Scattered, they flamed like distant suns, maddening
the beholder. United, they became a godlike power
for the glory of the Solar System. But, their
flame lances still white-hot from killing, young
Ormondy and the fabulous Firebird learned how
impossible was the price of that power.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Winter 1946.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The bearded giant, Thymar Ormondy, raised stiffly on one arm from thebed of litter on the damp cave floor. He pointed the charred stub ofhis other arm at his son.
"Beware the Firebird!" His voice was distorted with pain. "She'll killa thousand men for every one of the Seven Jewels of Chamar."
Nathan Ormondy threw back his rain cape and knelt beside his dyingfather. The great hulk of the old man sank back upon the rags.
"Did she do this?" Nathan demanded fiercely. His eyes filled with flameat the sight of the terrible wound that had come from a shot in theback.
Thymar lay without answering. His eyes were closed. Nathan heard onlythe hushing sound of the eternal Venusian rains that blotted out thedistant hills like a ragged curtain hung over the mouth of the cave.
Behind Nathan another shaggy spaceman touched his shoulder. It wasTabor, his father's companion. The two police custodians from Aquatownshifted uneasily.
"Was it Firebird?" Nathan demanded of the watchers.
Before they could answer, Thymar's remaining hand fell upon Nathan'swrist. "There is more to tell," the old spaceman whispered.
Nathan hunched lower to seize every word. "What is it?"
"The Jewels of Chamar—"
"Curse the Jewels of Chamar! They stink with blood. I'd blast them allif I could!"
Thymar's wide, steel eyes opened slowly. The leather of his facecrinkled like finely tanned doeskin.
"When you have looked into the blue depths of a stone that is like theeye of all the universe you'll never be able to turn your back uponit. You'll never rest until you have found all seven of the Jewels—ordeath."
"Death is all that anyone has ever found."
"Ah," said Thymar, "but one man will find himself the master of all theuniverse when once he holds all seven of the Jewels in his hands. Thatis the promise of the Jewels—mastery, power. And I know that it istrue. I've held them—as many as five of them at once, and I know whatit means. There's a force in them that sweeps through the brain and thesoul. It lifts a man to power and strength beyond himself."
"Pah! Autohypnosis—or plain drunkenness. There are a thousand othernames for it."
"No," said Thymar softly. "It's there—pure life force, or whatever itmight be termed, but with those Jewels one man would be as ten thousandmen, each greater than any Earth has produced.
"And you can be that man, Nathan!" The old spaceman raised again fromthe bed. "I bequeath to you the two Jewels that I have left. There werethree, but—"
"Firebird?"
"That does not matter. I warned you of her because she has sworn tohave the Jewels. I know she has two, maybe more. You'll have to killher for them. Think what it would mean to the universe if that ruthlesswitch possessed the Jewels. Hell would be let loose.
"The Jewels are no concern of mine. I want to know only who did this toyou."
Thymar sank back again. His voice whispered almost inaudibly, "Comecloser."
"In the cave of Lava Mountain," he whispered hoarsely, "do you rememberthe Stone Pig? The two Jewels are there. It makes no difference who didthis to me. Nothing matters but the Jewels of Chamar. Take them—andbecome m