 8 Of the homecoming of the demons, and how Lord Jus was taught in a dream, wither he must seek for tidings of his dear brother, and how they took counsel at croathering, and determined of their expedition to Impland. Midsummer night, Ambrosial, starry curdled, walked on the sea, as the ship that brought the demons home drew nigh to her journey's end. The cloaks of Lord Jus and Lord Brandock Dahar, who slept on the poop, were wet with dew. Smoothly they had passage through that charmed night, where winds were hushed asleep, and a note was heard, save the waves talking beneath the boughs of the ship, the lilting, changeless song of the steersman, and the creek, dip, and swash of oars keeping time to his singing. Virgo burned like a sapphire near the zenith, and Octurus low in the north-west, beaconing over demon-land, and the remote south-east fommel-hawk rose from the sea, a lonely splendour in the dim region of Capricorn and the fishes. Still rolled there till day broke, and a light wind sprang up fresh and keen. Just waked, and stood up to scan the grey-glassy surface of the sea, spread to vast distances where sky and water faded into one. A stern, great clouds bridged the gates of day, boiling upwards into crags of wine-dark vapor and burning plumes of sunrise. In the stainless spaces of the sky above these sailed the horned moon, frail and worn as a white foam-flower blonde from the waves. Westward, facing the thunder-smoke of dawn, the fine far ridge of Cartadzum was like cut crystal against the sky, the first island sentinel of many mountain demon-land. His topmost cliffs dawny-loomed with pale gold and amethyst, while yet the lesser heights lay obscure, lapped in the folds of night. And with the opening day the mists swathing the mountain-skirts were lifted up in billowy masses that grew and shrank and grew again, made restless by the wayward winds which morning worked in the hollow mountain side, and torn by them into wisps and streamers. Some were blown upward, steaming up the great gullies in the rocks below the peak, while now and then a puff of cloud swam free for a minute, floated a minute's space as ready to sail skyward, then indolently stooped again to the mountain wall, to veil it in an unsubstantial fleece of golden vapor. And now all the western sea-board of demon-land lay clear to view, stretching fifty miles and more from north-house scurries past the drake-homes and the lords-downs of Kesterwick and Byland, beyond which tower the mountains of the scarf, past the jagged skyline of the thorn-backs, and the far never-dale peaks overhanging the wooded shores of Onward-Live and Lower Tivor-Anderdale, to the extreme southern head-land, filmy pale in the distance, where the great range of rim-on-armon plunges its last wild bastion in the sea. As a lover gazing on his mistress, so gazed Lord Jus on demon-land rising from the sea. No words speck he till they came off looking heaven-nest, and could see where, beyond the beaked promontory, the sound opened between Cartadza and the mainland. Albeit the outer sea was calm, the air in the sound was thick with spray from the churning of the waters among the reefs and swallowing shawls. For the tide ran like a mill-race through that sound, and the roaring of it was plain to hear at two miles' distance where they sailed. Jus said, mindest thou my shepherding of the ghoul fleet into yonder jaws? I would not tell thee for shame when as the fit was on me, but this is the first day since the sending came upon us, that I have not wished in my heart that the races of Cartadza had gulped me down also, and given me one ending with the accursed ghouls. Lord Brandog de Ha looked swiftly upon him, and was silent. Now in a short while was the ship coming to looking heaven, and alongside of the marble key. There amid his folks stood spitfire, who greeted them, saying, I made all ready to bring three of you home in triumph from your ship, but Vaal cancelled against it. Glad am I that I took his counsel, and put by those things I had prepared. They had cut me to the heart to see them now. Jus answered him, O my brother, this noise of hammers in looking heaven, and these ten keels laid on the slips, show me ye have been busyed on things nearer our needs than bare leaves and the instruments of joy since they came at home. So they took horse, and while they rode, related to spitfire, all that had befallen since their fairing to Carsey. In such wise came they north past the harbour, and so over have a short tongue to Beckfoot, where they took the upper paths that climb into Evendale, close under the screes of Starksty Pike, and so came a little before noon to Gailing. The black rock of Gailing stands at the end of the spur, that runs down from the south ridge of Little Drake Home, dividing Brankdale from Evendale. On three sides the cliffs fall sheer from the castle walls to the deep woods of oak and birch and rowan tree, which carpet the flats of Moongorth Bottom, and feather the walls of the gill through which the Brankdale Beck plunges in waterfall after waterfall. Only on the north-east may Ortsaver Winged Thing come at the castle, across a smooth grass-grown saddle, less than a stone's throwing width. Over that saddle runs the Paven Way, leading from the Brankdale Road to the Lion-Gate, and within the gate is that garden of the grass-walk between the Ews, where Lessingham stood with the Martlet nine weeks before, when first he came to Demonland. When night fell and supper was done, just walked alone on the walls of his castle, watching the constellations burn in the moonless sky above the mighty shadows of the mountains, listening to the hooting of the owls in the woods below, and the faint distant tinkle of cowbells, and breathing the fragrance born up from the garden on the night wind, that even in high summer tasted keen of the mountains and the sea. These sights and scents and voices of the holy night so held him in thrall that it wanted but an hour of midnight when he left the battlements, and called the sleepy-house-coils to light him to his chamber in the south tower of Gaeling. Wondrous fare was the great four-posted bed of the Lord Jus, building of solid gold, and hung with curtains of dark blue tapestry whereon were figured sleep-flowers. The canopy above the bed was a mosaic of tiny stones, jet, serpentine, dark hyacinth, black marble, blood-stone, and lapis lazuli, so confirmed it in a maze of altering hue and lustre that they might mock the palpitating sky of night. And therein was the likeness of the constellation of Orion, held by just the guardian of his fortunes. The stars were off, like those beneath the golden canopy in the presence-chamber, were jewels shining of their own light, yet dead wood glimmering in the dark. For Betelgoose was a ruby shining, and a diamond for regale, and pale topazes for the other stars. The four-posts of the bed were at the thickness of a man's arm in their upper parts, but their lower parts great as his waist, and carving in the image of birds and beasts. At the foot of the bed a lion for courage, and an owl for wisdom, and at the head and a launt for faithfulness of heart, and a king-fisher for happiness. On the cornice of the bed, and on the panels above the pillow against the wall, were carved just his deeds of daring dew, and the latest carving was of the sea-fight with the ghouls. To the right of the bed stood a table, with old books of songs, and books of the stars, and of herbs, and beasts, and traveller's tales, and there was just want to lay his sword beside him while he slept. All the walls were paneled with dark, sweet-smelling wood, and armour and weapons hung thereon. Mighty chests and ulmeries, hasped and bound with gold, stood against the wall, wherein he kept his rich apparel. Walls opened to the west and south, and on each window-edge stood a ball of palest jade, filled with white roses, and the air entering the bed-chamber was laden with their scent. About cock-crow came a dream unto Lord Jus, standing by his head and touching his eyes, so that he seemed to wake and look about the chamber, and he seemed to behold an evil beast, all burning as a drake, busy in his chamber, with many heads, the most venomous that ever he the days of his life had seen, and about it its five fawns, like to itself but smaller. It seemed to Jus that in place of his sword there lay a great spear of fair workmanship on the table by his bed, and it seemed to him in his dream that this spear had been his all his life, and was his greatest treasure, and that with it he might accomplish all things, and without it scarcely ought to his mind. He laboured to reach out his hand to the spear, but some power withheld him, so that for all his striving he might not stir. But that beast took up the spear in its jaws, and went with it forth from the chamber. It seemed to Jus that the power that held him departed with the departing of the beast, so that he leapt up and snatched down weapons from the wall, and made an onslaught on the fawns of that fell beast, that were tearing down the woven hangings, and mooring with their fiery breath the figure of the kingfisher at the head of his bed. All the chamber was full of the reek of burning, and he thought his friends were with him in the chamber, Vaal and Viz, and Zig and Spitfire and Brandoc de Ha, fighting with the beasts, and the beasts prevailed against them. Then it seemed to him that the bed post-carven in the likeness of an owl spake to him in his dream in human speech, and the owl said, O fool, that shalt justly be put in great misery without end, except thou bring back the spear. Hast thou forgot that this only is thy greatest treasure, and most worthiest thy care? Therewith came back that grim and grisful beast into the chamber, and Jus assailed it, crying to the owl, Uncivil where then must I find my spear that this beast hath hidden? And it seemed to him that the owl made answer, Inquire in Kostra belawan. So tumultuous was Lord Jus' dream that he was flung at waking out of bed onto the deerskin carpets of the floor, and his right hand clutched the hilt of his great sword where it lay on the table by his bed, whereas in his dream he had beheld the spear. Mightyly moved was he, and forthwith clothed himself, and fairing through the dim corridors came to Spitfire's chamber, and sat on the bed and waked him, and just told him his dream, and said, I hold myself clean of all blame hereabout, for from that day forth this only hath been my care, how to find my dear brother and fetch him home, and only then to wreak myself on the witches. And what was this spear in my dream, if not goldery? This vision of the night kindled for us a beacon fire we needs must seek to. It bared me, Inquire in Kostra belawan, until that be done never will I rest, nor so much as think on all besides. Spitfire answered, and said, Thou beest our oldest brother, and I shall follow and obey thee in all that thou wilt do, or shalt ordain hereof. Then furred just to the guest's chamber, where Lord Brandoc de Haar lay asleep, and waked him, and told him all. Brandoc de Haar snuggled him under the bedclothes, and said, Let me be, and let me sleep yet two hours. Then will I rise and bathe, and array myself, and eat my morning-meal, and thereafter will I take reed with thee, and tell thee somewhat for thine advantage. I have not slept in a goose-feather bed, and sheets of lawn these many weeks. If thou plague me now, by God I will incontinently take horse over the stilt of croathering, and let thee and thine affairs go to the devil. So just laughed, and left him in peace. And later, when they had eaten, they walked in a plashed alley, where the air was cool, and the purple shadow on the path was dappled with bright flecks of sunshine. But Brandoc de Haar said, Thou knowest that Costa Belon is a great mountain, beside which our mountains of demon-land would seem but little hills unremarked, and that it standeth in the uttermost parts of earth, beyond the wastes of upper Impland, and thou mightest search a year through all the people's countries of the world, and not find one living soul who had so much as beheld it from afar. This much, I know, said Lord Jus. Is thine heart utterly bent on this journey? said Brandoc de Haar, but is it not preposterous, and a thing to comfort our enemies, that we should thus at the bidding of a dream, fly to far and perilous lands, rather than pair which land presently for the shame he hath done us? Jus answered him, My bed is hallowed by spells of such a virtue, that no naughty dream, flown through the ivory gate, nor no noise some wizardry hath power to trouble his sleep who sleepeth there. This dream is true. For which land there is time in hour? If thou wilt not go with me to Costa Belon, I must go without thee. Enough, said Lord Brandoc de Haar, thou knowest for thee I time I purse with a spider's thread. Then fare we must to Impland, and herein may I help thee. For listen while I tell thee a thing. When as I slew Gerys the Tenth in Goblinland, Gaslock gave me along with other good gifts a great curiosity, a treatise, or book, copied out on parchment by Borrian, his secretary, wherein its speakers have all the ways to Impland, and what countries and kingdoms lie next to the Maruna, and the fronts thereof, and the marvels that he found in those lands. And all that is written in this book was set down faithfully by Borrian after the telling of Gror, the same which now hath part with the Witchlanders. Great honour had Gror as then from Gaslock for his far journeyings, and for that which is written in this book of Wonders, and this it was that had first put in Gaslock's mind to send that expedition into Impland, which so reduced him, and came so wretchedly to naught. If then thou wilt seek to Costa Belon, come home with me to-day, and I will show thee my book. So spoke Lord Brandoc de Haar, and Lord just straightway ordered forth the horses, and sent messengers to vol under cartadze, and to visit Dark Lairstead, bidding them meet him at Crothering with what speed they might. It was four hours before noon when just Spitfire and Brandoc de Haar rode down from Gaeling and through the woods of Moongarth Bottom at the foot of the lake, taking the main bridle-road up Brakingdale that runs by the western margin and moon-mere under the buttresses of the scarf. They rode slowly, for the sun was strong on their back. Glassy was the lake and like a turquoise, and the birch-clad slopes to the east and north, and the bare-rugged ridges of Stathfell and Budra fell beyond, were mirrored in its depths. On the left as they rode, the spurs of the scarf impended from on high in piled bastions of black porphyry like giant's castles, and little valleys choked with monstrous boulders, among which the silver birch's crowding showed like tiny garden plants, ran steeply back between the spurs. Up those valleys appeared successively the main summits of the scarf, savage and remote, frowning downward as it were between their own knees, glomery pike, nickel scarf, and ill-stack. By noon they had climbed to the extreme head of Brakingdale, and halted on the stile, a little beyond the watershed, under the sheer northern wall of ill-drennock. Before them the past plunged steeply into Armadadale. The lower reach of switch-water shone fifteen miles or more to the west, well-nigh-hidden in the heat-hairs. Nearer at hand in the north-west lay Ramarick-Mere, buzzamed among the smooth-backed Kellioland hills, and the eastern-most uplands of Shalgreth Heath, with the sea beyond. And on the valley floor near the water's meet where Transdale runs into Armadadale, it was possible to describe the roof of Zig's house at many bushes. When they came down thither, Zig was out hunting, so they left word with his lady-wife and drank a stirrup cup and rode on, up switch-water-ware, and for twelve miles or more along the southern shore of switch-water. So dropped they into Gashdendale, and then surrounding the western slopes of Earngate End, came upon the crothering side, when the shadows were lengthening in the golden summer evening. The side ran gently west for a league or more, to where thunder-furth lay like beaten gold beneath the sun. Across the furth, the pine forests of Westmark, old as the world, rose toward Broxty Edge and Gemsaw Edge, a far-flung amphitheater of bare cliff and scree, shutting in the prospect to the north. High on the left towered the precipices of Earngate End. Southward and south-eastward lay the sea. So rode there down the side, through deep, peaceful meadows, fair with white oxides, bluebells and yellow goats-beard and sea campion, deep blue gentians, agrimony and wild marjoram, and pink clover and bindweed and great yellow butter-cups feasting on the sun. And on an eminence beyond which the land fell away more steeply toward the sea, the onyx-towers of crothering standing above woods and gardens shored milk-white against heaven and the clear hairline. When they were now but half a mile from the castle just said, Behold and sea! The Lady Mevrian hath aspired us from afar, and right hath forth to bring thee home. Brandoc de Haar counted ahead to meet her. A lady light of build and exceeding fair to look upon, braver carriage like a war-horse, softer future, clear-browed, gray-eyed and proud-eyed. Great-mouthed, but not as one who can speak no but sweetness. Her robe was of pale, buff-colored silk, with corsage covered as by a spider's-web with fine golden threads, and she wore a pointless ruffle stiffened with gold and silver wire, and spangled with little diamonds. Her deep hair, black as the raven's wing, was fastened with pins of gold, and a yellow rose that nestled in its coils was as the moon looking forth among thick clouds of night. "'Doings be afoot, my Lady Sister,' said Lord Brandoc de Haar. One king of which land have we done down since we sailed hence, and guessed it in carcy with another, little to our content. All which things I'll tell thee anon. Now lieeth our road south for Impland, and crothering is but our caravancer I." She turned her horse, and there rode all in company into the shadow of the ancient cedars that clustered to the north of the home-meads and pleasure-gardens, stately, gaunt-limbed, flat-browed bleak against the sky. On the left a lily-peaven lake slept cool beneath mighty elms, with a black swan near the bank, and her four signets dozing in a row, their heads tucked beneath their wings, so that they looked like balls of grey-brown froth floating on the water. The path leading to the bridge-gate zigzagged steeply up the mound between low-broad balustrades of white onyx, bearing at intervals square onyx pots, planted some with yellow roses, and some with wondrous flowers, great and delicate, with frail white shell-like petals. Mysterious centres had those flowers, thick with soft hairs within, and dark within with velvety purple, streaked with black and blood-colour and dust of gold. The castle of Lord Brandoc de Haar, standing at the top of the mound, was circled by a ditch both broad and deep. The gate before the drawbridge was of iron, gilded and richly wrought. The towers and gate-houses were of white onyx like the castle itself, and on either hand before the gate was a colossal marble-hypogryph, standing more than thirty feet high at the withers. And the wings and hooves and talons of the hippogriffs and their mains and forelocks were overlaid with gold, and their eyes caught buncles of purus luster. Over the gate was written in letters of gold, Y bragas enor, besquered enoir, fre brandoc de haar, but to tell even a tenth part of the marbles rich and beautiful that were in the house of crothering. Its cool quartz and colonnades rich with gems, and fragrant with costly spices and strange blooms. Its bed-chambers, where, coat like Aphrodite in her golden net, the spirit of sleep seemed ever to shake slumber from its plumes, and none might be waking long in those chambers, but sweet sleep overcame their eyelids. The chamber of the sun and the chamber of the moon, and the great middle-hole with its high gallery and ivory stair. To tell of all these were but to ploy imagination, with picturing in one while of over-much-glory and splendour. Not befell that night save the coming of Zig before sundown, and of those brethren, vol and vis in the night, having ridden hard in obedience to the word of Jus. In the morning when they had eaten their day-meal, the lords of Demonland went down into plesances, and with them the lady-mevrian, and in an alley that was roofed with beams of cedar resting on marble pillars, the beams and pillars smothered with dark-red roses, they sat looking eastward across a sunk garden. The weather was sweet and gracious, and thick dew lay on the pale terraced lawns that led down among flower-beds to the fish-pond in the midst. The water made a cool mirror, where un-floated yellow-and-crimson water-lilies opened to the sky. All the greens and flower-colours glowed warm and clean, but soft with all and shadowy, veiled in the grey hairs at the summer morning. They sat here and there as they listed, on chairs and benches, near a huge tank or vase of dark green jade, where sulphur-coloured lilies grew in languorous beauty, their back-curled petals showing the scarlet anthers, and all the air was heavy with their sweetness. The great jade vase was round and flat like the body of a tortoise, open at the top where the lilies grew. It was carved with scales, as it were the body of a dragon, and a dragon's head a-gaping reared itself at one end, and at the other the tail curved up and over, like the handle of a basket, and the tail had little fore-and-hind feet with claws, and a smaller head at the end of the tail gaped downwards, biting at the large head. Four legs supported the body, and each leg was a small dragon, moving on its hind-feet, its head growing into the parent body, as the thigh or shoulder joint should join the trunk. In the curve of the creature's neck, his back propped against its head, sat the lord-brand-up-de-har, in graceful ease, one foot touching the ground, the other swinging free. And in his hands was the book, bound in dark, puce-coloured gold-skin and gold, given him by gazlok in years gone by. Zig watched him idly turn the pages while the others looked. Leaning toward Mevrian, he whispered in her ear, Is not he able and sharpened for to subdue and put under him all the world, thy brother, a man of blood and peril, and yet so fair to behold that it is a marvel? Her eyes danced, she said, it is pure truth, my lord. Now spoke Spitfire, saying, Read forth to us, I pray thee, the book of grow, for my soul is a fire to set forth on this fairing. Tis writ somewhat cravidly, said Brand-up-de-har, and most damnably long. I spent half last night a searching-aunt, and tis most apparent no other where lieth to these mountains, saved by the maruna, and across the maruna is, if grosser true, but one way, and that from the gulf of Muelva, a twenty-day's journey from north by south-est. For here he telleth of water-springs by the way, but he saith in other parts of the desert be no water-springs, have only springs venomous, where the water reeketh like a seething pot continually, having somewhat a sulfurious and somewhat unpleasant savor, and the ground nourisheth here no plant nor herb, except it be venomous, champignons, or toadstools. If he saith true, said Spitfire, he is a turncoat and a renegado, wherefore not therefore a liar? But a philosopher, answered just, and knew him well of old in goblin-land, and I judge him to be one who is not false, save only in policy, subtle of mind he is, and dearly loatheth plotting and scheming, and, as I think, perversely affecteth ever the losing side, if he be brought into any quarrel, and this hath dragged him oft times to misfortune. But in this book of his travels he must need speak truth, as it seemeth to me, to be true to his own self. The Lady Mevrian looked approvingly on Lord Jus and her eye twinkled, for well it liked her humour to hear men's natures so divine. Oh, Jus, friend of my heart, said Lord Brandoc de Haar, thy words proceed as ever they did from the true fount of wisdom, and I embrace them and thee. This book is a guide which we shall follow, not helter-skelter, but as old men of war. If then the right road to Mornamaruna lie from the gulf of Mualba, where we not best sail straight to the wood, and lay up our ships in that gulf, where the coast and countryside be without habitation, rather than fare to some nearer haven of outer implants, such as Arlan Mouth, with the thou unspit by a fared six summers ago. Not Arlan Mouth, or this journey, said Jus. Some sport perchance we might obtain there, had we leisure for fighting with the accursed inhabitants. But every day's delay we now do, make hold of my brother and other day in bondage. The princes and phasers of the imps have many strong walled towns and towers in all those coastlands, and hard by in a mediamnus of the river Arlan, in Orpish, is the great castle of Fax-fair-Faz, where to Goldry and I drive him home from Lida-Nanguna. It is an ill-cost, too, to find a landing, said Brann Drha, turning the leaves of the book. As he saith, Implan the Moor beginneth at the west side of the mouth of Arlan, and occupyeth all the land unto the headland Cybrian, and there fro south away to the Corsh, by guess a seven hundred miles, whereby the sea is not there of nature favourable, nor no haven is, or coming in meat for ships. So after some talk and searching of that book of groe, they determined this should be their plan, to fair to Implan by way of the straits of Mele-Cafcars and the Daedonian Sea, and so lay up their ships in the Gulf of Muelva, and landing there start straightway across the wilderness to Moorne-Maruna, even as groe had described the way. Here we leave it, said Brann Drha, hearing what he speaketh concerning Kostra-Beloan. This he beheld from Moorne-Maruna, whereof he saith, The country is hilly, sandy, and barren of wood, and come as forestful of ling moors and mosses, with stony hills. Here is a mighty strung and usid borough for flying serpents in some barren heathy and sandy ground, and thereby the little-round castle of Moorne-Maruna stondeth on ompren edge, as on the limit of the world, saw weather beaten and in ruin. This castle was Brent, in time of war, spoiled and razed, by King Garay's the fort of which land in ancient days, and they say there was blameless folk dwelleth therein, and right gentle, nor was there any need for Garay's to have usid them so cruelly. But he causeth the whole household there to appear before him, and then slaw some out of hand, and the residue he throw all down the steep cliff, and but few super-vivid after the great fall, and these fled away through the untrodden forests of Bavinon, and without question perished there in great sorrow and misery. Some fable that it was for this cruel fact sake, that King Garay's was eat by divils on the Moorne-Maruna, and all his host, one man only coming home again to tell of these things befallen. Now, Mark, from Moorne-Maruna I beheld south away two great mountains standing over Bavinon, as two queens in beauty seated in the sky, by estimation twenty leagues for a hence, above many more ice-robed mountains super-eminent. The witch as I learned was Kostr Belaun, the one, and the other Kostr Pivraca, and I viewed them continually unto the going-down of the sun, and that was the fairest sight, and the most beautifulest, and gallant marvell, that mine eye and hath seen. Therewith toky'd eye with the small things that dwell there in the ruins and in the bushes growing round about, as it is my want, and amongst them one of those birds called martlets, that have feet so little that they seem to have none. And this little martlet, sitting in a framboosier or raspis bush, told me that none may come alive unto Kostr Belaun, for the manticoras of the mountains will certainly eat his brains ere he come dither. And were he so fortunate as scape these manticoras, yet could he never climb up the great crags of ice and rock on Kostr Belaun, for none is so strongest to scale them but by art magical, and such is the virtue of that mountain that no magic availeth there, but only strength and wisdom alone, and as I say these would not avail to climb those cliffs and ice livers. What be these manticoras of the mountains that eat men's brains, asked the Lady Mevleon. This book is so excellent well writ, said her brother, that thine answer appeareth on this same page. The beast manticora, which is as much as to say devourer of men, theneth as I heard tell on the skirt of the mountains below the snow-fields. These be monstrous beasts, ghastly and full of horror. Any mist of mankind, of a red colour, with two rows of huge great teeth in their mouths. It hath the head of a man, his iron like a goot, and the body of a lion lancing out sharp prickles for a behind, and his tail is the tail of a scorpion, and is more deliverer to go than his fowl to flee, and his voice is as the roaring of ten lions. These beasts, said Spitfire, were alone enough to draw me thither. I shall bring thee home a small one, madam, to keep chained in the court. That should dash me from thy friendship for ever, cousins, said Mevleon, stroking the feathery ears of her little mama-sad that cuddled in her lap. Let which feedothon brains were overnourished in demon-land, and be like would overrun the whole countryside. Send it to witch-land, said Zig, where when it hath eat up grow and corromed it mess up lightly on the king, and then most fortunately starve for lack of its proper nutriment. Just stood up from his seat. Thou and I, and Spitfire, said he to brand up the hear, must to work roundly and gather strength, for it is already mid-summer. You, Viz, Vol and Zig, must have the warding of our homes whilst we be gone. You cannot be less than two thousand swords on this fairing. How many ships, vol, asked Lord Brandoc to hark, and stow givers, busked and boon, ere this moon wane. There be fourteen afloat, said vol. Besides these ten keels lie on the slips at looking heaven, and nine more hath Spitfire but now laid down on the beach before his house at Iwellswick. Thirty and three in some, said Spitfire. You see, we have not twiddled our thumbs whilst you were gone. Just pierced back and forth with great strides. His brow clouded and his jaw clenched. In a while he said, Laxus hath forty sail, dragons of war. I am not so idle-headed as fair without an army into Impland, but certain it is that if our ill-willers would move war against us, we stand in apparent weakness, here or abroad, to throw back their onset. Vol said, Of these nineteen ships of building, no more than two can take the water before a month be passed, and but seven more ere six months time, push we never so mightily the work. The season weareth, and my brother wasteeth in duress. We must sail ere another moon grow old, said just. Vol said, Then with sixteen sail thou sailest, or just? And then thou leaveest us not one ship at home till more be finished and launched. How can we leave you so, cried Spitfire? But Brandoc de Haar looked towards his lady sister, met her glance, and was satisfied. The choice lieth fair before us, said he. If we will eat the egg, little need to debate whether the shell must go. Meveryon rose from her seat, laughing, and said, Then let the council rise, my lords. And her eyes grew serious, and she said, Shall they make rhymes upon us that we of demon-land, whom men repute and hold the mightiest lords in all the world, hung sheepishly back from this high-needful enterprise, lest our greatest captains being abroad our enemies might happily take us home at disadvantage. It shall not be said of the women of demon-land that they upheld such councils. CHAPTER IX OF THE LANDING OF LORD JUSS AND HIS COMPANIONS IN OUTER INPLAND, AND THEIR MEETING WITH ZELDONIUS, HALTERANIUS, AND GELCANIUS FOSTERS, AND OF THE TIDINGS TOWED BY MIVARSH, AND THE DEALINGS OF THE THREE GREAT CAPTAINS ON THE HILLS OF SALAPANTA. On the thirty-and-first day after that council held in CROTHERING, the fleet of demon-land put to sea from looking-heaven, eleven dragons of war, and two great ships of birthing, bound for the uttermost seas of earth in quest of the LORD GOLDRY BLOSCOE. Eighteen hundred demons fared on that expedition, and not a man among them that was not a complete soldier. For five days they rode south away on a windless sea, and on the sixth, the sea-cliffs of goblin-land came out of the hairs on their starboard bow. They rode south along the land, and on the tenth day out from looking-heaven passed under the nests of Alsam, journeying thence four days with a favouring wind over the open seas to Cybrian. But now, when they had rounded that dark promontory, and were about steering east along the coast of Inplan the Moor, and less than ten days' journey lay betwixt them and their heaven in the welver, a dismal tempest suddenly surprised them. For forty days it swept them in hail and sleet over wide wallowing ocean, without a star, without a course, till on a fierce midnight of wind and darkness and roaring waters was just as and spitfire's ship, and other four in her company, driven on the rocks on a lee-shore and broken in pieces. Hardly, and after long battling among great waves, those brethren won ashore weary and hurt. In the inhospitable light of a wet and windy dawn there mustered on the beach such that their focus had escaped out of the mouth of destruction, and there were three hundred and thirty and three. Spitfire, beholding these things, spake and said, This land hath a villainous look, stirreth my remembrance, as but to behold Verjuice, sourth the mouth of him who once tasted thereof. Rememberest thou this land? Just scanned the low, long course-line that swept north and west to an estuary, and beyond run westwards till it was lost in the scud and driving-spray. Desolate birds flew above the welter of the surges. He said, Certainly this is all and mouth, where least of all I had choose to come along with so small a head of men. Yet shalt thou prove here, as it hath ever been, how all occasions are but steps for us to climb fame by. Our ship is lost, cried Spitfire, and the more part of our men, the worst of all brandocked a har that is worth ten thousand. Easily a shall a little ant bib this ocean dry, than shall we in this taking perform our enterprise. And he cursed and blasphemed, saying, Cursed be the malice of the sea, which, having broke our power, now speweth as ashore here to our mere undoing, and saw hath done great succour to the king of witch-land, and unto all the world beside great damage. But just answered him, Think not that these contrary winds come of fortune, or by the influence of malignant and combustive stars. This weather bloweth out of carcy. Even as these very waves, though beholdest, have each his backwash or undertow, so followeth after every sending and undertow of evil hap, whereby, albeit in essence a less deadly thing, many have been drowned and washed away, who stood unremoved against the main stroke of the breaker. So were we twice since that day, brought near to our bane. First when our judgment being darkened with a strange distraction, we went up with gazlok against carcy. Next when this storm wrecked us here by earl and mouth. Though by my note I rebearded the king's sending, yet against the malofficial undertow that followed it my charms avail not, nor the virtues of all sorcerous herbs that grow. Are these things sore, and wilt thou yet be temperate? said Spitfire. Contently, said just, the sands run down. A certain time only runeth this stream for our hurt. It must now have well now spent itself, and it were too perilous for him to conjure a second time, as last may he conjure in carcy. Who told thee that, that spitfire? I do but conjecture it, answered he, from my studying of certain prophetic writings touching the princes of that blood and line, whereby it appeareth, yet not clearly but riddlewise, that if one and the same king, essaying a second time in his own person, an enterprise in that kind, should fail, and the powers of darkness destroy him, then is not his life spilt alone, as it fortune to foretime unto Garice the seventh at his first attempt, but there shall be an end for ever of the whole house of Garice, which hath for so many generations reigned in carcy. Well, said Spitfire, so stand we to our chance. Old Muck Hills will bloom at last. Now for nineteen days faired those brethren and their company eastward through outer Impland, first across a country of winding sleepy rivers and reedy lakes innumerable, then by rolling uplands and champaign-ground, but length, on an even, there came upon a heath running up eastward to a range of tumbled hills. The hills were not lofty nor steep, but rugged of outline, and their surface rough with crags and boulders, so that it was a maze of little eminences and valleys, grown upon by heather and fern, and rank sad-coloured grass, with stunted thorn-trees and junipants harboring in the clefts of the rocks. On the watershed, as on an horse's withers, looking west to the red-october sunset, and south to the far-line of the Dydonian Sea, they came upon a spy-forte-lease, old and desolate, and one sitting in the gate, for very joy their hearts melted within them, when they knew him for none other than brand-octer-har. So they embraced him, as one beyond hope risen from the grave, and he said, through the straits of Malicafcars was I born, and wrecked at last on the lonely shore ten leagues southward from this spot, wither I won alone, having lost my ship and all my dear companions. In my mind it was that ye must fare by this road to Mualva, if you suffered shipwreck in the outer coasts of Implan. Hark! he said, and I will tell you a wonder. A seven-night have I awaited you in this roosting stead of doors and owls, and it is a caravancer I have great armies that pass by in the wilderness, and having parlayed with two, I await the third. For well I think that here I have made discovery of a great mystery, one that hath engaged the speculations of wisemen for years. For on that day of my coming hither, when sunset was red as now you see it, behold an army marching up from the east, with great flags of flaunting in the wind, and all kinds of music. Which I beholding, we thought, if these be enemies, then goeth down my life's dares with honour, and if friends, then cometh Provenger from those wagons of burden that follow this army. A weighty argument says not so much as the smell of victuals had I, said nasty nuts and berries of the open field, since I came forth of the sea. So went I, taking my weapons, on the walls of this spy fortilees, and hailed them, bidding them say forth their quality, and he that was their captain rode up under the walls, and hailed me with all courtesy and noble port. And who think ye twas? They answered not. One that hath been famous, said he, up and down the earth for a marvellous, valorous, and brave soldier of fortune, have ye forgot the enterprise of gazlok that had its burying in plund. Was he little and dark, asked just, like a keen dagger suddenly unsheathed at midnight, or bright with the splendour of a pen and spear at a jousting on high holiday, or was he dangerous of aspect like an old sword, rusty in the midst, but bright at point and edge, brought forth for deeds of destiny at the fertid day? Thy narrow striketh in the triple ring of the mark, said Lord Brandon to her. Great of growth he was, and a very peacock of splendour in his panoply of war, and a great pitch-black stallion bear him. So I spake him fair, saying, O most magnificent and godlike, hell-terraneous, conquering on hundred fights, what make us thou these long years in outer Impland with this great head of men? And what dark lodestone draws you these nine years? Since with great sound of trumpets and tramp of horses, thou and Zeldonius and Jalkonias Faustus went forth to make Impland, gazlok's footstool, since which time all the world believeth you, lost and dead? And he beheld me with alien eyes, and made answer, O Brandoc de Ha, the world journeyeth to its silly will, but I fare all wherewith my purpose before me, be it nine years, or but nine moons, or nine ages, what care I? Zeldonius would I encounter, and engage him in battle, that still fleeth before my face. Eat and drink with me to-night, but think not to detain me, nor to turn me to idle thoughts beside my purpose. And with the dawning of the day I must forth again in quest of Zeldonius. So I ate and drank, and was merry that night with Helteranus, in his pavilion of silk and gold, and with the dawning he marshaled his army, and marched westward toward the plains. And on the third day, as I sat without this wall, cursing your slow coming, behold an army marching from the east, and one leading them mounted on a small, dumb horse, and he was clad in black armor shining like the raven's wing, with black eagle's plumes in his helm, and eyes like the eyes of a catamounted, full of sparkling flame. Little was he, in fierce of face, and lithe and hard to look on, and tireless to look on like a stout. And I hailed him from where I sat, saying, O most notable and puisante Jalcanius Faustus, shatterer of the hosts of men, witherward over the lonely heaths forlorn, thou and thy great armament. And he lighted down from his horse, and took me by the arms with both his hands, and said, If a man dream, to speak with dead men, betokens prophet, an art not thou of the dead, nor brandocked a heart? For in forgotten days, that now spring of in my mind as flowers in a weed-choked garden after many years, so bloomous thou in my memory, great among the great ones of the world that was, thou and thine house encrodering above the sea-locks in many mountain demon-land, but oblivion like a sounding sea, soundeth betwixt me and those days. And the noise of the surf stopeth mine ears, and the mist of the sea darkeneth mine eyes that strain for a sight of those far times and the deeds thereof. Yet for those dead days sick, eat with me, and drink with me to-night. Since here for a night once more I pitch my moving tent on Salopanta Hills, and to-morrow I fare onward, for never may rest bring balm to my soul until I find out Helteranius, and smite his head from his shoulders. Great shame to him, but little marvel is it, that he still coarseth before me as an hare, for traitors were ever dastards, and whoever heard tell of a more hellish-devilish damn traitor than he. Nine years ago, when Zeldornius and I made ready to decide our quarrels by battle, word came to me in a lucky hour, how that this Helteranius, with cunning colubrine, and malice-viperine, and slight serpentine, went about to attack me in the rear. So turned I right about to crush him, but the fat chuff-cat was fled. So spake Jolcanius fostered us, and I ate and drank with him that night, and caroosed with him in his tent. And at break of day he struck camp, and rolled west away with his army. Branduck de Haar ceased, and looked eastward toward the gates of night, and lo, an army fairing up from the lower Moorlands, toward them on the ridge, horsemen and footmen in dense array, and their captain on a great brown horse riding in the van. Long-limbed he was, and lean, all armed in dusty, rusty armor, hacked and dinted in an hundred fights, with worn leather gauntlets on his hands, and a faded campaigning cloak thrown back from his shoulders. He carried his cask at his saddle-bow, and his head was bare, the head of an old lean hunting-dog, with white hair swept back from a rugged brow where blue veins shored, great nose done bony first, with huge bushy white mustachios and eyebrows, and blue eyes gleaming from cavernous eye-sockets. His horse was cursed-looking, with ears laid back, and blood-shed dangerous eyes, and he in the saddle-sat erect and unyielding as a lance. When he and his army came up upon the ridge, he drew rain and hailed the demons, and he said, on every ninth day these nine years have I beheld this lonely place of earth, as I pursued after Jalcaniah's Faustus, that still eluded with me, and still fleeeth before me. And this is strange, since he was ever a great fighter, and engaged these nine years past a due battle with me, and no fear cometh upon me that el'd draw with avail of illusion a thwart mine eyes, portending the approach of death or ever I perform my will. For here in the uncertain light of evening rise up before me shapes and semblances, as of guests of Gasloch the king in Sagis of Cullo, and days gone by. Old friends of Gasloch's out of many mountain demon-land, brand up to Haar that slew the king of Witchland, and spitfire of Owlswick, and just his brother, the same which had lordship over all the demons there referred to Implant. Some back-corners of a world forgot. But if ye be right flesh and blood, speak and discover yourselves. Just answer to him, almost redoubtable, zeldornious, and in war invincible. Well might a man expect spirits of the dead on these quiet hills about cockship time. And if thou deem as such, how much more shall we, that we wander as new shipwrecked out of hungry seas, suppose thee but a shed, and these great hosts of thine but fetches of the dead that be departed, steaming up from Erebus as daylight dies? Oh, most renowned and redoubtable, zeldornious, said brand up to Haar, thou wast once my guest in croathering. To resolve thy doubts and ours bid us to supper. It were matter indeed if spirits bodiless were able to bid wine and eat up earthly beg-meats. So zeldornious let pitch his tents, and appointed the fifth hour before midnight for those lords of demon-land to sup with him. ere they foregathered in zeldornious's tent they spoke among themselves, and spitfire said, was ever such a wonder, or such a pitiful trick of the fates, as bringeth these three great captains to waste the remnant of their days in this remote wilderness? Doubt not that there's practice in it, that maketh them march these long years this changeless round, each fleeing one that would feign encounter him, and still seeking another that flies before him. Never went man with that look of the eye's zeldornious hath, said just, but he was a man ensorcelled. With such a look, said brand up to Haar, went hell-terraneous and julcanious, but mark our interest, to a good to break with charm, and claim their help for our pains. Shall show the old line all the truth of this fact tonight? So spake Lord brand up to Haar, and those three deemed his counsel good. So at supper, when men's hearts were gladdened with good cheer, the Lord just set him down by zeldornious, and opened to him this matter, saying, O renowned zeldornious, how befalleth it that these nine years they're pursuerst after julcanious fostus, shatterer of hosts, and what was your difference betwixt you that set you by the ears? Zeldornious said, O just, must I answer thee by reasons in this matter that is ruled by the high stars and fate that lays men at their length? Enough for thee that unpeace befell betwixt me and julcanious mighty in war, and it was confirmed between us that by the arbitrement of the bloody field we should end our difference. But he abode me not, and these nine years I seek to meet with him in vain. There was a third of you, said just, what tidings hast thou of Helteranus? Zeldornious answered him, no tidings. Wilt thou, said just, that I enlighten thee hereon? Zeldornious said, thou and thy fellows alone of the children of men have spoken with me since these things began, for there that dwelt in this region fled years ago, accounting the place accursed. A paltry crew there were, and mean meaty now for our swords. Speak, then, if thou meanest me well, and show me all. Helteranus, said Lord, just pursue with thee these nine years, as thou pursueest julcanised fosters. My cousin here had seen him but six days ago, in this same place, and talked with him, and shook him by the hand and knew his mind. Surely ye be all three, holden by some enchantment, that being old comrades in arms, so strangely and to so little purpose, to pursue each the other's life. I prithee, let us be ameen betwixt you all to set you at one again, and free you from so strange a thralldom. But with those words spoken was Zeldornious grown red as blood. In a while he said it would black treachery. I'll not credit it. But Lord Brandoc de Haar answered him, From his own lips I received it, O Zeldornious, and there to I plight my troth. This besides, the julcanised fosters was turned from battling with thee nine years ago, as he himself hath told me, and made firm his saying with the most fearful alts, by intelligence brought him that Helteranius was in that hour minded to take him in the rear. I said, Spitfire, and unto this day he marcheth on Helteranius's track as thou on his. Those words spoken was Zeldornious grown yellow as old parchment, and his white mustachios bristled like lions. He sat silent a while, then, resting upon just the cold and steady gaze of his blue eyes, the world comes back to me, he said, and this memory therewith, that they have demon-land were truth-tellers, whether to friend or foe, and ever held it shame to cog and lie. All they bowed gravely, and he said with a great low of anger in his eyes, this Helteranius deviseth against me, it well appeareth, the self-same treachery, whereof he was falsely accused to Jalkania's fosters. There were no likelier place to crush him than here on Salopanta Ridge. If I stand here to abide his onset, the lie of the ground befriendeth me, and Jalkania's cometh at his heels, to gather the broken meats after I have made my feast. Branduck de Haar said in just his ear, Our peacemaking take at the pretty turn, heels of the air, Monstrous and ladylike. But note they could say would move Zeldornious, so in the end they offered him their backing in this adventure, and when the day is won, then shall thou lend us thy might in our enterprise, and ear does in our oars with which land that be for to come. But Zeldornious said, O just, and ye lords of demon-land, I yield you thanks, but ye shall not meddle in this battle. For we came three captains with our hosts unto this land, and beheld the land and laid it under us. Ours it is, and if any meddle or make with us, where we never so set at enmity one with another, we must join together in his despite and bring him to bane. Be still then, and behold and see what birth fate shall bring forth on Salopanta Hills. But if I live, thereafter shall ye have my friendship and my help in all your enterprises whatsoever. For a while he sat without speech, his stark veined hands clenched on the board before him. Then, rising, went without word to the door of his pavilion to stood the night. Then turned he back to Lord Just and spake to him. Know that when this moon now passed was but three days old, I began to be troubled with a guitar or room which yet troubleth me, and while thou wattest that whosofalleth sick on the third day of the moon's edge he will die. Tonight also is a new moon, and of a Saturday, and that betokeneth fighting a bloodshed. Also the wind bloweth from the south, and he that begineth that game with the south wind shall have the victory, with such uncertain blackness and brightness openeth the door of fate before me. Just bowed his head and said, O Zeldornius, thy speech is sooth. I was ever a fighter, said Zeldornius. After into the night sat they in the tent of renowned Zeldornius, drinking and talking of life and destiny and old wars, and the chances of war and great adventure, and an hour after midnight they parted, and Just and Spitfire and Brandoc de Haar bitook them to their rest in the watchtower on the ridge of Salopanta. On such wise past three days by, Zeldornius waiting with his army on the hill, and the demons supping with him nightly, and on the third day he drew out his army as for battle, expecting Helteranius. But neither that day nor the next nor the next day following brought sight nor tidings of Helteranius, and strange it seemed to them, and hard to guess what turn of fortune had delayed his coming. The sixth night was overcast, and merc darkness covered the earth. When supper was done, as the demons betook themselves to their sleeping place they heard a scuffle, and the voice of Brandoc de Haar, who went foremost of them, crying, Here have I caught a heath dog's welp! Give me a light! What shall I do with him? Men were roused, and lights brought, and Brandoc de Haar severed that which he held pinioned by the arms, caught by the entrance to the fortileus. One with scared wild-beast eyes and a swart face, golden ear-rings in his ears, and a thick, cloth-cropped beard interlaced with gold wire twisted among its curls. Bear armed, with a tunic of otterskin, and wide hairy trousers cross-stitched with silver thread, a circle of gold on his head, and frizzled dark hair plaited in two thick tails that hung forward over his shoulders. His lips were drawn back, like a cross-grained dog's, snarling retwixt fear and fierceness, and his white-pointed teeth and the whites of his eyes flashed in the torchlight. So they had him with him then into the tower, and set him before them, and just said, Fear not! But tell forth unto us thy name and lineage, and what brings thee lurking in the night about our lodging. We meanly know hurt, so thou practised not against us and our safety. Art thou a dweller in this implant, or a wanderer like as we be, from countries beyond the seas? Hast thou companions, and if so, where be there, and what, and how many? And the stranger gnashed upon them with his teeth, and said, O devil's trans-marine, mock not but slay! Just entreated him kindly, giving him meat and drink, and in a while made question of him once more, what is thy name? Where to, he replied, O devil trans-marine, pity of thine ignorance! Sith thou Norse, not Mivash-faz! And he fell into a great passion of weeping, crying aloud, War worth the war that is fallen upon all the land of Impland! And what's the matter, said just? But Mivash ceased not to wail, and to lament, saying, Out harrow and alas, for fax-fair faz, and illarosh faz, and lamesh faz, and Gandhasa faz, and all the great ones in the land! And when they would have questioned him he cried again, Curse ye bitterly Philpritz faz! It betrayed us into the hand of the devil-ultramontaine in the castle of Orpish! What devil is this thou speakest of, asked just? He hath come, he answered, over the mountains, out of the north-country, that alone was able to answer fax-fair faz, and the voice of his speech is likened to the roaring of a bolt. Out of the north, said just, giving him more wine, and exchanging glances with Spitfire and Brundt at Dahar, I would hear more of this. They vashed, drank, and said, O devil's trans-marine, ye give me strong waters which comfort my soul, and ye speak me soft words. But shall I not fear soft words? Soft words were spoke by this devil-ultramontaine, when he and Curseid Philpritz spoke soft words unto us in Orpish, unto me, and unto fax-fair faz, and Gandhasa, and illarosh, and unto all of us, after our overthrowing battle against him by the banks of Ireland. Just asked, of what fashion is he to look on? He hath a great yellow beard, beflecked with grey, said Mivash, and a bold shiny peat, and standeth big as a neat. Just spake apart to Brundt at Dahar. There's matter in it, if this be true. And Brundt at Dahar poured forth unto Mivash, and buried him drink again, saying, O Mivash fads, we be strangers and guests in wide-flung implant, be it known to thee that our power is beyond ken, and our wealth transcendeth the imagination of man, yet is our benevolence of like measure with our power and riches, overflowing us honey from our hearts, unto such as receive us openly, and tell us that which is. Only be warned that if any lighter was, or acercraftily to delude us, not the manticors that lodged beyond the marooner were more dreadful to that man than we. Mivash quailed. But answered him, Use me well, you were best, and you shall hear from me naught but what is true. First with the sword he vanquished us, and then with subtle words invited us to talk with him in Orpish, pretending friendship. But they are all dead that hearken to him. For when he held them closed up in the council-room in Orpish, himself went secretly forth, while his men laid hands on Gandhasa fads, and on Illarosh fads, and on Faxvair fads that was greatest amongst us, and on Lomesh fads, and cut off their heads and set them up on poles without the gate. And our armies that worked it without were dismayed to see the heads of the fasses of implants so set on poles, and the armies of the devils Ultra-Montaine still threatening us with death. And this big, bald-bearded devil spake them of implant fare, saying these that he had slain with our oppressors, and he would give them their heart's desire if there would be his men, and he would make them free every man, and share out all implant amongst them. So where the common sought be fooled, and brought under by this bald devil from beyond the mountains, and now none with standards him in all implant. But either to tell back from his counsel in Orpish, fearing his guile, hardly escaped from my folk that rose against me, and I fled into the woods and wildernesses. Where last saw ye him, asked Jus? Mivarsh answered him, a three-day's journey north-west of this, at Tormirish in Akkari. What made he there, asked Jus? Mivarsh answered, still devising evil. Against whom, asked Jus? Mivarsh answered, against Zeldornius, which is a devil transmarine. Give me some more wine, said Jus, and fill again a beaker for Mivarsh Fas. I do love not so much as tail-telling a knight's. With whom devised he against Zeldornius? Mivarsh answered, with another devil from beyond seas. I have forgot his name. Drink and remember, said Jus, or if he's gone from me, paint me his picture. He hath about my witness, said Mivarsh, that was little of stature. His eyes be bright, and he somewhat favoureth this one, pointing at Spitfire. Though be like he hath not all so fierce a face. He is lean first, and dark of skin. He goes in black iron. You see, Jalcanaius fosters, asked Jus, and Mivarsh answered, I. There's musk and amber in thy speech, said Jus. I must have more of it. What mean there to do? This, said Mivarsh, as I sat listening in the dark without their tent, it was made absolute that this Jalcanaius had been deceived in supposing that another devil-transmarine, whom men call Heltaranius, had been minded to do treacherously against him, whereas, as the bold devil made him believe, it was no such thing, and so it was concluded that Jalcanaius should send riders after Heltaranius to make peace between them, and that they too should forthwith join to kill Zeldornius, one falling on him in the front, and the other in the rear. Sucked his cum to this, said Spitfire. And when they have Zeldornius slain, said Mivarsh, then must they help this bold peat in his undertakings? And so pair him for his reeds, said Jus, and Mivarsh answered even so. One more thing I would know, said Jus, how great a following hath he and him planned. The greatest strength that he can make, answered Mivarsh, of Devil's Ultraman Tain, is, as I think, two score a hundred. Many imps beside will follow him, but they have but our country weapons. Lord Brandoc de Haar took just by the arm, and went forthwith him into the night. The frosty grass crunched under their tread. Strange stars blinked in the south in a windy space between its cloud and sleeping earth. Achanar near the meridian, bedimbing all Lassophias with his pure radios. So comeeth Corund upon us as an eagle out of the sightless blue, said Brandoc de Haar, with twelve times our forces, to let us the way to the maruna, and all implund like a spaniel smiling at his heel, if indeed the simple soul say true, as I think he doth. Thou fallest all of our holiday mood, said just, at the first centing of this great hazard. Oh, just, cried Brandoc de Haar, thine own breath lighteneth at it, and thy words come more sprightly forth. For not all lands, all heirs, one country to us, so there be great doings afoot to keep bright our swords. Just said, ere we sleep, I will inform Zeldornius how the wind shifters. He must face both ways now, till this field be cut. This battle must not go against him, for his enemy is being gauged, if Mivars isn't true, to give the help of their swords to Corund. So fared thee to Zeldornius' tent, and just said, by the way, of this be satisfied. Corund beareth not bled on the hills of Salopanta, the king hath intelligences to keep him advertised of all enchanted circles of the world, and well he knoweth what influences move here, and with what danger to themselves outlanders draw sword here, as witness the doom fulfilled these nine years by these three captains. Therefore will Corund, instructed in these things by his master that sent him, look to deal with those otherware than in this charmed corner of the earth, and he were as well take a bear by the tooth as meddle in the fight that now impendeth, and so bring upon him these three seasoned armies joined in one for his destruction. They passed the guard with the watchword, and worked Zeldornius and told him all, and he, muffled in his great faded cloak, went forth to see guards were set, and all sure against an onslaught from either side. And standing by his tent to give good night to those lords of demon land he said, it likes me better so. I ever was a fighter, so one fight more. The morrow dawned and passed uneventful, and the morrow's morrow. But on the third morning after the coming of Mivosh, behold, east and west, great armies marching from the plains, and Zeldornius is arraired drawn up to meet them on the ridge, with weapons gleaming and horses champing, and trumpets blowing the call of battle. No greetings were betwixt them, nor so much as a message of challenge or defiance. But Jalkonius, with his black riders, rushed to the onset from the west, and held to Ranius from the east. But Zeldornius, like a grey old wolf, snapping now this way, now that, stemmed the tide of their onslaught. So began the battle great and fell, and continued the live long day. Thrice on either side, Zeldornius went forth with a great strength of chosen men, in so much that his enemies fled before him as the partridge doth before the sparrow-hawk. And Thrice did hell to Ranius, and Thrice Jalkonius fosters, rally and hurl him back, mounting the ridge anew. But when it drew near to evening, and the dark day darkened toward night, the battle ceased, dying down suddenly into silence. Those lords of Demonland came down from their tower, and walked among the heaps of dead men slain, toward a piece of slabby rock in the neck of the ridge. Here, alone on that field, Zeldornius leaned upon his spear. Gazing downward in a studdy, his arm cast about the neck of his old brown horse, who hung his head and sniffed the ground. Through a rift in the western clouds the sun blared forth, but his beams were not so red as the lingon-bent of Salopanta Field. As Justin, his companions, drew near, no sound was heard served from the fort at least behind them, a discordant plucking of a heart, and the voice of Mivosh, where he walked and harped before the walls, singing this ditty. The haggis astride this night for to ride, the devil and she together. Through thick and through thin, now out and then in, though nearsaw foul will be the weather. A thorn or a burr she takes for a spur, with a lash of a bramble she rides now. Through bricks and through briars or ditches and mayors she follows the spirit that guides now. Nor beast for his food dares now range the wood, but hushed in his lair he lies lurking, while mischiefs by these on land and on seas, at noon of night, or a working. The storm will arise and trouble the skies, this night and more for the wonder. The ghost from the tomb of Frighted shall come, called out by the clap of the thunder. When they were come to Zeldornius, the Lord just spake, saying, Almost redoubtable Zeldornius, renowned in war, surely thy prognostications by the moon were true. Behold the noble victory thou hast obtained upon thine enemies. But Zeldornius answered him not, still gazing downwards before his feet. And there was Heltoranius fallen, the sword of Jalkanius Foster standing in his heart, and his right hand grasping still his own sword, that had given Jalkanius his bane sword. So looked there while on those two great captains slain. And Zeldornius said, Speak not comfortably to me of victory, or just. So long as that sword and that had his master alive, I did not more desire my own safety than their destruction, for with me in days gone by I made conquest of wide implant, and see with what a poisoned violence they laboured my undoing, and in what an unexpected ruin are they suddenly broken and gone. And as one groan into a deep sadness he said, Where were all heroical parts but in Heltoranius, and a man might make a garment for the moon, sooner than fit the oar leaping actions of great Jalkanius, whom I leave as but his body to be dung that earth that was lately shaken at his terror. I have waded in red blood to the knee, and in this hour, in my old years, the world has become for me a vision only, and a mock show, therewith he looked on the demons, and there was that in his eyes that stared their speech. In a while he spoke again, saying, I swear unto you my furtherance if I prevail, but now is my army passed away as wax wasteth before the fire, and I wait the dark ferriman who tarryeth for no man. Yet since never have I wrote mine obligations in sandy, but in marble memories, and since victory is mine, I give thee these gifts, and first thou, O Brandoc Dahar, my sword, since before thou wast of years eighteen, thou wast accounted the mightiest among men at arms, mightily made it a velve, as me in town gone by. And unto thee, O Spitfire, I give this cloak, old it is, yet may it stand thee in good stead, since this virtue it hath, that he who weareth it shall not fall alive into the hands of his enemies. Wear it for my sake. But unto thee, or just, give I no gift, which thou art of all good gifts, only my good will, give I unto thee, ere earth gapeth for me. So they thanked him well. And he said, depart from me, since now approacheth that which must complete this day's undoing. So they fared back to the spy-port Elise, and night came down on the hills. A great wind, moaning out of the hueless west, tore the clouds as a ragged garment, revealing the lonely moon that fled and naked betwixt them. As the demons looked backward in the moonlight to where Zeldonius stood gazing on the dead, a noise as of thunder made the firm land tremble, and drowned the howling of the wind. And they beheld how earth gaped for Zeldonius. After that the dark shut down and thwart the moon, and night and silence hung on the field of Salopanta. End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of The Worm of Rorberos This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Jason Mills. The Worm of Rorberos by E. R. Edison Chapter 10 The Marchlands of the Maruna Of the Journey of the Demons from Salopanta to Eshgroi Orgo, wherein is set down concerning the Lady of Ishnei Nematra, and other notable matters. Mivosh Faz came betimes on the morrow to the Lords of Demonland, and found them ready for the road. So he asked them where their journey lay, and they answered, East. Eastward, said Mivosh, always lead to the Maruna, none may go dither and not die. But they laughed and answered him, do not too narrowly define our power, sweet Mivosh, restraining it to thy capacities. Know that our journey is a matter determined of, and it is fixed with nails of diamond to the wall of inevitable necessity. They took leave of him and went their ways with their small army. For four days they journeyed through deep woods, carpeted with the leaves of a thousand autums, where at mid-most noon twilight dwelt among hushed woodland noises, and solemn eyeballs glared nightly between the tree-trunks, gazing on the demons as they marched or took their rest. The fifth day, and the sixth, and the seventh, their journey by the southern margin of a gravelly sea made all of sand and gravel and no drop of water, yet ebbing and flowing away with great waves as another sea-doth, never standing still and never at rest, and always by day and night as they came through the desert was a great noise very hideous and a sound as it were of tambourines and trumpets, yet was the place solitary to the eye, and no living thing afoot there save their company fairing to the east. On the eighth day they left the shore of that waterless sea and came by broken rocky ground to the descent to a wide veil, shelterless and unfruitful, with the broad stony bed of a little river winding in the strath. Here, looking eastward, they beheld in the luster of a late bright shining sun, a castle of red stone on a terrace of the fellside beyond the valley. Just said, we can be there before nightfall, and there we will take guesting. When they drew near, they were where, betwixt sunset and moonlight, of one sitting on a boulder in their path about a furlong from the castle, as if gazing on them and awaiting their coming. But when they came to the boulder, there was no such person. So they passed on their way toward the castle, and when they looked behind them, low, there was he sitting on the boulder, bearing his head in his hands, a strange thing which would cause any man to a bore. The castle gate stood open, and they entered in, and so by the courtyard to a great hall, with the boards set as for a banquet, and bright fires, and on hundred candles burning in the still air. But no living thing was there to be seen, nor a voice heard in all that castle. Lord Brandon Dahar said, in this land to fail of marvels only for an hour with the strangest marvel, banquet we lightly and so to bed. So they sat down and ate, and drank of the honey-sweet wine, till all thoughts of war and hardship, and the unimagined perils of the wilderness, and Collins' great army preparing their destruction, fed it from their minds, and the spirit of slumber wooed their weary friends. Then a faint music, troublesome in its voluptuous wild sweetness, floated on the air, and they beheld a lady enter on the dais. Beautiful she seemed, beyond the beauty of mortal women. In her dark hair was the likeness of the horned moon, in honey-coloured simophones, every stoneware of held a straight beam of light imprisoned, that quivered and gleamed as sunbeams quiver, wading in the clear deeps of a summer sea. She wore a coat hardy of soft crimson silk, close-fitting, so that she did truly apparel her apparel, and with her own loveliness made it more sumptuous. She said, My lords and guests in Ischne and Namatra, there be beds of down and sheets of lawn, for all of you that be a weary, but know that I keep a sparrow-hawk sitting on a perch in the eastern tower, and he that will work my sparrow-hawk this night long, alone without any company and without sleep, I shall come to him at the night's end, and shall grant unto him the first thing that he will ask me of earthly things. So saying, she departed like a dream. Brandoc de Ha said, cast me lots for this adventure. But just spoke against it, saying, There's likely some guile herein. We must not in this accursed land suffer ought to seduce our minds, but follow our set purpose. We must not be of those who go forth for wool, and come home shorn. Brandoc de Ha and Spitfire mocked at this, and cast lots between themselves. And the lot fell upon, Lord Brandoc de Ha. There shall not deny me this, said he to Lord Jus. Else will I never more do thee good. I never could yet deny thee anything, answered Jus. Ought not thou and I finger and thumb. Only forget not, what's o'er betide, wherefore we become hither. Ought not thou and I finger and thumb, said Brandoc de Ha. Fear nothing, O friend of my heart, and not forget it. So while the other slept, Brandoc de Ha waked the sparrow-hawk, night long in the eastern chamber. For all that the cold hillside without was rough with whorefrost, the air was warm in that chamber and heavy, disposing strongly to sleep. Yet he closed not an eye, but still beheld the sparrow-hawk, telling its stories, and tweaking it by the tail ever and unknown as it grew drowsy. And it answered shortly and burishly, looking upon him malevolently. And with the golden dawn, behold that lady in the shadowy doorway, at her entering in, the sparrow-hawk clicked its wings as in anger, and without more ado, took its beak beneath its wing and went to sleep. But that bright lady, looking on the Lord Brandoc de Ha, spank and said, Require it of me, my Lord Brandoc de Ha, that which thou most desirest of earthly things. But he, as Wonby Dazzled, stood up, saying, O lady, is not thy beauty at the dawn of day an irradiation that might dispel the mists of hell? My heart is ravished with thy loveliness, and only fed with thy sight. Therefore thy body will I have, and none other thing earthly. Thou art a fool, she cried, that knowest not what thou askest, of all things earthly mightest thou have taken choose, but I am not earthly. He answered, I will have not else. Thou dost-embraced in a great danger, said she, and loss of all thy good luck, for thee and thy friends beside. But Brandoc de Ha, seeing how her face became on a sudden, such as our new blonde roses at the dawning, and her eyes wide and dark with lovelonging, came to her and took her in his arms, and felt a kissing and embracing of her, on such wires they abode for a while, that he was aware of no thing else on earth, save only the sense-maddening caress of that lady's hair, the perfume of it, the kiss of her mouth, the swell and fall of that lady's breast straining against his. She said in his ear softly, I see thou art too masterful, I see thou art one who will be denied nothing, and whatsoever thine heart is set. Come! And they passed by a heavy curtain doorway into an inner chamber, where the air was filled with the breath of her. Here, amid the darkness of rich hangings, and subdued glints of gold, a warm radiance of shaded lamps watched above a couch, great and broad and downy pillowed. And here, for a long time, they solaced them with love and all delight. Even as all things have an end, he said at the last, Oh, my lady, mistress of hearts, here would I abide ever, abandoning all else for thy love-sake. But my compulsion, for the rest of my life, but my companions tarry for me in thine halls below, and great matters wait on my direction. Give me thy divine mouth once again, and bid me adieu. She was lying as if asleep across his breast, smooth-skinned, white, warm, with shapely throat leaned backward against the spice-odorous darknesses of her unbound hair, one tress heavy and splendid like a python coiled between white arm and bosom. Swift as a snake she turned, clinging fiercely about him, pressing fiercely again to his, her insatiable sweet fervent lips, crying that here must he dwell unto eternity in the intoxication of perfect love and pleasure. But when in the end, gently constraining her to loose him and let him go, he arose and clothed and armed him. That lady caught about her a translucent robe of silver regime, as when the summer moon veils but not hides with the filmy cloud her beauty splendor, and so standing before him, spake and said, pearls to hogs. I may not slay thee, since over thy body I have no other power. But because thou shalt not laugh over much, having required me of that which was beyond the pact, and being enjoyed is now slighted of thee and abused, therefore know, proud man, that three gifts I here will grant thee thereto of my own choosing. Thou shalt have war and not peace. He that thou worst hatest shall throw down and ruin thy fair lordship, crothering castle and the mains thereof. And though vengeance shall overtake him at the last, by another's hand and thine shall it come, and to thine hand shall it be denied. Therewith she fell a weeping, and the lord brandoked a harp with great resolution, went forth from the chamber. Looking back from the threshold he beheld both that and the outer chamber the void of Lady and Sparrowhawk both, and a great weariness came suddenly upon him. So, going down, he found lord just and his companions sleeping on the cold homes, and the banquet hall empty of all gear, and dank with moss and cobwebs, and that sleeping head downward among the crumbling roof-beams, nor was any sign of last night's banqueting. So brandoked a harp, roused his companions, and told just how he had fared, and of the weird laid on him by that lady. And there went greatly wondering forth of the accursed castle of Ishnein, Nomatra, glad to come off so scarvellous. On that ninth day of their journey from Salopante, they came through wastelands of stone and living rock, where not so much as an earth-louse stirred with life. Gorgeous split the earth here and there, rock-walled labyrinths of gloom, unvisited for ever by sun-beam or moon-beam, turbulent in their depths with waters that leapt and churned for ever, never still and never silent. So was that day's journey tortuous, turning now up, now down, along those river-banks to find crossing-places. When they came on, hastening to them, and fell down by Joss and laid panting face to earth as breathless from long-running. And when they raised him up, behold Mivosh Faz, harnessed in the gear of a black rider of Jalcanise Fostus, and armed with axe and sword. Great was his agitation, and he speachless for lack of breath. They used him kindly, and gave him to drink from a great skin of wine, Zeldonius's drinkless hundreds of our fork with weapons taken from Salopanta Field. These, led by the devil's sons, with filprits curses of the gods, be gone before to hold all the ways be east of you. Night and day have I ridden and run to warn you. Himself with his main strength of devil's ultramontane, rideeth hot on your tracks. They thanked him well, marvel much that he should be at such pains to advertise them of their danger. I have a wicked bald head that came over the mountains to oppress us. Therefore I would do you good. But I can little, for I am poor that was rich in land and fee, and I am alone that had formerly five hundred spearmen lodging in my halls to do my pleasure. There's need to do quickly that, we do, said Lord Brandog de Haar. How great start of him, haths, though. He must be upon you in an hour since it just were great glory and hour-certain death. Give me to think but a minute's while, said Brandog de Haar. And while they busked them, he awoke amusing by the lip of that ravine, switching pebbles over the edge with his sword. Then he said, this is without doubt that stream Athrashar spoken of by Gros. Oh, Mivash, run hath not this flood of Athrashar south to the salt lakes of Ogo Morveo, and was there not Mivash, and said, this is so. But never I heard of any so witless as go, though. Here where we stand is the land fearsome enough. But Eshgroi Ogo standeth at the very edge of the marooner. No man hath harbored there these hundred years. Standeth it yet, said Brandog de Haar. For all I what of, answered Mivash. Is it strong, he asked. In old times it was thought no place stronger, answered Mivash. But you were as well die here by the hand of the Tern, as there be torn in pieces by bad spirits. Brandog de Haar turned him about to Jus. It is resolved, said he. Jus answered, yea. And forthwith there started at the great pier south along the river. Me thought you should have gotten clean away at this, said Mivash, as they went. This is but nine or ten days journey, and is now the sixteenth day since ye did leave me on Salopanta Hills. Brandog de Haar laughed. Sixteenth, said he, though Mivash, if they reckoned gold pieces of this fashion thou dost dares, this is but our ninth day's journey. But Mivash stood stably to it, saying that was the seventh day after their departure when Korund first came to Salopanta, and I, fleeing now nine days before his first, chanced on your tracks, and now out of all expectation on you. Nor for all their mocking would he be turned from this, and when as they still pressed through the desert southward the sun declined and set in a clear sky, and little passed her full. And just so that she was seven days older than on that night she was when they came to Ishanay-Nimatra. So he showed this wonder to Brandog de Haar and Spitfire, and much their marveled. You are much to thank me, said Brandog de Haar, that I kept you not a full year awaiting of me. Be shrew me, but that seven day's spare seemed to me but an hour. Likely an hour to thee, said Spitfire somewhat greenly. But all we slept the week out on the half-lame yet with the air-cont. Nay, said just laughing, I will not have thee blame him. The moon was high when they came to the salt lakes that lay one a little above the other in rocky basins. Their waters were like rough silver, and the harsh face of the wilderness was black and silver in the moonlight, and it was as a country of dead bones, blind and sterile beneath the moon. Betwixt the lakes a rib of rock rose monstrous to an eminence crag begirt on every side, with dark balls ringing it round above the cliffs. Thither they hastened, and as they climbed and stumbled among the crags a she-owl squeaked on the battlements and took winged ghosts like above their heads. The teeth of Mivash Fas chatted, but right glad were the demons as they won up the rocks and entered at last into that deserted burg. Without, the night was still. But fires were burning in the desert eastward, and others as they watched were kindled in the west, and soon was the circle of twinkling points of red about Eshgroi Ogre and the lakes. Just said, by an hour have we first told them, and behold how he ringeth us about as men ring a scorpion in flame. So they made all sure, and set the guard, and slept until past dawn. But Mivash slept not for terror of hop-thrushes from the marooner. End of chapter 10 CHAPTER 11 OF THE Worm Oroboros This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Jason Mills The Worm Oroboros by E. R. Edison CHAPTER 11 THE BURG OF Eshgroi Ogre Of the Lord Korun's besieging of the Burg above the lakes of Ogre-Moveo, and what befell there betwixt him and the demons, wherein is also an example how the subtle of heart standeth at wiles in great danger of his death. Lord Korun knew of assurity that he held them of demon-land shut up in Eshgroi Ogre. He let diet supper in his tent, and made a surfeit of venison pasties and heath-cocks and lobsters from the lakes. Therewith he drank nigh a skinful of sweet dark Thramlean wine. In such sort that an hour before midnight, becoming speechless, he was holpened by Gro to his couch and slept a great deep sleep till morning. Gro watched in the tent. His right elbow propped on the table, his cheek resting on his hand, his left hand reaching forward with delicate fingers, toying now with the sleek heavy perfumed masses of his beard, now with the goblet, whence he sipped ever under none pale wine of permeol. His thoughts inconstant as insects in his summer garden, flitted ever round and round, resting now on the scene before him, the great form of his general wrapped in slumber, now on other scenes sundered by great gulfs of time, or weary leagues of perilous wares. So that in one instant he saw in fancy that lady in carcy welcoming her lord returned in triumph, and him may be crowned king of new vanquished Impland. And in the next, swept from the future to the past, beheld again the great sending off in Zages of Culeau, Gaslock in his splendour on the golden stairs, saying adieu to those three captains and their matchless armament, foredoomed to dogs and crawls on Salopanta hills. And always, like a gloomy background darkening his mind, loomed the yawning void, featureless and vast, beyond the investing circle of Coran's armours, the blind-blasted emptiness of the marooner. With such fancies, melancholy like a great bird settled upon his soul. The lights flickered in their sockets, and for very weariness grows eyelids closed at length over his large liquid eyes. And too tired to stir from his seat to seek his couch, he sank forward on the table, his head pillowed on his arms. The red glow of the brazier slumbered ever dimmer and dimmer on the slender form and black shining curls of Gros, and on the mighty frame of Corand, where he lay with one great spurred booted leg stretched along the couch, and the other flung out sideways, resting its heel on the ground. It wanted but two hours of noon when a sunbeam striking through an opening in the hangings of the tent shone upon Coran's eyelids, and he awoke fresh and brisk as a youth on a hunting moan. He worked Gros, and giving him a clap on the shoulder, and a moan, he said. The devil damned me black as buttermilk if it be not great shame in thee. An eye that was born this day six and forty years as the years come about, busy with mine affairs is sunrise." Gros yawned and smiled and stretched himself. Oh, Corand, he said, counterfeit a lively or wonder in thine eyes if thou wilt persuade me thou sowest the sunrise. For I think that were as a new and unexampled a sight for thee as any I could produce to thee in implant. Corand answered, truly I was seldom as surprised Madame Aurora in her nightgown, and the thrice or four times I have been forced there to, taught me it is an hour of crude airs and mists which breathe cold dark humours in the body, an hour when the torch of life burns weakest. Within there bring me my morning draught. The boy brought two cups of white wine, and while they drank, a thin, ungracious drink is the wellspring, said Coran, a drink for queasy stomach to skip-jacks, for sand-leverics, not for men, and like it is the day-spring, an ungrateful sapless hour, an hour for stabby the backs and cold-blooded betrayers. Ah, give me wine, he cried, and noonday vices and brazen-browed iniquities. Yet there's many a deed of profit done by our light, said Gro. I said, Corand, deeds of darkness, and there, my lord, I'm still thy scholar. Come, let's be doing. And taking his home and weapons, and buckling about him his great wolf-skin cloak, when his hair was eager and frosty without, he strode forth. Gro wrapped himself in his firm mantle, drew on his lam-skin gloves and followed him. If thou wilt take my reed, said Lord Gro, as they looked on Eschgroor Orgo, stark in the barren sunlight, thou wilt do this honour to Phil Pritz, which I question not he much desireth, to suffer him and his folk take first knock at this nut. It hath a hard look. Pity it were to waste good witch-land blood in a first assault, when these vile instruments stand ready for purpose. Corand grunted in his beard, and with Gro at his elbow, pierced in silence through the lines, his keen eyes searching ever the cliffs and walls of Eschgroor Orgo, till in some half-hour's space he halted again before his tent, having made a complete circuit of the burg. Then he spake, put me in yonder-fighting stead, and if it were only but I and fifty able lads to man the walls, yet would I hold it against ten thousand. He held his piece a while, and then said, thou speakest this in all sadness. In sober sadness, answered Corand, squaring his shoulders at the burg. Then thou not assault it? Corand laughed. Not assault it, quother! That were a sweet tale, twix the boiled and the roast in carcy. I'd not assault it! Yet consider, said Gro, taking him by the arm, sol-shape as the matter in my mind. They be few and shut up in a little place of old succour. Were they devils and not men, the multitude of our armies and their untried qualities must daunt them. Be the place never so cop-sure, doubt not some doubts thereof must poison their security. Therefore, before thou risk a repulse which must dispel those doubts, use thou an advantage. Bid just to a parley. Offer him conditions. It skills not what. Brive them out into the open. What conditions we can offer that they would take. Then whilst thou riddless that, remember that though thou and I be masters hereabouts, another reigns in carcy. Lord Gro laughed gently. Leave jesting, he said, O Corand, and never hope to gull me to believe thee such a babe in policy. Shall the king blamers, though we sign away demon-land, I and the wide world besides, to just to lure him forth? Unless indeed we were so neglectful of our interest to suffer him once forth to elude our clutches. Gro, said Corand, I love thee, but hardly canst thou receive things as I receive them, that have dealt all my days in great stripes, given and taken in the open field. I sticked not to take part in thy notable treason against these poor snakes of Impland that we trapped in Orpish. All's fair against such dirt. Besides, great need was upon us then, and hard it is for an empty sack to stand straight. But here is far other matter. All's won here but the plucking of the apple. It is the very maid of my ambition to humble these demons openly by the terror of my sword. Wherefore I will not use upon them cogs and stops and all thy devilish tricks, such as should bring me more of scorn than of glory in the eyes of after-comers. So speaking he issued command, and sent an herald to go forth beneath the battlements with a flag of truce. And the herald cried aloud and said, From Corand of which land unto the lords of demon-land? Thus saith the lord Corand, I hold this burg of Esh-Graw-Or-Gor and nut betwixt the crackers. Come down and speak with me in the beatable land before the burg, and I swear to you peace and grith while we parley, and thereto pledge I mine honour as a man of war. So when the due ceremonies were performed, the lord just came down from Esh-Graw-Or-Gor, and with him the lord spitfire and brandocked a har, and twenty men to be their body-guard. Corand went to meet them with his guard about him, and his four sons that fared with him to Impland—Hakmon, namely, and Heming, and Viglus, and Domani's— Sullen and dark young men, likely of look, of a little less fierceness than their father. Grow, fair to see, and slender as a race-horse, went at his side, muffled to the ears in a cloak of ermine, and behind came Philpritt's fass, helmed with a winged helm of iron and gold. A gilded coarselet had Philpritt's, and trousers of panther's skin, and he came slinking at Corand's heel as the jackal slinks behind the lion. When they were met, just spake, and said, This would I know first, my Lord Corand, how thou comest hither, and why, and by what right thou disputest with us the ways eastward out of Impland?" Corand answered, leaning on his spear, I need not answer thee in this. And yet I will. How came I? I answered thee over the cold mountain wall of Akraska-branth, and his a-feet hath not his fellow in man's remembrance until now, with so great a force, and in so short a space of time. It is well enough, said just. I'll grant thee thou hast outrun my expectations of thee. Next thou demandest why, said Corand, suffice it for thee that the king hath had advertisement of your fairings into Impland, and your designs therein. For to bring theest a nought, am I come. There was many furkins of wine drunk dry in caucy, said Hakmon, and many a noble person senseless and spewing on the ground air mourn for pure delight, when cursed goldre was made away. We were little minded these healths at last. Was that air though roared as from Permio, said Lord Brandoc de Haar? The merry god roared of our side that night if my memory cheat not. Thou demandest last, said Corand, my lord just by what right I bore your passage easter-way. Nor, therefore, that not of mine own self speak I unto you, but as vicar in wide-fronted Impland of our lord Garice the 12th, king of kings, most glorious and most great. In hands. Therefore letters, according to the nature of great men, agree to honourable conditions. And this is mine offer, O just. Yield up this berg of Eshgro Ogo, and therewith thy sealed word, in a writing, acknowledging our lord the king to be king of demon-land, and all ye his quiet and obedient subjects even as we be. And I will swear unto you of my part, and in the name of our lord the king, and give you hostages there too, the lord just scowled fiercely on him. O Corand, he said, as little as we do understand the senseless wind, so little we understand thy word. Often I have gray silver been in the fire betwixt those in you witch-landers, for the house of Garice faired ever like the foul toad that may not endure to smell the sweet-server of the vine when it flourisheth. So for this time we will abide in this hold, and withstand your most grievous attempts. And I made thee this offer, which if thou refuse, I am not thy lucky to renew it. Gro said, it is writ and sealed, and wanteth but thy sign manual, my lord just. And with the word he made sign to Philpritz Fas, that went to lord just with a parchment. Just put the parchment by, saying, no more, ye are answered. And he was turning on his heel, when Philpritz, louting forward suddenly, gave him a great yerk beneath the ribs with a dagger slipped from his sleeve. But turned to the dagger. How be it with the greatness of that stroke he staggered her back. Now Spitfire clapped hand to sword, and the other demons with him. But just loudly shouted that there should not be truce-breakers, but nor first what Corrin would do. And Corrin said, dost hear me, just. I had neither hand nor part in this. Brandock Dahar drew up his lip, and said, this is not but what was to be looked for. It is a wonder, or just, that thou such strokes come home or miss me early, said Gross softly in Corrin's ear. And he hugged himself beneath his cloak, looking with furtive amusement on the demons. But Corrin, with a face red in anger, said, it is thine answer, or just. And when just said, it is our answer, or Corrin, Corrin said violently, then red war I give you. And this with all to testify our honour. And he let lay hands on Philpritz Fas, and with his own hand hacked the head from his body before the eyes of both their armies. Then in a great voice he said, as bloodily as I have revenged the honour of which land on this Philpritz, so will I revenge it on all of you, or ever I draw off mine armours from these lakes of Orgo-Moveo. So the demons went up into the burg, and Gross and Corrin home to their tents. This was well thought on, said Gross, to flaunt the flag of seeming honesty, and with the motion ridders of this fellow that promised ever to grow thorns to make uneasy our seat in Impland. Corrin answered him not a word. In that same hour, Corrin marshaled his fork and assaulted Ashgroor-Orgo, placing those of Impland in the van. They prospered not at all. Many a score lay slain without the walls that night, and the obscene beasts from the desert feasted on their bodies by the light of the moon. Next morning the Lord Corrin sent an herald and bared the demons again to a parley. And now he spake only to brandock the har, bidding him deliver up those brethren just as Spitfire. It was my pleasure. Then shalt thou and all thy people else depart in peace without conditions." An offer indeed, said Lord Brandock Dahar, if it be not in mockery, say it loud that my fork may hear. Corrin did so, and the demons heard it from the walls of the burg. Lord Brandock Dahar stood somewhat apart from just as Spitfire and their guard. Liable it me out, he said. For good as I know must deem thy word, thine hand and seal must I have a thing. Right thou, sent Corrin to grow, to write my name as all my scholarship. And Growl took forth his inkhorn and wrote in a great fair hand this offer on a parchment. The most fearfulest oaths thou knowest, said Corrin, and Growl wrote them, whispering, he mocketh us only. But Corrin said, no matter, it is a chance worth our chancing. And slowly and with labour signed his name to the writing, and gave it to Lord Brandock Dahar. Brandock Dahar read it attentively, and took it in his bosom beneath his bernie. This, he said, shall be a keepsake for me of thee, my Lord Corrin, reminding me, and here his eyes grew terrible, so long as their survivor the soul of you in witch-land, that I am still to teach the world thoroughly what that man must abide that durst affront me with such an offer. Corrin answered him, thou art a dapper fellow. It is a wonder that thou wilt strut in the tented field with all this womanish gear. Thy shield, how many of these sparkling bubbles thinkest thou I'd leave in it where we once come to Knox? I'll tell thee, answered Lord Brandock Dahar, for every jewel that has been beat out of my shield in battle, never yet went I to war that I brought not home an hundredfold to set it fair again from the spoils I obtained from my enemies. No, this will I bid thee, or Corrin, for thy scornful words. I will bid thee to single combat, here and in this hour, which if thou deny, then art thou an open and apparent dastard. Corrin chuckled in his beard, but his brow darkened somewhat. I pray, what age dost thou take me of? said he. I bear a sword when thou was yet in swaddling clothes. Behold, mine arm is! And what advantage I hold upon you? O, my sword is enchanted, my lord, it will not out of the scabbard. Brandock Dahar smiled disdainfully and said to Spitfire, Mark, well, I pray thee, this great lord of Witchland. How many true fingers hath a witch on his left hand? As many as on his right, said Spitfire. Good, and how many on both? Too less than a juice, said Spitfire, for there be false fazits to the fingers' ends. Very well answered, said lord Brandock Dahar. Your pleasant, Corrin, said, but your fusty jibes move me not a wit. It were a simple part, indeed, to take thine offer when all wise councils bid me use my power and crush you. Thou'dst kill me soon with thine mouth, said Brandock Dahar. In some, thou art a brave man when it comes to roaring and swearing. A big bubber of wine, as men say, to drink drunk is an ordinary matter with thee every day in the week, but I fear thou dost not fight. Dost not thy nose swell at that, said Spitfire? But Corrin shrugged his shoulders. A futra for your bates, he answered. I am scarce bounden to do such a kindness to you of demon-land as lay down my advantage and fight alone against a sordor. Your old foxes are seldom taken in springies. I thought so, said lord Brandock Dahar. Surely the frog will have hair sooner than any of you witch-landers shall dare to stand me. So ended the second parlor before Eshgro Orgo. The same day Corrin'd essayed again to storm the hold, and Grievous was the battle, and hard put to it were they of demon-land to hold the walls, yet in the end were Corrin's men thrown back with great slaughter, and night fell, and they returned to their tents. Mine invention, said Gro, when on the next day they took council together, hath yet some contrivance in her purse if it fall but out to our mind. But I don't much it will dislike thee. Well say it out, and I'll give thee my censure on't," said Corrin'd. Gro spoke. It hath been sure we may not up down this tree by hewing above ground, let's dig about the roots, and first give them a seven-night space for reckoning up their chances, that they may see morning and evening from the burg, thine armies, set down to invest them. Then, when their hopes are something sordid by that sight, their reaction hath trained their minds to sad reflection, call them to parley, going straight beneath the wall, and this time shall thou address thyself only to the common sort, offering them all generous and free conditions thou canst think on. There's little they can ask that we'd not blithely grant them if they'll but yield as up their captains. It mislikes me," answered Corrin'd. Yet it may serve. But thou shalt be my spokesman herein, for never yet went I capping hand to ask favour of the common muck of the world, for I will not do it now. Oh! but thou must, said Gro, of thee they will receive in good faith what in me they would account but practice. That's true enough," said Corrin'd. But I cannot stomach it. With all I am too rough-spoken. Gro smiled. He that hath need of a dog, he said, calleth him Sir Dog. Come, come, I'll school thee to it. Is it not a smaller thing than months of tedious hardship in this frozen desert? Bethink thee, too, what honour it were to thee with Justin Spitfire and Brandoc de Haar bounding in a string. Not without much persuasion was Corrin'd one to this. Yet at the last he consented. For seven days and seven nights his arm is sat before the burg without sign, and on the eighth day he bade the demons to a parley, and when that was granted went with his sons and twenty men at arms up the great rib of rock between the lakes and stood below the east wall of the burg. Bitter chill was the air that day. Powdery snow, light fallen, blew in little wisps along the ground and the rocks were slippery with an invisible coat of ice. Lord Gro, being troubled with an aegyo, excused himself from that fairing and kept his tent. Corrin'd stood beneath the walls with his folk about him. I have matter of import, he cried, and is needful it be heard both by the highest and the lowest amongst you. ere I begin, summon them all to this part of the walls. A lookout is he now to shield you of the other parts from any sudden onslaught, and I was clean without my purpose. So when they were thick on the walls above him he began to say, Soldiers of demon-land, against you had I never quarrel. Behold how in this implant I have made freedom flourish as a flower. I have struck off the heads of Phil Pritzfaz, and Illorosh, and Lomesh, and Gandhasa, and Faxfairfaz, that were the lords and governors here a four-time, abounding in all the bloody and crying sins, oppression, gluttony, idleness, and extortion. And of my clemency I delivered all their possessions unto their subjects to hold an order after their own will alone, who before did put on patience, and endured with much heart-burning the tyranny of these phases, until by me they found a remedy for their more freedom. In like manner not against you do I war, or men of demon-land, but against the tyrants that enforced you for their private gain to suffer hardship and death in this remote country, the quest of their cursed brother, whom the might of the king had happily removed. And against Brandoc de Ha, and my cum, of insolence untamed, who live with a chambering, idle life eating and drinking and exercising tyranny, while the pleasant lands of crothering and fails and strawpardon, and the dwellers in the isles, Zorbe, Morve, Strufe, Dalney and Canoreve, and they of Westmark, and all the western parts of demon-land groan and wax lean to feed his luxury. To your hurt only have these three led you as cattle to the slaughter. Deliver them to me that I may chastise them, and I that in great viceroy of Impland will make you free and grant you lordships, a lordship for every man of you in this my realm of Impland. While Corrin spoke, the Lord Brandoc de Ha went among the soldiers, bidding them hold their peace and not murmur against Corrin. But those that were most hot for action he sent about an errand preparing what he had in mind, so that when the Lord Corrin ceased he was ready to hand. And with one voice the soldiers of Lord Just that stood upon the wall cried out and said, This is thy word, O Corrin, and this our answer. And therewith flung down upon him from pots and buckets and every kind of vessel a deluge of slops and awful and old filth that came to hand. A bucketful took Corrin in the mouth, befouling all his great beard, so that he gave back spitting. And he and his, standing close beneath the wall, and little expecting saw sudden and ill an answer, thankfully, being all well sowsed and be murdered with filth and lie. Therewith went up great shouts of laughter from the walls. But Corrin cried out, O filth of demon-land, this is my latest word with you, and though to a ten years I must besiege this hold, yet will I take it over your heads, and very ill to do with shall ye find me in the end, and very puissant, proud, mighty, cruel and bloody in my conquest. What lads! said Lord Brandoc de Ha, standing on the battlements, have we not fed this beast with pig-washy now, but he must still be snuffing and snoking at our gate? Give me another paleful! So the witches returned to their tents with great shame. So a hot was Corrin in anger against the demons, that he stared not to eat nor drink at his coming down from Eshgroi Orgo, but straight gathered force and made an assault upon the burg, the mightiest he had yet to said. And his picked men of witch-land were in that assault, and he himself to lead them. Thrice by main fury they won up into the hold, but all were slain who set foot therein, and Corrin's young son Domanez wounded to the death. And at even they drew off from the battle. There fell in that fight an hundred and four score demons, and of the imps five hundred, and of the witches three hundred and ninety and nine, and many were hurt of either side. Roth sat like thunder on Corrin's brow at supper-time. He ate his meat savagely, thrusting great gobbets in his mouth, crunching the bones like a beast, taking deep drafts of wine with every mouthful, which yet dispelled not his black mood. Over against him Gros sat silent, shivering now and then for all that he kept his own and cloak about him, and the brazier stood at his elbow. He made but a poor meal, drinking mulled wine in little sips, and dipping little pieces of bread in it. So wore without speech that cheerless and unkindly meal, until the Lord Corrin, looking suddenly across the border-groll and catching his eye-studying him, said, That was a bright star of thine, and then shined clear upon thee, when thou tookest this boat of shivering fits, and so wentest not with me to be sowed with muck before the burg. Who would have dreamed, answered Gros, of there using so base and shameful a part? Not thou, I'll swear, said Corrin, looking evilly upon him, and marking as he thought a twinkling light in Gros's eyes. Gros shivered again, sipped his wine, and shifted his glance uneasily under that unfriendly stare. Corrin drank a while in silence, then flushing suddenly a darker red, said, leaning heavily across the board at him, Dost know why I said, Not thou? It was scarce needful to thy friend, said Gros. I said it, said Corrin, because I know thou didst look for another thing when thou didst skulk-shaming here. Another thing? Sit not there like some prim-mouthed miss-fenning and innocent all know well thou hast not, said Corrin, or I'll kill thee. Thou plottest my death with the demons, and because thyself hast no shred of honour in thy soul, thou hast not the wit to perceive that their nobility would shrink from such a betrayal as thy hopes and detained. Gros said, This is a jest I cannot laugh at, or else his madmen's bravel. Dissembling curse, said Corrin, be sure that I hold him not less guilty that holds the ladder than him that mounts the wall. It was thy design they should smite as it unawares when we went up to them with this proposal thou didst urge on me so hotly. Gros made as if to rise. Sit down, said Corrin. Answer me. Didst not thou egg on the poor snout fil-prits to that attempt on just? He told me on't, said Gros. All thou art cunning, said Corrin. There, too, I see thy treachery. Had they fallen upon us, thou mightest have thrown thyself safely upon their mercy. This is foolishness, said Gros. We were far stronger. It is so, said Corrin. When did I charge thee with wisdom and sober judgment? With treachery I know thou art soaked wet. And thou art my friend, said Gros. Corrin said in a while, I have long known thee to be both a subtle and disembling fox, and now I dost trust thee no more, for fear I should fall further into thy danger. I am resolved to murder thee. Gros fell back in his chair and flung out his arms. I have been here before, he said. I have beheld it in moonlight and in the barren glare of day, in fair weather and in hail and snow, with the great winds charging over the wests. And I knew it was a cursed. From Mauna Maruna ere I was born, or thou, or Corrin, or any of us, treason and cruelty blacker than night herself had birth, and brought death to their bigetta and all his folk. From Mauna Maruna bloweth this wind about the west to blast our love and bring us destruction. I kill me. I'll not ward myself, not at the smallest. To small matter, gobbling, said Corrin, whether thou shudst or no, thou art but a lice between my fingers to kill or cast away as shall see me good. I was King Gaslark's man, said Gros, as if talking in a dream. And between a man and a boy, near fifteen years I served him true and costly. Yet it was my fortune in all that time, and at the ending thereof, only to get a beard on my chin and remorse at heart. To what scorned purpose must I plot against him? Pity of witch-land. Of witch-land sliding as then into the pit of adverse look, to as that made force upon me. And I served witch-land well. But fate ever fought at the other side. Aye, it was that Counciled Kinkerised the eleventh to draw out from the fight at Kartadza. Yet wanton fortune trod down the skill for demon-land. I prayed him not rassle with goldery in the foley-artiles, thou did spag me. Not but rebukes and threats of death got I therefrom. But because my reeds were set at naught, evil fell upon witch-land. I helped our Lord the King when he conjured and made ascending against the demons. He loved me, therefore, and upheld me, but great envy was raised up against me in Caucy for that fact. Yet I bear up, for thy friendship, and thy lady-wives were as bright fires to warm me against all the frosts of their ill-will. And now for love of thee I fared with thee to Impland. And here by the marooner, wherein old days I wandered in danger and in sorrow, it is fitting I behold at length the emptiness of all my days. Therewith grow fell silent a minute. And then began to say, O Corinth, I'll strip bear my soul to thee before thou kill me. It is most true that until now, sitting before Eshgroi Orgo, it hath been present to my heart how great an advantage we held against the demons. And the glory of their defence, so little a strength against us so many, and the great glory of their flinging of us back, these things were a splendour to my soul beholding them. Such glamour hath ever shone to me all my life's dares when I beheld great men battling still beneath the bludgeonings of adverse fortune, that, howsoever they be mine enemies, it lieth not in my virtue to withhold from admiration of them, and well nine love. But never was I false to thee, nor much less ever thought, as thou most unkindly accusest me, to compass thy destruction. Thou dost whine like a woman for thy life, said Corinth. Cowardly hounds never stirred pity in me. Yet he moved not, only looking dowily on grow. Grow plucked forth his own sword, and pushed it towards Corinth hilt foremost across the board. Such words are worse than the sword thrust betwixt us twain, said he. Thou shalt see how I'll welcome death. The king will praise thee when thou show us the cause, and it will be sweet news to Carinius, and then that have held me in their hate, that thy love hath cast me off, and thou hast rid them of me at last. But Corinth stirred not. After a space he filled another cup, and drank, and sat on. And grow sat motionless before him. At last Corinth grows heavily from his seat, and pushing grow's sword back across the table, thou'd best to bed, said he. For the night's airs o'er shrewd for thine eggy, sleep on my couch to-night. The day dawned cold and gray, and with the dawn, Corinth ordered his lines about Eshgro Orgo, and sat down for a siege. For ten days he sat before the burg, and note befell from dawn till night, from night till dawn. Only the sentinels walked on the walls, and Corinth's folk guarded their lines. On the eleventh day came a bank of fog rolling westward from the marooner, chill and dank, blotting out the features of the land. Snow fell, and the fog hung on the land, and night came of such a pitchy blackness that even by torchlight a man might not see his hand stretched forth at arm's length before him. Five days the fog held. On the fifth night, it being the 24th of November, in the darkness of the third hour after midnight, the alarm was sounded, and Corinth summoned by a runner from the north with word that a sally was made from Eshgro Orgo, and the lines burst and threw in that quarter, and fighting going forward in the merc. Corinth was scarce, harnessed, and gotten forth into the night when a second runner came hotfoot from the south with tidings of a great fight there away. All was confounded in the dark, and not certain said that the demons were broken out from Eshgro Orgo. In a space, as Corinth came with his folk to the northern quarter and joined in the fight, came a message from his son Hemming that Spitfire and a number with him were broken out at the other side and gotten away westward, and a great band chasing him back towards outer Impland, and therewith that more than a hundred demons were surrounded and penned in by the shore of the lakes, and the burg entered and taken by Corinth's folk. But of Jus and Brandoc de Haar, no certain news said that there were not of Spitfire's company, but were with those against whom Corinth went in person, having fared forth north away. So went the battle through the night. Corinth himself had sight of Jus, and exchanged shots with him with twirlspears in a lifting of the fog toward Dome, and a son of his bare witness of Brandoc de Haar in that same quarter, and had gotten a great wound from him. When night was past, and the witches returned from the pursuit, Corinth straightly questioned his offices, and went himself about the battlefield hearing each man's story and viewing the slain. Those demons that were hemmed against the lakes had all lost their lives, and some were taken up dead in other parts, and some few alive. These were his offices let slay, but Corinth said, since I am king in Impland, till that the king receive it of me, it is not this handful of earth-lice shall shake my safety here, and I may well give them their lives, that fought sturdily against us. So he gave them peace, and he said unto Gro, better that for every demon dead in Ogomoveo ten should rise up against us, if but Jus only and Brandoc de Haar were slain. I'll be in the tale with thee, if thou wilt proclaim them dead, said Gro, and nothing is likelier if they be gone with but two or three on to the marooner, than that such a tale should come true ere it were told in Carcy. Pshaw, said Corinth, to the devil with such false feathers, what's it done, shows bravingly without them. Impland conquered, Jus's army minced to a gallimaufe, himself from Brandoc de Haar chased like runaway thralls up on the marooner, where if devils tear them, if not, thou wilt hear of them, be sure. Dost think these can survive on earth, and not raise a racket that shall be heard from hence to Carcy. End of chapter 11