Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [144]
ELRIK (thinks): “So, it’s the same here, as it has been across all their lands. Every Pukwadji dead. Every city razed and looted. I left Melniboné with my sister sworn to pursue the peace she persuaded me of. Now I find nothing but death. It can only mean she has been usurped, perhaps killed, and another ruling in her place.”
ELRIK (thinks): “But how?”
Elrik has waited until night. He sneaks past the roving Melnibonéan soldiers and the dragons and reaches the water, remounting his stallion on the beach.
ELRIK (thinks): “Now to see if this steed can gallop over the ocean, as Sepiriz promised—”
He rides the great black stallion over the moonlit water. The towers of Melniboné can be seen in the distance.
ELRIK (thinks): “Soon I’ll reach my home and confront the destiny I was warned I’d find.”
Elric/Elrik has dismounted from the horse and with the reins in his hands creeps towards the towers of Melniboné.
ELRIK (thinks): “What possesses my Melniboné? Even here it stinks of blood and fire.”
He leaves the horse and sneaks into the city. Melnibonéan soldiers are dragging slaves ashore from ships and carrying bundles of booty home. Melnibonéans triumph in their victories, all quite mad with their filthy glory.
ELRIK (thinks): “The hidden passage will bring me out in the Tower of Kings where I last saw Asrid.”
Elrik sneaks up towards the Tower of Kings, where he last left his sister. He sneaks into the tower and into the great throne room. Here is a figure in black armour, face hidden by a wonderfully elaborate visor which resembles the face of a snarling dragon. It lounges in the throne, a massive black sword held in its gauntleted hands. Beside the throne is none other than the figure of Arisand, the beautiful human woman who accompanied Yyrkoon here. She is smiling in evil pleasure. A tribal king is dragged before the figure.
FIGURE: “So, little chief. You’ve seen the power of Melniboné. Swear loyalty to us. Promise the empire half your wealth, or die at the point of my blade!”
CHIEF: “Melnibonéans were once fair and honourable people. We traded with you because we chose to. Now you are naught but thieves and murderers, using your dragons and your ships against weaker foes. I’ll promise you nothing!”
Figure rises from the throne and holds the great black battle-blade out by the blade, offering the hilt to the barbarian.
BLACK ARMOUR: “Would you kill me, little mortal? I offer you the opportunity …”
Hesitantly, knowing he is being tricked, but feeling he has nothing to lose, the mortal stretches his hand towards the hilt of the blade…
He grasps the hilt and then yells in pain and terror.
CHIEF: “Aaaaaaaaaaaah! Oh, no, the thing sucks my very soul from my body. Aahhh. P-please-n-no…!”
He writhes, unable to release his hand from the sword as the blade sucks his soul from him.
BLACK ARMOUR: “Ha! Ha! Only I can handle that black blade and live! You shall die, little mortal! Your body will feed my dogs. Your soul will feed my sword!”
Chief sobs as the sword drinks his soul. Not every Melnibonéan can stand watching this. Some, who seemed hardened, now turn away.
CHIEF: “Aach! My soul—n-not my s-soul…”
BLACK ARMOUR: “Ha! Ha! Ha! The reality’s worse than you could imagine, eh? It always was!”
And Elrik, horrified, sneaks away, back into the shadows.
ELRIK: “I can do nothing against such evil sorcery. I must discover what has happened to my sister … surely Dyvim Karm, Lord of the Dragons, will know …”
Melnibonéan guards spot Elrik. He begins to run.
GUARD: “Who’s that? Some spy?”
ELRIK: “If they’ve killed my sister, then I’ll share her fate.”
Elrik is pursued through the corridors by the soldiers. At one point he’s surrounded by guards and fights them. He gets to his horse and rides as fast as the great Nihrain stallion will carry him, the pursuing guards in disarray.
GUARD: “STOP HIM!”
He’s riding across the island when he looks back and sees a great shape rise into the sky behind him. It is one of the Melnibonéan dragons.
ELRIK: “And now they send a dragon against me! This