 20 King Carinius Of the entry of the Lord Carinius into Owlswick, and how he was crowned in spitfire sapphire chair as viceroy of Geras the King and King in demon-land, and how all that were in Owlswick did so receive and acknowledge him. Carinius, having completed this great victory, came with his army north again to Owlswick, as daylight began to fade. The drawbridge was let down for him, and the great gates flung wide that were studded with silver and ribbed with adamant, and in great pomp rode he and his into Owlswick Castle, over the cosy building of the living rock and great blocks of human granite out of Tremadale. The more part of his army lay in spitfire's camp before the castle, but a thousand were with him in his entry into Owlswick, with Coran's sons and the Lord's grove and laxus besides, for the fleet had put across to anchor there when they saw the day was won. Courses greeted them well, and would have brought them to their lodgings near his own chamber, that they might put off their harness and don clean linen and festival garments before supper. But Carinius excused himself, saying he had eaten nought since breakfast time. Let us therefore not pass for ceremony, but bring as I pray you forthright to the banquet house. Carinius went in with Courses before them all, putting lovingly about his shoulder his arm all befouled with dust and clotted blood, for he had not so much as stared for washing of his hands. And that was scarce good for the broided cloak of purple taffety the Duke Courses wore about his shoulders. How be it, Courses made as if he marked it not. When they were coming to the hall, Courses looked about him and said, So it is, my Lord Carinius, that this hall is something little for the great press that here befall us. Many of mine own folk that be of some account should by long custom sit down with us, and here be no seats left for them. Pray the command some of the common-sort that came in with thee to give place, that all may be done orderly. Mine officers must not scramble in the buttery. I am sorry, my Lord, answered Carinius, but needs must that we be think of these lads of mine, which have chiefly borne the toil of battle, and while I weep, thou to not deny them this honour to sit and meet with us. These that thou hast most to thank for opening owls with gates, and raising the siege our enemies held so long against you. So they took their seats, and supper was set before them. Kids stuffed with walnuts and almonds and pistachios, herons in sauce-cameline, chines of beef, geese and bustards, and great beakers and jars of ruby-hearted wine. Right fern of the good banquet were Carinius and his folk, and silence was in the hall for a while, save for the clatter of dishes and the champing of the mouths of the feastes. At length Carinius, quaffing down at one draught a mighty goblet of wine, spake and said, There was battle in the meads by Thrimnie's hurk to-day, my Lord Duke. Wast thou at that battle? Carinius's heavy cheeks flushed somewhat red. He answered, Thou knowest I was not, and I should account it most blamable hot-headedness to have salad forth when it seemed Spitfire had the victory. O my Lord, said Carinius, think not I made this a quarrel to thee. The rather let me show thee how much I hold thee in honour. Therewith he called his boy that stood behind his chair, and the boy returned him on with a diadem that polished gold, set all about with topazes that had passed through the fire. And on the frontlet of that diadem was the small figure of a crab-fish in dull iron, the eyes of it two green barrels on stokes of silver. The boy set it down on the table before the Lord Carinius, as it had been a dish of meat before him. Carinius took a writing from his purse and laid it on the table for courses to see, and there was the signet upon it of the Wormor Oboros in Scarlet Wax, and the sign-manual of Goraes the King. My Lord Corsus, said he, and ye sons of Corsus, and ye other witches, I do you to wit that our Lord the King made me by these tokens his viceroy for his province of demon-land, and willed that I should bear a king's name in this land, and that under him all should render me obedience. Corsus, looking on the crown and the royal warrant of the King, waxed in one instant deadly pale, and in the next read as blood. Carinius said, to thee, O Corsus, out of all these great ones that here begather together in Owlswick, will I submit for thee to crown me with this crown as King in demon-land, this that thou must see and know how most I honour thee. Now we're all silent, waiting on Corsus to speak. But he spake not a word. Decalarges said privily in his ear, O my father, if the monkey reigns, dance before him. Time shall bring as occasion to write you. And Corsus, disregarding not this wholesome read, for all he might not wholly rule his countenance, yet ruled himself to bite in the injuries he was feigned to utter, and with no ill-grace he did that office, to set on Carinius' head the new crown of demon-land. Carinius sat now in Spitfire's seat, whence Corsus had moved to make place for him. In Spitfire's high seat of smoke-coloured jade, curiously carved and set with velvet-lustered sapphires, and right and left of him were two high candlesticks of fine gold. The breadth of his shoulders filled all the space between the pillars of the spacious seat, a hard man he looked to deal with, clothed upon with youth and strength, and all armed, and yet smoking from the battle. Corsus, sitting between his sons, said under his breath, Rubarb, bring me Rubarb to purge away this collar. But Decalarges whispered him, softly, tread easy, let not our councils walk in a net, thinking they are hidden. Nurse him to security, which shall be our safety, and the mean to our wiping out the shirming. Was not Galandus as big a man? Corsus's dull eye gleamed. He lifted a brimming wine-cup to toast Carinius, and Carinius held him and said, My Lord Duke, call in thine officers, I pray thee, and proclaim me, that they in turn may proclaim me king unto all the army that is in Owlswick. Which Corsus did, albeit sore against his liking, knowing not where to find a reason against it. When the plaudits were heard in the courts without acclaiming him as king, Carinius spake again, and said, I and my folk be a weary, my Lord, and would be times to our rest. Give order, I pray thee, that they make ready my lodgings, and let them be those same lodgings Galandus had when as he was in Owlswick. Where at Corsus might scarce forebear a start. But Carinius's eye was on him, and he gave the order. While he waited for his lodgings to be made ready, the Lord Carinius made great good cheer, calling for more wine and fresh dainties to set before those lords of which land. Olives, and botargos, and conserves of goose's liver richly seasoned, taken from Spitfire's plentious store. In the meantime Corsus spake softly to his sons. I like not his naming of Galandus, yet seemeth he careless, as one that feareth no guile. And Decalarges answered in his ear, peradventure the gods ordained his destruction to make him choose that chamber. So they laughed, and the banquet drew to a close with much pleasure and merry-making. Now came serving them with torches to light them to their chambers. As they stood up to bid good night, Carinius said, I'm sorry, my Lord, if, after thy pleasant usage, I should do alt that is not convenable to thee. But I doubt not Owlswick Castle must be irksome to thee and thy sons, that were so long mewed up within it. And I doubt not ye are weary by this siege and long warfare. Therefore it is my will that you do instantly depart home to which land, laxus hath a ship-man ready to transport you thither. To put a fit and friendly term to our festivities we'll bring you down to the ship. Courses his jaw fell. Yet he schooled his tongue to say, My Lord, so as it shall please thee. Yet let me know thy reasons. Surely the swords of me and my sons avail not so little for which land, in this country of our evil willers, that we should sheath them and go home. How be it, is a matter demanded of no sweaty haste. We will take read hereon in the morning. But Carinius answered him, Cry, you mercy, needful it is that this very night you go a ship-board. And he gave him an ill look, saying, Sith I lie to night in Galandus's lodgings, I think it fit my bodyguard should have thy chamber, my Lord Duke, which, as I lately learned, adjoineth it. Courses said no word. But Garius, his younger son, that was drunk with wine, leapt up and said, Carinius, in an evil hour art thou coming to this land to demand servitude of us? And thou art informed of my father right maliciously, if thou art afeared of us because of Galandus. Tis this viper sitteth beside thee, the goblin swabber, told thee falsely this bad tale of us, and tis pity he is still inward with thee, for still he ploteth evil against which land. Decalar just thrust him aside, saying to Carinius, Heet not my brother, though he be hasty and rude of speech, for in wine he speaketh, and wine is another man. But most true it is, O Carinius, and this shall the Duke my father, and all we swear and confirm to thee, with the mightiest oath thou wilt, that Galandus sought to usurp authority for this sake only, to betray our whole army to the enemy, and was only therefore Corsus slew him. That is a flat lie, said Laxus. Graw laughed lightly. But Carinius's sword leapt half naked from the scabbard, and he made a stride toward Corsus and his sons. Give me the king's name when ye speak to me, he said, scowling upon them. You sons of Corsus are not men to make me a stoke to catch birds with, or to serve your own turn. And thou, he said, looking fiercely on Corsus, were it best go meekly and not bandy words with me. Thou fool, thinkst thou I am Galandus, come again? Thou that didst murder him, shalt not murder me, or thinkst I delivered thee out of the toils thine own folly, and throw it wherece hath bound thee in, only to suffer thee, lord it again, here, and cast all amiss again by unquietness of thy malice. Here is the guard to bring you down to the ship. And well it is for thee, if I slash not off thy head. Now Corsus and his sons stood for a little doubting in their hearts, whether it were fit at a leap with their weapons upon Carinius, putting their fortunes to the hazard of battle in Owlswick Hall, or to embrace necessity and go down to the ship. And this seemed to them the better choice, to go quietly a shipboard. For there stood Carinius and Laxus and their men, and but few to face them of Corsus's own people, that should be sure for his party if it came to fighting. And with all they were not eager to have to do with Carinius, not though it had been on more even terms. So at the last, in anger and bitterness of heart, they submitted them to Ovea his will, and in that same hour Laxus brought them to the ship, and put them across the furth to Scaramsey. There were their surfers a mouse in a mill, for Cadorus was skipper of that ship, a trusted legeman of Lord Laxus, and her crewmen Leo and Trude to Carinius and Laxus. She lay at anchor as for that night in the lee of the island, and with the first streak of dawn sailed down the furth, bearing Corsus and his sons homeward from Dingeland. Carinius shone how war-like policy, and a picture painted, drew the war westward, and how the Lord Gros went on an embossage to crothering gates, and of the answer he got to there. Now it is to be said of Zigg, that he failed not to fulfil Spitfire's behest, but gathered hastily an army of more than fifteen hundred horse and foot, out of the northern dales, and the habitations about Chalgroth heath, and the pasturelands of Kellioland, and switchwater wear, and the region of Ramaric, and came in haste over the style. But when Carinius knew of this faring from the west, he marched three thousand strong to meet them above Mootmere Head, to deny them the way to Gaeling. But Zigg, being yet in the uppity files of Breakingdale, now for the first time had advertisement of the great slaughter at Thremneus Hurch, and how the forces of Spitfire and Vol were broken and scattered, and themselves fled up into the mountains, and so, deeming at small gain with so little an army, to give battle to Carinius, he turned back without more ado, and returned hastily over the style whence he came. Carinius sent light forces to harry his retreat, but being not minded as then to follow them into the west country, let build a burg in the throat of the pass, in a place of vantage, and stationed there, sufficient men to ward it, and so came again to Owlswick. There that were with Carinius, in Demonland, numbered now more than five thousand fighting men, a great and redoubtable army. With these, the weather being fine and open, he in a short time laid under him all Eastern Demonland, save Gaeling alone. Bremery of shores with but seventy men held Gaeling for Lord Jus against all assaults. So that Carinius, thinking this fruit should ripen later, and drop into his hand when the rest had been gathered, resolved at winter's end to march with his main army into the west country, leaving a small force to hold down the east lands, and contain Bremery in Gaeling. To this determination he was led by all arguments of sound soldiership, most happily seconding his own inclinations. For besides this of warlike policy, two scarce weaker Lord Stones drew him westward. First the old cankered malice he bearing his heart against the Lord Brandoc de Haar, that made crothering his dearest prey. And next his own lustful desires most outrageously burning for the Lady Mevrian. And this only for the sight of her picture, found by him in Spitfire's closet, among his pens and ink-stands and other trinkets, which once looked on, he swore that with Heaven's will, aye, or without it, if so it must be, she should be his paramour. So on the fourteenth day of March, of a bright frosty morn, he with his main army marched up Breakingdale and over the Stile, by that same road that the Lord just fared by, and Lord Brandoc de Haar, that summer's day when they went to take counsel in crothering, before the Impland expedition. So came the witches down to the waters-meat, and turned aside to many bushes. There they found not Zig, nor his lady-wife, nor any of his folk, but found the house desolate. So they robbed and burned, and went their way. And a famous castle of Justes they sacked and burned in the confines of Kelyland, and another on Switchwater Way, and a summer palace of Spitfires on a little hill of a rammeric mere. In such wise they marched victoriously down Switchwater Way, and there was none to dispute their progress, but all fled at the approach of that great army, and hid themselves in the secret places of the mountains, avoiding death and fate. When he was come through the straits of Gastondale, up on to crothering side, Carinius let pitch his camp under Irngate End, at the foot of the scree-strewn slopes that rise steeply to the high western face of the mountain, where the lean embattled crags far aloft stand like a wall against high heaven. Carinius came to Lord Groll, and said to him, To thee will I entrust mine embossage to this mevrian. Thou shalt go with a flag of truce to gain the entry to the castle, or if they will not admit thee, then bid her poorly with thee without the wall. Then shalt thou use what fantastic courtier's jog, and nature and thine invention shall likeliest counsel thee, and say, Carinius, by the grace of the great king, and the might of his own hand, king of demon-land, siteth as thou well maest see in power invincible before this castle. But he willed me, let thee know, that he is not come for to make war against ladies and damazels, and be thou of this sure, that neither to thee nor to none of thy fortress he will not say nor hurt, only this honour he prefereth thee to wed thee in sweet marriage, and make thee his queen in demon-land. Where to, if she say, yeah, well and good, and we will go appeasably into croathing and possess it and the woman. But if she deny me this, then shalt thou say unto her, right fiercely, that I will set on against the castle like a lion, and neither rest nor give over until I have beaten it all to a ruin about her ears, and slain the folk with the edge of the sword, and that which she refuses me to have in peaceful love and kindness, I will have of my own violent deed, that she and her stiff-necked demons may know that I am their king, and master of all that is theirs, and their own bodies but chattels to serve my pleasure. Grohl said, My Lord Carinius, choose I pray thee another who shall be fitter than I to do this errand for thee, and so for a long time most earnestly besought him. But Carinius, the more he perceived the duty hateful to Grohl, the firmer became his resolution that none but Grohl should undertake it, so that in the end Grohl perforce consented, and in the same hour went with eleven up to the gates of Crowthering, and a white flag of truce was borne before him. He sent his herald up to the gate to desire speech of the Lady Mevrion, and in a while the gates were opened, and she came down and attended to meet Lord Grohl in the open garden before the bridge gate. It was by then late afternoon, and the burning sun swam low amidst streaked level clouds in corner-down, setting aflame the waters of thunder-furth with the reflection of his beams. From the horizon, high beyond the pine-clad hills of Westmark, a range of clouds reared themselves, solid and of an iron hue, so hard-edged against the vaporous sky of sunset, that there seemed substantial mountains, not clouds. Unearthly mountains, a man might fancy, divinely raised up for demon-land, for whom not all her ancient hills gave any longer refuge against her enemies. Here, in Crowthering gates, winter-sweet and the little purple Daphne-bush that blooms before the leaf, breathed fragrance abroad. Yet was it not this sweetness in the air that troubled the Lord Grohl, nor that western glory burning that dazzled his eyes? But to look upon that Lady standing in the gate, white-skinned and dark, like the Divine Huntress, tall and proud and lovely. Mevrian, seeing him speechless, said at last, My Lord, I heard thou had some errand to declare unto me, and seeing a great camp of war gathered under own gate-end, and having heard of robbers and evildoers rife about the land these many moons, I look not for soft speech. Take heart, therefore, and declare plainly what ill thou meanest. Grohl answered and said, Tell me first if thou that speaker start in truth the Lady Mevrian, that I may know whether to humankind I speak, or to some goddess come down from the shining floor of heaven. She answered, Have thy compliments I have not to do? I am she thou nervous. Madam, said Lord Grohl, I would not have brought your Highness this message, nor delivered it, but that I know full well that did I refuse it, and others should bear it the full speedily, and with less compliment and less sorrow than I. She nodded gravely, as who should say, Proceed. So, with what countenance he might, he rehearsed his message, saying when it was ended, Thus, Madam, sayeth Carinius the King, and thus he charged me deliver it unto your Highness. Mevrian heard him attentively, with head erect. When he had done, she was silent a little, still studying him. Then she spoke, Me thinks I know thee now. Thou art Lord Grohl of Godland land that beareth me this message. Grohl answered, Madam, he thou ne'er must went years ago from this earth. I am Lord Grohl of Witchland. So it seemed from thy talk, said she, and was silent again. The steady contemplation from that lady's eyes was like a knife scraping his tender skin, so that he was ill at ease, well nigh past bearing. After a little, she said, I remember thee, my Lord. Let me stir thy memory. Eleven years ago my brother went to war in Goblinland against the Witches, and overcame them on Lormeron Field. There slew he the great King of Witchland in single combat, garage the tenth, that until that day was held for the mightiest man at arms in all the world. My brother was as then but eighteen winters old, and that was the first blazing up of his great fame and glory. So King Gaslock met great feasting and great rejoicing in Zadjezekulot, because of the ridding of his land of the oppressors. I was at those rebels. I saw thee there, my Lord, and being but a little maid of eleven summers sat on thy knee in Gaslock's halls. Thou didst show me books with pictures in strange colours of gold and green and scarlet, of birds and beasts, and distant countries and wonders of the world. And I, being a little harmless maid, thought thee good and kind of heart, and loved thee. She ceased, and grol, like a man hath taken some drowsy drug, stood looking on her confounded. Tell me, said she, of this Carinius, is he such a fighter as men say? He is, said grol, one of the most famousest captains that ever was. That might not his worst enemies gain, sir. Mavrian said, a likely consort thinks thou for a lady of demon land? Remember, I have said near to crowned kings. I would know thy mind, for doubtless he is thy very familiar friend, since he made thee his go-between. Grol saw that she mocked, and he was troubled at heart. Madam, said he, and his voice shook somewhat, take not in too great scorn this vile part in me. Verily this I brought thee is the most shamefulest message, and flatly against my will did I deliver it unto thee. Yet with such constraint upon me, how could I choose but strike my head into dauntless marble, and word by word deliver my charge? Thy tongue, said Mavrian, hath struck hot irons in my face. Go back to thy master. If he look for an answer, tell him he may read it in letters of gold above the gates. Thy noble brother, madam, said grol, is not here to make good that answer. And he came near to her, saying in a low voice, so that only there too should hear it. Be not deceived. This Carinius is a naughty, wicked, and luxurious youth, that will use thee without any respect if once he break in by force into croether and castle. It were wisely a-carried to make some open shore to receive him, so by fair words and putting of him off thou mayest yet escape. But Mavrian said, thou hast mine answer. I have no ears to his request. Say, too, that my cousin the Lord Spitfire hath healed his wounds, and hath an army of foot shall whip these witches from my gates ere many dares be passed by. So, saying, she returned in great scorn with them the castle. But the Lord grol returned again to the camp, and to Carinius, who asked him how he had sped. He answered she did utterly refuse it. So, said Carinius, doth the pus thump me off, then pause my heart his eyes an instant, only the more thunderingly to clap it on. For I will have her, and this coyness and pert rejection hath the more fixedly confirmed me. How the Lady Mavrian beheld from crothering walls the witchland army and the captains thereof, and of the tidings brought her there of the war in the west country, of Orwath Field, and the great slaughter on Switchwater Way. The fourth day after these doings afore it, the Lady Mavrian walked on the battlements of Crothering Keep. A blustering wind blew from the north west. The sky was cloudless, clear blue overhead, all else pearl gray, and the air a little misty. Her old steward, stalwart and soldier-like, grieved and helmed, and clad in a plaited jerken of bullseye, walked with her. The hour should be about striking, said she. "'Tis to-day or to-morrow my Lord Zig named to me, when they were here a-guesting. If but Goblinland keep trusted were the prettiest feet to take them so pat." "'As your ladyship might clap and nap, twix the palms of your two hands,' said the old man, and he gazed again southward over the sea. Mavrian set her gaze in the same quarter. "'Nothing but mist and spray,' she said, after a few minutes searching. "'I'm glad I sent Lord Spitfire those two hundred horse. He must have every man can be scraped up for such a day.' "'How thinkest thou, Ravnor? If King Gasloch come not, hath Lord Spitfire forcing out to cope them alone?' Ravnor chuckled in his beard. "'I think, and my Lord, your brother were here, he should tell you a heinous eye to that. Since first I bowled a hoop they taught me a demon was undermatched against five witches.' She looked at him a little wistfully. Ah, she said. Were he at home? And were just at home? Then on a sudden she first round northward, pointing to the camp. "'Were they at home?' she cried, though shudst not see outlanders insulting in arms on crothering side, sending me shameful offers, caging me like a bird in this castle. Have such things been in demon land until now?' Now came a boy running along the battlements from the far side of the tower, crying that ships were home in sight sailing from the south and east, and they make for the Firth. "'Of what land?' said Mevrion, while they hear some back to look. "'What would goblin land?' said Ravnor. "'Well, say not so too hastily,' cried she. They came round the turret wall, and the sea and Strapardon Firth opened wide and void before them. "'I see nought,' she said, or as Yon Flight of Seam used the fleet they sourced. "'You mean a thunder Firth,' said Ravnor, who had gone on ahead, pointing to the west. "'They're shaped their course toward Orwath, to skin gazlok for sure. Mark but the blue and gold of his sails.' Mevrion watched them, her gloved hand drumming nervously on the marble battlement. Very stately, she seemed, muffled in a flowing cloak of white, walted silk, collared and lined with ermine. "'Eighteen ships,' she said. I dreamed not goblin land might make so great a force. "'Your ladyship may see,' said Ravnor, walking back along the wall, whether the witchlanders have slept while these ships sail to port.' She followed and looked. Gregg stirre there was in the witchland army, marshalling before the camp. There was coming and going and leaping on horseback, and faintly on the wind their trumpets' blaire was borne to Mevrion's ears, as she beheld them from her high watchtower. The host moved forth down the meadows, all orderly, a glitter with bronze and steel. Southward they came, passing at length through the home-meads of Crothering, so near that each man was plainly seen from the battlements as they rode beneath. Mevrion leaned forward in an embrasure, one hand on the other battlement at her left and right. "'I would know their names,' said she. "'Thou, that hast oft faired to the wars, mayst teach me. Grow, I know, with a long beard, and heart-heav'n as it is to see a lord of goblin land in such a fellowship. What's he beside him? Young bearded galant, with a winged helm and a diadem about it, like a king's, and bareth a glove crimson hafted. He looketh a proud one.' The old man answered, "'Laxus of witch-land, the same that was admiral of their fleet against the ghouls.' It is a brave man to look on, and worthy of better cause. What's he rideth now below as heading their horse? Ruddy and swarthy and light of build, hath a brow like the thunder-cloud, and weareth armour from neck to toe?' Ravnore answered, "'Heiners, I know him not certainly. The sons of Corrin so favour one another. But me thinks, tis the young Prince Heming.' Mevrian laughed. "'Prince Quother?' "'So moveeth the world, your Highness, since Gerai set Corrin in kingdom in Impland.' Said Mevrian, "'Name him Prithee, Heming-Faz. I warrant to trap them now with barbarous additions. Heming-Faz, good luck, lording it now in demon land.' "'The prime huff-cap of all,' said she, after a little, holdeth her back at Seameth. "'Oh, here he comes. Sweet heaven, what furious horsemanship! Troth and he can sit a horse, Ravnore, and hath the great figure of an athlete. Look where he galloped bare-headed down the line. I wean he'll need more than golden curls to keep his head whole, ere he hath done with gazlok, I and our own folk gathering from the north. I see he bareth his helm at the saddle-ball. "'To Ape's soul,' she cried, as he drew nearer. All silks and silver. Thou'dst of sworn none but a demon went to battle so costly apparelled. Oh, for a scissor's to cut his comb with all.' So speaking she leaned forward all she might to watch him. And he, galloping by below, looked up. And marking her so watching, rained mightily his great chestnut horse, throwing him with the cheque well now on his haunches. And while the horse plunged and reared, Carinius hailed her in a great voice, crying, "'Mrus, good morrow!' Crying, "'Wish me victory, and swift to thine arms!' So near below was he a-riding. She might scan the very lineaments of his face, and read it as he looked up and shouted to her that greeting. He saluted with his sword, and spurred onward to overtake Gros and Laxus in the van. As if sickened on a sudden, or as if she had been ready to tread on a deadly stinging adder, the lady mev'ry and leaned against the marble of the battlements. Ravnor stepped towards her. "'Is your ladyship ill?' "'Why, what's the matter?' "'A silly qualm,' said mev'ry and faintly. "'If thou'dst medicine it, show me the sheen of Spitfire's spears to the northward. The blank land dazzles me.' So wore the afternoon. Twice and thrice mev'ry and went upon the walls, but could see naught save the sea and the firs, and the mountain-buzzened plain, fair and peaceful in the spring-time. No sign of men, or of war's allorums, save only the masts of Gasloch's ships seen over the land's brow three miles or more to the south-west. Yet she knew surely that near those ships beside Orwath Harbour must be desperate fighting toward. Gasloch the king engaged at heavy odds against Lexus and Carinius and the spears of Witchland, and the sun wheeled low over the dark pines of Westmarch, and still no sign from the north. "'Thou didst send one force for tidings,' she said to Ravnor the third time she went on the wall. He answered, "'Betoung this morning, Your Highness, put to slough-faring until there be a mile or two in clear of the castle, for I must elude their small bands that go up and down guarding the countryside.' "'Bring him to me, or the instant of his return,' said she. With the foot on the stair she turned back. "'Ravnor,' she said, he came to her. "'Thou,' she said, has been using now my brother's steward in Crowthering, and our fathers before him, to know what mind and spirit dwelleth in them of our line. Tell me, truly and sadly, what their makest of this. Lord Spitfire is too late. Other elves gobbled in land too sudden early. And that was his fault from of old. What seeest thou in it? Speak to me as thou shudst to my Lord Brandoc de Ha, or it he that asked thee.' "'Heinus,' said the old man Ravnor, I will answer you my very thought, and it is war to gobbled in land. Since my Lord Spitfire cometh not yet from the north, only the deathless gods descending out of heaven can save the king. The witches number at an humble reckoning twice his strength, and man to man you were as well pitter-hound against a bear as against witches' goblins. For all that these be fierce and full of fiery courage, the bear hath it at the last.' Mevrian listened, looking on him with sorrowful, steady eyes. And he, so generous noble, flaunt a comfort demon-land in the blackness of her dares, she said at last. Can fate be so un-gallant? Oh Ravnor, the shame of it! First Lafayre is no gazlock. How shall any love us any more? The shame of it, Ravnor! I would not have your highness, said Ravnor, too hasty to blame us. If their plan and compact have gone amiss, it is likely a king gazlock's mis-prision, the Lord Spitfire's. We know not for sure which day was set for this landing. While he saw Speck, he was looking past her seaward, a little south of the reddest part of the sunset. His eyes widened. He touched her arm and pointed. Sales were hoisted among the masts at Orwath. Smoke, as of burning, reeked up against the sky. As they watched, the most part of the ships moved out to sea. From those that remained, some five or six, fire leaped, and black clouds of smoke. The rest, as they came out of the lee of the land, met southward for the open sea under oar and sail. Neither Speck. And the Lady Mevrian, leaning her elbows on the parapet of the wall, hid her face in her hands. Now came Ravnor's messenger at length, back from his fairing, and the old man brought him in to Mevrian in her bower in the south part of Crowthering. The messenger said, �Heiners, I bring no writing, since that were too perilous, had I fallen in my way among witches. But I had audience of my Lord Spitfire and my Lord Zigg, in the gates of Gastendale. And thus their Lordships commanded me deliver it unto you, that your Heiners should be at ease and secure, seeing that they do in such sort hold all the ways to Crowthering, that the witch-land army cannot escape out of this countryside, that his betwixts Thundafirth and Strapodon Firth and the sea, but and if they will give battle unto their Lordships. But if they choose rather to abide here by Crowthering, then may our armies close on them and oppress them, since our forces do exceed theirs by near a thousand spears, which to-morrow will be done what air be tied, since that is the day appointed for Gaslog the King to land with a force at Orwa. Mevrian said, �There no note, then, of this direful miscarriage, and Gaslog here already before his time, and throw him back into the sea.� And she said, �We must apprise the month, and that hastily and to-night.� When the man understood this, he answered, �Ten minutes for a bite and a stirrup cup, and I am at your ladyship's service.� And in a short while that man went forth again secretly out of Crowthering, in the dusk of night, to bring word to Lord Spitfire of what was befallen. And the watchmen watching in the night from Crowthering walls, beheld northward under Erngate End, the campfires of the witches, like the stars. The night passed and dead-owned, and the camp of the witches shod empty as an empty shell. Mevrian said, �They have moved in the night.� �Then shall your highness hear great tidings there along?� said Ravnor. �Tis like we may have guests in Crowthering tonight,� said Mevrian, �and she gave order for all to be made ready against their coming, and the choicest bed-chambers for Spitfire and Zig to welcome them. So with busy preparations the day went by. But as evening came, and still no writing from the north, some shadows of impatience and anxious doubt crept with night's shades creeping across the heaven, across their eager expectancy in Crowthering. But Mevrian's messenger returned not. Late to rest went the lady Mevrian, and with the first peeping light she was abroad, muffled in her great mantle of velvet and swans down against the eager winds of morning. Up to the battlements she went, and with old Ravnor searched the blank prospect, for pale morning rose on an empty landscape, and saw all day until the evening, watching and waiting and questioning in their hearts. So went they at length to supper on this third night after Orwath Field, and ere supper was half done was a stir in the outer courts, and the rattle of the bridge let down, and a clatter of horse hooves on the bridge and the just preparedments. Mevrian sat erect and expectant. She nodded to Ravnor, who, wanting no further sign, went hastily out, and returned in an instant hastily, and with heavy brow. He spake in her ear. News, my lady, it were well you bade him to private audience. Drink this cup first, pouring out some wine for her. She rose up, saying to the steward, come thou and bring him with thee. As they went he whispered her, Astar of Retre, sent by the Lord Zig, with matter of urgent import for Your Highness's ear. The lady Mevrian sat in her ivory chair, cushioned with rich-stuffed silks of bestria, with little golden birds and strawberry leaves, with the flowers and rich red fruits all figured thereon in gorgeous colours of needlework. She reached out her hand to Astar, who stood before her in his battle-hoiness. Muddy and be-blooded from head to foot. He bowed and kissed her hand, then stood silent. He held his head high and looked her in the face, but his eyes were bloodshed, and his look was ghastly like a messenger of ill. Sir, said Mevrian, stand not in doubt, but declare all. Thou knowest it is not in our blood to quail under dangers and misfortune. Astar said, Zig, my brother-in-law, gave me this in charge, madam, to tell thee all truly. Proceed, said she. Thou knowest our last news. Hour by hour since then we watched on victory. I have no mean welcome fees prepared against your coming. Astar groaned. My lady Mevrian said he. You must now prepare a sword, not a banquet. You did send a runner to Lord Spitfire. Aye, said she. He brought his advertisement that night, said Astar, of Gasloc's overthrow. Alas, that goblin land was a day too soon, and saw bear along the brunt. Yet was vengeance ready to our hand, as we supposed, for every pass and where was guarded, and I was the greater force. So for that night we waited, seeing Carinius as far as a light in his camp on crothering side, meaning to smite him at dawn of day. Now in the night were mists abroad, and the moon early sunken, and true it is as ill it is, that the whole witch-land army marched away past us in the dark. What! cried Mevrian, and slept ye all to let them by? In the middle night, answered he, we had sure tidings he was afoot, and the fires yet burning in his camp are sure to mock us with all. By all sure signs, we might know he was broke forth north-westward, where he must take the upper road into me-land over Broxty halls. Zig, with seven hundred horse, galloped to Heathby to head him off, whilst our main force fed their swiftest up Little Ravendale. Though see us, madam, Carinius must march along the bull, and we along the bull-string. Yes, said Mevrian, he had but to check in with the horse at Heathby, and he must fight or fall back toward Justdale, where he was like to lose half his folk in memory moss. Outlanders shall scarce find a firm way there in the dark night. Certain it is we should have had him, said Astar, yet certain it is he doubled like a hare, and fooled us all to the top of our bent, turned in his tracks as later we concluded somewhere by goose-sand, and with all his armies slipped back eastward under our rear. And that was the wonderfulest feet heard tell of in all chronicles of war. Tush, noble Astar, said Mevrian, labor not witch-land's praises, nor imagine not I'll deem less of Spitfire's no zig's generalship, because Carinius, by art or fortune's favour, dodged him in the dark. Dear lady, said he, even look for the worst and prepare yourself for the same. Her grey eyes steadily beheld him. Certain intelligence, said he, was brought as of their faring with all speed them out, east away past switch-water, and ere the sun looked well over Gemsaw's edge, we were hot on the track of them, knowing our force the stronger, and our only hope to bring them to battle ere they reached the style, where they have made a fortress of great strength we might scarce hope to house to them out from, if they should win there. He paused. Well, said she. Madam, he said, that we of demon-land are great and invincible in war, it is most certain. But in these days fight we as a man that fighteth hobbled, or with half his gear laid by, or as a man half roused from sleep, for we bereft of our greatest. Bereft of these, such sorrows befall us, and such doomers at Thremney's hurk last autumn shattered our strength in pieces, and now this very day, yet more terribly, hath put us down on switch-water-wear. Never in its cheek turned white. But she said no word, waiting. We were eager in the chairs, said Astor. I have told thee, why, madam? There no was town near to the mountains run as the road past switch-water, and the shores of the lake hem in the way for miles against the mountain spurs, and woods clothe the lower slopes, and dells and gorges run up betwixt the spurs into the mountainside. The day was misty, and the mists hung by the shores of switch-water. When we had marched so far that our van was about over against the stead of Highbank, that stands on the farther shore, the battle began. Greatly to their advantage, since Carinius had placed strong forces in the hills on our right flank, and so ambushed us and took us at unawares. Not to grieve thee with a woeful tale, madam, we were most bloodily overthrown, and our army merely brought to not being. And in the mid-route, Zig stole an instant to charge me, by my love for him, right to crothering as it my life lay on it, and the wheel of all of us, and bid you fly hence to Westmark or the Isles, or whither you will, ere the witches come again and here entrap you, since serve for these walls and these few brave soldiers you have to ward them, nor help standeth any more twitched you and these devilish witches. Still she was silent. He said, Let me not be too hateful to you, most gracious lady, for this rude tale of disaster. The suddenness of the times bore any pleasant glowsing, and indeed I thought I should satisfy you more with plainness, than should opinion of I know not what false courtliness bind me to show you comfort, where comfort is not. The Lady Mevrian stood up and took him by both hands. Surely the light of that lady's eyes was like the new light of morning, glancing through mists on the gray still surface of a mountain town, and the accent of her voice sweet as the voices of the morning, as she said, O Astar, think me not so unhandsome, nor yet so foolish. Thanks, gentle Astar. But thou hast not supp'd, and sure in a great soldier battle and swift far riding should breed hunger, how ill so ever the news he beareth. Thy welcome shall not be the colder, because we look for more than thee, alas, and for far other tidings. A chamber is prepared for thee. Eat and drink, and when night is done is time enough to speak more of these things. Madam, he said, you must come now, or it is too late. But she answered him, No, noble Astar. This is my brother's house. So long as I may keep it for him against his coming home, I will not creep out of croathing like a rat, but stand to my watch. And this is certain, I shall not open croathing gates to witches, whilst I and my folk yet live to bore them against them. So she made him go to supper. But herself sat late that night alone in the chamber of the moon, that was in the dungeon keep of the inner court in Crowthering. This was Lord Brandock de Haar's banquet chamber, devised and furnished by him in years gone by, and here he and she commonly sat at meet, using not the banquet hall across the court, save when great company was present. Round was that chamber, following the round walls of the tower that held it. All the pillars and the walls and the vaulted roof were of a strange stone, white and smooth, and yielding such a glistening show of pallid gold in it, as was like the golden sheen of the full moon of a warm night in mid-summer. Lamps that were milky opals, self effulgent, filled all the chamber with the soft gradients, in which the base release of the high-deadle, delicately carved, portraying those immortal blooms of Amorinth and Nepente, and Moly, and Elysian Asphodel, were seen in all their delicate beauty, and the fair-painted pictures of the Lord of Crowthering and his lady sister, and of Lord Jussab of the great open fireplace with goldery and spitfire on his left and right. A few other pictures there were, smaller than these. The Princess Armaline of Goblinland, Zeke and his Lady White, and others, wondrous beautiful. Here a long while sat the Lady Mevrion. She had a little loot wrought of sweet sandalwood and ivory, inlaid with gems. While she sat her thinking, her fingers strayed idly on the strings, and she sang in a low, sweet voice. There were three ravens sat on a tree. They were black as there might be, with a downing dairy-down. The one of them said to his make, Where shall we our breakfast take? Down in yonder green field, there lies a knight slain under his shield. His hands there lie down at his feet. So well they can there, Master Keep. His hawks there fly so eagerly, there's no foul dare him come knee. Down there comes a fallow door, as great with young as she might go. She lift up his bloody head, and kissed his wounds that were so red. She got him up upon her back, and carried him to earth and lake. She buried him before the prime. She was dead herself at her even-song time. God send every gentleman, such hawks, such hounds, and such a lee-man, with a down dairy-down. With the last sighing sweetness trembling from the strings, she laid aside the loot, saying, The discord of my thoughts, my loot, doth ill-agree with the harmonies of thy strings. Put it by. She felt a gazing on her brother's picture, the Lord Brandoc de Haar, standing in his jewelled hoboak, laced about with gold, his hand upon his sword. And that lazy, laughter-loving yet imperious look of the eyes, which in life he had, was there, wondrous lively coat by the painter's art. And the lovely lines of his brow and lip and jaw, were power and masterful determination slumbered, as brazen aries might slumber in the arms of the Queen of Love. A long while mev'ry unlooked on that picture, musing. Then, bearing her face in the cushions of the long-lost seats she sat on, she burst into a great passion of tears. Of the council taken by the witches, touching the conduct of the war, whereafter, in the fifth assault, the castle of Lord Brandoc de Haar, was made a prey unto Carinius. Now was little time for debate or conjecture, but with the morals more, and came the witch-land army once more before croathing, and a herald sent by Carinius to bid mev'ry and yield up the castle, and her own proper person, lest a worse thing befall them. Which she stoutly refusing, Carinius let straight assault the castle, but won it not. And in the next three days following, he thrice assaulted croathing, and, failing with some lot of men to win an entry, closely invested it. And now summoned he those other lords of witch-land to talk with him. How say ye, or what reed shall we take? There be few only within to man the walls, and great shame it is to us and to all witch-land, if we get not this hold taken, so many as we be here gone up against it, and so great captains. Laxus said, Thou art king in demon-land, Thine it is to take order, what shall be done. But if thou desire my reed, then shall I give it thee. I desire each one of you, said Carinius, to shore forth to me frankly and freely his reed. And well ye know I strive for nought else, but for witch-land's glory, and to make firm our conquest here. Well, said Laxus, I told thee once already my council, and thou wast angri with me. Thou made us a mighty victory on switch-water-ware, which had we followed up, pushing home the sword of our advantage till the hilts came clap against the breast-plate of our adversary. We might now have exterminated from the land the whole nest of them, spitfire, zig, and vol. But now they are gotten aware the devil knows wither, for the preparing of fresh thaws to prick our sides with all. Carinius said, Claim not wisdom after the event, my lord. It was not so, thou didst advise. Thou disbid me, let go crothering. The thing I will not do, once I have set my hand to it. Laxus answered him, not only did I so advise thee as I have said, but Heming was by, and will bear me out, that I did offer that he or I, with a small force, should keep this conflict box shut for thee, till thou shouldst have done the man-business. Tis so, said Heming, but Carinius said, Tis not so, Heming, and were it so, Tis easily seen, why he or thou shouldst hanker for first suck at this luscious fruit, yet not so easy to see why I should yield at you. That, said Laxus, is very ill-said. I see thy memory needs jogging, and thou art sliding into ingratitude. How many such-like fruits hast thou enjoyed since we came out hither, that we had all the pens unplucking on? O cry thee mercy, my lord, said Carinius, I should have remembered dreams of Sreva's moist lips keep thee from straying, but enough of this fooling, to the matter. Lord Laxus flushed, by my faith, said he, this is very much to the matter, for well Carinius, if thy loose thoughts were kept from straying, spend men on a fortress, better say galing, then. That were a prize worth more to our safety, and our lordship here. I, said Heming, seek out the enemy. Tis therefore we came hither, not to find women for thee. Thereupon the lord Carinius struck him across the table a great buffet in the first. Heming, mad wrath, snatched out a dagger, but Groh and Laxus, catching him one by either hand, restrained him. Groh said, my lords, my lords, you must not word it so dangerous ill. We have but one heart and mind here to magnify our lord the king and his glory. Thou, Heming, forget not the king hath put authority in the hand of Carinius, so that thy dagger set against him, seteth most treasonably against the king's majesty. And thou, my lord, I pray be temperate in thy power. Sure, for want of open war it is that our hands be so ready for these private brawls. When, by fair words, this stew was cooled again, Carinius bed Groh said forth his mind, what he thought lay next to do. Groh answered, my lord, I am of Laxus's opinion. Abiding here by crothering, we fare as idle cooks, toying with sweetmeats, while the roast spoils. We should seek out power and destroy it, where still it faireth free, lest it swell again to a growth made dangerous. Wheresoever these lords be fled, think not they'll be slapped to prepare a mischief for us. I see, said Carinius, ye be all three of an accord against me, but there is no one beam of these thoughts your discourse hath planted in me, but is able to discern a greater cloud than you to go in. It is very true, said Laxus, that we do think somewhat scornfully of this war against women. Aye, there's the cover off the dish, said Carinius, and a pretty mess within. You are women mad every jack of you, and this bleies your eyes to think me sick of the same folly. Thou and thy little dark-eyed baggage, that I dare swear hath months ago forgot thee for another. Hemming here, and I know not what sweet made his young heart daughter-thon. Grow, ha-ha! and he fell a- laughing. Wherefore the king saddled me with this goblin, he only knoweth, and his secretary the devil, not I. By Satan, thou hast a starved look in the eyes, giveth me to think the errand I sent thee to crothering gates, did thee no good. My cat's leering look showeth me that my cat goeth a cat-a-war wing. Dost now find the raven's wing, a seamlier hue in a wench's hair, to set thy cold blood a-leaping, than Tony read? Where dost think this one hath a softer breast than thy queens to cushion thy perfumed blocks? With that word spoken, all three of them left from their seats. Grow, with a fierce ashen gray, said, At me thou mist spit, what filth thou wilt? I am schooled to bear with it for witch-land's sake, and until thine own venom choke thee. But this shout thou not do whilst I live, Thou o'er any other, to let thy bawdy-tongue meddle with Queen Presmira's name? Carinius sat still in his chair in a posture of studded ease, but his sword was ready. His great jowl was set, his insolent blue eyes scornfully looked from one to another of those lords, where they stood menacing him. Sure, said he at last, Who brought her name into it but thyself, my Lord Grow? Not I. Thou wilt best not bring it in again, Carinius, said Heming. Have we not well followed thee and upheld thee? And so shall we do henceforth. But remember, I am King Coran's son, and if thou speak this wicked lie again, it shall cost thee thy life, if I may. Carinius threw out his arms and laughed. Come, said he, standing up with much show of jolly friendliness, towards but a jest, and I freely acknowledge an ill jest. I am sorry for it, my lords. And now, said he, come we again to the matter. Crothering castle will I not forgo, since tis not my way to turn back for any man on earth, no, not for the God's almighty, once I obtain my course. But I will make a bargain with you, and this it is, that we tomorrow do assault the holder last time, using all our men and all our might. And if, as I think is most unlikely and most shameful, we get it not, then shall we fare away and do according to thy counsel, or laxus. Tis now four days lost, said laxus. Thou canst not retrieve them. How so be it, as thou wilt. So break up thy counsel. But the mind and heart of Lord Gro was not peaceful within him, but tumultuous with manifold imaginings of hopes and fears and old desires, that intertwined like serpents twisting and contending, so that note was clear to him, save the unclear trouble of his discontent. And it was as if the conscience of a secret grant his inward mind made, had suddenly cast a veil betwixt his thoughts and him, that he doth not pluck aside. Be times on the morrow, Carinius let fare against Crothering with all his host, laxus from the south, Hemming and Cargo from the east against the main gates, and himself from the west, where the walls and towers shelled strongest, but the natural strength of the place weaker than elsewhere. Now there within were few, because of mevry and sending of those two hundred horse to follow Zigg, and those came not back after switch-water. And as the day wore, and still the battle went forward, and still were wounds given and taken, the odds swung yet heavier against them of demon land, and more and more must the castle hold of its own strength only, for there were not whole men left in out among the walls. And now had Carinius well now won the castle, fairing up on the walls west of the dungeon tower, where he and his felt at clearing the battlements, rushing on like wolves, but Astar of Retre stayed him there, with so great a sword-stroke on the helm that he overthrew him, all astounded down without the wall and into the ditch. But his men drew him forth and served him. So was the Lord Carinius put out of the fight, but greatly still he egged on his men, and about the fifth hour afternoon the sons of Corrand gap them in gate. Lady Mevrian bear in that hour with her own hand the stoop of wine to Astar in a lull of the battle. While he drank, she said, Astar, the hour-demandeth that I pledged thee to obedience, even as I pledged mine own folk, and Ravnor, that he a-commandeth my garrison in Crothering. My Lady Mevrian answered he, under your safety I shall obey you. She said, No conditions, sir. Harken and no. First I will thank thee and these valiant men, that so mightily warded us and Golden Crothering against our enemies. This was my mind, to ward it unto the last, because it is my dear brother's house, and I count it unworthy Carinius should stable his horses in our chambers, and caroosing amid his drunkards do hurt to our fair banquet-hole. But now, by hard necessity of disastrous war, have this thing come to pass, and all fallen into his hands save only this keep alone. Alas, madam, said he, to our shame I may not deny it. I'll trample out any thought of shame, said she. A score of them against every one of us. The glory of our defense shall be for ever. But notice for me, mainly, he still beareth against Crothering, so great and peasant strokes, as thick as rain falleth from the sky. And now must ye obey me, and do my commandment. Else must we perish, for even this tower we are not enough to hold against him many days. Divine Lady, said Astard, but once shall one pass the cruel pass of death. I and your folk will defend you unto that end. Sir, said she, standing like a queen before him, I shall now defend myself and our precious things in Crothering, more certainly than ye men of war may do. And she showed him shortly that this was her design, to yield up the keep unto Carinius, under promise of a safe conduct for Astard and Ravnor and all her men. And submit thee to this Carinius, said Astard. But she answered, thy sword hath likely cut his claws for a while. I fear him not. Of all this would Astard at first have not to do, and the old steward with all was well-nigh mutinous. But so firm of purpose was she, and with all showed them so plainly, that this was the only hope to save herself and Crothering. And the witches must else sack the house of Crothering, and in a few days win the keep, and then, snakey despair, and the fault haunt not in fortune, but in ourselves, that could not frame ourselves to our fortune. That at last, with heavy hearts, they consented to do her bidding. Without more ado was a parley called, Mevrian speaking for herself from a high window, opening on the court, and grove for Carinius, in which parley it was articleed that she should render up the tower, and that the fighting men which were within, should have peace and safe passage wither their wood, and that there should be no scathes, no outrage done to Crothering, neither to the lands thereof, and that all this should be ripped down and sealed under the hands of Carinius, grove, and laxus. And the gates opened to the witches, and all keys delivered up, within a half hour of the giving of the sealed writing into Mevrian's hand. Now was all this performed accordingly, and Crothering keep rendered to the Lord Carinius. Astor and Ravnor and their men would have abided as prisoners for Mevrian's sake, but Carinius would not suffer it, vowing with bloody implications that he would let slay out of hand, any man of them he should take after an hour's space within three miles of Crothering. So, under Mevrian's straight commands, they departed. End of Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Of the Worm Oroboros This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Jason Mills The Worm Oroboros by E. R. Edison Chapter 24 A King in Crothering How the Lord Carinius would take unto himself a queen in demon-land, and made him a bridal feast thereto, wherein is a notable instance how, unto them which the gods do love, helpers are raised up on comforters, even in the midst of their enemies. That same evening Carinius let Dieter Banquet in the chamber of the moon, for some two score of his chiefest men, have very pompous and kingly entertainment, and conceiving that he might know very well a veil to accomplish his pleasure touching the Lady Mevrian, he sent her word by one of his gentlemen that she should attend him there. And she sending answer to tell him gently all else in the castle was at his service, but for herself she was quite foredone and greatly desired rest and sleep that night. He fell a laughing immoderately, and saying, A most unseesnubble desire, and one that smacketh besides of mockery, since well she knoweth what this night I do intend. Wish her to repair to us, and that right swiftly, lest I fetch her. To that message sent her came she in a short while herself to answer, dressed all in funereal black, her gown and close-fitting bodice of black sandal, slashed with black sarsenate, and about her throat a chain of sapphires darkly lustrous. Very nobly she carried her head. Framed with the piled and breaded masses of her night-dark hair, her first short pale indeed, but unruffled, and undismared. All that her coming in stood up to greet her, and Carinius said, Lady, thou didst change thy mind quickly, since thou didst first affirm thou never wouldst yield up, crothering unto me. As quickly as I might, my Lord, said she, for I saw I was wrong. He abode silent a minute, his eyes like amorous surfeiters overrunning her fair form. Then said he, thou didst wish to purchase safety for thy friends. She answered, yes. For thine own self, said Carinius, it had made no jot of difference. Be witness unto me the omnisciency of the gods, where to is nothing concealable, I mean the only good. My Lord, said she, I embrace the comfort of that word. And nor that good to me is mine own freedom, not conditions of any man's choosing. Where to he, being well tippled with wine, framing the most lovely countenance he might, made answer, I doubt not but to-night, madam, though shalt be well advised to choose that highest condition, until to-day unknown, which I shall prefer thee, to be queen of demon land. She thanked him in her best manner, but said she was minded to forego that supposedly pleasing eminence. How, said he, is it too little a thing for thee? Or is it as I think that thou laffest? She said, my Lord, it should little be seen me, that I am of the seed of men of war since long generations, to trap my mind with the false shores of a greatness that is gone. Yet I pray you forget not this. The dominion of the demons hath used to saw a pitch above common royalty, unlike the eye of dare-regarded kings from above. And for this style of queen thou offerst me, I say unto thee, it is an addition I desire not, who am sister unto him that writ that writing above the gate, that all ye had tested the truth thereof, had he been here to meet with you. Carinius said, true it is, some have out-bragged to the world, yet I hear this of use them like nerves. My jack-boot hath known things in carcy, madam, I'll not go thy heart to tell thee of. But perceiving a great low of disdainful anger, blares in Mervian's eye, cry you mercy, said he, incomparable lady, this was beside the mark. I would not sully our new friendship with memories of— Oh, there, a chair beside me for the queen! But Mervian made them sit it on the far side of the board, and there sat her down, saying, I pray thee, my Lord Carinius, don't say that word, thou knowest it dislikes me. He looked on her in silence for a minute, leaned forward across the board, his lips parted a little, and between them his breath coming and going thick and swift. Well, he said, sit there and it like thee, madam, and manage my delights by stages. Last year the wide world betwixted us, this year the mountains, yes to eave crothering walls, to knight a table's breadth, and ere night be done not so much as— Gross saw the wild deer look in Lady Mervian's eyes. She said, this is talk I have not learned to understand, my Lord. I shall learn it thee, said Carinius, his face aflame. Lovers live by love as larks by leaks. By Satan I do love thee, as thou art to the heart out of my body. My Lord Carinius, said she, we ladies of the north have little stomach for these fashions. How ere they commend them in waterish witch-land? If thoualt have my friendship, bring me service, therefore, and that in season. This is no fit table-talk. Why, there, said he, we are in fast agreement. I'll blithely show thee all this, and a quaint a thing beside, in thine own chamber. But was beyond my hopes that to grant me that so suddenly. Are we so happy? In great shame and anger the Lady Mervian stood up from the table. Carinius, something unsteadily, leaped to his feet. For all his bigness, so tall she was, she looked him level in the eye. And he, as when in the face of a night-ranging beast, suddenly a man brandishes a bright light, stood stupid under that gaze. The springs of action strangely frozen in him all of a sudden, and said suddenly, Madam, I am a soldier. Truly mine affections standeth not upon compliment. That I am impatient. Put the white on thy beauty, not on me. Pray you be seated. But Mervian answered, thy language, my lord, is too bold and vicious. Come to me to-morrow, if thou wilt. But I'll have thee know, patience only, and courtesy shall get good of me. She turned to the door. He, as if with the turning away of that lady's eye as the spell was broke, cried loudly upon his folk to stare her, but there was none stirred. Therewith he, as one that cannot command his only decent appetites, foresetting bench and board in eager hairs to lay hands on her, it so be tidied that he tripped up with one of these and fell a sprawling. And ere he was gotten again on his feet, the Lady Mervian was gone from the hall. He rose up painfully, proffering from his lips a mudspring of barbarous and filthy imprecations, so that Lexus, who helped raise him up, was fain to chide him, saying, my lord, unmann not thyself by such a bestial transformation. Or not we yet with harness on our backs, in a kingdom newly gained. The old lords thereof discomforted indeed, but not yet tain nor slain, studying be like to raise new powers against us. And above such and so many affairs wilt thou make place for the allurements of love? I, answered he, nor shall such a sapless niny as thou were veiled across me therein. Ask thy little gamesons Sreva, when thou comest home to wed her, if I be not better able than thou to please a woman. She'll tell thee, if the main season meddle not in matters that be too high for such as thou. Both Gro and the Sons of Corrand were by, and heard those words. The Lord Lexus schooled himself to laugh. He turned toward Gro, saying, the general is far gone in wine. Gro, marking Lexus' face, flushed red to the ears for all his studded carelessness, answered him softly, Tis so, my Lord, and in wine his truth. Now Carinius, be thinking him that it was yet early, and the feast barely well begun, let set a guard on all the passages which led to Mavrian's lodgings, to the end that she might not issue therefrom, but there wait on his pleasure. That done he bed renew their feasting. Null stint of luscious meats and wines was there, and the Lords of Witchland sat them down again right eagerly to the good banquet. Lexus spoke secretly to Gro. I what well thou takest in very ill part these doings, let it stand firm in thy mind, that if thou shouldst deem it fitting to play him a trick and steal the lady from him, I'll not stand in the wound. In a bunch of cards, said Gro, nerves wait upon the kings. It were not so ill done we made it so here. I heard a bird sing lately thou hadst a quarrel to him. Thou must not think so, answered Lexus. I'll give thee still a Roland for thine Oliver, and tell that his most apparent thyself dost love this lady. Gro said, thou chargeest me with a sweet folly as foreign to my nature, being a grave scholar, that if ever I did frequent such toys of longer should them. Only me seems to an ill thing if she must be given over unto him against her will, that knowest him of a rough and mere soldierly mind, besides his dissolute company with other women. Tosh, said Lexus, he may go his gate for me and be as close as a butterfly with the lady, but out of policy to a best rid her hence. I'd not be seen it. That provided I'll second thee all ways. If he lie here the summer long in amorous dalliance, justly might the king abraders that midst of the day's sport we gave his good hawker gorge, and so lost him the game. I see, said Gro, smiling in himself, thou art a man of sober government and understanding, and thinkest first of Witchland. And that is both just and right. Now went the feast forward with great surfiting and swigging of wine. Mevrians women that were there, much against their own good will, to serve the banquet, set ever fresh dishes before the feasters, and poured forth fresh wines, golden, and tawny, and ruby red, in the goblets of jade and crystal and hammered gold. The air in the chamber was thick with the steam of baked meats, and the finest breath of the feasters, so that the lustre of the opal lamps burned coppery, and about each lamp was a bush of coppery beans, like the beans about a torch that burns in a fog. Great was the clatter of cups, and great the clinking of glass, as in their drunkenness the witches cast down the priceless beakers on the floor, smashing them in shivers. And huge din there was of laughter and song, and amidst of it women's voices singing, albeit near drowned in the hurly burly, for they constrained Mevrians dammersles and croathering, to sing and dance before them, howsoever woeful at heart. And to other entertainment than this of dance and song was many a black-bearded reveler willing to constrain them, and sought occasion there too, but this by stealth only, and out of eye-shot of their general. For heavily in hours is Roth fallen on some who rashly flaunted in his first their light-desports, presuming to hunt in such fields while their lord went still a-fasting. After a while Heming, who sat next to Gro, began to say to him in a whisper, This is an ill banquet. Me seems, rather, that is a very good banquet, said Gro. Would I saw some other issue thereof, said Heming, but that he purposeth, or how thinketh thou? I scarce can blame him, and said Gro, Tis a most lovesome lady. Is not the man a most horrible, open swine? And is it to be endured that he should work his lewd purpose on so sweeter lady? What have I to do with it, said Gro? What less than I, said Heming? It dislikes thee, said Gro? What thou a man, said Heming? And she that hath hath him besides as bloody atropos? Gro looked him a swift searching look in the eye. Then he whispered, his head bowed over some resns he was a-picking. If this is thine mind, tis well. And speaking softly, with here and there some snatch of louder discourse, or jest between wiles, lest he should seem too earnestly engaged in secret talk, he taught Heming orderly and clearly what he had to do, discovering to him that laxus also, being bit with jealousy, was of their accord. Thou, brother Cargo, is aptest for this. He standeth about her height, and by reason of his youth is yet beardless. Go find him out. Rehears unto him word by word all this talking that hath been between me and thee. Carinius holdeth me too deep suspect to suffer me out of his eye tonight. Unto you, sons of Corrin, therefore, is the task. And I, biding at his elbow, may avail to hold him here in the hall till it be performed. Go. And wise counsel, and good speed, wait on your attempts. The Lady Mevrion, being escaped to her own chamber in the south tower, sat by an eastern window that looked across the gardens and the lake, past the sea-locks of Strapardon and the dark hills of Eastmark, to the stately ranges afar, which overhang in mid-air Moesdale and Mercdale and Swarch Riverdale, and the inland sea of Thrallwater. The last lights of day still lingered on their loftier summits, on Ironbeak, on the gaunt wall of Scarter, and on the distant twin towers of Dena, seen beyond the lower Moesdale range in the depression of Nevidale halls. Behind them rolled up the ascent of heaven the wheels of quiet night. Holy night! Mother of the gods. Mother of sleep. Tender nurse of all little birds and beasts that dwell in the field, and all tired hearts of weary. Mother besides of strange children, of frights, and rapes, and midnight murders bold. Mevrion sat there till all the earth was blurred in darkness, and the sky a throb with starlight, for it was yet an hour until the rising of the moon. And she prayed to Lady Artemis, calling her by her secret names and saying, Goddess and maiden, Chesdon Hawley, Triune Goddess, which in heaven art, and on the earth huntress divine, and also hast in the veiled sunless places below earth thy dwelling, viewing the large stations of the dead. Save me and keep me, that am thy maiden still. She turned the ring upon her finger, and scanned in the gathering gloom the bezel thereof, which was of that chrysopraise that is hid in light and seen in darkness, being as a flame by night, but in the daytime yellow or warm. And behold, it palpitated with splendor from withinward, and was as if a thousand golden sparks danced and swirled within the storm. While she pondered what interpretation lay likeliest on the sudden flowering of unaccustomed splendor within the chrysopraise, behold, one of her women of the bed-chamber who brought light said, standing before her, Twain of those lords of which land would speak with your ladyship in private. Two, said Mevrion, their safety yet in numbers, which be there. Hynas, they be tall and slim of body. They be black-advised. They bear them discreet as dormice, and most commendably sober. Mevrion asked, Is it the Lord Graw? Hath he a great black beard, much curled and perfumed? Hynas, I marked not that either weareth a beard, said the woman, nor their names I know not. Well, said Mevrion, admit them, and do thou and thy fellows attend me while I give them audience. So it was done according to her bidding, and there entered in those two sons of Korund. They greeted her with respectful salutations, and Heming said, Our errand, most worshipful lady, was for thine ear only, if it please thee. Mevrion said to her women, Make fast the doors and attend me in the ante-chamber. And now, my lords, said she, and waited for them to begin. She was seated sideways in the window, betwixt the light and the dark. The crystal lamps shining from within the room showed deeper darknesses in her hair than night's darkness without. The curve of her white arms resting in her lap was like the young moon cradled above the sunset. A falling breeze out of the south came laden with the murmur of the sea, far away beyond fields and vineyards, restlessly surging even in that calm weather amid the sea- caves of Stropodon. It was as if the sea and the night-end-folding demon-land gasped in indignation at such things as Carinius, holding himself already an undoubted possessor of her desires devised for that night encrovering. Those brethren stood abashed in the presence of such a rare beauty. Hemming with a deep breath spake and said, Madam, what slender opinion soever thou hast held of us of which land? I pray thee be satisfied that I and my kinsmen have sought to thee now with a clean heart to do thee service. Princess, said she, scarce might ye blame me, did I misdoubt you? Yet seeing that my life's days have been not among ambidextors and Cariniu catchers, but lovers of clean hands and open dealing, not even after that which I this night endured will mine hard to believe that all civility is worn away in which land. Did I not freely receive Carinius' self when I did open my gates to him, firmly believing him to be a king and not a ravening wolf? Then said Hemming, Cance thou wear armour, Madam, though at something of an height with my brother. To bring thee past the guard, if thou go armed as I shall conduct thee, the wine thou have drunk and shall be thy minister. I have provided an horse. In the likeness of my young brother mayest thou ride forth to-night out of this castle and win clean away. But in thine own shirt thou mayest never pass from these thy lodgings, for he hath set a guard thereon. Being resolved, come there of what may, to visit thee here this night, in thine own chamber, Madam. The sounds of furious revelry floated up from the banquet chamber. Mev'ry unheard by snatches the voice of Carinius singing an unseemly song. As in the presence of some dark influence that threatened an ill she might not comprehend, yet felt her blood quail and her heart gross sick because of it, she looked on those brethren. She said at last, was this your plan? Heming answered, it was the Lord Gros did most ingeniously conceive it, but Carinius, as he hath ever held him in distrust, and most of all when he hath drunken over much, keepeth him most firmly at his elbow. Cargo now did off his armour, and Mev'ry uncalling in her women to take this and other gear bared straight away to an inner chamber to change her fashion. Heming said to his brother, thou shalt need to go about it with great circumspection to come off when we are gone, so as though not be aspired. Were I, though, I should be tempted for the rawness of the jest to a where it is coming, and to say whether thou couldst not make as good a count of it Mev'ry and as she a count of it Cargo. Thou, said Cargo, mayst well laugh and be gay, thou that must conduct her, and art resolved I d'olay my head to a turnip to do thy utmost endeavour to dispoil Carinius, that felicity he hath to-night decreed him, and bless thyself therewith. Thou hast fallen, answered Heming, into a most barbarous thought. Shall my tongue be so false a trait to mine heart as to say I love not this lady? Compare but her beauty and my youth together, how should it other be? But with such a height of fervour I do love her, that I thus leaf off a violence to a star of heaven, as require of her ought but honest. Said Cargo, what said the wise little boy to Zelda brother? Sith thou'st gotten the cake, brother, I must in make shift with the crumbs. When you are gone, and all wished and quiet, and I left here amid the waiting women, it shall go hard, but I'll teach them some water for a good night. Now opened the door of the inner chamber, and there stood before them the Lady Mevrian, armed and helmed. She said, it is no light matter to halt before a cripple. Think you this will pass to the dark, my lords? They answered, to us beyond all commendation, excellent. I'll thank thee now, Prince Cargo, said she, stretching out her hand. He bowed and kissed it in silence. This harness, she said, shall be a keepsake unto me of a noble enemy. Would some day I might call thee friend, for such wise has thou born thee this night. Therewith, bidding young Cargo adieu, she with his brother went forth from the chamber, and through the anti-chamber to that shadowy stairway, where Carinius' soldiers stood sentinel. These, as many more be drowned in the beaker than in the ocean, not overheedful after their tipplings, seeing two go by together with clanking armour, and knowing Hemming's voice when he answered the challenge, made no question, but here were Carwin's sons returning to the banquet. So passed he and she lightly by the sentinels, but as they fared by the lofty corridor without the chamber of the moon, the doors of that chamber opening suddenly left and right, there came forth torchbearers and minstrels two by two as in a progress, with symbols clashing and flutes and tambourines, so that the corridor was fulfilled with the flare of flamboy's on the din. In the midst walked the Lord Carinius, the lusty blood within him boned scarlet in all his shining face, and made stand the veins like cords on the strong neck and arms and hands of him. The thick curls above his brow, where they strayed below his coronal of sleeping nightshed, were adrift with sweat. Plain it was he was in no good trim after that shrew knock on the head a star that they had given him to withstand deep coffings. He went between growl and laxus, swaying heavily now on the arm of this one, now of the other, his right hand beating time to the music of the bridal song. Mevrian whispered to Hamming, let us bear out a good fair so long as we be alive. They stood aside, hoping to be passed by unnoticed, for retreat nor concealment was there none. But Carinius, his eye lighting on them, stopped and held them, catching them each by arm and crying, Hemming, thou art drunk! Cargo, thou art drunk, sweet youth! It is a damnable folly, drink as drunk as you be, and these bonny wenches I've provided you. How shall I satisfy him, think ye, when they come to me with their plants to mourn, that each must sit with a snoring drunkard's head in her lap the night long? Mevrian, as if she had all her part by rote, was leaned this while heavily upon Hemming, hanging her head. Hemming could think on naught likelier to say than, truly, O Carinius, we be sober! Thou liest, said Carinius, it was ever sign manifest of drunkenness to deny it. Look ye, my lords, I deny not I am drunk. Therefore is sign manifest I am drunk. I mean, sign manifest I am sober. But the hour calleth to other work than questioning of these high matters. Set on! So speaking he reeled heavily against grove, and, as if moved by some airy influence, that, whispering him of scheming's afoot, yet conspired with the wine that he had drunkard to make him look all otherwise for treason than where it lay under his hand to discover it. Grypt grove by the arm, saying, Bide by me, goblin, though word best, I do love thee very discreetly, and will still hold thee by the ears, to see thou bite me not, nor go no more aggadding. Being by such happy fortune delivered out of this peril, Hemming and Mevrian, with what prudent hers they might, and without mishap or hindrance, got them their horses, and fared north of the main gate between the marble hippogriffs, whose mighty forms shone above them stark in the low beams of the rising moon. So they rode silently through the gardens and the home-meats, and thence to the wild woods beyond, quickening now their pierce to a gallop on the yielding turf. So hurried they rode, the air of the windless April night was lashed into storm about their verses. The trample and thunder of hoofbeats, and the flying glimpses of the trees, wet a young Hemming but an undertone to the thunder of his blood, which night and speed and that lady galloping beside him neat and neat set a gallop within him. But a Mevrian soul, as she galloped along those woodland rides, those moon-like glades, these things and night, and the steadfast stars attuned to heavenly music, so that she waxed momentally wondrous peaceful at heart, as with the most firm assurance that not without the abiding glory of demon-land must the great mutations of the world be acted. And but for a little should their evil willies usurp her dear brother's seed in croathing. They drew rain in a clearing beside a broad stretch of water. Pine woods rose from its further edge, shadowy in the moonshine. Mevrian rode to a little eminence that stood above the water, and turned her eyes toward croathing. Saved by her instructed and loving eye, scarce might it be seen, many miles away be east of them, dimmed in the obscure soft radiance under the moon. So sat she awhile, looking on golden croathing, while her horse grazed quietly, and hemming at her elbow held his peace, only beholding her. At last, looking back and meeting his gaze, Prince hemming, she said, from this place goeth a hidden path north about beside the furth, and a dry road over the marsh, and a ford, and an upland horseway leadeth into Westmarch. Here and always in demon-land I might fair blindfold, and here I'll say fair well, my tongue is a poor orator, but I mind me of the words of the poet, where he saith, My mind is light to the asbeston stone, which if it wants be heat in flames of fire, denyeth to become uncalled again. Be the latter issue of these wars in my great kinsman's victory, as I most firmly try which I'll be, or in garrison's his, I shall not forget this experiment of your nobility manifested unto me this night. But hemming still beholding her answered not a word. She said, How fair is the queen thy stepmother? Seven summers ago this summer I was in Novas, but Lord Corrin's wedding-feast, and stood by her at the bridle. Is she yet so fair? He answered, Madam, as June bringeth the golden rose unto perfection, so waxeth her beauty with the years. She and I, said Mevrium, were playmates, she the elder by two summers. Is she yet so masterful? Madam, she is a queen, said Hemming, nailing his very eyes on Mevrium. Her first half turned towards him, sweet mouth half closed, clear eyes uplifted toward the east, sure dim in the glamour of the moon, and the lilt of her body was as a lily fallen adreaming beside some enchanted lake at midnight. With a dry throat he said, Lady, until to-night, I had not supposed there lived on earth a woman more beautiful than she. Therewith the love that was in him went like a wind and like an upswooping darkness that thwart his brain. As one who has too long, unbold, unresolved, delayed to lift that door's latch which must open on his heart's true home, he called his arms about her. Her cheek was soft to his kiss, but deadly cold. Her eyes like a wild bird's caught in a purse-net. His brother's armour that kissed her body was not so dead nor so hard under his hand, as to his love that yielding cheek, that alien look. He said, as one a stagger for his wits in the presence of some unlooked for a chance, Thou dost not love me? Mevrian shook her head, putting him gently away. Like the passing of a fire on a dry heath in summer, the flame of his passion was passed by, leaving but a smoldering desolation of scornful sullen wrath, wrath at himself, and fate. He said in a low-shamed voice, I pray you forgive me, madam. Mevrian said, Prince, the gods give thee good night. Be kind to crovering. I have left there an evil steward. So, saying, she reigned up her horse's head and turned down westward towards the Firth. Hemming watched her an instant, his brain a-real. Then, striking spurs to his horse's flanks, so that the horse reared and plunged, he rode away at a great pest east again, through the woods to crovering. CHAPTER XXV This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Jason Mills. The Worm of Roboros by E. R. Edison. CHAPTER XXV Lord Grow and the Lady Mevrian How the Lord Grow, conducted by a strange enamourment with lost causes, fared with non-saved this to be his guide into the regions of Neverdale, and there beheld wonders, and tasted again for a season the goodness of those things he did most desire. Ninety days and a day after these doings aforesaid, in the last hour before the dawn, was the Lord Grow a-riding toward the pailing east, down from the hills of Eastmark to the fords of Mordedale. At a walking pass his horse came down to the waterside, and halted with fat locks awash. His flanks were wet and his wind gone, as from swift faring on the open fell since midnight. He stretched down his neck, sniffed the fresh river water, and drank. Grow turned in the saddle, listening. His left hand thronged forward to slack the reins, his right flat planted on the cropper. But note there was to hear said the babble of waters in the shallows, the sucking noise of the horse drinking, and the plush and crunch of his hooves when he shifted feet among the pebbles. Before and behind, on an either hand, the woods and strath and circling hills should dim the obscure grave into its darkness and twilight. A light mist hid the stars. Note stirred served an owl that flittied like a phantom, out from a hollybush in a craggy bluff, a bullshot or more downstream, crossing Grow's path and lighting on a branch of a dead tree above him on the left, where she sat as if to observe the goings of this man and horse that trespassed in this valley of quiet night. Grow leaned forward to pat his horse's neck. Come, gossip, we must on, he said, and marvel not if thou find no rest going with me which could never find any steadfast stay under the moon's globe. So they footed that river, and fared through low rough grasslands beyond, and by the skirts of a wood up to an open heath, and saw a mile or two still eastward, till they turned to the right down a broad valley and crossed a river above a water's meet, and saw east again, up the bed of a stony stream, and over this to a rough mountain track that crossed some boggy ground, and then climbed higher and higher above the floor of the narrowing valley to a pass between the hills. At length the slope slackened, and there passing as through a gateway between two high mountains which impended sheer and stark on either hand, came forth upon a moor of ling and bog myrtle, strewn with lakelets and abounding in streams and moss-hags at outcrops of the living rock, and the mountain peaks afar stood round that moorland west like warrior kings. Now was colour working in the eastern heavens, the bright shining morning beginning to clear the earth. Corn is scurry to cover before the horse's feet. Small birds flew up from the heather. Some red deer stood at gaze in the fern, then tripped away southward. A moor caught cold, gross and in himself. How shall not common opinion account me mad? So rash and presumptuous and dangerous that it put my life in hazard. Nay, against all sound judgment, and this folly I enact in that very season when by patience and courage and my politic wisdom I had won that in spite of fortune's teeth which obstinately hitherto she had denied me. When after the brunts of diverse tragical fortunes I had marvelously gained the favour and grace of the king, who very honourably placed me in his court and tendereth me, I well think, so dearly as he doth the bowls of his two eyes. He put off his helm, bearing his white forehead and smooth black curling locks to the airs of morning, flinging back his head to drink deep through his nostrils the sweet strong air and its peaty smell. Yet his common opinion the fool, not I, he said. He that imagineth after his labours to attain unto lasting joy, as well may he beat water in a mortar. Is there not in the wild benefit of nature instances he now to laugh this folly out of fashion? A fable of great men that arise and conquer the nations. Day goeth up against the tyrant night. How delicate a spirit is she. How like a fawn she footeth it upon the mountains. Pale pitiful light matched with the primeval dark. But every sweet hovers in her battalions and every heavenly influence. Coolth of the wearwood little winds of morning, flowers awakening, birds of carol, Jews are sparkle on the fine-drawn webs the tiny spinners hang from fern frond to thorn, from thorn to wet dainty leaf of the silver birch. The young dare laughing in her strength, wild with her own beauty. Fire and life and every scent and colour born anew to triumph over chaos and slow darkness in the kindless night. But because day at her dawning hours hath so bewitched me, must I yet love her when glutted with triumph she settles to garish noon. Rather turn as now I turn to demon-land in the sad sunset of her pride. And who dares call me turncoat? Who do but follow now as I have followed this row wisdom all my dares? To love the sunrise and the sundown and the morning and the evening star, since there only abide at the soul of nobility, true love and wonder and the glory of hope and fear. So brooding he roared at an easy-paste bearing east and a little north across the moor, falling because of the strange harmony that was between outward things and the inward thoughts of his heart into a deep study. So came he to the moor's end and entered among the skirts of the mountains beyond, crossing low passes, threading away among woods and water-courses, up and down, about and about. The horse led in which way that he would, for no heed nor advice had he of ought about him, for cause of the deep contemplation that he had within himself. It was now high noon. The horse and his rider were come to a little dell of green grass, with a beck winding in the midst, with cool water flowing over a bed of shingle. Above the dell grew many trees both tall and straight. Above the trees, high mountain crags are baked in the sun, shod ethereal through the shimmering heat. A murmur of waters, a hum of tiny wings flitting from flower to flower, the sound of the horse grazing on the lush pasture. There was not else to hear. Not a leaf moved, not a bird. The hush of the summer noonday, breathless, burnt through with the sun, more awful than any shape of night, paused above that lonely dell. Grow, as if worked by the very silence, looked quickly about him. The horse felt be like in his bones his riders unease. He gave over his feeding and stood alert with wild eye and quivering flanks. Grow patted and made much of him. Then, guided by some inward prompting, the reason whereov he knew not, turned west by a small tributary bet, and rode softly toward the wood. Here he was stopped with a number of trees so thickly placed together that he was afraid he should, with riding through, be swept from the saddle. So he lighted down, tied his horse to an oak, and climbed the bed of the little stream till he was come whence he might look north, over the treetops, to a green terrace about at a level with him, and some fifty paces distant along the hillside, shielded from the north by three or four great rowan trees on the far side of it, and on the terrace a little torn or rock cistern of fair water, very cool and deep. He paused, steadying himself with his left hand by a jutting rock overgrown with rose-campion. Surely no children of men were these, flutting it on that secret loam beside that fountain's brink, nor no creatures of mortal kind. Such it may be were the goats and kids and soft-eyed doves that on their hind legs merrily danced among them, but never such those others have manly shared, and with pointed hairy ears, shaggy legs and cloven hooves, nor those maidens white of limb beneath the tread of whose feet the blue gentian and the little golden sankfoil bent not their blossoms, so airy light was their dancing. To make the music, little goat-footed children with long-pointed ears sat on a hummock of turf-clad rock, piping on palm-pipes, their bodies burnt to the hue of red earth by the wind and the sun. But whether because their music was too fine for mortal ears, or for some other reason, grow might hear no sound of that piping. The heavy silence of the west-white noon was lured of the scene, while the mountain-nymphs and the simple genie of sedge and stream and crag and moorland solitude threaded the mazes of the dance. The Lord Groll stood still in great admiration, saying in himself, What means my drizzy head to dream such fancies? Spirits of ill have I hear too far beheld in their manifestations. I have seen fantasticals framed and presented by art-magic. I have dreamed strange dreams and nights. But till this hour I did account it an idle tale of poets feigning, that amid woods, forests, fertile fields, sea-coasts, shores of great rivers and fountain-brinks, and also upon the tops of huge and high mountains, do still appear unto certain favoured eyes the sundry-sorted nymphs and fieldish demigods. Which thing, if I know verily behold, it is a great marvel, and sorteth well with the strange allurements whereby this oppressed land had so lately found a means to govern my affections. And he thought a while, reasoning thus in his mind, if this be but an apparition, it hath no essence to do me a hurt. If, o'er the contrary, these be very essential beings, needs must there joyfully welcome me and use me well, being themselves the true vital spirits of many mountain demon-land, unto whose comfort and the restorment of her old renown and prayers, perhaps with such a strange determination bent all my painful thoughts and resolution. So, on the motion, he discovered himself and held them. The wild things bounded away and were lost among the flanks of the hills. The Capri-pens, leaving on the instant their piping or their dancing, crouched watching him with distrustful startled eyes. Only the Oriads, still in a dazzling drift pursued their round. Quiet maiden mouths, beautiful breasts, slender lithe limbs, hand joined to delicate hand, parting and closing and parting again in rhythms of unstailed variety. Here one that with white arms clasped behind her head, where her breaded hair was as burnished gold, circled and swayed with a languorous motion. Here another that leaped and paused, hovering a tiptoe, like an arrow of the sun shot through the leafy roof of an old pine forest, when the warm hill wind stirs the treetops and opens a tiny window to the sky. Gro went toward them along the grassy hillside. When he was come a dozen paces, the strength was gone from his limbs. He kneeled down crying out and saying, Divinities of earth, deny me not, neither reject me, albeit cruel they have I till now oppressed your land, but will do so no more. The footsteps of mine overtrodden virtue lie still as bitter accusations unto me. Bring me of your mercy where I may find out them that possessed this land, and offer them atonement, who were driven forth because of me and mine, to be outlaws in the woods and mountains. So spakey, bowing his head in sorrow, and he heard, like the trembling of a silver loot-string, a voice in the air that cried, North-tiz and North-tiz, why need we further? He raised his eyes. The vision was gone. Only the noon and the woodland, silent, solitary, dazzling, were about and above him. Lord Gro came now to his horse again, and mounted and rode north the way through the fells all that summer afternoon, full of cloudy fancies. When it was even-tied his wear was high up along the steep side of a mountain, between the screes and the grass, following a little path made by the wild sheep. Far beneath in the valley was a small river tortuously flowing along a bouldery bed, amid hillocks of old moraines, which were like waves of a sea of grass-clad earth. The July sun wheeled low, flinging the shadows of the hills far up the westward-facing slopes where Gromers are riding. But where he rode and above him, the hillside was yet aglow with the warm, low sunshine, and the distant peak that shut in the head of the valley, rearing his huge front like the gable of a house, with sweeping ribs of bare rock and scree, and a crest of crag like a great breaker frozen to stone in mid-career, bedged yet in the radiance of opalescent light. Turning the shoulder of the hillside, at a place where the hill was cut by a shallow gully, he saw before him a hollow or sheltered nook. There, protected by the great body of the hill from the blasts of the eastern north, two rowan trees and some hollies grew in the clefts of the rock above the water-course. Under their shadow was a cave, not large, but so big as a man might well abide in and be dry in wild weather, and beyond it on the right a little waterfall, so beautiful it was a wonder to behold. This was the fashion of it. A slab of rock, twice a man's height, tilted a little forward from the hill, so that the water fell clear from its upper edge in a thin stream into a rocky basin. The water in the basin was clear and deep, but a churn always with bubbles from the plunging jet from above, and over all the rocks about it grew mosses and lichens and little water-flowers, nourished by the stream of root, and refreshed by the spray. The Lord Gros said in his heart, Here would I dwell for ever had I but the art to make myself little as an effed, and I would build me and house a span high beside the under-cushion of moss emerald-hued, with those pink fox-dloves to shed my door which ballads their bells above the forming waters. This shy grass upon asses should be my drinking-cup, with pure white chalice poised on a hair-thin stem, and the curtains of my bed that little thirsty sand-walt, which, like a green heaven, soled with milk-white stars, curtains the shady sides of these rocks. Resting in this imagination, he abhorred a long time looking on that fairy place, so secretly bestowed in the fold of the naked mountain. Then, unwilling to depart from so fair a spot, and be-thinking him besides that after so many hours his horse was weary, he dismounted and lay down beside the stream. And in a short while, having his spirits sublime with the sweet imagination of those wonders he had beheld, he was fair to suffer the long dark lashes to droop over his large and liquid eyes, and deep sleep overcame him. When he awoke, all the sky was afire with the red of sunset. A shadow was betwixt him in the western light, the shape of one bending over him, and saying in masterful wise, yet in accents wherein the echoes and memories of all sweet sounds seemed mingled and laid up at rest forever, lie still, my lord, nor cry not to rescue, behold thine own sword, and I took it from thee sleeping. And he was aware of a sharp sword pointed against his throat, where the big burns lie beneath the tongue. He stirred not at all, neither spare-court, only looking up at her as that some vision of delight strayed from the fugitive flock of dreams. The lady said, Where be thy company, and how many? Answer me swiftly. He answered her like a dreamer. How shall I answer thee? How shall I number them that be beyond all count? Or how near unto your grace their habitation, which are even very now closer to me than hand or feet, yet o' the next instant are able to transcend a man wilder be like than even a starbeam hath journeyed o'er? She said, Riddle me, nor riddles. Answer me, thou wet best. Madam, said Gro, these that I told thee of be the company of mine own silent thoughts, and but for mine horse this is all the company that came hither with me. Alone, said she, and sleep so securely in thine enemy's country. That showed a strange confidence. Not enemies, if I may, said he. But she cried, And thou, Lord Gro, of which land? That one sickened long since, he answered, of a mortal sickness, and is now a day and a night since he is dead thereof. What art thou, then? said she. He answered, If your grace whatsoever receive me, Lord Gro of Demonland. A very practised turn-court, said she, be like they also are wearied of thee and thy wares. Alas, she said in an altered voice, thy gentle pardon, when doubtless it was for thy generous deeds to me would, there fell out with thee, when thou didst so nobly befriend me. I will tell your harness, answered he, the pure truth. Never stood matters better to its me and all of them, than when yesterday night I resolved to leave them. The lady mev'ring was silent, and clouded her first. Then. I am alone, she said. Therefore think it not little hearted in me, nor forgetful of past benefits. If I will be further certified of thee, ere I suffer thee to rise. Swear to me, thou wilt not betray me. But Gro said, How should an oath from me avail thee, madam? Oaths bind not an ill man. Where I minded to do thee wrong, lightly should I swear the all oaths thou mightest require, and lightly the next instant before sworn. That is not well said, said Mev'rium, nor helpeth not thy safety. You men do say that women's hearts be faint and feeble, but I shall show thee the contrary is in me. Study to satisfy me. Else will I assuredly smite thee to death with thine own sword. The Lord Gro laid back, clasping his slender hands behind his head. Stand, I pray thee, said he, o' the other side of me, that I may see thy face. She did so, still threatening him with the sword. And he said, smiling, Divine lady, all my days of eye had danger for my bed-fellow, and peril of death for my familiar friend. Willem leading a delicate life in princely court, where murder sitteth in the wine-cup and in the alcove. Willem journeying alone in more perilous lands than this, as witness the maruna, where the country is full of venomous beasts and crawling poisoned serpents, and the divils be as abundant there as grasshoppers on a hot hillside in summer. He that feareth is a slave, where he never so rich, where he never so powerful, but he that is without fear is king of all the world. Thou hast my sword. Strike. Death shall be a sweet rest to me. Thrall them not death, should terrify me. She paused a while, then said unto him, My Lord, grower, thou didst do me once a right great good turn. Surely I may build my safety on this, that never yet did Kite bring forth a good flying-hawk. She shifted her hold on a sword, and very prettily gave it him hilt foremost, saying, I give it thee back, my Lord, nothing doubting, that that which was given in honour, thou wilt honourably use. But he, rising up, said, Madam, this and thy noble words hath given such roof-fastness to the pact of faith betwixt us, that it may now unfold what blossom of oaths thou will. For oaths are the blossom of friendship, not the root. And thou shalt find me a true holder of my vowed amity unto thee, without spot or wrinkle. For sundry nights and days abode, grower, and mevory, and in that place, hunting at wiles to get their sustenance, drinking of the sweet spring water, sleeping at nights, she in her care beneath the holly-bushes and the rowans beside the waterfall. He in at left of the rocks a little below in the gully, where the moss-made cushions soft and resilient as the great-stuffed beds in Carsey. In those days she told him of her fairings since that night of April when she escaped out of Crothering. Her first she found harborage at By in Westmark. But hearing in a day or two of a human cry fled east again, and so journing a while beside Thorewater came at length about a month ago upon this care beside the little phantom, and here abode. Her mind had been to win over the mountains to Gailing, but she had after the first attempt given over that design for fear of companies of the enemy whose hands she barely escaped when she came forth into the lower valleys that open on the eastern coastlands. So she had turned again to this hiding place in the hills, a secret and remorse as any in demon land. For this dale she let him know was never dale, where no road ran said the way of the deer and the mountain goats, and no garth opened on that dale, and the reek of no man's hearthstone burdened the winds that blew thither. And that gable-crested peak at the head of the dale was the southernmost of the forks of Nantragarnam, nursery of the vulture and the eagle, and a hidden where was round the right shoulder of that peak over the toothed ridge by never dale halls to the upper waters of Tiberonderdale. On an afternoon of sultry summer heat it so befell that they rested below the halls on a bastion of rock that jutted from the southwestern slot. Beneath their feet precipices fell suddenly away from a giddy verge, sweeping round in a grand cirque, above which the mountain rose like some torturian fortress, ponderous, cruel as the sea, and sad, scarred and gashed with great lines of cleavage, as though the face of the mountain had been slashed away by the axe stroke of a giant. In the depths the waters of dual tarn slept placid and fathomless. Growl was stretched on the brink of the cliff, first downward, propped on his two elbows, studying those dark waters. Surely, he said, the great mountains of the world are a present remedy, if mended but know it, against our modern discontent and ambitions. In the hills is wisdom's fount. They are deep in time. They know the ways of the sun and the wind, the lightning's fiery feet, the frost that shattereth, the rain that shroudeth, the snore that putteth about their nakedness a softer coverlet than fine lawn, which if their large philosophy question not if it be a bridal sheet or a shroud hath not this unpolicy'd calm his justification ever in the returning year, and is it not an instance to laugh our carefulness out of fashion? Of us, little children of the dust, children of a day, who with so many burdens do burden us, with taking thought and with fears and with desires, and devious schemings of the mind, so that we wax old before our time, and fall weary ere the brief day be spent, and one reaping hook gatherers home at last for all our pains. He looked up, and she met the gears of his great eyes. Deep pools of night they seemed, where strange matters might move on scene, disturbing to look on, yet filled with a soft, slumbrous charm that lulled and soothed. Thou'st fallen a dreaming, my lord, said Meverean, and for me it is a hard thing to walk with thee in thy dreams, who I am awake in the broad daylight and would be a-doing. Sir, tease it is an ill thing, said Lord Gro, that thou who has not been nourished in mendacity or poverty, but in superfluity of honour and large-ass, shalt's be made fugitive in thine own dominions, to lodge with foxes and beasts of the wild mountain. Said she, it is yet a sweeter lodging than is today in croathering. It is therefore a chafe to do somewhat, to win through to Gailing, that was something. What profit is in Gailing, said Gro, without Lord Jus? She answered, there will tell me it is even as croathering without my brother. Looking side-long up at her, where she sat armed beside him, he beheld a tear of tremble on her island. He said gently, who shall foreknow the ways of fate? Your Highness is better here be like. Let him every one stood up. She pointed to a print in the living rock before her feet. The Hippogriff's hoofmark, she cried, stricken in the rock ages ago by that high bird, which presided from of old over the predestined glory of our line, to point us on to a fair advanced above the region of the glittering stars. True is the word that that land which is in the governance of a woman only is not surely kept. I will abide idly here no more. Gro, beholding her, saw stand, all armed on that high brink of crag, setting with so much perfection in womanly beauty in manlike valour, bethought him that here was that true embodiment of mourn and eve, that charm which called him from croathering, and for which the prophetic spirits of mountain and wood and field had pointed his path with a heavenly benizon, meaning to bid him go northward to his heart's true home. He kneeled down and caught her hand in his, embracing and kissing it, as of her in whom all his hopes were plersed, and saying passionately, Mervrian, Mervrian, let me be but armed in thy good grace, and idify whatever there is or can be against me, even as the sunlight hath broad heaven yet noonday, and that giveth light unto this dreary earth. So art thou the true light of demon land, which because of thee maketh the whole world glorious. Welcome unto me be all miseries, so only unto thee I may be welcome. She sprang back, snatching away her hand. Her sword leapt singing from the scabbard, but growl that was so ravished and abused that he remembered of nothing worldly, but only that he beheld his lady's face, abode motionless. She cried, Back to back! Swift, it is too late! He leaped up, barely in time. Six stout fellows, soldiers of whichland stole and softly upon them at unawares, closed now upon them. No breath to waste impartly, but the clank of steel. He and Mevrian back to back on a table of rock, those six setting on from either side. Kill the goblin, said there. Take the lady unhurt, to his death to all as she be touched. So for a time those two defended them of all their power. Yet at such odds could not the issue stand long in doubt, nor grows high metal make up what he lacked of strength bodily and skill in arms. Cunning of fence indeed was the lady Mevrian, as they guessed not to their hurt. For the first of them, a great chuff-headed fellow that sought to bear her down with rushing in upon her, she with a deft thrust passing his guard run clear through the throat. By whose taking off, his fellows took some lesson of caution. But Gro being at length brought to earth with many wounds, they had the next instant coat Mevrian from behind, whilst others engaged her in the face, when, in the nick of timers by the intervention of heaven was all their business taken in reverse, and all five in a moment led bleeding on the stones beside their fellows. Mevrian looking about, and seeing what she saw, fell weak and faint in her brother's arms, overcome with so much radiant joy after that stress of action and peril. Beholding now with her own eyes that homecoming whereof the genie of the land had had four knowledge, and in gross sight shone themselves wild with joy thereof. Brand up to her and just come home to demon land, like men arisen from the dead. Not touched, she answered them. But look to my Lord Gro. I fear he be hurt. Look to him well, for he hath approved him our friend indeed. End of chapter 25