The Dark Lord's Demise

by John White

  "I-I can't remember. I don't think so. I don't know. I was pretty upset when I talked to him. Oh, Wes, don't be stubborn."

  "And bossy," Kurt added. "Remember I said I didn't feel good about this trip? Well, I feel worse now. Something isn't right. I think we should go back to Nephesh."

  "We can't go back to Nephesh!" Wes burst out. "Gaal said we have to go to the tower!"

  Kurt's voice rose: "But he didn't say when. It could he next week. It could be next year. Maybe we've rushed things. Maybe that's why the ogre almost got us. Maybe we never should have been on this path at all."

  Lisa felt tears sting her eyes. She felt that Wes and Kurt's argument overlooked something very important. "Look, Philo might be hurt. I can get close to him when probably nobody else can. Please. "

  Wes sighed a great, exaggerated sigh. "All right, all right. We'll go back it ways. If we don't find the horse right away, we'll turn around and keep going on our own. We know the way. We don't even need-" He had forgotten the presence of Vulcanus. He glanced at the bird and was embarrassed that a vulture had heard their argument. "But what if we meet up with Dominicus and Andron? What if they want to continue on with us to the island? I don't think we should let them. I think we should send them back to Nephesh."

  "If they'll go," Kurt pointed out.

  Lisa disagreed. "If they want to continue with its, we can't very well stop them. What if they go back and the queen executes them for disobedience? I feel sorry for Dominicus. He was good to Betty and me in the dungeon."

  Wes sighed. "Okay, okay. I still don't trust them, but we can give them one more chance. After all, we're not dependent on them. We've got the Sword of Geburah, and we've got the pigeon to help

  Lisa turned thoughtful. "You know, in the dungeon I told Betty that Gaal was with its even if we couldn't see him. Now I have to ask myself if I believe that."

  "I hadn't thought of it that way before," Kurt said slowly. "You're right. I guess he's here whether we see him or not. But we also have to be smart about what we do and when we do it. That's why I said I didn't feel right about this trip. And I still don't."

  Wes was irked. "Don't start that again. Okay, here's what we'll do. If we come across the soldiers, we take them back-but we never again trust them completely."

  "Well, I'm glad you've made that decision for us," Kurt grumbled. They all fell silent as they started back along the forest path in the direction of Nephesh.

  "Spirit! I have unfortunately just witnessed one of your most dismal failures!"

  Lord Lunacy's voice reverberated in the book-lined room. He was again seated in midair at one end of the long table. The gray mist once again quivered at the other end of the table. While the Dark Lord looked the same, the misty spirit had assumed a somewhat more human shape. Within its opaque body a few streaks of silver and gold glittered like threads of ghostly embroidery.

  Lunacy's tone was a mix of bitter sarcasm and suppressed anger. "Was it beyond your power to make that disgusting eagle drop that jeweled monstrosity into Lake Bamah? Could not our accomplices hang onto their own weapons and not hand them over to children?"

  "I confess the outcome was not all we hoped, majesty. I believed that a direct attack early on was the best approach. May I say that both our accomplices did their tasks as planned. They drew back and allowed the attack to proceed, and they stood ready to cut off a retreat."

  "And one gave up his weapon as easily as a toy is taken from a baby! Never mind. I will deal with him. Now what of that miserable creature you sent to attack? It was so incompetent; I could hardly bear to watch."

  "The ogre had won many battles in its lifetime. Lately it had become overconfident. Your more monstrous subjects are not known for their wisdom."

  "A quality you share with them. No doubt that is why you manage them so well."

  "Thank you, your majesty," the spirit replied with no hint of sarcasm. Lunacy continued: "What approach will you take next? Will you send another goblin?"

  "I think not, my lord. It might succeed if our quarry were ordinary Regenskind. However, you observed the workings not only of the jeweled sword but of the pigeon-"

  The Dark Lord's fist banged the table. While his body could go through walls (and his legs literally projected through the floor at this moment), lie could connect powerfully with physical objects if he chose. The spirit flinched but did not back off. Lunacy roared, "Can you not do away with that foul bird? The thing is no more than a handful of fluff, yet it returns to plague us at all the wrong times."

  The spirit rallied its nerve. "It is well known, your majesty, that the bird lies beyond our powers. Our only hope is to distract our prey from its presence or else lead them to forget-or deny-that it exists. But there is good news, majesty! Perhaps you do not know that the young female Betty is now firmly in our possession."

  "I know everything, spirit."

  The gray shape bowed in acknowledgement. Its bottom half had broadened out to form a shape like a long, flowing skirt. The top narrowed to make a recognizable head, which rested on something like shoulders. "She is now ours and is ever more strongly drawn to our side. She will be most valuable to our cause. She is an excellent prospect to carry on the story of an alliance between your magisterial self and ... the Despised One."

  Lunacy chuckled. "Excellent! We needed a new specimen, one untaught in the history of Anthropos. But let us get back to the other three loathsome children. What will you do next to stop them?"

  "The soldiers are still in the forest, master. They have their orders. They are to cause the death of the three by any means they can. Our original scheme was that they should let the ogre do the work, but-well, you saw what took place."

  "Can they not do the deed themselves?" Lunacy roared. "Are they soldiers or are they cowards?" His voice fell to a dangerous rumble. "The three cannot be allowed to reach the island. Too often in the past they have wrecked my designs. Their presence on the island will endanger my great plan. As you know, my enemy has not dared show himself in Anthropos for some time. I shall now force him to reveal himself in a place where I shall destroy him forever!"

  The gray being sparkled as with laces of inner jewels. "It is a brilliant plan, master. But if I may be bold enough to say so, one part of it escapes me. Does it not depend upon the cooperation of our enemy's followers? If I am correct, all his loyal subjects must gather on the shores of Lake Nachash."

  "Correct. There are not many of them left. They are not my concern. They are only the bait for my trap. We shall lure them to the lake and there place them in mortal danger. The Despised One, for some unknown reason, cares greatly for them. He will be forced to come to their rescue. I and all my forces will be ready for him."

  "But how shall you lure them to Lake Nachash? They will never follow you there."

  A low vibration shook the room. It grew, and the tapestries on the walls rippled. Their fearsome woven scenes of battle writhed in living movement. Books trembled on their shelves. Paintings knocked against walls and even the windowpanes rattled. The vibration took on the rhythm of laughter. The Dark Lord's teeth showed huge and yellowish as his terrible mirth made the room quake. He cried, "They will not follow me, but they will follow this! Miserable spirit, behold my ultimate creation!"

  Over Lunacy's shoulder, a ghostly form took shape in midair. It was a man in a long, white robe. Sandals were on his feet. His hair and beard were white, and his skin was brown, as from sun and open air. The figure reached out his arms in a gesture of welcome. His face was indistinct but grew gradually more clear. The spirit could not stand to look. It gagged, choked and fell back in terror.

  Lunacy was pleased. "So it fooled you too! Good. I am rather proud of it. Do you think it is a good likeness?"

  The spirit dared to take another look at the figure in white. "Y-yes, my lord. It is an excellent likeness. Perhaps a bit unlifelike in its motions-"

  "Perhaps. I am working on that. The face, too, is not yet perfect. However, it shall be sufficient fo
r my plans. The image will appear briefly to the various followers of the Enemy throughout Anthropos. It will tell them to travel to Lake Nachash, where he will reveal himself to them all. Its appearance will be fleeting, sometimes distant in the sky, so any flaws will go undetected. The Despised One's foolish followers are so hungry to see him that they will believe and obey."

  "It is well done, your majesty. Now will you please make it disappear?"

  "Can't bear the sight of him, can you? I agree. You notice I placed him behind me to display him to you. Before I bid him leave, let me tell you a few other details of my plan. The priest Hazilon has won the confidence of many of the fanatics. He will encourage them that the appearances are genuine. He will personally lead a company of the Despised One's followers from the area of Nephesh. Others will arrive from the other districts." The gray spirit still squirmed in misery. Gradually the image of the man in white faded and vanished. Lunacy's lips curled into a wicked smile. "I enjoy your reaction, spirit. It reassures me of your loyalty."

  "You should never question my loyalty, my lord," said the spirit. Its voice had a daring edge of bitterness.

  "Go and intercept the three," Lunacy instructed quietly. "This time do not fail."

  "I shall not fail, majesty. Truly your wisdom and skill amaze me. I would not have thought you could manufacture such a convincing imitation of ... convincing imitation of'. . . Gaal!"

  The Dark Lord leaped to his feet with a bellow that threatened to crack the walls of the place. One gigantic stride took him to the other end of the table. His arm swung out in wild fury at the mention of the accursed name he hated.

  But the gray spirit was gone.

  Lisa still carried Dorninicus's sword, sticky with green goblin blood. She desperately wanted to clean it. She hated how it looked and smelled. Anthropos swords are not made of stainless steel; they need to be cleaned at once after battle or they rust. Lisa stopped to scrub the sword blade with leaves and dirt and swipe it on long weeds. "Not perfect, but that will have to cfo for now," she said. When no one answered, she realized that Wes and Kurt had gotten ahead of her and disappeared around a bend in the path. She knew they wouldn't get very far ahead, but she was glad she had the sword in case another monster appeared. She was about to hurry on when she thought she heard a voice say something like, "Thwz closn."

  She looked toward the sound. To her delight, through the trees it few yards off the trail, she saw Philo. He stood in a little open patch of grass. Sunlight through the leaves made dapples on his white coat. His panniers had slipped to one side, but otherwise he looked fine.

  "Oh, Milo!" Lisa called as she waded into the woods toward him. "You're all right! Easy, boy. I know you're scared, but please don't take off again. Easy now."

  The horse didn't look scared at all. If anything, he looked bored. He chewed a mouthful of grass and switched his tail. Lisa approached him and patted his neck. "It's funny," she said as she figured out how to readjust the straps of his packs. "I was sure you said something to me. Must have been my imagination."

  The voice came again. "Ized, thwz closn."

  This time the voice distinctly came from Philo's mouth. He swallowed his grass and said, "Excuse me. I was talking with my mouth full. It is it habit that afflicts many horses. The result of it life of constant grazing. I said, 'l'hat was a close one.'"

  "Can you talk?" Lisa asked, though the answer was obvious. In Anthropos she was accustomed to talking animals, but she had not thought this horse had the power of speech.

  Philo snorted. "Of course I can talk. I can also whinny, nicker, trot, canter, paw and roll. I cannot whistle like you humans, but it is not a talent I wish to develop. It hurts my ears. A little looser with that strap, please. Also the weight is not quite centered. A tad bit to my right will do it." (Lisa was trying to adjust the pannier.) "Tell me, young Lady Lisa, is the excitement over? From here it sounded as though the . . . thing"-the horse shuddered-"had been defeated."

  "Yes, it's over. I'm surprised you didn't run all the way back to Nephesh. You're pretty brave. I suppose you've carried King Tigvah into battle many times."

  "I know of no city by the name of Battle."

  "It's not it city, it's ... I mean you've gone into war with the king."

  "Where is War? I do not know this city either."

  "Philo! You're the king's horse, and you don't know what battle and war are? What have you been doing all your life?"

  The horse put his head down and tore off some more grass. "Yng ldy, I have rched th' age of svn yrs. In thoz svn yrs no one has nintioned to me th' wrds bttl or wr."

  "Oh, don't talk with your mouth full. By the way, does Tigvah know you can talk?"

  "He has never inquired, and I have never had reason to inform him. Normally I indulge in the common speech only with the stable hands and it few others. Among my own kind, of course, I talk horse."

  Lisa remembered the beautiful bay on which Queen Hisschi rode. "Oh, you mean like with the queen's horse? He's beautiful."

  Philo raised his head so rapidly he nearly knocked Lisa over. "He, young lady, is a she." The horse's ears twitched and his big lower lip flopped. Lisa had the distinct impression that Philo's long face had turned red under his white hair. She could almost swear the black snip on his nose glowed a rosy color.

  "Why, Philo! Is the queen's horse a ... special friend of yours?"

  "She is my stablemate, Lady Lisa. I will say no more."

  Lisa teased, "What's her name?"

  Philo switched his long silky tail. He stomped his forefeet. Finally he managed to get out the name "Elizabeth." He stumbled over it several times so it came out "Eliz-liz-liz-a-b-b-b-eth."

  "That a beautiful name! It's like my name, Lisa. That's a shorter form of Elizabeth."

  "How nice. Now perhaps we can talk of other subjects."

  "Don't worry. You're secret's safe with me. Both secrets-your being able to talk and Elizabeth." Lisa patted the horse's side. Her fingers touched the strange bump under his skin. She wanted to ask the horse about it, but she thought she had caused him enough embarrassment for one day.

  The horse suddenly pivoted his ears in the direction of the trail. Lisa stiffened with apprehension. Voices! Oh, it was Wes and Kurt-and behind them, Andron and Dominicus! Apparently the boys had met the soldiers on the trail, and the soldiers had wanted to continue the journey. Lisa had wanted to give them a second chance, but now that she saw them again, she felt uneasy. She wondered what wild excuse they had given for running away.

  The soldiers strode ahead of the boys. They showed no sign of remorse over their flight. As they passed by, Lisa called out, "We're over here! Me and Philo!" All four jumped in surprise. A broad smile spread over Dominicus's face, replaced immediately by a look of concern. "Lady Lisa, are you unharmed? And you have found the king's horse! Uninjured, I hope? You may lead him back if you wish. I believe he fancies you."

  Andron said gruffly, "Come, we must make up for lost time before nightfall."

  "I shall take back my sword," said Dominicus. He held out his hand for it. Lisa hesitated. How could she surrender the sword to someone she didn't trust? On the other hand, it was difficult not to give it back to its owner. She looked at her brothers. Wes pointed upward in a subtle gesture. Lisa understood. Gaal is here! She gave the sword back to Dominicus, and the party continued along the trail, with Lisa leading Philo (though it was not clear who led whom).

  When they reached the site of the ogre attack, Kurt wanted to stop and eat. Lisa was horrified. "How can you stand to eat right on the spot where an ogre melted into the ground?"

  "Take off your packs and get out some bread and cheese," Wes said sharply. "Then we'll put our packs back on and eat as we go along."

  "There's good old Boss Wesley again," Kurt said. He slipped off his pack and so did the others. The soldiers gave Wes resentful looks.

  "Do I get nothing?" complained the buzzard, who still sat in the tree.

  Andron snarled, "Go and find yourself a
dead rodent. We do not need your guidance. A blind man could not miss the path ahead. By the way, if your eyesight is so fine, why did you not see the approach of the monster and warn us?"

  "As I told the young Regenskind, I cannot see through the forest canopy. However, the forest will open up as you near the site of the Cave of Gaal." He took off from the dead tree, leaving a black feather to flutter to the earth behind him. At the buzzard's mention of the Cave of Gaal, the children came to attention.

  The Cave of Gaal was a place of safety from evil. It could appear in any place. The children had found it in this same Forest of Blackness and also in Poseidon's Kingdom at the bottom of the sea. No matter where it was, its roof had an opening called the hole where time is no more. If they scrambled up to sit on the edge of the opening and look into the sky, they would all view different scenes from different times. Their voices even sounded funny to each other, as though they came from across vast reaches of time as well as space.

  Lisa turned to the boys. "I saw a moon, remember? But Kurt, you said there wasn't any. I heard the shrieks of the Qadar and saw them coming through the sky, but you didn't. If I moved my head just a bit closer to you, the Qadar vanished and so did the moon."

  "And when you grabbed my head and twisted it around-by the way, that hurt-I could see the moon and the Qadar."

  Wes joined in: "I climbed up and right away I was in bright sunshine, even though it was night where both of you sat. It was weird. But somehow it wasn't scary."

  "We inched our way around the hole," Lisa recalled. "It was like channel surfing. We each moved from scene to scene. There was this island floating in a dark sea, with stairs going up to the clouds."

  "Somehow we knew it was Anthropos," Wes mused.

  "But Anthropos is no island," Dominicus protested. He listened to this conversation with wonder and confusion. The children ignored him. Kurt forgot he was hungry. He was absorbed in remembrance. "We watched all kinds of battles in the air above the island!"