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I was certain their riders had had orders from the box of Cernus to see that I did not win; it would be difficult for a single tarn to block a ring, but two together might well manage; further, in not taking the lead immediately, which I believe I could have done, I hoped to postpone the entry into the matter of the race of enemy tarnsmen, who surely would not interfere unless it seemed the victory of Menicius might be threatened; lastly I wished to remain behind Menicius of Port Kar as long as possible; I did not wish him, with his tarn knife, behind me. - (Assassin of Gor, Chapter 22, Sentence #427)

The tiers, like startled horizontal lines, flashes of blurring color, fled behind me. I was exultant. I wanted the tarns before me to space themselves, so that I might pass them singly if possible. I was certain their riders had had orders from the box of Cernus to see that I did not win; it would be difficult for a single tarn to block a ring, but two together might well manage; further, in not taking the lead immediately, which I believe I could have done, I hoped to postpone the entry into the matter of the race of enemy tarnsmen, who surely would not interfere unless it seemed the victory of Menicius might be threatened; lastly I wished to remain behind Menicius of Port Kar as long as possible; I did not wish him, with his tarn knife, behind me. Shortly before the first circuit of the track had been made I swept past the last bird, a nonfaction bird, whose rider, caught unaware, threw a wild glance over his shoulder as I, a shadow upon a flying shadow, hurtled by over his head and to the left. There was a roar from the crowd. This warned the rider of the eighth bird, a Gold, and he, bent low in the saddle, looked behind him to see, piercing the rings, eyes blazing, wings snapping, the great black tarn. - (Assassin of Gor)