Gianfranco Mancini’s Reviews > Conan: The Child > Status Update

Conan just nodded. He could see that Akken was in denial. He could not allow for the possibility that his wife might betray him—but Conan knew from experience there was a strong likelihood she had. His instincts told him to walk away. Becoming entangled in the affairs of sorcerers was bad enough. The affairs of a family could be immeasurably worse.
But the prize was too tempting.
The sword alone was worth the risk.

He ran his eyes over the steel, a tiny smile on his lips. “Flawless.” He held it out to Conan. “But who knows if the story is true.”
Conan took it without hesitation. The weight and balance were the embodiment of perfection, the grip melting into his hand as if a natural extension of his arm.
“Crom.”
It was the only word he could speak, as his mouth was stretched into a joyous smile.

Yet it was not her words that interested him. White satin clung to the servant’s curves with each step as she swayed in a seductive rhythm. Eyes of the deepest brown drifted to his, then quickly looked away, though not before he caught the hint of a smile tugging playfully at the corners of her full lips. Conan could feel his lust stirring.

Startled by the barbarian’s sudden ferocity, others fumbled for weapons, but Conan wasn’t about to allow his foes to gain the initiative. A dagger in one hand, sword in the other, he charged at the surprised group of assassins and thieves. So brutal was his assault that three more men lay dead before they could gather their wits enough to fight back.

The air in the room was thick and foul, but Conan had experienced worse in his travels. A small gathering of a dozen cutthroats and thieves congregated mostly near the bar at the rear wall, though two stood in front of the door. They had disarmed him upon entry, believing this gave them an advantage against the hulking barbarian, should violence erupt.