
In the salty hamlet of Faring, the sea‑scarred duo John Kulrek and his quick‑tongued companion Lie‑Lip Canool dominate every tavern and dock. Their swagger, wild sea‑songs, and daring exploits on distant waters make them both admired heroes and feared trouble‑makers among the townsfolk. The locals watch them with a mix of awe and dread, for these men live by the blade as readily as they do by the tide. Life in the village revolves around their boisterous presence, even as ordinary folk keep their heads down, hoping to stay out of the pair’s way.
When the reclusive Moll Farrell’s niece vanishes on a bleak winter’s day, the entire community scrambles to find her—except for Kulrek and his cronies, who remain glued to their dice and drink. The girl returns, lifeless and pale, washed ashore as a ghostly omen. Enraged, Moll, whispered to be a witch, hurls a terrifying curse upon Kulrek and Lie‑Lip, invoking the wrath of sea‑bound demons and ancient spirits. The curse sets a dark tone, promising that the sailors’ bravado may soon be tested by forces far beyond the rolling waves.
Language
en
Duration
~15 minutes (14K characters)
Series
Faring Town
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: Weird Tales, 1928.
Credits
Al Haines
Release date
2024-01-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1906–1936
Best known as the creator of Conan the Barbarian, this Texas writer helped shape modern sword-and-sorcery fantasy while also turning out horror, adventure, boxing tales, and westerns for the pulp magazines. His stories move fast, hit hard, and still feel vivid nearly a century later.
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