“Cormac was striding toward a huge black stallion of savage mien that stood with reins hanging in the street…”

—The Slave Princess

Howard’s precise imagery of the face and eyes of characters and even monsters and beasts gives the reader an instant appreciation of a character without the need for a head-to-toe description or backstory; Howard’s characters, even if only appearing in their first and only scene come to the tale ready for action, their history written on their face.

mien

(mēn)

n.

1. Bearing or manner, especially as it reveals an inner state of mind.

2. An appearance or aspect.

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[Alteration (influenced by French mine, appearance) of Middle English demeine, demeanor, from Old French, from demener, to behave; see demean1.]