Part 15 (2/2)

While they spoke, Decius tore strips from the archer's s.h.i.+rt and bound his b.l.o.o.d.y thigh. Now he wiped his hands on the remnant of the s.h.i.+rt and stood.

”He will do long enough for questioning. I doubt that we will learn many of Oyzhik's secrets from him, but Kalk is silent forever.”

”I didn't send him-” Conan began, then realized that Decius was smiling. The smile broadened, and Conan knew that his own face must have said more than he wished.

”I have shared your doubts about Oyzhik, Conan, if you were wondering.

As for your doubts about me-” Decius shrugged.

”I'm done with those,” Conan growled. He thrust his sword back into its scabbard with a thump. ”What of your doubts about me?”

”I have none,” Decius said. ”Not anymore. But... I do have a favor to ask of you.”

The words came out strangely, and Decius's look was stranger still. He was sweating even more than the sun could explain and seemed unsure of what to do with his hands.

Conan knew a moment's unease at not knowing what the favor might be.

Then he decided that the G.o.ds forbid he should be ungrateful to the man who had saved him from joining Sergeant Kalk on the rocks below.

”You can ask, although I don't promise to grant,” the Cimmerian replied.

”What lies between you and Raihna?” The words came out in a rush as if Decius feared his voice would betray him otherwise.

Conan wanted to laugh. Decius was not much younger than the Cimmerian's father would have been were he alive. He was also a widower who had buried three sons as well as his wife. Yet the captain-general was asking as if he were a love-stricken youth.

He would also be as easily hurt as any such youth, and he would not forget such an injury. That thought made it easier for Conan to find words.

”By all the lawful G.o.ds of this realm and my homeland, I swear that Raihna and I are not bonded, hand-fasted, betrothed, dedicated, wed, married... have I left anything out?”

Deeius smiled uncertainly. ”Not to my knowledge. But... you are bedmates?”

Conan swallowed a peevish reply to the question. Decius had not only saved him from Kalk's fate, he had done so at the risk of meeting it himself. Decius might not have come to the hill alone, but he had surely hidden himself far beyond help by any companions. That courage called for at least a civil reply to the man's uncivil question.

”We have been, and may be again. It was the choice of both of us.”

”Well, then,” Decius said. Relief seemed to leave him speechless and unsteady on his feet for a moment. ”Then-it is much to ask you, Conan--but will you press my suit with Mistress Raihna?”

Conan silently invoked the names of a number of G.o.ds of love and desire. All of them seemed to have led Decius's wits astray. He hoped they would shortly lead them home again. Meanwhile, he could at least answer this question from sure and certain knowledge.

”I will not, and for two good reasons. One is that the lady would not think the better of you for lacking the... for not speaking for yourself.

The second is that I doubt you saved my head today so that Raihna could break it tonight!”

”I suppose that is the best I can hope for,” Decius said. He cupped his hands and gave a war cry that had either no words or none that Conan understood.

Three heads popped up from the scrub and three hands rose beside them.

Conan judged distances and saw that Decius had not in fact put himself beyond help. His men had stayed hidden while their captain-general inquired if Raihna was a free woman!

So Decius was not altogether foolhardy. Conan still muttered another prayer that the love G.o.ds would undo their work on Decius's wits. The Cimmerian had never heard of good coming of mixing love and war, least of all for captains with other men's lives in their hands!

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