Stormbringer - Michael Moorcock [24]
"Stormbringer. It has brought enough storms for me. Perhaps this time it can calm one. And what if Law should win?"
"And if Law should win—then that, too, will mean the decline and death of this world—we shall all be forgotten. But if Chaos should win—then doom will cloud the very air, agony will sound in the wind and foul misery will dominate a plunging, unsettled world of sorcery and evil hatred. But you, Elric, with your sword and our aid, could stop this. It must be done."
"Then let it be done," Elric said quietly, "and if it must be done—then let it be done well."
Sepiriz said: "Armies will soon be marshalled to drive against Pan Tang's might. These must be our first defence. Thereafter, we shall call upon you to fulfil the rest of your destiny."
"I'll play my part, willingly," Elric replied, "for, whatever else, I have a mind to pay the Theocrat back for his insults and the inconvenience he has caused me. Though perhaps he didn't instigate Zarozinia's abduction, he aided those who did, and he shall die slowly for that."
"Go then, speedily, for each moment wasted allows the Theocrat to consolidate further his new-won empire."
"Farewell," said Elric, now more than ever anxious to leave Nihrain and return to familiar lands. "I know we'll meet again, Sepiriz, but I pray it be in calmer times than these."
Now the three of them rode eastwards, towards the coast of Tarkesh where they hoped to find a secret ship to take them across the Pale Sea to Ilmiora and thence to Karlaak by the Weeping Waste. They rode their magical Nihrain horses, careless of danger, through a war-wasted world, strife-ruined and miserable under the heel of the Theocrat.
Elric and Zarozinia exchanged many glances, but they did not speak much, for they were both moved by a knowledge of something which they could not speak of, which they dared not admit. She knew they would not have much time together even when they returned to Karlaak, she saw that he grieved and she grieved also, unable to understand the change that had come upon her husband, only aware that the black sword at his side would never, now, hang in the armoury again. She felt she had failed him, though this was not the case.
As they topped a hill and saw smoke drifting, black and thick across the plains of Toraunz, once beautiful, now ruined, Dyvim Slorm shouted from behind Elric and his bride: "One thing, cousin—whatever happens, we must have vengeance on the Theocrat and his ally."
Elric pursed his lips.
"Aye," he said, and glanced again at Zarozinia whose eyes were downcast.
The sea was at last in sight, rolling its troubled way towards the horizon to meet a seething sky, when Elric heard a cry to his right and turned to see a figure racing towards him on horseback. He clasped the hilt of his sword and waited, Dyvim Slorm and Zarozinia reining in behind him. And then he recognised the rider and smiled.
"Moonglum—how came you to the Westlands?"
The cocky little red-haired man was travel-stained, he grinned widely as he pulled his horse to a halt.
"I heard news of your troubles and came to help—but found these lands in bloody conflict, could get no clear information as to your fate and was retracing my path in the hope that I'd missed your trail earlier. Have you knowledge of what happens in the South?"
"No. I only know that Jagreen Lern will attack as soon as he can."
"They, too have come to that conclusion—but quarrel over the best means of meeting the attack. Brusque, honest Kargan, Sealord of the Isle of the Purple Towns, tried for an alliance with the pompous Merchant Princes of the mainland nations, but they rejected his offer and insulted him. So now they are divided. They need you to unite them, Elric."
"Then we had best make speed home," Elric replied. "We want a passage on board a ship—what is the situation in the conquered ports?"
"Many have sailed for the South already and captains are nervous of taking more, for fear of Jagreen Lern's wrath, but it might be