Merlin's Ring

by H. Warner Munn

  It seemed to him that he had been gone a long rime, but he knew his experience had lasted the space of but a few breaths.

  His thought came to Corenice, who communed with Thyra without words. “Yes, there ”was a harbor near Strom-sey called Brendansvik, because Brendan, the Navigator, whom the Celts called Saint, was reputed to have touched there upon his first voyage.“

  Flann knew nothing of the mental conversation or any decision, but he was disappointed when Gwalchmai spoke to him at the tiller: “Hold your course south, steady as we go until we reach your islands. We must land at your starting place.”

  This was the end of hope for Flann. He felt that he was returning only to be a thrall.

  With fair winds and under a pleasant summer sky, the knorr made good speed toward the Faroes, but time dragged for the Voyagers.

  Flann had t brought along one of the damaged books on the beach and sometimes he read quietly to Gwalchmai and the girl, instructing them in his faith. Much of what he heard was familiar to the Aztlanian, for Merlin, his godfather, had been a Christianized Druid and had possessed books on many subjects, which Ventidius Varro, Gwalchmai’s father, had taught his son to read.

  , What she heard was new to Thyra and it fascinated her. At such times Corenice withdrew from her mind, for she loved her Atlantidean goddess, Ahuni-i, the Spirit of the Wave, and would have no other allegiance. So it was that, with a sisterly consideration and delicate courtesy, she slept at that time and Harm’s words fell mainly upon Thyra’s ears alone.

  As he read, he did not realize that he was courting Thyra by the selections he chose, but the girl understood the deeper meanings beneath the rolling and majestic phrases and thrilled to the timbre of his voice. She drew nearer to him at such times.

  There were other hours when it was Thyra who slept and Corenice spoke with Gwalchmai inaudibly, for since the swan-flight they were spiritually as one.

  So, when Flann stood his watch Thyra was with him always, and if he slept, the other two were together. Thus, there was small jealousy on Flann’s part, for there was little he saw to feed jealousy. There was within him only that sad happiness known as love.

  A stone tower stood high at Brendansvik and it was supposed to have been erected by Brendan and his fellow monks. It was somewhat in disrepair, but habitable, and in it lived a woman whose name was Fimmilene. She was reputed to be a spae-wif e.

  There was some mystery about her. People said that she was of noble birth and had fled Norway rather than pay homage to Harald Fairhair. Others believed that she had seen and told too much when she should have kept silent and thus had made powerful enemies who sought her life. There were also those who claimed that she was secretly inclined toward the new faith and was in hiding from Thor’s wrath. In support of this, it was marked that she had no dislike of dwelling in a building that had been lived in by Christian men.

  All agreed upon one thing—that she had the gift of seeing and that she saw true. Therefore she was much in demand, both as a soothsayer and a finder of lost articles, and she never lacked for food.

  When she went abroad she wore a robe of black wolfskin and polished boots of calfhide, with dangling tassels that were little human skulls carved from narwhal ivory. She was never seen without, unless her narrow hands were _ covered by her long gloves of white catskin. Upon these the claws still showed and appeared at times to either be flexed or withdrawn.

  Folk wondered if she were a turncoat and ran the woods at night as either wolf or cat. No one ever was curious enough to ask, for one glance from those piercing eyes below her black hood, lined witk lambskin, was enough to deter the most inquisitive and people did not like to meet her eyes directly. They were never sure how deeply she could read the secrets they wished to keep hidden when she looked into their eyes.

  When the knorr sailed into Brendansvik, the three had already eaten and so needed not pause in seeking out the weird woman. This was well, for what loiterers there,Were at the waterfront were mightily taken witk the strangers. Some of these knew Flann and Thyra, although this was not their home port, but none had ever seen such a man as companioned them, who carried an antique short sword and a flint ax for weapons and who was so oddly appareled in brightly beaded leather. Here and there, one would fain have questioned the group upon the missing Skeggl and Biarki, but without pausing the three hurried away and found the stone tower of the spae-wif e.

  The upper edge of the tower was crumbled and ragged. The roof was still sound, and the stout door was thick and made of new wood. It swung open noiselessly at their approach and they went in.

  There was no warder, but it seemed that they were expected. A pleasant contralto voice bade them enter. A short hallway led into a large room comprising the remainder of the lower floor. Polar bear skins served as rugs, and a cresset with flaming knots of Norway pine gave added light to that which a large fireplace flung, for stone walls are sometimes cold and damp, even in summer.

  The room was furnished sparely. A refectory table of the old monks stood in tKe center, flanked by benches. A brown, cracked mammoth’s tusk hung upon the curving wall that faced them and beneath its arch stood a high platform, elevated several feet above the stone floor. Upon this dais was an oaken chair, intricately carven, and in it sat the spae-wife, Fimmilene, gazing into a crystal ball upon a small stand, over which was draped a scarf of dark purple Chinese silk embroidered with dragons in golden thread.

  As they entered, a raven with a split tongue cried out, “Here come the ghosts!” and flapped his wings wildly, dancing back and forth upon the perch to which he was fastened with a chain, eyeing them wickedly sidelong as he did so.

  The spae-wife did not raise her head, but continued looking into the ball. She said, “Peace, Mimir,” in an absent way as though it mattered little whether he obeyed or not. He fell silent,, watching the strangers in a malicious manner as though he was something more than bird and ever and again chuckling low hi his throat.

  Fimmilene kept her position for a moment longer, then sighed as though weary and stood up, beckoning them to approach.

  She was slim and beautiful and at first they took her to be young. Her clinging silken gown was a smoky crimson and covered with glittering stones that picked up the color of the cloth like a myriad red watching eyes from which the light from the flames was reflected as she moved,-sparkling the walls and ceiling with tiny rainbows.

  Then they perceived that such beauty as hers was ageless, for her hair was as white as her catskin gloves and her eyes and smile were old and very knowing. This was not a woman whom it would be easy to deceive. It was perhaps fortunate that they came seeking information, instead of trying to withhold it.

  Flann she dismissed casually as being of little importance. Corenice then being dominant, the girl was favored with a sharp glance as of one equal to another, but Gwalchmai she studied intently.

  “So here you all are,” she said finally and sat down again, studying them with her chin in her hand and her el-bows upon the stand. “1 have been advised of the coming of you three. The Irishman who perhaps does not believe in magic; the Norse girl who houses magic—of a sort; and the man who has studied magic, but does not know yet how to use it well, or wisely.

  “Ask then what you came to ask and leave me, but remember that the answers come from a greater one than I am, or you, Wanderer, who have thus far failed and are doomed to fail again, can ever hope to be.”

  Yet, as she spoke, she smiled upon Gwalchmai with good humor, and the smile transformed her face and took some of the sternness out of her words.

  “Truly,” she mused, “you are goodly to look upon, as I was told. You must have eaten of those apples- of Hel, which keep the gods young.”

  Now, at this, she motioned him to come up and look into the crystal ball, and as he did so, Corenice, who had taken an instant dislike to Fimmilene, went up with him and stood beside him, for she was jealous of this aged woman’s young and ageless beauty.

  Flann also stood up
on the girl’s other side, although his heart was hammering, lest Thyra should think him more easily‘ daunted than his rival.

  The spae-wife chuckled, for she knew what each was thinking.

  “Look then, into the ball, in the name of the Great Mother, and think of your question and not of me. Each of you shall see what you came to see, whether or no it may be what you would like to learn.” And as she spoke, she passed her hand above the sphere and in it pictures began to form.

  Now it seemed as these began that each was holding the spae-wife by the hand and with her was journeying alone, for the others disappeared from them. Thus the pictures became realities to them and they passed separately into a strange land as her spirit led the way.

  There was a place of terrible cold and darkness through which they traveled and there were barriers of fire from which they shrank and cringed, but through these dangers they passed unharmed and came into another world.

  Then, to each, it appeared as though many spirits thronged around them, although each saw and spoke with different ones.

  Corenice felt herself held in the arms of her father, who had died when Poseidonis sank and Atlantis disappeared. They talked long and it was a happy time, but to her it was as one who listens in a dream and can remember nothing when it was over.

  Then came another who greeted her kindly and spoke of things to come and this she did not forget, for she held this knowledge to be a promise. These things she kept hi her heart, for they concerned herself and Gwalchmai only and she told no one, not even he at that tune.

  Thyra looked into the future also and she did remember, but when she was mistress of her own body again, she looked upon Flahn with an increased shyness and would not tell him what she had seen.

  Flann likewise was silent and went away from that place mused and hi doubt, but later he came to believe in the spae-wife more than he did that day.

  To Gwalchmai came spirits out of the old time. They had ruddy skin and dark eyes; they wore feathers and had painted faces and they passed him by to the thump of a shaman’s drum, but au smiled upon him, for all had loved him long ago. Then came two who were unhappy, for they were his father and mother, who had bid him godspeed upon his mission, which had failed—and although he knew it had been through no fault of his own, he felt their disappointment and was sad. They also passed into the stream of spirits who crowded by and they disappeared from his view.

  Lastly to him appeared an aged man in the robes of a mage and he knew that this was Merlin, to whom he must speak, for this face he had seen hi the bezel of the ring.

  He placed himself in front of Merlin, or so he thought in his vision, and would have tugged his hand loose from the grasp of the spae-wife, so that he might embrace his godfather, but she held it tightly and would not let go.

  Gwalchmai said, “I have come where you told me to come. What word have you for me?”

  Merlin bent a stern gaze upon him, under heavy brows, and Gwalchmai felt as though he were again a very small child.

  “Apprentice, I have work for you to do and hi this you must succeed. You shall go to Rome as was planned, but it will avail you nothing to take your message there, con-cerning Alata. Rome no longer has an Emperor, nor is that city more than a city now. It can send no fleet, nor does it need one.

  “Therefore you must seek elsewhere to deliver your message to a ruler with power to accomplish the desire of your father that Alata shall be reached by, and belong to, men who need a refuge.

  “As I have an equal interest in this accomplishment, it is my will that this must be a Christian monarch only, nor ^hall any other take and hold this land.

  “However, as this deed may take you longer than you will at present believe, there is no immediate haste and I have an errand for y®u to perform as you go upon your way.

  You must go to Elveron, the Land of Faery, which the Romans called Mona. Here was the last stand of the Druids, in their defense, and in gratitude Elveron holds Arthur’s sword, Excalibur.

  “Sir Bedwyr, Arthur’s trusted knight, left it there when he knew himself close on death, to be guarded by the fay, until the last great battles of the world when Arthur shall rise and will lead the hosts, who possess British blood, against their foes. Then he will need his sword again.

  “The little people are planning to leave Elveron for a kindlier planet This beloved Earth will not much longer be a happy place for them to dwell. There will be clanking machines and polluted waters and flaming winds. There will be no sweet clean air for them to breathe in this coming Iron Age, which men are soon to create.

  “You must obtain Excalibur from them, carry it to Arthur’s tomb and place it beside him, that he may have it in safety until the day of his need. I think you are magician enough for that, neophyte!

  “Now firstly, when you reach Mona, you must seek out the barrow of Getain, who was a Sea-King of that island some while after your sweetüng’s time. He was slain in battle against the Fomorians and was brought home and there laid in howe. His tomb is the secret entrance to Elveron.

  “Your ring will give you entry, but not without fee. Thor holds the elvish torque which once lay in Fafnir’s bed, and guarding it is sleepless Mimingus, the Satyr of the Wood, whom you must make your friend.

  “When you have obtained the torque, it will be the price you pay to enter Elveron, but first you must appease the

  Loathly Dogs. Likewise, there are Watchers set ever Arthur’s tomb who may or may not approve of you, but you have read how to protect yourself against them.

  “Secondly, you must be on your guard in all your journey-ings against Oduarpa, the Lord of the Dark Face. He is greatly powerful in the world and my most ancient enemy. Long ago, he came to earth, bent upon evil. Men confuse him with Satan and some worship him to their cost, but he is no fallen angel. No!

  “He is kin to those who dwell in the underworld and below the” surface of the ground you place yourself in Jhis power. He is most patient. When he learns, as he undoubtedly will, that you seek to accomplish my desires, he will bide his time to do you both an injury. Should you fall into sin, you place yourself in his power—and there are many kinds of sin.

  ‘Thirdly, I now set a geas upon you and these are the terms of it If you break one clause, you break all, and you will know sorrow. Therefore, attend.

  “You must enter Elveron alone, for the signet of- the ring will open the door for only one.

  “You must take nothing out of Elveron except the sword which was forged by the Lady of the Lake, but which belongs to men.

  “She may try in some way to get it back. Anything you carry upon you from the Land of Faery will weaken your grasp upon the sword. You cannot be strong in botk realms.

  “For the same reason, you must not eat or drink anything you are offered, however you may be coaxed, or how delicious it appears, during all the time you are in Elveron. The fay are not wicked, but they are mischievous. They will trick you if they can, meaning you no harm.

  “Now go, my godson of whom I am proud, and obey your geas!”

  “Stay, Godfather! I have so much to ask you!” cried Gwalchmai as Merlin retreated into the crowd of moving spirits.

  “One question, then.” He paused an instant “Be brief.”

  “Your own tomb was found empty when it was opened. Did you truly die as we know death? Did you find the Land of the Dead you were seeking in the West? Is this place I see, Mictlampa, from whence the Azteca say they came up from below?”

  “You have asked three questions instead of one, apprentice. When you have learned more and if we meet again, instruct me in the meaning of life and I will expound to you the mystery of death. Until then, farewell!”

  With that, he disappeared into the crowd.

  Gwalchmai snatched his hand away from the spae-wife’s clasp. In that instant the world he knew came rushing back upon him. The spirits disappeared and he stood dazed and bewildered before the crystal balL The spae-wife had not moved from the chair.

  She
swept them with an infinitely weary glance and motioned them away.

  “I have traveled farther with you than I have ever journeyed before. Do not return, for I wish never to see you again, nor do I think that it would be well for us to meet, lest upon another such wandering none of us find the way back. Also I think that we have been watched by one who is no friend to any here.

  “Go then, as you have been commissioned, and stay not. Do not forget that to enter where you wish to go, you must first bribe the Warder and feed the Hounds of Hell. For myself, no payment is vrequired. I need nothing that you have.”

  So they went out silently, each thinking his own thoughts.

  Now Gwalchmai did not know where his mentor had intended him to secure the torque with which he must reward the folk of Elveron for their guardianship of Excali-bur. When he asked Corenice she knew no more than he, but the two girls communed together and Thyra told her of the temple of Thor on Stromsey that had been erected there by Thorgeir, the Viking, when he brought his people and wealth there from Norway, to spite Harald Fakhair.

  It had many precious things in it and should have needed no guard, for few men were bold enough to affront Thor, the Thunderer, in his own house, especially when they must risk the perils of the sea to escape from Stromsey, which is an island.

  Yet, since Thor was busy about the world, a guard had been set and, knowing this, Gwalchmai prepared a gift to win his friendship.

  It took a little time, but by night it was ready and Gwalchmai led the way, bearing a covered dish of rough earthenware that had never been touched by any metal or been-glazed by salt.

  The little group met no one when they entered Thor’s grove by moonlight and came to his temple. Only Thyra was once affrighted when a night-jar flew up shrieking, for she was divided in her thoughts whether the old gods or the new were the more powerful and this bird might have been the shape-shifting Odin in one of his avatars.