Duke Elric - Michael Moorcock [68]
“The Jade Man is Duke Arioch of Hell. He strode from the forest one day and stood in the square and told the people what was to come about—that our city lay at the centre of some particular configuration and that it was only there that the Lords of the Higher Worlds could meet.”
“And the bargain?”
“In return for their city, our royal line might in the future increase their power with Arioch as their patron. He would give them great knowledge and the means to build a new city elsewhere.”
“And they accepted this bargain without question?”
“There was little choice, kinsman.”
Elric lowered his eyes to regard the dusty floor. “And thus they were corrupted,” he murmured.
“Only I refused to accept the pact; I did not wish to leave this city and I mistrusted Arioch. When all others set off down the river, I remained here—where we are now—and I heard the Lords of the Higher Worlds arrive and I heard them speak, laying down the rules under which Law and Chaos would fight thereafter. When they had gone, I emerged. But Arioch—the Jade Man—was still here. He looked down on me through his crystal eyes and he cursed me. When that was done the crystals fell and landed where you now see them. Arioch's spirit departed, but his jade image was left behind.”
“And you still retain all memory of what transpired between the Lords of Law and Chaos?”
“That is my doom.”
“Perhaps your fate was less harsh than that which befell those who left,” Elric said quietly. “I am the last inheritor of that particular doom …”
J'osui C'reln Reyr looked puzzled and then he stared into Elric's eyes and an expression of pity crossed his face. “I had not thought there was a worse fate—but now I believe there might be …”
Elric said urgently, “Ease my soul, at least. I must know what passed between the High Lords in those days. I must understand the nature of my existence—as you, at least, understand yours. Tell me, I beg you!”
J'osui C'reln Reyr frowned and he stared deeply into Elric's eyes. “Do you not know all my story, then?”
“Is there more?”
“I can only remember what passed between the High Lords—but when I try to tell my knowledge aloud or try to write it down, I cannot …”
Elric grasped the man's shoulder. “You must try! You must try!”
“I know that I cannot.”
Seeing the torture in Elric's face, Smiorgan came up to him. “What is it, Elric?”
Elric's hand clutched his head. “Our journey has been useless.” Unconsciously he used the old Melnibonean tongue.
“It need not be,” said J'osui C'reln Reyr. “For me, at least.” He paused. “Tell me, how did you find this city? Was there a map?”
Elric produced the map. “This one.”
“Aye, that is the one. Many centuries ago I put it into a casket which I placed in a small trunk. I launched the trunk into the river, hoping that it would follow my people and they would know what it was.”
“The casket was found in Melnibone, but no-one had bothered to open it,” Elric explained. “That will give you an idea of what happened to the folk who left here …”
The strange man nodded gravely. “And was there still a seal upon the map?”
“There was. I have it.”
“An image of one of the manifestations of Arioch, embedded in a small ruby?”
“Aye. I thought I recognized the image, but I could not place it.”
“The Image in the Gem,” murmured J'osui C'reln Reyr. “As I prayed, it has returned—borne by one of the royal line!”
“What is its significance?”
Smiorgan interrupted. “Will this fellow help us to escape, Elric? We are becoming somewhat impatient…”
“Wait,” the albino said. “I will tell you everything later.”
“The Image in the Gem could be the instrument of my release,” said the Creature Doomed to Live. “If he who possesses it is of the royal line, then he can command the Jade Man.”
“But why did you not use it?”
“Because of the curse that was put on me. I had the power to command, but not to summon the demon. It was a joke, I understand, of the High Lords.”
Elric saw bitter sadness in the eyes of J'osui C'reln Reyr. He looked at the white, naked flesh and the white hair and the body that was neither old nor young, at