"You still scare any man you look at, Barak," said Harvison. He was a
little tottery from loss of blood, but game. "Well, shall we charge?"
He managed a grin.
"I've been trying to keep you from doing that," I groaned. "I don't
want tragedy here and extermination afterward. Can't this world stand
peace--"
"If you can do it," someone said behind me, "I give you full authority."
I knew him. He was Dr. Thorald--high in the Newcomer command. With him
were the other leaders, Parkeson and Captain Cross.
"Danger!" I gasped at them. "Don't come through here. Doriza, see that
they do not--" I looked for her. She was not there.
"She slipped away while we fought," said Klob. "First setting the
glare-lamp to run--"
My heart sank. "Which way did she go? Toward the Newcomers, or toward
Dondromogon?"
"Toward Dondromogon," he said, and my heart sank the rest of the way.
She had decided to betray me after all.
"Wait here, all," I commanded, and moved clear of the glare-field.
Moved straight toward the host of Dondromogon.
Gederr laughed again. I could read his thoughts. He had clinched his
own power by judicious murders. Now he thought I was in his hands.
"Shoot him down," he bade.
"Let no man shoot," I warned. "A pellet flying past me will strike and
set off the glare-field. It's still swords, and in the open we can use
their rays."