IA DENTS OS GWAHLUR

ab R.E.HOWARD

Sambahsa tarjem

I
Ia paunds ios complot

Ia behrgs oistieur brenk-ye uper id jungle, skeipend un serie om pondost petrawalls qua id weussol
spielv med bloujade ed maurrudh inikas, dind kohmb dalgtro kye eust ed west, uper id
smaragdocean iom brems ed weundelnd waraks. Tod gigantbarrier kwohk aunupergumt, samt sien
sehnkseida stenas gjiaungsianen med quartzdreska tweisend possowel, bet is wir qui bestigh
muschkil-ye tod behrg hieb ja ghohden tiel midvia ud id topp.

Is eet ois un race clinmenscen swehdend beglehme pondost rockic pitons. Is eet un individu om
non-communa nerce ed agilitat. Eys saul povesti eent eys bruks ex rudh silk ; eysa sandals hiengeer
kata eys regv mae hinder eyso steighen, tem quem eys eins ed eys daga.

Is eet pletwost ed tem urand quem un panther. Eys cuit eet solbrunen ed eyso sword
quadrathajamato zazzer eet protiedarn ab un argwrnto rika quod king eys cap. Eys isern muscles,
eys nafiz spect ed eyso swekwr ped ei eent meg util ye tod instant eysghi hol corpos wohrgit kam
naiwo pro tod ubgumt. Ye centpenkgim peds ender iom wundel id jungle ; ye id sam distance ubtro,
id leizdo ios behrg wierdh face id aghyernwaurn.

Is ne spier sien efforts, kamsei esiet in hirs, yed is glohm ub ye id syrat uns kaukhkwl, glehmernd
protiev id sten kam unis musch. Eys hands ed peds ambhtasteer anfractuositats ed salswrnts, beirst
meg nasuka ghends, ed ei wakyit hange yando amalan tik med eys onkha. Lakin is nastigh
aunmalal, vrink, antgrip, jidiel po ielg gaissen inch. Semkers hielt is kay rahate sien gvolplena
muscles ed, scuttend sien cap kay chasse tetos id swoid quod lahsit eys okwi, clih sien cap retro kay
uperchehxe id jungle ed tente auncovehre ter sem mov au signe os menscgwit.

Kongcio eet is neti meg dalg ud id akro. Tun dyohrc is, ye tik oik peds uper sien cap, un ghyahsa in
id sten sonst glat ed aykwost ios behrg. Is proe-dostigh pos oin instant... uno smulk balm, exact-ye
ender id akro. Is brohm kun eys cap ghohd ye id nivell ios entren. Is hieng terkye bragv-ye,
knigveihndo sien olans ep id leizd. Id balm eet tem smulk quem id eet ne meis quem un firida
skaven ex id petra, bet id schaliesch un weiker : un brun ed gviht mumia khayatsess ter, samt crucen
brakhs ep un tursen torso ep-yod eet clihn un skrohmben cap. Eys brakhs ed jambs eent dart in
place med quo hieb esen prevst korigas ex glend lieter ed qua eent taiper ne meis quem simple
myohrct filaments. Suppose el mumia hieb habt vesters, meg diuper solleer ia ravages os wakt
forduilihes ia. Yed, loget inter els crucen brakhs ed elso skrohmpto torso, wohs un wetsagohlpto
tumar hassilevs id color os veut ivor.

Is glehmer rexit sien long brakh perodh ed rohv id cylinder ex id strineg al mumia. Aun chehxe id,
is oisnig id kata sien yeusmen ed glohmber hina stahe ye id entren ios firida. Ter, is klieup ub, grip
id leizdo ios behrg dind, amalan unte id sam elan, rep ub kyep id akro.

Is oistahsit still unte un khvil kay retrehve sien annem, dind spohc nitro.

Eet kamsei is vidiet endo un vasto stenghohrdt kalpwrnt. Id bundo tos dener covohreer drus ed un
dens vegetation, ted ne tem puko quem id orlays ocolo id behrg. Ia stens tos kalpwrnt ludeer dayim
aunspalt. Kad eet un duniawahid marzih os gena : un vast natural amphitheatre ed un tri au quar
milia platu circule os bebosct plain segen ud id reste ios planete ab tod rockic duivar.

Bet is wir qui stahsit ep id akro ne lusit sien wakt in mirveylment ant tod topographic phenomen : is
feberlika uperchohx id drucimo niter ed kwohster deub-ye ob rehmen kun is dyohrc id arg om
marmorcoupels eni id schadabia ios vegetation. Neghi eet uno mythos : pod iom stahsit id legendar
ed abandont palat os Alkmeenon.

Conan is Kimri, dar nuper in ia Baracha insules, ep id Kyehrsen Caust ed in divers gaivias quer gwit
eet rauk ed wild, hieb arriven do id rigo Keshan attragmen ab un fabuleus kuzd quos arg pallihsit id
lwon iom roys os Turan.

Keshan eet un barbaro rig lyehgend alnos wester quem Kush, quer ia vast piwernias ed ia sudforesta
samghiet. Eet uno mestissagen land, quer un caste mauren aristocrats regnit ep un population ex
quasi exclusive-ye Aydokwens. I wanaks, peursti ed megil gutors, clameer descende ex un blank
race quod, ye sem legendar zaman, hieb waldht un rigo quos nagor eet Alkmeenon. Contradictor
legends tenteer explie bi quod sabab tod race hieb dispariht ed ma i survivers hieb abandonen id
citad. Ia narns dayir ia Dents os Gwahlur, Alkmeenons klei, temschi swohbh in mysteir. Lakin hieb
ta nebuleus legends esen kafi pro bringhes Conan do Keshan, iom wehlbernd per aykwsa samt
jungles besnayuet ab riviers ed ghyors.

Is trohv Keshan, land idpet ayn legendar ab mult nations westi ed nordi, ed ieur kafi jects pro
confirme ia rumors dayir id klei kalen « ia Dents os Gwahlur ». Bet is khiek manthes quer eent kulct
ia joyels ed wohs endemurn ad explie id sabab siens presence in Keshan, peregrins ne esend
sellgwohmtens ter.

Lakin is ne se sis bihe udarguet. Samt srig swekwria kwohr is sien behd ibs plumevehsend dignitars
tos curt samt barbar splendor, rong ed mistreusend individus. Is ibs declarit ses uno mercenar
gwohmen do Keshan kay trehve ter orbat. Po un certain pris, is trainiriet ia heirs os Keshan ed
korioniet ia protie Punt, ir hereditar peind, quos recent weirsuccessa hieb suwen id alian ios
irascible roy os Keshan.

Tod proposen ne eet tem deursic quem kwecto. Conans kleumen hieb precess iom, hatta tiel piern
Keshan ; eys exploits kun is eet chef im kyehrsen corsars, tim wolfs iom sudripas, hieb maschourihn
eys nam, admiren ed bayn unte ia hol aydokwenrigs. Is ne refusit passe ia ordeils elaboret ab iens
maurcuit potis. Scarmuscha engwn id hadh eent aunstop ed anac ei Kimri pelu waurmens kay
demonstre eys corps-ad-corps dexia. Eys bolt gvertat impress Keshans potis, quoy ja gnohr eys
kleumen ka yeudmion. Kjigiau pro Conan qui wohn secret-ye tik oin : un employ quod ei dahiet un
valid excuse kafi diu kay localise id kulk om Gwahlurs Dents. Kunkye Thutmekri arrivit do Keshan
ducend un Zembabwei ambassade duswohrt id situation.

Thutmekri eet un Stygian, un aventurer ed brigand quos dexia hieb iom recommanden ibs dwinroys
ios mier hybrid tajir rigios quod lyohg ye mult ghangdiens euster. So ed is Kimri eegnohneunt mutu
diutos ed ne eekament mutu. Isschi Thutmekri hieb un behd kwehrtu ri roy os Keshan ed tod
concernit kathalika id invasion os Punt. Tod rig, quod lyohg euster quem Keshan, hieb chiowdeo
nuper expulgihto Zembabwei tajirs ed fwenschawiht ir polis.

Thutmekris proposen eclipsit hatta Conans prestige. Is homologhit invade Punt eusttos med un heir
om aydokwens lanciers, schemi archers ed mercenar infantiers, ed hehlpe iom roy os Keshan ad
annexe id peindrig. Ies pacific roys os Zembabwei wohn in exchange tik id monopol os tijarat con
Keshan ed idsa dependant rigs ed, ka bona-fide gheigtel, oiks iom Dents os Gwahlur. Thutmekri
spohd ad explie ibs mistreusend wanaks od ta eent nel-ye destinen uni vil neud, sontern od esient
deposta do Zembabweis temple, nieb ia massive golden idols em Dagon ed Derketo, isergostens ios
schangdien ios rig, kay sgille id alliance inter Keshan ed Zembabwei. Senter declaration suw un
wild rictus ep ia gnibhen lipps os Conan.

Is Kimri ne pit spehrde protiev id dexia ed ia intrigas om Thutmekri ed Zargheba, eyso schemi
associeit. Is wois os sei Thutmekri ghehdiet acceptihes sien behd, so institiet kay eys rival bihiet
forbanen fauran. Ad Conan etilikwit tik oin : trehve ia joyels pre is roy os Keshan karrariet ed
mwaungsoue con ia. Is hieb entrim viconcluden od ia clenods ne eent kohlen in Keshia, id royal
citad, quod eet ne meis quem un alvey om kalmhyts clostern ambh ia doighsa uns palat ex petra,
adobe ed bambu.

Menxu Conan iriesc ob impatience, megil gutor Gorulga mohld od pre un decision bihiet emen, eet
zaruri ses yakin de id vol im Divs de hois wines Zembabwei ed ciois ghigtles joyels diutos ayt saker
ed exterghesor. Alkmeenons watei dohlg yinjier bihe sprohgen.

To eet un extraordinar wakya ed wekwos poht in id palat ed id hytenswarm. Pon meis quem oin
secule ne eegwigwahr ies gutors id silent citad. Iawert watei eet princesse Yelaya, senst regentin
Alkmeenons, mohrn in id plen arg sienen yuwent ed beauteit, ed quas corpos hieb miraculeus-ye
remanen intact per aiwa. Prevst eegwahnt gutors id hantet citad ed ia eedoct ibs mensdeh. Is senst
pryster qui hieb fortrohcen kay sprehge iam watei eet un pervers wir, qui hieb raubhskwn ta curieus-
ye glupt joyels qua eent Gwahlurs Dents. Bet sem fat hieb gvohnt iom in id desert palat ed eys
acolytes hieb mwaungsouno narrend-ye dekhschatic storias qua terroriseer iens gutors ed hieb it
gwupen iens apo id citad ed iam watei unte centen yaren.

Gorulga, is gsienchi megil gutor, qui kwohk ses un wir os istikamat, mohld tun is gwahiet
Alkmeenon con un quat om tarafdars kay se yougye con id awo swohdo. In id general excitation,
wekwos poht auntadbir ed Conan kwahsit id indice is ee-aunstehcskwneut pon hevds, uperaurnd ia
kinayas os un supostah gutor, qua duxeer iom ad linkwes nin-ye Keshia unte id noct pre id octent
kun ies prysters solleer bikwehre itner.

Galoppend tem jaldi quem is durs unte oino yawm, is ghohd ant Alkmeenons behrgs ye ia presta
diutis os fajer. Id citad lyohg in id sudwest ios rig, eni un desert jungle tabou im mertims. Ploisko
iens gutors, nel mensc dursit prosch unte minter quem mult milya ud id hanten wastu. Ed ne hatta
un gutor gegwahsit Alkmeenon pon cent yars.

Nel mensc hieb aiw udglohmt ta behrgs, yeji ia legends, ed nimen, ploisko iens gutors, gnohsit id
secret inghango quod wieust do id dal. Conano ne lus wakt os paurske id. Tod skarp pala,
aunupergumt pro Aydokwens quoy eent pre quant sem reiders ed mensci om plains ed foresta, eet
neid impossible obstacle pro un wir gnahn in Kimrias bergwnt clins.

Taiper, kata ia behrgs, is oispohc kyid budmen ios circular dal ed dieum quod epidemia, quod weir
au qua superstitions hieb chasset i members tos antique blank race ex ir poli kay se blande ibs
aydokwims teutims ambh i qua solleer absorbe i jaldi.

Tod dal hieb est ir citadell. Ter stahsit id palat quer tik resis id royal familia ed id curt. Idpet citad
lyohg ocolo ia behrgs, sien ruines kulct ab ia glend ed wandlik masses ios jungle. Bet ia coupels qua
twis pod id medsu id vegetation eent ia pinacles os Alkmeenons royal palat. Intact, ia hieb
challengen ia ravages iom secules.

Jambus id leizdo ios behrg, is oistighit ghom jaldi, id inner sten esend meis sanscha ed minter
brenk. Unte minter quem id dwidel ios wakt is hieb tohrben kay udglehme id uder deil, is niek id
glendiacovehr ios dal.
Uter hand ep sien eins, is observit tadbir-ye id atraf. Eet neid sabab de suppones od qui sieyg od
Alkmeenon eet desert ed newiken, hanten tik ab i kabus uns esont prev, esient leughers. Bet eet
Conans buhsa mistruses ed ses semper nastraj. Id regnend silence eet tod ios octent os
menscgenos. Neid warak oscillit. Kun is clih-se kay spehce sub id steg iom drus, is vis neid alyo
quem ia stammenardehsas, se forstrehcend do id moder temos ios deub shienrlin.

Is progress yed tadbir-ye, einsghesor, ambiscrutend id teni, trehdend urand-ye id verdure aun id lytst
blosk. Hol perambh iom, is vis ia etiloikwa uns aw civilisation : marmorfontans, niem ed
gadrabhend, lud ambh angh drus seht unte pior symmetric motifs pro ses id resultat uns caprice os
nature. Bosc ed busk hieb lahn ia hortghehrds samt regular ardehsas, yed ira traces eent dar visible.
Large petrallees lit sub ia drus, ir flises brohct ed wayzd crehscend in ia interstices. Is dyohrc murs
quom culmen eet ornet samt petrasculptures, qua eent maghses prevst ia uder walls om
yowrlanliewa.

Ant iom, trans ia drus, twis ia coupels. Id ambhriss iom edificen qua stohm ia bihr stets visibler ye
proscher is gwohm. Se sehndend per wildvinyekfestont ozda, is arrivit ep nisbatan aunsteg rewos
quer drus eent meis skider ed vraghs absent, ed is dyohrc ant se id large colunnenportic ios palat.

Menxu is bestigh ia weur marmorstieupens, is kieusit od id treb eet nett-ye kreins preserven quem ia
smulker edifices is hieb dyohrcta tuntro. Ia teug murs ed ia massive colunns kwohk pior-ye resistant
pro drupes sub ia hajoums om wakt ed weter. Id sam enchantend silence regnit kathalika her. Is
oistohmb felidlika, yed hieb id pondos eys sandals cliengh samt behngos in tod aunbloskia.

Semloc in tod palat wohs id effigie au id statue quod, in id druna iom esont eras, hieb daughto ka
watei ad Keshans gutors, edschi, nibo so indiscret pryster hieb mutien un leugh, id klei iom
myohrsen roys Alkmeenons.

Conan arrivit do un large ed majestueus galerie flanken med hoga colunns. Inter senters ghyahr
arches quom dwers hieb est meg diutos eros. Is tohr id galerie mers in regwosta skadhs ed
uperghieng ye alter bors un enderghyanen mier dwoplab dwer... ed quod eet aundwoi it pon secules.
Is arrivit do kielken subkeihnd un coupel, quod hiebit prever sollto daughe ka audience sall pro
Alkmeenons roys.

Eet os octogonal forme, ed id mier coupel quetro se inflex id alto tavan hieb esen baurno med torms
samt rar dahia, idghi sall eet kreins belucto quem id galerie quod duxit do id. Ye alter bors ios
kielken lud un takhta eet-yod accedden unte un weur lazuwarden gastieup. Id subkihsit uno massive
sedd samt kmehn bagukneigvtels ed quos hogo clintor dieugh aundwoi prever kay stehme un
sirmatricen baldaquin. Conan emiss un excitationsbrohm ed eys okwi enflammeer-se. Alkmeenons
golden thron de quod lohg extermemoria legends ! Is vohrt id med un ok os professional. Id valiet
seni un bayga, bet khiek bihe tobohrn. Ids wirt enflammit eys imagination dayir id klei ed aydih iom
ob impatience. Eys finghers pieym... Ghehde merse ia do ta gemmes qua nackals descripseer ep
Keshias rinegs, repeteihndi narns transmitten ex stohm do aurs unte secules. Tienxiawahid joyels :
rubins, smaragds, diamants, heliotropes, opals, sappirs... id lwosa ios awios mundios.

Is hieb exspecten trehve ep id thron id effigie ias watei, bet chunke to ne eet id fall, id wohsit
shayad in sam alyo stet ios palat, sei lakin id existit. Tant legends hieb obkwohct ver pon is hieb
venturen do Keshan quem is ne bedwoyit vrehe sem statue au divin kip.

Apter id thron stahsit un angho kohmbern dwer quod hieb aundwoi bihe perbohrgen med behangs
unte Alkmeenons tid. Is oispohc per id ghyahsa ed vis id duxit do un tuich alkuba, skiep-yetos un
angh dikhliz samt rect angule. Is oistiup retro ed chohx un dwot arche, levter quem id dais.
Nekamalters, eet samt un dwer. Ed tod dwer eet aunsam. Ia plabs eent ex id sam wausko quem id
thron ed smilen samt curieus arabesques.

Id dwer ghyahsit samt tant facilitat sub id pressem iom finghers ios visitor quem id habiet maght
bihe smurno nuper. Ter stahsit is still, samt weurghyanen okwi.

Is wohs in uno smulko quadrat kyal quos marmormurs lud kyuno kmeht ed goldsmilto tavan.
Kjinfrises iendh id base ed id uberdeilo iom murs, ed id dwer unte-yod is hieb entret eet id wahid
accessvia ei kyal. Yed kieusit is ta quanta detayls machinelika ; is eet peribuden ab id forme quod
lyohg ep id filaltar ant iom.

Is hieb exspecten trehve un statue sculpto samt id hol sagven unios myohrst kerdos. Bet neid ghohd
kipes kreins quem quo is hieb ant sien okwi.

Eet neid effigie ex petra, ni hatta ex metall au ivor, sontern un druv gwencorpos, ed Conan alnos
khiek tarke med qua buxianxu artifices i awi hieb preserven tam silhouette ex ia ravages os wakt.
Hatta ia items ia vohs iti eent intact. Conan brovit kaund-ye tod detayl ed un diffus malaise
sensation lahsit iom. Ia artifices qua hieb preservet id corpos ne habient sollt age sam-ye ep ia
vesters. Api, ia vohs golden pizdanplacks, xwenyungen samt smulk gemmes disposen in concentric
circules, sirmasyuht sandals ed un cort silkfustan ubdarn ab un joyelgjiaungsianen yeusmen. Neter
id metall, ni id stoff skieur id lytsto signe os corruption.

Yelaya eet os un srig beauteit hatta in mohrt. Ays teun yed schakhwani corpos tengicit kam alabster.
Uno mier purpwr gemme twis in id kyehrsen ed silklik masse aysios kays.
Conan spohc iam unte un khvil brovend-ye, dind tip id altar med sien eins. Ei hieb enfallt od tod eet
kaul ed ghohd arehge id klei, bet is hassilit tik un plen swon. Is vols ed begwahsit id kyal,
bfugwaukan. Quer tohrb is inkape obsoke, unte id limiten wakt is behiend ? Is gutor quom lafza
exchangen ye khafi voc con un cortoyer is hieb enderaurt hieb saygen id klei eet kulken in id palat,
quo skip uno muhim surface. Is dieum an is dohlg tupes ed intizare hina ies gutors gwehmient dind
togwahient pre chohxye, bet eet meg shayad od toghendient ia joyels con se kun reikient Keshia ;
Conan eet convicen od Thutmekri hieb corrupen Gorulga.

Conan ghohd previde Thutmekris plan, suagnohndo tom person. Is wois nu-hieb Thutmekri
suggesten id idee os Punts krig ibs roys os Zembabwei, krigo quod eet tik oin etape irios druv
objective : lambhnes ia Dents os Gwahlurs. Toy mistreusend roys demandient hassile id pruv ios
existence ios klei pre kwehre quodkwe ed ia joyels qua Thutmekri kup ka gheigtel dadwient tod
pruv.

Yakin de id existence ios klei, ies roys os Zembabwei tun biagient. Punt bihiet invaden sammel
eusttos westtos, bet i Zembabweyis pliehgient kay i Keshanis meist payttient ia combats. Bad, Punt
ed Keshia kenaserng bi-sabab id conflict, i Zembabweyis treudient bo races, plunderient Keshan ed
lambhnient id klei jabran, esdi tehrbient po to rase cada edifice ed torture cada habitant ios rig.

Existit lakin alyo possibilitat : sei Thutmekri ghehdiet lwoe id klei, eys buhsa maghiet ses khanye
eys employers, raubhe ia joyels pro eys wi conto ed fuges linkwnd-ye iens schijas ex Zembabwei
tekhnasse saulens.

Conano mieyn id consultation ias watei eet tik un khida kay persuade Keshans roy ad satisface ia
vanscha os Thutmekri, isghi hieb nequando dwoit an Gorulga buit tem subtile ed lughic quem vasyi
blanden tei mierscal swindel, ar in id leik os corruption, is ne habiet giht protie Thutmekri, ed pites
to habiet esen kwehre kam is Stygian wohlp. Gorulga denunciet iom Kimri ei popule, consolidiet lyt
meis-ye sien kleumen os istikamati wir ed abdehiet ud Thutmekri eys rival unte oin schtoss. Conan
dieum quosmed Thutmekri hieb ghohden corrumpes iom megil gutor, ed quod ghohd bihe
schohncto kay corrumpes un wir qui behiend tienxia mierst klei.

Zowngschie, is eet yakin ia watei bihiet saygiht od id vol im divs eet ke Keshan sehkwiet
Thutmekris vanscha, ed is eet kathalika persuas od ia watei exbehriet oik broisk mleusas protie iom.
Poskwo bihiet Keshia pior-ye khaterwent pro iom Kimri. Is eti nel-ye ricskwit tod urb kun is
abgaloppiet nocts.

Id wateisall arohg neid indice quod miegh hehlpe iom. Is oistiupit perodh-ye do id thronkielken ed
posit sien hands ep id sedd. Eet gwaur, ed is khiek ayre id. Id teug marmortakhta sub id protieyis un
plen swon. Is trohc iter kyid alkuba. Eys ment eegigweupt id dayi od sem secret kyal wohs nedalg
ud iam watei. Is enderghens tipes methodic-ye ia stens ed lyt poskwo protieyis oin ex ia un kaul
son, ye un stet witerom id entren ios anghios galerie. Chehxend-ye proscher id, is vis id interstice
inter bo marmorplacks eet weurer ter quem alyer. Is sehsit tetro id miecho sienios daga ed dwigh.

Id panell ghyahsit silent-ye, revelend un firida kaven in id mur, bet tod eet tuich. Is emiss un deub
rughat. Id neschi kwohk daughus ka kulk pro id klei. Se clihnus, is dyohrc un serie om micri torms
baurt in id mur, takriban ye id sam hoge quem sien stohm. Is oispohc per ia dind brohm ghabus ir
bungos. Id mur skip id tabique inter id alkuba ed id wateikyal. Ta torms eent invisible in senter.
Conan fras. To explicit id mysteiro ias watei, bet id proceddat eet rudimentarer quem quo is habiet
crediht.

Isswo Gorulga, we tun oin sienen dyindars, skeulkiet do tod firida kay bahe per ia torms ed wiswi
credule acolytes, Aydokwi, bihient convicen leitiet de Yelayas druvum voc.
Mehmend oin ject, is Kimri traxit ex sien yeusmen id tumar lwon ud id mumia ed displohc id
tadbir-ye, tod kwecto sa-dreupend ob ids oumer. Is brovit spehcend-ye ia quasi schiawkienen harifs
qua covohr id. Is olbjimbuland aventurer hieb uct maung unte sien tienxia safers ed is besonters
ghohd bahe ed lises mult gospoti bahsas. Mult alims agend ir zahid gwit habient oistaunto de ia
linguistic gnohsas ios Kimri, isghi hieb gwiven pelu aventures quer id maestria in un stragno lingua
hieb salwt iom ud mohrt.

Ta harifs eent distaraghant, sammel familiar ed inintellectible, ed is aunstohg tun bi quod sabab. Lit
de archayic pelishtim, quos graphia eet lyt different ud id moderne bahsa is wieldh, lingua modifien
tri secules prever sekwos id krig ios land ab un vagder teut. Tod aw ed purer schrifto desconcertit
iom. Is ghohd skwites oin werd quod eepiprehpt ed quod is recognih ka nam : Bit-Yakin. Is deduxit
tetos lit de id nam ios scribe.

Brovend-ye ed srehtend-ye sien lipps machinelika menxu is oistrohng-se ad skwites id texte, is

parlis kwehwent-ye id kawu, khakend tarjmes ids pleist elements ed pehndend id maynen ios reste
obscure.

Is ghohd prete od is redactor, is mysterieus Bit-Yakin, hieb gwohmto dalgtos, hamrahn ab sien
slougs ed hieb entert Alkmeenons dal. Id major part os quo sohkw ei eet rhayr-fahamim ar intersect
ab wekwsa ed buksteivs qua ne ei eent familiar. Quo is khiek tarjmes kwecto dik od un long khvil
hieb dohnt. Id nam Yelaya eepiprehpt ed, circum id end ios kawu, bihsit evident od Bit-Yakin wois
eys ajal gwohm prosch. Conan krus imperceptible-ye ghabend-ye od id mumia ios balma sollit ses
id nayvo ios autor ios kawu, Bit-Yakin, ios mysterieus Pelishtim. Is wir eet mortu, kam so hiebit
presayct, ed eysi slougs hieb okwivid-ye placet iom do un dworiscrypt, in id pala ios behrg,
sehkwnd it quo is hiebit berult pre sieno mohrt.

Eet stragn od Bit-Yakin ne eet udwekwnt in oino om Alkmeenons legends. Aweis hieb is arriven do
id dal pos tod hieb esto desert ab sien prest weikers, quo id kawu confirmit, bet kwohkit curieus od
ies gutors quoy eegwehment ad consulte iam watei ne hieb vis iom wir ni eys slougs. Conan eet
persuaden od id mumia ed tod pergamen eent meis quem centenat. Bit-Yakin wik in id dal unte ia
awa tids kun ies gutors eegwehment ad dientowe ant id spolye as Yelaya. Yed sieygeer ia legends
neid de to, tolkend tik de un abandont urb, hantet tik ab kabus.

Bi quod sabab hieb so wir gwiwt in un tem deserto stet, ed kye quod negnohn destination hieb eysi
slougs gwahn pos sepeulus id nayv irs poti ?

Conan plex ed resnig id pergamen do sien yeusmen. Stayg, is oisprud gvalt-ye ed id krewos eysios
denwrntios krus. Ye un surprindant weidos, extrodohbrum in id aunstop silence quod hieb regnet
tuntro, hieb just udclanghen id stup ed stauro frid unios mier gong !

Is pivotit ep sien persnas ed hockit kam un simbva, einsghesor, scrutend id dube ios angh dikhliz
quetos id swon hieb kwecto gwohmen. Hieb Keshias gutors arrivet ? Is wois to eet pau probable ;
ne hiebeer bad haben id wakt os nake do id dal. Bet tod gong eet id indiscussible pruv unios
menscpresence.

Conan eet per buhsa un wir qui preter ieg. Quantum eet sophisticat in iom hieb esen hassilen ye id
contact iom racen samt lughic temperament. Kun is wohsit surpriden udstraj, eys profund buhsa
uperwieldh instantan-ye. Also, taiper, instet tupes we mwaungsoue nin-ye witerom kam habiet
maghto kwehre unis mutawassit individu, is rusch do id dikhliz kye quetos id swon hieb gwohmen.
Is ne bloskit meis med sien sandals quem un panther habiet, sien okwi reducta do spalts ed sien
lipps inconscient-ye stulpt. Panique hieb momentan-ye lahtum eys atmen kun id inexspecten
vibration hiebit bihn aurn ed id scarlat furor ios primitive semper latit bei Kimri.

Isghi emers ex id sinueus dikhliz. Tod adduxit do uno smulk dworisghehrd. Semjecto quod twis in
diewum attraxit eyso spect. Eet id gong, mier golden disk hangend kata un kjinaneta ios kharab
mur. Un glaughen tokmak lyohg prokwem, bet is khiek vide we aure id lytsto trace os
menscpresence. Ia arches ambh id ghehrdo strohc desert. Conano nahockit ep id soylo ios dwer unte
quo ei kwohk un long sunyin. Neid blosk, neid mov gwohm ad trouble id mier palat. Vileusus sien
patience, is begir id ghehrd, spehcend per ielg iom archen, parat ad klaupe perodh au retro blixoku,
we ad ambiplage, kam un cobra.

Is ghohd prosch id gong, chehxend per id prokwst arche. Is dyohrc tik un temost klepstraht kyal. Eet
neid print ep ia flises ex polihno marmor sub id gong, bet un gasmehrkos oiswohbh in id air,
mulayim-ye fetid is khiek identifie clar-ye ; eys nostorms pfwohngeer kam ta uns gver menxu is
oistrohng-se ad recognihes id in vain.

Is trohcit kyid arche... ed samt un hayraneihndo staygia ia kwecto solid flises cess sub eys peds.
Kunkye is fiell, is ghohng sien brakhs ed se protiehieng ana id tehom quod ghyahsit sub iom. Ia
simans drup menxu is tentit gripes id leizd med sien fingherborsa ed is buit precipiten do temos,
mergend do kyehrsen ed glehdjic wedor quod siz ed todribh iom ye un effrenat syrat.

II
Un Diva sbeudt

Preter kwohr is Kimri neid effort kay jidale protie id strohm quod carricit iom do id swordsto temos.
Is naflottih-se, sehrnd inter sien dents id eins is ne hieb sisto skape unte sien fall, ne hatta tarcskwnd
kye quod buxianxu destination is eet todribhen. Stayg, un lucestolb fiss id teni ant iom. Is dyohrc id
kyehrsen ed tumultueuso surface ios wedor, kam sroht ab sem tannin, ed vis od ia glatta stens ios
channel kohmb kay skipes un akmen. Ambi lit un angho cornice, just ender id akmen, bet eent
exterschaecheing. Id tavan eet pungen in oin stet, shayad collabus, ed luce filtrit per tod ghyahsa.
Trans tod gwayderbam regnit id absolutsto temos. Panique lambh iter iom Kimri kun is vighieb is
vahsit snahe trans tod lucegloi ed wehse todribhen endo negnohto teni.

Tun visit is alyo ject : aysen layters oistohlb ud ia cornices ye regular intervalls ed oin tom hieng
just ant iom. Is oistrubh-se instantan-ye kay tente antgripes id, jidalend protiev id strohm quod
protiedier iom medsu ia flutts. Id dehnu grip iom kam animen ab tangible ed viskeus hands, yed is
jidiel med sien hol nerce, mot ab id energia os desperation, snahnd proscher id leizd inch pos inch.
Is viwohs ye id nivell ios layter ed, med un furieus ed annemlwond elan, empug id ghemst echelon
ed se hieng tei, extersoluk.

Sem instants serter, is extrieg-se difficultat-ye ex id brohn, spehnd aun pior-ye credihes an ia berust
echelons resistient eys gwaur vyige. Ia kriemp ed bugh, yed witerdier, ed is glohm tiel id angho
cornice quod lit engwn id mur, payn ye oin menscbuliende ud id wonk tavan. Ei olbjim Kimri buit
dwighen clihnes eys cap kun is hieb staun ub. Un gwaur aysen dwer eet embaudht in id mur, ye id
nivell ios topp ios layter, bet id ne cess eysims efforts. Is oislimber sien dents kay renkardkasche
sien eins, spieund-ye cruor, incidus sien lipps unte sien jidal protiev id druna, ed se bud ei instuden
tavan.
Is ghohd passe sien brakhs per id torm ed gripes id gombh ios tavan. Pos tadbirpeitens, Conan
conclus id tehliet eyso vyige. Oin instant serter proe-glohmber is per id torm ed wohs in un vast
kyal in un stand os total khasaan. Id major part ios tavan hieb collapt, tem quem un wassime deilo
ios demped, quod lyohg uper id petrakmen ios gixiasreumen. Brohct arches uperspohc alya kyals ed
dikhliz ed Conan viyakiniesc is dar wohs in id mier palat. Is dieum samt semo malaise quayta kyals
tos geong lyohg just uper id endergrundwedor, ed an ia wakttreht flises au kakhels vahr cedde ed
precipite iom iter do id strohm quetos is hieb-se just exstirpen.

Is dieum anschi is hieb esen druve-ye victim uns accident. Hieb ta corroden flises cedden
kjiawxieng, ob eyso vyige, we kwe eet uno meis buxianxu explication ad to hol ? Lytst-ye oin ject
eet evident : is ne eet el saul gwiv in tod palat. Tod gong ne hieb udclanghen mon, kweter id
vibration hieb swohnt kay attrage iom do nehc we ne. Id silence in-yod miedh id palat bihsit stayg
guwayer, pregen ab un stup menace.

Kwe miegh lites de semanghen gwehmus tetro samt ia sam eiskwens quem iom ? Un bren tohr
stayg eys ment, kun is mohn iom mysterieus Bit-Yakin. Kwe ne eet possible an so wir hieb trohft ia
Dents os Gwahlur unte sien longo mukam in Alkmeenon ed an eysi slougs hieb todribht ia kun
asimieteer ? Id idee kad is eet sokend po un illusion dehsit iom Kimri do un kyehrsen rage.

Cheusend un dikhliz quod, is mohn, bringhiet iom tsay kyid stet unte-yod is hieb entren id palat, is
oistiup tadbir-ye perodh, kaurndo de tod gixiabrohn quod twohr semloc sub sien peds.

Is eemimehnt de id kyal ias watei ed ids mysterieus weikerin. Semloc, hol prokwem tam sollit
wehse id indice quod exclariet id rouna ios klei, sei tod yed nalyehgiet in sien extermemoria kulk.
Id mier palat remienit mers in un silence quod tik id mulayim ghneihsa eysen sandals gwohm ad
brehge. Ia kyals ed galeries is tohr iti gadriebh, bet yed perodher is gress, yed rarer bihr ia signes
iom ravagen os wakt. Is dieum bragv-ye bi quod sabab layters hieb esen pagen ibs cornices
uperhangend id gixiasreumen, yed is chassit tod question plectend-ye. Is trohv tik pau interesse de
se sisprehge de problemes qua tarikheer ex Antiquitat ed ghohd ei bringhes neid.

Is ne eet yakin de id tolp ios wateikyal binisbat sien wi position, yed is bighieng pau poskwo do un
dikhliz quod brigh iom tsay sub oino iom archen ios thronkielken. Is hieb emt un decision : eet vain
de erre aunziel in id palat po id klei. Is oiskeulkiet semloc prokwem tod stet, intizariet id arriven
iom keshani gutors ed, khatem id farce ios consultation, is sehkwiet iens tiel id kulk iom gemmes,
quetro sigwra vigwahient. Kad todreibhent con se tik oiks iom joyels. Is contentiet-se med id reste.

Pussiret ab sem morbid fascination, is entrit id wateikyal ed spohc id still forme ias princesse
dyinen kam un divias, kamsei is eet hypnotiset ab ayso srig beauteit. Quod aunpotem rouna tod
daumos-ye dighen effigie arohg ?

Is oisprud gvalt-ye. Eys annem stris inter eys dents ed ia drighs os eys neuko ghohrs. Id nayvo
lyohgit kam prever, silent, still, samt sien golden joyelgjiaungsiant pizdanplacks ed sien silken
ghiton. Bet eet sem subtile difference. Ia delicate memsa ne eent rigid, ia gians hieb un persicspalv,
ia lipps eent rudh...

Rughatend ob panique, Conan gwehlih sien eins.

– Crom  ! Ia gwivt !

Pos ta werds, ia long sword pecmens ieyreer-se ed ia maur okwi ghyahr kay spehce iom,
impenetrable, bleigu, mystic. Is nastier ad iam, niemos ob hayriene. Ia watei tun sess ub med un
urando geste aun zachehxe iom wir qui spohc iam, kam manghant.
Is bemiedh sien tursen lipps ed ghohd retrehve sien voc.

– Tu... es... Es tu Yelaya ? Balbiel is.

– Som Yelaya ! (id voc eet riche ed melodieus, ed Conan spohc iam watei samt udnot
mirveylment). Mae bayas. Niem te harme sei acs kam wehlo.
– Quosmed ghehdt un mortu gwen gwehme tsay do gwit pos ta quant secules ? Sprohg is,
kamsei is bedwoyit sien senses.

Un stragno diutis biblig in id budmen iom okwis ios Kimri. Ia gwen liv sien brakhs unte uno
mysterieuso geste.

– Som un diva. Tusent yaren prever, buim hiht ab id balstehmen im uber divs, im tenidivs
trans ia limites os luce. Ia merti in me nohc ; ia diva in me khiek mehre. Keihneum her pon
secules, gehrnd cadadien ye noctgumt pro mien awo curt bi specters ex ia skadhs os prev.
Merti, sei ne dyeiskws quo petrificiet tien atmen pro aiwo, linkwe tod loc argist ! Te wehlo !
Gwask-idi !

Id voc hiebit bihn imperieus ed un teuneg brakh se liv kay ei dikes id direction.

Conan, sien okwi reducen do incandescent spalts, renkardkiesch lent-ye sien eins, yed ne obedih
quo is hieb est wohlt.

Is oistiupit perodh, kam mot ab un staur ed irresistible fascination... ed aun maune lambh iam watei
aun maniers. Ia emiss un crie, un heul quod eet dalg ud swehne kam quo un diva habiet sollt
exbehre. Buit un blosk os dohrt silko kun is rohv ays ghiton med un brutal geste.

– Un diva ! Ha ! Bieusit is, pehldend med grasbanhonn, ignorend ia desperat efforts siens
kaptias. Io pohnd meg stragn od un Alkmeenons princesse hieb un corinthian accent ! Ed
yant ho retrohf' mien ment, io wois io hieb ja te viden semloc. Es Muriela, ia corinthian
dansster os Zargheba ! Tod hilalkhol ep tien cloin preuft to. Ho dyohrcen id sem dien,
menxu Zargheba te bich. Diva ! Fu !

Med un honngeste, is bir med sien handdenwrnt un udclanghend teip ep id cloin quod hieb khanyen
iam meirka, ed sa emiss un jalnic creisch.

Ays hol arrogance hieb likwn iam. Ia neti eet sa mysterieus figure ex Antiquitat, sontern un terrifiet
ed humilyet dansster, kam oin ghohd bihe kaupen ep amalan quodlibt schemi rineg. Ia emiss un crie
dind hol plieng. Ays raptor glexit iam samt un diutis os triumph spalwt med grassab in id budmen
sienen okwi.

– Dive ! Ha ! Ees ghi oin iam kohldern gwens quas hamrahr Zargheba kun is hat arriven do
Keshia. Mehns tu drughes me, tu smulk idiot ? Te ho vis oin yar prever in Akbitana con tom
khyk Zargheba ed ne myehrso un lige.... ni un corpos as gwen. Mehno vahm...

Se streubhend kay skape eyso strineg, ia passit sien brakhs ambh id massive coll ios Kimri, dahnd
lure sieni terror ; dakrus oisrur ghom aysa gians ed aysa sleucts vibreer med un note os hysteria.

– Oh, te prehgo, mae harm me ! Plais ! Io hieb neid cheus ! Zargheba me hat brighen hetro
kay age id rol as watei !
– Gohd, tu genis smulk sacrileger kakhna. Neghi bays divs ? Crom ! Kwe habiet honestia
alnos disparihn ex tod mund ?
 – Oh, te prehgo, iltijit ia, kreusend sub id cutt uns abjectios terror. Io khiek inkare Zargheba.
Oh, quod vahm io kwehre ? Bihsiem ab ti kafir divs !
– Quod credeihs tu ies gutors tib kwehrsient an bedyehrcent tien dajalia ? Sprohg is.

Ob tod bren, aysa jambs refuseer tehle iam ed ia sohnkit ghomtro kreusend-ye ob paur. Ia siz ia
genus os Conan ed implorit eys mildet ed protection med incoherent lafza, sigwrnd jalnic-ye sien
innocence ed id absence os malice om sien acts. Id contraste con ays tamsil as antique princesse eet
ubfallend, yed ne surprindant. Id paur quod hieb armet iam med courage auser iegit kongcio protie
iam.

– Quer est Zargheba ? Sprohg is. Zagweitsk, iblis, ed antwehrd mi !

– Exter id palat, stun ia, waitend id arriven iom gutors.
– Quayt wirs son' con iom ?
– Neis. Hams gwohm' mon.
– Ha ! (To swohn kam id satisfactionsbrohm os un saydend lion). Yu sollte linkwus Keshia oik
hors pos me. Habte yu udglohmen ia behrgs ?

Ia scussit sien cap, pior pnigen ab sien sleucts pro wehkwe ye un coherent weidos.
Katathematisend-ye gvalt-ye, is siz aysa smiegd omsa ed wipih iam hina ia lus annem.

– Kweghi vahs zaflehnes ed mi antwehrde ? Quosmed habe yu penetret id dal ?

– Zargheba gnohsit id secret via, sluct ia. Gutor Gwarunga hat ei revelen, tem quem
Thutmekri. Est un lac ep id sudvarsa ios dal, pod ia behrgs, ed sub id surface wehst id entren
uns balm, invisible sei ne biht kaun. Hams mergen tetro ed penetren id balma. Tod stigh ub
meg jaldi uper wednivell ed duct ocolo ia behrgs. Id ghyahsa eni id dal es' masct ab teug
buska.
– Ho udstight ia behrgs unte id eustvarsa, muticit is. Gohd ; ed tun ?
– Hams arrivet do id palat ed Zargheba hat wohlen me tupes inter ia drus menxu is abpieursk
id wateikyal. Mehno is ne alnos trus Gwarunga. Unte eys absence, mi hat kwohct aure un
gong, bet ne som yakin de. Pau pos, Zargheba hat gwohmt tsay ed me hat duc' do id palat,
me bringhend do id kyal quer diva Yelaya lyohg ep id altar. Hat sdun iam ed me hat duihn
ays vesters ed tesedins. Dind hat is gwahn perbehrge id nayv ed waite id arriven iom gutors.
Ho vibiht dekhschat. Kun has entren, ho volen klaupe kye te kay te iltije ke me ducs dalg ud
tod stet, bet io biey Zargheba. Quando has aunstohgen od eet gwiv, ho sohgnen io ghohd
feugihes te dekhschateihnd-ye te.
– Quod dohlcst tu sayge ka watei ? Sprohg is.
– Io dohlg demande iens gutors ke ghendent ia Dents os Gwahlur, dahnt oiks ad Thutmekri ka
bona-fide gheigtel, kam is kup, ed place id reste do id palat os Keshia. Io dohlg ibs sayge od
fat menacit Keshan sei refusient accepte Thutmekris proposens. Ah ya ! Io dohlg yaschi ibs
sayge od tu dohlcs' bihe skohn' gwiv bilkull mox.
– Thutmekri volit kem id tresur sia placen do un stet quer is, au i Zembabweyis, ghehdient
facil-ye sib serve, muticit Conan, ignorend id remarke quod concernit iom. Weulsiem eys
lyekwrnt... Gorulga est complice tos mascarade, kwe aweis ?
– No. Is credeiht in sien divs ed est incorruptible. Is woid neid de to hol. Is obedeihsiet id
oracle. Eet id plan ios saul Thutmekri. Woidend od ies Keshanis consultient iam watei, is hat
prohc' Zargheba ke io sia member ios sefarat ex Zembabwei, kaur-ye kohldern ed apank.
– Keghi bihm damnet ! Muticit Conan. Un gutor qui credeiht sincere-ye in sien watei ed qui
khac' bihe corrupen. Crom ! Daumo an eet Zargheba qui hat swohnen tod gong. Wois is od
eem her ? Ghohd is woide tod flise sa-cess ? Quer est is taiper, pieg ?
– Teupt in un lotustegut, prokwem id prever avenue quod leit ex id sudvarsa iom behrgs kyid
palat, antwohrd ia, pre croischye. Oh, Conan, rahimat me ! Ho paur in tod aw ed malefic
 stet. Woidim ho aurn bloska om ninstieups prokwem me... Oh, Conan, abduc me con te !
Zargheba me neicsiet kun habsiem daughen pro eys maxams her... To woidim ! Iesschi
gutors me neicsient sei aunstehgent id mascarade.
Is est un demon... Is me hat kaupt ud un sclaventajir qui me hat raubht eni un caravan quod
ieg deuber kyid sud os Koth ed is me hat buwt id instrument siens gakwehros pon tod
instant. Abduc me dalg ud iom ! Ne maghs ses tem cruel quem is. Mae sine iom nices me
her ! Te prehgo ! Te prehgo !

Ia eet ep sien genus, greipend frenetic-ye iom, sien splendid dakrubrehenend lige spehcend ub
kyom, sien sword ed silkliko kays hangend in raufend cascades ep sien albh omsa. Conan seddih
iam ub skeir ep sien genus.

– Kleu me. Te protecsiem ud Zargheba. Ies gutors woidsient neid de tien oitbrehg. Bet
dehlcsies kwehre quo vahm tib sayge.

Ia balbiel ia obedeihiet iam, ringend id muscleus coll ios Kimri kamsei tod simple contacto ghehdiet
rassure iam.

– Gohd. Kun ies gutors sient arrive, acsies id rol as Yelaya, kam Zargheba hieb plant... Sessiet
deusk ed ye id diutis iom gwaken vighapsient neid. Bet saycsies ibs to : « Id vol im divs est
kem is Stygian ed eysi schemi kwauns bihnt chassen ex Keshan. Sont bandits ed khayns qui
plane klehpte ud i divs. Ke ia Dents os Gwahlur bihnt betrust ad General Conan ed ke so
ammert ia armees os Keshan. Is hat id favor im divs. »

Ia krus, hieb un speitwajkho, yed viacquiescit.

– Bet Zargheba ? Scricit ia. Is neicsiet me !

– Mae kaur de Zargheba, brohm is. Vahm maimourasce de tom kwaun. Kwehr quo tib saygo.
Ter... rekehm te lyt ; tien kays hanct ep tien omsa. Ed id gemme hat fallt.

Isswo redehsit in place id tweiser joyel ed nuk med un admirative protiokwo.

– Todsmee jauhar cost tem quem un sclavenbarack. Gohd. Redu tien ghiton. Ids gon es' dohrt,
bet ies gutors nient bedyehrce to. Tierg tien lige. Un diva ne est supposen plange kam un just
bicht scolkweil. Per Crom, samkwehcs druve-ye Yelaya... Id lige, id kays, id corpos ed id
reste. Sei tem suaacs id rol ias divias con iens gutors quem con me, vighapsient neid.
– Peitsiem, ieyit ia kreusend-ye.
– Gohd, abpaursko Zargheba.

Pos ta werds buit ia iter lambht ab panique.

– No ! Mae me linkwe saul ! Tod stet est hanten !

– Est neid her quod ghehdt harme te, ei sigwrit is med un impatient ton. Neid ploisko
Zargheba, ed abpaursko iom. Reicsiem meg jaldi. Mansiem dind bi te kay ghehde observe id
ceremonia eger semjec' duswehrtiet, bet sei acs tien rol dohbro, hol leitsiet wal.

Abpersnevs, is gress ex id wateikyal. Apter iom, Muriela emiss un schaki gweitsk menxu is ghieng
dalger. Regwos hieb gwohmt. Nohkweer kyals ed galeries ; cuperfrises luc sombre-ye in xep.
Conan stiupit perodh kam un silent specters unte ia mier dikhliz, samt id sensation os bihe luurt pon
obscure cotlans ab invisiblens kabus ios prev. Neid staunos od ia meirka eet nerveus medsu lik
decor.
Is oisnohg ep ia marmorstieupens kam uno ninpanther, einsghesor. Silence regnit in id dal, ed uper
id behrg biblig ia stars waurni. Su-habient Keshias gutors entret id vallee, neid de blosk, neid de
mov in id vegetation khanyit iro progression. Is enderkwit id prever avenue samt disloquen
adoquins quod se forlit dalgtro sudworts inter implohcen verdure massifs ed teugwarak buska. Is
bighieng ep tod samt circumspection, hol prokwem id rlwotou, quer ia skadhs iom teguts eent
compactsta, hin is enderkwit, difficultat-ye in xep, id bunge tos stragnios varietatios om lotusdrus
quod crohsc tik in ia kyehrsen gaivias os Kush. Ter, sekwent iam gwenak, Zargheba sollit tupes.
Conan stohmb samt bilkull meist nin do ia teguts kam un zamtped skadh. Nakus id druleizd, is
hockit still stayg in id tegut, enderseddend ghom kam un panther in lyogher. Ant iom, inter ia
compact waraks, prohp un pall indistinct oval in id muzlim kweitert. Ne habiet ghohdt lites de oino
iom mier kwit waraks qua loc inter ia ozda. Bet Conan wois tod eet id lige uns wir. Ed tod lige eet
wohrten kyom. Is oisnohg dar deuber do ia skadhs. Hieb Zargheba dyohrct iom ? Is wir spohc seid
kyom. Secundes dohn. Tod indistinct lige ne hieb mot. Ghom id oval, Conan ghohd enderkwites id
deusko chuff os eys cort ed sword berd.

Stayg, Conan vighieb semject ne eet normal. Is wois od Zargheba ne eet meg buland. Quan is
oistahsit, eys cap niek payn-ye ia omsa ios Kimri. Yed tod lige wohs ye id hoge tos os Conan.
Stahsit is wir ep semject ? Conan se clihsit ed spohc nitro, ender id stet quer is dyohrc id lige, bet
eys vid eet blockt ab ia vraghs ed ed ia taungh drustamms. Is vis tun alyo ject ed oistohv. Per un
ghyahsa in ia buska, is dyohrc id stamm ant-yod, okwivid-ye, stahsit Zargheba, tos lige wehsend
exact-ye in id ardehsa ios dru. Quo is habiet sollt vide, eet Zarghebas corpos, ne id drustamm... bet
eet neid corpos.

Stayg, dar meis elangver quem un saydend tigher, Conano snohg lyt-ye deuber do id tegut ed, oik
instants serter, is ierk un warakstect ozd, aunstehgend id lige quod ne hieb mot. Ed quod naiweti
moviet per se. Is dyisit id segen cap os Zargheba, hangend kata id druozd med ids long sword kays.

III
Id reiken ias watei

Conan pivotit urand-ye ep se, chehxend ia skadhs med un lyut spect. Eet neid trace ios corpos ios
wir. Lyt-ye dalger, ia luxuriant koviles hieb esto trohdt ed trudt, ed id glendiakelim eet poik samt
sombre ed madh glois, eet hol. Conan remien still, payn annmend, se strehngend ad akowsie in id
silence. Ia drus ed ia buska samt mier palla flors eent sombre, aunmov ed buxianxu, sworder quem
id xep os regwos.

Primitive paurs cienryour id anun os Conans atmen. Eet to id wehrg iom gutors os Keshan ? Ed sei
to eet id fall, quer eent ies ? Kweghi hieb Zargheba swohnen id gong ? Ed iter ei enfiell Bit-Yakin
ed eys mysterieusi slougs. Bit-Yakin eet mortu, reducto do un skrohmben carcasse ex burst lieter ed
aiwobohndt ad primes id weussol in sien crypt ye behrgflank. Bet quod dei slougs os Bit-Yakin ?
Eet neid pruv an hiebeer aiwo likwn id dal.

Conano mohn de Muriela, saul ed aunprotection in tod mier skadhlahn palat. Is pivotit ep se ed
abspohd witerom unte id sombre avenue, currend kam un nastraj panther, parat hatta in sien drahsa
ad klaupe dextro au levtro unte oin instant ed ad bires katel cutts.

Id palat eet visible trans ia drus, bet is dyohrc alyo ject... Id glat marmor iom murs inikies id
reudhern ios diutis iom gwaks. Is dub do ia buska qua frangeer id avenue, snohg per id dens
vegetation ed ghohd do id leizd ios ouvert rewos quod adduxit ei portic. Is kwahsit vocs ; eent
gwaks oiswohngen quom arg bligihsit ebonomsa. Ies gutors ex Keshan hieb arriven.

Ne hiebeer agen unte id shienciu grand avenue, kam Zargheba hieb exspecten. Okwivid-ye, eet meis
quem oin secret access via do Alkmeenons dal.

Bestigheer ia weur marmorstieupens, dehrjend ir gwaks hog. Is vis od Gorulga eet prod id
procession, sien glaughprofile wardhend in id diutis iom fakels. Alyi eent acolytes, olbjim Aydokwi
quom cuit luc sub id arg iom gwaks. In caud os cortege stiupit perodh un enorm Aydokwo samt un
besonters khiter protiokwo. Conano mukadariescit kun is dyohrc iom. Lit de Gwarunga, iom wir
qui, sekwent Muriela, hieb revelen ad Thutmekri id secret ios entren sub id lac. Conan dieum kam
deub so individu eet blanden ei gakwehros ios Stygian.

Is oispohd perodh kyid portic, geirnd id aunsteg rewos kay mane in id skadh ios leizdios iom teguts.
Ies hieb likwt nimen pro uperwakhe id entren. Ir gwaks gwohm perodh ye un regular tempo, deuber
unte id obscure tunnel. Pre ies hieb nact id mier dwoplab dwer ye alter bors, Conan hiebit beglohmt
alter stieupens ed eet in id galerie, just apter iens. Snehgend jaldi engwn id colunnadenmur menxu
ies tohr id immense thronkielken, chassend temos med ir gwaks. Stiupeer perodh ein pos mutu,
weundeleihnd ira strausplumes. Ir ghitons ex leopardtwaco skip un stragno contraste con id marmor
ed ia arabesquekladen metalls ios awios palatios. Ies uperghieng id kielken ed hielt unte oik instants
unte id golden dwer quod oistahsit levter quem id thron deht ep id takhta.

Gorulgas voco cliengh, stragn ed balmadeub in tod mier tuich rewos, karugend sem sem
swonwekwsa nepretable ab iom Kimri kulct prokwem. Dind is megil gutor ghyien id golden dwer
unte oin schtoss ed entrit, dientowend plurs lendvdeub. Apter iom, ia gwaks eent swohngen ghem
ed hog, spreuzend id sall med bliutes, ye id tempo iom gesten iom dyindars imitend ir poti. Id
golden dwer zaghyahsit apter iens ed Conano neti ghohd vide ni aure ject. Is precipitit-se ocolo id
thronkielken, bloskend dar minter quem ia airdrunas in id sall.

Micri lucerais transbieur ia murghyahsas kun is dvohr id secret panell. Is oisnohg do id firida ed
glehmerihsit uter ok protiev id tabique kay spehce ocolo. Muriela sess ep id altar, samt crucen
brakhs, cap slahn retro ed id mur za se, oik incha dalg ud eys okwi. Id delicate profule ios cascade
aysios kays lahsit ia nastorms ios Kimri. Is khiek weidwos vide ays lige, bet eys attitude eet tod
semquos qui dyeit samt uno maynleudher protiokwo semo pierno spacetehomo, uper ed trans ia
xurn caps iom aydokw olbjims genuevs ant iam. Conan fried ob satisfaction. Sa smulk hakhna eet
un druv actrice, iey is in se. Is wois ia kariekh in paur, bet ia ne sis to prehpe. Ye id rhayr-yakin
diutis iom gwaks, ia samkwohk in cada trait iam divu is hieb vis lyehgend ep tod sam altar, sei
ghehdiet bihe fikern sa swehpend diva stayg transformet do un gwitplen creature.

Gorulga rur un genis melopoia in un bahsa negnoht ab Conan. Lit aundwoi de un sorte os
invocation swohrt in Alkmeenons awo lingua, transmitten unte ia generations ex oin gutor do alter.
Id kwecto naiwo finih. Impatience lambh Conan. Ye longer to duriet ed ye terrifianter esiet id
pressem ep Muriela. Sei ia aiwo ceddiet... Is oistrig sien eins ed sien khandjar. Is ne miegh tehle
vide tam smulk hakhna torturet ed nict ab Aydokwens.

Yed id chante, deub, grave ed samt indescriptible-ye buxianxu accents, bad ens, punctuen ab un
owaycrie iom acolytes. Steivend sien cap ub ed regend sien brakhs kyid silent forme ep id altar,
Gorulga wohkwit med tod grave ed swehner ton wi ibs keshani gutors, clangheindo sien werds :

– O, Megil Diva, tu qua weics nieb i uber sesens os temos, estu tien kerd emoven, ghyahntu
tien lipps ed bahdi tieni sclavi quos cap esti dehn ep duil, pod te ! Bahdi, Megil Diva ios iser
dal ! Gnohs ia vias anact nos ; id temos quod nos afflict iti est pro te un wegh beluct ab id
middiensol. Ghudi id diutis tienios mensdehios ep id via unte-yod tien slougs dehlgent age !
 Bahdi nos, o tu karuga im divs, quod est ir vol de Thutmekri iom Stygian.

Id lamper masse os Murielas kaysar, diehn hog ed argu med glaughic inikas in id diutis iom gwaks,
sroht mulayim-ye. Un swehner kwehster skiep ia lipps iom Aydokwen, semimpresst, semiterrorisen.
Id voc ias divias ghohd tun distinct-ye do Conans aurs in id tenso silence ed id ei kwohk srig,
malamant, impersonal, esdi id corinthian accent fradih iom.

– Id vol im divs est kem is Stygian ed eysi schemi kwauns bihnt chassen ex Keshan. Sont
bandits ed khayns qui plane klehpte ud i divs. Ke ia Dents os Gwahlur bihnt betrust ad
General Conan ed ke so ammert ia armees os Keshan. Is hat id favor im divs !

Id voc ias meirka tremblit circum id end ed Conan biswois, mehnend ia sa-crieck ed sa-bihsit
lambhen ab un crise os hysteria.

Ies Aydokwi lakin bedyohrc neid, nischi bespohc id corinthian accent, quod ies hieb naiw aurt. Ies
applaus mliak-ye ed un daumwento murmure lud ex ir rangs. Gorulgas okwi blig med un fanatic arg
in id diutis iom gwaks.

– Yelaya hat bahn ! Scricit is med un taalen voc. Est id vol im divs. Meg diuper, in id tid
nosters atavia, buir declaret tabous ed perbohrct kam wohlen ab i divs, quiswo hieb rohven
ia ex ia terrible ghyanus os Gwahlur, teniroy, ye id octent os menscgenos. Sekwent id
wehlen im divs, ia Dents os Gwahlur buir perbohrgen ; sekwent ir wehlen, vahnt iter bihe
exposta diewi. O stargnahn Diva, mehghdi ke gwahmos id secret tolp quer ia Dents sont
perbohrgen kay ghehdmos bringhes ia tei quom i divs favorent !
– Tib to mehgho ! Antwohrd ia fals diva, iom cungeidend med un rong geste quod iter smihih
Conan.

Ies gutors oisgwohm, ia strausplumes ed gwaks liven ed sinken ye id rythme iren gnubehds. Id
golden dwer zaghyahsit. Emittend tunkye un steun, ia div se sis moll-ye lyehge ghom ep id altar.

– Conan ! Murmurit ia muelim-ye. Conan !

– Schaaa ! Strisit is per ia torms in id tabique.

Volgus, is oisnohg ex id firida ed zaghyien id panell apter se. Un glanez kyapter id dwerplab ei
bevis id diutis iom gwaks oiswohngen ocolo id thronkielken, bet is bedyohrc eet alyo luce surce, ne
gwehmend ex ia fakels. To staunih iom, yed id explication ei buit fauran pors. Un precoce meun
hieb wust ed ets luce fiell dighmo unte id fisden coupel, quod intensificit ids arg med sem artifice.
Alkmeenons tweiser thol eet schowi neid legend. Kad ids inner sten eet ex tod curieus
kweitoscristall trohven tik in ia clins iom aydokwenclins. Tod luce miedh kongcio id thronkielken
ed se diffus tiel ia adjacent kyals.

Menxu Conan trohcit kyid dwer ducend ei thronkielken, un swon spreudihsit ed volgih iom. Id
kwecto gwohm ex id perigumt pon id alkuba. Arrivevs ant id dikhliz, is endersess ghom ed spohc
intro, mehmend id behngos ios gong quod hieb-se repercuss tetos ed hieb attract iom do un kapan.
Id luce ios coupel filtrit tik mulayim-ye in tod angh dikhliz, yed is ghohd vide id eet desert. Lakin is
habiet maghen kassame aurus id blosk om ninstieups, lyt dalger ant se.

Menxu is kung, is buit electrisen ab un stupt crie. Un gwen hieb just hulen, semloc apter iom.
Uperklaupend id soylo ios thronkielken, is buit confronten uni inexspecten skau, madhen ab id
cristalldiutis.

Ies gutors ed ir gwaks hieb disprohpen ex id mier galerie exo... bet un gutor hieb manen in id palat :
Gwarunga ! Eys perversa traits eent deformen ab rage menxu is sohr id gurgule uns terrifienias
Muriela, khakend crie ni iltije, ed scuss iam gvalt-ye.

– Khayna ! Strisit is kam un cobra per sien rudh ed wadwon lipps. Quod leik leics tu ?
Zargheba ne tib hieb sayc' quo tu dohlcs' sayge ? Oh si... Thutmekri mi hat sayct id ! Kwe es
khanyend tien poti, we est so khanyend sien prients med te ? Pacharva ! Vahm vrehnke tien
coll as hypocrite..., bet preter vahm...

Id staunos is vis in ia jamile okwi siens kaptias kun ia spohc epter eys oms wiern iom enorm
Aydokwo. Is muk iam ed pivotit ep sien persnas kun Conans eins hih iom. Id impact ios cutt
craschih iom retro, ep id marmorgrund quer is remien lyehgend, sien hol corpos andhen ab trehsa ed
cruor dehnend lent-ye ex un weur arus ep sien kayscuit.

Conan stiupit perodh kyom kay parakape sien wehrg. Is wois id stayg mov ios Aydokwios hieb
extrohpt id cutt ed od is hieb hihn tom tik med id denwrnt sienios miech. Bet ye tod instant passit
Muriela sien brakhs ambh eys coll med un frenetic geste.

– Ho kwohr' quo tu hiebs' mi demandet ! Kwohs ia med un hysteric ton. Duc me dalgtro
hetos ! Oh, te prehgo, duc me extro !
– Ne maghmos bad abgwahe, brohm is. Volo sehkwe iens gutors ed vide quetro gwahn'
ghende ia joyels. Kad sont alya jauhars raubhtu ye tod stet. Bet maghs hamrahe me. Quetro
tod gemme tu hiebst in tien kays ?
– Hat sollen falle ep id altar, balbiel ia passend-ye in vain sien hands do sien kays pro retrehve
id. Io tem biey... Kun ies gutors hant abghangen, ho abdraht kye te, bet so piwon brute hieb
manen caudi ed hat lambhen me...
– Van ghi tod gemme menxu abdehm tod carcasse, wohl is iam. Spehd ! Tod saul jauhar valt
un bayga.

Ia kung, kamsei ei eet kados rikes tod stragno sallo poskwo, kun is Kimri siz Gwarunga per eyso
yeusmen ed sohlk iom kyid alkuba, ia pivotit ep se ed entrit id wateikyal. Conan sis falle iom
bayaldissen Aydokwo ghomtro ed liv sien eins. Is Kimri hieb gwiwt pior diu in tienxia wildsta stets
mae habe dar id lytst illusion de mildet. El saul peindis tohrbit-yel neti bihe bayt eet un zanchout
peind. Bet menxu is sa-plieg med sieno miech, un heul udcliengh ed oistopit eyso geste.

– Conan ! Conan ! Ia hat rict !

Id superacut crie ensit med uno gneur sohkwn ab un katublosk.

Emittend un rughat, Conan se precipitit ex id alkuba, udrusch id thron ed enghulf do id wateikyal

quasi pre ia bloska hieb stopen. Ter is oistahsit still, udstraj face quo is vis. Sekwent vasya
apparences, Muriela lyohg sakwn-ye ep id altar, samt cluden okwi kamsei ia swehpiet.

– Quod iblis kwehrs tu ? Interrogit is iam skarp-ye. Credeihs tu to est id moment kay scherze...

Eys voc vitieyc. Is parchohxx id ivorbemern kalapt ab id angh silkghiton. Tod ghiton habiet sollt ses
fiss ex yeusmen do dach. Is wois to, chunke is hieb dohrt id med sien hands kun is hieb gvalt-ye
rohft id vester ex id corpos ias kreusend dansster. Bet id fustan eet intact. Is klieup claus id altar ed
dehsit sien hand ep id ivorcorpos... pre strage id fauran, kamsei is habiet dehn id ep incandescent
sider ed ne ep id srig stillstand os mohrt.

– Crom ! Murmurit is, sien okwi stayg reducen do spalts os lava in fusion. Ne es' Muriela ! Est
Yelaya !
Is taiper gieb tod panique crie quod hieb gwohlen ex ia lipps as Muriela kun ia hieb entren id kyal.
Ia diva hieb riken. Ud ays corpos hieb esen abdehn ays vesters ab Zargheba kay dahe ia ad Muriela,
qua dohlg eme ays place. Api, ia taiper vohs iter silk ed clenodtesedins, kam Conan hieb iam vis ye
id prest ker. Un aunsam gribel iendh ia corta drighs os eys neuk.

– Muriela ! Scricit is stayg. Muriela ! Quer iblis es tu ?

Ia murs reverbereer eys crie unte un goilisk echo. Is dyohrc neid alyum entren ei kyal quem id
golden dwer ed nimen habiet ghohden in au ex aun is habiet bespohct to. Is eet yakin de oin ject  :
Yelaya hieb esen replacen ep id altar unte ia oik minutes qua eededohneer pon Muriela hieb likwn
id kyal, kun ia hieb kapt ab Gwarunga. In ia aurs ios Kimri dar cliengh ia echos os Murielas crie,
yed ia Corinthian hieb kwecto forswohnden in id hava. Eet tik oin possible explication, sei id dar
meis buxianxu hypothese ios supernatural bihiet reject : semloc in id kyal wohs un secreto dwer. Ed
kun-pet to ei enfiell, is dyohrc id.

In quo samkwohk un sten ex pleno marmor, is vis un teun horizontal tarak ed uno smulk schtuk silk
wogwnen in tod interstice. Oin instant serter is clih-se uper tod. Tod fragment wehbh gwohm ex
Murielas dohrt ghiton. To mieyn tik oin : id ghiton hieb-se wogwnt in id secreto dwer kun tod
zaghyahsit, menxu Murielas raptors, quikwe bih ti buxianxu creatures, abduxeer iam. Id schtuko
kumascho hieb stabhen ei dwer zaghyahe perfect-ye.

Pos sehvs id ak ios miech os sien khandjar do id interstice ed folossiend id ka drangh, Conan
bepress nert-ye. Id miech bugh, yed ne brohg, idghi hieb esen koven ex nebrehget stal os Akbitana.
Id marmoren dwer ghyahsit ed Conan spohc per id ghyahsa leivend-ye sien eins. Is dyohrc neid
tehrgen. Id luce quod filtrit pon id wateikyal ei permiss aunstehge un cort gastieup glupt ex marmor.
Parpuscus id dwer, is sehsit sien khandjar do un tarak ios grund, teinend id it ka ghyanen. Dind is
oistighit ghom ia stieupens aun kunges. Is vis neid, ieur neid. Douzen stieupen niter, id drab
transformit-se do un angh dikhliz quod forlit-se do temos.

Is oistahsit still kam un statue ghom ia stieupens, chehxend ia affrescos qua orneer ia murs,
semivisible in tod diffus kweitert. Id style eet aundwoi pelishtim ; is hieb vis affrescos samt samlika
kweitus ep ia walls os Asgalun. Bet ia scenes kipen ep cia murs hieb neid ad diles con id pelishtim
civilisation, ploisko un person qui prohpit plurs : un lagar canutberdo geront quos pelishtim racial
kweits eent indiscussible. Ia affrescos kwecto kip divers parts ios uber etage ios palat. Plur scenes
depig un kyal is recognih ses tod ios watei, samt id silhouette as Yelaya lyehgend ep id filaltar,
perambhen ab genuend Aydokwens. Ed ter, apter id mur, in id firida, skulk is veut Pelishtim. Eent
kathalika alyi gastalts... gastalts qui, kwecto, moveer in id abandonen palat, obedihr ia wehlens ios
Pelishtim ed rohv nukwt jects ex ia flutts ios gixiasreumen. Unte ia oik instants in-ya Conan remien
ithan petrifiet, wekwsa ios pergamen qua ei hieb esto tuntro nepretable bihr stayg alnos maynwent
ed uns total clartat. Ia disparsa fragments aurdh-se. Id mysteir os Bit-Yakin neti eet oin ed id enigma
eysen slougs eet yaschi kwitern.

Conan vols ed chohx id temos, menxu eyso spina glohdj. Dind is sohkw id dikhliz, med wolfghangs
ed aun kunges, stets deuber do teni ye dalger is oistohmbh ud id drab. Id air pohld med cid odor is
hieb nust in id ghehrd, prokwem id gong.

Kongcio mers in swordsto temos, is ieur un swon ant se... id skrehben om bare peds ep id petra au
id streipen amplen vesters, is khiek sayge samt yakinia. Bet unte oin instant serter eys hand rect
perodh incontrit un obstacle is recognih ses un dwer ex massive metall. Is puscit tod in vain ed
pieursk un interstice med id ak siens eins, aun plus resultats. Id dwer samdohk perfect-ye con sien
chambranle, kamsei id habiet est kalapt eni. Is puscit med sien hol nerce, sien peds solid-ye
kneigvend protiev id grund ed sien veins batend ye sien skolfas. Eet inutil. Un elephantencharge
habiet payn kreusiht tod colossal portal.

Menxu is knigv protiev id dwer, is ieur un blosk ocolo, quod eys aurs identifier fauran : id knar os
berusten sider, kam un drangho quod gnirsct in sien wagin. Id reflexe quod hamrahsit tod
identification buit tem spontan quem blosk, impulse ed action tyohc amalan sammel. Menxu eyso
kyudost klaupo brigh iom Kimri retro, un enormo masse fiell prokwem iom, craschend samt un
titanesk behngos quod plehsit id tunnel med bodereihnd vibrations. Dreska pluk ed hihr iom.

Kam id blosk hieb ja manthiht iom, un enorm petrablock hieb just crascht quer is wohs oin secunde
auser. Sei is habiet tik oino mic serter, is habiet begwohmto trudt kam unis murm.

Conan stiup retro. Sei ia dar gwivit, Muriela eet kapt semquer ocolo tod metalldwer. Bet eet
impossible uperghange id ed sei is maniet in id tunnel, eet possible od alyo petrablock falliet ep iom
ed kad ne habiet tanto nassib. Is esiet nios nude ay meirka sei vibihiet reducen do cruorpulp. Is
tohrbit rikes uperdien ed ed trehve alyum accesszariya.

Is abgir ed se precipitit kyid drab, kwehsternd ob rehmen quan is retrohv lyt luce, hatta meg
muzlim. Ed kun is trohd id presto stieupen, id luce disprohp unte oin schtoss ed id marmordwer
uper iom buit slaht cluden, clanghend akster-ye.

Un sentiment prokwem panique lambh tun iom Kimri qui wohs kapanen in tod temosto tunnel. Is
abgir ep id drab, leivend sien eins ed scrutend teni med un assassinok, exspectend ye cada instanto
dehlge subihes id attaque em mustring hajoumers. Bet eet neid blosk ni mov in id tunnel. Ti qui eent
apter id dwer, sei aiwo lit de menscens, kwe mohn od id petrablock fallt ud id tect, aundwoi dank
semo mecanisme, hieb upergihn iom ?

Bet tun ma hieb id dwer bihn zaghyanen ubdrabs ? Zadaumend, Conan stigh ub ia stieupens
ambhtastend-ye, samt ghehrsend krewos mehnend-ye bihe dyohgwn retro ye cada instant,
impatiento de karakhe id semipanique quod hieb lambht iom do un barbaro cruorgheuss.

Ghohden ubdrabs, is protieknigv id dwer ed puscit. Is virughiet kun is vighieb id ne cess eysims
efforts. Dind, dat is ieyr sien einso med sien dexter hand kay plage id marmor iosmed, eys levter
hand incontrit kjiawxieng un isern perchin quod rik aweis sien place kun id dwer zaghyahsit. Unte
oin instant, is hieb liven tod perchin ed tun id dwer cess eysi pusc. Is klieup do id kyal kam furor
personifien, samt slaht ub lipps, okwi reducta do spalts, gheidend gvehne quelkwe peind quel
traquit iom.

Id khandjar hieb disprohpen ex id grund. Id kyal eet tuich, ed nimen lyohg ep id altar. Yelaya eet iter
missend.

– Per Crom ! Murmurit is Kimri. Kweghi ia est gwiv ?

Is gress ex id thronkielken, desconcerten, dind, ob un enfall, stiup apter id thron ed spohc do id

alkuba. Eet cruor ep id poliht surface ios marmor, quer is hieb sklas id aunmov nayv os Gwarunga...
bet neid alyo. Is Aydokwo hieb disparihto tem alnos quem Yelaya.
 IV
Id thol iom Dents os Gwahlur

Rage ed frustration confus id men ios Kimri. Is hieb neid idee de quosmed is ghehdiet retrehve
Murielas trace, kam to hieb esen id fall pro ia Dents os Gwahlur. Tik oin ei enfiell : sehkwe iens
gutors. Kad is aunstehcsiet un indice de ays beurt quer id klei wohs. Eet uno meg teun chance, bet
to viel kreins quem erre aunziel.

Spehdend unte id mier galerie quod duxit ei portic, is pwol-exspectit vide formes rusches ex skadh
kay attaque iom med cutts om srakut noghs ed edonts. Bet tik eys oku kerdbat hamrahsit iom tiel id
mekhtab quod spruz id lamper marmor.

Pod ia weur stieupens, is ambhchohx id atraf, brungend id akster meunkweitert, po un indice quod
ei deikiet quetro gwahe. Ed is trohv id. Petals fallt ep id glendiacovehr ei mohldeer stets quer un
brakh au un vester hieb stript un andoswent ozd. Gwaur stieups hieb trohden id gras. Ad Conan, qui
hieb ighnuen wolfs in sien vatanclins, ne besonters molicit sehkwe id ighnos iomkeshani gutors.

Tod duxit ex id palat, engwn puk teguts samt exotic rayhas quer mier palla flors wohng ir lamper
petals ed quer schadab ed implohcen buska seuyihr sien waraks kun ta bihr touchen. Is ghohd bad
ant uno mier rockic masse quod stohlb ex id behrgo kam id castell uns titan. Stahnd prokwem id
palat, id lakin eet invisible tetos, kulct ud vid ab lianafestonen drus. Okwivid-ye, so farfar gutor
Keshias qui hieb sigwrn ia Dents eent eni id palat rhielt. Tod ighnos hieb ducen Conan dalger ud
quer Muriel hieb disprohpen, bet is bihsit stets meis persuaden od ielg tolp ios dal eet yugen ei palat
med gixiadaus.

Teupend in ia teug ed zamtic skadhs iom busken, is oiscrutit id mier rockic piton quod wierdh
distinct-ye in id mekhtab. Eet tect samt stragn ed grotesk sculptures keipend menscens, animals ed
semibestial creatures qui eent maghses divs au demons. Id artistic style enderkwit-se tem ubfallend-
ye ud tod ios reste ios dal quem Conano dieum an ta sculptures ne eent id wehrg alyios race, awer,
ia etiloikwa os un ja lust era ed proe-myohrst ye id apank zaman kun Alkmeenons weikers hieb
aunstohgen ed exploren id hanten vallee.

Uno mier dwer ghyahsit in id brenk sten ios behrg. Un gigantesk dragoncap eet sculpen hol
perambh tod, yoitkwe id ghyanto dwer samkwohk un platudvohrn ogvimuk. Idswo dwer eet ex
dight ays ed tengicit ses plur tonnes gwaur. Is vis neid sclud, men un serie perchinen ep ia gons ios
titanesk portal iom manthihr existit uno mecanisme permittend ghyane we andame id dwer... uno
mecanisme quod aundwoi tik ies keshani gutors gnohr.

Id ighnos dikit clar-ye od Gorulga ed eysi scharikes hieb uperghangen tod dwer, bet Conan kung.
Wehlpe men ke salgient iti mieyn id dwer bihiet shayad andamen ant eys okwi, ed is ne eet yakin de
ghehde aunstehge id secret ios mecanisme quod slur ids ghyanen. Sei de is sehkwiet iens endo, kad
emergient ex id balma pre iom ed enibehndient iom.

Aynd fu cada tadbir, is oisnohg unte id mier portal. Semloc eni tod balma wohs ies gutors, ia Dents
os Gwahlur, ed maghses un indice os Murielas beurt. Ia riska is maghiet incurre iti hieb naiwo bad
ei stabhen parnake eys objectives.

Id mekhtabo beluc, unte uno muzlim distance, id weur tunnel do-yod is hieb just arrivet. Semloc ant
se dyohrc is uno mulayim halo ed ieur id echo os un stragno litania. Ies gutors ne hieb udperodht
iom tem quem is proe-credih. Id tunnel adduxit uni sall do-yod se forluc ia senst vestiges os
mekhtab. Id eet tuich ed non-large, bet ids alt akmen blig samt un phosphorescent diutis. Conan
wois lit ter de un phenomen frequent in tod part ios mund. In tod pwolspectral kweitert, Conan
ghohd dyehrce un bestial idol hocken ep un altar ed ia kyehrsen wostias om six au septa tunnels qua
skiep id sall. In id weursto tunnel, todkye apter id cortjamb idol, Conan dyohrc dalgi un vankend
flicker is woisit ses tod iom gwaks. Tod xuden ab id phosphorescent akmen eet regular. Is gwohm
proscher id ed ieur distinct-ye ia chantes.

Is oispohd endo ed wohs mox in un balma weurer quem tod is hieb just likwn. Eet neid phosphor in
tod, bet id diutis iom fakels pohd ep un altar mierer quem preter ed un divitato dar obscener ed
repulsiver, dehn kam un gama ep tod. Ant tod kadost idol eent genuend Gorulga ed dec eysen
acolytes, stundend id grundo med ir cap ed sammel psalmodiend semject monoton-ye. Conan ghieb
ma iro progression hieb esen tem lent. Okwivid-ye, stiupes prosch id secretum tolp iom dents
nieudh un ritual tem uperkmeht quem nyutiwent.

Is oistiemp ob impatience, intizarndo nerveus-ye ke zanchanteer ed oistopeer proschkehmbe pre

staue ub ed oistiupes do un tunnel quod ghyahsit apter id idole. Ir gwaks disprohp sub id temost
akmen ed is elien-se jaldi kyapter iens. Ne eet maung danger de bihe aunstohct. Is oisnohg engwn ia
skadhs kam unis noctcreature menxu ies aydokwi gutors eent alnos absorben ab iro grotesk
ceremonia. Ies okwivid-ye ne hieb vikaun Gwarungas absence.

Emergus do un balma samt colossal dimensions, quos stens kohmb ub ed engwn-ya lit un serie om
etagencornicen kwehkend kam galeries, dyoinyeer ant alyum altar, plauter quem prevers ed ep-yod
thronit un dar kadoster idol.

Conan hockit in id temos ye id bud ios tunnel, starnd ad ia stens ios balma ep-ya inikies id pall
diutis iom gwaks. Is dyohrc un drab sculpen ex id ghianshiek, steighend ex etage do etage, ex
galerie do galerie ; id akmen eet invisible, lust in temos.

Is gvalt-ye sprud ed ia chantes interrup. Ies genuend Aydokwi brusk-ye spohc ub. Uno nemensc voc
hieb udclanghto meg uper iens. Nagenuer, kam petrifien, ed ir xyangend liges spielv horrible-ye do
moder in id stayg explosion quod sohkwit. Un stragno spleindos gwohl ex ia gons ios mier akmen,
erkwndo do temos. Tod arg beluc oino iom galerien ed un crie skiep ia lipps ios megil gutor,
repetihto do un terrifiend echo ab eys acolytes. Id bleigos ibs hiebit bragv-ye revele un smiegdem
kwit silhouette quel stahsit ep id galerie in silkschimmers ed in id arg os joyelgjiaungsianen gold.
Dind id flamme reduxit-se do uno mer reudhernd flicker do-yod neti buit possible enderkwites
quodkwe. El teun silhouette buit ne meis quem un tweiser filgloi.

– Yelaya ! Scricit Gorulga, sien maura traits wehrtend do aschcolor. Ma has tu sohkwn nos ?
Quod est tien suamenos ?

Id stragn ed nemensc voc lud ex id akmen, repercuttend-se do id colossal balma quod amplificit ed
dusformit id, alnos miskehgneteihnd id :

– Way im dusfiders ! Way im marhoum tarafdars ex Keshia ! Fat gvehntu qui rejece ir divitat !

Un horrorcrie skiep ia lipps iom gutors. In id diutis iom gwaks, Gorulga kwohkit kam un gwultur,
sub id effect ios schock.

– Ne ghabo ! Balbiel is. Tib smos derv. In id wateikyal, nos has sayct...
– Ignore quo has aurt in id wateikyal ! Grohm tod terrible voc, tem multipliet quem kwecto
stohn ed murmureer tusent vocen id sam warnen. Warte i fals prophets ed i fals divitats ! Un
demon hat wardhen do me ed tib hat baht in id palat, levernd lughav prophetias. War ed
obedeih me taiper, somghi, ego saul, ia druv diva, ed tib dahm un chance kay skape id fat
 quod sessiet voster ! Ghend ia Dents os Gwahlur in id crypt quer buir sklas tem diuper.
Alkmeenon neti est un iser wastu, idghi buit najissen ab blasphemers. Dehdi ia Dents os
Gwahlur inter ia ghesors os Thutmekri iom Stygian kay is oiskladt ia do id schangdien em
Dagon ed Derketo. Est id oin jecto quod ghehdsiet salve Keshan ud id fat quod ei prepare i
noctdemons. Ghend ia Dents os Gwahlur ed gwask'idi. Ricdi Keshia fauran. Ter, betrusdi ia
joyels ad Thutmekri ed kap tom iblis tarnien Conan, poskwo gwivskehn iom ep id meithel.

Ia buit obediht aun kunges. Tremblend ob paur, ies gutors oistahr ub in hast ed curs apter id idol ios
bestial idol, Gorulga prod tod disbanden. Ies wieurg ant id ghyahsa unte oik instants, creischend kun
ira sroht gwaks oistrif kreusend aydokwa corpsa, dind enghulf ocolo. Id frenetic stampen iren
stieups abtieyc do id tunnel.

Conano ne sohkwit iens. Is furieus-ye ghid kwitres tod fantastic affaire. Kwe eet ia druv Yelaya,
kam id glehdjic swoid ep id denwrnt om eys hands ei dik, au sa smulk deurseck Muriela, quo hieb
vikhanyet iom ? Sei to eet id fall...

Pre id sensto torche hieb disprohpen do id bud ios temostios tunnel, is beglohm unte quarn om
stieupens id petradrab, samt kwitorprotiokwo. Id moder erkwen hieb amalan disprohpen, yed is dar
ghohd enderkwites id filsilhouette still ep id galerie. Eyso sehrg glohdj kun is gwohm proscher, beti
is ne kung unte oin secunde. Is elien-se swehngend-ye sien eins ed rusch ep id indistinct silhouette
kam uno mohrtpromiss.

– Yelaya ! Bieusit is. Tem mortu quem pon tusent yaren ! Ha !

Un deusko silhouette emers ye tod moment ex id sword orifice uns tunnel ed chargit. Bet id blosk
iom bare peds currend ep id grund ghohd do ia sakht aurs ios Kimri. Is pivotit ep sien takouns tem
oku quem un cat ed exclihsit id cutt quod zielit eys regv. Menxu id stalen blixo stris in temos ed
plieg nieb iom, is oistus med id hol nerce ed id furor uns wild python ed eys longo miech becepit
eys hajoumer, exstehlbend unte pwolter ped inter eys omsa.

– Khatem !

Conan fortraxit sien weben kun eys victim collapsit ghomtro, sinend-ye skape un strangulen gneur.
Is wiro kriempit bragv-ye ep id swol, dind zamovit. Conan vis un sword corpos ed un ebonlige buwt
hideus ab ia senst args ios moder diutis. Is hieb just nicen Gwarunga.

Conan disvols ud iom cadaver kay gwehme proscher iam divu. Korigas passet ambh aysa genus ed
xiongbu stahihr iam, protiev un petracolunn, menxu ays longo kays, diehn ambh id stolb, tin ays cap
ub. Ye oika stieups distance, ed in id rhayr-yakin luce, ta diemmens neti eent visible.

– Is hat soll' disbayaldisse menxu io stigh ghom do id tunnel, muticit Conan. Is hat sollt aume
io hieb stigh' ghom. Tun hat is oistract id khandjar quod blockit id dwer... (Conan se clihsit
ed rohv sien khandjar ex ia finghers qua mohrt bistiv, dind oisnig id kata sien yeusmen.) ed
hat zaghyant id. Poskwo hat is tobohrt Yelaya kay drughes sien idiot fraters. Isge hat baht
tun. Impossible recognihes eys voc med ia echos tos akmen. Ed tod explosion om blou
flammes.... Ioghi wois id mi kwohk familiar. Est un trick nuden ab stygian prysters.
Thutmekri hat sollen ei doce oiks ex ta.

Hieb ei facil ei wir nake tod balma pre eys sokwis. Okwivid-ye gnohsit is id general bichoun tom
gixiadaus, auter aurt, au med plans transmiss ex generation do generation ab iens prysters. Is hiebit
penetret id perigumt pos alters, tobehrnd iam divu con se, dind unte un abwohnden itner per tunnels
ed kyals, ed hiebit bad skulken con sien behrmen ep id galerie menxu Gorulga ed alter acolytes eent
besic med ir interminable ritual.

Id moder arg hieb alnos disprohpt bet Conan conscicit alyo diutis, quod emanit ex id ghyahsa oinios
iom dikhliz qua uperspohc id cornice. Semloc in id budo tos corridor lyohg alyo lamen phosphor ; is
recognihsit ids regular ed meg particular gwaydertat. Id dikhliz duxit do id direction sohkwt ab iens
gutors ed is karrier gwahe unte id petis quem merge do id anun ios mier balma niter. Kad id corridor
uperspohc alyo galerie in sem alyo kyal, ed miegh ses id destination iom gutors. Is oispohd unte id
dikhliz ed id diutis bihsit stets meis gwayder ye perodher is gwahsit. Is vighohd enderkwites id
grund ed ia stens ios tunnel. Ant ed ender iom, is ghohd aure iens gutors quoy hieb just-ye
sohngvyen ir psalmodias.

Stayg, ex un dwer levter quem iom, beluct ab phosphor, ghohd ei id blosk os un stump ed hysteric
sleuct. Is ghyien ed spohc, aunstehgend un kielken grabhen ex idpet rock ed ne uno natural balma
kam alters. Id thol tos kyal twis dank phosphor. Ia murs eent quasi alnos covohrna med arabesques
ex hammerdighto gold.

Prokwem id witer mur, ep sien graniten thron, aiwostarnd ei kohmber dwer, sess is mustring ed
obscene Pteor, is div im Pelishtims, ex baten cuper, sien exageret nerkwekmors reflegend id groubia
siens cult. Ed ep eys bemerns lyohg un kwita still silhouette...
 – Ke bihm damnet ! Muticit Conan.

Is glaz tadbir-ye do id kielken, bet aunkohlder neid alyum entren ni de sem weiker. Is oistohmb tun
aunblosk ed spohcit ghom kyam meirka quas omsa trohs ye id rythme aysen sleucts, in ays extreme
uperkwehlmen, ays lige dupt inter ays brakhs. Ex tegu golden brakhletts keingend ia brakhs ios idol,
teun golden zangirs hieng tiel alya brakhletts, keingend ia runcs ias gwenak. Is dehsit uter hand ep
ays bare oms ed ia trohs emittend-ye un heul ed vrohnk sien dakrurehnend lige kyom.

– Conan  !

Unte oin reflexe, ia tentit se xubhes do eys brakhs, bet ia zangirs ay stabh to. Is sexit id fayn gold
bilkull prokwem ia runcs ed brohm :

– Vahs dehlge vehse ta brakhletts hina ghehdo trehve un burin au un sleim. Slembhe me,
iblis ! Yusmee actrices, ste ifrat pior emotive ! Ed prest-ye, quod hat tib wakyen ?
– Quando ho riken id wateikyal, stun ia, ho vis iam divu lyehge ep id altar, alnos kam io hieb
vis ye id prest ker. Te ho kalt ed bidraht kyid dwer... ed tun semject hat kap' me aptos. Un
hand hat zaghyan' mien stohm ed buim abducen unte un sten in id mur, dind ghom oik
stieupens ed do un deusk dikhliz. Ne ho ghohdt vide quo me hieb siz' pre wey hieb
upergwahn un mier metalldwer ed naken un tunnel quos tavan eet beluc' kam in tod kyal.
Oh, ho quasi bayaldissen kun ho viden i. Ne son' mensci. Son' greis ed weulos' diabels, qui
ghange kam mensci ed wehkwn' med un rabiabahsa quod nel adam sagviet prete. Han'
manen ter, tengiend intizare semject, ed ye sem moment, ho kwecto aurn semanghen tente
dwinghes id dwer. Dind oin tim jects hat tragen oin drangh embaudht in id mur ed semjec'
hat craschen ocolo id dwer. Me hant tun iter abducen, unte sinueus tunnels ed ub
petrastieupens, pre bad ghehde do tod kyal quer me han' zangirbohndt ep ia genus tos
abominable idol pre sgwahe. Oh, Conan, de qui leit ?
– Sont i slougs os Bit-Yakin, brohm is. Ho trohven un kawu quod mi hat permitten ghabe un
certain numer jecten, ed tun ho incontren affrescos qua me han' manthihn id reste. Bit-Yakin
eet un Pelishtim qui hat arriven kjiawxieng do id dal con sien slougs do id dal pre id popule
Alkmeenons hieb desern id stet. Is hat trohft id spolye as Princesse Yelaya ed hant aunstohct
od ies gutors eegwehment ex tid do tid kay adbehre ay offers, iaghi eet dyin' kam un diva ye
tod zaman. Iam buwit un watei, ed is buit is voc ias watei, bahnd pon un firida is hieb foss in
id mur, apter id filtakhta. Ies gutors naiwo ieum ject, naiwo dyohrc Bit-Yakin ni hatta eys
slougs, iesghi skulh kun ies arriveer. Bit-Yakin hat gwiven ed mohrn her aun aiw esus
aunstohct ab i gutors. Tik Crom woid kamdiu is hat gwiven her, men to hat sollen dure
secules. Ies hakimes os Pelishtim sagve prolonge ir gwit unte centen yaren. Ego ho
incontren oiks. Ma is gwivit mon her ed bi quod sabab hat is act id rol ias watei, nel ordinar
mensc sagviet tarke to. Mehno kay id citad remaniet non-penetret ed saker, mae is bihiet
sturben. Is ee-eddt id piut ies gutors eebringhen' ka offer ad Yelaya ed eys slougs eepraedde
alyo ject... Ho semper wois od eet un gixiasreumen quod dehnt ex id lac do-yod i weikers
iom hoglands os Punt xeubhe ir mortus. Tod sreumen passet sub id palat. Han' hanct layters
uper id dehnu kata ghehdent antgripes ed piskes ia priflottend cadavers. Bit-Yakin notit
quant ep pergamen ed sien murpinegs. Is bad mohr, ed eys slougs mumifier iom sekwent
kam is hieb berult iens pre sien sleiten, placend iom do un balma in ia behrgs. Id reste est
facil tarctu. Eys slougs, quoy een' dar meis nemerti quem is, mien her, bet kun un megil
gutor gwohm ad consulte iam watei, neti habend poti kay protiedare iens, ies kays iom. Ed it
pon tod moment, tiel Gorulga, nimen hat gwohmt ad wehkwe iam watei.
Iesge okwivid-ye udnoveer ia vesters ed ornaments ias divias, kam ies hieb vis Bit-Yakin
kwehre to. Exist aundwoi un clus kyal semloc, quer ia harihrs sont preserven ud ia ravages
os wakt. Han' dun iam divu ed hant brighen iam tsay do id wateikyal pos Zargheba hieb
 spolyen ays tesedins. Oh, aproposs, hant sec' Zarghebas cap ed hanct id in un tegut.

Ia sammel krus ed slusit un deub rehmkwehster.

– Is naiweti siet biches me.

– Ne ye tod gon os hayd, acquiescit Conan. Bet gwehm. Gwarunga hat ruinen mien
survivenschances lambhnend-ye id spolye ias divias. Vahm sehkwe iens gutors ed tente
raubhe id kuzd kun id habsient inter ir hands. Ed tu mans nieb me. Khako passe mien hol
wak' sokend po te.
– Bet ies slougs os Bit-Yakin ? Murmurit ia bayasen-ye.
– Vahms dehlge incurre tod risk, brohm is. Ne woidim quo kwehrskwnt, bet, in quant fall,
taiptro, han' beviden neid vol de wehne salge ed katue aun steg. Hay, gwehm !

Seizend id runc as Muriela, is duxit iam ex id kyal ed do id dikhliz. Perodher, ies ieur id chante iom
gutors, se-yei blans id stup ed buxianxu grohm ios brohn. Id luce bihsit meis akster kun i emers ep
un bergwntseddend cornice uperkeihnd un immense balma, ed ghohdeer dyies un stragn ed fantastic
scene.

Uper i luc id phosphorescent akmen ; ye centen peden ender i strohc id regular petragrund ios
balma. Dalger, tod eet segen ab un deub ed angh petracanal, quos leizdo-sim wedor niek. Gwehlend
ex aunpotem temos, id sreumen sohrp engwn id balm ed se fordohnyit do id teni anti. Idso surface
glimmrit ob id diutis ubtos id antrum ed ids kyehrsen brohn lucit kamsei esiet comspergen med
reudhernd aiwoschimmernd joyels, roig-ye glehdjblou, aksterrudh, tweiser glend.

Conan ed eysa sokwnia stahr ep un cornice quod oistrohc engwn id hogo kehmbstena. Un
petrabrigv spans tetos uper id vasto tehom ios balm kam un vertigineus arche do un angher cornice
ep id witerstena, ocolo id sreumen. Dec peds niter, eet doublet ab un dwoter arche, weurer quem
preter. Ambibors, un drab sculpt ex id petra permiss passe ex uter fantastic brigv do alter.

Conan, apterspehcend id curve ios uber arche, dyohrc un argo quod ne eet due phosphor : ep tod
smulk cornice, witerom id stet quer stahr, wohs un ghyahsa in id balma, per-yod blig ia stars.

Buit lakin peribuden ab id scene quod jinkdousit niter. Ies gutors hieb nact ir final destination. Ter,
in un vast cotlan ios balma, stahsit un petraltar, bet neid idol eet post ep id. Sei esiet oin apter,
Conan habiet khaken sigwre to ar, auter ob un trick os luce, au id kehmbstena, id rewos za id altar
eet mers do absolutsto temos.

Ies gutors hieb sehn ir fakels do torms in id petragrund, skeipend un semicircule ex ogwn ye plur
stieups ud id altar. Dind ies gutors oiskip ye ir roig formeer un pwolcircule wardhend eni id crescent
iom torchen. Gorulga, pos leivus sien brakhs ka invocation, se clihsit ep id altar ed posit sien hands
ep id. Tod ieyrit-se ed se supih ghyant aptos, kamsei habiet-se litto de un coffer, revelend uno
smulko cavitat.

Pos regus uter long brakh endo id kulk, Gorulga salgih tetos un glaughen archel. Is redehsit id altar
in place, pos id scrin ep id ed ghyien tos capak. Pro i captiven smautrers niseddend ep id galerie, to
buit kamsei is habiet lurt un flammentorrent quod vibrit ed riezd hol perambh id ghyanen archel.
Conans kerd klieup in sien xiongbu ed eys hans siz id hamand siens eins. Bad, ia Dents os
Gwahlur ! Id tresur quod beuwiet sien suter el tienxia richest anghen ! Eys annem bikwohs inter
eysa sohrn dents.

Dind is conscicit stayg od un nov element hieb just ruschen in id circule ex luce gohnen ab ia
torches ed id phosphorescent tavan, reducend do nischt ir arg. Temos kowpit-se ambh id altar,
ploisko id gwayder ed malefic gloi quod erkwit ex ia Dents os Gwahlur, ed tod crohsc ye cada
secunde. Ies Aydokwi stahr still, kam changen do basalten statues ; ir skadhs longeriesceer grotesk-
ye do gigantesk proportions apter iens.

Id altar miedh tuntos in tod diutis ed Gorulgas fordaumen traits kwit samt annemlwond relief. Dind
id mysterieus rewos quod oistrohc apter id altar buit lahn ab id bfuyi crehscend diutis. Ed lent-ye,
ye id tempo ios spehrspehrnd luce, silhouettes wierdheer ter, kam formes gohnen ab noct ed silence.

In-kap, i samkwohk statues ex greis petra, ti still, weulost, anthropoid formes yed samt horrible
ensania ; bet ir okwi eent gwiv, srig bliutes ex un greis ed glehdjic jar. Ed kun id stragno diutis bad
beluc ir bestiala liges, Gorulga emiss un crie ed fiell supihn, sien brakhs rect perodh in un geste os
frenetic horror.

Un brakh longer quem eyso gwohl ex id altar ed un dusformet hand siz eys gurgule. Heulend ed se
streubhend, is megil gutor buit sohlken ocolo id altar. Un tokmaklik peungst plieg ed Gorulgas cries
chwoyeer. Skimbhend, samt disloquen corpos, is titubit ocolo id altar, sieno mazgh dehnend lent-ye
ex sien bohncto ghalv. Ed tun rusch ies slougs os Bit-Yakin kam un infernal torrent ep iens
aydokwens gutorns quoy remien still, kam statues petrifien af horror.

Dind buit halak, buxianxu ed terrifiant.

Conan vis aydokwa corpsa scuss ab ia nemensc hands iom neicern ed xubhta dalgtro kam
kalmbindells. Ia khandjars ed einsa iom gutorn eent achiz face id agilitat ed stieure iom creatures.
Conan vis wirs bihe ayrt ed ir caps bohnct ep id petraltar. Is vis uno mustring hand lambhnes un
torche kay sniges id do id gurgule uns biedan qui se strubh in vain kay se fortrage ex ia brakhs qua
tin iom. Is vis un wir bihe dwidohrn kam un kierkis ghehdt bihe aunmiemsihn ed ia dwo cruoric
stumps bihe xubht unte id balma. Id massacre buit tem bragv ed katel quem un stayg hurcan. In un
explosion os cruorlasni brutalitat hol buit jaldi khatem, ploisko un orm warko qui abdrahsit kye
quetos ies gutors hieb gwohmt, aptercurs ab un swarm om cruorpoik formes quoy rexeer ira rudht
hands kyom. Is feugnic ed eys persehkwers disprohp do un temosto tunnel ed ia cries ios wir im
ghohdeer stets minter jahar, dusformet ab distance.

Muriela eet genuend, greipend ia jambs os Conan, sien lige presst protiev eys bemern ed cludend
sien okwi med sien hol force. Ia eet neid meis quem un tremblant ed kreusend forme, praedd ios
meist abjectios terrorios. Bet Conan eet revigoren. Un glanez kyid ghyahsa per-yod blig ia stars,
alyo kyid archel quod hieb remanen ghyant ed natwis ep id cruorpoik altar, ed is vis ed nud id
desperat vat quod ei eet pors.

– Vano tod coffer ! Knier is. Man her !

– Oh, Mitra, no ! (Unte un gargadfall ia sisit se pehde ghomtro ed siz eysa sandals.) Mae
kwehr to ! Mae kwehr to ! Mae linkwe me !
– Man her ed tayc ! Rughiet is, se fortragend ex id effrenato strineg ias meirka.

Honnend id sinueus drab, is sisit-se falle ep id niter cornice samt un aunpaur hast. Eet neid signe os
presence im monstern kun eys peds toucheer id grund. Oiks iom torchen sehten do id swol na-
ieydh ; id phosphorescent flicker palpitit ed ia flutts dohn samt un quasi articulet murmure, tweisend
med aunpreceddent glimmers. Id sontergwaydertat quod hieb marct id apparition im slougs hieb
disprohpen con iens. Tik twis ed palpitit id jar iom joyels in id glaughen coffer.

Is siz id archel, glanzend lasni-ye ids mathmoun... curieus petras samt stragna formes qua erkweer
med un glehdjic ed ne terran jar. Is zaghyien id capak unte oin schtoss, snig id archel sub sien brakh
ed abdrahsit kya stieupens. Is nel-ye wohn bihe confrontet ad Bit-Yakins infernal slougs. Id bragvo
vision is hieb haben de iens in action hieb est kafi pro forswindes eys quanta dwois de id
katuimkan. Is khiek explie ma ies hieb intizarn tem diu pre attaque iens intrusens. Quel ensan habiet
ghohden tarke id men au ia motivations talgen monstruositats ? Ies hieb demonstren eent beghapt
samt hila ed intelligence spehrdend con ta uns adam. Ed ter, ep id grund ios balma, lyohg ia
cruorpoik pruvs irs gvertat.
Ia Corinthian eet dar ahocken, tremblend ob paur, in id galerie quer is hieb likwn iam. Is kiep ays
runc ed ay dwigh stahe ub.

– Credeihm est tid os gwahe tetro ! Brohm is.

Pior terrorsroma pro vighabe plen-ye id situation, ia meirka acceptit volt ne volt se sines abduce
ocolo id vertigineus arche. Bad kun i wohs uper id torrential wedor spohc ia nitro. Ia emiss un
stauncreisch ed habiet volwt epter id brigv aun id stauro brakh kay protiedare iam. Brehmend uno
mambhen do ays aur, is lambh iam, wogwnit iam sub sien dar leur posdousa ed ieyrit iam kay
abduce iam it, samt weipend memsa, tiel id ghyahsa ocolo. Aun kaure de resklade iam ghomtro, is
iendh jaldi id smulk tunnel do-yod id ghyahsa duxit. Oin instant serter, i emers ep un angho cornice,
ep id extrovarsa iom behrgs qua ker id dal. Minter quem centen peden niter, id jungle wundel sub id
mekhtabkweitert.

Quan is spohc nitro, Conan emiss un deub rehmkwehster. Is mohn is ghehdiet bewaldher tod
nitroglehmen, hatta bespehcend-ye ia behrmens oiskipt ab iam meirka ed ia joyels. Punor is eet
convicen is habiet khaken udstighes id behrg ye tod stet, hatta aun ses beklas. Is pos id archel ep id
cornice. Tod eet dar poik med Gorulgas cruor ed ia schtuks os eys mazgh. Is sa-sduit sien yeusmen
kay diehnes id archel kata sien regv, kun is buit surpris ab un blosko za se, un buxianxu swon
recognible inter quanta.

– Man her ! Bieusit is kyam hayran Corinthian. Mae mov !

Exkardkaschend sien eins, is oisnohg do id tunnel ed wohs iter eni id balma.

Medsu id uber arche, is dyohrc un greis ed contrafacen forme. Oino iom slougs os Bit-Yakin hieb
apterpersnet iom. Eet mutlak neid dwoi od is bestial creature hieb vis ed sohkwt i. Conano nel-ye
kung. Kad habiet esen facil defende id entren ios tunnel, bet tod duel tohrb bihe finiht jaldi, pre alter
slougs habient wakto kay rikes.

Is drahsit seid kyom protiegwehmend monster. Eet neter kiep ni mensc. Eet un gwaurodgwayt
horror gohnen in ia mysterieus ed aunnam jungles ios Sud, quer un stragno gwit brysit in id
myehrkthamf, quer el menscis ne eet id dominanto genos ed quer tamburs grohm in temples endo-
ya nel ensan hieb aiwo trohden. Id zariya quosmed is veut Pelishtim hieb kamyaben domihes ti
creatures, ed unte id sam waurmen hieb-se makhkoumiht ad remane proaiwo forbant ud id reste os
menscgenos, eet un kafir enigma de-yod Conan nel-ye eemimehnskwit, esdi is habiet haben wakt.

Mensc ed monster drohd mutu ye id altsto stet ios uber arche, quer, centen peden niter, brohn id
kyehrsen ed furieus wedor. Menxu is mustring gastalt, samt corpos uns leper greis ed traits os
oisculpen nemensc idol, stieusit ant iom, Conan pliegit kam un vurnto tigher, tankend sien hol nerce
ed muscles do tod cutt quod habiet dwisegen un ensan. Bet ia osta ios sloug os Bit-Yakin eet lik ad
kardawen stal. Yed, hatta kardawen stal ghohd bihe eptemmt ab un cutto tem furieus quem tod. Ex
ia kyosta ed id konem ios creature cess ed un cruortorrent gwohl ex id ghyahnd arus.

Is Kimri hieb naiw id wakt os bires dwoter cutt. Pre is ghohd lives sieno miech ye dwoter ker we se
behrge exterschaecheing, un brakh es gigant firschit id hava ed hurt iom, iom chassend kam un
musch. Is volvit do kenos. Unte eys fall, id baub ios sreumen clienghit kam un daunoscampan do
eys aurs bet, vrehnkend-ye sien corpos, is ghohd lande ep id niter arche, sien jambs hangend in
kenos. Is wip in uno nasuk tula unte un instant dind, med oiter hand, grip id witer leizd pre
glehmber ep id arche, dar dehrjend sien eins in alter hand.

Kun is klieup ub, is dyohrc iom monster, quos cruor gwohl do hideus cascades, se precipite kyid
balma, okwivid-ye steighskwnd ghom ia stieupens qua duxeer ei niter arche ed wohghye ter. Arrivet
ep id cornice, is bestial creature stopit in sien elan. Conan vis id sam quem is : Muriela, id archel
sub sien brakh, still ye id entren ios balma, samt distarnd okwi.

Emittend un triumphal mugeihsa, is monster siz iam ed snig iam sub sien brakh, lambhnend id
joyelarchel med alter ghesor kun ia meirka sis id falle. Is creature tun abgir ed restohmbh gwaurod-
ye kyocolo id arche. Conan emiss un udclanghend rughat ed elien-se ep sien roig do id sam
direction. Is dwoyit ghehde do id uber etage pre is brute drahiet deub do id labyrinth iom tunnels tos
sten.

Bet is monster neti eet tem oku ; is oistohmbhit perodh-ye stets minter jaldi. Cruor gwohl saccade-
ye ex tod terrible arus ep eys perkyu ed is wip vertigineus-ye dextro levtro. Stayg, is kwohlp, vienk
ed volvit, mergend capo perodh. Ia meirka ed id joyelcoffer slid ex eys inert hands ed Murielas
heulo cliengh terrible-ye, udswehnend id furieus grohm ios wedor niter.

Conan eet quasi ye id vertical ios stet quer is creature hieb volwt. Is monster hurt mulayim-ye id
niter arche ed nafiell, bet ia meirka se strubh ed antgrip, menxu id archel pohd face iam, hol
prokwem id witer leizd. Uter hieb fallto levter quem Conan, altra dexter. Bo eent ye eyso
schaecheing ; unte un fraction secunde, id coffer oscillit ep id siman ios arche menxu Muriela
remien hancta med oiter brakh, ays lige wohrto desperat-ye kye Conan, ays okwi pfwehngend ob id
paur os mohrt. Ia lipps ias meirka enderghyahr ed ia emiss un heul os dehrnd aunspehia.

Conano ne kung unte oin instant ed ne hatta glaz kyid archel quod arohg id hol opnos ios esont era.
Med un okutat quod habiet gleituet id skac uns hunghric jaguar, is elien-se, siz id brakh ias meirka
kun ays finghers oislid ex id glat petra ed is hissit iam ep id arche med un athime traction. Id archel
volvit epter id leizd pre hurtes id wed octgim peds niter, ye id stet quer id cadaver ios sloug os Bit-
Yakin hieb disprohpt pau prever. Un spreuz ed un stayg spoimjet mierk id stet quer ia Dents os
Gwahlur disparihr proaiw ex menscenspect.

Conan spohc payn-ye nitro. Is elien-se kyocolo id arche, besteighend ia stieupens kam un felid,
behrnd iam meirka kamsei leiteit de unu magv. Un long acut heul spehcih iom epter eys omso
menxu is niek id uber arche, ed is vis alter slougs lahe iter id balma niter, samt ira cruorsmeu
steulpedonts. Ies elien-se kyid drab quod sohrp ex etage do etage, emittend kweinbaubs. Conano
smiss iam meirka ep sien oms aun alyo formalitat, se precipitit ex id tunnel ed oistighit ghom id
behrgo kieplika, se sinend slides ed klaupend ex ghend do ghend samt foll boltia. Kun ies gvermuks
oispohceer nitro pon id cornice, iesge vis iom Kimri ed iam meirka disprehpe do id forest quod
periembh ia behrgs.

– Gohd, iey Conan, ponend iam meirka ghom kun is hieb ghohden sub ozdensteg, hams taiper
wakt. Ne mehno toy brutes nos sehkwsient exter id dal. Zowngschie, mien ekw es' dieht
prokwem un seituva, nedalg ud her, sei i lions ne han' praess el. Per vasyens Croms diabels !
Ma naflehns tu ?

Ia kohl sien dakrustohrken lige inter sien hands ed eys delicate omsa buir andht ab takans dat ia
sluct.

– Ob me has lusen ia joyels, stun ia miser-ye. Es' mien fault. Sei habiem obedihn te ed
 remanen ep id cornice, so brute ne me habiet viden. Yadi habies ghens ia gemmes ed sis' me
kharke !
– Ya, suppono habiem magh' kwehre to, acquiescit is. Bet myehrs to. Daugh' ka neid nariudes
id prev. Ed plais zaplang ? Nun, est seller. Hay, gwehm.
– Mayns vahs me gwupes ? Me abduce con te ? Sprohg ia, plena med speh.
– Ed quod als credeihs tu ghehdiem kwehre med te ? Iey is. (Is sisit sien spect andhe id
schakhwani corpos ed smih dyehrcend-ye id dohrn ghiton quod revelit genereus ed
appetittant ivorspalv kehmbs.) Tienghi talents as actrice maghien' mi ses util. Daugh' ka neid
rikes Keshia. Neideti me interesset in Keshan. Gwahsiemos Punt. I weikers tos landios
dyeine un filbadan gwen ed tehrben' mier yelkkista kay krihes ir gold in ia sreumens. Im
saycsiem od Keshan complot con Thutmekri kay persclavskwe i, quo est ver, ed od i divs me
hant yisen kyi kay protege i... po, smad sayge, un mier wakel gold. Sei ghehdo penetrihes te
ir temple newissab i ed te substitue iri filbadan diva, ghehdsiemos peribrunges i !