Chapter V
: The Funeral Pyre
Now we are done with roaming, evermore;
No more the oars, the windy harp's refrain;
Nor crimson pennon frights the dusky shore;
Blue girdle of the world, receive again
His whom thou gavest me.
--The Song of Belit
Again dawn tinged the ocean. A redder glow lit the river-mouth. Conyn of Cimmeria leaned on her great sword upon the white beach, watching the Tiger swinging out on his last voyage. There was no light in her eyes that contemplated the glassy swells. Out of the rolling blue wastes all glory and wonder had gone. A fierce revulsion shook her as she gazed at the green surges that deepened into purple hazes of mystery.
Belit had been of the sea; he had lent it splendor and allure. Without his it rolled a barren, dreary and desolate waste from pole to pole. He belonged to the sea; to its everlasting mystery she returned him. She could do no more. For herself, its glittering blue splendor was more repellent than the leafy fronds which rustled and whispered behind her of vast mysterious wilds beyond them, and into which she must plunge.
No hand was at the sweep of the Tiger, no oars drove his through the green water. But a clean tanging wind bellied his silken sail, and as a wild swan cleaves the sky to his nest, he sped seaward, flames mounting higher and higher from his deck to lick at the mast and envelop the figure that lay lapped in scarlet on the shining pyre.
So passed the King of the Black Coast, and leaning on her red-stained sword, Conyn stood silently until the red glow had faded far out in the blue hazes and dawn splashed its rose and gold over the ocean.
THE END
Artwork by Robert Rizzato
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rizzato/3254531364/in/faves-jekkarapress/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.enJekkara Press
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Also by Jekkara press
The Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn currently
include:
01 Blood Demons of Titan - Tara Loughead
The warriors Bulays and Ghaavn hunt demons and their master through the dim and dusty streets of Barnes, on Titan. Can they stop him before he completes a devastating ritual?
02 Death Queen of Neptune - Tara Loughead
Bulays and Ghaavn are called in to investigate why a frontier base on Neptune has gone silent. Ice monsters and an ancient, beautiful evil await.
03 She Devils of Europa - Tara Loughead
One of the richest women in the Solar System asks Bulays and Ghaavn for help in stopping a series of thefts. There is a mystery to solve at the most
expensive resort in existence, The Europa. Larceny, magic and dancing await, in an all expenses paid evening.
04 Shadow Emperor of Phobos: The Martian Moon War
Bulays and Ghaavn try and stop a underworld shooting war. First they must get past a Martian Shadowcat, employ surprising combat techniques, and try and reason with Ghaavn's criminal mentor.
The Gender Switch Adventures
The Devil In Iron, Respawned [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E Howard
Any resemblance to Robert E. Howard's Conan is completely intentional. A resurrected demon menaces Conyn on an island fortress, along with other monsters.
The Pool of the Black One, Reswum [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E Howard
Any resemblance to Robert E. Howard's Conan is completely intentional. Conyn, a pirate, puts herself in charge and investigates a strange island with mystic waters.
Jewels of Gwahlur, Reboxed [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E. Howard
Any resemblance to Robert E. Howard's Conan is completely intentional. Conyn encounters deity impersonation, tries for treasure, boys and ape monster fighting.
Queen of the Black Coast, Recrowned [Conyn the Barbarian] - Roberta E. Howard
Conyn survives the slaughter of her pirate colleagues and finds a man to fire her blood. Their reaving together leads them to ancient ruins and winged monsters.
Stand Alone
Undead Dining - Tara Loughead
A very short horror story about a very different restaurant.
Coming Soon
The Adventures of Bulays and Ghaavn
05 Desert Empress of Deimos: The Martian Moon War Part 2 - Tara Loughead
The Gender Switch Adventures
Red Nails Polished (Conyn the Barbarian) – Roberta E. Howard
Beyond the Black River, Recrossed (Conyn the Barbarian) by Roberta E. Howard
Queen of the Black Coast, Recrowned (Conyn the Barbarian) - Roberta E. Howard
Queen of the Martian Catacombs, Recrowned (Erica Joan Stark)
Black Male Amazon of Mars (Erica Joan Stark) – Lee Brackett
Song In A Minor Key, Retuned (Norawest Smith) - Cathan L. Moore
The Tree of Life, Revisited (Norawest Smith) - Cathan L. Moore
The Valor of Cappea Verra, Recapped (Cappea Verra) - Poula Anderson