 30 Tidings of Mellikavkaz Of news brought unto Gerais the king in Karsi out of the south, where the Lord Laxus, lying in the straits with his armada, held the fleet of demon-land prisoned in the Midland Sea, on a night of late summer leaning towards autumn, eight weeks after the sailing of the demons out of Muelva, as is a forerit. The Lady Presmyra set before her mirror in Koran's lofty bed-chamber in Karsi. The night without was mild and full of stars. Within yellow flames of candles burning steadily on either side of the mirror, red forth tresses of tinseling brightness in twin glories, voluminous spheres of warmth. In that soft radiance, grains as of golden fire swam and circled, losing themselves on the confines of the gloom, where the massy furniture, and the aris, and the figured hangings of the bed, were but cloudier divisions and congestions of the general dark. Presmyra's hair caught the beams, and imprisoned them in a tawny tangle of splendor that swept about her head and shoulders down to the emerald plasps of her girdle. Her eyes resting idly on her own fair image in the shining mirror, she talked like nothings with her woman of the bed-chamber, who, playing the comb, stood behind her chair of golden tortoise-shell. Reach me on the book, nurse, that I may read again the words of that sereneard the Lord Gros made for me, the night when first we had tidings from my lord out of Impland of his conquest of that land, and the king did making king thereof. The old woman gave her the book that was bound in goat-skin, chiseled and ornamented by the gilder's art, fitted with clasps of gold, and enriched with little gems, smaragds, and marjorie pearls, inlaid in the panels of its covers. You returned the page and read, You mean a beauties of the night that poorly satisfy our eyes, more by your number than your light, you common people of the skies, what are you when the moon shall rise? You curious chanters of the wood that warble forth dame-nature's lairs, thinking your passions understood, by your weak accents, what's your prayers, when Philomel her voice shall raise? You violets that first appear, by your pure purple mantles norm, like the proud virgins of the year, as if the spring were all your own, what are you when the rose is blown? So when my princess shall be seen, in form and beauty of her mind, by virtue first, then choice a queen, tell me, if she were not designed, thick lips and glory of her kind? She abode silent awhile. Then in a lull sweet voice, where all the chords of music seem to slumber, three years will be gone next, you all tied, she said, since first I heard that song, and not yet am I grown accustomed to the style of queen. "'Tis pity of my Lord Groll,' said the nurse. "'Thou thinkest?' "'Mirth sat oftener on your face, O queen, when he was here, and you were used to charm his melancholy, and make a piss of his fantastical humorous forebordings.' "'Oft doubting not his forejudgment,' said Presmirah, even the while I thripped to my fingers at it, but never so I yet that the lowering thunder hath that partiality of a tyrant, to blast him that first it, and pass by him that quelled before it.' "'He was most deeply bound servant to your beauty,' said the old woman. "'And yet,' she said, viewing her mistress's side long to see how she would receive it, that were a miss easily made good.' She visit herself with the coma while in silence. After a time she said, O queen, mistress of the hearts of men, there is not a lord in which land, nor in earth beside, you might not bind your servant with one thread of this hair of yours. The likeliest and the goodliest were yours at an eye-glance.' The lady Presmirah looked dreamily into her own sea-green eyes imaged in the glass. Then she smiled mockingly and said, whom then accountest thou the likeliest and the goodliest man in all the established earth?' The old woman smiled. "'O queen,' answered she, this was the very matter in dispute amongst us at supper only this evening.' "'A pretty disputation,' said Presmirah. "'Let me be merry, who was a judge to the fairest and gallantest by your high court of censure.' "'It was not generally determined, O queen. Some would have my lord grow.' "'A like he is too feminine,' said Presmirah. "'Other's our lord the king. There is none greater,' said Presmirah, no more worshipful. But for an husband thou shouldst as well wed with a thundestorm at the hungry sea. Give me some more.' Some chose the lord admiral. "'That,' said Presmirah, was a nearer stroke. No skipjack, no soft marmalade courtier, but a brave, tall, gallant gentleman. I, but too watery a planet, burned at his nativity. He is too like a statuer of a man. No nurse, thou must bring me better than he.' The nurse said, "'True it is, O queen, that most were of my thinking when I gave him my choice. The king of demon-land.' "'Fie on thee,' cried Presmirah. Name him not, sore, that was too almighty to hold that land against our enemies.' "'Folks say it was by foxish arts and practice is magical, and was spilt on crothering side. Folks say it was divils and not horses carried the demons down the mountain at us.' "'They say,' cried Presmirah. "'I say to thee, he hath found it apter to his bent to flaunt his crown in witch-land than make him give him the knee in galing. For a true king, both knee and heart, do truly bow before him. But this one, if he had their knee, was in the backside of him he had it, to kick him home again.' "'Fie, madame,' said the nurse. "'Hold thy tongue, nurse,' said Presmirah. "'It were good ye were all well whipped for a bunch of silly mares that know not a horse from an ass.' The old woman watching her in the glass counted it best to keep silence. Presmirah said under her breath, as if talking to herself, I know a man should not have miscarried it thus. The old nurse that loved not Lord Corromed and his haughty fashions and rough speech and wine-bibbing, and was besides jealous that so rude a stock should wear so rich a jewel as was so mistress, followed not her meaning. After some time the old woman spake softly and said, "'Yay, we're full of thoughts to-night, madame.' Presmirah's eyes met hers in the mirror. "'Why may I not be so when it likes me?' said she. That stony look of the eyes struck like a gong some twenty-year-old memory in the nurse's heart. The little willful madame, ill to God but good to guide, looking out from that queen's face across the years. She knelt down suddenly and caught her arms about her mistress's worst. "'Why must you wed, then, dear heart?' said she, "'If you were minded to do what likes you. Men love not sad looks in their wives. You may ride a lover on the curb, madame, but once you wed him, it is all to the wear. All his wear, madame, and beware of had I whisked.' The mistress looked down at her mockingly. "'I have been wed seven years to-night. I should know these things.' "'And this night,' said the nurse, "'and but an hour till midnight, and yet he sitteth at board.' The lady Presmirah leaned back to look again on her own mirrored loveliness. Her proud mouth sweetened to a smile. "'Will thou learn me common women's wisdom?' said she. And there was yet more of a luxurious sweetness trembling in her voice. "'I will tell thee a story, as thou hast told them me in the old days in Novaspe, to wile me to bed. Has thou not heard tell how old Duke Hillman's ease of Miltrani, among some other fantasies such as a pier by night unto many in diverse places, had worn in likeness of a woman, with old face of low and little stature or body, which did scour his pots and pans, and did such things as a maidservant ought to do, liberally, and without doing of any harm. And by his art he knew this thing should be his servant still, and bring unto him whatsoever he would, so long time as he should be glad of the things it brought him. But this Duke, being a foolish man and a greedy, made his familiar bring him at once all the year's seasons, and their several goods and pleasures, and all good things of earth at one time. So as in six months' space he being asserted with these and all good things, and having no good thing remaining unto him to expect or to desire, for very weariness did hang himself. I would never have turned me and husband, nurse, and I had not known that I was able to give him every time I would, a new heaven and a new earth, and never the same thing twice. She took the old woman's hands in hers and gathered them to her breast, as if to let them learn, rocked for a minute in the bountiful infinite sweetness of that place, what foolish fears were these. Suddenly Presmira clasped at the hands tighter in her arm, and shuddered a little. She bent down to whisper in the nurse's ear, I would not wish to die. The world without me should be summer without roses. Carcy without me should be a night without the starshine. Her voice died away like the night breeze in a summer garden. In the silence there heard the dip and wash of oar-blades from the river without. The sentinels' challenge, the answer from the ship. Presmira stood up quickly and went to the window. She could see the ship's dark bulk by the water-get, and comeings and goings, but not clearly. Tidings from the fleet, she said, put up my hair. And ere that was done came a little page running to her chamber-door, and when it was open to him, stood panting from his running and said, The king, your husband, bade me tell you, madam, and pray you go down to him in the great hall. It may be ill news, I fear. Thou fierest, pap-face, said the queen, I'll have thee whipped if thou bringest thy fears to me. Dost no ought? What's the matter? The ship's much batted, O queen. He is closeted with our lord the king, the skipper. Nondespeak else, tis feared the high admiral, feared, cried she, swinging round for the nurse to put about her white shoulders her mantle of scendoline and cloth of silver, that shimmered at the collar with purple amethysts, and was scented with cedar and galbenum and myrrh. She was forth in the dark corridor, down by the winding marble stair, through the mid-court, hasting to the banquet-hall. The court was full of folk talking, but not certain, not serve suspense and wonder. Rumour of a great sea-fight in the south, a mighty victory won by laxus upon the demons, just and those lords of demon-land dead and gone, the captives following with the morning's tide. And here and there, like an undertone to these triumphant tidings, contrary rumours, whispered law, like the hissing of an adder from her shadowy lair. All not well. The lord admiral wounded, half his ship's lost, the battle doubtful. The demons escaped. So came that lady into the great hall. And there were the lords and captains of the witches, all in a restless, quiet of expectation. Duke Corsus lulled forward in his seat down by the cross-bench, his breath stutterous, his small eyes fixed in a drunken stare. On the other side, Corrin set huge and motionless, his elbow propped on the table, his chin in his hand, sombre and silent, staring at the wall. The lords gathered in knots, talking in low tones. The lord Corrinius walked up and down behind the cross-bench, his hands clasped behind him, his fingers snapping impertently at wiles, his heavy jaw held high, his glance high and defiant. Presmyra came to Heming, where he stood among three or four, and touched him on the arm. "'We know nothing, madam,' he said. "'He is with the king.' She came to her lord. "'Thou didst send for me?' The lord looked up at her. "'Why so I did, madam?' "'Tidings from the fleet. Maybe somewhat, maybe not. But thou'dst best be here for it.' "'Good tidings are ill. That shecheth not carcy walls,' said she. "'Suddenly the law-buzz of talk was hushed.' The king stood in the curtain to doorway. "'There rose up all to meet him,' all said Corsus, that sat drunk in his chair. The crown of witch-land shed baleful sparkles above the darkness of the dark, fortress face of Goraes the king. The glitter of his dread eyeballs, the deadly line of his mouth, the square black beard jutting beneath. Like a tower he stood, and behind him in the shadow was the messenger from the fleet, with countenance the color of wet water. The king spake and said, "'My lords, here's tidings touching the truth whereof I have well satisfied myself. And it imported the mere perdition of my fleet. There hath been battle off Melikafkas in the implant seas. There hath sinken our ships. Every ship, save that which brought the tidings, sunk with laxus and all his men that were with him.' He paused. Then, "'These be heavy news,' he said, and I'll have you bear them in the old witch-land fashion. The heavier hit, the heavier strike again.' In the strange, deformed silence came a little gasping cry, and the Lady Sreba fell a-swooning. The king said, "'Let the kings of Impland and of Demonland attend me. The rest it is commanded that all do get them to bed of the instant.' The Lord Coran said in his Lady's ear as he went by, taking her with his hand about the shoulder, "'What, lass, if the broth split, the meat remaineth, to bed with thee, and never doubt we'll pair them yet?' And he with Corinius followed the king. It was past middle-night when the council broke up, and Coran sought his chamber in the eastern gallery above the inner court. He found his Lady sitting yet at the window, touching the false dawn of a pixie-land. Dismissing his lamp-bearers that lighted him to bed, he bolted on board at the great iron-studded door. The breadth of his shoulders when he turned, filled at the shadowy doorway, his head well-nigh touched the lintel. It was hard to read his countenance in the uncertain gloom, where he stood beyond the bright region made by the candle-light, but Présmyra's eyes could mark how care sat on his brow, and there was in the carriage of his ponderous frame the kingliness and the strength of some strong determination. She stood up, looking up at him as on a mate to whom she could be true, and be true to her own self. Well, she said, "'The tables are set,' said he, without moving. The king hath named me his captain general in Caesae. "'Is it come to that?' said Présmyra. "'They have hewn a limb from us,' answered he. "'They have wit to know the next stroke should be at the heart.' "'Is it truly so?' she said. "'Eight thousand men, twice thine arm is strength that won implant for us, all drowned.' "'Twas the devilish seamanship of these accursed demons,' said Corrand. "'It appeareth laxus held the straits, where they must go if ever they should win home again, meaning to fight them in the narrows and so crush them with the weight of ships, as easy as kill flies, having by a great odds the bigger strength both in ships and men. They or their part kept the sea without, trying their best to tice him forth, so they might do their sailor tricks in the open. A week or more he withstood it, tiller the ninth day the devil cursed him for a fool, wherefore could he not have had patience. Or the ninth morning, weary of inaction and having winden tied something in his favour,' the Lord Corrand groaned and snapped his fingers contemptuously. "'Oh, I'll tell thee the tale to-morrow, madame. I'm surfited with it to-night. The sum is, laxus drown did, and all that were with him, and just with his whole great armament northward bound for which land.' And the wide seas his. And we may expect him any day.' The wind hangeth easterly. Any day,' said Corrand. Presmyra said. That was well done to rest the command in thee. But what of our qualified young gentleman who had that office a-four time? Will he play o' these terms? Corrand answered. Hungry dogs will eat dirty puddings. I think he'll play, albeit he showed his teeth at the first while. Let him keep his teeth for the demons,' said she. "'This very ship was tain,' said Corrand, and sent home by them in a bravado to tell us what we did. A stupid, insolent part shall custom-deer, for it had four warders. The skipper had this letter for thee, gave it me monstrous secretly.' Presmyra took away the wax and opened the letter, and knew the writer of it. She held it out to Corrand. "'Read it to me, my lord. I am tired with watching. I read ill by this flickering candle-light.' But he said, "'I am too poor a scholar, madam. I pretty read it.' And in the light of the guttering candles, vexed with an east wind that blew before the dawn, she read this letter that was conceived in manner-following. "'Unto the right high mighty and doubted princess, the queen of Impland, one that was your servant, but now, being both a traitor and a manifold pargered traitor, which heaven above doth abhor, the earth below detest, the sun, moon, and stars be ashamed of, and all creatures do curse and adjudge unworthy of breath and life. Do wish only to die your penitent. In heavy sorrow do send you these advisers, which I require your majesty, in umblest manner to ponder well, seeing El's your manifest overthrow, and ruin at hand. And albeit in carcer you rest in security, it is certain you are there as safe as he that hingeth by the leaves of a tree, in the end of autumn, when as the leaves begin to fall. For in this late battle, in Malikaf has sea, hath the whole power of which land on the sea been beat down and ruined, and the high admiral of our whole navy, lost and dead, and the names of the great men of account, that were slain at the battle, I may not number, nor the common-sort much less, by raison that the moorport were drowned in the sea, which came not to sight. But of demon-land, not twenty ships' companies were lost it, but with great puissance they do bust them for carcy. Having with them this gold-rim blue-scow, strangely rescued from his prison-house beyond the tomb, and a great army of the most strangle-fell folk that ever I saw or heard speak of, such is the die of war. Most noble princess, I will speak unto you not by riddle or dark figure, but plainly that you let not slip this occasion. For I have dreamt an evil dream, and one portending ruin unto which land, being in my sleep on the very eve of this same battle terrified and smitten, with an appearing shape of laxus amid crying in an high voice and loud, an end, an end, an end of all. Therefore, most earnestly, I do beseek your majesty, and your noble lord, that was my friend, before that by my venomous treason I lost both you and him and all, take order for your proper surfety, and the thing requires haste of your majesties. And this must you do, to fare straightway into your own country of pixeland, and their raised force. Be you before these rebels and obstinates of demon-land in their proud attempts to strike at witch-land, and so purchase their friendship, who it is very certain will in power invincible, stand before carcy, or ever witch-land shall have time to put you down. This council I give you knowing full well that the power and dominion of the demons standeth now pre-heminent, and not to be withstood. So tarry not by a sinking ship, but do as I say lest all be lost. One more thing I tell you, that shall happily enforce my council unto you, the heaviest news of all, to savi' news that such a false troker as he is should yet supervise so many honest men, said Corund. The Lady Presmyra held out the letter to her lord. Mine eyes dazzle, she said. Read thou the rest. Corund put his great arm about her, as he sat down to the table before the mirror, and poured over the writing, spelling it out with one finger. He had little book-learning, and it was some time ere he had the meaning clear. He did not read it out. His lad is first told him she had read all ere he began. This was the last news-girl's letter told her. The Prince her brother, dead in the sea-fight, fighting for demon-land, dead and drowned in the sea of Melikafkas. Presmyra went to the window. Dawn was beginning, bleak and gray. After a minute she turned her head. Like a she-lion she looked, proud and dangerous-eyed. She was very pale. Her accents level and quiet, cold to the blood like the roll of a distant drum, as she said, suckers of demon-land, late or never. Corund beheld her uneasily. Their oaths to me and to him, said she, sworn to us that night in Karsy. False friends! Oh, I could eat their hearts with garlic! He put his great hands on her two shoulders. She threw them off. In one thing, she cried, grow counseleth as well, to tarry no more on this sinking ship. We must raise forces, but not as he would have it to uphold these demons, these oath-breakers. We must away this night. Her lord had cast aside his great wolf-skin mantle. Come, madame, said he, to bed-zow nearer's journey. Presmyra answered, I'll not to bed. It shall be seen now, or Corund, if that thou be a king indeed. He sat down on the bed's edge and fell to doing off his boots. Well, he said, every one as he likes, as the good man said when he kissed his cow. There's near dawning. I must be up be times, and a sleepless night's a poor breather of invention. But she stood over him, saying, It shall be seen if thou be a true king, and be not deceived. If thou fail me here, I'll have no more of thee. This night we must away. Thou shalt raise Pixieland, which is no mine by right. Raise power in thine own vast kingdom of Impland. Fling witch-land to the winds. What care I if she sink or swim? This only is the matter, to punish these vile, perjured demons, enemies of ours and enemies of all the world. We need ride and no journey for that, said Corund, still putting off his boots. Thou shalt shortly see Jus and his brethren before Carsey, with three score-hundred fighting men at's back. Then cometh the metal to the anvil. Come, come, thou must not weep. I do not weep, said she. Nor I shall not weep, but I'll not be tain in Carsey like a mouse in a trap. I'm glad thou to not weep, madame. It is as great pity to see a woman weep as a goose to go barefoot. Come, be not foolish. We must not part forces now. We must bide this storm in Carsey. But she cried there is a curse on Carsey. Grow is lost to us and his good council. Dear my lord, I see something wicked that like a thick dark shadow, shadoweth all the sky above us. What place is there not subject to the power and regiment of Garise the King? But he is too proud. We be all too insolent over weeners of our own works. Carsey has grown too great, and the gods be offended at us. The insolent vileness of Caridius, the old doltod Corsus, that must still be at his boozing can. These and our own private quarrels in Carsey must be our bane. Repune not, therefore, against the will of the gods, but take the helm in thine own hand ere it be too late. Tush, madame, said he. These be but fray-bugs. Daylight shall make thee laugh at them. But Presmyra, queening it no longer, cut her arms about his neck. The odd man to perform all perfectly is thou. Will thou see us rushing on this whirlpool and not swim for it ere it be too late? And she said in a chocked voice, My heart is near broke already. Do not break it utterly. Only thou art left now. The chill dawn, the silent room, the guttering candles, and that high-hearted lady of his daunted for an instant from her noble and equal courage, cowering like a bird in his embrace. These things were like an icy breath that passed by and quelled him for a moment. He took her by two hands and held her off from him. She held her head high again, albeit her cheek was blanched. He felt the brave comrade grip of her hands in his. Dear lass, he said, I cast me not to be odd with none of these spawn of demon land. Here is my hand, and the hand of my sons, heavy while breath remaineth us against demon land, for thee and for the king. But sith our lord, the king hath made me a king. Come wind, come wheat, we must weather it in carcy. True is that soul, for fair one maketh a king, not for long living. Presmyra thought in her heart that these were fair words. But having now put behind her hope and fear, she was resolved to kick against the wind no more. But stand firm, and see what destiny would do. END OF CHAPTER XXXI CHAPTER XXXI THE DEMONS BEFORE CARCY How garice the king, albeit so strong a sorcerer, elected that by the sword, and chiefly by the Lord Corrand, his captain general, should be determined as for this time the event of these high matters, and how those twain, the king and the Lord Jus, spake face to face at last, and of the bloody battle before carcy, and what fruit was garnered there, and what made ripe against harvest. Garice the king sat in his chamber the thirteenth morning after these tidings brought to carcy. On the table under his hand were papers of account, and schedules of his armies and their equipment. Corrand sat at the king's right hand, and over against him Carinius. Corrand's great hairy hands were clasped before him on the table. He spoke without book, resting his gears on the steady clouds that sailed across the square of sky seen through the high window that fazed him. Of which land and the home provinces, or king, not but good. All the companies of soldiers which were appointed to repair to this part by the tenth of the month are now come hither, serve some bands of spearmen from the south, and some from Estragansia, these last I expect to dare. Vigilus, writers, they come with him with the heavy troops from Balteria sent him to assemble. So is the must of fullers for these parts, Thramne, Zorn, Permio, the land of Ar, Trace, Buteney, and Estra Marine. Of the subject allies there is less good there. The kings of Minia and Gilter, Olyse of Tecapan, County Escobar of Tzusha, the king of Elion, all be here with their contingents. But there's mightier names we miss. Duke Maxdlin of Azumel hath flung off salegiance and cut off your envoy's ears, O king, to his thought for some supposed light part of the sons of Corsus done to his sister. That docketh us thirty score-stout fighters. The Lord of Ustland sendeth no answer, and now are we advertised by Minia and Gilter of his open malice and treason, who did stubbornly let them the way hither through his country, while they're hastened to do your majesty's commands. Then there's the Ogedian Leves, should be nigh a thousand spears, ten days overdue. Hemming that raises Pixiland in Presmyra's name, will bring them in if he may, who also hath order, being on his way, to rouse Maltrini to action, from whom no word has yet, and I do fear treachery in him. Maltrini and Ogedia both they have been so long of coming. King Borsht of Teribia sendeth flat refusal. It is known to you besides, O King, said Carinius, that the King of Neverea came in last night, many days past the day appointed, and but half is just compliment. The King drew back his lips. I will not dash his spirits by blaming him at this present. Later I'll have that King's head for this. This is the sum, said Corrand. Nay, then I had forgot the red foliot with Sfolk. Three hundred per chance came in this morning. Carinius thrust out his tongue and laughed. One hen lobsters such as he shall scarce afford a course for this banquet. He keepeth Firth, said Corrand, where bigger men turned dastards, to see now that these forced leagues be as sure as they were sealed with butter. Your Majesty will doubtless give him audience. The King was silent a while, studying his purpose. What strength to day in carcy, he asked. Corrand answered him, as near as may be, two score hundred foot and fifty score horse, five thousand in all, and, that I weigh most, O King, big, broad, strong set lads of witch-lander than I every jack of them. The King said, It was not well done, O Corrand, to bid thy son delay for Ogedia and Miltrini. He might else have been in carcy now, with a thousand pixielanders to swell our strength. I did that I did, answered Corrand, seeking only your good, O King. A few days delay might buy us a thousand spears. Delay, said the King, hath favoured mine enemy. This we should have done. At his first landing give him no time but wink, set on him with all our forces and throw him into the sea. If look go with us, that may yet be, said Corrand. The King's nostrils widened. He crouched forward, glaring at Corrand and Carinius. His jaw thrust out, so that the stiff black beard on it brushed the papers on the table before him. The demons, said he, landed in the night at Rulper. They come on, with great journeys northward. We'll be here ere three days be spent. Both there grew red as blood. Corrand spake, who told you these tidings, O King? Care not thou for that, said the King? Enough for thee, I know it. Hath it turned you napping? No, answered he. These ten days past we have been ready, with what strength we might make, to receive them, come there from what quarter they will. So it is, though, that while we like the pixieland suckers, just hath by some odds the advantage over us. If, as our intelligence saith, six thousand fighting men do follow him, and these forced besides with some that should be ours, thou wouldst, said the King, await these out of pixieland, with that else hemming may gather, before we offer them battle. Said Corrand, that would I. We must look beyond the next turn of the road, O my Lord the King. That would not I, said Carinius. That is stoutly said Carinius, said the King, yet remember, though haths the greater force on croathering side, yet was over-born. It is that stundeth in my mind, Lord, said Corrand, for while I know, had I been there, I'd aferred no better. The Lord Carinius, whose brow had darkened with the nemming of his defeat, looked cheerfully now, and said, I pray you but consider, O my Lord the King, that here at home is no room for such a slight o' gin, as that whereby in their own country there took me. When Jusson brandocked a har, and their stinking gabbalonzes, to cry hoofeth us on which land soil, it is time to give him a chock-pair, which with your leave, Lord, I will promise now to do, o' the else to lose my life. Give me thy hand, said Corrand, of all men else would I have chosen thee for such a day as this, and worked to dare to meet the whole power of demon-land in arms, to stand per due with thee for this bloody service. But let us hear the King's commands. Which way so ere he choose, we shall do it right, ladly. Garice the King sat silent. One lean hand rested on the iron serpent-head of his chair's arm, the other, with finger outstretched against the jutting cheekbone, supported his chin. Only in the deep shadow of his eye-sockets a lambent light moved. At length he started, as if the spirit, flown to some unsounded gulfs of time or space, had in that instant returned to its mortal dwelling. He gathered the papers in a heap, and tossed them to Corrand. Too much lyeth on it, said he, he that hath many peas may put more in the pot. But now the day approaches when I and Juss must cast up our account together, and one or all shall be brought to death and bane. He stood up from his chair and looked down on those two, his chosen captains, great men of war, raised up by him to be kings over two quarters of the world. They watched him like little birds under the eye of a snake. The country hereabout, said the King, is not good for horsemanship, and the demons be great horsemen. Carce is strong, and never can it be forced by assault. Also under mine eye should my men of which land acquit themselves to do the greatest deeds. Therefore will we abide them here in Carce, until young Hemingcomon is levied out of Pixieland, then shall ye fall upon them, and never make an end till the land be utterly purged of them, and all the lords of demon land be slain. Carinia said, to hear is to obey, O King. However, not to December with you, I'd leave her at him at once, instead of let them sit awhile and refresh their army. Occasion is a wanton wench, O King, that is quick to beckon another man if one look coldly on her. Moreover, Lord, could you not by your art in small time with certain compositions? But the King break in upon him, saying, Thou knowest not what thou speakest. There is thy sword, there thy men, these my commands. See thou perform them punctually when time shall come. Lord, said Carinias, you shall not find me wanting. Therewith he did obeisance and went forth from before the King. The King said unto Corund, Thou hast manned him well, this tassled gentle. There was some danger he should so mislike subjection unto thee in these acts marshal, as it should breed some quarrel, should little speed our enterprise. Think not you that, O King, answered Corund. It is grown like an almanac for the past year, past date. I will feed out of my hand now. Because thou hast carried it with him, said the King, in so honourable and open plainness. Hold on the road thou hast begun, and be mindful still that into thine hand is given the sword of witch-land, and therein have I put my trust for this great hour. Corund looked upon the King with gray and quick eyes, shining like unto the eagles. He slapped his heavy sword with the flat of his hand. It is a tough fox, O my Lord the King, will not fail his master. Therewith, glad at the King's gracious words, he did obeisance unto the King, and went forth from the chamber. The same night there appeared in the sky impending over Carcy, a blazing star with two bushes. Corund beheld it in an open space betwixt the clouds, as he went to his chamber. He said nought of it to his lady wife, lest it shall trouble her. But she too had from her window seen that star, yet spake not of it to her Lord for a like reason. And King Arise, sitting in his chamber with his baleful books, beheld that star and its fiery streamers, which the King rather noughted than liked. For albeit he might not know of a certain what way that sign intended, yet was it apparent to one so deeply learned in nigromancy and secrets astronomical that this thing was fatal. Being of those prodigies and ominous prognostics, which forerun the tragical ends of noble persons and the ruins of states. The third day following, watchmen beheld from Carcy walls and the pale morning, the armies of the demons that filled the whole plain to southward. But of the suckers out of Pixiland was as yet no sign at all. Garice the King, according as he had determined, held all his power quiet within the fortress. But for passing of the time, and because it pleased his mind to speak yet, face to face with the Lord Jus, before this last mortal trial in arms should be begun betwixt them, the King sent Caderus as his herald, with flags of truce and olive branches into the demons' lines. By which mission it was concluded that the demons should withdraw their armies three ball-shots from the walls, and they of which land should abide all within the hold. Only the King, with fourteen of his folk unarmed, and Jus, with a like number unarmed, should come forth into the midst of the beatable ground, and there speak together. And this meeting must be at the third hour afternoon. So either party came to this parley at the hour appointed. Jus went bare-headed, but, save for that, all armed in his shining bernie, with gorget and shoulder-plates demasked and embossed with wires of gold, and golden leg-horners, and rings of red gold upon his wrists. His kirtle was a wine-dark silk and tissue, and he wore that dusty cloak the silphs had made for him. The collar-wear of was stiff with broidery, and strange beasts worked thereon in silver thread. According to the compact, he bear no weapon, only in his hand a short ivory staff inlaid with precious stones, and the head of it a ball of that stone which men call Bellas Eye, that is white, and half within it a black apple, the midst whereof a man shall see to glitter like gold. Very masterful and proud he stood before the King, carrying his head like a stag that sniffs the morning. His brethren and Brandoc de Ha, remained a purse or two behind him, with King Ghazlok and the Lord Zigg and Gro, and Melchar and Tharmrod and Sturkmyr, quas with his two sons, and Astar and Bremery of Shores, goodly men and lordly to look on, unwepened all, and wondrous was the sparkle of their jewels that were on them. Over against them, attending on the King, were these, Corund, King of Impland, and Carinius, called King of Demonland, Hachmon and Viglas, Corund's sons, Duke Corsus and his sons Decalogius and Goraeus, Ulyan, King of Minia, Orlis Lord of Tekkapan, Duke Arvel of Estraganzia, the Red Follyot, Earp the King of Elyon, and the Counts of Thramne and Tsusha, unwepened but armoured to the throat, big men and strong, the most of them, and of lordly bearing, yet none to match with Carinius and Corund. The King in his mantle of cobraskins, his staff royal in his hand, topped by half ahead all those tall men about him, friend and foe alike. Lean and black he towered amongst them, like a thunder-blasted pine-tree seen against the sunset. So in the golden autumn afternoon, in the midst of that sad man of sedged lands, where between slimy banks the weed choked Druima deviously winds toward the sea, where those two men met together, for whose ambition and their pride the world was too little a place to contend them both, and peace lying between them, and like some drowsy dragon of the elder slime, squat, sinister and monstrous, the citadel of Carci slept over all. By and by the King spake and said, I sent for thee, because I think it good, I and thou should talk together, while yet is time for talking. Just answered, I quarrel not with that, O King. Thou, said the King, bending his brow upon him, art a man wise and fearless. I counsel thee, and all the east that be with thee, turn back from Carci. While I see the blood thou did's drink in Melakafkas will not allay thy thirst, and war is to thee thy pearl and thy paramour. Yet, if it be, turn back from Carci. Thou standest now on the pinnacle of thine ambition, wilt sleep higher, though false in the abyss. Let the four corners of the earth be shaken with our wars, but not this centre. For here shall no man gather fruit, but and if it be death he gather, or if, then this fruit only, that zoa come, that fruit of bitterness, which when he shall have tasted of, all the bright lights of heaven shall become as darkness, and all earth's goodness as ashes in his mouth, all his life's days until he die. He paused. The Lord just stood still, quailing not at all beneath that dreadful gaze. His company behind him stirred and whispered. Lord Brandoc de Ha, with mockery in his eye, said somewhat to Goldry Blusko under his breath. But the King spoke again to the Lord just. Be not deceived. These things I say unto thee, not as labouring to scare you from your set purpose with frights and fairy-babes. I know your quality too well. But I have read signs in heaven. Not clear but threatful unto both you and me. For thy good I say it, O just, and again, for that our last speech leaveeth the firmest print. Be advised. Turn back from Carci, or it be too late. Lord just hearkened attentively to the words of Garice the King, and when he had ended, answered and said, O King, thou hast given us terrible good counsel. But it was riddle-wise. And hearing thee, mine eye was still on the crown thou wearest, made in the figure of a crabfish, which because it looks one way and goes another, me thought did fitly pattern out thy looking to our perils, but seeking the while thine own advantage. The King gave him an ill look, saying, I am thy Lord Paramount, with subjects it sits not to use this familiar style unto thy King. Just answered, Thou dost thee and thou me, and indeed it were folly in either of us, twain, to bend neat at tither, when the Lordship of all the earth weareth on the victor in our great contention. Thou hast been open with me, which land, to let me know thou art uneager to strike a field with us. I will be open too, and I will make an offer unto thee, and this it is, that we will depart out of thy country, and do no more unpeaceful deeds against thee, till thou provokers again, and thou of thy part, of all the land of demon land, shalt give up thy quarrel, and of Pixiland and Impland beside, and shalt yield me up courses and Carinius thy servants, that I may punish them for the beastly deeds they did in our land, when as we were not there to guard it. He ceased, and for a minute they beheld each other in silence. Then the King lifted up his chin and smiled a dreadful smile. Carinius whispered mockingly in his ear, Lord, you may lightly give them courses, that were easy composition and false coin too, he thinks. Stand back at thy place, said the King, and hold thy peace. And unto Lord Joss he said, Of all ensuing harm the cause is in thee, for I am now resolved never to put up my sword, until of thy bleeding head I may make a football. And now let the earth be afraid, and Cynthia obscure her shine. No more words but mum. Thunder and blood and night must usurp our parts. To complete and make up the catastrophe of this great peace. That night the King walked late in his chamber in the Iron Tower alone. These three years passed he had seldom resorted dither, and then commonly but to bear away some or other of his books to study in his own lodging. His jars and flasks and bottles of blue and green and purple glass, wherein he kept his cursed drugs and electuaries of secret composition, his Athols and Athanoes, his Crucibles, his horse-bellied retoits and alembics and bansmeries, stood a row on shelves, coated with dust, and hung about with the dull spider's weavings. The furnace was cold. The glass of the windows was clouded with dirt. The walls were mildewed. The air of the chamber, fusty and stagnant. The King was deep in his contemplation, with a big black book open before him on the six-sided reading-stand. The damner-blust of all his books. The same which had taught him a foretime what he must do, when by the wicked power of enchantment he had wanted but little to have confounded demon-land, and all the lords thereof in death and ruin. The open page under his hand was a parchment discoloured with edge, and the writing on the page was in characters of ancient out-of-fashion crabberedness, heavy and black, and the great initial letters and the illuminated borders were painted and gilded in dark and fiery hues, with representations of dreadful faces, and forms of serpents, and toad-faced men, and apes and manticaws, and succubi and incubi, and obscene representations, and figures of unlawful meaning. These were the words of the writing on the page, which the King conned over and over, falling again into a deep study between wiles, and then conning these words again of an age-old prophetic writing touching the pre-ordinate destinies of the royal house of Garras in Corsi. So shall your house stand and be unto eternity, yet walk weirdly, wittingful certainly, that if impiously, the second time in the body, practising grammary, one of ye catch'd shall be, by the fiendish subtlety, and his life lost it me, broke is then this seary, damned are you then eternally, ye shouldest thou then never more see, scarcely the gods must rescue ye out of the hell where you will lee unto eternity, the stairs to hell did me. Garras the King stood up and went to the south window. The casement-bolts were rusted. He forced them, and they flew back with a shriek and a clatter, and a thin shower of dust and grit. He opened the window and looked out. The heavy night grew to her depth of quiet. There were lights far out in the marshes. The lights of Lord Just's campfire of his armies gathered against Corsi. Scarcely without a chill might a man have looked upon that King standing by the window, for there was in the tall lean frame of him an iron aspect, as of no natural flesh and blood, but some harder, colder element. And his countenance, like the picture of some dark divinity graven ages ago by men long dead, bore the imprint of those old qualities of unrelenting power, scorn, violence, and oppression, ancient as night herself, yet untouched by age, young as each night when it shuts down, and old and elemental as the primeval dark. A long while he stood there. Then came again to his book. Garice Seventh, he said in himself. That was once in the body, and I have done better than that, but not yet well enough. It is too hazardous the second time alone. Corund is a man undaunted in war, but the man is too superstitious, and quakeeth at that which hath not flesh and blood. Apparitions and urchin shows can quiet unman him. There's Carinius, carith not for God or man a point, but he is too rash and unadvised. I were mad to trust him in it. Worth a goblin here it might be carried. Damnable both sides villain, he's cast off from me. He scanned the page as if his piercing eyes would thrust beyond the barriers of time and death, and discover some new meaning in the words, which should agree better with the thing his mind desired, while his judgment forbade it. He says, damn deternally. He says that breaketh the series, and earth shunts thou then nevermore see. Put him by. And the king slowly shut up his book, and locked it with three padlocks, and put back the key in his bosom. The need is not yet, he said. The sword shall have his day, and Corund, but if that fail me, then even this shall not turn me back, but I will do that I will do. In the same hour when the king was but now entered again into his own lodgings, came through a runner of Hemings to let them know that he, fifteen hundred strong, marched down the way of kings from Pixiland. Moreover, they were advertised that the demon fleet lay in the river that night, and it was not unlike the attack should be in the morning, by land and water. All night the king sat in his chamber, holding counsel with his generals, and ordering all things for the morrow. All night long he closed not his eyes an instant, but the others he made sleep by turns because they should be brisk and ready for the battle. For this was their counsel, to draw out their whole army on the left bank before the bridge-gate, and there offer battle to the demons at point of day. For if they should abide within doors and suffer the demons to cut young Heming off from the bridge-gate, then were he lost, and if the bridge-house should fall and the bridge, then might the demons lightly ship what force they pleased to the right bank, and so closely invest them in carcy. Of an attack on the right bank there had no fear, well knowing themselves able to sit within doors and laugh at them, since the walls there were inexpunable. But if a battle were now brought about before the bridge-gate as they were minded, and Heming should join in the fight from the eastward, there was good hope that they should be able to crumple up the battle of the demons, driving them in upon their centre from the west whilst Heming smote them on the other part. Whereby these should be cast into a great rout and confusion, and not able to escape away to their ships, but there in the fennlands before carcy should be made a prey unto the witches. When it was the cold last hour before the dawn, the generals took from the king their latest commands, and there they drew forth their armies. Carinius came forth first from the king's chamber, a little while before the rest. In the draughty corridor the lamps swung and smocked, making an uncertain, windy light. Carinius aspired by the stair-head the Lady Sreva standing, whether watching to bid her father a Jew, or but following idle curiosity. Whichever it were, not a fecal gave he for that, but coming swiftly upon her whisked her aside into an alcove, where the light was barely enough to let him see the pale shimmer of her silken gown, dark hair pinned loosely up in deep, snakey coils, and dark eyes shining. My witty, false one, have I caught thee? Nay, fight not! Thy breath smells like cinnamon. Kiss me, Sreva. I'll not, said she, striving to escape. Naughty man, am I used thus! But finding she got nought by struggling, she said in a law-voice, well, if thou bring back demon-land tonight, then let's hold more chat. Harkon to the naughty traitorous, said he, that but last night did dis-do me some uncivil discurtises, and now speaketh me fair. And what a devil for, if not because of Seymouth I'll likely not come back after this day's fight. But I'll come back, mistress kissin' be gone. I, by the gods, and I'll have my payment, too." His lips fed deep on her lips. His strong and greedy hands softly mastered her against her will, till, with a little smothered cry, she embraced him, bruising her tender body against the armour he was girt withal. Between the kisses she whispered, yes, yes, to-night. Surely he dammed spiteful fortune that sent him not this encounter by an half hour sooner. When he was departed, Sreva remained in the shadow of the alcove to set in order her hair and apparel, not a little disarray in that hot wooing. Out of which darkness she had convenience to observe the leaf-taking of Presmyra and her lord, as they came down that windy corridor and paused at the head of the stairs. Presmyra had her arm in his. I know where the devil keepeth his tail, madam, said Corrand, and I know where very traitor when I see him. When dost thou ever yet fair ill by following of my council, my lord, said Presmyra, or did I refuse thee ever anything thou disrequire me of? These seven years since I put off my maiden's own for thee. And twenty kings sought me in sweet marriage, but thee I preferred before them all, seeing the falcon shall not meet with poppinshers, nor the she-eagle with swans and busters. And will you say near to me in this? She stood round to face him. The pupils of her great eyes were large in the doubtful lamp-light, swallowing their green fires in deep pools of mystery and darkness. The rich and gorgeous ornaments of her crown and girdle seemed but a poor casket for that matchless beauty which was hers. Her face, where every noble and sweet quality and everything desirable of earth or heaven, had framed each feature to itself. The glory of her hair, like the red sun's glory, her whole body's poison posture, like a stately bird's new lighted after flight. Though it be very rhubarb to me, said Conn, shall I say near to thee this tide, not this tide, my queen? Thanks, dear my lord, disarm him and bring him in, if you may. The king shall not refuse us this to pardon his folly, when thou shalt have obtained this victory for him upon our enemies. The Lady Sreever might hear no more. How can she never so curiously? But when there were now come to the stair-foot, Conn paused a minute to try the buckles of his harness. His brow was clouded. At lengthy spake, this shall be a battle mortal fierce, and doubt us for both parties. Against such mighty opposites as here we have, it is possible. No more. But kiss me, dear lass. And if—touched will not be. And yet I'd not leave it unsaid. If ill-tide ill, I'd not have thee waste all thy days aggrieving. Thou knowest I am not one of your sour envious jacks. Bear so poor a conceit of themselves, they begrudge their wives should wed again, lest the next husband should prove the better man. But Prasmyra came near to him with good and merry countenance. Let me stop thy mouth, my lord. These be foolish thoughts for a great king going into battle. Come back in triumph, and in the mean season think on me that wait for thee. As a star waits, dear my lord. And never doubt the issue. The issue, answered he, I'll tell thee when it is done. I'm no astronomer. I'll hew with my sword, love. Spoil some of their guesses if I may. Good fortune in my love, go with thee, she said. Sreva, coming forth from her hiding, hastened to her mother's lodging. And there found her that had just bid adieu to her two sons, her face all blubbered with tears. In the same instant came the juco-husband to change his sword. And the ladies in Ambria caught him about the neck and would have kissed him. But he shook her off, crying out that he was weary of her and her slobbering mouth, menacing her besides with filthy implications, that he would drag her with him and cast her to the demons, who, since they had a strong loathing for such ugly tits and sterl old trots, would no doubt hang her up, or disembowel her, and so rid him of his lasting consumption. Therewith he went forth hastily. But his wife and daughter, either weeping upon other, came down into the court, meaning to go up to the tower above the water-gate, to see the army marshaled beyond the river. And on the way, Sreva related all she had heard said betwixt Corlund and Presmira. In the court they met with Presmira's self, and she, going with blithe countenance and light tread, and humming a merry tune, bared them good moral. You can bear these things more bravelier than we, madam, said Zen Ambria. We be too gentle-hearted, methinks, and pitiful. Presmira replied upon her, "'Tis true, madam, I have not the weak sense of some of you soft-eyed whimpering ladies, and by your leave I'll keep my tears, which be great spoilers of the cheeks beside, until I need them.' When they were passed by, "'Is it not a stony livid and a shameless hussy, or my mother?' said Sreva? And is it not scandalous, her laughing and gestings, as I have told it thee, when she did bid him adieu, devising only how best she might coax him to serve the life of yonder chambering traitorous hound?' "'With home,' said Zen Ambria, she wanted to do the thing I'd think shame to speak on. Truly this foreign madam with her loose and wanton wares doth scandal the whole land for us.' But Presmira went her way. Glad that she had not by an eyelid's flicker let her lord guess what a dread possessed her mind, who had in all the bitter nights seen strange and cruel visions, but ending loss and ruin of all she held dear. Now, when dawn appeared, was the king's whole army drawn out in battle array before the bridge-house. Carinius held command on the left. There followed him fifteen hundred chosen troops of witch-land, with the dukes of Trace and Estraganzia, besides these kings and princes with their outlandish levers, the king of Minia, Count Escobarine of Tsucia, and the Red Foliot. Corsus led the centre, and with him went king Erp of Elyon, and his green-coated sling-casters, the king of Neverea, Axtacus, Lord of Permior, the king of Guilter, Aulis of Tecapan, and other captains, seventeen hundred men in all. The right the Lord Corrin had chosen for himself. Two thousand witch-land troops, the likeliest and best, hardened to war in Implund and Demonland and the south-eastern borders, followed his standard, beside the heavy spearmen of Balthery and swordsmen of Butene and R. Viglis's son was there, and the Count of Thramne, Caderus, Diderus of Lagos, and the Lord of Estramarine. But when the demons were aware of that great army standing before the bridge-gate, they put themselves in a rare for battle, and their ships made ready to move up the river under Carci, if by any means they might attack the bridge by water, and so cut off for the witches their way of retreat. It was bright, low sunshine, and the splendour of the jewelled army of the demons, and their many-coloured curtles, and the plumes that were in their helms, was a wonder to behold. This was the order of their battle. On their left, nearest the river, was a great company of horse, and the Lord branducked a heart to lead them on a great golden done with fiery eyes. His island-men, Melchar and Thormrod, with Cameroar of Stropardon, and Sturkmyr and Stipmar, were the chief captains that rode with him to that battle. Next to these came the heavy troops from the east, and the Lord just himself their leader, on a tall, fierce, big-boned chestnut. About him was his picked body-guard of horse, with Bremory of Shaw's there, captain, and in his battle were these chiefs besides Astar of Retray and Gismore Gleam of Justdale and Peridore of Sule. Lord Spitfire led the centre, and with him Fendore of Shalgroth and Emeron, and the men of Dolny, Great Spearman, also the Duke of Azumel, sometime allied with Witchland. There went also with him the Lord Grawl, that scanned still those ancient walls with a heavy heart, thinking on that great king within, and with what mastery of intellect and will he ruled of those dark, turbulent, and bloody men, who bear sway under him, thinking on Queen Presmyra. To his sick imagining, the blackness of Carcy, which no bright morning light might lighten, seemed not as of old the image and emblem of the royal house of Witchland, and their high magnificency and power on earth, but rather the shadow thrown before, of destiny and death, ready to put down that power for ever. Which whether it should so before Lord Know, he did not greatly care, being a weary of life and life's fevers, wild longings, and exorbitant effects, whereof he thought he had now learned much, that to him, who as it seemed must still adhere to his own falls, abandoning the other's service, fortune through whatever chop could bring Know peace at last. On the demon right, the Lord Goldry Bluscoe streamed his standard, leading to battle the south furthers, and the heavy spearmen of Marderdale and Thrallwater. With him was King Gaslock, and his army of Goblinland, and Levys from Orgedia and Ustland, lately revolted from their allegiance to King Garice. The Lord Zigg, with his light horse of Ramaric and Kellioland, and the northern Dales, covered their flank to the eastward. Garice the King beheld these dispositions from his tower above the water-gate. He beheld, besides, a thing the demons might not see from below, for a little swelling of the ground that cut off their view. The marching of men far away along the way of kings from the eastward, young hemming with the vassalry of Pixiland and Maltrini. He sent a trusty man to apprise Korund of it. Now, Lord, just let blow up the battle-call, and with the loud braing of the trumpets, the hosts of the demons swung forth to battle, and the clash of those armies, when they met before Garcy, was like the bursting of a thunder-cloud. But like a great sea-cliff, patient for ages under the storm-wind's furies, that not one night's loud wind and charging-breakers can wear away, nor yet a thousand-thousand nights, the embattled strength of whichland met their onset, mixed with them, flung them back, and stood unremoved. Korund's iron battalions bear in this first brunt to the heaviest lord, and bear it through. For the ships, with young Hesper-Golthering in command, most fiercely urging them, ran up the river to force the bridge, and Korund, whilst he met on his front the onset of the flower of demon-land, must still be shot at by these behind. Hackmon and Viglis, those young princes' sons, were charged with the warding of the bridge and walls, to burn and break up their ships, and they of all hands bestaring them twice and thrice through back the demons, when they had gotten a footing on the bridge. Until, in fine, both sides for a long space fighting very cruelly, it fell out very fatally against Hesper and his power. His ships all lighted in a lull, and the more part of his folk burned or drowned or slain with the sword, and himself, after many ungrievous wounds in his last attempt, left alone on the bridge, and crawling to have got away was stabbed in with a dagger and died. After this the ships fell back down the river, so many as might avail there too, and those sons of Korund, their task manfully fulfilled, came forth with their folk to join in the main battle, and the smoke of the burning ships was like incense in the nostrils of the king, watching these things from his tower above the water-gate. Little pause was there betwixt this first brunt and the next, for hemming no bear down from the east, driven zig's horsemen that were hampered in the heavy ground, and pressed his onset home on the demon-right. Along the whole line from Korund's pulse beside the river, to the eastern flank where hemming joined Carinius, the witch is now set on most fiercely, and now with the odds of numbers, which were at first against them, swung mightily in their favour, and under this great side-blow on his flank, not all the Lord Goldriblosco's soldiership, nor all the terror of his mighty arms, could uphold the demon's battle-line. Yard by yard they fell back before the witches, most gloriously maintaining their array unbroken, though the outland allies broken fled. Meantime, on the demon left, Jus and Brandoc Dahar most stubbornly withstood that onslaught, albeit they had to do with the first and chosen troops of witch-land. In which struggle befell the most bloody fighting that was yet seen that day, and the stour of battle so asper and so mortal that it was hard to see how any man should come out from it with life, since not a man of either side would budge an inch, but die there in his steps if he might not rather slay the foe before him. So the arm is swayed for an hour, like wrasslers locked, but in the end the Lord Corrin had his way, and held his ground before the bridge-gate. Romanoid of Dolny, galloping to Lord Jus where he paused a while, panting from violence of the battle, brought him by Spitfire's command tidings from the right, telling him Goldrae's self could hold no longer against such odds, that the centre yet held, but at the next onset was like to break, or the right-winger else be driven in upon their rear, and all overwhelmed. If your honours cannot throw back Corrin, all is lost. These short minutes lull, if lull it were when all the time the battle like a sounding sea rolled on with the ceaseless noise of riding and slaying and the clang of arms, just chores. Demon-land and the whole world's destinies hung on his choice. He had no counsellor, he had no time for slow deliberation. In such a moment, imagination, resolution, swift decision, all high gifts of nature, on note. Swift horses gulfed and lost in the pit which fate the enemy digged in the way before them. Except painful knowledge, stored up patiently through years of practice, shall have prepared a road sure and clean for their flying hooves to bear them in the great hour of destiny. So it was from the beginning with all great captains. So would the Lord Jus in that hour, when ruin swooped upon his armies. For two minutes' space he stood silent, then sent Bremory of Shaw's galloping westward, like one minded to break his neck, with his orders to Lord Brandt at the Har, and Romanoid eastward again to Spitfire. And Jus himself, riding forward among his soldiers, shouted among them in a voice that was like a trumpet thundering, that they should now make ready for the fiercest trial of all. "'Is my cousin mad?' said Lord Brandt at the Har, when he saw and understood the whole substance and matter of it. For hath he found Corrin so tame to deal with, he can make shift without me, and well now hath his strength, and yet withstand him. "'He looseth this hold,' answered Bremory, to snatch at safety. It is desperate, but all other ways we but wait on destruction. Our right is clean-driven in, the left holdeth but hardly. He charges to your highness and break their centre, if you may. They have somewhat dangerously advanced their left, and therein is their momentary peril, if we be swift enough. But remember that here, or this side, is their greatest power before us, and if we be well now, you can compass it. "'No more but yes,' said Lord Brandt at the Har. "'Time gallopeth. So must we. Even so in that hour, when Goldry and Zig, giving way step by step before superior odds, were bent back well now with their backs to the river, and Corrin'd on the demon's left had, after a bitter battle, checked and held them, and threatened now to complete in one more great blow the ruin of them all. Just, choosing a desperate expedient to meet a danger that else must destroy him, weakened his hard-pressed left to throw Brandt at the Har and well now eight hundred horse into Spitfire's battle, to drive a wedge between its courses and Corrinneas. It was now long past noon. The tempest of battle had acquired under while for utter weariness, roared forth anew from wing to wing, as Brandt at the Har hurled his horsemen upon courses and the subject allies, while all along the battle-line the demons rallied to fling back the enemy. For a breathless while the issue hung in suspense. Then the men of Gilter and Nevrea broke and fled. Brandt at the Har and his cavalry swept through the gap, wheeled right and left, and took courses and Corrinneas in flank and rear. There fell in this onset Axtacus Lord of Permio, the kings of Elion and Gilter, Goraeus the son of Corsus, the Count of Tsucia, and many other noblemen and men of Mark. Of the demons many were hurt, and many slain, but none of great note save Cameroor of Strapardon, whose head Corrinneas swapped off clean with a blow of his battleaxe, and Trentmore, whom Corsus smote full in the stomach with a javelin, so that he fell down from his horse and was dead at once. Now was all the left and centre of the witch's battle thrown into great confusion, and the allies most of all fallen into disorder and feigned to yield themselves and pray for mercy. The king, seeing the extent of this disaster, sent a galloper to Corrinne, who straightway sent to Corsus and Corrinneas, commanding them to get them at their speediest with all their folk back into Corsi, while time yet served. Himself in the meantime, showing now, like the sun, his greatest countenance in his lowest estate, set on with his weary army to stem the advance of Jus, who now momentarily gathered fresh force against him, and to keep open for the rest of the king's forces there aware by the bridge-gate into Corsi. Corrinneas, when he understood it, galloped together with a band of men to aid Corrinne, and this did likewise Hemming and Decalages and other captains of the witches. But Corsus himself, counting the day lost, and considering that he was an old man, and had fought no long enough, got him privily back into Corsi as quickly as he was able, and truly he was bleeding from many wounds. By this great stand of Corrinne and his men was time won for a great part of the residue of the army to escape into Corsi. And ever the witches were put aback and lost much ground, yet ever the Lord Corrinne by his great valiance and noble heart reconfited his folk, so that they gave back very slowly, most bloodily disputing the ground foot by foot to the bridge-gate, that they also might win in again, so many as might. Just said, this is the greatest deed of arms that ever I in the days of my life did see, and I have so great an admiration and wonder in my heart for Corrinne that almost I would give him peace. But I have sworn now to have no peace with which land. Lord Grower was in that battle with the demons. He ran didderous through the neck with his sword, so that he fell down and was dead. Corrinne, when he saw it, heaved up his axe, but changed his intention in the manage, saying, All land, skip of iniquity, shout thou kill beside me the men of mine household, but my friendship sitteth not on a weather-vane, live and be a traitor. But Grower, being mightily moved with these words, and staring at great Corrinne wide-eyed like a man roused from a dream, answered, Have I done a miss? It is easily remedied. Therewith he turned about and slew a man of demon land, which spitfire seeing, he cried out upon Grower in a great rage for a most filthy traitor, and bloodily rushing in thrust him through the buckler into the brain. In such wise, and by such a sudden vengeance, did the Lord Grower most miserably end his life-days. Who, being a philosopher and a man of peace, careless of particular things of earth, had followed and observed all his days steadfastly, one heavenly star. Yet now in the bloody battle before Carsey died in the common opinion of men, a manifold, perjured traitor, that had at length gotten the gooden of his guile. Now came the Lord Jus with a great rout of men armed on his great horse, with his sword dripping with blood, and the battle sprang up into yet more noise and fury, and great man slaying befell, and many able men of which land fell in that stour, and the demons had almost put them from the bridge-gate. But the Lord Corrinne, rallying his folk, swung back yet again the battle-tide, albeit he was by a great odds outnumbered, and he sought none but Jus himself in that deadly melee. Who, when he saw him coming, he refused him not, but made against him most fiercely, and with great clanging blows there swapped together a while, until Corrinne hewed Jus' shield asunder, and struck him from his horse. Jus, leaping up again, thrust up at Corrinne with his sword, and with the violence of the blow, break through the rings of his bernie about his middle, and drave the sword into his breast. And Corrinne felled him to earth with a great downstroke on the helm, so that he lay senseless. Still the battle raged before the bridge-gate, and great wounds were given and taken of either side. But now the sons of Corrinne saw that their father had lost much of his blood, and waxed feeble, and the residue of his folk seeing it too, and seeing themselves so few against so many, began to be abashed. So those sons of Corrinne, riding up to him on either side with a band of men, made him turn back with them, and go with them in by the gate to Caucy, the which he did like a man amazed and knowing not what he doeth. And indeed it was a great marvel how so great a lord, wounded to the death, might sit on horse-mack. In the great court he was gotten down from his horse. The Lady Presmira, when she perceived that his harness was all red with blood, and saw his wound, fell not down in the swoon as another might, but took his arm about her shoulder and saw supported, with her stepsons to help her, that great frame which could no more support itself, yet had till that hour borne up against the whole world's strength in arms. Leaches came that she had called for, and a litter, and they brought him to the banquet-hole, but after no long while those learned men confessed his hurt was deadly, and all their cunning nought. Whereupon, much disdaining to die in bed, not in the field fighting with his enemies, the Lord Corrinne cursed himself completely armed and wept, with the stains and dust of the battle yet upon him, to be set in his chair, there to await death. Hemming, when this was done, came to tell it to the King, where from the tower above the water-gate he beheld the end of this battle. The demons held the bridge-house. The fight was done. The King sat in his chair looking down to the battlefield. His dark mantle was about his shoulders. He leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. They of his bodyguard, nine or ten, stood huddled together some yards away as if afraid to approach him. As Hemming came near, the King turned his head slowly to look at him. The low sun, swinging blood-red over Tänemos, shone full on the King's face. And as Hemming looked in the face of the King, fear got hold upon him, so that he doth not speak a word to the King, but made obeisance and departed again, trembling like one who was seen a sight beyond the veil. CHAPTER XXXII Of the Council of War, and how the Lord Corsus, being rejected of the King, turned his thoughts to other things, and of the last conjuring that was in Corsi, and the last wine-bibbing. And how yet once again the Lady Presmira spoke with the Lords of Demonland in Corsi. Geras the King held in his private chamber a Council of War on the Morrow of the Battle before Corsi. The morning was overcast with sullen cloud, and though all the windows were thrown wide, the sluggish air hung heavy in the room, as if it too were perverted by the cold dark humour that clogged the vitals of those Lords of Witchland like a drowsy drug, or as if the stars would breathe themselves for a greater mischief. Pale and drawn were those Lords' faces, and for all their strove to put on a brave countenance before the King, clean gone was the vigour and warlike mien that cloved them but yesterday. Only Carinius kept some spring of his old valiancy and portly bearing, seated with arms of Kimbo over against the King, his heavy underjaw set forward, and his nostrils wide. He had slept ill, or watched late, for his eyes were blood-shotten, and the breath of his nostrils was heavy with wine. "'We tarry for Corsus,' said the King. Had he not word of my bidding?' "'The collages said, Lord, I will summon him again. These misfortunes I fear me hang heavy on his mind, and by your Majesty's leap he is scarce his own man since yesterday.' "'Do it straight,' said the King. "'Give me thy papers, Carinius. Thou art my general since Corrand got his death. I will see what yesterday hath cost us, and what power yet remaineth to crush me these snakes by force of arms.' "'These be the numbers, O King,' said Carinius. "'But three thousand and five hundred fighting men, and well now half of these overmuch crippled with wounds to do ought, save behind closed walls. It were but to give the demons easy victory to adventure against them that stand before Carci four thousand sound men in arms.' The King blew scornfully through his nostrils. "'Who told thee their strength?' said he. "'It were dangerous to write them down a man fewer,' answered Carinius. "'And Hacmon said, My Lord the King, I would adventure my head they have more. And your Majesty will not forget they be all flown with eagerness and pride after yesterday's field, whereas our men—' "'Were ye sons of Corrand?' said the King, breaking inquietly on his speech, and looking dangerously upon him. But twigs of your father's tree, that he being cut down ye have no manhood left, nor vital sap, but straight wither in idiotish dotage. I will not have these womanish counsels spoke in Carci. No, nor thought in Carci.' Carinius said, "'We had sure intelligence, O King, when as they landed, that their main army was six thousand fighting men, and last night myself spake with fuller score of our officers, and had a true tale of some few of the demons captured by us before they were slain with the sword. When I say to you just standeth before Carci four thousand strong, I swell not the truth. His losses yesterday were but a flea-biting against ours.' The King nodded a curt ascent. Carinius proceeded, "'If we might contrive indeed to raise help from without Carci, were it but five hundred spears to distract his mind some part from usward? Not but your majestist's strict command should steer me, but I should assault him. It were perilous even so, but never have you known me leave a fruit unplucked at, for fear of thorns. But until that time, not but your straight command might win me to essay a sale, since well I want it were my death, and the ruin of you, or King, and of all witch-land.' The King listened with unmoved countenance. His chevon lip set somewhat in a sneer. His eyes half closed like the eyes of a cat crouched Sphinx-like in the sun. But no sun shone in that council-chamber. The leaden Paul hung darker without, even as morning grew toward noon. "'My Lord the King,' said Heming, "'send me. To oversleep their guards at the night is not a thing beyond invention. That done, I'd gather you some small head of men, enough to serve this turn, if I must rake the seven kingdoms to find them.' While Heming spoke, the door opened, and the Duke Corsus entered the chamber. An ill sight was he, flabbier of cheek and duller of eye than was his want. His face was bloodless, his great paunch seemed shrunken, and his shoulders yet more hunched since yesterday. His gait was uncertain, and his hand shook as he moved the chair from the board, and took his seat before the King. The King looked on him awhile in silence, and under that gear's beads of sweat stood on Corsus's brow, and his underlip twitched. "'We need thy counsel, O Corsus,' said the King. "'Thus it is. Since our ill-fist stars gave victory to the demon rebels in yesterday's battle, just send his brethren fronters with four thousand men, whilst I have not two thousand soldiers unhurt in Carsey. Carinius accounted thus too weak to risk a sally, but an if we might contrive some diversion from without. And that, after yesterday, is not to be thought on. Hither and to melly-cafcas did we draw all our powers, and the subject allies not for our love but for fear's sake, and for lust of gain flocked to our standard. These caterpillars drop off now. Yet if we fight not, then is our strength in arms clean spent, and our enemies need but to sit before Carsey till we be starved. It is a point of great difficulty, and knotty to solve. "'Difficult indeed, O my Lord the King,' said Corsus. His glance shifted round the board, avoiding the steady gears bent on him from beneath the eaves of King Garise's brow, and resting at last on the jewelled splendour of the crown of witch-land on the King's head. "'O King,' he said, "'you demand my reed, and I shall not say nor counsel you nothing but that good and well shall come thereof, as much as yet may be in this pass we stand in, for now is our greatness turned in wall, dollar, and heaviness, and easy it is to be afterwitted.' He paused, and his under-jaw wobbled and twitched. "'Speak on,' said the King, though stutterest forth nothing by fits and guards, as an egg you take of the goose. Let me know thy reed.' "'Corsus said, "'You will not take it, I know, O King. For we of witch-land have ever been ruled by the rock rather than by the rudder. I had lever be silent. Silence was never written down.' "'Thou wouldst, and thou wouldst not,' said the King. "'Wence got us thou this look of a dish of whey with blood spit in it. Speak, O thou tangamy.' "'Then blame me not, O King,' said Corsus. "'Thus it seemed to me. The hour hath struck when, as we of witch-land, must needs look calamity in the eye, and acknowledge we have thrown our last, and lost all. The demons as we have seen, to our undoing, be unconquerable in war, yet are their minds pranked with many silly fantasies of honour and courtesy, which may preserve us the poor dregs yet unspilt from the cup of our fortune, if we but leave unseasonable pride and see where our advantage lieth.' "'Chat, chat, chat,' said the King. "'Pedition catch me if I can find a meaning in it. What dost thou bid me do?' "'Corsus met the King's eye at last. He braced himself as if to meet a blow. Throw not your cloak in the fire because your house is burning, O King. Surrender all to just, at his discretion. And trust me, the foolish softness of these demons will leave us freedom, and the wherewithal to live at ease.' The King was leaned a little forward as Corsus, somewhat dry throated but gathering heart as he spake, blurted forth his council of defeat. No man among them looked on Corsus, but all on the King, and for a minute's space was no sound save the sound of breathing in that chamber. Then a puff of hot hair blew a window too with a thud, and the King, without moving his head, rolled his awful glance forth and back over his council slowly, fixing each in his turn. And the King said, "'Unto which of you is this council acceptable? Let him speak and instruct us.' All did sit mum-like beasts. The King spake again, saying, "'It is well. Whether of my council such another vermin, so sottish, so louse-hearted, as this one hath proclaimed himself, I had been persuaded which land was a sleepy pair, corrupted in her inward parts. And that was so I had given order straight away for the sally, and for his chastening and your dishonour, this Corsus should have led you, and so an end ere the impostume of our shame break forth too foul before earth and heaven. "'I admire not, Lord, that you do strike at me,' said Corsus, "'yet I pray you think how many kings in Carsey have heaped with injurious indignities them that were so hardiest to give them wholesome council of whore their fall. Though your majesty were a half-god, or a fury out of the pit, you could not by further resisting deliver us out of this net, wherein the demons have gotten as caught and tied. You can keep geese no longer, O King. Will you rend me, because I bid you be content to keep gozlings?' Carinius smolt the table with his fist. "'O monstrous vermin,' he cried, "'because thou were scalded must all we be a feared of cold water.' But the King stood up in his majesty, and Corsus shrank beneath the flame of his royal anger. And the King spirked and said, "'The council is up, my lords. For thee, Corsus, I dismiss thee from my council. Thou art to thank my clemency that I take not thy head for this. It were for thy better safety, which well I know thou prizedest, dearer than mine honour, that thou show not in my path till these perilous days be over-past.' "'And unto Carinius,' he said, "'on thy headed lyeth that the demons storm not the hold, as happily their hot pride may incense them to attempt. Expect me not at supper. I lie in the iron tower to-night, and that none disturb me there at peril of his head. You of my council must attend me here four hours ere to-morrow's noon. Look to it well, Carinius, that nought shalt thou do, nor in any wise adventure our forces against the demons, till thou receive my further bidding, save only to hold carcy against any assault if need be. For this thy life shall answer. For the demons there were wisest prayers a fair day at night. If mine enemy uprooted bolder above my dwelling, so I be mighty now of mine hands I may, even in the nick of time that it tottereth to leap and crush mine house, or set it on him, and patch him to a mummy.' So speaking the king moved resolute with a great strong step toward the door. "'There, Paul's tea, his hand upon the silver latch, and looking tigerishly on-courses. Be advised,' he said, "'thou, cross not my path again. Nor, while I think, can't send me not thy daughter again, as last year thou didst. Apt to the sport she is, and welly now she served my turn a foretime. But the king of which land suppeth not twice of the same dish, nor lacketh he fresh wenches if he need them. Where at all they're laughed! But, of course, his fair screw read as blood.' On such wise break up the council. Carinius, with the sons of Corund and of Corsus, went upon the walls, ordering all in obedience to the word of Geras the king. But that old Duke Corsus betook him to his chamber in the north gallery. Nor might he abide even a small while at ease, but set now in his carbon chair, now on the windowsill, now on his broad canopy bed, and now walked to the chamber floor, twisting his hands and gnawing his lip. And if he were distraught in mind, small wonder it were, set as he was, betwixt hawk and buzzard, the king's wrath menacing him in carcy, and the hosts of demon land without. So wore the day till supper time, and at supper was Corsus, to their much amaze, sitting in his place, and the lad is Zenambria and Sreba with him. He drank deep, and when supper was done he filled a goblet, saying, My lord, the king of demon land, and ye other witches, good it is that we, who stand as now we stand, with one foot in the jaws of destruction, should bear with one another. Neither should any hide his thought from other, but say openly, even as I this morning before the faith of our lord the king, his thought and council. Wherefore, without shame, do I confess me ill-advised to-day, when I urged the king to make peace with demon land. I wax old, and old men will often embrace timorous councils, which, if there be wisdom and valiancy left in them, they soon renounce when the stress is over-past, and they have leisure to after-think them with a sad mind. And clear as day it is that the king was right, both in his chastening of my faint courage, and in his bidding thee, O King Carinius, stand to thy watch, and do not till this night be worn. For went he not to the iron tower? And to what end else spendeth he the night in yonder chamber of dread, than to do sorcery, or his magic art, as a four-time he did, and in such wise blast these demons to perdition even in the spring-tide of their fortunes. At no point of time hath witch-land greater need of our wishes than at this coming midnight, and I pray you, my lords, let us meet a little before in this hall, that we with one heart and mind may drink fair fortune to the king's enchantery. With such pleasant words and sympathetical insinuations, working at a season when the wine-cup had close to unfold some gayness in their hearts, that were fore-done with the hard scapes and chances of disastrous war, was, of course, has grown to friendship again with the lords of witch-land. So, when the guard was set, and all made sure for the night, they came together in the great banquet-hole, whereas more than three years ago the prince Lafairies had feasted, and after-fault against them of witch-land. But now was he drowned among the shifting tides in the straits of Melacapcas. And the Lord Corrond, that fought that night in such valiant wise, now in that same hole, armed from throat to foot, has become with a great soldier dead, lay in state, crowned on his brow with the amethystine crown of Impland. The spacious side-benches were untenanted, and void their high seats, and the cross-bench was removed to make place for Corrond's beer. The lords of witch-land sat at a small table below the dais, Corrinius in the seat of honour at the end nearest the door, and over against him Corsus, and on Corrinius is left Zanambria, and on his right Decalage is Sunder Corsus, and then Heming, and on Corsus is left his daughter Sreva, and those two remaining of Corrond's sons on his right. All were there, said Presmyra, and her had none seen since her lord's death, but she kept her chamber. Flamboy stood in the silver stands as of old, lighting the lonely spaces of the hall, and four candles shivered round the beer where Corrond slept. Fair goblets stood on the board, brimmed with dark, sweet, thrumny and wine, one for each feast of their, and cold bacon pies, and botargos, and crawfish in hippocross sauce furnished a light midnight meal. Now scarce were they set, when the flamboy's burned pale in a strange light from without doors, and evil, pallid, bell-like lull, such as groe had beheld in days gone by, when King Aras the twelfth first conjured in carcy. Corrinius paused there taking his seat. Goodly and stolward he showed in his blue-silk cloak and silvered burny, the fair crown of demon-land, wherewith courses had been enforced to crown him on that great night in Owlswick, shone above his light-brown, curling hair. Youth and lusty-hood stood forth in every line of his great frame, and on his bare arms smoothened brawny, with their wristlets of gold. But somewhat ghastly was the corpse-like pallor of that light on his chevon-jowl, and his thick scornful lips were blackened like those of poisoned men in that light of bale. "'So ye not this light of foretime,' he cried, and was the shadow before the sun of our omnipotence. Fert's hammer is lifted up to strike. Drink with me to our lord the king, that laborerth with destiny.' Old drank deep. And Corrinius said, Pass we on the cups, that each may drain his neighbors, it is an old lucky custom Corrund taught me out of Impland, swift for the fate of which land is poised in the balance. Therewith he passed his cup to Zenambria, who quaffed it to the dregs, and all there passing on their cups drank deep again. All said Corsus alone. But Corsus's eyes were big with terror as he looked on the cup passed on to him by Corrund's son. "'Drink, O Corsus,' said Corrinius, and seeing him still wherever, what ills the old doting-desired?' he cried. He stareeth on good wine, with an eye as ghastly as a mad dog's beholding water. In that instant the unearthly glare went out, as a lamp in a gust of wind, and only the flamboy's and the funeral-candles flickered on the feasters with uncertain radiance. Corrinius said again, "'Drink!' But Corsus set down the cup untasted, and stared irresolute. Corrinius opened his mouth to speak, and his jaw fell, as of a man that conceiveth suddenly some dread suspicion. But ere he might speak word, a blinding flash went from earth to heaven, and the firm floor of the banquet- hall grogg'd and shook as with an earthquake. All served Corrinius fell back into their seats, clutching the table, amazed and dumb. Crash after crash, after the listening ear was well nice split by the roar, the horror broken out of the bowels of night, thundered and ravened in carcy. Laughter, as of damned souls banqueting in hell, roared on the tortured air. Wildfire tore the darkness asunder, half blinding them that sat about that table, and Corrinius gripped the board with either hand, as a last deafening crash shook the walls, and a flame rushed up the night, planting the whole sky with a livid glare. And in that tri-sulk flash Corrinius beheld through the south-west window the iron tower blasted and cleft asunder, and the next instant fallen in an avalanche of red-hot ruin. The key-path fallen! he cried. And, deadly wearied on a sudden, he sank heavily into his seat. The cataclysm was passed by like a wind in the night, but no was heard as sound as of the enemy rushing to the assault. Corrinius strove to rise, but his legs were over-feeble. His eye lit on Corsus's untested cup, that which was passed on to him by Viglis, Corrinius' son, and he cried, What devil's work is this? I have a strange numbness in my bones! By Heavens thou shalt drink that cup or die! Viglis, his eyes protruding, his hand clutching at his breast, struggled to rise, but could not. Hemming half staggered up, fumbling for his sword, then pitched forward on the table with the horrid rattle of the throat. But Corsus leaped up, trembling, his dull eyes aflame with triumphant malice. The king hath thrown and lost, he cried, as well I foresaw it. And now have the children of night taken him to themselves. And thou, damped Corrinius, and you sons of Corrind, are but dead swine before me. Ye have all drunk venom, and ye are dead. Now will I deliver up carcy to the demons, and it, and your bodies, with mighty lectury rotting in your vitals, shall buy me peace from demon-land. Oh, horrible! Then I too am poisoned!" cried the ladies in Ambria, and she fell a-swooning. "'Tis pity,' said Corsus. Blame the passing of the cups for that. I might not speak her the poison had chained me the limbs of these cursed devils and made them harmless.' Corrinius' jaw set like a bull-dog's. Painfully gritting his teeth he rose from his seat, his sword naked in his hand. Corsus, that was now passing near him on his way to the door, saw too late that he had reckoned without his host. Corrinius, albeit the baneful drug bound his legs as with the seer-cloth, was yet too swift for Corsus, who fleeing before him to the door, had but time to clutch the heavy curtains ere the sword of Corrinius took him in the back. He fell and lay arriving lumpishly, like a toad spitted on a skewer, and the floor of stear-tight was made slippery with his blood. "'Tis well! Through the guts!' said Corrinius. No might he had to draw forth the sword, but staggered as one drunken, and fell to earth, propped against the jams of the lofty doorway. Some while he lay there, harkening to the sounds of battle without. For the iron tower was fallen a thwart the outer wall, making a breach through all lines of defense, and through that breach the demons stormed the hold of Caucy, that never unfriendly foot had entered by force in all the centuries since it was building by Garais I. An ill watch it was for Corrinius to lie harkening to that unequal fight, unable to stir a hand, and all there that should have headed the defense dead or dying before his eyes. Yet was his breath lightened, and his pain some part eased when his eye rested on the gross body of Corsus, twisting in the agony of death upon his sword. In such wires passed well nigh an hour. The bodily strength of Corrinius and his iron heart bear up against the power of the venom long after those others had breathed out their souls in death. But now was the battle done, and the victory with them of demon-land, and the Lord's Jus and Goldry Bluscoe and Brandoc Dahar, with certain of their fighting men, came into the banquet hall. Smeared there were with blood and the dust of battle, for not without great blows, and the death of many a stout lad had the hold been won. Goldry said as they posed at the threshold, This is the very banquet house of death! How came these by their end? Corrinius is brow darkened at the sight of the Lord's of demon-land, and mightily he strove to raise himself, but sank back, groaning. I have gotten an everlasting chill of the bones, he said. Yon hellish traitor, murdered us all by poison! Else should some of you have gotten your deaths by me, or ever ye won up into Corsi. Bring him some water, said Jus. And he with Brandoc Dahar gently lifted Corrinius, and bare him to his chair, where he should be more at ease. Goldry said, Here is a lady liveth! For Sreva, that sitting on her father's left hand, had so escaped a poisoned draught at the passing of the Cups, rose from the table where she had cowered in fearful silence, and cast herself in a flood of tears and terrified supplications about Goldry's knees. Goldry bed-guard her to the camp, and there bestow her in serf asylum until the morning. Now was Corrinius near his end. But he gathered strength to speak, saying, I do joy that not by your sword where we put down, but by the unequal trumpery of fortune, whose tool was this Corsus and the King's devilish pride, that desired to harness heaven and hell to his chariot. Fortune's a right strumpet to fundle me in the neck, and now yerk me one thus in the midriff. Not fortune, my Lord Corrinius, but the gods, said Goldry, whose feet be shod with wool. By then was water brought in, and Brandoc Dahar would have given him to drink. But Corrinius would have none of it, but jerked his head aside, and o'er set the cup. And looking fiercely on Lord Brandoc Dahar, vile fellow, he said, so thou too art come to insult on which lands grave. Thou'dst strike me now into the centre, and thou art not more a dancing madame than a soldier. How, said Brandoc Dahar, say a dog bite me in the ham. Must I bite him again, in the same part? Corrinius's eyelids closed, and he said weakly, how look thou womanish, goo-girls encrothering since I tozed him. And therewith the creeping poison reached his strong heartstrings, and he died. Now was silence for a space in that banquet hall. And in the silence a step was heard, and the lords of demon-land turned toward the lofty doorway that yawned as an arched cavern mouth of darkness, for courses had torn down the arrows-curtains in his death-throws, and there lay heaped to thwart the threshold with his dead body across them. Corrinius's sword-hills jammed against his ribs, and the blade standing afoot's length forth from his breast. And while they gazed, there walked into the shifting light of the flamboy's over that threshold, the Lady Presmira, crowned on a raid in her rich robes and ornaments of state. Her countenance was bleak as the winter moon, flying high amid light clouds on a windy midnight, settling towards rain. And those lords, under the spell of her sad, cold beauty, stood without speech. In a while, just, speaking as one who needed to command his voice, and making grave obeisance to her, said, O Queen, we give you peace. Command our service in all things whatsoever, and first in this, which shall be our earliest task ere we sail homeward, to establish you in your rightful realm of pixieland. But this hour is overcharged with fate and desperate deeds to suffer counsel. Counsel is for the morning, the night calleth to rest. I pray you give us leave." Presmira looked upon Jus, and there was eye-bite in her eyes, that glinted with green metallic luster, like those of a she-lion brought to battle. "'Thou dost offer me pixieland,' my Lord Jus,' said she, "'that I'm queen of Impland. And this night, thou thinkest, can bring me rest. These that were dear to me have rest, indeed. My Lord and lover Koran, the Prince, my brother, grow that was my best friend. Deadly in now they have found you, whether as friends or foals.' Jus said, "'O Queen Presmira, the nest falleth with the tree. These things hath fate brought to pass. And we be but fate's whipping-tops, banded what where she will. Against thee we war not, and I swear to thee that all our care is to make thee a men's.' "'All thine oaths,' said Presmira, "'what a men's canst thou make?' "'Youth I have, and some poor beauty. Wilt thou conjure those three dead men alive again that ye have slain? For all thy vaunted art, I think this were too hard a task.' All there was silent, eyeing her as she walked delicately past the table. She looked with a distant and, to outward seeming, uncomprehending eye on the dead feasters and their empty cups. Empty all, said that one passed on by Viglas, where of courses would not drink. And it stood half-drained. Of curious workmanship it was, of pale green glass, its stand formed of three serpents intertwined, the one of gold, another of silver, the third of iron. Fingering carelessly she raised her glittering eyes once more on the demons, and said, "'It was ever the want of you of demon-land, to eat the egg, and give away the shell in arms.' And, pointing at the lords of which land dead at the feast, she asked, "'Were these also your victims in this day's hunting, my lords?' "'Thou dost us wrong, madame,' cried Goldry. "'Never hath demon-land used such like art against her eyes?' Lord Brandock Dahar looked swiftly at him, and stepped idly forward, saying, "'I know not what art hath wrought, young goblet, but is strangely like to one I saw in Impland. Yet fairer is this, and of more just proportions.' But Presmirah forestalled his outstretched hand, and quietly drew the cup towards her out of reach. As sword crosses sword, the glance of her green eyes crossed his, and she said, "'Think not that you have a worse enemy left on earth than me. I it was that sent Corsus and Carinius to trample demon-land in the mire. Had I but some spark of masculine virtue, some soul at least of you should yet be loosed squealing to the sheds to attend my dear ones ere I set sail. But I have none. Kill me, then, and let me go.' Just, whose sword was bearing his hand, smelt it home in the scabbard, and stepped towards her. But the table was betwixt them, and she drew back to the dais where Corrand lay astray. There, like some triumphant goddess, she stood above them, the cup of venom in her hand. "'Come not beyond the table, my lords,' she said, or I drain this cup to your damnation.' Brandoc de Haar said, the dice are thrown, or just, and the queen hath won the hazard. "'Madame,' said just, I swear to you, thou shalt no force, no restraint be put upon you, but honour only on worship shone you, and friendship, if you will, that surely might as thou take of us for thy brother's sake.' There actually looked terribly upon him, and he said, "'Only on this wild night lay not hands upon yourself, for their sake, that even now haply behold us out of the undiscovered barren lands beyond the dismal lake. Do not this.' Still facing them, the cup still aloft in her right hand, Prismira laid her left hand lightly on the brazen plates of Corrand's burning, that cased the mighty muscles of his breast. Her hand touched his beard, and drew back suddenly. But in an instant she laid it gently again on his breast. Somewhat her orient loveliness seemed to soften for a passing minute in the altering light, and she said, "'I was given to Corrand young. This night I will sleep with him, or reign with him, among the mighty nations of the dead.' Just moved as one about to speak, but she stared him with a look, and the lines of her body hardened again, and the lioness looked forth anew in her peerless eyes. "'Hath your greatness,' she said, so much outgrown your wit, that you think I will abide to be your pensioner, that have been a princess in Pixiland, a queen of far-fronted Impland, and wife to the greatest soldier in this hold of Carsey, which till this day hath been the only scourge and terror of the world. Oh, my lords of demon-land, good, comfortable fools, speak to me no more, for your speech is folly. Go, doff your hats to the silly hind that runeth on the mountain. Pray her gently dwell with you amid your stalled cattle, when you have slain her mate. Shall the blackening frost, when it hath blasted and starved all the sweet garden-flowers, say to the rose, Abide with us, and shall she hearken to such a wolfish suit?' So speaking she drank the cup, and turning from those lords of demon-land as a queen-turneth from the unregarded multitude, kneeled gently down by Corrand's beer. Her white arms clasped about his head, her face pillowed on his breast. When just spake his voice was choked with tears. He commanded Bremery that they should take up the bodies of Corsas and Zenambria, and those sons of Corrand and of Corsas, that lay poisoned and dead in that hold, and on the morrow give them reverent burial. And for the Lord Carinius I will that ye make a bed of state, that he may lie in this hold to-night, and to-morrow will we lay him in hold before Carsey, as is fitting for so renowned a captain. But great Corrand and his lady shall non-depart one from the other, but in one grave shall they rest, side by side for their love's sake. ere we be gone, I will rear them such a monument, as be seamoth great kings and princes when they die, for royal unlordly was Corrand, and a mighty man at arms, and a fighter clean of hand, albeit our bitter enemy. Wondrous it is with what codes of love he bount to him this unparagoned queen of his. Who have known her like among women, patrunous and highness of heart, and sure none was ever more unfortunate. Now went they forth into the outer ward of Carsey. The night bore still some signs of that commotion of the skies that had so lately burst forth and passed away, and some torn poles of thunder-cloud yet hungeth what the face of heaven. Betwixt them, in the swept places of the sky, a few stars shivered, and the moon, more than half waxing towards her full, was sinking over Tennamos. Some faint breath of autumn was abroad, and the demons shuddered a little, fresh from the heavy air of the great banquet-hole. The ruins of the Iron Tower, smoking to the sky, and the torn and tumbled masses of mercenary about it, showed monstrous in the gloom as fragments of old chaos, and from them, and from the river-and-earth beneath, steamed up pungent fumes as of brimstone burning. Ever busily, back and forth through those sulphurous vapours, of seen birds of the night, flitted a weary round, and bats on leather-wing, fitfully and dimly seen in the uncertain murk, save when their passage brought them dark against the moon. And from the solitudes of the mournful fenn of far, voices of lamentation floated on the night, wild wailing cries, and sobbing noises, and long moans rising and falling, and quivering down to silence. Just Lady's hand on Goldry's arm, saying, There is not earthly in these laments, nor be those that thou seest circling in the reek very bats or owls. These be his masterless familiar's welling for their lord. Many such served him, simple earthly divils, and divils of the air and of the water, held by him in thrall by sorcerous and artificial practises, coming and going and doing his will. These availed him not, said Goldry, nor the sword of witch-land against our might and man, that break it asunder in his hand and slew his mighty men of Valar. Yet true it is, said Lord Jus, that none greater hath lived on earth and kinkerized the twelfth, when after these long wars we held him as a staggered bear, he feared not to assay a second time, and this time unaided and alone, what no man else hath so much as once performed and lived. And well he knew that that which was summoned by him out of the deep, must spill and blast him utterly, if he should slip one wit, as slip he did inform it is, but his disciples suck at him. Behold now with what loud striking of thunder, unconquered by any earthly power he hath his parting, with this carcy black and smoking in ruin for his monument. These lords of witch-land and hundreds besides of our soldiers, and of the witches, for his funeral bake-meats, and spirits weeping in the night for his chief mourners. So came they again to the camp. And in due time the moon set, and the clouds departed, and the quiet stars pursued their eternal wear until night's decline, as if this night had been but as other nights, this night which had beheld the power and glory that was witch-land by such a hammer-stroke of destiny, smitten in pieces. End of chapter thirty-two