Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [128]
Urlik turns, detecting a movement from the shadows. Slowly he begins to remove the helmet as we hear Belphig speak (as yet we don’t see him). Belphig’s tone is full of satisfaction …
BELPHIG: “At last, Lord Urlik, you burst the bonds of Time to return to your people … To honour your ancient vows …”
The scene is still somewhat dreamlike (perhaps in soft focus) but now Belphig strikes a tinder and lights a torch so that the gloomy tomb is alive with leaping shadows—the light reveals the sunken, suspicious eyes of gaunt King Meliadus, grey in an iron crown. Both advance, though they are not that distinct, even now …
URLIK: “You can’t be real …”
BELPHIG (smiling): “The world you’ve left is no longer real, Lord Urlik.”
Belphig seems to grow more solid as he moves into the shaft of sunlight, his torch smoking. He puts the torch into a bracket on the wall and picks up the huge sword from the marble slab. Although very grave and dignified, he is also somewhat bland. There is always just a hint that he may be going through these rituals in a spirit of irony. The gestures, the tone, all hint at this. His eyes are very intelligent. They are colder than Meliadus’s, whose eyes burn with fanaticism and suspicious of Urlik. Looking at the sword Belphig murmurs the first word almost to himself and then looks up to address Urlik …
BELPHIG: “Stormbringer … Champion, here’s your Black Sword, your clothes, armour, preserved down the centuries. With them you’ll vanquish the demon Eldren, as you predicted you would. We have followed the rituals, worked the enchantments, and have drawn you, body and soul, back to us. To make good your vow—to return as Humanity’s Champion when our race was threatened with death. That threat is here … and you have come …”
Belphig suddenly drops to one knee, presenting the Black Sword to Urlik who looks frankly astonished, even slightly amused. Meliadus remains upright, refusing to make obeisance. Belphig’s voice is sonorous.
BELPHIG: “Welcome, Lord Urlik, Eternal Champion, Hero of Humanity. With this you’ll save us all!”
Urlik is startled, still amused …
URLIK: “I’ve never used a sword in my life!”
Urlik laughs, causing Meliadus to react with anger.
MELIADUS: “He mocks our traditions! I warned you, Bishop Belphig! Your meddling brings us more trouble!”
Belphig smoothly intercedes, rising again, raising a hand to stay Meliadus’s temper.
BELPHIG: “The Champion is new-born and does not know our ways. He will learn …”
MELIADUS: “He has little time to learn. We sail against the enemy tonight. I like none of this, Belphig—it smacks of Eldren sorcery.”
BELPHIG: “I but used the ancient rituals, as was ordained. He is our Champion. He could be none other!”
Urlik takes the scabbarded sword and speaks almost to himself.
URLIK: “Stormbringer—it’s almost as if I can remember …”
Urlik makes to take the Black Sword from its scabbard but Belphig hastily stops him.
BELPHIG: “It is not yet time to draw Stormbringer from its scabbard.”
Meliadus moves towards the Tomb’s entrance.
MELIADUS: “Ready yourself, then, Sir Champion. The war-fleet waits in the harbour …”
21. Ext. Square outside Tomb. Day.
Now, side by side with King Meliadus, with Belphig close behind him, Urlik strides out—to find the scene utterly changed. Belphig hands him his helmet. He puts it on. The square is filled with cheering women, children and old men. A magnificent guard of honour salutes him as he appears. Baffled, half-amused, he hesitates—then he salutes the guards, the crowd. There is a huge response. Meliadus is impressed by this and wanting to make the best of it addresses the crowd. Grandiose, almost ridiculous:
MELIADUS: “As the ancient oracles predicted Lord Urlik returns to lead us in our great war against the Eldren—to wipe our ancient enemies from the face of the Earth!”
Another huge cheer goes up from the populace. The three begin to walk across the square, surrounded by tall guards. Urlik manages to whisper to Belphig, who replies with some amusement.
URLIK: