"Jim Theis - The Eye of Argon (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Theis Jim)

THE EYE OF ARGON

by Jim Theis

The weather beaten trail wound ahead into the dust racked
climes of the baren land which dominates large portions of the
Norgolian empire. Age worn hoof prints smothered by the sifting
sands of time shone dully against the dust splattered crust of
earth. The tireless sun cast its parching rays of incandescense
from overhead, half way through its daily revolution. Small
rodents scampered about, occupying themselves in the daily
accomplishments of their dismal lives. Dust sprayed over three
heaving mounts in blinding clouds, while they bore the burdonsome
cargoes of their struggling overseers.
"Prepare to embrace your creators in the stygian haunts of hell,
barbarian", gasped the first soldier.
"Only after you have kissed the fleeting stead of death, wretch!"
returned Grignr.
A sweeping blade of flashing steel riveted from the massive barbarians
hide enameled shield as his rippling right arm thrust forth, sending a
steel shod blade to the hilt into the soldiers vital organs. The
disemboweled mercenary crumpled from his saddle and sank to the clouded
a sward, sprinkling the parched dust with crimson droplets of escaping life
fluid.
The enthused barbarian swilveled about, his shock of fiery red hair
tossing robustly in the humid air currents as he faced the attack of the
defeated soldier's fellow in arms.
"Damn you, barbarian" Shrieked the soldier as he observed his comrade
in death.
A gleaming scimitar smote a heavy blow against the renegade's spiked
helmet, bringing a heavy cloud over the Ecordian's misting brain. Shaking
off the effects of the pounding blow to his head, Grignr brought down his
scarlet streaked edge against the soldier's crudely forged hauberk,
clanging harmlessly to the left side of his opponent. The soldier's stead
whinnied as he directed the horse back from the driving blade of the
barbarian. Grignr leashed his mount forward as the hoarsely piercing
battle cry of his wilderness bred race resounded from his grinding lungs.
A twirling blade bounced harmlessly from the mighty thief's buckler as his
rolling right arm cleft upward, sending a foot of blinding steel ripping
through the Simarian's exposed gullet. A gasping gurgle from the soldier's
writhing mouth as he tumbled to the golden sand at his feet, and wormed
agonizingly in his death bed.
Grignr's emerald green orbs glared lustfully at the wallowing soldier
struggling before his chestnut swirled mount. His scowling voice
reverberated over the dying form in a tone of mocking mirth. "You city
bred dogs should learn not to antagonize your better." Reining his weary
mount ahead, grignr resumed his journey to the Noregolian city ofGorzam ,
hoping to discover wine, women, and adventure to boil the wild blood
coarsing through his savage veins.
The trek to Gorzom was forced upon Grignr when the soldiers of Crin