Thongor and the Wizard of Lemuria by Lin Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

of your battle with the lizard-hawk. To my knowledge, never before has a single man slain the Terror of the Skies.”
    Their meal complete, they sat at ease before the pit of fire. The hard life of a mercenary warrior had but rarely afforded Thongor such cushioned ease, and with a full belly and a goodly supply of wine he stretched out like a great golden-eyed cat.
    “Tell me of your plans,” Sharajsha urged, so Thongor briefly sketched out his intentions to seek service either with the legions of Hashab Chan, Sark of Kathool, or with those of another of the cities along the Gulf.
    Sharajsha unrolled a mighty map drawn with colored inks on tanned leather. “Here is the site of my underground palace,” the old wizard mused, setting his thumb on a spot among the southern foothills of the Mountains of Mommur, “and here is Kathool of the Purple Towers on the River Saan to the north of Patanga. You have many vom of impenetrable jungle to cross ere you can come to Kathool.”
    “So I see,” the barbarian grunted. “And on foot, as well, unless your generous hospitality extends to lending me a zamph.”
    The magician nodded. “That will I do, and gladly, if need be. But there is a chance that your flying boat can be repaired, in which case you can traverse the distance between my palace and Kathool in ease and swiftness.”
    “Know you aught of these flying ships?” the young barbarian inquired.
    Sharajsha shrugged. “Something I know of the inventions of Oolim Phon, and still more I conjecture. But these matters must await our attentions till tomorrow, when we shall return to the jungle and seek out the wrecked air-boat. I will be able to say more when I have inspected the wreckage. As for tonight, at least, you are my guest.”
    Thongor nodded. Then:
    “You said you had need of a warrior,” he demanded bluntly. “But you have not mentioned anything more about it. What is it all about?”
    The old Wizard of Lemuria pondered, staring deep into the roaring fire as one slim hand stroked his long beard thoughtfully.
    “I do indeed; yet of this I would reserve speech until another time, if you will indulge me, swordsman. After we have found the ruin of your sky floater and have ascertained the full extent of its damage, I may very well make you an offer of employment for a time. Let us leave this question, too, until tomorrow. Now it is time for bed. Old bones grow weary, and young ones too, when they have striven as mightily as you have this day. Come, I will conduct you to your room.”
    * * * *
    That night Thongor slept a deep and dreamless sleep. His first suspicions of the age-old Wizard of Lemuria were quieted, for it was obvious that the ancient sage meant him no harm.
    And thus were they met at last, Thongor of Valkarth and Sharajsha of Zaar, and thus were the feet of the youthful warrior set on the first steps of that mighty road that would either lead him to the glory of a kingly throne—or to a black and terrible death.

CHAPTER 6
    The Science of Sharajsha
    It was Sharajsha who read the dark schemes of the Druids, and against their stupendous plot he stood alone and set his hand against their dread wisdom. And thus the world stood trembling on the brink of ultimate and conquering chaos in the days before the coming of Thongor the Mighty into the kingdoms of the West.
    — The Lemurian Chronicles ,
Book Three, Chapter Ten
    An hour past daybreak the warrior and the wizard arose from sleep and broke their fast with a hearty meal. The sage was eager to examine the wreckage of the airboat as soon as possible, that the mighty predators of the Chushan jungles might not damage it further; so they made their meal in haste and were ready to depart ere the sun was scarce risen into the blue vault of heaven.
    They mounted two zamphs which the old wizard kept penned in one of the outer chambers of his cavernous home, beyond the gates of his underground palace. With Sharajsha in the lead, they made their way out of the