This was not Pluto; it was nearer Sunward than Jupiter, but the utter alienage that brooded over Asgard was almost palpable. Even the solidity under Stuart's feet, the very stones of the planetoid, were artificially created, by a science a million years beyond that of his own time. And the Aesir--
Unexpectedly his deep chest shook with laughter. The inexplicable self-confidence that had first come to him in the Asgard forests had not waned; it seemed to have grown even stronger since his meeting with the Aesir giants. Now he stared around the colossal hall, his eyes straining toward the spot of light far above where those incredible columns converged. His own insignificance by comparison did not trouble him.
Whether or not he could have the slightest hope of winning this game--at least he was giving his enemies a run for their money!
A sound from the pit roused him. Stuart walked warily toward the edge. The dozen motionless figures were still there, fifty feet below, and among them was one he had not noticed before--an Earthgirl, he thought, with curling dark hair framing a white face as she tilted up her chin and stared at him.
At this distance he could make out few details; she wore a close-fitting green suit which left slender arms and legs bare.
"Earthman--" she said, in a clear, carrying voice. "Earthman! Quick! The Aesir will be back--go now! Leave their temple before they--"
"Don't waste your breath," Stuart said. "This is Asgard." Whoever the girl was, she should know the impossibility of leaving the taboo world. "If I can find a rope--"
She said quickly, "You won't find one. Not here, in the temple."
"How can I get you out of there? And the others?"
"You're mad," the girl said. "What good would it do...." She shook her head. "Better to die at once."
Stuart narrowed his eyes at the dozen frozen figures. "I don't think so. Fourteen of us can put up a better fight than one. If your friends wake up--"
The girl said, "On your left, between the pillars, there's a tapestry showing Perseus and the Gorgon. Touch the helm of Perseus and the hand of Andromeda. Then go carefully--there may be traps."
"It will lead you down here. You can free us. If you hurry--oh, but it's hopeless! The Aesir--"