The Players | Page 5

in the hill, to find themselves confronted
by a half dozen men, who swung about, trying to bring their bows to
bear on the unexpected targets. Two of these went down as arrows sang
through the air, then the traders were upon the rest, swords flailing, too
close for archery.
One of the bandits swung his sword wildly at Musa, who had drawn a
twin to that blade he had sold back in Karth. The slender shaft of steel
rang against the bandit's bronze blade, deflecting it, then Musa made a
quick thrust which passed through the man's leather shield, to penetrate
flesh. The bronze weapon sagged, and its holder staggered. Musa
jerked back violently, disengaged his sword, and made a swift cut. For
an instant, the bandit sat his mount, staring at his opponent. Then, he
slumped, and rolled loosely from his saddle.
The action had been fast. Only one bandit, a skilled swordsman,

remained, to keep Baro busy. Musa rode quickly behind him, thrusting
as he passed. Baro looked across the limp body.
"Now, what did you have to do that for?" he demanded. "I was having a
good time."
"Let's get down to the trail again," Musa told him. "We can have a
wonderful time there." He pointed.
The caravan's rear guard was in trouble. Several of them were in the
dust of the trail, and the survivors were being pressed by a number of
determined swordsmen.
Baro wheeled and slid down the incline, closely followed by the rest of
the group.
The surrounded bandits fought desperately, but hopelessly. The charge
from the hill had driven them off balance, and they were never given a
chance to recover. At last, Musa and Baro looked over the results of the
raid.
They had lost several guards. One trader, Klaron, had been killed by an
arrow launched early in the attack. Several of the survivors were
wounded.
"We'll have to hire some more guards and drivers in Jogurth," said Baro.
"And what are we going to do about Klaron's goods?"
"We can divide them and sell them in Jogurth," Musa told him. "Klaron
has a brother back in Karth who can use the money, and money's a lot
easier to carry than goods. You'll see him on your return trip."
Baro nodded, and started up the line, reorganizing the caravan. At last,
they got under way again, and resumed their slow way toward the
plateau.
* * * * *
The caravan went on, to enter the plateau, where the traders started

resting by day and traveling by night, to avoid exertion during the day's
heat.
They came to the city of Jogurth, which for most of them was a
terminal. From there, they would return to Karth, a few possibly going
on to their homes still farther west. Musa stayed in town for a few days,
trading his few remaining eastern goods for locally produced articles,
and helping in the sale of Klaron's goods. At last, he joined another
caravan, headed by an old trader, Kerunar, who habitually traveled
between Jogurth and Manotro, on the east coast.
The trip across the Soruna Kran was uneventful, and Musa finally saw
the glint of the Eastern Sea. He did not stay long in Manotro, for he
discovered that the small channel ships traveled frequently, and he was
able to guide his pack beasts to the wharf, where his bales were
accepted for shipment. Leaving his goods, he led his animals back to
the market.
Old Kerunar shook his head when he saw Musa. "Be careful, son," he
cautioned. "I've been coming here for twenty years. Used to trade in
Norlar, too. But you couldn't get me over there now for ten thousand
caldor."
"Oh?" Musa looked at him curiously. "What's wrong?"
Kerunar looked at his newly set up booth. Hung about it were durable
goods and trinkets from a dozen cities. There were articles even from
far-off Telon, in the Konassan gulf. He looked back at Musa.
"Norlar," he declared, "has fallen into the hands of thieves and
murderers. You can trade there, to be sure. You can even make a profit.
But you cannot be sure you will not excite the avarice of the Kondarans,
or arouse their anger. For they have a multitude of strange laws, which
they can invoke against anyone, and which they enforce with
confiscation of goods. Death or slavery await any who protest their
actions or question their rules." He paused.
[Illustration]

"Some manage to trade, and come back with profitable bales. Some
leave their goods in the hands of the priests of Kondaro. Some remain,
to find a quick death. But I stop here. I prefer to deal with honorable
men. When I face the thief or the bandit, I prefer to have a weapon in