The web of wizardry

by Coulson, Juanita

little crown, set with jewels and beaten gold and precious pearls from far Clarique," Diilbok babbled. He rocked back and forth, holding his broken dreams in a warm embrace. "A beautiful crown for your lovely hair, and a gown of cloth of gold. For you . . . just for you, my pretty . .."

  His kinsman shook him and cried, "Diilbok, she is dead! Your witch is dead!"

  Diilbok rephed, but not to Malol. He answered Chorii, responding to questions only he could hear, his voice sweet with madness. "Oh, of course! You shall have as many slaves as you desire, ever obedient and perfect servants, my love. And grand furnishings for our palace ..."

  Malol drew away from him, his expression bleak. He gestured furtively to Shaartre and the guards. "Fetch a litter for her body. Humor his delusion. Say you are conveying them to the palace, and return him and the corpse to his tent. Give him whatever he asks for. I will send for the surgeons to prepare a posset to give him sleep, so that we may take her from him and give her burial. Go." Somberly they obeyed, and because they acted with seeming deference and did not deny that Chorii still lived, Diilbok went with them, still chattering insanely, laughing and merry.

  As they left, Nurdanth told Malol te Eldri, "It is for the best. We would have been bound by his rank, despite his betrayal. Now ... his sentence has been rendered by the gods. We will confine him the rest of his days, no threat to Krantin, an object for nothing but pity."

  "Ai! It will be hard to tell Tobentis, but . . . it is the way of things."

  Ulodovol had been silent the while. Now he rose from his chair and approached the couch where Lira lay, tended by Danaer. His momentary frailty was gone, and he seemed much angered. "And it is the way of the Web to contribute one's skills when it is required. Lira Nalu, you could have hurt the Web fatally by withholding your arts!"

  Lira clung to Danaer fearfully, and he wondered if he should draw his dagger again, wary of the white-

  bearded elder's wrath. She said timidly, "I ... I brought Danaer to aid us, Traech Sorkra. If it were not for his courage ..."

  "It was because you kept back your gifts that we had need of help from an ... an outsider!" Then Ulodovol's pique abated and he said with sincere puzzlement, "Why? Your mind was one with mine when the Markuand transported himself and Chorii and Hablit among us and began his dark attack. Why did you then shrink from the circle? I felt your presence weakening, becoming distracted. Most unlike you, my child. What is wrong? Does hunger still aflBdct your powers?"

  Gordyan and the soldiers were listening, not saying anything, respectful of Ulodovol, not wanting to interfere in these internal matters of wizards. But Danaer glared at Lira's mentor and held her close, resenting his sharp tone and accusations.

  At last Lira said in a tiny voice, "I... I do not hunger, Traech Sorkra. But it is true my gifts were weakened. I am sorry. It may be because there is ... another life within me, just beginning."

  "Female!" Ulodovol roared.

  Danaer was torn between astonishment and growing pride. He stared at Lira, a new and strong, protective instinct filling his being. More than ever, she was his woman, to be shielded from all harm.

  Ulodovol's expression softened. "How could you have thrown away your gifts, my dear? Such promising talents, too. You were warned to keep yourself aloof from the yearnings of the flesh." He seemed disappointed to find that his apprentice was young and human.

  Lira lifted her little chin defiantly. "I am sorkra, but I am also a woman, and I will not deny my nature. I have taken an oath that transcends the calling of wizardry. I am sworn to Danaer now."

  "Ah! You will learn why a sorkra must not succumb to such joy, child. Carnality is not for us. Your gifts will weaken further as the child fills your belly."

  "Will I lose my sorkra abilities?" Lira asked, sounding rueful. In contrast, Danaer was delighted.

  He patted Lira's shoulder in sympathy over her coming loss of wizard's skills. Yet he anticipated eagerly a time when the cold and darkness and unseen presences could no longer claim her from him.

  "Not entirely." Ulodovol's rheumy eyes actually twinkled kindly. "You will still be part of the Web, but not an intimate of our circle. And you will find, as have other sorkra who surrendered to the joys of the flesh, that more and more your life will be taken up with other matters than the Web. You have found a new calling, and a new loyalty, for a while." He sighed and glanced at Danaer.

  There were horses galloping up outside the tent, and the guards poked their heads through the rent left by Danaer's sword. Then they snapped back and came to sharp attention as Branra rushed through that opening. At his heels came Gordt te Raa. Branra was panting with eagerness, full of good news. Grief still ruled the Siim Rena, but he looked as if he too might have welcome words to deliver to the Royal Commander. Gordyan left Danaer's side, going to his lord, nodding, ready to serve, still sharing the wound they had both suffered at Kandra's death.

  "My Royal Lord!" Branra exclaimed, carelessly wiping a bloodied sleeve across his dusty forehead. "The field is ours! They are in rout! I stayed to be certain it was not a trick, but it is not. They are witless, headless snakes, countless numbers of headless snakes, and they are slithering out into the Vrastre, hunted to earth."

  Gordyan said, "I shall go to kill my share of them."

  "Do not bother." Gordt te Raa caught his man's arm, restraining Gordyan's vengeance. Wondering, Gordyan stared at him as the Destre leader went on. "It is no longer fit work for a warrior. There is no honor in this slaughter, no more than cutting the throats of bleating woolbacks." He spat into the dust, his contempt bitter.

  Branra was aware of the anguish ruling his companion and nodded fervent agreement. "That is true, Commander. Ti-Mori still lusts after them, and she leads the army to strike them down while the

  Markuand flee. I do not know if even the coming night will stop her. But as for me, I wanted to tell you they are broken. Completely ours."

  Malol te Eldri smiled wanly and patted his protege's shoulder. "I give you thanks. We owe many debts to the sorkra in this."

  "Wizardry and arms were both needful," Ulodovol said generously. "It was a victory we all desired. The Markuand wizard employed his arts shamefully, a black stain on the whole of magic, for he bent his mighty skills to evil." The brown-robed old man drew himself up and said haughtily, "That is not true sorkra. Sorkra must ever be the sword of righteousness and peace. And now we shall have that peace, my lord, after this victory is complete and the last Markuand driven beyond Clarique's islands."

  Gordt te Raa's dark face was haunted. "Your victory comes at an unbearable price, sorkra." Gordyan winced as from a hard blow and looked pleadingly at Danaer. The scout rose, and Lira got up, too, her strength returning.

  Branra was whispering in the Royal Commander's ear, and Malol and General Nurdanth stiffened with shock, learning of Kandra's death. With deep dismay, they turned again to Gordt te Raa, struggling to find words to speak their hearts. "In truth," Malol said, "the price is dear beyond calculation."

  Danaer dared to interrupt. "It was the prophecy of Argan." The Royal Commander and the Destre chieftain eyed him intently. "It is Andaru's beginning, the ancient promise finally brought to us. And we were always told that its cost would be terrible, to buy what was to come for us all."

  Nurdanth nodded, but the legend was foreign to Malol. He did not know the Destre ways, and Danaer explained, "Lasiimte's death is the great sacrifice that will reunite the peoples of Krantin. In times to come, we will be as we once were in the days of Ryerdon, no longer torn by hatred and war between ourselves. Andaru means that . . . the Azsed Rena will become the Rena Azsed."

  Lira drew very close to him and added, "It means, my lord, that someday in the future one of the plains people will rule all of Krantin."

  Danaer gazed down at her with love and awe. How did she know? He had not spoken fully of this sacred promise of Argan. But then . . . Lira was an Azsed, too, now.

  The Royal Commander met Gordt te Raa's steady stare, their thoughts combining de
spite their differences of birth and custom. The Destre said slowly, "I am not the one who will take that throne. I have no desire for such rule, not now." Gordyan eyed his lord morosely, then brightened as Gordt te Raa visibly steeled himself to bear his grief and move into the world that was to be. "The child who will succeed me, and your son, Malol te Eldri . . . they are bound and will be one when the years are right. She is Azsed, and he will learn to love her and bind his heart to hers. Then, indeed, will Andaru be fulfilled." He turned to Danaer and Lira and finished, "Then, at last, a warrior like this Nyald soldier will finally be able to call the leader of the Destre-Y Rena, and with no breaking of his oath to Krantin."

  Malol extended his pale hands and Gordt te Raa clasped them tightly. They had done so once to seal an alliance. Now they vowed themselves to the future of their land, the land their inheritors would rule.

  Gordyan nodded to Danaer, learning to accept the pain, looking to days to come. Lira leaned her head tiredly against Danaer's chest, content to remain there. Danaer too looked forward to days to come. Now Lira's talisman would become little more than a pretty ornament, and so would his dagger. Osyta's prophecies of danger and evil were done. And her promises had also been of joy, and that too he had known, and the future would hold much more. Andaru was beginning, and he had been a part of it, he and Lira and Gordyan. Malol and Gordt te Raa spoke of Krantin's heirs, and Danaer smiled, thinking of his own heir, a tiny little thief who had already begun to rob his mother of her sorkra powers and leave her merely a woman—Danaer's woman.

  The prophecy was fulfilled, the dark times had been put behind them, and he looked to what must come with confidence. The land would survive, and so would they.

 

  Glossary

  Andaru the prophesied time of glory for the plains people, when their leader will become the ruler of all the land.

  Argan one of the three major deities of Krantin. She is goddess of the plains people; her special provinces are fertility and fire, and she is known as the ruler of wills.

  Azsed the religion of the plains people, and sometimes also used as an alternate name for them. It means "law"—the law of Argan.

  Bhid the river which runs through Nyald; it arises in the mountains and flows south to Sarlos and beyond to the unknown sea. For the greater part of its length, it is not navigable.

  blacks common name for the preferred breed of horses of The Interior of Krantin; they are a very sturdy animal, useful in mines and on farms.

  Bogotana the evil god, monarch of the realm below the earth.

  Clarique name of the land and the people east of Krantin. It is an island country and the people are tall and blond, mostly dependent on fishing and the harvest of the sea.

  Deki the oldest established settlement in Krantin, situated at the most westerly bend of the river separating Clarique and Krantin.

  delisich priestess of Argan who is gifted with a spectacular singing voice and uses her talent to summon her goddess during rituals.

  Desin one of Krantin's deities. Desin is a composite of numerous older supernatural beings, pictured as a changeling god, able to be human (of either sex) or animal. A common form is that of a black mare, one of the moon's shadow makers.

  Desire (or Destre-Y) The plains people of Krantin, a loose confederation of family groups and their tribes. They live on the Vrastre and in the cities of that area. All Destre-Y are believers in Argan's worship of Azsed; but city dwellers sharing that same belief, while called Azsed, are called Destre-Y only as a courtesy.

  ecar a large wild feline common throughout the provinces.

  eiphren the sacred jewel of Azsed bestowed on the children of her people when they reach puberty. The gems symbolize their devotion to Argan and are treasured throughout life, never parted from them, even to ease extreme poverty. Women generally wear them as hair ornaments and men as rings.

  jael a. term meaning "faithful," referring to one who keeps an oath or is to be trusted, even though an enemy.

  golhi a ferocious carnivore, now becoming rare, but still much feared and respected for its courage and deadliness.

  harshaa the shouted challenge of the p^lains people, a call to defend oneself; or, in proper circumstances, a call to the goddess to witness some particular achievement by one of her people.

  ha-usfaen the priestess of Argan who dance:s and then transforms herself to assume the physical form of her goddess during ritual.

  herb-healer the physicians of the Destre-Y. They rely much on primitive charms and simples but usually serve their tribesfolk w^ll enough through sickness and injury.

  lit one who does not worship Argan. In the Destre idiom, it is a very derogatory term, far more insulting than "unbeliever."

  Irico the northern land and its people, a tall, white-haired, forest-dwelling culture. It is also the name of the river issuing from the land and flowing south between Clarique and Krantin.

  Keth the guardian of the gods' portals, he who will admit the dead to the land beyond or condemn them to wander eternity as unappeased spirits.

  Kida demigod of madness; his lash strikes one accursed, and the victim will be driven insane either for a short while or permanently.

  Lasiirnte in effect, "Princess," the title of a woman leader among Destre-Y.

  maen a term of close, friendly address, meaning "mine" or "my."

  mantle a narrow striped cloak worn by Destre peoples to mark their clans and tribes.

  Markuand the aliens from the land far across the great eastern sea beyond the outermost islands of Clarique.

  motge a bovine common to all the provinces. It provides meat and leather and is both wild and

  dcui-.^sticated, depending on the area where it is found and the people who harvest the animal.

  Mountains of the Mare a designation for the mountainous interior of Krantin. The term describes one of the god Desin's changeling forms, that of a "moon mare," whose black "shadow" covers the lunar disc during the dark phase.

  Nidil the death god, he who comes out of the far north, past even Irico's winter cold, and slays mortals.

  Nyald a much-reduced Destre community on the southern edge of The Interior. The city is now prospering as the Destre decline because of plague and hunger.

  Peluva most ancient of Krantin's major deities. A sun god.

  qedra a Destre endearment: "treasure."

  Rasven reputedly the first man to recognize within himself the gifts of white wizardry; he brought together others of his own kind to establish the first sorkra Web.

  Rena sovereign of all Destre tribes, a leader embodying the spirit of the people of Argan.

  roans the horses of the plains people, a hardy breed well adapted to survival in grassland or desert.

  Ryerdon the original home area of the people of Krantin, it was located on the coast of Clarique, not far from the Irico River.

  Sarlos the southernmost province of the land. The terrain varies from inhospitable marshes to high deserts to fertile river deltas. Her people are short and of dark complexion.

  Siim the title of a male leader among the Destre-Y— not merely a leader of his clan but of the entire tribal grouping.

  sorkra a wizard, practitioner of conjuring and mind touching and other arcane arts, ideally for good.

  Straedanfi an epithet the Destre give to a particularly tenacious foe. Literally: "long-fanged beast."

  Tradyan the Destre tribe inhabiting the far western Vrastre (q.v.). Their customs of dress are different from other plains people, but they are devoted to Argan and loyal to the Brotherhood of the Zseds.

  Traecheus once the Empire of the Eastern Islands, a fierce rival of Ryerdon, it fell because of civil wars and natural disasters, and its people became the Clarique in later generations.

  Vrastre the name given to all the lands below the mountains and fertile valleys of Krantin's Interior. It includes grassland and high desert such as Bogotana's Sink and ends, in the east, when the land begins to drop down to Deki's river.,


  vrentru a Destre festival, sometimes to celebrate a particular time of their religious calendar, sometimes merely to honor a gathering of the clans and tribes.

  Zsed a nomadic community of the plains people. Some have become semipermanent, where hunting is close at hand. Others move constantly to follow game and the caravans which the people plunder.

  About the Author

  JuANiTA CouLSON began writing at age eleven and has been pursuing the habit off and on ever since. Her first professional sale, to a science-fiction magazine, came in 1963. Since then she has sold thirteen novels, several short stories, and odds and ends such as an article on Wonder Woman, science-fictional recipes, and a pamphlet on how to appreciate art.

  When she isn't writing, she may be singing and/or composing songs, painting (several of her works have been sold for excessively modest prices), reading books on abnormal psychology, biography, earthquakes and volcanoes, history, astronomy, or almost anything that has printing on it, gardening in the sunmier and shivering in the winter.

  Juanita is married to Buck Coulson, who is also a writer. She and her husband spend much of their spare time actively participating in science-fiction fandom: attending conventions and publishing their Hugo-winning fanzine, Yandro. They live in a rented farmhouse in northeastern Indiana, miles from any town you ever heard of; the house is slowly sinking into the swampy ground under the weight of the accumulated books, magazines, records, typewriters, and other paraphernalia crammed into it.

  Most of Juanita's books to date have been science fiction, but she has also written the historical romance. Dark Priestess, available from Ballantine, and is currently working on a new fantasy novel set in the same world as The Web of Wizardry.

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