But before we could reach the window a score of men, led by the two Argzoon giants and another who wore a bright circlet on his matted, greasy hair, burst into the room.

Darnad, myself and our six warriors turned to face them, forming a barrier between them and Shizala.

"Leave quickly, Shizala," I said softly. "Go to the house of Belet Vor." I gave her brief instructions how to find the old man.

"I cannot leave you. I cannot."

"You must—it will serve us better if we know you, at least, are safe. Please do as I say." I was staring at the Argzoon and the others, waiting for them to attack. They were moving in cautiously.

She seemed to understand my reasoning and it was with relief that I saw her from the corner of my eye clamber over the sill and disappear into the night.

Horguhl emerged from the other room, pointing an imperious finger at us. Her face was flushed with anger.

"These men sought to abduct me and the other woman," she said to the greasy-haired man who stood there with drawn sword.

"So—did you not know," he said, addressing us with a leer, "that Chinod Sai values the safety of his guests and resents the intrusion of riff-raff such as you?"

"Riff-raff, murderer of children," said Darnad. "I know you upstart—you who calls himself Bradhi of a collection of cut-throats and pilferers!"

Chinod Sai sneered. "You speak bravely—but your words are hollow. You are all about to die."

Then he and his unholy allies were on us, his guards supporting them. The duel began.

I found myself fighting not only Chinod Sai but one of the Argzoon, and it was all I could do to defend myself, even though I knew I outmatched them both in swordsmanship.

However, they tended to crowd each other and this, at least, was to my advantage.

I held them off as best I could until I saw my chance. Rapidly I flung my sword from my right hand to my left. This foxed them for a second. Then I lunged at the Argzoon, who was slower than Chinod Sai, and caught him in the breast. He fell back groaning. That left the self-styled Bradhi of Narlet.

But seeing the great blue warrior fall, Chinod Sai evidently lost his stomach for battle and backed away, letting his hired guards take his place.

It was my turn to sneer.

One by one our own warriors went down until only Darnad and myself were left standing.

I hardly cared if I died. So long as Shizala were safe—and I knew that the wily old Belet Vor would see to that—I was prepared to die.

But I did not die. There were so many warriors pressing in towards us that we could hardly move our sword arms.

Soon we were hot so much sword-fighting as wrestling.