Blood Brothers of Gor

Chapter 52 A BOON

"Take up your sword, I beg you," said Alfred. He had already seized up his sword from the low, flat rock in the midst of the encircling savages. Kaiila, Dust Legs, Fleer and Sleen. I looked at the sword, lying on the rock. I had little taste for what must be done.

"I do not think you are my match," I told him.

"If you do not," he said, "they will strip me, and put bells on me, and run me for boys on kaiila, as sport for their lances!"

Of the soldiers there had been only five survivors from the fray, Alfred, and four of his officers. Only the four officers had been permitted to draw lots. Of these three would be run for the boys, in the grasses, stripped and belled for lance sport. The other woiuld be returned west of the Ihanke, that an account might be rendered of what had occurred in the Barrens.

"Please!" begged Alfred.

"They respect you as a commander," I said, "else they would not permit you this option."

"Please," he said.

I did not wish to see Alfred, belled as though he might be a slave girl, running, cut and bleeding under the lances. Circles are painted on the body. Points are scored. The least vulnerable areas, of course, are the first targets. The boys can make such a game last as long as an Ahn.

"You are of the Warriors, are you not?" asked Alfred.

"Yes," I said. My collar had been removed yesterday. I was now free.

"Please," he said.

I took up the sword from the flat rock.

It was soon finished.

I had then wiped the blade.