Андрэ Нортон - Beast Master's Planet

Where the ledge of the cave had been was a mass of rock scored and fire-blackened. And the mountain top had an odd, crumpled appearance.

Ukurti’s fingers spoke. “The power has decided—Drum power against that of the hidden ancient ones. As the power has wrought, so let it be.”

He turned to walk down into the valley, and before him the wave of Norbie clansmen receded. Najar got to his feet and stumbled down to view the body.

“Dean’s dead—looks like the lightning got him.”

“So be it,” Quade said slowly, and he spoke for them all. “As Ukurti says, some power has spoken. The Lord of Thunder is dead. And this is no place for us—”

The mountain was now sealed again. Would the off-world authorities seek to reopen it for its secrets, wondered Hosteen as Quade steered him down the valley. Somehow he thought it would be a long time, if ever, before any man would tempt the retribution of the lightning power again. The “brains” might have some fancy explanation for what had happened—such as that some process inherent in the alien machines had drawn the offseason storm. But he was one in belief with Ukurti—there were powers and powers, and sometimes such met in battle. The power he could understand best had won this time. And out of that victory could come more than one kind of good, perhaps a more permanent truce between warring tribes—even Kelson’s dream of the security force of Norbies and humans working together. At least there would be no Lord of Thunder to lay his lash on Arzor—and perhaps to the stars beyond.

ANDRE NORTON, named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America and awarded a Life Achievement World Fantasy Award, is the author of more than one hundred novels of science fiction and fantasy adventure. Beloved by millions of readers the world over, she has thrilled generations with such series as Beast Master, the Time Traders, the Solar Queen, the Witch World, Central Control, Forerunner, and others. She has also written hundreds of short stories.

Miss Norton’s first novel was published in 1934; in the decades since, whether writing as “Andrew North” or Andre Norton, her writing and her gracious willingness to share her experience and knowledge with young writers have inspired countless authors active in the field today.

She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Visit her Web site at www.andre-norton.org.