Part 20 (1/2)
Orastes was dead, writhing in Mitra only knehat nameless hell, and Amalric knew his sould scarcely prevail where the black wisdorisly abomination Xaltotun plotted lay in the unpredictable future Conan and his host were a present ht well be needed before the play was all played
They cae at the spot where a reef of rocks e across the river, passable always except in tiht in the news that Conan had taken up his position in the Goralian hills, which began to rise a few miles beyond the river And just before sundown the Gundermen had arrived in his camp
Aht of the flaring torches Night had fallen
”What now? Your ic has failed Conan confronts us with an are of position We have a choice of two evils: to camp here and await his attack, or to fall back toward Tarantia and await reinforcements”
”We are ruined if ait,” answered Xaltotun ”Cross the river and camp on the plain We will attack at dawn”
”But his position is too strong!” exclaiust of passion broke the veneer of the wizard's calotten Valkia? Because some obscure elemental principle prevented the flood do you deem me helpless? I had intended that your spears should exterminate our enemies; but do not fear: it is my arts shall crush their host Conan is in a trap He will never see another sun set Cross the river!”
They crossed by the flare of torches The hoofs of the horses clinked on the rocky bridge, splashed through the shallows The glint of the torches on shi+elds and breastplates was reflected redly in the black water The rock bridge was broad on which they crossed, but even so it was past ht before the host was camped in the plain beyond Above the redly in the distance Conan had turned at bay in the Goralian hills, which had more than once before served as the last stand of an Aquilonian king
Ah the calow flickered in Xaltotun's tent, and from time to time a demoniacal cry slashed the silence, and there was a low sinisterof a drum that rustled rather than ruht and the circumstances, felt that Xaltotun was opposed by core than physical force Doubts of the wizard's power assailed hih above hirim lines He and his ar those hills lurked thousands of wolfish figures out of whose hearts and souls all eed except a frenzied hate for their conquerors, a eance Defeatwith blood-ainst the grihter in the western nations, and his desperate horde If Xaltotun failed them now---
Half a dozen linted on their breastplates and helure in tattered rags
Saluting, they spoke: ”My lord, thisValerius He is an Aquilonian”
He looked more like a wolf-a wolf the traps had scarred Old sores that only fetters reat brand, the h the tangle of his matted hair as he half crouched before the baron
”Who are you, you filthy dog?” demanded the Nemedian
”Call me Tiberias,” answered the man, and his teeth clicked in an involuntary spasm ”I have come to tell you how to trap Conan”
”A traitor, eh?” ruold,” s
”Give soold and I will show you how to defeat the king!” His eyes glazed widely, his outstretched, upturned hands were spread like quivering claws
Aed his shoulders in distaste But no tool was too base for his use
”If you speak the truth you shall have old than you can carry,”
he said ”If you are a liar and a spy I will have you crucified head-down Bring hi”
In the tent of Valerius, the baron pointed to the s about him
”He says he knoay to aid us on the morrow We will need aid, if Xaltotun's plan is no better than it has proved so far Speak on, dog”
The e convulsions Words ca rush: