Part 26 (2/2)

'I can live with it,' said the axeman.

'Of course you can. You are a man. It is different for a woman, Druss. The first grey hair is like a betrayal. You can read that betrayal in the eyes of your lover. Tell me, are you a different man now that you have grey hairs?'

'I am the same. Hopefully a little wiser.'

'I too am the same,' she told him. 'I no longer look in mirrors, but I cannot avoid seeing the dried, wrinkled skin on my hands and arms. I cannot ignore the pains in my swollen joints.

Yet in my heart I am still the young Hewla, who dazzled the men of her village, and the n.o.blemen who came riding through.'

'Why did you summon us here?' put in Skilgannon. 'I have no time for such maudlin conversations.'

'No time? You are young yet, Olek. You have all the time in the world. I am the one who is dying.'

'Then die,' he said. 'As it is you have lived too long.'

'I always liked a man who would speak his mind. Lived too long? Aye, I have. Twenty times your lifetime, child. And I have paid for my longevity with blood and pain.'

'Most of that was not yours, I'll warrant,' said Skilgannon, his voice angry.

'I paid my share, Olek. But, yes, I have killed. I have taken innocent life. I have poisoned, I have stabbed, I have throttled. I have summoned demons to rip the hearts from men. I did this for wealth, or for vengeance. I have not, however, taken an army into a city and slaughtered all the inhabitants. I have not killed children. I have not cut the hands and eyes from a helpless man. So save your indignation. I am Hewla, the Old Woman. You are the d.a.m.ned. You have no right to judge me.'

'And yet I do,' said Skilgannon softly. 'So speak your piece, and let me be free of your foul company.'

She sat silently for a moment, then returned her attention to Druss. 'The man you seek is no longer in the city, axeman. He left some days ago.'

'Why would he do such a thing?' asked Druss.

'To feed, Druss. Simply that.'

'This makes no sense.'

'It will. He came to Mellicane in search of his former wife. She had earlier travelled to Dros Purdol, ostensibly to see her daughter, Elanin. You remember Elanin, Druss. Orastes brought her to see you at your farm. You carried her on your shoulders, and sat beside a stream. She made a crown of daisies, and placed them on your head.'

'I remember,' said Druss. 'A sweet child. And a gentle father. So where is Orastes?'

'Be patient,' she said. 'While Orastes was away from the city his former wife s.n.a.t.c.hed the child and fled from Dros Purdol. She came to Mellicane where she joined her lover.

Orastes followed them as soon as he could. Once in the city he sought news of her. He did not know the ident.i.ty of her lover, and the search proved fruitless. News of the search, however, reached the wife. One afternoon, Orastes and his servant were arrested as they sought information. They were taken to the Rikar cells below the arena. The Rikar cells held prisoners who would be melded into Joinings. That was the fate of Orastes. He was merged with a timber wolf, and the beast that he became fled with the others when the city fell.'

'No!' roared Druss. Skilgannon saw the axeman's face twist into a mask of pain and grief.

'This cannot be!'

'It can and it is,' said the Old Woman. Skilgannon detected something in her voice, a note of malicious glee. In his grief this was lost on the axeman. Skilgannon's anger swelled, but he stood quietly, watching the scene. The huge Drenai warrior turned away, and stood, head bowed, his fists clenching and unclenching.

'How could his wife wield such power in Mellicane?' asked Skilgannon.

'Through her lover,' answered the Old Woman, still facing Druss. 'You met him, axeman, after you arrived in Mellicane. At the banquet held in your honour. Shakusan Ironmask, the Lord of the Arbiters, the Captain of the King's Warhounds. While you drank with him your friend was in chains in the dungeons below.'

For a few moments there was silence. Then Druss took a deep breath. 'If we could find Orastes could he become human again?'

'No, axeman. When the Nadir cast the melding spell they first cut the throats of the human victims, then lay them alongside dogs or captured wolves. Even if the meld could be reversed - which the Nadir say is impossible -I would imagine that only the wolf or dog would survive. The man was, after all, already dead when the meld took place.'

'Then Orastes is lost.'

'He may already be dead. Did you not slay several of the beasts yourself? Perhaps you have already killed your friend.'

'Oh, how you are enjoying this, you hag!' said Skilgannon. 'Does your malice have no ending?' The atmosphere in the room chilled. Garianne looked shocked, and even Druss seemed uneasy. For a moment no-one moved, then the Old Woman spoke.

'The facts are what they are,' she said softly. 'My enjoyment of them changes nothing. I never liked fat Orastes. So stiff and pompous. One of the heroes of Skein! Pah! The man almost wet himself with fear throughout the battle. You know this, Druss.'

'Aye, I know it. He stood though. He did not run. Yes, he was pompous. We all have our faults. But he never harmed anyone. Why would you hate him?'

There are very few men I do not hate in this world of violence and pain. So, yes, I laughed when Orastes was melded. As I will laugh when you meet your doom, Druss. At this moment, however, it is not your death I seek. We now share a common enemy. Shakusan Ironmask destroyed your friend. He also caused the death of someone close to me.'

Druss's face was set, and his eyes blazed with cold fire. 'Where do I find this Ironmask now?' he asked.

'Ah, this is better,' said the Old Woman. 'Rage and revenge are such sweet siblings. It does my heart good to feel such purity of emotion. Ironmask is heading into the Pelucid mountains. There is a stronghold there. Be warned, though, axeman. Ironmask has seventy riders with him, hard men and ruthless. At the stronghold there will be a hundred more Nadir warriors.'

'The numbers do not interest me. How far is this place?'

'Two hundred miles northwest. I shall furnish you with maps. Pelucid is an ancient realm, containing many mysteries, and many perils. There are places where all the natural laws are bent and twisted. Your journey will not be without incident.'

'Just give me the maps. I will find Ironmask.'

The Old Woman rose from her chair, and slowly straightened. Taking a long staff she leaned upon it. Her breathing was harsh, and caused the black veil to billow gently. 'You also need to travel northwest, Olek Skilgannon. The temple you seek is in Pelucid, and close to the stronghold. It is not easily found. You will not see it by daylight. Look for the deepest fork in the western mountains, and wait until the moon floats between the crags.

By its light you will find what you seek.'

'Can they accomplish what I desire?' asked Skilgannon.

'I have been there only once. I do not know all they are capable of. The priestess you will need to convince is called Ustarte. If she cannot help you, then there is no-one I know of who can.'

'Why are you doing this for me?' he asked. 'What trick is there? What evil lurks behind this apparent goodwill?'

'My reasons are my own,' said the Old Woman. 'You will travel with Garianne and the twins.'

'And why would I do that?'

'Because it would be kind of you,' she snapped. 'Jared also needs to find the temple. His brother has a cancer inside his head. I have held it at bay with herbs and potions, and even a spell or two. It is now beyond my skills.'

'And why Garianne?' asked Skilgannon.

'Because I ask it. You have reason to both hate and fear me, Olek Skilgannon. But you also owe me the life of the woman you love. If you succeed in Pelucid you will also owe me the life of the woman who loved you.'

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