Death God's Doom by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Witchcraft & Sorcery #9
Published: 1973-04-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

There was a moment of utter stillness and then a great wave of naked ferocity came gushing from the nighted circle. Malkar raced down the length of the temple and flung himself against the great valves of the door. They were unlocked and moved easily on greased hinges. Two guards wearing temple plumage stared in shocked incredulity as he burst from the great hall.

One fell immediately, choking from a ruptured larynx as the edge of Malkar's left hand chopped at his throat. With his right the mercenary ripped the sword from its scabbard and thrust the steel at the second guard. As the man dropped he raced back along the path the procession had taken.

There were too many turns, too many chambers and passages. Baffled, he slowed, sprang into a side passage at the sound of footsteps, crouched, chest heaving as a party of guards passed almost within touching distance. A door yielded to his pressure and he slipped into a small chamber. A tiny lamp glowed against one wall and the air was heavy with perfume. On a bed a woman stirred, waking from slumber.

Wide-eyed she stared at the tall, naked figure, blood-stained sword in hand, grey eyes blazing beneath the black mane of his hair.

Before she could scream Malkar was on her, left hand clamped over her mouth, the point of the sword pricking her flesh. "Where lie the dungeons? Tell me and I will leave you unscathed. Scream and you die!"

She had expected the sword to penetrate her heart. Relief edged her words as he lifted his muffling hand. "From this chamber turn right. Turn left at the lower passage. The way below lies behind the third door on the right." Her eyes grew curious. "Is there ought else you desire?"

"Aye, lady, I must gain your silence."

The fingers of his hand dug into her throat, found the great arteries which carried blood to the brain, pressed until she slumped unconscious. Like a ghost he flitted from the chamber and found the desired portal. Stairs led downwards and he tensed at the clink of metal. Cautiously he descended, sword poised in his hand. In a room at the foot of the stairs three guards sat rolling dice.

Two strokes and it was over. The guards were un-helmeted, awkward as they tried to rise from the table. A pockmarked man gulped as he saw the pointed steel aimed at his throat, the split skulls of his companions. He cringed as the blade moved closer.

"The dungeon," said Malkar. "Where does it lie?" He saw the movement of the other's eyes as he glanced to where a door pierced the thick wall. "And the keys? Where are the keys?"

Sweat beaded the scarred face. "On a nail beyond the portal. Master! I beg you! Spare my life!"

Malkar snarled and slammed the hilt of the sword against the unprotected temple.

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