The Phoenix on the Sword

The Phoenix on the Sword

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4
(1 Review)
The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert E. Howard

Published:

1932

Pages:

28

Downloads:

5,911

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The Phoenix on the Sword

By

4
(1 Review)

Book Excerpt

t for my hate, oh scaled and shining One!

The sun was setting, etching the green and hazy blue of the forest in brief gold. The waning beams glinted on the thick golden chain which Dion of Attalus twisted continually in his pudgy hand as he sat in the flaming riot of blossoms and flower­-trees which was his garden. He shifted his fat body on his marble seat and glanced furtively about, as if in quest of a lurking enemy. He sat within a circular grove of slender trees, whose interlapping branches cast a thick shade over him. Near at hand a fountain tinkled silverly, and other unseen fountains in various parts of the great garden whispered an everlasting symphony.

Dion was alone except for the great dusky figure which lounged on a marble bench close at hand, watching the baron with deep somber eyes. Dion gave little thought to Thoth-amon. He vaguely knew that he was a slave in whom Ascalante reposed much trust, but like so many rich men, Dion paid scant heed to men below his own station i

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At his point in Conan's career, he is king of Aquilonia, having overthrown and killed the previous king. Disgruntled subjects are plotting to assasinate Conan. The story starts out slowly, with the plans of the plotters taking up the first quarter of the story, but treachery piles up on betrayal and evil magic comes into play. Finally, there is a climactic slaughter in the king's bedroom.

As always, Howard's descriptions are clear and effective, and he manages to create characters that are easy to tell apart. But the most striking scene to me is the part where Conan is doing paperwork.