Kothar and the Magic Sword — Gardner Francis Fox

SACRIFICIAL MAIDEN On the flat altar where the god Mirzran had been worshiped long ago lay the white body of a naked girl. Golden chains held her wrists, golden links her ankles . . . She was petrified with fright--or drugs . . . Thy blood accepts her, dark Pult-hoom! droned the priest . . . Kothar stepped forward . . . Blasphemer! screeched the priest. He drew back the bowl to hurl it. Kothar leaped. The horn bow went out, hit the bowl, tilting it as horn rang against silver. That dread fluid gushed from the bowl, splattered across the face and throat of the high priest. His scream was shrill, agonized.