I struck a pose as I stood there. I hoped that a grim and heroic
attitude might give them pause.
"It's Barak!" said an officer at the forefront of the Newcomers.
"Barak!" echoed a warrior of Dondromogon. I heard a rattle and clink of
weapons.
"Remember," I made haste to call out, "a bullet or ray will tear this
place--and both forces--to bits! I'll perish, and so will every man on
either side, as far as the explosion reaches!"
The Newcomers were only a trifle mystified, but the Dondromogon party,
which knew what was beneath us, wavered. Those in the front rank
appeared to give back a little. The Newcomers saw this beyond me, and
made to move forward. Their officer, he who had recognized me, gestured
outward with his arms to make some sort of battle formation. "Rush
through," he said, "and fight it out in the clear beyond."
"Come on if you dare!" blared an officer of Dondromogon.
"Let nobody dare," I said, "unless he thinks he can fight his way past
me."
The Newcomers paused in turn. "Barak," said the officer, "don't you
know us? Don't you know me?"
I did know him, now that he spoke again. "You're Harvison, aren't you?"
I hailed him. "Don't be the first I must kill." I wheeled around. "My
challenge isn't to the Newcomers alone. I said, nobody shall pass
through. My sword, if not my voice, will stop this war, here and now."