Part 38 (1/2)

”Forgive me if I presumed, Your Highness, but-”

”You were in haste and could not wait for my permission? My father and Decius have told me how often this excuse is given, by both good captains and bad.”

Conan was silent, keeping his gaze turned toward the Pougoi. Then he heard a soft laugh.

”You are a good captain, Conan of Cimmeria,” the princess said, ”and therefore much may be allowed you. Bring the Pougoi forward and let us have the oath-taking. Then they can go and bring up their comrades and kin and we can all sleep at ease tonight.”

The oath-taking went swiftly. Conan had expected nothing else. Nor did he doubt that the rest of the Pougoi who followed Thyrin would be as swift in declaring their new allegiance.

Some, doubtless, were of the faction Aybas had described, and always kept apart from the intrigues of Syzambry and the Star Brothers. Some might be seeing the world with fresh eyes. None could doubt that the Pougoi had little future unless they sought new allies. Homeless, their war strength shrunken, their women and children helpless prey, they could not hope to face the other tribes whom they had made into mortal enemies. The raiding for sacrifices had gone on for too long to be easily forgiven.

Conan only hoped that the Pougoi would not use their new place as upholders of the throne as yet another weapon against their enemies. If they did, the throne would have peace with one mountain tribe and blood-feud with half a dozen others.

The Cimmerian thanked the G.o.ds that it would be Eloikas and Chienna who faced that problem, not himself or Raihna. If Aybas wanted to stay and be embroiled in it, good luck to him-and, indeed, the Aquilonian exile's experience of intrigues might make him a wise counselor to the Border throne.

First, however, came the task of being sure that there was a Border throne for Aybas to counsel!

A band of more than a hundred, with fifty fighting men, was harder to hide than Conan's handful. It also had less need to hide. Nothing save Count Syzambry's host-if he yet had one-or Decius and the Guards could meet them in open battle.

Ambushes were another matter, and the Star Brothers' magic was another still. So Conan decided that the newly united, newly sworn allies would move by day and sleep by night. Since it was near sunset by the time the last oath was taken, that meant they would begin the last part of their journey on the next day.

A cl.u.s.ter of huts too small to deserve the name of village offered shelter to the women and children and the princess. The huts were filthy but intact, and they had the look of having been abandoned only a few days before. Why the inhabitants had fled, and whither, Conan did not know. Nor did he care to speak of these questions where anyone less clearheaded than Raihna or Thyrin might hear.

At the end of the oath-taking, Thyrin gave chief's gifts to Conan's party. One gift was the use of a wet-nurse for Prince Urras for as long as he needed one.

The other was a tent for the use of Conan and Raihna.

”You may share it if you wish,” Raihna told Aybas. ”One or the other of us will always be on watch tonight.”

Conan said nothing but considered that Raihna might have told him first if it was her notion that they sleep apart. They would be doing that enough when they rejoined Decius. Raihna was too much woman to let slip away without one final, hot tumble.

Aybas shook his head. ”Thyrin has offered me the hospitality of his tent as a peace offering.” He lowered his voice and looked toward Wylla, standing close to the piper. ”Also, she is sleeping under the stars with him, so it matters little where I sleep.”

”Not so,” Raihna said. ”Sleep where you will wake with a clear head. We need your wits untouched. Aquilonia's loss has been our gain.”

Aybas's face told plainly of how long it had been since he heard such praise, but he was equal to the occasion. He bowed, kissed Raihna's hand, and withdrew.

”Who takes first watch?” Conan asked.

”Let it be me,” Raihna said. ”For one night, you should spare yourself.”

”When has a woman ever made me weak, Raihna? Even you, and I have known few women-”

She punched him lightly in the ribs. ”As you say, you have known few women if you think that none can weaken a man for serious business. Go and sleep, Conan.”

Conan raised his hand in mock respect. ”I think I should never have named you 'Lady.' What next? Wedding Decius, so that you have the rank in truth?”

Raihna turned away quickly, still smiling. Yet it seemed to Conan that the smile was thinner than common for her.