Elric_ The Sleeping Sorceress - Michael Moorcock [15]
He opened his eyes and saw Moonglum fast asleep in the next bed.
He tried to return to sleep, but it was impossible. He was sure that he could sense another presence in the room. He reached out and gripped the hilt of Stormbringer, prepared to defend himself should any attackers strike at him. Perhaps it was thieves who had heard of his generosity towards the innkeeper?
He heard something move in the room and, again, he opened his eyes.
She was standing there, her black hair curling over her shoulders, her scarlet gown clinging to her body. Her lips curved in a smile of irony and her eyes regarded him steadily.
She was the woman he had seen in the castle. The sleeping woman. Was this part of the dream?
“Forgive me for thus intruding upon your slumber and your privacy, my lord, but my business is urgent and I have little time to spare.”
Elric saw that Moonglum still slept as if in a drugged slumber.
He sat upright in his bed. Stormbringer moaned softly and then was silent.
“You seem to know me, my lady, but I do not—”
“I am called Myshella . . .”
“Empress of the Dawn?”
She smiled again. “Some have named me that. And others have called me the Dark Lady of Kaneloon.”
“Whom Aubec loved? Then you must have preserved your youth carefully, Lady Myshella.”
“No doing of mine. It is possible that I am immortal. I do not know. I know only one thing and that is that time is a deception . . .”
“Why do you come?”
“I cannot stay for long. I come to seek your aid.”
“In what way?”
“We have an enemy in common, I believe.”
“Theleb K’aarna?”
“The same.”
“Did he place that enchantment upon you that made you sleep?”
“Aye.”
“And he sent his Oonai against me. That is how—”
She raised her hand.
“I sent the chimerae to find you and bring you to me. They meant you no harm. But it was the only thing I could do, for Theleb K’aarna’s spell was already beginning to work. I battle his sorcery, but it is strong and I am unable to revive myself for more than very short periods. This is one such period. Theleb K’aarna has joined forces with Prince Umbda, Lord of the Kelmain Host. Their plan is to conquer Lormyr and, ultimately, the entire Southern World!”
“Who is this Umbda? I have heard neither of him nor of the Kelmain Host. Some noble of Iosaz, perhaps, who . . .”
“Prince Umbda serves Chaos. He comes from the lands beyond World’s Edge and his Kelmain are not men at all, though they have the appearance of men.”
“So Theleb K’aarna was in the far south, after all.”
“That is why I came to you tonight.”
“You wish me to help you?”
“We both need Theleb K’aarna destroyed. His sorcery is what enabled Prince Umbda to cross World’s Edge. Now that sorcery is strengthened by what Umbda brings—the friendship of Chaos. I protect Lormyr and I serve Law. I know that you serve Chaos, yet I hope your hatred of Theleb K’aarna overcomes that loyalty for the moment.”
“Chaos has not served me, of late, lady, so I’ll forget that loyalty. I would have my vengeance on Theleb K’aarna and if we can help each other in the matter, so much the better.”
“Good.”
She gasped then and her eyes glazed. When next she spoke it was with some difficulty.
“The enchantment is exerting its hold again. I have a steed for you near the town’s north gate. It will bear you to an island in the Boiling Sea. On that island is a palace called Ashaneloon. It is there that I have dwelt of late, until I sensed Lormyr’s danger . . .”
She pressed her hand to her brow and swayed.
“. . . But Theleb K’aarna expected me to try to return there and he placed a guardian at the palace’s gate. That guardian must be destroyed. When you have destroyed it you must go to the . . .”
Elric rose to help her, but she waved him away.
“. . . to the eastern tower. In the tower’s lower room is a chest. In the chest is a large pouch of cloth-of-gold. You must take that and—and bring it back to Kaneloon, for Umbda and his Kelmain now march against the castle. Theleb K’aarna will destroy the castle with their help—and destroy me, also. With the pouch, I may destroy them. But