Part 15 (1/2)

”Well done,” Chabano said ”Not perfect, but only the Gods are perfect”

”Thus say the God-Men,” a warrior shouted One had to be of the Kwanyi oneself to catch the note of mockery in the man's voice The God-Men were not Kwanyi, and to them, these words would seem full of honor

Empty honor, as erown so foul of spirit as to spy for the God-Men would they learn they had been mocked Chabano refused to believe that any of the ht, and led in ordeal, battle, or rite could be so corrupt

Even if one had turned, Chabano still had the advantage He had found eyes and ears a the God-Men before the God-Men could have found any aht of the sun above the trees reminded him that this day's war rites were al his shi+eld across his back with the ritual three twists of the thong and held his spear across his chest with both hands in the custoo speak with the Gods This day you have pleased ht you may please yourselves”

That meant an ordeal for the slave women, perhaps for a few unlucky free women as well It would also be an ordeal for the brew-sisters, ould have to work very hard to keep the warriors fronore the fact that a woo with you as far as the Gods allow,” said an underchief

It was a ive fear, but not to shed blood

Chabano slowly lowered his spear until its butt sank into the earth

Without seeth into the jungle floor

Then he whipped his shi+eld off his back, hooked his spear loose, and caught it as it flew high He ended with the spear aimed at the chest of the underchief who had spoken

Thewithin hi into his chest He did not even h his eyes did not leave Chabano

”The Gods coe to make it a question

”They do,” Chabano said ”Do you doubt their word?”

”The Gods speak, but do they always speak plainly?” the e deserved the reward of an end to these fear-jests

”You have wisdom, more than soes bear only one ht be dangerous even for Chabano should it reach their ears The chief did not overly much care

”But when the Gods wish me dead, they will have me if all the warriors of the Kwanyi o to this day's speaking alone Go, and find better corinned at one another, hearing the boldness of a chief who dared mock even the Gods themselves, not ave a war cry, and strode off into the jungle

Chabano waited until the last was gone before he turned onto the path he intended to follow Even after that, he waited for a space, hiding, and listening to be sure that he alone was taking this path He did not speak to the Gods, but his eye and ear a the God-Men could tell hiht he heard a sound to their rear He dropped back, looked for a place from which to watch unseen, and found none that would hide a mouse, let alone a Ciainst the wall and keep the silence of a cat stalking thatwith the beat of dagger-hilt against stone wall Conan listened He heard the code that said, ”Coer here” To any ear but his and Valeria's, it would see that spoke of hu as a skilled tavern dancer erly in silver coin for each piece of silk Then he decided that once again this city of the dead could play tricks with even the ears of a seasoned warrior

He still walked cat-footed as he cah; her ears seeround Instead, she pointed down the tunnel Her gesture was more eloquent than words, which were not needed Conan saw that a hundred paces farther on, the light turned green

Now both were as silent as hunting creatures, or prey seeking to escape, as they crept forward, one against either wall Both bore steel in their hands, both set feet down as if they trod on shards of glass, or on sleeping serpents