As promised, here’s the next chapter in the fanfiction I set in the world of Conan the Barbarian!
In case you missed it, here’s a link to the first chapter!
And now, on to Chapter Ten!
The audacity of that slave bitch! Abdibaal thought.
Despite his anger at the attack, he did admit two things to himself.
Firstly, the attack was a masterstroke of marksmanship, considering the wounds already inflicted upon the slave wench.
Secondly, said wench appeared easy on the eyes. He guessed her of Argossean blood, judging by her noble features and her arrogance.
Like the others, she’d make an impressive addition to his stable of whores.
However, Abdibaal decided it was better to survive the night instead.
He wouldn’t go directly to the Kothan court. He would journey to a nearby town he knew housed many a man for hire. He’d bring these men back to the pit on an extravagant wage and slaughter any remaining slaves.
He’d also have Shiruk and his mercenaries killed if they had not quelled the revolt in the two days it would take him to return.
Four mercenaries from the tent area passed Abdibaal on the way to aid their master against the two women. With the A’ghama still in play, Abdibaal liked the odds of the women perishing this night. A pity, but the price one pays for a slave revolt.
Abdibaal turned from the scene, heading for the stable housing his horse.
Asthara and Runi swung their chains at the turbaned slaver. He deflected their attacks with his shield, then turned his scimitar on Runi again.
She raised her chains, trapping the blade and yanking it away from the man. It clattered to the ground just out of reach of both Runi and the man.
Unfortunately, the remaining Pelishtim archer picked it up.
Kesisa didn’t give the slaver time to dwell on his fallen weapon. She came around the side, swinging her chain at him.
He tried to bring his shield up to defend, but the chain hung just inside his defense. The metal slammed against the man’s head. He stumbled but held his footing.
Blood pooled beneath his turban.
Runi moved to press their advantage when the beast’s tail slammed against her side, launching her away from the melee and to the ground several feet away.
Asthara turned to see the giant lizard behind her. Blood and flesh dripped from its great maw.
The archer abruptly dropped the scimitar and ran for his life.
That proved the wrong move.
The beast launched after the archer, catching him in its giant maw. The Kothan man’s scream died as his defiler crushed his ribcage with a bite. Seemingly sated, the giant lizard sat on its haunches and chewed its meal.
A thankful smile crossed Asthara’s lips. That smile turned to a snarl as she returned her attention to the bleeding slaver before her.
She brought her chain down again, striking the man’s shoulder.
The blow knocked him off balance, sending him to the ground.
With him neutralized for the moment, Asthara raced to Runi’s side. The woman’s pride hurt more than her body. She accepted Asthara’s help in getting to her feet.
Kesisa continued the assault on the slaver leader. She wrapped her chain around his neck, squeezing as tightly as her injured body could.
Unfortunately, the four mercenaries from the camp set upon the women, brandishing spears while hiding behind body-length shields.
Two mercenaries thrust their spears at Kesisa; one slashed her side. Though she winced at the pain, the Hyrkanian held fast to the slaver in her grasp.
The other mercenaries attacked Runi and Asthara. Runi used her chain to parry a spear.
Asthara wasn’t so skilled. She took a spear to her stomach. She fell to one knee, grasping the spear with both hands.
When she looked up at the mercenary who’d harmed her, Asthara gave him a nasty smile.
“Shouldn’t have done that,” she said.
Her taunt failed to dissuade the mercenary, who pulled back his spear and thrust again. Asthara batted away the spear. Its point dug into the ground beside her and brought the mercenary within reach of her chain.
Runi moved at her attacker, bringing her chain down on his weapon arm. The blow knocked the spear from the mercenary’s hands. In retaliation, he used his shield to bash Runi’s arms.
Kesisa pulled again on the chain about the slaver leader’s neck. He gasped. She could see the chain leaving an impression on his skin. Yet the slaver managed to grab Kesisa’s arms and drag her over his head. She rolled away, her chain’s grip easing from his neck.
The Hyrkanian barely stopped herself from rolling off the pit’s upper floor.
The mercenaries came at her with their spears. One slashed her leg, drawing more blood.
Asthara swung her chain. The force of her blow slammed the mercenary’s shield back at him. The wooden device meant for defense bashed him in the head, knocking him off his feet. Asthara brought her chain down against his head, delivering a blow that fractured his skull and sent bone into his brain. She let out a fierce victory cry.
Runi kicked the mercenary’s spear up with one foot and kicked it about with the other. Grasping it with her hands, she thrust it at the mercenary. He deflected the spear with his shield and then used the shield to push Runi to the ground.
Kesisa got to her feet and swung her chain at one of her attacker’s heads. She connected, spinning the man away from her and slamming him into the back of the giant feeding lizard. The beast uttered another horrid yell and turned to see what had hit him. The mercenary, his skull broken from Kesisa’s blow, had fallen dead to the ground.
The beast saw the other mercenary.
The mercenary looked from the beast and to Kesisa.
“Him or me, bastard!”
The mercenary chose to run instead but didn’t make it far.
The lizard lunged at him, snapping the mercenary’s legs with its mouth. Once again, it settled in to eat its meal while the mercenary screamed.
Unfortunately, Kesisa had little time to celebrate. The slaver’s leader charged her with his scimitar at the ready.
That’s it for this chapter of Conan the Barbarian fanfiction!
To tide you over until the next chapter, check out some of my other fanfiction.
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Until next time!
