Part 20 (2/2)
”Conan camps at the head of the Valley of Lions It is shaped like a fan, with steep hills on either side If you attack hiht up the valley You cannot clin to accept h the hills and show hi Conan from behind But if it is to be done at all, we , for one o miles to the west, then miles to the north, then turn eastward and so come into the Valley of Lions froging his chin In these chaotic ti to sell their souls for a few gold pieces
”If yon lead me astray you will die,” said Valerius ”You are aware of that, are you not?”
The man shi+vered, but his wide eyes did not waver
”If I betray you, slay me!”
”Conan will not dare divide his force,” mused Amalric ”He will need all his men to repel our attack He cannot spare any to lay ambushes in the hills Besides, this fellos his hide depends on his leading you as he pro like him sacrifice himself? Nonsense!
No, Valerius, I believe the reater thief than hed Valerius ”Very well I will follow the dog How many h,” answered Amalric ”A surprise attack on their rear will throw theh
I shall expect your attack about noon”
”You will knohen I strike,” answered Valerius
As Aratification that Xaltotun was still in his tent, to judge froht air from time to tile of bridles in the outer darkness, he srimly Valerius had about served his purpose The baron knew that Conan was like a wounded lion that rends and tears even in his death-throes When Valerius struck froht ipe his rival out of existence before he himself succumbed So much the better Amalric felt he could well dispense with Valerius, once he had paved the way for a Nemedian victory
The five thousand horsemen who accoades for the ht theythe ard trend of the great black ainst the stars ahead of them Valerius rode at their head, and beside hiripped by a man-at-arms who rode on the other side of him
Others kept close behind with draords
”Play us false and you die instantly,” Valerius pointed out ”I do not know every sheep-path in these hills, but I know enough about the general configuration of the country to know the directions we must take to come in behind the Valley of Lions See that you do not lead us astray”
The man ducked his head and his teeth chattered as he volubly assured his captor of his loyalty, staring up stupidly at the banner that floated over hi the extremities of the hills that blocked the Valley of Lions, they side to the west An hour's ride and they turned north, forging through wild and rugged hills, following dim bails and tortuous paths Sunrise found theuide turned eastward and led thes Valerius nodded, judging their position by various peaks thrusting up above the others He had kept his bearings in a general way, and he knew they were still headed in the right direction
But noithout warning, a gray fleecythe slopes, spreading out through the valleys It blotted out the sun; the world becaray void in which visibility was li er see the peaks that had served hiuide The golden serpent drooped in the windless air
Presently Tiberias seemed himself confused; he halted, stared about uncertainly
”Are you lost, dog?” demanded Valerius harshly
”Listen!”
Soan, the rhythmic rumble of a drum
”Conan's druh to hear the drum,” said Valerius, ”why do we not hear the shouts and the clang of ares and the winds play strange tricks,” answered Tiberias, his teeth chattering with the ague that is frequently the lot of eons ”Listen!”
Faintly to their ears ca down in the valley!” cried Tiberias ”The druhts Let us hasten!”
He rode straight on toward the sound of the distant druround at last Valerius followed, cursing the fog Then it occurred to him that it wouldHe would be at the Cimmerian's back before the noonday sun dispelled the mists