Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [122]
ELRIC (buries his head in his hands. He is baffled, tormented): “I don’t know!”
We cut to the dream couch in contemporary Melniboné. Elric lies on it clearly in the grip of a terrible nightmare. Cymoril looks at him and is alarmed, turning to Tanglebones.
CYMORIL: “See how tormented he is! What is happening to him? You must let me go to him, Master Tanglebones!”
TANGLEBONES: “You would have no memory of this world and would be a stranger in his. You’d hinder rather than help him, I assure you, Lady Cymoril …”
CYMORIL: “But… !”
TANGLEBONES (also deeply concerned as he stares out of the panel at us): “Though I share your frustration, he must solve this problem for himself, risking life and mind … or defeat the point of his dream-quest…”
Elric is back at the oubliette, trying to get Dyvim Mar out again.
ELRIC: “No good. It won’t budge.”
DYVIM MAR: “Forget me. He means to trade Shyrix’x for water. She’s served her turn and he knows she plots against him…Save her, White Crow! For my sake!”
ELRIC: “But how? I possess no power. No allies left…”
Yyrkoon/Wild Dog appears snarling at the top of the steps:
YYRKOON: “So true, White Crow! And now I have all three of you! I baited my trap well.”
YYRKOON: “As the dragons fly again, the world shall know Melniboné’s might, and you two will not live long enough to see me trade my beautiful queen. Tomorrow she’ll became Artigkern’s bride and the people will thank me for restoring their water to them again! They’ll follow me, and the dragons will grant us imperial power!”
YYRKOON: “I outwit thee at every turn!”
Elric is up against it, fighting off dozens of well-armed warriors who are bound to beat him. Yyrkoon snarls with triumph.
YYRKOON: “Kill him! I would be rid of that vermin once and for all!”
And now the young albino made a decision which was to determine his fate and that of his people until the end of time …
ELRIC (thinks): “I have no choice. Either we perish, or I betray my own principles—and can I let my friends die and my nation become a tyranny because I have a few scruples?”
As the guards close around him Elric lifts back his head and cries out:
ELRIC: “ARIOCH! ARIOCH! BLOOD AND SOULS FOR MY LORD ARIOCH!”
And the thing of smoke and flame begins to materialize in the darkness of the dungeon …
Clobbering time, Walter. You draw it. I’ll go hide. Sound effects to taste.
Arioch remains in demonic form for this moment, rending and tearing, scattering body parts, and sending guards left and right before reaching for Yyrkoon, who runs for it.
Arioch tears off the grille of the oubliette. Elric throws Yyrkoon down into it. He survives by crawling away into a hole to hide.
As Arioch does his deadly work, Elric secures the grille, then helps Dyvim Mar towards the upper regions of the palace, fighting as he goes.
ELRIC: “Quickly, the queen …”
Dyvim Mar finds Queen Shyrix’x already tied up ready for the trade with Artigkern. He releases her. They embrace.
The fighting’s over in the dungeon. Elric looks sick as he reviews the carnage in the dungeon. Now Arioch has assumed the likeness of a golden youth, but he is grinning demoniacally, wiping the blood from his mouth. His hands, too, are bloody.
ARIOCH: “See, Elric. I keep my promises. What other help can I offer thee?”
ELRIC: “None, demon. I have no stomach for this bargain. Thou hast thy blood and souls. Now begone …”
ARIOCH (bows): “Very well, sweet mortal. But remember I am part of this plane from this day on—and always at thy service …”
The black raven settles on Elric’s shoulder as the Lord of Hell fades again into smouldering smoke. Elric scowls at the bird, which flaps up into the gloom of the cavern. Elric looks at it suspiciously, unable to work out what its function is.
ELRIC: “I have a premonition. Nothing but darkness and bloodshed can come of this bargain …”
The day is won. The nobles of Melniboné bend the knee to Queen Shyrixx and her consort Dyvim Mar.
Shortly, in the queen’s restored court …
Elric comes hurrying into the chamber.