Tarzan And The Cave City by Barton Werper

Author:Barton Werper [Werper, Barton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER IX

The Gladiator

As Magra Taask approached the throne, following his release under guard from his cell, he was led through a veritable underground palace, which made even his greedy glance stare in amazement. "I am being taken to the Queen?" he asked one of the guards. The latter shoved him through yet another doorway.

"She has sent for you," he snarled, “it is an honor. Now, dog, on your knees!" He brutally shoved the lascar to his knees, reinforcing the command with a most suggestive prick of the short but deadly assegai he carried as a weapon. Taask crawled into the throne room. He was vaguely disappointed, hoping to have had an audience with the chieftain of the tribe. However, the ruling woman would have to do. Apparently, she held great power. At the far end of the room, upon a dais which was carved from what appeared to be a single block of lava, was seated a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, singularly handsome. Warriors flanked her on either side, and slaves stood behind her throne ready to do her every bidding.

Her hair was so dressed that it stood out straight from her head in all directions to a length of eight or ten inches, and had woven into it an ornate headdress of White plumes. Quite obviously, the female of the species could not grow their own plumes, as did the males. Her mien was haughty and arrogant as she eyed the prisoner coldly, and with a quick upward glance Taask read cruelty in the lines of her mouth and the latent fires of a quick temper in the glint of her eyes. Here was a woman to be feared, a ruthless killer, a human tigress. The equanimity of the lascar faltered before a woman for the first time.

"Why came you to Ondo?" she demanded, coldly. The tone of her voice as well as the presence of the guards suggested swift death for an unsatisfactory answer.

"By accident. Purely. Our safari was lost. Hunters, only, looking for game. The Bamo found our little group, exterminated all but me. Me, they took prisoner. I killed my guard, and I escaped. That is all."

The Princess Nirva nodded her head, slowly. "You have told the warriors of my tribe that you have important information for me. What is it? The truth, if you value your head."

Taask thought about this. It would be the most important statement he could make.

"Quickly," the mate of Nanda said. "What is it? If you have imposed upon me and wasted my time. it will not go well for you."

"I confess," Taask whined. "I confess. I have power- ful enemies. It was while trying to escape from them that I became lost. They are even now, in company with the Bamo, coming to Ondo to steal the sacred 'Light of the Night.' The huge emerald, which they believe you to possess. I only wish to befriend you and to help you entrap them."

“Are they coming in force?” She leaned forward anxiously.

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