SOURCE: "The Abonimations of Yondo" by Clark Ashton Smith (1960) Arkham House, though probably written earlier.

DESCRIPTION: "Then, out of the north, where shadows mustered, there came a curious figure -- a tall man fully caparisoned in chain-mail -- or, rather, what I assumed to be a man. As the figure approached me, clanking dismally at each step on the sharded ground, I saw that its armor was of brass mottled with verdigris; and a casque of the same metal furnished with coiling horns and a serrate comb, rose high above its head. I say its head, for the sunset was darkening, and I could not see clearly at any distance; but when the apparition came abreast, I perceived that there was no face beneath the brows of the bizarre helmet whose empty edges were outlined for a moment against the smouldering light. Then the figure passed on, still clanking dismally and vanished..."

NOTES: It is not known if the Soldier of Yondo is a spirit inhabiting a suit of armor or a living carapace.

HISTORY: Clark Ashton Smith created several bizarre creatures for this story which is little more than an exercise in monster making. Also see: The Chuckler, The Venus, The Shadow and The Mummy-King of Yondo.

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