Along the marble corridors Gahan guided his thoat, and because he
had gone that way before, rather than because he knew which way
Tara had been taken, he followed the runways and passed through
the chambers that led to the throne room of O-Tar. On the second
level he met a slave.
"Which way went he who carried the woman before him?" he asked.
The slave pointed toward a nearby runway that led to the third
level and Gahan dashed rapidly on in pursuit. At the same moment
a thoatman, riding at a furious pace, approached the palace and
halted his mount at the gate.
"Saw you aught of a warrior pursuing one who carried a woman
before him on his thoat?" he shouted to the guard.
"He but just passed in," replied the padwar, "saying that he was
O-Tar's messenger."
"He lied," cried the newcomer. "He was Turan, the slave, who
stole the woman from the throne room two days since. Arouse
the palace! He must be seized, and alive if possible. It is
O-Tar's command."
Instantly warriors were dispatched to search for the Gatholian
and warn the inmates of the palace to do likewise.
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