“Well, hello.”
She jerked nearly enough to go over the cliff at sound of that voice, and turned to see the speaker.
“Bjaine! What are you doing here?”
The big handsome Norther shrugged. “I don’t know. A strange thingawhichy led me here and ah, gave me these black dice. Got no idea what I’m supposed to do with the things.” Casually he tossed one of the dice from left hand to right.
“Stop! Treat those cubes with care!”
Bjaine blinked, nigh-invisible blond lashes briefly shuttering eyes like the sky of day. “Why? What do they do? You mean they’re dangerous? How do you know? You still claim to be Tiana, by the way?”
Tiana had no idea what the dice did, and she was not about to admit it to this … barbarian. “You’ll soon see! That fell Bear is about to pass this way and we will throw the black cubes on him.”
“We will?” Bjaine continued to look maddeningly cool, almost smiling.
“Yes! Didn’t your guide tell you?” Before he entered into that potentially embarrassing subject, she asked, “How did you get free?”
“Jiltha found the key. You see? Simplicity itself. I vow, Tiana, it’s not only a terrible liar you are, but plain foolhardy. Fighting is a man’s work! Best you get along back to the ship and cook up something nice. I’ll be hungry once I’ve settled that Bear for good and all.”
“Bjaine, you are without doubt the — ”
She was interrupted. The black cloud had reached the silver-flashing mountain, where it poised — and discharged all its gathered fury in a single lightning stroke. Such was the force of that bolt that the pirate and the Northron heard only the beginning crackle. After that they saw and heard nothing. Though neither was looking directly at the mountain, both felt searing pain in their eyes. Then they went blind, and the blast struck them and they fell down, their brains as blank as their eyes.
*
Tiana regained consciousness first. Brightly-colored spots danced before her eyes and her ears rang. Staggering, she slapped Bjaine.
“Awake, oaf!’’
“What happened?”
It was clear to Tina. The Right Eye of Sarsis had summoned all the fury of the elements. All the rage of a hundred storms had been in that single strike. That blast had smashed the steel egg, freeing the Left Eye of Sarsis. In the process it had greatly damaged Lightning Island. The cliff on which Tiana and Bjaine stood was fractured, unstable. Elsewhere she could see signs of several rock slides. No doubt the fairyland city of the lightning beasts had been grievously injured if not destroyed. She had no time for sadness — or patience to explain anything to the Nor’man.
“It’s time for us to fight, that’s what happened. Stand ready with your cubes. The Bear should be below us soon.” As she spoke, an uneasy doubt came to mind: perhaps the Eyes of Sarsis passed while we were unconscious.
“Girl, would you look at this die? I think something’s wrong with it.” The cube the giant held up was no longer uniformly jet black. One corner was gray. A pure white crack flashed on the surface.
It occurred to Tiana that the dice, on being thrown, were meant to release something they contained. The blast of thunder must have shaken them about. It was lucky the cubes had not been shattered. Bjaine’s gave off another white flash.
“Bjaine, I think you’d better get rid of that thing.”
“But the Bear is coming.”
He pointed. Tiana fought to clear her vision. Yes, the enemy approached. Throwing the unstable die would warn it. The die flashed again. The time between flashes was definitely decreasing.
Tiana spoke in a calm commanding voice. “We’ll throw as soon as the enemy is in range. You must use a gentle underhand toss, no wrist snap.” While she was speaking his cube flashed three times more.
The Northman laughed at her. “This little toy really frightens you, doesn’t it? Bjaine told you fighting is man’s work.” He tossed the die in the air and caught it. The flashes were now scant seconds apart.
It was all Tiana could do not to throw one of her cubes at Bjaine. The Bear came steadily closer and the flashes grew more rapid. The die was beating pulses of light like the heart of a storm god — and Tiana yelled.
“Now!”
The four dice flew through the air. Tiana shut her eyes and covered her ears. Even so she saw the brilliant white flashes of lightning and was shaken by the nearby blast of thunder. Her nose recognized the clean scent of fried oxygen, then the odor of burnt meat. She opened her eyes and saw the Bear. She was not sure whether its body was charred, but it moved and she saw the two blazing red eyes in its forehead.
“Bjaine, help me push this boulder. We’ve got to start a rockslide.”
The massive rock did not budge for Tiana, but when the giant placed his shoulder to it there came a crunching, and the boulder pitched over the edge. The rockslide was larger than Tiana planned. The ground beneath their feet twitched and shivered. They raced back as the cliff face fell away. A network of cracks opened beneath Tiana’s feet. The ground she ran on was sliding down. Firm rock was but a few paces away. One more stride, and she leaped with all her strength. It was close, but she saw she wouldn’t make it — and then Bjaine’s long arm swept out to catch her outstretched hand.
He swept her up and cradled her in his arms. The trail up the mountain had become a vast jumbled mound of broken rock. “Well girl, you claimed that monster couldn’t be killed, but I’ve buried it! Let’s get back to the ship — mine. There must be wine on board somewhere and I’m thirsty.”
Tiana was too drained to snap at him. She even let him hold her hand in his big strong blond-furred paw. The strength of him!
*
When they at last reached the ship, they found Jiltha in command.
“It’s really quite easy,” the princess declared. “At home when I wanted something I told the guards that my father, the King commanded it. Here I tried saying, ‘Lord Storgavar commands and the crew obeyed perfectly.”
The anchor was soon raised and the ship set sail.
For Tiana this cruise was her first chance to relax in a long, long while. She boasted that she knew no fear but the strain of this conflict had worn her more than she would admit even to herself. Perhaps her foe was not destroyed, but no matter. The Eyes of Sarsis would stay buried for a thousand years. Let Pyre worry about the problem.
Daily she reveled in the sun, basking in its golden rays, listening to the wind in the sails and the murmur of the sea. By night she roamed the deck, watched the phosphorescence of the waters as the ship knifed through them. For all its size this ship made good speed. The night air was crisp and clean as only sea air can be. The stars above were as jewels set on black velvet.
The North Star lay astern and slightly to port. Tiana was sure the ship was headed northwest to Reme and if the favorable winds continued, they should reach home port soon. She was coming home in triumph. Probably Caranga and Vixen waited for her there.
All was well and she was very content. It was gratifying that Bjaine now recognized her as the famous sea warrior she was. He had been awed at first, then had begun a very polite and appealing courtship. Yes, Bjaine; handsome, brave and strong Bjaine. Of course he’d never learned to use his brain but that was a habit she could easily teach him. In the meantime he took orders very well. Probably now was a good time for her to marry and settle down. If she made Bjaine first mate of Vixen, Caranga could retire in peace. Bjaine, Bjaine, what a magnificent man; what a lover he’ll be! The future was filled with delightful prospects and there was only one small annoyance. She liked to run a clean ship. From time to time she caught an unpleasant odor: something rotten. No doubt it was a dead rat, its decaying body hidden in some dark corner, but her best efforts did not find it. It was annoying that there was something rotten on this ship.
The Northman was also relaxed and happy. That foolish girl Tiana had apologized for all her silly lies. Even better, after very little beating she had acknowledged herself his slav
e. How lovely she was on her knees.
She served him and catered to his whims as a proper slave should. Of course with that devil on his stomach he could not properly enjoy this lovely slave. Well, this little delay would but increase the satisfaction he’d take from her luscious body. Soon this ship would sail into Port Thark. He would deliver Jiltha to King Hartes and the wizard Ekron would remove the devil. Bjaine was happy and looked to the future with bright lust. The only small annoyance was that sharks were following the ship. Even though the cook wasn’t throwing waste food overboard, still they followed. Well, that was a small matter.
The day the ship reached port began for Tiana as a day of triumph should begin.
She ordered the crew to run up her colors: the black flag with a red fox’s head. At sight of that banner the men in Reme harbor hoisted every flag. Men and women shouted and danced for joy. A band hastily formed and began to play. Children threw flowers. The royal barge appeared and King Hower came on board. As her pride reached its height, Tiana again smelled something dead and decayed. It was awful; what must the king think?
He did not seem to notice. In a mellow voice he said, “Tiana, you have earned this gold bracelet of victory. Step forward that I may put it on your hand.”
She stepped toward the king and the rotten odor grew much stronger. Hower snapped the gold bracelet first about her left wrist, then about her right. “Thank you, Tiana, for your seamanship. You brought this ship swiftly and safely to its destination.”
As he spoke, the port of Reme shimmered and vanished. The new scene was a jungle-surrounded bay. The gold bracelet became a set of iron manacles. King Hower was the skeleton of a Bear, still partially covered with fur and hung with tatters of decaying flesh. The natural eyes were gone, but twin red fires blazed in its forehead. The sweet smooth voice of Sarsis spoke.
“Now it is best that you sleep. When it is time for the Ceremony of Return you shall be brought to me in the Temple of Cignas.”
Tiana recognized the jeweled talisman in its paw, but a white void rushed at her. She was aware of endless falling, then nothing.
BOOK III
Pyre:
FLAMING ICE
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Bardon spoke with carefully measured politeness: “Caranga, I recognize your authority as acting captain. I apologize for my past failure to respect that authority, but now I feel I must ask certain questions.”
The first mate looked sternly at the second, then relaxed. This Bemaran was a good sailor he’d probably been too harsh with. “Very well, Bardon. Tap that ale-keg and sit down. You have a right to know what’s happening. I’d have told you sooner but the answers to your questions are not pleasant.”
Bardon drank and breathed a little easier. After the humiliation of being forcibly removed from command, he had not dared question Caranga’s orders even though they appeared mad.
“We’ve been sailing south into unchartered waters for days and days, with only that … unearthly torch as guide. We’re lost, Caranga. Are we going to follow this phantom until the food and water run out?”
“We’re not quite lost. I’m an old sailor, Bardon. I know a bit more about the world than the men who sit home and draw maps. Our present course should bring us to land in another day or two.”
“What? Where? Why didn’t you tell us? The crew is so frightened they’re murmuring against you.”
“Well, it won’t make them happy to learn our next port will be Sonul.”
“Sonul? That’s only a myth, a horror story to frighten the credulous.”
“Hardly.” Caranga refilled his big two-handled mug. “I’ve been there.”
“Then … surely the city’s not as the tales describe it — monsters walking the streets devouring people?”
“That’s true. Oh, Susha’s Scar, it’s true! Sonul is an enjoyable port if one doesn’t look beneath the surface. Do look, and you’ll find Sonul is a much worse place than the tales describe. Bardon, that place — ”
“Iceberg!” The lookout’s bellow came from high above. “Iceberg dead ahead.”
Bardon had just filled his mouth with ale. He sputtered, spat. “The fool is drunk on watch. By the Cud and Ar’s Staff, I’ll have him flogged!”
Caranga reached the deck ahead of his second. “Helmsman, hold your course. Step lively, you wharf rats! Prepare to drop anchor. Make ready the grappling hooks.” Bardon felt the chill and stared. It was ! A mountain of ice !
Vixen swiftly came abreast the looming iceberg, dropped anchor and, with some difficulty, grappled to the frozen mass. The wind that blew across the massive chunk of floating ice struck Vixen as the breath of a frost giant. Dressed for the warmth of southern waters, some crewmen scurried to find warm clothing. Most stood in cold discomfort, fearful of missing some weird occurrence. Bardon was beginning to understand. The cold air biting his skin was small discomfort compared to the coldness in his spine. Though his apprehension was great, he forced his dry mouth to speak calmly.
“I … gather we are waiting for someone?”
“Yes,” Caranga nodded. “The new master of Vixen . I told you we were sailing into hell. Now we must meet the devil who will be our captain.”
Sunlight struck the ice and broke into thousands of dazzling rays. The intense white glare baffled every blinking eye. Eventually some spied the small darkish ape that moved through the blinding whiteness. With a curse, Bardon shaded his eyes. His straining gaze resolved the shape into the figure of a lean man in black robes. It was a tiny man — no, it was a tall man a great distance away. He paced toward them through a long glittering corridor of ice, greenish ice like a prodigious aventurine. Bardon jerked his head and blinked, for he could not believe his eyes. When he looked again, he saw the man’s features: sharp-planed face like a bird of prey with dark eyes, bright as a hawk’s under predatory brows. The beard was very close-cut and on the chin only. Now the robed man was walking to the ship on one of the grappling lines. A Sarchese tightrope walker could not have balanced on that line, for it was slack. This mattered little to the approaching man; he did not deign to balance, but strode as if he descended a wide staircase. When he reached the deck of Vixen, Caranga bowed.
“My Lord Pyre, let me show you to your cabin.”
The wizard shook his head with a jerk. “Just call me Pyre; I have no need or time for polite ceremonies. Order your men to raise anchor and make full speed for Sonul.”
Supper that night was a gloomy business, a last meal of the condemned. No man, save Caranga, had any idea what awaited them in Sonul, but all knew the city had earned its grim reputation. There was no question of mutiny; indeed no man dared whisper to his neighbor, for fear of the wizard. Pyre! Pyre of Ice!
Pyre spent the night in what had been Tiana’s cabin. Bardon, who had the first watch of the night, observed the wizard go alone into the empty cabin; yet throughout the night Pyre’s voice could be heard. The words, in no language Bardon understood, were in the tone of an argument, haggling over price. The second mate wondered what the wizard was selling. The … sounds that answered Pyre’s voice were never human. Bardon heard a birdlike chirping. Bardon heard a hollow weary moaning as from one long dead recalled unwillingly to life. A light girlish laughter that changed into an obscene aged cackle; a humming as from a great bee. Toward midnight the wizard had a night guest who did not speak. Its heavy breathing could be heard and the floor groaned when it shifted its weight. There were other guests, other sounds. Bardon could not describe them and he would gladly not have heard them. Then came the speaking silence. The sounds of the sea and the wind intermittently faded and vanished. When, startled, he shouted, he found he could not hear his own voice part of the time. For the moment his curiosity was stronger than his fear. When he whistled a steady note, part of the sound vanished. As he listened, he realized that the silences formed a pattern; they were strange, inside-out words. He could almost understand them. He recognized Tiana’s name, then Jiltha’s.
Sarsis, som
ething, something, ceremony of return , something, sacrifice of a royal virgin (!), much he could not discern, then “We — terms. Since we love destruction for — we vow to burn yon — fire.”
Abruptly Bardon realized that he was eavesdropping, a most unhealthy practice. Had he heard the mighty wizard make a bargain for his own destruction by fire? That made no more sense than this voyage filled with insane events. The second mate was glad when his watch ended and Caranga relieved him.
Bardon’s sleep that night was most uneasy. He was brave enough to live with fear, but more than fear assaulted his mind. He had commanded a ship for a few hours and managed it badly. Events were dark riddles he could not solve. He could not cope. Why had he become a pirate in the first place? Born of a very minor noble house of Bemar, he could have had a place at court, in Aradot. No, his was a great noble line, no less long and glorious than the King’s; it was just that none of his ancestors had done anything notable in more than a century. Worse, his father and grandfather had been poor. To be honest, Bardon ca-Lionheight was a pirate for the sake of greed. It was his hope to win a share of a fabulous treasure and restore the family fortune. More than that, Bardon wanted to do great deeds, to prove himself. Marrin hound, his childhood playmates had called him, after a breed of dog once very popular. The Marrin bloodline was long since played out. Bardon’s greatest fear was that it was true. Bardon. Marrin. He hadn’t gone to court because there he knew he’d be one more fop; Nothing. Bardon. Marrin. Instead he became a pirate, and because he was loyal and efficient and intelligent, Tiana and Caranga had trusted him with every routine task. He was still young; yet wasn’t the pattern of his life already clear? Wouldn’t he always be a would-be, an errand boy for others who did great deeds?
There were the self-doubts that plagued Bardon’s sleep, and he awoke stiff and depressed. Marrin hound.
The Eyes of Sarsis Page 16