Players of Gor

17 What Occurred in the Prison Courtyard

In the light of the three moons I made my way across the prison yard, through the sand of the baiting pit.

"Who goes there!" called a voice.

"I did not see you in the hall," I said. "I thought you might be here."

"Who are you?" he called. "Stand back. Do not approach!"

I slipped the robes from my arm where I had been carrying them. "Do you not remember me? I asked.

"Step from the shadows," he said, backing away. "What is the password?"

"Steel," I said.

He stepped back further.

My sword slipped from the sheath. The sound of such a draw is unmistakable.

He backed further away. "Do you truly think you can reach the alarm bar before I can overtake you?" I asked. His own steel then left its sheath. I stepped from the shadows, toward the center of the sand.

"You!" he cried.

"Yes," I said.

He lunged towards me. The exchange was swift. He was not unskillful. Once he fell, tangled in the chains that had linked the beast to the baiting pole. I permitted him to rise. Then I finished him. I took the keys from his belt.