XUTHAL IOS REGWOS

ab Robert E. Howard

Id desert schimmrit med gvrensvolns. Conan is Kimri ambhspohc id pusten landspect ed,
involuntar-ye, brigh id denwrnt os sien staur hand sienims kyohrnt lipps. Staund it ep id sand, is
samkwohk un bronzen statue, kwecto rhayr-kheissas dia id katel sol ; yed, eys wahid povesti eet un
silken lendvkatan darno med un weur goldbaft yeusmen, in-yod eent oisnict un saber ed un
weurmiech khandjar. Traces om payn zadvohrn vurnsa eent visible ep eys robust memsa.

Pos iom kihsit una meirka, qua med uter albho brakh sohr eyso genu, ep-yod nifiell ays blond
kaysar. Ays blanko cuit contrastit con ia sakht ed brunta memsa os Conan. Ays cort silken ghiton,
decolletee ed aunarmel, keingend ays lendv, meis ambhriss quem kulk ays urand corpos.

Conan diswohrt sien cap ed mic. Id solarg hieb iom pwolblinden. Is salgih uno smulko gourde sien
yeusmen ed, srehtend-ye id, mukadariesc aurnd-ye id muzlim pleisker quod ei ghohd.

Ia benta motionit malal-ye ed bisluct.

- Oh ! Conan, vahmos nehce her ! Tem teurso !

Is Kimri brohm aun swehre wekwos, spehcend med un gvero protiokw id arid verstep ambh i. Eyso
stohm ghyahsit, ed eys blou okwi jier med un wildo flamme sub eys implohct swordo crinar,
kamsei, pro iom, id desert eet un intangible peind.

Is clih-se ed brigh id gourde kya lipps ias meirka.

- Poh hina tib saygo stope, Natala, wohl is.

Ia pohsit emittend-ye lytil forsorben taajubs, ed is ne ay sieyg stope. Bad kun id gourde buit tuich
ghieb ia is hieb eiskwmen-ye sist iam expohe id holo jlampohn, nespekent id muzlim quantitat quod
im etilikwit.

Dakrus gwohl ex ays okwi.

- Oh ! Conan, stun ia, ma has tu sis’ me expohe id holo jlampohn ? Io ne wois… Taiper, net es’ pro
te !
- Sayg neid, brohm is. Mae te forflehen/

Staund-ye tsay, is toxubh id gourde.

- Ma has tu kwohrn to ? Susurit ia.

Is ne antwohrd, remanend still, sien finghers zaghyahnd lent-ye ep id hamand os sien sabre. Is ne
spohc iam meirka. Eys lyut okwi kwecto vohrt ia mysterieus purpwr mighels leudend dalgi.

Posseddend id hol gver liubh ios barabarios pro gwit ed id instinct os surviven, Conan is Kimri
ghieb lakin is hieb arriven ei fin siens itner. Is ne hiebit bad naken ia limites os sien resistence,
ismen wois od aun wed, plus oino dien passet sub id zalim sol tos desertic iklime vigvehniet iom. Ia
de bent hieb kafi paytten. Kreins eet un oku ed aungvol einscutt quem id lent agonia quod menacit
iam. Ays teurst eet momentan-ye stillt. Esiet fals afu sines iam paytte hina delirium ed nehc ay
bringhient id ultim rehmen. Lent-ye, is exkardkieschit sien sabre.

Is oistohv still stayg. Ye id horizont, sudi, semject blig medsu ia gvrensvolns.

Is credih quantenprest-ye to eet un hallucination, oino iom miragen tos balstohmen desert quod hieb
goilto iom ed quod follih iom. Protegend sien solduselt okwi, is discernit tors ed minaras, tem quem
lucetweiser murs. Is nastier tei direction, samt lyut protiokwo, exspectend an tod vision swehndiet.
Natala hieb zasluct. Ia stieu tsay lent-ye ep sien genus ed sohkw eyso spect.

- Est tod un urb, Conan ? Susurit ia, pior desperat pro credihes to. Autah est tod tik un illusion ?

Is Kimri antwohrd neid ye tod moment. Is clus ed ghyien plurs sien okwi successive-ye : is diswohrt
sien spect, dind iter spohc. Id urb nastieu quodih is hieb dyohrcen id ye id prest ker.

- Tik is diabel woid, grohm is. Lakin dehlgmos sizes tod chance.

Is renkardkieschit sien sabre. Dind, clihnend-ye se, is ghensit Natala do sien staura brakhs kamsei ia
habiet est una magv. Is resistit slab-ye.

- Mae wazd tien nerce behrnd-ye me, Conan, plid ia, ghehdo ghange.
- Id swol es’ meis sanghie unte her. Mox habsies diskenthen tien sandals, iey is, spehcend kyays
teun glend schous. Eti, sei volmos arrive tiel tod urb, dehlgmos kwehre to jaldi, ed it gainsiem wakt.

Tod newohlpen possibilitat os oiskape nehc hieb redaht nova forces ed un nov sutwrnt ibs stalen
muscles ios Kimri. Is inkiepit progredde unte id sandverstep kamsei is habiet just bighanct. Barbar
inter i barbars, is xih id gwis ed id endurance necessar uni wild mund qua ei permisseer survive
quer civiliset mensci habient nohcen.

Is ed ia bent eent, pro quo is wois, i saul survivers ios heir os prince Almuric, tos pelupoik horde
quod, sehkwnd iom rebell prince os Koth in eys marloubia, hieb tohrt Schemland kam un harbant
sandstorm, ravagend do brand ed cruor Stygias apanka gaivias. Apteragen ab un stygian askar, tod
trupp hieb-se sohndt per id Aydokwenrigo Kusch, pre vibihe decimen ye id synor ios norddesert.
Conan comparit id in sieno ment uni mier torrent quos flutt hieb tadrijan-ye nidohnt, ye norder, hina
se forturses do id sand ios arid desert. Id nugwrnto tim qui hieb esen members tos heir, mercenars,
exileits, brohct mensci, oisloys, strahr id grund pon ia plateaus os Koth tiel ia dunes ios desert.

Ye id moment ios final gvonia, kun i Stygians ed i Kuschis hieb joinen mutu, kernend id debris ios
kapant askar, Conan hieb-se tosohnden med einscutts, mwaungsound ep un camell con iam bent.
Apter i, in id lando murm i peinds ; id saul itner quod im remien ghyanen eet id suddesert. I hieb
ridto deub do tod hostile verstep.

Ia bent eet brythunian. Conan hieb trohven iam in id mercat uns krigen Schemi citad, ed hiebit
bifanghen iam. Ia ne hiebit poitten refuse. Bet ays nov situation eet, ploisko contraro pruv, meg
jalousabler quem id beurt as cada hyborian gwen gwivend in schemi sarays yoitkwe ia hieb acceptet
id samt schakiria. Ed it hieb ia smyohrt ia aventures os Almurics damnen horde.

Unte diens hieb i fugen deub do id desert, persohkwti tant ziyan-ye ab iens stygian reiders quem,
kun senters tyohgv, i ne durs rikes retro. Continuer po wed hin ir camell mohr. Tun hieb i naghanct.
Unte ia akhir diens, ia payttens hieb esen meg kaurd. Conan hiebit protegen Natala bilkull. Id rauk
aghergwit hieb ay dahno meis nerce ed resistence quem un ordinar gwen, bet, nespekent to, ia sa-
collapsit.

Id sol hih cruel-ye id sword vraghliko kaysar os Conan. Successive volns om vertigos ed nauseas
hiemmer eys cap. Bet is sohr sien dents ed naghiengit gwaukan-ye. Is eet convict od id urb eet un
realitat ed ne uno mirage. Is hieb neid dayi de quo trehvient ter. I weikers maghient ses hostile.
Lakin, is defendiet sien gwit med eins, ed is hieb naiwo iskwno meis quem to.

Sol vahsit eurehpe kun stopeer ant id massive dwer, schakir dia id skadh id im dahsit. Conan sklas
Natala ghomtro ed oistrohc sien gvolwent brakhs. Uper i, ia walls lud ye meis quem trigim peds
hog, struct ex un glat ed subglend substance quod glimmrit quasi kam glas. Conan chohx tadbir-ye
ia parapetts, exspectend un endemeur, bet is vis nimen. Impatient, is emiss un crie ed stus id dwor
med id hamand os sien saber. Tik ei ghohd un honar ed goilisk echo. Natala endergwohmit nieb
iom, dekhschaten ab id silence. Conan puscit id dwor ed oistiupit retro exkardkaschend-ye sien
saber kun tod ghyahsit silent-ye intro. Natala emiss un stupen crie.

- Oh ! Spehc, Conan !

Gnebh apter id dwor lyohg uno mensc. Conan chohx iom tadbir-ye, dind spohc trans. Is vis uno
mier tuich rewos, samkwehkend un ghehrd, lizdt med wonk dwers ducend domims construgen ex id
sam subglendo material quem ia uder walls. Ta imaras eent large, imposant ed subkihr tweiser thols
ed minaras. Neid gwitsigne im ghohd. Medsu id ghehrd lud id quadrat rand uns put. Tod vision hieb
ep Conan id effect os un stingen, menxu eyso stohm pohld med siuk duildoigh. Seizend id runc as
Natala, is upergwahih iam id dwer, poskwo zaghyien iam apter i.

- Est is mortu ? Susurit ia, kyeusend-ye, alnos tremblant, iom wir qui lyohg ant id dwer.

Id corpos eet tod uns buland ed nert, okwivid-ye matur, wir. Eys cuit eet gehlb, eys okwi mulayim-
ye skeng. Pro id reste, is wir enderkwit-se pau ud id hyborian type. Is vohs un ghiton ex purpwr silk
ed korigasandals, ed un twantao in un kardkasch samt golden gjiaungsians hiengit kata eyso
yeusmen. Conan touchit id corpos. Eet srig. Id neti bevis gwitsignes.

- Nia vurnsa, brohm id Kimri, bet est tem mortu quem Almuric ob quargim stygian isus seht do eys
nayv. Per Crom ! Smad gwahe tiel id put ! Sei id mathmount wed, pohsiemos, cadaver au ne.

Eet wed in id put, yed ne pohr sem. Idghi wednivell lyohg ye penkgimtia wassimen peds ender id
rand, ed eet neid kay hause id. Conan rughiet obscene-ye, furieus ob vide id wed exter sien
schaecheing, ed se preparit ad trehve un wassila quod ei permittiet swebringhes sem aqua, kun un
heul ab Natalia volgih iom.

Is presumpto mortu accurs kyom, sien okwi bleigend med evident gwit, sien twantao tweisend in
sie, hand. Conan rughiet, hayran, bet ne se forkung. Is plieg sien hajoumer med un terrible revers os
sien saber quod tohrit krewos ed osta. Id cap ios wir fiell samt un stupo blosk ep ia flises, id corpos
vienk, kam makhmour, un cruorflutt gwohl ex id tohmt jugular, dind is colapsit gwaur-ye.

Conano nispohcit kyom, rughatend-ye mliak-ye.

- So karl est taiper tem mortu quem is eet oik instants prever. In quod follencitad hams wey nos
forghangen ?

Natala, qua hieb tegen sien okwi med sien hands, spohc inter sien finghers ed krus ob paur.
- Oh ! Conan, kwe i leuds tos urb vahn’ nos nices ob to ?
- So individu habiet ja nicen nos, sei ne habiem tohmen eys cap, brohm is (Is oispohcit kya wonk
dwers qua ghyahr buxianxu-ye in ia glenda murs uper i. Is auncovohr neid mov, ieur neid blosk.) Ne
mehno an anghen hat aur’ nos, murmurit is. Bet vahm perbehrge tom embarassant schahide…

Med oiter hand ieyr is id slembo nayv per id yeusmen ed, seizend id cap per ids longo kays med
alter, is brigh ia matam etiloikwa kyid put, behrnd uter dwidel ios carcasse, tragend alter.

- Chunke khakmos pohe tod wed, knier is waenkhoen-ye, vahm swekwehre mae alyis haba tod
plaisure. Iblis put, zowngschie !

Is puscit id nayv epter id putrand ed sis id falle, dind xubh id cap endo. Id stupo blosk ios nayv
heurtend id wedsurface im ghohd ex id bund ios put.

- Es’ cruor ep ia petras, susurit Natala.

- Sessiet sem meis sei ne trehvo wed jaldi, grohm is Kimri, quos maigher reserve os patience eet
quasi exhaust. Ia bent hieb quasi myohrsen sien hungher ed teursto sub id effect os paur, bet ne
Conan.
- Vahms gwahe unte oin tom dwers, iey is. Vitrehfsiemos semanghen.
- Oh, Conan ! Stun ia, heudelnd-ye claus iom bilkull. Ho paur ! Tod urb est wivt ab ansus ed
mortus ! Smad rikes id desert ! Petis mehre ter quem drehde ta gargs !
- Gwahsiemos id deser’ kun nos chassesient exter ia walls tos citad, grohm is. Est wed semloc in tod
urb, ed id trehfsiem, esdi dehlgo nices quantens qui weike id.
- Bet quod siemos wey kwehre sei reiken’ gwit ? Susurit ia.
- Tun nanehcsiem i hin remanen’ mortu ! Iey is med un brisant ton. Gwehm hetro ! Tod dwer est
tem gohd quem alyo ! Man apter me, bet mae curr, nibo tib saygo to !

Ia acquiescit med uno murmure ed sohkwit iom tem prokwtos quem ia quasi glibhit protiev eys
persnas, quo iom meg irritit. Regwos hieb gwohmen, xeudend purpwr skadhs ep id stragno citad. I
uperghieng id ghyanto soylo ios dwer ed penetreer un vast kyal quom murs eent covohrt med
zamttaams, samt fayn-ye altien rissems. Id demped, ia murs ed id tavan eent makhta ex tod glend
glasglat petra. Ia murs eent decoren med golden frises. Pells ed satinbolghis eent oiskedhen ep id
swol. Plur dwers duxeer alyims kyals. I naghieng ed tohr it plur alya kyals, identic presti. I vis
nimen, bet is Kimri brohmit mistrust-ye.

- Semanghen sess her ne diuper. Tod couch dar conservet id wierme uns mensc. Tod silken bolghi
hat gwupt id print ios cloin tal quel hat kihn ep. Ed un mulayim profume odor swehbht in id air.

Un curieus, guway hava regnit in ta kyals. Id pert tos temost ed silent palat samkwohk un
opiumgohnt sogno. Sem kyals ne eent belucen, ed i vergihr ta. Alya eent madhen ab uno mliak ed
stragno luce quod kwecto emanit ex ia jauhars gjiaungsianen in ia murs, skeipend fantastic motifs.
Stayg, kun penetreer oin tom belucten kyals, Natala emiss un crie ed grip id brakh os sien sokwi.
Rughatend-ye, so vols, paurskend un peind med sien spect, desconcertet de ne dyehrce nel.

- Quod tar ? Grohm is. Sei kaps iter ye tod weidos id brakh quod dehrj’ mien eins, te skehno !
Kweghi vols kem anghen sec’ mien gurgule ? Ed ma has tu criet katha ?
- Ter, spehc, ieyit ia med un tremblant voc pfehrstend-ye.

Conan brohm. Ep un meja ex poliht ebon, eet suadehn golden vescell, okwivid-ye mathmounend
scharab ed pitu. Id kyal eet tuich.

- Badghi ! Quelkwe pro quel tod dapan eet preparen, grohm is, dehlcsiet meje alyer honoct !
- Maghmos mey druve-ye edde, Conan ? Gwut timid-ye ia bent. I weikers maghien’ nos surprindes
ed…
- Lirait mannanan mac lir ! Rughiet is kapend-ye iam per ays neuk ed seddeihnd-ye iam aun plus
ceremonia ep un golden stul ye uter bud ios meja. Heungherms, ed tu objecs ! Meje !

Is ghens id stol ye alter bud ed, lambhnus un jaden bicair, expohsit id unte oin schtoss. Id
mathmounit un incarnat liqueur quod samkwohk vin, bet uns particular gust quod ei eet negnohn.
Lakin, tod buit un druv nectaro pro eys tursen berug. Seutus sien teurst, is bipraess id pitu apter se
med un besonters gver appetitt. Senter ei smohgit kathalika stragno : exotic fruits ed negnohna
mets. Ia pliats eent skaun-ye kmeht, ed eent semschi golden knivs ed ghabels. Conan ignorit senters
ed kiep ia carns med sien hands, dehrnd id miemso med sien solid dents. Ia mejamaniers ios Kimri,
ye quodkwe waurmen, evoqueer un wolfkwehrmen. Eysa sokwnia, civiliset, mejit meg eleganter-
ye, yed alnos tem vorace-ye. Enfiell ad Conan od id pitu miegh ses poisont, bet to ne minc eys
appetitt ; is preferit nehce giungdocto quem heunghernd.

Satisfacus sien stomak, is clih-se retro, emittend un deub rehmkwehster. Dat tod ja preparen pitu, id
presence em menscens in tod silent citad bihsit wajib, ed kad ielgo deusk cotlan kulk un nastraj
peind. Bet is khiss neid apprehension de to, meg-ye treusend sien katustieure. Mox, is biswohpskwit
ed lyohcswkit ghom ep un prokwem couch pro lyt wakt.

Ne ghohld id sam pro Natala. Ia neti hungher ni turs, yed neschi swohpskwit. Aysghi khauris okwi
remien platughyant ed chohx bayasen-ye ia dwers ducend ei kyal, sortes om fensters kye negnohn.
Id silence ed id mysteir tos stragnios stetios troubleer iam. Id kyal ay kwohk plauter, id meja longer
quem quo ia hieb credihn quantenprest. Ed ia bedyohrc ia wohs pierner ud sien lyut protector quem
ia vienschit ses. Stahnd ub jaldi, ia begir id meja ed sess ep eysa genus, glanzend nerveus-ye kya
wonk dwers. Sems eent belucen, alya ne. Ed tibs belucen stier ia diust-ye.

- Hams mejen, pohn, ed rahaten. Smad linkwes tod stet, Conan, ieyit ia, urgend. Es’ malefic, to
kheisso.
- Bet hams biht nel-ye beswurght taiptro, bisieyg is, kun uno mulayim bet bfuxiong streip ei ghohd.
Repulgend iam bent qua sess ep eys grem, is oistahsit ub samt id akster agilitat uns panther,
exkardkaschend sien saber, ed facend id dwer quetos id blosk hieb ei kwohken gwehme. Is alnos
mutamieyn. Also stohmbh is silent-ye kye tod. Natala sohkwit iom, sien kerdo stringend sien
gurgule. Ia wois is suspexit un danger. Sien cap clihn perodh, duben inter sien enorm omsa, Conano
snohgit kyid dwer, quasi elihnos in dwo. Is ne kwohr meis blosko quem un tigher in lyogher.

Stahsit still ep id soyl. Natala, terrifien, spohc teupend-ye apter iom. Ne eet luce in id kyal, bet id
eet part-ye beluct ab id kyal ios nieber kyal quod tohr id ed quod etispohr do alyo kyal. Ed in tod
kyal, un wir lyohg ep un baldaquin, madhen in uno mulayim luce. Constateer od is kwohk trait pos
trait ei wir quom Conan hieb nict ye id urbdwor, quayque eys povestis eent richer ed ornet samt
clenods qua twis in id bfuxiong luce. Eet is mortu, we simulit is tik swehpe ? Iter, id mulayim
buxianxu blosk bihsit aurn, kamsei un behang habiet est arct. Conan stiup retro, dreibhend con se
Natala qua glohmb do iom. Is applicit sien hand ep ayso stohm just barwakt-ye kay stumpes ayso
schrill crie.

Ud id stet quer i wohs taiper, i neti vis id baldaquin, yed ghohdeer dyehrce id skadh is projexit ep id
mur apter. Nu-trohc alyo skadh ep id mur : un enorm sword gloi, samt flau ambhriss. Vidend-ye id,
Conan khissit sien kays gribel iom curieus-ye. Quayque id eet sigwra dusformen, is ghieb is hieb
naiwo vis un menscem ni un animal projectum solg skadh. Iom praess curiositat, bet sem instinct
protiedier iom ud elane-se perodh. Is ieur ia smulk stupt cries as Natala qua spohc med pfwehngend
okwi. Neid alyo blosko gwohm ad trouble tod tenso silence. Id mier skadh covohr tod ios
baldaquin. Unte un khvil remien idso deusk masse project ep id glat mur. Dind id sgwohm lent-ye,
ed iter ambhriss id skadh ios baldaquin ep id mur. Bet is swehper neti eet ter.

Un hysteric gneur lud ex Natalas gurgule, ed Conan scuss iam kay stambhes ay cedde ad panique. Is
conscicit un gelu in sien wi veines. Is redwoyit nel menscduschman. Un comprehensible, hatta
terrifiant, danger khiekit kreusihes eys plaut xiongbu. Bet to udlit eysa gnohsas.

Pos un khvil, lakin, eys curiositat uperwohnd eys malaise. Is iter stombh endo id temost kyal, parat
ad quant. Spehcend do alyo kyal, is vis od id eet tuich. Id baldaquin eet kam is hieb vis id ye id
prest ker, bet taiper id neti eet occupen ab un clenodcovohrt wir. Yed, ep id silken blanquet, blig un
cruorghutt, samkwehkend un enorm incarnat jauhar. Natala dyohrc id ed emiss uno mulayim crie,
de-yod Conan khiek blame iam. Iter, is khiss id glehdjhand os pauro stringes iom. Ep tod baldaquin,
un wir hieb lyohgen ; semject hieb snohgen do tod kyal ed hieb tobohrn iom. Quod eet tod ject ?
Conan hieb neid dayi de, bet un aura os supernatural terroro preg ta muzlim-ye belucen kyals.

Is eet parat ad abgwahe. Ghendend id hand as Natala, is abgir, dind kung. Semloc dalgi, inj oino
iom kyals i hieb tohrn, cliengh un stieupblosk. Eet uno menscped, bohs au beschout samt legv
sandals, quod hieb suwen tod blosk. Conan, samt id tadbir uns wolf, se slah jaldi gontro. Is kohns
ghehde rikes id uder ghehrd vergeihnd-ye id kamer quetos id blosk hieb kwohken gwehme.

Bet ne bad hieb i tohrn id prest kyal irs nov itner kun id kreus os un silken behang stayg rikihsit i.
Ant un cortinwent alkuba stahsit un wir qui spohc i attentive-ye.

Is eet mutlak identic altrims sesims i hieb incontret : buland, suakwohrn, vehsend purpwr povestis,
samt un yeusmen ornen med clenods. Eys gintercolor okwi express neter surprise ni hostilitat. Eent
khayali, kam ta uns edder os lotus. Is ne exkardkiesch id twantao quod hieng ye eys gon. Bet un
instant os megil tension, is bahsit med un baygh malamant ton, in un lingua i ne preteer.

Towsraen, Conanos antwohrd in stygian, ed is gospoti sprohg iom in id samo bahsa :

- Qui ste ?
- Som Conan, un Kimri, jawieb is barbar. Ed en Natala, ex Brythunia. Quod est tod urb ?

Is wir ne antwohrd fauran. Eyso sensuqal khayalspect se forglexit ep Natala, ed is sieyg med un lent
voc :

- Ex mien quant nafassat onirs, tod es’ stragnest ! Oh goldenkays pieg, ed quod piern drehmland
gwehms tu ? Ex Andarra, ex Tothra, auti ex Kuth, in id staryeusmen ?
- Quod tar follia est to ? Brohm kaurd-ye is Kimri, ne maung preihndo ia wekwos ed weidos ios wir.

Alter ne ei dahsit attention.

- Ho drohm’ de dar perfecter kjiarjiens, murmurit is, de puyku gwens samt noctdeusk kays ed sword
okwi mathmounend aunpotem mysteirs. Bet tien cuit est albh kam melg, tien okwi sont tem pur
quem auror, ed est in te un freschia ed un delicatesse tem nafassat quem mielt. Gwehm ep mien
cubh, tu drehmmeirka !

Is oistiupit perodh ed rexit sien hand kyam, bet Conan repuls med uno nerce quod habiet ghohden
brehge. Is wir vienk retro, dehrjend sien gvolend mems, ed eys okwi kohlder-se.

- Quod mentenrebellion est to ter ? Murmurit is. Barbar, te wehlo… Abgwah ! Disprehp !
Forswehnd ! Vanie !
- Vahm vanicihes tien cap ex tien omsa ! Grohm furieus-ye is Kimri, sien tweiser saber in sien hand.
Est ter kam preims gospotis ? Per Crom ! Vahm covehre ta behangs med cruor !

Khayal hieb disprohpt ex alters okwi ed bihto tayt med un desconcerten spect.

- Thog ! Exbohr is. Ste real ! Quetos yu ? Qui ste ? Quod kwehrte yu in Xuthal ?
- Gwehmmos ex id desert, brohm Conan. Heunghernd, hams entret tod citad ye regwos. Hams
trohft un ja preparet dapan, ed habmos ja praess id. Ne ho denars pro payghe id. In mien land, pitu
naiwo biht refuset uni heunghernd mensc. Bet yusmee, civiliseits, dehlcte aundwoi iskwes sem
sarcen… sei ste kam quanti qui ho incontren taiptro. Habmos nel-ye ac’ ghaw ed vahmos chiowdeo
abgwahe. Per Crom ! Pau kamo un stet quer mortus oiscrehsce ed quer swehpend mensci disprehpe
do id gventer iom skadhs !

Ye ta senst werds, is wiro sprud gvalt-ye, ed eyso gehlbo lige bihsit greis.

- Quod habte yu saygen ? Skadhs ? Do id gventer iom skadhs ?

- Yaghi, antwohrd is Kimri tadbir-ye, quodkwe bih id jec’ quod hat tobohrn un wir lyehgend ep un
baldaquin, apterlinkwnd ex iom tik oin cruorgloi.
- Yu habte viden ? Yu habte viden ? Is wiro tremblit kam un warak. Eys voc brohg ep un acut note.
- Tik un wir swehpend ep un baldaquin, ed un skadh quod hat guraghen iom.

Id effect tom werds ep alter buit gargic. Samt un horrible heul, is wir abgir ed drahsit ex id kyal.
Unte sien blind hast, is hurt id chambranle ios dwer ed fiell, stahsit tsay, poskwo mwaungsousit unte
ia nieber kyals, nacriend honarst. Hayran, Conan apterspohc iom. Ia benta tremblit oistringend-ye id
brakh ios olbjim. I neti vis iom mwaungsound silhouette, yed na-ieur eys horrible cries, meincend
ob distance, repercutten ab id echo ep ia wonk tavans. Stayg, un crie meis akster quem alters
oisbohrst, poskwo stopit, fauran sohkwt ab un desconcerntant silence.

- Crom ! (Conan tiers id swoid ex sien chol med uno ne meg swekwr hand) Tod urb sigwra weiken’
folls ! Smad salge hetos pre incontre alter dements !
- To hol est un coschmar, sluct Natala. Smos mortu ed damnet ! Habmos mohrn in id desert ed
wehsmos taiper in hayd Smos desincarnet ansu…. Oh !

Ays taajub buit suwen ab un udclanghend latmah ep ays noits quod Conan hieb ay just birn.

- Sei un lytil teir te heuleiht katha, to mayn’ ne es bad un ansu, explicit is med tod gver humor quod
se manifestit ops unte exterwaurmen moments. Smos dar in gwit, bet maghses ne pro diu, sei
keungmos in tod petraklaup hantet ab iom diabel. Gwehm !

I hieb tohrn tik oino kyal kun, iter, stahr still. Semanghen au semjecto gwohm proscher. Faceer id
dwer os quetos gwohm ia bloska, intizarnd i ne wois quod. Ia nastorms os Conan krus ed eys okwi
schrohnk. Is kwahsit id mulayim profume odor is hieb notet lyt auser unte id vesper. Un silhouette
wierdh ep id soylo ios dwer. Conan rughiet mliak-ye ; Natala, surpriden, ghisd.

Un gwen, in id roup, spohc i staunos-ye. Ia eet buland, slanc, samt un corpos divias. Ia vohs tik un
angh yeusmen gjiaungsiant samt jauhars. Un teug ed lamper, noctsword kaysar kwitih id ielbhe os
ays ivorcorpos. Aysa sword okwi, uperskadht ab long brun pecmens, eent un aungrund os sensual
mysteir. Is Kimri hieb naiwo viden un gwen kam iam. Conans annem buit lwot ab tam kjiarjien, ed
Natala distier ad iam. Id forme os ays lige eet stygian, bet ia ne hieb id maur cuito iam gwens os
Stygia is hieb gnohn : ays memsa eent alabsterkwit.

Bet kun ia bahsit, med un profund-ye melodieus voc, to buit in stygian.

- Qui ste ? Quod kwehrte yu in Xuthal ? Qua est sa pieg ?
- Qua es tu ? Jawieb Conan fauran, oku malalto de dehlge antwehrde ad questions.
- Som Thalis, ia Stygian, antwohrd ia. Ste yu foll de gwehme hetro ?
- Eem mehnend id sam, grohm Conan. Per Crom ! Sei som mentsaun, ho neid kwehrtu in tod stet,
ob ids quant weikers sont alnos foll. Gwehmmos vankend ex id desert, exhaust, heunghernd ed
teursend, ed incontrems un mortu wir qui peit me dyehgwe in mien regv. Enterms un palat, puyku
ed luxuriant, quayque okwivid-ye desert. Trehvmos un ja preparen chifan, bet aun mejban. Dind
vidmos un skadh guraghe un swehpend wir… (Is iam spohc attentive-ye ed vis od ays lige
mulayim-ye erudh.) Kwetar ?
- Quod tar ? Jawieb ia, kwecto se rewaldhend-ye.
- Tik exspectim od abdrahies unte ia kyals, heulend-ye kam un foll, antwohrd is. Kam hat kwohrt is
wir quei ho tolc’ de id skadh.

Ia plex med siena minc ivoromsa.

- Toghi eet id sabab iom crien ho aurn. Tun ielgi sien meinyun, ed es’ stupid crie kam un kapant rat.
Quando Thog me keupsiet, is me vansiet.
- Quis est Thog ? Sprohgit Conano mistrust-ye.

Ia glexit iom siblautel-ye, quo effecit od ia gians as Natala erudh ed od ia dohnk sien teun rudh
lipps.

- Seddte ghom ep tod couch ed to vos saycsiem, antwohrd ia. Bet, preter, saycte mi vies nams.
- Som Conan, un Kimri, ed en Natala, ex Brythunia, iey is. Smos i saul skapeits uns heir quod buit
pernict ye id hadh os Kusch. Bet nel-ye wehno sedde quer buxianxu skadhs maghient surrege za
me.

Samt uno mulayim musicalo gleimen, ia sess ghom, strehcend sien graciu memsa kamsei se
tyehgvskwiet.

- Rasuret vos, ieyit ia. Sei Thog vicheus’ vos, vos lambhensiet querkwe yu sessiete. Is wir de quom
habte tolken ed qui hat mwaungsoun heulend-ye… ne habte yu aurt iom emitte un honar crie,
sohkwt ab un long silence ? In sien frenitis, is hat soll’ curre seid kye quo is vergihskwit. Nimen
ghehdt skape sien fat.

Conan brohm, evasive, bet is sess ep id gombh uns couch, sien saber posen skeir ep sien genus,
ambhspehcend id kamer med uno mistreusend spect. Natala gwohm ad nizdes protie iom,
adglehmernd samt un jalous protiokwo, sien jambs brighta tsay sub se. Ia spohc iam tarnien samt
suspecen ed ressentiment. Ia khiss mediocre, duilstohrct ed insignificanta ant tam fascinant
kjiarjien, ed ia khiek rhalte de id spect tom sword okwi qua smieg ielg detayl ios brunt corpos ios
olbjim.

- Quod est tod stet, ed qui sont ti leuds ? Sprohgit Conan.

- Id nam tos urb es’ Xuthal. Es’ meg aw. Es’ construgen ep un oasis quod i dehtors os Xuthal
aunstohg unte ir wander. I gwohm eusttos, tem diuper quem hatta ir descendants ne mehme id
tarikhe irs arriven hetro.
- Ne sollent ses meg kathire. Ta palats kwehke newict.
- No, yed son’ meis quem yu ghehdte fiker. Id citad est in druve oin immense palat. Ielg treb est
intos yuct altrims. Yu maghte spassere in ta salls unte hors ed vide nimen. Ye alya moments, yu siete
incontre centens weikern.
- Quosmed est to possible ? Sprohgit Conan, bfuyow. To odit pior vraj ye eys gust.
- Pleistens, ti leuds nalyehge ed swehpe. Ir drehmgwit est tem important, ed pro i, tem real, quem ir
wakh gwit. Habte yu klut de id kyehrsen lotus ? Crehsct in sem ghyamens ios citad. In id druna iom
secules, hat es’ buwt hin ids swekwos seuwt, vice mohrt, schungjin ed fantastic drehms. Consecrent
id miers’ part irs wakt tibs drehms. Ir gwit est aunhadh, id pardreift, aun precis ziel. Drehment,
gehrent, pohnt, lieubhent, eddent ed iter drehment. Rar-ye fineihn’ quo hant inkapt, linkwnd id
untitner ed swohpyend dank id kyehrsen lotus. Tod chifan yu habte trohven, aundwoi, oin ex i hat
gohrn, hunghern, preparen tod chifan pro seswo, dind hat neti mohnen de ed iter hat abdrohmen.
- Quetos ir pitu ? Interrup iam Conan. Ho dyohrc’ neter aghers ni vinghehrds exter id urb. Hant i
hortghehrds ed stryngs eni idpet urb ?

Ia scussit sien cap.

- Deughent ir pitu ex ia auwal elements. Son’ skaun mualims, kun ne son’ sub id influence irs
drehmandos. Ir atavs, qui struxeer tod daumost citad medsu id desert, eent intellectual-ye gigants.
Ed quayque id race hat bihn sclav sienen curieus passions, sems iren hayraneihnd gnohsas
subsisten’ dar nundiens. Habte yu daumen quetos gwohm ta luces ? Ta sont jauhars, fuden med
radium. Yu ghneihte ia med vies pallex kay daghe ia, ed yu ghneihte ia iter, in invers sense, kay se
sgwene. Est tik oin exempel irs weida. Bet han’ lust id mehmen multen alyen inventions. Ijaben’
pau interesse ad wakh gwit, meilend nalyehge, mers pleistens in un swehpen quod samkwehc’
mohrt.

- Tun, is mortu ant id portal… bisieygit Conan.

- … eet sigwra swehpend. Qui swehpe sub id effect ios lotus bevide ia symptomes os daunet. Ir
annem kwehc’ suspens. Est impossible aunstehge id lyts’ gwitsigne. Id ment hat likwn id corpos ed
erre’ querlibt unte alya daumos’ munds. Is wir ant id portal est un gohd exempel ios irresponsible
gwit tim leuds. Is stahsit wakht ye id dwor, idghi swohd vol’ ke straji sian’ kyusen pro tod task,
quayque nel peind hat aiwo menacen i ud id desert. In alya urbdeils, yu trehfsiete alyens guardes,
sigwra swehpend tem profund-ye quem iom wir ant id portal.

Unte un khvil, Conano meditit de tod wekwos.

- Quer sont i leuds ye cid moment ?

- Diaspohrn unte differen’ stets ios urb, lyehgend ep cubhs, silken coucha, in alkubas sam’ bolghis,
ep pellcovohr’ baldaquins ; quanti vulbhen in id sakib kehlder iom drehms.

Conan khissit sien cuit kruses inter siena massive omsa. Ne eet meg tassallisanto mehne od centens
leuden it lyohg, srig ed still, in vasya taamcovohrn salls iom sarays, ir glaslik okwi wohrt kyid
waurn aun vide ject. Dind is mohm alyo.

- Ed quod eet tod jec’ quod hat snohc’ do id kyal ed tobohrt iom wir lyehgend ep id baldaquin ?

Un kreus iendh ia ivormemsa.

- Est Thog, is Awo, is Div os Xuthal. Is weict in id gixiathol in id centre ios urb. Hat semper wiken
Xuthal. Ne woidam kweter hat gwohmen con qui struxeer id urb, we an is wohs ja ter kun arriveer.
Men i weikers os Xuthal iom yazgent. Opsst-ye, is swehpt in id anun ios urb. Bet yando, ye regular
tempsa, hungher stinct iom. Tun snehct is nin-ye unte ia secret dikhliz, penetrend ia muzlim-ye
belucen kyals, po un praedd. Unte solg instants, nimen est salv.

Natala stun ob terror ed antgrip id staur coll os Conan, kamsei anghen rehfskwiet iam ud aus
protector.
- Crom ! Mlusit is, sliep. Tu mayns od ti leuds nalyehgent sakwn-ye ed swehpent, menxu so demon
aluet ambh i ?
- Heunghert tik waurmen-ye, repetih ia. Un div hat rect ad mauls. Kun eem magv, in Stygia, leuds
gwiveer in id skadh im gutors. Nimen wois aiwo quan is, au ia, vahsit bihe sizen ed sohlken kyid
altar. Quod difference kweter i gutors adbehrnt un victim al div, we an elswo div vant el ?
- To ne est id swohd miens folk, grohm Conan, ni tod os Natalas folk. Hyborians men ne maule
menscens iri div, Mitra. Mien de folk... per Crom ! Kamiem ghi vide un gutor pites dribhes un
Kimri kyid altar ! Cruor sreuiet, bet ne kam planen ab el gutor !
- Es un barbar, iey Thalis, gleihnd-ye, yed un flamme passit in eys lamper okwi. Thog est meg veut
ed mahibe.
- Ti leuds solle ses imbeciles, auti heroys, brohm Conan, sei swehpent, mergen in ir inep’ drehms,
woidend od maghien’ gehre in eys gventer.

Ia iliey.

- Gnohn’ neid als. Pon aunnumer generations, Thog cheusneut sien victims bayna i. Hat est oin iom
causen qua han’ decimet i : een’ plur tusents, son’ neid meis quem oik centens. Dar oik generations,
ed dispareihsient. Thog dehlcsiet abgwahe do alyo part ios mund, po nov praedds, we sgwehme do
ia endra quois is hat salgen, meg diuper.
Woideer od son’ damnet, bet son’ fataliste, khakend resiste we mwaungsoue. Nel mensc ios presen’
generation hat aiwo gwahn dalgtro ud ta murs. Est un oasis ye oin sudwohr’ ghangdien… Ho vis id
ep ia awa pergamenmaps ir atavs hant risst. Bet nel Xuthal mensc aiw gegwahsit tetro pon tri
generations ed, bi meger sabab, pepitit explre ia piwernias qua, sekwent ia maps, lyehge ye oin
ghangdien trans tod oasis. Est un sal-extinct race, kharct ab ia drehms gohnt ab id lotus, stimulend
sien wakhtinstants med tod golden vin quod yac’ vurnsa ed redaht un nov gwis al satst behayi.
Lakin, glehmben’ do gwit ed baynt id divitat i yazgent. Yu habte vis kam oin ex i hat follascen
manthus od Thog aluit in ia sarays. Ho vis id hol citad hules ob terror, ed i leuds wules ir kays, se
precipite extro currend-ye kam dements, kay abtupes exter ia walls ed lotte quel bihiet diehn ed
brighen tsay do id urb kay satisface Thogs taunay ed hungher. Sei ne vasyi swehpient ye cid
moment, id khabar os eys gumt habiet follihn i ed habient ruschen exter id urb heulend-ye.

- Oh Conan ! Natala implorit, prokwem hysteria. Smad togwahe hetos !

- Ye id iskwn waurmen, murmurit Conan, sien okwi enflammend-se menxu is dyisit id ivorcorpos
as Thalis. Ed tu, Stygian, quod kwehrs tu her ?
- Ho gwohmen hetro quan eem meirka, antwohrd ia, kneigvend-ye regv-ye samt grace protiev id
zamten couch ed meisgend sien delicate finghers apter sien brun cap. Som ia dugter uns roy, ed ne
un gwen ios popule, kam ghehds vide yeji mien cuit quod est tem blank quem tod tiens lytil blond.
Buim rapt ab un rebell peurs’ qui, con un heir om kuschi archers, ieg deub do id desert sudworts, po
un territorium is maghiet declare sien. Is ed eys quant jenchis nohc in id desert, ploisko oin qui, pre
mehre, ne seddihsit ep un camell ed ghieng perodh nieb me hin is collapsit ed slit ep id drayl. El
animal nagwahsit perodh towsraen ed, sub id effect om hungher ed teurst, ho sohnklen do delirium.
Quando ho gohrn, io wohs in tod citad. Mi han’ saygen i me hieb dyohrcen pon ia walls, aus ye
octent, lyehgend aunconscience nieb id cadaver uns camell. Addrahr ed me brigh, dind me gwiweer
me poheihnd ir daumos’ golden vin. Ed tik id vid uns gwen hieb ghohdt pussire i ad venture tem
dalgtro ud ir murs.
Interessim i maung, bilhassa iens wirs. Dat io khiek bahe ir lingua, i uc bahe mieno. Hant un meg
akster ed megil intelligence ed bahr meg diu pre io uc iro. Bet eent meis interessen ab mien person
quem ab id lingua quod bahsim. Ho esen, ed som id saul ject pro quod oin ex iens linkwsiet pro oin
instan’ sien lotusdughen drehms.

Ia glih samt un perverso protiokwo, sien deurseck okwi bleigend significant-ye kye Conan.
Weidwos, gwens me jalouse, nagwut ia sakwn-ye. Son’ bell ye ir weidos, samt ir gehlb cuit. Bet
iasschi sont tem khayali ed bfuteing quem ies wirs, ed toy me prefern’, ne tik ob mien beauteit,
sontern ob mien realitat. Ne som un drehm ! Quayque ho gnohn ia lotusdughen drehms, som un
normal gwen, samt terran sentiments ed desires. Med ir pfwohnct okwi, gehlb gwens khake rivalise
con me !
Itak kwehries kreins sei tehmies id gurgule tas ben’ med tien saber, pre i Xuthal mensci gehrnt ed
lambhnent iam. Iam kwehndeihien’ jects qua ia ne deursiet imagine ! Ia es’ pior slab pro tehle quo
ho bruct. Som un dugter os Luxur. Hatta pre mien penkdem wers, buim abducen do ia temples as
Derketo, iam sombre divu, ed inityen ibs mysteirs. Ne buir mien prest yars passen in Xuthal yars
om monoton plaisures ! I Xuthal leuds han’ myohrsen meis de tod theme quem ias prysterins as
Derketo aiwo woidsient. Gwivent wahid-ye pro sensual plaisures. Exdrohmen au real, ir gwit pehldt
med daumost extases, udleitend id aum im ordinar menscen.

- Balstohmen degeners ! Grohm Conan.

- Est un vidpoint, iey indolent-ye Thalis oismeihnd-ye.
- Hay, decisit is, smos tik leusend nies wakt. Suavido od tod stet ne es’ kwohr’ pro ordinar mertis.
Sessiemos dalg pre tien bolvans gehrnt we Thog gwehmt ad praedde nos. Mehno od id desert es’
preferim.

Natala, quas sehrg hieb-se ficten in ays veines aurnd-ye id wekwos as Thalis, prim wierm-ye tod
idee. Ia bahsit tik reliques os stygian, bet pretit id kafi. Conan stahsit ub, swetragend iam.

- Sei acceptes nos dikes id cortst itner kay salge tod citad, grohm is, abgwahsiemos.

Bet eyso specto kung ep ia graciu memsa ias Stygia ed ays kwit pizdan.

Sa ne misieyit eyso spect, ed smih ye un enigmatic weidos, menxu ia stahsit ub samt id adriug
uriende unias mier cat.

- Sehkwte me, iey im ia, gwahnd pri i kay im dikes id itner, consciend Conan starnd sieni slanc
silhouette ed sieni perfect-ye swekwr darmen.

Ia ne gwahsit unte i hieb gwohmen, bet pre ia suspecens os Conan ghehdient bihe sbudt, ia stahsit
still in un vast kyal samt ivordecorations ed kyus uno smulk fontan quos bogo kien medsu id
fildemped.

- Ne lavskws tu tien lige, mien magv ? Sprohg ia Natala-sim. Id, tem quem tien kays, es’
duilcovohrn.

Natala erudh, hurt ab id scharir suggestion quod ia Stygian hieb ay just kwohrt med uno mualyim-
ye goilisk ton. Bet ia dostrig tod, daumend aytan-ye qualg ravages hieb inflict id sol ed id wind ios
desert ei teint os ays lige pro-yod ias gwens os ays race eent suaklun. Ia genuit ant id fontan, slah
sien kays retro, slidih sien ghiton tiel sien lendv ed biliev ne tik sien lige, sontern sienschi kwit
brakhs ed omsa.

- Per Crom ! Brohm Conan, kwe un gwen zakaursiet de sien beauteit, esdi is diabel aptersehkwt
iam ! Spehd, bent ! Sessies iter duilcovohr’ pre siamos extervid tos urb. Ed tu, Thalis, druve-ye
kamiem an nos procuries pitu ed scharab.

Ka saul response, Thalis gwohm kyom, sneigend uter sienen blank brakhs ambh eys brunen omsa.
Eyso swadh ed nogwo flanko waursit protiev eys bemern ed id profume os ayso silkliko kays
penetrit eys nastorms.
- Ma drehde id desert ? Susurit ia, med un beuder ton. Man her ! Tib docsiem Xuthals mores. Te
protecsiem. Te lieubhsiem ! Es un real wir : som strak de tens meunliges quoy kwehsternt, drehment
ed sbeudent, pre iter drehme. Nafsano id violent ed real passion uns wir qui gwivt ep ardh. Id jar
tienen lyut okwi bateiht mien kerd in mien pizdan. Ed id contract tienen brakhs samt stalen muscles
me folleiht.
Man her ! Te beuwsiem iom roy os Xuthal ! Te aunstehgeihsiem ia awa mysteirs ed ia daumost vias
kye plaisure ! Siem…

Ia hieb snigen sien brakhs ambh eys coll ed oistieusit ep sien pedak, sien corpos kreusend protiev
eyso. Epter ays ivoroms, is vis Natala, qua slah retro sieno madh ed nekohmt kaysar, se immobilise
stayg, ays jamile okwi pfwehnge ed ays rudhs lipps ghyahe kay exbehre un schockt « oh ! ». Samt
un embarassen brohm, Conan rejexit ia brakhs as Thalis qua sbohnd iom ed repuls iam med oiter
sienen kreptic brakhs. Ia glazit jaldi kyam Brythunian ed smihsit enigmatic-ye, kwecto pinwnd in
sien cap uno mysterieus menos.

Natala stahsit tsay ed slah ubtro brusk-ye sien ghiton, samt flamboyant okwi, sien lipps munda
skeud-ye. Conan rughiet mliak-ye. Is ne eet monghamer per buhsa quem quisquid bayga soldat, yed
is hieb in se un ingnahn decence quod eet Natalas gohdst garantie.

Thalis neti waurs iom med sien yalos. Invitend i ad sehkwe iom med uno mov siens graciu hand, ia
abgir ed tohr id kyal. Ia hielt stayg prokwem un taamcovohrno mur. Conan, qui observit iam, dieum
an ia hieb aurt ia bloska qua deughiet uno nenamim monster, aluend bayna ia kyals in id
midnocttemos, ed is hieb anateina ob tod enfall.

- Quod has tu aurt ? Sprohg is.

- Spehc tod dwer, antwohrd ia pfehrstend-ye.

Is vols, parat ad plage med sien eins. Bet eyso spect incontrit tik id desert akmen ios inghang. Dind,
apter iom, lud un oku vreikstblosk, sohkwt ab un pwolstupen taajub. Is vols iter. Thalis ed Natala
hieb disprohpen. Id taam retrohv sien inkapemstand ; id kwohk esus ayrt ud id mur. Kun is ghisd,
desconcertet, un stupen heul ei ghohd ex apter id taam : eet id voc ias Brythunian.
 II

Kun Conan hieb volgen, respondend ei eiskwen as Thalis, kay spehce id dwer face se, Natala stahsit
just apter iom, nieb iam Stygian. Yant is Kimri hieb wohrt sien regv, Thalis, samt id quasi incredible
okutat uns panther, applicit sien hand protiev id stohm as Natala, stumpend id crie ia volit emitte.
Sammel, ia Stygiana snig sien alter brakh ambh id urand lendv ias blondias meirka, ed sa buit slahn
retro contra id mur quod cess quan id oms as Thalis knigv protiev id. Uno mursection ghyahsit,
aunstehgend un orifice in id taam, per-yod Thalis oisnohgit con sien kaptu, just kun Conan vols.

Ocolo, buit total temos kun id secreto dwer zaghyahsit. Thalis buit ambhtastend kyid, aundwoi kay
repusce un perchin. Bet quan ia straxit sien hand ud id stohm as Natala kay parkwehre tod geste, ia
Brythunian bicricit honarst. Id gleimen as Thalis buit kam poisonen mielt in tod teni.

- Crie sei vols, smulk idiota. To tik bragvyesiet tien gwit.

Pos ta werds, Natala zuhul brusk-ye ed ahockit-se, tremblend med sien quanta memsa.

- Ma habte yu kwohrt to ? Sprohg ia. Quod kwehrskwte yu ?

- Vahm te abduce lyt dalger do tod dikhliz, antwohrd Thalis, ed te linkwes ter, pro semquom qui,
aus au sert, te vansiet.
- Ohhhh ! (Natalas voc se brohg do un terrorsleuct.) Ma me harmskwte yu ? Quod ho io kwohrt ad
vos ?
- Volo tien jenchi. Stahs ep mien itner. Is wehn’ me… Ho vis eys spect. Sei neti es ter, is siet accepte
mane her ed bihe mien roy. Quando habsiem abedehn te, me sehkwsiet.
- Tehmsiet vies gurgule, antwohrd Natala conviction-ye, gnohnd Conan kreins quem Thalis.
- Vidsiemos, jawieb srig-ye ia Stygian, treusend sien waldh uper wirs. Zowngschie, naiwo woidsies
kweter me habsies dyohgwt we kusst, ob vahs ses ia esor tos qui weict in temos. Gwehm !

Pwolfoll ob terror, Natala se strubh lyut-ye, bet to ay dugh neid. Med un gwis quod Natala habiet
naiwo crediht possible bi un gwen, Thalis ghens iam do sien brakhs ed bohr iam unte id temosto
dikhliz kamsei ia habiet est una magv. Natala ne cricit pro un dwot ker, mehmend id buxianxu
wekwos ias Stygian. Ia saul aurn swons eent ta os ays oku annem ed id lascive, mulayim-ye goilisk
gleimen as Thalis. Dind id hand ias Brythunian, quod sroht in kenos, sizit semject in teni… id
lambhel os un jauhargjiaungsianen khandjar, quod oistohlb ex id clenodendecoren yeusmen as
Thalis. Natala empug id ed plieg towsraen, med sien hol nerce as meirka…

Un heul sielg ia lipps as Thalis, felinu in ays gvol kam in ays rage. Ia vienk, ed Natala, se fortragend
ex ays hol strineg quod slohmber, lumatiey cruel-ye sien delicate corpos fallend-ye ep id swol ex
glat petra. Stahnda tsay, ia curs kyid prokwsto sten ed mien ter, palpitend ed tremblend, glehmernd
protie ia petras. Ia nr visit Thalis, yed ghohd aure iam. Aweis ne hieb mohrt ia Stygian. Ia eet
katathemisend bachimien, ed ays rage eet tem gvaltic ed tem katel quem Natala khissit sien osta se
liquefie ed sien sehrgo glehdje.

- Quer es tu, lytil diablin ? Cricit Thalis. Skehpt kem iter te kapo, te…

Natala khiss newal tik aurnd-ye Thalis describe ia physic apokwitis ia inflicskwit sieni victim. Id
bahmen ias Stygian habiet ereudhihn iom kjienrlaust cortoyer os hol Aquilonia.

Natala ieur iam fortaste po semject, dind un luce gwohl. Temghi mier buit id paur as Thalis in tod
deusk dikhliz, ays grassab hieb sigwra uperwohnden. Id luce orgwohm ex oin tom radiumjauhars
qua decoreer Xuthals murs, tod quod Thalis hieb ghniht. Taiper ia stieu, madht in ids regwen : un
arg different tos emitten in id palat. Thalis press uter sienen hands ep sien gon, ed cruoro srusit inter
ays finghers, bet ia kwohk neter slabiht ni deub-ye vurnt, ed ays okwi blig ob peighertat. Oligo
courage quod restit ad Natala likwit iam kun ia vis iam Stygian qua wierdh in tod buxianxu
beleucen : ayso splendid lige eet dusformen ab un passion quod eet neid minter quem infernal. Tun,
ia stohmbhit med sien panthergwayt, stragend sien hand ud sien vurnt gon ed scuttend impatient-ye
ia cruorghutts ud sien finghers. Natala ghieb ia ne hieb ser dvohrn sien rival. Id miecho hieb sliden
ep ia jauhars ios yeusmen as Thalis ed causen uno meg superficial vurnos quod eesesuwit id
effrenat furor ias Stygian.

- Dah mi tod daga, orm idiota, grohm ia stieupend-ye perodh jaldi kyam ahockt bent.

Natala wois od ia hieb tohrben menxu ia dar ghohd to, bet ia mer-ye neti hieb id courage pro to.
Naiw esus un wigha, temos, gvalt ed id horror os ayso situation hieb mollihn iam, physic-ye ed
mental-ye. Thalis rohv id daga ex aysa slemb finghers ed toxubh id honn-ye.

- Genis lytil pacharva ! Grohm ia inter sien dents, plagend-ye peigher-ye iam meirka med ieter
hand. Pre te sehlke unte id dikhliz ed te dahe ka pitu ad Thog, ioschi vahm schehnke mi lyt ex tien
cruor ! Has dursen me dyehgwe… vahsghi kwihes ob tod deursia !

Seizend iam per ayso kays, Thalis traxit iam unte un corto distance in id dikhliz, tiel id leizdo ios
gwayder circule. Uno metallring prohp in id mur, pagen uper id nivell ios cap uns wir. Kata tod ring
hieng un silkspartak. Kam in un coschmar, Natala khiss od ays ghiton bihsit wulen, ed, unte id
instant poskwo, Thalis liv brutal-ye ays runcs kay diehnes ia ei ring, quer ia remien suspenden,
nogwa kam ye id dieno sienios gnahsa, sien peds touchend payn id grund. Wehndend sien cap,
Natala visit Thalis oisghende un bicho samt gemmengjiaungsianen stolg, hangend kata id mur nieb
id ring. Ia korigas consisteer sept silken seils, crueler, quayque urander, quem lietern korigas.

Samt un strid os revanche plaisure, Thalis tensit sien brakho retro, ed Natala emiss un schrill crie
kun ia seils oislohnk ambh ays nugvers. Ia torturet meirka kriemp, se strubh ed tens, veurnend
cruel-ye sien runcs darn ab id spartak. Ia hieb myohrst iom aluendo menace quom aysa cries ghohd
attrage, ed Thalis, okwivid-ye, iaschi. Cada cutt rohv ex iam gvolheuls. Ia bich cutts qua Natala
hieb subiht in ia sclavenmercats os Schem kwohk insignificant nieb ta. Ia naiwo habiet credihn od
cutts inflict med fayn-ye trict silken seils habient ghohden ses tem cruel. Ia fiss id air clackend-ye
eak-ye ed ir nafassat caresse gvolit meis quem quakwe birgwisgas au lietern korigas.

Dind, dat Natala wohnd sien dakrustohrct lige epter sien oms kay crie aman, semjecto stopit ays
heuls. Ed, in ays bell okwi, paytten bihsit tayn ab un paralysant horror.

Surpris ab ays wajkho, Thalis swedier sien hand quod se liv kay plage ed vols, oku kam un cata.
Pior sert ! Un horrible crie gwohl ex ays lipps kun ia liv sien brakhs, gwahnd-ye retro. Natala
dyohrc unte uno mic ays pauralbho lige wardhend face id mier dusformen sword masse quod
wierdh ant iam. Dind id pall silhouette as Thalis buit ayrn ed id skadh oisgwohm abducend-ye iam.
In id muzlim gwayder halo, Natala remien diehn, saul ed pwolbayaldissevs ob terror.

Ex id deub temos gwohm ay sem desconcertant ed terrifiant bloska. Ia ieur id voc as Thalis qua
implorit med un strehmghalv ton. Bet neid voc ay antwohrd. Eet aurn tik id kwehsend voc ias
Stygian quod, stayg, transformit-se do un serie om agoniaheuls, brohgen ab un hysteric gleimen,
implohcen do sleucts. Mox, idschi stopit, ed un dar terrible silence regnit in id secreto dikhliz.

Terrorsieug, Natala kriemp kata sien diemmens ed dursit spehce, gargpleht, quetro id deusk forme
hieb abducen Thalis. Ia vis neid, yed khiss un invisible menace, dar meis dekhschatic quem quanto
ia ghohd exmehne. Ia pit arke id voln os hysteric terror quod oistigh do iam. Ays lumatayn runcs,
ays gvolend corpos eent myohrst ant tod perile quod menacit, ia khiss to obscure-ye, ne tik sien
corpos, sontern aysschi atmen.

Ia scrutit id temos quod oistrohc trans id mulayim gwayder halo, stiven ab id paur os quo miegh
surrege tetos. Un stupen sleucto skiep ays lipps. Temos wierdh. Semject enormo crohsc, emergend
ex nischto. Ia dyohrc un gigantesk, dusformen cap, quod prohp do luce. Bariem, ia iey tod un cap,
quayque tod ject samkwohk nel normal ni mentsaun creature. Ia vis un enorm face tengiendo tod
uns gama, quos traits eent tem vagh ed imprecis quem ta es un specter reflecta do un
coschmarspecule. Mier luce glois qua eent maghses okwi miceer kyam, ed ia tremblit ant id cosmic
schakhwat ia mathmouneer. Ia ne habiet ghohden describe id corpos al creature. Els ambhriss
kwecto swehbhe ed se modifie subtile-ye kunkye spohcit ia. Yed, elso substance eet okwivid-ye
solid ed bevis neid spectral ni mighlic.

El ses gwohm proscher iam, bet ia ne habiet ghohden sayge kweter el ghieng, se sohlk, pluk we rep.
Els movzariya udlit ays ghaben. Kun el emers ex id skadh, ia remien dar tem rhayr-yakin de els
buhsa. Id luce xudt ab ia radium petras ne beluc el quem id habiet beluct un ordinarem creature.
Tem neghabim quem id kwohk, el creature tengicit lucesteug. Ia detayls os els corpos remien
semper obscure ed indistinct, hatta kun el stahsit still tem prokwem Natala quem el quasi ghohd
touche ays kreusend krewos. Tik id blindend protiokwo, samlik tei uns gama, wierdh samt semo
nettor. Id ject eet un flau gloi, un skadhgveimen quod un normalo luce ghohd neter swindes ni
beluces.

Ia buit persuas od ia folliesc, iaghi khiek sayge an el ses oispohc ub kyam, we udbuliend iam. Ia
ghohd sayge kweter id indistinct ed repulsive face micit kyam, pon id temos quod covohr els peds,
we spohcit ghom kyam ubselltos. Aysmen vid convic iam od tod corpos, samt quakwe
alterationsuedsa, eet lakin composen ab un solid substance, ayso sense os touchen ay brigh un dar
meger confirmation. Un sword mems, samkwehkend un tentacule, snohg engwn ays corpos, ed ia
hul ye tod contact ep sien nogwo krewos. To eet neter warm, ni srig, ni rug, ni swadh. To eet kam
neid quod hieb ghohdto touche iam prever. Ed, sub tod caresse, ia gnohsit un terror ed un scham ia
hieb naiwo spruven. Id hol obscenitat ed id lubric infamia mathmounen in id panko iom abyssal
ghyamens os Gwit kwohk kharke iam do oceans os cosmic stehrkos. Ed, ye tod instant, ia ghieb od,
quodkwe bihr id gwitsforme skipt ab tod ject, ne eet un animal creature.

Ia bihul irresistible-ye, ed el monster traxit iam, kamsei el voliet rehve iam ex id ringo med brutto
nerce. Dind buit uno megil behngos uper ir caps. Un forme pluk in id air ed gwohm ad oistundes
protiev id petra swol.
 III

Kun Conan vols ed vis id behango quod se redehsit in place, dind ieur id oistupen crie Natalas, is
precipitit-se protiev id mur samt un furieus baub. Antskandend sub id schock quod habiet brohgen
ia osta ceters, is rohv tod behand, aunstehgend quo kwohkit ses un bare mur. Pleno med foll rage, is
oiswohng sien saber kam kay glubes per id marmor, kun un stayg blosk volvih iom, samt
flamboyant okwi.

Dwogimtia silhouetten faceer iom, gehlb wirs vehsend purpwr ghitons, twantaoghesor. Kam is
parvols, ies rusch ep iom samt hostile cries. Is ne pit mliake iens. Folliht ob sienu misend sokwnia,
is barbaro rik sien auwal buhsa.

Un brohm os cruorlasni plaisure sielg stump-ye sien taurgurgule menxu is klieup. Is prest attaquer,
sien twantao ne habend id schaecheingo ios sabre quod plieg stridend-ye, collapsit, sieno mazgho
gwehlend ex sien dwifisden ghalv. Volgend samt id agilitat uns cat, Conan tohm un runc regen
kyom, ed id hand sehrnd id twantao pluk in id air, spehrnd un vehrs om rudh ghutts. Yed Conano ne
stopit ed nel-ye kung. Trehcend samt felin uriende, is vergihsit id kyopev attaque om dwo gehlb
fehkhters, ed uters miech leipsus sien objective trohv ka futliar id xiongbu alters.

Un terrorheulo lud ant tod afa, ed Conan permissit sib un bragv ilay, dind is klieup gontro,
vergeihnd un stridend cutt. Is sieber, mergend sub id garde alyios Xuthal wir. Un long rudh sohlk
prohp apter eys kanend miech, ed is wir elih-se in dwo, sien gventermuscles tohmt.

Ies Xuthal wighs hul kam furieus wolfs. Pau swehdend katue, eent joking-ye lent ed skayv
comparet ei tigher qui is barbar eet qui trohc ye blixsyrat, combination om stalnerves alliet uni
perfecti combatstechnique. Ies oisroht ed kwohlp, impedihn ab ir wi numer ; ies plieg pior oku au
pior aus ed incontreer tik-ye kenos. Is eet naiwo still, ne manend unte oino mic ye id sam stet,
klaupend, skandend gontro, twehrelnd, vreinkend. Is eet un dayim-ye movend ziel irims einsims,
menxu eys wi kehmbo miech entonier uno marthiya irims aurs.

Yed, quodkwe bihr ir sliebe, ies Xuthal wirs ne ieu courage. Ies accurs ambh iom criend-ye ed
sciddend-ye, ed unte ia wonk dwers, tragen ex ir wi swehpen ab tod exteradet tumult.

Conan, sehrgend ob un skolfavurnos, gohn kenos ambh se unte oin instant, sien cruorsmeu saber
oiskreitend hatta oins ; dind is bragv-ye ambhglaz, po un skapzariya. Tun visit is un taam abvices ud
oino iom murs, revelend un angh drab. Ep tod oistahsit un wir vehsens riche povestis, samt lusen
spect ed meicend kamsei is habiet just gohrn ed ne habiet chassen ia swehpensmighels ex sien kers.
Conan vis ed ieg sammel.

Un tigherklaup tehrih iom aundamn id einsencircule ambh iom, ed is elien-se kyid drab, id meute
kraghend apter iom. Tri wirs oiskohpt iom ghomdrabs ia marmorstieupens, ed is rusch ep iens samt
un udclanghend stalbehngos. Buit un strehmghalv instant kun ia miecha bligeer kam gvrensblixa,
dind id grupp se disloquit pre collabe, ed Conan klieup kyid drab. Id persehkwnd horde gwohm ad
kwehlpe ep tri formes quoy kriemp ghom ia stieupens : oin ex iens lyohg protiokwo protie ghom,
madhend in un aghel mix ex cruor ed mazgh ; alyo pit protiedare med sien hands id cruor gwehlend
atroce-ye ex ia veines os sien tohmt gurgule ; is trit hul kam un agonisant kwauno menxu is noghit
id cruorpoiko kunda quod hieb esen un brakh.

Kun Conan se precipitit do id marmordrab, is wir qui stahsit ubdrabs ia stieupens sielgit sien
hayriene ed exkardkiesch un eins quod twisit srig-ye in id radium luce. Is bir un estocade nitro kun
is barbar stighit kyom. Bet kay vergihes id ako quod trohcit kanend-ye kyeys gurgule, Conan clih
brusk-ye sien cap. Id miecho dohr id cuit os eys regv. Tun Conan stieu tsay ed suwit sien saber
ubtro, kam is habiet kwohrt med un kassabkniv, con id hol nerce om sien staur omsa.

Tem terrible buit id perodhpusc os eys hol corpos quem id resistence gohnt ab eyso saber sehto tiel
lambhel do id gventer os eys peindo ne hatta stopit iom. Is hurt id nayvo ios biedan ed antskiend
protie iom, iom xeudend gontro. Id schock yis Conan crasche contra id mur. Alter, sien corpos
dvohrt ab id saber, fiell capo perodh in id drab, udschkembeeto tiel spina ex sien engwen do sien
bohncto sternum. In un horrible spehrnd insterkowp, id nayv rollit ghom ia stieupens, gwehmend ad
hurtes iens addrahnd wirs ed dreibhend iens con se.

Pwolniterplact, Conano knigv protiev id mur unte oin instant, spehcend ghom kyens. Dind, scuttend
med un arroganto geste sien cruorsmeu saber, is klieup ub ia stieupens.

Entrevs id kyal ubdrabs, is hielt unte uno mic, kafi pro swekwehre od id eet desert. Apter iom, id
horde hul samt tem vehement horror ed grassab quem is ghieb is hieb just nicen ep tod drab un
important rjienbwuts, shayad iom roy tos fantastic citad.
Is bicurs towsraen, aun ziel-on. Is viensch desperat-ye retrehve ed khalasse Natala qua, is eet yakin,
urgent-ye nieudh eys hehlp. Bet, persohkwt kam is eet ab vasyens Xuthal jenchis, is miegh tik
nadrahe, antreusend sieno nassab kay udcurre iens ed revrehe iam. In ta ubdrabs kyals, temost au
muzlim-ye beluct, is bihsit meg jaldi desorientet ed pau stieun de wehse medsu un sall in-yod eys
apterreuschers hieb just prohpen.

Ies hul vengence cries ed se precipiteer kyom. Samt un disgustgrohm, is abgir ed mwaungsousit
unte quetos is hieb gwohmen. Bariem ter mohn is eet id itner is hieb just kwohrt. Bet kun is arrivit
do un besonters decoren kyal, is ghieb sien rhalt. Quanta kamers is eetetohrit pon is wohs ye id
ubdrabs etage hieb obkwohken tuich, menxu tod hieb un weiker qua stieusit ub criend-ye kun is
rusch in.
Conan dyohrc un gehlbcuit gwen, quas nogwo corpos eet covohrno med precieus clenods, qua
spohc iom med staunend okwi. Hatta pre is hieb glazt iam, ia hieb lift sien hand ed protietract un
silken spartak hangend ud id mur. Tun id demped slubit sub eys peds, ed makar is tentit un kyodost
reteulgen is khiek sib stambhes bihe precipitet do id sword aungrund quod ghyahsit sub iom.

Is ne fiell meg diu, quayque to habiet est plaut-ye kafi pro rumpes ia jambs uns wir qui ne habiet
possedden eys ostia ed eys stalen elasticitat.

Is hurt id swol, nifallend kam un cat ep sien peds ed ep oiter hand, gweupend alter instinctive-ye ep
id lambhel os sien saber. Un familiaro crie ghohd eysims aurs menxu is oistieu tsay, lik uni lynxi
quel klaupti perodh aunstehgend-ye siena noghs. Ed Conan, glanzend ex suv sien vraghliko kaysar,
dyohrc id blanko nogwo silhouette as Natala qua kriemp sub id lubric strineg uns coschmarskadh
quod ghohd tik esus gohnt ab ia myohrst ghyamens os Hayd.

Id saul vid tos terrifiant forme habiet maghto glehdje med paurb iom Kimri. Bet id vision as eysu
sokwnia in danger nieb tod jecto stighih un rudh flutt os katel furor do eys kers. Ed in un kirmiz
nebule, is plieg el monster.

Tel oislusit iam bent, volgend kye sien hajoumer, ed id saber ios furieus Kimri, vibrend unte id air,
fiss id deusk ed viskeus masse ed cliengh heurtend id petrademped, seuwnd blou bliutes. Conan
fiell ep sien genus sub id gvalt ios cutt. Id tomost miech ne hieb trohven id resistence is exspectit.
Kun is klieup ub, el ject rusch ep iom.

El lud uper iom kam un sword ed sleibic nebos. El kwecto snohgit kyom med quasi liquid weudels
kay covehre ed guraghe iom. Eyso saber sciddend furieus-ye transbieur el med repetihn cutts, eyso
srakut khandjar dohr ed riegh id. Iom lahsit un sleibic liquid quod sollit ses aundwoi els adriugo
cruor. Lakin, id rage al creature buit nel-ye minct ab to.

Conano ne habiet ghohdt sayge kweter is eet sciddend els memsa we eefifindt uno masse quod
zaghyahsit yant is oistrieg sien tomost miech. Is oscillit ex perodh aptro sub id gvalt tos terrible
katu, ed is hieb id troublant pondos is ne wigh protiev oin ses, sontern uno menghia em fatal
creatures. El jectis kwecto dohnk, noghit, trud ed niterplieg iom sammel. Is khiss noghs ed onoghs
raghe sien krewos. Slemb tentacules, lakin tem kaurd quem sider, zaghyahr ambh eys memsa ed
corpos. Ed, meis khiter quem quant, semject samkwehkend un scorpionenswayp eetitundt eys omsa,
regv ed xiongbu, dehrnd eys cuit ed vehrsend do eys veines un poison quod prus iom kam un liquid
piurn.

I hieb rollto trans id circule os luce, ed nu-katuit in id completest temos is Kimri. Oins dyohgw is
med sien dents kam un gver id slemb substance siens duschman. Eys kerdo zabiet kun el jectis
kriemp ed sroht kam un elastic gwiv inter eysa stalen ghyanus.
In id hurkan tos boi, i hieb rollto lyt ed lyt, stets niter do id tunnel. Conan dusiecit sub id sting os
gvol. Eys annem bihsit un stridend kwehs inter eys dents. Spehcend kyuper se, is dyohrc un enorm
face, samkwehkwend tod uns gama, muzlim-ye belucen ab un fantastic diutis quod kwecto emanit
ex els corpos. Samt un stupen crie, quod eet pwol-ye un rughat, pwol-ye un taajub os gvaltic gvol, is
bir un estocade tetro, sehndo med sien hol sehnkend nerce id saber tiel lambhel, lyt uper id
dekhschatic lige. Un convulsive kreus iendh id enormo masse quod pwolcovohr iom Kimri. Samt
un stayg ed brutal mov om compagen ed extension, el ject fiell retro, rollend taiper samt
strehmghalv hast ghomtro id dikhliz. Conn rollit con el, lumutayn, cruorpoik, invincible,
antgreipend kam un bulldogh id hamand os sien saber is khiek strage, srehtend ed mergend do id
kreusend masse id khandjar quod, in eys levter hand, sbohrd id do kentha.

Id hol ject blig taiper med un stragno phosphorescent diutis, ed tod diutis blins Conan, kun, brusk-
ye, id gwaur oid masse disbihsit ud iom. Id saber buit lurn ed mien in eys craspend hand. Eys hand
ed brakho hieng in kenos ed, dalg ender iom, id lamper corpos al monster fiell kyid anun kam uno
meteor. Conan, pwolniterplagen, bedyohrc tun is wohs ana uno circular schakht quos peripheria eet
alnos sleibic. Is nadyisit ithan id convuls masse quod eemimeinct hina disprohp medsu un surface
samt sombre argo quod kwecto stighit kyant id. Unte un instant, un guway luce beluc ta regwost
aungrunds. Dind id disparih ed Conan nastier it ei temos tom ultim abyssen quois gwohmit neid
blosk.
 IV

Protietragend id silken spartako quod dohr ays runcs, Natala iskwit scrute id temos trans id gwayder
circule. Ays dingvo kwohk frohsen protiev ayso geusmen. In tod teni, ia hieb viden disprehpe
Conan, ornuwen do un katel katu contra el negnohn demon, ed ia saula bloska qua hieb ghohdt ay
akowsiend hieb est ia supen taajubs ios barbar, id schock iom vreikstend corpsen, id stumpo blosk
iom cutts i bir ad mutu. Dind silence rik, ed Natala vrink foll-ye inter sien seils, pwolbayaldissevs.

Un stieupblosk traxit iam ex tod hayriene suwen ab ta quant horrors, ed ia vis Conan emerge ex
temos. Iom vidend, ia retrohv sien voc ed emiss un schrill crie quod se repercuss tiel ghom id wonk
tunnel. Id traitement is Kimri hieb subiht eet gargic visu. Ye cada stieup, is lus cruor. Ays lige eet
skohnen ed lumutayn kamsei is habiet esen plagen med un plumbhen canna. Eys lipps eent crewent,
cruoro srusit engwn eys lige ex un vurnos ye eyso scalp. Eys bemerns, saurs ed bagus anac deub
incisions, ed mier lumutays prohp ep eys memsa ed eys corpos, dughen ab ia repetiht schocks protie
petrademped. Eys de omsa., regv ed muscles os eys torso hieb kwohnden endem. Iro krewos eet
lumutayt, engwuht ed raght. Id cuit hieng in kentha kamsei is habiet biht plact ab metallic bicha.

- Oh ! Conan ! Sluct ia. Quod hat tib wakyet ?

Is ne hieb kafi annem pro ghehde bahe. Yed, proscher iam, eys truden lipps vrinkeer kay enderrisses
semjecto quod samkwohk vagh-ye un lyut smeih. Eys weulosto xiongbu, lamper med swoid ed
cruor, bohlgh, kwehsend. Lent-ye ed muschkil-ye, is ghohd lives sien brakhs ed tehme id diemmen.
Dind is fiell retro protiev id mur ed naknigv ithan, sien jambs mulayim-ye ghohngen ed andhen ab
tremblens. Ia benta stahsit tsay ed iom strig bfuyi, sleuctend-ye hysteric-ye.

- Oh, Conan, es nehcvurnen. Quod vahmos wey kwehre ?

- Yaghi, iey is kwehsend-ye, moliet katue protiev un demon ex Hayd aun priluses oik cuitschtuks !
- Quer est is ? Sluct ia. Has nicen el ?
- Ne woidim. Hat fallen do un schakht. Els corpos eet neid meis quem cruorpoik kentha, bet ne
woidim an el ghehdt bihe nicen med un eins.
- Oh, tien orm regv ! Stun ia, vrehnkend sien hands.
- El me bich med un tentacule, fried is rughatend-ye kun is movit. Is me segit kam med metallic viel
ed me prus kam med poison. Els de balstohmen strined lwosit mien annem. Eet meis khiter quem
un python. Sei id dwidel os mien schkembeh ne buit truden, sessiem is pres’ qui stauno de !
- Quod vahmos wey kwehre ? Sluct ia.

Is oispohc ub. Id trapdwer eet clus. Neid blosko gwohm ubtos.

- Khakmos resalge unte id secret dwer, brohm is. Tod kyal pehldt med cadavers, ed id dehlc’ sigwra
bihe guardet ab soldats. Hant sollen mehne od mien fat eet pac’ kun buim precipiten do tod
trapdwer. Sons’ ne han’ dursen apterdrahe me do tod tunnel… Rehv ex id mur ta radium petras.
Menxu ambhtastim, paurskend mien itner kay restighes tod corridor, ho khissen arches qua ghyahr
alyims tunnels. Sehkwsiemos id pres’ quod trehfsiemos. Kad nos ducsiet alyi schakht, we ad
dworis. Dehlgmos teste noster chance. Ne maghmos na-saupe her.

Natala obedih ed, dehrjend id smulko gwayder surce in sien levter hand ed sien crewent saber in
dexter hand, Conan bistighit ghom id corridor. Is oistohmbh, ed tik eys animal gwis nastahih iom.
Eysa sehrgstriht okwi kwecto se forspohc, Natala vis iom linges involuntar-ye ex tid do tid eys
fisden lipps. Ia ghieb eys payttens eent terrible. Bet, med id stoicisme im gvers, is sisit skape neid
schikay.

Mox, id muzlim luce beluc un deusk akmen, ed Conan bigwahsit sub tod. Natala compieg,
imaginend id khiterst, bet id luce tik revelit un tunnel samlik tei quod i hieb just likwn.

Kamdiu ghieng i perodh it, ia hieb neid idee. Dind i bestigh uno miero drab ed arriveer ant un
petradwer, cluden med un golden sclud.

Ia kung, volgend kye Conan. Is barbar vienk ep sien jambs. Id luce in sien tremblanto hand xud
fantastic skadhs ep id mur.

- Ghyan id dwer, bent, murmurit is med un teug voc. Ies Xuthal wirs solle skehpte nos, ed iens ne
decepskwo. Per Crom ! Io reserve tei urb un holocauste kam id hat naiwo gnohn !

Ia ghieb is pwoldelirit. Neid blosk ex apter id dwer. Ghendend ia radium gemmes ex eys cruorpoik
hand, ia traxit id perchin ed puscit id panell intro. Ia dyohrc id caud os un sirmabehang. Ia ieyr id ed
spohc tadbir-ye ; ays pauro strig ays gurgule. Ia vis tun un tuich kyal in quos centre kluyt un
argwrntic fontan.

Conans hand se pos gwaur-ye ep ays bare oms.

- Abveic, bent, grohm is. Id einsendapan vaht inkape !

- Es’ nimen in id kyal, antwohrd ia. Bet est wed…
- Id auro. (Is lig sien kyohrnen lipps.) Vahmos pohe pre mehre.

Is kwohk blins. Ia ghens eys hando stohrct ab deuska glois ed wohlber iom unte id petradwer. Ia
stohmbh ep pedak, exspectend vide prehpe ye cada instant uno menegh om gehlb silhouettes ep id
soylo iom dwers.

- Poh menxu stahm wakht, murmurit is.

- No, ne pohskwo. Lyehg nieb id fontan, ed puwnsiem tien vurnsa.
- Ed ia einsa os Xuthal ?

Is passit mudam sien brakhs ep sien okwi kam kay kwitres sien blens vid.

- Auro nimen. Hol est silent.

Is sisit-se falle gwaur-ye ed mersit sien lige sub id schadravan, pmohnd kamsei is vahsit naiwo
ghehde sgwenes sien teurst. Kun is reliv sien cap, eys sehrgstriht okwi hieb retrohven lyt ex ir
normal arg. Is lyig sien staur memsa ep id marmordemped kam ia hieb iom prohct, bet is gwup sien
saber in hand ed eyso spect eeliluurt ia wonk inghangs. Ia bemiedh eys dohrto krewos ed plastirit ia
deubst vurnsa med godwehbstreis, rohft ex un silken behang. Ia krus vidend-ye eys regv. Ids krewos
eet auncolor, streipoik ed comspers med sword ed bou glois, we, qua id ne eet skohnen, skieusit un
subgehlb aghel spalv. Ed menxu ia bandagit iom, ia pieursk desperat-ye un solution iri probleme.
Sei manient in tod kyal, vibihient aunstohgen. Ia khiek woide kweter ies Xuthal wirs obsokeer id
palat po i, we an ies hieb rict ira drehms.

Dat ia abkiep sien task, ays corpos fixit-se. Sub id behang quod part-ye kulk id alkuba, ia hieb just-
ye dyohrcen id inikas os un gehlb cuit.
Aun sayge ject ad Conan, ia stahsit ub ed tohr med wolfghang id kyal, stringend eys khandjar. Ays
kerd biet ad suffoque iam kun ia ierk tadbir-ye id behang. Ep id cubh lyohg un nogw ed kwecto
negwiv gehlb gwenak. Nieb ays hando stahsit un jaden weuder, pleno med un destull kenek liquid.
Natala mohn tod sollit ses id alixire de quod Thalis hieb tolct, quod redahsit gwis ed energia im
Xuthal degener weikers. Ia clih-se uper iam lyehgend forme ed siz id weuder, sien khandjar dar-ye
trohpt kyid kerd ias gwen. Sa ne gohr.

Nu-fiengh Natala id weuder, ia de kung ; weidwos esiet id yakinsto solution kay stambhes ay
swehpend benti gehre ed crie alarme. Bet ia khiekit gwaukanasce de dyehgwe med id khandjar ios
Kimri tod swehperkerd. Ia vibrigh id behang ghom ed regwohm ad Conan qui lyohg ter quer ia hieb
likwn iom, kwecto payn conscient.

Ia clih-se ed placit id weuder protiev eys lipps. Is pohsit, mecanic-ye in-kap, dind, stayg, samt
akster interesse. Meg surprindant-ye, is oistahsit tsay ed ghens id weuder ex ays hands. Quan is
reliv sien lige, eys okwi eent aunstrei ed normal. Is amalan-ye neti hieb un sliep ed febreus
protiokwo, ni tod voc samt id sonterintonation os delirium.

- Crom ! Quer has tu trohven tod ?

Ia pfohrst.

- In tod alkuba quer swehpt un gehlbcuit hakhna.

Is grip iter id goldenliquid weuder.

- Per Crom ! Iey is samt un deub kwehster, kheisso un nov gwit ed nov forces curre kam un wild
piurn in mien veines. Est sigwra id alixire os gwit !

Is oistahsit ub ghendend-ye sien saber.

- Dehlgiemos anter rikes id dikhliz, propos Natala, anxieus. Ghehdiemos bihe aunstohgen sei
manmos her pior diu. Ghehdsiemos tupes ter hina tien vurnsa se yake.
- Ne ego ! Grohm is. Ne smos rats qui teupe in deusk tens. Vahmos linkwes tod demonenurb fauran,
ed way tal quel siet stambhskwes nos.
- Bet tien vurnsa ! Stun ia.
- Neti kheisso ia, antwohrd is. Kas tod liqueur mi hat daht un drughav gwis, bet kassamo od neti
kwahm paytten ni sliebe.

Moven ab sem fujat impulse, is tohr id kyal tiel un fenster quod Natala ne hieb kaut. Epter sien oms,
ia spohc extro. Un khuld wind sroht eys vraghliko kays. Uper i prohp un waurn ex deusko zamt,
comspers med stars. Herender desployit un aunhadh sandaykwos.

- Thalis hat saygen id urb eet oin immense palat, iey Conan. Okwivid-ye sems iom salls solle
daughe ka tors, kam ep walls. Tod, mathalan ! Nassib hat suaniht noster stieups.
- Quod mayns tu ? Sprohg ia, spehcend-ye samt apprehension epter eys oms.
- Est un cristall vase ep tod ivortable, antwohrd is. Pleh id med wed ed node un schtuk tos behang
ambh ids snapel, kay kwehre un schirite, menxu dehro tod behang.

Ia obedihsit aun iskwes werds. Kun ia hieb finiht sien task, ia vis Conan combehnde jaldi ia long ed
solid silkstreis kay buwes ia un seil quos oiter bors is diehsit ei ped ios table ex massive ivor.
- Vahmos paurske nies nassib in id desert, iey is. Thalis hat tolcto de un oasis quod wehsiet ye oin
ghangdien sudworts, ed de piwernias qua strehcient trans. Sei nacsiemos id oasis, ghehdsiemos
mane ter tiel id schifa mienen vurnsen. Tod vin est un druv magic scharab. Oik instants prever, io
pau ghohld meis quem un mortu wir. Taiper, som parat ad quodkwe. Ed mi etileikwt kafi silk kay
tib ghehds makhe un povesti.

Natala hieb myohrsen sien nogwtat. Idpet fact ne troublit ays conscience, bet ays delicate cuito
dohlg bihe protect ud id desert sol. Menxu ia driep id silkschtuk ambh sien slanc corpos, Conan rikit
claus id fenster quos pau solid golden stanghs qua id protexeer is honn-ye rohv. Dind, diehnd id dar
leur bors ios silkseil ambh Natalas hinks ed ay recommandend ke se dariet med bo hands, is hohlp
iam ad passe per id fenster ed slidih iam tiel id grund engwn uno mur bulander quem trigim peds. Ia
se lur ex id schirite ed, bringhend tsay id seil tiel se, is dieh tei ia weuders mathmounend jlampohn
ed vin, ed oistighihsit ia ghom tiel iam. Dind is oistighit ghom ep sien roig, rappelnd-ye jaldi.

Kun is iam joinit, Natala kwohster ob rehmen. Eent mon pod id mier mur, ia stars pallascend uper i
ed id bare deserto strehcend hol perambh. Ia ne wois qua periles dar ghohd menace i, yed ays kerdo
trohsit samt lengvos ob linkwus bad-ye tod guway ed irreal urb.

- Kad trehfsient id seil, brohm Conan, passend ia precieus weuders epter sien omsa ed fradend ob ir
contact ep sien lumutayt cuit. Est hatta possible an sient persehkwe nos, bet, yeji quo Thalis hat
sayct, to bedwoim. En id sud (Eys muscleus ed brunt brakh dik id sehkwtu strad). Idghi oasis wehs’
semloc in tod direction. Smad perodh !

Ghendend id hand as Natala samt un delicatesse exteradet pro iom, Conan ghieng bayna ia dunes,
accordend sien kadam tei, lyter, as sienu sokwnia. I ne vols kay spehce, apter se, id silent buxianxu-
ye fordrohmen urb.

- Conan, vibahsit Natala, kun has katuen protiev el monster ed, serter, stighen tsay id dikhliz, has tu
dyohrcen… Thalis ?

Is oiscussit sien cap.

- Id dikhliz eet deusk, bet tuich.

Ia krus.

- Ia me hat torturet… lakin rahimato iam.

- Buam warm-ye gostprimen do tod balstohmt urb, brohm is. (Dind eys macabre humoro reprohp).
Sientghi mehme nies visite diu, io imagine. Habsien’ much mazgha, aruas ed cruor ad abdehe ud ir
marmorkakhels. Ed sei ir div nagwiv’, el soll’ habe meis vurnsa quem ego. Pos hol, habmos nohsen.
Hams vin, jlampohn ed un gohd chance os nake un weicmen, quayque ego tengiem passevs per un
miemssater ed te gvol’…
- To hol est tien fault, interrup ia iom. Sei ne habies glegen tem diu, med tem admirative okwi, tam
stygian cat…
- Per Crom ed eys quan’ demons ! Rughiet is. Hatta menxu ia oceans guraghient id mund, gwens
dar trehvient kafi wak’ kay bihe jalouse. Iblis ir dimaar ! Ho ego iskwn ke ia Stygian se enliubh de
me ? Final-ye, ia eet pior human !