|
Conan makes his way across the southern grasslands of the black kingdoms. Here
he is known of old, and Amra the Lion has no difficulty in making his way to
the coast, which he had ravaged in his days with Belit. But Belit is now only
a memory on the Black Coast. The ship that eventually heaves in sight off the
headland where Conan sits whetting his sword is manned by pirates of the
Baracha Isles, off the coast of Zingara. They, too, have heard of Conan and
welcome his sword and expereince. He is in his middle thirties when he joins
the Barachan Pirates, with whom he remains for a considerable time. To Conan,
however, accustomed as he is to the tightly organized armies of the Hyborian
kings, the organization of the Baracha bands appeares so loose that there is
small opportunity to rise to leadership and its rewards. Slipping out of an
unusually tight spot in the pirate rendezvous at Tortage, he finds that the
alternative to a slit throat lies in an attempt to swim the Western
Ocean. This he does with complete confidence and perfect aplomb. Into the west, unknown of man, Ships have sailed since the world began. Read, if you dare, what Skelos wrote, With dead hands fumbling his silken coat, And follow the ships through the wind-blown wrack- Follw the ships that come not back- |
Chapters:
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three