KING CONAN - THE LEGEND.

Steven Dilks
(First draft 5/4/2013)



Narrator:

Between te ti!e wen te o"eans drank #tlantis$ and te rise of
te sons of #%ras$ tere was an a&e 'ndrea!ed of ( wen te
&reatest kin&do! of te world was #)'ilonia$ rei&nin& s'*re!e in
te drea!in& west+ and 'nto tis ,onan$ tief$ reaver$ sla%er+
destined to wear te -ewelled "rown of #)'ilonia '*on a tro'.led
.row+/ and now$ as te last d'sk fires fade and di!$ so to sall
tis ( te last da%s of is &reat sa&a ( .e finall% told+ 0et !e tell
%o' of te da%s of i& advent're12
3itle ( King Conan - the legend.
3arantia$ "a*ital of #)'ilonia/
#t te "entre of te !etro*olis stands te i!*erial *ala"e$ a ti"k
walled edifi"e inside it4s own inner "it% wall/ Between te *ortals$
stone lions flank te wa% in/
5nside te "o'rt$ te ad!itted *o*'la"e/ #r!o'red &'ards stand
aro'nd te "a!.er ( te Bla"k Dra&ons$ res*lendent in *late and
!ail/ # "olo'rf'l tron& is &atered6 !en and wo!en fro! a
!'ltit'de of ra"es/ 7er"ants and &'ilds!en$ e!issaries fro! far
off lands$ states!en and "o'rtesans/ 7'si" *la%s fro! ar* and
l'te/ Dan"in& &irls entertain visitors seated on "'sions/ 3ere is
la'&ter/ 5n"ense drifts in te air/
8n a s)'at "arved trone$ at te far end of te all$ sits te kin&/
Dressed in .ar.ari" s*lendo'r e is at distant &lan"e a s%!.ol of
*ower and stren&t/ 3e "rown is '*on is .row and %et$ as we
draw "loser$ we see is -aw wei&s eavil% on is !assive fist/ 9e
see tat e is .earded6 te ti"k !ane of is on"e dark air$ "'t to
so'lder len&t$ now streaked wit &re%/ :is e%es are "lo'ded and
.roodin&6 weariness evident in te lines of an i!*assive fa"e/
3o one side of te trone an elderl% states!en drones on$ re"itin&
to i! te orders of te da% fro! a len&t% s"roll tat s"ra*es
alon& te floor/ 3e !an is ;'.li's$ te kin&4s "ief advisor and
"an"ellor/
,onan looks .ored/


F<7#0< =85,<:
( off s"reen )
Sire>
,onan t'rns is ead/ ?neelin& to is left is a servin& &irl$ s"antil%
"lad/ Se .ows$ oldin& o'tstret"ed to i! a &old .eaten &o.let/
,onan4s e%es li&t '*/ S!ilin&$ e rea"es for it/ ;'.li's frowns/
;@B05@S:
7% lord+
9ito't lookin& at i! ,onan waves i!*atientl% wit is ri&t
ar!/
,8N#N:

<no'&1
( :e si*s te wine ten$ lookin& at te &o.let$ si&s )/
Notin& *'r&es te ill '!o'rs like ?ordavan wine$ ;'.li's+
,ontin'e/
Si&in&$ ;'.li's lifts te *ar"!ent and .e&ins to read a&ain/
;@B05@S:
8+ae!$ Baron ?a!.a" fro! Ne!edia/
( e leans in to wis*er to ,onan )
3is a deli"ate !atter of state$ !% lord/ #s %o' know$ relations
wit Ne!edia ave .een strained of late/ 5t a**ears te .aron as
"o!e ere wisin& to o*en new tradin& ne&otiations/ :andle wit
"a'tion/
#s te% talk ;'.li's as one e%e on an ento'ra&e a**roa"in& te
trone/ #t te forefront is a ro'nd eavil% set !an dressed in a
loose flowin& t'ni"/ # ti"k &old "ained !edallion an&s aro'nd
is ne"k/ :e is fair aired$ %o'n&$ wit arro&ant feat'res/ #.o't
i! are several .od%&'ards$ 3e'toni" warriors in *late ar!o'r/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
( Bowin& )

?in& ,onan/ 8n .ealf of ?in& 3aras"'s of Ne!edia$ 5 .id tee
&reetin&/ 5 a! Baron ?a!.a"$ %o'r '!.le servant/
,onan nods$ e%es ooded over te ri! of is &o.let as e sets it
down on te tra%/ #.sentl% e nods to te servin& &irl wo .e&ins
to *o'r a&ain/ 3e .aron sees tis/ # s!ile twit"es at te "orner
of is !o't/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
7ost ono'red a! 5$ sire$ to .e in te *resen"e of te !i&t%
lord of #)'ilonia/ Bo'r feats of *rowess are fa!ed tro'&o't te
land+ Bo'r eC*loits as "o!!ander in er le&ions are te st'ff of
le&ends/ ?in& N'!ed$ 7itra &rant i! *ea"e$ was a fool to t'rn
is .a"k on %o'/
8$ 5 "rave *ardon lord/ 5 !eant ( fool$ as in wen e left %o'
.eind ene!% lines wit onl% a andf'l of !en+ as wen %o'
fo'&t tat "a!*ai&n for i! in ;i"tland$ all tose %ears a&o+ #s
te *oets tell/

,8N#N:

5 know f'll well wat %o' !eant Baron ?a!.a" ( no need to
a*olo&iDe/ ;oets tell !an% stories/ N'!ed was a t%rant and a
!ad!an/ 5t was a lon& ti!e a&o/ #)'ilonia is a different "o'ntr%
now/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
#a$ %es/ So it is/ 3e wine is &ood$ te wo!en eC)'isite/ Bo'
ave !an% a &ood *oet ere too$ 5 a! told/ 3ere is one+
Aidondo$ is tere not> 5 ave eard !an% &reat tin&s of tis !an
and is+talents/
;'.li's leans in to wis*er into te kin&4s ear .'t ,onan alf
raises is and to sta% i!/
,8N#N:
Aidondo is$ as %o' sa%$ a &reat *oet/ 9en e "ose to sin& for
!e$ !an% %ears a&o $ e nearl% ri**ed te eart fro! !e wit is
*assion/ 5 ave no do'.t is skill as far i!*roved sin"e ten/ 5
was .'t a soldier in tose da%s/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Bes/ 3r'e/ 3o'& now e sin&s a different t'ne/ 8ne a.o't ( a
.la"k earted sava&e wo was on"e a slave+
,8N#N:
( la'&s )

3i!es "an&e$ Baron/ Aidondo is an artist ( a "a!*ion of te
*eo*le/ 5t4s is -o. to ever o**ose tose in *ower/
3e .aron in"lines is ead s!ilin&/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::

9ise and -'st %o'r !a-est%+ 3ell !e$ is tere no ro%al 'nt tis
%ear> 5 ave eard tat te winter as *roven too ars/
,8N#N:
3e winter as .een ard/ B't tat is not w% we ave dela%ed
te 'nt/ 3e &reat sta& as not .een seen/ 7an% .elieve te
ani!al is eCtin"t/ # sa!e ( as tis is a &reat tradition for te
#)'ilonian *eo*le/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::

3en %o' will .e deli&ted to know tat it as .een si&ted$ &ood
kin&/
,onan raises is ead/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Not two da%s *ast ( as we "rossed te straits of te !o'ntain
.order ran&e/ :eadin& strai&t into te forests/ # !a&nifi"ent
"reat're/
;@B05@S:
E3is tr'e !% lord/ 3e sta& was seen and re*orted onl% %esterda%
eve .% two field workers (
,8N#N:
9% was 5 not told of tis>
;'.li's si&s$ lookin& in eCas*eration at te len&t% s"roll in is
ands/
;@B05@S:
9ell tere are oter tin&s$ !ore *ressin& !atters tat (
,8N#N:
;'.li's+

( Fettin& to is feet and lookin& aro'nd )
5 want a f'll 'ntin& *art% read% and waitin& at dawn+ Baron>
( e ste*s down fro! te trone )
3is is indeed &reat news1 :ave %o' ever .een on a &reat sta&
'nt .efore>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Na%$ !% lord/ 3e *rivile&e as t's far el'ded !e (
,8N#N:
( 0ookin& i! in te e%es and sla**in& a and on is so'lder )
Bo' wis to s*eak on !atters of trade .etween o'r kin&do!s do
%o' not> 3en &et to one of !% retainers/ 7ake s're %o' and
%o'r !en &et &ood .ows$ .efore te .est are taken/ Before
winter4s end #)'ilonia will know feastin& as it4s never seen1

G
# *ale s'n stares down fro! a wintr% sk%/ 3e *latea' .eneat is
froDen6 wite wit oar frost/ S*arse sr'.s are dotted ere and
tere/ 3o eiter side are stra&&lin& trees$ ti"kenin& o't as te%
re"ede into te distan"e/ 5n tat distan"e are ills$ ti"kl% wooded/
# li&t snow is fallin&/ 5"e an&s eav% in te .ran"es/
3e 'ntin& *art% is on te !ove/ First "o!e te 'ntin& do&s$
winin& and strainin& at te leas/ Beind te! teir andlers$
dressed in f'rs and tartans$ "arr%in& aCes/ 3e% wear orned el!s/
Beind te! follow te orse!en/ So!e of tese "arr% windin&
orns over teir .a"ks$ oters !assive .ar.ed s*ears/
9ed&ed in te !iddle$ flanked .% te o'triders$ r'!.les a &iant
.ronDe "ariot *'lled .% two !'s"'lar stallions/ Standin& in tat
"ariot is ?in& ,onan$ dressed in eav% f'rs and a knee len&t
tartan t'ni" of "e"kered .l'e and .la"k/ Belted at is waist is a
one anded #)'ilonian sword/ :e is .'s% strin&in& a war ( .ow/
8n te oter side stands Baron ?a!.a"$ 'ddled in is f'rs/ :is
teet "atter as .reat stea!s fro! is !o't/ :is fa"e is red fro!
"old/ :e &ri*s te rail of te "ariot/ Between te! stands te
"arioteer dressed in te i!*erial leaters and t'ni" of #)'ilonia (
te "rest of wi" is te *rofile of a roarin& lion4s ead/
,8N#N:
;ros*ero1
Fro! .eind$ a orse!an reins '* alon& side te!/ 9e see e is a
tall$ andso!e$ dark !an wit wide so'lders and "lear
!is"ievo's e%es/ :is air$ like wool$ is "losel% "ro**ed/ :e is
dressed in s"ale !ail .eneat is f'rs/
;A8S;<A8:
( Sal'tin& )
7% lord1
,8N#N:
#n%tin& fro! te s"o'ts>
;A8S;<A8:
No/ Not after te last si&tin&/ 3e snow erea.o'ts is "learin& '*
and t'rnin& to sl's/ Be "aref'l/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
9e4ve .een at tis for tree da%s now/ 5 to'&t we wo'ld .e
.a"k .efore l'n"1
,8N#N:
(Breatin& in dee* of te frost% air)
5t feels &ood to .e alive and o't in te o*en$ does it not .aron>
;ros*ero &rins and "o'&s to ide is a!'se!ent at te .aron4s
dis"o!fort/
,8N#N:
("ontin'es)

#$ .'t tis re!inds !e of !% own wild old da%s+ str'&&lin&
.eind ene!% lines ( tra**ed in te wilderness wit onl% a knife
and so!e .eads for tradin& a&ainst te wole .lood !ad orde+
Food ti!es+
(e winks and &rins at ;ros*ero)
#n% of tat wine left>
;A8S;<A8:
#%e$ !% lord/ 5 will .rin& it/
:e falls .a"k and ,onan$ t'rnin& to te .aron$ &ives a *ra"tise
tr'! on te .ow e as -'st str'n&/
,8N#N:

:ere/ 9en we si&t te sta& te first sot is %o'rs/
3e .aron takes te .ow &in&erl%$ lookin& fro! one end to te
oter$ d'.io's as to weter e "an a"t'all% .end it/ 3e .ow is
a.o't five feet in len&t/ :e sivers$ lookin& aro'nd as te "ariot
tr'ndles on/
;ros*ero arrives on"e !ore/
;A8S;<A8:
:ere/
:e tosses ,onan an ornate flask/ 3e kin&$ "at"in& it deftl%$
'nsto**ers it and takes a lon& swi&/ S!a"kin& is li*s e
o'ttr'sts is ar! into ?a!.a"4s "est/
,8N#N:
;'t so!e of tis in %o'/ 9ine fro! ;oitain/ 5t4s like fire in te
&'ts/
?a!.a" takes te flask and swallows/ :e nods &ratef'll%/ ,onan
.ids i! drink !ore/ :e does so$ tis ti!e wit !ore relis/
,8N#N:
See tat rid&e in te distan"e>
?a!.a" looks to were te kin& is *ointin&/ :e sees ooded
slo*es s'rro'nded .% fir trees/ :e nods/
,8N#N:
3at4s were e4s idin&/ :e4s aware of 's and kee*in& a "lose
wat" ( !ost likel% e4ll swee* aro'nd and ead for tat ti"k
"l'ster of trees and tr% to lose 's in te .'s/
;ros*ero$ wo as ran&ed aead to talk to te do& andlers$ "o!es
.a"k .efore te "ariot/ ,onan raises is ead in silent order and
;ros*ero$ noddin&$ weels is !o'nt wit ar! '*raised/ :e .arks a
"o!!and/ # dee* *ri!al .'rst of tr'!*ets s*lits te air/ 3e
andlers "'rse as te do&s %a* and snarl$ fi&tin& teir leases/
3en te% are loose and$ as one$ are off into te distan"e$
s*lasin& tro'& froDen !'d and i"e/ 3wo s"o'ts on foot ran&e
after te! "arr%in& .ows and eav% aCes/ 9en te% ave "overed
a res*e"tf'l distan"e tere so'nds anoter sort .'rst on a .'&le/
;ros*ero eels is !o'nt after te! at a stead% *a"e$ flanked .%
two o'triders/
#ll tat re!ain wit te "ariot are a lone orse!an and tree of
te do& andlers/ 3e% !ove slowl% forward in a loose for!ation/
,onan rea"es o'tside te "ariot and *'lls '* a eav% )'iver tat
is tied tere/ 5t is st'ffed wit arrows/ :e *'lls one o't at rando!
and ins*e"ts te ti* wit a fore t'!./
3ere is silen"e$ dist'r.ed onl% .% te "reakin& weels of te
"ariot$ te soft "lo* of orses ooves on froDen !'d/
3e% are *assin& a lon& ti"k wall of fir trees to teir left wi"
are on a slo*e leadin& down into a densel% wooded &'ll%/
,8N#N:
5 a! infor!ed tat ?in& 3aras"'s is o*en to trade ne&otiations
a&ain+ tat is &ood/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
8f "o'rse sire1 5 don4t tink it was ever an intentional sn'.$ on
te *art of Ne!edia$ to sto* tradin& wit %o' at all/ #fter all ( it is
te life.lood and "ornerstone '*on wi" all "iviliDation is fo'nded/

,8N#N:
#nd wat is %o'r vested interest Baron>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
( ,o'&s )
3o te *oint !% lord1 9ell+ 5 ave taken over te ownersi* of
several !ines/ 9e *rod'"e a lot of !ineral wealt/ ,o**er and tin
!ostl% .'t also iron ore/ #fforda.le too/ // 3r't .e known te loss
of trade wit #)'ilonia over te %ears$ d'e to old fe'ds and
rivalries$ as 'rt o'r e"ono!%+ as %o' are do'.tless aware/ Bo'
i!*ort a lot fro! Hin&ara and =end%a tese da%s/ B't %o' also
know te )'alit% of !ined Ne!edian ore is far ri"er tan
an%tin& fro! te so't and east/ 3oo$ o'r "rafts!en are se"ond
onl% to #k.itana in te for&in& of &ood )'alit% steel/
,onan nods and &rins/ :e is ins*e"tin& te featers of an arrow as
e listens/ :e .lows into te! ten s)'ints down te saft wit
one e%e/
,8N#N:
54ll sa% tis for %o' Baron/ 5 ad !% do'.ts .a"k in "o'rt ( .'t
%o'r words o't ere are so'nd/
3e .aron .links$ lookin& to'&tf'll% at te kin&/ :e is tr%in& to
wat" wat e is doin& over te "arioteer4s so'lder/
#s e stares at te arrow saft in is and ,onan4s e%es narrow/
3e% t'rn to slits ten !ove slowl% to te left/ :is nostrils dilate/
0owerin& te arrow$ e raises is ead/ :e alf roars o't a
warnin& and rea"es violentl% a"ross to &ra. te .ow fro!
?a!.a"4s and/
So!etin& '&e and !onstro's eC*lodes fro! te trees/ Bran"es
wi* and sna* in it4s wake$ frost and i"e s*ra%in& freel% into te
air/ 9e see te &reat sta&$ it4s !assive antlers o'tlined a&ainst te
sk%/ 9e see te .reat stea!in& fro! it4s nostrils as$ ead tilted
.a"k $ it trows o't a "allen&e of defian"e/ 3en tose antlers
wi* down and it "ar&es ( *lo'&in& strai&t into te front end of
te "ariot/
3e orses s"rea! in a&on% and fear/ 3ere is a !etalli" "r'n"
and te wole "ariot tilts .a"k onto it4s ri&t weel/ 5t stands
*oised in !id(air an instant$ froDen in s*a"e$ as te aCle &roans in
*rotest/ 3en it sla!s .a"k down to eart a&ain as te o""'*ants
an& on for teir lives/ ?a!.a"$ still &ri**in& te rail wit one
and$ sli*s and falls to te floor/ Sta&&erin&$ ,onan "rases to is
knees over i! as te "ariot driver$ losin& .alan"e$ to**les and
rolls o't te .a"k into te !'d/
3e orse!an .eind fi&ts to "ontrol is *ani" stri"ken !o'nt/
;ran"in& and *awin& te air it tra!*les te "arioteer$ s"rea!in&$
into te eart/ 3en te ani!al .olts$ 'nseatin& it4s rider wo is
dra&&ed a"ross te &ro'nd$ one foot entan&led in is stirr'*/
7eanwile$ fro! te front$ a do& andler !oves in to distra"t te
.east/ So'tin& an oat e 'rls is aCe/ 5t its te ani!al4s flank
and .o'n"es .a"k/ Blood s*'rts/ 3e sta& flin"es ten stands still
an instant$ wei&in& '* it4s atta"kers wo are !ovin& in slowl% to
en"ir"le it/ 3en$ wit in"redi.le s*eed$ it lea*s forward and
"ro'"es low a!on&st te!/ 5t la'n"es itself too it4s f'll ei&t
a&ain$ swee*in& it4s antlers fro! &ro'nd to sk% in an effortless
tossin& !otion/ #ll tree andlers are sent s*innin& tro'& te air
like tossed ra& dolls$ s*ra%in& .lood/ 3e% it te &ro'nd wit
lifeless t'!*s and lie !otionless$ .roken and twisted/
3e re!ainin& stallion$ tied to te "ariot$ rears in *ani" as it4s
fallen .roter lies stri"ken in te tra"es/ #lone it "annot o*e to
*'ll te "ariot/
,onan and ?a!.a" are "ro'"ed down inside/ 3e kin&$ on one
knee a.ove ?a!.a"$ kee*s i! fro! !ovin& .% oldin& is *al!
down over i!/ I'ietl% e rea"es for te .ow/ ;i"kin& it '* e
sele"ts an arrow fro! a!on& tose s*illed on te de"k/
3e sta&$ t'rnin& it4s ead tis wa% and tat$ !akes for te
"ariot$ it4s nostrils stea!in& and .lowin& in)'isitivel%/
Slowl% ,onan fits and not"es an arrow onto te strin&/
3e orse nei&s in terror as te sta& advan"es/ 5t4s '&e sadow
"asts !ena"in&l% over te "ariot/
,onan draws .a"k te .ow wit a eavin& "reak of wood and
"ord/ :is fa"e is ta't/ Sweat .eads is .row/
3e sta& sto*s/ 5t re&ards te *ran"in& orse ten lowers it4s ead/
# oof *aws te eart/
,losin& is e%es and tiltin& is ead .a"k$ ,onan takes a dee*
.reat/ 3en e lea*s '* and t'rns/ :e sla!s one .ooted foot i&
'* on te rail and .ra"es as te sta& .e&ins it4s "ar&e/
,8N#N:
(arrow featers .r'sin& is "eek)
<at tis1
3e saft strikes o!e$ .'r%in& itself feater dee* in te sta&4s left
so'lder/ Bet still it "o!es on$ like a relentless -'&&erna't of deat/
Flin&in& te .ow aside ,onan stands$ one foot .ra"ed$ fa"in& te
onr's/ :e t'rns is ead/
,8N#N:
Baron1 ?ee* down1
3en e lea*s$ i& '* and awa% fro! te "ariot/ :ittin& te
&ro'nd e rolls$ "o!in& '* on te left and side of te sta& as it
"ar&es/ :e s"ra!.les over to a fallen s*ear and snat"es it fro!
te &ro'nd/ :e is .reatin& ard/ 3e sta& alters it4s "o'rse$
veerin& toward i!/ 8n one knee ,onan waits$ -avelin *oised/ #t
te last !o!ent e 'rls it$ te f'll !i&t of is so'lder .eind
te "ast/ :e dives to one side .'t is not )'i"k eno'&/ 0owerin&
it4s ead te sta& swee*s i! fl%in& into te air wit a toss of it4s
&reat antlers/ ,onan %ells as e is fl'n& "rasin& tro'& te trees/
Bran"es sna* wit te i!*a"t/ :e "o!es down ard tro'& te
folia&e and its te slo*e / :e .o'n"es down te in"line in a
tan&led tres and is soon swallowed .% dank forest darkness/
3e sta& stands still an instant ( .reatin& ard and fast/ 9e see
te s*ear$ driven dee* into it4s "est/ 5t takes a falterin& ste*
forward ten "olla*ses$ "rasin& !i&til% to te &ro'nd/ 5t lies
!otionless$ .lood see*in& all aro'nd it into te eart/
Silen"e+
8ver te ri! of te "ariot Baron ?a!.a" slowl% raises is ead/
G
,onan lies 'n"ons"io's/ 8ne side of is fa"e is *ressed into a tin%
.'..lin& .rook tat !eanders tro'& te valle%/ 3ere are !an%
trees$ !oss "overed ro"ks and .o'lders/ # stran&e li&t slants
aDil% tro'& te trees/ 7ist drifts alon&$ "lin&in& to ewn ro"ks
et"ed wit stran&e s%!.ols and r'nes/ 5t "rawls over ,onan and
o't a"ross te valle% floor/
Fro! so!ewere a tin reeded !elod% .e&ins to *la%$ risin& and
fallin&/ 5n te woods$ a"ross te strea!$ a sadow !oves and is
&one/ # .ran" wavers/ 3e wistlin& reed a.r'*tl% sto*s/
9it a start ,onan wakes/ :is e%es !ove aro'nd in *ani"/ :e
tries for"in& i!self '* .'t$ wit a "r%$ falls onto is .a"k$ &rittin&
is teet/ :e sakes is ead and slowl%$ oldin& is ri.s$ sits '*/
:e looks aro'nd$ .reatin& ard/ Sakin& is ead$ e for"es
i!self onto is feet wit a &roan/ :e sta&&ers into te tan&led
roots of a .i& oak/ :e *'ts one and a&ainst te tr'nk at ar!s
len&t$ to stead% i!self$ and wi*es te .a"k of a sakin& wrist
a"ross is .row/ Blood$ fro! a &as over is left e%e$ r'ns down
is fa"e/ :e looks aro'nd$ ead lowered$ ri&t and fallin& to is
sword/ :e s"ans '* and down te &'ll% as if 'ns're of so!etin&/
:e looks '* tro'& a weave of .ran"es "lawin& at a now
stran&el% li&ted sk%/
#&ain tat eerie !elod%$ risin& and fallin& tro'& te valle%/ :alf
eard wis*ers !'r!'r in it4s wake/ ,onan stands stat'e still/ 3e
.rook &'r&les on/ :e stares ard into te sadowed de*ts of te
forest a"ross te .rook$ and fir!l% on is ilt/ 7'r!'rs$
wis*erin&s$ tinklin& la'&ter+ 3en all is silent/ Still !otionless
as a stat'e and starin& into te wood .e%ond $ ,onan s'ddenl%
wi*s o't is sword/
# denser$ darker sadow solidifies tere a!on& te trees/ 0a!.ent
e%es .'rn in te darkness/ 3en slowl% a for! a**ears$ "o!in&
stealtil% into te li&t/ # wolf/ 5t slinks forward$ a &ar&ant'an
.east wit snow wite f'r and "'rio'sl% slantin& e!erald e%es/ 5t
"o!es to te .rook$ re&ardin& ,onan/ 3en$ lowerin& it4s ead$ it
la*s at te strea!/ 5t lifts it4s sno't and stares at i!/ 3e% look
into ea" oters e%es for wat see!s an eternit%/ 3en slowl% te
wolf t'rns/ 5t looks .eind at i! an instant ten .e&ins to *a"e
off '* te valle%/
#s if "a'&t in a drea!$ ,onan esitantl% .e&ins to follow/ :e
olds one and *ressed a&ainst is side as e walks/ 9e see (
were te tartan e olds is torn ( te links of silver "ain !ail
.eneat/ :e s*lases on tro'& te sallow strea! and "o!es '*
te oter side$ loose stones t'rnin& 'nder is .ooted feet/
3e wolf *ads on$ *ast .roken !enirs "arved .% a ra"e lon&
for&otten/ 3e% lean in te eart or lie sattered and alf .'ried/
,onan *asses te!$ re&ardin& te! wit s'*erstitio's awe/
3e% .e&in "li!.in& a slo*e/ 3ere are trees and !ore ro"ks/
<ver% so often te wolf sto*s$ as if waitin& for i!$ ten it "li!.s
on a&ain$ ran&in& ever aead/ ,onan is *antin& now/ :e sl'!*s
a&ainst a .o'lder and$ lookin& '* te -a&&ed in"line$ sees te wolf
as disa**eared/ :e lowers is ead and$ raisin& it a&ain$ sees it
standin& tere$ o'tlined f'rter '* a&ainst te "rest of te rid&e/
8n"e !ore e .e&ins to "li!./ :e sli*s in te !'d as te in"line
.e"o!es !ore trea"ero's/ 9ito't seatin& is sword e for"es
i!self '* and on$ .% is feet$ knees and el.ows$ &ras*in& at roots
wit is free and/ 3en s'ddenl% e is in a wide "learin& and$ as
e *'lls i!self '*ri&t$ we see i! standin& tere lookin& into a
weirdl% "olo'red sk%/
3e wolf as &one/
Standin& a.ove i!$ on a i&er o't"ro**in& of ro"k$ is a wo!an(
te likes of wi" e as never seen .efore/ :er ar!s are
o'tstret"ed$ er ead tilted .a"k/ Silver air floats in te wind/
Se wears a tattered dress of siftin& *atterns$ alternatin& .etween
red and .la"k/ Se is !o'tin& words$ sin&in& in an en"anted
ton&'e/ 9e ear6
987#N:
7orri&&an$ 7an'$ 7a"a ( Ne!ain1 B!ir$ ,t'l' ( A4l%e1
3en slowl% er ar!s lower and se olds o't er ands$ talon
like$ toward i!/ Se is old$ old/ :er fa"e is eavil% lined$ er
e%es &reen and slanted/ Se dro*s er ands to er sides as se
&aDes far off over te land/
987#N:

,an %o' ear it$ ?in& ,onan>
,8N#N:
5 ear notin&/ /// Bo' know !e>
987#N:
(lookin& at i!)
5 know all in tese lands+
(lookin& off on"e !ore)

,an %o' not ear it> 3e so'nd of war$ !% lie&e/ 3e &rind of
aCe a&ainst sield$ te tra!* of le&ions treadin& kin&do!s too d'st
.eneat iron eels1
,8N#N:
8f wat do %o' s*eak wo!an> 3ere is no war in tis land/ 3ere
is onl% *ea"e ( as tere as .een for nearl% twent% %ears+ 9o
are %o'>
987#N:
5 a! a!on& te first and te last/ 5 ave .een and 5 sall .e
a&ain/ 5 a! te wolf tat s'"kles nations+ 5 a! te .la"k raven
of deat+ and re.irt1

(Se trows er ar!s wide in eC'ltation of er &lor% ten slowl%
lowers te!$ as wit a &reat weariness and sorrow)/
5 ave known$ and will know$ !an% na!es/ 3o %o'$ and %o'rs$ 5
a! Helata/
Se stares at i! wit tose slantin& e!erald e%es and$ s'ddenl%$
se *oints a taloned fin&er at i!/
H<0#3#:
?now$ &reat kin&$ tat war is stirrin& '*on te wind/ # &reat evil
war tat is .lowin& in fro! te so't as on te win&s of a .la"k
*la&'e1 3ere is trea"er% in te kin&do!s of te west ( a%e$ even
in %o'rs$ &reat kin&/ 3e osts of te world sall &ater and tere
will .e a final re"konin& ( wen &ods and !en "las and te
world will drown in fire and .lood1 For o'r a&e as *assed$ ?in&
,onan/ 7an will sink into te sli!e and r'in fro! wen"e e
"rawled and .e&in te lon& '*ward "li!. a&ain/ :is &ods will
a.andon i! and in tis$ is last final o'r$ e will "'rse te!1
For tis is te final re"konin&$ and even te &ods !'st die1
Se trows er ar!s wide a&ain$ tossin& er ead to te eavens/
3e "lo'ds t'rn in on te!selves$ for!in& stran&el% a.ove er/ Se
"ries o't into te wind and falls to er knees/ ,onan$ .'ffeted .%
tat wind$ is .eaten .a"k/ :e trows '* is left ar!/ # tornado
for!s $ s*irallin& down fro! a dark ole in te sk%/ Aavens fl%$
en"ir"lin& er6 a strea!in& "ol'!n tat rea"es '* far a.ove er
into te vorteC/ Helata la'&s$ a silver% !'si"al la'&/ Blinkin&$
,onan sees er tro'& te wi**in& "ol'!n of wind and snow/
Se is %o'n&$ .ea'tif'l/ ,'rled red foa!in& tresses *la% aro'nd er
elfin fa"e/ :er li*s$ sens'o'sl% *arted$ are r'.% red/ 8nl% er e%es
are te sa!e6 slantin& and e!erald/ 3e .la"k tatters of er dress
wi* aro'nd er and .e&in to .reak '*/ 3en se is no !ore/
3ere is onl% a "ol'!n of ravens swee*in& into te dark ole in
te sk% a.ove were se stood/ 9en te last as .een swallowed
te ole a.r'*tl% "loses and is &one/ 3e sk% tilts "raDil% and falls/
,onan falls wit it ( .a"k down into an a.%ss$ still &ri**in& is
sword/
Darkness+
=85,<:
Does e live>
,onan o*ens is e%es/ #.ove i! a wite sk%$ a "ir"le of eads
*eerin& down/
,8N#N:
;ros*ero1 @+ :ow did %o' find !e>
;A8S;<A8:

<as%$ sire/
(talkin& off to is ri&t)
:'rr% wit tat litter1
(Ba"k to ,onan)
9e followed %o'r trail/ 9at !ade %o' wander off >
,8N#N:

3ere was a wolf+ a &reat wolf/ Did %o' not see it4s tra"ks>
;ros*ero frowns and sakes is ead/
;A8S;<A8:
8nl% %o'rs$ sire/
,8N#N:
3ere was a wo!an too+
;A8S;<A8:
9at wo!an>
,8N#N:
Helata+
;ros*ero looks 'neas%/

S80D5<A:
:e4s delirio's/ 0ook at tat "'t on is ead/
;A8S;<A8:
(an&ril%)
J'st &et tat da!ned litter1
S80D5<A:
B't (
;A8S;<A8:
7ove1
Fr'!.lin&$ te soldier !oves off down te slo*e to el* te
oters wo are a"kin& at .ran"es and t%in& te! to&eter/
;A8S;<A8:
(leanin& down)
9e4ll &et %o' to te "ariot and !ake "a!*/
,8N#N:
No *oint an&in& aro'nd ere$ ;ros*ero/ 5 won4t !ake it tro'&
te ni&t + 5 finised te wine/ J'st &et !e .a"k to 3arantia
.efore 5 die of tirst1
;ros*ero &rins$ *'ttin& a and on is so'lder/
;A8S;<A8:
#s %o' wis$ !% lord/
:e stands '* and !oves to el* s'*ervise te !en/ # little wa%
off Baron ?a!.a" sits siverin& in is f'rs/ ,onan re&ards i! a
!o!ent ten t'rns is ead and stares into te e!*t% sk%/ # sin&le
.la"k feater is fallin&$ t'rnin& slowl% as it "o!es down/ 5t lands
&entl% on te &ro'nd neCt to is fa"e/ :e t'rns to stare at it
la%in& tere in te froDen i"e/
G
3arantia/ 3e streets are .'s%/ 7arket stalls are tradin&/ ;eo*le are
!ovin& wit *'r*ose6 a !'ltit'dino's tron& .ot "olo'rf'l and
vi.rant/ 3e s'n is o't/ Baron ?a!.a" is .ein& .orne on a
dra*ed litter eld .% fo'r !'s"'lar .la"ks/ :is .od%&'ards *a"e
alon&side/ ?a!.a" is 'na**% wit te *ro&ress te% are !akin&
and te noise of te *eo*le/ :e leans o't of te *alan)'in/

B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Da!n ra..le1
(wavin& an ar! at is &'ards)
3ell tese fellows to ead for a side street off te !ain aven'e/
9e4ll find a tavern were 5 "an sit and .e at *ea"e ( awa% fro!
tis !o./
# &'ard nods and .arks so!e orders in a forei&n ton&'e/ 3e
.la"ks "an&e dire"tion as te rest of te &'ards$ for"ef'l in teir
eav% ar!o'r$ .e&in to "lear a wa% tro'& te "rowd toward a
side street/
:ere it is less "rowded/ 9e see Baron ?a!.a" settle .a"k in is
*alan)'in$ a little !ore relaCed and at ease/ 3en te so'nd of a
"o!!otion in te street !akes i! sit '*ri&t/ :e *'lls .a"k te
dra*es and "ranes is ead o't/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::

9at4s &oin& on>
:e sees two of is &'ards restrainin& a tall !an in a dark ooded
"loak/ :oldin& '* a and$ ?a!.a" .ids te litter sto*/
F@#AD:
Sir$ tis one tried to a**roa" %o'r litter/ :e sa%s e wants words
wit %o'/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
9o is e> 9at do %o' want$ knave> 5f it4s a few "o**ers .e
warned ( 5 a! in ill '!o'r toda%/ Aest ass'red a da!n &ood
trasin& will .e %o'r lot if %o' are wastin& !% ti!e/ 9ell> S*eak
'*1
3e &'ards .rin& te tall !an over/ :e sr'&s te! off and stalks
forward/ 9e see in te sadows of is ood a lean awkis fa"e$
dark and s"arred/ :e in"lines is ead/ 9en e talks it is in a
ars wis*er/
:88D<D 7#N:
7% &ood .aron/ Bo' are ever%tin& 5 eC*e"ted/ 3at !edallion
a.o't %o'r ne"k+ Bo' are of te o'se of #r!'s are %o' not>
?a!.a" flin"es/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Bes/ :ow do %o' know tat>
Soft la'&ter/
:88D<D 7#N:
5 ave travelled far and wide !% lord/ B't+ save %o'r "o**ers/ 5
ave no 'se for te!/ :e wo .ids !e &reet %o' sa%s 5 so'ld
re"ite tese words+/ Ewen te snake ides$ te raven flies4+
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
(!'r!'rin&)
+E te wolf never far .eind4/ Bo' are ( 3't!ekri>
3:@3:7<?A5:
(Bowin&)
#t %o'r servi"e/
3e .aron looks '* and down te narrow street/ 8nl% a andf'l of
"ildren "an .e seen$ *la%in& in te dirt wit a oo* and sti"k/

B#A8N ?#7B#,::
0ower te litter1
#s te *alan)'in is set on te &ro'nd e waves at 3't!ekri to
enter/ 9en e as done so e "loses te dra*es astil% and sits
.a"k a&ain/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::

9at foolisness1 ,o'ldn4t %o' ave "onta"ted !e wito't drawin&
so !'" attention>
@nda'nted$ 3't!ekri lowers is ood/ 9e see a saven eaded
!an$ dark skinned wit tin li*s and *ier"in& .l'e e%es/
3:@3:7<?A5:
("al!l%)
9e are safe$ Baron/ Bid %o'r !en !ove/ 9e !'st .e to .'siness/
5rritated at .ein& so ordered$ ?a!.a" noneteless "la*s is ands/
8n"e !ore te litter is raised and te% are off a&ain/
3:@3:7<?A5:
:ave %o' sent word to ?in& 3aras"'s of %o'r *ro&ress ere>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
#s %et tere is little to re*ort/ 5 ave !ade so!e *ro&ress in
!a**in& te *ala"e and s'rro'ndin& &ardens .'t tat is all/ 3e
kin&4s *ersonal "a!.ers$ alas$ *resent !'" !ore of a *ro.le!/
3't!ekri leans forward/
3:@3:7<?A5:
9at of te kin& i!self> Does e a**ear in &ood ealt>
?a!.a" snorts/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
:e is a sot/ <iter dr'nk or on is wa% to .ein& dr'nk/ :e is
i!*et'o's and easil% distra"ted fro! te "o'rt/ :e nearl% &ot !e
killed witin tree da%s of !eetin& i! on so!e da!ned sta&
'nt/ B't+ for all tat e is a .rave !an and an onest one/ 5
see w% e as re!ained *o*'lar wit te "o!!on folk for so
lon& ( des*ite .ein& a forei&n .orn .ar.arian and a 's'r*er/ :e is
!'" like teir ideal/
3't!ekri leans .a"k to'&tf'll%/ # .rief silen"e/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
Does+ 3aras"'s send word> 8f+ wen 5 a! too ret'rn>
3:@3:7<?A5:

3is is not %o'r tin& is it Baron> <s*iona&e>
?a!.a" sakes is ead slowl%/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
7% ne*ew as a")'ired so!e de.ts and$ in ret'rn for "learin& is
na!e+
(si&s)/
3't!ekri nods/
3:@3:7<?A5:
3ere is so!etin& %o' !'st aid !e wit Baron$ .efore %o' are
&iven leave fro! ere/
Baron ?a!.a" looks at i! tensel%/
3:@3:7<?A5:
Bo' !'st set '* a !eetin& for !e wit te *oet Aidondo/ :e will
.e a fine asset in o'r "a'se/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
:ow> 5 ave never !et te !an/ 9at "a'se>
3:@3:7<?A5:

3e Ne!edian "a'se1 5n twelve ni&ts Aidondo will .e *erfor!in&
at te <a&le 3avern in te Hin&aran )'arter/ 3at will .e %o'r
"an"e/ :e will .e interested to !eet a !an of no.le .irt$
*arti"'larl% one fro! Ne!edia+ one wo is a follower and ad!irer
of is works/ 5 a! told %o' are alread% fa!iliar wit !'" of is
verse/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
(si&s)
5f 5 do tis and introd'"e %o' ( tat4s it>
3't!ekri looks at i!/
3:@3:7<?A5:
J'st .e tere Baron/ 0eave te rest to !e/
:e *la"es a and on te "'rtain/ 8n te fin&er of is ri&t and is
a "'rio's -ade rin&$ "oiled like a ser*ent/ :e draws te "'rtain
aside/
3:@3:7<?A5:
:old1
3e *alan)'in sto*s/ #s it is slowl% lowered e t'rns to te Baron/
3:@3:7<?A5:
Ae!e!.er ( te <a&le 3avern/ 5n twelve ni&ts ti!e/
3en e is &one/
G
9ild "lo'ds wi* a"ross a f'll !oon/ 3ere are few stars/ 9e see
a narrow dirt roadwa% windin& .etween twin .anks of *ine trees/
Fro! so!ewere an owl oots/ Down te road "o!e two fi&'res (
an old !an$ .ent over "arr%in& sti"ks on is .a"k$ and a %o'n&
.o%$ "arr%in& a *ile of fresl% "'t lo&s/ # do& trails .eind te!/
3e old !an 'ses a kno..ed staff/ 3e% are !akin& slow .'t
stead% *ro&ress/
S'ddenl% tere is a "r% on te wind$ a stran&e a'ntin& "r%/ 3e
old !an stiffens$ raisin& is ead/ :e olds o't a and/ 3e .o%
sto*s in is tra"ks/ :e looks "onf'sedl% at te old !an/ 3en
anoter "r%$ as if in answer to te first/ 3e old !an4s e%es are
a.laDe wit a**reension and *ani"/ 3e do& wi!*ers and &rowls/
B8B:
Frandfater>
3e old !an t'rns and *'ts a and on te %o'n& .o%4s so'lder/
:e is lookin& into te darkness of te road .eind te!/
80D 7#N:
For&et te lo&s$ 3ark'n/ 3ake te do& and &et to te villa&e as
fast as %o' "an/ Aaise te alar! and &et to te fort/
B8B:
(*ani"kin&)
9at is it$ &randfater>
80D 7#N:
(Aaisin& is ead to stare .e%ond)
;i"ts+
Fro! te sadows$ .lood !ad owls and s"rea!s/ 3en e!er&in&
fro! te trees$ 'nder te !oonli&t$ "o!e te ;i"ts/ # wild$ sava&e
orde/ 3e% wave stone aCes and flint ti**ed s*ears/ 3e% are
naked save for s"ra*s of "lot a.o't teir waists/ 3e% wear
ne"kla"es of teet and talons/ 3eir air is lon&$ dark and sa&&%$
teir skin dark .rown wit knotted !'s"les rollin& .eneat/ 3e%
"o!e on in a swee*in& wave$ fired wit te l'st to kill/ 3eir
fa"es are a*is$ wit s!all set e%es and sno'ts ( te re!nants of
Neandertal !an/
,'t to ( 3e s!all .o% r'nnin&$ te do& lo*in& after i!/
,'t .a"k to ( 3e old !an/ :e dro*s is *ile of lo&s to te
&ro'nd and raises a sin&le .laded "o**in& aCe in a &narled and/
3e .lade &lea!s in te !oonli&t/ :e stands alone/ No e!otion is
written on is fa"e/
Fro! te sadows te ;i"ts swee* toward i! and$ wit a frenDied
%ell$ e trows i!self forward$ aCe swin&in& .efore i!/
,'t to ( # villa&e ( .'rnin& red and oran&e in te darkness/ Bodies
la% o'tlined in te fla!es6 !en$ wo!en and "ildren/ 3eir e%es
are fiCed6 froDen in te orrors of deat/ 7an% ave not"ed and
stained wea*ons in teir fists/ Sadowed fi&'res dan"e and owl$
wavin& teir aCes/ So!e weave to and fro$ '*endin& -'&s of wine
and .ottles as te% sta&&er off into te darkness/
,'t to ( 3e inside of a 't/ # wo!an franti"all% tries to ide er
"ild/ Se is kneelin& on te floor$ "radlin& i! in er ar!s/ :er
air is disevelled$ tears streak er fa"e/ 3e so'nds of s"rea!s$
.'ildin&s .'rnin&/ 3e 't door "rases o*en/ 9e see te sadow
of a dr'nken ;i"t o'tlined on te wall .eind er/ :e dro*s a -'&
"rasin& to te &ro'nd and sta&&ers in$ raisin& a two eaded flint
aCe/ 3e wo!an s"rea!s in terror$ trowin& '* er ar!/ 9e see a
knotted fist swin& te aCe '* i&/ 5t "o!es down wit a "r'n"/
Blood s*ra%s te wall/ 9ritten in te sadows of tat wall we see
te ;i"t .end down and raise a still dri**in& severed ead into te
air as a &risl% tro*%/
G
3arantia/ 3e kin&4s *ersonal )'arters/ S'nli&t strea!s in tro'&
lon& narrow windows$ ill'!inatin& a !ar.le floor and a '&e .ed
stood at te "entre of te "a!.er/ 9e see tree naked wo!en
la%in& tere$ ea" s*rawled in deli"io's attit'des of sl'!.er/ 5n te
!idst of te! la%s ?in& ,onan$ naked and l%in& on is .a"k/ :e
snores li&tl%/ 3ere is a kno"k at te do'.le .rass .o'nd doors at
te far end of te roo!/
S8F3 =85,<:
7% lord+
,onan snores on/ # &irl rolls over$ drea!il% trowin& an ar! over
is "est/
D5FF<A<N3 =85,<:
:ere ( &et o't of te wa%$ let !e+
( #&ain te kno"kin&$ tis ti!e !ore insistent and lo'der )
7% lord ,onan1 #re %o' awake> 3ere are 'r&ent !atters at and1
,onan &r'nts$ trowin& an ar! over is ead/
,8N#N:
( in a &roanin& wis*er )
@+ ;'.li's+
:e o*ens one e%e/ ;'ttin& te &irl4s ar! to one side$ e t'rns is
ead to te door/
,8N#N:
8ne !o!ent$ ;'.li's/
:e sits '* slowl% and$ win"in&$ *'ts a and to is ri.s/ 3ere are
.anda&es ta*ed aro'nd is !idriff/ :e swin&s is le&s off te .ed
and f'!.les tro'& so!e "lotin& strewn on te floor/ :e "asts
so!e fe!ale &ar!ents aside and *'lls on is .ree"es/ 3'rnin& e
sees a well ro'nded r'!* and$ wit a &rin$ &ives it a reso'ndin&
s*ank/ :e la'&s at te res'ltin& s)'eal of o'tra&e/
,8N#N:
Better &et so!e "lotes on tose "ar!s of %o'rs/ ;'.li's is on
te war *at/ Fiven is tone$ if e sees %o' like tis$ e !a% well
&ive %o' '* to 7itra to live o't te rest of %o'r lives in "astit%/
Fas*in&$ te &irls s"ra!.le over and aro'nd te .ed$ "li!.in& over
,onan and ea" oter in franti" aste as te kin&$ still sat$ *'lls
on is .oots and t'ni"/ :e "as'all% sna*s so!e .ronDe forear!
&'ards on is wrists as te kno"kin& .e&ins a&ain/
;@B05@S:
7% lord$ 5 !'st insist (
,8N#N:
( standin& and stret"in& is .a"k and ar!s wide )
,o!e in ;'.li's$ don4t wear tose *anels o't/ 3e%4re &ood oak/
:e %awns into a fist and !oves over toward a s!all ta.le were a
-'& and so!e fr'its are laid o't/ :e &'DDles dee* of te water -'&
ten *i"ks '* an a**le $ takin& a '&e .ite -'st as te do'.le
doors swin& o*en/ 3wo Bla"k Dra&on &'ards ad!it ;'.li's wo
wastes no ti!e swee*in& into te "a!.er/ :e s*ares te &irls
.arel% a se"ond &lan"e$ as if e is well a""'sto!ed to s'" si&ts/
8ne of te &irls takes a .ite of te a**le ,onan olds .efore
s"'rr%in& off/ #noter swi*es so!e &ra*es as te last &irl$ fallin&
to er knees$ lifts te water -'& e olds in .ot ands and
&'DDles dee*/ 3en se too is &one/
;@B05@S:
( Sto**in& .efore ,onan and lookin& serio's)
3ro'.le !% lord/ 3e ;i"ts ave raDed 3's"elan/
G
# lon& allwa% of te *ala"e/ ,onan is stridin& *'r*osef'll%$
lookin& neiter left nor ri&t/ :e is fiCin& a .roo" to is so'lder
tat olds in *la"e a f'r "loak sl'n& over is so'lders/ :e is
wearin& eav% ar!o'red &reave .oots/ :is fa"e is &ri!/ 8n one
side of i! walks ;'.li's$ des*eratel% tr%in& to kee* *a"e/ Beind
i! are tree %o'n& s"ri.es "arr%in& )'ills and *ar"!ent/ 3wo
Bla"k Dra&ons flank te!/
;@B05@S:
3is was a *lanned atta"k/ 3wo o'tl%in& villa&es were taken at te
sa!e ti!e/ # war *art% stole a"ross te river and raDed 3's"elan to
te &ro'nd/ Fro! wat intelli&en"e as alread% .een &atered$ tere
are to'&t to ave .een tree se*arate waves/ Notin& on tis
s"ale as .een seen in (
,8N#N:
3went% %ears/ #n% s'rvivors>
;@B05@S:
# few/ 3e "o!!ander of te fort$ one Fari's$ is in %o'r offi"e
now waitin& to deliver is re*ort/
,8N#N:
:e s'rvived>
;@B05@S:
Bes$ !% lord/
3e *art% rea"es a do'.le set of doors/ 3wo Bla"k Dra&ons$
standin& tere$ sal'te/ 3ose &'ards es"ortin& te *art% !ove to
-oin te! and add to te sal'te/ ,onan and ;'.li's wait as te
doors are o*ened/ ;'.li's nods as te *art% walk in/ 3e doors
"lose/
9e see te kin&4s *rivate offi"e/ 3ere is a '&e writin& desk to
one side of te roo!/ Dire"tl% in front of te! is a .la"k on%C
"air/ 3o one side of tat is a s!all ta.le/ #"ross fro! tat stands
a .i&&er "onferen"e ta.le/ # '&e window li&ts te roo! fro!
.eind it/ #s te kin& and is ento'ra&e enter fo'r *eo*le$ seated
at te ta.le$ stand/
9e see ;ros*ero and tree !ilitar% !en/ 8ne is wearin& i&
rankin& 'nifor!/ :e is tired lookin& and d'st stained/ 8ne ar! is
in a slin&/
,onan sto*s sort and looks at i! fro! a"ross te ta.le/
,8N#N:
Bo' are Fari's$ "o!!ander of Fort 3's"elan>
3e !an nods wearil%/
F#A5@S:
#%e$ !% lord/
,8N#N:
Ae*ort/
F#A5@S:
3( te% "a!e fro! nowere$ sire/ 3e% were alread% inside .efore
te alar! was so'nded/ 3en te s"rea!in&+7itra$ te s"rea!in&1
( e "okes and sakes is ead )
+9o!en$ "ildren+ it ( it was !assa"re/ No one knew wat was
a**enin&/ @ntil+ 'ntil it was too late/
,onan$ fa"e &ri!$ e%es a.laDe$ walks slowl% forward/ :is ands
"len" into fists/ # vein swells on is foreead/ :e towers over
Fari's/
,8N#N:
( =oi"e ti"k and eav% )
#nd %o'$ ,o!!ander+ s'rvived> Bo'+ es"a*ed>
Fari's$ lookin& '* at i! in orror$ srinks .a"k into is "air/
,8N#N:
3ose *eo*le died$ Fari's/ 9at did %o' do to tr% to save te!>
Bo' ( te "o!!ander of te fort>
F#A5@S:
( Swallows ard )
5 (
,onan sla!s a fist down on te ta.le/
,8N#N:
( So'ts)
Bo' so'ld ave .een *re*ared$ !an1 Bo' so'ld ave died wit
sword in and as .efits a !an of %o'r station ( as .efits a !an of
ono'r1
F#A5@S:
( ,o"kin& tears)
7% wife$ !% son+ 5 (
,onan$ leanin& i!*osin&l% over te ta.le$ trows o't an ar!$
indi"atin& te window .eind Fari's/
,8N#N:
#nd wat of te wo!en and "ildren of te !en wose lives %o'
were entr'sted wit$ Fari's> 9at do we tell te!> 3at teir
"o!!ander is a "oward> 3at e disono'red #)'ilonia .%
desertin& is *ost rater tan fa"in& deat as ( a !an>
;A8S;<A8:
( 0ea*in& to is feet )
7% lord1
,onan$ leanin& a"ross te ta.le$ is starin& ard at Fari's/ :e looks
slowl% a"ross at ;ros*ero wo stands silentl% still$ an eC*ression of
o'tra&e and so"k on is fa"e/ Slowl% te fires fade fro! ,onan4s
e%es/ :e .ows is ead wearil%/ No one !oves/ ,onan falls .a"k
fro! te ta.le/ Fari's so.s/ ;'.li's !oves )'ietl% in/
;@B05@S:
( Bowin& to te !ilitar% staff at te ta.le )
3ank %o' &entle!en/ 3at will .e all for now/ Bo' ave leave to
&o/
Fettin& '* te% file in de-e"ted silen"e to te doors/ Fari's slinks
.eind te!/ 3e% eCit/
#ll e%es t'rn to ,onan/ :e sl'!*s into te on%C "air and sits
.roodin&/ 9e see tat e is lookin& at te s!all ta.le .eside i!/
Aestin& on it is te sin&le -ewelled "rown of #)'ilonia/
,8N#N:
Fari's+ :is wife and son>
;A8S;<A8:
9ere killed wen te fort was atta"ked$ sire/
,onan *'ts is ead in is ands ten raises it a&ain/
,8N#N:
:ave i! released fro! servi"e+ a %ears f'll *a%/
# s"ri.e .e&ins s"rat"in& on a *a*%r's seaf wit is )'ill/
,8N#N:
( 3o te s"ri.es )
3at is all/ Fo1
3e tree s"ri.es .ow and witdraw/
Silen"e/
3o'&tf'll%$ ,onan *i"ks '* te "rown wit one and/ :e looks
at it$ t'rnin& it slowl% tis wa% and tat/
;ros*ero leans .a"k a&ainst te ta.le a"ross fro! i! and folds is
ar!s/ ;'.li's overs to one side/
,onan si&s and *'ts te "rown .a"k down/
,8N#N:
9ell$ ;ros*ero> 9at do %o' s'&&est>
;A8S;<A8:
( Strokin& is "in )
9ell !% lord$ a state!ent of address to te *eo*le eC*ressin& (
,8N#N:
( 9avin& i!*atientl% )
#s a fi&tin& !an$ ;ros*ero ( not a da!ned states!an1
;A8S;<A8:
( Stands '*ri&t )
9e send in te infantr%$ sire/ Fl's te! o't wit fire and steel/
#n elite s)'adron of te Bla"k Dra&ons "loses off teir retreat and
"r'ses te!/ Drive te! fro! te .orders for &ood/
,onan nods/
,8N#N:
;'.li's>
;'.li's sr'&s/
;@B05@S:
3e *eo*le of #)'ilonia will eC*e"t notin& less/ #s wo'ld te
;i"ts+ 3ere is a !adness ere 5 do not 'nderstand/
;A8S;<A8:
3e% are sava&es1 9o "an 'nderstand te !inds of tose s'.(
'!ans>
;@B05@S:
I'ite/
( t'rns to ,onan )
7% lord$ 5 will .e&in work on a state!ent of address to te
*eo*le/ 5 will ave a s'!!ar% .% tis evenin&/ 9e "an &o over
te finer *oints ten/
,8N#N:
( 9avin& a and )
#s %o' wis$ ;'.li's/ 5 will .e ins*e"tin& te troo*s or in te
*lannin& roo!/ ;ros*ero( 5 want %o' to a""o!*an% !e/ 5 ave
*lans/
;A8S;<A8:
Sire>
,8N#N:
5 want %o' to lead te Bla"k Dra&ons/ 5$ !%self$ will lead te
re&'lar infantr%/
;@B05@S:
Aeall%$ sire1 5 !'st *rotest (
,8N#N:
#.o't wat>
;@B05@S:
9ell for start %o' are 'nfit to ride$ !'" less wield aCe or sword1
9en was te last ti!e %o' trained wit steel$ !'" less rode into
.attle> 3e *%si"ians advised two !onts rest( %et still %o' feast$
&'DDle and "avort wit wo!en less tan alf %o'r own a&e/ #nd
%o' drink ( eC"essivel%1 7% lord+
( e leans over te s!all ta.le wit .ot ands )
+ Bo' are not a %o'n& !an in te *ri!e of life/
,8N#N:
No/ B't 5 a! still kin&+ !% word is still law/ #nd 5 9500 ride
wit !% troo*s/
,onan &ets to is feet/
,8N#N:
Now$ if %o' will eC"'se !e$ 5 !'st attend .reakfast/
:e !oves off to te doors and *la"es a and on one of te .i&
.ronDe andles/
;@B05@S:
Sire$ .efore %o' &o tere is -'st one oter tin&+ I'een Aane of
#s&ard arrived tis !ornin& wit a deta"!ent of troo*s+
,onan alf t'rns/
;@B05@S:
+ Bo'r da'&ter is ere to see %o'$ sire/
G
3e ro%al &ardens/ 3e s'n stares down .'t it is still "old/ 3e
"ill of winter is still in te air/ 3e trees ave %et to start
.'ddin& for s*rin&/ 3ere are !an% sr'..eries$ ro"ks and
*atwa%s/ 8n te .o'ndar% of te &ardens stands a lone "err%
tree/ 0eanin& a&ainst it we see a fi&'re/ #s we draw "loser we see
it is a tall$ %o'n& wo!an wit wide swee*in& so'lders/ Se wears
a f'r "loak and &loves/ Se leans wit ar!s folded$ er "lear .l'e
e%es &aDin& far off$ as if dee* in to'&t/ :er -aw is stron& and
fir!/ :er air$ lon& and dark$ is .o'nd into a sin&le .raid tat
falls down over er so'lder/
Beind er ,onan e!er&es/ :e stands at te to* of a set of ste*s
leadin& into a s!all "o'rt%ard/ #n old fo'ntain stands at it4s "entre/
3e "rown is on is .row/ :is air is s!ooted6 is .eard
tri!!ed/ :e wears a lon&$ eav% ro.e/
,8N#N:
9en te% told !e %o' ad arrived 5 knew eCa"tl% were to find
%o'/
3e %o'n& wo!an t'rns slowl% and s!iles/
B8@NF 987#N:
Fater/
,8N#N:
( ,o!in& down te ste*s )
Aane/
3e% !eet .efore te fo'ntain and e!.ra"e/ 3e% .reak a*art
slowl%/
,8N#N:
9at are %o' doin& ere on %o'r own> 9ere4s tat *l'nderin&
's.and of %o'rs$ ?in& Sie&vald >
A#:N<:
Doin& te &ood d't% of te kin&/ #n%wa%$ sin"e wen do 5 need
!% 's.and4s *er!ission to visit !% fater>
,8N#N:
5 was -'st not eC*e"tin& %o' is all/ 5s ever%tin& alri&t>
A#:N<:
( S!iles/ )
<ver%tin& is fine/
Se t'rns$ walkin& slowl% .a"k to te "err% tree/ ,onan follows$
lookin& aro'nd te &arden as e walks/ :e looks '*/
,8N#N:
S*rin& will .e ere soon/
A#:N<:
#nd te dawn of new life/
,onan swivels is ead aro'nd$ lookin& at er/
Aane leans a&ainst te tree/ 9e see now were$ and at wat$ se
was first lookin&/ Before te tree stands a &reat "arved to!./
#.ove te eav% iron doors$ s"'l*ted in !ar.le$ is te .'st of a
re&al wo!an/ 3ere is a .rief silen"e/ ,onan s"rat"es is .eard/
,8N#N:
Bo' "a!e ere often as a "ild$ to *la% and ide fro! !e + in
te .ran"es of tis ver% tree$ as 5 re!e!.er/ Ba"k ten %o' swore
%o'4d &row '* to .e a *irate or a .andit$ -'st to s*ite !e/ Now
%o'4re te )'een of #s&ard+
( e sakes is ead )
5 knew %o'4d end '* disa**ointin& !e and trowin& %o'r life
awa%/
Aane la'&s$ t'rnin& to fa"e i!/ 8f a s'dden er eC*ression
t'rns serio's/ Se looks into is e%es/

A#:N<:
;'.li's told !e %o'4d .een in an a""ident/
,8N#N:
( sr'&s )
# sta& on te ro%al 'nt &ot a little wild/ Notin& 'n's'al/
A#:N<:
:e said tere were deats/
,8N#N:
( frowns )
Bo' know wen ;'.li's talks ( doo! and !iser% are not far
.eind/
Aane !oves to ,onan and takes is and/
A#:N<:
9% do %o' not !arr% a&ain$ fater>

,8N#N:
For wat *'r*ose>
A#:N<:
No !ale eir + no one to kee* %o' in line+ ;eo*le worr% for te
f't're of #)'ilonia/
,8N#N:
#)'ilonia "an take "are of erself/ Se will .e ere lon& after %o'
and 5 are &one/ Bo'r !oter to'&+ se was taken fro! .ot of
's/ 5 wo'ld not re*la"e er/
A#:N<:
( softl% )
5 was onl% a "ild+
( se t'rns$ lookin& at te to!. )
+ !% .i&&est !e!or% of er is of tis to!. .ein& ere"ted for er/
( se looks at ,onan )
+ Do %o' not %earn for love a&ain>
,onan frowns at er and !oves off$ down toward te to!./ :e
stands .efore it$ lookin& '* at te .'st/ :e r'ns a and alon& te
ins"ri*tions$ as if dee* in !e!ories/
,8N#N:
Bea'tif'l as a s'nrise was %o'r !oter + .ea'tif'l as a newl%
risen !oon in te stillness of a desert ni&t+
( e sakes is ead and s!iles)
+ tere will .e no oter for !e in tis life/
A#:N<:
( foldin& er ar!s )
#*art fro! %o'r "on"'.ines/
,8N#N:
( sr'&s and walks .a"k to te tree )
#*art fro! te!/
:e *'ts a and on te tr'nk and looks '* into te .ran"es/ #
.ird is sin&in& tere/ :e t'rns to stare at Aane/
,8N#N:
Bo' ave so!etin& to tell !e/
Aane leans a&ainst te tree .eside i! and stares into te sk%/
Se "rosses er ar!s ten looks down/ 9en se lifts er fa"e
a&ain se is s!ilin&/
A#:N<:
5 a! wit "ild/ Bo' are to .e a &randfater/
,onan swallows and .links/ :e looks '* a&ain at te .ran"es$ te
sin&in& .ird$ and &rits is teet/
,8N#N:
( "okes )
,ro!$ %o' .astard +
:e t'rns$ walkin& off to stand fa"in& te to!./ Aane lets i!
stand tere a wile$ er and still *ressed to er .ell%$ still leanin&
a&ainst te tree$ still s!ilin&/ 3en$ after a wile$ se !oves off
and "o!es '* slowl% .eind i!/ Se *'ts a and softl% on is
so'lder/ ,onan t'rns and e!.ra"es er$ *'ttin& is ead dee* into
er so'lder/
,8N#N:
5 ear %o'r !oter sin&in& to !e$ Aane/ Sin&in& te -o%s of life (
sin&in& in -o% for 's .ot/
( e looks '* at te .la"k.ird still sin&in& in te tree )
For 's ( it will alwa%s .e s*rin&ti!e/
G
5n a s!all "a!.er$ li&ted .% tor"es .ra"keted alon& te walls$
a !eetin& is in *ro&ress/ =ario's war like !en are &atered aro'nd
a st'rd% eav% ta.le/ 8n tat ta.le is stret"ed a ide !a* of te
o'ter re&ions of #)'ilonia$ te 3'nder river and te ;i"tis
widerness .e%ond/ ,onan sits .efore te!$ re"lined .roodin&l% in
an on%C "air/ Fli"kerin& sadows$ fro! te tor"es !o'nted on
te walls$ *la% over te!/
# eav% set !an stands o**osite i! at te ta.le/ :e is wearin&
te ro.es and "ains of offi"e of te "ief !a&istrate/ #s e talks
e sta.s wit one fin&er at a re&ion of te !a*$ a "l'ster of
loosel% "onne"ted villa&es on te ;i"tis frontier/
7#F5S3A#3<:
:ere lies te stron&old of te Ja&'ar "lan/ # *owerf'l tri.e/ 3eir
leader is Jil Heri&/ 9e .o'&t i! off a lon& ti!e a&o in order
to sto* i! arassin& te o'tl%in& villa&es alon& te frontier/ 5n
tose da%s$ as te kin& !a% re"all$ Heri& was known for is raids (
"attle !ostl%$ and watever else e "o'ld la% is ands on/ 3ese
da%s we find it easier to &ive i! wat e wants in eC"an&e for
watever &oods te "lan "an !ake te!selves/ @ntil re"entl% tat4s
ow tin&s worked o't ( and worked o't well/
J'st a few !onts a&o$ to'&$ all tat started to "an&e/
3e Ja&'ars .e"a!e se"retive and witdrawn/ 3raders were sent
awa% wit stones and te treat of s*ears/ 9ell+ tis is notin&
'n's'al in itself$ so we left te! alone ( tinkin& te% were
*re*arin& for$ or were in te !iddle of$ one of teir a.o!ina.le
rites/
3e ;i"ts worsi* te !oon .'t also oter stran&e deities of te
forest/ For !an% ni&ts a dr'! "o'ld .e eard a"ross te river/
#&ain$ notin& 'n's'al ( .'t tis ti!e te re*orts "o!in& in were
different+ 3is was a sin&le dr'!$ it was said ( 'nlike te 's'al
frenDied tri.al tattoo of te ;i"ts/ 3oo tere were stran&e voi"es
eard fro! a"ross te river$ eerie li&ts &li!*sed tro'& te trees/
7an% villa&ers .elieved te work of so!e fo'l sor"er% was to
.la!e ( .'t te% dared not re*ort wat te% ad seen or eard for
fear of .ein& ridi"'led or worse$ a""'sed of te !ind si"kness/
0ivin& on te .order "an &ive rise to !an% stran&e fears and
fan"ies ( as one "an i!a&ine livin& in "lose *roCi!it% wit a
sava&e *eo*le/
5t a**ears we were wron& to i&nore te warnin&s/ #!on& te dead
were fo'nd$ not onl% tose of te Ja&'ar$ .'t also tose of te
0eo*ard and :awk "lans/ 3is was a deli.erate and or&aniDed
atta"k/ Never$ in !% %ears as !a&istrate$ ave te "lans
"on"entrated teir for"es in s'" a wa%/ 5f Jil Heri& as 'nited
te! ten+ 7itra *reserve 's$ we ave a !a-or *ro.le! on o'r
ands/
,8N#N:
3e "lans ave 'nited .efore/ B't onl% in "a'se of a "o!!on
ene!%+ @s/ 9en ?in& N'!ed tried to stret" #)'ilonia4s .orders
twent% %ears a&o$ e wanted to *lo'& teir lands$ "o* down teir
trees and 'nt teir &a!e/ 9en te% ref'sed e answered as all
arro&ant di"tators do ( wit !ilitar% !i&t and fire and steel/ 5 was
"o!!ander of tose le&ions ( as well %o' know/
( :e sakes is ead )
9e lost ten and ( in a drawn o't retaliation ( we4ll lose a&ain/
7#F5S3A#3<:
B't tat ( as %o' sa% ( was in 'nited "a'se a&ainst a "o!!on
foe+ 9% ten now> 9at "an te% o*e to &ain> S'rel% not
"on)'est>
,8N#N:
5t is stran&e+
( :e is tinkin& .a"k on is !eetin& wit Helata )
#ll 5 know is tis+ watever we do as to .e done fast ( wit a
!ini!al a!o'nt of for"e/ Strike at te eart of teir "o!*o'nd
and "'t te eart fro! te ene!%/ 3ake teir stron&old and s"atter
woever are left+ #&reed>
Nods and !'r!'rs of assent fro! aro'nd te ta.le/
7#F5S3A#3<:
9at of Jil Heri&>
,8N#N:
54ll leave is ead on a s*ear in te ases of is own villa&e ( as
a warnin& to oters/
0o'd !'r!'rs &reet tis de"leration and$ satisfied$ te !a&istrate
nods to te kin& and takes is "air/
G
7ornin&/ 5n a s!all ante"an.er/ ,onan is .ein& .'"kled into is
!ail and "'irass .% two retainers/ :e stands wit ar!s o'tstret"ed
.efore a f'll len&t !irror$ t'rnin& tis wa% and tat/ #"ross fro!
i! sits ;ros*ero$ .'sil% &nawin& on a .one of la!.$ is feet '*
on a wooden stool/
,8N#N:
@+ not so ti&t tere wit tose stra*s/
5t4s .een a wile .'t 5 don4t re!e!.er feelin& as restri"ted as tis/
;A8S;<A8:
3oo !'" soft livin&/
;'.li's a**ears in te doorwa%/ :e .ears a s"roll/
;@B05@S:
5 tr'st %o' are a**% wit te final draft of te s*ee" !% lord/
8r do %o' need to &o over it a&ain>
,8N#N:
No+ 5t4s fine/
;'.li's nods and *i"ks '* so!e &ra*es fro! a ta.le/ :e sits
wearil%/
Aane a**ears$ leanin& in te doorwa%/
A#:N<:
9ell$ well ( a "on"lave of ro&'es if ever tere was one/
3e% t'rn to see er leanin& tere$ ar!s folded/
;A8S;<A8:
( &ettin& to is feet )
7% lad%1
A#:N<:
( !oves into te "a!.er s!ilin& )
;ros*ero1 #s ever te onl% one tr'e &entle!an in te roo!/
3e% to'" ands and kiss/

;A8S;<A8:
5t4s .een a lon& ti!e$ !% lad%/ 5 o*e %o' are well/
A#:N<:
Never .etter ;ros*ero/ 5t is &ood to see %o'/
( se t'rns to ,onan )
9ell ( 5 o*e %o' know wat %o' are doin& fater/
,8N#N:
:as ;'.li's *'t %o' '* to tis>
A#:N<:
No/ 5n fa"t+ 5 want to ride wit %o'/
,8N#N:
( t'rnin& to look at er)
#.sol'tel% not/ Bo'4re te )'een of #s&ard/
A#:N<:
3e wo!en of te #esir fi&t alon&side teir !en/ #s do all te
wo!en of te nort ( as well %o' know/ <ven )'eens .ear te
sields of teir 's.ands into .attle/
,8N#N:
( sakin& is ead )
Not tis ti!e$ Aane/ 5f an%tin& a**ened to %o' 54d ave ?in&
Sie&vald at !% &ates witin te week de!andin& !% ead/ 3is is
not %o'r fi&t/
;@B05@S:
Bo'r fater is ri&t$ !% lad%/ Bo' are visitin& ro%alt%/ 5t is not
wise to involve te #esir in !atters of state wito't first (
A#:N<:
( an&ril% )
3o ell wit state1 5 a! a da'&ter of #)'ilonia1 8f "o'rse it is
in !% interests1
,8N#N:
( si&s )
0eave 's+ 5 will s*eak to !% da'&ter alone/
3e retainers leave/ ;'.li's and ;ros*ero .ot .ow and de*art/
,onan !oves to te door and "loses it slowl%/
,8N#N:
( softl% )
Bo' "arr% a "ild$ %o'r 's.and4s "ild ( !% &randson *era*s/
3e f't're of #s&ard and #)'ilonia/ ,an %o' afford to risk tat$
Aane> 5f so!etin& a**ened to %o'+
( e *'ts a and on er so'lder )
5 will not seek to sto* %o'$ Aane/ B't ( 5 will ask %o' to
"onsider/
3e% stare into ea" oters e%es/ Aane$ *re*ared for a .attle of
wills$ loses defian"e 'nder er fater4s softened &aDe/ Se lowers
er ead/ Se takes te and restin& on er so'lder ten looks '*
at i!/
A#:N<:
5 a! a da'&ter of #)'ilonia ( and te da'&ter of a kin&+ for
!e$ fater$ it is no "oi"e/
,onan$ oldin& er &aDe$ nods/ :e t'rns/ Swin&in& o*en te doors$
e *asses tro'& and tra!*s down te "orridor in is iron &rieve
.oots/
,8N#N:
( off s"reen ( so'ts )
;ros*ero1 See to te orses and ave te! read% in te
"o'rt%ard1 7ake s're %o' .rin& !% "ar&er1
G
8'tside te *ala"e "it% &ates/ 3arantia4s !ain s)'are/ @*on a
*latfor! stands a lar&e ro'nd !an in a to&a/ :e is readin& alo'd
fro! a s"roll/
;eo*le are &aterin&6 !illin& eC*e"tantl% aro'nd i!/
,A5<A:
3's s*eaks is !a-est% ?in& ,onan to is s'.-e"ts$ te *eo*le of
#)'ilonia (
No !an$ no ar!%$ &reat or s!all$ sall trans&ress #)'ilonia4s laws$
wron& er "itiDens or take er *ro*ert%/ 3e *enalt% for tese
trans&ressions sall$ and will alwa%s .e$ dealt wit te arsest of
eCtre!ities tat er soverei&nt% allows/ <ver% !an$ wo!an and
"ild of #)'ilonian .irt and "itiDensi* sall .e *rote"ted .% er
state and er ar!ies/ :er *eo*le reserve te ri&t to live in
freedo! and in *ea"e/ F'rter 6 te% reserve te ri&t to *ass
wito't fear ( werever te% !a% .e$ and in watever lands te%
!a% travel/ 3ese are te val'es tat 5$ ?in& ,onan$ *la"e '*on
tis &reat nation and ave t's sworn to '*old and *rote"t+
Sittin& on a wall$ at te far end of te s)'are$ is a fo**isl%
dressed !an/ :e wears a la"e wite sirt .eneat a doe skin
-erkin/ :is knee i& .oots are of finest s'**le .rown leater/ :e
as a *ale "o!*leCion and .ri&t e%es/ :is !o't is *et'lant /
Beneat a featered "a* e as strai&t dark air$ s)'arel% "'t to
"ollar len&t/ :e sits *osed *i"t'res)'el%6 lo'n&in& .a"k wit one
el.ow restin& on an '*raised knee/ Fro! te oter and e idl%
dan&les a l'te/ #s e listens to te news "rier$ a "%ni"al s!ile
*la%s on is li*s/
0eanin& a&ainst te wall .elow i! are several of is followers (
*rostit'tes$ to'&s and assorted an&ers on/ :e is Aidondo ( *oet
and !instrel/
A5D8ND8:
9e .ow in '!.le o.eisan"e to %o'r &reatness$ &ood kin&/
:e snat"es '* is l'te and$ sal'tin& te "rier wit it$ a.sentl%
*l'"ks a "ord/
A5D8ND8:
So fro! te weel to te .lade(
( anoter "ord )
te .attlefield to te "rown$
and for te eart in te &rave (
e str'"k o'r !onar" down+
9e .ow .efore i! now (
tis slave wo killed a kin&1
:e wo "ast te &ood line o't (
tat te% took to 'nder win&/
3ief or .etra%er > e "ries answer wit is .lade (
3is .la"k earted sava&e (
wo was on"e onl% .'t a slave + 2
3e last line ends wit a des*ondant "ord$ rin&in& o't softl%/ :is
friends "la* and woo* -'.ilantl%$ !akin& a sow in front of te
&rowin& n'!.er of *eo*le &aterin& in front of te!/ Aidondo$
-'!*s a"ro.ati"all% to is feet on te wall and .ows !o"kin&l%/
A5D8ND8:
( lookin& o't over te &aterin& "rowds )
,o!e !% friends$ let 's .e awa% fro! ere/ 3e s!ell of .lind
ra..le is not 'nlike livesto"k to tese nostrils/
:oots and la'&ter/
Fro! .elow a to'& looks '*/
38@F::
B't Aidondo1 Don4t %o' want to wait for te kin& to "o!e o't
and *la% i! so!e of %o'r verses>
3e rest of te &ro'* la'& and res*ond ent'siasti"all%/
A5D8ND8:
( lookin& toward te &ate )
No/ 0eave tis ra..le to teir .lind o.eisan"e/ 3i!e eno'& for a
*ro*er re"e*tion wen o'r lie&e ret'rns/ Now 5 a! for 3e ,'*
and 3rident and a &ood fla&on or two of wine+
( ten lo'der ( lookin& down at is &an& wit is ands on i*s )
9o is wit !e>
,eers and .oistero's noise &reet tis/ Aidondo lea*s a&ilel% fro!
te wall and .e&ins *'sin& is wa% tro'& te tron&$ is &an&
"lose .eind/
G
3e *ala"e ste*s/ ,onan$ in !ail and "'irass$ looks aro'nd at te
orses and !en &atered .elow/ S*%in& Aane$ sat *ro'dl% in er
ar!o'r$ e nods and .e&ins des"endin& te stair/ # retainer .ows
as e *asses and ands i! is *l'!ed el!et/ ,onan takes it
wito't *a'sin& and stra*s it on is ead/ #s e a**roa"es te
.otto! stair anoter retainer leads o't is steed ( a !a&nifi"ent
.la"k stallion/ Fras*in& te saddle *o!!el e swin&s '* into te
leater/ :e reins te orse aro'nd$ s'rve%in& is !o'nted troo*s/
3e% sit !otionless in teir ar!o'r$ lan"es eld aloft ( awaitin& is
"o!!and/ 3e lion .anner fl'tters in te wind/ Fro! te to* of
te *ala"e stair ;'.li's stands$ te wind .lowin& is ro.es/
,8N#N:
( t'rnin& to an offi"er )
0et4s !ove o't/
3e order is rela%ed wit a so't and$ as one$ te "o!*an% t'rns
in for!ation/ 3e *ala"e &ates are *'sed o*en/ 3e% file o't$ a
'ndred !o'nted orse!en/ Beind te! "o!e wa&ons and
s'**lies/
8'tside te &ate te% are &reeted .% te *o*'la"e ( -'.ilant and
"eerin&/ 3e% trow *etals .efore teir orses feet/ 3e infantr%
file in do'.le for!ation/ #t te ead of te "ol'!n ;ros*ero rides
at ,onan4s side/ Beind i! "o!e is retin'e of tirt% Bla"k
Dra&ons$ res*lendent in teir distin"tive ar!o'r/
3e "rowd s'r&es forward$ eld .a"k .% te "it% wat" wit teir
*olear! f's"ards/ ,ries of (
#ll ail te kin&12 (
and (
,onan1 :ail$ ?in& ,onan12 (
( rea" te ears of te orse!en a.ove te -'.ilation/ 3e "rowd
follows te! 'ntil te% ave *assed on o't of te &reat s)'are and
it is left deserted/

G
;i"tland (
# ;i"t r'ns .reatlessl% tro'& a "orridor of trees/ :e is *antin& (
trowin& o""asional &lan"es .eind i!/ 5n one and e "arries a
flint ti**ed s*ear/ :e "o!es into a "learin& s'ddenl% and sto*s/ :e
.arks o't so!etin& in a &'tt'ral ton&'e$ all te wile lookin&
nervo'sl% aro'nd/ 9e see ro"ks and a fallen tree 'nder te "ano*%
of a "lear .l'e sk%/ :e .arks a&ain$ tis ti!e t'!*in& is "est
wit te and tat olds te s*ear/
Slowl% and waril%$ fi&'res e!er&e fro! te sadows$ fro! .eind
te fallen tree and o't of te ollows of te s'rro'ndin& ro"ks/
3e% "o!e slowl% to&eter and a *ri!itive snarled "onversation
ens'es/ 3e ;i"t wo was r'nnin& indi"ates .a"k alon& te trail/
#noter ;i"t *'ses violentl% into te "ir"le and snarls at i!/ 3e
r'nner .a"ks down as te new"o!er fa"es te &ro'*/ :e .e&ins
.arkin& at te!$ wavin& a do'.le eaded stone aCe !ena"in&l%$ in
a *ri!itive sow of do!inan"e/ 3e ;i"ts "ower fro! i! and
"ro'" s'.!issivel%/ S'ddenl% te r'nner s"ree"es o't a warnin&$
s*ear o'ttr'st and *ointin& .a"k alon& te trail/ 3e% look '*/
:orses "ras tro'& te trees and .reak into te "learin&/
#r!o'red !en$ wit swee*in& swords and sields$ lean fro! teir
saddles/ 3e ;i"ts s"atter .'t are "'t down .% te wi"kerin&
.lades or else tra!*led .eneat te iron sod ooves of te orses/
# ;i"t 'rls is aCe/ 5t .o'n"es fro! te el!eted sk'll of a rider
wo falls fro! te saddle/ #noter ;i"t$ wit a owl$ lea*s '*on
te fallen !an/ :is s*ear drives s*linterin& tro'& te &reaves of
is "'irass/ Blood s*'rts/ 3e soldier -erks and lies still/
AealiDin& te% are tra**ed$ te sava&es .e&in a des*erate fi&t for
s'rvival/
#t te foot a ro"k% knoll$ Aane reins er orse sar*l% and lea*s
fro! te saddle/ Se .e&ins "li!.in&$ 'nli!.erin& a .ow as se
&oes/ Aea"in& te s'!!it se kneels$ no"ks an arrow$ draws and
looses ( all in one swift !otion/ # ;i"t4s "r% of tri'!* is "'t
sort$ an arrow tro'& is troat/
;ros*ero weels is "ar&er$ is "'rved sword rea*in& a .lood%
arvest as is !en ra&e in "o!.at all aro'nd i!/ :is teet are
&ritted$ is e%es alive wit te .lood l'st of .attle/ :e slases
down$ s*ittin& a sk'll to te teet/
Aane4s .ow is takin& it4s toll/ 3wo !ore sava&es fall to er
featered safts/
# ;i"t s"ree"es and$ trowin& '* is aCe$ indi"ates er/
Fo'r air% sava&es s*linter fro! te !ain &ro'* and .e&in
"li!.in& te ro"ks/ 8ne &oes down$ an arrow tro'& is "est$
.'t te rest kee* swar!in& toward er/
#t te last !o!ent se "asts down er .ow/ #s te% rea" te
"rest se rea"es over er left so'lder$ &ras*in& te aft of a
sin&le .laded "o**er aCe tied tere/ No sooner is it in er and
tan se is !ovin& forward/
3e first ;i"t "o!es at a r'n/ :e swin&s for er ead wit a flint
tooted war "l'./ 5t wistles tro'& e!*t% air as se d'"ks
.eneat/ Se s*ins and e &oes down fro! a .a"kanded stroke
tat swee*s '* tro'& is ri."a&e and "leaves o't of is "est$
leavin& a "o!et4s trail of .lood in er aCe4s wake/
#r"in& '* on is toes wit an astonised &r'nt$ te sava&e falls/
3e se"ond ;i"t "o!es in ( tr'stin& wit is s*ear/ Se twists
litel% to one side$ "at"in& te aft wit er left and as it &raDes
over er !ail/ Se %anks it toward er$ "o*s down tro'& te
wood ten$ wit a vi"io's .a"k swin&$ severs te ead of te
s*ear!an/ Se %ells in fier"e eC'ltation as .lood fro! te &'sin&
st'!* s*ra%s over er/ Still fo'ntainin&$ te eadless .od% "olla*ses
to te &ro'nd$ twit"in& s*as!odi"all%/
Se ste*s over te "or*se$ "astin& fra&!ents of te .roken s*ear
aside/
3e last ;i"t .a"ks off$ %ellin& a "allen&e/ :e "ro'"es low$
swin&in& a .ola in is ri&t and$ even as e !oves slowl% ro'nd
to en"ir"le er/ Aane$ "o'nterin& wit a %ell of er own$ la'n"es
er aCe/ 5t s*ins tro'& te air$ de!olisin& te sk'll of te ;i"t
into .lood% fra&!ents/ :e falls lifeless/ 3e aft of te aCe leans$
*ointin& at te sk% fro! te r'in of is sattered ead/
:er own fa"e a .lood% streaked !ask$ Aane stands *antin&/ Se
.reates o't dee*l% ten !oves forward/ 9ito't lookin& se
wren"es te aCe fro! te ;i"t4s sk'll wit a s'"kin& *o* and
!oves on down te ro"k fa"e/
3e skir!is is over/
;ros*ero reins '* .efore er$ sakin& s"arlet dro*s fro! is own
fo'led .lade/
;A8S;<A8:
( lookin& satisfied )
3at4s te last of Ee!/
:e "leans is sword on a ra& and sla!s it .a"k into is s"a..ard/
Aane looks o't over te dead as te Bla"k Dra&ons "a'tio'sl%
*i"k teir wa% tro'& te "or*ses/
A#:N<:
( lookin& '* at ;ros*ero )
Jil Heri&>
;ros*ero nods is ead over to one of te Bla"k Dra&ons/ 3e
offi"er looks .a"k and sakes is ead/
;ros*ero si&s$ leanin& on is saddle *o!!el/
;A8S;<A8:
Da!n/ :e4s not ere+ 0et4s o*e %o'r fater ad .etter l'"k/
Aane looks fr'strated/ 3en$ s*%in& so!etin&$ se !oves over to
were a &ro'* of Bla"k Dra&ons are &aterin&/ #s se "o!es over
se sees a ;i"t ( l%in& wo'nded and "aked in .lood/ :e is
des*eratel% tr%in& to stave off te *oints of swords .ein& -a..ed
at i! .% te -eerin& soldiers/ 8ne$ .ored wit te s*ort$ draws
.a"k is .lade to ad!inister te deat .low/ Aea"in& a"ross
Aane "'ffs te sword aside/
A#:N<:
9ait1
( Se looks down at te ;i"t )
:ere is one wo "an lead 's to Jil Heri&+
G
B'DDards weel in te sk%/ 9e look fro! te! to see a villa&e
.elow$ torn in te after!at of .r'tal !assa"re/ Bodies la% in
ea*ed *iles/ Flies swar!/ 3e re!ains of .ra!.le weaved 'ts
s!oke and s!o'lder in te li&t of a lowerin& s'n/ So!e still
stand$ .'rnin& like *%res for te dead/ 0o& walls ave .een torn
down/ #rrows and s*ears tr'st '* tro'& te !an&led ea*s of
te slain/
5n te !idst of tat sla'&ter sits ?in& ,onan6 &ri! and .lood% in
is .la"k and &old e!.ossed ar!o'r$ sat astride is war orse/ :e
s'rve%s te "arna&e$ one &a'ntled fist restin& on te *o!!el of a
war aCe tat leans a"ross is saddle.ow/
3ro'& te s!oke and d'st a rider "o!es '*/ :e is stained$ is
!ail "aked in dried .lood/ :e sal'tes/
,8N#N:
9at news lie'tenant>
05<@3<N#N3:
Notin&$ !% lord/ 5f Jil Heri& was ere ( e4s &one now/ 9e ad
te ele!ent of s'r*rise too/
# raven lands "lose .%/ ,onan wat"es as it o*s over to a *ile of
.odies and *e"ks te e%e.all fro! a "or*se/ 5t s)'awks at i!
.efore takin& fli&t into te .ran"es of a near.% tree/
05<@3<N#N3:
,'rsed ver!in1
:e rea"es for is .ow/
Aeinin& over to i! ,onan "la!*s a and down on is ar!/
,8N#N:
:e is a "ooser of te slain/ # raven of .attle +
:e s)'ints$ "ranin& is ead to stare '* into te tree/ 3e raven
flies off$ landin& so!ewere dee* in te forest .e%ond/ ,onan
tra"ks it4s fli&t/
05<@3<N#N3:
( "onf'sed )
Sire>

,8N#N:
( sakin& is ead )
5t is notin&+ a .ar.arian s'*erstition/
( la'&s ten nods over to te forest )
3ell !e ( wat is .e%ond over tere>
05<@3<N#N3:
# defile ( a valle% of sorts$ sire + 9%>
,8N#N:
J'st a feelin&/ Fater te !en/
G
S'nli&t slants tro'& te .ran"es as !o'nted troo*s file into
te forest/ ,onan leads ( is lie'tenant ridin& .eside i!/
3e% "o!e o't of te trees$ reinin& '* .efore te !o't of a
down "'rvin& valle%/ ,onan$ sadin& is e%es$ s"ans te -'!.led
terrain/ 3e s'n is di**in&/
05<@3<N#N3:
# &ood *la"e for an a!.'s/

,8N#N:
( noddin& )
#nd a &ood *la"e to ide/
Follow stead% ( .'t kee* in loose for!ation/
:e ki"ks is eels and te "ol'!n !oves alon& .eind i!$ in a
s*a"ed o't even line$ into te defile/
9e see walls stee* and .roken$ .'t not ver% i&/
3ere is a "r% on te wind$ te lonel% "r% of a s!all .ird/ ,onan
-erks is ead '*/ 3e "r% is e"oed f'rter '* te valle%/
,8N#N:
( so'ts )
Sield for!ation1 0ook alive do&s1
S'ddenl% te walls er'*t wit life/ Fro! te sadows s*rin& te
;i"ts$ 'rlin& down ro"ks/ Bo'lders$ levered fro! a.ove$ sla!
down te .roken wall fa"e$ "reatin& an avalan"e of s!aller ro"ks
and loose sin&le in teir wake/
:orses rear in *ani"/ 7en s"rea! as te% are .'ried .eneat slides
of r'..le/ D'st ti"kens te air$ !akin& it ard to see/ #rrows
wi"ker$ s*ears rain down/ Sields fro! te orse!en lo"k '*/
,onan$ stra**in& on is own .'"kler$ ki"ks is orse forward/
05<@3<N#N3:
5t4s a tra*1
,8N#N:
Aide1 Before te% "an "'t 's off 1
S*ears and "r'de arrows s*linter on teir '*t'rned sields as$ eads
down$ te% !ake for te end of te *ass/ 3ose .eind follow s'it/
8ters$ snared .% trown .olas and ro"ks$ are set '*on .% ;i"ts
wieldin& aCes and s*ears as te% lea* fro! te walls a.ove/
3'nderin& ro'nd te .end in te *ass$ ,onan sees a seer in"line
leadin& .a"k down into te forest/ =eerin& to te left$ e !akes
for it$ is lie'tenant sli&tl% .eind/
B't .e%ond tat "'rve are ;i"ts ( waitin& wit .ows drawn/
,onan and te lie'tenant !ake it ro'nd -'st as te .owstrin&s
sna*/ ,onan$ t%in& te reins aro'nd is saddle *o!!el$ 'nli!.ers
is war aCe/ :is orse lea*s down te in"line into te forest/ 3oo
late e s*ies te tra*/ # wide "aref'll% d'& tren"/ 7an siDe s*ears
lean ere and tere fro! te *it/ ,onan4s e%es widen/ :oldin& onto
is aCe and sield$ e trows is ar!s wide as is orse &oes
down eadfirst/ 5t s"rea!s as it falls ten te% are down in te
tren"/
Fro! te de*ts ;i"ts rear '* ( aCes$ "l'.s and "r'de sields in
teir ands/ ,onan twists in te saddle as te orse$ fallin&$ ri&ts
itself/ :e swin&s wildl% wit is war aCe$ narrowl% !issin& a
sava&e on is ri&t/ Fro! is left anoter "ar&es in wit a lon&
s*ear and i!*ales is orse tro'& te ne"k/ 3e stallion &oes
down wit a s"rea! and ,onan 'rls i!self fro! te saddle/ :e
lands a!on& te &iant orse stakes leanin& '* fro! te .la"k !'d/
:e rolls$ reelin& '* -'st in ti!e to see is lie'tenant4s orse
"areenin& down te .ank .eind i!$ followed .% a stor! of
wi"kerin& arrows/ Bot orse and rider se*arate and "o!e down
eavil%$ s*lasin& in a *ool of !'dd% water/ Featered wit arrows$
te orse does not !ove/ 3e lie'tenant$ "o'&in&$ &ras*s at te
!'d$ *'llin& i!self alon& and alf o't of te water/ :e tries to
stand ten "olla*ses wit a "o'&in& "'rse$ an arrow tro'& is
ne"k/ Before ,onan "an &et to i! tree ;i"ts s*las over to i!
and .e&in .atterin& i! .a"k into te !'d/ :e str'&&les to rise
a&ain .'t$ 'nder te fero"io's .eatin&$ e sa&s ten lies still$
floatin& fa"e down in te !'rk% red stained water/
<ver%were a si!ilar tide of events is *la%ed o't as riders *l'n&e
'naware into te &iant tra*/ So!e$ s*%in& te *it -'st in ti!e$
"arr% on ro'nd te valle% .end/ 9atever awaits te!$ ,onan "an
not tell$ .'t te des*erate so'nds of str'&&le soon rea"es is ears/
3ose soldiers in te *it$ not i!*aled on te orse stakes$ !eet
fates si!ilar to tose of is lie'tenant/ ,oked s"rea!s &o
'needed as ar!o'red .odies are .attered down into te wet eart/
Fa'ntleted ands$ risen fro! te !ire$ "an not sto* te a!!ered
swin& of stone eaded aCes wielded in air% ands$ nor te tr'sts
of flint ti**ed s*ears/ Blood "on&eals in te *ool/ #r!o'red
"or*ses wallow in te !'d$ dented and streaked wit s"arlet/
# &ro'* of ;i"ts$ s*%in& ,onan$ !ake toward i!/ :e a'ls
i!self o't tro'& te entan&lin& stakes$ !akin& for te o**osite
side of te *it$ ar!o'red .oots s'"kin& in te wet !'d/ :e sli*s
and falls/ Bra"in& i!self on is sield ri! and *antin&$ e trows
i!self '* a&ain$ -'st as a ;i"t rea"es '* to i! fro! .eind/ #
stone aCe "o!es down on is .a"k *late and$ wit a &r'nt$ e
&oes onto is knees/ :e for"es i!self '* as anoter$ l'n&in&
forward$ drives a s*ear into is side/ 3e flint slides off is "'irass
and ,onan swin&s is eav% sield aro'nd/ 3e ;i"t leans .a"k
and ,onan$ off .alan"e$ sta&&ers awa%/ 3e ;i"t wit te aCe
swin&s a&ain$ "at"in& i! a &lan"in& .low on is el!et/
7ore ;i"ts "o!e wadin& tro'& te !'d to -oin te *'rs'it/
,onan$ rea"in& te stee* e!.ank!ent$ tries 'rlin& i!self '* it4s
sides .'t slides down a&ain$ wei&ted .% is ar!o'r/
#&ain te ;i"t wit te aCe$ "lose .eind$ "at"es i! ( tis ti!e a
&lan"in& .low on is so'lder *late/ :e lea*s .a"k .efore ,onan
"an .rin& is own aCe into *la%/ :alf "ro'"in& and *antin&
eavil%$ ,onan stands awaitin& te onsla'&t/ Feet s'"kin& in te
eav% !'d te% fa"e ea" oter ( sweatin& and eCa'sted/
#s one te% "o!e in$ o*in& to dra& i! down .% seer wei&t
of n'!.ers/ ,onan %ells and swin&s is aCe$ "at"in& te
s*ear!an/ :e sears tro'& is ri."a&e and .lood &'ses as if
fro! a .roken %drant/ ,onan wren"es .'t te aCe is lod&ed fast
in te ;i"t4s s*ine/ 3e "or*se sa&s and wallows in te !'d/ :e
releases te aft and &oes down to one knee$ raisin& is sield as
a vi"io's s*ike tooted war "l'. "rases down/ 3e sield rin&s
and .'"kles 'nder te stroke/ 7ore wild .lows rain down and
,onan sta&&ers .a"k as is sield .e&ins to s*linter 'nder te f'r%
of te assa'lt/ # .low fro! a steel aCe finall% tears te to* alf of
te sield awa%$ leavin& a torn -a&&ed rent/ :e t'rns 'nder te
for"e of te i!*a"t/
9it a "r%$ a ;i"t lea*s on is .a"k$ flint knife '*raised/ :e sta.s
down ( a&ain and a&ain$ ai!in& for is -'&'lar/ ,onan$ teet &ritted
and on is knees$ flin&s .a"k is ri&t ar!$ &ra..in& te ;i"t .%
is air/ :e eaves '*ri&t$ sna**in& is ead .a"k/ 3e ;i"t4s
fa"e eC*lodes in a &ore% r'in/ 9it a %ell e ra!s i! .a"k into
te e!.ank!ent$ *innin& i!/ 3en$ wit te -a&&ed re!nants of
is sield over is left ar!$ e sla!s is el.ow .a"k$ drivin& te
rent !etal dee* 'nder te ;i"t4s eart/
#noter ;i"t "o!es at i! fro! te front/ ,onan ki"ks o't and
te ;i"t &oes down$ an iron eel in is &'ts/ ,onan falls to is
knees in te !'d/ 3e ;i"t wieldin& te s*ike tooted "l'. towers
over i!/ :e swin&s te "l'. '* on i&/ :e stares down/
,onan looks '* in a"knowled&ed defeat/ 3en$ s'ddenl%$ e l'n&es
forward ( tearin& '*ward wit te .roken re!ains of is sield/ 3e
;i"t4s e%es widen as it sli"es '* tro'& is a.do!en and ri*s on
tro'& to lod&e dee* in is ri."a&e/ <ntrails and .lood vo!it o't
into te !'d/ :is e%es roll as ,onan$ twistin&$ wren"es te sield
o't a&ain/ :is "or*se dro*s/
<Ca'sted and .loodied$ ,onan falls .a"k/
:e stares at te wild fa"es "losin& in aro'nd i! wito't fear of
deat/ 9it te .roken sield over is ar! e &ives te ;it fi&ters
sal'te/
3e tree re!ainin& ;i"ts &ri* teir wea*ons nervo'sl%/ 3e% tense
( read% to s*rin& '*on i!/ ,onan$ "ro'"in& low$ awaits te deat
&ri*/
3en$ fro! .eind$ "o!es a frenDied so't/ 3e ;i"ts alf t'rn/
8ver teir so'lders te% see a .'ll like !an "ar&in& toward
te!/ :e swin&s a eav% .attle !a"e in two ands/ 9it te first
swee* e o.literates a sava&e4s sk'll$ t'rnin& it to !'s/ 8n te
.a"kswin& e "r'ses te ead of a se"ond/ Blood and !atter
s*atters ever%were/ 3e tird ;i"t .arel% as ti!e to raise is ide
"overed sield/ 9it a !i&t% downward swin&$ te ar!o'red !an
.rin&s te !a"e down/ Sield and ar! .reak to&eter/ #s te ;i"t
falls$ s"rea!in&$ e swin&s te !a"e '*ward$ a!!er like$ and
.rin&s it down a&ain$ dasin& o't is .rains/
3e soldier ste*s .a"k$ a verita.le &iant in is &rieved ar!o'r/ :is
el!et is &one$ a red s"arf wo'nd over is .rows/ ,onan sees tat
e is dark .earded wit sort air and is eavil% !'s"led/ :e
"as'all% tosses te !a"e over one so'lder and offers is and/
S80D5<A:
7% kin&1 3e Bla"k Dra&ons ave arrived/ 3e ;i"ts are s"atterin&/
,onan a'ls i!self '*$ "astin& te sattered sield fro! i!/ :e
stares ard at te soldier ( ten "las*s te and eld .efore i! in
an iron &ri*/ 3e% stand tere .ra"ed ( like &ri! titans fro! te
*ri!ordial dawn/
,8N#N:
9at4s %o'r na!e$ soldier>
S80D5<A:
Fro!!el$ sir/
,onan nods/ :e li!*s forward and$ "ro'"in&$ Fro!!el *'ts is
ead 'nder one ar! and s'**orts i!/ 3o&eter te% !ove off
tro'& te !'dd% tren"$ *i"kin& teir wa% tro'& te dead/
3e% "o!e to te area of te "rossed stakes$ leanin& '* fro! te
eart like &rotes)'e trees/ Beneat te! orses and !en lie
sla'&tered/ @nder a stake$ .earin& te "or*se of an i!*aled
#)'ilonian$ ,onan .ends down and *i"ks '* a fallen sword/ :e
strai&tens/
3o&eter te% stand ( starin& 'nder a reddened sk% at te "aos
and devastation aro'nd te!/
,8N#N:
( !'r!'rin& )
0et 's &et o't of tis *it of deat$ Fro!!el+
Fro!!el nods/ 3o&eter te% .e&in "li!.in& te slo*e$ el*ed .%
vines and te roots of trees/
G
8'tlined a&ainst te settin& s'n we see te silo'ettes of riders$
ear te dr'! orses ooves on ardened &ro'nd/
8n te o'tskirts of te forest ,onan stands$ leanin& wearil% a&ainst
a tree/ Fro!!el "ro'"es near.%/ # "ontin&ent of Bla"k Dra&ons
swee* *ast/ 8ne rider$ re"o&niDin& te kin&$ .reaks off and reins
over/ 3e rest ride on o.livio'sl%/
B0#,? DA#F8N:
7% lord1 Bo'4re alive1 ;raise 7itra1
:e lea*s fro! is saddle and kneels/
,8N#N:
5f %o' need *raise an%one$ *raise Fro!!el ere/ :e saved !%
life+ 9ere4s ;ros*ero ( and !% da'&ter>
#s e talks e walks stiffl% over/ 9ren"in& off is el!et$ e sits
down on a ro"k/
B0#,? DA#F8N:
( standin& )
9en te ;i"ts saw 's "o!in& te% disa**eared into te sadows$
sire/ 9e .ran"ed into two divisions/ ;ros*ero and Aane took te
lower west rid&e/ 3e% ave a "a*tive/
,onan sits wit "in on fist$ a .ooted foot on is el!et/ :e
looks aro'nd/
,8N#N:
5s tis area se"'re>
B0#,? DA#F8N:
;rett% !'"$ sire/

,8N#N:
Food1
( e ra!s is sword *oint first into te &ro'nd .eside i! )
3en !ake "a!* and fet" te wine/
G
Ni&t/ # red !oon wreated in s"'ddin& "lo'ds/ Below ( a wide
swee*in& valle%/ 3all &rass wavers in te .reeDe/ 3ro'& tat &rass
we see fi&'res !ovin&/ 3ere are fo'r Bla"k Dra&ons$ ar!ed wit
swords and sields/ 8ne "arries a no"ked .ow/ 3e "a*tive ;i"t
lo*es alon& $ a knotted ro*e a.o't is troat/ 8't in front we see
Aane and ;ros*ero/ 3e% are !akin& for a rid&e of ro"ks at te
valle%s end/ 8n te "rest of tose ro"ks we see tor"es .'rnin& in
te !o't of a "arved te!*le/ # d'll dr'! tro.s/ #s te% draw
"loser a oarse "ant "an .e eard/ Ste*s$ an"ient and worn$ lead
'* fro! te valle% floor/
3e ;i"t "ro'"es down and$ *'llin& .a"k$ ref'ses to &o an%
f'rter/ 8ne and *'lls on te leas at is troat/ :is e%es are
wide wit fear/ 7ovin& over to i!$ Aane draws er sort sword/
3e ;i"t looks '* at er/ 9ordlessl% se severs te ro*e fro! te
Bla"k Dra&on oldin& it and -erks er ead/ 3e ;i"t !akes off
.a"k tro'& te &rass at a lo*in& r'n/
Se !oves .a"k to "ro'" down .eside ;ros*ero wo is lookin&
'* te "liff fa"e/
;A8S;<A8:
( wis*erin& )
3ere is !adness ere$ Aane/
A#:N<:
3e !adness of Jil Heri&+
;A8S;<A8:
9e "an4t .e s're of tat/ 3is is onl% a re"onnaissan"e (
re!e!.er>
Aane sa%s notin&/ Se !oves forward/ ;ros*ero follows er/
Silentl% te% rea" te stair/ ,ro'"in& low$ te% wait ( listenin&
and wat"in&/ No &'ards "an .e seen/ 3e% .e&in *addin& '*ward$
kee*in& "lose to te wall ( silent as sadows in teir li&t .la"k
ar!o'r/
# ;i"t a**ears a.ove te!/ :e looks o't over te valle%$ a s*ear
restin& "as'all% over one so'lder/
3e "o!*an% freeDe/ Aane looks to ;ros*ero/ :e esitates ten$
t'rnin& is ead$ si&nals to te ar"er/ 3e ar"er leans o't$
drawin& silentl%/ 3ere is a .reat of wind/ 9it a &r'nt te ;i"t
stiffens ten falls fro! te "liff/ ;ros*ero looks at Aane and
sakes is ead/
Ao'ndin& a .end$ te% "o!e '* to te !o't of te te!*le/
5nside (
9e see tor"es !o'nted alon& walls "r'!.lin& wit de"a% and
festooned wit vines/
#t te far end of te te!*le stands a "ra"ked set of ste*s/ #t te
to* of te! is an altar of o.sidian/ 0%in& on it4s s'rfa"e is te
"or*se of a sa"rifi"e/
Before te altar stands te fi&'re of a !an ( ar!s o'ts*read$
"antin& and swa%in& in invo"ation/ :e is naked .'t for a loin
"lot$ is skin &listenin& wit *ainted woad/ :e olds a dri**in&
knife in one "len"ed fist/
Beind te altar is te stat'e of a ser*ent$ "oiled wit ead raised
and -aws a&a*e/ 5t loo!s '* te ei&t of a tall !an$ it4s -ewelled
e%es &litterin& life like in te tor"li&t/
# sa!an$ "ro'"in& .eside te altar$ .eats on a ide "overed
dr'!/
;A8S;<A8:
7itra+
3e% !ove "a'tio'sl% into te te!*le$ wea*ons read%/ Aane$
oldin& a sort sword$ !oves slowl% a"ross te .roken fla&stones/
3e sa!an looks a"ross and$ seein& te!$ sto*s .eatin& te dr'!/
Silen"e des"ends/
3e ;i"t standin& .efore te altar slowl% t'rns/ :e as a low .row
and s)'are flat feat'res/ :is air is .o'nd '* into a to* knot/ :is
e%es are an eni&!ati" .l'e/ :e raises an ar! and *oints at te!/
J:50 H<A5F:
Sa!.alla1 :ai ( Set1
A#:N<:
Jil Heri&+
;ros*ero !otions wit is ar!/ 3e ar"er .eind i! raises is
.ow and looses/ #s e does so te sa!an lea*s fro! te stair$
*la"in& i!self .efore Jil Heri&/ 3e arrow takes i! in te "est
and e sl'!*s forward$ rollin& lifeless down te ste*s/
A#:N<:
Jil Heri&1 ;re*are to die1
Se !oves forward/ Jil Heri& stares dis*assionatel%/ :e "o!es
slowl% down te stair/ Aea"in& te .otto! e re&ards te!$ e%es
.'rnin& stran&el%/ :is li*s write in a twisted s!ile/ 3en slowl%
is e%es roll .a"k/ :e o*ens is !o't in se!.lan"e of a silent
s"rea!/ :e sinks to is knees and trows is ead forward/ Aane$
alf wa% a"ross to i!$ freeDes/ ;ros*ero is "lose .eind er/
Jil Heri&4s -aw widens$ elon&atin& downward/ :is e%e.alls$ rolled
all te wa% .a"k now$ are .lank wite or.s/ So!etin& .'l&es
'nnat'rall% in is troat .efore for"in& it4s wa% '* and o't of is
!o't/
Ste**in& .a"k$ Aane$ ;ros*ero and te Bla"k Dra&ons look on in
orror/
3e wed&e sa*ed ead of a ser*ent a**ears in Jil Heri&4s !o't/
5t for"es itself o't$ flowin& down in sli!%$ 'nd'latin& "oils .efore
flo**in& o't onto te *avin&/
Jil Heri& "olla*ses to te stones/
3e snake swa%s .efore te!$ tastin& te air wit a forked ton&'e
.efore sliterin& off wit in"redi.le s*eed into te sadows/
0%in& on te floor$ Jil Heri& .e&ins to !ove/ :e &roans/ Fettin&
to is knees$ e .e&ins "rawlin& over toward te!/ S*ittle drools
fro! is !o't/ :is e%es are .rown now$ like an% oter ;i"t4s/ :e
looks "onf'sed and fearf'l/ Seein& te soldiers$ e stands/ :e
sta&&ers forward$ ands o'tstret"ed ( &i..erin& wildl% in te ;i"tis
ton&'e/
Aane !oves in/ :er sword wi*s '* and$ wit a *owerf'l tr'st$
slases i! tro'& te eart/ :e stiffens$ te sword standin& o't
fro! .etween is so'lder .lades/ Ste**in& .a"k$ se wren"es er
.lade free/ Jil Heri& falls to is knees and looks slowl% '* at er
( 'n"o!*reendin& as .lood .e&ins to *ool aro'nd i!/
A#:N<:
# )'i"k deat is a !er"% of sorts$ Jil Heri&/
9it a final .low$ se swin&s er .lade down ( severin& is ead/
Se t'rns sar*l% ( lookin& into te sadows/ # si.ilant wis*er
*la%s in er ead/ Be"konin&$ *leadin&$ enti"in&+/ #l!ost wito't
er own violition se !oves forward/ :er sword lowers slowl%$
an&in& down for&otten at er side/ Se is o.livio's to ;ros*ero4s
)'estionin& voi"e .eind er+ Se walks into te sadows+ te%
envelo*e er invitin&l%+/ 3win dia!ond sa*ed e%es .'rn in te
darkness aead of er+ Se stares at te!$ transfiCed/ Still se
ears te si.ilant wis*erin& *la%in& dee* in er "on"io'sness+
3e wed&e sa*ed ead of te ser*ent !oves o't of te darkness$
swa%in& .efore er+ !es!erisin&+ en"antin&+/ Di! tor"li&t
&listens fro! te .la"k "oils +
S'ddenl% ;ros*ero snat"es er aro'nd te waist/ :e twists er
.eind i! even as e lases o't wit is "'rved sword/
3e ser*ent -erks .a"k ( issin& and s*ra%in& veno! fro! "'rved
fan&s/ 9it a s"rea!in& iss it swee*s awa% and is &one tro'& a
"ra"k in te wall/ # trail of .la"k .lood &listens wetl% alon& te
fla&s/
;A8S;<A8:
Sor"er%1 =ile .la"k sor"er%1
3e and tat &ras*s te sword sakes/ :e olds Aane aro'nd te
waist in te "'rve of is left ar!/ :e !oves .a"k wit er as te
Bla"k Dra&ons s'rro'nd te! in sield for!ation/
9en te% are far eno'& awa% Aane "o!es to erself/ Se *'ts
a and to er ead$ s"rewin& er e%es s't as if in *ain/
Se sta&&ers/ ;ros*ero olds onto er ar!/
;A8S;<A8:
#re %o' alri&t>

A#:N<:
7% ead+ '/ 5t s*oke to !e$ ;ros*ero+ it s*oke to !e wit te
voi"e of !% !oter+ 5 was read%+ read% to &o to er+
;A8S;<A8:
,o!e$ let 's &et o't of ere/
( e looks aro'nd )
9e4ll "o!e .a"k and .'rn tis *la"e to te &ro'nd/
G
,onan4s tent/ # wide *avillion$ li&ted .% tor"es on *oles/ 3e
entran"e is o*en/ 3wo Bla"k Dra&ons stand &'ard -'st o'tside/
3e so'nds of orses and !en "an .e eard fro! wito't$ te
&li!*ses of tor"es seen in te darkness .e%ond/
,onan is *o'rin& wine into two &o.lets fro! a *it"er on a ta.le/
:e !oves over wit te! to te "entre of te tent were Fro!!el
is sat leanin& at a lar&er ta.le/ 3ere are s"rolls and !a*s/ ,onan
sits down o**osite i!/ Bot !en are in *lain t'ni"s now/
,8N#N:
5 drink to %o' Fro!!el ( and %o'r ealt/
:e sal'tes i! wit te &o.let ten$ tiltin& .a"k is ead$ takes a
'&e swallow/ @*endin& te rest of te "ontents on te &ro'nd$ e
!akes a "'rio's eaten &est're wit is and over te ri! of te
&o.let ten tosses it to te floor/
Fro!!el$ re"linin& is ead$ drinks/
,8N#N:
Fro!!el+ 3ell !e/ 9ere did %o' learn to fi&t like tat>
FA877<0:
5n te *its ( in te arenas/ 8n"e 5 was a "a!*ion+ of .ot/
,onan nods/
,8N#N:
5$ too$ was on"e a "a!*ion of tose *la"es+ 5 wonder wat
wo'ld ave a**ened ( ad we !et .efore te roar of te "rowd>
FA877<0:
( sr'&&in& )
5 wo'ld ave won/
,8N#N:
( s!iles )
Bo' saved !% life$ Fro!!el+ 5 will not for&et tat/ 9en we
ret'rn to #)'ilonia 5 will !ake %o' "a*tain of te *ala"e &'ard/
3e &o.let freeDes at Fro!!el4s li*s/
FA877<0:
3at+ is a !i&t% ono'r$ sire/
# Bla"k Dra&on a**ears in te doorwa% of te tent/
,onan looks '*/
B0#,? DA#F8N:
( sal'tin& )
Sire$ ;ros*ero and %o'r da'&ter ave ret'rned/
Stiffl%$ ,onan &ets to is feet/ :e walks over to te tent awnin&/
Aiders are a**roa"in&$ .a"k lit in te &lare of te "a!* fires/
First "o!es Aane$ followed .% ;ros*ero$ and ten te rest/ 3e%
are wear% and d'st stained/
,onan stands !otionless as Aane swin&s er !o'nt '* .efore
i!/
Se stares silentl% down at i!/ 3en$ rea"in& .a"k a"ross er
saddle.ow$ se t'rns and olds '* te severed ead of Jil Heri&/
,onan nods/
Se lowers te ead/
A#:N<:
3ere is so!etin& %o' !'st see fater+ 3o!orrow$ wen te s'n
rises/
G
S'nli&t slants in tro'& te "ra"ks of te an"ient te!*le/ ,onan
stands ( 'ns*eakin& at te to* of te "r'!.led ste*s/ :e is starin&
at te stat'e rearin& '* fro! .eind te altar/ :is fa"e is
eC*ressionless/
#ro'nd te te!*le soldiers !ove$ "e"kin& and *eerin& into ever%
nook and "rann%/
;ros*ero "o!es '* .eside ,onan as !en .e&in sear"in& aro'nd
te altar$ .lades drawn/
;A8S;<A8:
( wis*erin& )
3e .odies tat were ere ave &one/ B't$ 5 swear$ watever tat (
tat ( tin& was+ 5 slew it or else !ortall% wo'nded it/
,onan .etra%s no si&n of avin& eard i!/ :e is still starin& at
te stat'e/
# soldier "li!.s '* and stands on te altar/ :e looks '* at te
stat'e and draws o't a knife/
S80D5<A:
5star4s tits1 0ook at tese1
:e rea"es '*$ tr%in& to *rise o't te -ewelled e%es/
,onan ste*s forward and &ra.s i! .% te ar!/ :e *'lls i!
down$ sovin& i! for"ef'll% to one side/
,8N#N:
9e are not ere to loot1 ,arr% on %o'r sear"1
3e soldier s"'rries off/ ,onan t'rns to ;ros*ero/
,8N#N:
No !an is to "arr% an%tin& awa% fro! tis te!*le$ is tat
'nderstood>
;ros*ero nods "'rtl%/
,onan$ lookin& aro'nd$ draws is "loak over is so'lders and
stalks down te ste*s toward te entran"e/
,8N#N:
;re*are to !ove o't/ 9e ride in two o'rs/
G
# do'.le "ol'!n of orse!en files slowl% alon& a d'st% trail/ 3o
eiter side are "liffs$ s'r!o'nted .% trees/ 3ere is little so'nd (
onl% te "reak of leater and arness$ te "lo* of orses ooves$
te "reak of wa&ons/ ,onan rides at te forefront/ :e is in f'll
ar!o'r/ :is eC*ression is do'r/ 8""assional% e lifts a wine skin
to is li*s/ Beind i! ;ros*ero and Aane ride in silen"e/
0ined alon& te "liffs we see ;i"ts ( wo!en$ "ildren and old folk/
3e% stare down at te riders in de-e"ted silen"e/ 0ookin& '*
,onan sees a %o'n& .o%/ 3e .o% stares .a"k at i! fro! 'nder
tan&led lo"ks/ :e is oldin& te and of is !oter/
,onan raises te wine skin a&ain/
3e% *ass te o'tskirts of te still s!o'lderin& villa&e/ #s te
orses "o!e .% we see two soldiers are ere"tin& so!etin& tere/
9en te% are done te% !ove off and !o'nt teir orses/
9e see wat te% ave left .eind/ 3e ead of Jil Heri&
i!*aled on a stake ( is lon& air .lowin& in te .reeDe/
G
3arantia/ Ni&t/ 3e <a&le 3avern tr'!s wit life/ Boistero's and
nois%$ *atrons s*ill o't onto te street/
5nside$ te lar&e roo! is "rowded/ #t a .en" "lose to one wall
sits Baron ?a!.a" in is finer% ( ill at ease a!on& te wild
ri.aldr% aro'nd i!/ :is fo'r .od%&'ards sit wit i!$ !ore
sensi.l% attired$ wit steel sowin& at teir sides/ # sin&le "andle
&'tters on te ta.le/ Drinkin& -a"ks and a near e!*t% *late sow
eviden"e of a re"ent re*aste/
#t te !iddle of te floor a lar&e s*a"e is "leared ( read% for a
!ake sift sta&e/ Baron ?a!.a" looks aro'nd 'n"o!forta.l%/ :e
drinks dee* of is !'& and sets it down$ &ri!a"in&/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
9ere4s tat fool 3't!ekri> 5f e doesn4t sow soon (
Fro! a *illar .eind i! a sadow a**ears$ fallin& over te ta.le/
?a!.a" looks '* sar*l%/ 3't!ekri stands tere$ in a lon&
ooded "loak/ :e draws .a"k is ood and .ows stiffl%/
3:@3:7<?A5:
#*olo&ies for te dela%$ Baron/ 5 tr'st %o' ave not .een ke*t
waitin& lon&/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
N( no not at all 3't!ekri/ ;lease (
( e indi"ates a stool to one side )
( -oin 's/ #le>
( e *i"ks '* a *it"er at is el.ow )'estionin&l% )
#s e sits 3't!ekri olds '* a and and sakes is ead/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
5s a'&t a!iss$ 3't!ekri> Bo' see!+ 'nwell/
3:@3:7<?A5:
# fever/ 5t will soon *ass+ :ave %o' seen Aidondo %et>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
:e kee*s 's waitin& wit "ildis eC*e"tan"e%/ #n% lon&er and 5
fear te ra..le will .reak o't in !indless violen"e/
3't!ekri looks aro'nd te tavern/ :e leans on te ta.le$
.reatin& ard/ :e t'rns to ?a!.a"/
3:@3:7<?A5:
9ait for !e/ 5 will ret'rn sortl%/
:e &ets '* and so'lders tro'& te "rowd$ eadin& toward te
.a"k of te tavern/ 3rowin& aside a dra*e e enters a lon&
"orridor and sl'!*s wearil% a&ainst te wall/ Sweat for!s on is
.row/
# sto"k%$ saven eaded !an in a leater -ekin follows i!
tro'&/ 5n one and e olds a "'d&el/
7#N:
No l'rkin& aro'nd ere$ St%&ian/ 5f %o' want to 'se te wo!en do
so/
3en a&ain ( if 5 know %o' *ans% lot$ it4s not wo!en %o'4re after/
5f it4s %o'n& .o%s %o' want (
3't!ekri !oves fast$ "la!*in& a and vi"e like aro'nd is
troat/ :e dra&s i!$ trowin& i! '* ard a&ainst te o**osite
wall/ 3e !an4s e%es .'l&e in fear and s'r*rise/ :is ton&'e an&s
o't/
3:@3:7<?A5:
5 like !% .o%s as 5 like !% !en/ Str'&&lin& ( and in fear of teir
lives+ So !a%.e later$ !!>
:e trows i! aside and$ "o'&in&$ te to'& sta&&ers awa% ( .a"k
tro'& te dra*es/
3't!ekri !oves off down te "orridor/ Fro! .eind "'rtains "an
.e eard "ries and &r'nts of *leas're/
5n te sadows of an e!*t% al"ove e t'rns$ *'llin& te "'rtain
a"ross/ :e o*ens is -erkin/ # lon& wo'nd$ as fro! te stroke of a
sword$ r'ns down is ri.s/ 5t is fresl% ealed/ 3e newl% for!ed
skin si!!ers faintl% wit re*tilian s"ales/ 3't!ekri &rits is
teet/
3:@3:7<?A5:
For tat$ ;ros*ero$ %o' will *a%/ 7ost dearl%+ and wit %o'r life/
3is+ 5 swear .% Set/
8't on te tavern floor/
Aidondo finall% a**ears/ ,eers &reet i!/ Foa!in& -a"ks are eld
i&/ :e .ows$ takin& '* is l'te/ # !an .eind i! sits "ross
le&&ed on te floor/ Before i! is a ide "overed dr'!/ # &%*s%
wo!an$ in a lon& dress$ stands to is ri&t/ 3e dr'! .e&ins to
.eat ( a sta""ato r%t!/ Aidondo *l'"ks is l'te in a s"ale !elod%
( si!*le$ ro'sin& and )'i"k/ 3e wo!an swa%s in ti!e$ !akin&
e""entri" !otions wit er ands and .od%/
Aidondo .e&ins to sin& ( a ra'"o's .allad/ 3e "rowd sta!* teir
feet$ .an&in& teir drinkin& -a"ks on te ta.les in a**roval/
G
0ater (
# .a"kroo! of te tavern/ # *art% is in f'll swin&/ Naked wo!en
"avort as !en drink and *la% on instr'!ents/
Aidondo re"lines in a s'!*t'o's "air$ la'&in& as e is attended
.% fe!ale ad!irers/ :is followers$ &atered aro'nd i!$ sa!*le
&reedil% of te deli&ts on offer/
Baron ?a!.a" and 3't!ekri a**ear at te doorwa% and
o.serve/ ?a!.a"4s &'ards an& .a"k/ # .i& !an$ wit .rawn%
ar!s$ ste*s '*$ .lo"kin& te entran"e/ :e lifts is ead wit a
"onte!*t'o's sneer/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
7% &ood !an+ tell Aidondo tat Baron ?a!.a" of Ne!edia
wo'ld like to s*eak wit i!/ 3at is+
( e olds o't a *al!f'l of "oins )
+ if it is not too !'" tro'.le/
3e !an sniffs/ Snat"in& te "oins e t'rns and !akes is wa%
tro'& te tron&/ :e "o!es .a"k and waves te! tro'& wit a
tatooed ar!/
?a!.a" and 3't!ekri ed&e teir wa% in/ 3e% "o!e .efore
Aidondo wo$ !erril% dr'nk$ is s*rawled in is trone like "air/
:e looks '*$ re&ardin& Baron ?a!.a"/
A5D8ND8:
9ell$ well ( wat ave we ere> # no.le!an no less/ Did %o'
en-o% te sow>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
( Bowin& and lookin& aro'nd )
Bo'r re*'tation does %o' a s!all -'sti"e$ Aidondo/ # fa.'lo's
*erfor!an"e+ 5 a! Baron ?a!.a" of Ne!edia/
A5D8ND8:
( sittin& '* and s*illin& is &o.let )
Ne!edia$ %o' sa%> 9ell$ !% friend+ to'& %o' .e in &ood
"o!*an% ere$ !a% 5 .e so .old as to en)'ire wat %o' are doin&
in #)'ilonia>
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
7erel% a s!all !atter of visit of state/ 5 a! residin& at te kin&4s
*ala"e/
A5D8ND8:
( Si**in& of is wine )
5ndeed>
( e nods at 3't!ekri )
:e is no :%.orian/ :e as te look of+
3:@3:7<?A5:
( Bowin& )
5 a! 3't!ekri$ &ood sir/ 8n"e of ?e!i ( in St%&ia/ # &reat
ad!irer of %o'rs/
Aidondo la'&s/ :e swin&s is ar!s wide and$ s*lasin& !ore
wine$ so'ts alo'd/
A5D8ND8:
E 3is tr'e1 5 ave te world at !% feet1
( la'&s ten re&ards te! !ore serio'sl% )
,o!e+ let 's .e awa% fro! ere were &entle!en !a%+ dis"'ss
!ore serio's "on"erns/
:e *asses is &o.let to one of is to'&s$ wo trows te "ontents
.a"k &reedil%/ 3e !instrel sta&&ers to is feet/
8'tside (
5n an alle%wa% Aidondo leans .a"k a&ainst a wall$ lookin& '* at
te stars/ :e .reates in/
A5D8ND8:
9i" is te )'i"kest wa% to &et to !% villa in tis "'rsed "it%> 5
"an s*lit te "ost of te fare/
B#A8N ?#7B#,::
5f %o'n& sir wo'ld .e so in"lined$ *era*s e wo'ld "are to travel
wit !e> 5 ave a *alan)'in waitin& o't front of te tavern (
3:@3:7<?A5:
;era*s %o' wo'ld rater travel wit !e$ sir/ 7% "ariot also
awaits at te !ain entran"e/
Bot look to 3't!ekri/
A5D8ND8:
,ariot$ %o' sa%>
( la'&s and$ sta&&erin& over$ "la*s a and on 3't!ekri4s
so'lder and .e&ins walkin& )
3en let 's .e awa% !% St%&ian friend1
#s te% walk$ ?a!.a" looks to 3't!ekri wo s!iles/
3e% "o!e ro'nd to te entran"e/
3't!ekri !otions to a %o'n& !an l'rkin& near .%/
3e !an nods and wistles/
# "ariot swee*s into view$ driven .% an attendant/ :e ste*s down/
3't!ekri .owin&$ !otions for Aidondo to ste* a.oard/
3't!ekri "li!.s '* after i! and takes te reins/ :e leans
down/
3:@3:7<?A5:
9e will see %o' at te villa$ Baron/
A5D8ND8:
#sk for te street of :adri's so'ld %o' &et lost/
?a!.a" .ows and$ si&in&$ walks .a"k to is *alan)'in/
3e "ariot *'lls off/
A5D8ND8:
Bo' intri&'e !e St%&ian+ ,'rse it ( 5 don4t s'**ose %o' ave
an% wine>
3:@3:7<?A5:
( s!ilin&$ rea"es into is ro.e wit one and and *rod'"es a s!all
e.on .oC )
Bla"k lot's>
A5D8ND8:
#aa1
( takes and o*ens te .oC )
3at4s !ore like it1 Now %o' D8 intri&'e !e St%&ian1
3:@3:7<?A5:
( s!ilin& sinisterl% )
Food+ ten 54! s're we ave !'" to dis"'ss/
G
3arantia/
Da% (
,rowds line te aven'e down were file ,onan4s wear%$ .'t
vi"torio's$ troo*s/
,eers are raised and *etals trown$ .'t te wel"o!e is s'.d'ed/
,ries of (
:ail te kin&1 2
and(
J'sti"e1 2
( "an .e eard/ B't for all tat tere is a darker 'nder"'rrent/
#s te% look$ ,onan and ;ros*ero see 'n!oved eC*ressions -'st
.e%ond te "rowd/ 3ere are tose wo stand wit o*en ostilit%
written on teir fa"es/ 8""assional -eers "an .e eard/
7'tterin&s of dis"ontent (
:e led .rave !en to teir deats1 2
3e kin& is a dr'nkard1 2
:e wars on wo!en and "ildren1 2
Sa!e on #)'ilonia1 Sa!e1 2
,onan rides on$ lookin& neiter left nor ri&t/
Beside i!$ ;ros*ero looks an&r%/
;A8S;<A8:
3e *eo*le "'rse and s*it on 's/ 3is is Aidondo4s doin&$ !%
lie&e1 9ile we4ve .een awa%$ aven&in& is "o'ntr%!en$ e4s .een
stirrin& '* te "o!!on folk ( *oisonin& te! a&ainst %o'/ 0et !e
take a deta"!ent of soldiers/ B% 7itra$ 54ll !ake an eCa!*le of
i! in te !ain s)'are1

,8N#N:
Bo' tink tat will el*> 5t will onl% serve to stren&ten is
*'r*ose and *rove to te *eo*le e was ri&t+ For&et it ;ros*ero/
3is will *ass/
3e "ol'!n files on$ down toward te &reat s)'are and te &ates
of te inner "it%/
G
3e *ala"e (
,onan4s st'd%/
,onan sits at a slanted writin& desk$ raised '* on a dais/ :e is
.'s% s"rat"in& wit a eron feater )'ill$ si&nin& *a*ers and
!ovin& te! aside/ Beind i!$ on te wall$ is a '&e !a* on
tanned ide of te :%.orian nations/
Aane enters te st'd% )'ietl%/ Se stands$ dressed in Nordi" finer%/
,onan looks '*$ *a'sin& .riefl%$ ten "ontin'es si&nin&/
A#:N<:
9e are read% to de*art+ wit l'"k we so'ld !ake it to te
Nordei! .orders .efore te i"e !elts and te rivers start to flood/
,onan kee*s writin&/ :e does not look '*/
,8N#N:
;ros*ero will a""o!*an% %o'/ :e as *ersonall% and*i"ked so!e
!en to ride wit i!/
A#:N<:
7% tanks+ Fater+ were %o' ever an&r% at te &ods for takin&
!oter awa%>
,onan sto*s writin&/ :e looks '* a&ain/
,8N#N:
5llness took %o'r !oter fro! 's$ Aane/ Not te &ods/
Se stares at te wine -'& at is el.ow/ 0ookin& .a"k at i! se
nods/ ,onan "ontin'es si&nin& *a*ers/ Aane .ows er ead and
t'rns to leave te roo!/
,8N#N:
Aane+
Se t'rns/ 3e% stare at ea" oter an instant/
A#:N<:
Farewell$ fater+ 7a% it alwa%s .e s*rin& ti!e wit %o'/
Se t'rns a&ain and is &one/
,onan stares after er$ te )'ill froDen in is and/ :e looks to
te wine -'& and$ rea"in& a"ross$ *o'rs a &o.let wit a tre!.lin&
and/ :e drinks/
0ater (
;ro*ero is .'"klin& on is ar!o'r$ wistlin& and ad!irin& is
refle"tion in a lon& !irror/
5t is afternoon/
;A8S;<A8:
Fro!!el will .e !ovin& in to te *ala"e )'arters on"e is
trainin& is "o!*lete+ B't$ for now$ e resides in te o'ter "it%
wit is wife/ 5 tr'st tere will .e no diffi"'lties/ :e is a fine
soldier and &ood wit orders$ .% all a""o'nts/ :owever$ ;'.li's is
not .est *leased+
9e see ,onan$ still at is desk/ :e sits *ro**ed on an el.ow$
leanin& wit is "in on is fist/ 5n te &ri* of is o'tstret"ed
ri&t and is a &o.let/
,8N#N:
;'.li's is never *leased/
;A8S;<A8:
( la'&s )
3e onl% re"o!!endations e !akes are !en of no.le .irt wit
no for!al eC*erien"e/ 5 told i! tat ( tis is a soldier4s *osition/
,8N#N:
;ros*ero/ 5 ave .een !eanin& to ask/ 9at do %o' know of +
Helata>
;ros*ero$ *olisin& is &rieved .oot *late$ *a'ses/ :e looks '* and
sr'&s/
;A8S;<A8:
Se is an old le&end ( a !%t/ # &oddess of te "o!!on folk (
foresters and far!ers !ostl%/ 5n te old da%s$ .efore #)'ilonia rose
to *ower$ se was a *owerf'l deit% ere a.o'ts+ Se r'led te
woodlands and te &lades/ So!e sa% tat se s'"kled at er .reast
te eroes wo fo'nded o'r nation+ and tat we ave a.andoned
er/
,8N#N:
9% a.andoned>
;A8S;<A8:
( si&s )
9it #)'ilonia4s as"ension$ 7itra took *la"e over all te *a&an
deities in te west/ 3e% .'ilt teir srines and te!*les on te
sa"red sites of te old &ods and .anised te! awa%/
<ven tis was foretold ( tat er srines wo'ld .e "ast down .'t
tat one da% se wo'ld ret'rn/
,8N#N:
:ow so>
;A8S;<A8:
3e le&ends sa% se will a**ear .efore a kin&+ # kin& wo was
on"e a "o!!on !an/ Se will a**ear .efore i! and warn i!
tat a &reat "an&e is "o!in& and tat te &ods ave "o!e to
re"lai! is kin&do!s/
,8N#N:
9at ten>
;A8S;<A8:
9ar$ !% lie&e/ 9ar as te world as never seen+
9ell$ 5 !'stn4t kee* er i&ness ( %o'r da'&ter$ waitin&+ #n%
word to ?in& Sie&vald>
,8N#N:
8nl% tat to take &ood "are of !% da'&ter and 5 will see i!
.efore te neCt winter season/
;A8S;<A8:
( .owin& and t'rnin& to leave )
=er% &ood !% lord/
,8N#N:
#nd ;ros*ero+
;A8S;<A8:
7% lord>
,8N#N:
7ake s're an% kisses %o' ave for tose Nordei! &irls are -'st
for %o'rself+ 5 don4t want a national in"ident on !% ands/
;A8S;<A8:
( sal'tes and &rins )
Bo' ave onl% .'t to "o!!and$ sire/
:e t'rns and eCits$ "losin& te door/ ,onan4s s!ile follows i!
o't of te roo!/
#s te door "loses tat s!ile fades/ :e si&s wearil%/ :e sl'!*s
in te "air$ lookin& at is refle"tion in te .rass wine -'& at is
el.ow/ :e rea"es for it and freeDes ( and o'tstret"ed/ :e
&ri!a"es ten stands and$ wit a %ell$ 'rls te -'& fro! i!/ 5t
"latters$ s*illin& wine a"ross te roo!/
Ni&t (
,onan la%s s*rawled at is desk$ aslee*/ 3wo servants enter te
roo! and .e&in li&tin& ta*ers/ Seein& ,onan$ te% look to ea"
oter/ 8ne &irl sakes er ead/ 3e oter sr'&s and$ )'ietl%$ te%
witdraw/
,onan snores on/ :e drea!s+
3ro'& a filter of twili&t &re% we see te raDed ;i"tis villa&e/ #
raven s)'awks and "o!es down$ *e"kin& at te &ro'nd/ 5t fa"es
toward i! wit ooded e%es and .eak .efore takin& fli&t a&ain/
5n te distan"e we see a lon& *ole driven into te &ro'nd/ 9e draw
"loser 'ntil we !ake o't te feat'res of Jil Heri&4s severed ead
restin& tere/ Flies .'DD aro'nd it$ !a&&ots &naw in te rottin&
fles/ 3e e%elids are droo*ed down$ te !o't sa&s/ 3en s'ddenl%
tose e%es o*en$ starin& at i! wit dia!ond .l'e ardness/ 3e
!o't o*ens and s"rea!s+
,onan wakes wit a start/ :e &ri*s te ta.le and looks aro'nd/
,'rsin& 'nder is .reat$ e r'ns a and tro'& &re%in& lo"ks/
:e *i"ks '* te *a*ers e as si&ned$ rolls te! and ties te!
wit a ri..on/ Fettin& stiffl% to is feet e !oves over to a self
and *la"es te! tere/ #s e does so e esitates/
5n te d'st$ in one "orner of te self$ e s*ies a '&e iron ke%/
:e *i"ks it '*$ starin& to'&tf'll% at it in is and a !o!ent/ :e
looks slowl% a"ross te roo! toward is refle"tion in te !irror/
:e sees a !an standin& tere6 &re%in&$ .earded$ overwei&t and
tired/
:e looks .a"k at te ke% and "len"es it ard in is fist/
G
,onan is walkin& down a *ala"e "orridor/ 5t is )'iet/ :e "o!es to
a "'rtain and draws it aside/ 9e see tere is a door set in te
wall/ :e looks '* and down te "orridor/ 9it a s!all ke%$
*ro"'red fro! is t'ni"$ e 'nlo"ks it/ 3en$ takin& down a near.%
tor"$ e ste*s in/
# narrow set of ste*s lead down6 windin& .e%ond te fli"kerin&
fla!es of is tor"$ into darkness/ Silentl%$ ,onan "loses te door
and !oves down te stair/ :is tor" "asts fantasti" sadows over
te walls as e des"ends/ 5t see!s e as walked for an eternit%
'ntil$ at last$ e sets foot on fla&&ed stone a&ain/
Fro*in& alon& te wall$ e li&ts two tor"es .ra"keted to eiter
side/ 3en$ wit is own tor" eld i&$ e "ranes is ead
forward/
:e is lookin& at an iron .ra"ed oak door stood .efore i!/ :e
lifts te '&e iron ke% and t'rns it in te lo"k/ 3ere is a "la"k of
t'!.lers and$ esitantl%$ e eaves wit one so'lder/ 3e door
&roans inward/ :e ste*s in$ te tor" *la%in& over te ea*ed
treas'res of is kin&do!/ 3e li&t fli"kers over !o'nds of !inted
"oins$ .ronDe sields and te wealt of e!*ires/ B't e as no e%e
for tese/ :e is lookin& at te sadow dra*ed walls .e%ond$ starin&
into te darkened s*a"es as e walks/ 3en$ finall%$ e "o!es to
te far end of te va'lt and$ oldin& is tor" i&$ looks '*/ 5t
fli"kers over so!etin& on te wall$ an&in& wreated in te
sadows/ 9e see te &lea! of reddened steel$ te swee*in& "'rve
of .ronDe lan&ets$ te intri"ate "arvin&s of a "ross &'ard and$
finall%$ te r'nes et"ed .% a for&otten art into te .lade itself ( of
te an"ient #tlantean sword/
5t an&s on te wall$ eld .% iron rivets driven into te stone/
,onan .ra"kets te tor" .eside it and$ rea"in& '*$ takes te ilt
in one and/ :e lifts it down slowl%$ feelin& it4s wei&t$ starin& at
te r'nes and at te steel si!!erin& in te li&t/ :e olds te
.lade '* .efore i! and$ as e does$ e re!e!.ers+
Fe'ds and lon& for&otten .attles *la% a swee*in& *anora!a a"ross
is !ind4s e%e+
9e see i! in te !'d of a field workers villa&e$ standin& in te
slantin& rain$ te #tlantean sword eld in one and/ :ead lowered$
e fa"es tree .andits wit drawn "'rved .lades/ ;easants in straw
ats "ower on teir knees in te !'d or *eer fro! te selter of
tat"ed 'ts/ # .andit so'ts so!etin& in an eastern ton&'e and$
as one$ te% "ar&e toward i!/ ,onan see!s to .arel% !ove as
te .lades wi"ker and "las aro'nd i!/ :e ste*s o't fro! a!on&
te! and freeDes ( is sword eld *ointin& o't and dri**in& darkl%
.efore i! in two ands/ 5n te .a"k&ro'nd$ is assailants "r'!*le
to te &ro'nd$ slased tro'& .% tree fast !ovin& strokes/
Snat"in& a ra& fro! is .elt$ e "leanses te .lade and$ wito't
lookin&$ seats it in a sin&le fl'id !otion/ 3'rnin& to one side$ e
looks .a"k ( s'rve%in& is andiwork+
3e s"ene dissolves to (
:orses t'nderin& a"ross a war torn *lain/ ,onan$ in !ail and
el!$ leans low fro! te saddle ( swee*in& a s*iked el!et fro!
it4s so'lders wit is sword/ # "astle .'rns in te .a"k&ro'nd/
3attered standards sna* 'nder a s!oke filled sk%+
3e s"ene dissolves to (
,onan standin& in is ar!o'r and leanin& on te #tlantean sword
.efore te trone of #)'ilonia/ Beind i! kneel troo*s of te
Bla"k Dra&ons/ 3e *eo*le of te "o'rt are ailin& te!/ 8n te
trone is ?in& N'!ed6 a fat !an dressed in an i!*erial to&a/ Fold
d'st and *etals sower down on te ar!o'red warriors/
3e kin& s!iles .'t is e%es are "old/
,'t to (
,onan kneelin& naked and .loodstained in te !'d$ a eav% lo&
tied wit "ains and wei&ted down over is so'lders/ Aain
lases down/ :e is in te "o!*o'nds of a fort/ 8ver i!$
seltered .% slaves oldin& *arasols$ stands ?in& N'!ed dressed in
i!*erial ro.es/ @*on is ead is te -ewelled "rown of #)'ilonia/
:e sneers at ,onan ten s*its down on i! in dis&'st/ #n
effe!inate .o% &i&&les/
,'t to (
7en "las .efore te *ala"e of 3arantia/ #Ces a!!er at te torn
doors of te trone roo!/ ;ikes and swords "ras a&ainst !ail and
sield/ #r!o'red .odies are tra!*led in te *ress/ 3e lion .anner
raises as te ser*ent .anner of te old d%nast% swa%s and falls/
,'t to (
3e de*osed kin& sl'!*s forward to a !ar.led floor$ is e%es
fiCed in deat/
#.ove i! stands ,onan$ is ar!s s*read wide in vi"tor%$ te
-ewelled "rown of #)'ilonia &ras*ed in one .loodied and/ #ro'nd
i! steel .earin& fists are raised in t'ndero's sal'te+/
3e s"enes fade+
# wind s*rin&s '* in te "orridor .eind i!$ do'sin& te tor"es/
,onan looks .a"k at te sword and .ows is ead to te .lade in
te warrior4s sal'te
<ND 8F #,3 1/
G
#,3 55
3arantia/ 3e arena/
#t te "entre of te sands stand a line of !en/ 3e% are dressed
in te &ar. of "arioteers/ 3e% wear worn leaters and old
el!ets 'nder teir ar!s/ Beind te! are teir sin&le orse
"ariots/ #ttendants stand wit te orses/ 3e "arioteers are
&atered at te .ase of a stat'e of so!e lon& for&otten ero
oldin& aloft s*ear and sield/ Before te! stands a '&e *owerf'l
fi&'re/ :e is wearin& a t'ni" and sandals/ :e is not *leased/ :e is
Br'nna ( fro! F'nderland$ a nortern *rovin"e of #)'ilonia/ :e
walks '* and down te line/
BA@NN#:
=ari's ( %o' still lean too far to te left wen %o' "o!e o't into
te straits/ 5n a tr'e ra"e tis "o'ld *rove fatal/ Bo'r e%esi&t is
.ein& restri"ted .% %o'r visor/ 5 want %o' to tr% 'sin& anoter
el!et for te neCt session/
# !an nods and stands .a"k in line to attention/
BA@NN#:
Fars'l1 No !ore dirt% tri"ks1 # st'nt like tat "o'ld *'t a !an4s
life in dan&er1 No one in !% "a!* &oes into te arena avin&
learned tose te"ni)'es fro! !e/ @nderstand> Bo' are fined 20
talents+ :ar's ( !ake a note/
# s"ri.e .eind i! s"ri..les on a *ar"!ent/
# "arioteer trows is ar!s '* in des*air and$ sakin& is ead$
.e&ins to re!onstrate/
F#AS@0:
B't (
BA@NN#:
20 talents1 #n% !ore$ Fars'l$ and %o' forfeit te &a!es/ 5s tat
"lear>
F#AS@0:
( Bowin& is ead )
Bes sir/
BA@NN#:
( Sto**in& .efore te! ( ands "las*ed .eind is .a"k wit le&s
.ra"ed wide )
Food/ 8verall an i!*rove!ent/ B't tere is still !'" to .e done
.efore te &a!es+ For now ( dis!issed/
3e "arioteers$ sal'tin&$ t'rn and !ar" a"ross te sands/ 3e
attendants$ takin& "ar&e of te "ariots$ 'nit" te! fro! te
orses and roll te! awa%/
Br'nna$ t'rnin& to wat" te! leave$ sees a retin'e a**roa"in&
fro! te "o!*o'nd &ates/ 5t is ?in& ,onan wit Fro!!el and two
Bla"k Dra&ons/
Br'nna awaits te!$ still standin& at te .ase of te stat'e/
,8N#N:
( :oldin& o't is and as e "o!es '* )
Br'nna1
3e% "las* ands and e!.ra"e/
BA@NN#:
9ell$ tis is a s'r*rise+ #! 5 .eind on !% taCes>
,8N#N:
Bo' !ean %o'4re *a%in& te!>
( 3'rnin& e indi"ates Fro!!el$ standin& .eind i! )
,o!e$ 5 want %o' to !eet !% new "a*tain of te *ala"e &'ard+
Fro!!el ( tis is Br'nna/
BA@NN#:
( Noddin& )
Bes$ 5 ad eard a.o't %o'r+ fora% into ;i"tland$ !% lie&e/ 9ell
!et$ Fro!!el/
3e% &ri* ands/
,8N#N:
( 3o Fro!!el )
9en 5 .e"a!e kin& 5 &ave Br'nna$ ere$ !% -o. as "o!!ander
of te #)'ilonian ar!%/ So!e *eo*le didn4t noti"e te "an&e/ 54ll
ad!it e did a &ood -o. i!*ersonatin& !% softer side tere for a
wile/
BA@NN#:
( Sar"asti"all% )
B't tere will onl% ever .e one ,onan$ to'&$ ri&t>
,8N#N:
3at4s ri&t/ Bo' were te .est da!n "arioteer in te arena
to'&/ 5 !ade a s!all fort'ne on %o' in te old da%s/
BA@NN#:
3ose were &ood ti!es/ 9e lived well and *la%ed ard/ Now+
( looks at is ands )
+ te s*irit is willin& ( .'t te fles+ not so !'"/
,8N#N:
( Sla**in& a and on is so'lder )
Bo' were a fine soldier$ Br'nna/ #nd a &reat ra"in& "a!*ion/
( looks aro'nd te e!*t% stands of te arena )
Now %o' train new eroes for #)'ilonia/
( Nods and looks '* at te &reat stat'e )
Bo' ave done !an% &reat tin&s/
BA@NN#:
So+ wat "an 5 do for %o' old friend>
,onan looks aro'nd at is &'ards/
,8N#N:
,o!e$ let 's walk/
3e% !ove off to&eter/ 9en te% are far eno'& awa%$ ,onan
s*eaks/
,8N#N:
5 want %o' to retrain !e$ Br'nna/ 5 need to &et so!etin& .a"k of
!% old self/
BA@NN#:
:ow do %o' !ean>
,8N#N:
Bo' still train/ 9it swords and orses$ 5 !ean/ 5 need so!eone
!% own a&e ( to el* !e &et .a"k into tat dis"i*line a&ain/
Br'nna sto*s and t'rns/
BA@NN#:
For wat *'r*ose>
,8N#N:
5 don4t know ow to sa% tis+ ;'.li's was ri&t/ 54! not a %o'n&
!an/ 8't on te .attlefield 5 !ade errors/ <rrors 5 wo'ld not ave
!ade 20 %ears a&o+ 5 &ot !en killed$ Br'nna/ 5 ver% nearl% &ot
killed !%self/ 5 feel old in "o!.at/ 0ike an old do& read% to -'st
&ive in and die/
BA@NN#:
B't %o'4re kin&/ 0eave te real fi&tin& to te %o'n&er !en/ Aide
%o'r orse$ wave %o'r sword$ .'t ( in 7itra4s na!e$ !an ( live
%o'r life1 5 retired fro! te ar!% nearl% ten %ears a&o/ Bo' tink 5
was en-o%in& it> #ll tat toil and sweat and &rind ( "o!*etin&
a&ainst !en alf !% a&e> 3ake !% advise old friend ( s"rew %o'r
wo!en$ drink %o'r wine and .e "ontent/
,8N#N:
( Sakin& is ead )
5t4s not eno'&$ Br'nna/ Besides$ it4s !ore tan tat+ not -'st te
vanit% of so!e old !an !o'rnin& is lost %o't/ No+ 3ere4s
so!etin& "o!in&+ 5 don4t know wat ( .'t so!etin& .i&/ 0ike as
a "ild wen 5 sensed a *anter idin& in te ills$ or a wolf
l'rkin& in te &lade/ 5 didn4t &et to were 5 a! .% i&norin&
warnin&s like tose$ Br'nna/ 5 need to .e *re*ared/
BA@NN#:
Bo' s*eak of o!ens+
,8N#N:
( Sr'&&in& )
5f %o' will/ Bo'4re a .ar.arian ( like !e/ ,ivilliDed !en$ te% don4t
'nderstand te nat're of tin&s as we do/ 3e% ave .'ilt teir
walls and for&otten ( or else are afraid/ B't 5 ave not for&otten$
Br'nna ( and 5 a! not afraid+ So ( 5 a! askin& for %o'r el*/
3e% stand fa"in& ea" oter in silen"e/
Br'nna *'ts is and on is i*s/
BA@NN#:
5 to'&t 5 was awa% fro! all tis+ te ar!%$ *oliti"s+ 9% else
do %o' tink 5 !oved to te o'tskirts>
( Si&s )
7eet !e at !% villa/ 3o!orrow !ornin&+ 9e will see if te lion
still as is fan&s ( or not/
,8N#N:
( Frins )
Bo' ave !% tanks$ Br'nna/
Br'nna nods and$ t'rnin&$ walks .a"k a"ross te sands/
G
Aidondo4s villa/ 7ornin&/
5n a lar&e saded "a!.er we see Aidondo/ :e is l%in& naked on
is .ed ato* a *ile of diseveled seets/ # wine -'& la%s .roken
on te floor/ Froanin&$ e rolls over ( -'st as a servant in a lon&
t'ni" *ads softl% into te roo!/
S<A=#N3:
( standin& and .owin& fro! te doorwa%)
7aster+ are %o' awake>
A5D8ND8:
( "'rsin& 'nder is .reat)
3rell's1 9at do %o' want> 9at o'r is it>
3A<00@S:
3't!ekri is ere to see %o'$ !aster/
A5D8ND8:
( <%elids fli"kerin& o*en)
3't!ekri> 7itra4s na!e1 5s it evenin& alread%> :ow lon& ave 5
sle*t>
3A<00@S:
Na%$ !aster it is onl% !ornin&+ :e awaits wito't in te &'est
all/ :e+ as so!e !en wit i!/
A5D8ND8:
7en %o' sa%> 9at !en> Fet" !% ro.es/
G
F'll% ro.ed now and followed .% 3rell's$ Aidondo "o!es into is
&'est "a!.er/ # lar&e ta.le do!inates te roo!/ #t te entran"e
Aidondo sto*s sort/ 9e see tree !en seated at te ta.le/ #noter
sits "as'all% on to* of it ( a s"ar fa"ed$ evil lookin& to'&$ ar!s
folded over is "est/ Before te! stands 3't!ekri$ ands
"las*ed .eind is .a"k/
5!*osed .% te si&t Aidondo "lears is troat/
A5D8ND8:
3't!ekri/ 3o wat do 5 owe te *leas're> 5 ave .arel%
re"overed fro! last ni&t4s es"a*ades/
3:@3:7<?A5:
( 5n"linin& is ead)
Food Aidondo/ 5 "rave *ardon for so earl% an intr'sion/ 5 to'&t
%o' !i&t .e interested in so!e develo*!ents/
A5D8ND8:
Develo*!ents> For&ive !e 3't!ekri$ 5 do not 'nderstand+
3:@3:7<?A5:
( 7ovin& "loser )
Bid %o'r servant fet" wine and water/ 5 wo'ld introd'"e %o' to
so!e friends of !ine/
9it an i!*atient &est're$ Aidondo sends 3rell's awa%/ 9en e
as left$ 3't!ekri t'rns$ indi"atin& te !en .eind i! wit an
o'tstret"ed ar!/
3:@3:7<?A5:
5 a! s're so!e of tese !en are fa!iliar to %o'/ 3is (
( e indi"ates a .'rl%$ .earded $ eav% set !an wit a s"ar r'nnin&
down one side of is fa"e )
( is Feneral Borak/ 8ne ti!e &eneral in #)'ilonia4s ar!%/
#nd tis (
( e ste*s .a"k a little to introd'"e a lean and %o'n&$ was*is
!an wit "r'el feat'res )
( is Fari's$ ne*ew and dire"t des"endant of ?in& N'!ed i!self/
( e nods to te to'& sittin& "as'all% *er"ed on te ta.le ed&e/
:e is s"arred and tattooed$ evil lookin& wit lon& dark air and a
droo*in& !o'sta"e)
( #nd tis is =alto+/ fro! Hin&ara/
A5D8ND8:
5 a! a")'ainted wit two of te! well eno'&/ 9ell eno'& to
know te !erest *resen"e of te! in !% o'se is a treasono's a"t
*'nisa.le .% deat+ 3e tird (
( e looks at =alto )
( well$ let 's -'st sa% is ver% a**earan"e .etra%s wat line of
work e is in/ # ro&'es &aterin&$ 3't!ekri/ Bo' will for&ive !e
if !% wel"o!e is a little s'.d'ed and !% "o!*leCion a little *aler
tan 's'al/
3't!ekri$ !ovin& "loser$ rea"es inside is ro.es wit one and/
9en e .rin&s it o't a&ain Aidondo sees e olds te s!all e.on
.oC/
3:@3:7<?A5:
# little lot's> 3o take te ed&e off te ni&t4s +fora%s>
Seein& te "ontents$ Aidondo .e&ins to sweat/ :e li"ks dr% li*s/
9it tre!.lin& and e rea"es in and takes a leaf/
A5D8ND8:
;era*s + J'st a little$ to take te ed&e off/
:e *la"es te leaf on is ton&'e and "loses is !o't/ :is .od%
visi.l% relaCes/
3't!ekri$ s!ilin&$ sna*s te .oC s't/ ;'ttin& a and on is
so'lder$ e &'ides i! over to te ta.le/
=alto !oves off and .e&ins *a"in& te roo!$ a.sentl% to%in& wit
a seated da&&er/
#s Aidondo sits$ 3rell's enters te "a!.er$ .earin& a tra% wit
-'&s and "'*s/ :e *la"es it .efore te! and *o'rs/ 9en e is
done e .ows and de*arts/
3:@3:7<?A5:
# "o!forta.le a.ode$ Aidondo/ B't %o' deserve .etter/
A5D8ND8:
Bo' flatter/ 5 re"all no "o!*laint fro! %o' d'rin& te last !ont4s
de.a'"/
3:@3:7<?A5:
( liftin& a "'* and si**in& )
Bo' wron& !e$ Aidondo$ as ever/ 5 !ean onl% tat a !an of %o'r
talents$ wit %o'r vision$ deserves !ore/ 5 ave seen too !an%
!en fail in life$ "ontent wit teir lot/ Fallin& sort of teir tr'e
*otential d'e to la"k of a!.ition/
A5D8ND8:
Aeall%$ 3't!ekri> #nd ow do %o' s'**ose one of !% !ea&er
!eans elevates i!self >
Aidondo is lookin& s's*i"io'sl% at =alto as e stalks te "a!.er$
ins*e"tin& te *lants and lookin& at te dK"or$ as if .ored wit te
*ro"eedin&s/
B8A#?:
9e4ll &et to te *oint$ !instrel/ 9e4re &oin& to take .a"k te
kin&do! and we want %o' to .e te voi"e of te *eo*le/
Aidondo sits .a"k in st'nned silen"e/ :e looks slowl% aro'nd i!
ten la'&s/
A5D8ND8:
Aeall%>
B8A#?:
( leanin& a"ross te ta.le )
Bes/ Aeall%/
3:@3:7<?A5:
3ese eCiled !en are .'t te s*ark of a ra&in& te!*est soon to .e
swee*in& tro'&o't te land/ 3e old d%nast% is still !issed/
Fari's$ ere$ "lai!s dire"t des"ent and linea&e to te trone/ 9e
will !ake i! kin&/ SeiDin& #)'ilonia will -'st .e te start/
A5D8ND8:
Bo'4re !ad/ Bo' ave no ar!%$ no !iltia$ no !i&t/ 9at ( %o'
eC*e"t ,onan to -'st la% down is ar!s and ride off into te ni&t
at te si&t of a few old &osts>
F#A5@S:
( stee* lin& is fin&ers )
,onan4s+ reno'n"in& of is d'ties as !onar" are .ein& set in
!otion as we s*eak/
B8A#?:
:e was a fool to let 's live and$ .% 7itra$ it is a de"ision 5 will
live to see i! re&ret/
A5D8ND8:
Bes$ tat *'DDles !e/ 9% did e let %o' live>
F#A5@S:
,onan is no fool/ :e is a 's'r*er/ 9en e first "a!e to *ower
e needed to kee* favo'r wit tose in !inisterial &overn!ent$
!an% of wo! "o'nted .ot !%self and Borak as friends/
A5D8ND8:
5 see+ #nd 3't!ekri$ wat is %o'r interest in tis> 5$ at first$
to'&t %o' a s*% for te Ne!edians$ like ?a!.a"/ B't 5 know$
'lti!atel%$ s'" tin&s are .eneat %o'/ S*eakin& of ?a!.a" (
were is e> 5 to'&t e $ at least$ wo'ld .e ere/
3:@3:7<?A5:
?a!.a"4s servi"es are nearl% at end$ to'& e as one last
*ivotal role to *la% for 's .efore e de*arts/
#s for !%self+
( e in"lines is ead )
+ let 's -'st sa%$ 5 work to serve a i&er *'r*ose/
Borak$ siftin& 'n"o!forta.l%$ drinks fro! one of te &o.lets/
B8A#?:
9e ave *lans of o'r own/
F#A5@S:
#%e/ 3e fo'ndations are .ein& laid/ 3e downfall of te .ar.arian
is ni&/ 9e await onl% te ri&t !o!ent to strike/
A5D8ND8:
( Fen'inel% s'r*rised$ if war% )
8> #nd ow so>
F#A5@S:
( Frinnin& )
Bo'$ %o'rself$ Aidondo ave *la%ed a &reat *art in *avin& te wa%
( .% ro'sin& te "o!!on folk/ 5t was we wo or&aniDed rallies
a&ainst te kin& '*on is ret'rn fro! ;i"tland and wo la'ded
%o'r son&s+ 3e *eo*le love %o'$ Aidondo/
A5D8ND8:
3e *eo*le are fools/ 3e% loved ,onan too$ on"e ( wen te%
ailed i! as li.erator/
F#A5@S:
( 0eanin& forward )
Bo' ave *ower$ Aidondo1 5n %o'r words$ in %o'r son&s1 @se te!
and -oin "a'se wit 's/ Be"o!e &reat and %o'r na!e will live on
in te annals of istor% wen all kin&s are for&otten d'st/
A5D8ND8:
( Si*s slowl% fro! is &o.let )
5t is te drea!+
B8A#?:
3ere is a !an of ,onan4s+ Fro!!el/ :e as .'t re"entl% .een
!ade "a*tain of is *ersonal .od%&'ard/ Fort'ne indeed favo'rs 's/
5nfor!ation as .'t newl% rea"ed !e/ 5t see!s Fro!!el as .een
lon& wanted in ,orintia for te !'rder of a wealt% !er"ant at
te &a!in& ta.les/ 3is is te lever we ave .een waitin& for/ 5f
we "an &et to Fro!!el ( and we will ( ten te rest will fall into
*la"e/
A5D8ND8:
:ow> 3ere is no de*osin& tat old lion/ :e will not &o )'ietl%
into te dark/ Na%$ 5 fear !e tat #)'ilonia will drown in .lood
lon& .efore e relin)'ises &ri* of te trone/
F#A5@S:
3at is w% ( alone in is "a!.ers at ni&t ( te kin& !'st die1
A5D8ND8:
( Sakin& is ead )
Bo' "annot o*e to win tro'& te Bla"k Dra&ons$ is !ost
tr'sted &'ard/
B8A#?:
9it Fro!!el we won4t need to/ Fort'ne favo'rs te .rave$
!instrel/ 5$ !%self$ will ad!inister te deat .low tat will send
te .ar.arian owlin& into te dark/
F#A5@S:
#nd %o' are for&ettin& one tin&$ Aidondo/ 9e ave 3't!ekri at
o'r side/ # !ost val'ed all%$ wose knowled&e and *ower is
.e%ond tat of oter !en+
Aidondo looks a"ross to 3't!ekri wo sits *oised$ strokin& is
"in$ a alf s!ile *la%in& on is li*s/ 3e -ewelled e%es of te
ser*ent rin&$ "oiled on is fin&er$ &li!!er as wit a life all teir
own/
F#A5@S:
#re %o' wit 's$ Aidondo>
Aidondo looks aro'nd te fa"es .efore i!/ Fear$ and so!etin& of
eC"ite!ent$ are !irrored in is e%es/ :e tre!.les$ sweat for!in& on
is .row/ Borak$ drawin& a *oniard fro! is &irdle la%s it &entl%
on te ta.le .efore i!/ 3e !instrel stares at it intentl%/ 3ere is
a s'.d'ed silen"e/ 3't!ekri$ li&tin& a "andle$ !oves it in it4s
older$ a"ross into te !iddle of te ta.le/
A5D8ND8:
( 0i"kin& is li*s feverisl% )
#%e1 54! in/ For &lor% ( or deat1
:e la'&s and$ snat"in& '* te knife slits dia&onall% a"ross is
left and ten la%s te .lade down/ Fari's *i"ks it '* neCt and
does te sa!e/ #fter i!$ Borak$ ten$ finall%$ 3't!ekri/
=alto stands .a"k$ wat"in& distra"tedl%6 as if well 'sed to s'"
si&ts down te lon& "o'rse of is "areer/
8ver te dri**in& "andle te fo'r "ons*irators "las* ands/ 3eir
.lood isses onto te &'tterin& fla!e/
F#A5@S:
For &lor% +/or deat1
G
7onta&e :
,onan and Br'nna r'nnin& alon& a forest trail/
,onan *ra"ti"in& wit a sword(!aster$ !irrorin& is !oves/ Br'nna
looks on fro! a ta.le$ &nawin& at a .eef .one/ ,onan is r'st% and
slow/
,onan "li!.in& '* a stee* ill/ # wooden *ole$ over is so'lders$
.ends 'nder te wei&t of .askets "ontainin& ro"ks/ #t is side$
Br'nna 'r&es i! on/
,onan and te sword(!aster a&ain/ 3e% s*in to&eter and sto*/
3e sword(!aster sakes is ead and$ !ovin& over$ "orre"ts is
*ositionin&/ ,onan nods/
5n te arena ,onan wat"es intentl%$ standin& "lose to te side of a
&ladiator wo is sowin& i! !oves wit a *ole ar! &laive/
,onan (( a&ain !irrorin& !oves wit te sword(!aster/ :e is )'i"ker
now/ 3e% !ove in s%n"roniDed ar!on% ( fl'id and &ra"ef'l/ 3e%
end wit a swee*in& fi&'re of ei&t sword *attern tat .rin&s te!
'* *oised .efore Br'nna/ :e nods in a**roval/
G
# tavern in te "it%/
Fro!!el is at te &a!in& ta.les/
3ere is a .oistero's at!os*ere/ 7an% *eo*le "rowd aro'nd/
Fro!!el la'&s as di"e t'ds over te ro'& ewn .oards/ Drinkin&
fro! a "'*$ e trades -ests wit a veteran soldier/
# ooded fi&'re a**ears at one side of te ta.le/ # &a!.ler t'rns/
# &lea!in& "oin lands .efore Fro!!el/ :e looks at it ten sits
.a"k$ raisin& is ead/ #ll e%es at te ta.le t'rn to te fi&'re of
te ooded !an/
3:@3:7<?A5:
5 see %o' re"o&niDe a &old "oin fro! ,orintia$ !% lord/ ;era*s
it "an .'% a !o!ent of %o'r ti!e>
Fro!!el esitates/ 0ookin& ro'nd te ta.le$ e nods and &ets
slowl% to is feet/
Beneat is ood$ 3'!ekri s!iles/
G
Fro!!el sits at te end of a .ed/ :e is starin& into notin&/
Beind i! we see te o'tline of a wo!an standin& in te
sadows$ te *'r*le slas of er dress i&li&ted in te dark/ :er
.ell%$ lar&e and ro'nd$ strains a&ainst te fa.ri"/ 8ne and !oves
&entl% over te swollen "'rve/
987#N4S =85,<:
9at is wron&$ !% love>
Fro!!el !akes no re*l%/ # and rea"es o't$ to'"in& is
so'lder/ :e sakes is ead and$ risin&$ !oves swiftl% awa%/
3e wo!an leans forward into te li&t/ 9e see er fa"e$ strained
wit "on"ern/
987#N:
Fro!!el1

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