Sagas of Conan by L. Sprague de Camp

Author:L. Sprague de Camp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

chapter ix

The Iron Stallion

While Poitain writhed beneath the lash of the most violent storm in the memory of living men, a benign sun smiled on fair Tarantia. Standing in its salubrious rays on a palace balcony, Thulandra Thuu, attended by Alcina and Hsiao, looked out across the gently rolling fields of central Aquilonia, where summer wheat was ripening into spears of gold. To the dancer, now young and beautiful once more, with jewels atwinkle in her night-black hair and a gown of clinging satin sheathing her shapely form, the wizard said:

“The wheel of heaven reveals to me that the spirits of the air have served me well. My storm progresses apace; and after it subsides, the southern roads and every ford will be impassable. Numitor hastens from the Westermarck, and I must forth to join him.”

Alcina stared. “You mean to travel to the field of battle, Master? Ishtar! That’s not your wont. May I ask why?”

“Numitor will be outnumbered by the rebel forces; and despite forced marches, Ulric of Raman cannot reach Poitain until at least a fortnight after the prince arrives. Moreover, Prince Numitor is but an honest blockhead—doubtless the reason why our knavish king has let his cousin live when he has slain or exiled all his other kin. Nay, I cannot trust the prince to hold the Imirian Escarpment until Count Ulric arrives. He will require the assistance of my arcane arts.”

The sorcerer turned to his servant, the inscrutable slit-eyed one who had followed him from lands beyond the seas. “Hsiao, prepare my chariot and gather the necessaries for our journey. We shall depart upon the morrow.”

Bowing, the man withdrew. Turning to Alcina, Thulandra Thuu continued: “Since the spirits of the air have well obeyed me, I shall discover what the spirits of the earth will do to aid my cause. And you, good wench, I leave here as my deputy.”

“Me? No, Master; I lack the skills to take your place.”

“I will instruct you. First, you will learn to use the Mirror of Ptahmesu to commune with me.”

“But we are without the necessary talisman!”

“I can project images by the propellant power of my mind, though you could not. Come, we have no time to waste.”

* * *

From the royal paddocks Hsiao led out the single horse that drew his master’s carriage. To a casual observer, the animal appeared to be a large black stallion; but a closer inspection of its hide revealed a strange, metallic sheen. The beast, moreover, neither pawed the ground nor lashed its tail at flies. In fact, no flies alighted on it, although the stable yard buzzed with their myriad wings. The stallion stood quiescent until Hsiao uttered a command unintelligible to any who might hear it; then the creature obeyed him instantly.

Hsiao now led the ebon stallion to the carriage house and backed it into the stall where stood Thulandra’s chariot. When a careless hoof struck against one of the lowered carriage shafts, a metallic ring reverberated through the silent air.

The vehicle,

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