Part 14 (2/2)
Conan glared down, swearing softly.
”This fellow is no deader now than he was a few minutes agone. Into what madhouse have we strayed?”
Natala, who had covered her eyes with her hands at the sight, peeked between her fingers and shook with fear.
”Oh, Conan, will the people of the city not kill us, because of this?”
”Well,” he growled, ”this creature would have killed us if I hadn't lopped off his head.”
He glanced at the archways that gaped blankly from the green walls above them. He saw no hint of movement, heard no sound.
”I don't think any one saw us,” he muttered. ”I'll hide the evidence--”
He lifted the limp carca.s.s by its swordbelt with one hand, and, grasping the head by its long hair in the other, he half carried, half dragged the ghastly remnants over to the well.
”Since we can't drink this water,” he gritted vindictively, ”I'll see that n.o.body else enjoys drinking it Curse such a well, anyway!” He heaved the body over the curb and let it drop, tossing the head after it A dull splash sounded far beneath.
”There's blood on the stones,” whispered Natala.
There'll be more unless I find water soon,” growled the Cimmerian, his short store of patience about exhausted. The girl had almost forgotten her thirst and hunger in her fear, but not Conan.
”Well go into one of these doors,” he said. ”Surely we'll find people after awhile.”
”Oh, Conan!” she wailed, snuggling up as close to him as she could.
”I'm afraid! This is a city of ghosts and dead men! Let's go back into the desert! Better to die there, than to face these terrors!”
”Well go into the desert when they throw us off the walls,” he snarled.
”There's water somewhere in this city, and I'll find it, if I have to kill every man in it.”
”But what if they come to life again?” she whispered.
”Then I'll keep killing them until they stay dead!” he snapped. ”Come on I That doorway is as good as another! Stay behind me, but don't run unless I tell you to.”
She murmured a faint a.s.sent and followed him so closely that she stepped on his heels, to his irritation. Dusk had fallen, filling the strange city with purple shadows. They entered the open doorway, and found themselves in a wide chamber, the walls of which were hung with velvet tapestries, worked in curious designs. Floor, walls and ceiling were of the green, gla.s.sy stone, the walls decorated with gold frieze-work. Fun and satin cus.h.i.+ons littered the floor. Several doorways let into other rooms. They pa.s.sed through, and traversed several chambers, counterparts of the first. They saw no one, but the Cimmerian grunted suspiciously.
”Some one was here not long ago. This couch is still warm from contact with human body. That silk cus.h.i.+on bears the imprint of some one's hips. Then there's a faint scent of perfume lingering in the air.”
A weird, unreal atmosphere hung over all. Traversing this dim, silent palace was like an opium dream. Some of the chambers were unlighted, and these they avoided. Others were bathed in a soft, weird light that seemed to emanate from jewels set in the walls in fantastic designs.
Suddenly, as they pa.s.sed into one of these illumined chambers, Natala cried out and clutched her companion's arm. With a curse he wheeled, glaring for an enemy, bewildered because he saw none.
”What's the matter?” he snarled. ”If you ever grab my sword-arm again, I'll skin you. Do you want me to get my throat cut? What were you yelling about?”
”Look there,” she quavered, pointing.
Conan grunted. On a table of polished ebony stood golden vessels, apparently containing food and drink. The room was unoccupied.
”Well, whoever this feast is prepared for,” he growled, ”he'll have to look elsewhere tonight.”
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