Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [146]
Eventually Queen Bisrana steps forward from the gathering and addresses Elrik
BISRANA: “We’ll join you in this attack. But we want our fair share of the booty.”
ELRIK: “You promise you’ll leave the population and the buildings unscathed?”
BISRANA: “Only those who threaten us will be harmed.”
Elrik embraces Queen Bisrana.
ELRIK: “Then we are agreed. One dragon at least will aid us in the attack. We must strike suddenly and soon, before word of our plans gets back to Imrryr.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Bitter Vengeance
Elrik, Bisrana and the other leaders of the barbarians look down on a secret bay as the ships assemble. It is a large fleet of miscellaneous ships, including a captured golden battle-barge.
BISRANA: “We are ready. Let us take our revenge!”
ELRIK: “The majority of the dragons now sleep, exhausted. It is the best time to strike. We’ll have one dragon to aid us—whom Dyvim Karm here will summon with his horn.”
BISRANA: “This captured battle-barge will lead our fleet. We’ll deceive their watchmen long enough to breach their defenses.”
DYVIM KARM: “The last thing they’ll be expecting is a counter-attack.”
Elrik turns to Queen Bisrana and addresses her fiercely—
ELRIK: “But remember—I will confront the thing in black armour. I have a strange instinct… I believe I know who he is.”
The ships sail out to sea towards the distant towers of Melniboné. Inset of Elrik on the deck of the golden battle-barge, staring fiercely towards the towers.
From the POV of Melnibonéans. In astonishment they watch the ragged navy approach (this is in the years before the sea-maze). Hastily they scramble to defensive positions, some rubbing sleep-filled eyes, some buckling on bits of armour.
A Melnibonéan soldier runs into the throne room where Black Armour sits, his black sword still with him.
SOLDIER: “Sire! A fleet attacks us!”
BLACK ARMOUR: “What? I thought those savages had learned their lesson.”
FIRST CAPTAIN: “It’s too late to ready the battle-barges. We must fight them as they come ashore.”
SECOND CAPTAIN: “We expected no attack. We have no defenses ready.”
BLACK ARMOUR: “We’ll defeat them easily enough …”
And then the barbarian invaders are pouring ashore, led by Queen Bisrana and the other chieftains …
Behind them, offshore, the golden barge lies at anchor.
On it, Dyvim Karm raises the Dragon Horn to his lips. Elrik beside him speaks grimly.
ELRIK: “Now, Dyvim Karm. Blow the note to summon my brother Flamefang!”
The barbarians clash with the startled Melnibonéans. They pursue them into their towers. Black Armour has sneaked away into the highest tower while his men are fighting.
BLACK ARMOUR: “NO!”
He climbs the steps to the throne room, where Arisand stands, smiling slightly.
BLACK ARMOUR: “You promised me triumph! Now we face defeat.”
ARISAND: “Come now, mortal—you must keep your nerve. I made you the gift of the Black Sword. You know how to use it best.”
BLACK ARMOUR: “If this body is killed, then I die also!”
ARISAND: “I promised you I would save you from that fate. I keep my promises.”
A great shadow passes against the window outside. Black Armour turns when he sees it.
BLACK ARMOUR: “What’s that?”
Outside, flying around the Tower of Kings is Flamefang, with Elric on his back.
Black Armour runs out to the balcony and looks down. In the streets the barbarians are driving the Melnibonéans back into the tower. One of the chieftains flourishes a brand.
FIRST CHIEFTAIN: “Burn the cursed city to the ground!”
BISRANA: “We swore we’d not fire Imrryr.”
SECOND CHIEFTAIN: “You think he’ll keep his word to us? Burn the whole foul place and every Melnibonéan with it!”
Queen Bisrana makes an effort to stop the chieftain but she’s held by some of his men as he and other warriors throw burning brands through windows where women and children can be seen drawing back in terror.
Elrik sees this from the back of his dragon and is horrified.
ELRIK: “The barbarians break their word!”
He sees Black Armour staring up at him from the balcony and, in a wild leap, sword in