Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [140]
ELRIK: “The new tribes still remain wary of us. They see us as alien interlopers. Not only will I learn their customs and condition, sister…but I will act as ambassador, making friends and creating new trade for Melniboné. Such knowledge and diplomacy is worth gold in Melniboné’s coffers. We shall be rich in wisdom as well as money!”
ASRID: “I myself persuaded you to this idea, I know. The new tribes covet our wealth. We must always be ready to defend against any attack. But it is far better for our security to be liked than feared. By venturing abroad on this exploratory journey, you will forge alliances and friendships. You’ll secure our strength at every point…”
An interior chamber.
ELRIK (in close up, indicates a map): “I leave in the morning for Puk-wadji, our old ally. From there I head inland. We all know the rumours of entire civilizations to be found there, some more ancient than our own. While I am gone, you must rule here alone, wisely … as you have always done. Together we will lay the foundations of a great, peaceful trading empire …”
The map is of the same land area as other maps we’ve seen, but it shows the worlds of The “New Tribes,” mostly mountains, forests, rivers and plains, with large parts marked as unknown territory. Pukwadji is plainly marked, as a territory on the coast nearest to Melniboné.
ASRID: “Farewell, dear Elrik. When you return, our whole fleet will be complete …”
And so the young king went forth …
… to complete his education …
… in the lands of the new tribes …
… the people who one day would emerge …
… as “the Young Kingdoms” …
Elric/Elrik aboard a Melnibonéan ship. He stares forward, dreaming of the adventures he is likely to have.
The ship docks. Elrik rides his horse off the ship onto a dock where Pukwadji people greet him with pleasure, as an old friend.
We see him leaving the Pukwadji city and heading off into the interior. The black crow follows him.
He meets friendly tribespeople (some black, some white) in simple villages and towns. He sees strange animals, some of them gigantic mammals (such as riding giraffes with black warriors on their backs), some transporting people. In one village, he sits down with a Wise Woman. Black crow perches in distant tree.
WISE WOMAN: “There is an ancient city, far from here, which has the same name in every human tongue. Tanelorn is a city of peace …”
WISE WOMAN (voice): “… there all peoples can meet and know tranquility. There is no fighting there. Few own weapons. She has no king, but is administered by a council known as the Grey Lords … They say past, present and future come together there …”
ELRIK: “I think I’ll search out this city and see what I can learn from it…”
And so, some four years later …
Elrik rides out over a verdant plain. It’s sunrise.
Next panel and it’s sunset. Black crow flies against the setting sun.
ELRIK (thinks): “It’s time I found a good place to camp.”
Suddenly the earth begins to rise and bulge under his horse’s hoofs. Elrik fights to control his horse.
ELRIK: “? The earth! It’s moving beneath me!”
CHAPTER TWO
The Heart of Creation
Massive movement of earth as King Grome (from Book One) bursts up out of the ground.
GROME: “Aha! Ho, little mortal! It has been a few thousand years since we last met!”
ELRIK: “Wha—?”
The horse throws Elric and gallops off. Elrik picks himself up as Grome reaches towards him. He draws his sword, backing away. Grome looks puzzled.
GROME: “Do you not recognize me, mortal? We have a compact, you and I!”
Elrik frowns, his hand going to his brow.
ELRIK: “I—I—remember something—a dream, perhaps …”
GROME: “I am Grome, king of all that is of the earth and below it. You once did me a service …”
ELRIK: “Not I, King Grome …”
GROME (suddenly realizing he’s made a mistake): “Ah! What a fool I am. I forget how short-lived your folk are. No doubt I made the pact with your ancestor! Still, that pact remains …”
Grome bears Elric/Elrik