Part 42 (2/2)

Wobeku called the best trackers forward, gave them fresh spears, and sent theone and send word back, but to refrain froer also ran back to the druain

Whatever the Ichiribu had done below the earth, it was done Now they likely intended to hold the shore for their onco comrades Wobeku intended to show the enemy band that it needed more than its back to the shore for safety

A retreat at night over unknown ground was the hardest of all maneuvers in war, or so Conan had heard claiht to speak He had also been both warrior and captain in enough such affairs to believe this the truth

With ill-ordered men, it was said to be impossible, but the Ichiribu were not ill-ordered Every man still on his feet when they broke off the battle reached the shore So, tere carried by coht, however, Conan saw that he had barely twenty

The battle with the Golden Serpent had taken its toll even before the Kwanyi had struck Many Kwanyi had also surely died, but nevertheless, he did not doubt that his band faced heavy odds

The plan for this battle called for the Ichiribu to coht ambush Chabano's warriors as they hurled the to the shore in disarray, Chabano's men would lack time to form their potent shi+eld-line

Plans, Conan soht, were for Gods, priests, and clerks

Warriors had to lance lakeward encouraged the Ci toward the shore They would be visible now all across the Kwanyi land, even as far as to Thunder Mountain The Kwanyi would knohat they faced, but that knowledge ed sword Be there first, and victory ht be yours Be there first but disordered or weak, and your vanguard at least wassound made Conan whirl, sword ready to slash at the darkness A shape took form out of that darkness, and Conan lowered his blade

”Seyganko Well met”

”As are you, Cimmerian How fares Emwaya?”

Conan smiled The war leader of the Ichiribu would ask for his woman first The Ciain There had not been one such since Belit-and Valeria was not the sort to fill those shoes!

”Weary, but well Valeria guards her How ca you?”

”The canoes with ht thirty warriors Surprise is worth much”

So it was, but the hundreds of other warriors now doubtless paddling in circles while waiting for Seyganko's signal were also worth soht with the Ciood ever cae of a battle to the death Conan held his tongue, knowing that if Seyganko had been overbold, the young chief would also not see another sunrise

”Good Go ask Dobanpu how far forward it is wise for them to come”

”Dobanpu?”

”Also weary, but well He fears that the Gods of Thunder Mountain ht Best not send your anko clearly wanted to know ed him off to the Spirit-Speaker, who could round than could the Cimmerian Conan hiht and sat down to clean his steel

It was not in nature for this lull to last His band had thron a challenge to bothon in strength before the night was much older Conan kneever, that noany foe with a clean sword

SEVENTEEN