Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [129]
Again Arioch vanishes.
FENKI: “Come, then, young master, let’s be on our way before the Night Worms sense you’re weaponless again…”
Fenki leads Elric across a glinting peat bog from which sinister mist rises and in which sinister shapes shift and shamble …
And then, suddenly, the sun begins to rise over the bog until Elric sees figures in the distance. Fenki points and grins. The ruined, weary army of King Feneric can be seen trailing its way over the wasteland.
FENKI: “There. You are back in your own world. And there’s your wretched father. Join him in his misery!”
Elric begins to run towards the distant warriors.
ELRIC: “FATHER!”
CHAPTER THREE
To the World’s Edge
Elric runs towards the ribbon of soldiery on the horizon, but as he draws closer he realizes that this is a defeated army. Their armour is dented, their clothes in rags, their mounts and the horses which draw their chariots are exhausted, as are the soldiers themselves. They look up as Elric approaches and there is only misery in their faces. Elric’s father is not among them.
ELRIC: “Melnibonéans, yes … But where’s my father?”
SOLDIER: “My prince! You live still! But you are too late!”
A captain conveys the terrible news to Elric.
CAPTAIN: “Great Feneric fought heroically as a true king of Melniboné. All around him were killed and he, too, could be dead. We had no choice but to retreat…”
SOLDIER: “They have wind demons to aid them, and they hide deep in an abyss. Feneric’s courage and skills were not enough.”
Elric scowls and clenches his fists.
ELRIC: “You abandoned my father! Well I shall not.”
He reaches towards the soldier.
ELRIC: “Give me weapons and I’ll return to the Karasim Abyss alone!
Equipped with armour and weapons, mounted on a horse, Elric sets off in the opposite direction to the battered army. One warrior shouts after him—
WARRIOR: “Prince, your courage is not doubted. But they have sorcerous help.”
Elric filings back over his shoulder:
ELRIC: “As I have, captain. As I have!” Weeks later…
Elric reins in his horse on a ridge, looking out across a wide plain. The plain ends at the edge of a vast abyss. The other side of the abyss is invisible. Great dark clouds obscure the far side, giving the impression, indeed, that we have reached the edge of the world.
The other strange sight is that of the Karasim fleet, at rest on the edge of the abyss as if they were beached in harbour. Their sails are furled and their oars shipped. These are the same ships which attacked Melniboné, but are not moored on water. They are not moored at all.
ELRIC (thinks): “That can only be the Karasim Abyss. I recognize their ships. And they appear to have no guards. Doubtless they take confidence from the defeat of our soldiers.”
Elric leaves his horse and weapons, and approaches the ships, using what cover he can.
There is no sign of the Karasim.
ELRIC (thinks): “They say the Karasim favour darkness to daylight. Could they all be down below the Edge of the World?”
Under cover of darkness, Elric sneaks amongst the Karasim warships. There are a few of the green men sleeping on the decks but it is easy for him to reach the “edge of the world” and lying on his belly peer down into the gorge.
What he sees there astonishes him. A long stairway, occasionally becoming steps, which winds down the side of the abyss. There are brands guttering in holders every few feet. Unsuspecting Karasim come and go. But there is no sign of his father.
ELRIC (thinks): “I’ve no choice but to go down there. If my father’s alive, I must find him…”
Elric begins to descend into the abyss.
ELRIC (thinks): “… and save him …”
Soon the young Silverskin was deep into the abyss …
ELRIC (thinks): “Their city is carved into the living rock. Somewhere here they’ll have my father, if he still lives.”
Elric sneaks past a group of Karasim warriors. They seem very cheerful, having just won a great victory and captured some important prisoners.