Michael Moorcock - Dorian Hawkmoon 1 the History of the Runestaff 2 the Mad God's Amulet

8/11/2019 Michael Moorcock - Dorian Hawkmoon 1 the History of the Runestaff 2 the Mad God's Amulet

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CONTENTS

BOOK ONE

1 Soryandum 82 Huillam d'Averc 14

3 The rai!h"#ol$ 2%

4 The &echanical Bea! 34% The &achine 41

( &ad )od' Shi* %1

+ The ,in- on !he .in-er (48 &ad )od' &an +(

BOOK TO

1 The ai!in- arrior 8(

2 The &ad )od' Ca!le /33 Ha0$moon' ilemma 12

4 The o0er o# !he Amule! 113

% The Slau-h!er in !he Hall 11/

( The &ad )od' Bea! 124+ Encoun!er in a Tavern131

8 The ar$ Em*ire Cam* 14(/ The ourney Sou!h 1%+

1 The .all o# !he Kamar- 1(1

11 ,e!urn o# !he arrior 1+412 Eca*e !o 5im6o 18(

BOOK ONE

E HA7E 5EA,NE no0 ho0 orian Ha0$moon la!

u$e o# Koln !hre0 o## !he *o0er o# !he Blac$e0el and aved !he ci!y o# Hamadan #rom con9ue!6y !he ar$ Em*ire o# )ran6re!an: Hi arch"enemy

Baron &eliadu de#ea!ed Ha0$moon e! o## 0e!"

0ard a-ain 6ound #or !he 6eie-ed Kamar- 0herehi 6e!ro!hed ;ielda Coun! Bra' dau-h!er

a0ai!ed him: i!h hi 6oon com*anion Oladahn 6ea!"

man o# !he Bul-ar &oun!ain Ha0$moon rode #rom

eria !o0ard !he Cy*rian Sea and !he *or! o# Tara"6ulu 0here !hey ho*ed !o #ind a hi* 6rave enou-h

!o 6ear !hem 6ac$ !o !he Kamar-: Bu! in !he Syranian

eer! !hey lo! !heir 0ay and came cloe !o dyin-o# !hir! and e


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volve !he de!inie o# ome everal human oul o#

di*ara!e charac!er and am6i!ion:::

>The Hi-h Hi!ory o# !he ,une!a##

Cha*!er OneSO,;AN?&

THE C@T; AS old 6e-rimed 6y !ime: A *lace o#0ind"0orn !one and !um6ler maonry i! !o0er

!il!in- and i! 0all crum6lin-: ild hee* cro**ed

!he -ra !ha! -re0 6e!0een crac$ed *avin- !one

6ri-h!"*lumed 6ird ne!ed amon- column o# #adedmoaic: The ci!y had once 6een *lendid and !erri6le

no0 i! 0a 6eau!i#ul and !ran9uil: The !0o !raveler

came !o i! in !he mello0 ha=e o# mornin- 0hen a

melancholy 0ind 6le0 !hrou-h !he ilence o# !heancien! !ree!: The hoove o# !he hore 0ere huhed

a !he !raveler led !hem 6e!0een !o0er !ha! 0ere-reen 0i!h a-e *aed 6y ruin 6ri-h! 0i!h 6loom

o# oran-e ocher and *ur*le: And !hi 0a Soryandum

deer!ed 6y i! #ol$:

The men and !heir hore 0ere !urned all one

color 6y !he du! !ha! ca$ed !hem ma$in- !hem re"

em6le !a!ue !ha! had come !o li#e: They movedlo0ly loo$in- 0onderin-ly a6ou! !hem a! !he 6eau!y

o# !he dead ci!y:

The #ir! man 0a !all and lean and al!hou-h 0eary

he moved 0i!h !he -race#ul !ride o# !he !rained 0ar"

rior: Hi lon- #air hair had 6een 6leached near 0hi!e

6y !he un and hi *ale 6lue eye had a hin! o# mad"

ne in !hem: Bu! !he !hin- mo! remar$a6le a6ou!

hi a**earance 0a !he dull 6lac$ e0el un$ in!o hi#orehead u! a6ove and 6e!0een !he eye a !i-ma!a

he o0ed !o !he *erver!ed miracle 0or$in- o# !he

orcerer"cien!i! o# )ran6re!an: Hi name 0a or"ian Ha0$moon u$e von Koln driven #rom hi

heredi!ary land 6y !he con9ue! o# !he ar$ Em*ire

0hich chemed !o rule !he 0orld: orian Ha0$moon0ho had 0orn ven-eance a-ain! !he mo! *o0er#ul

na!ion on hi 0ar"!ormen!ed *lane!:

The crea!ure 0ho #ollo0ed Ha0$moon 6ore a


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lar-e 6one 6o0 and a 9uiver o# arro0 on hi 6ac$:

He 0a clad only in a *air o# 6ri!che and 6oo! o#

o#! #lo**y lea!her 6u! !he 0hole o# hi 6ody in"cludin- hi #ace 0a covered in red 0iry hair: Hi

head came !o u! 6elo0 Ha0$moon' houlder: Thi

0a Oladahn cro"6red o##*rin- o# a orcerer anda moun!ain -ian!e #rom !he Bul-ar &oun!ain:

Oladahn *a!!ed and #rom hi #ur and loo$ed *er"*le0ho $no0D 5e!' ho*e !ha! i# i! 0a dieae

none o# i! lin-er on: @'ll *ecula!e la!er 6u! no! no0:

@'m ure @ hear 0a!er ome0here>and !ha!' my #ir! re"9uiremen!: .ood' my econd lee*' my !hird>and

!hou-h! #riend Oladahn a very di!an! #our!h: : : :

@n one o# !he ci!y' *la=a !hey #ound a 0all o# 6lue"

-ray roc$ !ha! had 6een carved 0i!h #lo0in- #i-ure:.rom !he eye o# one !one maiden #ell *ure *rin-

0a!er !ha! *lahed in!o a hollo0 #ahioned 6elo0:

Ha0$moon !oo*ed and dran$ 0i*in- 0e! hand

over hi du!y #ace: He !e**ed 6ac$ #or Oladahn !o

drin$ !hen led !he hore #or0ard !o la$e !heir !hir!:

Ha0$moon reached in!o one o# hi addle6a- and

!oo$ ou! !he crac$ed and crum*led ma* !ha! had 6een

-iven him in Hamadan: Hi #in-er cre*! acro !hema* un!il i! came !o re! on !he 0ord Soryandum:

He miled 0i!h relie#: e are no! !oo #ar o## our

ori-inal rou!e he aid: Beyond !hee hill !he Eu"

*hra!e #lo0 and Tara6ula lie 6eyond i! 6y a6ou!a 0ee$' ourney: e'll re! here #or !oday and !o"

ni-h! !hen con!inue on our 0ay: ,e#rehed 0e 0ill

!ravel more ra*idly:

Oladahn -rinned: Aye and you'd e#ood: @'ll no!

6e -one lon-: @ a0 a 0ild ram in !he hill: Toni-h!

0e'll dine o## roa! mu!!on: He remoun!ed hi hore


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and 0a a0ay ridin- #or !he 6ro$en -a!e o# !he ci!y

0hile Ha0$moon !ri**ed o## hi clo!he and *lun-ed

hi hand in!o !he cool *rin- 0a!er -a*in- 0i!h aene o# u!!er lu


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loo$in- ram *erha* !he one Oladahn had men!ioned

6u! !here 0a no i-n a! all o# !he li!!le 6ea!"man:

OladahnF Ha0$moon yelled *eerin- a6ou! him:

OladahnF Bu! only mu##led echoe an0ered him:

Ha0$moon #ro0ned !hen ur-ed hi hore in!o a

-allo* ridin- u* a hill !aller !han !he re! in !he ho*e

!ha! #rom !hi van!a-e *oin! he 0ould 6e a6le !o eehi #riend: ild hee* ca!!ered 6e#ore him a !he

hore raced over !he *rin-y -ra: He reached !he !o*

o# !he hill and hielded hi eye #rom !he -lare o# !he

un: He !ared in every direc!ion 6u! !here 0a noi-n o# Oladahn:

.or ome momen! he con!inued !o loo$ around

him ho*in- !o ee ome !race o# hi #riend !hen a

he -a=ed !o0ard !he ci!y he a0 a movemen! near !he*la=a o# !he *rin-: Had hi eye !ric$ed him or had

he een a man en!erin- !he hado0 o# !he !ree! !ha!

led o## !he ea!ern ide o# !he *la=aD Could Oladahnhave re!urned 6y ano!her rou!eD @# o 0hy hadn'! he

an0ered Ha0$moon' callD

Ha0$moon had a na--in- ene o# !error in !he6ac$ o# hi mind no0 6u! he !ill could no! 6elieve

!ha! !he ci!y i!el# o##ered any menace:

He *urred hi hore 6ac$ do0n !he hillide and

lea*ed i! over a ec!ion o# ruined 0all:

&u##led 6y !he du! !he hore' hoove !hudded

!hrou-h !he !ree! a Ha0$moon headed !o0ard !he

*la=a cryin- Oladahn' name: Bu! a-ain he 0a an"

0ered only 6y echoe: @n !he *la=a !here 0a no i-no# !he li!!le moun!ain man:

Ha0$moon #ro0ned almo! cer!ain no0 !ha! heand Oladahn had no! a#!er all 6een alone in !he ci!y:

;e! !here 0a no i-n o# inha6i!an!:

He !urned hi hore !o0ard !he !ree!: A he did

o hi ear cau-h! a #ain! ound #rom a6ove: He

loo$ed u*0ard hi eye earchin- !he $y cer!ain !ha!

he reco-ni=ed !he ound: A! la! he a0 i!>a di!an!


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6lac$ ha*e in !he air overhead: Then unli-h! #lahed

on me!al and !he ound 6ecame di!inc! a clan$in-

and 0hirrin- o# -ian! 6ron=e 0in-: Ha0$moon'hear! an$:

The !hin- decendin- #rom !he $y 0a unmi!a$"a6ly an orna!e orni!ho*!er 0rou-h! in !he ha*e o# a

-i-an!ic condor enameled in 6lue carle! and -reen:

No o!her na!ion on Ear!h *oeed uch veel: @!0a a #lyin- machine o# !he ar$ Em*ire o# )ran"

6re!an:

No0 Oladahn' dia**earance 0a #ully e


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ney 0i!hou! dan-er 6u! he had no! 6elieved !ha! he

0ould 6e #ound o oon:

He came !o a dar$ 6uildin- hal# in ruin 0hoe

cool door0ay o##ered hel!er: He en!ered !he 6uild"

in- and #ound himel# in a hall0ay 0i!h 0all o# *ale

carved !one *ar!ly over-ro0n 0i!h o#! moe and

6loomin- lichen: A !air0ay ran u* one ide o# !hehall and Ha0$moon 6lade in hand clim6ed !he 0ind"

in- mo"car*e!ed !e* #or everal #li-h! un!il he

#ound himel# in a mall room in!o 0hich unli-h!

!reamed !hrou-h a -a* in !he 0all 0here !he !onehad #allen a0ay: .la!!enin- himel# a-ain! !he 0all

and *eerin- around !he 6ro$en ec!ion Ha0$moon

a0 a lar-e *ar! o# !he ci!y a0 !he orni!ho*!er

0heelin- and di**in- a i! vul!ure"ma$ed *ilo!earched !he !ree!:

There 0a a !o0er o# #aded -reen -rani!e no! !oo

di!an!: @! !ood rou-hly in !he cen!er o# Soryandum

domina!in- !he ci!y: The orni!ho*!er circled !hi #orome !ime and a! #ir! Ha0$moon -ueed !ha! !he

*ilo! 6elieved him !o 6e hidden !here 6u! !hen !he

#lyin- machine e!!led on !he #la! 6a!!lemen!"ur"

rounded roo# o# !he !o0er: .rom ome0here 6elo0o!her #i-ure emer-ed !o oin !he *ilo!:

Thee men 0ere eviden!ly o# )ran6re!an alo:They 0ere all clad in heavy armor and cloa$ 0i!h

hu-e me!al ma$ coverin- !heir head in *i!e o# !he

hea!: Such 0a !he !0i!ed na!ure o# ar$ Em*iremen !ha! !hey could no! rid !hemelve o# !heir ma$

0ha!ever !he circum!ance: They eemed !o have a

dee*roo!ed *ycholo-ical reliance on !hem:

The ma$ 0ere o# ru! red and mur$y yello0

#ahioned !o reem6le ram*an! 0ild 6oar 0i!h #ierce

e0eled eye !ha! 6la=ed in !he unli-h! and -rea!ivory !u$ curlin- #rom !he #larin- nou!:

Thee !hen 0ere men o# !he Order o# !he Boar in"#amou in Euro*e #or i! ava-ery: There 0ere i< o#

!hem !andin- 6y !heir leader a !all lender man

0hoe ma$ 0a o# -old and 6ron=e and much more

delica!ely 0rou-h!>almo! !o !he *oin! o# carica!ur"


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in- !he ma$ o# !he Order: The man leaned on !he

arm o# !0o o# hi com*anion>one 9ua! and 6ul$y!he o!her vir!ually a -ian! 0i!h na$ed arm and le-

o# almo! inhuman hairine: a !he leader ill or

0oundedD 0ondered Ha0$moon: There eemed !o6e ome!hin- almo! ar!i#icial a6ou! !he 0ay he leaned

on hi men>ome!hin- !hea!rical: Ha0$moon !hou-h!

!hen !ha! he $ne0 0ho !he Boar leader 0a: @! 0aalmo! cer!ainly !he rene-ade .renchman Huillam

d'Averc once a 6rillian! *ain!er and archi!ec! 0ho

had oined !he caue o# )ran6re!an lon- 6e#ore !hey

ha con9uered .rance: An eni-ma 'Averc 6u! adan-erou man #or all !ha! he a##ec!ed illne:

No0 !he Boar leader *o$e !o !he vul!ure"ma$ed

*ilo! 0ho hoo$ hi head: Eviden!ly he had no! eenHa0$moon 6u! he *oin!ed !o0ard !he *o! 0here

Ha0$moon had a6andoned hi hore: 'Averc>i# i!0a 'Averc>lan-uidly i-ned !o one o# hi men 0ho

dia**eared 6elo0 !o reemer-e almo! a! once 0i!h

a !ru--lin- narlin- Oladahn:

,elieved Ha0$moon 0a!ched a !0o o# !he 6oar"

ma$ed 0arrior dra--ed Oladahn cloe !o !he 6a!!le"

men!: A! lea! hi #riend 0a alive:

Then !he Boar leader i-ned a-ain and !he vul!ure

*ilo! leaned in!o !he coc$*i! o# hi #lyin- machineand 0i!hdre0 a 6ell"ha*ed me-a*hone 0hich he

handed !o !he -ian! on 0hoe arm !he leader !ill

re!ed: The -ian! *laced !hi cloe !o !he nou! o# hima!er' ma$:

Suddenly !he 9uie! air o# !he ci!y 0a #illed 0i!h

!he 6ored 0orld"0eary voice o# !he Boar leader:

u$e von Koln 0e $no0 !ha! you are *reen! in

!hi ci!y #or 0e have ca*!ured your ervan!: @n anhour !he un 0ill e!: @# you have no! delivered your"

el# !o u 6y !ha! !ime 0e mu! 6e-in !o $ill !he li!!le

#ello0::::

No0 Ha0$moon $ne0 #or cer!ain !ha! i! 0a

'Averc: No o!her man alive could 6o!h loo$ and

ound li$e !ha!: Ha0$moon a0 !he -ian! hand !he


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me-a*hone 6ac$ !o !he *ilo! and !hen 0i!h !he hel*

o# hi 9ua! com*anion hel* hi ma!er !o !he *ar!ially

ruined 6a!!lemen! o !ha! 'Averc could lean a-ain!i! and loo$ do0n in!o !he !ree!:

Ha0$moon con!rolled hi #ury and !udied !hedi!ance 6e!0een hi 6uildin- and !he !o0er: By um*"

in- !hrou-h !he -a* in !he 0all he could reach a erie

o# #la! roo# !ha! 0ould !a$e him cloe !o a *ile o##allen maonry hea*ed a-ain! one 0all o# !he !o0er:

.rom !here he a0 !ha! he could eaily clim6 !o !he

6a!!lemen!: Bu! he 0ould 6e een a oon a he le#!

hi cover: @! 0ould 6e *oi6le !o !a$e !ha! rou!e onlya! ni-h!>and 6y ni-h!#all !hey 0ould have 6e-un

!or!urin- Oladahn:

er*leand he !hou-h! o# Oladahn 0i!h 0hom he had

0orn #riendhi* a#!er !he li!!le 6ea!"man had avedhi li#e:

Could he acri#ice hi #riendD Could he u!i#y uchan ac!ion even i# lo-ic !old him !ha! hi o0n li#e 0a

o# -rea!er 0or!h in !he #i-h! a-ain! !he ar$ Em*ireD

Ha0$moon $ne0 !ha! lo-ic 0a o# no ue here: Bu!he $ne0 !oo !ha! hi acri#ice mi-h! 6e uele #or

!here 0a no -uaran!ee !ha! !he Boar leader 0ould le!

Oladahn -o once Ha0$moon had delivered himel#

u*:

Ha0$moon 6i! hi li* -ri**in- hi 0ord !i-h!ly

!hen he came !o a deciion 9uee=ed hi 6ody !hrou-h!he -a* in !he 0all clun- !o !he !one0or$ 0i!h one

hand and 0aved hi 6ri-h! 6lade a! !he !o0er:

'Averc loo$ed u* lo0ly:

;ou mu! releae Oladahn 6e#ore @ come !o you

Ha0$moon called: .or @ $no0 !ha! all men o# )ran"

6re!an are liar: ;ou have my 0ord ho0ever !ha! i#


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you releae Oladahn @ 0ill deliver myel# in!o your

hand:

5iar 0e may 6e came !he lan-uid voice 6arely

audi6le 6u! 0e are no! #ool: Ho0 may @ !ru! your

0ordD

@ am a u$e o# Koln aid Ha0$moon im*ly:

e do no! lie:

A li-h! ironic lau-h came #rom 0i!hin !he 6oar

ma$: ;ou may 6e naive u$e o# Koln 6u! Sir

Huillam d'Averc i no!: Ho0ever may @ u--e! acom*romieD

ha! i !ha!D Ha0$moon a$ed 0arily:

@ 0ould u--e! you come hal#0ay !o0ard u o

!ha! you are 0ell 0i!hin !he ran-e o# our orni!ho*!er'#lame"lance and !hen @ hall releae your ervan!:

'Averc cou-hed o!en!a!iouly and leaned heavily

on !he 6a!!lemen!: ha! ay you !o !ha!D

Hardly a com*romie called Ha0$moon: .or

!hen you could $ill u 6o!h 0i!h li!!le e##or! or dan-er

!o yourel#:

&y dear du$e !he Kin-"Em*eror 0ould much

*re#er you alive: Surely you $no0 !ha!D &y o0nin!ere! i a! !a$e: Killin- you no0 0ould only earn

me a 6arone!cy a! mo!>deliverin- you alive #or !he

Kin-"Em*eror' *leaure 0ould almo! cer!ainly -ainme a *rincedom: Have you no! heard o# me u$e

orianD @ am !he am6i!iou Huillam d'Averc:

'Averc' ar-umen! 0a convincin- 6u! Ha0$"

moon could no! #or-e! !he .renchman' re*u!a!ion

#or devioune: Al!hou-h i! 0a !rue !ha! he 0a0or!h more !o 'Averc alive !he rene-ade mi-h! 0ell

decide i! e


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himel# !o lea* acro !he narro0 !ree! e*ara!in-

him #rom !he roo#!o* 6elo0:

Then Oladahn cried No u$e orianF 5e! !hem

$ill meF &y li#e i 0or!hleF

Ha0$moon ac!ed a i# he had no! heard hi #riend

and *ran- ou! and do0n !o land on !he 6all o# hi

#ee! on !he roo#: The old maonry huddered a! !heim*ac! and #or a momen! Ha0$moon !hou-h! he

0ould #all a !he roo# !hrea!ened !o crac$: Bu! i! held

and he 6e-an !o 0al$ -in-erly !o0ard !he !o0er:

A-ain Oladahn called ou! and 6e-an !o !ru--le in

!he hand o# hi ca*!or:

Ha0$moon i-nored him 0al$in- !eadily on0ord !ill in one hand 6u! held looely vir!ually

#or-o!!en:

No0 Oladahn 6ro$e #ree al!o-e!her and dar!ed

acro !he !o0er *urued 6y !0o curin- 0arrior:Ha0$moon a0 him dah !o !he #ar ed-e *aue #or

a momen! and !hen #lin- himel# over !he *ara*e!:

.or a momen! Ha0$moon !ood #ro=en in horrorhardly under!andin- !he na!ure o# hi #riend' acri"

#ice:

Then he !i-h!ened hi -ri* on hi 0ord and raied

hi head !o -lare a! 'Averc and hi men: Bendin-

lo0 he made #or !he ed-e o# !he roo# a !he #lamecannon 6e-an !o !urn in hi direc!ion: There 0a a

-rea! 0hooh o# hea! over hi head a !hey ou-h! hi

ran-e !hen he had 0un- himel# over !he ed-e and

hun- 6y hi hand *eerin- do0n in!o !he !ree! #ar

6elo0:

There 0a a erie o# !one carvin- 9ui!e cloe !o

him on hi le#!: He inched alon- un!il he could -ra*

!he neare!: They ran do0n !he ide o# !he houe a!an an-le almo! !o !ree! level: Bu! !he !one 0a

*lainly ro!!en: ould !he carvin- u**or! hi

0ei-h!D


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Ha0$moon did no! *aue: He 0un- himel# do0n

on !he #ir! carvin-: @! 6e-an !o crea$ and crum6le

li$e a 6ad !oo!h: uic$ly Ha0$moon dro**ed !o !hene

!he ide o# !he 6uildin- !o crah in !he di!an! !ree!:

Then a! la! Ha0$moon 0a a6le !o lea* !o !he

co66le and land eaily in !he o#! du! !ha! covered

!hem: No0 he 6e-an !o run no! a0ay #rom !he !o0er>6u! !o0ard i!: He had no!hin- in hi mind no0 6u!

ven-eance on 'Averc #or drivin- Oladahn !o uicide:

He #ound !he en!rance !o !he !o0er and en!ered in!ime !o hear !he cla!!er o# me!al"hod #ee! a 'Averc

and hi 0arrior decended: He choe a *o! on !he

!aircae G0hich 0a encloed 0here he 0ould 6e

a6le !o !a$e !he )ran6re!anian one a! a !ime: 'Averc0a !he #ir! !o a**ear !o**in- uddenly a he a0

!he -lo0erin- Ha0$moon !hen reachin- 0i!h -aun!"le!ed hand #or hi lon- 6lade:

;ou 0ere #oolih no! !o !a$e !he chance o# eca*eyour #riend' illy acri#ice -ave you aid !he 6oar"

ma$ed mercenary con!em*!uouly: No0 li$e i! or

no! @ u**oe 0e hall have !o $ill you:::: He 6e-an

!o cou-h dou6lin- u* in a**aren! a-ony leanin-0ea$ly a-ain! !he 0all: He i-ned lim*ly !o !he 9ua!

man 6ehind him>one o# !hoe Ha0$moon had een

hel*in- 'Averc acro !he 6a!!lemen!: Oh mydear u$e orian @ mu! a*olo-i=e ::: my in#irmi!y

i lia6le !o ei=e me a! !he mo! inconvenien! momen!:Ecardo>0ould you:::D'

The *o0er#ully 6uil! Ecardo *ran- #or0ard

-run!in- and *ullin- a hor!"ha#!ed 6a!!le"a


13/162

moon' 6lade: Then Ecardo' hor! 0ord ri**ed u*"

0ard and Ha0$moon already 0ea$ #rom e


14/162

-round: i!h hi -rea! ma$ #lun- 6ac$ 'Averc

0a milin- 0i!h an e


15/162

0ord>!he 6oar 0arrior' o0n 0ord>over !he !ir"

rin- Ecardo' head:

Aye>@ live: Bu! do no! a$ me ho0: @!' a my!ery

!o me: And he 6rou-h! !he #la! o# !he 6lade do0n on

Ecardo' helme! 0i!h a -rea! clan-: Ecardo colla*eda-ain:

There 0a no more !ime #or !al$: Ha0$moon6arely mana-ed !o 6loc$ 'Averc' ne

0a a loo$ o# a!onihmen! in 'Averc' eye !oo a

he a0 !he livin- Oladahn:

Ha0$moon mana-er !o 6rea$ !hrou-h !he .rench"

man' -uard *iercin- hi houlder armor 6u! a-ain

'Averc 0e*! !he 6lade aide and reumed !he a!!ac$:

Bu! no0 Ha0$moon had lo! !he advan!a-e o# hi*oi!ion: The ava-e 6oar ma$ -rinned a! him a

0arrior *oured do0n !he !air:

Ha0$moon and Oladahn 6ac$ed !o0ard !he door

ho*in- !o re-ain !he advan!a-e 6u! !here 0a li!!lechance o# !ha!: .or ano!her !en minu!e !hey held

!heir o0n a-ain! !he over0helmin- odd $illin- !0o

)ran6re!anian 0oundin- !hree more: Bu! !hey 0ere0earyin- ra*idly: Ha0$moon could 6arely hold hi

0ord:

Hi -la=ed eye could hardly ee hi o**onen! a

!hey cloed in li$e 6ru!e #or !he $ill He heard

'Averc' !rium*han! 'Ta$e !hem aliveF' and !hen he0en! do0n 6enea!h a !ide o# me!al:

Cha*!er Three

THE ,A@TH".O5K

,AE @N CHA@NS o !ha! !hey could 6arely 6rea!he

Ha0$moon and Oladahn 0ere 6orne do0n innumer"a6le #li-h! o# !air in!o !he de*!h o# !he -rea! !o0er

0hich eemed !o !re!ch a #ar 6elo0-round a i! did

a6ove:

A! len-!h !he 6oar 0arrior reached a cham6er !ha!

had eviden!ly 6een a !oreroom 6u! !ha! no0 erved

a an e##ec!ive dun-eon:


16/162

There !hey 0ere #lun- #ace do0n on !he coare

roc$: They lay !here un!il a 6oo!ed #oo! !urned !hemover !o 6lin$ in!o !he li-h! o# a -u!!erin- !orch held

6y !he 9ua! Ecardo 0hoe 6a!!ered ma$ eemed !o

narl in -lee: 'Averc ma$ !ill *uhed 6ac$ !o e


17/162

recen! 6a!!le:

Ha0$moon could no! !ell 0he!her 'Averc 0alyin-: He le! no emo!ion ho0 on hi #ace 6u! !he

ne0 had hoc$ed him: a !he Kamar- ready !o #all

>and i# o 0ha! 0ould 6ecome o# ;ieldaD

lainly !ha! ne0 di!ur6 you 'Averc mur"

mured: Bu! #ear no! u$e #or 0hen !he Kamar-#all i! 0ill 6e in my a#e$ee*in- i# all -oe 0ell @ *lan

!o claim !he *rovince a my re0ard #or ca*!urin- you:

And !hee my 6oon com*anion he con!inued indi"

ca!in- hi 6ru!ih ervan! @ 0ill eleva!e !o rule !heKamar- 0hen @ canno!: They hare all a*ec! o# my

li#e>my ecre! my *leaure: @! i only #air !ha! !hey

hould hare my !rium*h: Ecardo @ 0ill ma$e !e0ard

o# my e!a!e and @ !hin$ @ hall ma$e e!er here a

Coun!:

.rom 0i!hin !he -ian!' ma$ came an animal -run!:

'Averc miled: e!er ha #e0 6rain 6u! hi!ren-!h and hi loyal!y are 0i!hou! 9ue!ion: erha*

@'ll re*lace Coun! Bra 0i!h him:

Ha0$moon !irred an-rily in hi chain: ;ou area 0ily 6ea! 'Averc 6u! @ 0ill no! le! you -oad me

!o an ou!6ur! i# !ha!' 0ha! you deire: @'ll 6ide my

!ime: erha* @'ll eca*e you ye!: And i# @ do>youmay live in !error #or !he day 0hen our role are

revered and you are in my *o0er:

@ #ear you are !oo o*!imi!ic u$e: ,e! here

enoy !he *eace #or you'll $no0 none 0hen you -e!

!o )ran6re!an:

i!h a moc$in- 6o0 'Averc le#! hi men #ollo0"

in-: The !orchli-h! #aded and Ha0$moon and Ola"

dahn 0ere le#! in dar$ne:

Ah came Oladahn' voice a#!er a 0hile: @ #ind

i! di##icul! !o !a$e my *oi!ion eriouly a#!er all !ha!ha ha**ened !oday: @ am !ill no! even ure 0he!her

!hi 6e dream dea!h or reali!y:

ha! did ha**en !o you OladahnD Ha0$moon


18/162

a$ed: Ho0 could you urvive !ha! -rea! lea*D @ had

ima-ined you dahed !o dea!h 6enea!h !he !o0er:

By ri-h! @ hould have 6een Oladahn a-reed:

@# @ had no! 6een arre!ed 6y -ho! in mid#all:

)ho!D ;ou e!:

Nay: Thee !hin->li$e -ho!>a**eared #rom0indo0 in !he !o0er and 6ore me -en!ly !o ear!h:

They 0ere !he i=e and ha*e o# men 6u! 6arely

!an-i6le::::

;ou #ell and $noc$ed your head and dreamed

!hi !u##F

;ou could 6e ri-h!: Suddenly Oladahn *aued:Bu! i# o @ am dreamin- !ill: 5oo$ !o your le#!:

Ha0$moon !urned hi head -a*in- in a!onih"

men! a! 0ha! he a0: There 9ui!e *lainly he could

ee !he #i-ure o# a man: ;e! a i# !hrou-h a *ool o#mil$ he could ee 6eyond !he man and ma$e ou! !he

0all 6ehind him:

A -ho! o# a claic or! Ha0$moon aid:S!ran-e !o hare a dream::::

.ain! muical lau-h!er came #rom !he #i-ure !and"in- over !hem: ;ou do no! dream !ran-er: e are

men li$e you: The ma o# our 6odie i merely al!ered

a li!!le !ha! i all: e do no! e


19/162

o# one !hin->0e are !ill a6le !o ud-e human charac"

!er 0ell enou-h and reco-ni=e you a *o!en!ial #riend

and !hoe o!her a ac!ual enemie:

Enemie o# yourD Ho0 oD Ha0$moon a$ed:

@ 0ill e


20/162

o# en!rance a! -round level:

The 0rai!h"#ol$ 6ore Ha0$moon and Oladahn u*"0ard a-ain !o !he econd level and *aed !hrou-h

a 0ide 0indo0 in!o !he houe:

@n a room 6are o# any ornamen!a!ion !hey came !o

re! e!!in- !he *air do0n -en!ly:

ha! i !hi *laceD Ha0$moon a$ed !ill una6le

!o !ru! hi ene:

Thi i 0here 0e live !he 0rai!h"man re*lied:

There are no! many o# u: Thou-h 0e live #or cen"

!urie 0e are inca*a6le o# re*roducin- ourelve:

Tha! i 0ha! 0e lo! 0hen 0e 6ecame a 0e are:

No0 !hrou-h !he door came o!her #i-ure everalo# !hem #emale: All 0ere o# !he ame 6eau!i#ul and

-race#ul a**earance all had 6odie o# mil$y o*a9ue"

ne none 0ore clo!he: The #ace and 6odie 0erea-ele carcely human 6u! !hey radia!ed uch a

ene o# !ran9uilli!y !ha! Ha0$moon immedia!ely #el!

rela


21/162

e !oo are in -rea! dan-er #rom !hoe !ran-e

0arrior 0i!h !heir -ro!e9ue 6ea!"ma$ ,inal !old

him: .or !hey *lan !o ra=e Soryandum:

,a=e i!D Bu! 0hyD Thi ci!y o##er no !hrea! !o

!hem>and i! i !oo remo!e !o 6e 0or!h !heir anneand even !ha! i in !he hand o#'AvercF

@ !old you !ha! 0e are lin$ed !o !he ci!y ,inalaid *a!ien!ly: And !ha! i e


22/162

illin-ly aid Ha0$moon: @# you -ive u !he

e


23/162

had ued earlier !o o*en !he *adloc$: Thi 0e re"

!ained 0hen 0e *u! mo! o# our o!her machine in

!ore: @! i ca*a6le o# o*enin- any loc$>all you mu!do i *oin! a! i!: @! 0ill hel* you -ain en!rance !o !he

main !oreroom 0here !he mechanical 6ea! -uard

!he old machine o# Soryandum:

And 0ha! i !he machine you deire u !o #indD

Oladahn a$ed:

@! i a mall device a6ou! !he i=e o# a man' head:

@! color are !hoe o# !he rain6o0 and i! hine: @!

loo$ li$e cry!al 6u! #eel li$e me!al @! ha a 6ae o#ony


24/162

ee* in !he hill everal mile #rom Soryandum

Ha0$moon *aued !o -e! hi 6earin-: ,inal had !oldhim !o loo$ #or a cairn ou! o# cu! -rani!e le#! !here

cen!urie 6e#ore 6y ,inal' ance!or: A! la! he a0

i! old !one !urned !o ilver 6y !he moonli-h!:

No0 0e -o nor!h he aid and loo$ #or !he hill

#rom 0hich !he -rani!e 0a cu!:

Ano!her hal# hour and !hey made ou! !he hill: @!

loo$ed a i# a! ome !ime a -ian! 0ord had liced i!

#ace heer: Since !ha! !ime -ra had -ro0n over i!a-ain o !ha! !he charac!eri!ic eemed a na!ural one:

Ha0$moon and Oladahn croed *rin-y !ur# !o a

*lace 0here !hic$ hru6 -re0 a-ain! !he ide o# !hehill: ar!in- !hee !hey dicerned a narro0 o*enin- in

!he cli##ide: Thi 0a !he ecre! en!rance !o !he ma"chine !ore o# !he men o# Soryandum:

S9uee=in- !hrou-h !he en!rance !he !0o men #ound!hemelve in a lar-e cave: Oladahn li! !he 6rand !hey

had 6rou-h! #or !he *ur*oe and !he #lic$erin- li-h!

revealed a -rea! 9uare cavern !ha! had eviden!ly

6een he0n ar!i#icially:

,emem6erin- hi in!ruc!ion Ha0$moon croed

!o !he #ar 0all o# !he cave and loo$ed #or a !iny mar$a! houlder hei-h!: A! la! he a0 i!>a i-n 0ri!!en in

un#amiliar charac!er and 6enea!h i! a !iny hole:

Ha0$moon !oo$ #rom hi hir! !he in!rumen! !heyhad 6een -iven and *oin!ed i! a! !he hole:

He #el! a !in-lin- ena!ion in hi hand a he a*"

*lied li-h! *reure !o !he in!rumen!: The roc$6e#ore him 6e-an !o !rem6le: A *o0er#ul -u! o# air

made !he 6rand #lame !ream !hrea!enin- !o 6lo0

!hem ou! al!o-e!her: The 0all 6e-an !o -lo0 6ecome!ran*aren! and !hen dia**ear al!o-e!her: @! 0ill !ill

6e !here ,inald had !old !hem 6u! !em*orarily

removed !o ano!her dimenion:

Cau!iouly 0ord in hand !hey *aed !hrou-h

in!o a -rea! !unnel !ha! 0a #ull o# cool -reen li-h!

!ha! came #rom 0all li$e #ued -la:


25/162

Ahead o# !hem lay ano!her 0all: On i! -lo0ed a

in-le red *o! and i! 0a a! !hi !ha! Ha0$moon no0*oin!ed !he in!rumen!:

A-ain !here 0a a udden ruh o# air: Thi !ime i!

nearly 6le0 !hem over: Then !he 0all -lo0ed 0hi!e

!urnin- !o a mil$y 6lue 6e#ore vanihin- al!o-e!her:

Thi ec!ion o# !he !unnel 0a !he ame mil$y"6lue

color 6u! !he 0all ahead o# !hem 0a 6lac$: hen i!

!oo had #aded !hey en!ered a !unnel o# yello0 !oneand $ne0 !ha! !he main !ore cham6er and i! -uardian

lay ahead o# !hem:

Ha0$moon *aued 6e#ore a**lyin- !he in!rumen!!o !he 0hi!e 0all !hey #aced:

e mu! 6e cunnin- and move 0i#!ly he !old

Oladahn #or !he crea!ure 6eyond !hi 0all 0ill 6e

ac!iva!ed !he momen! i! ene our *reence>

He 6ro$e o## a a mu##led ound reached !heir ear>

a #an!a!ic clahin- and cla!!erin-: The 0hi!e 0all

huddered a i# ome!hin- on !he o!her ide had #lun- ahu-e 0ei-h! a-ain! i!:

Oladahn loo$ed du6iouly a! !he 0all erha* 0ehould reconider: A#!er all i# 0e 0a!ed our live

uelely 0e:::

Bu! Ha0$moon 0a already ac!iva!in- !he in!ru"

men! and !he *ro!ec!in- 0all had 6e-un !o chan-e

color a !he !ran-e cold 0ind !ruc$ !heir #ace:

.rom 6ehind !he 0all came an a0eome 0ail o# *ainand 6e0ildermen!: The 0all !urned !o *in$ #aded>

and revealed !he machine"6ea!:

The 0all' dia**earance eemed !o have di!ur6ed

i! #or an in!an! #or i! made no move !o0ard !hem:

@! crouched on me!al #ee! !o0erin- over !hem i!mul!icolored cale hal#"6lindin- !hem: The len-!h o#

i! 6ac$ ave #or i! nec$ 0a a ma o# $ni#e"har*

horn: @! had a 6ody #ahioned ome0ha! li$e an a*e'

0i!h hor! hind le- and lon- #orele- endin- in hand


26/162

o# !aloned me!al: @! eye 0ere mul!i#ace!ed li$e a

#ly' -lo0in- 0i!h hi#!in- color and i! nou! 0a

#ull o# ra=or"har* me!al !ee!h:

Beyond !he mechanical 6ea! !hey could ee -rea!

hea* o# machinery !ac$ed in orderly ro0 a6ou! !he

0all: The room 0a va!: Some0here in !he middle

o# i! on hi le#! Ha0$moon a0 !he !0o cry!allinedevice ,inal had decri6ed: Silen!ly he *oin!ed !o

!hem !hen made !o dah *a! !he mon!er in!o !he

!oreroom:

Their movemen! a !hey ran !irred !he 6ea! #rom

i! da=e: @! creamed and lum6ered a#!er !hem e


27/162

in- a6ou! i!: @! lea*ed in!o !he air and came do0n 0i!h

an ear"*li!!in- crah ruhin- acro !he #loor o# !he

-allery a! Ha0$moon 0ho 9uee=ed do0n 6e!0een

!0o machine and uin- !hem #or cover cre*! cloer

!o !he machine he had come !o !a$e:

No0 !he mon!er 6e-an !o 0rench machine aide

in i! inena!e earch #or i! enemy: Ha0$moon came!o a !o* 6y a machine 0i!h a 6ell"ha*ed no==le: A!

!he end o# !hi no==le 0a a lever: The machine

eemed !o 6e ome $ind o# 0ea*on: i!hou! *auin-

!o !hin$ Ha0$moon *ulled !he lever: A #ain! noiecame #rom !he !hin- 6u! no!hin- ele eemed !o

reul!:

No0 !he 6ea! 0a almo! u*on him a-ain:

Ha0$moon *re*ared !o ma$e a !and decidin- !ha!eh 0ould #lin- hi 0ord a! one o# !he eye ince !hey

eemed !o 6e !he crea!ure' mo! vulnera6le #ea!ure:

,inal had !old him !ha! !he mechanical 6ea! couldno! 6e $illed in any ordinary ene 6u! i# i! 0ere

6linded he mi-h! !and a chance:

Bu! no0 a !he 6ea! came in!o !he direc! line o#!he machine i! !a--ered and -run!ed: Eviden!ly

ome invii6le ray 0a a!!ac$in- i! *oi6ly in!er#er"

in- 0i!h i! com*lica!ed mechanim: @! !a--ered andHa0$moon #el! !rium*han! #or an in!an! ud-in-

!he 6ea! de#ea!ed: Bu! !he crea!ure hoo$ i! 6ody and

6e-an !o advance a-ain 0i!h lo0 *ain#ul movemen!:

Ha0$moon a0 !ha! i! 0a lo0ly re-ainin- i!

!ren-!h: He mu! !ri$e no0 i# he 0a !o have any

chance a! all He ran !o0ard !he 6ea!: @! !urned i!head lo0ly: Bu! !hen Ha0$moon had lea*ed a! i!

9ua! nec$ and 0a clim6in- u* !he cale !o ea! him"

el# on !he mechanical 6ea!' houlder: i!h a -ro0li! raied i! arm !o !ear Ha0$moon a0ay:

e*era!ely Ha0$moon leaned #or0ard and 0i!h!he *ommel o# hi 0ord !ruc$ #ir! a! one eye and

!hen a! !he o!her: i!h a har* *lin!erin- ound

6o!h eye 0ere dahed !o #ra-men!:


28/162

The 6ea! creamed i! *a0 -oin- no! !o Ha0$"

moon 6u! !o i! inured eye -ivin- !he youn- u$e!ime !o lea* #rom !he crea!ure' 6ac$ and dah #or !he

!0o 6o


29/162

ain#ully Oladahn *ulled himel# !o hi #ee!: .rom

0i!hin !he cave came a 0ild ho0lin- and !hunderin-

a !he mechanical 6ea! ou-h! !o reach !hem:

Sa#eD Oladahn aid *oin!in- !o !he hillide

6ehind Ha0$moon: oi6ly>6u! #or ho0 lon-D

Ha0$moon !urned: A -rea! #iure had a**eared in

!he cli## #ace a !he mechanical 6ea! !rove !o #ree

i!el# and #ollo0 i! enemie:

All !he more need #or *eed aid Ha0$moon

*ic$in- u* hi 6undle and 6e-innin- !o run 6ac$ in

!he direc!ion o# Soryandum:

They had no! -one hal# a mile 6e#ore !hey heard an

enormou crah 6ehind !hem: 5oo$in- 6ac$ !hey a0!he #ace o# !he hill *li! o*en and !he me!al 6ea!

emer-e i! ho0lin- echoin- !hrou-h !he hill !hrea!"

enin- !o reach all !he 0ay !o Soryandum:

The 6ea! i 6lind Ha0$moon e


30/162

!ran-e 6ody dri#!in- in!o !he li-h! o !ha! he mi-h!

loo$ a! !he o6ec! 6e!!er: Hi -ho!ly hand !ro$ed

!he oc!a-on e! in i! ony< 6ae: No0 0e need haveno #ear o# !he ma$ed !ran-er: e can eca*e #rom

!hem 0henever 0e *leae::::

Bu! @ !hou-h! !here 0a no 0ay #or you !o leave

!he ci!y Oladahn aid:

Tha! i !rue>6u! 0i!h !hee machine 0e can !a$e

!he 0hole ci!y 0i!h u i# 0e are luc$y:

Ha0$moon 0a a6ou! !o 9ue!ion ,inal #ur!her0hen he heard a commo!ion in !he !ree! ou!ide and

idled !o !he 0indo0 !o *eer cau!iouly do0n: There

he a0 'Averc hi !0o 6ru!ih lieu!enan! and a6ou!

!0en!y 0arrior: One o# !he 0arrior 0a *oin!in- u*a! !he 0indo0:

e mu! have 6een een Ha0$moon -a*ed:

e mu! all leave: e canno! #i-h! o many:

,inal #ro0ned: e canno! leave ei!her: Bu! i# 0e

ue our machine i! 0ill leave you a! 'Averc' mercy:

@ am in a dilemma:

?e !he machine !hen Ha0$moon aid and le!

u 0orry a6ou! 'Averc:

e canno! le! you die #or our a$eF No! a#!er

all you have done:

?e !he machineF

Bu! ,inal !ill hei!a!ed:

Ha0$moon heard ano!her ound ou!ide and

-lanced cau!iouly !hrou-h !he 0indo0: They've

6rou-h! u* ladder: They're a6ou! !o en!er: ?e !hemachine ,inal:

Ano!her o# !he 0rai!h"#ol$ a 0oman aid o#!ly?e !he machine ,inal: @# 0ha! 0e heard 0a !rue

!hen i! i unli$ely !ha! our #riend 0ill come !o much

harm a! 'Averc' hand>no! a! !hi momen! any"

0ay:


31/162

ha! do you meanD Ha0$moon a$ed: Ho0

do you $no0 !hiD

e have a #riend no! o# our *eo*le !he 0oman

!old him 0ho ome!ime vii! u 6rin-in- u ne0o# !he ou!ide 0orld: He !oo erve !he ,une!a##>

@ he a 0arrior in armor o# e! and -oldD Ha0$"moon in!erru*!ed:

Aye he !old u you>

u$e orianF Oladahn cried *oin!in- !o !he

0indo0: The #ir! o# !he 6oar 0arrior had reached

!he 0indo0:

Ha0$moon 0hi**ed hi 0ord #rom !he ca66ard

lea*ed #or0ard and drove !he 6lade in!o !he !hroa! o#!he 0arrior u! 6elo0 hi -or-e!: The man 0en! 6ac$"

0ard and do0n 0i!h a -ur-lin- cream: Ha0$moon

ei=ed !he ladder !ryin- !o !0i! i! aide 6u! i! 0a

#irmly held 6elo0: Ano!her 0arrior came level 0i!h

!he 0indo0 and Oladahn 0un- a! hi head $noc$"

in- him ide0ay 6u! !he man clun- on: Ha0$moonrelin9uihed hi hold on !he ladder and hac$ed a! !he

man' -aun!le!ed #in-er: i!h a yell he le! -o and

crahed !o !he -round:

The machine Ha0$moon called de*era!ely:

?e i! ,inal: e canno! hold !hem #or lon-:

.rom 6ehind him !here came a muical !hrummin-

ound and Ha0$moon #el! li-h!ly di==y a hi 0ord

me! !ha! o# !he ne

Then every!hin- 6e-an !o vi6ra!e ra*idly and !he

0all o# !he houe !urned 6ri-h! red: Ou!ide in !he!ree! !he 6oar 0arrior 0ere yellin->no! in ur*rie

6u! in ou!ri-h! #ear: Ha0$moon could no! under"

!and 0hy !he i-h! !erri#ied !hem o much:

He could ee no0 !ha! !he 0hole ci!y had !urned

!he ame vi6ra!in- carle! and eemed !o 6e ha$in-

i!el# !o *iece !o harmony 0i!h !he !hrummin- o# !he


32/162

machine: Then a6ru*!ly ound and ci!y vanihed and

Ha0$moon 0a #allin- -en!ly ear!h0ard:

He heard !he voice o# ,inal #ain! and dia**earin-

ay e have le#! you !he !0in o# !hi machine: @! i

our -i#! !o aid you a-ain! your enemie: @! ha !hea6ili!y !o hi#! 0hole area o# !he ear!h in!o a li-h!ly

di##eren! dimenion o# *ace"!ime: Our enemie 0ill

no! have Soryandum no0::::

Then Ha0$moon landed on roc$y -round Ola"

dahn cloe 6y and a0 !ha! !here 0a no! a !race o#

!he ci!y: @n!ead !here 0a *i!!ed -round !ha! loo$eda i# i! had recen!ly 6een *lo0ed:

Some di!ance a0ay 0ere !he !roo* o# )ran"

6re!an 'Averc amon- !hem and Ha0$moon couldee no0 0hy !hey had creamed in !error:

The machine 6ea! had come a! la! !o !he ci!y and

0a a!!ac$in- !he 6oar 0arrior: Every0here 0ere !he

6a!!ered and 6leedin- cor*e o# )ran6re!anian:

?r-ed on 6y 'Averc 0ho had hi o0n 0ord dra0n

and 0a oinin- !hem in !he 6a!!le !he )ran6re!anian

0ere !ryin- !o de!roy !he mon!er:

@! me!al *ine hoo$ in #ury i! me!al !ee!h

clahed in i! head and i! me!al !alon ri**ed andrended armor and #leh:

The 6ea! 0ill !a$e care o# !hem Ha0$moonaid: 5oo$>our hore: A6ou! !hree hundred yard

a0ay !ood !he !0o 6e0ildered !eed: Ha0$moon

and Oladahn ran #or !hem and 0ere oon moun!ed

ridin- a0ay #rom !he i!e o# Soryandum and !hecarna-e !ha! !he mechanical 6ea! 0a ma$in- o#

'Averc' 6oar:

No0 0i!h !he !ran-e -i#! o# !he 0rai!h"#ol$

0ra**ed care#ully and *laced in Ha0$moon' addle"

6a- !he !0o adven!urer con!inued !heir ourney !o!he coa!:

The coare !ur# 0a eaier on !he hore hoove

and !hey made ra*id *ro-re over !he hill un!il !hey


33/162

came a! la! !o !he 0ide valley 0here !he Eu*hra!e

#lo0ed:

By !he 6an$ o# !he 6road river !hey made !heir

cam* and de6a!ed ho0 6e! !o cro #or !he 0a!er

0a #a!"#lo0in- a! !hi !re!ch and accordin- !oHa0$moon' ma* !hey 0ould have !o ourney ev"

eral mile ou!h 6e#ore !hey came !o a li$ely #ordin-

*lace:

Ha0$moon !ared acro !he 0a!er a !he e!!in-

un !ained i! !he color o# 6lood: A lon- almo! ilen!

i-h eca*ed him and Oladahn loo$ed u* curiouly#rom 0here he 0a layin- !he #ire:

ha! !rou6le you u$e orianD One 0ould

have !hou-h! you in -ood *iri! a#!er our eca*e:

@! i !he #u!ure !ha! !rou6le me Oladahn: @#

'Averc 0a ri-h! and Coun! Bra lie 0ounded

0i!h von 7illach dead and !he Kamar- under *o0er"#ul ie-e !hen @ #ear 0e hall re!urn !o #ind no!hin-

6u! !he ahe and mud Baron &eliadu once *romied

he 0ould ma$e o# !he Kamar-:

5e! u 0ai! un!il 0e -e! !here Oladahn aid 0i!h

a!!em*!ed cheer#ulne #or i! i li$ely !ha! 'Averc

only ou-h! !o ma$e you -loomy: Almo! cer!ainlyyour Kamar- !ill !and: .rom all you have !old me

o# !he -rea! de#ene and !he mi-h!y valor o# !he

*rovince @ do no! dou6! !ha! !hey !ill hold a-ain!!he ar$ Em*ire: ;ou 0ill ee::::

Bu! 0ill @D Ha0$moon' -a=e dro**ed !o !he

dar$enin- -round: ill @ OladahnD 'Averc 0aalmo! cer!ainly ri-h! 0hen he *o$e o# )ran6re!an'

o!her con9ue!: @# Sicilia i !heir !hen o mu! 6e

*ar! o# @!alia and E*anyia: on'! you ee 0ha! !ha!meanD

Ou!ide o# !he Bul-ar moun!ain my -eo-ra*hyi 0ea$ Oladahn aid em6arraedly:

@! mean !ha! all rou!e !o !he Kamar->6y 6o!h

land and ea>are 6loc$ed 6y !he ar$ Em*ire'


34/162

horde: Even i# 0e reach !he ea and #ind a hi* 0ha!

chance 0ill 0e have o# *ain- unharmed !hrou-h

!he Sicilian channelD The 0a!er !here mu! 6e !hic$0i!h ar$ Em*ire hi*:

Bu! do 0e have !o !ravel !ha! 0ayD ha! a6ou!!he rou!e you ued !o reach !he Ea!D

Ha0$moon #ro0ned: &uch o# !ha! !erri!ory @#le0 acro and i! 0ould !a$e !0ice !he !ime !o -o

6ac$ !ha! 0ay: Alo )ran6re!an ha already made

e

Bu! !he !erri!orie under !heir con!rol could 6e

circumnavi-a!ed Oladahn aid: A! lea! on land 0e

hould !and ome chance 0hile on ea #rom 0ha!

you ay no chance a! all

Aye aid Ha0$moon !hou-h!#ully: Bu! i!0ould mean croin- Tur$ia>a ourney o# everal

0ee$: Bu! !hen *erha* 0e could ue !he Blac$ Sea

0hich @ hear i #airly #ree o# ar$ Em*ire hi* !ill:He conul!ed !he ma*: Aye>!he Blac$ Sea acro !o

,omania>6u! !hen i! 0ould 6ecome increain-ly dan"

-erou a 0e neared .rance #or !he ar$ Em*ire'

#orce are every0here !herea6ou!: S!ill you are ri-h!>0e 0ould have a 6e!!er chance 6y !ha! rou!e mi-h!

even lay a cou*le o# )ran6re!anian and ue !heir

ma$ a di-uie: One diadvan!a-e !ha! !hey havei !ha! !heir #ace canno! 6e reco-ni=ed a !hoe o#

#riend or #oe: @# i! 0ere no! #or !he ecre! lan-ua-e

o# !he variou order 0e could !ravel a#ely enou-hi# !ric$ed ou! in 6ea! ma$ and armor:

Then 0e chan-e our rou!e Oladahn aid:

;e: e -o nor!h in !he mornin-:

.or a num6er o# lon- day !hey #ollo0ed !he Eu"*hra!e nor!h croin- !he 6order 6e!0een Syria and

Tur$ia and comin- a! len-!h !o !he 9uie! 0hi!e !o0n

o# Birache$ 0here !he Eu*hra!e 6ecame !he .ira!,iver:

@n Birache$ a 0ary inn$ee*er u*ec!in- !hem a

ervan! o# !he ar$ Em*ire !old !hem a! #ir! !ha!


35/162

!here 0ere no room 6u! !hen Ha0$moon *oin!ed

!o !he 6lac$ e0el in hi #orehead and aid &y name

orian la! u$e o# Koln 0orn enemy o# )ran"6re!an and !he inn$ee*er even in !hi remo!e !o0n

had heard o# him and le! !hem in:

5a!er !ha! ni-h! !hey a! in !he *u6lic room o# !he

inn drin$in- 0ee! 0ine and !al$in- !o !he mem6er

o# a !radin- caravan !ha! had arrived in Birache$hor!ly 6e#ore !hem:

The !rader 0ere 0ar!hy men 0i!h 6lue"6lac$

hair and 6eard !ha! -leamed 0i!h oil: They 0ere

dreed in lea!her hir! and 6ri-h!ly colored divided

$il! o# 0ool over !hee clo!he !hey 0ore 0oven

cloa$ alo o# 0ool in -eome!ric dei-n o# *ur*lered and yello0: Thee cloa$ !hey !old !he !raveler

ho0ed !ha! !hey 0ere !he men o# ;enahan merchan!o# An$ara: A! !heir 0ai! 0ere curved a6er 0i!h

richly decora!ed hil! and en-raved 6lade 0orn un"

ca66arded: Thee !rader 0ere a ued !o #i-h!in- a!hey 0ere !o 6ar!erin-:

Their leader Saleem ha0$"noed and 0i!h *iercin-

6lue eye leaned #or0ard over !he !a6le !o *ea$lo0ly !o !he u$e o# Koln and Oladahn:

;ou have heard !ha! emiarie o# !he ar$ Em"*ire *ay cour! !o !he Cali# o# @!an6ul and *ay !ha!

!hri#!le monarch !o le! !hem !a!ion a lar-e #orce o#

6ull"ma$ed 0arrior 0i!hin !he ci!y 0allD

Ha0$moon hoo$ hi head: @ have li!!le ne0 o#

!he 0orld: Bu! @ 6elieve you: @! i !he 0ay o# )ran"

6re!an !o !a$e 0i!h -old ra!her !han !a$e 0i!h #orce:Only i# -old i no lon-er o# ue 0ill !hey *roduce

!heir 0ea*on and armie:

Saleem nodded: A @ !hou-h!: ;ou 0ould no!

!hen !hin$ Tur$ia a#e #rom !he e!ern 0olveD

No! any *ar! o# !he 0orld even Amareh$ i a#e

#rom !heir am6i!ion: They dream o# con9uerin- land

!ha! mi-h! no! even e


36/162

Ara6ia and !he Ea! are mere cam*in- -round #or

!heir armie:

Bu! could !hey have uch *o0erD Saleem a$ed

a!onihed:

They have !he *o0er Ha0$moon aid 0i!h con"

#idence: They have a madne !oo 0hich ma$e

!hem ava-e cunnin->and inven!ive: @ have een 5on"dra ca*i!al o# )ran6re!an and i! va! archi!ec!ure i

!ha! o# 6rillian! ni-h!mare made olid: @ have een !he

Kin-"Em*eror himel# in hi !hrone -lo6e o# mil$y#luid>a 0i=ened immor!al 0i!h !he -olden voice o# a

you!h: @ have een !he la6ora!orie o# !he orcerer"

cien!i!>innumera6le cavern o# 6i=arre machine

many 0hoe #unc!ion have ye! !o 6e redicovered 6y!he )ran6re!anian !hemelve: And @ have !al$ed

0i!h !heir no6le learned o# !heir am6i!ion $no0!hem !o 6e more inane !han any!hin- you or any

o!her normal man could ima-ine: They are 0i!hou!

humani!y have li!!le #eelin- #or each o!her and nonea! all #or !hoe !hey re-ard a lo0er *ecie>!ha! i

all !hoe no! o# )ran6re!an: They cruci#y men 0o"

men children and animal !o decora!e and mar$ !he

road !o and #rom !heir con9ue!: : : :

Saleem leaned 6ac$ 0i!h a 0ave o# hi hand: Ah

come no0 u$e orian you e


37/162

;e! !hoe 0ho rei! !hem are van9uihed and !or"

!ured ee !heir 0ive ra*ed and !orn a*ar! 6e#ore !heir

eye !heir children 6ecome *lay!hin- o# 0arrior andhea*ed on #ire li! !o 6urn 0hole ci!ie: Bu! i# you do

no! rei! i# you eca*e dea!h in 6a!!le !hen !he ame

could !ill ha**en !o you or you and your 6ecome

crin-in- !hin- le !han human 0illin- !o *er#orm

any indi-ni!y any ac! o# evil !o ave your $in: @*o$e o# hone!y>and hone!y #or6id me !o encour"

a-e you 0i!h 6rave !al$ o# no6le 6a!!le and 0arrior'

dea!h: @ ee$ !o de!roy !hem>@ am !heir declared en"

emy>6u! @ have -rea! allie and conidera6le luc$and even @ #eel !ha! @ canno! #orever eca*e !heir ven"

-eance !hou-h @ have done o everal !ime: @ can only

advie !hoe 0ho 0ould ave ome!hin- !o rei! !he

minion o# Kin- Huon>ue cunnin-: ?e cunnin-my #riend: @! i !he only 0ea*on 0e have a-ain! !he

ar$ Em*ire:

re!end !o erve !hem you meanD Saleem aid

!hou-h!#ully:

@ did o: @ am alive no0 and com*ara!ively #ree:::

@ 0ill remem6er your 0ord 0e!erner:

,emem6er !hem all Ha0$moon 0arned him:

.or !he harde! com*romie !o ma$e i 0hen youdecide !o a**ear !o com*romie: O#!en !he dece*!ion

6ecome !he reali!y lon- 6e#ore you reali=e i!:

Saleem #in-ered hi 6eard: @ under!and you: He

-lanced a6ou! !he room: The #lic$erin- hado0 o#

!he !orche eemed !o !a$e on a udden menace: Ho0

lon- @ 0onder 0ill i! 6eD ::: So much o# Euro*ei already !heir:

Have you heard any!hin- o# !he *rovince called!he Kamar-D a$ed Ha0$moon:

The Kamar-: A land o# horned 0ere6ea! i i!no! and hal#"human mon!er 0i!h mi-h!y *o0er

0ho have omeho0 mana-ed !o !and a-ain! !he ar$

Em*ire: They are led 6y a me!al -ian! !he Bra

Coun!:::


38/162

Ha0$moon miled: ;ou have heard much !ha! i

le-end: Coun! Bra i #leh and 6lood and !here are#e0 mon!er in !he Kamar-: The only horned 6ea!

are !he 6ull o# !he marhland and !he hore !oo:

And have !hey !ill rei!ed !he ar$ Em*ireD Heard

you o# ho0 Coun! Bra #are or hi lieu!enan! von

7illach>or Coun! Bra' dau-h!er ;ieldaD

@ heard Coun! Bra dead and hi lieu!enan! !oo:

Bu! o# a -irl @ heard no!hin->and a #ar a @ $no0 !he

Kamar- !ill !and:

Ha0$moon ru66ed a! !he 6lac$ e0el: ;our in#or"

ma!ion i no! cer!ain enou-h: @ canno! 6elieve !ha! i#

Coun! Bra i dead !he Kamar- !ill !and: @# Coun!Bra -oe do0n o doe !he *rovince:

ell @ *ea$ only o# rumor urroundin- o!her

rumor Saleem aid: e !rader are ure o# local

-oi* 6u! mo! o# 0ha! 0e hear o# !he e! i va-ueand o6cure: ;ou come #rom !he Kamar- do you

no!D

@! i my ado*!ed home Ha0$moon a-reed: @# i!!ill e


39/162

and !hence !o !he *or! o# Ion-ulda$ on !he Blac$ Sea

Ha0$moon and Oladahn 0ere a6le 0i!h !he hel* o#

*a*er u**lied 6y Saleem' ma!er !o -e! *aa-e on6oard !he Smilin- )irl !he only hi* ready !o !a$e

!hem 0i!h i! !o Sim#ero*ol on !he coa! o# a land

called Crimia: Smilin- )irl 0a no! a *re!!y veeland nei!her did he eem ha**y: Ca*!ain and cre0

0ere #il!hy and !he dec$ 6elo0 !an$ o# a !houand

di##eren! $ind o# ro!: ;e! !hey 0ere #orced !o *ayheavily #or !he *rivile-e o# *aa-e on !he !u6 and

!heir 9uar!er 0ere li!!le le noand #or !he ame reaon a ar$ Em*ire hi*' a!!en"

!ion>and 0en! a6oard 0i!h Oladahn hor!ly 6e#ore

he ailed:

Smilin- )irl lum6ered a0ay #rom !he 9uayide on

!he early"mornin- ride: A her *a!ched ail cau-h!

!he 0ind every !im6er in her -roaned and crea$edhe !urned lu--ihly nor!h nor!hea! under a dar$en"

in- $y !ha! 0a #ull o# rain: The mornin- 0a cool

and -ray 0i!h a *eculiar mu!ed 9uali!y !o i! !ha!dam*ened ound and made eein- an e##or!:

Huddled in hi cloa$ Ha0$moon !ood in !he#o'c'le and 0a!ched a Ion-ulda$ dia**eared 6ehind

!hem:

,ain had 6e-un !o #all in heavy dro* 6y !he !ime!he *or! 0a ou! o# i-h! and Oladahn came u* #rom

6elo0 !o move alon- !he heavin- dec$ !o0ard Ha0$"

moon:

@'ve cleaned u* our 9uar!er a 6e! @ can u$e

orian !hou-h 0e'll no! 6e #ree o# !he mell #rom !here! o# !he hi*>and !here' li!!le @'d -ue !ha!

0ould care a0ay uch #a! ra! a @ a0:

e'll 6ear i! Ha0$moon aid !oically: e've


40/162

6orne 0ore and !he voya-e i only #or !0o day: He

-lanced a! !he ma!e 0ho 0a reelin- ou! o# !he 0heel"

houe: Thou-h @'d 6e ha**ier i# @ !hou-h! !he hi*'o##icer and cre0 0ere a !ri#le more ca*a6le: He

miled: @# !he ma!e drin$ any more and !he ca*!ain

lie norin- much lon-er 0e may #ind ourelve 0i!ha commandF

,a!her !han -o 6elo0 !he !0o men !ood !o-e!herin !he rain loo$in- !o !he nor!h and 0onderin- 0ha!

mi-h! 6e#all !hem on !heir lon- ourney !o !he Ka"

mar-:

The miera6le hi* ailed on !hrou-h !he miera6le

day !oed on !he rou-h ea 6lo0n 6y a !reacherou

0ind !ha! ever !hrea!ened !o 6ecome a !orm 6u! al"

0ay !o**ed u! hor!: The ca*!ain !um6led on!o!he 6rid-e #rom !ime !o !ime !o hou! a! hi men !o

cure !hem and 6ea! !hem in!o !he ri--in- !o ree# !ha!

ail or looe ano!her: To Ha0$moon and Oladahn

Ca*!ain &ouo' order eemed en!irely ar6i!rary:

To0ard evenin- Ha0$moon 0en! !o oin !he Ca*"

!ain on !he 6rid-e: &ouo loo$ed u* a! him 0i!h a

hi#!y e


41/162

!he rail #eelin- !ha! a! any momen! i! 0ould crum6le

a0ay in hi hand: Ca*!ain &ouo eemed o6liviou o#

any dan-er and !he ma!e 0a #la! on hi #ace 6o!!le#allin- #rom hi hand a hi 6ody lid nearer and nearer

!o !he ide:

Be!!er hel* him Ha0$moon aid:

Ca*!ain &ouo lau-hed: He' all ri-h!>he' -o!a drun$ard' luc$:

Bu! no0 !he ma!e' 6ody 0a a-ain! !he !ar6oard

rail hi head and one houlder already !hrou-h:Ha0$moon lea*ed do0n !he com*anion0ay !o -ra6

!he man and haul him 6ac$ !o a#e!y a !he hi*

heaved a-ain !hi !ime in !he o!her direc!ion and al!

0ave 0ahed !he dec$:

Ha0$moon loo$ed do0n a! !he man he had re"

cued: The ma!e lay on hi 6ac$ eye cloed li* mov"

in- in !he 0ord o# !he on- he'd 6een in-in-:

Ha0$moon lau-hed ha$in- hi head callin- u* !o

!he $i**er ;ou're ri-h!>he ha a drun$ard' luc$:

Then a he !urned hi head !o *or! he !hou-h! he a0ome!hin- in !he 0a!er: The li-h! 0a #adin- #a! 6u!

he 0a ure he had een a veel o# ome $ind no! !oo

#ar a0ay:

Ca*!ain>do you ee any!hin- yonderD he yelled

-oin- !o !he rail and *eerin- in!o !he ma o# heavin-0a!er:

5oo$ li$e a ra#! o# ome $ind &ouo called

6ac$:

Ha0$moon 0a oon a6le !oo ee !he !hin- more

cloely a a 0ave 0e*! i! nearer: @! 0a a ra#! 0i!h!hree men clin-in- !o i!:

Shi*0rec$ed 6y !he loo$ o# 'em &ouo calledcaually: oor 6a!ard: He hru--ed hi houlder:

Ah 0ell no! our a##air :::

Ca*!ain 0e mu! ave !hem Ha0$moon aid:


42/162

e'll never do i! in !hi li-h!: Beide 0e're 0a!"

in- !ime: @'m carryin- no car-o ave yourel# on !hi!ri* and have !o 6e in Sim#ero*ol on !ime !o *ic$ u*

my car-o 6e#ore omeone ele doe:

e mu! ave !hem Ha0$moon aid #irmly: Ol"

adhan>a ro*e:

The Bul-ar 6ea!"man #ound a coil o# ro*e in !he

0heelhoue and came hurryin- do0n 0i!h i!: The

ra#! 0a !ill in i-h! i! 6urden #la! on !heir #ace

clin-in- !o i! #or dear li#e: Some!ime i! vanihed in a-rea! !rou-h o# 0a!er rea**earin- a#!er everal ec"

ond a #air di!ance #rom !he 6oa!: The -a* 6e!0een

!hem 0a 0idenin- all !he !ime and Ha0$moon $ne0

!ha! !here 0a very li!!le !ime 6e#ore !he ra#! 0ould6e !oo #ar a0ay #or !hem !o reach i!: 5ahin- one end

o# !he ro*e !o !he rail and loo*in- !he o!her a6ou! hi

0ai! he !ri**ed o## cloa$ and 0ord and dived in!o

!he #oamin- ocean:

A! once Ha0$moon reali=ed !he dan-er he 0a in:

The -rea! 0ave 0ere almo! im*oi6le !o 0im

a-ain! and !here 0a every chance o# hi 6ein- daheda-ain! !he ide o# !he hi* !unned and dro0ned:

Bu! he !ru--led on !hrou-h !he 0a!er #i-h!in- !o

$ee* i! ou! o# hi mou!h and eye a he earched a6ou!#or !he ra#!:

There i! 0aF And no0 i! occu*an! had een !hehi* and 0ere !andin- u* 0avin- and hou!in-: They

had no! een Ha0$moon 0immin- !o0ard !hem:

A he 0am Ha0$moon cau-h! -lim*e o# !hemen #rom !ime !o !ime 6u! he could no! di!in-uih

!hem clearly: T0o no0 eemed !o 6e !ru--lin-

0hile !he !hird eemed !o 6e i!!in- u*ri-h! 0a!chin-!hem:

Hold onF Ha0$moon called a6ove !he crah o#!he ea and !he moan o# !he 0ind: E


43/162

Then Ha0$moon cau-h! !he ed-e o# !he ra#! and

a0 !ha! indeed !0o o# !he men 0ere #i-h!in- in earn"e!: He a0 !oo !ha! !hey 0ore !he nou!ed ma$ o#

!he Order o# !he Boar: The men 0ere 0arrior o#

)ran6re!an:

.or an in!an! Ha0$moon de6a!ed leavin- !hem !o

!heir #a!e: Bu! i# he did !ha! he reaoned he 0ould6e no 6e!!er !han !hey: He mu! do hi 6e! !o ave

!hem !hen decide 0ha! !o do 0i!h !hem:

He called u* !o !he #i-h!in- *air 6u! !hey did no!eem !o hear him: They -run!ed and cured in !heir

!ru--le and Ha0$moon 0ondered i# !hey had no!

6een demen!ed 6y !heir ordeal:

Ha0$moon !ried !o heave himel# on!o !he ra#! 6u!!he 0a!er and !he ro*e around hi 6ody dra--ed him

do0n: He a0 !he ea!ed #i-ure loo$ u* and i-n !o

him almo! caually:

Hel* me Ha0$moon -a*ed or @'ll no! 6e a6le

!o hel* you:

The #i-ure roe and 0ayed acro !he ra#! un!il hi

0ay 0a 6loc$ed 6y !he #i-h!in- men: i!h a hru-

he ei=ed !heir nec$ *aued #or an in!an! un!il !hera#! di**ed in !he 0a!er !hen *uhed !hem in!o !he

ea:

Ha0$moon my dear #riendF came a voice #rom

0i!hin !he 6oar ma$: Ho0 ha**y @ am !o ee you:

There>@'ve hel*ed you: @'ve li-h!ened our load : : :

Ha0$moon made a -ra6 a! one o# !he dro0nin-

men 0ho !ill !ru--led 0i!h hi com*anion: @n !he

heavy ma$ and armor !hey 0ere 6ound !o 6edra--ed do0n in econd: Bu! he could no! reach

!hem: He 0a!ched in #acina!ion a 0i!h eemin-

-radualne !he ma$ an$ 6elo0 !he 0ave:

He -lared u* a! !he urvivor 0ho 0a leanin- do0n

!o o##er him a hand: ;ou have murdered your #riend

'AvercF @'ve a -ood mind !o le! you -o do0n 0i!h


44/162

!hem:

.riendD &y dear Ha0$moon !hey 0ere no uch!hin-: Servan! aye 6u! no! #riend: 'Averc 6raced

himel# a ano!her 0ave !oed !he ra#! nearly #orcin-

Ha0$moon !o loe hi -ra*: No! #riend: They 0ereloyal enou-h>6u! dread#ully 6orin-: And !hey made

#ool o# !hemelve: @ canno! !olera!e !ha!: Come alon-

le! me hel* you a6oard my li!!le veel: @! i no! much6u!: ::

Ha0$moon allo0ed 'Averc !o hel* him on!o !he

ra#! !hen !urned and 0aved !o0ard !he hi* u! vi"

i6le !hrou-h !he dar$ne: He #el! !he ro*e !i-h!en a

Oladahn 6e-an !o haul on i!:

@! 0a #or!una!e !ha! you 0ere *ain- 'Averc

aid coolly a lo0ly !hey 0ere dra0n !o0ard !hehi*: @ had !hou-h! myel# a -ood a dro0ned and

all my -loriou *romie 6arely #ul#illed>and !hen 0ho

hould come 6y in hi *lendid hi* 6u! !he no6leu$e o# Koln: .a!e #lin- u !o-e!her once a-ain

u$e:

Aye 6u! @'ll readily #lin- you a0ay a-ain a you#lun- your #riend i# you do no! hold !on-ue and hel*

me 0i!h !hi ro*e -ro0led Ha0$moon:

The ra#! *lun-ed !hrou-h !he ea and a! la! 6um*ed

a-ain! Smilin- )irl' hal#"ro!!en ide: A ro*e ladder

an$ed do0n and Ha0$moon 6e-an !o clim6 #inallyhaulin- himel# 0i!h relie# over !he rail -a*in- #or

6rea!h:

hen Oladahn a0 !he ne

0e mi-h! a 0ell $ee* him alive #or he could 6e aue#ul 6ar-ainin- coun!er i# 0e are in !rou6le la!er:

Ho0 eni6leF 'Averc emy ordeal ha

de*era!ely 0ea$ened me @ #ear: A chan-e o# clo!he

ome ho! -ro- a -ood ni-h!' re! and @'ll 6e myel#

a-ain:


45/162

;ou'll 6e luc$y i# 0e le! you ro! in !he 6il-e

Ha0$moon aid: Ta$e him 6elo0 !o our ca6inOladahn:

Huddled in !he !iny ca6in !ha! 0a dimly li! 6y amall lan!ern han-in- #rom !he roo# Ha0$moon and

Oladahn 0a!ched 'Averc !ri* himel# o# hi ma$

armor and odden under-armen!:

Ho0 did you come !o 6e on !he ra#! 'AvercD

Ha0$moon a$ed a !he .renchman #uily driedhimel#: Even he 0a li-h!ly non*lued 6y !he man'

a**aren! coolne: He admired !he 9uali!y and even

0ondered i# he did no! ac!ually li$e 'Averc in ome

!ran-e 0ay: erha* i! 0a 'Averc' hone!y in ad"mi!!in- hi am6i!ion hi un0illin-ne !o u!i#y hi

ac!ion even i# a recen!ly !hey involved caual mur"der:

A lon- !ory my dear #riend: The !hree o# u>Ecardo e!er and @>le#! !he men !o deal 0i!h !ha!

6lind mon!er you releaed u*on u and mana-ed !o

reach !he a#e!y o# !he hill: A li!!le la!er !he orni!ho*"

!er 0e had en! !o collec! you arrived and 6e-an !ocircle eviden!ly *u==led 6y !he dia**earance o# an

en!ire ci!y>a 0e 0ere @ mu! admi! you mu! e


46/162

6ae:

ha! ha**enedD Ha0$moon a$ed: id you$no0 ho0 !o con!rol !he orni!ho*!erD

'Averc miled: ;ou have -ueed correc!ly: &y$no0led-e o# !he !hin- i limi!ed: e mana-ed !o

-ain !he air 6u! !hen !he 0re!ched !hin- 0ould no!

6e !eered: Be#ore 0e $ne0 i! i! 0a carryin- u o##

!o !he ,une!a## $no0 0here: @ #eared #or my a#e!y

@ mu! admi!: The mon!er 6ehaved increain-ly er"

ra!ically un!il a! la! i! 6e-an !o #all: @ mana-ed !o-uide i! o !ha! i! landed on a o#! river6an$ and 0e

0ere 6arely hur!: Ecardo and e!er had 6ecome hy"

!erical 9uarrelin- amon- !hemelve 6ecomin- un"

6eara6le in !heir manner and mo! hard !o con!rol:Ho0ever 0e omeho0 mana-ed !o 6uild a ra#! 0i!h

!he in!en!ion o# #loa!in- do0n !he river un!il 0e came!o a !o0n::::

Tha! ame ra#!D Ha0$moon a$ed:

The ame aye:

Then ho0 did you come !o 6e a! eaD

Tide my -ood #riend: 'Averc aid 0i!h an

airy 0ave o# hi hand: Curren!: @ had no! reali=ed0e 0ere o cloe !o an e!uary: e 0ere 0e*! alon-

a! a mo! a**allin- ra!e carried #ar 6eyond land: On

!ha! ra#!>!ha! damna6le ra#!>0e *en! !he ne

o!her 6lamin- one ano!her #or !heir *redicamen!

0hen !hey hould have 6lamed me: Oh @ canno! !ell

you 0ha! an ordeal i! 0a u$e orian:

;ou deerved 0ore Ha0$moon aid:

There came a $noc$ on !he ca6in door: Oladahn

an0ered i! and admi!!ed a cru##y ca6in 6oy carryin-

a !ray on 0hich 0ere !hree 6o0l con!ainin- ome$ind o# -ray !e0:

Ha0$moon acce*!ed !he !ray and handed 'Averc

a 6o0l and a *oon: .or a momen! 'Averc hei!a!ed


47/162

!hen he !oo$ a mou!h#ul: He eemed !o ea! 0i!h -rea!

con!rol: He #inihed !he dih and re*laced !he em*!y

6o0l on !he !ray: eliciou he aid: ui!e *er#ec!#or hi*' coo$in-:

Ha0$moon 0ho had 6een nauea!ed 6y !he me

handed 'Averc hi o0n 6o0l and Oladahn !oo

*re#erred hi:

@ !han$ you aid 'Averc: @ 6elieve in modera"

!ion: Enou-h i a -ood a a #ea!:

Ha0$moon miled li-h!ly once a-ain admirin- !he

.renchman' coolne: Eviden!ly !he #ood had !a!ed

a #oul !o him a i! had !o !hem 6u! hi hun-er had

6een o -rea! !ha! he had ea!en !he !u## any0ay and0i!h *anache:

No0 'Averc !re!ched hi ri**lin- mucle 6e"

lyin- hi claim !o invalidim: Ah he ya0ned: @#

you 0ill #or-ive me -en!lemen @ 0ill lee* no0: @have had a !ryin- and !irin- #e0 day:

Ta$e my 6ed Ha0$moon aid indica!in- hi

cram*ed 6un$: He did no! men!ion !ha! earlier he hadno!iced 0ha! had eemed !o 6e a 0hole !ri6e o# 6u-

ne!in- in i!: @'ll ee i# !he $i**er ha a hammoc$:

@ am -ra!e#ul 'Averc aid and !here eemed !o

6e a ur*riin- erioune a6ou! hi !one !ha! made

Ha0$moon 0heel a0ay #rom !he door:

.or 0ha!D

'Averc 6e-an !o cou-h o!en!a!iouly !hen loo$edu* and aid in hi old moc$in- !one hy my dear

u$e #or avin- my li#e o# coure:

@n !he mornin- !he !orm had died do0n and !hou-h

!he ea 0a !ill rou-h i! 0a much calmer !han !he

*reviou day:

Ha0$moon me! 'Averc on dec$: The man 0a

dreed in coa! and 6ri!che o# -reen velve! 6u! 0a

0i!hou! hi armor: He 6o0ed 0hen he a0 Ha0$"


48/162

moon:

;ou le*! 0ellD a$ed Ha0$moon:

Emy ho!a-e i# you

li$e:

Ho!a-eD o you !hin$ !he ar$ Em*ire care i#@ live or die once @ have lo! my ue#ulneD

e hall ee aid Ha0$moon #in-erin- !he

e0el in hi $ull: @# you a!!em*! !o eca*e @ hallcer!ainly $ill you>a coolly a you $illed your men:

'Averc cou-hed in!o !he hand$erchie# he carried:

@ o0e you my li#e he aid: So i! i your !o !a$e i#

you 0ould:

Ha0$moon #ro0ned: 'Averc 0a #ar !oo deviou

#or him !o under!and *ro*erly: He 0a 6e-innin- !o

re-re! hi deciion: The .renchman mi-h! *rove moreo# a lia6ili!y !han he had 6ar-ained #or:

Oladahn came hurryin- alon- !he dec$: u$eorian he *an!ed *oin!in- #or0ard: A ail>and i!'

headin- direc!ly !o0ard u:

e're in li!!le dan-er Ha0$moon miled:

e're no *ri=e #or a *ira!e:

Bu! momen! la!er Ha0$moon no!iced i-n o#*anic amon- !he cre0 and a !he ca*!ain !um6led

*a! he cau-h! hi arm: Ca*!ain &ouo>0ha! i i!D

an-er ir ra*ed !he $i**er: )rea! dan-er:

id you no! read !he ailD

Ha0$moon *eered !o0ard !he hori=on and a0

!ha! !he hi* carried a in-le 6lac$ ail: On i! 0a

*ain!ed an em6lem o# ome $ind 6u! he could no!

ma$e ou! 0ha! i! 0a: Surely !hey'll no! !rou6le u


49/162

he aid: hy hould !hey ri$ a #i-h! #or a !u6 li$e

!hi>and you aid yourel# 0e're carryin- no car-o:

They care no! 0ha! 0e carry or don'! carry ir:

They a!!ac$ any!hin- on !he ocean on i-h!: They're

li$e $iller 0hale u$e orian>!heir *leaure i no!in !a$in- !reaure 6u! in de!ruc!ionF

ho are !heyD No! a )ran6re!anian hi* 6y !heloo$ o# i! 'Averc aid:

Even one o# !hoe 0ould *ro6a6ly no! 6o!her !o

a!!ac$ u !u!!ered Ca*!ain &ouo: No>!ha! i ahi* cre0ed 6y !hoe 6elon-in- !o !he Cul! o# !he &ad

)od: They are #rom &u$ovia and in recen! mon!h

have 6e-un !o !errori=e !hee 0a!er:

They de#ini!ely eem !o have !he in!en!ion o# a!"

!ac$in- 'Averc aid li-h!ly: i!h your *ermi"ion u$e orian @'ll -o 6elo0 and don my 0ord

and armor:

@'ll -e! my 0ea*on !oo Oladahn aid: @'ll

6rin- your 0ord #or you:

No *oin! in #i-h!in-F @! 0a !he ma!e -e!icula!"in- 0i!h hi 6o!!le: Be! !hro0 ourelve in !he ea

no0:

Aye Ca*!ain &ouo nodded loo$in- a#!er

'Averc and Oladahn a !hey 0en! !o #e!ch !heir

0ea*on: He' ri-h!: e'll 6e ou!num6ered and!hey'll !ear u !o *iece: @# 0e're ca*!ured !hey'll

!or!ure u #or day:

Ha0$moon !ar!ed !o ay ome!hin- !o !he ca*!ain!hen !urned a he heard a *lah: The ma!e had -one

>a -ood a hi 0ord: Ha0$moon ruhed !o !he ide

6u! could ee no!hin-:

on'! 6o!her !o hel* him>#ollo0 him !he $i*"

*er aid #or he' !he 0ie! o# u all:

The hi* 0a 6earin- do0n on !hem no0 i! 6lac$

ail *ain!ed 0i!h a *air o# -rea! red 0in- and in !he

cen!er o# !hem 0a a hu-e 6e!ial #ace ho0lin- a i#


50/162

in !he !hroe o# maniacal lau-h!er: Cro0din- !he

dec$ 0ere core o# na$ed men 0earin- no!hin- 6u!

0ord 6el! and me!al"!udded collar: ri#!in- acro!he 0a!er came a 0eird ound !ha! Ha0$moon could

no! a! #ir! ma$e ou!: Then he -lanced a! !he ail a-ainand $ne0 0ha! i! 0a:

@! 0a !he ound o# 0ild inane lau-h!er a ounda i# !he damned o# hell 0ere moved !o merrimen!:

The &ad )od' hi* aid Ca*!ain &ouo hi

eye 6e-innin- !o #ill 0i!h !ear: No0 0e die:

Cha*!er Seven

THE ,@N) ON THE .@N)E,

HAK&OON O5AAHN and 'Averc !ood houlder

!o houlder 6y !he *or! rail o# !he hi* a !he 0eirdveel *ed cloer and cloer:

The mem6er o# !he cre0 had all clu!ered around!heir ca*!ain a #ar a *oi6le a0ay #rom !he a!!ac$"

er:

5oo$in- a! !he rollin- eye and #oamin- mou!h o#!he madmen in !he hi* Ha0$moon decided !ha! !heir

chance 0ere all 6u! ho*ele: )ra**lin- iron na$ed

ou! #rom !he &ad )od' hi* and 6i! in!o !he o#!0ood o# Smilin- )irl' rail: @n!an!ly !he !hree men

6e-an !o hac$ a! !he ro*e everin- mo! o# !hem:

Ha0$moon yelled !o !he ca*!ain )e! your men

alo#!>!ry !o !urn !he hi*: Bu! !he #ri-h!ened men

did no! move: ;ou'll 6e a#er in !he ri--in-F Ha0$"

moon hou!ed: They 6e-an !o !ir 6u! !ill didno!hin-:

Ha0$moon 0a #orced !o re!urn hi a!!en!ion !o!he a!!ac$in- hi* and 0a horri#ied !o ee i! loomin-

over !hem i! inane cre0 clu!erin- a-ain! !he rail

ome already 6e-innin- !o clim6 over ready !o lea*on!o Smilin- )irl' dec$ cu!lae dra0n: Their

lau-h!er #illed !he air and 6loodlu! hone on !heir

!0i!ed #ace:


51/162

The #ir! came #lyin- do0n on Ha0$moon na$ed

6ody -leamin- 0ord raied: Ha0$moon' o0n 6ladecame u* !o $e0er !he man a he #ell ano!her !0i!

o# !he 0ord and !he cor*e dro**ed do0n !hrou-h

!he narro0 -a* 6e!0een !he hi* in!o !he ea: i!hinmomen! !he air 0a #ull o# na$ed 0arrior 0in-in-

on ro*e um*in- 0ildly clam6erin- hand over hand

acro !he -ra**lin- line: The !hree men !o**ed !he#ir! 0ave hac$in- a6ou! !hem un!il every!hin-

eemed 6loodred 6u! -radually !hey 0ere #orced

a0ay #rom !he rail a !he madmen 0armed on!o !he

dec$ #i-h!in- 0i!hou! $ill 6u! 0i!h a chillin- di"re-ard #or !heir o0n live:

Ha0$moon 6ecame e*ara!ed #rom hi comrade

did no! $no0 i# !hey lived or had 6een $illed: The*rancin- 0arrior #lun- !hemelve a! him 6u! he

clu!ched hi 6a!!le 6lade in 6o!h hand and 0un- i!a6ou! him in a -rea! arc !hi 0ay and !ha! urround"

in- himel# 0i!h a 6lur o# 6ri-h! !eel: He 0a covered

in 6lood #rom head !o #oo! only hi eye -leamed6lue and !eady #rom !he vior o# hi helme!:

And all !he 0hile !he &ad )od' men lau-hed>

lau-hed even a !heir head 0ere cho**ed #rom !heirnec$ !heir lim6 #rom !heir 6odie:

Ha0$moon $ne0 !ha! even!ually 0earine 0ouldovercome him: Already !he 0ord #el! heavy in hi

hand and hi $nee hoo$: Hi 6ac$ a-ain! a 6ul$"

head he hac$ed and !a66ed a! !he eemin-ly ceae"le 0ave o# -i--lin- madmen 0hoe 0ord ou-h!

!o lah !he li#e #rom him:

Here a man 0a deca*i!a!ed !here ano!her di"mem6ered 6u! every 6lo0 drained more ener-y #rom

Ha0$moon:

Then a he 6loc$ed !0o 0ord !ha! !ruc$ a! him

a! once hi le- 6uc$led and he 0en! do0n !o one

$nee: The lau-h!er -re0 louder !rium*han! a !he&ad )od' men moved in #or !he $ill:

He hac$ed u*0ard de*era!ely -ri**in- !he 0ri!

o# one o# hi a!!ac$er and 0renchin- !he 0ord


52/162

a0ay #rom him o !ha! no0 he had !0o 6lade: ?in-

!he madman' 0ord !o !hru! and hi o0n !o 0in-

he mana-ed !o re-ain hi #oo!in- $ic$ed ou! a!ano!her man and cram6led a0ay !o ruh u* !he com"

*anion0ay !o !he 6rid-e: A! !he !o* o# !he com*an"

ion0ay he !urned !o #i-h! a-ain !hi !ime 0i!h anincreaed advan!a-e over !he ho0lin- madmen 0ho

cro0ded u* !he !e* !o0ard him: He a0 no0 !ha!

6o!h 'Averc and Oladahn 0ere in !he ri--in- man"a-in- !o $ee* !heir a!!ac$er a! 6ay: He -lanced !o"

0ard !he &an )od' hi*: @! 0a !ill held #a! 6y

-ra**lin- ro*e 6u! i! 0a deer!ed: @! en!ire cre0

0a on 6oard !he Smilin- )irl: Ha0$moon a! oncehad an idea:

He 0heeled a6ou! runnin- #rom !he 0arrior

lea*ed !o !he rail and -ra66ed a ro*e !ha! !railed#rom !he cro!ree: Then he #lun- himel# in!o *ace:

He *rayed !ha! !he ro*e 0ould 6e lon- enou-h a

he hur!led !hrou-h !he air !hen le! -o divin- i! a*"

*eared over !he ide o# !he hi*: Hi -ra*in- handu! mana-ed !o ca!ch !he rail o# !he enemy hi* a he

#ell: He hauled himel# on!o !he dec$ and 6e-an

lahin- a! !he -ra**lin- ro*e yellin- Oladahn>

'AvercF uic$ly>#ollo0 meF

.rom !he ri--in- o# !he o!her hi* !he !0o men

a0 him and 6e-an clim6in- hi-her !o 0al$ *re"cariouly alon- !he mainma!' yardarm 0hile !he

men o# !he &ad )od 0armed 6ehind !hem:

The &ad )od' hi* 0a already 6e-innin- !o lide

a0ay !he -a* 6e!0een i! and Smilin- )irl 0idenin-

ra*idly:

'Averc um*ed #ir! divin- #or !he 6lac$"ailed

hi*' ri--in- arid clu!chin- a ro*e one"handed !o0in- #or an in!an! !hrea!enin- !o dro* !o hi dea!h:

Oladahn #ollo0ed him cu!!in- looe a ro*e and0in-in- acro !he -a* !o lide do0n !he ro*e and

land on !he dec$ 0here he #ell *read"ea-led on hi

#ace:


53/162

Several o# !he inane 0arrior !ried !o #ollo0 and

a num6er ac!ually mana-ed !o reach !he dec$ o# !heir

o0n hi*: S!ill lau-hin- !hey came a! Ha0$moon ina 6unch dou6!le ud-in- Oladahn dead:

Ha0$moon 0a hard *u! !o de#end himel#: A6lade lahed hi arm ano!her cau-h! hi #ace 6elo0

!he vior: Then uddenly #rom a6ove a 6ody dro**ed

in!o !he cen!er o# !he na$ed 0arrior and 6e-an he0"in- around him almo! a much a maniac a !hey:

@! 0a 'Averc in hi 6oar"headed armor !reamin-

0i!h !he 6lood o# !hoe he had lain: And no0 a! !he6ac$ o# !heir a!!ac$er came Oladahn eviden!ly only

0inded 6y hi #all yellin- a 0ild moun!ain 6a!!le cry:

Soon every one o# !he madmen 0ho had mana-ed!o reach !he hi* 0a dead: The o!her 0ere lea*in-

#rom !he dec$ o# Smilin- )irl in!o !he 0a!er !illlau-hin- 0eirdly !ryin- !o 0im a#!er !he hi*:

5oo$in- 6ac$ a! Smilin- )irl Ha0$moon a0 !ha!miraculouly mo! o# her cre0 had a**aren!ly ur"

vived>a! !he la! minu!e !hey had clim6ed !o !he

a#e!y o# !he mi==en ma!:

'Averc raced #or0ard and !oo$ !he 0heel o# !he

&ad )od' hi* cu!!in- !he lahin- and !eerin-

#rom !he vainly 0immin- men:

ell 6rea!hed Oladahn hea!hin- hi 0ord

and in*ec!in- hi cu! 0e eem !o have eca*edli-h!ly>and 0i!h a 6e!!er hi*:

i!h luc$ 0e'll 6ea! Smilin- )irl in!o *or!

Ha0$moon -rinned: @ ho*e he' !ill 6ound #orCrimia #or he ha all our *oeion on 6oard:

S$ill#ully 'Averc 0a !urnin- !he hi* a6ou!!o0ard !he nor!h: The in-le ail 6ul-ed a i! cau-h!

!he 0ind and !he 6oa! le#! !he 0immin- madmen 6e"

hind: Even a !hey dro0ned !hey con!inued !o lau-h:

A#!er !hey had hel*ed 'Averc relah !he 0heel o

!ha! !he hi* con!inued rou-hly on coure !hey 6e-an

!o e


54/162

eviden!ly *illa-ed #rom a core o# hi* 6u! alo !here

0ere all $ind o# uele !hin->6ro$en 0ea*on and

hi*' in!rumen! 6undle o# clo!hin->and here and!here a ro!!in- cor*e or a dimem6ered 6ody all *iled

!o-e!her in !he hold:

The !hree men decided !o -e! rid o# !he cor*e

#ir! 0ra**in- !hem in cloa$ or 6undlin- u* !he

variou lim6 in ra- and !oin- !hem over6oard: @!0a di-u!in- 0or$ and !oo$ a lon- !ime #or ome

o# !he remain 0ere hidden under mound o# o!her

!hin-:

Suddenly Oladahn *aued a he 0or$ed hi eye

#ii! i !he rin- i!el#: 5oo$>i! ha a *eculiar

dei-n::::

@m*a!ien!ly Ha0$moon croed !he dimly li! hold

and *eered a! !he !hin- -a*in- a he reco-ni=ed i!:NoF @! canno! 6eF

The rin- 0a ;ielda': @! 0a !he rin- Coun!

Bra had *laced on her #in-er !o mar$ her 6e!ro!hal

!o orian Ha0$moon:

Num6ed 0i!h horror Ha0$moon !oo$ !he mum"

mi#ied hand a loo$ o# incom*rehenion on hi #ace:

ha! i i!D Oladahn 0hi*ered: ha! i i! !ha!

o di!ur6 youD

@! i her: @! i ;ielda':

Bu! ho0 could he have come !o 6e ailin- !hi

ocean o many hundred o# mile #rom !he Kamar-D


55/162

@! i no! *oi6le u$e orian:

The rin- i her: Ha0$moon -a=ed a! !he handin*ec!in- i! ea-erly a reali=a!ion !ruc$ him: Bu!>

!he hand i no!: See !he rin- 6arely #i! !he li!!le #in"

-er: Coun! Bra *laced i! on !he middle #in-er andeven !hen i! 0a a looe #i!: Thi i !he hand o# ome

!hie#: He 0renched !he *reciou rin- #rom !he #in-er

and !hre0 !he hand do0n: Someone 0ho 0a in !heKamar- *erha* and !ole !he rin-:::: He hoo$ hi

head: @!' unli$ely: Bu! 0ha! i !he eee$in- youmay6e Oladahn u--e!ed:

She'd 6e #oolih i# he did: Bu! i! i u! *oi6le:

Ho0ever i# !ha!' !he cae 0here i ;ielda no0D

Oladahn 0a a6ou! !o *ea$ 0hen !here came alo0 !erri#yin- chuc$lin- ound #rom a6ove: They

loo$ed u* a! !he en!rance !o !he hold:

A mad -rinnin- #ace loo$ed do0n a! !hem: Some"

ho0 one o# !he inane 0arrior had mana-ed !o ca!ch

!he hi*: No0 he *re*ared !o lea* do0n on !hem:

Ha0$moon u! mana-ed !o dra0 hi 0ord a !he

madman a!!ac$ed 0ord lahin-: &e!al hi! me!al:

Oladahn dre0 hi o0n 6lade and 'Averc came

ruhin- u* 6u! Ha0$moon hou!ed Ta$e him

aliveF e mu! !a$e him aliveF

A Ha0$moon en-a-ed !he madman 'Averc and

Oladahn rehea!hed !heir 0ord and #ell on !he 0ar"

rior' 6ac$ -ra*in- hi arm: T0ice he hoo$ !hem

o## 6u! !hen he 0en! do0n $ic$in- a !hey 0ound

len-!h a#!er len-!h o# ro*e around him: And !hen helay !ill chuc$lin- u* a! !hem hi eye uneein- hi

mou!h #oam"#lec$ed:

ha! ue i he aliveD 'Averc a$ed 0i!h *oli!e

curioi!y: hy no! cu! hi !hroa! and have done

0i!h himD


56/162


57/162

6een ummoned 6y Kin- Huon !o in#orm him o#

develo*men! in !he cam*ai-n 0e are 0a-in- in

Euro*e:

Ha0$moon' 6ro0 #urro0ed: Bu! u**oe Ihin"

a-a 0a ucce#ul>omeho0 no! mana-in- !o reachyour *eo*le 0i!h ;ielda 6ein- !o**ed on !he 0ay

6y !he &ad )od' men::::

'Averc hoo$ hi head: They 0ould never ran-e

a #ar a ou!hern .rance: e hould have heard o#

!hem i# !hey had:

Then 0ha! i !he e


58/162

e'll have !o anchor o##hore !oni-h! Oladahn

aid and ail in in !he mornin-:

Ha0$moon did no! re*ly: Hi head 0a #ull o# un"

an0ered 9ue!ion: The e


59/162

a6ou! him no0:

?nder!andin- 6e-an !o da0n on Ha0$moon'#ace: ha! i !he very la! !hin- you remem6erD

The ca*!ain addrein- u:

ha! did he ayD

Tha! 0e 0ere !o !a$e *ar! in a ceremony>drin$"

in- a *ecial drin$: : : : No!hin- much more: Cory"

an!hum #ro0ned: e dran$ !he drin$::::

ecri6e your ail Ha0$moon aid:

Our ailD hyD

@ !here any!hin- *ecial a6ou! i!D

No! !ha! @ remem6er: @!' canva>a dar$ 6lue:

Tha!' all:

;ou are a merchan! eamanD Ha0$moon a$ed:

Aye:

And !hi i your #ir! voya-e on !hi hi*D

Aye:

hen did you i-n onD

Coryan!hum loo$ed im*a!ien!: 5a! ni-h! my

#riend>on !he ay o# !he Hore 6y Kerch rec$on"

in-:

And in univeral rec$onin-D

The ailor 0rin$led hi 6ro0: Oh>!he eleven!ho# !he !hird mon!h:

Three mon!h a-o aid 'Averc:

EhD Coryan!hum *eered !hrou-h !he -loom a!

!he .renchman: Three mon!hD ha! d'you meanD


60/162

;ou 0ere dru--ed Ha0$moon eeven on!o !he hi-h ea:

id you $no0 !ha! your ail no0 6ear !he i-n

o# !he &ad )odD Tha! a #e0 hour a-o you raved

and -i--led in mad 6loodlu!D 5oo$ a! your 6ody:: : : Ha0$moon 6en! do0n !o cu! !he 6ond: .eel

your nec$:

Coryan!hum o# Kerch !ood u* lo0ly 0onderin-a! hi o0n na$edne hi #in-er -oin- lo0ly !o hi

nec$ and !ouchin- !he collar !here: @>@ don'! under"!and: @ !hi a !ric$D

An evil !ric$ and one 0e did no! commi! Ola"dahn aid: ;ou 0ere dru--ed un!il you 0en! inane

!hen ordered !o $ill and collec! all !he loo! you could:

ou6!le your 'merchan! ca*!ain' 0a !he only man

0ho $ne0 0ha! 0ould ha**en !o you and i!' almo!cer!ain he' no! a6oard no0: o you remem6er any"

!hin-D Any in!ruc!ion a6ou! 0here you hould -oD

None:

i!hou! dou6! !he ca*!ain mean! !o reoin !hehi* la!er and -uide i! !o 0ha!ever *or! he ue

'Averc aid: &ay6e !here i a hi* in re-ular con"

!ac! 0i!h !he o!her i# !hey are all #ull o# uch #ool

a !hi one:

There mu! 6e a lar-e u**ly o# !he dru- ome"

0here a6oard Oladahn aid: ou6!le !hey #edo## i! re-ularly: @! 0a only 6ecaue 0e 6ound !hi

#ello0 !ha! he did no! -e! !he chance !o re*lenih

himel#:

Ho0 do you #eelD Ha0$moon a$ed !he ailor:

ea$>drained o# all li#e and #eelin-:


61/162


62/162

a merchan! 0hom all recommended a !he mo! hone!

in !he 0hole o# Crimia: No! much 6ehind !he ca*"

!ured hi* Smilin- )irl lim*ed in and Ha0$moonha!ily 6ou-h! !he ca*!ain' ilence re-ardin- !he na"

!ure o# !he 6lac$"ailed hi*: He recovered hi *oe"

ion includin- !he addle6a- con!ainin- ,inal' -i#!and 0i!h Oladahn and 'Averc re6oarded !he hi*

ailin- on !he evenin- !ide: They le#! Coryan!hum

0i!h !he merchan! !o recover:

.or more !han a 0ee$ !he 6lac$ hi* dri#!ed uually

6ecalmed #or !he 0ind had dro**ed !o almo! no!h"

in-: By Ha0$moon' rec$onin- !hey 0ere dri#!in-cloe !o !he channel !ha! e*ara!ed !he Blac$ Sea #rom

!he A=ov Sea near !o Kerch 0here Coryan!hum had

6een recrui!ed:

'Averc loun-ed in a hammoc$ he had hun- #or

himel# amidhi* occaionally cou-hin- !hea!ricallyand remar$in- on hi 6oredom: Oladahn a! o#!en in

!he cro0ne! cannin- !he ea 0hile Ha0$moon*aced !he dec$ 6e-innin- !o 0onder i# hi *lan had

had any u6!ance !o i! o!her !han hi need !o $no0

0ha! had 6ecome o# ;ielda: He 0a even 6e-innin-

!o dou6! !ha! !he rin- had 6een her decidin- !ha!*erha* everal uch rin- had 6een made in !he Ka"

mar- over !he year:

Then one mornin- a ail a**eared on !he hori=on

comin- #rom !he nor!h0e!: Oladahn a0 i! #ir! and

called !o Ha0$moon !o come on dec$: Ha0$moonruhed u* and *eered ahead: @! mi-h! 6e !he hi* !hey

a0ai!ed:

)e! 6elo0 he called: Every6ody -e! 6elo0:

Oladahn cram6led do0n !he ri--in- 0hile 'Av"

erc uddenly ac!ive 0un- ou! o# hi hammoc$ and!rolled !o !he ladder !ha! led 6elo0dec$: They me!

in !he dar$ne o# !he cen!ral hold and 0ai!ed: : : :

An hour eemed !o *a 6e#ore !hey heard !im6er

6um* a-ain! !im6er and $ne0 !ha! !he o!her hi* had

dra0n alon-ide: @! mi-h! !ill 6e an innocen! veel

curiou a6ou! a hi* dri#!in- a**aren!ly unmanned:


63/162

No! much la!er Ha0$moon heard !he ound o#

6oo!ed #ee! on !he dec$ a6ove a lo0 meaured !read!ha! 0en! !he len-!h o# !he 0hole dec$ and 6ac$ a-ain:

Then !here 0a ilence a !he man a6ove ei!her en!ered

a ca6in or clim6ed !o !he 6rid-e:

Tenion -re0 a !he ound o# !he #oo!!e* came

a-ain !hi !ime 0al$in- direc!ly !o0ard !he cen!ralhold:

Ha0$moon a0 a ilhoue!!e a6ove *eerin- do0n

in!o !he dar$ne 0here !hey crouched: The #i-ure*aued !hen 6e-an !o decend !he ladder: A he did

o Ha0$moon cre*! #or0ard:

hen !he ne0comer had reached !he 6o!!om

Ha0$moon *ran- hi arm encirclin- !he man'!hroa!: He 0a a -ian! more !han i< and a hal# #ee!

!all 0i!h a hu-e 6lac$ 6uhy 6eard and *lai!ed hair

0earin- a 6ra 6rea!*la!e over hi hir! o# 6lac$ il$:He -ro0led in ur*rie and 0un- around carryin-

Ha0$moon 0i!h him: The -ian! 0a incredi6ly

!ron-: Hi hu-e #in-er 0en! u* !o Ha0$moon' arm

and 6e-an !o *rie i! looe:

uic$>hel* me hold him Ha0$moon cried and

hi #riend ruhed #or0ard !o #lin- !hemelve on !he-ian! and 6ear him do0n:

'Averc dre0 hi 0ord: earin- hi 6oar ma$and !he me!al #inery o# )ran6re!an he loo$ed dan-er"

ou and !erri6le a he delica!ely *laced !he !i* o# hi

0ord a-ain! !he -ian!' !hroa!:

;our nameD 'Averc demanded hi voice 6oom"

in- in hi helme!:

Ca*!ain Sha-arov: here i my cre0D

The 6lac$"6earded -ian! -lared u* a! !hem un"a6ahed 6y hi ca*!ure: here i my cre0D

;ou mean !he madmen you en! a$illin-D Olad"

ahn aid: They are dro0ned all 6u! one and he !old


64/162


65/162

@nland o# coure !o my ma!er>!he &ad )od:

So you do erve !he &ad )od>you are no! de"ceivin- *eo*le in!o 6elievin- !hee ac! o# *iracy are

commi!!ed 6y hi #ollo0er:

Aye>@ erve him !hou-h @'m no cul! mem6er: Hi

a-en! *ay me 0ell !o raid !he ea and end !he 6oo!y

!o him:

hy !hi 0ayD

Sha-arov neered: The cul! ha no ailin- men:Some one o# !hem hi! !hi *lan !o raie money>!hou-h

@ $no0 no! !he *ur*oe #or !he loo!>and a**roached

me: He roe !o hi #ee! !o0erin- over !hem: Come

>le!' -o u*: @! 0ill amue me !o ee 0ha! you do:

'Averc nodded !o !he o!her !0o 0ho 0en! 6ac$in!o !he hado0 and *roduced lon- unli! 6rand

one #or each o# !hem: 'Averc *rodded a! Sha-arov

!o #ollo0 Oladahn u* !he com*anion0ay:

Slo0ly !hey clim6ed !o !he dec$ !o emer-e a! la!

in !he unli-h! and ee a 6i- handome !hree"ma!er

anchored 6eide !hem:

The men on 6oard !he o!her hi* under!ood a!

once 0ha! had ha**ened and made !o move #or0ard6u! Ha0$moon du- hi 0ord in!o Sha-arov' ri6

and called o no! move or 0e 0ill $ill your ca*"

!ain:

Kill me>and !hey $ill you Sha-arov rum6led:

ho -ainD

Silence aid Ha0$moon: Oladahn li-h! !he

6rand:

Oladahn a**lied #lin! and !inder !o !he #ir! 6rand:

@! #lared in!o li#e: He li! !he o!her o## i! and handed

one each !o hi com*anion:

No0 Ha0$moon aid: Thi hi* i covered in

oil: Once 0e !ouch our 6rand !o i! !he 0hole veel

-oe u* in #lame>and mo! li$ely your hi* !oo: So


66/162

0e advie you !o ma$e no move !o0ard recuin- your

ca*!ain:

So 0e all 6urn Sha-arov aid: ;ou're a mad a

!he one you le0:

Ha0$moon hoo$ hi head: Oladahn ready !he

$i##:

Oladahn 0en! a#! !o !he #ur!hermo! ha!ch 0in-"

in- a derric$ over i! haulin- 6ac$ !he ha!ch cover

and !hen dia**earin- 6elo0 !a$in- !he ca6le 0i!h

him:

Ha0$moon a0 !he men on !he o!her hi* 6e-in !o

!ir and he moved !he 6rand menacin-ly: The hea!

#rom i! !urned hi #ace dar$ red and !he #lame re"#lec!ed #iercely in hi eye:

No0 Oladahn reemer-ed and 6e-an !o 0or$ !he

*ecially -eared 0inch 0i!h one hand 0hile holdin-

hi 6rand 0i!h !he o!her: Slo0ly ome!hin- 6e-an !o

a**ear in !he ha!ch ome!hin- !ha! 6arely cleared !he

0ide o*enin-:

Sha-arov -run!ed in ur*rie a he a0 !ha! i!

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Michael Moorcock - Dorian Hawkmoon 1 the History of the Runestaff 2 the Mad God's Amulet

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