Part 16 (2/2)

Decius handed the king a linen rag. Swift movements told of strength in the royal hands as they opened the bag and drew forth an elaborate necklace. It was made of links of heavy gold, with a medallion in the center in the form of a comet. The head of the comet was a great polished blue stone, set about with fresh-water pearls.

”This is the ceremonial necklace of a captain in Our Guards,” Eloikas said. ”Oyzhik fled with his, and I would not shame you by giving it to you even had he left it behind.”

For a moment Conan would have sworn that the king's eyes glistened.

”This was the necklace of my son, Prince Gulain, when he had a company of the Guards. It was not buried with him, because the G.o.ds sent me a vision that it might be needed for a worthy man.”

The royal eyes were definitely moist now, and Conan noted that Eloikas had dropped the royal ”we.” The Cimmerian had heard more than a few tales of the valor and wisdom of Prince Gulain, Chienna's brother, who had met his death in a riding accident. So Conan replied with an easy mind and a clear voice.

”Your Majesty, I pray that I may be worthy of this honor. I know that I walk in the footsteps of a better man. But I think I can give your enemies some sleepless nights and busy days, with the help of some other good men-and women.” He nodded at Decius and Raihna.

This speech went over well, although Raihna had to stifle giggles when they were alone. ”Anyone would think you had been raised at some court and were a royal page in your childhood,” she said at last.

Conan snorted like a mired ox. ”Say rather that I know what will help keep daggers out of my back. The fewer tongues that wag about my new rank, the fewer daggers behind me. We'll have all we can handle with the ones in front!”

It would not do to tell Raihna some of his other thoughts. Such a necklace told its own tale. The h.o.a.rd of the Border kings might not be altogether wine-flown babbling. Good service might bring more of that h.o.a.rd into the Cimmerian's hands.

Nor might that be the only gold to be won in these mountains. Conan would not steal a rusty horseshoe nail from Eloikas or anyone sworn to him, but Count Syzambry and his friends were another matter. Their coffers were fair game and might repay a visit, if the chance came.

What might happen if the little count had all that the sorcerous allies' rumor gave him was another matter, of course. But Conan would think of that when he had to. Sorcerers appeared more often in tales than in truth, and quick wits and a well-wielded sword lost little power even when a sorcerer did appear.

Aybas did not bow before Princess Chienna. That was against the custom of the Star Brothers for their prisoners. In vain Aybas had railed at them, pointing out that the princess was more Count Syzambry's prisoner than theirs.

Worse than in vain, Aybas realized. He had made the wizards yet more suspicious of him. They would be less charitable toward him now in other matters-such as that of Wylla.

If Aybas wanted the wench, he would have to hunt her down himself. The Star Brothers would now most likely send her straight to the beast and be done with her. If he offended them further, Aybas would be lucky not to follow her!

Meanwhile, Aybas's not bowing clearly offended the princess. ”I hear Aquilonia in your voice, Aybas,” she said. ”I was taught that Aquilonia was a land of civilized manners. Before a princess, a common man, or even a n.o.ble, showed more courtesy than seems to be in you.”

Drawn up to her full height, she was as tall as he and hardly less broad across the shoulders. That she was fair to look at did not make Aybas less reluctant to step too close to her. Her ankles were still hobbled, but he did not care to test the strength of those arms, for all that scant rations had thinned them and dirt caked their skin.

”Your Highness,” Aybas said. The t.i.tle at least had not been forbidden, or if it had been, then for once he would say curse the Star Brothers!

”I fear that those who rule here in the Vale of the Pougoi recognize no rank save their own.”

”Not even that of Count Syzambry?”

”Why do you name the count, Your Highness?”

”Because I am not such a fool as to think that you and the wizards contrived to bring me here without his help. You both serve him. The wizards because they think he will enrich the Pougoi, you... the G.o.ds only know your reasons.”

That was too close to the truth for Aybas to keep his countenance. The princess pressed her advantage, ”I think you can trust neither the Pougoi wizards nor the count to keep any promises they have made to you. My father and I, however, are more honorable. What-”

”Enough!” Aybas's hand came up as if it had a will of its own. Had the princess spoken another word, he might have actually struck her.

”There will be no punishment for this rebellion,” Aybas said, praying that this was a promise he could keep. ”But I will not come here alone again.” That was a promise he would have to keep, or he would be closer to the chains on the rock and the sucking mouths of the beast's tentacles than he cared to think about.

The princess tossed her head like a fly-beset horse and looked meaningfully at the door. Aybas was through it and bolting it behind in between two heartbeats.

Outside, he found himself sweating, even in the chill of the mountain evening. At least he would have proved his loyalty to any unseen eyes or ears. Beyond that, no good would come of making an enemy of Princess Chienna.

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