Part 13 (1/2)

Raihna ht have embraced him in spite of Decius's presence, but at that ateway, Oyzhik behind him

”Captain-General Decius Captain Raihna, Conan of Cimmeria You are su of the Border Fifth of That Name”

The outer parts of the palace were much as Conan had expected: courtyards where weeds sprouted as high as a man's waist and trees overtopped as left of the walls; chanant ht have taken their pleasure on silk-swathed couches, drinking perfuilded cups One chamber still had much of its fine tile floor intact, and Conan had to call his h it were a rare and wondrous treasure from a distant land

How much of this they passed, Conan did not know then or afterward He knew that he was beginning to feel an itch between his shoulders that no scratching would soothe With every step he was farther froht offer hiht wait

So as he needed to teach them not to lay traps for a Ci in how Raihna's face also grew more somber with each step

A final step took them around a corner, and both Conan and Raihna stopped as if they faced a pit of fire Beyond the off of it were cha to a decent uarded, and the guards were also unlike what Conan had seen so far in Eloikas's palace Most of theood armor and stout swords or boith an occasional halberd to season the er that ht have lost swiftness but had gained experience and would not be opponents to take lightly

The guard with the ht it up in salute

”Hail, Decius His Majesty awaits”

The captain-general nodded and fell back Guards took their place around Conan and Raihna, so close that the two could not have draeapon freely had they wished to Thus he Eloikas

The throne rooood inn, and so clean that one ht have eaten off the floor One could see that here, at least, silver was spent to keep the dust away, the tapestriesof the bronze throne unscarred

One could also see, as Conan did at once, a strong resemblance between the eneral who knelt before it Conan and Raihna followed Decius's example, but the Cimmerian did not take his eyes off their two hosts

If they were not father and bastard son, Conan swore, he would drink nothing but water for a year Both were ofwas soray than black, but the chisel-shaped nose, high cheekbones, and wide gray eyes were co further resemblances between Eloikas and Decius that the co at his ribs with her elbow to bring hih

It seeh about for far too long but who had not altogether lost the habit In spite of his suspicions, Conan found hi to Eloikas

Decius presented Conan and Raihna in a few soldierly words They knelt again Eloikas greeted them in still feords, then bid theratitude, and you will have your proht Us what We put in your charge, which will strengthen Our blows against those who have taken Our daughter and heir but you have struck shrewd blows yourselves against Our common foes It is Our wish, Mistress Raihna, that you and yourfurther blows

We expect to be able to reward such service enerously”

Eloikas then folded his hands across a belly remarkably flat for a man of his years and clad in a robe of Brythunian style aze passed over Conan's head and seemed to fix itself on some detail of the mural on the wall behind the Ciiven half of her pay to be alone with hi at so far away, then drew herself up

”Your Majesty, I a you to anso questions”

Captain Oyzhik hissed like an outraged goose, but Decius waved hieneral did not, however, take his eyes off the king Nor did he fail to uards held their places, but their hands crept closer to their weapons

Eloikas nodded, and Conan saw Raihna quiver like a released bowstring

”Our gratitude to you extends to answering many questions But let Us hear your first two”

Raihna wasted no words She wanted to know if her caravan fee would be paid at once so that she could divide it a before they joined her co hich to make themselves decent and weapons hich to e also that some may not wish to remain in Our service and that you wish them to travel safely,” Eloikas said

This time Raihna's reply was as swift as a runner's start ”I cannot swear to that, Your Majesty But if there are such ainst their will?”