Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [139]
CYMORIL: “Master Tanglebones speaks wisely, dear Elric.”
Yyrkoon is already striding, grim-faced, from the throne room. He snarls one last retort behind him as he leaves.
YYRKOON: “You all disgust me. You stink of weakness and compromise. Aye, to the dream couches—and battle!!!”
ELRIC: “Very well. I am ready.”
It had become obvious to all now that a kind of duel was being fought on the dream couches of Melniboné. Each party went to its own chamber. A crucial battle was about to commence, while the two chief combatants lay asleep …
In Elric’s chamber, the black crow flies from Tanglebones’s shoulder to Elric’s.
ELRIC: “So our destiny truly does lie in our dreams, Master Tangle-bones?”
TANGLEBONES: “So it seems, my lord. But your education will be accomplished there, also.”
CYMORIL: “I fear you are in great danger, dear Elric … !”
ELRIC: “Aye, I smell it in the air, Cymoril. But we must do what conscience and circumstance demands …”
While, in Yyrkoon’s chamber …
The mysterious human girl, Arisand, is diffidently suggesting something to Yyrkoon, who listens with haughty interest.
YYRKOON: “Bah! The weakling has so far engineered his victories by tricks and luck. How am I to ensure his defeat in this, the final dream of his initiation?”
ARISAND: “If I can offer some simple human magic to aid you, my lord …”
YYRKOON: “Human magic? Unsophisticated and crude compared with ours. How can that help me?”
ARISAND: “Sometimes, my lord, the simpler spell can be more effective …”
YYRKOON (coming round to the idea): “I take your meaning. What do you suggest?”
ARISAND: “I know a way which will not make you vulnerable to dying with your avatar. And I can accompany you, if you will permit …”
Yyrkoon drinks his potion and lies down on his couch as Arisand lays herself down beside him.
YYRKOON: “After all, what do I risk?”
Meanwhile Elric’s limp hand falls from Cymoril’s. She looks up, her eyes filled with fear.
CYMORIL: “Be lucky, my lord. For I suspect luck is all you’ll have on your side in this long dream…”
Then the dream roads of the multiverse opened before them …
Both Elric and Yyrkoon set their feet on the dream roads of the multiverse. A ghostly Arisand is with Yyrkoon as both set off.
ARISAND: “Stay close with me, Lord Yyrkoon. I’ll help your soul occupy a perfect vessel, while you yourself will be invulnerable. And be patient…for we must stay a little behind Elric if we’re to be successful anon …”
They pass along the great roads, with Elric a little ahead of Yyrkoon and Arisand, unaware that they are behind him. And behind them all flies the black crow.
Thus all three walked the moonbeam roads, with Elric unaware of Yyrkoon and his companion, until at last the towers of ancient Melniboné lay ahead, thousands of years in their past …
These Melnibonéan towers are not so high nor as elaborate as the ones we’ve left. But they are still pretty impressive.
… when the power of the Bright Empire had reached a peak of magnificent strength.
Then Elric’s dreaming soul had occupied that of his avatar, King Elrik, brother to his beautiful “silverskin” Queen Asrid, joint ruler of this other, ancient Melniboné …
Elric merges into King Elrik who stands hand in hand with his sister Queen Asrid, observing a great golden sailing quireme being built. These are the early types of the battle-barges which, with the dragons, form the basis of “modern” Melnibonés power.
ASRID: “Another ship is added to our fleet, brother Elrik. Her holds will carry our goods far abroad, and bring back the wealth of all the world!”
ELRIK: “Aye, dear sister Asrid. Melniboné grows rich on her trade. We have much to be grateful for. Though I once chose a more direct route to power, I know you will rule with gentle and effective wisdom while I am gone.”
Asrid turns to Elrik/Elric embracing him with sisterly concern. The golden barge is still behind them, still being worked on.
ASRID: “You seek to educate yourself abroad, learning all you can from the emerging humans of the new,