John Norman - Rouge of Gor

"Supposedly this was done in secrecy," said Callisthenes, "but I think there is little doubt they must have understood what was being done. Indeedk I have heard that there are rumors of the work in various of the western towns, in Turmus and Ven, in Tetrapoli and Tafa."Indeed," smiled Glyco. "We have even received a protest from Ven in the council."

"On the assumption that the pirates understood what was occuring," I said to Callisthenes, "does it not seem strange to you that they made no effort to interfere with the placing of the chain?" It was guarded, of course," said Callisthenes. "You, yourself, are presumable well informed," I said. "I trust so," said Callit\sthenes.

"Does this lack of opposition or interference on the part of pirates as powerful and well organized as thoes of Ragnar Voskjard not seem puzzling to you?" Yes," said Callisthenes. "What would you conclude from this lack of interest or action on their part?" I asked."I do not know," said Callisthenes, angrily.

"The conculsion is clear," said Glyuco. "And what do you conclude?" inquired Callisthenes."that they do not fear it," said Glyco, "that they do not regard it as a threat to themselves."Callisthenes scowled at the portly merchant.

"If that is their belief, they are in my opinion surely mistaken," said Callisthenes."Do you truly think a chain will stop the fleet of Ragnar Voskjard?" asked Callimachus."Surely," said Callisthenes, "the chain-and too of course the vessels of Port Cos."

"We know," said Tasdron, "that the topaz was brought to Victoria. It was doubtless brought as a pledge of Ragnar Voskjard to Policrates. It signifies in effect the agreement of Ragnar Voskjard to join forces with Policrates. I do not doubt that the fleet of Ragnar Voskjard in a short time will follow the topaz."Aiii!" whispered Glyco.

"Voskjard may be on the move now," Said Callimachus. "At this very moment his forces may be moving east on the river."Policrates is expecting their arrival," I said. "that I know. Indeed, it is that which gave plausibility to my plan."

"The chain will stop them," said Callisthenes. "The chain must stop them!"

"I must return immediately to Port Cos," said Glyco. "Voskjard must be met at the chain."

We all rose to our feet. "But what of the stronghold of Policrates?" I asked. "Would you leave such an enemy at your back?" It would take ten thousand men to storm that stronghold," said Callisthenes. "Five hundred, entered, through the sea gate, could take it," I said.

"Your plan is the plan of a fool," said Callisthenes. "I have been within the stronghold," I said. "I know it. I tell you it could be so taken."

"I will not risk a large number of men in this," said Callisthenes, "but I will tell you what I might do. I will give you twenty men, if so many will volunteer, and if Aemilianus of Ar's Station will similarly supply another twenty. Then if, truly, you can enter the seat gate and can hold it, set a beacon at the gate. We can then send supporting forces through the narrow waters to the wall. I have some two hundred men in Victoria and Aemilianus, as my intelligence sources indicate, a comparable number."

"There will be presumably some four or five hundred men in the holding," I said. "You would ask some forty men to sand against them, holding the sea gate for perhaps two Ahn?"

"Surely," said Callisthens. "It is not just the sea gate," I said, "and the wall near it, and the tower houseing the windlass, but the walks about the walled cove within, and the entry to the main stronghold."

"It would be difficulty," said Callisthenes. "Our men would be spread too thinly, Jason," said Callimachus. "You must forget the matter."It is sometimes surprising," said Callisthenes regarding me, smiling, "what a few men, determined and skilled, can accomplish."

"Ragnor Voskjar," I said, "would come with a fleet, not one or two ships and forty men."Empty grain ships, towed, their idenity concealed in the darkness, might suggest such a fleet." mused Callisthenes."Accept his plan in its plausible form, my friend, Callisthenes, or let us put it entirely from our minds," sid Callimachus. "Yes," said Glyco. "That is doubtless best," agreed Callisthenes.

"I am willing to try it," said Callisthenes. "Wht chances do you think we might have?" I asked Callimachus. He smiled wryly. "One or two," he guessed, "perhaps one or two in a thousand,"

"Surprise would be on our side," I pointed out. "Support would not be immediately at hand," said Callimachus. "The portals and walks to be defended are sufficiently narrow," I said earnestly."And many in number," said Callimachus. "Too, there may be circuitous passages, secreat, of which y ou are unaware. In this even you might be easily outflanked."

I thought of the slave, she who had once been Miss Beverly Henderson. "Give me twenty men," I said to Callisthenes. "I think I can supply you with twenty volunteres," he said.I looked to Aemilianus. "If Port Cos can give youtwenty men for such a venture," said Aemilianus, "Ar's Station, surely, could supply no smaller a number."

"It is now foolishness and madness, Jason," said Callimachus. "Do not embark upon so mad a venture." "You need not come, my friend." I said. "I shall accompany you, of course," said Callimachus.

We were not beneath the high dark walls of the stronghold of Policrates. I could see them rearing some hundred feet above us.

We nosed toward the sea gte, our oars scarely entering the water.

I could see a lamp lit on a wall, more than three hundred feet within, inside the sea gate. The sea gate itself was fifty feet in height, large enough, when the barred latticwork was lifted, to accomodte a masted cargo galley. It was reinforced on two sides with keeplike towers. The tower on the right, as I faced the gate, housed the windlass which lifted and lowered the gate. It was turned by prisoners and slaves, chained to its bars, but these men, without the assistance of the gigantic counterweights, also within the tower, could not have moved it.

"Who is there?" called a man from the wall."Step back," I said to Callimachus. "You might be recognized,"

I then stood alone onthe foredeck of the galley. I climbed to the foot of the prow and stood there, my left arm about the prow. I wore the mastk I had worn when I had pretened to be the courier of Ragnar Voskjard.

"Who is there?" repeated the man.

"I am the courier of Ragnar Voskjard!" I called. "We are sent ahead, the scout ships of his fleet!" We had only four ships iwth us and three were substantially empty. Tasdron had arranged them in Victoria, on the pretense of fetching a consignment of Sa-Tarna from Siba, to be brought to the Brewery of Lucian, near Fina, east of Victoria, with which brewery he occasionally did business.

"The fleet of Ragnar Voskjard is not due for ten days," called the man. "We are the souut ships," I called. "It is only two days behind us!"

"The Voskjard is eager," called the man.

"There are towns to be burned," I called, "loots to be gathered, women to tie in or slave slacks!" How did you pass the chain?" called the man.

The batther has been fought," I said, "It has been cut!"

"I do not like it," said Callimachus, behind me. "Tere are too few men on the walls."I surely have not object to that," I said, "Hopefully most of the ships and men of Policrates are abroad."Now," asked Callimachus, "when they are waiting for Ragnar Voskjard?"

"He is not due in their opinion for ten days," I said. "Let us withdraw," advised Callimachus.

"The cups of Cos," I cried to the man on the wall, "are not the cups of Ar!" Yes each may be filled with a splendid wine," he called down.

"The ships of Cos," I called to the man on the wall, "are not the ships of Ar!" But the holds of each may contain fine treasures," he answered.

"The Robes of Concealment of Cos are not the Robes of Conealment of Ar," I called. "What do they have in common?" called the man. "Both conceal the bodies of slaves! I called to him.