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.The older Tarl had turned the body in his hands, and we had looked on it, andboth of us had regarded one another."This knife," said the Older Tarl, "wasto have been yours.""Do you know him?" I asked."No," he had said, "other than the fact that he was a warrior from the alliedcity of Thentis, a poor Warrior."We noted that his pouch had not been cut.The killer had wanted only the life.The older Tarl, taking the knife by the hand guard, withdrew it.It was athrowing knife, of a sort used in Ar, much smaller than the southern quiva,and tapered on only one side.It was a knife designed for killing.Mixed withthe blood and fluids of the body there was a smear of white at the end of thesteel, the softened residue of a glaze of kanda paste, now melted by bodyheat, which had coated the tip of the blade.On the hilt of the dagger,curling about it, was the legend, "I have sought him.I have found him." Itwas a killing knife."The Caste of Assassins?" I asked."Unlikely," had said the Older Tarl, "for Assassins are commonly too proud forpoison."Then, not speaking, the Older Tarl had slung the body over his shoulders.Itook the patch from the grillwork.We took the body, fortunately meeting noone at that late hour, to the nearby compartment of my father, Matthew Cabot,Administrator of the City.The older Tarl, my father and I long discussed thematter.We were confident that this attempt on my life, for that it seemed tobe, had something to do with the Sardar, and the Priest-Kings, and the Others,Page 23 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlnot Priest-Kings, who desired this world of Priest-Kings and men, and,surreptitiously and cruelty, were fighting to obtain it, though as yet,perhaps fearing the power of Priest-Kings or not fully understanding howseverely it hadbeen reduced in the Nest War of more than a year ago, they had not dared toattack openly.Accordingly, biding our time, we let it be known in the citythatTarl Cabot had been slain.Now, in the Hall of the House of Cernus, mythoughts became bitter.I had indeed come to avenge.But I did not even knowhis name.He had been a tarnsman of Thentis.He had come to the allied city of Ko-ro-ba,and had there found his death, for no reason that was clear to me other thanthe fact that he had had the misfortune to resemble me."Why," asked Cernus, breaking into my reverie, "did not Warriors of Ko-ro-bacome to Ar, to search out the killer?""It was not an act of war," said I."Further," I pointed out, "now that Kazrakof Port Kar is no long Administrator of Ar it seemed unlikely that Ar wouldwelcome Koroban Warriors within her walls.""It is true," said one of the men-at-arms."Do you know the name of the man whom you seek?" asked Cernus."I have only this," I said, drawing forth from my belt the wrinkled patch ofgreen cloth."It is a faction patch," said Cernus."There are thousands of such in Ar.""It is all I have," I said."This house itself," said Cernus, "is allied with the faction of the Greens,as certain other houses, and various of the establishments of the city, areassociated with other factions.""I know," I said, "that the House of Cernus is allied with the Greens.""I now see," said Cernus, "that there is more reason than I suspected in yourdesire to rent your sword in this house.""Yes," said I, "for all I know, the man I seek may be of this house.""It is unlikely though," said Cernus, "for those who favor the Greens arenumbered in the thousands and come from all castes of Gor.The AdministratorofAr himself, and the High Initiate, are partisans of the green."I shrugged."But you are welcome in this house," said Cernus."As you presumably knowthese are difficult times in Ar, and a good sword is a good investment, andsteel in these days is upon occasion more valuable than gold."I nodded."I will upon occasion," said Cernus, "have commissions for you." He lookeddown on me."But for the time," he said, "it is valuable for me simply for itto be known that your sword is in this house.""I await your commands," I said."You will be shown to your quarters," said Cernus, gesturing to a nearbyman-at-arms."Incidentally," said he, "Killer."I turned to face him."It is known to me that in the tavern of Spinduis, you slew four Warriors oftheHouse of Portus."I said nothing."Four pieces of gold," said Cernus, "double tarns, will be sent to yourrooms."I nodded my head."Also," said Cernus, "it is understood by me that you picked up one of myPage 24 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlgirls on the street."I tensed slightly, my hand dropping to the hilt of the short sword
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