Part 22 (1/2)
”This is the Paradise Garden, such as was used by the Magi of old ti back into the throne rooed with the juice of the purple lotus Awakening in this garden with the fairest women of the world to serve them, they think they are in truth in the heaven prous” The Kosalan smiled thinly ”I show you this because I will not have you 'Taste Paradise'
like these You are not such a fool as to be duped so easily It does no harer does not approve of you, your knowledge will die with you; if he does, you have learned no more than you would in any event as one of the Sons of the Mountain
”You can rise high in hty as an to strike Within the last four years, ers as they went forth in the old days, knowing no law butdeath rather than life”
”And your ultiuessed it?” The Kosalan almost whispered it, his eyes wide and blank with fanaticisrunted Conan ”But I had rather hear it fro here in Yanaidar, I shall control its destinies! Kings on their thrones shall be but puppets dancing on s Those who disobey my commands shall die Soon none will dare disobey Poill be reater?”
Conan silently cous' boasts of absolute poith the role of the er who must decide Conan's fate Virata's authority was evidently not supreirl, Nanaia?” he demanded ”Your Sabateans carried her away after they murdered my lieutenant Hattusas”
Virata's expression of surprise was overdone ”I know not to whoht back no captive”
Conan was sure he was lying but realized it would be useless to press the question further now He thought of various reasons why Virata should deny knowledge of the girl, all disquieting
The Magus ain Khaza entered, bowing
”Khaza will show you to your chaht you You are not a prisoner; no guard will be placed over you But I must ask you not to leave your chamber unescorted My men are suspicious of outsiders, and until you are initiated” He let the sentence trail off intoSwords
The ih the bronze doors, past the files of glittering guards, and along a narrow corridor, which branched off from the broad hallway He conducted Conan into a cha of ivory and sandalwood and one heavy, brass-bound, teakwood door There were no s; air and light ca with rich tapestries; the floor was hidden by cushi+on-strewn rugs
Khaza bowed hi the door behind him
Conan seated himself on a velvet divan This was thea life packed ild and bloody adventures He brooded over the fate of Nanaia and wondered at his next step
Sandaled feet padded in the corridor Khaza entered, followed by a huge Negro bearing viands in golden dishes and a golden jug of wine Before Khaza close the door, Conan had a gli from the tapestries before an alcove on the opposite side of the corridor Virata had lied when he said no guard would be placed to watch him, which was no more than Conan expected
”Wine of Kyros, ian ”Presently a maiden beautiful as the dawn shall be sent to entertain you”
”Good,” grunted Conan
Khaza motioned the slave to set down the food He himself tasted each dish and sipped liberally of the wine before bowing hiian tasted the wine last and stumbled a little as he left the chamber When the door closed behind the led with the bouquet of the wine, so faint that only his keen barbarian nostrils could have detected it, was an aronized It was that of the purple lotus of the sullen swaia, which induced a deep slu on the quantity The taster had to hurry from the room before he was overcome Conan wondered if Virata meant to convey hiation convinced him that the food had not been tausto
He had scarcely finished the rily as if in hope of finding soain A sliolden breast-plates, a jewel-crusted girdle, and filrowled Conan
The girl shrank back, her brown skin paling ”Oh, sire, do not hurt !” Her dark eyes were dilated with fear and exciteers fluttered childishly
”Who said anything about hurting you? I asked who you were”