DIABEL EX SIDER

Is peisker exkardkieschit sien khandjar. Eyso geste eet instinctive, quoghi is meist redwoyit ne eet
semquel gvehnim med uno kniv, ne hatta med eyso yuetshi kehmb ed srakut miech, quod ghohd
exgventer un mensc med oin ubbirn cutt. Neter ensan, ni biest menaceer iom peisker in id khalwa
quod vyig uper ia zannic hoges ios insule Xapur.

Is wir hiebit bestighen ia behrgs, tohrn id jungle quod lizd ia ed wohs taiptos perambht ab ia
vestiges uns disparihn citad. Brohcta colunns luc muzlim-ye inter ia drus, ed chaotic lignes om
pwolrut murs forwierdh-se do ia skadhs ; crehscend-ye, raudhs hieb taract ed desloget ia weur flises
qua lyohg sub eys peds.

Is peisker eet typic siens race, tos stragnios folkios quos origin est lust in ciengow ed quod
eewewikit in rauk yagherhyts ep id sudouper ios Mar os Vilayet pon immemorial tid. Is eet robust,
samt un staur torso ed longa kiepisk brakhs, bet eys hinks eent angh ed eysa jambs teun ed geibh.
Eys lige eet weur, eyso chol ghem ed recessive, ed eys kays teug ed implohcen. Ka saul vesters, is
vohs tik id yeusmen sienios kniv ed un lump ka lendvkatan.

Eys presence in tod loc pruv is eet curieus, nekam sien pleist congeners. Mensci eegwahnt rar-ye
Xapur. Eet tik oin insule bayna ia tusents qua constelleer id Platu Egher ; eet newict ed quasi
myohrst ab quantens. Eet kalen Xapur, id Fortifien, bi-sabab sien ruines, vestiges os sem disparihn
prehistoric rig myohrsen baygh pre ies hyborian kreigers hieb laht sudworts. Nimen wois quel hieb
eregen ta edifices, yed vagh yuetshi legends siseer suppones un immemorial diemen inter i peiskers
ed id negnohn insularo rig.

Pon meis quem gheslo wetsen, nel Yuetshi eeghehdneut ghabe id khanliawng tom legendar narns,
repetiht kam tant kensense formules balbalt ob pelu adet. Nel Yuetshi eetetrohdit Xapur pon un
secule. Face her, dayluki, id caust eet newict, nedwent selos likwn im gvers qui hieb id buwen ir
xeimen. Id weiko ios peisker lyohg suder. Un storm hieb abweht eyso smiegd nauk dalg ud eys adic
yaghwedor ; in id tumult ios baubend wed ed in id spleindos iom blixen hieb is craschen agrund pod
ia pondost behrgs ios insule. Unte octent, id waurn hieb kwitern ed aunnebhascen ; id weusend sol
yis peluarg-ye sien bams kya dar madh waraks. Is wir hieb udglohmt id behrg nu-yod is hieb
antgript yarlay ob medsu id storm is hieb vis un blix findes id temost warwn pre hihes id insule. Id
schock hieb taraght id hol insule, sohkwn ab un cataclysmic grohm quod uno mer keraunto dru ne
eet kafi pro explie.

Un skeud curiositat hiebit pussiren iom ad exclare id re, ed taiper kun is oistahsit face quo is hieb
gwohmen ad chehxe, iom lambh un quasi animalo malaise, id sensation uns imminent perile.

Inter ia drus oistieusit un edifice quos thol hieb collaben. Tod treb composeer gigantesk blocks tos
subglend petra trohftios tik ep ia insules os Vilayet. Kwohk neghabim an menscghesors hieb
ghohden glubes ed disposes ithan ta petras ; in quant fall, meis quem menscghesors hieb esen
tohrben kay nidehe tod structure : keraun hieb fisden ia massive blocks kam glas, dispulvern sems
do glendo duil, ed hieb rohft id uber deilo ios edifice.

Is peisker glohmber ep id debris ed glaz intro ; quo is vis iom brehmihsit ob surprise. Sub id kharab
thol, perambhen ab duil ed petradreska, un wir lyohg ep un golden flise. Is vohs un sorte os fustan
ed un yeusmen ex chagrin. Eys sword kays, quod fiell in quadrat crinar ep eys massive omsa, eet
protiedarn ambh eys tempers ab un angh golden rica. Ep eys bare, muscleuso xiongbu lyohg un
curieus daga samt un joyelbedeht pomel, un chagrintrict lambhel, ed un weur, crescent miech.
Okwivid-ye id kwohkit kam tod ios peisker quayque id ne eet srakut ed eet makht samt sem aunfin-
ye meger ilm.

Is peisker spohc las-ye id weben. Weidwos eet is wir mortu, mortu pon mult secules. Tod thol eet
eys maghil. Is peisker ne dieum quosmed hieb i awi ghohden preserve tod nayv ei dahnd-ye un
talgo gwitkwehkia ; eysa staur muscles ne hieb skrohmpt ed eys deusko krewos tengicit dar palpite.
In id safi kers ios Yuetshi tohlp neid alyo quem id taunay is oispruv pro tod lamper kniv samt
delicate-ye bughen miech.

Is tadbir-ye stighit ghom do sub id thol ed ghens id weben ud id xiongbu ios wir. Ithan tyohc
semjecto terrible ed aunsam. Ia staura brun hands criesp convulsive-ye, ia oklids ghyahr fauran,
aunstehgend platu deusk ed magnetlik okwi ; id intensitat tos spect hayranih iom peisker. Is oistiup
retro ed, in sien trouble, sis id khandjar falle. Is wir sess ub ed is peisker ghisd vighabend-ye id
buliende tos negnohn. Ia diplissen okwi stier ad iom Yeutshi ed eet neter prientia ni schakiria in tod
spect, is vis tik un jar tem alien ed tem hostile quem quod aydht in ia okwi uns tigher.

Stayg is wir stahsit ub, vibrend tehrg-ye, alnos udbulandend iom peisker. Neti tohlpit paur in id stup
kers tos Yuetshi, bariem ne tod paur quod ghehdiet oistringes un menscem quel hat just vis ia
sulloys os nature tem challengen. Kun ia plaut hands plieg eys omsa, is exkardkieschit sien srakut
khandjar ed bir ub un cutt unte id sam mov. Id miecho splintrit protiev id muscleus gventer ios
individu kam protiev un stalen stolb, ed ia gigantesk hands brohg id coll ios peisker kam un uradel
ex turso dreu.

II

Jehungir Agha, poti os Khawarizm ed palek iom margrancen, uperlis iter id riche-ye decoren tumar
pechat med id pawengnohmen sgill. Is iliey bragv-ye ed sardonic-ye.

– Tunghi ? iom sprohg abrupt-ye eys radher, Ghaznavi.

Jehungir plex. Eet un bell wir, pleno med tod zalim myndert brighen ab suagnahsa ed kamyab.

– Is roy dusintizart, iey is. Mi script in person kay schikaye bitter-ye dequo is kalt mien
deuysen os protege id grance. Per Tarim, sei ne kwahm gvehne ti steppenbandits, kad
Khawarizm habisiet un nov mayster.

Ghaznavi bruk pensive-ye sien canut berd. Yezdigerd, roy os Turan, eet tienxia staurst monarch. In
sien palat, in id portcitad Aghrapur, kowpit id plunderlwon ex mult empires. Eys flottes om
purpwrseghel galeras hieb transformen id mar os Vilayet do hyrkani lac. Id maur folk os Zamora ei
pieyghit ghehld, tem quem Koth eustprovinces. Tem dalgi eusttro quem Shushan, i Schemis
dientoweer ant eys augos. Sudi, eys armees hierb Stygias grances, ed nordi, ia sneigvlands im
Hyperboreans. Eys cavalerie bohr piurn ed stal westtro, do Brythunia, do Ophir, do Corinthia, eti
tiel ia grances os Nemedia. Eys cavaliers samt wohrct helms hieb uperridt hol armees sub ia kaphs
iren maurks, ed is hieb wohlt fordumes burgs. In ia uperplen sclavenmercats om Aghrapur,
Sultanapur, Khawarizm, Shahpur ed Khorusun eent gwens pohrnen po tri smulk sildbwrs... blond
Brythunians, glaughcolor Stygians, swordkays Zamorians, eboncuit Kuschis ed oliveteint Schemis.

Yed, menxu eys legvo cavalerie abfirschit hol armees wayt ud id empire, engwn eys wi grances un
bolt peind gwohm ad protietrage eys berd med un cruorrudhen ed dumkyohrnt hand.
Ep ia vasta steppes qua separeer id mar os Vilayet ud ia grances iom orientalst hyborian rigs hieb
surregen in id druna ios akhir pwolsecule un nov race, composto tienjien-ye ab feugend criminals,
brohgen menscens, evaden scalvas ed deserteurs. Ir nationalitats eent tem variat quem ira crimes ;
sems hieb gnahn ep id steppe, alyi hieb fugen ia occidental rigs. Eent kalen kozaks, yani copils.

Agend in id wild ed bare aykwos ios steppe, habend ka saul loy tik ir aunsam code, hiebeer biht kafi
stauri pro durses chiaunjaene iom Megil Monarch. Ee-harassent id turani grance, ee-
endergwehment do ia steppes in fall os marloubia. Alliet im pirates os Vilayet, con-yi hiebeer pelu
commun points, ee-henselnt ia causta, uperfallend ia tajirnavs qua fanzoweer ex oin hyrkani porto
do alyo.

– Quosmed ghehdiem io upergihes ti wolfs ? Sprohg Jehungir. Sei i sehkwo do ia steppes,

incurro id risk om auter rumpes con mien base ed bihe massacret, we os vide i skape alnos
me unte id wak' kun gwahient ad fwenschawe id urb unte mien absence. Hant beviden stets
meis boltia unte id recent tid.
– Est ob is nov chef qui se hat dwighen bayna ir rangs, antwohrd Ghaznavi. Vids de quom
tolcskwo...
– Way ya ! Jawieb Jehungir samt un emotionplen ton. So diabel Conan ; est dar wilder quem i
kozaks, yed est tem mahir quem un ghyorlion.
– Est meis eys gverinstinct quem eys intelligence, antwohrd Ghaznavi. Imen kozaks sont
descendants em civiliseits, is de est un barbar. Punor, sei ghehdiemos abdehe iom, im
beiriemos un terrible cutt.
– Bet quosmed ? Iom interrogit Jehungir. Ielgs kun is hieb wohsen in un perileus situation, is
hieb semper nohsen med einscutts. Ed, per instinct au hila, is hat sagven vergihes quanta
kapans wey hieb deht protie iom.
– Pro cada biest ed cada mensc, exist un fatal kapan, declarit Ghaznavi. Ye id dien kun wey
hieb paralart con i kozaks de id diya im prisoners, ho observen tom Conan. Styehrct gwens
ed scharab. Gwehmeih ghi tien kapt, Octavia...

Jehungir clieck med sien hands ed un auntaragho kuschi eunuch, statue ex lamper ebon in silken
sarvari, dientowit ant iomed dostrig eys wehlen. Is rik oku, darnd id runc uns buland ed bell
gwenak, quas blond kaysar, clar okwi ed albh cuit reveleer pur aserng. Ays cort silken ghiton, tinen
ambh ays lendvo med un yeusmen, tarkih ia curves os ays puyku corpos ye ir sellst vantage. Ays
bell okwi glaz med grassab ed ia muit, bet ay kapt hieb esto docto taslime. Ia nastahsit, cliht cap ant
sien poti, hina so znieycit ke ia sess nieb iom ep un couch. Is tun glazit suwal-ye kye Ghaznavi.

– Dehlgmos dribhes Conan apo i kozaks, iey is radher aun kunges. Han' dohmt ir delts in id
prokwtat ios wostia os fluv Zaporoska. Woidst od buit in tod shienciu jauzaekshienrlin
noster senst expedition kayden ab ti diabels aun fid ni loy.
– Ne sa-myehrso to, antwohrd bitter-ye Jehungir.
– Est un newict insule nedalg ud id dayluk, iey Ghaznavi, gnoht sub id nam Xapur, id
Fortifien, ob ia awa ruines trohft ter. Tod insule hat un sonterkweit quod beuwt perfect id pro
nies maxams. Id perikingent sehnkseid behrgs qua udbulandent meis quem cent penkgim
peds ; est neid druv ouper, ed hatta un maymoun khakiet udstighes ta behrgs. Id saul stet
unte id ghehdt ses penetret lyehct ep ids westcaust ; ter sehrpt un steigh quod kwehc' kam un
veut decrepit drab skawt ex id ghianshieked quod permitt ghehde inland do id insule. Sei
ghehdmos attrage Conan do tod insule, mon, tun ghehdsiemos traque iom quaytlibt, med
loncs, kam pro un lionsayd.
– Ma ne kupes id meun, jawieb Jehungir impatient. Kwe vahmos ei yises un messager,
prehgend kem is plais besteigha ta behrgs ed nos intizara ter ?
– Yaghi ! (vidend staunos wardhe ep ia traits os Jehungir, Ghaznavi nabahsit:) Vahms budes ad
 parlare con i kozaks dei prisoners, ed to engwn fort Ghori. Kamadet, tetro gwahsiemos con
wassime escorte ed pancsiemos nies waun exter id castell. Gwehmsient con un trupp tem
vyigic quem noster, ed ia tolks startsient samt id adic dose om mistrust ed dwoi. Bet ye tod
ker nos hamrahsiet, kam kjiawxieng, tien bell kapt...

Octavia mutacolorit ed klu med criscen attention kun is radher kyus iam spect-ye.

– Ia siet use sien quant charms kay budes Conab, quo ne solliet ses difficil. Pro tom wild
barbar, ia sessiet un splendid incarnation os beauteit. Ays elementar vitalitat ed opulent
formes iom plaissient baygh meis quem ias maquiyagen ed rhayr-ayasch pupps os tien saray.

Octavia klieup, ays albha peungsta criesp, ays okwi blig ob grassab, un kreus os outraget rage iendh
ays hol corpos.

– Yu mi dwinghskwte hurves con tom barbar ? Exclamit ia. Io niem ! Ne som un pasar
hakhna qua bemeict ed stinct un steppenraubher. Som ia dugter uns Nemedian swamen...
– Ees un nemedian noble... pre mien reiders te rapseer, jawieb cynic-ye Jehungir. Tuntos es ne
meis quem un sclav qua kwehrsiet quo ia bihsiet wohlen.
– Io niem ! Rierz ia.
– Sies yed, nabahsit Jehungir samt oistudyen crueltat. Tu sies. Ghaznavis plan me plaist.
Nabahdi, peurst iom radhers...
– Conan aundwoi iam kaupskwsiet. Weidwos, sies refuse pehrne iam ei, we exchange iam po
hyrkani prisoners. Kad is peitsiet klehpte iam, we lambhnes iam gvalt-ye, lakin dwoim an
isswo deurst infranges id tregv. Zowngschie nos est zaruri kwenchaue vasya eventualitats.
Poskwo, just pos ia tolks, ed pre is proemyehrst iam bent, ei yeissiemos un messager, dar
unte id tregv, iom accusend ob kidnappus ed keupend ays reiken. Kad is neicsiet iom
messager, bet bariem sessiet persuaden iawert hat mwaungsout. Dind yeissiemos un spion –
un yuetshi peisker sessiet kafi- do id kozak lagher, ed so saycsiet ad Conan ia bent teupt ep
Xapur. Sei suagnohm nies wir, fortrehcsiet fauran.
– Bet ne woidam an is gwahsiet tetro saul, ei jawieb Jehungir.
– Kwe un wir prehct kem alyi wirs iom hamrahn' kun is gwaht un galan' mulakat con un gwen
is wehnt ? respons Ghaznavi. In quant chances siet is ihes tetro saul. Yedschi
kwenchausiemos alter possibilitat. Ne vahmos intizare iom ep id insule, quer weyswo
riskiemos bihe kapant, sontern bayna ia neds tos selosbors quod lyehct ye tusent om wisgas
ud Xapur. Sei is gwehmt con un muhim force, weighsiemos aretraite ed plansiemos alyo
ject. Sei is gwehmt saul au con tik oik yeudmens, iom kapsiemos. Credeih me, is siet
gwehme, isghi khacsiet chasse ex sien ment id mehmen iom smeihs ed stingspects tiens bell
kapt.
– Niem aiwo descende do talg scham ! Antwohrd Octavia, foll ob rage ed humiliation. Prefero
mehre !
– Nies mehre, jamile rebell, iey Jehungir, sontern subeihsies un baygh muschkil ed gvolic
ordeil.

Is clieck med sien hands, ed Octavia blid. Ye tod ker entrit ne is Kuschi, sontern un Schemi, un
besonters robust wir, medyios mege, samt cort blousword gurosberd.

– En orbat pro te, Gilzan ! Declarit Jehungir. Abneih tam idiot, ed hab sem glewos con iam.
Lakin kaur mae tarnihes ays beauteit.

Samt un inarticulen brohm, is Schemi lambh Octavias runc, ed touchet ab ta stalen finghers, cada
idee os rebellion likwit iam Nemedian. Samt un jalnic crie, ia se rohv ex id fangh ios Schemi ed
curs ad genue ant sien implacable poti, prehgend ad aman inter dwo sleucta.

Med un geste, Jehungir cungid iom okwivid-ye decepto palach.

– Sei tien plan kamyapt, te upertecsiem med gold, iey is ad Ghaznavi.

III

In id preoctent temos gwohm sem exteradet blosk ad trouble id sakwnia quod tuntro regnit uper ia
jauzaeks ed id mighelwent wedor. Eet nia pwolnarcus wedplukel ni sbeudend biest. Eet una mensca
qua se sohnd muschkil-ye inter ia teug neds.

Sei id scene habiet habt un spectator, el habiet viden un buland blond gwen, quas mudhpoiko ghiton
kalieb ays puyku corpos. Octavia ghi hieb antsals, ed cada fiber os ayso ses dar-ye khiss tod
experience os behndia, quod ay hiebit bihn dusbohr.

Od Jehungir hieb supodehn iam kam is hieb kwohrn eet un ja muschkil mehmen, bet samt un kwitto
peighertato hieb is dahn iam uni aristocrat quos nam eet synonym os perversion hatta in
Khawarizm.

Octavias yed darmo krewos krus ed tremblit ob tod mehmen. Moven ab desperat energia, ia hieb
vreht kafi force pro mwaungsoue ex id castell os Jelal Khan sinend-ye se slides ghom un seil makht
ex behangkentha ed hieb habt id chance os trehve un ekwem diehn nedalg. Ia hieb galoppen unte id
hol noct, ed naken ye octent id selos os Vilayet, sien reidbiest exhaust. Tremblend ibo bihe brighta
tsay ad Jelal Khan ed de id pamrlanend beurt is ay promittiet, ia wieber deub do ia muraischa, po un
stet kay skulkesud ia okwi om persehkwers ia redwoyit vide arrive. Kun ia neds bihr skider ambh
iam, wed niek ays bemerns ; tun dyohrc ia id deusk masse uns insule face iam. Un vast
egherextense separit iam ud id, yed ia ne kung. Ia nagwahsit perodh hin ia volns niek ays lendv,
dind se xubhit perodh ed bisnahsit samt un gwis quod bevis un extercommun endurance.

Kun ia flottit proscher id insule, ia vis ia behrgs lud sehnkseid uper id ouper, skeipend gigantesk
walls qua mehnihr de ta uns castell. Ia bad niek sien ziel, yed ghohd trehve neid ghend, tant ender
wedsurface quem uper. Ia nasnahsit engwn id caust, ed ays memsa bikhiss strieke. Ays hands
palpeer kun stayg ia trohv un anfractuositat. Samt un rehmsleuct, ia glohmber ex id wed ed glohmb
do id sten, kwita diva samt rehnend corpos, belucen ab id muzlim gwaydert iom stars.

Ia hieb just naken quo kwohkit kam stieupens glupt ex idpet behrg. Ia bistigh ia ed, aurnda stayg id
stupen blosk ermen, ia glohmrit protiev id sten. Scrutend id horizon, ay kwohk dyehrce un
indistincto masse move kyid selosbors ia hieb just likwn. Bet to eet pior dalg pro ses yakin ses, in
temos ; dind id stupen blosk viswohnd alnos, ed ia stoighyit. Sei lit de ays persehkwers, ia vis neid
gohder alternative quem tupes ep id insule. Ia comparit in ment sien prever poti con iom kozak
hetman con-yom ay hieb esen dwighen flurtes, in ia schaters dohmt ambh fort Ghori, unte ia tolks
inter Hyrkanis ed steppenjenchis. Eys ogwnspect hiebit bo dekhschaten ed humiliyen iam, bet eyso
saun ed elementar gvertato dehsit iom uper Jelal Khan, un talg monster quom tik un opnosto
civilisation ghohd gehne.

Ia ghohd ep id akro ios behrg ed glaz timid-ye kya skadhs in front as se. Ia drus crohsceer claus id
behrg, skeipend un deusk ed compact wall. Semject torubowit uper ays cap ed ia se clih kunkye ia
vighieb lit tik de un baul.
Ia ne kiem id aspect tom sword skadhs, yed ia sohr sien dents ed naghiengit kya, peitend ne mehne
de eventual serpents. Ays bare peds ne bloskeer ep id permadht ghom.

Ender ia drus, ia khiss waurgen ab temos. Ia ne hieb stiupen dwodems pre ia neti ghohd enderkwites
behrgs ed mar apter se. Dar oika stieups, ia ne wohs alnos desorienten ed forghangen. Neid star eet
visible trans ia ozda. Ia nastohmb tadbir, kam in blindet, ed stayg stahsit still.

Semdih ant iam lud id rythmic bat uns tambur. Sigwra ne eet id swongenos ia exspectit aure todih
tunkye. Lakin ia myohrs tod fauran kun ia khiss un presence prokwem se. Ia khiek vide, yed
kwahsit semject wohs nieb iam in temos.

Ia stiup retro emittend-ye un stupen crie, ed ye tod instant, semjecto quod hatta in sien panique ia
recognih ses uno menscbrakh slohnk ambh ays lendv. Ia hul ed tentit se substrage ud tod fangho
med id hol gwis os sien yuwent, bet ays agressor ieyrit iam kam unu magv, perneicend ays futil
resistence efforts. Id silence quod prim ays desperat cries ed ays protests dar ieug ays terror, ed ia se
khiss abbohrt in temos kyid piern tambur quod navibrit ed nacliengh.

IV

Menxu ia presta diutis os octent rudhspielv id mar, uno smulk nauk flottit proscher ia behrgs. Eyso
saul passager eet un pictoresk person. Un scarlat scharf eet noden ambh eys cap ; eys ample silken
argcolor sarvari eet dart ab un weur wehbhen yeusmen tohl-yod un simitar snicto do un kardkasch
ex chagrin. Eys bauts ex wohrct lieter meis mehnihr de un reider quem de uno naut, yed is oistyrit
sieno nauk dexios. Eys weur staur ed solbrunen torso stohlb ex eys platughyanen ample silken albh
camiss.

Ia muscles eysen gneubhic ed brunt brakhs ois menxu is ghesorit ia erms med un urand, quasi-felino
mov. Hol in eys apparence ed gestes aunkohlder un wild gwis, quod iom enderkwit ud ordinar
menscens ; eyso general kwehkia eet yed neter sombre ni severe, lakin eys blou incandescent okwi
sis tarke un enderlyehgend gvertat. Eet Conan, is wir qui hieb-se sem dien presenten do id kaster im
kozaks armen med tik sien okumenos ed sien eins, ed qui tosmed hieb-se sohnden tiel ammer.

Is er tiel id drab glupt ex id ghianshieko kamsei id stet ei eet familiar ed palamier id nauk uni
karwent piton. Dind is glohm ia stieupens aun kunges. Is eet nastraj, ne ob is suspexit sem prokwem
perile, sontern ob ses vigilant eet un part os iom, kwehn ab id wild existence is sohkwit.

Quo Ghaznavi iey ka animal intuition au sixto sense eent mer-ye ia xurskarp ed id wild menos ios
barbar. Neid instinct ghohd warne Conan od yeudmi luureer iom, perbohrct bayna ia neds dayluki.

Kun is udstigh id behrg, oin tom yeudmen ann deub in ed liv tadbir-ye sien lonc. Jehungir kiep eys
runc ed stris un rughato do eys aur.

– Foll ! Skauskws tu nos ? Kwe ne vids est exter schaecheing ? Sine iom trehde id insule. Vaht
paurske iam bent. Entrim mansiemos her. Kad is aumt nies presence we hat tarct nies plan.
Kad sems eysen yeudmens sont perbohrct in id vicinitat. Vahms intizare. Sei pos oin hor,
neid suspect hat wakyen, ermsiemos tiel ghom ia stieupens ed skehptsiemos iom ter. Sei is
ne reict unte un kemall sunyin, un part om nos gwahsiet id insule kay depulge iom. Bet
preferiem ne gwehmiemos do to, sontern ke iom intercepiemos kun is steighsiet ghom ia
stieupens ; tun ghehdsiemos hihes iom med isus ye gohd distance.
Entrim is kozak, qui ieumit neid, hieb gwahn deub do id forest. Eys bauts ex urand lieter ne bloskeer
ed eys okwi ambichohx aunstop ia perambhend skadhs kay tente aunkehlder ter iam falvkays
beauteit de-yam is eededrohmit pon is hieb dyohrct iam in id schater os Jehungir Agha bi fort Ghori.
Is habiet wohnt iam esdi ia habiet dict sem repugnance dia iom. Yed ayso smeih ed ays enigmatic
mics hieb embraden eyso sehrg ; is wohn tam civiliset albhcuit ed goldenkays gwen samt id hol
immoderat violence typic sieni race.

Ne ye id prest ker gwahsit is Xapur. Minter quem oino munt prever hieb is samghaten ter secret-ye
con un piraten nieute. Is wois is gwohm proscher id stet quetos is ghehdiet ia mysterieus ruines qua
dahr ids lakab ei insule, ed is dieum an is trehviet iam gwen kohlen eni. Kunkye is sohgnit de to hol,
is oistahsit still, kam keraunen.

Ant iom, bayna ia drus, lud semjecto quod eys ment refusit : Uno mier maurglend wall, apter-yod
ubselleer tors waurntro.

Conan remien paralysen ; kam cada person confronten ad quo challenget raison, eys imkans kwecto
likweer iom unte oin instant. Is bedwoyit neter sien okwi ni sieno ment, yed okwivid-ye semject eet
monstrueus-ye abnormal. Minter quem oino munt prever, ia drus schaliesch ne meis quem ruines.
Qua tar menscghesors hieb ghohden erecto cyclopean imaras kam qua stahr ant eys okwi unte oik
hevds ? Eti, i boucaniers qui eescurrent id mar os Vilayet habiet vimathen od tem maschtabic orbats
hieb esen enderghenden ep id insule, ed habient informen i kozaks de.

Id fact eet inexplicable, yed eet ter. Eet ep Xapur ed todschi athime imara ex petra wohs ep Xapur ;
hol eet tik follia ed paradox, yed eet realitat.

Is abgir kay curre tsay do id jungle, stighes ghom ia petrastieupens ed tehre id moder wedor pre
ghehde do sien lagher, cer ye id wostia os fluv Zaporoska. In tod moment os effrenat panique, hatta
id idee os halte in un steto tem prokwem id Egher ei eet kados. Is apterlinkwiet to hol, pati ia kasters
ed ia steppes, ed dehiet tusent om mayls inter se ed id moder ed mysterieus Orient quer ia
elementarst loys os nature eent forhonnt ab un diabolic magia quod udmentit iom.

Unte oin instant, id beurt pluren rigs – quod depens tom barbar samt lucra vesdets – remien
suspenden. Uno micri ject volvih hol... un simple silklumpo prikapen ab un busk quod bud eys
troublen spect. Is clih-se kyid, eys nastorms wur, ed eys hol ses krusit sub id effect os un subtile
stimulant. Ep tod dohrt wehbhlump, tem teun quod is recognihsit id dank sem obscure instinct
baygh meis quem dank ids odor, is kwahsit id tem capic profume ios swadh ed darm cuit ias
gwenakias quam is hieb dyohrcen in id schater os Jehungir Agha. Isghi peisker ne hieb lughen ; ia
eet ter ! Tun visit is ep id permadhen grund id trace uns bare, long ed fayn ped, bet eet tod uns wir,
ne uns gwen. Eti, id eededubit do id grundo meis quem id habiet sollt. Is miegh deduce tetos od is
wir qui hieb likwn tod print bohr un behrmen, ed quod alyo behrmen sonst iam gwenak is kozak
iskwit ?

Is nastahsit still, face ia deusk tors qua wierdh per ia drus, sien okwi kam bidna samt moder ogwn.
Id wehnos is oispruv pro iam blond gwenak jidiel protiev un auwal rage adversus tom qui hieb rapt
iam. Eys meg-ye ghomen passion uperwigh eys ultraghomen baysas ; is clih-se ghom,
enderseddend-se kam un stehmbend panther, ed snig tiel ia murs, brungend id dens vegetation kay
remane nedyehrcet kata id wall.

Kun is gwohm proscher, is vis ia murs eent construgen ex ta sam glend petras quem ia awa ruines,
ed is buit troublen ab un vagh khisses os familiaritat. Eet kamsei is dyi semject is hieb naiwo viden
med sien okwi, sontern de-yod is hieb drohmen we sohgnen. Ed bad is recognih tod sensation pro
quo id eet. Ia murs ed tors sohkw id plan iom ruines. Eet kamsei ia rut walls hieb retrovrehn ir
tienjien structure.

Neid swon gwohm ad trouble aghyernsakwnia kun Conan arrivit pod id wall quod lud sehnkseid eni
id luxuriant vegetation. Ep ia sudleizda os Vilayet, id vegetation eet quasi tropical. Is vis nimen ep
ia walls, ed neid swon ghohd intos ad iom. Is dyohrc uno massive dwer ye sem distance levter quem
is ed buit persuas id sollit ses clus ed guardet. Bet is eet yakin od sa quam is pieursk iti wohs semloc
apter tod mur, ed is wid un typic-ye bogaturic actionsplan.

Uper iom hieng festonen liane ozda kya walls. Kam un simbv, is udstigh un gigantesk dru. Arriven
uper id nivell ios parapett, is empug un taungh ozd med bo hands ed wip in id air perodh ed retro
hin is hieb kafi elan kay se xubhes ub ed lande ep id wall. Ter, is hockit, aunstehgend ia ruines uns
urbios pod se.

Id circumference ios wall ne eet baygh mier, bet id numer om binas ex glend petra id arohg eet
surprindant. Ta eent tri au quar etages hog, pleista samt un banisban, weitwoss un dienghia
architectural style. Ia strads lyohg in star ed convers kyun octogonal meithel ep-yod thronit un
imposant ubsell edifice quos tors ed thol uperhieng id hol urb. Is vis nimen, neter stradi ni claus ia
fensters, yed id sol wus. Id silence quod regnit ter habiet ghohden ses tod unios mortu ed destert
urb. Un angh drab ex petra joinit id mur, ye lytil distance ud quer is wohs ; is oistigh id ghom.

Ia doms eent tem prokwem id mur quem ye midvia unte sien ghomsteighen is wohs ye schaecheing
uns fenster ; is hielt unte un instant kay spehce intro. Eent nia stanghs, ed ia silken cortins eent tract
ab satinspartaks. Quo se anac eysi spect eet un kamer quos murs eent covohrna med behangs ex
deusko zamt ed id demped med melsk kelims ; eent kathalika benks ex poliht ebon, ed un dais ex
ivor ep-yod kowpeer pells.

Is sa-stoighyit ghom kun is ieur un blosk : semanghen gwohm proscher in id strad niter. Pre el
negnoht ghohd uperghange id murwangwl ed dyehrce iom Kimri ep ia stieupens, Conan uperklieup
kyid dom jaldi ed lans kam un cato do id kyal, exkardkaschend sien eins unte id sam mov. Is
oistahsit unte oin instanto still kam un statue, bet neid gwohm ad brehge id silence. Is vahsit ghehde
sub un wonk dwer kun stayg un behang buit arken, revelend un alkuba pleno med culcins quetos un
teun swordkays gwenak dyi iom med langoreus okwi.

Conan spohc iam samt attention, exspectend an ia biheuliet ye cada moment. Yed ia se contentit
med oistumpes un gheihsa med sien delicate hand ed knigv neglegent-ye protiev id behang ia
antgrip med oin hand.

Ia bieygh indiscussible-ye un blank race, quayque ays cuit eet meg maur. Ays quadrathajamaten
kays eet tintkyehrsen, ed un teun silken stoff ambh ays urand cloins eet ayso saul vester.

Ia biwohkw in un bahsa quod ei eet negnoht, ed is oiscussit sien cap. Ia iter ghih, strohc
schakhwani-ye, ed aun dikes signe os baysa ni surprise, bahsit in alyo lingua, quodsmee is pretit, un
yuetshi dialecto quod ei swohn stragn-ye archayic.

– An paurscsi semanghen ? iom sprohg ia, kwehkend ne kaure de tod intrusion, kamsei id
habiet esen naturalst.
– Qua es tu ? Suwiel is.
– Mieno nam est Yateli, antwohrd ia langoreus-ye. Ho sigwra dapanen diuter quem io mohn
pervespri ; kheisso tant-ye malalt. Quis es tu ?
– Som Conan, un hetman im kozaks, jawieb is, spehcend iam samt attention.

Is mohn ia ieg un rol, ed exspectit antslage we alerte alyens anghens. Bet quayque un zamten
spartak – aundwoi bestohmt ad dahe alarme – hieng ye prayghest, ia ne tentit sizes id.

– Conan, reptih ia med uno mighel-lik voc, es neis Dagonian. Suppono es uno mercenar. Has
tu zanchout maung Yuetshis ?
– Ne korelo protie wedrats, iey is honn-ye.
– Yed sonti besonters gver, murmurit ia. Mehmo id tid kun eent noster sclavs. Bet hant
pamrlanen ed nos hant attaquen med eins ed gwak. Tik Khosatral Khels magia ghohd im
stambhes uperage nies murs...

Ia stopit in sieno narn, sien traits tohrn ab un perplexitatswajkho challengen ab id strieke ia khiss.

– Io hieb myohrst, murmurit ia. Hantghi uperagen ia murs, perncti. Eent cries, flammes, leuds
kiel Khosatral in vain. (Ia scussit sien cap kam kay kwitres sien idees). Bet to ne est
possible, murmurit ia, somghi gwiv, ed io mohn od eem mortu. Iblis con to hol !

Ia tohr id kyal ed, ghendus Conans hand, traxit iom kyid dais. Is sis iam kwehre, staunend ed
desconcertet. Ia bent ei smih kam un pwolnarcus magv ed ays long silkic pecmens palpebereer
ambh ays sword ed gramur okwi. Ia passit sien finghers bayna eys teug sword ghayts kam kay
swekwehre is eet druv.

– To eet un drehm, ieyit ia gheihnd-ye. Kad to hol eet tik un drehm. Ho id pondos os som
drehmend. Ne importet. Esti semjecto de quod ne kwahmi mehme... ho myohrsen quo... esti
semjecto quod ne ghabo, bet kheisso tem malalt quando io tente mehne. Zowngschie, to est
aun importance.
– Quod mayns tu ? iam sprohg is, bfuyow. Has sayct i hieb uperact ia murs ye akhir noct. Qui
tar ?
– I Yuetshis. In quant fall, to mohn io. Eet un dumnebh quod kohl hol, bet un nogwo cruorpoik
diabel kiep mien gurgule ed dyohgwit mien pizdano med sien khandjar. Me hat tant gvolen !
Bet to eet tik un drehm ar, vid, est neid mark.

Ia chohxit sien glat pizdano med un distract protiokwo dind se installit skeir ep id grem ios Kimri,
passend sien urand brakhs ambh eys tegu coll.

– Ne kwahmi mehme, murmurit ia, neizdend sien deusko cap ep eyso staur torso. Hol est
confus ed mighelplen.Ne importet. Ne es un drehm. Es nert. Smad brunges gwito tando
ghehdmos. Lieubh me !

Is passit delicate-ye sien stauro brakh ambh id cap ias gwenak ed kuss ays plen rudh lipps samt uno
nekulken plaisure.

– Es nert, repetih ia med uno mehrnd voc. Lieubh me, lieubh...

Id sliep murmure forswohnd ; ays deusk okwi clus ed ia long pecmens clihr-se ep aysa schakhwani
gians. Ays urand corpos relaxit alnos in Conans brakhs.

Is iam spohc med uno mukadaro protiokwo. Ia kwohk ses integral parta tos sensation os illusion
quod swohbh uper id hol urb, bet quan is palpit tod darmo krewos, is ghohd tik-ye conclude is glieb
un alnos gwiv gwen, ne un khimer exid drehmenmund. Yed ne rassuret, is oispohd ad lyiges iam ep
ia pells sub id dais. Ayso swehpen eet deuber quem uno natural. Is buit convicen od ia droghit-se,
maghses med Xuthals kyehrsen lotus.

Tun iom staunihsit un nov ject. Bayna ia pells posen sub id dais lyohg un puyku goldkerber twac.
Ne leit de uno mahir imitation, sontern de id druv pell al animal. Api Conan wois tod spece eet
extinct pon minst-ye tusent yaren ; lit del mier golden leopard, quel occupet un tem important place
in hyborian legends, ed prevstic artistes libter eekeipent tant in pineg quem in sculpture.

Bluft, Conan scussit sien cap, dind uperghieng id wonk perigumt ed wohs in un sinueus dikhliz.
Silence regnit ep id hol baytel, yed eysa skarp senses kwahr un extos blosk. Semjecto stigh silent ia
stieupens unte qua is hieb-se introducen do id treb ; oik instants serter, is ieur id lande samt un
stumpo blosk do id kyal is hieb just likwt. Is oistrohb in hol hast ed curs unte id kriv dikhliz hin is
trabit-se ep semject.

Ter lyohg uno menscforme, un part siens corpos in id dikhliz ed alter ep id soyl os un secret passage
quod okwivid-ye eet clus in normal tid, sien dwer se confundend con id reste ios mur. Eet un isghen
maur wir, vehsend tik un silken lendvkatan, samt xurt cap ed crueltraits. Is lyohgit kamsei nehc hieb
gvohnen iom just kun is emers ex id passage. Conan clih-se uper tom kay determine id cause os eys
nehc, ed is vighieb tun od is wir eet tik mergen in id sam lethargia quem ia gwenak in alter kyal.

Bet ma cheusus un talg stet kay narce ? Menxu is eet daumend, Conan sprud kun is ieur un blosk
apter se. Semjecto stohmb kyom unte id dikhliz. Un glanez kyalter bud ei revelit id dikhliz ensit
med uno massive dwer quod eet maghses andamt. Conan fortraxit id lyehgend corpos ex id
enderghyahsa, ghieng perodh do id kyal ed zaghyien id panell apter se. Id ieur un click ed ghieb id
passage eet andamen. Stahnd in totalsto temos, is ieur stieupens ex ocolo id dwer, ed un glehdjkreus
iendh eyso spina. Tod stieupblosk eet neter tod uns mensc, ni tod sems biest is gnohsit.

Buit uno moment silence, dind uno muzlim crack om dreu ed metall. Is placit sien hands ep id
panell ed khiss tod se deforme ed se klehnge kamsei un incredible pressem eet tyicen extos. Kun is
pariet-se ad exkardkasche sien eins, id pressem stopit ed Conan ieur tun un stragno pieusa blosko
quod ghirs ia drighs os eys neuk. Simitarghesor, is biieg aretraite ed eys takouns incontreer un
stieupen ep-yod is quasi volvit : is wohs in un angho nardban quod duxit ghomtro.

Is oistighit ghom ambhtastend-ye in temos, tentend in vain trehve alyo ghyahsa in id sten. Kun is
sib sieyg is neti wohs in id dom, sontern baygh niter enderdien, ia stieupens finihr ant un horizontal
tunnel.

Conan stohmb ambhtastend-ye unte id temosto silent tunnel, bayndo ye cada instant an falliet do
sem invisible ghyamen. Eys peds vistus protie ia stieupens uns drab, quod is bestigh hin is ghohd
ant un dwer. Is currih sien finghers ed trohv bad uno metallklink. Is gwohm tun do un gigantesk
hogtavan ed muzlim-ye belucen kielken. Athime colunns lit engwn ia marmor murs, stehmend un
bantowmeing tavan deusko kam uno midnoct sol ; id hol dahsit un pondos os vertigineus hoge.
Suppose sem luce filtrit extos, id eet aunsam-ye alteret.

Conan stiupit perodh ep id subglendo demped in tod bfuxiong pwoldiewo. Id kielken eet vast ed
circular, baurn ye sem stet ab ia aysen plabs uns colossal dwor. Witerom tod, ep un takhta protiev id
mur, accessible unte un plaut gastieup ex schliven glas, stahsit un glaughen thron. Conan spohd
aretraite kun is vis quo slohnk ep tod peurstol, ed sammel exkardkieschit sien weben.

Dind, dat id ject ne movit, is observit id samt meis attention, pre vistighes ub ia glasen stieupens ed
chehxe id prokwtos. Eet un gigantesk serpent, kwecto gluben ex un substance quod tengicit kam
jade. Id lytsto squam eet druver quem nature, ed ia iriscolors eent daumos-ye reproducen. Id platu
triangular cap eet pwolsnigen do ia diplas os elso sinueus corpos, perbehrgend ud id vid ios Kimri ia
okwi ed ghyanu al biest. Un vagh mehmen ei enfiell. Tel serpent eet okwivid-ye suppost kipes oin
tim buxianxu muraischmonstruositats qui, unte ia prev secules, hieb hanten ia selsa iom sudoupers
ios egher os Vilayet. Bet kam el golden leopard, i hieb dispriht pon secules. Conan hieb vis tim
gross miniature kips in ia delys quer i Yuetshis yiezg ir idols, ed eent udwekwnt in id Buk os Skelos,
quod se inspirit ex prehistoric documents.

Conan admirit id squamic stamm, tem tegu quem sien bemern ed uns pondost longe ed, curieus, is
rexit sien brakh kay touche id ject. Eys kerdo tun quasi zabiet. Eyso sehrgo glohdj in eys veins ed ia
drighs os eys neuko ghohrs. Neter id poliht ed brehgil glas hieb is khissen sub sien finghers, ni hatta
os metall au petra, sontern id urand ed krewosto substance uns gwiv creature. Is kwahsit sem gwit
iswehre lent-ye sub sien gwistis.

Is oistrawit sien hand sub id effect os un stayg repulsion. Eys eins tremblit in eys ghesor, ed is quasi
suffoquit ob horror ed disgust. Is oistiupit perodh ed oistighit ghom ia glasen stieupens samt id
megsto tadbir, starnd samt terrible fascination tei hideusi jecti quod snud ep sien glaughen thron. Id
ne movit.

Is niek id aysen dwor ed puscit id, perpaurn ed swoidend kun ei enfiell an is wehsiet kyalbohnden
con tel viskeus horror. Yed ia plabs ghyahr med eys hands ; is oisnohg ocolo ed zaghyien id dwor
apter se.

Is wohs in un vasto dikhliz quos alt murs eent covohrt med behangs ed quer luce eet temschi
regwost. Is enderkwit muschkil-ye ia piern objects ed khiss bfuyow kun ei enfiell an serpents
ghehdient snehge prosch iom aunblosk in temos. In tod rhayr-wassic diewo, id dwer ye alter bud ei
kwohk stahe ye incredible distance. Meg prokwem iom, id stragno pehdmen uns behang ei suggestit
od tod perbohrg un ghyahsa ; vergeihnd-ye ia pans, isghi aunstohg un angh ubleitend drab.

Menxu is kung de stighes id ub, is ieur, ex id kielken is hieb just likwt, id sam blosk os sohlcto
stieup quod hieb akowsicihn iom apter id secret passage. Hieb is esen sohkwn unte id hol tunnel ? Is
oispohd ub ia stieupens, sinend-ye id behang pehde tsay apter iom.

Is emers do un sinueus dikhliz ed ghyien id presto dwer is trohv. Errend-ye kwecto aun ziel, is hieb
un double objective : vrehtum un udghango kay skape tod mysterieus edifice ed retrehve iam
Nemedian, quam is prekhiss kyalbohnden semloc in tod palat, temple au quodkwe treb id eet. Is
mohn is wohs in id mier tholcovohrn imara in id centre ios urb, ed mukhtmel-ye in tod loc wohs is
wir qui regnit uper tod urb, ed ei bihiet aundwoi brighen un kapta.

Is wohs ne in alyo dikhliz, sontern in un kamer, ed is sa-likwit kun is ieur un voc ex ocolo id mur.
Eet neid dwer, yed is glohmer protiev id sten ed ghohd aure distinct-ye quo eet sayct. Semanghen
wohkw in nemedian, bet els voc ne eet menscic. Id cliengh terrible-ye, kam id echo uns clock ye
midnoct.

– Eet neid gwit in id Aungrund, ploisko quod me wik, udcliengh id voc. Neschi eet luce, mov
ni swon. Tik ia forces qua agent cis ed trans gwit me nihr ed me pussireer do mien safer kya
hoges, blind-ye, insensible-ye, inexorable-ye. Per ia zamans ed ia immuable strates os temos
io lud...

Manghanen ab tod udclanghend voc, Conan endersess ghom, myehrsend id hol reste, hin id
hypnotic magh tos echo alterit eys perceptions ed sensations, ed hina ia swons transformeer-se do
illusion os vision. Conano neti conscicit tod voc, quod ei ghohd ne meis quem kam piern ed regular
swonwands. Transportet trans sien zaman ed sien wi individualitat, is prispohc id transmutation ios
ses kalen Khosatral Khel, rempus ex Noct ed Aungrund unte apank tids kay se orne med id
substance ios tangible universe.

Lakin, mensckrewos eet pior-ye fragil, pior angh, pro schalasche id terrifiend essence os quo eet
Khosatral Khel. Yinjier, is enduit id forme ed id aspect unios mensc, yed eys krewos, eysa osta ed
eyso sehrg ne eent krewos, osta ni sehrg. Is bihsit un blasphemie contra id hol nature isghi dwigh
uni elementar substance quod naiwo hieb gnohn id puls ni id kreus os existence gwive, aume ed
age.

Is iendh id mund kam un div, neidghi terran arme ghohd vurnes iom ed un secule eet pro iom tik oin
hor. In id druna sienen periplen trohv is un primitive folko quod wik Dagonia insule ; iom plaisit
bringhes tei race culture ed civilisation ed, dank eys hehlp, construxeer Dagon citad ; ter gwiveer ed
yiezg iom. Qui ei serveer eent stragn ed dekhschatic sesi, kalen ex ia deuska cotlans ios planete,
quer dar aluer buxianxu survivants iom prev eras. Eys dom in Dagon eet yuct ad ceters med tunnels
unte-ya eys prysters samt xurn ghalvs eeneihnt i victims bestohmen ad maul.

Yed pos mult eras, un gver ed brutal folk prohp ep ia maroupers. Eent kalen Yuetshi. I marloubiesc
unte un cruoric boi ed sclaviesc. Unte takriban un generation, i nohc ep Khostrals altars.

Eys vraj i tin kapt. Dind iro pryster, un stragn ed lagar ses, os negnoht race, abgwahsit deub do id
wakhschat, ed kun is rik, is ghesorit un khandjar makhen ex uno neterrano material. Id hieb esen
kovachen ex uno meteor quod hiebtohrt warwn kam un flammenisu pre crasche do un piern dal. I
sclavs pamrlien. I Dagonmensci nohceer kam owi sub ir segsrakut miecha, ed Khosatrals magia eet
achiz face tod alyomundo kniv. Menxu in ia flammenregwnda strads udcliengh id clamor om halak
ed massacre, id cruelst act tos buxianxu piece buit skaun sub id mysterieuso thol apter id dais
kielken, samt id glaughen thron ed murs streipoik kam serpentcuit.

Tik is pryster rik ex ender tod thol. Is ne hieb gvohnt sien peind isghi swekwohrskwit ke remien
loyal eys pamrlanav subjects ghehdend-ye ludhres ir ghieter ye cada instant. Is hieb likwn Khosatral
lyehgend ep id golden takhta, id mystic khandjar posen skeir ep eyso xiongbu, soitos quod iom
teiniet still tiel waktfin.

Wakto ghi passit ed is pryster mohr. Ia tors os Dagon, diutos desert, gadriebh. Legends vaghiesc. I
Yuetschis buir decimet ab epidemias, famines ed weir ed i rar survivers, diaspohrt ep ia causta,
sohnk do un gwit om sreup ed misere.

Tik id stragno thol skiep waktgugheir, hin is buit hihn ab un providencialo blix ed hin un curieus
peisker giowit id magic khandjar post ep id xiongbu ios div, brehgend it id soitos. Khosatral Khel
stieu tsay tun, recupervs gwit ed augos. Iom plaisit restaure id urb in id stand in quod id wohs unte
ia diens qua hieb precess eys pehden. Dank sieno necromancia restohl is ia tors ex id duil in-ya ta
eelyehgneunt pon millennia, myohrsen ab quantens, ed id folko quodschi hieb esen duil pon
immemorial tids regwivit.

Bet qui hant gust mohrt ghehde ses tik part-ye gwiv. In ia deuska cotlans iren atmens ed kersen dar
aluet mohrt, nevict. Nocts, Dagonleuds eemove ed eelieubhe, eehaine ed eedapane, ed eemehme tik
indistinct-ye id pehden os Dagon ed ir wi massacre, kam in un semimyohren drehm ; eetrehce in un
illusionenchantet mighel, baygh kheissend id stragnet irs existence, yed ne paurskend ids sababs.
Quando dien eegwehmt, i ee-sehnke do un deub swehpen quetos eegehrent bad ye noctgumt,
mohrtlika.
To hol rollit in un terrible panorama in id ment os Conan, dar hocken nieb id behang prokwem id
mur. Eys aum vienk. Eys quant yakinias ed mental sieune buir abfirschen ab un skadhenlahn
universe, quod befolkeer capchenvehsend silhouettes beghapt samt un terrible malefic augos. Tod
stentorvoc swohn kam un sighensein uper ia loys os logique uns aumwentios mund. Tun un baygh
menscswon brighit Conan tsay ex eys fug do ia spheres os follia : ia hysteric sleucta uns gwen.

Involuntar-ye skans is ub.

VI

Jehungir Agha eeintizarneut samt crehscend impatience in sieno nauk perbohrct bayna neds. Meis
quem oin hor hieb dohnen, ed Conano ne hiebit bad prohpen tsay. Is eet aundwoi paurskend iam
bent is credih kohlt ep id insule. Bet alyo supposen tohr id ment ios Agha. Ed sei is hetman hieb
likwt yeudmens prokwem ? Ies bidaumient ed gwahient id insule kay pites woide meis de. Jehungir
wohkwit iens erters, ed id longo nauk sielg bayna ia neds kay fanzowe kya stieupens gluben ex id
petra.

Linkwnd pwoldouzen wiren ep tod nauk, is abiegit kun alters, decen archern ex Khawarizm, robusst
yeudmen vehsend mantels ex tigherpells ed kufyen med un ak helm. Kam sayads infiltrend-se do id
lionlaz, ies oisnohg ender ia drus, parat ad abyises ira strehls. Silence regnit in id forest, ed buit
interrupto bad kun un glend animal – maghses un papagall – uperpluk iens plabend-ye gwaur-ye
sien weur ptergs, dind se fordwiej inter ia drus. Med un brusko geste haltih Jehungir sien yeudmens,
ed quanti spohc, incredule, ia tors qua ubselleer dalgi, in id glendia.

– Tarim ! Rughiet Jehungir. I pirates solle reconstrugus ia ruines ! Aundwoi wehs' Conan ter.
Smad gwahe vide to prokwer. Un burg tem pau distant ud id dayluk ! Perodh !

Doublend ir tadbir, ies oisnohg inter ia drus. Id leik hieb changen. Ex sayads traquend iro praedd
hieb ies bihn spions.

Ed menxu ies sohnd-se unte id teug vegetation, is wir ies pieursk facit un danger baygh perileuser
quem ir legv isus.

Conan vighieb kreusend-ye od id stentorvoc hieb tayct ocolo id mur. Is remien still kam un statue,
starnd ei cortin quod separit bo kyals, ed is wois od ye cada instant id ultim horror vahsit
uperstiupes ir soyl.

Id kyal eet deusk ed mighlic ed Conans kays ghohrs kun is dyohrc un cap ed un pair om gigantesk
omsa in id xep. Is ieur neid stieupblosk, bet id mier deusk forme wierdh jaldi stets netter hina Conan
kwahsit id ambhriss os ids gastalt. Is wir vohs sandals, un fustan ed un ample yeusmen ex chagrin.
Un golden ringo king eys quadrathajamat. Id spect os Conan vols kyid pletwos tom mustring
omsen, id wure tos jabbar torsios, ed id pondost musculature tom memsen ed tos thorax. Eys lige
eet kensliebe ed kenmildet. Ta okwi eent balls ex deusk ogwn. Ed Conan ghieb lit de Khosatral
Khel, iom awo creature ex ia Aungrunds, Dagonias div.

Neid werd buit swohrn. To ne eet necessar. Khosatral strohc siena miera brakhs ; Conan se clih kay
vergihes ia ed bir un einscutt ei gventer ios gigant. Dind is klieup retro, khakend credihes sien okwi.
Eyso miecho hieb kluyten protie tod staur corpos kam ep un incutt, antskandend aun eptemnes id
krewos. Tun Khosatral rusch ep iom unte un irresistible elan.
Ir corpsa stus ed divid mutu, brakhs ed jambs implohcen, dind Conan se fortraxit med un klaup, sien
quanta memsa tremblend ob tod effort. Is sohrgit quer ia finghers hieb noght ed rohft eys cuit. Unte
tod bragv instant kun ir corpsa hieb wohsen in contact, is hieb miden id ultim follia os forhonnen
nature ; ne uno mensckrewos hieb noghen eyso, sontern metall, gwiv ed aumwent ; is eet confronten
uni corpos ex gwiv sider.

Khosatral stieusit uper iom jenchi in pwoltemos. Sei ta gigantfinghers greipent iom, slehmberient
bad kun id corpos ios Kimri habiet biht inert. Eet kamsei un wir wigh un coschmarmonster in un
regwost kyal.

Xeubhend ghom sien inutil eins, Conan siz uno massive benk ed xud iom med sien hol gwis. Eet un
xeudil quem meg pauk wirs habient ghohdt ayre. Id brohg do schtuks ep id staur torsum os
Khosatral, qui ne hatta vienk. Eys lige lyt lusit sieno menscaspect ed un flammenaureola diens
ambh eys pondost cap, ed is rusch ep Conan kam un stalen tor.

Med un desperato geste, Conan rohv ex id mur un hol pan os taam ed yis id slehnke ambh id cap ios
gigant, samt un force demonstration dar mier quem quod is hieb tohrben kay xudes id benk. Unte
oin instant vienk Khosatral, impedihn ed blinden ab tod materia quod se implohc ei ed meis-ye
suaresistit eys efforts quem dreu au stal, ed Conan brug to kay ghende ub sien simitar ed
mwaungsoue argist kyid kayurt. Aun nilente is uperdrahsit id soyl, zaghyien id dwer apter se ed
perchinit id.

Is oistrohb ep sien persnas ed oistahsit still, sien lige purpwrascend stayg. Ep silken bolghis, sien
golden kays weundelnd tiel ep siena nogwod omsa, sien okwi albh ob terror, lyohg ia gwen pro-yam
is hiebit spenden tant efforts. Ob to myohrs is quasi id horror quod apterpersnit iom hin id blosk ios
dwerios vrehmen apter iom brigh iom tsay do realitat. Is empug iam bent ed dribh iam kyid witer
dwer. Ia eet baygh pior dekhschaten pro resiste ni hehlpe iom. Un quasi neaurim murmure buit id
saul swon ia ghohd dughes.

Conano ne lus wakt peitend-ye ghyane id dwer. Med oin einscutt, is bohng tod ed dat is jiemb id
instuden dwero pre klaupe kyid drab trans id, is vis Khosatrals cap ed omsa surrege ex alter dwer
quod cessit sub ia cutts ios gigant kamsei ia esiet ex carton.

Conan klieup ub ia stieupens, transportend iam buland gwenaku kamsei ia habiet est una magv. De
quetro is eet gwahnd hieb is neid idee, yed id drab duxit do un circular tholt kielken. Khosatral
apterglohm i ep ia stieupens, tem silent quem uno mohrtwind, ed tem oku.

Ia murs ed dwer tos kyal eent ex massive stal. Conan clus id dwer apter se ed bier id med ia mier
stanghs skeir id. Is prekhiss od lit ter de Khosatrals kamer, tod in-yod is gwohm ad se kyalbehnde
kay snudes in pace, enderbrighen ud i monsters is hieb kyuken ex Teni.

Just hieb is dehe ia stanghs in place kun id dwor buit taraght ab un phenomenal schock. Conan plex.
Is hieb naken id end siens ighnos. Id kielken hieb neter fenster, ni alyo ghyahsa. Id air, ed id stragno
mighelgwaydert ios kielken, gwohm okwivid-ye ex ia interstices in id thol. Is chohxit sien srakut
miech. Is hieb recupert taiper sien sakwnia chunke is eet intizarnd. Is hieb kwohrn sien gohdst kay
skape. Kun is gigant behngiet id dwer, se lanciet do katu med sien hol volcanic furor samt sien
brohgen eins in un senst hajoum. Ne ob is wohlp vinces, sontern ob eet eys buhsa nehce in boi. Pro
tod moment, eet neid kwehrtu, ed id sakwnia quod behemit iom eet neter figen, ni dwighen.

Is dyi sien sokwnia med un admirative ed intense specto kamsei ei etilikw oin secule gwit. Is hieb
xubhen iam aun maniers ghom kun is hieb volgen kay perchine id dwor. Ia hieb genuet ed eet ob
adet lyt renaurdhnend sien kays ed pauk vesters. Med sien gver okwi, Conan praessit ays teug blond
kaysar, ays plaut kweiter oks, ays melgliko cuit, ays gwitplena memsa, ays wardhpizdania ed id
sensual kehmb aysen puyku cloins.

Ia muk un steun kun id dwor buit iter taraght ed kun un perchin crieck ub.

Conano ne vols. Is vols id dwor dariet unte sem moment.

– Mi buit saygen tu hiebs' mwaungsout, iey is. Un yuetshi peisker mi bahsit od tupst her. Quod
est tien nam ?
– Octavia, ieyit ia aun mehne, in un sleuct (dind ia antgrip iom, rig iom frenetic-ye med sien
finghers, ed tun werds exwieurg). Oh Mitra ! Quod est tod coschmar ? Ti leuds – tod
maurcuit folk – oin ex i me hat kapen in id forest ed me hat noht hetro. Me han' brighen tei...
tei... ject. Is mi hat baht... baht.... Som io foll ? Kwe est to hol un drehm ?

Is glaz kyid dwor quod klohngit kam sub id hajoum uns vren.

– No, iey is. To es' neid drehm. Tod mifussal sa-ceddt. Es' stragno vide od un diabel kam is
dehlc' vrehne un dwer kam quelgvonc merti ; bet pos hol, tik eys nerce est demoniak.
– Khacs tu nices iom ? sprohg ia kwehsend-ye. Es nert.

Conan eet pior honeste pro ay lughes.

– Sei un mensc ghehdiet nices iom, esiet ja mortu, antwohrd is. Ho ja brohgen mien miech
protiev eys gventer.

Octavias okwi sombriesc.

– Tun, vahs nehce, ed ego... Oh Mitra ! hul ia, lambht ab un brusk frenitis.

Conan siz ays hands ibo ia veurniet seswo.

– Is mi hat saygen quo is vahsit kwehre ! Sluct ia. Neic me ! Neic me med un einscutt pre is
vrehnt id dwor !

Conan spohc iam ed scussit sien cap.

– Kwehrsiem quo ghehdo, iey is. To niet ses maung, yed bariem tib dahsiet un chance kay
gires iom ed stighes ghom ia stieupens. Dind, curr kya behrgs. Mien nauk est palamarn pod
ia stieupens. Sei kamyaps antsalge id palat, has un chance kay skape iom. Vasyi weikers tos
citad sont swehpend.

Ia dub sien cap inter sien hands. Conan ghens ub sien simitar ed emsit standum ant id dwor quod
tremblit sub ia repetihn cutts. Sem observer habiet naiwo vighapt is oiskohpt uno nehc is wois
ineluctable. In id bund eysen okwi gluhsit un flamme meis akster quem biadet ; eys hand grip id
lambhel eysios einsios med meis nerce quem id eekwehrt ; eet hol.

Ia mifussals hieb cesso sub id impact ios terrible hajoum ed id dwor eet scutten bachimien,
protiedarn tik ab ia stanghs, qua bicrieck, biklohng ed bistohlb ex id aneta. Conan spohc to samt
quasi impersonal fascination, hassado dia id extermensco nerce ios monster.

Stayg, aun warne, ia cutts oistopeer. Conan ieur tun alya bloska taytum ia ep id drapplor, ocolo, un
ptergenplaben, ed un voco quos murmure evoquit un wind sosulend in ozda ye midnoct. Dind buit
iter silence, yec id air pohld med un nov sensation. Tik ia sakht instincts uns barbar habient ghohdt
kwahe iom, bet Conan wois, aun vidus ni aurus iom, od Dagons poti neti eet apter id dwor.

Is oispohc tadbir-ye per un tarak in id stalen dwor. Id drabplor eet tuich. Is ierk ia deformet stanghs
ed puscit kaur-ye id dwor gontro. Khosatral ne eet ep id drab, yed metallic echos gwohm ex baygh
niter. Is ne wois kweter is gigant eet besic med prepare sem nov diabeltrick we hieb esen kalen ab
tod murmurant voc, bet is ne lus wakt ob tarkens.

Is kiel Octavia, ed id nov timbre in eys voc restapih iam ed currih kyom quasi aun ia conscicit to.

– Quod wakyet ? exclamit ia.

– Zatolk ed gwehm ! is iey ay ghendend-ye ays runc.

Tod waurmen os ghehde age hieb transformen iom. Eys okwi flamboyeer ed eys voc vibrit ob
excitation.

– Id khandjar ! murmurit is, quasi sehlkend iam bent apter se menxu is oistighit ghom ia
stieupens. Id magic miech im Yuetshis ! Is hat likwn id sub id thol ! Io...

Eys voc se forswohnit menxu uno mental kwiter ei enfiell brusk-ye. Tod tholwohs nieb id kielken
quer stahsit id glaughen thron. Is biswois plukwid. Id saul weidos kay accedde sub id thol eet tehre
tod kielken samt tod duskweiter jecto quod snud ep id takhta.

Yed is ne kung. Bo stigheer ghom ia stieupens hast-ye, tohr id kyal, stigheer ghom ia sehkwnda
drabs ed ghohd do id mier galerie samt mysterieus behangs. Is ne hieb vis id lytsto trace ios gigant.
Stopend ant ia plabs ios dwor, Conan kiep Octavias omsa ed scuss iam gvalt-ye sub id fangh siens
emotion.

– Kleu ! wohl is iam. Vahm penetre tod kielken ed clude id dwor apter me. Man her ed
akowsie. Sei Khosatral arrivet, kal me. Sei me aurs crie ke skaps, curr kamsei is Diabel te
apterpersniet, to sessiet shayad id fall. Ghehd ant id dwer ye alter bud ios galerie ; neti
sessiem in stand os hehlpe te. Vano id yuetshi khandjar !

Pre ia habiet ghohdt emitte ia protestwerds qua wierdh ep ays lipps, is hieb snohgen inter ia plabs ed
zaghyanen id dwor apter se. Is clihsit id perchin tadbir-ye, yed ne kieusit id ghohd bihe activet
extos. Id scrutit id temost kielken kay trehve ter id buxianxu glaughen thron. El squamic brute eet
ya dar ter, kharkend id thron sub sien repugnanta diplas. Is vis un dwer apter id thron,ed buit yakin
tod eet quod duxit ad sub id thol. Bet pre nake id, is tohrb stighes ep id takhta, oika stieups dalg ud
tod thron...

Un aurdruna ep id glendo demped habiet meis-ye sosulen quem Conans peds, qua kwohk slides ep
id demped. Starnd al swehpend reptil, is dostigh ia glasen stieups. El serpent ne hieb mot. Is sa-niek
id dwer...

Id perchin ios glaughen dwer udcliengh ed Conan stup un athime rughat vidend-ye arrive Octavia,
qua glaz beghspace-ye kya deuska cotlans ios kielken. Is oistahsit still, ne deursend emitte
semwarncrie. Tun dyohrc ia id gastalt ios Kimri ed curs kyid takhta criend-ye :

– Volo gwehme con te ! Ho paur de mane mon... Oh !

Ia liv sien brakhs ub ed emiss un terrible crie quan ia dyohrc ye id prest ker el occupant ios thron. Id
triangular cap hieb ayren-se ed oistrohc kyam sien lamper stamm unte takriban tri peds.
Tun, med un sinueus ed regular mov, id ject rep lent-ye ghom id thron, katoru pos katoru, weipend
sien cap kyam paursrom gwenak.

Conan uperklieup desperat-ye id rewos quod iom separit ud id takhta, ed sammel treiccrucit jabbar-
ye sien simitar. El serpent trohc ye un tem blindend syrat quem el contrit id charge ios Kimri menxu
senter eet dar in hava, ringend eysa stamm ed memsa un pwoldouzen om katorus. Eyso miech buit
extrohpen ex sien drahsa ed tik vurn – instet sege – id stamm al serpent, menxu is Kimri criesch
gwaur-ye ep id takhta.

Oin instant pos, is Kimri kriemp ep ia glasen stieupens, rigen in ia diplas al reptil quel tentit nices
iom treudend-ye ed dehrnd-ye eys krewos. Tik eys dexter brakh remien dar leur, bet in eyso stand,
eet impossible ei Kimri ghehde bires un katel cutt, ed is wois is poittiet bires tik-ye oin cutt. Med un
upermensc effort quod oistilb vasya veins os eys corpos ed brigh eys muscles do rupture, is ghohd
restahe, ayrndo con se un wassime deil tal takriban quargim peds long demon.

Unte oik secundes is vienk ep sien geibh jambs ; is khiss sien inster truden ab sien wi kyosta ed eys
vid se blens. Dind, is bir oin cutt med id lamper simitar is oiswohng uper sien cap, peritehmend
squams, krewos ed spindels. Ed quer hieb esen tik oin enormo vreinkend dauyn, eent taiper dwo,
beichend ed raghend horrible-ye id hava unte ia spasmes os mohrt. Conan abtitubit, vergeihnd ir
blind cutts. Iom lambheer nauseas ed vertigos, ed srehg srusit ex eys nas. Stehmbend quasi in
blindet, is siz Octavia ed scuss iam hina ia lus annem.

– Niebs' ker kun tib saycsiem mane semloc, sies mane ter ! kwohs is.

Is eet baygh-ye pior extuden pro woide an ia hieb ei antwohrden. Seizend ays runco kamsei hieb lit
de un lytil feugnica, ia gir ia dwo hideusa stumps qua nakriemp ep id demped. Semdih, dalgi, is
credihsit aure wirs crie, bet eys aurs tem drohn quem is khiek ses yakin de.

Id dwor cessit sub eys efforts. Sei Khosatral hiebit placen el serpent in tod stet kay protege id
objecto de quod is kieur, is eet okwivid-ye persuas od tod saul protection ample-ye eet kafi. Kun is
ghyien id dwor, Conan quasi exspectit vide alyem monstruositat rusches ep iom, yed ia saul jects is
dyohrc in temos buir id vasto thol uper eys cap ed un golden blocko quod twis muzlim-ye, ep-yod
glimmrit un hilalskeip object.

Is lambh id samt un rehmkwehster ed is ne kung pro ampler explorations. Is abvols, tohr id kielken
ed oistigh unte id galerie kyid dwer ye alter bors, quod duxit dworis. Semghi minutes serter, is
emers ex id treb ed wohs in ia silent strads, pwolsehlkend, pwolbehrnd sien sokwnia. Eet nimen in
vid, yed cries ed steuns os gvol ei ghohd ex apter id westmur, ed Octavia bitremblit. Is nih iam tiel
id sudwest wangwl ios duivar, ed trohvit facil-ye un drab quod duxit kyep id daraja. Is hieb ghenden
con se un tegu cortinseil in id galerie ed, ye id akro ios wall, is folossicit id kay stighihes iam
gwenaku ghom ocolo, plehcus tod ambh cias hinks. Dind, is diehsit uter bors ambh un zann ed
stighit ghom ep sien roig. Eet tik oin weidos kay skape id insule... ed to eet unte id brehgdrab, westi.
Is rusch kye tod direction, kaurndo de gires id stet quetos ei hieb ghohdt ia cries ed bloska uns gver
katu.

Octavia ghieb od sem katel peril skulk in tod glendia poli. Cortannem, ia eemant claus sien
protector. Id forest rebihsit tun silent ed viseer surrege neid menace hin i emers ex inter ia drus ed
dyohrc un silhouette quod oistahsit ana id precipice.

Jehungir Agha hieb skapen id fat quod hieb raben eysens yeudmens kun un isern gigant hiebit
brusk-ye surregen ex id portal kaysum iens, rehvend iro krewos ed grehndend ir osta. Kun is hieb
viden ia einsa sienen archern brehge protiev id corpos tos invincible coloss, is hieb ghapt ne eent
confrontet uni mensc, ed is hieb mwaungsoun, teupend do id enderbosc hina ia heuls ios massacre
stopeer. Is hieb tun ghohden tsay do ia stieupens, bet eysi yeudmi ne hieb intizart iom.

Ies hieb aurt ia cries, ed pau pos, hieb vis ep id uperhangend behrg, un cruorpoik monster swehnge
elsa gigantesk brakhs ka znayc os triumph. Ies hieb tun zaskohpten. Kun Jehungir ghohd ep id
behrg, ies disprohp inter ia neds, exter id schaecheing os eys voc. Khosatral hieb abgwaht, auter rict
id urb, we abpaurscto do id forest po iom wir qui hieb skapen iom saygway.

Jehungir se pariet ad oistighes ghom ia stieupens ed linkwes id insule med id nauk os Conan kun is
vis iom hetman ed ia bent emerge ex inter ia drus. Id episode is hieb just gwiwt hieb glohdjt id sehrg
in eys veins ed birt un quasi fatal cutt eysi aum, yed ne hieb modifiet eys projects dayir iom kozak
poti. Id vid ios wir is hieb gwohmt ad nices giughinit iom.Is oistieun de vide iam bent is hieb dahn
ad Jelal Khan, yed ne etidieum de iam. Is trohp ub sien lonc, adjustit un isu engwn sien gian ed
abyisit sien strehl. Conan se clihsit ed id isu gwahsit dubes vibrend-ye do un drustamm. Conan iliey.

– Murdar kwaun ! goilit is. Nies me kape ! Ne ho gnaht kay nehce ab ia cutts uns Hyrkani !
Peit iter, tu pork ex Turan !

Jehungir ne pit iter. Is hieb abyisen sien senst isu. Is exkardkieschit sien simitar ed ieg perodh,
treusend sien ak helm ed sien sohrt schaks. Conan ornuw id katu ye midvia in un staldewer. Ia
kehmba miecha stus protie mutu, abvic ud mutu, skrit tem plaut-ye ed tweiser-ye quem habient
blens id vid es quel habiet tenten smauter ia. Octavia, qua spohc tod duel, ne vis id cutt, yed ieur id
impact ios miech quod tohm id krewos. Ia vis Jehungir falle ghom, cruor gwehlend ex eys flank,
quer id stal ios Kimri hieb vrohnt id zirah ed ed penetret tiel id weragmen.

Ne id nehc os ays prever poti heulihsit Octavia, sontern Khosatral Khel qui rusch kyi in un behngos
om rohven ozda. Ia bent khiek mwaungsoue ; un desperationsleuct skiep ays lipps menxu aysa
genus oislub sub iam ; ia sohnk ep id gras, sien quanta memsa tremblend.

Conan, cliht uper id nayvo ios Agha, ne tentit fuges. Passend sien cruorpoik simitar do sien levter
hand, is exkardkiesch id mier yuetshi hilalmiech khandjar. Khosatral Khel alnos udbulans iom, sien
brakhs liven kam tokmaks, bet ye tod instant diewum inikies ep id miech, ed is gigant ieg stayg
aretraite.

Yed id sehrg os Conan brohn in eys veins. Is rusch perodh ed sciss Khosatrals corpos. Id yuetshi
hilalmiech ne brohg protie senters corpos, sontern dub do id deusk metall kamsei habiet liten de
mensckrewos. Un stragno fluido bisrusit ex id ghyahnd arus, ed Khosatral emiss un crie quod
clienghit kam un clock. Eys brakhs bich id air, bet Conan, meis akster quem ies archers quoy hieb
nohct ab ta terrible treiccruces, vergih ia cutts ed dyohgwit iom gigant iter ed iter. Khosatral vienk
ed titubit ; eysa cries eent dekhschatic aurtu, kamsei tod metall ghohd paytte, hules ed baube ob
gvol.

Is tun disvols ed abtitubit do id forest ; eys gwayt eet keungwent, stundend protie drus ed trehdend
ia buska. Conan, sub id fangh sienen effrenat sensen, fauran aptercurs iom, bet is wohs ye
prayghest ios miech ios gigant bad kun so ghohd ant ia walls ed tors os Dagon.

Khosatral iter vols, beichend id air med desperata treiccruces om sien brakhs, bet to eet aun
bespehce Conan, medwt ab id furor ios katu. Kam un panther quel nigvehnt un perpaurn elein, is
rusch kye sien praedd, vergeihnd id terrible treiccruce iom brakhs ed sehsit id hilal tiel lambhel quer
sollit wehse id kerd ios creature.

Khosatral vienk dind collapsit. Kun is vienk, is dar hieb uno menscapparence, bet ne buit uno
menscforme quod oistus protiev id madh gras. Quer hieb est uno mensclige, ter eet neti sem lige ; ia
metallmemsa tahr ed mutaskip... Conan, qui ne hieb tremblen ant gwiv Khosatral, stiup retro
bleidend-ye ant mortu Khosatral, isghi hieb est weitwodd uns horrible transmutation. In sien agonia,
Khosatral Khel hieb rebihn id jecto quod hieb repen ex id Aungrund aiwois. Suffoquen ab un
aunnam disgust, Conan abvols kay neti dehlge dyies tod ject. Tun vighieb is od Dagons tors neti
blig ex inter ia drus. Ia hieb vaniet kam dum... Ia walls, ia zanntors, ia mier glaughen portals, zamt,
ivor, ias swordkaysar gwens ed ies wirs samt xurt ghalv, hol hieb forswohnden. Ob id disparition ios
extermensc intellectios quod hiebit bright i do gwit, i hieb rebihn quo eent pon aunnumer secules :
duil. Tuntos, tik ia vestiges oiken colunns oistahr inter ia kharab murs, ia brohct flises ed id
vrohnen thol. Conan dyi ia ruines os Xapur kam is mohm ia.

Is wild hetman stahsit kam un statue unte pau tempos, muzlim-ye prighabend semject ex id cosmic
tragedia os srehtsam ephemer menscgenos ed ex ia temoskehlderskeips eet-yom id praedd. Dind is
oisprud, kam tragen ex un khayal. Semqua kiel iom, dalgtos, med un paurpleht voc. Is oispohc
ghom ye un senst ker, krus ed abstiup kya behrgs ed kyam bent qua skohpt iom.

Ia glaz bayasen-ye ender ia drus, ed prim iom samt un rehmcrie. Is hieb chassen ia monstrueus
visions qua hieb momentan-ye lahn eys ment, ed is hieb rebihn so exuberant person is oiswohd ses.

– Quer est is ? sprohg ia kreusend-ye.

– Is hat rict id hayd is hieb salgen, antwohrd is samt un vessel ton. Ma ne has tu stigh' ghom ia
stieupens ed skap' med mien nauk ?
– Ne volim link..., bibahsit ia. (dind ia mutatonit gomric-ye:) Ho neidloc gwahtu. Hyrkanis me
rebeuwient un sclav, ed i pirates...
– Ed i kozaks ? suggestit is.
– Kwe ghehldent meis quem i pirates ? ieyit ia honn-ye.

Conans admiration buit udnoven ab vide iam it, rexeihvsu sien hol takabur pos dehlgus drehde solg
ordeil. Ays arrogance zalissit iom.

– Tengicis' mayne to in id waun, prokwem Ghori, antwohrd is. Ne spierst tien smeihs...

Ays lipps nistulp.

– Credeihs tu druve-ye od io hieb styohrgen te ? Kweghi fikers od me habiem forhurft ant un

barbar qui mehnt tik de litu ed tantana sei to ne mi habiet esen dwighen ? Mien poti – quos
cadaver lyehc' ghomi – sib udtohrg to ud me.
– Oh ! (Conan kwohk anter spiten. Dind is iliey vessel ed stohnterlika.) Ne importet. Taiper
me bayghs. Kussen me !
– Tu deurs budes me ad..., bibahsit ia samt erghen.

Stayg ia khiss rohft ex id grund ed glohmert protiev id muscleuso xiongbu ios hetman. Ia se strubh
holgwis-ye, med id quant uriende ayso yun corpos kwahsit, yed is naglihsit exuberant-ye, medven
ab xihes talg pukukyahnd creature inter sien brakhs.

Is upertreh facil-ye ayso srehtos, drehnkend id nectar aysen lipps samt id hol immoderat passion
quod eet eyso, hina ia brakhs qua befohkht iom iti zawigh ed viglieb eys taurcoll. Tun, is glih
spehcend do ays okwi ed sieyg ay :

– Kwe un chef ios Leudher Folk ne esiet meis meilim quem un civilisen kwaun ex Turan ?
Ia scuss retro sien falv ghayts, sien quanta nerves dar-ye prusen ab id jar eysen kussen. Ia ne muk
sien brakhs ud eys coll.

– Te ieyst tu is egal uns Agha ? sieygit ia chiaujaen-ye.

Is glihsit ed abnih iam in sien brakhs kyid drab.

– Tib es' zaruri decide, gvrenduit is. Ia flammes qua vahn' periaydhe Khawarizm sessient id
gwak quod beleucsiet tien itner kye mien delt !