Asgoleth the Warrior - By Bill Kirkwood Page 0,26

bone and Scarface glared with hate filled eyes at his slayer before he slumped dead to the floor where he lay still in a slowly widening pool of blood.

Asgoleth went over to where the old man lay and saw at once that he did not have long to live. His ordeal at the hands of the Akonites had been too much for his ancient frame to bear. He gently raised the old man’s head.

‘Your torment is over old one. Those two dogs will never bother anyone again. Why were they torturing you?’

The old man spoke in a hoarse whisper,

‘They wanted gold but they were angry with me too for I had spoiled their fun with a slave girl they had captured. I was hiding in my cellar when I heard them enter and I thought that they had just come to loot the place. I expected no less and so I stayed hidden until I heard the girl scream. Before I knew what I was doing I had grasped my old sword and I was attacking them. I couldn’t’t stay hidden and leave her to the mercies of Akonite scum.

They fell back in surprise and I shouted at the girl to run. She fled while I held them off as long as I could but I was soon overpowered. Then the torture began and went on until you appeared and slew them. By mighty Solus warrior, my heart was with your every stroke.’

He coughed then and blood sprayed from his lips.

‘You have the thanks of an old man Warrior but I fear I will not live long enough to repay you.’

He coughed again and Asgoleth could see that death was very near, quickly he said,

‘Perhaps there is a way you can help me Old one. I have come into the city to try and rescue the princess Amira. Do you know if she still lives?’

‘Aye, she lives Warrior, I heard those two talking about her. She is being held in her own quarters in the palace. It seems that dog Demos has a special interest in her. I wish you well in your quest Warrior and I will ask mighty Solus to aid you. I feel I will be seeing her soon.’

He gave another shuddering cough and then, with a sigh, the life left him and he went limp in Asgoleth’s arms, his pain at an end. Asgoleth laid the body gently down and stood up and a glimmer of fierce hope ran through him. She lived! Amira was alive and being held captive in her own palace but soon she would be free. He knew secret ways to her chambers and with any luck he would be able to steal her away and be out of the city before anybody knew that she was gone. There was a new spring in his step as he made his way towards the palace. By Ragnar, he would pull the beard of the tyrant Demos before this night was over.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Ever heedful of the presence of the Akonites, he moved as silently as a ghost from shadow to shadow. None saw his stealthy progress even though many paced within arm’s length of the huge barbarian. Despite their cruelty they were yet called civilised men and their senses were not as finely tuned as those of Asgoleth. Slight sounds and stealthy movements that would have alerted Asgoleth went unheard and unseen by the Akonites and it was just as well for them that they did.

Asgoleth continued his journey unmolested and at last he reached a little used gateway which opened into the palace grounds. Amira had shown it to him and together they had used it many times to slip out of the palace unobserved. He smiled as he remembered her joy at those nocturnal visits to the lively city. She disguised as a rich noblewoman sampling the pleasures of a wild barbarian.

He pushed such thoughts from his mind; he had to concentrate on the business at hand. Under his skilful fingers the hidden projections that operated the lock slid back and he pushed the door open a crack. Peering through into the garden beyond he saw no sign of life or movement. A breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees with a soft sighing but otherwise all was silent.

He slipped through the gate, closing it silently behind him, and then sprinted towards a statue of Solus. He crouched at the base of the statue and looked all around him but he