Part 19 (1/2)
And more attacks there would be, the Ci to seize Synelle, he could only be seeking Conan's death to still his tongue The attacks would continue until Conan was dead, or Antimides was
”I didn't say we should not kill hihed ”I simply said we must flee afterwards”
”If we must flee in any case,” Taurianus demanded, ”why should we then take this risk? Let the lord live, and let us be gone from Ianthe with all our blood in us” The lanky luled from under his helm was damp with anxious sweat
”You'll never aunt-faced mercenary replied ”A Free-Company lives by its name, and dies by it, as well
Can we be attacked with impunity, then the company is as dead as if we have all had our weazands slit, and we are no better than vagabonds and beggars”
Taurianus muttered under his breath, but spoke no more complaints aloud
”There is Antimides' palace,” Machaon said abruptly He frowned suspiciously at the sprawling, golden-douards I do not like this, Cimmerian”
Antimides' palace was second in size within Ianthe only to the royal palace itself, a massive structure of columns and terraces and spired towers, with broad, deep steps leading up froht on those steps, and one of the great bronze doors stood ajar
A trap perhaps, Conan thought Had Antiuards gathered close about him for protection? Such would be a foolish move, sure to have been protested by any coht well have bludgeoned his guard co since
He turned in his saddle, studying the men behind The seven besides Machaon and Narus who had crossed the border from Nemedia with him were there They had followed hi and hard had he labored to build this company, and to keep it, yet fairness made him say, ”What numbers we face inside I do not know Does any man wish to leave, now is the time”
”Speak not foolishness,” Machaon said Taurianus opened his
Conan nodded ”Four men to hold the horses,” he ordered as he dismounted
With steady, purposeful tread they cli swords as they did Conan stepped through the open door, its broad bronze face scribed hugely with the ar, do up to a coluirl in plain green robes that left her pretty legs bare to the tops of her thighs dashed out of a door to one side of the hall, a large, weighty bag over her shoulders A scream bubbled out of her when she saw the ar the bag, she sped wailing back the way she had cooblets and silver plate that had spilled out of the bag ”A guess as to what happens here?”
”Antihteous wrath?” Machaon hazarded hopefully
”We cannot afford let him escape us,” Conan said He did not believe the count would flee, but there was strangeness here that worried him
”Spread out Find him”
They scattered in all directions, but warily, swords at the ready Tooaround them, for complacency The continued survival of a ive battle on an instant Any instant
A lord's chaht He took the curving stairs upward
Roo or dead Everywhere there were signs of hasty flight, and of a desire to carry away everything of value Marks where tapestries had been pulled from the walls and carpets taken up Tables overturned, whatever they had borne gone Golden la pried fro cracks
Then he pushed open a door with his sword, and looked into a rooolden bowls and silver vases in place, and tapestries depicting heroic scenes of Ophir's past hung from the walls The one mirror in the room was cracked, however, as the others were An intricately carved chair was set before it, the high back to the door, but the volureen silk sleeve of a ilded wooden ariant Cimmerian crossed the room, presented his sword to the throat of the man seated there ”Now, Antimides-” Conan's words died abruptly, and the hairs on the back of his neck stirred
Count Anti fro between teeth clenched and bared in a rictus of agony The links of a golden chain were buried in the swollen flesh of his neck, and his own hands clutched the ends of that chain, see it tighter