Then a sudden light brightened his countenance.
"I have it!" he cried. "Only yesterday Matai Shang let drop a hint
of his destination, telling me of a race of people unlike ourselves
who dwell far to the north. They, he said, had always been known
to the Holy Therns and were devout and faithful followers of the
ancient cult. Among them would he find a perpetual haven of refuge,
where no `lying heretics' might seek him out. It is there that
Matai Shang has gone."
"And in all Kaol there be no flier wherein to follow," I cried.
"Nor nearer than Ptarth," replied Thuvan Dihn.
"Wait!" I exclaimed, "beyond the southern fringe of this great
forest lies the wreck of the thern flier which brought me that far
upon my way. If you will loan me men to fetch it, and artificers
to assist me, I can repair it in two days, Kulan Tith."
I had been more than half suspicious of the seeming sincerity of
the Kaolian jeddak's sudden apostasy, but the alacrity with which
he embraced my suggestion, and the despatch with which a force of
officers and men were placed at my disposal entirely removed the
last vestige of my doubts.
Two days later the flier rested upon the top of the watchtower,
ready to depart. Thuvan Dihn and Kulan Tith had offered me the
entire resources of two nations--millions of fighting men were at
my disposal; but my flier could hold but one other than myself and
Woola.
As I stepped aboard her, Thuvan Dihn took his place beside me.
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