Kur of Gor

Chapter, the Sixtieth: THE WAYS OF KUR

"Our cause is lost!” exclaimed Flavion, entering the camp.

"How so?” cried Grendel, rushing forward. Others, too, rushed forward, to be apprised of whatever dire intelligence might be conveyed by their scout, Flavion.

"The men of Mitonicus have entered the theater of death,” said Flavion.

"As in the amnesty?” said Statius.

"They are true to the ways of the Kur,” said a Kur.

"Speak!” demanded Cabot.

"Speak!” demanded Archon.

"Tell them,” said Statius, “for they are not Kur."

"As you well know,” said Flavion, “the despised wretches, the arrant cowards, of the great defeat have the obligation to do away with themselves or submit to the knife, that their dismal, unworthy seed not pollute the folk. Great Agamemnon, in an act of seeming mercy, has called them to the theater, that of death, where they expect to be forgiven, and their penalties revoked, merely for joining his forces."

"That will be the end of it,” said Archon, “for we cannot long resist such a coalition."

"No,” said Lord Grendel. “It is the same trick. They have been brought there to die."

"I fear so,” lamented Flavion.

"How so?” asked Statius.

"They have been forbidden to bring weapons with them,” said Flavion.

"How is this known?” asked a Kur.

"It is common knowledge,” said Flavion. “I learned it in the habitats, which I recently infiltrated at great personal risk."

"Brave Flavion!” said a Kur.

"They filed like docile verr, slowly, in long lines, heads down, to the theater of death,” said Flavion.

"Madness,” said Cabot. “In their numbers they could balance the very forces of Agamemnon, which are intent upon their destruction."

"We are lost either way,” said Flavion. “If they are spared, Agamemnon will be invincible. If they are destroyed, all hope for our cause is doomed."

Lord Grendel was silent.

"What then, noble Lord Grendel,” said Flavion, “is to be done?"

"What would you suggest?” said Lord Grendel.

"We have no choice,” said Flavion. “We must surrender, surrender completely, wholly. We must submit to an abject, unconditional surrender."

There were moans of misery within the camp. Slave girls wept. Statius’ slave howled, and then crept to his feet, frightened, seeking comfort. He put his hand gently on her shaggy head.

"Humans will be killed, surely,” said Peisistratus.

"All rebels,” said Statius.

"No, no,” said Flavion. “We must not despair. The future is unclear. The only thing clear is that we must surrender our cause, and place ourselves at the mercy of Agamemnon."

"When,” asked Lord Grendel, “were the mariners to gather in the theater?"

"Yesterday,” said Flavion.

"Then,” said Cabot, “the thing is already resolved."

"But how?” asked a Kur.

"Does it matter?” asked another.

"Poor Mitonicus,” said Cabot. “Loyal to the Kur paths despite to what horror or madness they might lead."

"We have other things to think of,” said Flavion.

"True,” said a Kur.

"Weapons will not be permitted,” said Flavion. “We must put them aside. I will lead you to the habitats. Doubtless anyone, Kur or human, found hereafter, unaccounted for, in the forests, will be outlawed, hunted down, and destroyed."

"Much in the Kur way is foolish, perhaps insane,” said Cabot.

"No more so than much in some human ways,” said Statius.

"You do not understand Kur,” said Lord Grendel.

"Surely you do not approve,” said Cabot, angrily.

"As Kur I understand it,” said Lord Grendel. “Kur ways, such as striking first, retaliating instantly, seeking vengeance, annihilating an enemy, eliminating weakness, punishing failure, improving the folk, pledging loyalty, and keeping it, unquestioning obedience to command, ruthlessness, breeding for Kur virtues, power and energy, savagery, if you like, are hard ways, but they have brought us to a supremacy amongst species. They have made us Kur."

"They are our ways,” said Statius.

"If we surrender the ways,” said Lord Grendel, “we cease to be Kur."

"At the arsenal, dear Grendel, you spared two agents of Agamemnon, allowing them to return to their base with weapons, in the Vale of Destruction you permitted a tending of enemy wounded, after the battle you freed four hundred prisoners."

"I was weak,” said Lord Grendel.

"No,” said Cabot. “You were human."

"Yes, weak,” said Lord Grendel.

"Yet,” said Cabot, “I think few are as Kur as you."

"What is Kur?” said Lord Grendel.

"Let us cast down our weapons, emerge from the forests, and place ourselves before great Agamemnon,” said Flavion.

"As surrendered, helpless penitents?” asked Lord Grendel.

"Sadly, needfully,” said Flavion.

"Someone comes, someone comes to the gate!” cried Archon.

There was a pounding at the gate.

Weapons were leveled at the gate, cover sought, defensive positions occupied.

"Who is there?” called Lord Grendel.

"Word, word from Mitonicus!” cried a voice, gasping.

"Open the gate!” said Lord Grendel. Two Kurii hurried forward, and opened the gate a yard, and assisted a Kur within. He was gasping, and was scarcely able to stand. He was held by the two who had opened the gate and was brought before Lord Grendel.

"It is a runner,” said Statius.

"How did you find us?” asked a Kur.

"I was searching for you,” he gasped. “I could not find you. I was lost. And then I was driven here, brought here, by a giant sleen."

"One lame!” cried Cabot.

"Yes,” gasped the runner.

"He was not attacked,” said Statius.

"Speak, speak!” cried Lord Grendel.

"I bring word from Mitonicus,” said the Kur.

"Speak,” said Lord Grendel.

"Victory!” he gasped. “We brought concealed weapons to the theater of death, and when they readied their weapons, to fire upon us, it was we who first fired, and attacked. We slew hundreds!"

"How would you dare to do this?” cried Flavion.

"In vengeance for the slaughter of the amnesty!” he gasped. “And we were joined by others, some four hundred, and others, as well."

"Four hundred!” said Archon.

"So what is the situation now?” pressed Lord Grendel.

"Agamemnon has withdrawn to the habitats, and the palace!” said the runner, who then collapsed, shuddering, into the arms of the two Kurii who supported him.

"Tend him,” said Lord Grendel.

"What do we do now?” said Cabot.

"We march on the palace,” said Lord Grendel.