Part 20 (2/2)
Conan saw the two figures approaching, but he was unable to offer a defense or to flee When the unlikely pair arrived at a distance two spans from him, they stopped
”We would speak with you,” the one-eyed giant said
The Cimmerian looked down at his trapped li, he had no choice save to listen to the cyclops and the wor,” he said, as if he had a choice
”Things are not as ould have thee”
”W-e n-need y-your h-h-help,” the worm said
They went on to explain what they had in mind
While his intention was to find his friends and flee this accursed realm as soon as possible, the alternative offered by the pair certainly heldhis current state
”So,” the cyclops said, ”that is our intent If you help us achieve it, you and your friends will be free to go on about your own business with our blessings”
”And if I do not agree?”
”W-we c-can l-leave y-y-you h-here t-to r-r-rot,” the wor speech of his
It was, Conan had to adree to aid you Both witch and wizard have done nothing but cause rief since I arrived here, I would see them in Gehanna at the earliest opportunity”
The cyclops, who had given his name as Wikkell, nodded and turned to the worm ”See? I told you he would be reasonable”
With that, the giant one-eyed being extended a small wooden device toward Conan and his nest ofsticky threads After a an to pull away from Conan's body and the ss into itself A few seconds later all of the netting in which Conan had been trapped had vanished
Magic, and no doubt of that He liked it not at all Still, it was not as if he had been given much in the way of choice Whatever the reason, he was a iven, he would not break it
”Our sources tell us that your friends have been collected by the wizard,” Wikkell said
”Are they well?”
”I have it as likely for as long as the wizard thinks they ht lead him to you”
”Why is it that I am so important to both witch and wizard?”
”Wh-who k-knows?” This from the worm, who called hi to do with some kind of prophesy,” Wikkell said ”In some way, the wizard fears you, and likewise, so does the witch”
”I cannot understand why I have no ic; I am no more than an ordinary man”
”A man, perhaps Hardly ordinary To have escaped fro her bed, these are things no man has ever done before”
”W-ere i-it n-n-not f-for y-you, n-n-none o-of th-this ould h-have h-happened”
Conan shrugged ”I think this is all due to being in the wrong place at the wrong tiinal reason,” Wikkell said, ”it does not matter so much now”
The three started down the corridor Conan pondered what they had told hi his friends There was to be an attack, and during it he e of the confusion If he should happen to slay the wizard in passing? Well, so much the better
Deek and Wikkell spoke of their actions over the last days, and Conan filled theh he told his story in an offhand
A few moments later several of the Blind Whites came down the rocky hallway toward Conan and the others Conan tensed, but Wikkell quickly reassured hiue with the cyclopes and the worms The witch and the wizard were about to have a full-scale revolution on their hands
One of the Whites approached and spoke to Wikkell in a language Conan did not recognize After a moment another of the Whites was motioned to come closer by the cyclops
The second White carried an object over one shoulder, so Conan had not noticed earlier: his sword!
The White tendered the blade to Wikkell, who held it as aknife The cyclopsturned to Conan ”Here Youbetween two puddles upon the floor of the cavern where you must have been captured by Chuntha” At this stateh Wikkell
”So?”
Wikkell shook his head ”I suspect I knohat those puddles represent They stir a rather unpleasant memory”
Conan took the sword and did not ask after the source of the cyclops' recollection The Cimmerian had noted, however, that his ability to hear the mindspeech had left him He suspected that the cause of that particular talent had somehow been the responsibility of one of the jewels they had stolen from Chuntha, one of those spilled in his hasty escape from her chambers A pity in one way to have lost it; on the other side of that coin, however, it wasrun than it orth
His liic had shown Conan that even those who kne to perform such conjurs often found thes hich ht of the sword and s aarm, cold iron, and skill aye, he would take those over spells any day
Chuntha awoke frorinned to herself as she stretched
She sat up abruptly, startled Where was the barbarian? Why did he not lie next to her, dead from his exertions as surely he should be?
Now that she was more awake, Chuntha noted that she did not feel the usual sensation of greatly increased energy that ca drained a man of his essence Sated, yes, but empowered, no
What had happened?
She leaped to her feet and strode naked to the chauards lay flaccidly in repose upon the cold stone
”Where is the er, cut at the two
”G-g-gone to f-fetch hatever it as you ished,” the worms replied ”By y-your orders, m-m-mistress, he t-told us-”