"Is that a just reward for coming over the desert to find the Wusun and lighten their captivity?" "It is fate." "If it comes to pass the White Spirit will never leave Sungan, but will die here. Will you lay that black fate upon her?" "Will she not be kept here, if she does not marry Gela?" Gray looked up hotly. "The Kha Rakcha is not a subject of Bassalor Danek. She is a servant of a mightier king----" Timur raised his hand. "Harken, youth," he said gravely. "I have seen your love for the Kha Rakcha, and I know that she has love for you in her heart----" Gray's pulses quickened at this--"but the will of Bassalor Danek must be obeyed. I know not if it is fitting that she marry among the Wusun. But the Gur-Khan has said that by the marriage, aid may be obtained from her people for the Wusun. Blood ties are strong. And the Wusun are fast dying out. If the marriage takes place, the Kha Rakcha will remain in Sungan. That is the word of the Gur-Khan. It may not be altered." Silently, Gray studied the pattern of the carpet at his feet. His firm mouth was set in hard lines. Argument was gaining him nothing. And he must make his effort to save the girl now or never. "I claim the White Spirit as my bride," he said. "By right of love. She is mine." Timur combed his white beard thoughtfully. "How can it be?" "In this way. Bassalor Danek has given to Gela what is mine. Since the time of Kaidu and Genghis Khan it has been the law of Mongolia that a maiden should not be taken from the man to whom she is betrothed." "Bassalor Danek has decided. It is for the good of his people." "I, who have come across the desert to the Wusun, know that it is not so. I call upon the Wusun to abide by the law of Mongolia." "The marriage feast is being prepared. The White Spirit will be clothed in the robe of blessed felicity." "Let it be so." Gray looked at the old man steadily. "Let there be a marriage this night, according to the custom of the Wusun. But I, as well as Gela, claim the girl. You know the law?" "If two men say that a woman is theirs, they must decide the matter with weapons in their hands." "That is the law, Timur. From across the desert I have known it. I will fight Gela. Thus it will be decided." Timur glanced at him curiously. "The Kha Khan is no light foe. He will fight with swords. He has learned the art of sword play from his fathers." "Be it so." Gray rose. "Bear this message to the Kha Khan. Say that the White Spirit is mine." The Wusun sighed. "It is the way of the hot blood of youth. You are foolhardy. Why should friends fight when Wu Fang Chien is approaching our gates? Still, what fate has written will come to pass. I will tell Bassalor Danek your message."