CHAPTER 4KHUN OF THE NINE SKULLS
There were ten of the desert men. As they rode, they made an open box-like formation, with Kellory and Carthalla, on their ponies with the pack-beast galloping along behind, in the center of the hollow square. It was, Carthalla soon discovered, uncomfortable to ride with your wrists lashed before you to the saddle horn and your ankles roped together under the belly of your mount.
As they rode into the desert, Carthalla stole sidewise glances at Kellory’s immobile features. He did not deign to turn his head and meet her glance. The girl was frightened; but she was also rather exasperated at the passivity of her companion. Once she had watched him slay nine Thungoda warriors in three heartbeats: his witchfire had smote them from the saddles like bolts of li
