Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [120]
As he speaks he casually raises the writhing, horrified Agras Ti towards his beautiful lips …
ELRIC: “I know thee not, Chaos Lord. Begone from this realm. We want none of your folk in Melniboné!”
Agras Ti is screaming in terror, unnoticed by Arioch, who now parts his lips a little, preparing to eat him …
ARIOCH: “But I come to help thee. I could destroy all these foolish humans, if you will let me …”
ELRIC: “Melniboné never makes bargains with Chaos. My destiny and thine have nothing in common!”
ARIOCH: “Ah, my friend, but we could do so much for each other, thee and I …”
Elric recoils as Arioch munches on half of the Falkryn sorcerer. The rest of him is still in his hands.
ELRIC: “Cruel monster! I’d rather die than make a compact with corrupted Chaos …”
ARIOCH: “Well, I inhabit thy realm now, young mortal. I suspect the time will come when thou’ll find it convenient to strike a bargain …”
The golden youth begins to become the monster of smoke and flflame again.
ARIOCH: “For the moment, farewell. To summon me, thou hast only to call for me by name. And all I’ll ask for my help is a little blood, a few worthless souls …”
Elric leads Dyvim Mar and the queen behind the throne and down a flight of secret steps as the Falkryn barbarians, led by Yyrkoon, all of them covered with blood and bearing booty, burst into the throne room.
ELRIC: “Quickly! We have only seconds!”
YYRKOON: “Ha! She’s fled. And left me the Ruby Throne. I’m Emperor of Melniboné now!”
He seats himself on the throne, brooding.
YYRKOON: “But until that silverskin is dead, I shall not know peace of mind.”
Wild Dog spoke truth. Though he controlled Melniboné, he had poor control of the Falkryn, whose leader was now mysteriously vanished …
… and he maintained even less authority over his own people.
A montage of guerilla fighting. The occupying Falkryn, though cruel and vicious, have a poor time controlling the streets.
They are harassed, within Melniboné and in the Imrryrian countryside, by small bands of Melnibonéans led by Elric, Queen Shyrix’x and Dyvim Mar.
Death comes to the conquerors by secret arrows, sudden strangulation, sword thrusts and spear casts.
Artigkern has the sea-king’s sister in the giant clam shell, semi-transparent. His horrible hands open the shell wide enough to reach in and caress her face … She recoils in horror.
Yyrkoon is riding out at night on a secret mission of his own.
YYRKOON: “Another few months … then the power of the dragons will be mine. Meanwhile those rebels shall be tamed…”
Yyrkoon meets Artigkern, grown even fatter, slimier and grosser than ever, still sucking the oceans and leaving fish, ships and all stranded… Yyrkoon addresses him angrily.
YYRKOON: “Must you drink it all? I helped summon thee to this realm.”
ARTIGKERN: “I leave a realm when there is nothing left to drink. The time will come when I’ll spit all this water into the sun and set off to find new worlds with fresh seas for me to sup …”
YYRKOON: “Then give up the sea-king’s sister. He has no more power over you.”
ARTIGKERN (grinning): “Give up my darling. Did I not tell thee, mortal? I’m in love. I’ll take her with me when I go. Bring me a bride as beautiful and perhaps I’ll give thee her and a little of thy water back…”
Months passed. The morale of the conquered people was maintained only by the activities of Elric and his companions.
While the rebels were free, the future held freedom …
Montage of Elric, Dyvim Mar and the queen. They lead small parties of warriors on secret raids. They attack Falkryn in the streets. They steal from rich carpetbaggers. They are applauded by the Melnibonéans. They disappear down alleys. And Queen Shyrix’x and Dyvim Mar grow closer, become lovers with Elric’s blessing.
A deputation of Falkryn knights stands before Yyrkoon. They and their soldiers are leaving.
FALKRYN LEADER: “You promised us booty and booty we have. You promised us power over the world, and that we do not have. Water grows scarce here. The people