by J. T. Edson
There had been little sleep for Dawn and Ariadne the previous night. In addition to their worries over what the following day held in store, it had been obvious that Dryaka was taking no chances of a repetition of the attempt to assassinate them.; The whole of the cell-room had been illuminated with lanterns. Using a strong force of his adherents to augment the Temple’s Brelefs, he had had guards posted in the arena as well as within the building.
Shortly after daybreak, the ‘Crier of News’ had made another tour of the city and the ‘Talking Drums’ rumbled. As a result of the announcements, people had soon begun to arrive at the amphitheatre and take seats. All who had come were well armed and had divided themselves into three clearly defined groups. Studying them, Dawn decided that they were comprised of Dryaka’s supporters, those who were opposed to him and, in the center, the as yet uncommitted members of the population. Remembering what she had been told the previous afternoon, she knew the latter were awaiting the result of whatever was in store for her before taking sides. Although they had been prevented by the guards from holding any extensive discussion, she and Ariadne had agreed that their only slight hope of survival lay in preventing the matter being settled in the High Priest’s favor.
The jailer had brought Dawn’s belt, with the Randall Model 1 ‘All Purpose Fighting’ knife in its sheath and Ariadne’s weapons to the cell-room, but not the former’s archery equipment. So she had concluded that, assuming the bow was broken, Dryaka had not wished to have any attention drawn to it. Neither girl had been armed. Instead, one of the turnkeys and three Brelefs had entered the princess’s cell. Menaced by the sharp-pointed goads, she could do nothing to stop them binding her arms and legs.
‘People of Bon-Gatah!’ boomed the High Priest’s voice, before Dawn could try to satisfy her curiosity. He was speaking from what she decided must be the large balcony above the cell-room’s large main doors, and he was using some means to increase the volume of his tones. ‘I gave an oath that I would present one of the “Apes” as a sacrifice for the Quagga God. I realize that they are a nation which is new to us and most of you have never seen any of them, so I will show you proof that the woman is what I claim.’
Standing at Dryaka’s left side as he was addressing the crowd with the aid of a funnel-shaped loudspeaker, Charole glanced around to find out what kind of response his words were receiving. She had on the metal helmet with a crest made from a quagga’s name, an oak-brown breastplate, leather kilt, greaves and sandals which was her official attire for such an occasion. However, in addition to her sword belt, she was carrying a pouch holding one of the ‘Terrifiers’ and a ‘fire-box’. Dryaka who was also wearing his helmet, had a flowing white robe over his protective clothing and was armed in the same manner.
The Council of Elders were seated, three on either side, in a •half circle to the rear of Charole and the High Priest. Despite the swords they were wearing, she regarded them as the least of her worries and she was not particularly perturbed by knowing that their entire bodyguard was assembled at the Council Chamber. If an alarm should be raised, the Brelefs and their Mun-Gatah officers could not arrive swiftly enough to prevent the Elders from being killed. What was more, faced with the threat of only dummy ‘Terrifiers’, they would be reluctant to press home an attack. However, should they attempt to effect a rescue, the Temple’s sub-humans—except for a small party helping to handle the prisoners—were available to stop them.
Confident that there was little to fear from the Council, the Protectress first gave her attention to the nearest of the balconies. Despite the short notice, all of the surviving District Administrators had contrived to arrive. Gromart had reached the right side alcove just as Dryaka was beginning the announcement and was whispering in its occupant’s ear. Noticing that he had shaved off his beard, she was more interested in what he was saying than why he had done so. However, she could not hear the words and, apart from throwing a single glance in the direction of the main balcony, Zental of Meka-Gatah gave no indication of what was being said to him. Each of the four was accompanied by his two senior adherents. There were, she knew, sure to be more of their respective factions in the city and mingling with the crowd around the arena.
The two outer balconies were occupied by Charole’s and Dryaka’s banar-gatah riding supporters. All sported leather shoulder bags and ‘fire-boxes’, but only four were carrying genuine ‘Terrifiers’. The rest had been supplied with the earth-filled coconuts delivered by Zongaffa but believed they were armed with the real thing.
Looking across at the tiers of seats along the three walls, the Protectress studied the assembled audience. The number of people upon whom she and the High Priest could depend was no greater than those who were in active opposition. Everything was balanced on the way in which the uncommitted onlookers swung their allegiance. They would be influenced by the result of the demonstration Dryaka had arranged to prove that the foreign girl really was an ‘Ape’.
Startled exclamations and the sound of somebody walking on to the balcony brought Charole’s thoughts to an end. Even before she glanced over her shoulder, she knew what she would see. Mador had arrived and, ignoring the consternation being displayed by the Elders, he handed Dawn’s assembled bow, a string for it and an arrow to Dryaka. Having done so, throwing a triumphant leer at the six elderly men in passing, the warrior went to join his companions in the alcove at the left.
As the High Priest had not been able to brace the bow, he wound the string around the handle. While he was doing so, two of the Brelefs carried Ariadne from her cell. Watched by the silent and expectant crowd, they deposited her on her back in the center of the arena and returned to the building.
‘Go out there as far as the rope will let you!’ the jailer ordered Dawn, as one of the turnkeys closed the door of the princess’s cell behind the sub-humans.
An excited rumble of conversation rolled up as the girl obeyed. Still unable to decide what was happening, she advanced until brought to a halt about twenty yards from where Ariadne was lying.
‘Take this, Dawn “of the Apes”!’ Dryaka called, tossing down the bow as she turned. ‘Make ready to use it.’
Puzzled by the development, the girl picked up the weapon. Examining it, she found that it had been fitted together correctly. Removing the string, she could find nothing to suggest it had been tampered with. Frowning a little, she began to carry out the order.
Placing one loop of the string on the nock groove of the lower limb, Dawn stepped across the bow with her right leg so that the handle was resting high against the back of her thigh. With her leg between the bow and its string, she placed the lower recurve over the instep of her left foot. Applying rearwards pressure on the handle, she bent forward from the waist and pushed with her right hand until she could slip the other loop over the other recurve. Ensuring that the string was correctly aligned, she relaxed her holds. Extracting her right leg, she held the bow braced and ready for use.
With the task completed, Dawn became aware that something was taking the crowd’s attention from her. Following the direction in which they were looking, she saw the double gates through which the cage-carts had been brought opening. A Brelef armed with a heavy club slouched in. It was the first time she had seen one of the sub-humans wearing a breastplate and she could tell that the onlookers attached considerable significance to the sight.
‘Here, Dawn of the Apes”!’ Dryaka bellowed through the speaking-trumpet and pitched the arrow from the balcony. ‘The Brelef has his orders. If you don’t kill him, he’ll kill her.’
Instantly, Dawn realized what was happening. Everybody in the audience had heard of the -Apes’’ deadly archery and Dryaka was providing them with a practical demonstration. Which had explained why he was not disturbed by the questions asked by the Council of Elders about the potency of her arrows.
There was no time for Dawn to think of anything other than the immediate situation. Scant though they had been, her experiences warned her that the Br
elef would have no hesitation in obeying the order to kill. So she was faced with the problem of how to save Ariadne, yet avoid confirming that she was an ‘Ape’. She did not doubt that she could send the arrow through the breastplate at about twenty yards, having made the experiment with similar garments taken from the warriors who were killed at the Telonga village. However, death might not be caused quickly enough to stop the sub-human completing his task. She concluded that there was only one possible solution, but it could not be implemented with certainty; particularly while the Brelef was in motion.
Slowly and deliberately, Dawn assumed her shooting posture. She drew the bow until the arrow reached its anchor point, aiming with all the care she could manage. All too aware of the deadly risk she was taking, she felt it was justified by the circumstances. Waiting until the Brelef had come to a halt alongside Ariadne and had the club raised in both hands above his head, she loosed the shaft and string.
Moving far more swiftly than the sub-human was capable of, the arrow sped towards him. Its head struck where Dawn had intended. Not on the breastplate, but between his eyes. Driving through the bone of the skull and his brain, it achieved the only effect that would serve her purpose. Killed instantly, he toppled backwards and the club fell harmlessly from his grasp.
Silence fell for a moment, then a rumble of talk arose. Some of the crowd were shouting in support of Dryaka. Others were equally vociferous in disputing that proof had been given. On the wall opposite the rear of the Temple, the uncommitted section argued the point in slightly lower tones.
‘People of the Mun-Gatah!’ the High Priest thundered through the speaking trumpet and, such was the reputation he had built whilst in office, the noise died down. ‘You all know that the woman’s bow was broken when it arrived, yet the Lady Charole and I found it whole when we went to collect her weapons this morning. Could any Amazon have worked such magic?’
‘Only the ‘Apes’ could!’ Mador bellowed, having been told to be ready with such a comment if the need arose.
‘Only the “Apes” could!’ repeated other of Dryaka’s and Charole’s adherents from various points among all three sections of the crowd, following similar instructions.
‘The girl knew her arrow might not kill quickly enough to save the Amazon unless she hit the Brelef in the head,’ the High Priest continued, after order was once more restored. He watched to see how the point was being taken. Satisfied that it was accepted by the majority of his audience, even those who did not support him, he went on, ‘Jailer! Take the bow from her. Give her her knife and let her free.’
‘What do you mean to do, Lord Dryaka?’ Hulkona demanded.
‘Put her to another test,’ the High Priest answered, lowering the speaking trumpet. ‘The “Apes” are said to be able to change themselves into the “Hairy People”, not that I claim they can. All I know is, our mounts were stampeded through the hunting camp by the roar of a “Hairy Man”. So I mean to see how she fares against the one in the cells.’
Ever since Dryaka had talked with Dawn at the hunting camp, he had grown increasingly aware that she was an extraordinary person. In fact, his and Charole’s experiences had convinced him that the ‘Apes’ were superior to any other race on Zillikian. Not only did the quality of their weapons exceed those of everybody else, but the girl and the man had each displayed a knowledge of the Thunder Powder’ which he suspected more than equaled his own, or the late Zongaffa’s. Although he did not know it, the conclusion he had reached was similar to that of Fabia and Gromart. The ‘Apes’ were actually the ‘Suppliers’, or at least very well favored by the mysterious benefactors.
Having been impressed by Dawn’s intelligence and remembering that she had refused to admit that she was an ‘Ape’, the High Priest had considered that compelling her to display her ability at archery might not produce the required result. As he had anticipated, she had rendered the Brelef hors de combat without driving the arrow through the breastplate. Accepting that she might do something like this, he had known some other form of evidence could be needed.
Another story about the ‘Apes’ had received almost as much attention as their archery. The guards who had pursued Dawn after her escape at the hunting camp had excused their failure to capture her by claiming that she had transformed herself into a ‘Hairy Woman’ and, giving their call, had brought a male of that race to her rescue. Despite skepticism where magic was concerned, Dryaka could not deny that he had heard the kind of calls used by the ‘Hairy People’. However, as a careful examination had found only human foot prints, he was inclined to believe that the escapees had used the sounds to frighten off their pursuers.
Although the High Priest did not assume that the girl could change herself into a ‘Hairy Woman’, he had decided that she might serve him in another respect Various evidence had pointed to the ‘Apes’ being jungle dwellers. So they could have established a similar relationship with the sub-humans to that of the Mun-Gatahs and the Brelefs. Should such be the case, he might be able to turn it to his advantage and so he had made arrangements accordingly. Even if Dawn failed to justify his summation, she was a good enough warrior to provide a spectacle which the crowd would enjoy, and she might succeed in killing the ‘Hairy Man’, which could be used as proof that she was an ‘Ape’.
Holding his sword and carrying Dawn’s belt, the jailer entered the arena via Ariadne’s cell. Telling the girl to throw the bow to him, he remained beyond reaching distance. Realizing that the rope would hamper her movements, she obeyed. However, being aware of the danger, he did not offer to approach and liberate her. Instead, he tossed the belt and sheathed knife in front of her. Informing her that she must cut herself free, he went to the door of the Mangani’s quarters and took the key from the hook alongside it. His men were holding Bal-Tak’s attention at the other end. Turning the key in the lock, he opened the door quietly and hurried back to enter the cell-room by the way he had left it.
Without waiting to discover why her armament was being changed, Dawn had already started to reach for the knife. Seeing what the jailer was doing, she knew the answer. So she shook away the sheath and grasped the rope. Never had she been so grateful that the ‘Suppliers’ had equipped her with the weapon. Its razor sharp edge bit through the fibers of her bonds with no difficulty.
On completing her own liberation, Dawn decided to try to set Ariadne free before the Mangani entered the arena. After the way in which he had been treated, he was likely to be in a violent temper. So she wanted to give the princess at least a chance. With that in mind, she bent and started to sever the rope around Ariadne’s ankles. Before she could do more, a roar of excitement from the onlookers alerted her to the danger. Glancing over her shoulder, she found that Bal-Tak was approaching the open doorway of the cell. Helping her friend to rise, she doubted whether there would be time to complete the liberation.
Advancing a couple of strides into the arena, Bal-Tak halted with his knuckles on the ground and began to glare around. Dawn remembered how Tarzan had said such a posture was frequently adopted when approaching the homicidal rage which had been a contributory factor to the Manganis’ extinction on Earth. Once a male entered that condition, it would attack on sight.
‘Stand absolutely still!’ Dawn whispered and stepped away without waiting to cut Ariadne’s arms free.
As soon as the girl moved, Bal-Tak’s head swung towards her. A low and menacing snarl rumbled from his throat. She regarded it as a very dangerous sign, for it was not part of the simple vocabulary of his kind.
‘Bal-Tak, kreeg-ah!’ Dawn said, making the second word a supplication rather than the command it had been the last time she had used it to the young Mangani. ‘Tar-Sabor friend. You not hurt.’
Even as Dawn started to speak, she realized that she was being compelled to do the one thing she was hoping to avoid. There had been several hints during her present captivity that the ‘Apes’ were thought to have supernatural powers. She had suspected that the belief stemmed in part fro
m the use she and Bunduki had made of Mangani calls during their escape at the hunting camp. If she managed to prevent Bal-Tak from attacking, or restrain him by talking in his own language, it was likely to be accepted by the Mun-Gatahs as proof of her alleged nationality.
However, the girl knew she had no other choice. In spite of holding her knife, she doubted whether she could survive a fight against the big young bull-Mangani.
While delivering her request, Dawn continued her advance. Growls still left Bal-Tak and he maintained his crouching posture. His savage eyes met her own, staring with the same grim intensity he had shown while she was saving the life of the Mun-Gatah woman. Fox all her success on that occasion, the girl was aware that she now faced an even greater challenge,: Not only had there been the bars of a cage between them then, but he had not been subjected to the kind of ill treatment which had been his lot since reaching Bon-Gatah. If she flinched, or did anything slightly suggestive of fear, she would provoke a charge and have no alternative but to defend herself and Ariadne by physical means.
Dawn was unaware that she had one fact in her favor. Unlike their somewhat more primitive counterparts on Earth, the bull-Manganis of Zillikian did not suffer from the mental illness which caused the homicidal tendencies. Fear of confinement and the cruelties which had been inflicted upon him were causing Bal-Tak’s behavior, but her actions started to have a calming effect. He had not forgotten how she produced food and water for him after she had made him release the woman. However, they were not alone.
‘Bal-Tak kill other Tar-Mangani!’ the young bull declared, his gaze turning to the motionless Amazon princess.
‘No kill. She Tar-Ara’s second mate!’ Dawn answered, coming to a halt and, without taking her eyes from the Mangani’s face, reverted to the lingua franca. ‘Walk very slowly forward and halt at my side, Ariadne. Then stand still, unless I tell you otherwise.’
