To regain his father’s sword alone possessed him. Valeria and Subotai, with total disregard of danger, loyally moved forward at his side.As the three figures, arms at the ready, cut off all escape from the alcove, Thulsa Doom strove to cast off the stupor that held him in thrall. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the three determined faces and the three blades no more than a few strides from his person. An anger more terrible than any the two Pit fighters had ever seen twisted his visage and for a moment immobilized them.Valeria sank the nails of her left hand into Conan’s sword arm and whispered, “Look!”Subotai drew in his breath and swore a Hyrkanian oath. One of the leopards chained to a pillar opened its golden cat’s eyes and, with twitching ears, watched silently. Conan stared.A weird change was coming over the slender form of Doom. His neck rippled and seemed to lengthen. The lower part of his face bulged forward, elongating his jaws. His aquiline nose shrivelled and disappeared as his forehead receded.
