Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [129]
BELPHIG: “We’ve returned to our own time. What you saw was the illusion we sent to the future. The ancient power of our ancestors gave us that single means of reaching you.”
22. Ext. Edge of square. Day.
Horses await them on the edge of the square. The crowd still cheers as they mount their horses. There are more signs of poverty, of something not being altogether right with the city. Suddenly, mounted Urlik takes the stance of a true Hero, smiling with self-mockery. Meliadus scowls at Belphig.
MELIADUS: “We waste time with all this ceremony. Even now the Eldren could be attacking …”
BELPHIG: “We owe the people a little ritual, my lord king. It is not every day a legend returns from the dead!”
MELIADUS: “I think you raise the dead to suit your own schemes. Your hand reached ever towards the sceptre, eh?”
BELPHIG: “My lord, I am content to rule the spiritual life of our people. I do not envy you your responsibilities.”
MELIADUS: “Oh, truly, Belphig, it is only my privileges you covet!”
Belphig seems to treat this like the unfair suspicions of a burdened man. He accepts the king’s accusations with holy patience. Meliadus spurs forward to the head of the party, shouting to them all:
MELIADUS: “Hasten, all of you, to the fleet! I lust to drown those demons in their own blood!”
Belphig rides alongside Urlik, shouting over the roar of the crowd.
BELPHIG: “The Eldren are without morality or mercy. They employ a terrible sorcery. Against it we should be powerless, but for you, Sir Champion. It is why we called you …” (Belphig points ahead.) “… We are almost at the river.”
23. Ext. Harbour. Day.
A great harbour in which floats a score of bizarre sailing galleys, vaguely like Greek galleys, but with strangely painted sides and sails. The sailors—half-barbaric, sporting the finery, perhaps, of a more civilized age—cheer as the party arrives near the flagship and begins to dismount before going aboard. The general impression is of a great people reverting slowly to barbarism.
Meliadus, Urlik and Belphig go up the gangplank to the great flagship. Catapults, partially covered with tarpaulins, are mounted on the decks. The sails of the ship already billow as the wind rises. There is general activity as the fleet makes ready to sail. We see wounded cripples on the docks, some evidence of brutality, a general bustle, like some parts of India.
24. Ext. On board flagship. Day.
The three cross the deck and go towards Meliadus’s cabin amidships. As Meliadus ducks his head just before entering the cabin he half turns to Urlik …
MELIADUS: “Summoning you, Sir Champion, was our last hope. I trust you prove your worth. This fleet—and you—is all we have left …”
BELPHIG: “Sword and Champion—they’ll save us …”
Meliadus grunts skeptically as he disappears inside. Belphig claps Urlik on the back as Urlik is about to enter, just as jaunty Jarak, small, red-headed, cocky, charming, clad in plain war-gear, his hand on the hilt of his sword, presents himself to Urlik.
JARAK: “Greetings, Sir Champion. Captain Jarak …”
Urlik grins back.
URLIK: “Do you command the king’s ship?”
JARAK: “I’m the best they can muster these days …”
URLIK: “The Eldren have been beating you?”
Jarak laughs ironically.
JARAK: “The Eldren? We humans have been destroying one another up to now. Negrana’s the last city still standing …”
Belphig’s interruption is almost hasty.
BELPHIG: “You can meet your commanders formally, Lord Urlik—at a more suitable time. Good day to you, Captain Jarak …”
Jarak is sardonically amused, steps back with a bow as Belphig almost pushes Urlik through to the cabin. Half-amused himself, Urlik calls back to Jarak.
URLIK: “I look forward to further conversation, captain …”
25. Int. Main cabin. Day.
Meliadus’s cabin is lavishly appointed, with charts and instruments of alien design. Light falls through Gothic windows set close to the roof, so the place has almost the atmosphere of a church. From outside we hear the shouts and sounds of the sailors preparing to sail. The cabin rocks slightly as the anchors