Stormbringer es-6 Read online

  The healthy storm raged on until at thoughts of destiny and supernatural danger were driven from their minds and their muscles ached and nicy gasped with the shock of cold waves on their drenched bodies.

  The boat reeled and rocked, their hands were sore from the tightness of their grip on wood and rope, but it was as if Fate had singled them out to live, or perhaps for a death not would be less dean, for they continued to ride tile heaving waters.

  Then, with a shock, Elric saw rocks rearing and Moonglum shouted in recognition:

  'The Serpent's Teeth! »

  The Serpent's Teeth lay close to Shazar and were one of the most feared hazards of the shore-hugging traders of the West. Elric and Moonglum had seen them before, from a distance, but now the storm was driving them nearer and nearer, and though they struggled to keep the boat away, they seemed bound to be smashed to their deaths on the jagged rocks.

  A wave surged under the boat, lifted them and bore them down. Elric dung to the side of the boat and thought he heard Moonglum's wild shout above the noise of the storm before they were flung towards the Serpent's Teeth.

  «Farewell.»

  And then were was the terrifying sound of smashing timbers, the feel of sharp rock lacerating his rolling body and he was beneath the waves fighting his way to the surface to gasp in a handful of air before another wave tossed him and grazed his arm against the rocks.

  Desperately, encumbered by the life-giving runesword at his belt, he attempted to swim for the looming cliffs of Shazar, conscious that even if he lived he had arrived on enemy soil and his chances of reaching the White Iurds were now almost non-existent.

  Three

  Elric lay exhausted on the cold Shingle listening to the musical sound that the tide made as it drew back, over the stones.

  Another sound joined that of the surf, and he recognised it as the crunch of boots. Someone was coming towards him. In Shazar it was most likely to be an enemy. He rolled over and began scrambling to his feet, drawing the last reserves from his worn-out body. His right hand had. half-drawn Stormbringer from its scabbard before he realised dial it was Moonglum, bent with weakness, standing grinning before him.

  «Thank the gods, you live! » Moonglum lowered himself to the shingle and leaned back with his arms supporting him, regarding the now calm sea and the towering Serpent's Teeth in the distance.

  «Aye, we live, » Elric said, squatting down moodily. «But for bow long in this ruined land I cannot guess. Somewhere, perhaps, we can find a ship-but it will mean seeking a town or city and we're a marked pair, easily recognised by our physical appearance.»

  Moonglum shook his head and laughed lightly. «You're still the gloomy one, friend. Be thankful for your life, say I.»

  «Small mercies are all but useless in this conflict, » Elric said. «Rest, now, Moonglum while I watch, then you can take my place. There was no time to lose when we began this venture and now we've lost days.»

  Moonglum gave no argument, but allowed himself immediately to sleep and when he awoke, much refreshed though aching horribly, Elric slept until the moon was high and shining brightly in a dear sky.

  They trudged through the night, the sparse grass of the coast region giving way to wet, blackened ground. It was as if a holocaust had raged over the countryside, followed by a rainstorm which had left behind it a marsh of ashes. Remembering the grassy plains of his part of Shazar, Elric was horrified, unable to ten whether men or the creatures of Chaos' had caused such wanton ruin.

  Noon was approaching with a hint of weird disturbances in the bright-clowded Sky, when they saw a long line of people approaching them. They flattened themselves behind a small rise and peered cautiously over it as the party drew nearer. These were no enemy soldiers, but gaunt women and starving children, men who staggered in rags and a few battered riders, obviously the remnants of some defeated band of partisans who had held out against Pan Tang.

  «I think we'll find friends, of sorts, here, » Elric muttered thankfully, »and perhaps some information which will help us.»

  They arose and walked towards the wretched herd. The riders quickly grouped around the civilians and drew their weapons, but before any challenges could be given, someone cried from the enclosed ranks:

  «Elric of Melnibone! Elric - have you returned with news of rescue?»

  Elric didn't recognise the voice, but he knew his face was legend with its dead white akin and glowing red eyes.

  «I’m seeking rescue myself, friends, » he said with poorly assumed cheerfulness. «We were shipwrecked on your coasts while on a journey which we hoped would help us lift the yoke of Jagreen Lern from off the Westlands, but unless we find another ship our chances are scant»

  «Which way did you sail, Elric?» said the unseen spokesman.

  «We sailed to Sorcerers' Isle in the south-west, mere to invoke the aid, if we could, of the White Lords, » Moonglum replied.

  «Then you were going in the wrong direction.»

  Elric straightened his back and tried to peer into the throng. «Who are you to tell us that?»

  There was a disturbance in the crowd and a bent, middle-aged man leaning on a staff with long curling moustachios adorning his fair-skinned face broke from the ranks and stood there. The riders drew back their horses so that Elric could see him properly.

  «I am named Ohada the Seer, once famous to Dioperda as a predictor of events. But Dioperda was razed in the sack of Sbazar and I was lucky enough to escape with these few people who are all from Dioperda, one of the last cities to fall before Pan Tang»s sorcerous might I have a message of great import for you, Elric. It is for your ears only and I received it from one you know-one who may help you and, indirectly, us.»

  «You have piqued my curiosity and raised my hopes, » Elric beckoned with his band. «Come, seer, tell me your news and let's all trust it is as good as you hint»

  Moonglum took a step back as the seer approached. Both he and the Dioperdans watched with curiosity as Ohada whispered to Elric.

  Elric himself had to strain to catch the words. «I bear a message from a being called Sepiriz, He says not what you have failed to do, he has done, but there is something which you must do that he cannot He says to go to the carved city and there he will enlighten you further.»

  «Sepiriz! How did he contact you?»

  «I am clairvoyant. He came to me in a dream.»

  «Your words could be treacherous, designed to lead me into Jagreen Lern's hands.»

  «Sepiriz added one thing to me-he told me that we should meet on this very spot Could Jagreen Lern know that?»

  «Unlikely-but, by the same reckoning, could anyone know that?»

  Then Elric remembered that Sepiriz and his brothers, who had helped him earlier, were the servitors of Fate. And Fate had already played an important part in this. He nodded. «Thanks, seer.»

  Then he shouted to the riders. «We need a pair of horses-the best you have! »

  «Our horses are valuable to us, » grumbled a knight in torn armour, »they are all we have.»

  «My companion and I need to move swiftly if we are to save your land. Come, risk a pair of horses against the possibility of vengeance on your conquerors.»

  The knight dismounted and so did the man beside him. They led their steeds up to Elric and Moonglum. «Use them well Elric.»

  Elric took the reins and swung himself into the saddle. «I will, » said he. «What are your plans now?»

  «Well fight on as best we can.»

  «Would it not be wiser to hide in the mountains or the Marshes of the Mist?»

  «If you had witnessed the depravity and terror of Jagreen Lern's filthy rule, you would not make men an enquiry.» the knight said hollowly. Though we cannot hope to win against a man whose servants can command the very earth to heave like the ocean, pull down floods of salt water from the sky and send green clouds scudding down to destroy helpless children in nameless ways, we shall take what vengeance we can! This part of the continent is calm compared t
o what is going on elsewhere. Dreadful geological changes are taking place everywhere. You would not recognise a hill or forest ten miles north. And those that you passed one day might well have changed or disappeared on the next.»

  «We have witnessed something of the like on our sea journey, » Elric nodded. «I wish you a long life of revenge, friend. I myself have scores to settle with Jagreen Lern and his accomplice.»

  «His accomplice? You mean King Sarosto of Dharijor! » A thin smile crossed the knight's haggard face. «You'll take no vengeance on Sarosto-he was assassinated soon after our forces were vanquished at the battle of Sequa. Though nothing was proved, it is common knowledge that he was killed at the orders of the Theocrat who now rule' the entire continent.» The knight signed. «And who can stand for long against such captains as Jagreen Lern commands?

  «Who are these captains?»

  «Why, he has summoned an the Dukes of Hen to ban. Whether they will accept his mastery much longer, I do not know. It is our belief that Jagreen Lern will be the next to die-and Hell, unchecked, will rule in his place! »

  «I hope not, » Elric said softly, «for I won’t be cheated of my vengeance.»

  The knight shrugged. «With the Dukes of Hell as his allies, Jagreen Lern will soon rule the world.»

  «Let us hope I can find a means of disposing of not dark aristocracy, and keeping my vow to slay Jagreen Lern, » Elric said and, with a wave of thanks to the seer and the two knights, turned his horse towards the mountains of Jharkor, Moonglum in his wake.

  They got little rest on their perilous ride to the mountain home of Sepiriz for, as the knight had told them, the ground itself seemed alive and anarchy ruled everywhere.

  Afterwards, Elric remembered little save a feeling of utter horror and the noise of unholy screechings in his ear, dark colours, gold, reds, blue, black and flaring orange that was everywhere, the sign of Chaos on Earth.

  But on the way he managed to inform Moonglum of his previous encounter with Sepiriz and told him something of what the Lord of Nihrain had mentioned of his destiny, how the last of the royal line of old, Elric and Dyvim Slorm bore blades of Chaos-make which were destined to destroy the rule of Chaos on the planet and prepare the world for its death and rebirth as an era where Law would dominate.

  Moonglum had not replied, had, instead, resolved to stand vim Elric when the final day came whether they won or lost the war against Chaos.

  In the mountain regions dose to Nihrain they saw evidence not the rule of Chaos was not so complete as in other parts nearby. This proved not Sepiriz and his nine black brothers, last of the Nihrain, were exerting at least some control against the forces threatening to engulf them.

  Through steep gorges of towering black rock, along treacherous mountain paths, down slopes that rattled with loose tones and seemed likely to start an avalanche, they pressed deeper and deeper into the heart of the ancient mountains. These were the oldest mountains in the world, and they held one of the Earth's most ancient secrete-the domain of the immortal Nihrain who had ruled for centuries even before the coming of the Melniboneans whose Bright Empire had lasted ten thousand years.

  And men, at last, they came to the Hewn City of Nihrain, Its towering palaces, temples and fortresses cut into the living black granite, hidden in the depths of a gorge that might have been bottomless. Virtually cut off from all but the faintest filterings of sunlight, it had brooded here since earliest times.

  Down the narrow paths they guided their reluctant steeds until they had reached a huge gateway which was carved with the figures of titans and half-men looming above them, not Moonglum gasped and immediately fell silent, overawed by the genius which could accomplish the twin feats of gigantic engineering and powerful art.

  In the caverns of Nihrain, also carved to represent scenes from the legends of the Nihrain, Sepiriz awaited them, a welcoming smile on his thin-lipped ebony face.

  «Greetings, Sepiriz, » Elric dismounted and allowed slaves to lead his horse away. Moonglum did likewise, a trifle war' fly.

  «I was informed correctly.» Sepiriz clasped Elric's shoulders in his hands. «I am glad for I learned you were bound to Sorcerers' Isle to seek the White Lords' help.»

  'True. Is their help, then, unobtainable?»

  «Not yet. We ourselves are trying to contact them, with me aid of the hermit magicians of the islands, but so far Chaos has blocked our attempts. But there is work for you and your sword nearer to home. Come to my chamber and refresh yourselves. We have some wine which will revitalise you and when you have drunk your fill I’ll tell you what task Fate has decided for you now.»

  Elric put down his cup and breathed in deeply, feeling relaxed and invigorated. He pointed at the wine-jar and said:

  «A man might easily become addicted to such a brew! »

  «I'm addicted already, » Moonglum grinned, pouring himself another cup.

  Sepiriz shook his head. «It has a strange quality, our Nihrain wine. It tastes pleasant and refreshes the weary, yet once his strength is regained the man who drinks it then is nauseated. That is why we still have some in our cellars. But our stocks are low-the vines from which it was made have long since passed from the Earth.»

  «A magic potion, » Moonglum said, replacing his cup on the table.

  «If you like to so designate it Elric and I are of an earlier age when magic was normal and Chaos ruled, if more quietly than now. You men of the Young Kingdoms are perhaps right to loathe it as you do, for we hope to ready the world for Law soon and then, perhaps, boy'll find similar brews by more painstaking methods, methods they can understand better.»

  «I doubt it, » Moonglum laughed. Elric sighed. «If we are not judder man we have been, we'll see Chaos unleashed on the globe and Law forever vanquished, » he said gloomily.

  «And no luck for us if Law is triumphant, eh?» Sepiriz poured himself a cup of the wine, showing that he, also, must be weary with his own efforts.

  «What do you mean?» Moonglum asked curiously.

  Sepiriz told him that he and Elric, though fighting Chaos, were actually fitted to a world where Chaos, to a great extent, was dominant In the world they hoped for, where Law ruled, there would be no place for their like.

  Moonglum looked sharply at Elric, understanding that much more of his friend's unenviable predicament.

  «You said there was work for me and my sword, Sepiriz.» Elric leaned forward. «What's its nature?»

  «You have no doubt already learned that Jagreen Lern has summoned the Dukes of Hell to captain his men and keep his conquered lands under control?»

  «Yes.»

  «You understand the import of this. Jagreen Lern has succeeded in making a sizeable breach in the Law-constructed barrier which has hitherto kept the creatures of Chaos from wholly ruling the planet He is forever widening this breach as his power increases. This explains how he could summon such a mighty assembly of Hell's nobility where, in the past it was hard to bring one to our plain. Arioch is among them...»

  «Arioch! » Arioch was Elric's patron, the principle god word shipped by his ancestors. «Then I am now a total outcast unprotected either by Law or by Chaos! »

  «Your only dose supernatural ally is your sword, » Sepiriz said grimly. «And, perhaps, its brothers.»

  «What brothers? There is only the sister-sword Mournblade which Dyvim Slorm has! »

  «Do you remember that I told you how the twin swords were actually only an earthly manifestation of their supernatural selves?» Sepiriz said calmly.

  «Yes.»

  «Well. I can ten you now that Stormbringer's 'real' being is related to other supernatural force' on another plane. I know how to summon them, but these relations are also creatures of Chaos and therefore, as far as you're concerned, somewhat hard to control. They could well get out of hand in some way-perhaps even turn against you. Stormbringer, as you have discovered in the past, is bound to you by ties even stronger than those which bind it to its brothers, but its brothers outnumber it and Stormbrin
ger might not be able to protect you against them.»

  «Why have I never known this?»

  «You have known it, in a way. Do you remember times when you have called for help and help has come?»

  «Yes. You mean that this help has been supplied by Stormbringer's brethren?»

  «I do. Already they are used to coming to your help. They are not what you and I would call 'intelligent, ‘ though sentient, and are therefore not so strongly bound to Chaos as its reasoning servants. They can be controlled, to a degree, by anyone who has power such as you have over one of their brothers. If you need their help, you will need to remember a rune which I shall tell you later.»

  «And what is my task?»

  «To destroy the Dukes of Hell.»

  «But that's impossible. They are one of the mightiest groups in the entire domain of Chaos! «

  «True. But you control one of the mightiest weapons. That is your task. Already there are hints that the Demon Dukes have taken some of Jagreen Lern's power from him. The fool. He still refuses to realise not he is a puppet of Chaos and thinks he can rule over such supernatural might as the Dukes represent But it is a certainty not with these friends Jagreen Lern can defeat the Southlands with a minimum of expenditure in arms and men. Without them he could do h-but It would take more time and effort and therefore give us a slight advantage to prepare against him white he subdues the Southlands.»

  Elric did not bother to ask Sepiriz how he knew of the Southerners' decision to fight Jagreen Lern alone. Sepiriz obviously had many powers as was proved by his ability to contact Brie through the seer.

  «I have sworn to help the Southlands in spite of their refusal to side with us against the Theocrats» he said calmly.

  «And you'll keep your oath-by destroying the Dukes if you can.»

  «Destroying Arioch, and Balan and Maluk...» Elric whispered the names, fearful that even here he might invoke them.

  «Arioch has always been an intractable demon, » Moonglum pointed out «Many times in the past he has refused to aid you, Elric.»

  «Because, » Sepiriz said, «he already had some knowledge that you and he were to fight in the future.»