Vanishing Tower - Michael Moorcock [48]
"And what has Theleb K'aarna done? Surely great power would be needed to cause this 'rupture' you describe? He does not have that power."
"True. But he has powerful allies in the Chaos Lords. The Lords of Entropy have leagued themselves with him as they would league themselves with anyone who was willing to be the means of destruction of those who dwell in Tanelorn. He found more than manuscripts in the Forest of Troos. He discovered those buried devices which were the inventions of the Doomed Folk and which ultimately brought about their destruction. These devices, of course, were meaningless to him until the Lords of Chaos showed him how they could be activated using the very forces of creation for their energy."
"And he has activated them? Where?"
"He brought the device he wanted to these parts, for he needed space to work where he thought he could not be observed by such as myself."
"He is in the Sighing Desert?"
"Aye. If you had continued on your horse you would have found him by now—or he you. I believe that is what drove you into the desert—a compulsion to seek him out."
"I had no compulsion save a need to die!" Elric tried to control his anger.
She smiled again. "Have it thus if you will. . . ."
"You mean I am so manipulated by Fate that I cannot choose to die if I wish?"
"Ask yourself for that answer."
Elric's face was clouded with puzzlement and despair. "What is it, then, which guides me? And to what end?"
"You must discover that for yourself."
"You want me to go against Chaos? Yet Chaos aids me and I am sworn to Arioch."
"But you are mortal—and Arioch is slow to aid you these days, perhaps because he guesses what lies in the future."
"What do you know of the future?"
"Little—and what I know I cannot speak of to you. A mortal may choose whom he serves, Elric."
"I have chosen. I chose Chaos."
"Yet much of your melancholy is because you are divided in your loyalties."
"That, too, is true."
"Besides you would not fight for Law if you fought against Theleb K'aarna—you would merely be fighting against one aided by Chaos—and those of Chaos often fight among themselves do they not?"
"They do. It is also well known that I hate Theleb K'aarna and would destroy him whether he served Law or Chaos."
"Therefore you will not unduly anger those to whom you are loyal—though they may be reluctant to help you."
"Tell me more of Theleb K'aarna's plans."
"You must see for yourself. There is your horse." She pointed again and this time he saw the golden mare emerge from the other side of a dune. "Head North-east as you were heading, but move cautiously lest Theleb K'aarna becomes aware of your presence and traps you."
"Suppose I merely return to Tanelorn—or choose to try to die again?"
"But you will not, will you, Elric? You have loyalties to your friends, you wish in your heart to serve what I represent—and you hate Theleb K'aarna. I do not think you would wish to die for the moment."
He scowled. "Once more I am burdened with unwanted responsibilities, hedged by considerations other than my own desires, trapped by emotions which we of Melniboné have been taught to despise. Aye—I will go, Myshella. I will do what you wish."
"Be careful, Elric. Theleb K'aarna now has powers which are unfamiliar to you, which you will find difficult to combat." She gave him a lingering look and suddenly he had stepped forward and had seized her, kissed her while tears flowed down his white face and mingled with hers.
Later he watched as she climbed into the onyx saddle of the bird of silver and gold and called out a command. The metal wings beat with a great clashing, the emerald eyes turned and the gem-studded beak opened. "Farewell, Elric," said