Vanishing Tower - Michael Moorcock [42]
But it was not Theleb K'aarna who knelt there. It was a wretched, ragged figure and it sprawled before the throne and it was sobbing, imploring, whining at something on the throne.
Elric walked his horse a little further into the hall and now he could see what occupied the throne.
Squatting in the great chair of black oak was the demon which had been there earlier. Its arms were folded and its eyes were shut and it seemed, somewhat theatrically, to be ignoring the pleadings of the creature kneeling at its feet.
The others, also mounted, entered the hall now and together they rode up to the dais and stopped.
The kneeling figure turned its head and it was Urish. It gasped when it saw Elric and stretched out a maimed hand for its cleaver, abandoned some distance away.
Elric sighed.
"Do not fear me, Urish. I'm weary of blood-letting. I do not want your life."
The demon opened its eyes.
"Prince Elric, you have returned," it said. There seemed to be an indefinable difference in its tone.
"Aye. Where is your master?"
"I fear he has fled Nadsokor forever."
"And left you to sit here for eternity."
The demon inclined its head.
Urish put a grimy hand on Elric's leg. "Elric—help me! I must have my Hoard. It is everything! Destroy the demon and I will give you back the Ring of Kings."
Elric smiled. "You are generous, King Urish."
Tears streamed down the filth on Urish's ruined face. "Please, Elric, I beg thee. . . ."
"It is my intention to destroy the demon."
Urish looked nervously about him. "And aught else?"
"That decision lies with the men of Tanelorn whom you sought to rob and whose friends you caused to be slain in a most foul manner."
"It was Theleb K'aarna, not I!"
"And where is Theleb K'aarna now?"
"When you unleashed those ape things on our Elenoin he fled the field. He went towards the Varkalk River—towards Troos."
Without looking behind him Elric said, "Rackhir? Will you try the arrows now?"
There was the hum of a bowstring and an arrow struck the demon in the breast. It quivered there and the demon looked at it with mild interest, then breathed in deeply. As he breathed the arrow was drawn further into him and was eventually absorbed altogether.
"Aaah!" Urish scuttled for his cleaver. "It will not work!"
A second arrow sped from Rackhir's scarlet bow and it, too, was absorbed, as was the third.
Urish was gibbering now, waving his cleaver.
Elric warned him: "He has a wardpact against swords, King Urish!"
The demon rattled its scales. "Is that thing a sword, I wonder?"
Urish hesitated. Spittle ran down his chin and his red eyes rolled. "Demon—begone! I must have my Hoard—it is mine!"
The demon watched him sardonically.
With a yell of terror and anguish Urish flung himself at the demon, the cleaver Hackmeat swinging wildly. Its blade came down on the hell-thing's head, there was a sound like lightning striking metal and the cleaver shivered to pieces. Urish stood staring at the demon in quaking anticipation. Casually the demon reached out four of its hands and seized him. Its jaws opened wider than should have been possible, the bulk of the demon expanded until it was suddenly twice its original size. It brought the kicking Beggar King to its maw and suddenly there were only two legs waving from the mouth and then the demon gave a mighty swallow and there was nothing at all left of Urish of Nadsokor.
Elric shrugged. "Your wardpact is effective."
The demon smiled. "Aye, sweet Elric."
Now the tone of voice was very familiar. Elric looked narrowly at the demon. "You're no ordinary ..."
"I hope not, most beloved of mortals."
Elric's horse reared and snorted as the demon's shape began to alter. There was a humming sound and black smoke coiled over the throne and then another figure was sitting there, its legs crossed. It had the shape of a man but it was more beautiful than any mortal. It was a being of intense and majestic beauty—unearthly beauty.
"Arioch!" Elric bowed his head before the Lord of Chaos.
"Aye, Elric. I took the demon's place while you were gone."
"But you have refused