Stormbringer - Michael Moorcock [31]
"Do you remember that I told you how the twin swords were actually only an earthly manifestation of their supernatural selves?" Sepiriz said calmly.
"I do."
"Well, I can tell you now that Stormbringer's 'real' being is related to other supernatural forces on another plane. I know how to summon them, but these entities are also creatures of Chaos and therefore, as far as you're concerned, somewhat hard to control. They could well get out of hand—perhaps even turn against you. Stormbringer, as you have discovered in the past, is bound to you by ties even stronger than those which bind it to its brothers, who are lesser beings altogether, but its brothers outnumber it, and Stormbringer might not be able to protect you against them."
"Why have I never known this?"
"You have known it, in a way. Do you remember times when you have called to the Dark Ones for help and help has come?"
"Yes. You mean that this help has been supplied by Stormbringer's brethren?"
"Much of the time, yes. Already they are used to coming to your help. They are not what you and I would call intelligent, though sentient, and are therefore not so strongly bound to Chaos as its reasoning servants. They can be controlled, to a degree by anyone who has power such as you have over one of their brothers. If you need their help, you will need to remember a rune which I shall tell you later."
"And what is my task?"
"To destroy the Dukes of Hell!"
"Destroy the—? Sepiriz, that's impossible! They are Lords of Chaos, one of the most powerful groups in the whole Realm of Chance. Sepiriz, I could not do it!"
"True. But you control one of the mightiest weapons. Of course, no mortal can destroy the dukes entirely—all he can hope to do is banish them to their own plane by wrecking the substance which they use for bodies on earth. That is your task. Already there are hints that Dukes of Hell—namely Arioch, and Balan, and Maluk—have taken some of Jagreen Lern's power from him. The fool still thinks he can rule over such supernatural might as they represent. It suits them, perhaps, to let him think so, but it is certain that with these friends Jagreen Lern can defeat the Southlands with a minimum of expenditure in arms, ships or men. Without them, he could do it—but it would take more time and effort and therefore give us a slight advantage to prepare against him while he subdues the Southlands."
Elric did not bother to ask Sepiriz how he knew of the Southerners' decision to fight Jagreen Lern alone. Sepiriz obviously had many powers as was proved by his ability to contact Elric through the seer. "I have sworn to help the Southlands in spite of their refusal to side with us against the Theocrat," he said calmly.
"And you'll keep your oath—by destroying the dukes if you can."
"Destroying Arioch, and Balan, and Maluk . . ." Elric whispered the names, fearful that even here he might invoke them.
"Arioch has always been an unhelpful demon." Moonglum pointed out. "Many's the time in the past he has refused to aid you, Elric."
"Because," Sepiriz said, "he already had some knowledge that you and he were to fight in the future."
Though the wine had refreshed his body, Elric's mind was close to snapping. The strain on his soul was almost at breaking point. To fight the demon-god of his ancestors . . . The old blood was still strong in him, the old loyalties still present.
Sepiriz rose and gripped Elric's shoulder, staring with black eyes into the dazed and smouldering crimson ones. "You have pledged yourself to this mission, remember?"
"Aye, pledged—but Sepiriz—the Dukes of Hell—Arioch—I—oh, I wish that I were dead now ..."
"You have much to do before you'll be allowed to die, Elric," Sepiriz said quietly. "You must realise how important you and your great sword are to Fate's cause. Remember your pledge!"
Elric drew himself upright, nodding vaguely. "Even had I been given this knowledge before I made that pledge, I would still have made it. But..."
"What?"
"Do not place too much faith on my ability to fulfil this part, Sepiriz."
The black