Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [137]
SHAARNASAA: “So there is my captor, who by his bleak enchantments did trap me in a jar! I was foolish to trust him, as I had learned to trust the folk of Melniboné. But he tricked me as no doubt he has tricked you all. My imprisonment meant my servants were forced to obey him and his allies. But now I am free and shall not be tricked again!”
Shaarnasaa moves towards the terrified Ederic, who cringes backwards.
EDERIC: “Men! Protect me. I command thee!”
But the looks on the faces of his guards are hard and their eyes are like ice.
Shaarnasaa picks up Ederic who begins to beg her for his life.
EDERIC: “Spare me, I beg thee! Do not kill me, gentle queen!”
SHAARNASAA: “It is not the habit of the South Wind’s queen to kill. I am sworn to bless and to heal. But you, little mortal, are an evil thing which pollutes the earth and stains it with every breath you take.”
EDERIC: “Th-then have mercy, gentle queen!”
SHAARNASAA: “Oh, I am not always gentle, as you shall discover. I will carry you off to the tall peaks of the world where you can never harm immortal or mortal again!”
FENERIC: “It is just he should be banished.”
SHAARNASAA (looks down at Elric): “And you, young Silverskin, shall be remembered by all the spirits of the air. When you or your descendants need our aid, you must call on us and we shall come.”
With this the Queen of the South Wind leaves the hall. Elric and Feneric and the winged princess all watch from the steps of the palace as she goes up into the air, bearing the shrieking Ederic with her. Black clouds boil high on the horizon …
SHAARNASAA: “Farewell, mortals. I go to fulfill this creature’s punishment!”
They watch as she disappears out over the water. King Feneric embraces his son, then turns to take the princess’s hand:
FENERIC: “Princess, I thank thee most gladly for all thine aid …”
PRINCESS: “‘Tis your brave son you should thank, o king. Without him, all our lives would be ended bloodily and dark villainy a shadow on our worlds and souls.”
FENERIC: “Now, instead, this island city shall rise again in glory and beauty, to shine her light upon our lives and harmonize our destinies.” (He turns again to Elric:) “And you, my son, shall continue that work when I am gone, making Melniboné’s name a synonym for justice and integrity …”
ELRIC (smiling with joy, thinks): “Aye, but in future I shall trust fewer mortals or immortals and bring a sterner hand to our rule, lest our nation be threatened again with the doom we’ve so narrowly avoided.”
The sun suddenly breaks through the black clouds on the horizon, sending deep shadows across the scene as the three all turn to go back into the tower and continue the feast.
FENERIC: “Let’s continue our celebration feast, content in knowing our enemy has met his just deserts!”
ELRIC: “Father, with respect to Uncle Ederic’s feast, perhaps we should give his chefs the first taste. Of everything.”
We see a close-up of Silverskin as he frowns, turning away from his father and looking out towards the harbour where Melnibonés ships are at anchor.
ELRIC (thinks): “While my father lives, I’ll honour my vow to him. But the time might come when I shall need the help of Chaos and that black blade. It’s helped us once, and saved us, too. Mayhap it will save us again in years to come.”
We make a transition now from Elric in the palace to Elric lying on the dream couch. Cymoril points at his face and Tanglebones is astonished:
CYMORIL: “Master Tanglebones! Look! His face!”
TANGLEBONES: “The gods bless us!”
We see Elric’s face. The torment has gone from it and now he smiles. While in the nearby chamber …
Sadric is bending over Yyrkoon’s dream couch and the human maiden is herself deeply concerned with something, though she seems to nurse a small, secret smile…
SADRIC: “What ails my nephew? His expression changes!