Part 3 (1/2)

'The king is stricken by a strange reat honor is yours; you are to wear his armor and ride at the head of the host today Nonewho rides'

'It is an honor for which a ive up his life,' starant that I do not fail of thisstared with burning eyes that reflected the bitter rage and humiliation that ate his heart, the squires stripped Valannus of -pieces, and clad him in Conan's armor of black plate- over the wivern crest Over all they put the silken surcoat with the royal lion worked in gold upon the breast, and they girt hiold-buckled belt which supported a jewelhilted broadsword in a cloth-of-gold scabbard While they worked, trued, and across the river rose a deepthroated roar as squadron after squadron swung into place

Full-armed, Valannus dropped to his knee and bent his plu, Mitra grant that I do not dishonor the harness I wear this day!'

'Bring me Tarascus' head and I'll uish Conan's veneer of civilization had fallen froround his teeth in fury and blood-lust, as barbaric as any tribesmen in the Cimmerian hills

3 The Cliffs Reel

The Aquilonian host was drawn up, long serried lines of Pikeure in black ar up into the saddle of the black stallion held by four squires, a roar that shook the mountains went up from the host They shook their blades and thundered forth their acclaiold-chased armor, pikemen in mail coats and basinets, archers in their leather jerkins, with their longbows in their left hand

The host on the opposite side of the valley was in entle slope toward the river; their steel shone through thethat swirled about their horses' feet

The Aquilonian host moved leisurely to round tre wind; lances swayed like a bristling forest, dipped and sank, their pennons fluttering about theriuarded the royal pavilion One squire stood in the tent, peering out through a slit in the doorway But for the handful in the secret, no one else in the vast host knew that it was not Conan who rode on the great stallion at the head of the army

The Aquilonian host had assuest part was the center, cos were made up of smaller bodies of horsemen, mounted men-at-arms, mostly, supported by pikemen and archers The latter were Bossoly built men of medium stature, in leathern jackets and iron head-pieces

The Nemedian army came on in similar fors in advance of the centers In the center of the Aquilonian host the great lion banner streaure on the black stallion

But on his dais in the royal pavilion Conan groaned in anguish of spirit, and cursed with strange heathen oaths

'The hostsfro sun strikes fire from lance-heads and helmets until I am dazzled It turns the river crimson - aye, it will be truly crimson before this day is done!

'The foe have reached the river Now arrows fly between the hosts like stinging clouds that hide the sun Ha! Well loosed, bowmen! The Bossonians have the better of it! Hark to the, above the din of tru steel, came the deep fierce shout of the Bossonians as they drew and loosed in perfect unison

'Their archers seek to hold ours in play while their knights ride into the river,' said the squire 'the banks are not steep; they slope to the water's edge The knights coh the s By Mitra, the clothyard shafts find every crevice of their harness! Horses andin the water It is not deep, nor is the current swift, but ed under by their arhts of Aquilonia advance They ride into the water and engage the knights of Nemedia The water swirls about their horses' bellies and the clang of sword against sword is deafening'

'Crow!' burst in agony froishly back into his veins, but still he could not lift his s close in,' said the squire 'Pikeht hand to hand in the stream, and behind them the bowmen ply their shafts

'By Mitra, the Nemedian arbalesters are sorely harried, and the Bossonians arch their arrows to drop aains not a foot, and their wings are pushed back up froed Conan 'Cods and devils, could I but reach the fighting, if but to die at the first blow!'

Outside through the long hot day the battle store and counter-charge, to the whistling of shafts, and the crash of rending shi+elds and splintering lances But the hosts of Aquilonia held fast Once they were forced back froe, with the black banner flowing over the black stallion, regained the lost ground And like an iron raht bank of the streaave Conan the news that the Nes are in confusion!' he cried 'Their knights reel back from the sword-play But what is this? Your banner is in motion - the center sweeps into the strea the host across the river!'

'Fool!' groaned Conan 'It may be a trick He should hold his position; by dawn Prospero will be here with the Poitanian levies'

'The knights ride into a hail of arrows!' cried the squire 'But they do not falter! They sweep on - they have crossed! They charge up the slope! Pallantides has hurled the wings across the river to their support! It is all he can do The lion banner dips and staggers above the hts of Nemediais in full flight, and our pike and shtinglust Men no longer look to Pallantides They follow Valannus, dee him Conan as he rides with closed vizor