respective leaders showing any less readiness to take action.
‘What was your woman doing here, Beryl of the Black Panther Regiment?’ Bunduki demanded, confident that Sofia was not acting of her own initiative.
‘Keeping watch, as I ordered,’ the blonde replied, without taking her gaze from the Administrators. ‘From what the Lords Gromart, Woltarn and Korkar had told us, I wondered if perhaps there were those who are loyal to Dryaka in our midst. I felt that precautions should be taken.’
‘Why is your man here, Lord Korkar?’ Bunduki challenged.
‘It’s not by my command,’ the Administrator stated, conscious of the suspicious glares being directed at him by Gromart and Woltarn. ‘Well, Wagat, why did you come?’
‘I had been into the trees my lord,’ the warrior answered, scowling malevolently at Bunduki as he stood up. ‘So I thought I’d come and make sure everything was all right at the picket lines. The Amazon attacked me as I was walking up.’
‘You liar!’ Sofia shrieked, leaping to her feet and lunging forward with the intentions of retrieving the weapon she had dropped.
‘Kill the for—!’ Wagat began, bending and reaching for the sword that lay before him. „
‘Stand back!’ Bunduki thundered, sweeping the bowie knife from its sheath and placing himself between the antagonists. ‘I’ll kill the first one to pick up a weapon.’
Such was the cold determination in the blond giant’s voice that nobody, particularly the man and woman to whom the warning was directed, doubted that he meant every word. So they straightened with empty hands.
‘What does the Amazon say happened?’ Gromart demanded.
‘I saw him going towards the picket line with his sword drawn and thought he meant to cut it,’ Sofia replied, after looking at and receiving a nod of authorization from Beryl.
‘She lies!’ Wagat bellowed, but stood still as the great knife was pointed towards him.: ‘I didn’t draw my weapon until she attacked me.’
‘Keep still!’ Bunduki ordered, turning his weapon as Sofia gave a cry of protest. Thinking fast, he went on, ‘Will you swear on your nation’s sacred oath that you are speaking the truth?’
‘I will!’ declared Sofia, to whom the words had been spoken, once more having looked at her superior for advice.
‘Then do so!’ Bunduki commanded,
‘Hera, Queen of the Gods,’ Sofia announced. ‘I swear to you that the words I spoke are true. If I am lying, may your power strike me dead.’
‘Now you!’ the blond giant said, swinging his gaze to Wagat.:
:’Quagga God!’ the warrior intoned, with no more hesitation than the Amazon had shown, ‘If my words are not the truth, let your curse strike me dead.’
There were muted exclamations from both factions. Every Amazon and Mun-Gatah knew that the sacred oath of their nation was never given lightly, Yet only one of the speakers could be telling the truth.
‘Captain of the Amazons, Lord Administrators of the Mun-Gatah,’ Bunduki said, sheathing his knife and going to pick up the bow. ‘When such a thing happens among the “Apes”, we subject those concerned to a test and prove who is lying. Will you allow me to do so?’
‘I will,’ Beryl confirmed, wondering what the blond giant had in mind.
‘You may,’ Korkar authorized and heard grunts of approval from his fellow Administrators.
‘Tell your woman to don one of the breastplates we took from the men I killed this morning, Captain,’ Bunduki requested, the garments having been collected in case they were needed as disguises. ‘My Lord Korkar, select an arrow, either from those on my bow or out of my quiver.’
‘What do you intend to do?’ Gromart inquired while the instructions were being carried out.
‘Make the “Apes’” test of truth,’ Bunduki replied and removed the arrow indicated by Korkar from the bow-quiver. ‘The one who speaks it has nothing to fear, but the liar will die.’
Although there was no relaxation of the tension, silence fell over the two parties. Everybody was watching and waiting to see what would develop. At Beryl’s order, Thalia returned to collect a breastplate. Waiting until Sofia had donned it, the blond giant told her to step into the center of a nearby patch of moonlight and place her hands on the top of her head. Receiving the blonde’s authorization, she obeyed.
Hanging the bow over his left shoulder and holding the arrow in front of him with both hands, Bunduki gave the impression that he was conducting a proscribed ritual as he stepped off ten paces. Coming to a halt in the shadow thrown by a ‘ tree, he turned and took the bow in his left fist.
‘Great Supplier of the “Apes”, guide this arrow so we may know truth from lie!’ the blond giant requested in a loud voice, nocking the missile to the bow’s string. He raised, drew and aimed the weapon at the motionless figure in the moonlight, continuing, ‘Woman of the Amazons, do you still stand by your sacred oath?’
‘I -I do!’ Sofia answered.
Instantly, Bunduki loosed the shaft!
There was a concerted gasp from Amazon and Mun-Gatah alike as they realized what was happening. They heard the arrow’s passage through the air across the thirty or so feet which separated the blond giant from Sofia. They knew he had killed by the same means at greater distances.
No human eye could follow the arrow’s flight. There was a vicious crack as it struck the woman’s breastplate and the force of the impact spun her in a half circle. However, although she staggered a few steps, she did not fall. Nor was the feathered shaft protruding from the protective garment. Yet everybody knew that she had been hit.
‘Have your man take the Amazon’s place, Lord Korkar!’ Bunduki commanded, his voice cutting off the startled and awe-filled comments which were rising. ‘Will you select the arrow, Captain of—’
‘No!’ Wagat screeched, seeing every pair of eyes turning towards him. ‘No!’
With that, the warrior swung on his heel and began to run When he had given his oath, he had never anticipated having his veracity tested and he felt sure that, in repayment for his having disrupted the raiding party, the High Priest would give him spiritual protection against the consequences of lying under oath. Before he had taken three strides, he was tackled and pulled down by some of his companions.
Walking forward with the bow dangling at his side, Bunduki was satisfied that he had removed the threat to the rescue party’s unity. Beryl had told him that in view of the Mun-Gatahs’ penchant for intrigue, she meant to post guards against such treachery as Wagat had planned. However, he had doubted whether the Administrators’ inborn mistrust of foreigners would allow them to accept such an explanation. So he had made his suggestion, counting upon the faith which Beryl’s followers had in her to let him carry it out. Whilst walking away, he had unscrewed the head from the fiberglass shaft—which would not have been possible with the more primitive wooden arrows of Zillikian—and rendered the missile comparatively harmless. To prevent the trick from being discovered, he had aimed at the side of the breastplate. Striking the curve, the arrow had been deflected and flew into darkness.
Meeting Beryl’s eyes, the blond giant sensed that she knew what he had done. However, nobody else suspected the trick he had played. He hoped that, having retained the support of the Mun-Gatahs, the rest of the mission would be as successful. If it was not—
Bunduki did not care to even consider the terrible price of failure.
Unless the rescue could be brought off, the woman he loved would be dead before the sun went down again.
Chapter Thirteen – If You Don’t Kill Him, He’ll Kill Her
Accepting that there was no way in which she could resist, Dawn Drummond-Clayton allowed the senior turnkey—who had been promoted to jailer—to fasten a length of rope around her waist. Having done so, he opened the outer door of her cell wide enough to secure the other end of the rope to it. She decided that, if he had used a similar knot behind her back, she would have difficulty in libe
rating herself. In the next cell, Princess Ariadne was being bound hand and foot. Dawn wondered why they were receiving such different treatment.
The previous day and night had gone by without the girls being given the slightest opportunity to escape. Unlike the young bull-Mangani, who had continued to try and attack every person who approached his cell and who therefore had still not been fed, they had done nothing to antagonize their captors. Although their requests to be allowed to take exercise in the arena were refused, they had not been abused in any way.
During the early afternoon, the High Priest and all six members of the Council of Elders had visited the cell-room. From the questions she had been asked, Dawn concluded that doubts had been raised about her nationality and, with Ariadne’s support, had done all she could to make her interrogators believe she too was an Amazon. She also insisted that she had never heard of such a race as the ‘Apes’. When the matter of her archery was raised, she had pretended to disbelieve that any bow could drive an arrow through a Mun-Gatah’s breastplate and the princess had backed her in the statement that no Amazon’s could. Dawn had felt that Dryaka was far from displeased by what was being said and his attitude had puzzled her.
Remarks made later by the newly appointed jailer had indicated to Dawn that her efforts with the Council had met some success. Proud of his promotion, he had been boastful and indiscreet. From the information she extracted, the girl had been able to form a fairly accurate opinion of what was happening in the city. By sundown, she had known that Charole and Dryaka were committed to supplying proof that she was an ‘Ape’, but she had no idea how this was to be done. One method appeared to be ruled out—a demonstration of her bow’s deadly potential.
According to the jailer, the subject of the “Apes’’ archery was arousing great interest among the population. For the first time, Dawn heard about Bunduki’s meeting with Mador’s party. He had shown once again how effective their modern bows and arrows could be. Although she still could not imagine what he might hope to achieve, the evidence that the blond giant was coming after her was sufficient to divert her thoughts from how Dryaka would prove she was an ‘Ape’.
