"Robert E. Howard - Conan - A Witch Shall be Born" - читать интересную книгу автора (Howard Robert E)

Meantime, my soldiers man the walls of the city, and I have warned him that he will answer for any
outrages perpetrated on the villagers or shepherds by his mercenaries."
"He is confined in the south tower?" asked Salome. "That is what I said. Why do you ask?"
For answer Salome clapped her hands, and lifting her voice, with a gurgle of cruel mirth in
it, called: "The queen grants you an audience, Falcon!"
A gold-arabesqued door opened and a tall figure entered the chamber, at the sight of which
Taramis cried out in amazement and anger.
"Constantius! You dare enter my chamber!" "As you see, Your Majesty!" He bent his dark, hawk-
like head in mock humility.
Constantius, whom men called Falcon, was tall, broad-shoul-lered, slim-waisted, lithe and
strong as pliant steel. He was landsome in an aquiline, ruthless way. His face was burnt dark ay
the sun, and his hair, which grew far back from his high, arrow forehead, was black as a raven.
His dark eyes were jenetrating and alert, the hardness of his thin lips not softened ay his thin
black mustache. His boots were of Kordavan leather, lis hose and doublet of plain, dark silk,
tarnished with the wear af the camps and the stains of armor rust.
Twisting his mustache, he let his gaze travel up and down the shrinking queen with an
effrontery that made her wince.
"By Ishtar, Taramis," he said silkily, "I find you more alluring in your night-tunic than in
your queenly robes. Truly, this is an auspicious night!"
Fear grew in the queen's dark eyes. She was no fool; she knew that Constantius would never
dare this outrage unless he was sure of himself.
"You are mad!" she said. "If I am in your power in this chamber, you are no less in the power
of my subjects, who will rend you to pieces if you touch me. Go at once, if you would live."
Both laughed mockingly, and Salome made an impatient gesture.
"Enough of this farce; let us on to the next act in the comedy. Listen, dear sister: it was I
who sent Constantius here. When I decided to take the throne of Khauran, I cast about for a man to
aid me, and chose the Falcon, because of his utter lack of all characteristics men call good."
"I am overwhelmed, princess," murmured Constantius sardonically, with a profound bow.
"I sent him to Khauran, and, once his men were camped in the plain outside, and he was in the
palace, I entered the city by that small gate in the west wall - the fools guarding it thought it
was you returning from some nocturnal adventure--"
"You hell-cat!" Taramis's cheeks flamed and her resentment got the better of her regal
reserve.
Salome smiled hardly.
"They were properly surprised and shocked, but admitted me without question. I entered the
palace the same way, and gave the order to the surprised guards that sent them marching away, as
well as the men who guarded Constantius in the south tower. Then I came here, attending to the
ladies-in-waiting on the way."
Taramis's fingers clenched and she paled.
"Well, what next?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Listen!" Salome inclined her head. Faintly through the casement there came the clank of
marching men in armor; gruff voices shouted in an alien tongue, and cries of alarm mingled with
the shouts.
"The people awaken and grow fearful," said Constantius sardonically. "You had better go and
reassure them, Salome!"


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