Part 36 (2/2)

Then the ground upended both Conan and Raihna as if they were children tossed in a blanket They fell and landed sprawling, but not rolling

The tentacle waved in the , then stretched out its tip toward the on every God he thought ht let him die like a warrior

The rainbow colors in the mist and the fire in the lake died A vast roar that ht

The h the base of the cloud of mist, Conan saw the dam crumble

The water of the lake thundered into the valley in a solid white wall

Ithawk Conan knew trial fie was seeing the death of the Pougoi

He also saw the beast, although dimly because of the mist A vast, carapaced shape festooned with tentacles swept into view, then washed through the remains of the dam and down into the valley

Conan did not see the beast after that, although he knew the ain, and a roar that was alraves of the world opened at once filled the night

How long the Ci valley, he did not know He was recalled to knowledge of the world and work to be done by Raihna's hand on his arth of your feet

If any more falls, you may well fall with it”

Conan looked down and saw that Raihna was right He shook off both her aran to climb

”That settles the matter of pursuit, to be sure,” he said when halfway up the cliff ”I only wish I knew if the Star Brothers drowned along with their tribesmen”

”Pray that they did,” Raihna said ”I doubt if Marr could spellbind a stray puppy, and we've not heard the last of Syzaht senses and sitting up when Conan and Raihna rejoined their comrades He held Wylla close to his chest while she alternately wept and keened for the dead

Aybas rapping his cloak about the princess Above the waist, she was still more unclad than not, but below the waist, she hadthe babe suck on one or her fingers, and that seeoat or a ewe and soak a rag in thea nurse-brother to the Pougoi He oat?!' Conan echoed He realized that he was still a trifle be too close to such a ic

”Conan,” the princess said, ”I could hardly ask you to carry off a wet-nurse But every patch of hillside about here has its goats Any who are not good for ood for our rations, will they not?”

”Certainly, hness”

”No pardon needed, Conan You and your comrades-I would not have asked of anyone sworn to me what you have done of your oill” She looked up at the sky, where stars now shone di wind bleay clouds and one, I fear,” she added ”Best we use what is left of it to put sooi who may yet live”

Conan hoped that the princess would leave the swordplay to those better fitted for it Otherwise, he would not quarrel with her apparent wish to command on the march homeward!

He looked down into the valley Mist still rose in randolearound jutted above the flood, and on one patch of high ground, Conan saw tiny figures

Of the beast, the Star Brothers, or Thyrin, there was no sign

Conan rose, stretched to ease cramped muscles, then turned to Raihna

”Raihna, which of us is the better goatherd, do you think?”