Post by Daubee on Dec 8, 2012 5:37:11 GMT -5
"He entered my apartment, carrying a metal rod about two feet long, with a leather loop attached. It had a switch on the handle, which could be set for two positions, on and off, like a simple torch. `What is it?' I asked. 'A tarn-goad,' he replied. He snapped the switch in the barrel to the "on" position and struck the table. It showered sparks in a sudden cascade of yellow light, but left the table unmarked. He turned off the goad and extended it to me. As I reached for it, he snapped it on and slapped it in my palm. A billion tiny yellow sparks, like pieces of fiery needles, seemed to explode in my hand. I cried out in shock. I thrust my hand to my mouth. It had been like a sudden, severe electric charge, like the striking of a snake in my hand. I examined my hand; it was unhurt. 'Be careful of a tarn-goad,' said the Older Tarl. 'It is not for children."
Tarnsman of Gor, page 50
“I suddenly
ceased resistance, removing my counter-pressure, and rolled from under him.
Ho-Tu fell heavily on the floor and I slipped free, rolled and had the sword
from my sheath, standing.
He scrambled to his feet, his face a mask of hate, looking about, saw the slave
goad, ran to it and whipped it from the wall.
I did not pursue him, not wanting to kill him.
He turned and I saw, in almost one motion of his finger, the goad switch to on,
the dial rotate to the Kill Point. Then crouching, the goad blazing in his hand,
he approached me warily.
But Sura stood between us. "Do not hurt him," said Sura.
"Stand aside," said Ho-Tu.
"No!" cried Sura.
I saw the dial rotate back from the kill point and Ho-Tu swept the goad toward
her, angrily. There was an intense eruption of needlelike sparks and Sura
screamed in pain and fell stumbling to one side, weeping, crying out on the
stones of the floor.
For an instant the face of Ho-Tu seemed in agony, and then he turned again to
me. Again I saw the dial rotate and the goad now seemed a jet of fire in his
hand.
I had backed to the chest, resheathed my sword, and drawn forth the knife which
had been thrown. It was a killing knife, short, well-balanced for throwing,
tapered on one side.
It reversed itself in my hand.
With a cry of rage and anger Ho-Tu hurled the goad at me. It passed to the left
of my head, struck the wall with an explosion of sparks and lay burning on the
stones.”
Assassin of Gor, page 260
Tarnsman of Gor, page 50
“I suddenly
ceased resistance, removing my counter-pressure, and rolled from under him.
Ho-Tu fell heavily on the floor and I slipped free, rolled and had the sword
from my sheath, standing.
He scrambled to his feet, his face a mask of hate, looking about, saw the slave
goad, ran to it and whipped it from the wall.
I did not pursue him, not wanting to kill him.
He turned and I saw, in almost one motion of his finger, the goad switch to on,
the dial rotate to the Kill Point. Then crouching, the goad blazing in his hand,
he approached me warily.
But Sura stood between us. "Do not hurt him," said Sura.
"Stand aside," said Ho-Tu.
"No!" cried Sura.
I saw the dial rotate back from the kill point and Ho-Tu swept the goad toward
her, angrily. There was an intense eruption of needlelike sparks and Sura
screamed in pain and fell stumbling to one side, weeping, crying out on the
stones of the floor.
For an instant the face of Ho-Tu seemed in agony, and then he turned again to
me. Again I saw the dial rotate and the goad now seemed a jet of fire in his
hand.
I had backed to the chest, resheathed my sword, and drawn forth the knife which
had been thrown. It was a killing knife, short, well-balanced for throwing,
tapered on one side.
It reversed itself in my hand.
With a cry of rage and anger Ho-Tu hurled the goad at me. It passed to the left
of my head, struck the wall with an explosion of sparks and lay burning on the
stones.”
Assassin of Gor, page 260