Part 28 (1/2)

'Fool!' A gust of passion broke the veneer of the wizard's calotten Valkia? Because some obscure elemental principle prevented the flood do you deem me helpless? I had intended that your spears should exterminate our enemies; but do not fear: it is my arts shall crush their host Conan is in a trap He will never see another sun set Cross the river!'

They crossed by the flare of torches The hoofs of the horses clinked on the rocky bridge, splashed through the shallows The glint of the torches on shi+elds and breast-plates was reflected redly in the black water The rock bridge was broad on which they crossed, but even so it was past ht before the host was camped in the plain beyond Above the redly in the distance Conan had turned at bay in the Goralian hills, which had more than once before served as the last stand of an Aquilonian king

Ah the calow flickered in Xaltotun's tent, and from time to time a demoniacal cry slashed the silence, and there was a low sinisterof a drum that rustled rather than ruht and the circumstances, felt that Xaltotun was opposed by more than physical force Doubts of the wizard's power assailed hih above hirim lines He and his ar those hills lurked thousands of wolfish figures out of whose hearts and souls all eed except a frenzied hate for their conquerors, a eance Defeatwith bloodainst the grihter in the western nations, and his desperate horde If Xaltotun failed them now

Half a dozen linted on their breast-plates and helure in tattered rags

Saluting, they spoke: 'My lord, thisValerius He is an Aquilonian'

He looked more like a wolf - a wolf the traps had scarred Old sores that only fetters reat brand, the h the tangle of his matted hair as he half crouched before the baron

'Who are you, you filthy dog?' demanded the Nemedian

'Call me Tiberias,' answered the man, and his teeth clicked in an involuntary spasm 'I have come to tell you how to trap Conan'

'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 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'