Part 31 (2/2)

'A traitor, eh?' ruold,' s

'Give soold and I will show you how to defeat the king!' His eyes glazed widely, his outstretched, upturned hands were spread like quivering claws

Aed his shoulder in distaste But no tool was too base for his use

'If you speak the truth you shall have old than you can carry,' he said 'If you are a liar and a spy I will have you crucified head-down

Bring hi'

In the tent of Valerius, the baron pointed to the s about him

'He says he knoay to aid us on the morrow We will need aid, if Xaltotun's plan is no better than it has proved so far Speak on, dog'

The e convulsions Words ca rush:

'Conan camps at the head of the Valley of Lions It is shaped like a fan, with steep hills on either side If you attack hiht up the valley You cannot clin to accept h the hills and show hi Conan from behind But if it is to be done at all, we , for one o miles to the west, then miles to the north, then turn eastward and so come into the Valley of Lions froging his chin In these chaotic ti to sell their souls for a few gold pieces

'If you lead me astray you will die,' said Valerius 'You are aware of that, are you not?'

The man shi+vered, but his wide eyes did not waver

'If I betray you, slay me!'

'Conan will not dare divide his force,' mused Amalric 'He will need all his men to repel our attack He cannot spare any to lay ambushes in the hills Besides, this fellos his hide depends on his leading you as he pro like him sacrifice himself? Nonsense! No, Valerius, I believe the reater thief than hed Valerius 'Very well I will follow the dog How many h,' answered Amalric 'A surprise attack on their rear will throw theh I shall expect your attack about noon'

'You will knohen I strike,' answered Valerius

As Aratification that Xaltotun was still in his tent, to judge froht air from time to tile of bridles in the outer darkness, he srimly Valerius had about served his purpose

The baron knew that Conan was like a wounded lion that rends and tears even in his death-throes When Valerius struck froht ipe his rival out of existence before he himself succumbed So much the better Amalric felt he could well dispense with Valerius, once he had paved the way for a Nemedian victory

The five thousand horsemen who accoades for the ht theythe ard trend of the great black ainst the stars ahead of them Valerius rode at their head, and beside hiripped by a man-at-arms who rode on the other side of him

Others kept close behind with draords

'Play us false and you die instantly,' Valerius pointed out 'I do not know every sheep-path in these hills, but I know enough about the general configuration of the country to know the directions we must take to come in behind the Valley of Lions See that you do not lead us astray'

The man ducked his head and his teeth chattered as he volubly assured his captor of his loyalty, staring up stupidly at the banner that floated over hi the extremities of the hills that locked the Valley of Lions, they side to the west An hour's ride and they turned north, forging through wild and rugged hills, following dim trails and tortuous paths Sunrise found theuide turned eastward and led thes Valerius nodded, judging their position by various peaks thrusting up above the others He had kept his bearings in a general way, and he knew they were still headed in the right direction