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He stared at them in silence and did not welcome them; instead he signed to one of the battlement guards who caused the drawgate to be lowered. It came down with a crash, blocking off their way of escape.
"Kill the men and keep the woman," said the massive man in a low monotone. Elric had heard dead men speak in that ma
As pla
Puzzled, shambling creatures came warily at them, their loose trousers dragging in the mud, their hands hidden by the long shapeless sleeves of their filthy garments. They swung their cleavers. Elric felt a faint shock as the blade thudded on to his arm, but that was all. Moonglum's experience was similar.
The men fell back, amazement and confusion on their bestial faces.
The tall man's eyes widened. He put one ring-covered hand to his thick lips, chewing at a nail.
"Our swords have no effect upon them, King! They do not cut and they do not bleed. What are these folk?"
Elric laughed theatrically. "We are not common folk, little human, be assured. We are the messengers of the Gods and come to your King with a message from our great masters. Do not worry, we shall not harm you since we are in no danger of being harmed. Stand aside and make us welcome."
Elric could see that King Gutheran was puzzled and not absolutely taken in by his words. Elric cursed to himself. He had measured their intelligence by those he had seen. This king, mad or not, was much more intelligent, was going to be harder to deceive. He led the way up the steps towards glowering Gutheran.
"Greetings, King Gutheran. The Gods have, at last, returned to Org and wish you to know this."
"Org has had no Gods to worship for an eternity," said Gutheran hollowly, turning back into the citadel. "Why should we accept them now?"
"You are impertinent, King."
"And you are audacious. How do I know you come from the Gods?" He walked ahead of them, leading them through the low-roofed halls.
"You saw that the swords of your subjects had no effect upon us."
"True. I'll take that incident as proof for the moment. I suppose there must be a banquet in yourhonour-I shall order it. Be welcome, messengers." His words were ungracious but it was virtually impossible to detect anything from Gutheran's tone, since the man's voice stayed at the same pitch.
Elric pushed his heavy riding cloak back from his shoulders and said lightly: "We shall mention your kindness to our masters."
The Court was a place of gloomy halls and false laughter and although Elric put many questions to Gutheran, the king would not answer them, or did so by means of ambiguous phrases which meant nothing. They were not given chambers wherein they could refresh themselves but instead stood about for several hours in the main hall of the citadel and Gutheran, while he was with them and not giving orders for the banquet, sat slumped on his throne and chewed at bis nails, ignoring them.
"Pleasant hospitality," whispered Moonglum.
"Elric-how long will the effects of the drug last?" Zarozinia had remained close to him. He put his arm around her shoulders. "I do not know. Not much longer. But it has served its purpose. I doubt if they will try to attack us a second time. However, beware of other attempts, subtler ones, upon our lives."
The main hall, which had a higher roof than the others and was completely surrounded by a gallery which ran around it well above the floor, fairly close to the room, was chilly and unwarmed. No fires burned in the several hearths, which were open and let into the floor, and the walls dripped moisture and were undecorated; damp, solid stone, timeworn and gaunt. There were not even rushes upon the floor which was strewn with old bones and pieces of decaying food.
"Hardly house-proud, are they?" commented Moonglum looking around him with distaste and glancing at brooding Gutheran who was seemingly oblivious of their presence.
A servitor shambled into the hall and whispered a few words to the king. He nodded and arose, leaving the Great Hall.
Soon men came in, carrying benches and tables and began to place them about the hall.
The banquet was, at last, due to commence. And the air had menace in it.
The three visitors sat together on the right of the King who had do
Prince Hurd, a sullen-faced youth who seemed to bear a resentment against his father, picked at the unappetising food which was served them all.
He drank heavily of the wine which had little flavour but was strong, fiery stuff and this seemed to warm the company a little.
"And what do the Gods want of us poor folk of Org?" Hurd said, staring hard at Zarozinia with more than, friendly interest
Elric answered: "They ask nothing of you but your recognition. In return they will, on occasions, help you."
"That is all?" Hurd laughed. "That is more than those from the Hill can offer, eh, father?"
Gutheran turned his great head slowly to regard his son.
"Yes," he murmured, and the word seemed to carry warning.
Moonglum said: "The Hill-what is that?"
He got no reply. Instead a high-pitched laugh came from the entrance to the Great Hall. A thin, gaunt man stood there staring ahead with a fixed gaze. His features, though emaciated, strongly resembled Gutheran's. He carried a stringed instrument and plucked at the gut so that it wailed and moaned with melancholy insistence.
Kurd said savagely: "Look, father, 'tis blind Veerkad, the minstrel, your brother. Shall he sing for us?" "Sing?"
"Shall he sing his songs, father"
Gutheran's mouth trembled and twisted and he said after a moment: "He may entertain our guests with an heroic ballad if he wishes, but..."
"But certain other songs he shall not sing..." Kurd gri
"There are strangers present," said Veerkad hollowly above the wail of his own music. "Strangers in Org"
Hurd giggled and drank more wine. Gutheran scowled and continued to tremble, gnawing at his nails. Elric called: "We'd appreciate a song, minstrel." "Then you'll have the song of the Three Kings in Darkness, strangers, and hear the ghastly story of the Kings of Org."
"No! " shouted Gutheran, leaping from his place, but Veerkad was already singing:
"Three Kings in darkness lie, Gutheran of Org, and I, Under a bleak and sunless skyThe third beneath the Hill When shall the third arise Only when another dies..."
"Stop! " Gutheran got up in an obviously insane rage and stumbled across the table, trembling in terror, his face blanched, striking at the blind man, his brother. Two blows and the minstrel fell, slumping to the floor and not moving. "Take him out! Do not let him enter again." The king shrieked and foam flecked his lips.
Hurd, sober for a moment, jumped across the table, scattering dishes and cups and took his father's arm.
"Be calm, father. I have a new plan for our entertainment."
"You! You seek my throne. 'Twas you who goaded Veerkad to sing his dreadful song. You know I ca
"Father," Hurd was smiling horribly, "let the female visitor dance for us a dance of the Gods."
"What"
"Let the woman dance for us, father."
Elric heard him. By now the drug must have worn off. He could not afford to show his hand by offering his companions further doses. He got to his feet.
"What sacrilege do you speak, Prince"