Abruptly Rador was between them.

One dropped his hilt and gripped him--the green dwarf's poniard flashed and was buried in his throat.

Down upon Rador's head swept the second blade.

A flame leaped from O'Keefe's hand and the sword seemed to fling itself from its wielder's grasp--another flash and the soldier crumpled.

Rador threw himself into the shell, darted to the high seat--and straight between the pillars of the Shadow we flew! There came a crackling, a darkness of vast wings flinging down upon us.