Conan: Road of Kings (25 page)

The crown had been found in one of Mordermi’s hidden coffers—preserved from the mob out of reverence for tradition. Santiddio held it out to Conan.

“Crom’s devils, Santiddio! Take that out of my sight!”

“I know how you must feel, Conan,” Santiddio said. “Both of us have lost good friends; I have lost two sisters. But think upon it. Zingara must have a king. The people love you. You are the greatest hero of the age. Take the crown!”

“Santiddio,” Conan’s voice was grim. “In the morning I take a canoe to carry Destandasi back to her sanctuary.”

“You’ll change your mind.”

“I will not change my mind.”

Santiddio held the crown in his hands, thinking. The procession through Kordava at the head of his army had been a glorious moment, making up for much pain and sorrow. And some of the cheers that floated through the palace window cried out “Santiddio! Santiddio!”

Conan’s eyes were on him. Santiddio flushed.

“If you will not change your mind, then I will accept the crown from the people myself. Zingara must have a king, until a new constitution can be established.”

“I will not change my mind,” Conan repeated. “Not until I know whether it is the man who corrupts the power, or the power that corrupts the man.”

Conan Adventures by Tor Books

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by Karl Edward Wagner

About the Author
K
ARL
E
DWARD
W
AGNER
is one of the most talented of the younger fantasy writers, and best known for his heroic fantasy saga of the mystical swordsman Kane. Born in 1945, he maintains a deep interest in and knowledge of fiction from the pulp era. Prior to becoming a fulltime writer, Wagner was a practicing psychiatrist and M.D. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife, Barbara.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

CONAN: THE ROAD OF KINGS

Copyright © 1979 by Conan Properties, Inc.

All rights reserved.

A Tor Book

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

New York, NY 10010

www.tor.com

Tor® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

ISBN: 0-765-34020-8

First Tor edition: October 2001

eISBN 9781466834996

First eBook edition: November 2012