Although Bairam was running fast, Blade caught up with him before they were out of sight of Saorm's door. He seized the boy by the arm and whispered fiercely, "Slow down, you young idiot! If you run, everyone will notice you. We don't want that until we've tested the rifles."

"Yes, but if we don't hurry, Geyrna's father will spread the word all over Kaldak. I think what you've done breaks the Law and-"

"If you hadn't bolted like a frightened munfan, we wouldn't have to worry about Saorm! We could have stayed and told him what we'd done. Then he might have kept his mouth shut. As it is-" Blade made a gesture of utter disgust.

The boy sighed. "I am sorry, Blade. But-I could not think as I should have. I-"

"I know. Well not much harm was done this time. But you're going to have to think first and then act, from now on. Do I have your word of honor on that?"

"Yes, Blade."

They returned to Peython's tower without attracting any attention or hearing any unusual uproar behind them. Blade hoped that Saorm was on his knees along with his daughter, and would stay there for a while.

The two rifles in Bairam's rooms each had a slot in the b.u.t.t, about the right size for one of the six-inch fire jewels. The slot of one rifle was a cracked and corroded mess. Blade sc.r.a.ped the other slot clean with a knife and dropped the fire jewel into place. Then he raised the rifle, mentally crossed his fingers, and pulled the trigger.

Fzzzzzzzttttt!

A beam of dazzling green light as thick as Blade's thumb lanced across the room. On the far wall a six-inch circle turned black. Smoke curled up and hot bits of stone sprayed the room. Blade fired again, the smoke made him cough, and now there was a hole in the wall several inches deep.

Blade turned to Bairam, who was trying not to look excited and almost succeeding. "The fire jewels in the Oltec must have lost power faster than the ones used as ornaments-" he began. Then he realized that Bairam was staring at him without understanding. Oh, well, time enough to explain electricity later. Right now they needed more experiments.

"We must have more of the fire jewels," said Blade. "Do you know if there are any more in-"

"There's my father's necklace," said Bairam eagerly. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind-"

"I'm sure he would mind," said Blade, heading off the boy's enthusiasm. "Any others?"

Bairam shook his head, then said reluctantly. "You don't want me to go back to Saorm, do you?"

Blade nodded. "We need those fire jewels, Bairam. And you are a warrior of Kaldak."

Blade's hint was enough. The boy pulled on some clothes and hurried out the door. A minute later he came back, much faster than he'd left. Right after him came Kareena.

She was wearing only knee-length trousers and a sword, and Blade thought her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s were even lovelier than before. He also thought she was angrier than he'd ever seen her. Her face was an icy mask except for the eyes, which blazed like hot coals, and her voice shook.

"Blade, you are going to die. Brother, you deserve to, even though you probably won't. Our father is weak enough to think-"

"You will not speak of our father that way, Kareena," snapped Bairam. He started to draw his sword, then remembered he wasn't wearing one. Blade cautiously shifted his position to where he could cover the open door with the rifle, without any danger of hitting Kareena or her brother.

"I will speak as I please, and you will not stop me. Not after throwing the Law into the pigsties with this Blade, giving him live Oltec a second time-"

"I did not give him live Oltec. He-"

"I will not believe you. You-"

"Kareena, only blood will wipe out what you just said. Let me get a sword and-"

"SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!".

Blade's roar silenced them as completely as if he'd shot them both dead. "Thank you," he said. "Now, you are going to listen. Bairam, stop threatening your sister. She has only made a mistake. When she learns that, she will apologize. In the meantime I want no more talk of shedding her blood. I will break your arms before I let you touch her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Blade," said Bairam, unnaturally subdued.

"Good. Kareena, what I have done today may be so important that the meaning of the Law perhaps has to be changed. I have found a way to make dead Oltec live again."

"You have-no! That is impossible."

"It is not impossible, Kareena," said Bairam quietly. "I have seen it myself. Look at the Oltec he holds. That is the dead piece which hung on my wall, isn't it?"

Kareena stepped closer and looked at the rifle in Blade's hands. "Yes. I-I recognize the marks."

"And you knew it was dead?"

"Yes. By the Law, it was dead."

"But Blade had made it live again. Take it from Blade, Kareena, and use it. You will see."

Blade had doubts about the wisdom of letting someone in Kareena's mood have a live weapon, but he let her take the rifle. She raised it, aimed it out into the hall, and fired.

Fzzzzttttt!

Another bolt of green fire, this one just missing two servants pa.s.sing with armloads of pots. They screamed, dropped their loads, and ran off down the hall.

Kareena stood with the rifle in her hands, shaking all over, eyes squeezed shut. Blade saw tears trickling out from under her eyelids, gently took the rifle from her, and handed it to Bairam. Then he took her in his arms and held her as he would have held a hurt child, although he was very conscious of the fine b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressing against his chest.

Kareena fought not to cry in front of Blade and her brother. Finally she stepped away from Blade and wiped her eyes with the back of one hand. Then she smiled. "I am sorry, Blade. For my anger and for my weakness. I do not know what you have done-it reaches deep into me. Now I wonder if indeed you are sent to Kaldak by the Sky Masters."

The smile lit up her whole face. It could not make her thin features truly beautiful, but it made them enormously alive. For Blade that was more important than picture-book beauty. He smiled back. "Kareena, I did what I did because I have a busy mind and prying fingers. If I had not opened a new future for Kaldak when I started prying into the Oltec, you might have had reason to attack me."

"Perhaps. But..." Her smile faded.

"Don't torture yourself over what's past," said Blade briskly. "And keep smiling. You look much better smiling than when you look as though you would geld me on the spot if you had a knife!"

Bairam laughed. "Kareena, will you now believe me when I say that? Blade, I've told her many times that she could have six husbands if she only smiled a little. But no-she will look like the spirit of plague!"

Kareena sighed. "Bairam, if you talked less I might believe you more. I know that you tell the truth half the time. But which half?"

Blade hated to break up this reconciliation between Kareena and her brother, but he knew time was short. "Kareena, Bairam, I think it would be wise if we got some beer, then sat down while you told me all about how the Land came to be the way it is. We must put everything that has happened today before your father Peython. Otherwise Saorm will spread tales all over Kaldak. Even if there is no panic, the tales may reach ears which should not hear them.

"Right now I do not know enough about this city and the Land to be sure I will not appear foolish before your father. I do not want to appear foolish before him. He is not the man to forgive that, I think."

The other two agreed heartily. Servants brought the beer, Kareena poured out three cups, and Blade settled down to listen to the history of this Dimension. There were few surprises, but a lot of things he'd already known made more sense after listening to Bairam and Kareena.

This Dimension once had an advanced civilization. Its people were sometimes called the Sky Masters, because they had flown through the sky in great machines, and sometimes the Tower Builders, because of the towers in their cities.

Whatever they were called, they destroyed their civilization in a great war. Atomic and hydrogen bombs, lasers, radioactive dust, bacteria, chemicals, and exotic war machines were all used. Many cities were destroyed, and most of the rest made uninhabitable.

Only the people in the mountains and on the most remote farms survived the war. It left many of them sterile, and too many of the babies born were horrible mutations. After a few generations of ruthlessly killing the worst mutations, the human stock was almost back to normal. Those mutations which remained, such as the blue hair of Kareena and Bairam, were considered marks of honor. Other animals were less fortunate. Some of the animal mutations were useful, such as the munfans. Other were a menace, including the great-hawks and the giant rats.

After several more generations, the radioactivity and chemicals faded away. People came from the mountains and the farms and tried to rebuild civilization in those cities which still stood. They found much of the Sky Masters' machinery still intact, but the knowledge of how to build or repair it was gone. When a piece of the Old Technology-shortened to Old Tech, then corrupted to Oltec-wore out, it could not be fixed. Some brave men and women tried to repair dead Oltec, but many of them died in accidents and learned nothing.

Slowly the supply of Oltec shrank, as one piece of equipment after another died. Slowly the cities began to fight over what was left. Slowly the Law emerged in most cities, slightly different in each one but with two points in common almost everywhere.

First, Oltec could be used only in the most desperate situations, when life or something equally valuable was in danger. Second, no one should try to repair a piece of Oltec or use any Oltec machine which wasn't lying around ready for the taking. The people of the Land would seldom climb the towers to look for it, and never went into cellars. Oltec not lying around ready at hand was Oltec they were not meant to use.

Everyone knew that in time there would be no more Oltec to take from the ruins of the cities. Everyone was afraid of what might happen then. Everyone knew that trying to go outside the Law would make matters worse. Under the Law, Blade was actually guilty of two capital offenses: using Oltec unnecessarily and trying to repair it.

"If you hadn't discovered the secret of the fire jewels, I do not think even our father could have kept you alive until the Gathering," said Kareena grimly. "The people would storm this tower and tear you to pieces in front of his eyes, and set a new chief in his place if he tried to speak against it."

"They may still try it, if Saorm tells the city before we talk to our father," said Bairam. "Blade, have you heard enough so that you can stand before him?"

"I have."

"Good. Then let us go to him." He rose, and Blade noted that the boy was gone, at least for the moment. In his place was a sober, quiet young man. Blade wondered if it was the rivalry with Kareena which had brought out the worst in Bairam. He certainly hoped this new maturity would last.

Chapter 8.

Peython quickly understood the importance of Blade's discovery. Before Blade could even finish his story, Peython summoned his guards.

"Go to the house of Saorm the merchant in fire jewels," he told them. "Bring him and his daughter Geyrna here at once. Do not harm them, but do not let them resist you or delay you. If anyone questions you on the way, say that Saorm is suspected of giving aid to Doimar."

After the guards left, Peython glowered at his son. "If the Doimari learn about this because you lost your head, you will be guilty of aiding them. I'm not going to punish you for that, but I will hardly forget it either. Now continue your story, Blade."

Blade did so. Peython let him finish, then asked Kareena and Bairam to tell their versions. When all three were finished, Peython squatted cross-legged on his table and seemed to be meditating. Neither his children nor Blade dared to interrupt him. Before he'd finished his meditations, the guards returned with Saorm and Geyrna. Peython dismissed the guards again and listened to Saorm tell his story.

Much to everyone's relief, the merchant had told no one of what he'd seen. He'd been too busy praying to the Sky Masters, the Spirit of the Law, the Lord of the Towers, and anyone else he thought might listen. He was barely able to believe what he'd seen and was quite sure he'd never be able to make anyone else believe it. Since she was already in her father's bad graces for her affair with Bairam, Geyrna hadn't dared move a step or say a word without his permission.

When the man was finished, Peython said, "You have done nothing against the Law. You will do nothing against my pleasure, as long as you are silent about what you saw today."

"I can do this, Peython. But what about my daughter and your son?"

Peython smiled as he studied the girl. "I have decided that you must give your permission for your daughter to see Bairam. I will have Bairam follow the Law if Geyrna bears his child, of course. Otherwise I think it best we save our words until they are needed."

Both Bairam and Geyrna looked happy at Peython's words. The merchant shrugged, apparently realizing that he had no say in the matter and that the interview had come to an end. "Come, Geyrna." He was reaching for her hand when she suddenly jumped back.

"Tell them about the fire jewels of Gilmarg! Tell them where they are and why you hid them, Father!"

"What are you talking about?" the man snarled, but Blade saw his eyes flicker and his tongue come out. Blade moved close to him and signaled Kareena to do the same.

"You hid enough fire jewels to bring life to all the Oltec in Kaldak, because you and your friends wanted a good price for-"

"Peython, my daughter is lying! You can't believe-"

Peython stood up. Suddenly he no longer looked quite so much like a professor playing the part of a barbarian chieftain. His face showed the same cold rage Blade was used to seeing on Kareena's. Bairam drew his sword and stood close to Geyrna. Saorm looked at all the grim faces around him and swallowed hard.

"My son, who knows your daughter well, does not think she is lying," said Peython. "My daughter, who is wise beyond her years, does not think she is lying. Blade of England, who has seen many lands, does not think she is lying. I myself, chief of Kaldak, do not think she is lying." He jumped down from the table and walked up to the merchant.

His voice softened. "You have done no harm yet. When you found these jewels, you could not have known their secret. They were no more than pretty things you bought and sold. Now they are more. They are the future of Kaldak and perhaps of all the Land. They are no longer yours. So where are they?"

The merchant's mouth hardened, although sweat was breaking out on his forehead. "And if I do not choose to tell?"

At a signal from her father, Kareena put the bar in place across the door. "Among us, I think we know enough to make any man talk," said Peython. "After that-well, wagging tongues can be cut out. Hands which reach for what belongs to other men can be cut off. Eyes which see only greed can be put out."

The merchant started trembling so hard Blade was afraid he might faint on the spot. "Come, Saorm," said Blade more gently. "The only way you can keep your secret now is by killing yourself. We might not let you do that. Even if you succeeded, you would get no profit from your discovery. If you tell us what we want to know, I at least think you should have some reward."

"M-m-my life?" said Saorm.

"Yes," said Peython. "Perhaps more. But start talking!"

Now that he'd found himself with no choice but to talk, Saorm could hardly get the words out fast enough. When he'd finished, Kareena asked, "Does anyone else know where these jewels are?"

"No, lady. Only me. The stone I pushed into the mouth of the tunnel-one man could move it. I swear it, by the Sky Masters!"

"We believe you, Saorm," said Peython. "If you hold your tongue and guide my men to the jewels, I will even reward you. For now, you will be my guest. I will also take your daughter and your slave into my care." He sounded the gong for his guards.

After they'd taken Saorm out, the chief turned to the others. "We have won ourselves some time, but not much. The sooner we send men to Gilmarg, the better. But I think we shall speak more wisely after some food. Geyrna, will you accept a place at my table?"

The girl flushed and looked at the floor. "I would be honored, Peython."

The dinner was supposed to be a planning session for the expedition to Gilmarg, to bring home Saorm's roomful of fire jewels. Instead it became a celebration of Blade's discovery, the bright new future it opened for Kaldak, and all the other discoveries he might make in the future. The table creaked under the weight of platters of meat, and the beer and liquor went around and around, one toast after another.

The liquor still tasted like gin to Blade. Now it seemed like good Bombay gin, not the sort of cheap rotgut sold in dockside pubs. Kareena slid lower and lower in her chair and sometimes broke into song. It was always a relief when she stopped. She had a lovely speaking voice but couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Geyrna giggled a lot and leaned openly on Bairam's shoulder, while he held her up and caressed her. Only Peython seemed to remain completely sober, although he drank half again as much as anyone else in the room. For all the effect the liquor had on him, he might have been drinking fruit juice.

At last Bairam and Geyrna staggered off to his room, both nearly naked and their arms around each other's waist. Kareena was having trouble standing up, so Blade went over to help her. She sprang up like a jack-in-the-box, then leaned against him and raised her face to him. The invitation in her eyes was unmistakable. Blade bent and kissed her. For a moment her lips flared wide and hot, her seeking tongue darting out to meet his. Then she jerked as if she'd gripped one of the power cells, and she twisted away from Blade. He watched her lurch off to her room, and he was very conscious of Peython watching him.

Blade reached his own room, to find the door unlocked and the guard gone. He was beginning to drift off to sleep when he heard a knock on the door. Before he could move, the door opened and he saw Geyrna silhouetted against the light in the hall. She carried a fur robe over one arm, but otherwise she was stark naked. Her red hair tumbled down wildly, almost reaching her b.u.t.tocks.

"Geyrna, what are you doing here?"

She giggled. "I have come to make you Bairam's brother. What else did you think, Blade of England?" She patted one full breast and the patch of red hair between her legs.

"Ah," said Blade. If two men who'd fought side by side in battle also had s.e.x with the same woman, this gave them a form of brotherhood under the Law. Blade wasn't entirely sure he wanted to be any sort of kin to the hotheaded Bairam, but he could hardly insult both the chief's son and the girl by flatly refusing. Before he could even think of any words to delay matters, Geyrna darted across the room, swept the blankets off the bed, and leaped on top of Blade.

"Ah," he said again, this time in a very different tone of voice. The girl seemed to be kissing or caressing every part of his body at once. Her warm smooth skin and the musk of her own arousal made Blade aggressively ready for her almost at once. She was starting to kiss his throbbing p.e.n.i.s when he gripped her shoulders and rolled her off him. Then he bent over her, kissing her lips, letting his tongue and hers dance together while he stroked her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Nipples like miniature spear points tickled his palms, and he heard Geyrna moan. He trailed fingers across her pubic hair, felt dampness, heard her moan louder. Then he raised himself above her and entered.

Her thighs and legs clamped around him as if he was her only hold on the world. Her nails dug into the skin of his shoulders, and he heard her sobbing breath in his ear. He thrust steadily, with increasing eagerness as his own self-control began to go. He wanted to hold back, but he also wanted to ease the exquisite agony slowly turning every part of his body to fire.

Blade's breath tore its way out of his throat in a long gasp at the same moment as Geyrna cried out. Blade knew that half the tower could have heard her and didn't care. He sagged forward, the strength oozing out of his arms. It was all he could do to keep from settling down on her with his whole two hundred and ten pounds of now thoroughly limp muscle and bone.

She lay beside him, one nipple brushing his elbow and one hand resting on his groin. "Now you and Bairam are brothers," she said quietly. "You will be even more his brother if you bed Kareena. I think she will have you if you ask her."

Blade doubted this but was too tired to find words easily. By the time he'd thought of an answer Geyrna's even breathing told him that she was sound asleep. Blade pulled the blankets over both of them and closed his eyes.