Part 77 (1/2)

Sugoll was puzzled. ”Most certainly. Don't your people?”

Sharn sighed gustily. ”Cousin, we must speak of this later, at some length. In your long isolation from the mainstream of our Firvulag race, you have suffered certain deprivations. But the merciful G.o.ddess has also blessed you with an extraordinary recompense!”

”Well,” said Sugoll modestly, ”she did make us rich.”

Sharn ground his teeth. ”That, too. But I was really speaking of your facility for mental teamwork. I must confess that my nonmutant subjects have only recently begun to forsake their independent b.l.o.o.d.y-mindedness in favour of cooperative effort.”

”You're fighters,” Sugoll said bluntly. ”We're not. We've had to cooperate in order to survive.”

Sharn spoke eagerly. ”And now I invite you to cooperate with the rest of us ... in the most n.o.ble enterprise in the history of the Many-Coloured Land! This inspection trip of mine was only an excuse to come and tell you about it, to enlist you and your people in the great venture!” With a sudden dramatic gesture, he pointed up the river. ”Look there! Here comes Betularn, as I promised, and you'll never in a million years guess what he's bringing-courtesy of the s.h.i.+ning Jackanapes of Goriah!”

The Howler lord smiled in a noncommittal fas.h.i.+on. ”While we await the hero's arrival, perhaps you would care to take a closer look at some of our renovations.”

Together they rode off the bridge and along a broad, yellowsanded way to the enormous twin grandstands of carved limestone. These had nearly fallen to ruin during the forty years of disuse. Now mutant workers were everywhere, tuckpointing and painting and redecorating. The structures were freshly decked out in many shades of green, with honey-coloured pillars and bal.u.s.trades. Later there would be straw-filled amber cus.h.i.+ons for the spectators, and green-and-yellow striped awnings shading the stands. The central royal enclosures had green serpentine columns, staircases painted a vivid gamboge that led down to stages at the sidelines, and quaintly peaked roofs with golden tiles and effigy-topped spires. The crest adorning the Firvulag loge combined King Sharn's crystal scorpion with Queen Ayfa's horned moon. The Tanu spire bore a gilt representation of Aiken's impudent finger.

Reminiscence mellowed the Firvulag monarch. ”I'd forgotten how nice and st.u.r.dy the structures were on our Field of Gold.

Much more impressive than the flimsy pavilions the Tanu used to set up on the White Silver Plain-and a h.e.l.l of a lot cooler, too. You've done a spiffing job of renovation, Cousin. What're those barricade things down around the award-presentation stages?”

Sugoll explained some of the more novel games that would be featured at the Tourney, and the safety precautions that the new spirit of good-fellows.h.i.+p called for.

Sharn grinned, showing l.u.s.trous pointed teeth. ”We'll get in a few licks against the Foe just the same. The jousting and steeplechase events have great possibilities for mayhem. And the hurling, of course. Imagine the Foe resurrecting that old romp! My father told me of hurley being played on Duat, and with enemy heads.”

”The Tanu call it s.h.i.+nty,” Sugoll said. ”We'll use a large white ball with black spots as a subst.i.tute for the skull.” He glanced toward the river. ”The great hero Betularn is about to arrive. Shall we meet him?”

They rode down to the water's edge, where bleachers for the boat races were still under construction. At the docks were eighteen large inflatable craft, jammed to the gunwales with armoured regulars and crated cargo. White Hand, caparisoned in full obsidian harness and carrying a purple-leather box nearly as long as he was tall, leaped from the lead boat and strode up to Sharn. He dropped to one knee before the mounted Firvulag King, proffering the great case. His visor was open and tears streamed from his pouched eyes.

”Your Appalling Highness!” Betularn croaked. ”Sovereign Lord of the Heights and Depths, Monarch of the Infernal Infinite, Father of All Firvulag, and Undoubted Co-Ruler of the Known World-into your hands I commend our Sword.”

Sharn vaulted from the saddle, seized the purple container, and ripped off the lid. The huge diamond-bright weapon flashed in the suns.h.i.+ne. The studs on its hilt were gems of several colours. Its cable was neatly coiled, and the powerpack showed full charge.

”G.o.ddess!” cried Sharn. ”At last!” He lifted the photon weapon reverently. Betularn and all of the Firvulag still on the boats stood at attention, mailed fists against their hearts. Sugoll slowly dismounted, rea.s.sumed his natural appearance, and squatted in enigmatic abomination as the nonmutants raised the Firvulag Song.

When its last deep-noted echo had died away across the river, Sharn said, ”Gird me.”

Betularn buckled on the jewelled harness and slung the powerpack at the King's waist. Sharn's face wore an expression of exultation. ”Bid your troops to take their ease, White Hand, and come walk with me and our mutant cousin.” He thrust the Sword into its belt loop and strolled off along the yellow pathway leading to the grandstands. The torrid breeze of the expanse of gra.s.sland had a redolence of spiced tea.

Betularn cast a disapproving eye on the Lord of the Howlers.

”Your long absence from our Firvulag Court has atrophied your piety, Cousin Sugoll. One hopes your allegiance has not suffered a similar decline.”

”I am ever the G.o.ddess's good servant,” the Great Abomination rumbled, ”and a faithful va.s.sal to the High King.”

”Now, White Hand,” Sharn said amiably, ”let's not have any sniping on this historic occasion.”

”I'm only zealous in defence of your honour,” the old warrior growled, ”and you know my heart is loyal to you until earth be torn asunder, and high heaven, and Nightfall follows upon the cleansing flame!”

Somewhere out in the Field of Gold a meadowlark trilled. The Firvulag King, the veteran general, and the Prince of Monsters stepped off the blazing sandy path onto green coolness strewn with b.u.t.tercups.

”So it is true,” Sugoll said.