Read Online Lords of Destruction by James Silke, Frank Frazetta - Free Book Online

disappeared over the rim of rock. Lying down again, he looked back at the yellow
wagon and held still.
    Brown John, using the noise and commotion to cover his movements, had exited
the wagon and was now racing through the trees toward Jakar. In his arms,
wrapped in a blanket, was a small struggling body with tiny feet which kicked
furiously.
    Jakar climbed off the rock, and the old man raced past him without speaking,
heading for the horses. Jakar peered between the rocks to see if he was being
followed, saw no one and moved after him.
    Just short of the horses, Brown John veered north toward the base of the
sheer wall of jagged rock which showed slightly between the tall pines.
    When they emerged from the forest, they were beside a fast-moving creek, one
of the many which fed the river, and the sounds of the singing were vague,
distant.
    Brown John, gasping for breath, set the wrapped body down on a rock, then sat
down beside it, peeling the blanket away from the head.
    Robin Lakehair was gagged. Her short red-gold hair was in disarray, and the
rouge on her cheeks and lips, as well as the thick lines of kohl outlining her
big hazel eyes, was smeared. The eyes themselves were windows to a shocked body
and mind, and angry. Nevertheless, as far as Jakar was concerned, her beauty
radiated like sunlight striking through drops of morning dew, and the corners of
his finely wrought lips turned up in a smile.
    Brown John, between gasps, said, “I’m sorry about this, Robin. Terribly
sorry. But I must leave the gag, just in case something might cause you to
scream and reveal where you are. I’d explain why, but there’s no time. I have to
warn the others, and you have to hide.” He looked up at Jakar. “I think you know
Jakar… he’ll stay with you.”
    Robin looked up with frightened eyes at Jakar and suddenly stopped thrashing,
just stared.
    Jakar bowed, with aristocratic reserve, and said, “It is a pleasure to serve
you, my lady.” Then, behind a slightly mocking smile that failed to hide his
concern for her, he added, “But I must say, you surely manage to stir up a
fuss.”
    Robin turned her eyes on the bukko and complained unintelligibly
behind her gag, her eyes pleading.
    “Just trust me,” the old man said as he stood, “and go with Jakar. Your life
may depend on it.” Jakar, forcing a light tone, said, “She’s a pretty bit of
fluff, isn’t she?”
    Brown John scowled at him. “That will be enough of that. You’re going to have
to keep your head about you now, lad, and if looking at her is going to make you
behave like a popinjay, then don’t look at her.” Jakar blushed, and the bukko added, “Now listen to me. I am honor bound to protect Robin… and duty bound
as well. My friend, Gath of Baal, depends on her, and the entire forest depends
on him. Do you understand?”
    Jakar nodded, once, deadly serious now.
    “Good. Take her upstream to the falls.” He pointed them out, explaining how
to find a hidden chasm behind the falls, then added, “She’ll be safe there. Now
get moving. I’ll find out what’s going on and meet you there later.”
    Jakar watched the wiry old man dash down the boulder-strewn stream, thinking
to himself that the bukko was taking a lot for granted, even for a king.
But he liked him, and for reasons he could not explain, trusted him. He
hesitated uncertainly, then put his soft charcoal eyes on Robin’s consuming
beauty and gathered her gently in his strong arms. She struggled slightly, then
gave up, and a shiver swept through him as her softness came against his lean
hard body. He felt color flooding into his sun-dark cheeks and tried to look
away, but could not. For a moment their eyes met, then a smile warmed his
thoughtful eyes as he spoke.
    “Something tells me, fluff, that you are going to be a whole lot of trouble.”

Eleven
    READHEADS

    B rown John emerged from the bushes overhanging the creek and stepped onto the
river bed.
    It was