Part 27 (2/2)

II.

s.h.i.+mrod was transported to a stony flat high on the slopes of the Teach tac Teach, with the panorama to the east swathed under the Forest of Tantrevalles out to the edge of vision. The walls of Swer Smod rose at his back: a set of ma.s.sive rectangular shapes, meshed and merged, stacked and layered, with three towers of unequal height rising about all, like sentinels surveying the landscape.

s.h.i.+mrod's approach to the castle was obstructed by a stone wall eight feet high. At the portal hung a sign he had not seen before. Black symbols conveyed a daunting admonition:

WARNING!.

TRESPa.s.sERS! WAYFARERS! ALL OTHERS!.

ADVANCE AT RISK!.

If you cannot read these words, cry out 'KLARO!'

and the sign will declare the message aloud.

PROCEED NO FARTHER, AT PERIL OF DEATH!.

In case of need, consult s.h.i.+mrod the Magician, at his manse Trilda, in the Great Forest of Tantrevalles.

s.h.i.+mrod halted at the portal and surveyed the yard beyond. Nothing had changed since his last visit. On guard were the same two gryphs: Vus, mottled moss-green, and maroon-red Vuwas, whose color was that of old blood, or raw liver. Both stood eight feet tall, with ma.s.sive torsos clad in plaques of h.o.r.n.y carapace. Vus displayed a crest of six black spikes, to which, in his vanity, he had affixed a number of medals and emblems. Vuwas wore across his scalp and down the nape of his neck a stiff brush of black-red fibers. Not to be outdone by Vus, he had attached several fine pearls to this bristle. Vus and Vuwas, at this moment, sat beside their sentinel box, hunched over a chessboard wrought from black iron and bone. The pieces stood four inches high, and cried out as they were moved, in derision, shock, outrage, or occasionally approval. The gryphs paid no heed to the comments and played their own game.

s.h.i.+mrod pushed through the iron gate and entered the fore court. The gryphs glared hot-eyed over their p.r.o.nged shoulders. Each ordered the other to rise up and kill s.h.i.+mrod; each demurred. ”Do you take me for a fool?” demanded Vuwas. ”In my absence, you would make three illicit moves and no doubt abuse my pieces. It is you who must do your duty, and at this very moment.”

”Not I!” said the moss-green Vus. ”Your remarks merely indicate what you yourself have in mind. While I killed this sheep-faced fool, you would push my reignet into limbo and baffle my darkdog into the corner.”

Vuwas growled to s.h.i.+mrod over his shoulder: ”Go away; it is simpler for everyone. We avoid the trouble of killing you, and you need not worry about arranging your affairs.”

”Out of the question,” said s.h.i.+mrod. ”I am here on important business. Do you not recognize me? I am Murgen's scion s.h.i.+mrod.”

”We remember nothing,” grunted Vuwas. ”One earthling looks much like another.”

Vus pointed to the ground. ”Wait where you stand until we finish our game. This is a critical juncture!”

s.h.i.+mrod sauntered over to inspect the chessboard. The gryphs paid him no heed.

”Ludicrous,” said s.h.i.+mrod after a moment.

”Hist!” snarled Vuwas, the maroon-red gryph. ”We will tolerate no interference!”

Vus looked around challengingly: ”Do you intend insult? If so, we will tear you limb from limb on the spot!”

s.h.i.+mrod asked: ”Can a cow be insulted by the word 'bovine'? Can a bird be insulted by the word 'flighty'? Can a pair of b.u.mbling mooncalves be insulted by the word 'ludicrous'?”

Vuwas spoke sharply: ”Your hints are not clear. What are you trying to tell us?”

”Simply that either of you could win the game with a single move.”

The gryphs glumly examined the board. ”How so?” asked Vus.

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