Part 20 (1/2)
”Strip her!” commanded Tananda The fli her up!” said Tananda Diana's wrists were bound, the rope was thrown over a beairl's arht over her head
Tananda rose, a whip in her hand ”Now,” she said with a cruel smile, ”we shall see what you know about our dear friend Tuthmes' little schemes Once more: will you speak?”
Her voice choked with sobs, Diana could only shake her head The ristled and cracked across the Neonally across her back Diana uttered a piercing shriek
”What's all this?” said a deep voice Conan, wearing his coat of irt with his sword, stood in the doorway Having beco her palace unannounced Tananda had taken lovers before-thethem-but never one in whose embraces she found such ecstasy, nor one whose relationshi+p with her she flaunted so brazenly She could not have enough of the giant northerner
Noever, she spun about ”Just a northern slut, whoer intoto learn the truth from her
If you want to love me, co,” he replied, grinning wolfishly ”There is also a little matter of state What is this folly, to let the blacks into the Inner City to watch Aahmes burn?”
”What folly, Conan? It will show the black dogs I am not to be trifled with The scoundrel will be tortured in a way that will be remembered for years Thus perish all foes of our divine dynasty! What objection have you, pray?”
”Just this: if you let a few thousand Kushi+tes into the Inner City and then work up their blood lust by the sight of the torture, it won't take iven them much cause to love it”
”I do not fear those black scum!”
”Maybe not But I have saved your pretty neck froht run out I tried to tell your minister Afari this just now, in his palace, but he said it was your coht listen to sense fro that et out of here and leave me to my work-unless you would care to wield the whip yourself”
Conan approached Diana ”Tuthhtened out of her wits No tale you got out of her would be worth the hearing Give her to me, and I'll show you what a little kindness can do”
”You, kind? Ha! Mind your own affairs, Conan, and I will ht's gathering” Tananda spoke sharply to Diana: ”Now speak, hussy, damn your soul!” The whip hissed as she drew back her ar with the effortless speed of a lion, Conan caught Tananda's wrist and twisted the whip out of her hand
”Let o!” she screamed ”You dare to use force on me? I'll have you-I'll-I'll-”
”You'll what?” said Conan caler, and cut the rope that bound Diana's wrists Tananda's servants exchanged uneasy glances
”Mind your royal dignity, Highness!” grinned Conan, gathering Diana into his aruard, you have at least a chance Without me-well, you know the answer to that I shall see you at the torture”
He strode toward the door, carrying the Nee, Tananda picked up the discarded whip and hurled it after him The handle struck his broad back, and the whip fell to the floor
”Just because she has a fish-belly skin like yours, you prefer her to me!” shrieked Tananda ”You shall rue your insolence!”
With a ruh, Conan walked out Tananda sank to the floor, beating thewith frustration
Mo Tuthmes' chariot back toward hisHe was astonished to see Conan, carrying a naked girl in his ar his front door
Shubba shook the reins and hastened on his way
6 Dark Counsel
The first laainst the dusk as Tuthmes sat in his chamber with Shubba and with Muru, the tall Kordafan sorcerer Shubba, glancing uneasily at his master, had finished his tale