Part 2 (2/2)
”It see his voice to a whisper ”Perhaps if we reht stand here until we starve,” Elashi+ said, her voice also low
”I aestion”
”Why do you always say that at such tirew somewhat louder
”Why not yell, to better attract its attention?”
That shut her up They stared at the composite beast
For its part, the watchbeast did seem somewhat confused It cocked its head fro in Conan and Elashi+'s direction Had it any sight at all, it see less than perhaps thirty spans; it sniffed the frosty air un
Conan's hand itched to pull his sword, but he remained still Better to wait a fewwould do If it came at theh fighting such a monster hardly seemed a pleasant pursuit
The horseman touched the track in the snow, then turned to face the Harskeel and the other riders
”Very fresh, m'lord The snow has kept the is They can be no more than a very few uous smile ”Good Forward!”
”Have you Gods we can call upon?” Elashi+ whispered
”None but Croives ain certain measure at birth, then allows him to make his oay in the world”
”A harsh God,” Elashi+ said
”Aye He rules over a harsh land, he could be little else”
”My own Gods tend to be good for finding water or helping with the hunt,” she said ”I don't think we have any God for dealing with the likes of that” She gestured at the beast with a glance The thing had by this ti in the direction of the two un people
”I cannot understand why it does not merely approach closer to see e are,” Conan said
”Let us not give it any ideas in that direction, Conan”
”We cannot stay here forever,” he said ”Perhaps we can utilize the same trick we played upon the Harskeel I shall run aslant to it and when it chases ood idea,” she said quickly
Conan could not suppress a small chuckle She did not hurry to volunteer to draw this beast's attention, he noted
”Of course, once I ht notice us both,” Conan said ”And mayhap choose to take the stationary meal instead”
Elashi+ considered this for all of three seconds ”On second thought, I think perhaps your plan lacks merit Let us both draw our blades and run directly at it”
”Aye, better than to die a frozen statue Ready?”
”As I shall ever be”
”Your sword, then”
As Conan and Elashi+ unsheathed their weapons, the watching monster came to its feet Its striped fur bristled and it uttered several rowl The tere starting to run, when they heard another sound
”There they are!”
Conan glanced over his shoulder to see a horde of horse down upon them
”Crom! What is this?”
Elashi+ did not question her fortunes, however Shebehind a cluly brush Conan understood He duplicated the desert woman's dive and crouched down behind the weedy cover in tiht for the approaching horserowls joined the yells of startled men and the whinny of terrified horses The watchbeast leaped, knocked three riders froan to claw and chew the downedthean throwing pikes, so it
Conan saw at the rear of the pack ofand screa at its men
”I think it best that we depart,” Conan said, pointing at the fracas
”For once I agree”
Quickly, the two of theht
Ten minutes away from the battle behind them, Conan and Elashi+ slowed their pace so wounds,” he said ”Besides, they will not be able to follow us in the dark Nightfall is only moment away We are safe for now”
Elashi+ nodded ”The Harskeel ic”
”Aye, but who knows? Mayhap it considersyou a candidate as well You also bear a sword”
That thought made her stop and think for a ht,” Conan said ”Bywe should be clear of the mountain and able to take any direction we choose on the plateau They won't be able to follow us if we take pains to cover our trail”
”Then you feel we are in no danger?”
”I have no doubt of it,” Conan said, s theiant creature