Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [155]
The apothecary shrugged. “Nonetheless, it is unwise to go at this unprepared. I myself am curious, as you can imagine, but I could not afford the small army needed.”
“Unless you can discover the whereabouts of the Uyt king’s twin daughters and their escorts,” murmured the child almost to itself. “I heard …”
“Heard? Where?” Its father frowned and Elric gave the child his concentrated attention.
“They came this morning, seeking audience with the Council. They met with one of your race, Prince Elric.”
“A Melnibonéan?” asked Moonglum.
“Aye. And I heard that some of the same folk were in King Tilus Kreek’s band.”
They became still more intrigued.
“How could I find these sisters and the others?” Moonglum demanded.
“If the street speaks truth, then they no doubt lodge at the great Council House as guests of the city.”
“Where’s that?”
The apothecary interrupted. “Prince Elric, I would not have you go to Soom alone. I will write you a letter. My boy will take you to the Council House. Certain members of the Great Council are good customers of mine. You will need to be introduced. But first—” He crossed to one of several tables covered in all kinds of curios, many whose function was completely mysterious. He opened a box of ivory-inlaid cedarwood and took out of it a short string of amber beads which moved like sluggish flames in the lamplight. He handed this to the albino who, puzzled, turned it over and over in his long-fingered bone-white hands. The amber felt warm, almost like living flesh. It seemed to vibrate as if to the beating of tiny wings.
“You might not need it now, but you might need it some day. It is in acknowledgment of the service you did my old friend. Put it on,” said the apothecary. “Place the beads around your neck.”
To humour him, Elric did as he was asked.
“Wear it until you have the opportunity to use it,” Nashatak told him. And when Elric sighed, he added: “I can tell that you are one who does not value his own life overmuch. But that thing might prove useful to you, for I know you have a destiny and a duty to live. I have no personal use for the charm. I wish you good fortune, sir, for I suspect you carry a weird which few would envy.”
Elric’s smile was thin. “My folk had lost any sense of sin they might once have had. It was my poor fortune to rediscover it. My destiny is a result of my actions, I suspect. Nonetheless, I value your good will. There are few in this world, I suspect, who share it. I thank you.”
While Elric waited with growing impatience, Nashatak Skwett went to his desk and began to write. Meanwhile, the strange child continued to watch them through those laughing, hazel eyes until its father folded and sealed the letter, handing it to his offspring. “Go in peace, gentlemen.” The apothecary made a sign to his child who again took their hands to lead them from the house.
Outside, the sky had darkened. Looking up, they saw a three-quarter moon above the rooftops and heard a distant sound, like the cawing of a crow. For an instant they saw black wings outlined in the moonlight, then they were gone and the city, which on their way here had been so raucous, was momentarily silent.
CHAPTER TWO
Two Princesses—A Pair of Dukes
The city continued its celebration. The new peace-keepers had not had time to lose the citizens’ good will. Somewhat cynically, Moonglum reflected on the many times in his journeying through the world when a change of government had been greeted with the same joy only to be followed by disappointment and anger when the new proved no better. “People hate real change,” said the stocky Eastlander, “and are usually only satisfied with superficial and momentary differences. At least when Law controls the Balance. Remember how the Young Kingdoms, even as they recovered from their own terrible losses, took pleasure in the collapse of your Bright Empire. Now they grumble and curse their own leaders as they once cursed Melniboné. Some even long for the stability