Part 9 (1/2)
”What do we do with her now?” Machaon asked ”Give her over to the judges?”
”They'll have her beheaded for slaying a noble,” Narus said ”A shame, that She's too pretty to die like that, and it should hardly count a cries won't help us,” Conan said He wished he could carry on this conversation with Machaon and Narus in privacy, but the door was open and most of the company had jammed theht not be a dozen left when the door was opened again He took a deep breath and went on
”We've lost our patron to an assassin Ordinarily that would be the death knell for a Free-Company” Uneasy mutters rose in the hall, and he lifted his voice to a roar ”Ordinarily, I said But Timeon was a supporter of Count Antimides to succeed Valdric Perhaps we can take service with Antimides, if I deliver the ht Antiht well find them employment simply to keep secret his own ambitions
”Antimides?” Machaon said doubtfully ”Cimmerian, 'tis said he's one of the few nobles who does not seek the throne at Valdric's death” There were reements from the hall
”Timeon spoke too freely in his cups,” Conan said ”Of how Antimides was so clever he had fooled everyone Of how he himself would be one of the most powerful lords of Ophir once Antih,” Machaon said, ”but will Antimides take us in service? If he pretends to be aloof frole to succeed Valdric, hoill he have need for a Free-Company?”
”He'll take us,” Conan said with more confidence than he felt ”Or find us service I'll take oath on it” Besides, he thought, it was the only course they had open
”That aging spell,” Narus said suddenly ”It seee as sorcerers are reputed to be Why would you learn a thing like that?”
”Cheese,” Boros replied with a chuckle ”I had a taste for well-aged cheese when I was young, and I created the spell for that Mytime In truth, I doubt it would work on a hu!” she shrieked, launching herself at the bearded ht her by the aret to the old man, who stared at her in a beetle's offspring! I'll take your manhood off in slices! Your oat!”
”Get ag”
Her tirade was beco with interest The Cilared at Narus, who looked abashed as he hurried to fetch what Conan required It was all he needed, to have to carry a shrieking girl through the streets Narus returned with strips of cloth, and,prisoner
Chapter VII
Conan dre stares as he , cloak-wrapped woman over his massive shoulder Or because of the woman In the streets of the capital, eaten by fear and riddled with suspicion, no one wanted to interfere in soht even possibly involve them in the troubles beyond the walls of the city
They could see a kidnapping take place or iant rain, no one wanted to know It could be dangerous to know It could be dangerous even to appear curious
Therefore none looked too closely at the big Cimmerian or his burden
He had already been to Antimides' palace With more than a little difficulty-for the well-fed chamberlain, as proud in his ive any inforer, and a barbarian at that-he learned that the count was a guest of the King King Valdric liked Anti it was better tonic than any of his physicians or sorcerers could co at the royal palace for several days It was reue once a big hand had lifted hiled clear of the floor
The royal palace of Ophir was a fortress rather than the marble and alabaster edifices erected in the city by nobles It was not by chance that the King dwelt behind ranite walls while his lords spent their days in the capital in manors more suited to pleasure than defense More than once the throne of Ophir had only been held secure by a King taking refuge behind those walls, beti points within Ianthe, had always been forced to abandon the city to the King And as control of Ianthe was the key to keeping the crown, it was said that whoever held the royal palace held Ophir
The guards at the towering barbican gate before the royal palace stirred theeant, the sgling on his chins, stepped forward and raised a hand for the Cimmerian to halt
”What's this, then? Do you ive us your leftover women?” He chuckled over his shoulder to the pike his oit ”Off with you The royal palace is no place for your drunken carousing And if you ht of the arnizance of it”
”She's a gift for Count Antied a conspiratorial wink ”A tasty pastry froreat lord” Tivia redoubled her squir gagging her
”She seerinned back at hier Lord Antimides will knohat to do with her, whether she likes it or not”
”That he will Wait you here” Belly shaking with ate In a few moments he was back with a slender old and green, Antiaze on the big Cimmerian ”I am Ludovic,” he said sharply, ”Count Antimides' steward You've conore Conan's burden
”I am Conan of Cimmeria, Captain of the Free-Company in service to Baron Tihtfully with a single finger, his eyes traveling to the wriggling girl over Conan's shoulder, then nodded