Elric in the Dream Realms - Michael Moorcock [73]
Elric glanced at Oone, wondering if perhaps she was attracted by Lady Sough’s invitation. For a second he forgot their purpose here. It would be wonderful to spend a short idyll in Oone’s company.
“This is Imador, is it not, Lady Sough?”
“It is the place the dreamthieves call Imador, aye. We do not call it by that name.” She seemed disapproving.
“We are grateful for your help in this matter, my lady,” said Elric, thinking Oone a little brusque and seeking to apologize for his friend’s manner. “I am Elric of Melniboné and this is Lady Oone of the Dreamthieves’ Guild. Do you know that we seek the Fortress of the Pearl?”
“Aye. And this road is a straight one for you. It can lead you forward to the Fortress. But it might not lead you by the best route. I will guide you by whatever route you wish.” She sounded a little distant, almost as if she were half-asleep herself. Her tone had become dreamy and Elric guessed she was offended.
“We owe you much, Lady Sough, and your advice is of value to us. What would you suggest?”
“That you raise an army first, I think. For your own safety. There are such terrible defenses at the Fortress of the Pearl. Why, and before that, too. You are brave, the both of you. There are several roads to success. Death lies at the end of many other paths. Of this, you are I am sure aware …”
“Where could we recruit such an army?” Elric ignored Oone’s warning look. He felt that she was being obstinate, overly suspicious of this dignified woman.
“There is an ocean not far from here. There is an island in it. The people of that island long to fight. They will follow anyone who promises them danger. Will you come there? It is very good. There is warmth and secure walls. Gardens and much to eat.”
“Your words have a strong degree of common sense,” said Elric. “It would be worth, perhaps, pausing in our quest to recruit those soldiers. And I was offered alliance by the Pearl Warrior. Will he help us? Can he be trusted?”
“For what you wish to do? Yes, I think.” Her forehead furrowed. “Yes, I think.”
“No, Lady Sough.” Oone spoke suddenly and with considerable force. “We are grateful for your guidance. Will you take us to the Falador Gate? Do you know it?”
“I know what you call the Falador Gate, young woman. And whatever your questions or your desires, they are mine to answer and fulfill.”
“What is your own name for this land?”
“None.” She seemed confused by Oone’s question. “There is not one. It is this place. It is here. But I can guide you through it.”
“I believe you, my lady.” Oone’s voice softened. She took Elric by the arm. “Our other name for this land is the Land of New Ambition. But new ambitions can mislead. We invent them when the old ambition seems too hard to achieve, eh?”
Elric understood her. He felt foolish. “You offer a diversion, Lady Sough?”
“Not so.” The veiled woman shook her head. The movement had all her gracefulness in it and she seemed a little wounded by the directness of his question. “A fresh goal is sometimes preferable when the road becomes impassable.”
“But the road is not impassable, Lady Sough,” said Oone. “Not yet.”
“That is true.” Lady Sough bowed her head a fraction. “I offer you all truth in this matter. Every aspect of it.”
“We shall retain the aspect of which we are most sure,” Oone continued softly, “and thank you greatly for your help.”
“It is yours to take, Lady Oone. Come.” The woman whirled, her draperies lifting like clouds in a gale, and led them away from the steps to a place where the ground dipped and revealed, when they were closer, a shallow river. There a boat was moored. The boat had a curling prow of gilded wood, not unlike the crook of Oone’s dreamwand, and its sides were covered with a thin layer of beaten gold, and bronze, and silver. Brass gleamed on rails, on the single mast, and a sail, blue with threads of silver, like Lady Sough’s robes, was furled upon the