Harold Lamb

“ In the second when he had taken his gaze from the merchant, Durforth had stooped to pick up from the snow the dagger left there by the shaman. No sooner had his fingers closed upon it than he lunged at Thorne's back. The sudden movement in so big a man had aroused the armiger, who stepped wide of the thrust, drawing his sword as he did so. ”

“ Evidently the other's kam, his tutelary diety was powerful, and unfriendly to Shatong's kam. Durforth's power, too, was doubtful. So Shatong waited to see what would happen.
“These be men of power. No hoofed beast can protect itself against them, creatures with claws flee away. There is a thusind, a pursuit of blood between them. Let us see what they will accomplish.”
Durforth rose and advanced to the fire with hand outstretched.
“'Od's life, Master Thorne, I greet you well! In this pagan land we can not afford to nourish our late quarrel. We must abet one another. ”

“ Something whirred past the shaman and thudded into the back of the foremost Ostiak. It was a crossbow bolt and it knocked the man from his feet. The others turned to stare at the forest and yelled in shrill and astonished fear.
Two figures were advancing on them from the trees, Kyrger running in advance, fitting an arrow to his small bow. Behind him, grasping the crossbow that he had picked up when the Samoyed let it fall, was Peter. Peter with the skin of the polar bear wrapped around him, the muzzle over his head, his face almost invisible between the gaping jaws. ”

“ He glanced down thoughtfully at the body of his enemy: “Peter, 'tis my thought that the Fox is dead.”
“How?” quoth the shipman, scratching his head. “Messems we left my lord Renard on his feet.”
“It is evident,” said Thorne, “that Renard was Durforth's man. And Durforth was Philip's spy called by us the Fox. While we watched Renard, the Fox came and went. D'Alaber served him and came against me while Durforth waited. When there is a killing to be managed, 'tis the servant who handles the knife while the lord waits the result.”
“Your father!” cried Joan and fell silent. ”

“ WHILE Peter and Joan washed Kyrger's hurt and made him comfortable on some cloths from the goods on the sleds, Thorne put more wood on the fire and—when Joan told him all that had passed between her and Durforth—look the letters from the pouch of the Burgundian. Carefully he read them through after breaking the seals, and when he had done, placed them in his belt.
“In these missives,” he said to the expectant girl, “lieth the true way to Cathay.”
“Is it far?” she wondered. “Could we adventure there?”
He smiled at her wish.
“Nay, Joan. There is no passage by sea ”

“ They had been too far away for Thorne to hear what was said between the two outlanders, but Shatong's shrill voice was distinct enough in the thin air. Kyrger knew that the shaman was trying to draw Thorne to the Ostiaks, although the white man was clearly waiting for darkness before he made any move. ”