rh.conanthewarrior-第14章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


own　on　a　couch；　disarmed　and　panting；　her　eyes　blazing　up　at　him　like　the　eyes　of　a　trapped　tigress。
　　A　moment　later　he　was　hurrying　from　the　chamber；　carrying　her　in　his　arms。　She　made　no　resistance；　but　the　smoldering　of　her　eyes　showed　that　she　was　unconquered　in　spirit；　at　least。　She　had　not　cried　out。　She　knew　that　Conan　was　not　within　call；　and　it　did　not　occur　to　her　that　any　in　Tecuhltli　would　oppose　their　prince。　But　she　noticed　that　Olmec　went　stealthily；　with　his　head　on　one　side　as　if　listening　for　sounds　of　pursuit；　and　he　did　not　return　to　the　throne　chamber。　He　carried　her　through　a　door　that　stood　opposite　that　through　which　he　had　entered；　crossed　another　room　and　began　stealing　down　a　hall。　As　she　became　convinced　that　he　feared　some　opposition　to　the　abduction；　she　threw　back　her　head　and　screamed　at　the　top　of　her　lusty　voice。
　　She　was　rewarded　by　a　slap　that　half…stunned　her；　and　Olmec　quickened　his　pace　to　a　shambling　run。
　　But　her　cry　had　been　echoed　and；　twisting　her　head　about；　Valeria；　through　the　tears　and　stars　that　partly　blinded　her；　saw　Techotl　limping　after　them。
　　Olmec　turned　with　a　snarl；　shifting　the　woman　to　an　unfortable　and　certainly　undignified　position　under　one　huge　arm；　where　he　held　her　writhing　and　kicking　vainly；　like　a　child。
　　〃Olmec！〃　protested　Techotl。　〃You　cannot　be　such　a　dog　as　to　do　this　thing！　She　is　Conan's　woman！　She　helped　us　slay　the　Xotalancas；　and…〃
　　Without　a　word　Olmec　balled　his　free　hand　into　a　huge　fist　and　stretched　the　wounded　warrior　senseless　at　his　feet。　Stooping；　and　hindered　not　at　all　by　the　struggles　and　imprecations　of　his　captive；　he　drew　Techotl's　sword　from　its　sheath　and　stabbed　the　warrior　in　the　breast。　Then　casting　aside　the　weapon；　he　fled　on　along　the　corridor。　He　did　not　see　a　woman's　dark　face　peer　cautiously　after　him　from　behind　a　hanging。　It　vanished；　and　presenly　Techotl　groaned　and　stirred；　rose　dazedly　and　staggered　drunkenly　away；　calling　Conan's　name。
　　Olmec　hurried　on　down　the　corridor；　and　descended　a　winding　ivory　staircase。　He　crossed　several　corridors　and　halted　at　last　in　a　broad　chamber　whose　doors　were　veiled　with　heavy　tapestries；　with　one　exception…a　heavy　bronze　door　similar　to　the　Door　of　the　Eagle　on　the　upper　floor。
　　He　was　moved　to　rumble；　pointing　to　it：　〃That　is　one　of　the　outer　doors　of　Tecuhltli。　For　the　first　time　in　fifty　years　it　is　unguarded。　We　need　not　guard　it　now；　for　Xotalanc　is　no　more。〃
　　〃Thanks　to　Conan　and　me；　you　bloody　rogue！〃　sneered　Valeria；　trembling　with　fury　and　the　shame　of　physical　coercion。　〃You　trecherous　dog！　Conan　will　cut　your　throat　for　this！〃
　　Olmec　did　not　bother　to　voice　his　belief　that　Conan's　own　gullet　had　already　been　severed　according　to　his　whispered　mand。　He　was　too　utterly　cynical　to　be　at　all　interested　in　her　thoughts　or　opinions。　His　flame…lit　eyes　devoured　her；　dwelling　burningly　on　the　generous　expanses　of　clear　white　flesh　exposed　where　her　shirt　and　breeches　had　been　torn　in　the　struggle。
　　〃Forget　Conan；〃　he　said　thickly。　〃Olmec　is　lord　of　Xuchotl。　Xotalanc　is　no　more。　There　will　be　no　more　fighting。　We　shall　spend　our　lives　in　drinking　and　love…making。　First　let　us　drink！〃
　　He　seated　himself　on　an　ivory　table　and　pulled　her　down　on　his　knees；　like　a　dark…skinned　satyr　with　a　white　nymph　in　his　arms。　Ignoring　her　un…nymphlike　profanity；　he　held　her　helpless　with　one　great　arm　about　her　waist　while　the　other　reached　across　the　table　and　secured　a　vessel　of　wine。
　　〃Drink！〃　he　manded；　forcing　it　to　her　lips；　as　she　writhered　her　head　away。
　　The　liquor　slopped　over；　stinging　her　lips；　splashing　down　on　her　naked　breasts。
　　〃Your　guest　does　not　like　your　wine；　Olmec；〃　spoke　a　cool；　sardonic　voice。
　　Olmec　stiffened；　fear　grew　in　his　flaming　eyes。　Slowly　he　swung　his　great　head　about　and　stared　at　Tascela　who　pased　negligently　in　the　curtained　doorway；　one　hand　on　her　smooth　hip。　Valeria　twisted　herself　about　in　his　iron　grip；　and　when　she　met　the　burning　eyes　of　Tascela；　a　chill　tingled　along　her　supple　spine。　New　experiences　were　flooding　Valeria's　proud　soul　that　night。　Recently　she　had　learned　to　fear　a　man；　now　she　knew　what　it　was　to　fear　a　woman。
　　Olmec　sat　motionless；　a　gray　pallor　growing　under　his　swarthy　skin。　Tascela　brought　her　other　hand　from　behind　her　and　displayed　a　small　gold　vessel。
　　〃I　feared　she　would　not　like　your　wine；　Olmec；〃　purred　the　princess；　〃so　I　brought　some　of　mine；　some　I　brought　with　me　long　ago　from　the　shores　of　Lake　Zuad…do　you　understand；　Olmec？〃
　　Beads　of　sweat　stood　out　suddenly　on　Olmec's　brow。　His　muscles　relaxed；　and　Valeria　broke　away　and　put　the　table　between　them。　But　though　reason　told　her　to　dart　from　the　room；　some　fascination　she　could　not　understand　held　her　rigid；　watching　the　scene。
　　Tascela　came　toward　the　seated　prince　with　a　swaying；　undulating　walk　that　was　mockery　in　itself。　Her　voice　was　soft；　slurringly　caressing；　but　he　eyes　gleamed。　Her　slim　fingers　stroked　his　beard　lightly。
　　〃You　are　selfish；　Olmec；〃　she　crooned；　smiling。　〃You　would　keep　our　handsome　guest　to　yourself；　though　you　knew　I　wished　to　entertain　her。　You　are　much　at　fault；　Olmec！〃
　　The　mask　dropped　for　an　instant；　he　eyes　flashed；　her　face　was　contorted　and　with　an　appalling　show　of　strength　her　hand　locked　convulsively　in　his　beard　and　tore　out　a　great　handful。　This　evidence　of　unnatural　strength　was　no　more　terrifying　than　the　momentary　baring　of　the　hellish　fury　that　raged　under　her　bland　exterior。
　　Olmec　lurched　up　with　a　roar；　and　stood　swaying　like　a　bear；　his　mighty　hands　clenching　and　unclenching。
　　〃Slut！〃　His　booming　voice　filled　the　room。　〃Witch！　She…devil！　Tecuhltli　should　have　slain　you　fifty　years　ago！　Begone！　I　have　endured　too　much　from　you！　This　white…skinned　wench　is　mine！　Get　hence　before　I　slay　you！〃
　　The　princess　laughed　and　dashed　the　blood…stained　strands　into　his　face。　Her　laughter　was　less　merciful　than　the　ring　of　flint　on　steel。
　　〃Once　you　spoke　otherwise；　Olmec；〃　she　taunted。　〃Once；　in　your　youth；　you　spoke　words　of　love。　Aye；　you　were　my　lover　once；　years　ago；　and　because　you　loved　me；　you　slept　in　my　arms　beneath　the　enchanted　lotus…and　thereby　put　into　my　hands　the　chains　that　enslaved　you。　You　know　you　cannot　withstand　me。　You　know　I　have　but　to　gaze　into　your　eyes；　with　the　mystic　power　a　priest　of　Stygia　taught　me；　long　ago；　and　you　are　powerless。　You　remember　the　night　beneath　the　black　lotus　that　waved　above　us；　stirred　by　no　worldly　breeze；　you　scent　again　the　unearthly　perfumes　that　stole　and　rose　like　a　cloud　about　you　to　enslave　you。　You　cannot　fight　against　me。　You　are　my　slave　as　you　were　that　night…as　you　shall　be　so　long　as　you　live；　Olmec　of　Xuchotl！〃
　　Her　voice　had　sunk　to　a　murmur　like　the　rippling　of　a　stream　running　through　starlit　darkness。　She　leaned　close　to　the　prince　and　spread　her　long　tapering　fingers　upon　his　giant　breast。　His　eyes　glared；　his　great　hands　fell　limply　to　his　sides。
　　With　a　smile　of　cruel　malice；　Tascela　liftd　the　vessel　and　placed　it　to　his　lips。
　　〃Drink！〃
　　Mechanically　the　prince　obeyed。　And　instantly　the　glaze　passed　from　his　eyes　and　they　were　flooded　with　fury；　prehension　and　an　awful　fear。　His　mouth　gaped；　but　no　sound　issued。　For　an　instant　he　reeled　on　buckling　knees；　and　then　fell　in　a　sodden　heap　on　the　floor。
　　His　fall　jolted　Valeria　out　of　her　paralysis。　She　turned　and　sprang　toward　the　door；　but　with　a　movement　that　would　have　shamed　a　leaping　panther；　Tascela　was　before　her。　Valeria　struck　at　her　with　her　clenched　fist；　and　all　the　power　of　her　supple　body　behind　the　blow。　It　would　have　stretched　a　man　senseless　on　the　floor。　But　with　a　lithe　twist　of　her　torso；　Tascela　avoided　the　blow　and　caught　the　pirate's　wrist。　The　next　instant　Valeria's　left　hand　was　imprisoned　and；　holding　her　wrists　together　with　one　hand；　Tasacela　calmly　bound　them　with　a　cord　she　drew　from　her　girdle。　Valeria　thought　she　had　tasted　the　ultimate　in　humiliation　already　that　night；　but　her　shame　at　being　manhandled　by　Olmec　was　nothing　to　the　sensations　that　now　shook　her　supple　frame。　Valeria　had　always　been　inclined　to　despise　the　other　members　of　her　sex；　and　it　was　overwhelming　to　encounter　another　woman　who　could　handle　her　like　a　child。　She　scarcely　resisted　at　all　when　Tascela　forced　her　into　a　chair　and；　drawing　her　bound　wrists　down　between　her　knees；　fastened　them　to　the　chair。
　　Casually　stepping　over　Olmec；　Tascela　walked　to　the　bronze　door　and　shot　the　bolt　and　threw　it　open；　revealing　a　hallway　without。
　　〃Opening　upon　this　hall；〃　she　remarked；　speaking　to　her　feminine　captive　for　the　first　time；　〃there　is　a　chamber　which　in　old　times　was　used　as　a　torture　room。　When　we　retired　into　Tecuhltli；　we　brought　most　of　the　apparatus　with　us；　but　there　was　one　piece　too　heavy　to　move。　It　is　still　in　working　order。　I　think　it　will　be　quite　convenient　now。〃
　　An　understanding　flame　of　terror　rose　in　Olmec's　eyes。　Tascela　strode　back　to　him；　bent　and　gripped　him　by　the　hair。
　　〃He　is　only　paralyzed　temporarily；〃　she　remarked　conversationally。　〃He　can　hear；　think；　and　feel…aye；　he　can　feel　very　well　indeed！〃
　　With　which　sinister　observation　she　started　toward　the　door；　dragging　the　giant　bulk　with　an　ease　that　made　the　pirate's　eyes　dilate。　She　passed　into　the　hall　and　moved　down　it　without　hesitation；　presently　disappearing　with　her　captive　into　a　chamber　that　opened　into　it；　and　whence　shortly　thereafter　issued　the　clank　of　iron。
　　Valeria　swore　softly　and　tugged　vainly；　with　her　legs　braced　against　the　chair。　The　cords　that　confined　her　were　apparently　unbreakable。
　　Tascela　presently　returned　alone；　behind　her　a　muffled　groaning　issued　from　the　chamber。　She　closed　the　door　but　did　not　bolt　it。　Tascela　was　beyond　the　grip　of　habit；　as　she　was　beyond　the　touch　of　other　human　instincts　and　emotions。
　　Valeria　sat　dumbly；　watching　the　woman　in　whose　slim　hands；　the　pirate　realized；　her　destiny　now　rested。
　　Tascela　grasped　her　yellow　locks　and　forced　back　her　head；　looking　impersonably　down　into　her　face。　But　the　glitter　in　her　dark　eyes　was　not　impersonable。
　　〃I　have　chosen　you　for　a　great　honor；〃　she　said。　〃You　shall　restore　the　youth　of　Tascela。　Oh；　you　stare　at　that！　My　appearance　is　that　of　youth；　but　through　my　veins　creeps　the　sluggish　chill　of　approaching　age；　as　I　have　felt　it　a　thousand　times　before。　I　am　old；　so　old　I　do　not　remember　my　childhood。　But　I　was　a　girl　once；　and　a　priest　of　Stygia　loved　me；　and　gave　me　the　secret　of　immortality　and　youth　everlasting。　He　died；　then…some　said　by　poison。　But　I　dwelt　in　my　palace　by　the　shores　of　Lake　Zuad　and　the　passing　years　touched　me　not。　So　at　last　a　king　of　Stygia　desired　me；　and　my　people　rebelled　and　brought　me　to　this　land。　Olmec　called　me　a　princess。　I　am　not　of　royal　blood。　I　am　greater　than　a　princess。　I　am　Tascela；　whose　youth　your　own　glorious　youth　shall　restore。〃
　　Valeria's　tongue　clove　to　the　roof　of　her　mouth。　She　sensed　here　a　mystery　darker　than　the　degeneracy　she　had　anticipated。
　　The　taller　woman　unbound　the　Aquilonian's　wrists　and　pulled　her　to　her　feet。　It　was　not　fear　of　the　dominant　strength　that　lurked　in　the　princess'　limbs　that　made　Valeria　a　helpless；　quivering　captive　in