Oghi rolled over and over with a victim, marking and maiming him for life. The man’s cries brought assistance; but neither arrows nor sword thrusts dispatched the assailant until several persons had been wounded. The Dorado found all the wall entrances locked from the outside, which accounted for the absence of guards at the doors. Escape was only possible through the north-gate, and there more than a dozen warrior-priests were waiting for him. Man and beast knew there was desperate work before them, but they were nerved for the encounter. As he dashed past Oghi, Yermah saw with a sinking heart that the poor creature was writhing in its death agony. Cibolo laid back his ears, and tried to take a piece out of the arm put forward to seize the bridle. When the animal found that he could not break the ranks at the open gate, he wheeled and kicked at the assailants viciously. Yermah reined him back, and charged again, using his sword arm constantly. A spear-point pierced the upper part of Cibolo’s neck, causing him to squeal shrilly, while an arrow went through the flesh of Yermah’s left arm near the shoulder, breaking the point on his armor. A well-directed blow felled his antagonist, and horse and rider cleared the open space at a bound. The Dorado rode straight to the west into a redwood forest, long since submerged. Covered with dust and faint from exhaustion and loss of blood, with broken armor and disordered dress, he struggled on toward Tlamco’s Tower of Refuge, situated on an artificial hill south of the present Alms House. Upon arrival there, he found the citadel filled with women and children, who had fled from Tlamco during the day, and among them were Ildiko and Alcyesta. Yermah only took time to bind up his own and Cibolo’s wound before making his way through Visitacon Valley to the bay, where Alcyesta told him Hanabusa and Ben Hu Barabe were expecting him. “The Turghati have sworn to kill thee,” confided Alcyesta, “and it were not safe for thee nor for thy followers to remain even here in this tower.” “Before daylight, this place will be surrounded,” added the keeper. “They will suspect thy hiding place. Shouldst thou surrender and stand trial, thou knowest beforehand what the verdict would be.” “Be advised by me,” pleaded Alcyesta. “For this purpose am I come.” “Ample provision has been made,” urged the keeper. “Go thou quickly. I fear for thy safety.” Seeing that Ildiko prepared to accompany them, Yermah turned to her, saying: “Why art thou here? Thy father is married to Rahula, and will be proclaimed Grand Servitor in a few hours.” “I know all that thou sayest. But dost thou think I should be allowed to live at Iaqua? If so, thou knowest neither Setos nor Rahula.” “What is thy purpose?” “To go with thee and thy followers. Do not, I beseech thee, turn me away, since I should be left to perish miserably.” “That is thy probable fate with me.” “So be it.”