rh.conanthewarrior-第4章

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　　〃He's　on　our　trail！〃　she　whispered　fiercely。
　　Conan　shook　his　head。
　　〃He　didn't　smell　us　at　the　rock；　and　he's　blundering　about　through　the　forest　trying　to　pick　up　our　scent。　e　on！　It's　the　city　or　nothing　now！　He　could　tear　down　any　tree　we'd　climb。　If　only　the　wind　stays　down…〃
　　They　stole　on　until　the　trees　began　to　thin　out　ahead　of　them。　Behind　them　the　forest　was　a　black　impenetrable　ocean　of　shadows。　The　ominous　crackling　still　sounded　behind　them；　as　the　dragon　blundered　in　his　erratic　course。
　　〃There's　the　plain　ahead；〃　breathed　Valeria。　〃A　little　more　and　we'll…〃
　　〃Crom！〃　swore　Conan。
　　〃Mitra！〃　whispered　Valeria。
　　Out　of　the　south　a　wind　had　sprung　up。
　　It　blew　over　them　directly　into　the　black　forest　behind　them。　Instantly　a　horrible　roar　shook　the　woods。　The　aimless　snapping　and　crackling　of　the　bushes　changed　to　a　sustained　crashing　as　the　dragon　came　like　a　hurricane　straight　toward　the　spot　from　which　the　scent　of　his　enemies　was　wafted。
　　〃Run！〃　snarled　Conan；　his　eyes　blazing　like　those　of　a　trapped　wolf。　〃It's　all　we　can　do！〃
　　Sailor's　boots　are　not　made　for　sprinting；　and　the　life　of　a　pirate　does　not　train　one　for　a　runner。　Within　a　hundred　yards　Valeria　was　panting　and　reeling　in　her　gait；　and　behind　them　the　crashing　gave　way　to　a　rolling　thunder　as　the　monster　broke　out　of　the　thickets　and　into　the　more　open　ground。
　　Conan's　iron　arm　about　the　woman's　waist　half　lifted　her；　her　feet　scarcely　touched　the　earth　as　she　was　borne　along　at　a　speed　she　could　never　have　attained　herself。　If　he　could　keep　out　of　the　beast's　way　for　a　bit；　perhaps　that　betraying　wind　would　shift…but　the　wind　held；　and　a　quick　glance　over　his　shoulder　showed　Conan　that　the　monster　was　almost　upon　them；　ing　like　a　war…galley　in　front　of　a　hurricane。　He　thrust　Valeria　from　him　with　a　force　that　sent　her　reeling　a　dozen　feet　to　fall　in　a　crumpled　heap　at　the　foot　of　the　nearest　tree；　and　the　Cimmerian　wheeled　in　the　path　of　the　thundering　titan。
　　Convinced　that　his　death　was　upon　him；　the　Cimmerian　acted　according　to　his　instinct；　and　hurled　himself　full　at　the　awful　face　that　was　bearing　down　on　him。　He　leaped；　slashing　like　a　wildcat；　felt　his　sword　cut　deep　into　the　scales　that　sheathed　the　mighty　snout…and　then　a　terrific　impact　knocked　him　rolling　and　tumbling　for　fifty　feet　with　all　the　wind　and　half　the　life　battered　out　of　him。
　　How　the　stunned　Cimmerian　regained　his　feet；　not　even　he　could　have　ever　told。　But　the　only　thought　that　filled　his　brain　was　of　the　woman　lying　dazed　and　helpless　almost　in　the　path　of　the　hurtling　fiend；　and　before　the　breath　came　whistling　back　into　his　gullet　he　was　standing　over　her　with　his　sword　in　his　hand。
　　She　lay　where　he　had　thrown　her；　but　she　was　struggling　to　a　sitting　posture。　Neither　tearing　tusks　nor　trampling　feet　had　touched　her。　It　had　been　a　shoulder　or　front　leg　that　struck　Conan；　and　blind　monster　rushed　on；　forgetting　the　victims　whose　scent　it　had　been　following；　in　the　sudden　agony　of　its　death　throes。　Headlong　on　its　course　it　thundered　until　its　low…hung　head　crashed　into　a　gigantic　tree　in　its　path。　The　impact　tore　the　tree　up　by　the　roots　and　must　have　dashed　the　brains　from　the　misshapen　skull。　Tree　and　monster　fell　together；　and　the　dazed　humans　saw　the　branches　and　leaves　shaken　by　the　convulsions　of　the　creature　they　covered…and　then　grow　quiet。
　　Conan　lifted　Valeria　to　her　feet　and　together　they　started　away　at　a　reeling　run。　A　few　moments　later　they　emerged　into　the　still　twilight　of　the　treeless　plain。
　　Conan　paused　an　instant　and　glanced　back　at　the　ebon　fastness　behind　them。　Not　a　leaf　stirred；　nor　a　bird　chirped。　It　stood　as　silent　as　it　must　have　stood　before　Man　was　created。
　　〃e　on；〃　muttered　Conan；　taking　his　panion's　hand。　〃It's　touch　and　go　now。　If　more　dragons　e　out　of　the　woods　after　us…〃
　　He　did　not　have　to　finish　the　sentence。
　　The　city　looked　very　far　away　across　the　plain；　farther　than　it　had　looked　from　the　crag。　Valeria's　heart　hammered　until　she　felt　as　if　it　would　strangle　her。　At　every　step　she　expected　to　hear　the　crashing　of　the　bushes　and　see　another　colossal　nightmare　bearing　down　upon　them。　But　nothing　disturbed　the　silence　of　the　thickets。
　　With　the　first　mile　between　them　and　the　woods；　Valeria　breathed　more　easily。　Her　buoyant　self…confidence　began　to　thaw　out　again。　The　sun　had　set　and　darkness　was　gathering　over　the　plain；　lightened　a　little　by　the　stars　that　made　stunted　ghosts　out　of　the　cactus　growths。
　　〃No　cattle；　no　plowed　fields；〃　muttered　Conan。　〃How　do　these　people　live？〃
　　〃Perhaps　the　cattle　are　in　pens　for　the　night；〃　suggested　Valeria；　〃and　the　fields　and　grazing…pastures　are　on　the　other　side　of　the　city。〃
　　〃Maybe；〃　he　grunted。　〃I　didn't　see　any　from　the　crag；　though。〃
　　The　moon　came　up　behind　the　city；　etching　walls　and　towers　blackly　in　the　yellow　glow。　Valeria　shivered。　Black　against　the　moon　the　strange　city　had　a　somber；　sinister　look。
　　Perhaps　something　of　the　same　feeling　occurred　to　Conan；　for　he　stopped；　glanced　about　him；　and　grunted：　〃We'll　stop　here。　No　use　ing　to　their　gates　in　the　night。　They　probably　wouldn't　let　us　in。　Besides；　we　need　rest；　and　we　dont　know　how　they'll　receive　us。　A　few　hours'　sleep　will　put　us　in　better　shape　to　fight　or　run。〃
　　He　led　the　way　to　a　bed　of　cactus　which　grew　in　a　circle…a　phenomenon　mon　to　the　southern　desert。　With　his　sword　he　chopped　an　opening；　and　motioned　Valeria　to　enter。
　　〃We'll　be　safe　from　the　snakes　here；　anyhow。〃
　　She　glanced　fearfully　back　toward　the　black　line　that　indicated　the　forest　some　six　miles　away。
　　〃Suppose　a　dragon　es　out　of　the　woods？〃
　　〃We'll　keep　watch；〃　he　answered；　though　he　made　no　suggestion　as　to　what　they　would　do　in　such　an　event。　He　was　staring　at　the　city；　a　few　miles　away。　Not　a　light　shone　from　spire　or　tower。　A　great　black　mass　of　mystery；　it　reared　cryptically　against　the　moonlit　sky。
　　〃Lie　down　and　sleep。　I'll　keep　the　first　watch。〃
　　She　hesitated；　glancing　at　him　uncertainly；　but　he　sat　down　cross…legged　in　the　opening；　facing　toward　the　plain；　his　sword　across　his　knees；　his　back　to　her。　Without　further　ment　she　lay　down　on　the　sand　inside　the　spiky　circle。
　　〃Wake　me　when　the　moon　is　at　its　zenith；〃　she　directed。
　　He　did　not　reply　nor　look　toward　her。　Her　last　impression；　as　she　sank　into　slumber；　was　of　his　muscular　figure；　immobile　as　a　statue　hewn　out　of　bronze；　outlined　against　the　low…hanging　stars。
　　
　　
　　　2。　　By　the　Blaze　of　the　Fire　Jewels
　　
　　Valeria　awoke　with　a　start；　to　the　realization　that　a　grey　dawn　was　stealing　over　the　plain。
　　She　sat　up；　rubbing　her　eyes。　Conan　squatted　beside　the　cactus；　cutting　off　the　thick　pears　and　dexterously　twitching　out　the　spikes。
　　〃You　didn't　awake　me；〃　she　accused。　〃You　let　me　sleep　all　night！〃
　　〃You　were　tired；〃　he　answered。　〃Your　posterior　must　have　been　sore；　too；　after　that　long　ride。　You　pirates　aren't　used　to　horseback。〃
　　〃What　about　yourself？〃　she　retorted。
　　〃I　was　a　kozak　before　I　was　a　pirate；〃　he　answered。　〃They　live　in　the　saddle。　I　snatch　naps　like　a　panther　watching　beside　the　trail　for　a　deer　to　e　by。　My　ears　keep　watch　while　my　eyes　sleep。〃
　　And　indeed　the　giant　barbarian　seemed　as　much　refreshed　as　if　he　had　slept　the　whole　night　on　a　golden　bed。　Having　removed　the　thorns；　and　peeled　off　the　tough　skin；　he　handed　the　girl　a　thick；　juicy　cactus　leaf。
　　〃Skin　your　teeth　in　that　pear。　It's　food　and　drink　to　a　desert　man。　I　was　a　chief　of　the　Zuagirs　once…desert　men　who　live　by　plundering　the　caravans。〃
　　〃Is　there　anything　you　haven't　done？〃　inquired　the　girl；　half　in　derision　and　half　in　fascination。
　　〃I've　never　been　king　of　an　Hyborean　kingdom；〃　he　grinned；　taking　an　enormous　mouthful　of　cactus。　〃But　I've　dreamed　of　being　even　that。　I　may　be　too；　some　day。　Why　shouldn't　I？〃
　　She　shook　her　head　in　wonder　at　his　calm　audacity；　and　fell　to　devouring　her　pear。　She　found　it　not　unpleasing　to　the　palate；　and　full　of　cool　and　thirst…satisfying　juice。　Finishing　his　meal；　Conan　wiped　his　hands　in　the　sand；　rose；　ran　his　fingers　through　his　thick　black　mane；　hitched　up　his　sword　belt　and　said：
　　〃Well；　let's　go。　If　the　people　in　that　city　are　going　to　cut　our　throats　they　may　as　well　do　it　now；　before　the　heat　of　the　day　begins。〃
　　His　grim　humor　was　unconscious；　but　Valeria　reflected　that　it　might　be　prophetic。　She　too　hitched　her　sword　belt　as　she　rose。　Her　terrors　of　the　night　were　past。　The　roaring　dragons　of　the　distant　forest　were　like　a　dim　dream。　There　was　a　swagger　in　her　stride　as　she　moved　off　beside　the　Cimmerian。　Whatever　perils　lay　ahead　of　them；　their　foes　would　be　men。　And　Valeria　of　the　Red　Brotherhood　had　never　seen　the　face　of　the　man　she　feared。
　　Conan　glanced　down　at　her　as　she　strode　along　beside　him　with　her　swinging　stride　that　matched　his　own。
　　〃You　walk　more　like　a　hillman　than　a　sailor；〃　he　said。　〃You　must　be　an　Aquilonian。　The　suns　of　Darfar　never　burnt　your　white　skin　brown。　Many　a　princess　would　envy　you。〃
　　〃I　am　from　Aquilonia；〃　she　replied。　His　pliments　no　longer　irritated　her。　His　evident　admiration　pleased　her。　For　another　man　to　have　kept　her　watch　while　she　slept　would　have　angered　her；　she　had　always　fiercely　resented　any　man's　attempting　to　shield　or　protect　her　because　of　her　sex。　But　she　found　a　secret　pleasure　in　the　fact　that　this　man　had　done　so。　And　he　had　not　taken　advantage　of　her　fright　and　the　weakness　resulting　from　it。　After　all；　she　reflected；　her　panion　was　no　mon　man。
　　The　sun　rose　up　behind　the　city；　turning　the　towers　to　a　sinister　crimson。
　　〃Black　last　night　against　the　moon；〃　grunted　Conan；　his　eys　clouding　with　the　abysmal　superstition　of　the　barbarian。　〃Blood…red　as　a　threat　of　blood　against　the　sun　this　dawn。　I　do　not　like　this　city。〃
　　But　they　went　on；　and　as　they　went　Conan　pointed　out　the　fact　that　no　road　ran　to　the　city　from　the　north。
　　〃No　cattle　have　trampled　the　plain　on　this　side　of　the　city；〃　said　he。　〃No　plowshare　has　touched　the　earth　for　years；　maybe　centuries。　But　look：　once　this　plain　was　cultivated。〃
　　Valeria　saw　the　ancient　irrigation　ditches　he　indicated；　half　filled　in　places；　and　overgrown　with　cactus。　She　frowned　with　perplexity　as　her　eyes　swept　over　the　plain　that　stretched　on　all　sides　of　the　city　to　the　forest　edge；　which　marched　in　a　vast；　dim　ring。　Vision　did　not　extend　beyond　that　ring。
　　She　looked　uneasily　at　the　city。　No　helmets　or　spearheads　gleamed　on　battlements；　no　trumpets　sounded；　no　challenge　rang　from　the　towers。　A　silence　as　absolute　as　that　of　the　forest　brooded　over　the　walls　and　minarets。
　　The　sun　was　high　above　the　eastern　horizon　when　they　stood　before　the　great　gate　in　the　northern　wall；　in　the　shadown　of　the　lofty　rampart。　Rust　flecked　the　iron　bracings　of　the　mighty　bronze　portal。　Spiderwebs　glistened　thickly　on　hinge　and　sill　and　bolted　panel。
　　〃It　hasn't　been　opened　for　years！〃　exclaimed　Valeria。
　　〃A　dead　city；〃　grunted　Conan。　〃That's　why　the　ditches　were　broken　and　the　plain　untouched。〃
　　〃But　who　built　it？　Who　dwelt　here？　Where　did　they　go？　Why　did　they　abandon　it？〃
　　〃Who　can　say？　Maybe　an　exiled　clan　of　Stygians　built　it。　Maybe　not。　It　doesn't