Stormbringer - Michael Moorcock [50]
"Of the warriors I'll certainly be wary—but why the elders?"
"Each elder contains the soul of one of Mordaga's followers who was punished thus. They are vengeful trees."
"And the fourth man of the prophecy?"
Sepiriz looked sad. "He has come—which is why I am here now. Poor Rackhir is the fourth."
"Poor Rackhir? Why poor?"
Sepiriz shook his head. "No matter—it is laid down." He folded his hands. "You'll find four Nihrain stallions in your stables. They will carry you faster and get you to Mordaga in time. Use all their speed—for Chaos makes rapid encroachment." He gripped Elric's arm and the albino was surprised to see a look of pity in the seer's eyes. "Ah, Elric, you have still much sorrow to come, I fear. Now, sleep while Rackhir rests and tell your comrades to do likewise, for you must ride soon."
Two
From two sides now, Chaos enclosed the East and the four men left the Fortress of Evening knowing it was unlikely it would survive. They rode across the waters to the mainland to discover that garrisons were abandoned as men fled away from the dreadful threat of Chaos. It was not until a day later that they came upon the first survivors of the land-fighting, many of them with bodies twisted into terrible shapes by the warping influence of Chaos, struggling along a white road leading towards Jadmar, a city still free. From them they learned that half Ilmiora, parts of Vilmir and the tiny independent kingdom of Org had all fallen. Chaos was closing in, and the stuff of its own weird cosmos was entering the earth, so that where their power was the land heaved like the sea, or the sea flowed like lava, mountains changed shape and trees sprouted ghastly blossoms never seen on earth before—all nature was unstable and it could not be long until earth was wholly one with the realm of Chaos.
Elric was relieved to find Karlaak still free from attack. But reports placed the Chaos army less than two hundred miles away and coming nearer.
Zarozinia greeted him with troubled joy. "There were rumours you were dead—killed in the sea battle."
"I cannot stay long. I have to go beyond the Sighing Desert. And you, too, must leave here."
"The evacuation of the city has already been ordered. We flee to the Weeping Waste. Even Jagreen Lern can have scant interest in those barrens."
"Perhaps. At least you will be safer there. If I'm lucky I may be able to turn Jagreen Lern back in time." He told her of his mission.
"You need some defence," she agreed. "For mortals not under Jagreen Lern's protection are terribly altered by Chaos."
"Air, fire, water and earth all become unstable, for they are not only tampering with the lives and souls of men, but with the very constituents of the planet itself. So I shall seek the shield and we shall both have its protection."
"I hope so, my lord."
"You sound sad—Gods, all of you ooze sorrow. But I am optimistic, Zarozinia." He took her hands, smiling with a desperate gaiety. "Come, share my optimism!"
She tried to laugh, but there were tears in her eyes. He looked at her with sudden compassion. She was still only a girl, for all her sensuous lips and loving skills.
"I owe you much, my love," he said softly. "My happy hours have been few—but they have all been with you. Fear not—perhaps our destiny will be joyous."
She pressed herself against him. "No, my lord, no—our only destiny is death!"
He tried to calm her sobbing with kisses and she responded, and so they made love, but when they slept, their dreams were full of dark portent and they clung together until the dawn, neither able to conquer the inner knowledge of forthcoming torment.
In the morning he arose and clad himself in Melnibonéan war regalia; with a breastplate of shiny black metal, a high-collared jerkin of quilted black velvet, black leather breeks covered to the knee by his boots, also of black leather. Over his back was pushed a cloak of deep red and on one thin, white finger was the Ring of Kings, the single rare Actorios stone, set in silver. His long white hair hung loose down his shoulders, held by