The men closed in. Kery's blade whistled against one shield. Another came from each side. Pikeshafts thudded against his bare head-- He fell, toppling into a roaring darkness while they clubbed him again. Down and down and down, whirling into a chasm of night. Dimly, just before blankness came, he saw the white beard and the mask-like face of the prince from Ganasth. VI It was a long and hard ride before they stopped and Kery almost fell from the hest to which they had bound him. "I should have thought that you would soon awake," said the man from Ganasth. He had a soft voice and spoke Aluardian well enough. "I am sorry. It is no way to treat a man, carrying him like a sack of meal. Here...." He poured a glass of wine and handed it to the barbarian. "From now on you shall ride erect." Kery gulped thirstily and felt a measure of strength flowing back. He looked around him. They had gone steadily eastward and were now camped near a ruined farmhouse. A fire was crackling and one of the score or so of enemy warriors was roasting a haunch of meat over it. The rest stood leaning on their weapons and their cold amber eyes never left the two prisoners. Sathi stood near bleak-faced Jonan and her great dark eyes never left Kery. He smiled at her shakily and with a little sob she took a step toward him. Jonan pulled her back roughly. "Kery," she whispered. "Kery, are you well?" "As well as could be expected," he said wryly. Then to the Ganasthian prince, "What is this, anyway? I woke up to find myself joggling eastward and that is all I know. What is your purpose?" "We have several," answered the alien. He sat down near the fire pulling his cloak around him against the chill that blew out of the glooming east. His impassive face watched the dance of flames as if they told him something. Kery sat down as well, stretching his long legs easily. He might as well relax he thought. They had taken his sword and his pipes and they were watching him like hungry beasts. There was never a chance to fight. "Come, Sathi," he waved to the girl. "Come over here by me." "No!" snapped Jonan. "Yes, if she wants to," said the Ganasthian mildly. "By that filthy barbarian...." "None of us have washed recently." The gentle tones were suddenly like steel. "Do not forget, General, that I am Mongku of Ganasth and heir apparent to the throne." "And I rescued you from the city," snapped the man. "If it weren't for me you might well be dead at the hands of that red savage." "That will do," said Mongku. "Come over here and sit by us, Sathi." His guardsmen stirred, unacquainted with the Ryvanian tongue but sensing the clash of wills. Jonan shrugged sullenly and stalked over to sit opposite them. Sathi fled to Kery and huddled against him. He comforted her awkwardly. Over her shoulder he directed a questioning look at Mongku.