Part 10 (1/2)

_CHAPTER ELEVEN_

_Thrala's Mate_

Although there were falls of rock within the Caverns and soes were closed, few of the Folk suffered injury Gibi scouts reported that the land about the entrance to the Caves had sunk, and that the River of Gold, thrown out of its bed, was fast filling this basin to form a lake

As far as they could discover, none of the Black Ones had survived the battle and the sealing of the Caves But they could not be sure that there was not a handful of outlaws somewhere within the confines of Tav

The Crater itself was changed A series of raw hills had appeared in the central plain The pool of boiling mud had vanished and trees in the forest lay flat, as if cut by a giant scythe

Upon their return to the cliff city, the Gibi found most of their wax skyscrapers in ruins, but they set about rebuilding without coed froain busy in the fields

Garin felt out of place in all the activity that filled the Caverns

More than ever he was the outlander with no true roots in Tav

Restlessly, he explored the Caverns, spending many hours in the Place of Ancestors, where he studied those men of the outer world who had preceded hiht when he ca him there There was a curious hardness in Dandtan's attitude, a soht the Hall of Women since the battle?” demanded the son of the Ancient Ones abruptly

”No,” retorted Garin shortly Did Dandtan accuse hie to Thrala?”

Garin held back his rising temper ”I have not ventured where I can not”

Dandtan nodded to Trar as if his suspicions had been confirmed ”You see how it stands, Trar”

Trar shook his head slowly ”But never has the suet,” Dandtan reminded him sharply ”It was once--and the penalty was exacted So shall it be again”

Garin looked from one to the other, confused Dandtan seeer, but Trar was manifestly unhappy

”It ,” the Lord of the Folk said

Dandtan strode toward the door ”Thrala is not to know asseht Meanwhile, see that he,” he jerked his thumb toward Garin, ”does not leave this roouard of the Folk, unable to discover of what Dandtan accused him, or how he had aroused the hatred of the Cavern ruler Unless Dandtan's jealousy had been aroused and he was deter this, the flyer illingly to the chaes waited Dandtan sat at the head of a long table, Trar at his right hand and lesser nobles of the Folk beyond

”You know the charge,” Dandtan's words were tipped with venom as Garin came to stand before him ”Out of his own mouth has this outlander condemned himself Therefore I ask that you decree for hi who rebelled against the su”

”The outlander has admitted his fault?” questioned one of the Folk

Trar inclined his head sadly ”He did”