Dawn saved him, barely in time. As he was leaving she pulled a cover over her glistening moist body and favored him with a last sleepy smile.
'You are indeed a man, Blade. As of this morning I favor you - but who can tell? Tonight it is your brother's turn. He is also a man. Though I admit he uses the drug, the ashi. Still I do not hold that against him so long as he satisfies me. Good morning, Blade.'
So it went. Blade was not permitted to see the Russian again. Canda gave him no hint as to her final decision. Pelops left the city with his escort, after a final weeping farewell, and the Russian, in his capacity as Vizier, sent Blade a note stating that Zeena and Chephron were married and given a sinecure in the palace. They would have enough to live on. It was a note of cheer, the only one during a bad time. The pains were getting progressively worse, but still the computer did not take him. And Blade was mortally tired. As he was taken to Canda's chamber on the fourth night he decided that, if he must, he would use the ashi. He was at the end of his tether. Canda was no woman, but a succubus draining the life from men.
As usual the Lieutenant watched until Blade pushed open the leather door. Blade entered the bed chamber.
Canda was on the bed, naked as always. She raised her arms in greeting and invitation.
'I have been longing for you, Blade. I thought the day would never pass. Come to me - hurry - hurry!'
As he moved toward the bed, divesting himself of his garments, he knew something was wrong. Either that or his nerves were beginning to go. He halted and gazed around the chamber. It was the same. No windows, leather hangings on the wall, the same sparse furniture, the stone box of ashi on the taboret. On impulse he opened the box. It was empty.
Canda writhed impatiently. Blade bent close and peered into her gray eyes. No golden sparks tonight. Her eyes were dulled, lackluster, the pupils enlarged. She put up her arms to caress him and her smile was loose, simpering. Dark juice drooled from her mouth and crusted in the corners of her full lips. She was drugged.
She seized him and pulled him down atop her. She raised her legs and enclosed his body, squeezing. 'I want you, Blade. Now - now - '
He hesitated. Pain in his head. Canda opened her eyes again, wondering that he had not entered her, then slapped him across the face.
'Now, Blade! This instant. Else I will call my guards and have you beheaded before my eyes.'
She was out of her mind, deeply drugged, and capable of carrying out the threat. Blade plunged. Canda groaned deeply.
He heard the leather hangings rustle too late. The lance point was in his back, just over the heart.
'Just keep on doing what you are doing,' said the Russian. 'I'll let you have a few minutes, old man. You must admit it's a grand way to go out.'
Canda sighed and moaned and tugged at Blade. She did not seem to know the Russian was there. Blade, sweating now, kept working away. Duped. Had. He did not understand it. What could the man gain?
The lance point, razor sharp, dug painfully into his flesh.
The Russian said: 'The pains are getting worse, chappie, but I think I have figured out a way to beat the computer. The drug. The ashi. I've been loading myself with it. My brain is practically paralyzed now. Maybe the cells won't react to your damned computer. Anyway it's worth the gamble. Keep plugging away, laddie. Our Canda here is hard to satisfy. As we both damned well know - but with you out of the way things might be a little easier.'
Canda moaned and writhed and clutched at Blade with her legs. 'More,' she sobbed. 'Oh, Blade! More - more - more - '
'I had one hell of a time getting the stuff into her,' said the double. 'But I did and she won't remember much. So much the better for me.'
'Why?' panted Blade. 'Why? I don't understand you. I made you a promise, man. Defect and - '
The lance jabbed harder. 'I have been misleading you a bit, lad. I don't want to go back to Home Dimension! Ever! You would understand if you had ever lived in Russia. Only a fool would go back to that!'
'But you don't have to - '
Again the lance. Blade wondered how much time he had. He had to make a desperation move soon.
'Your bloody England won't be much better,' said the Russian. 'For that matter, our world won't be any better. Much worse. I've got it made here with the Moghs, and I am staying. I'll be consort to Canda and probably end up on the throne. Now that is something to look forward to, eh? But I can't afford to have you around, chum. You see that? You would only louse things up. Two of us is just one too many I Sorry, old man. You have got to go.'
Blade played for time. He was already bleeding from the lance point.
'But the computer, man! Any minute now it will - '
'No good, old boy. You said yourself that you can't trust it. I don't want to go and I can't know when it will take you, if ever. Killing you is the easiest and surest way. Finished yet? No? Well, I'm sorry for that, but no help.'
Blade moved sideways, fast as angel's flight, taking the point of the lance in the loose flesh under his left armpit. He felt the tear of flesh and blinding pain as he ripped away. Canda, so drugged that she did not even scream, took the point in her breast. Blood gushed.
Blade, bleeding like a butchered pig, was off the bed with an armful of bed clothes. The Russian cursed and jabbed again with the spear. Blade flung a pillow and took the lance on his flimsy shield, felt the point nick into his leg near his groin. He let out a piteous moan and fell to his knees, hoping the Russian would take the bait.
The man leaped on the bed, straddling the dying Canda, and raised the lance for the death thrust. Blade got both hands under the edge of the bed and heaved. Every muscle in his massive shoulders worked as he threw the bed and man and the woman against the wall with a tremendous crash.
