Vanishing Tower - Michael Moorcock [13]
"Who is this Umbda? I have heard neither of him nor of the Kelmain Hosts. 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 pray that I am able to wake, or the South is doomed and even you will not be able to go against the power that Theleb K'aarna will wield."
"What of Moonglum?" Elric glanced at his sleeping friend. "Can he accompany me?"
"Best not. Besides, he has a light enchantment upon him. There is no time to wake him. . . ." She gasped again and flung her arms across her forehead. "No time. . . ."
Elric leaped from the bed and began to pull on his breeks. He took his cloak from where it was draped across a stool and he buckled on his runesword. He went forward to help her, but she signalled him away.
"No. . . . Go, please. . . ."
And she vanished.
Still half asleep Elric flung open the door and dashed down the stairs, out into the night, racing for the north gate of Alorosaz, passing through it and running on through the snow, looking this way and that. The cold flooded over him like a sudden wave. He was soon knee-deep in snow. Peering about him he carried on until he stopped in his tracks.
He gasped in astonishment when he saw the steed which Myshella had provided for him.
"What's this? Another chimera?"
He approached it cautiously.
Chapter Six
Jewelled Bird Speaking
It was a bird, but it was not a bird of flesh and blood.
It was a bird of silver and of gold and of brass. Its wings clashed as he approached it and it moved its huge clawed feet impatiently, turning cold, emerald eyes to regard him.
On its back was a saddle of carved onyx chased in gold and copper and the saddle was empty, awaiting him.
"Well, I began all this unquestioningly," Elric said to himself. "I might as well complete it in the same manner."
And he went up to the bird and he climbed up its side and he lowered himself somewhat cautiously into the saddle.
The wings of