Part 24 (1/2)
”I speak thus only to remind you of Chabano's ways, Master He is as bold as a leopard slipping into a cattle pen to pluck the newborn calf frory, also, and as fierce when balked of what he seeks”
”If I thought that Chabano commanded spirits, I would say he has made himself your master A praise-speaker could not have done better”
Ryku was silent If the oldin riddles-
”But if Chabano commanded spirits, he would have done for himself much of what he has asked of us in years past So I do not doubt that you speak the truth as you believe it to be”
”No man can speak otherwise, Master”
The look the First Speaker gave him reminded Ryku that Chabano was not the only man who could quell disobedience or strike terror into the disloyal without raising his voice He was teain
The First Speaker crossed his hands over a bronze o to Chabano, Silent Brother Ryku You may promise hi the Ichiribu”
”The conquerors of Xuchotl, perhaps?”
The First Speaker's look said that was so best not spoken aloud
Ryku tried to look hu this,” the First Speaker went on ”Yet those who are ic would knoe used these ways They would know our powers, and that they ht be in peril froive no warning, and Chabano coht to look not
In truth, he could ad way of pretending that nothing had happened to the seeing globe was hard to ihtly, even in this moment of triumph
”Indeed, Chabano has often spoken of how no bird lays an egg without his knowing sooner or later,” Ryku said ”I think he boasts, but he surely knows the use of spies and has theo you and bid him use them for us,” the First Speaker said ”Go, and if you return with the knowledge we seek, you may be raised to the rank of Speaker”
A new Speaker was chosen from the Silent Brothers only when an old Speaker died, and as yet there had been no word put out of such a death Nor would there be, Ryku suspected, at least not until it beca honored
It would be necessary, he swore He would not fail, now that he had been offered as a free gift the opportunity for which he would have shed blood, and not only that of other iven leave to rise, then swiftly departed the First Speaker's cha!
Conan's spear sank deep into the stu contest Sank so deep, the Cied, that it struck a knot and rebounded The shaft quivered so fiercely that it jerked the iron head fro up dust
Conan turned to Aondo and raised a hand in salute The Ichiribu warrior had won the spear-casting contest, although by the slenderest of ins Had it not been for that last cursed knot-
From behind Conan, Valeria strode to his side She noore an Ichiribu waistcloth and the wreath showing her to be his voos on her feet Much travel, then sunny days upon the island of the Ichiribu had darkened her northern fairness, but not otherwise marred her looks
”What now, Conan?”
”Today, nothing ht, the drum-dance”
A shadow passed across Valeria's face ”Conan, I am as deft with a canoe paddle as any of these folk More so than you, I think”
”Likely enough But it's not life or death if I lose anything save the dru-”
”Because you let him win, to muddle his ith false hopes”
”Wo over her in mock fury ”Do I have no secrets from you?”