Part 21 (1/2)

The Cimmerian realized that what his eyes could not provide, his earsthe bow, and nocked an arrow Drawing back to the ear, he sent the shaft whistling toward the Guards' barracks

Five arrows drew enough noise to tell Conan that the count still hadthe barracks The Guards ly that the count'sht Had freshmen from before the barracks, or both? In either case, the count'sup with their coood time to surprise them, and surprise could be half of victory

Conan waved Raihna and the under-captain who'd brought Decius's e over to where they could hear the faintest of whispers They listened to hih doubt showed on the man's face even in the darkness

”What of Syza behind us, between us and Decius?” he asked when Conan was done

Conan decided that he had thought worse of the man than he deserved

”You should return to Decius and warn-”

The under-captain shook his head ”One of your ht Also, I knohere we are to meet Decius and the royal party, if we both win free of the palace”

Conan was certain now that he had doubted the e without cause ”Very well, then But if you want to test your steel against the count's, then tell o to the Gods leaving everything behind you fine and tidy!”

The under-captain grinned as Conan tossed down his bow and quiver, then followed them in a panther-like leap

Count Syzambry cursed the unknown archer, but did so silently More silently than histhe, and the unhurt were more than a trifle shaken

Useless to tell them that the dead were unlucky, victims of a man who could no more see his hand in front of his face than they could Too much sorcery wielded by friend and foe alike had unsettled his ht with honest steel against opponents of flesh and blood would bring the the ranks of the count's men, to reach the count where he crouched behind the crest of the earthen bank

”The king'sa trap If we advance, it will be to our death”

Count Syzambry replied with a whispered threat of horrible punishment for cowards

Silence fell on his ranks The count turned his eyes to the front The palace lay before hi and certainly hid a deterht as they fought their way into the palace

The led now Indeed, so?

”Steel Hand! Cry!” The count kept his voice fro like a woman's But he had to take a deep breath before he could shout again

”Up! Up and on guard! They're co the alar Count Syzaht that the count must be almost within reach if his words caain

Half of Conan's aping, others cried out, a few began to run Altogether, they brought the advance to a noisy halt

At the saan to plummet onto the Guards' huts