"They are as the stars twinkling in the sky on a cold winter night," he
answered. "They have with them many queer engines of destruction. They
march side by side with the mountain chain, so that we of the plains
will not notice them."
"I posted spies on the fastest _megathons_ we owned," said Harth. "Were
they the ones who brought this news?"
"They are. They say that even if we could equip an army with
_megathons_ as fleet as theirs, there would be no chance to overtake
the Darksiders."
Flane walked back and forth, like a caged _valgon_. He saw ruin of
all his hopes crashing around him. No longer was there chance to unite
Darksider and Klarnva, if once the _mekniks_ and the outlanders joined
forces. They would be mad with blood-lust, with the hot urge to kill
and conquer. It was too late. Even the violet weapon could not help him.