Part 14 (2/2)

Hordo looked at the steep, scrub-covered slopes rising on either side of the trail and grimaced. ”Mitra! Pray they're not strong enough, though a dozen good men....” He trailed off as Aberius appeared on the trail ahead, whipping his horse steadily.

”That looks ill,” Conan said. Hordo merely grunted, and the two rode forward to reach Karela as the weasel-faced bandit galloped up.

”Hillmen,” Aberius panted. Greasy sweat dotted his face. ”Six score, maybe seven. Camped athwart the trail ahead. And they're breaking camp.”

There was no need to discuss the danger. Kezankian hillmen admitted allegiance to no one but themselves, though both Turan and Zamora had tried futilely to subdue them. The fierce tribesmen's way with strangers was simple, short and deadly. One not of his clan, even another hillman, was an enemy, and enemies were for killing.

”Coming this way?” Karela said quietly. At Aberius' anxious nod she cursed under her breath.

”And the soldiers behind,” Hordo growled.

Karela's green eyes flashed at the bearded man. ”Do you grow frightened with age, Hordo?”

”I've no desires to be between the sledge and the stone,” Hordo replied, ”and my age has naught to do with it.”

”Watch you don't become an old woman,” she sneered. ”We'll leave the trail, and let the hillmen and the soldiers exhaust themselves on each other. Mayhap we'll have a good view from the ridge.”

Conan laughed, and tensed as the red-haired woman rounded on him with her hand on her sword. If he was forced to disarm her-he did not think he could kill her, even to save his own life-he would certainly have to fight. Hordo as well. And likely the rest of the brigands, who had gathered a short distance down the rocky trail.

”Your idea of letting them fight among themselves is a good one,” he said, ”but if we try to take horses up these slopes we'll be at it still a week hence.”

”You've a better plan, Cimmerian?” Her voice was sharp, but she had loosed her grip on her jeweled tulwar.

”I have. Most of the band will ride back along the trail and up one of the side canyons we've pa.s.sed.”

”Back toward the soldiers?” Hordo protested.

”The hillmen have trackers, too!” Aberius shrilled. ”Once they pick up our trail, and they will, it's us that'll have to fight them, not the accursed Zamorans!”

”I trust there's more to your plan,” Karela said softly. ”If you turn out to be a fool after all....” Her words trailed off, but there was a dangerous glint in her tilted eyes. Conan knew she would not forgive the shame of having taken a fool to her bed.

”I said most of the band,” the big Cimmerian went on calmly. ”I will take a few men forward to where the hillmen are.”

Aberius' laugh was scathing, and frightened. ”And defeat all seven score? Or perhaps you think your mild face and dulcet tones will turn their blades aside?”

”Be silent!” Karela commanded. She touched her full lips with her tongue before going on in a quieter voice. ”If you're a fool, Conan, you're a brave one. Speak on.”

”I'll attack the hillmen, all right,” Conan said, ”but as soon as they know I'm there, I'll be away, I'll lead them past where the rest have turned off the trail, straight to the soldiers. While they're fighting, I and who comes with me will slip away to rejoin you and the others.”

”One or the other will have your guts for saddle ties,” Aberius snorted.

”Then they'll have yours, too,” Karela said, ”And mine. For you and I will accompany him.” The man's pinched face drew tighter, but he said nothing. Conan opened his mouth to protest; she cut him off. ”I lead this band, Cimmerian, and I send no man to danger while I ride to safety. Accept that, or I'll have you tied across your saddle, and you can accompany the others.”

A chuckle rumbled up from Conan's ma.s.sive chest. ”There's no sword I'd rather have beside me than yours. I only thought that without you there, those rogues might keep on riding right out of the mountains.”

After a moment she joined his laughter. ”Nay, Conan, for they know I'd pursue them to Gehanna, if they did. Besides, Hordo will keep my hounds in line. What's the matter with you, bearded one?”

Hordo stared at her with grim eyes. ”Where the Red Hawk must bare her blade,” he said flatly, ”there ride I.”

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