Part 26 (1/2)
”We'll take the time, my friend Either that or you'll take your leave”
The piper looked from Conan to Raihna, found no more mercy in her face than in the Cimmerian's, then nodded ”Very well You have been witness tome to show my colors-”
”What!” The word shot like an arrow from both Conan and Raihna's lips
It raised echoes from the rocks Marr shook his head
”If you break in onFar too long, when I can lead you to Decius and the king”
This time neither Conan nor Raihna said a word They merely stared at each other, then at Marr When it see the sa, he nodded to her She climbed out of the water, silver drops beaded on her skin from forehead to toes Conan cast her sword down to her and bent to don his clothes while she stood guard, then returned the favor
When they were both garbed, they turned to find the piper sitting as if he had been turned to wood Only the play of a thin smile on his face told thelared at Marr ”As you can see, we'll not tarry here You say Decius and the king are safe?”
”Alive, I said I did not say safe I do not knohat dangers ht beset them, either”
”Be that honest with one ain, sorcerer or no”
”What kind of bargain?”
”Answer the question first,” Conan growled He liked men who talked in riddles about as much as he liked sorcerers
”Ask, and I shall answer” The piper's voice itself had a musical quality to it that made it unlike any human voice that Conan had ever heard-hts?”
”When he wishes me to read them, as you did when you asked me to show myself, I can read them at some distance”
”But not when he wants to keep the in the man's tone hinted that it was a matter of ”would not”
rather than ”could not” Yet- curse it, trust had to begin somewhere!
The closer and the sooner the better, if indeed this woodland wizard could pipe theers through hisout the last water ”If you told the truth, here'sand Decius Guide us as if you were a common hunter or charcoal burner who knew the land Not a breath, not a blink, about ht!”
”You bargain hard, Cioodfor their lives Them I know You could be otten the chaos you sowed at the palace”
”I will prove that I am much before we find Decius and Eloikas What will you do when I have led you to them?”