Conan and the Treasure of Python by John Maddox Roberts

Author:John Maddox Roberts [Unknown]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

'It does not look very far,' said Malia wistfully. 'After all, we can see the Horns from here.'

'Don't be deceived,' said Conan. 'From this high up, we can see for many days' travel. Goma, are there water holes?'

The guide nodded. 'Aye, a few. None of them reliable, all of them dangerous.''

'How do you mean?' asked Ulfilo.

'Some are mere depressions that catch the rare rains. These are dry much of the time and not to be relied on. Others are where small springs well to the surface, and these may be dry when we get to them. There is one large spring, with good water at all times, and that one is the most dangerous, for all the animals for many miles use it, and therefore the predators lurk nearby in great numbers.'

'Lions?' Malia asked.

'Aye, and bold hyenas, and many big cats and creatures found nowhere else. The meat-eaters of the desert are fiercer than those of the plain. They are also more likely to be desperately hungry and therefore more likely to hunt men. It takes much territory to feed such a beast, so the lions and others fight to drive one another off the good hunting grounds. The losers are likely to be wounded from the fight, unable to chase down the eland or the swift oryx. Therefore he is looking for something slow, weak, and easy.'

'To wit: us,' Springald said.

'Even a foul-smelling human is meat to a lion with a lean belly,' Goma said.

'We accomplish nothing here,' said Ulfilo in his usual, matter-of-fact manner. 'Has everyone regained his breath? Any serious wounds to tend?' It transpired that all were rested and none was too injured to march.

Ulfilo re-sheathed his sword. 'Then lead on, Goma.' Shouldering their packs, they set off down the mountain.

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