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  • Ares Magazine 03 - Barbarian Kings

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    Ed Holzman
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    ARES Magazine No. 3

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    ARES Magazine No. 3

    Hak Cipta:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Unduh sebagai PDF atau baca online dari Scribd
    Tandai sebagai konten tidak pantas
    14 tayangan42 halaman

    Ares Magazine 03 - Barbarian Kings

    Diunggah oleh

    Ed Holzman
    ARES Magazine No. 3

    Hak Cipta:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Unduh sebagai PDF atau baca online dari Scribd
    Tandai sebagai konten tidak pantas
    dari 42
    iy ‘THE MAGAZINE OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY SIMULATION | 1 | Nsuty190098.00 fe y 2 ie 3 duty 1900 sm Ns iin Ftp tn aaeat ere paaaenanser ° Sa Barbarian Kings oreccostkvane Wer in Space somonaoos 2 Fleton Fantasy Game Prubllshors Manufacturers SE eT on TRON Tsao A a nue onan atasci 2 FEEDBACK THE GODS = “ENCLOSURES: pascatancap conn sin SPH 2 por revesounninver ny 009 eraeneen rubs wd ser edw'or To erin pg, yoo mt U! Tedeemin mdse erm 9,1 gmt vee eum ec Sroercesgmemnarwsctaatcn, gon ioah ae sara cre imrcrennmregencaman er ah tg cere cate sn fh stern ach nan SRR ints Sotatteat tae secloleie ie init Ae ote oie mmm Samaria ae ‘Attor Star Wars Beggled ll the greody le imho wind thot Blows sige the heads goes on the ease for the next act “The Scniockmaisters of the universe win the of mast Holwoad poobahe if, for some Great Cardozo" ~ 2 guy that wae doing 8 Supernova of green t produced, they ve feason, you think imitation 6 easy, go aut dog actlastweok, but saw ihe crowd go wid Sponded in typical schlock mode at's copy itand cash in. 8.0. for your ciche Hollywood "reotwe" minds. Thiimpsise to ‘succesful fim, back, or over card ticks. Cardozo comes cut and ns though several technically adequate bepining to sound Ihe an card seks, and te crowd goss 1 ep. 50 "make money by imitation and/or giving he akaine batery commmerGal-Of couse, ou. haw coma? Doesn't the crowd ahkaye 99 ubiewharit seems to want wouldn' beso must don skilful. onertaningy, and in. wild ove ard teks? Aren't they hoe Arent fbjectonable, i the folks doing it also had fligontly fort to be “genuine” tation. they bor office? Maybe Cardozo should Buy Some realization of whar itis thay areim- Todo asuccassfu mitavan, the earrot ne more expensive cards or ire en ssastant {ating and what ae the qualities ané quan. orginal must booproducedand the “lone” from the same theses agency 08 the oY ties that are causing peoate to ine up in brought to orm om the coer out he ying to imitate. Or maybe Cardozo ‘moga-groupstositin he dar fortwo hour, ‘Aitoraltheinent “cash n® productions should face up to tha fac that W's the magic ‘Alter al loving imation is responsible have faued, wa now have a sequel to Star that etsthecrawd, not the nck. foraiot othighant~ and giving people hat Wars that at bast 8 wel done asthe Ht ednons which entertains them i what show bust fim. Iris aso a vety diferent fin (soe the reas i at about! Ai reproduces the spire ofthe original, not the Brought to tution, and Mr Lucas tuned his ‘So hare's the eviewin tsiesvel, Many now creative peo. kicker: 2 successful imitation is one which ple worked on Empire, @ story universe A Surface. Maran Mogul can only 300 culo partepaton to alesse intorsty.Atextbook ‘bots and zooming focket boats asa icket_Spproach to inaigont, cestve, success to box olen bof. So he orders up Battle. imitation ‘over paining by John Gara, designed by Recond Simonsen This June, SPI will release a major new fantasy role-playing title —the leading edge product of a totally organized and designed state-of-the-art fantasy world generation system and role-play gaming tules. INTRODUCTION © Gere Course of Pay CI Game Eouisment © EL reparation for Combat StkeProcesue = infictng Dsrage LI Grevousirivny Weapons] Unerned Cros Speci! Sikes Mounted Con The tacts of Spal Resticioe on Magi Backte tam Spal BS Ressing Spee aneCourtarspate Specs Prpertion Cinco Shanty ne Be Availabe by 27 une snd in stores na ware Game Convertors ime for Origins) from SPI ide for $9.95. “My lord Bron! the unknown calle. “ws Si Varuna!” Broan remembered. the. skinny knight who hed beon his Trend that dey at Casto Parages. The youth relaxed, but only A litte. The knight's face hardy resembled that of a bearer of good tings. leit uo?” Vorund asked breathesy "Did you public accuse Lord Dru? Wy to foes him nto 9 duel?” ‘oon sighed. "i's tue. But 26 you must know he's too busy dung others to Botte with ma,” ‘Tha”"worry clouding Vorund's_ sky colored eyes deepened. “Ah la | fear mo you nay be quareing with your ony ena Saf reason you and | have to, rust King Thilodan ~ end such poopie os we have. any fends at al, "vs surly Milord Dron" "The street's a bed lace to speak gaint the king,” Breen said que, and ‘he doer. "Come i, Sir Varun, Mind the al” "A second surprise. owsited Breon within: someone was waiting In the iting oom, He stared atthe wizard Ebber, who was about as atactve as spiders and rats ‘Words exploded from Breen inthe cusative "Wate you doing here? Where's my ‘randtather?” “The maroon-rabed man bowed poly ‘and suingy grayand-write ha swung post his pinched: face. UA rat's face, Broon thought! "I came to tak with you and your ‘rondtather. But after he acmited me, the Slamanhedaemall stroke, My presence wos (2004 fortune, gst've some skin such mat tors. Hels in his bod, resting comfortably, and should enjoy 2 ful covery "I'gon't want to reem ungrateful, but | ‘mean 19 check what you jut sai, ward” ‘As. Ebbern gestured agreemont. and Breen started gast Fim, Vorund touched the youth's arm. “Lad,""he murmured, "we Trust alc Dark things “are happening nd” ‘Abruptly Vorund's face wont gray and he clutched at his chest. Even 35 Bren od to grab him, his logs wont limp. The sngy Kright crumplod to the Too ike sced washsine do belive,” Ebborn observed per sonnaly, "the poor felow i having a heart Hiessesvoums peas oes p yore spammer teri "awe aly eee eg Tae ieee oli atts tex ts selenite me ieee a Fenech i aire gee ES te Sec Sa Steric Sane “Worse than death? Rather 2 coin- idence, isn't i rst my grandfathers ‘svoko. ‘Thon Vorund's sour, al One fight and with You present." Breas ind ferent upbringing had hardy aught rim not ‘© stand up tothe aped: oven wary os. “"Tagialy, no," the ugly Ife. man roped ine sigh “This cys under soge and ‘near station. We aoa weakened, my boy. Death is al toe common. Iti our con stanteompanion SoM Been et out is beth, Much Teasonabie ground on which could accuse him of anything. “Suppose,” ho sod, st Watching his unwelcome guest most closely, “suppose tat you jst sate your business, sand depart. mut tomy grander = “ie ives, Bron, he Sleeps naw: he ‘oods that rest. Today you publicly accused the most noble Lord Orun of poting the masiacre "at Castle Parogas. That is Something King Thiloden hes long suspect: 4, without being abi to prove it. Do you have proof? ~ evidencg, that would stand ‘Up toBcour of he pees? "No. That's why | Wied to force the nave into dus. “Ahh, young man, young man.” the ‘mage sad, with placating gesture of 20. finged hand that was ike arabinoside" {ear that would bs of normare aval, Su Druin always chooses the crossbow, weapon that requires not 89 much shal as calm and steady newes. AS ha Is much the coldest Blooded man inthe aim, he alwoys wins. ‘The king has lost several ends that way Sil..”"The mage paused, poced about the Sparsolyfurhed room. His robe whispered about doubvess spindly lage Breen had no Gesire to behold. "Sil, my young end, {ore somewhat you can do, something which would greaty advance you in the King’s favor.” Again Eber pausod to sare ssdewise, eyebrow cocked. Fixing, those ‘yes wore. Broon cin Ike thet gare. “There are many things | could do, | pans! Trsing you Pat ove of them, von as ho snapped the “si” as ani sult, the youth was stanng nto the wards Fea eyes” They were larger, mach larger than they hedany Hight Wo be Ebbern spoks soft purnng. "Afould you be wiling to spy on Druin? ‘Supposo.| wore to proviee You with 3 ‘magical apuise, so thet you could folow ‘Bran unknown lara whet he pots agaist ‘the kingdom. Vimust go t0 my grandta ~ “Wel. tn. man that would sepend on.” His voice “valoda "with ns capacity tor thought He had to gaze in elles fascina- tion into the wizards enocmous ed eyes: tyes ike unto glowing pools of blood. He hed te strangaet Yesing, uncanny and far {tom passant asif ho wore shainking. NO, of ‘course not. But that charis growing! 30 pleased that you agree, Eber whispered, and. reached down toward “To the boy's horror the old man was now gigi, Nehand large tat he could Mand ald ~ pick Broon up by the cruft of ‘he neck asthe were kien, Squeaing 9 ‘angry protest, Breen squeezed shut his eyes 5 against tho horor of vertigo. He was being Cared through the a. Hwee not ust ED- ‘ceremony Breen was dropped ito that ren forced ack, As ts top wee dewn shut tom. prison him in utter darkness, ho hoard the ‘var’ vies ‘Don't get excited, led. After you've done your spying on Druin and lenrned what he's up to, ust como back here and glaly turn you back" m surcanes, Breen fought down pane and. strugged to understand twat had happened oh. Herealzod that the whole room, Eber Indes, ned hot grown. Me had indeed shrunk! That {tghtzore eoncopt made his whiskers Bris ‘and is tal witch, even 98 he Forced himself o accept it Walt don't have any whiskers, much ess 2a! ‘Shudderng in the grip of an uncanny feeling, Breen began to fel himsott wit his. paws. Ho de dood have whiskers, 25 wei’ as 2 long furess tal. His body was ‘bvorod in shook But greasy fur and. ‘Dark Lod Thebe preserve me! Thara- ‘faced swine has changed me ito 2 at Tn sudden panic he struggled friously to claw and bit his way out of the sack. {Logi was Tong fled and oven his grasp on santy wae tnvous, Pantin, he gamed fnough “contol to realize thet no. meter ‘ot claws an toath di tothe lather, bo was not going through chairma. The mind he eat to thinking wes stil his own, not 2 Fats: Uneerving a twas, he could not com Blain that Ebbemn's “magical disguise” was fot effective, Indeed It could wel be the olution to his probe. This way he righ wal beable Yo effect a sting of account wth Druin. One cheering aspect wos that Fats could not tak. Therotore Breen ned not worry about being returned 10 his normal form’ ebbors had todo that, ithe warted to hear what ris unvling sy had earned. Gods and stars, the youth thought as 3 moasure of calmness ‘returned, ths ‘monstrous ane: ve come fl cle! 'A whoreson bom, Breen had spent his childhood in the oly steats, suing 36 best he ould: He was hardy soft or naive wen, two years ago, the balding Sir Clin Fad abpoarad wth his black brows and sty board: He had procained i that tus Steet boy was hs longest grandson, the ld Scknowtedged by Cars son Ethod on his Goathbed. “Breen’s soaring notons. of 2 fabulous improvemant in his status wore S000 dashod, however: Clrn's lgitmate hats hed long og0 stipped the old man of everything. They permitiog him to lve ae 2 oor dependent on the great estates that ‘ere ones hie lone. Breen they mad. 3 Servant. in tuth he was better of At last he te regulary, and slpt under 8 root. But the resontmant that was a canker in lain ais gnawed the growing, streetwise Boy. ‘The massacre at Carte Paragns cheng- ‘ed everthing ‘With 20 many noble famios destioyed by Norton raiders, Breon became sudden fri to. vast dom, 38 poor Cin was ‘tara by 8 provison ofthe iw tat for. bode property's reverting backward. Sta twas not yt sunshine and velvet. Brees ‘Suekan wealth meant the opposite of secur ty. Tebegin with, noite thekng ner there maning nobity wore happy to welcome 8 ‘whoreson into thar high-nased ons. Then inthe rine of Caste Paragss Breen ond Carin ound evidence tat Druin hed not or Iy survived tne massacre but must have boon Me sutner. Now he had mysterousty cap. bested. The dovl Orin must teacherously Fave brought the aul Nero! nous onan wou one day return Jaw na elem Yo the nortance was ‘much better than Broor's Morely by petitioning tha High Court, Drain cou tke from Breen and Clarin all they possesse. For the noble Clan, such astuation was 3 otter of falyongs, To clean and proserve {hat honer,Broen mould have fo change land sly Druin, since they could not prove Fis comply in the maso murders. To that fd Broon must Wain night ana cay. Since ‘as siso a mater of Surv, Breen agreed Every evening he wont nto tho forest with ‘crossbow and ane bolt. He must make that Shaft count, or go without dinner. Soon the forests squire population was reduced, {and Bron ao regu When be end Cana ame hero to Etmont and wore tapped by fhesiege, the routne hao changed but ite, Broon stil wont forth evory everiide, 13 shoot the only game thet abounded inthis Starving sy: rats. Eatonwhole ond av thoy sunanedif. ‘And Now | am become 2 rat Broon thought, fom the bot of 2 sack that swung gently. a8 he was ‘cariod ton Unknown destination, Fora his far, ba remained the svaet bred optimstand opportunist. sinc te day last woakwhen Diuinhed mysteriously cop. peared, his bastard cousin Breen Mad known {hat he must soreahow dostoy him Now perhaps fe had a chance to 2c: complsh that, fetalo his row wath, and fain th king's favor lato the bargain. For 2 {ong momant (Lord?) Brean focused on st happy prospect. He had been worried about Claris realtn. Lack of food was mo cruel torte elger than to any. Brean coulgwin King Thiloden's favor ho and Clen could Join those ofthe royal favors who fosstod {tthe palacs For al the deprivation ofthe ‘General populace, the palace larder was ever Wel stocked, ond the Royel Granary righ Tul, Indeed,’ though it was well guarded ‘against humans, that granary was whore the (ats Broan slew fattened themselves. He had Father oat at te king's abe frst Rand ‘Now Ve the sack he occupied c3a5- 0 ite swaying ‘Have we reached our destination? Wat? Were? "New panic surgedin, dark as the domain of Drood of the Thousans Arms, The bog ‘perad and Breen blrked at tha if of ‘moonlight. Then a huge hana grabbed him Andhe washurod voionly rough ther ‘aling overs righ stone fence, he saws (2s8y lawn rushing rapidly up at him. Ani Stnetive twitch of his fal Brought Brean the Fat down onal four widespread feet. Bren {ek really good sbout that sesomplahant ie and abou the fact that this smal body ‘withstood theshock that mpact wth 2050 He reareduptosurvey his new surtoundings. "Now what am supposed to do? don't wont to goin there! Oveet bore hien blk (a stoaly manor house. At 2 gUoss Druin’s headquarters. The home base of his sworn enemy! Wel perhaps /shan'bteE>- Dem’ fngrs al the woy of, then Broo bested, whiskers twtching a8 hereflected, Head salrason to trust Eb Born Stil was nary ely that the eallous \waard would go to s0 much rouble in Beng Ing tie bre that house ced not hold Something well wert farang about. Fora youth with cuvosty and’ an adventurous int, the cholo was easly made. Boon Daddad sent forward’ on four wee paws, pprosching tne medimsized Nouse. Ho Soon sow that garning enty would bo no problem. A small halo had been cut in the Eottom ofthe door, obviously intended Tor « fat. Cats in Erman hed long see gone to ‘Pestew pot. ram srrroxceo the door without @ jsscond thought, the coolest rat in Ermont. Just 03 ho. was, sbost 10 ote, hi ra's sence warmed him: his nose. ‘The musky odor wes undeniably mal and Breen could not hep imagining @ power, hlge'pawed anime! sled at rat morse cat ‘It might ba just a pampered housopet, though and whatever itis, mnot making myself ny sater by stending here shivering. "whout recogniaing this next ot the rights many choos, Broan meved not as ‘atts varus but es home usualy sapiens. ‘Tho rat passed In by tho cas entry. ‘Within the house ‘he stared about started and putzied. The place was Sear Inaly. deserted. Date as twas, dark 35 Drovd's gaze, ‘sve, Tor the moonight Steaming. taugh broken. winows. A host iacery of spiders webs sagged under the dust tat was thick onthe flode From all ‘sppaarancesino oneihad buon hee for yar, docodes "Except that someone had. Human fot prints marked the dust of the floor, Tesh frecks. Each was longer than Braen's new body. Now he saw that sande of cobweb bry hung loase har and thar, torn. Last right, peftaps the night betore, someone faa bebr here. Judging from the footprints Sand the fect that so Tow cobwets had boon Seturbed, that someone hed been moving ‘Bron gulp back curiosity and refused to rash olf on the Wal of ths previous in ‘rador. Instead he examined the cobwebs, His bight red rodont's eyes saw cles, spite the darkness, and what he sw wos disturbing, These stanée wore snot que fight What her gin might be acould not guess, but of one thing he was sur: no Ronest cob had spun those ghostythresds ‘hat lcd the room. Moving with utmost couion, he flow 9 the footarnts, Through 2 siting room full of long disused chats they fod Tim, into 2 ding ‘hombor He ren up a char to inspect tae stegandy set with siver cute, erat (goblets, ornate porcelain plates. A wore ovoredin cobweb and dist Someone plan ‘ned a big party, ser the abl, and rahe off {0 loove fe hore Tor twenty years wor oF “Th wal of footprints ended in acorer, wth afresh corpse. Fooing about os comfortable as a wine taster" Naroka, Breen tecognized Lord Hrs! of Welsvosm, a Tovonte of King Thilodon. His Masts Boon companion in dink ard womaniing —and, some dared ‘whisper, the man Tileden reed upon when Sn seesssnation wae needed. The hand Some wretch’s dagger stil shone sven his {ld hand, but what ha lig hr ow was 3 rrystery. There wast a mark on the body. "A erate or 2 hear attack, perhaps, ‘eon mused without chest. Twoul seem that am nat the fst Eber has sont spider house! Fea's cil fingers clutched at his tte stomech ands odsnt sbody quvredwih nervous excitemont. New Broan know he was in the very thick of @ dark unholy wer Betwoon wizards. Thiloden and his mage Ebbemn agaist Drun..ond whatever Fell powers e was led with Hrucil mast hove ‘Some herein the dead of night 19 murder Drum, steas he The spdenvets! They're alarms! Touch cone af themand Orainknows he hos an Uni Ved guest. ‘Brean had a moment to fal profoundly tell for the lostinotve caution that had Fepthim from disturbing the webs. Then he moved on y, he mused as he. scurried slong, this whole downstairs ores 2 tap, So™ who’ abovestars, so wel protected? ‘The man staircase he assured had to be & wap. nthe ithe, however Po found what he sought, A back stsiay wound upward, narrow statinto the unknown. He cropt upward. Soon he was reward (by the sight of dim Tamptight and the {ound of human votes. Atte top of the ‘Sais he saw a topaz ber of light across the Bottom of a cosed door that, 12 ara, looked ‘hundred feet tal. Freezing’ in place, he Istenod tothe mutiod volcss Wr th far ‘840 ofthe door “Ves, grandiather, appreciate thersks. Swi, gen our other options, think i's the Best gombl.” ‘run! ine youth thought, and excite: mont swale huge in es try body The tofernce to "grenafather”putzled him — Unt he remembered. Was there nota rumor that, Druin's maternal grandfather was 8 back wizera? Something vastly important was afoot. Go clase enough fo peak uncer the door, andi! 200 what. ‘Ho.'was ust starting to. fave the staiheed when it struck. Abrupt and only foraninstantthe ver ar sooreadalvo, glow. ing with powor- Wi utre-vvel colors Hash (4 before Broen's eyes and his fr bised in fear Itwasas though the very nature of rea. ty had boon warped fora ny moment, and Insunetwaty ho krew what was, Magi Black mage. Some sort of te spel adjust boon cast 'AS Breen cowered beck, the door slowly craked open. From tho proiscive darkness Breen watched fertuly, tered eyes bulg Ingwhilo he woadered wat unearthly hoor thatoponing portal might revea. ‘Thay come forth. Without cheor Broon beheld hiveled old man and slerge black fat. A. tom, loan. ond ong, ith big dangerous paws. Broan could See. only ‘manace in those slanted sits of gran that wore the cat's eve. ‘Quoth the “sidstor to the animal, “Remember, Drin,you must be back here before dawn.” ‘Drood’s eyebas — my cousin's trans. formed himself into. cat ” natural enemy of ‘ats Usrats!| Galvanized by teror at this utterly un- natural event with ifs dread impeations Tor himself personally, Breen bolted Gown the Stare. He was nea’ tho bottom oto he resized how incongruous his fear was. H Fad mater of fect aecoptod his own tons. formation, precisly because twas a matter fact 8 atuation he could not change But ould use to advantage. Equally 9 mater of fect was tha ie enemies also used mage Best to dict his worry ond foars tN resi problems ~ of which he had plenty. To Eogin with in soconds the cat would do- {scend that natrow staal and nothing Ne ‘ould do would prowant arom aeanting him Facod wth si more chores, Breen thought, Iitcomers me ijt have to igh. vor aswenacenorrriestans though the kitchen and under the grate ofthe ong fbandoned ‘repats, he. considered the idea. Here was a good place fora stend. In these ght quarters hs oppononts size ‘Would wot bese great an advantage. Stl... thought about those huge paws and shudSered. The claws of tht une fatwa feline must be Ike Gaggers, toa [rr Alla poor rat has gong for hi is his Yaunied courege, whichis 2 bad bargain. Who'd want 0 be the one to “ight Ike @ comeredra™ “Terie but ready to fight, he cowerod in. we ebsoute derkneasundor the big ron ato. Latning. Soft, on slmost. lent {eet his foewescomng towardhan, Hesow itemerge trom the towel, sooty ghing ‘wih tet sieucusess ame Calo boat Not rt It did not seem foo aifing tho floor. His hopes tase ~ and the ct bent nose downward. One sai andi tumed 10 ad dec toward Broon. ts eyes, mond Shaped but looking big. as unNepe. pow, flahed Ike emeraige inthe moonlight tat Snesked ino the foom. Could 1 300 im, Here nthese darkest of shadows? wesf0U times twaize of e mouse, twos ia Sze, and Instnet Kept teling ra rats to fe, io, vite intact tld Brean fo wa wat Now Thercet was much closer Stitwes nooo ing drecty ot him. Abupt the fatoned {ele head turned eves sigh Their eyes met. I was ra, not human, Instinct that mage Breen sna “The eat onl stood, ts gaze baleful and sinister After what seemed an eternity it fumed, tai titching, and slowly waked wey. ‘Sani, Broon spent a moment just breathing. The bass, he know, nad not been the sights whit atfad off. It wos Just thatthe eat woe not a cat but his cousin ‘Druin, ond ihe ad more important hinge todo thon aboy eine instinct to lla mare fat Infact, rem what the ensoeled youth hs Pad paar, wes 0 ste bet et in was doing something vital tonight, ‘somo cial move fy thao bette of ‘wards, And he hasn't any nation Im not 8 ea at! Tonio Brean knew he ought 0 flow, tearm ‘what the onary was up to. Forcing himsel he'set of after that biagor,tal-high prow ‘ofthe ark. Theta ied through ® mae of mp nighe-shroudes sects. A eat paced Foughtiy. A ft followed, soutting, seary Ing, moving from ths BX of cover to tha Although now andagainnecaughtagimpse ff the cat's tal, for tho most part Breen {Tusted hissensectamel. Before he could bo ‘of ar costaton te cat peed ‘through a gap batweon argh tone walla massive ron gate. Aratfolovedwith moe tessa, On the other side he gazod. about pulse quickening and eyes waning: toy ‘wore onthe grounds ofthe Royal Pale! 7 Breen's nose screamed at him: DOG! “Tho palaco grounds he know wre guarded by ferocious Neviian doge ig aa small ponies. Stl, the cat wos racing on hough {he tall wet grass, noodess of tis dango. Because. he know “something, perhape? Breon flowed Up broad pink-marble steps the cat sped, past the feot of # dozing guard and Through an omate grlwore door nto the palace. Abrupt the guard awoke. Hazel ‘yes Tecused on theret thet came losing UP tho stars. The man started fo it hs heovy pike and this time Brean had no choice. feced for dear fe. The weapon sped dowr fim, aimed wel, but ho wae faster thon 8 jstiweken man. Won erashgrated on the Imarbo ® hand's breadth betwnd Bren. In rary he exulted, Tor his human brain ha Known that ones he was isi the weapon reach he was safe. The guard threw a futle ek, then cursed 3 his foot slammed into the door The rat hod sped undo His handite paws waded in @ plush ‘carpet of go and plum and nacarat in 8 Inight ichatway tapestied in deep plum valve He sow no sign ofthe cat. The carpet ‘asa staggering contusion of odors. ‘Sis the chotes wore only tw. In one ‘rection the coridor led toward the greot Dining Hal, where the sound of the last fw ‘runken revelers could be heard. nthe other (Srection.Sreon's whiskare twitched whe be sought to remember. Yes! It led up the ‘road Siar tothe soning area. Thehal was clogged with drunks something portant ‘wore happening here tonight, would preb- ‘bly bein abedroom. Keaping to the side where he tonded to be niden by the Grapes, Breen scutied down te coridoe On the stars ho caught 3 “whiff et scant sad was sure he hodguess- (3 aright. He scampered up ~ to pause in Baffemant tthe top of tho stops. This cor ‘ior, posted in kmurious gals and green, was long, marked by more than’ Gozo" ‘door: Where hed Druin gore? ‘The floor gave off feline scent, Breen blinked This was 2 female's spoor ‘Grooe’s rm! Queen etna has cover cats! Any of thems Hable to atack met Why ‘hc that incu Ebdon make mes rt nts ‘f something practic? Breen was frghtened and angry. He was also determined. From door 0 door be went, pesking Under each as he 29:229g0d Up the cordor. Again and again he found room..anth at st he id heard the sound ‘ot oles. By wriggling doep into the crpors Tine pio he wes ust ble to fore his hao ‘the way under the door for 8 good view. The ‘chamber was iumined by the valow-gold lightotanexvavagance:adezen candies na ‘handsior of ystal prisms. OM, the eso Shagows i thre! The tal esnopied bed ex. tended from one corner, covered in lavender Sik sheets over goose-down plows "The center of tht hovee sed bod: ‘chamber wes dominated by 8 greet minor forge eneugh ro show several people in fll- Tongth retieetion| Al Us Bros took in ata glance. Now his attention fied on the woman who Sat befor tha tall miror Clad ony ina nepigoe f daphenous black sk end cobweboy lace, uoon Iasi was unquestionably the mast bautl woman Inthe ream. She sat on 2 high stool in fine daplay of er superb figure. Finely formed arms and Tong eos ‘wore bare es the day she was born, and much imoroved since then. Her back was Breen. Asher fingers ran egod-chased ory ‘comb through the spun gold har that ‘Sueamed down ‘past or shoulders, the Youth couldsoe te beauty of her sulin tho Iniror. The negigee, only casually draped ‘bout her, parted wih her mations. Breen ‘allowed. Behind the queen, 2 mab throat was eared ‘Stated, Bren looked in the ection of thet sound and Ns eyes Wont wide it amazomont. At atonton just bohind Her Majesty stood thee place guardsmen, alin {ulldrees uniform of red and gold anit ‘Damnation! 10 heard things were a bit cod here fh the palvce, but.the Queen? Cerelssy ‘showing rerolf naked 10 er ‘verde? “Have yu," she whsperedin delicately soft ones, “completed ie task I assigned you “aye, Your Maiesty,” the tallest guard _answored machariealy. “Allis in readiness. ‘he packing crates strong, wel cushioned, and large onough to had Your Majesty's mr for Itawate dowtars, and a squadron of the Royal Lancers i ready to mount, beside ‘8 wagon with four of our best horses hitched fot As soon as. Your Majesty gives the ‘word, her mirarcan be ntheate, ecto fn the wagon, endl on thelr way 12 Sater.” arom ene was pursed. Only vaguely annoyed tht he was inthe ‘wrong form to soprecate propery the ‘qusor's rusty, he ft the beginning cuten Of fear, Something was surly very wrong, "Vary good,” the. quan, whispered "The une, However, 90tyet. Bide here 8 whi.” 'As sho spoke, Broon shuddered, Hiro. dent ears were not playing wicks oni, The ‘queen's soft voce came not from ner Hoe, Dut trom hor relloeon in that mighty meror ‘Knowing that something of surpacsng ‘evi was Paden in the scare he watched, Breen stared im horror and fascination. The ‘queen Wr sl combing her ha” Her miror Itnoge, however, dropped its comb It 055, LUnconcernedylotng tha nogige fal rom hari body. Stak raked and tly goldon ‘aed indeed, the mage stood andstetched hot ibs. Ad then she walked of, laying the queen stil combing before an omoty mi Broon feft the hat standing eect, a ‘over his ciminuthve Body. Terfed by ths ‘mast unratural of event, he bt Ris tongue {o keep from squesling and rapidly pul his hd from unde the door. He wasn perfoct Position to lear what was afot here ~ an ‘hose not to but Yo continue wth hs original Imission. Fora momant, when Pi, Paod ‘aught, he knew only tor. Then he Rad twisted fee In the cavernous coridor, he was strongly tomptad to run away an run some ‘mote Best to forget the whol incident. He ‘wanted no uch knowledge an the wort it Trough He relzed now thet he Pad been ‘eked nto terol of pwn nemightmarah ‘wor between powers boyond human and Tatura Thowe powers wore cased at poste ends of the Board roon wos very Truet in the open between them, ond Out rabies, Sei, ticked or no, the fect rrined that he hed set out ths right to learn what his cousin Dun was about an Breen had 8 tong proslocion toward ishing what he Sarod Not without soma tremors no seur ‘ied down the carpeted corldor A boy in 8 {ats body witha man’s ese. Sino Drain wasn't i the Qvoe’s chamber, the next logic! placa to seek him wos the king's ‘sporiment. That, Broonresoned, should Be ‘ext door ‘Upon pushing his hoad under the door, tho saw only darknoss end hood ony snore Frthr, the toom soomed empty ave for ‘moon softoned shows, He was about f9 ‘withdrew tolook asewhere when something Tuiry brushed past his foe, He froze while rowed sinuous pest lage cat locker ‘hon dane, How Orin had gained entry to dosed oom was 3 further mystery. However 9c: Complshed, Breen was sure Oran wes here {odothe king no goodsarven, A Goren ha {ming pats filed through his mind tke wiring water (wth a bt of mud we ta {at paced ares the room. With he os5y {g2coo ts kind thopped onto a abein Serkest comer. Bro saw ony to eyes, fxr sosming i fost high above the Noo From thre tcatspoko,nthe song, coer ‘oi of Si Brun, “xing Thloden! Awake! Ki “his “3 Uh? Hea? Gumph huh — what? Who = win’ hore? ‘The cats tone was cold a death “ruin, son of Aredam, tho man you hed rurdefed fr aloof pooh Mrerotbow fovea ot your heart “ha King stayed wher he was. "You can't get amey withthe warmed, But the {erorint vlc Baayen “thot my concer, fone king Bofors | shoot you, However thre it one ‘ing dike to know. Unwertiy monarch ‘hat was 9 important about that potsh™ Lady of coat, Broan swore mena, begining to comprehend. Gould Drain Be Ircant ofthe massacre at Parag? ‘After pated of sence, Druin spoke ‘299i, sty nd seemingly wihout pss.on "hilogent none If You te me what on'throw | Shon rise ts Bo. Other \wa0.~"Ti'shoot yeu now and depart “No ol t= wasnt my faut” Tho ing was’ babbling. "Al her dong — the queens! Al. Eve ance she acaured that Seeursed ior, sho hes beon diferent Sango” he polish” Druin insisted wn her de Your ater hada ot ‘hat rare ond extern fine pols = you row thre no ther the tl She wanted {Orme her srr abeoutly pertack” "AI those ves, Breen thought sickly ‘Her Going. for ot ol mir! “ani,” Dron murmured ina vst 2p- recite tone," eteve understand. One ‘question mor: forall that Zadok and Thea {are nomialy at war, | kaow of your Weary ‘ot te king of Tesla. You are secret at Bence "echangeior'9 bi f got land. orain thor Considerations, His Ma: [est ‘of Thosta sends his solders hore to Saughter those of your subjects you tnd in- onvenient. The Sy invested, but know Your agents have let theso walls — and ‘tuned. Why? Why see that your own Cepiel cys beseond by forges who ip ier ‘ies and demand, again!” the terror-tricken monarch bleed "With each hideous new rovelation Broon's Read spun the more in 8 horor of Lnbol. He scarenly need te feat 9p 05 I ta ‘Abrupt that tapping became, sharp pain and he was being dragged backward Fis need thumped the doors bottom and a ‘whisker hurt him sore. In the condor he Twisted his head sea a horrific monster {Owering above hin, fearful tooth closed ‘on Breen’s tal, One ofthe palace cas! How pleases the volt eolred monster lockod! Brean fought whelmaing torr. ‘With a sudden jo he managed to pul {tee. instanty 9 deadly paw fal of razor sharp claws carte speeding at is head He had ite choco, he Sprang over that ushing death. Propeled by the fury of desperation, helow staight at his oromy’s face, The cat ‘new oniy an instant of shock before tn tended pray struck, Jaws open and ng Fr ail he was wrth ' pace ofits nose gon, the eat howed in agony with a sound that must, have \wakorod tent palace. With votnt jks fits head it tra Breon off and wont Yor Ing down the cardor ‘By Thebo its true! When comered, we ‘ats realy do hgh Mis "se-congratuations were shor lived. Behind him somaone shouted ond he whiied 10. soe several quordsmen rushing ‘down te hal at him. Pomting a he clary \Wsblo fat on the carpat, the Toromost Shouted to hs companions "See old you there was ara in the palace “all arowstaight bohind him, Breen spread down the halway. As the ards ‘at lasing cuasses started ate hm, the screams of the king blasted trom his bos chamber "GUARDS! HELP! ASSASSIN! MURDER" cermc set, those decorative ren turned to bang on His Majesty's door Inthe extement severl were ting to {ore the tal hick porta while ony one fr ‘Bled for thatch. He found ond ited. The door exploded Inward, ann armor tur bing over one another. While a black cet ‘bounded over thar Bodies, the king vole, pointing, ‘Seize that cat! I's a demon come to slay et" Someone muttered in

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