Part 38 (1/2)
”Forgive hness, but-”
”You were in haste and could not wait for my permission? My father and Decius have told ood captains and bad”
Conan was silent, keeping his gaze turned toward the Pougoi Then he heard a soft laugh
”You are a good captain, Conan of Cimmeria,” the princess said, ”and therefore oi forward and let us have the oath-taking Then they can go and bring up their coht”
The oath-taking went swiftly Conan had expected nothing else Nor did he doubt that the rest of the Pougoi who followed Thyrin would be as swift in declaring their new allegiance
Some, doubtless, were of the faction Aybas had described, and always kept apart froht be seeing the world with fresh eyes None could doubt that the Pougoi had little future unless they sought new allies Hoth shrunken, their women and children helpless prey, they could not hope to face the other tribes who for sacrifices had gone on for too long to be easily forgiven
Conan only hoped that the Pougoi would not use their new place as upholders of the throne as yet another weapon against their enemies If they did, the throne would have peace with one mountain tribe and blood-feud with half a dozen others
The Cimmerian thanked the Gods that it would be Eloikas and Chienna who faced that problem, not himself or Raihna If Aybas wanted to stay and be eood luck to hiues ht make him a wise counselor to the Border throne
First, however, ca sure that there was a Border throne for Aybas to counsel!
A band ofmen, was harder to hide than Conan's handful It also had less need to hide Nothing save Count Syzambry's host-if he yet had one-or Decius and the Guards could meet them in open battle
Aic was another still So Conan decided that the newly united, neorn allies would ht Since it was near sunset by the tiin the last part of their journey on the next day
A cluster of huts too se offered shelter to the women and children and the princess The huts were filthy but intact, and they had the look of having been abandoned only a few days before Why the inhabitants had fled, and whither, Conan did not know Nor did he care to speak of these questions where anyone less clearheaded than Raihna or Thyrin ave chief's gifts to Conan's party One gift was the use of a wet-nurse for Prince Urras for as long as he needed one
The other was a tent for the use of Conan and Raihna
”You may share it if you wish,” Raihna told Aybas ”One or the other of us will always be on watch tonight”
Conan said nothing but considered that Raihna ht have told him first if it was her notion that they sleep apart They would be doing that enough when they rejoined Decius Raihna was too much woman to let slip aithout one final, hot tumble
Aybas shook his head ”Thyrin has offered ” He lowered his voice and looked toward Wylla, standing close to the piper ”Also, she is sleeping under the stars with him, so it matters little where I sleep”
”Not so,” Raihna said ”Sleep where you ith a clear head We need your wits untouched Aquilonia's loss has been our gain”
Aybas's face told plainly of how long it had been since he heard such praise, but he was equal to the occasion He bowed, kissed Raihna's hand, and withdrew
”Who takes first watch?” Conan asked
”Let it be ht, you should spare yourself”
”When has a woman ever made me weak, Raihna? Even you, and I have knoohtly in the ribs ”As you say, you have knoomen if you think that none can weaken a man for serious business Go and sleep, Conan”
Conan raised his hand in mock respect ”I think I should never have na Decius, so that you have the rank in truth?”