human
For a man who may be dead within a few hours, he said grimly,
gpt
Would you have me seek out Pryak and beg for my life?
human
I will show them how a real man fights! he declared.
gpt
With my bare hands I once slew a leopard!
human
It must have been a very old leopard.
gpt
You lie! he bellowed, glaring belligerently at his heckler.
human
It was a great, full-grown--
gpt
Quiet, you fool! snapped Katon.
human
This is no time to start a brawl.
gpt
How many of us will see the end of this day? he asked in doleful tones.
human
Take Gorlat, here--so careful not to soil his tunic. It may soak in his own blood before darkness comes again!
gpt
Not if they give me a knife....
human
Few men equal him in handling a knife....
gpt
It will be an hour before the Games actually get under way. First they must finish the rites honoring the God-Whose-Name-May-Not-Be-Spoken--a lengthy ritual. Then the guards will come, select a few of us, give them arms and send them into the arena.
human
Somehow, Tharn said thoughtfully,
gpt
I wonder if it is wise to wait until the third day before putting our plan into action. After three days many of our men will have died in the arena. We shall need every man we can get.
human
Although we shall lose men, he continued,
gpt
I believe many of the soldiers and citizens of Sephar will join us when the revolt gets under way. Few, I imagine, regard Pryak with favor; they should welcome a chance to end his power and make one of their own men king.