ZAMBOULAS ANTHROPOPHAGS

ab Robert E. Howard

Sambahsa tarjem

I
Un tambur dvehnt

– Id baytel os Aram Baksh perkehlt un mier danger !

Id voc ios wir vibrit med sinceritat ed ed long swordonkha finghers dub do id muscleus
brakh os Conan kun is grokit sien warnen. Is eet un siuk individu, samt solburst cuit ed
kyehrsen ed skider berd. Eys lumps dixeer clar-ye lit de un vagder. Is kwohk smulker ed
meis rachitic quem aiwo nieb iom kimri olbjim samt weur torso, staur memsa ed sworda
brovs. Stahr ye un angule ios pasar iom einsars ed ambi iens dohn in ia strads id flutt im
weikers vasyen bahsas ed cuitcolors os Zamboula... exotic, mestissaget, pelupoik ed honar.

Conan disspohc ud iam Ghanara samt stingant okwi ed aliw lipps, quas cort ed scisden
fustan sis prehpe un brun ed bare bemern ye cada aysen insolent stieups, kay stare irritat-ye
ad sien exterwaurmen sokwi.

– Quod awies tu ka « mier danger ? Suwiel is.

Is desertwir glaz nin-ye epter sien oms pre antwehrde med khafi voc :

– Quel ghehdt sayge ? Bet desertmensci ed mussafers hant swohpen in id dom os Aram
Baksh ed buir naiweti reviden ! Quod hat im wakyen ? Isge kassamt hant swohp'
dind kwohryet ir itner...ed est ver od nel weiker tos urb buit aiwo missend in eys
dom. Bet nimen hat aiwo revis i mussafers ed maals ed schowbeys bayghend i
buirwer' dyohrcen in ia pasars. Sei Aram ne hat pohrnt ia pos abdehvs i suters, tun
quosmed hant ia arriven tetro ?
– Ho neid opnos ep me, brohm is Kimri, touchend-ye id hamand covohrno med glend
lieter ios mier eins quod hiengit kata eys flank. Ho hatta pohrnen mien ekwo.
– Bet ne tik riche mussafers son' missend nocts in id dom os Aram Baksh, murmurit is
Zuagir. No, nebaygat desertmensci hant swohpt ter... ob eys tariffs sont ieftiner quem
ta altern creschmas... ed buir naiweti revis ! Semker, un poti'm Zangirs quos son eet
missend it hieb schikayn bei satrap, Jungir Khan, ed so hat wohlt soldats obsoke id
dom.
– Ed hant ies trohft un kellar pehldend med cadavers ? Sprohg is Kimri med un ironic
ton.
– No, hant trohf' neid ! Ed hant expulgen iom poti ex id citad ei mileund-ye tehrgens ed
balstehmens ! Bet... (is clih-se proscher Conan ed krus)... hant trohft alyo ject ! Ye id
kenar ios desert, apter ia doms, est un palmabunge, medsu quod lyehct un ghyamen.
Ed in id budmen tos ghyamen hams trohven kyohrnen ed calcinen menscenosta ! Ed
ne tik oins, sontern plurs !
 – To preuf' quod ? Brohm is Kimri.
– Od Aram Baksh est un demon ! No ! In tod balstohmt urb strugen ab i Stygians ed
waldhen ab i Hyrkanis... quer mensci samt blank, brun ed aydokwo cuit se mixe kay
gehne vasyalg kafir mestissages quanten colors... quel ghehdt sayge quis est un
mensc ed quis est un desguisen demon ? Aram Baksh est un demon wardhend do
mensc ! Nocts, sume' sien druv kwehkia ed todreibh' sien gostens do id deser' kay
wassale con sien samliks ex id wakhschay ed comseddent.
– Ma kapt is tik tarniens ? Sprohgit Conan, skeptic.
– I weikers tos urb ne tolerient an neiciet ir keiwens ! Bet ne kaurn' de quo maght
wakye im tarniens qua pehde inter eys ghesors. Conan, gwehms ex Orient ed ne
gnohs ia rounas tos veut land, bet pon ciengow celebrent i demons ios desert id
klewos os Yog, iom Swamen iom Tuich Baytels, med ogwn... id ogwn quod weuxt ep
mensc victims !
Te ho maunen ! Has gwiven mult menots sub ia delts im Zuagirs ed es in druve nies
brater ! Mae trehd do id baytel os Aram Baksh !
– Drah ad tupes ! Sieyg stayg-ye Conan. Ho jus' dyohrct un wakht squade. Sei te
repernt, riskent ya mehme de tom ekwo klohpten in id grajd ios satrap...

Is Zuagir protiesorpsit sien salive ed sroht bachimien. Dind is mers inter un lang ed un
ekwentoseh ex petra, emend wakto tik-ye kay susure :

– War, brater ! Son' demons in id dom os Aram Baksh !

Is enghulf tun do un anghpert ed disprohp.

Conan adjustit id weur ghehrdel quod ubstohm sien einso yoitkwe ses yower ed protieglazit
sakwn-ye iens sokav yeudmens ios squade pri se. Iom protiokweer curieus-ye ed suspeceus-
ye, isghi eet un wir quod attraxit attention, hatta eni id poik waurg in Zamboulas kriv strads.
Eys blou okwi ed eys tarnientraits iom categoriseer distinct-ye ud ia swarms Orientalen, ed
id seid eins quod hiengit ye id nivell os eys hink eticrisc id racenderkweiten.

Ies guardes ne priwohkweer iom, sontern namarcheer unte id strad, menxu id menegh abvic
pri iens. Eent Pelishtims, cortjamb vregnas wirs quom blousword berd niek ir dorakwent
xiongbu ; mercenars gastallen ab i turani wanaks kay tyices ia taska i kohnseer newirtic pro
se, ed quoy eent dar meis detestet ab id mestissagen population bi tod sabab.

Conan spohc ub kyid sol, quod just bidub apter ia banisbandoms wester quem id pasar dind,
adjustend iter sien yeusmen, is abghiengit kyid creschma os Aram Baksh.

Is bigress perodh kam un clinmensc do ia strads samt bfuyi udnot colors, in-ya ia ghitons em
steunend taskaren strip ia kormenlizden khalats richen tajirs samt rongo gwayt ed ia vesters
ex perlet satin baygaten samlyoghs. Aydokw olbjimsclavs aliey, waurgpuscend moderberd
mussafers ex ia schemi urbs, lumpvehsend vagders ex ia jawardeserts ed aventurers ex
vasya Orientlands.

Id walsk population eet tem heterogene. Centens yaren prever hieb Stygias heirs arriven
tetro, sib rehvend un imperium in id oriental destert. Zamboula eet tun tik uno smulk
tajirurb, perambht med un serie om oasis ed wict ab descendants vagdern. I Stygians hieb id
buwen un importanto citad ed pagen ter con ir schemi ed kuschi sclavs. Ia meg-ye kathire
caravans tehrnd id desert eusttos westtro ed vice-versa contribuer id augen os ids opnos ed
ios mestissage. Tun galopper i Turaninvasors ex id eust, repulgend ia grances os Stygia. Pon
taiper un generation, Zamboula eet Turans westprodwals, sub id waldh uns turani satrap.

Id tusentbahsa Babel cliengh ye ia aurs ios Kimri menxu is oisnohg do id meirong iom
strads os Zamboula... quetro se sohnd ex tid do tid un squade om buland ed urand, falklige
Turanjenchis, reuschend samt un kaphenbehngos ed un clicken doraken ed simitaren. Id
menegh abvic ud ia kaphs iren ekwen iesghi eent ies maysters os Zamboula. Bulandi
Stygians samt strehng ed khiter protiokwa, teupend in ir skadhs, kerieun, mehnend de iro
prevst klewos. Id hybride populationo nel-ye kieur de woide an is roy qui rul ir beurto resis
in deusk Khemi au in tweiser Aghrapur. Satrap Jungir Khan wieldh Zamboula ed eet susurt
od Nafertari, eys parika, wieldh Jungir Khan ; men i leuds continuer ambikwehle, lahnd
pelupoik-ye ia strads, wesneihnd, vatend, drehnkend, lieubhend, kam i leuds os Zamboula
eekwehrneunt pon id dien kun idsa tors ed minaras sielg id sand ios Kharamun.

Aysen lanternes, sculpt samt fradend dragons, hieb esto daght in ia strads pre Conano niek
id dom os Aram Baksh. Id creschma eet id senst wict baytel tos westwort strad. Un vast
garden perambhen med uno mur ed in-yod crohsc meg-ye kathire palmanakhels, separit id
ud ia doms oistrugen eusti. Wester quem id creschma lyohg alyo palmagarden, tohrt ab un
strad ex id centre ios urb quod se forsohrp do id desert. Face id creschma, ocolo id strad,
stahsit un roig om newict hyts, perbohrct ud vid ab oik rar palmas, quom saul occupants
eent bauls ed shagals. Menxu Conan stighit ghom id strad, is dieumit ma i taskars, qui eent
tem kathire in Zamboula, ne hiebeer bifanghen ti deserta doms kay swehpe ter. Ia luces ne
beluc tetro. Eet neid lanterne her, ploisko tod hangend ud id dwer ios creschma ; neid
ploisko ia stars, id teun pensuk ep id strad in-yod is ghieng, ed id sosule om palmawaraks
oisrohten ab id desertbrise.

Arams dwer ne duxit ei strad, sontern ei allee quod lit inter id creschma ed id palmagarden.
Conan protietraxit impatient-ye id spartak ios clock hangend nieb id lanterne ed ieug id
behngos tutundend-ye id dwer – ex saj ed samt isern chambranle – med id hamand siens
eins. Un spionka ghyahsit in id dwer ed un swordo protiokwo wierdh ter.

– Vahs tu ghyane tod dwer, cretin ? Iom hailit Conan. Swehpo her. Ho paygh' mien
kamer ad Aram ed swehpsiem eni, per Crom !

Is Aydokwo xyiengit kay glanzes apter Conan, kyid starbelucen strad ; yed is ghyien id dwer
aun alyo commente, ed zaghyien id za iom Kimri, wehrtend id cleich ed redehnd id perchin.
Id extromur eet necommun-ye hog, yed furs eent kathire in Zamboula, ed un dom stahnd ye
id kenar ios desert eet zielil pro un noctrazzia im vagders edghi dohlg bihe protegen. Conan
ghieng perodh per un garden quer mier palla flors inclineer-se in id diutis iom stars, dind
entrit id locanda, quer un Stygian samt id xurt cap os un studyent sess claus uno meja,
meditend sombre-ye de aunnama mysteirs, ed quer pauk neskaun individus in un kantun
chid ambh zahrs.

Aram Baksh oistohmbh kyom lengver-ye. Is eet un corpulent wir quod sword berd hieng tiel
eyso xiongbu, samt un skamb stehlbnas ed smulk mimovend kyehrsen okwi.
 – Eiskws tu meje ? Sprohg is. Drehnke ?
– Ho ess un beufrost ed un pancel in id souk, brohm Conan. Bringhe mi un bock os
Ghazan vin... Mi etileikwt gnebh kafi kay payghe id, antwohrd is xeubhend-ye un
cuperpieng ep id vinpoik contor.
– Hiebs' neid nassib in jweteng ?
– Quosmed tar habiem io ghohden habend-ye tik oik sildbwrs ep me kay inkape ? Tib
ho payght id kamer todeghern ob io wois vahsim aundwoi luses. Volim ses yakin de
habe un tect uper mien cap honoct. Ho kaun od nimen swehpt in strads in Zamboula.
Hatta i taskars sib eiskwnt un firida in quod ghehdent se barricade pre noctgumt. Id
citad soll' ses infesten ab un bande em besonters cruorlasni latros.

Is sorpsit unte oin schtoss id ieftin vin samt evident satisfaction, dind sohkw Aram Baksh
exter id locanda. Za iom interrup ies mukumars ir jweteng ed apterspohc iom enigmatic-ye
ed sehgner-ye.

Sieygeer neid, bet is Stygian iliey, un dekhschatic gleimen, pehldend med goilia ed
nemensco cynisme. Alters oispohceer ghom, bfuyow, vergeihnd-ye vide mutu. Ia kerdsa un
stygiano mualim studyet ne beziele smyehrihes iom ia emotions unis normal ensan ghehdt
khisses.

Conan sohkw Aram unte un dikhliz beluct ab cupern lampes ed ne prihsit od eys mejban
gohnit neid blosko ghangend-ye. Arams peds eent beschout samt urand babuscha ed id
dikhlizswol eet covohrno med teug turani kelims. Eet lakin semjecto diskhauris in id buhsa-
ye ningwayto ios Zamboula wir. Ghehdus do id bud ios sinueus dikhliz, Aram stopit ant un
dwer skeir ant-yod lyohg un gwaur isern stangh ep metallic anetas. Aram ieyrit tod ed
penetrih iom Kimri un kaur-ye decoren kamer, quos fensters eent smulk ed samt un solid
riche-ye cisellt isern kankel, quo Conan kieu fauran. Eent kelims ep id demped, tabouretts
samt exkmehn sculptures, ed un oriental couch. Eet un kamer meg deluxer quem qua Conan
habiet poisso sib tules in id centre ios urb... ed to hieb attract iom hetro, kun is hieb vighapt
in id aghyern od ia festa iom akhir diens hieb maung tuichiht eys beurs. Oin hevd prever
hieb is likwn id desert kay arrive do Zamboula.

Aram hieb daghen un aysen lampe ed bud tun Conan ibs dwo dwers. Ambo eent samt gwaur
perchins.

– Ghehdsies swehpe in salvtat honoct, Kimri, iey Aram, meicend epter sien puk berd,
pon id entratsdwer.

Conan antwohrd med un brohma ed xubh sieno mier eins ep id couch.

– Tien perchins ed stanghs sont solid, yed swehpo semper con stal nieb me.
Aram antwohrd neid ; is nafinghrit sien teug berd unte oik instants, starnd ei buxianxu
weben. Bet is oisgwohm silent, cludend id dwer apter se. Conan actionot id perchin, tohr id
kamer, ghyien id witer dwer ed glaz extro. Id kamer uperspohc id strad quod oistrohc ex id
urb kyid west. Idpet dwer duxit uni smulki ghehrd, isolen ud id reste ios edifice ab un alt
mur aun ghyahsa, bet id ghem deil tos mur engwn id strad hieb un aunperchin dwer.

Conano nastahsit unte un khvil ep id soyl, belucen za se ab id cupern lampe, apterspehcend

id strad quod se forlit inter ia kathire nakhels. Ir palmas sosuleer protie mutu sub id mulayim
brise ; trans ta strohc id bare desert. Dalg ocolo, ep id strad, is dyohrc luce ed ieur ia stumpa
bloska ios urb. Her, eent tik id kweitert iom stars, id sosule iom palmas, ed, trans tod maceir,
id duilo ios strad ed ia desert kalives qua udlyig ir banisban ibs stars nihanct in id waurn.
Semtos trans ia palmagardens bigrohm un tambur.

Ia auncoherence warnens ios Zuagir renfiell ei, kwehkend semkam minter exagerat quem ei
hieb tengiet in id sollucic waurglahto strad. Is dieum iter de id enigma tom tuich kalives.

Ma i taskars vergihr ia ? Is rik id kamer ed andiem id dwer.

Id luce biflickrit ; is pieursk ma ed rughiet kun is vighieb id palmol ios lampe eet quasi
exhausen. Is sa-kiel Aram, yed plex ed sgwes id lampe. Is lyohgit ghom alnos dut ep sien
couch in id zamtlik temos ed eyso staur hand ambhtastit kyeys eins dind se dehsit
instinctive-ye ep ids hamand. Spehcend med un distract ok ia stars dyohrct per id kankel
iom fensters, id sosule ios brise blahnd inter ia palmas ghohd do eys aurs ed is sohnk do
swehpen, vagh-ye consciend id grohm ios tambur, ter, in id desert... id id stump grohm ed id
murmure uns lietertenden tambur, pamstampen unte rythmic ed felterlik movs ab un
aydokwo hando.

II
Noctgwehmers

Nu-traxit id blosk unios nin-ye ghyanen dwer iom Kimri ex swehpen. Is ne gohr kam un
civilisen wir... karakhen, lethargic ed kyopev, sontern unte oin schtoss, kweitermenos,
recogneihvs id blosko quod hieb interrupt eyso swehpen. Tenden, lyehgend in temos, is vis
id extosdwer ghyahe lent-ye. In id rewos quod weureriesc ye cada secunde wierdh uno mier
kyehrsen forme.... plaut ed wonk omsa ed un dusformen cap, ant ia stars.

Conan khiss id krewos os sien regvo ghehrse. Is hieb kaur-ye perchinen tod dwer. Quosmed
tar ghohd id ghyahe ye todpet moment, sonst med un supernatural wassila ? Ed ghohd un
ensan habe un cap samkwehkend quod wierdhit protie ia stars ? Ta quanta narns de demons
ed goblins is hieb aurn sub ia delts im Zuagirs ei renfiell, perleihnd un glehdjswoid ep eys
corpos ? Taiper snohg el monster aunblosk in id kamer, endersedden ghom ed
oistehmbhehnd. Un familiar odor ghohd do ia nastorms ios Kimri, aun yed rassure iom,
chunke zuagir legends confereer ad demons talg odor.

Aunblosk elih Conan siena mier jambs sub se. Eys exkardkascht eins eet in eys dexter hand.
Kun is plieg, to buit tem stayg ed katel quem un tigher klaupend ex temos. Eys eins incontrit
krewos ed osta ed dub tetro, ed semjecto collapsit gwaur-ye ghomtro samt un strangulen
crie. Conan se clihsit uper id in id temos, nadehrjend in hand sien cruorsmeu eins. Diabel,
gver au mensc, el creature lyohg tuntos mortu ep id demped. Is Kimri khiss mohrt kam
quelkwe wild creature ghehdt khisses id. Per id enderghyanto dwer spohc is do id
caudghehrd belucen ab stardiutis. Id dwer ios maceir eet ghyant, yed id ghehrd eet tuich.
Conan clus id dwer siens kamer, yed ne perchinit id. Ambhtastend in temos, is trohv id
lampe ed diegh id. Ter eet kafi ol kay id ghohd aydhe unte circa oino minute. Oik secunes
serter clihsit-se uper el forme fallt ghomtro in un cruorpadwl.

Eet un olbjimaydokwo, nogwo ploisko un lendvkatan. Is dar dohrj in sien hand uno
gneubhic wagher. Eys crisp kaysar eet tricto do ketters med uradels ed tursen slamm. Nu-
hieb tod barbaro frisure confern eysi cap un dusformet aspect in id starkweitert. Habend
tuntos un indice kay solve id enigma, Conan slah ia teug ed rudh lipps ub ed emiss un
brohm aunstehgend-ye ia dospicen dents.

Is bad ghieb id mysteir im tarniens qui eent missend in id dom os Aram Baksh, id enigma
ios aydokwios tamburios battios trans ia palmagardens, ed tod ios ghyamen samt calcinen
osta... tos ghyamen quer ghohd bihe pohkwt un curieus miems in stardiutis, menxu aydokwi
demons eent hockt ambh id ogwn kay stille ir hideus ed vorace hungher. Is wir qui lyohgit
ghomi eet un cannibalsclav ex Darfar.

Ti eent kathire urbi. Anthropophagia ne eet ouvert-ye toleret in Zamboula, bet Conan wois
tuntos ma leuds dombohnd-se tant kaur-ye nocts ed ma hatta i taskars vergihr dworis allees
ed kharab terbs qua neti hieb dwers. Is emiss un disgustbrohm imaginend-ye kyehrsen ed
bestial skadhs oisnehgend unte ia strads pos noctgumt po sem menscpraedd... ed menscens
kam Aram Baksh, qui ghyien ir dwers pro i. Is creschmer ne eet un demon, is eet meis khiter
quem to. Darfar sclavs eent notor-ye sclavs ; aundwoi wohs un part irs lwon inter ia ghesors
os Aram Baksh. Ed po to im procurit so mensckrewos.

Conan abblahsit id lampe, ghieng perodh kyid dwer ed ghyien id, passend sien hand ep ia
decorations exo. Oin ex ia eet mobil ed actionit id perchin eni. Id kamer eet neid meis quem
un kapan concept kay kape menscpraedds kamsei leiteit de cuincules. Bet ye tod ker, vice
un cuincule, ter wohs un sabredento tigher.

Conan rikit kyalter dwer, ieyr id perchin ed puscit. Id dwero remien blocken. Eet impossible
ghyane id. Is mohm id perchin ocolo. Aram incurs neid risk, kweter con sien victims quem
con i menscens con qui is dil. Recomapend sien ghehrdel, is Kimri sielg do id aula, cludend
id dwer apter se. Is nel-ye hoanskwit perikwihnes Aram Baksh. Is dieum quayt orm victims
hieb est niterplact unte ir swehpen ed sohlct ex tod kamer tiel id strad, pre tehre id tenimers
palmagarden ed viroste in id ghyamen.

Is oistahsit still in id ghehrd. Id tambur namurmurit ed is vis id inikas uns reudhernd diutis
quod kwecto klieupit per ia drus. Anthropophagia eet meis quem un pervers appetitt pro
Darfar aydokwens ; eet integral part irs buxianxu cult. Ies kyehrsen gwulturs hieb ja
sammelt. Bet med quodkwe krewos plehient ir stomak hovesper, ne esiet med eyso.

Kay hihes Aram Baksh, is tohrb udglehme oino iom murs quod separit id smulko ghehrd ud
id magno garden. Ta murs eent alt ed bestohmen kay arke i menscedds, yed Conano ne eet
un Aydokwo gwivus sien hol jumiung in jauzaeks ; eys muscles hieb darmascen unte eyso
yuwent ep ia brenk behrgs os eys vatan. Is oistahsit pod id prokwst mur kun un crie
repercussit-se sub ia drus.

Unte oin instant hockit Conan ant id dwer ed spohc dalgtro ep id strad. Id blosko gwohm ex
inter ia skadhs iom kalives oistahnd ocolo tod strad. Is ieur un frenitic kharkhar ed uno
gneur, kamsei semanghen habiet just pit crie samt un aydokwo hando stuppend sien stohm.
Un compacto grupp gastalten emers ex ta skadhs ed ieg perodh engwn id strad... tri enorm
Aydokwi transportend un smiegd silhouette quel se strubh inter iens. Conan dyohrc id arg
om clar memsa crampend in starkweitert. Ye id sam moment, med un convulsive mov, el
silhouette skiep id strineg iom brutal finghers ed todrahsit ep id strad... Un slanca gwenak
tem nogwa quem ye id dien aysios gnahsa. Conan iam vis distinct-ye pre ia tocurs ex id
strad kay disprehpe do temos. Ies Aydokwi apterpersneer iam unte oin instant ed ir gastalts
confuseer-se moxu con ia skadhs. Un dusbohr crie om angst ed horror cliengh ub.

Lambht ab un extercontrol furor face tod buxianxu skau, Conan elien-se ocolo id strad.

Neter ia victim, ni ays raptors bedyohrc ays presence pre id mulayim sandgnirsko sub eys
peds volgihsit i. Is eet tun ja quasi ep iens, chargend med id hol marwtic furor uns
clinwindcutt. Dwo iom Aydokwen vols kay drehde iom, swehngend ir wagher. Bet ies hieb
duskohnsen ye quod syrat is uperfiell iens. Oiter lyohg ja ghomi, exgventern, hatta pre
ghehdus plage. Dwajend kam un cat, Conan exclihsit id waghercutt quod alter tentit ei bires
ed ripostit ye blixsyrat, strideihndo sieno miech. Id cap ios Aydokwios plukit ; id auncap
nayvo titubit tri stieups perodh, sien hands beichend-ye blindend id tuich, cruor gwohl
saccade-ye, dind id sohnk do id duil.

Is senst cannibal stiup retro emittend-ye un strangulet crie, toxeubhend sien kaptu. Sa kwohl
ed rollit in id duil. Is Aydokwo, alnos paniquet, abdrahsit kyid urb ed Conan aptercurs iom.
Paur quasi okupehtih tom Aydokwum, yed is ne hatta hieb naken id senst hyt kun is khiss
nehc in sien regv ed is mugih kam un aux in id mazbakh.

– Kyehrsen haydkwaun ! Exclamit Conan sehnd-ye sien eins inter ia aydokw omsa
samt tant kwitorfuror quem id mier miech pwolstohlb ex id xiongbu siens victim.
Emittend un strangulet crie, is Aydokw alnos collapsit. Conan stahsit darm-ye ep id
grund ed straxit sien eins ex id nayvo siens victim kunkye so se fallsis.

Tik id brise sroht ia waraks. Conan scussit sien cap kam un lion scutt sien griva ed brohm ob
neti stillus sien cruorghigda. Bet nel alyis forme emers ex temos ed id starbelucto strad eet
desert. Is pivotit jaldi ep seswo aurnd-ye id stieupblosko za se, yed eet tik ia gwen. Ia curs
ed rusch kyom, passend sien brakhs ambh eys coll in un desperato strineg, terrorfoll
ghabend-ye id abominable beurt ia hieb just-ye skapt.

– Sakwn, bent, brohm is. Nun es in salvtat. Quosmed hant ies kapen te ?

Ia sluct semject nepretable. Dat is chohx iam prokwtos in stardiutis, is myohrs alnos Aram
Baksh tun. Ays teint eet pall, esdi ays cuit eet bamb ; okwivid-ye oina iam kathire mestissen
trohft in Zamboula. Ia eet buland, samt minc ed slanc corpos, kam is ghohd quaytlibt
constate. Ia okwi ios Kimri embraseer-se admirend-ye ayso splendid pizdan ed ays teuneg
memsa qua nakruseer sub id cutt om paur ed strieyke. Is passit uter brakh ambh eys urand
lendv ed ay sieyg med un rassurant ton :

– Zatremble, bent. Neti tehrps baye nuntos.

Id contact os eys corpos kwecto ay redahsit aysa senses. Ia slah retro sien teug sword ed
silklika ghayts ed glaz pauric-ye epter eys oms, se sehrnd dar meis protie iom Kimri, kamsei
ia eiskwiet salvtat in tod contact.

– Me han' kapen stradi, murmurit ia kreuselnd-ye. Eent ye lyogher apter un deusk

arcade... Aydokwi quoy kwohk kam buland massive kieps ! Set me rahimattu ! Vahm
habe coschmars de to !
– Quod kwohrst tu stradi ye talg noctsaat ? Suwiel is ed sammel drahih sien finghers ep
ays corpos, fascinet ab id contact os ays swadh ed satinliko cuit.

Ia bruk retro sien kays ed iom spohc med un sliepo protiokwo. Ia kwecto ne conscicit eys
caresses.

– Mien habibe, ieyit ia. Mien habibe me hat xubh' do id strad. Is hat bihn foll ed hat
tenten nices me. Menxu eem mwaungsound buim kapen ab tens brutes.
– Un kjiarjien kam tu ghehdiet duce un wir do follia, iey Conan, sien finghers drahnd
kongcio in id silkliko kaysar.

Ia scussit sien cap, kamsei emergiet ex un genis torpor. Ia neti tremblit ed ays voc eet
darmer.

– To hol gwehmt ex id jalousia uns ghutor... Totrasmek, Hanumans megil ghutor, qui
fanghskwiet me... So kwaun !
– Ne val' balstehme iom de to, brohm Conan. So veut hyena hat seller gus' quem quo io
mohn.

Ia ignorit tod destull abrupt compliment. Ia retrohv jaldi sien swekwria.

– Mien habibe est... un yun turani soldat. Kay harme me, Totrasmek iom hat pohiht un
drogh quod iom hat buwen foll. Hovesper, is hat sizen un eins ed hat volen me nices
in sien dementia, yed ho fuct ud iom do id strad. Tun hant ies Aydokwi lambhen me
ed abducen do tod... Quod eet to ?

Conan eet ja in action. Tem silent quem un skadh, is nih iam gwenak apter id prokwst
kalive, sub oino iom rare palmas. I mien ter in un tenso silence, menxu ia stumpa murmures
qua bo hieb aurt bihr stets meis akster ; bad i ghohd prete quo eet saygen. Circa nev au dec
Aydokwi ghieng ep id strad ex id urb. Ia bent siz Conans brakh ed is khiss ays teuneg corpos
glehmer protie sieno.
Taiper i ghohd prete ia guttural vocs iom Aydokwen :

– Nies braters sont ja sammeln ambh id ghyamen, iey oin ex iens. Ne hams hab' nassib.
Spehm han' kafi pro nos.
– Aram nos hat promitten un wir, muticit alyos.

Conan promiss ment-ye semject pro Aram.

– Aram respectet quo is taunct, brohm un trit. Hams kap' mul' menscens in eys
creschma. Bet ei suapayghmos. Ioswo ho dahn ei dec silkrabitas io hieb raubhen ud
mien poti. Eet gohd silk, per Set !

Ies Aydokwi pristiup i, ir bare peds samt ghohncta doiks oistampend id duil, dind id swon irs
voc minc.

– Noroc-ye pro nos od ia cadavers lyehge apter ia kalives, muticit Conan. Sei gwahient
do Arams nehckamer, trehvient alyo. Smad abgwahe hetos.
– Ya, smad spehde ! Iom iltijit ia meirka, quam hysteria hieb amalan relambhen. Mien
habibe erret semloc in ia strads, mon. Kad ies Aydokwi vahn' lambhnes iom.
– Quod un balstohmen swohd ! Brohm Conan. (Preceddend iam gwenak, is bighiengit
kyid citad, ud medsu id strad kay passe apter ia kalives ed drus). Ma ne extermine i
civs tens kyehrsen kwauns ?
– Son' kimatih sclavs, susurit ia bent. Sont tem kathire quem ya ghehdien' pamrlane sei
ibs bihiet refuset id krewos quod habskwnt. I weikers os Zamboula suawoid od
aluent in strads pos noctgumt edghi kaurn' de se barricade, ploisko ob un exteradet
wakya, kam to mi tyohc. Ies Aydokwi hant praedd quantends ies ghehde kape, biadet
tik tarniens. I leuds os Zamboula ne kaurn' de peregrins.
Mensci kam Aram Baksh pehrne ti tarniens ibs Aydokwims, yed is naiwo deursiet
kwehre id sam med un civ.

Conan spiusit ob disgust. Lyt pos, is ed eysa sokwnia ghohdeer tsay do id strad quer tod
vibihsit lizdt ab silent ed temosmers doms. Tenisnehge ne eet in id buhsa ios Kimri.

– Quetro eiskws tu ? Sprohg is iam gwenaku qua kwecto ne pigher de id brakh is Kimri
hiebit passen ambh eys lendv.
– Do hem, kay protiebudes mien slougs, antwohrd ia, ed wehle iens abpaurske mien
habibe. Ne volo mae i weikers, ies ghutors... mae anghen mantht is hat follascen. Is...
is est un yun officier samt un promissor future ant se. Kad ghehdsiemos bringhes iom
tsay do aum sei iom retrehvmos.
– Sei wey iom retrehvmos ? Brohm Conan. Quod beuwt od credeihs vahm passe id noc'
begwahnd-ye strads po un dement ?

Ia glaz iom jaldi ed interpretit correct-ye id argo quod blig eni eys blou okwi. Quakwe gwen
habiet ghaben is sehkwiet iam quetro ia eiskwiet... bariem, unte sem wakt. Bet, ka gwen, ia
sis prehpe neid ex to.

– Plais..., bisieygit ia, med un voco quetos emerseer sleucts. Ne ho alyo quom budes ad
 hehlp... Buist tem sell...
– Tamam, brohm is. Tamam ! Quod est id nam tos yun dusact ?
– Bet... Eys nam est Alafdhal. Ego de som Zabibi, un dansster. Ho ops dansen pro iom
satrap, Jungir Khan ed eys parika, Nafertari, tem quem ant vasyens swamens ed
noble dames os Zamboula. Totrasmek me wohn ed dat ho repuls iom, is me hat buwt,
newissab me, id innocent alat siens vengence contra Afadhal. Io mi hieb udprohgen
un liubhsphilter ud Totrasmek, dalg ud suspece id extense os eys haines ed hila. Is mi
hat daht un drogh ad schehnke secret-ye do id vin miens habibe, mi kassamus od kun
Alafdhal drehnkiet, is bihiet dar majnouner dia me ed acceptiet mien qualib' desires.
Hoghi mixt rahas-ye id drogh ei vin miens habibe, bet is hat bihn alnos foll pos
drehnkus id ; jects han' dind wakyet kam ho lohct. Balstohmen estu Totrasmek, so
hybride serpent... Ahhh !!!

Ia siz convulsive-ye id brakh ios Kimri ed bo stahr still.

I hieb arrivet do un quartier schopen ed butiquen, clus ed tenimers, idghi saat eet sert. Un
still ed silent wir stahsit ye id ingumt ios strad quod i prighieng. Eys cap eet cliht perodh,
yed Conan dyohrc id curieus arg eysen stragn okwi qua spohc iom aun palpeber. Is Kimri
krus, ne ob paur ios eins is wir dohrj, sontern ob id bfuxiong stragnitat os eys darmen ed
eyso silence, qua suggesteer follia. Conan puscit iam meirka gontro ed exkardkieschit sien
eins.

– Mae neic iom ! Iom iltijit ia. In id nam os Set, mae neic iom ! Es nert... Immobilise
iom !
– Vidsiemos, murmurit is, seizend sien eins in sien dexter hand ed zaghyanend sien
levter peungsto do un compact masse.

Is oistohmbh tadbir-ye do id gatva... ed samt un horrible schaki gleimen, is Turani chargit,

swehngend sieno miech ed oistaund ep pedako kay ghehde plange med sien hol nerce.
Moder bliutes gwohl kun Conans eins hurt eyso. Oin instant poskwo, is dement lyohg in id
duil, niterplact ab id athime cutt birn ab Conano med eys levter peungst.

Ia gwenak se precipitit kyom marloub wir.

– Oh, is ne est.. Is ne est...

Conan se clihsit okutat-ye, volvih iom wir gontro ed palpit jaldi eys corpos.

– Is ne hat maung, brohm is. Eys nas sehrct, bet to est normal pos dakus un cutt ep eys
ghyanu. Vaht disbayaldisse kariban ed kad habsiet retrohven aum. Entrim, vahm
diehnes eys runcs med eys yeusmen... Kwohrn ! Gohd, quetro vols tu ke io transporte
iom ?
– Skehpt !

Ia genuit prosch iom still forme, siz ia diehn hands ed chohx ia hirsic-ye. Dind, scuttend sien
cap kamsei ia esiet sammel profund-ye decepen ed surpriden, ia stieu tsay. Ia gwohm ad
glehmber protie iom Kimri ed posit sien fayn hands ep eys massive torso. Ays deusk okwi,
samlik ad sword ed opac joyels tweisend in starkweitert, spohc ub kyeysa.
 – Es un wir ! Hehlp me ! Totrasmek dehlc' nehce ! Neic iom pro me !
– Kay habe un turani seil ambh mien coll? Brohm is.
– No ! (Ays teuneg brakhs, tem resistant quem urando stal, periembh id taurcoll. Ayso
slanc corpos vibrit hol protie tod Conans). Hyrkanis ne kame Totrasmek. I ghutors os
Set iom baynt. Est un bastard, qui seddeiht sien waldh uper menscens med paur ed
superstitions. Dyeino Set, ed Hyrkanis dientowe ant Erlik, bet Totrasmek gheut mauls
ad Hanuman iom Balstohmt ! Turani swamens baynt eys kyehrsen magia ed id
ascendant is hat uper mestissas, ed ies deteste iom. Hatta Jungir Khan ed eys parika,
Nafertari, iom baynt ed haine. Sei is bihiet nict in sien temple nocts, nimen se
strehngiet maung ad retrehve el vinovat.
– Quod de eys magic maghs ? Brohm is Kimri.
– Es un jenchi, antwohrd ia. Riske tien gwit est part tiens profession.
– Po un mizdo, admissit is.
– Bihsies mizdt ! Blahsit ia stahnd-ye ep sien pedak, mergend sien okwi endo eysa.

Id prokwtat tos kreusend corpos embras id sehrg in ia veines ios wir. Id profume os eys
soluk stigh do eys kers. Bet dat ia brakhs ios Kimri zaghyahr ambh ayso slanc corpos, ia
slub med un urando geste ed gwut :

– Patience ! Dehlcs preter mi serve.

– Dah mi tien pris, articulit is samt sem difficultat.
– Leiv mien habibe, iom wohl ia.

Is Kimri clih-se ed upernihsit aun effort id mier corpos epter sieno massive oms. Unte tod
instant, ei kwohk is habiet ghohdto tem facil-ye volvihes id palat os Jungir Khano med un
omscutt. Ia meirka susurit oik rehmwerds ei aunmov yuwen, ed eet neid hypocrisis in ays
attitude. Okwivid-ye, ia liubh sincere-ye Alafdhal. Quakwe bih ays arrangements con iom
Kimri, ta habient neid incidence ep ays relation con Alafdhal. Gwens sonti meis pragmatic
quem wirs in tod xeimen. Quo Alafdhal naiwo gnohiet iti khakiet hurtes iom.

– Sehkwe me !

Ia elien-se ep id strad ed is Kimri sohkwit iam med un aisic gwayt, nel-ye hindert ab sien
inert behrmen. Is uperwiekh samt attention ia sword skadhs sub ia arcades, bet vis neid
suspect. Ies Darfar wirs eent aundwoi sammelt ambh id ghyamen quer rosteer ir victims. Ia
meirka bighieng do un angh perpendicular gatva ed lyt poskwo stus un kehmberdwer.

Quasi fauran, un spionca ghyahsit in id uber panell ed un aydokwo lige prohp in id ghyahsa.
Zabibi xyieng perodh ed murmurit oik werds. Righels knier in ir scludblecha ed id dwer
ghyahsit. Un aydokw olbjim wierdh in id kridern diutis uns cupern lampe. Un glanez
manthih Conan is wir ne eet ex Darfar. Eys dents ne eent dospict ed eys crisp kays eent
corthajamat. Is eet un Waday.

Pos un werd as Zabibi, Conan sklas id inert corpos inter ia brakhs ios Aydokwios, qui lyig
iom yuwen ep un zamten couch. Senter kwohk dar meg dalg ud disbayaldisse. Id cutt quod
hieb niterplagen iom habiet nigvohnen un aux. Zabibi se clihsit uper iom unte oik instants
ed ays finghers oisroht ed kriempeer nerveus-ye. Dind ia stieu tsay ed znieyc ei Kimri ke
sohkwit iam.

Id dwer buit zaghyant aunblosk, ia perchins clickeer apter i, ed id spionca buit renplacen,
beghseihnd i id diutis iom lampes.

– Ne vahs me aptoslinkwes ?

Is oiscussit sien griva-liko kaysar, pondost in stardiutis.

– Tun sehkwe me tiel id schangdien os Hanuman, ed kem i divs rahimate nies atmens !

I ghieng in silent strads, kam specters ex id antiquitat. Nel-ye tolkeer. Kad ia benta mohn de
sien habibe, lyehgend aunmov ep id couch, ye id diutis iom cupern lampes, we ia tremblit
ob paur sehgnend-ye de quo exspectit i in Hanumans demoniak schangdien. Is barbar mohn
tik de iam gwen qua trohc tem urand-ye nieb iom. Id xiaunki os ays profumen kaysar plehsit
eys nastorms ed id sensualitatsaura quod emanit ex iam lahsit eys ment, linkwnd place nei
alyi bren.

Ye sem moment, i ieur id clicken om aysbeschout peds ed endergwohm do ia skadhs uns

arcade menxu un squade om pelishtim guardes ieg pri i. Eent penkdem, marchend in angh
formation, aykems rect perodh. Ies yeudmi ios senst rang bohr ir mier massingschild in iro
regv mar bihe dyohgwt caudtos. Ies aydokwi cannibals oiskip un lughav menace hatta pro
armet yeudmens.

Yant id blosk iren sandals hieb swohnden ye id bud ios strad, Conan ed ia meirka sielg ir
kulk ed kwohryeer ir itner spehdend-ye.

Oik instants serter, i dyohrc id ghem ed massive edifice, quod un banisban epkih, ir
destination.

Id temple os Hanuman stahsit medsu un vaste place, silent ed desert sub ia stars. Neid alyo
treb stieu prokwem. Uno marmormur ghohrd id schangdien, interrupt ab uno mier ghyahsa,
aun portal ni barrier, seid face id portic.

– Ma ne vane ies Aydokwi ir preadds hetro ? Murmurit Conan. Neid ibs stambh'
penetre id temple.

Is khiss Zabibi tremble kun ia se press protie iom.

– Baynt Totrasmek, kam iom bayn' vasyi Zamboula weilers, pati Jungir Khan ed
Nafertari. Gwehm ! Oku, pre mien muscles se liquifient !

Id paur ios meirka eet palpable, bet ia ne slaberiesc. Conan exkardkieschit sien eins ed passit
ant iam kun i uperghieng id ghyahsa. Is kohgnit ia hideusa swohds im oriental ghutors ed
wois od un intrus miegh exspecte incontre quelkwe coschmar creature. Is gnohsit eent meg
pauk chances an is ed ia benta nehsient ex id temple, bet is hieb risken sien gwit pior kathire
kers kay kunges pior diu de tod genos considerationen.
Arriveer do uno marmorpaven ghehrd quod blig samt un subkwito diutis sub id starkweitert.
Un cort gastieup duxit ei colonnen portic. Ia mier aysen dwers eent ghyant, kam eent pon
secules. Bet nel dyindar aydih kundur eni. Unte id dien, wakyit od wirs ed gwens penetreer
timid-ye id schangdien kay sklade offers ep id altar ios kiepdiv. Nocts, i leuds vergihr
bayasen-ye Hanumans temple kam kesi mane apo id laz es un serpent.

Mijmerlampes bemiedh id inner med un stragno kridert diutis, ei confernd un guway aspect.
Prokwem id budmur, apter id altar ex sword petra, thronit is div, aiwostarnd ei ghyanen
dwer, unte-yod eys rosensregen victims hieb gwohmen perodh unte secules. Un plask
auluck lit ex ia frontstieupens tiel id altar ed kun Conan ghieng ep id, is oistraxit sien ped
kamsei is habiet trohden un serpent. Tod auluck hieb est eros ab ia sohlct peds ios
dwaschawo tim qui hieb nohct heulend-ye ep tod buxianxu altar.

Bestial forme in id rhayr-yakin luce, Hanuman fried in sien petramask. Is khayatsess kam
unis mensc, ne kam un kiep habiet hockt ; lakin eys aspect remienit maymounlik. Is hieb
glupt ex sword marmor, yed eys okwi eent rubins, aydhend med un jar tem scarlat ed
schakhwatisk quem ia geuls ex ia deubst infernal tehoms. Eys mier hands kihr ep eys grem,
pams ubtro, eys noghwent finghers ghyant ed kam sa-seizend semject. Id hol abominable
cynisme ios degener cult quod iom buw un divtat eet skweitet in id extermedia om eys
nerkwekmors ed id salace protiokw quod emanit ex eys traits.

Ia meirka gir id idol, trehcend kyid budmur, ed kun ays cloin strif un petragenu, ia abvic
bayasen-ye, kreusend kamsei un reptil habiet just iam touchet. Un plurstieup rewos separit
id weru regv ios idol ud id marmormur ornen med un frise ex golden waraks. Ambi id idol,
un ivordwer subkeihnd un golden arche eet embaudhen in id mur.

– Ta dwers duce ibs dwo borsims os un semicircular dikhliz, ieyit ia med un blahmen.
Ho ja gwohmen oins do id temple... Tik oins ! (Ia krus ed ays omsa trohs in mehmen
tos sammel terrifiant ed obscene episode). Id dikhliz hat id forme uns naal, ed ieter
bors duct tei kielken. Totrasmeks appartments wehse eni id kehmb ed duce ei dikhliz.
Bet exist un secreto dwer in tod mur, quod adduc' direct-ye oini iom inner kyals...

Ia errih tun sien hands ep id glat surface, quer neid tarak, neid auluck eet visible. Conan
stahsit nieb iam, einsghesor, ambiglanzend mistrust-ye. Id silence, id absence os gwit in id
temple, ed quo is imaginit wehse apter tod mur, tod hol ei dahsit id pondos os ses un gver
qui neust un kapan.

– Ah ! (Ia hiebit bad-ye trogven un kohlen per ed un kyehrsen rectagle ghyahsit in id
mur. Dind ia hieb tik id wakt os hules:) Set !

Menxu Conan klieup kyam, is vis od uno mier dusformet hand hieb just-ye sizen iam
gwenak per ayso kays. Ia buit rohven ex id swol ed tragen brusk-ye ocolo id ghyahsa.
Conan tentit in vain protiedare iam ed khissit sien finghers oislides ep id bare cuit ias
dansster. Unte oin instant, ia hieb disprohpt ed id mur hieb rebihn tem glato quem prever. Ex
ocolo id sten ei ghohd bragv-ye ia stumpa bloska uns katu, dind un crie, quod is ieur kam ex
meg dalg, punctuet ab un grave gleimen quod glohdj eyso sehrg in eys veines.
 III
In id fangh iom kyehrsen ghesors

Rughatend-ye, is Kimri bir un athime cutt med id pomel siens eins ei mur. Id marmoro
crieckel ed dreska pluk. Bet id secreto dwer ne cess ed is deduxit tetos id hieb sigwra bihn
andamen ex ocolo. Abgeirus, is klieup kyuter ivorn dwer.

Is liv sien eins kay behnge id panell, yed preter pit per chance ghyane id dwer med sien
levter hand. Ghyahsit aun probleme ed is ghohd vide un longo kehmb dikhliz, madhend in
id stragn ed muzlim diutis oispohrn ab mijmers samlik tibs ios schangdien. Is dyohrc un
gwaur golden perchin ep id aneta ios dwer ed touchit id mulayim-ye med sien fingherbors.
Tik unis menscis qual makdours eent egal tibs uns wolf habiet ghohden detege id tepor ios
metall. Semanghen hieb touchet, edghi stract, tod perchin oik secundes prever. Tod hol
besoyn stets meis kwohkit kam un kapan dehn protie iom. Is habiet sollen ghabe od
Totrasmek khiek lipses woide quando semanghen introduxit-se do id temple.

Penetre tod dikhliz mieyn okwivid-ye se xubhes do tod kapan, quodkwe bih id, dehn protie
iom ab iom ghutor. Yed is nel-ye kung. Semloc eni tod sombre edifice, Zabibi eet
kyalbohndt ed, yeji quo is wois de ia kweits im ghutors os Hanuman, is eet convicen ia
desperat-ye wien eys hehlp. Conan stohmbhit perodh in id dikhliz, parat ad plange levtro we
dextro.

Levter quem is, kehmberdwers duxeer ei dikhliz, ed is probirit ein pos ein. Quanta eent
andamen. Is hieb stiupen quargimtias kun id corridor kohmbit brusk-ye levtro, wardheihnd
id olan describen ab iam meirka. Un dwer duxit tei olan ed ghyahsit sub eys hand.

Is vis un quadrat kielken, lyt kreins belucto quem id dikhliz. Eys murs eent ex kwit marmor,
id demped ex ivot ed id tavan ex frettet argwrnt. Is dyohrc sumptueusa satincoucha, ivorn
tabouretts samt kjinxwenyunct peds ed uno massive desk, os metallic aspect. Un wir kihsit
ep oino iom couchen, spehcend kyid dwer. Is ilieyit kun eyso spect incontrit tod ios
uperstaunend Kimri.

So wir eet nogwo ploisko un lendvkatan ed sandals quom schnurs oislohnk tiel eys glesens.
Is eet bruncuit ed hieb sword ed cort kays. Eys aiwomovend okwi, tem sword quem eys
kays, ieug id marhouria os eys weru protiokwios. Is eet meg buland, samt un imposant torso
ed staur melsa quom gneubhic muscles oiseer ye id lytst mov. Eys hands eent ia miersta
Conan hieb aiwo vis. Id swekwria de xihes un titanesk muscular nerce ieusk in ielg eysen
gesten ed eysen darmens.

– Ma ne entre, barbar ? Iom hailit med un goilisk ton, hamrahnd sien lafza med un
exageret geste.

Un wildo diutis passit in id bund om Conans okwi, yed so stohmbh tadbir-ye in id kielken,
parat ad plange med sien eins.

– Quis iblis es tu ? Brohm is.

– Som Baal-pteor, antwohrd is wir. Prevst, meg diuper ed in un meg piern gaivia, io
 bohr alyo nam. Bet tod nam me suadehbht. Qualib' bent ios temple ghehdsiet tib
explie ma Totrasmek hat dahn id mi.
– Esghi eys ambikwol, tu murdar bruncuit kwaun ! Brohm Conan. Tun, Baal-pteor,
quer es ia bent has abduc' per id mur ?
– Mien poti est habend glewos con iam ! Antwohrd Baal-pteor gleihnd-ye. Kleu ghi !

Ex apter un dwer witerom tod unte quod Conan hieb entren lud un gwencrie, stupt ab id
distance.

– Tu sdehrkos ! Mlu Conan.

Is Kimri stiup kyid dwer ed pivotit unte oin schtoss, alnos in alerte. Baal-pteor protieglih
iom, un gleimen prect ab un talg aura os menace quem ia drighs ios neuk os Conan ghohrs
ed quem un rudh skadh os katel furor wierdh ant eys okwi.

Is oistohmbh kye Baal-pteor, sehrnd sien eins tem nert-ye quem ia apsa os eys hand blieych.
Med un akster geste, is bruncuit wir lohnc semjecto kyeys lige... un bleigu cristallsphere
quod luc bizarre-ye in id stragno diutis quod bemiedh id kielken.

Conan exclihsit instinctive-ye, bet id globe stopit kam daumos-ye ye oik stieups ud eys lige,
ye id hoge os eys torso, nahangend in hava kam sei id esiet protiedart it med invisible
filaments. Dind, ant id abstaunihn spect ios Kimri, id globe inkiep revolve ye stets alter
syrat, crehscend ed kwehkend nebule-lika. Id texit jaldi id hol hoge ios kielken. Dind id
vulbh iom Kimri, forsweindend ia meubles, ia murs ed id sardonic lige os Baal-pteor. Conan
wohs lusen eni uno moder ed blindend mighel, twehrnd ye kyudosto syrat. Furieus winds
hul do eys aurs, iom puscend, iom distulend, tentend rehve iom ud id grund kay dribhes iom
do un demential maelstrohm quod swohrbh ant eys okwi.

Emttend un stump crie, is Kimri se slah retro, vankend unte oin instant. Is khiss tun id mur
in sien regv ed, ye tod contact, id illusion swohnd. Id swehrbhend gigant sphere vanicit kam
un punct burbule. Conan titubit ub in tod kielken samt argwrntic tavan, un barth mighel
sehrpend inter sien peds, ed is vis Baal-pteor, dar keihnd ep eys couch, scutten ab un silent
gleimen.

– Tu kunia son ! Hul is Kimri reuschend kyom.

Id mighel stigh stayg ex id demped, forsweindend ex eys vid iom gigant brun gastalt.
Ambhtastend perodh in tod nebh quod hieb fujatan blinden iom, Conan khiss un sorte os
dehren ed un sensation os stayg trehc... Kielken, mighel ed brun wir vanier unte oin schtoss.
Is wohs mon, stahnd inter ia neds unios mayu... ed un jamus iom chargit capo perodh.
Conan klieup gontro kay exclihnes ia kehmb horns, tem perforant quem un weben, ed sehsit
sieno miech just apter id propodia, transbaurnd ia reibs ed id kerd. Stayg, aun transition, neti
eet el jamus ter agonisend in slamm, sontern is bruncuit wir, Baal-pteor. Emittend-ye un
rughat, Conan iom zanchousit. Id cap gwohl do id hava ed sehsit edonts lik tibs uns gver do
id gurgule ios Kimri. Nespekent sien athime stieure, senter ne kwahsit rehve id ex sien
gurgule... Is eet pnehgend... se strangulend... dind buit un brusk pusc, un baub, id sensation
os bihe dribht ed id schock uns titanesk impact, ed is wohs iter in id kielken nieb Baal-pteor,
quos cap wohsyit suadehn inter sien omsa, ed qui naglih silent-ye, iom goilend pon id
couch.

– Hypnotisen ! Murmurit Conan, enderseddend ghom darm-ye e^id demped.

Eys okwi eent embraden. So brun kwaun belik iom, goilit iom ! Bet ta quant janters, ta
magvisk leiks med nebule ed skadho dught ab eys imagination khiek vurnes iom real-ye. Ei
eet tik zaruri klaupe ed plange ed is brun acolyte bihiet reducen do id stand os klombh
cadaver lyehgend pod iom. Ye tod ker, is ne se siniet bihe drughen ab illusor skadhs.

To mohn is bariem.

Un sehrgglehdjend baub udcliengh apter iom. Is pivotit ep sien persnas ed plieng blixoku el
panther seddend ep id metallic table, quel se pariet ad klaupe ep iom. Ye id sam moment kun
is plieng, id illusion vanicit ed eyso miecho tusit samt behngos id nebrehget surface. Is khiss
fauran od semject ne eet normal. Eyso miech naglibhit protiev id table. Is protietraxit id kam
un dement kay tente rehve id tetos. Id ne movit. To hieb neid ad diles con hallucinations.
Idghi table eet un giganto magnet. Is siz id hamand ios einsios med bo hands, kun stayg un
voc apter eys oms iom volvihsit face-ad-face con iom brun wir, qui hiebit bad-ye staht ub ud
sien couch.

Mulayim-ye bulander quem Conan ed meg massiver, Baal-pteor stieusit ant iom,
annemlwond image os muscular antslehnken. Eysa staura brakhs eent uns abnormalios
longe ed eys mier hands ghyahr ed zaghyahr convulsive-ye. Conan slusit id hamand siens
gleibhend eins ed tieyc, spehcend sien peind per id bidno sienen okwi.

– Tien cap, Kimri ! Goilit Baal-pteor. Id ghendsiem, med mien bare hands, kay vrehnke
id ep tien omsa kam biht vrohnken id coll uns kierk ! It gheunt ies sunus os Kosala ir
mauls ad Yajur ! Barbar, stahs face oin iom Strangulers os Yota-Pong ! Buim chust
menxu eem tik un yun pwarn ab iens ghutors os Yajur. Unte mien hol prest yars, mien
miegve ed mien terwnia, buim trainiren do id neickerdos med bare hands... ar tik
tosmed tyehce ia mauls. Yajur kamt sehrg ed it leusmos neid ghutt niesen victims !
Quan eem dar pwarn, mi dahr magvens ad pniges ; ka magv, meirkas, ed quando
bihsim terwn, gwens, geronts ed yuwens. Bad kun io niek balirhoumer mi dahr un
matur wir ad nices ep id altar os Yota-pong.
Unte yars, ego ghu ia mauls ad Yajur. Centens collen brohg sub mien finghers (Is
oisroht ta ant ia furieus okwi ios Kimri). Is sabab bi quod ho fuct Yota-pong kay bihe
 sloug os Totrasmek ne te betrehft. Pos oin instant, sessies trans quodkwe curiositat.
Ies ghutors os Kosala, ies Strangulers os Yajur, son' nert ye un weidos quod udleit
menscaum. Ed eem is nertst ex quantens. Med mien hands, barbar, vahm brehge tien
coll !

Kam dwo cobras attaquend sammel, ia mier hands zaghyahr stayg ep Conans gurgule. Is
Kimri ne se strohng ad tente vergihes we repulge ia, bet eys wi hands plukeer kyid taurcoll
ios Kosalan. Ia okwi os Baal-pteor plautiesceer kun is khiss ia teug muscles qua protexeer id
gurgule ios Kimri. Emittend un baub, is bepress med sien hol nemensco nerce, stehlbeihno
ia gneubhic snayus om siena muscles unte id hol longe om siena massive brakhs. Is sisit
skape un strangulet schikay quan is khiss Conans finghers zaghyahe kam uno mengain
ambh eys wi gurgule. Bo wirs remien it unte oik instants, lik ad statues, ir liges transformet
do gvolmaska, ia veines ep ir skolfas oidend ed violettascend. Conans teun lipps oistulp in
un rictus os buxianxu joy. Baals okwi distier ed un horrifiet surprise, spalwt med un
paurdiutis, buit skwiten in tom bund. Still kam statues ploisko ir muscles tenden ep ir stipa
brakhs ed ir jambs darm-ye positiont ep id grund, bo wirs samt extercommun physic augos
levereer ad mutu un duel... med un force quod habiet ghohden exraudhe drus ed behnge
taurghalvs.

Id respiration os Baal-pteor vistris stayg inter eys dents ed eyso stohm ghyahsit. Eys holo
lige violettiesc. Paur lahsit eys okwi. Ia muscles eysen brakhs ed omsen kwecto sa-rup, yed
ia muscles ios tegu coll ios Kimri ne cess, samlik ad kabels ex tricen metall. Id de krewos
Baal-pteors eet ceddend sub ia stalen finghers ios Kimri, qua se iengh stets meis, deubend
do ia muscles os eys gurgule, compremend id jugular ed id barug.

Id stillstand om bo statues likwit stayg-ye place uni frenitic mov, dat is Kosalan kriemp ed
se strubh in un desperat effort kay se slahmes retro. Is oislebh Conans gurgule ed sizit
senters runcs, tentend se extrage ex id inexorable fangh eysen finghern.

Med un brusk pusc, Conan kwehlpih iom retro hin id nugverdenwrnt os Baal-pteor hurt id
table. Ed Conan continuit bepremes, ei dwinghend se clihnes stets meis retro, hin eys
weragmen sa-brohg.

Id stump gleimen os Conan buit tem zalim quem id torubow os stal.

– Tu genis imbecile ! Is contentit-se med murmure. Mehno has naiwo dilen con un
Westmensc prever. Tu te credihs' nert ob ghohds' vrehnke id coll em civiliseits, em
orm warks samt muscles tem resistant quem saup schnur ? Tu orm bolvan ! Brehg id
coll uns gver taur Kimrias pre jimane de tien nerce. Ho kwohrt to, ego, ed pre
ghehdus balirhoumer... katha !

Ed, med un gvaltic torsion, is vrohnk Baal-pteors cap hin id passit apter eys levter oms ed
eysa spindels crieckeer kam un turs ozd.

Conan xubh id desarticulet cadaver ghomtro, siz id hamand siens eins med bo hands ed,
stehbhend, traxit med sien hol nerce. Cruoro srusit ep eyso staur torso, resultat iom vurnsen
infligen ab ia onkha os Baal-pteor qua hieb rohft id cuit ex eys coll. Eys sword kays eet
madh, swoid rohn ep eys lige ed eys xiongbu convuls. Makar is hieb goilen Baal-pteors
nerce, is inhuman Kosalan hieb quasi obkwohken ses eys egal in force.

Aun eme id wakt os retrehve sien annem, is dehsit sien hol augos do un gvaltic torsion quod
bad rohv id miech ex id magnet. Oin instant serter, is ghyien id dwer ex apter-yod id crie
hieb gwohmen, ed dyisit uno mier deserto dikhliz, quod un serie om ivorn dwers lizd. Alter
bors tos dikhliz eet masct ab un sumptueuso zamtcortin, ed ex apter tod cortin ei ghohd
demoniak notes unios music kam is hieb naiwo klustern, ne hatta in sien coschmars. Ia
drighs os eys neuko ghohrs. Se blandend tei music, eent aurt ia hysteric sleucts ed ia kwehsa
uns gwen. Darnd sien eins, snohgit kyid bud ios dikhliz.

IV
Un einscutt per id cortin

Kun Zabibi buit xubht, capo perodh, do id ghyahsa quod duxit kyid mur apter id idol, ays
prest bren, auncoherence ed confus, buit credihes od ays ajal hieb gwohmen. Ia clus
instinctive-ye sien okwi ed exspectit id impact. Bet vice to, ia se khiss bihe xubhen kamquid
ep id demped ex polihno marmor, skehnend it sien genus ed cloin. Pos cludus sien okwi ed
ambhglanzus bayasen-ye, ia ieur id stumpo blosko uns impact ex apter id mur. Ia dyohrc un
bruncuit olbjim vehsend un lendvkatan qui stahsit uper iam. Ye alter bud ios kyal, un wir eet
installet ep un couch, ant un sumptueus behand ex swordo zamt. Is eet piwon ed corpulent,
hiebit blank vurstfinghers ed hieb ogviokwi. Ia hieb anateina soghi wir eet Totrasmek, is
ghutor os Hanuman, qui eewehbhneut id sleibic net siens ambition pon yars uper hol
Zamboula.

– Is barbar peit vrehntum id mur, iey Totrasmek med un spoctic protiokwo, yed id
perchin siet resiste.

Ia gwenak vis od un tegu golden perchin hieb esto deht skeir protiev id dwer, secret ye
ocolo, bet cis-mo perfect-ye visible. Id perchin ed id chambranle proe-resistient id charge
uns elephant.

– Gwahdi ghyantum un dwer pro iom, Baal-pteor, wohl Totrasmek, ed gvehn iom in id
quadrat kielken ye alter bud ios dikhliz.

Is Kosalan dientowit meg muadeb-ye ed abgwahsit unte un gondwer. Zabibi stieusit ub,
spehcend samt baysa iom ghutor quos okwi glexeer las-ye ayso splendid corpos, face quo ia
remien indifferent. Un Zamboula dansster swohd nogwtat. Nu-iam kreusihsit id crueltat os
eyso spect unte ays quanta memsa.

– Gwehms iter do mien endergumt, bella, gourrit is samt cynic hypocrisis. En un meg
inexspecten honor. Hiebs' kwohct tem pau brungus unte tien akhir visite quem io ne
hatta durs wehlpe ke udnovskwies id experience. Yed, io hieb ac' bilkull kay gwivist
un interessan' moment.

Eet impossible uni Zamboula dansster erudhes, bet un aunblosk rage se bliend ad paur in
Zabibis pfwohnct okwi.

– Piwon pork ! Suawoids' ne ho gwohm' hetro pro te.

– No, antwohrd is gleihndo Totrasmek, has gwohmen hetro kam un imbecile, intrudend
dank temos con un gwaurog barbar, ed to kay tehme mien gurgule ! Ma tar peighers
tu protie mien gwit ?
– Woids' ma ! Scricit ia, gnohnd id futilitat os pites nege.
– Mehns de tien habibe, cakhinit is. Id fact od es her peitend nices me preuft is hat poht
tod drogh tib ho daht. Kweghi ne es' quo iskwist ? Ed ne tib ho dahn quo desirist, pro
liubh dia te ?
– Mi ho udprohgen ud te un drogh quod iom mer-ye swehpeihiet unte oik hors, ieyit ia
med un bitter ton. Ed tu... tu has yisen tien sloug con un potion quod hat folliht iom !
Buim un imbecile ob mehnus unte oin secunde maghe truses te. Habiem dohlgen
woide od tien prientia assurances eent tik leughs kay kulkes tien speit ed tien haines.
– Ma swehpihskwist tu tien habibe ? Antwohrd is. Kay ghehde raubhe ud iom id saul
ject is habiet naiwo dahn tib... id halka bedeht samt id joyel kalen « id Star os
Khorala ».... id star raubht ud iam rayn os Ophir, qua esiet parat ad schehnke un
goldghyor kay recupere. Is habiet naiwo daht id tib khalal-ye, isghi woid id arehct
augsa qua, sei sont suacontrolen, permitte persclave id kerd quallibt person ios witer
sexe. Tu wohnst raubhe id ud iom tughi bieyst an eys magicians aunstehgient id
rouna tos magia ed an tun te myehrsiet, pior besic de kriges vasyens rayns tos mund.
Habies repohrnen id ay rayn os Ophir, qua gnoht ia rounas os ids augos ed habiet
folossiet id kay persclave wirs, kam ia kwohr pre id buit raubhen ud iam.
– Ed ma tu iskwist id ? Sprohg ia samt un skeud protiokwo.
– Ghabo ia augsa id arehct. Daughiet kay auge id stieure mien wi magia.
– Tughi nuntos xeihs id ! Bieusit ia.
– Ego, xeihiem id Star os Khosala ? No, rhalts.
– Kaytar leughs ? Jawieb ia bitter-ye. Is hieb id ye sien fingher quan is me hat chasset
do id strad. Is neti hieb id quando ho retrohft id. Sigwra eet tien sloug uperwakhend
id dom, ed hat vifanght id ud iom oins kun io hieb tolikwn. Iblis to ! Retrehfskwo
mien habibe, gwiv ed mentsaun. Has punihn nos bo. Ma ne redahs tu ei id aum ?
Ghehds kwehre to, kwe ne ?
– Ghehdiem kwehre to, sigwrit is ay, okwivid-ye meg-ye kamend vide iam in tod
naudh ed salgeihnd un flasken sien robe. Tod mathmount juce os golden lotus. Sei
tien habibe pohiet sem, retrehviet aum. Ya, vahm bevide mildet. Has diwiden ed
goilen me. Ne oins, sontern plus, ed isge hat semper witerstahn mien projects. Yed
vahm bevide mildet. Gwehm ! Ghend id flasken ex mien hands.

Ia protiokwit Totrasmek, kreusend ob impatience sizes id phial lakin sammel baynd an

leitiet de sem cruelo lughieve. Ia stohmbh ye un timid kadam, regend uter hand perodh, ed
tun is iliey zalim-ye ed se dehsit exter prayghest. Mien ays lipps enderghyaht kay hakare
iom, un prekhisses iam spehcihsit ub. Quar jadecolor vases fiell ex id wohrcto tavan.

Ia vergihskwit ia, yed ne hihr iam. Ia criesch protiev id demped, formend ia quar wangwls
uns quadrat. Ed tun ia bihul ed eehiheult ar, extragend-se ex ielg brohct poder, stieusit id
capchencap uns cobra. Oin im quar serpents gwohl stayg, zielend ays bare jamb. Id
convulsive mov ia kwohr kay skape el brigh iam ye schaecheing oins altern, ed iter dolhg ia
reage blixoku kay vergihes id meteoric stausa tos hideus cap.

Ia wohs terrifiant-ye kapanen. I quar serpents wip, zielend ein pos ein ays ped, ays glesen,
ayso genu, ays bemern au ays cloin... sekwent id mems os ayso schakhwani corpos quod
wohs ye ir schaecheing. Iakhiekit kammer i reptils ni snehge inter i kay se behrge do salvtat.
Ia ghohd tik twehre, klaupe gontro ed twehrel kay skape i, ed ielgs kun ia exclihsit oins
attaque, ia wohs ye id schaecheing alyes, yoitkwe ia tohrb mimithes stand blixoku. Ays
maneuvre marge eet extreme-ye limitet ed ia capchencaps tohrg iam ye cada instant. Tik un
Zamboula dansster proe-surviviet medsu tod buxianxu quadrat.

Ia bihsit un tem akster movengloi quem okwi khiek sehkwe iam. I reptils lips iam tik gnebh,
lakin lips iam, menxu ia opposit sien blixoku peds, sien kreusend memsa ed sien pepermen
ok ei perkwnsyrat im squamic monstern ays peindo hiebit prehpihnens netos.
Semtos lud un edel music quod gwohm ad se blande ei strid im serpents, lik uni khiter
noctwind blahnd per ia tuich oktorms uns ghalv. Hatta lambht in id vertigineus dewer quod
rlungdwien ays hol attention, ia vighieb i serpents tuntos neti plieg sekwent aunaurdhen
movs. Sohkweer ia buxianxu notes tos stragnios music. Tem attaqueer samt horrible
regularitat quem ay wohs dwight accorde ia movs os ays corpos iri rythme, weipend, se
contordend, revolvend sekwent ir hajoums. Ays saccadat movs transformeer-se kay bihe ia
stieups uns dans, face-yod id obscenest om Zamoras tarantellas habiet kwohken sober ed
sirri.

Mortifiet ob scham ed paur, Zabibi ieur id mergist vesselt sienios zalim palach.

– Id cobradans, bella ! Mohld Totrasmek gleihnd-ye. It diens ias virgens unte id

sacrifice ceremonia in honor os Hanuman, secules prever... bet naiwo hant ias dans'
samt tant grace ed uriende. Dans, bent, dans ! Kamdiu sies tu ghehde vergihes ia
edonts ios Poisonfolk ? Unte minutes ? Unte hors ? Tu sies vistrakasce. Nespekent
tien tem sure, tem agil ped, sies vikwehlpe, tien jambs sien' vistrakasce, tien cloins
nilente ir movs. Ed tun sient ia edonts dubes do tien ivorkrewos...

Apter iom id cortin buit gvaltic-ye sroht, kam scuss ab uno nert airdruna, ed Totrasmek hul.
Eys okwi pfwohng ed eys hands siz convulsive-ye id longe os tweiser stal quod gwohl
brusk-ye ex eyso xiongbu.

Id music stopit fauran. Ia meirka vienk, kam sa-fallend, ed emiss un crie, baynd subihes id
blixattaque iom edonts... Bet quar aunharm dumvoluts twohr ub ud id demped ambh iam ed
Totrasmek lyohg unte sien hol longe ep sien couch.

Conan rusch tun ex apter id cortin, tiergend sien weur miech.

Spehcend-ye per id behang, is hieb vis iam meirka danse medsu quar weundelnd
dumspirals, yed is hieb ghapt od quo is vis iti eet meg different ud quo ia mohn vide. Is hieb
tunkye nicen Totrasmek.

Zabibi sohnkit ghomtro kwehsend-ye, bet kunkye Conan klieupit perodh kyam, ia stieu
bilkull ub ; aysa jambs natrembleer ob ays exhaustion.

– Id phial ! Kwohs ia. Id phial !

Totrasmek nasohr id inter sien stehvus finghers. Ia rohv id aun kunges, dind inkiep obsoke
iom cadaver frenitic-ye.

– Quod iblis paurskes tu ? Iam sprohgit Conan.

– Un halka... Is hat klohpt id ud Alafdhal. Is soll' raubhus id menxu mien habibe aliey
in ia strads, beghsaum. Per iens diabels os Set !

Ia hieb just acceptet id fact od Totrasmek ne hieb id halka ep se. Ia inkiep obsoke id kyal,
weulend id godwehb ex id couch, behands, volveihnda ia vases.

Ia stahsit still ed ierk un kaysfitil quod swoido hieb glehmerihn ep ays okwi.
 – Baal-pteor ! Io hieb myohrst iom !
– Est in hayd sam' brohgen coll, ay sigwrit Conan.

Un lyuto taala lahsit Zabibi ye tod khabar, bet oik secundes serter rughiet ia bitter-ye :

– Ne maghmos mane her. Dien ausct in oik hors ed ies supostah ghutors maghe gwahe
id temple ye quodkwe noctsaat. Sei bihms aunstohct her con eys nayv, nos kaydsient.
Ies Turanis khakient kwehre jec' pro nos.

Ia liv id perchin ios secretios dwer ed, oik instants serter, eent iter in id strad, abspehdend ud
id silent place quer id centenato temple os Hanuman ee-siseddt sombre-ye.

Ye sem distance tetos, Conan stopit sien sokwnia dehnd-ye un gwaur hand ep ays bare oms.

– Mae myehrs eet un mizdo...

– Ne ho myohrst ! Ieyit ia, se rehvend-ye ex eyso strineg. Bet dehlgmos... preter
wassale con Alafdhal !

Oik minutes serter, is aydokwo sclav im ghyien id dwer. Is yun turani lyohg ep sien couch,
brakhs ed jambs kyimen med gwaur zamten spartaks. Eys okwi eent ghyant, bet samkwohk
ta uns rabost kwaun ed eys lipps oistohgit skum. Zabibi krus.

– Dwinghe ei ghyane eys ghyanus ! Wohl ia, ed ia stalen finghers Conans biwohrg.

Zabibi tuichihsit id mathmoun ios phial do id bund ios gurgule ios dement. Is wir sakwniesc
fauran. Id nesaun diutis disprohp ex id budmen eysen okwi. Is oispohc iam gwenak med un
pribuden protiokwo, yed is plen-ye xih sieno ment. Dind is sohnk do un nehsswehpen.

– Habsiet rebihn normal ye sien gehren, murmurit ia, znaycend ei silent sclav.

So dientowit muadeb-ye, depos inter ia hands ias gwenak uno smulko lietern beurs ed hieng
un silken cappa ambh ays omsa. Zabibis attitude eet subtile-ye different kun ia dik ei Kimri
ke sohkwit iam ex id kyal.

Sub un arcade quod duxit do id strad, ia vols kyom, izharnd un rongo nov attitude.

– Dehlgo tib sayge id vertat taiper ; ieyit ia. Ne som Zabibi. Som Nafertari. Ni de est
Alafdhal, simple hetman ios guardia. Est Jungir Khan, is satrap os Zamboula.

Conano nel-ye commentit ed eys sombre ed schramkankelt lige remien impassible.

– Tib ho lughen ioghi ne durs sayge id druv qualkwe, ieyit ia. Jungir Khan ed ego
eemos saul kun is hat follascen. Nimen eet hushyar ploisko me. Sei habiet biht matht
od is satrap os Zamboula hieb follasct, leuds habient ubstahn ed pamrlanen, kam
previden ab Totrasmek, qui complotit kay ehle nos.
Vids nun ma mi est impossible tib dahe id mizdo quod wohlps' dake. Yed nies
 abgwahe samt tuich hands. En un beurs plen med gold (Ia ei dahsit id lietern smulk
sack is sclav hieb uperdehn ay.) Gwask' idi nun, ed kun id sol sessiet hog in id waurn,
gwehm do id palat. Prehcsiem Jungir Khan ke te beuwa iom hetman siens personal
guardia. Lakin, bihsies wohlt ab me, secret-ye. Tien prest task consistsiet duce un
squade soldaten do id schangdien os Hanuman, in apparence kay paurske ter sem
indices del assassin ios ghutor, bet in druve po id Star os Khorala. Sollt ses kohlen
semloc eni. Kun habsies trohft id, sies bringhes id tsay mi. Poitts ambikwehle,
taiptos.

Is acquiescit silent, ed togress. Ia gwen, apterspehcend id weipen iom weur omsen ios
Kimri, buit irritat ob vighabe is nel-ye kwohk decepen ni gomren.

Pos tournus ye id wangwl ios strad, is glaz apter se, dind mutatrohc ed ieug sien kadam.
Sem wakt serter, is wohs in id weiko ios ekwenmercat. Ter, is tus aunstop un dwer hin un
barbut cap emers ex un fenster ye id etage, sprehgend ma tod steurben.

– Un ekwem ! Sprohgit Conan. El argist reidbiest tu behands.

– Ne ghyano mien dwers ye tod noctsaat, brohm is giambase.

Conan kleuytih sien piengs.

– Tu murdar kwaunson ! Kweghi ne vids som un blank ni od som saul ? Steigh ghom
pre behngo tirn dwer !

Pau pos, Conan galoppit kyid baytel os Aram Baksh ep un siav aygur.

Is likw id strad ed rid ep un allee quod separit id creschma ed id palmagarden, yed is ne

stopit ant id dwer. Gwahsit perodh-ye tiel id nordeust kantun ios duivar ed vihielt ye oika
stieups ud id nordwest kantun. Neid schajra crosch prokwem id mur, yed eent oik buska. Is
dieh ter sien ekwum ed sa-roidyit kun is ieur un vocmurmure apter id kantun.

Stragend sien ped ex id striepmen, is oistohmbh ed glaz. Tri wirs ghieng perodh ep id strad
kyid palmagarden. Ob ir wadelgwayt, is ghieb lit de Aydokwens. Stahr still kun is kiel iens
ye khafi voc, dind munster menxu is gwohm kyant iens, einsghesor. Id kwit iren okwi twis
in id starkweitert. Ir bestial appetitts eent skweitet ep ir ebonliges, yed ies wois, hol kam is,
od ir waghers esient nakis protiev eys eins.

– Quetro yu ? Hailit is iens.

– Do ia gardens, kay prehge nies braters ke sgwene id ogwn, antwohrd ies buxianxu-ye
med un guttural voc. Aram Baksh nos hat promiss un wir, bet is nos hat lught. Hals
trohft oin om nies braters mortu in id kapan-kamer. Remansiemos hunghric honoct.
– Ne mehno to, smih Conan. Aram Baksh vaht vos dahe un wir. Vidte yu tod dwer ? (Is
kyus uno smulk dwer samt isern chambranle embaudht in id westmur). Skehpte ter.
Aram Baksh vaht vos dahe un wir.

Pos oistieupus retro tadbir-ye hina buit exter schaecheing uns waghercutt, Conan abgir ed
disprohp apter id nordwest kantun. Ghehdus nieb sien reidbiest, is intizier unte oik instants
kay swekwehre mae ies Aydokwi habient sohkwn iom, dind is oistahsit ub ep sien seddel,
rassurend sien beghspace ekwo med oik werds ye khafi voc. Is rexit sien hands, siz id
ghebel ios mur ed glohmber ep id leizd. Is remien still unte un khvil kay perichehxe is atraf.
Id creschma stahsit ye id sudwest angule, id reste ios gordos esend occupet ab bustans ed
bunges. Is vis nimen. Id creschma eet silent ed tenimers, ed is wois od vasya perchins eent
cluden ed ia fensters barricaden.

Conan wois od Aram Baksh oiswohp in un kyal quod uperspohc un cypresslizdt alle engwn
id westmur. Is oisnohgit kam un skadh inter ia drus ed oik instants serter, is oistus mliak-ye
eys dwer.

– Quod tar ? Brohm un voc intos.

– Aram Baksh ! Stris Conan. Ies Aydokwi sont udglehmend ia murs !

Id dwer ghyahsit quasi fauran, aunstehgend id gastalt ios creschmer, vehsend mer-ye un
camiss, dagaghesor. Is wir xyieng ed wohs face Conan.

– Quod tar est tod sto... Tu !

Conans kwitorfinghers pnig id crie quod vahsit gwehle ex id gurgule ios creschmer. Bo wirs
volveer ghomtro ed Conan rohv id daga ex ia hands os sien peind. Id miecho twis sub ia
stars ed cruor iswohr. Aram Baksh dugh un hideus gneur, sien stohm pehldend med sehrg.
Conan iom restahihsit ed iter id miech fiss id air. Id major part ios ghaytic berd ios
creschmer fiell ghomtro.

Nadarnd id gurgule siens prisoner – unghi mensc dar ghehdt emitte kerddehrnda cries speit
un tohmto dingv – Conan iom sohlk ex id kamer, engwn id cypressallee ed tiel id dwer ios
duivar. Med oiter hand, is liv id perchin ed ghyien gvaltic-ye id dwer, aunstehgend iens tri
deuskens gastalts quoy intizier exo kam kyehrsen gwulturs. Conan xubh iom creschmer do
ira brakhs.

Un horrible crie sielg id cruorplen stohm os Aram Baksh, bet buit neid reaction in id silent
creschma. I leuds qui ee-upernoctent ter ee-aurnt cries ex ocolo id mur. Is creschmer se
strubh kam un foll ed eys rollend okwi se wohrt frenitic-ye kyid lige ios Kimri, skweitend
ter neid mildet. Conano mohn de ia decens ormen atmens qua hieb gnoht uno mergist ed
cruoric fat ob id repugnant grehdia tos wir.

Ies perismeihnd Aydokwi sohlkeer iro praeddum ep id strad, ne kaurndi de eys nepretable
gneurs. Quosmed habient ies ghohdt recognihes Aram Baksh in tom cruorpoik pwolnogwo
forme, samt eys grotesk-ye glupto berd ed auncoherence forslungs ? Ia bloska is kwohr se
streubhend-ye dar ghohdeer do Conans aurs, manus prokwem id dwer, menxu ies gastalts
hieb disprohpt inter ia palmas.

Pos zaghyanus id dwer apter se, Conan retrohv sien ekwum ed roidyit westworts, kyid
desert, kaurndo de gires id buxianxu palmaghehrd. Ep sien seddel, is salgih, ex sien
yeusmen, un halka samt un tweiser joyel quod schimmerbohnd id stardiutis. Is eewiwehrt
inter sien finghers menxu is admirit id. Id smulk sack oyren kluyt melodieus-ye ep id pomel,
kam un promiss os dar meger gwehmtur opnos.
 – Daumo quod ia saygiet sei ia manthiet io hieb ghaben lit de Nafertari ed Jungir Khan
yant ho vis i, sohgn is. Io hieb yaschi klun de id Star os Khorala. Sessiet sem bell
scene sei aiwo ia tarct ho ghenden id ud id fingher os ays maaschouk menxu io
diemm iom med eys yeusmen. Bet naiwo ghehdsient udrides me ob id perodhia vahm
habe.

Is glaz kyid teniwent palmagarden, medsu-yod crohsc un rudho diutis. Un chante lud in id
noxt, vibrend med wildo taala. Ed alyo swon gwohm ad blande-se tei, un demential ed
auncoherence crie, un frenitic ed alnos nepretable rakakel. Id blosk hamrahsit Conano
menxu is galoppit westworts-ye sub ia bipallascend istars.