«But we cannot breathe beneath the sea! »
«You will not need to.»
«Very well.»
Trusting to the elemental's words, they allowed themselves to be dragged beneath the waters and down into the cool, green depths of the sea, deeper and deeper until no sunlight filtered there and all was wet darkness and they lived, though at normal times the pressure would have crushed them.
They seemed to travel for miles through the mysterious underwater grottoes until at last they came to a place of coral coloured rounded constructions that seemed to drift Slowly in a sluggish current Brie knew it by a description in one of his grimoires. The domain of Straasha the Sea King.
The elemental bore them to the largest construction and one section of it seemed to fade away to admit teem. They moved now through twisting corridors of a delicate pink texture, slightly shadowed, no longer in water. They were now on the plane of the elemental folk. In a huge circular cave, they came to rest.
With a peculiar rushing sound, the Sea King walked to a large throne of milky jade and sat upon it, his green head on his green fist.
«Elric, once again I regret I was unable, after all, to aid you. All I can do now is have some of my folk carry you back to your own land when you have rested here for a while. We are all, it seems, helpless against this new strength which Chaos has of late.»
Elric nodded. «Nothing can stand against its warping influence-unless it is the Chaos Shield.» Straasha straightened his back. «The Chaos Shield. Ah, yes. It belongs to an exiled god, does it not? But his castle is virtually impregnable.»
«Why is that?»
«It lies upon the topmost crag of a tall and lonely mountain, reached by one hundred and thirty-nine steps. Lining these steps are forty-nine ancient elder trees, and of these you would have to be specially wary. Also he has a guard of one hundred and forty-four warriors.»
«Of the warriors I would certainly be wary. But why the elders?»
«Each elder contains the soul of one of Mordaga's followers who was punished thus. They are malevolent trees-ever ready to take the life of anyone that comes into their domain.»
«A hard task, to get that shield for myself, » Elric mused. «But get it I must, for without it Fate's purpose would be forever thwarted-and with it I might have vengeance on the one who commands the Chaos Fleet-and Jagreen Lern who sails with him.»
«Slay Pyaray, Lord of the Fleet of Hell, and, lacking his direction, the fleet itself would perish. His life-force is contained in a blue crystal set in the top of his head and striking at that with a special weapon is the only means of killing him.»
«Thanks for that information, » Elric said gratefully. «For when the time comes, I shall need it.»
«What do you plan to do, Elric?» Dyvim Slonn asked.
«Put all else aside for the moment and see the sad giant's shield. I must-for if I do not have it, every battle fought will be a repetition of the one we have just lost»
«I will come with you, Elric, » Moonglum promised.
«I also, » said Dyvim Storm.
«We shall require a fourth if we are to carry out the prophecy, » Elric said. «I wonder what became of Kargan.»
Moonglum looked at the ground. «Did you not notice?»
«Notice what?»
«On board Jagreen Lern’s flagship when you were hewing about you in an effort to reach the main deck. Did you not know, then, what you had done-or rather what your cursed sword did?»
Elric felt suddenly exhausted. «No. Did -did it-kill him?»
«Aye.»
«Gods! » He wheeled and paced the chamber, slapping his fist in his palm. «Still this hell-made blade exacts its tribute for the service it gives me. Still it drinks the souls of friends. Tis a wonder you two arc still with me! »
«I agree it's extraordinary, » Moonglum said feelingly.
«I grieve for Kargan. He was a good friend.»
«Elric.» Moonglum said urgently. «You know that Kargan's death was not your responsibility. It was fated.»
«Aye, but why must I always be the executioner of fate? I hesitate to list the names of the good friends and useful allies whose souls my sword has stolen. I hate it enough that it must suck souls out to give me my vitality-but that it should be most partial to my friends, that is what I cannot bear. I've half a mind to venture into the heart of Chaos and mere sacrifice us both! The guilt is indirectly mine, for if I was not so weak I must bear such a blade, many of those who have befriended the might he alive now.»
«Yet the blade's major purpose seems a noble one, » Moonglum said in a baffled voice. «Oh, I fail to understand an this-paradox, paradox upon paradox. Are the gods mad or are they so subtle we cannot fathom the workings of their minds?»
«It's hard enough at times like these to remember any greater purpose, » Dyvim Slorm agreed. «We are pressed so sorely, that we haven't a moment for thought, but must fight the next battle and the next, forgetting often why it is we fight.»
«Is the purpose, indeed, greater and not lesser, » Elric smiled bitterly. «If we are the toys of the gods-are not perhaps the gods themselves mere children?»
«These questions are of no present importance, » said Straasha from his throne.
«And at least, » Moonglum told Elric. «Future generations will thank Stormbringer if so she fulfills her destiny.»
«If Sepiriz is right.» Elric said. «Future generations will know nothing of any of us-blades or men! »
«Perhaps not consciously-but in the depths of their souls they will remember us. Our deeds will be spoken of as belonging to heroes with other names, that is all.»
«That the world forgets me is all I ask, » Elric sighed.
As if growing impatient with this fruitless discussion, the Sea King rose from his throne and said: «Come, I will make certain that you are transported to land, if you have no objection to travelling back in the same manner as you came here.»
«None, » said Elric.
Five
They staggered wearily on to the beach of the Isle of the Purple Towns and Elric turned back to address the Sea King, who remained in the shallows.
«Again I thank you for saving us, Lord of the Sea.» he said respectfully. «And thanks also for telling me more of the sad giant's shield. By this action you have perhaps, given us the opportunity to make certain that Chaos will be swept away from the ocean-and the land, also.»
«Aahh», the Sea King nodded, «yet even if you are successful and the seats unspoiled, it will mean the passing of us both, will it not?»
«True.»
«Then let it be so, for I at least am weary of my long existence. But come-now I must return to my folk and hope to withstand Chaos for -a little longer. Farewell! »
And the Sea King sank into the waves again and vanished.
When they eventually reached the Fortress of Evening, heralds ran out to assist them.
«How went the battle? Where is the fleet?» one asked Moonglum.
«Have the survivors not yet returned?»
«Survivors? Then...?»
«We were defeated.» Elric said hollowly. «Is my wife still here?»
«No, she left soon after the fleet sailed, riding for Karlaak.»
«Good. At least we shall have time to erect new defences against Chaos before they reach that far. Now, we must have food and wine. We must devise a fresh plan of battle.»
«Battle, my lord? With what shall we fight?»
«We shall see, » Elric said, «we shall see.»
Later, they watched as the battered remnants of the fleet began to sail into the harbour. Moonglum counted despairingly.
«Too few.» he said. «This is a black day.» From behind them in the courtyard a trumpet sounded.