City of the BeastWarriors of Mars (Planet Stories Library) by Michael Moorcock

Author:Michael Moorcock [Moorcock, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781601250445
Amazon: 1601250444
Publisher: Paizo Publishing, LLC.
Published: 2007-11-13T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

THE CITY OF THIEVES

IT WOULD not be true to say that we received a joy-ous welcome in Narlet but, as Darnad had said, they did not immediately set upon us, though they gave us looks of intense suspicion and tended to

avoid us as we entered the city’s only gate and made our way through the narrow streets.

“We’ll get no information from most of them,” Darnad told me. “But I think I know where I can find someone who will help us—if Old Belet Vor still lives.”

“Belet Vor?” I said questioningly.

“One of those friends I mentioned.”

Our little party emerged into a market square of some sort and Darnad pointed to a small house sandwiched between two ramshackle buildings. When I used to patrol these parts he saved my life once. I had the good fortune to return the favor— and somehow we struck up a strong friendship. One of those things.”

We dismounted outside the house and from it an old man emerged. He was toothless and wrinkled and incredibly ugly, yet there was a jaunty appearance about him which made one forget his un-wholesome visage.

“Ah, the Bradhinak Darnad—an honor, an honor.” His eyes twinkled, belying his servile words. He spoke ironically. I could see why Dar-nad had liked him.

“Greetings, you old scoundrel. How many children have you robbed today?”

“Only a dozen or so, Bradhinak. Would this friend of yours like to see my spoils—some of the sweetmeats are only half-eaten. Heh—heh!”

“Spare us the temptation.” I smiled as he ush-ered us into his hovel.

It was surprisingly clean and orderly and we sat on benches while he brought us basu.

Drinking the sweet beverage, Darnad said seriously: “We are in haste, Belet Vor. Have any warriors of the Argzoon been seen in Narlet recently—coming here perhaps a day or so before us?”

The old rogue cocked his head to one side. “Why, yes—two Argzoon warriors. Looked as if

they’d taken a beating and were scampering back to their mountain lairs.”

“Just two warriors?”

Belet Vor chuckled. “And two prisoners, by the look of them. I’m thinking they wouldn’t have chosen such company of their own free will.”

“Two prisoners?”

“Women, both of them. One fair, one dark.”

“Shizala and Horguhl!” I cried.

“Are they still here?” Darnad asked urgently.

“I’m not sure. They could have left early this morning, but I think not.”

“Where are they staying?”

“Ah—there you have it, if you seek the prisoners. The Argzoon warriors seem to be of high rank. They are guests of our city’s noble Bradhi.”

“Your Bradhi-not Chinod Sai?”

“Yes. He has now chosen to call himself the Bradhi Chinod Sai. Narlet is becoming respectable, eh? He is one of your peers now, Bradhinak Dar-nad—not so?”

“The scoundrel. He gives himself airs.”

“Perhaps,” said old Belet Vor musingly, “but I seem to remember that many of the established nations in these parts had origins similar to our,”

Darnad laughed shortly. “You have me there, Belet Vor—but that’s for posterity. I know Chinod Sai for a blood-thirsty slayer of women and children.”

“You do him an injustice.” Belet Vor grinned. “He has killed at least one youth in a fair fight.

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