Magic's Price v(lhm-3

by Mercedes Lackey

  “You're right,” Andros said, rubbing his head, then mounting. “I'd better talk to them. Well, let's get going.”

  They rode off, leaving a gittern behind them, propped up against a tree. When they were quite out of sight-and hearing-distance-the strings quivered for a moment.

  A knowledgeable listener might have recognized a ballad popular sixty or seventy years earlier - a love-song called “My Lady's Eyes.”

  And a very keen-eared listener might have heard laughter among the trees; young male laughter, tenor and baritone, making a joyful music of their own.

  To this day, that gittern is grown into the tree it leaned against then, the goldenoak's roots entwined around its strings in a gentle embrace, and there are bright days, when the winds whispers through the trees, that the Forest of Sorrows seems the most inappropriate name possible.

  APPENDIX

  Songs of Vanyel's Time

  NIGHTBLADES

  They come creeping out of darkness, and to darkness they

  return. In their wake they leave destruction; where they go, no one

  can learn For they leave no trace in passing, as if all who watched were

  blind

  Like a dream of evil sending, Nightblades passing, nightblades rending, Into darkness once more blending Leaving only dead behind.

  First a threat-and then a death comes in the darkness of the

  night

  And a dozen would-be allies have begun to show their fright. When the nightblades strike unhindered, and can take a life

  at will,

  There's no safety in alliance And much peril in defiance It is best to show compliance And the Karsite ranks to fill.

  The chief envoy summons Vanyel, for one ally still seems

  brave

  And the treaty may be salvaged if Vanyel this life can save. Herald Vanyel feigns refusal, senses one would play him

  fool;

  Thinks of treachery in hiding, Lets his instincts be his guiding. His own counsel he is biding He'll be no unwitting tool.

  Garbed in black slips Herald Vanyel to their last lone ally's

  keep; Over wall and into window, past all gates and guards to

  creep. Past all gates and guards-no magic has them wrapped in

  deadly spell-

  They are drugged, and they are dreaming.' Some foe strikes in friendly seeming- See-a metal dart there gleaming! Vanyel knows the symptoms well.

  Now he hears another's footstep soft before him in the dark And he hastes to lay an ambush while the nightblade seeks

  his mark.

  Now he waits beside the doorway of the ally's very room And the nightblade, all unknowing, With a single lamp-beam showing To a confrontation going Not to fill another tomb.

  Out of shadow Vanyel rises and he bars the nightblade's way. He has only that slim warning-Vanyel has him soon at bay. When the guards have all awakened, then he bares the night-blade's face-

  And all minds but his are reeling When he tears off the concealing- And the envoy's face revealing- Brings the traitor to disgrace.

  MY LADY'S EYES

  (This is drivel. It's supposed to be. It's Vanyel's mother's favorite song. Van puts up with it because he can show off his fingering.)

  My Lady's eyes are like the skies

  A soft and sunlit blue

  No other fair could half compare

  In sweet midsummer hue

  My Lady's eyes cannot disguise

  Her tender, gentle heart

  She cannot feign, she feels my pain

  Whenever we must part.

  (Instrumental)

  Now while I live I needs must give Her all my love and more That she may know I worship so This one that I adore. And while away, I long and pray The days may speed, and then, I heartward hie, I flee, I fly, To see her eyes again.

  (Instrumental)

  My Lady's eyes, each glance I prize, As gentle as a dove, And would that I could tell her why I dare not speak my love. Too high, as far as any star Her station is to mine, Too wide that space to e'er embrace, Beneath her I repine. (Instrumental)

  SHADOW STALKER

  It was just a week till Sovven, and the nights were turning

  chill And the battle turned to stalemate, double-bluff, and feint

  and drill When a shadow drifted northward, just a shadow, nothing

  more. No one noticed that the shadows all grew darker than

  before. No one noticed, while the shadows seemed to creep into the

  heart, But from then the fight for freedom seemed a fool's quest

  from the start. All the hopes that they had cherished seemed unreasoned and

  naive Nothing worth the strength to pray for, or to strive for, or

  believe.

  And the shadows stole the sunlight from the brightest autumn

  day, As they sang a song of bleakness that touched every heart

  that heard As they whispered words of hopelessness, all courage fled

  away, And they wove a smothering blanket over all that lived and

  stirred.

  Herald Vanyel came upon them, and he sensed a subtle

  wrong, And there was some magic working; deeply hidden, yes, but

  strong.

  And it moved and worked in secret, like a poison in the vein Like a poison meant to weaken, this was magic meant to

  drain. Herald Vanyel saw the Shadows, and they turned their wiles

  on him

  For one moment even he began to feel his spirit dim- But he saw their secret evil, and he swore e'er he was done He would stalk and slay these Shadows, and destroy them,

  one by one.

  Herald Vanyel, Shadow Stalker, hunted Shadows to their

  doom They turned all their powers upon him, turned away from

  other men And although they strove to take him, he unwove their web

  of gloom. So the Shadows fled his anger, their creator sought again.

  Herald Vanyel faced the Singer who had sung them into life And she sang to him of grief and loss that cut him like a

  knife.

  And she sang to him of self-hate, and she wove a net of pain With her songs of woe and hopelessness bent to be Vanyel's

  bane. “So now what is there to strive for?” was the song she sang

  to him. And the shadow came upon his heart, the world grew gray

  and dim. But the Singer Of The Shadow did not know the foe she

  fought, Nor how dear he held his duty, nor by what pain power was

  bought.

  Herald Vanyel looked upon her, and he saw through her

  disguise And she strove then to seduce him into death or madness

  sweet. Herald Vanyel looked within him, and he saw her songs were

  lies, And he gathered up his magic then, her powers to defeat.

  Herald Vanyel raised his golden voice and sang of life and

  light,

  Of the first cry of a baby, of the silver stars of night. Herald Vanyel sang of wisdom, sang of courage, sang of

  love, Of the earth's sweet soil beneath him, of the vaulting sky

  above, Sang of healing, sang of growing, sang of joy and hope and

  dreams, And the Singer Of The Shadows felt the death of all her

  schemes.

  It was then she tried to flee him, but his song and magic spell Struck her down and held her pinioned and she faltered, and she fell.

  Then the Singer Of the Shadows saw her Shadows shatter

  there, Saw her lies unmade before her, saw her darkness turned to

  day

  And how empty and how petty was the spirit then laid bare- Like her Shadows then she shattered, and in silence passed

  away.

  WINDRIDER UNCHAINED

  Windrider, fettered, imprisoned, and pinioned Wing-clipped by magic, his power full drained, Valdemar's Heir is defeated and captive, With his Companion by Darklord enchained.

  Darklord of shadows his fetters is weaving Binds hi
m in darkness as deep as despair, Mocks at his anger and laughs at his weeping, “Where is your strength now, oh Valdemar's Heir?”

  Darklord has left them by shadows encumbered, Darshay and Windrider trapped in his gloom, Deep in 'his prisons, past hope, past believing, Heir and Companion, will this be your tomb?

  Out of the shadows another draws nearer, Out of the twilight steals one furtive light. Shadows dance pain, while the Light sings despairing, Drawn here by Darshay and Windrider's plight.

  Power new-won have the Singer and Dancer, Power to shatter their curses at last-Power that also could free the sad captives; Power to break the bonds holding them fast.

  Heart speaks to heart in the depths of the darkness Grief calls to grief, and they falter, afraid- Why should they sacrifice all for these strangers? Then new-won compassion sends them on to aid.

  Dancer in Shadows, she weeps as she dances, Dancing, unmaking the shadow-born bands. Sunsinger now through tears gives up his power- Sings back the magic to Windrider's hands.

  Spent now, the twain unseen fall into shadow Gifted to strangers all that they had gained. Darklord returns, and by fear is confounded- Flees the avenger, Windrider unchained!

  DEMONSBANE

  Along a road in Hardorn, the place called Stony Tor A fearful band of farmers flees Karsite Border war. A frightened band of farmers, their children, and their wives, Seeks refuge from a tyrant, who wants more than their lives.

  Now up rides Herald Vanyel. “Why then such haste?” says

  he.

  “Now who is it pursuing, whose anger do you flee? For you are all of Hardorn, why seek you Valdemar? Is Festil no protection? Bide all his men too far?”

  “Oh, Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, we flee now for our lives, Lord Nedran would enslave us, our children and our wives- He'd give our souls to demons, our bodies to his men. King Festil has not heeded, or our peril does not ken.”

  Now up speaks Herald Vanyel. “The Border is not far- But you are all of Hardorn, and not of Valdemar. You are not Randale's people-can call not on his throne- But damned if I will see you left helpless on your own!”

  So forth goes Herald Vanyel, and onward does he ride.

  On Stony Tor he waits then, Yfandes at his side.

  With Nedran's men approaching, he calls out from on

  high, “You shall not pass, Lord Nedran! I shall not let you by!”

  Now Herald Vanyel only stands blocking Nedran's way “Now who are you, fool nothing, that you dare to tell me

  nay?”

  Now up speaks Herald Vanyel in a voice like brittle glass; “The Herald-Mage called Vanyel-and I say you shall not

  pass!”

  Now there stands great Lord Nedran, and behind him forty

  men,

  Beside him is his wizard-but he pales, and speaks again- “So you are Herald Vanyel-but this place is not your land. So heed me, Herald Vanyel; turn aside and hold your hand.”

  “Let be; I'll give you silver, and I shall give you gold, And I shall give you jewels fair that sparkle bright and bold, And I shall give you pearls, all the treasures of the sea, If you will step aside here, and leave these fools to me.”

  “What need have I of silver more than sweet Yfandes here? And all the gold I cherish is sunlight bright and clear. The only jewel I treasure's a bright and shining star, And I will protect the helpless even outside Valdemar.”

  “Now I shall give you beauty, slaves of women and of men, And I shall give you power as you'll never see again, And I shall give you mansions and I shall give you land, If you will turn aside here, turn aside and hold your hand.”

  “Now beauty held in bondage is beauty that is lost.

  And land and mansions blood-bought come at too high a

  cost.

  And power I have already-all power is a jade- So turn you back, Lord Nedran if of me you are afraid!”

  Lord Nedran backs his stallion, the wizard he comes nigh. “Prepare yourself, bold Vanyel, for you shall surely die!” The wizard calls his demons, the demons he commands, And Vanyel, Herald Vanyel, only raises empty hands.

  The wizard calls his demons, the sky above turns black. The demons strike at Vanyel, he stands and holds them back. The demons strike at Vanyel, they strike and hurt him sore, But Vanyel stands defiant, to raise his hands once more.

  The sky itself descending upon bare Stony Tor Now hides the awful battle. The watchers see no more. The wizard shouts in triumph-too soon he vents his mirth. For Vanyel calls the lightning, and smites him to the earth!

  The clouds of black have lifted; upon the barren ground Stands Vanyel hurt, but victor, the demons tied and bound. He looks down on Lord Nedran; his eyes grow cold and

  bleak- “Now shall I give you, Nedran, the power that you seek-”

  Now Vanyel frees the demons, and Nedran screams with

  fear, He sets them on the Karsites, who had first brought them

  here.

  He sets them on the Karsites, and on the Karsite land. They look down on Lord Nedran. They do not stay their

  hand.

  Now Vanyel calls the farmers. “Go tell you near and far, How thus are served the tyrants who would take Valdemar. I am the bane of demons, who flees them I defend. Thus Heralds serve a foeman-thus Heralds save a friend!”

  THE SHADOW-LOVER

  Shadow-Lover, never seen by day, Only deep in dreams do you appear. Wisdom tells me I should turn away, Love of mist and shadows, all unclear- Nothing can I hold of you but thought Shadow-Lover, mist and twilight wrought.

  Shadow-Lover, comfort me in pain. Love, although I never see your face, All who'd have me fear you speak in vain- Never would I shrink from your embrace Shadow-Lover, gentle is your hand Never could another understand.

  Shadow-Lover, soothe me when I mourn Mourn for all who left me here alone, When my grief is too much to be borne, When my burdens crushing-great have grown, Shadow-Lover, I cannot forget- Help me bear the burdens I have yet.

  Shadow-Lover, you alone can know How I long to reach a point of peace How I fade with weariness and woe How I long for you to bring release. Shadow-Lover, court me in my dreams Bring the peace that suffering redeems.

  Shadow-Lover, from the Shadows made, Lead me into Shadows once again. Where you lead I cannot be afraid, For with you I shall come home again- In your arms I shall not fear the night. Shadow-Lover, lead me into light.

  MAGIC'S PRICE

  Every year Companions Choose, as they have done before, The Chosen come with shining hopes to learn the Herald's lore.

  And every year the Heralds sigh, and give the same advice-

  “All those who would hold Magic's Power must then pay Magic's Price.”

  Oh there was danger in the North-that's all that Vanyel knew.

  An enemy of power dark sought Heralds out-then slew. But only those with Magic's Gift were slain by silent rage- Till Vanyel of them all was left the only Herald-Mage.

  Yes, from the North the danger came, beyond the Border

  far- The Forest did not stay Dark Death, nor did the mountains

  bar. And Vanyel cried-”We die, my liege, and know not why

  nor where! So send me North my King, that I may find the answers

  there!”

  Then North went Vanyel-not alone, though 'twas of little

  aid

  A Bard was like to be to him; and Stefen was afraid-He feared that he would fail the quest, a burden prove to

  be- Dared not let Vanyel go alone to face dark sorcery.

  So out beyond the Border there, beyond the forest tall, Into the mountains deep they went that stood an icy wall- To find the wall had cracked and found there was a passage

  new, A path clean cut that winding ran a level course and true.

  This path was wrought by magecraft; Vanyel knew that when