Adventure stories; Fantasy fiction; Tarzan (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
No chicanery of politics here, no thinly veiled ambition of some
potential tyrant, no mad conception of hair-brained dreamers seized by
the avaricious criminal for self-aggrandizement and riches; none of
these, but patriotism of purest strain energized by the powerful urge
of self-preservation. The perfect fighters, the perfect warriors, the
perfect heroes these. No need for blaring trumpets; of no use to them
the artificial aids to courage conceived by captains of the outer world
who send unwilling men to battle for they know not what, deceived by
lying propaganda, enraged by false tales of the barbarity of the foe,
whose anger has been aroused against them by similar means.
During the lull that followed the departure from the city of the last
of the advance troops Tarzan approached Adendrohahkis where he sat
astride his diadet surrounded by a number of his high officers. The
king was resplendent in golden jerkin, a leathern garment upon which
small discs of gold were sewn, overlapping one another. About his
waist was a wide belt of heavy leather, held in place by three buckles
of gold, and of such dimensions as to have almost the appearance of
a corset. This belt supported his rapier and knife, the scabbards of
which were heavily inlaid with gold and baser metals in intricate and
beautiful designs. Leather cuisses protected his upper legs, in front,
covering the thighs to the knees, while his forearms were encased in
metal armlets from wrists almost to elbows. Upon his feet were strapped
tough sandals, with a circular golden plate protecting each ankle bone.
A well-shaped leather casque fitted his head closely.
As Tarzan stopped before him the king recognized the ape-man with a
pleasant greeting. "The captain of the guard reports that it is to
you we owe the first warning of the coming of the Veltopismakusians.
Once again have you placed the people of Trohanadalmakus under deep
obligations. However are we to repay our debt?"
Tarzan gestured deprecatively. "You owe me nothing, King of
Trohanadalmakus," he replied. "Give me your friendship and tell me that
I may go forward and join your noble son, the prince; then all the
obligations shall be upon my head."
"Until the worms of death devour me I shall be your friend always,
Tarzan," returned the king graciously. "Go where you will and that you
choose to go where there should be fighting surprises me not."
It was the first time that any Minunian had addressed him by his name.
Always had he been called Saviour of the Prince, Guest of the King,
Giant of the Forest and by other similar impersonal appellations. Among
the Minunians a man's name is considered a sacred possession, the use
of which is permitted only his chosen friends and the members of his
family, and to be called Tarzan by Adendrohahkis was equivalent to an
invitation, or a command, to the closest personal friendship with the
king.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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