CHAPTER EIGHT
"Ponkert, look! There -- by the roadside -- a rose!" Elf's excited words drew him from his idle thoughts of the events that transpired since his emergency landing on this strange planet.
Tugging his loyal Richard, the cowardly mankil, to a halt, the Earthman watched as the girl slid from the back of her mount and trotted toward the deep red bloom.
He smiled to himself, remembering the weapons demonstration Tomar had provided the morning following their night of wenching in the Hortian pleasure houses. The ruler's skill with the various swords and lances of Keller had been enough for the Earthman to reconsider his decision not to take Elf with him. There was no need to duel to the death -- especially when there didn't seem to be the least chance that he would emerge the vic
