Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [137]
URLIK: “She’s a prisoner of war—treat her with courtesy!”
Zayad looks at him in some astonishment, not expecting such words from the humans. She’s cool and intelligent as she recovers some of her composure. Meliadus stares stupidly at Urlik, almost passing out. Meliadus, befuddled, protests, upset by what seems to him a breach of protocol.
MELIADUS: “She’s mine by right! I am the king …”
Jarak senses that the situation begins to look dangerous, steps forward and speaks placatingly …
JARAK: “But no mere war-prize, my liege! A good bargaining counter in our dealings with the Eldren!”
Meliadus looks to Iolinda for help.
IOLINDA: “There’s wisdom in that. Besides—she’s safer imprisoned.”
URLIK (almost absently, suggests): “See she’s treated well in my quarters. We’ll question her there …”
Jarak gladly leads Zayad away. Urlik looks after her, his expression brooding and troubled. Meliadus with a grunt of frustrated anger flings back towards the Hall, leaving Iolinda and Urlik alone. Urlik moves towards her, then looks to one side suddenly as he senses a movement in the shadows. He sees, for a second, the smooth, smiling face of Belphig—then the face ducks out of sight again.
IOLINDA: “You saved my father from foolishness. Thank you. She’s beautiful, eh? The Eldren woman …”
Urlik shrugs and takes her in his arms.
URLIK: “In a way. I could easily believe her a witch …”
IOLINDA: “More beautiful than any human woman …”
URLIK: “Not more beautiful than you …”
It is what Iolinda has wanted to hear. She holds him close against her. She whispers in his ear. He smiles tenderly and nods. We fade to …
79. Int. Urlik’s apartments. Night.
A large, beautiful room, sparely furnished after the elegant fashion of the Eldren. A few signs of Urlik’s presence are here—his helmet—a cloak lying on the bed. Zayad stands by the window, looking out at the flickering fires. Jarak, watching her warily, stands by the door. Urlik enters. She bows to him sardonically, Jarak looks questioningly at him. Urlik nods for Jarak to leave. Now Urlik, still by the door, confronts Zayad. He is somewhat embarrassed, troubled. Zayad is almost amused. He moves towards the bed where his helmet and cloak lie.
ZAYAD: “You’re the first of your race ever to address me with kindness. I’m grateful. When am I to be killed?”
Urlik is astonished. He turns.
URLIK: “Killed? I’m a warrior—making war on warriors. You’re under my protection!”
Zayad is puzzled, but then she seems enlightened.
ZAYAD: “So you’ll use me for advantage over my brother?”
Urlik has not considered this, but he regards it as an interesting idea.
URLIK: “It would be legitimate strategy …” (Urlik pauses, amused. A relationship of mutual respect is steadily building up between them. Sardonically, he adds) “I suppose I should ask for your word not to use your sorcery while a prisoner …”
Zayad smiles bitterly.
ZAYAD: “It’s always suited you to believe us sorcerers. The Eldren were first on this planet, did you know?” (Urlik is surprised, but he lets her continue.) “You were driven from your own planet by one of your many wars. You came with death and destruction to claim this world for yourselves. To our eternal shame we retaliated …”
URLIK: “I’ve seen how you ‘retaliate’ …”
She turns her back on him as she continues.
ZAYAD: “We took pride in our respect for life—but we made weapons—to keep you at bay—so powerful you thought us sorcerers. You were ever superstitious …” (Urlik cannot make up his mind if she is lying or not. He moves towards her, hoping to see her face and judge.) “… we showed you our power—frightened you so badly you never dared attack us … until you were desperate for a fresh enemy—you had no-one left to fight—you knew we were weak …”
Urlik is disturbed, still trying to decide if she’s lying or not. Her voice is low, persuasive …
URLIK: “Weak? Why not use the weapons? Why rely on sorcery …?”
Zayad laughs openly at this.
ZAYAD: “We swore a great oath—never to use the weapons again—even if it meant our total downfall … As for sorcery …”