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The frost giants daughter 9




 

folk [fquk], people [pi:pl], depth [depT]

 

Conan halted, brows knotted. Could this unknown ruin have been raised by the serpent folk of ancient Valusia? The day of that pre-human people lay an unthinkable interval in the past, before the dawn of man himself, in the dim mists of time when giant reptiles ruled the earth. Or ever the Seven Empires arose in the days before the Cataclysm even before Atlantis arose from the depths of the Western Ocean the serpent people had reigned. They had vanished long before the coming of man but not entirely.

 

Around the campfires in the bleak hills of Cimmeria and again in the marbled courts of the temples of Nemedia, Conan had heard the legend of Kull, the Atlantean king of Valusia ( , ). The snake people had survived here and there by means of their magic ( -: ), which enabled them to appear to others as ordinary human beings ( = ; human beings , ). But Kull had stumbled upon their secret and had purged his realm clean oftheir taint, wiping them out with fire and sword ( , ; to stumble upon ; to wipe out , ).

 

snake [sneIk], secret ['si:krIt], taint [teInt]

 

Around the campfires in the bleak hills of Cimmeria and again in the marbled courts of the temples of Nemedia, Conan had heard the legend of Kull, the Atlantean king of Valusia. The snake people had survived here and there by means of their magic, which enabled them to appear to others as ordinary human beings. But Kull had stumbled upon their secret and had purged his realm clean of their taint, wiping them out with fire and sword.

 

Still, might not the black castle, with its alien architecture, be a relic of that remote era (, ), when men contended for the rule of the planet with these reptilian survivors of lost ages ( )?

 

relic ['relIk], remote [rI'mqut], era ['Iqrq]

 

Still, might not the black castle, with its alien architecture, be a relic of that remote era, when men contended for the rule of the planet with these reptilian survivors of lost ages?

 

5. Whispering Shadows

( )

 

The first thunderstorm missed the black castle ( = ). There was a brief patter of raindrops on the crumbling stonework ( = ) and a trickle of water through holes in the roof ( // ). Then the lightning and thunder diminished as the storm passed off to westward ( , ), leaving the moon to shine unobstructed once more through the gaps in the stone ( ). But other storms followed, muttering and flickering out of the east ( / /, ).

 

roof [ru:f], pass [pQ:s], east [i:st]

 

The first thunderstorm missed the black castle. There was a brief patter of raindrops on the crumbling stonework and a trickle of water through holes in the roof. Then the lightning and thunder diminished as the storm passed off to westward, leaving the moon to shine unobstructed once more through the gaps in the stone. But other storms followed, muttering and flickering out of the east.

 

Conan slept uneasily in a corner of the balcony above the great hall, tossing and turning ( , ) like some wary animal that dimly senses the approach of danger ( - , ). Caution had made him suspicious of sleeping in the hall before the wide-open doors ( = ; suspicious of ). Even though the circle of death seemed to bar the denizens of the plains, he did not trust the unseen force that held the beasts at bay ( , , , , / / ).

 

slept [slept], open ['qupn], bay [beI]

 

Conan slept uneasily in a corner of the balcony above the great hall, tossing and turning like some wary animal that dimly senses the approach of danger. Caution had made him suspicious of sleeping in the hall before the wide-open doors. Even though the circle of death seemed to bar the denizens of the plains, he did not trust the unseen force that held the beasts at bay.

 

A dozen times he started awake, clutching at his sword and probing the soft shadows with his eyes, searching for whatever had aroused him ( , // , = , ; awake , ). A dozen times he found nothing in the gloomy vastness of the ancient wreck ( // ). Each time he composed himself for slumber again, however, dim shadows clustered around him, and he half-heard whispering voices ( = , , , ; to compose oneself , half , , , , ).

 

dozen [dAzn], each [i:tS], slumber ['slAmbq]

 

A dozen times he started awake, clutching at his sword and probing the soft shadows with his eyes, searching for whatever had aroused him. A dozen times he found nothing in the gloomy vastness of the ancient wreck. Each time he composed himself for slumber again, however, dim shadows clustered around him, and he half-heard whispering voices.

 

Growling a weary curse to his barbaric gods, the Cimmerian damned all shadows and echoes to the eleven scarlet Hells of his mythology and threw himself down again, striving to slumber ( , , ; to throw ). At length he fell into a deep sleep (, ). And in that sleep there came upon him a strange dream ( : [21]).

 

weary ['wIqrI], damn [dxm], sleep [sli:p]

 

Growling a weary curse to his barbaric gods, the Cimmerian damned all shadows and echoes to the eleven scarlet Hells of his mythology and threw himself down again, striving to slumber. At length he fell into a deep sleep. And in that sleep there came upon him a strange dream.

 

It seemed that, although his body slept, his spirit waked and was watchful (, , , = ). To the immaterial eyes of his ka, as the Stygians called it, the gloomy balcony was filled with adim glow of blood-hued light from some unseen source ( , , ; hue , , , ). This was neither the silvery sheen of the moon, which cast slanting beams into the hall through gaps in the stone, nor the pallid flicker of distant lightning ( , , - ). By this sanguine radiance, Conan's spirit could see drifting shadows ( - ), which flitted like cloudy bats among the black marble columns ( , ) shadows with glaring eyes filled with mindless hunger ( , ) shadows that whispered in an all but inaudible cacophony of mocking laughter and bestial cries (, ).

 

watchful ['wOtSfVl], lightning ['laItnIN], marble [mQ:bl]

 

It seemed that, although his body slept, his spirit waked and was watchful. To the immaterial eyes of his ka, as the Stygians called it, the gloomy balcony was filled with adim glow of blood-hued light from some unseen source. This was neither the silvery sheen of the moon, which cast slanting beams into the hall through gaps in the stone, nor the pallid flicker of distant lightning. By this sanguine radiance, Conan's spirit could see drifting shadows, which flitted like cloudy bats among the black marble columns shadows with glaring eyes filled with mindless hunger shadows that whispered in an all but inaudible cacophony of mocking laughter and bestial cries.

 

Conan's spirit somehow knew that these whispering shadows were the ghosts of thousands of sentient beings ( - , ), who had died within this ancient structure ( ). How he knew this, he could not say, but to his ka it was a plain fact ( , , ). The unknown people who had raised this enormous ruin whether the serpent men of Valusian legend or some other forgotten race had drenched the marble altars of the black castle with the blood of thousands ( , - , ). The ghosts of their victims were chained forever to this castle of terror (/ ). Perhaps they were held earthbound by some powerful spell of prehuman sorcery (, - = , ). Perhaps it was the same spell that kept out the beasts of the veldt (, , ).

 

these [Di:z], ghost [gqust], serpent ['sq:pqnt]

 

Conan's spirit somehow knew that these whispering shadows were the ghosts of thousands of sentient beings, who had died within this ancient structure. How he knew this, he could not say, but to his ka it was a plain fact. The unknown people who had raised this enormous ruin whether the serpent men of Valusian legend or some other forgotten race had drenched the marble altars of the black castle with the blood of thousands. The ghosts of their victims were chained forever to this castle of terror. Perhaps they were held earthbound by some powerful spell of prehuman sorcery. Perhaps it was the same spell that kept out the beasts of the veldt.

 

But this was not all ( ). The ghosts of the black castle hungered for the blood of the living for the blood of Conan ( ; to hunger for ).

 

But this was not all. The ghosts of the black castle hungered for the blood of the living for the blood of Conan.

 

His exhausted body lay chained in ensorcelled slumber ( ) while shadowy phantoms flitted about him, tearing at him with impalpable fingers ( , ; to tear at , , ). But a spirit cannot harm a living being unless it first manifests itself on the physical plane and assumes material form ( , // // ). These gibbering shadow hordes were weak ( ). Not for years had a man defied the ancient curse to set foot within the black castle, enabling them to feed (// , = , ; to enable , , ). Enfeebled by long starvation, they could no longer easily materialize into a shambling horde of ghoul-things ( , [22]; to shamble , , ).

 

phantom ['fxntqm], finger ['fINgq], weak [wi:k]

 

His exhausted body lay chained in ensorcelled slumber while shadowy phantoms flitted about him, tearing at him with impalpable fingers. But a spirit cannot harm a living being unless it first manifests itself on the physical plane and assumes material form. These gibbering shadow hordes were weak. Not for years had a man defied the ancient curse to set foot within the black castle, enabling them to feed. Enfeebled by long starvation, they could no longer easily materialize into a shambling horde of ghoul-things.

 

Somehow, the spirit of the dreaming Conan knew this (- ). While his body slept on, his ka observed movements on the astral plane and watched the vampiric shadows ( , ; to sleep on , ) as they beat insubstantial wings about his sleeping head and slashed with impalpable claws at his pulsing throat ( ). But for all their voiceless frenzy, they could harm him not (, , ; for all , ). Bound by the spell, he slept on ( , ).

 

beat [bi:t], bound [baund], spell [spel]

 

Somehow, the spirit of the dreaming Conan knew this. While his body slept on, his ka observed movements on the astral plane and watched the vampiric shadows as they beat insubstantial wings about his sleeping head and slashed with impalpable claws at his pulsing throat. But for all their voiceless frenzy, they could harm him not. Bound by the spell, he slept on.

 

After an indefinite time, a change took place in the ruddy luminance of the astral plane ( /). The specters were clustering together into a shapeless mass of thickening shadows ( ). Mindless dead things though they were, hunger drove them into an uncanny affiance ( , ; to drive ). Each ghost possessed a small store of that vital energy that went toward bodily materialization ( , ; to go toward ). Now each phantom mingled its sum supply with that of its shadowy brethren ( = ; brethren , ).

 

time [taIm], plane [pleIn], store [stO:]

 

After an indefinite time, a change took place in the ruddy luminance of the astral plane. The specters were clustering together into a shapeless mass of thickening shadows. Mindless dead things though theywere, hunger drove them into an uncanny affiance. Each ghost possessed a small store of that vital energy that went toward bodily materialization. Now each phantom mingled its sum supply with that of its shadowy brethren.

 

Gradually, a terrible shape, fed by the life force of ten thousand ghosts, began to materialize ( , , ). In the dim gloom of the black marble balcony, it slowly formed out of a swirling cloud of shadowy particles ( ).

And Conan slept on ( ).

 

terrible ['terqbl], shape [SeIp], ten [ten]

 

Gradually, a terrible shape, fed by the life force of ten thousand ghosts, began to materialize. In the dim gloom of the black marble balcony, it slowly formed out of a swirling cloud of shadowy particles.

And Conan slept on.

 

6. The Hundred Heads

( )

 

Thunder crashed deafeningly ( ; to crash , , ); lightning blazed with sulphurous fires above the darkened plain, whence the moonlight had fled again ( , = ; to flee ; ). The thick-piled storm clouds burst, soaking the grassy swales with a torrential downpour ( , ; to burst , ()).

 

crash [krxS], whence [wens], torrential [tO'renSl]

 

Thunder crashed deafeningly; lightning blazed with sulphurous fires above the darkened plain, whence the moonlight had fled again. The thick-piled storm clouds burst, soaking the grassy swales with a torrential downpour.

 

The Stygian slave raiders had ridden all night, pressing southward toward the forests beyond Kush ( , ). Their expedition had thus far been fruitless; not one black of the nomadic hunting and herding tribes of the savanna had fallen into their hands ( , // ; thus far [23]). Whether war or pestilence had swept the land bare of humankind, or whether the tribesmen, warned of the coming of the slavers, had fled beyond reach, they did not know ( , : , = , , , ; whether , beyond reach ).

 

forest ['fOrIst], fruitless ['fru:tlIs], whether ['weDq]

 

The Stygian slave raiders had ridden all night, pressing southward toward the forests beyond Kush. Their expedition had thus far been fruitless; not one black of the nomadic hunting and herding tribes of the savanna had fallen into their hands. Whether war or pestilence had swept the land bare of humankind, or whether the tribesmen, warned of the coming of the slavers, had fled beyond reach, they did not know.

 

In any case, it seemed that they would do better among the lush jungles of the South ( // , = ; to do well / , , ). The forest Negroes dwelt in permanent villages ( ), which the slavers could surround and take by surprise with a quick dawn rush ( ; by surprise ; dawn , ), catching the inhabitants like fish in a net ( , ). Villagers too old, too young, or too sickly to endure the trek back to Stygia they would slay out of hand ( , , , ; out of hand , , ). Then they would drive the remaining wretches, fettered together to form a human chain, northward ( , , / / // , ).

 

case [keIs], better ['betq], net [net]

 

In any case, it seemed that they would do better among the lush jungles of the South. The forest Negroes dwelt in permanent villages, which the slavers could surround and take by surprise with a quick dawn rush, catching the inhabitants like fish in a net. Villagers too old, too young, or too sickly to endure the trek back to Stygia they would slay out of hand. Then they would drive the remaining wretches, fettered together to form a human chain, northward.

 

There were forty Stygians, well-mounted warriors in helms and chain-mail hauberks ( , : = ). They were tall, swarthy, hawk-faced men, powerfully muscled ( , , ). They were hardened marauders tough, shrewd, fearless, and merciless ( , , ; tough , , ; ( ); ), with no more compunction about killing a non-Stygian than most men have about slapping a gnat (// -, = = , ; about , , ()).

 

marauder [mq'rO:dq], tough [tAf], shrewd [Sru:d]

 

There were forty Stygians, well-mounted warriors in helms and chain-mail hauberks. They were tall, swarthy, hawk-faced men, powerfully muscled. They were hardened marauders tough, shrewd, fearless, and merciless, with no more compunction about killing a non-Stygian than most men have about slapping a gnat.

 

Now the first downpour of the storm swept their column ( ). Winds whipped their woolen cloaks and linen robes and blew their horses' manes into their faces ( // ; to blow ). The almost continuous blaze of lightning dazzled them ( ).

 

swept [swept], linen ['lInIn], blew [blu:]

 

Now the first downpour of the storm swept their column. Winds whipped their woolen cloaks and linen robes and blew their horses' manes into their faces. The almost continuous blaze of lightning dazzled them.

 

Their leader sighted the black castle, looming above the grasslands, for the blazing lightning made it visible in the rain-veiled dark ( , , ). He shouted a guttural command and drove his spurs into the ribs of his big black mare ( // ). The others spurred after him and rode up to the frowning bastions ( ; to frown ) with a clatter of hoofs, a creaking of leather, and a jingle of mail ( , ). In the blur of rain and night, the abnormality of the facade was not visible ( ), and the Stygians were eager to get under shelter before they were soaked ( , = ; to be eager , , ; shelter , , ).

 

mare [mFq], hoof [hu:f], jingle [GINgl]

 

Their leader sighted the black castle, looming above the grasslands, for the blazing lightning made it visible in the rain-veiled dark. He shouted a guttural command and drove his spurs into the ribs of his big black mare. The others spurred after him and rode up to the frowning bastions with a clatter of hoofs, a creaking of leather, and a jingle of mail. In the blur of rain and night, the abnormality of the facade was not visible, and the Stygians were eager to get under shelter before they were soaked.

 

They came stamping in, cursing and bellowing and shaking the water from their cloaks ( , , , , ). In a trice, the gloomy silence of the ruin was broken with a clamor of noise ( = ; to break , , ). Brushwood and dead leaves were gathered ( ); flint and steel were struck ( = , / ). Soon a smoking, sputtering fire leaped up in the midst of the cracked marble floor, to paint the sculptured walls with rich orange ( = , ; midst , in the midst of , ).

 

paint [peInt], rich [rItS], orange ['OrInG]

 

They came stamping in, cursing and bellowing and shaking the water from their cloaks. In a trice, the gloomy silence of the ruin was broken with a clamor of noise. Brushwood and dead leaves were gathered; flint and steel were struck. Soon a smoking, sputtering fire leaped up in the midst of the cracked marble floor, to paint the sculptured walls with rich orange.

 

The men flung down their saddlebags ( ; saddle ), stripped off wet burnooses, and spread them to dry ). They struggled out of their coats of mail and set to rubbing the moisture from them with oily rags ( // ; to set to V-ing [24] , - .). They opened their saddlebags and sank strong white teeth into round loaves of hard, stale bread ( // , ).

 

wet [wet], spread [spred], moisture ['mOIstSq]

 

The men flung down their saddlebags, stripped off wet burnooses, and spread them to dry. They struggled out of their coats of mail and set to rubbing the moisture from them with oily rags. They opened their saddlebags and sank strong white teeth into round loaves of hard, stale bread.

 

Outside, the storm bellowed and flashed ( ). Streams of rainwater, like little waterfalls, poured through gaps in the masonry ( , , ). But the Stygians heeded them not ( ; to heed , ).

 

Outside, the storm bellowed and flashed. Streams of rainwater, like little waterfalls, poured through gaps in the masonry. But the Stygians heeded them not.

 

On the balcony above, Conan stood silently, awake but trembling with shudders that wracked his powerful body ( , , = , ; to tremble , to shudder ). With the cloudburst, the spell that held him captive had broken ( = , = ). Starting up, he glared about for the shadowy conclave of ghosts that he had seen form in his dream (, , , , ; to glare , to glare about , , to glare for , ). When the lightning flashed, he thought he glimpsed a dark, amorphous form at the far end of the balcony ( , = , // // ), but he did not care to go closer to investigate ( = , = ).





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