Doom-Quest of Ara-Karn 3 The Iron Gate

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Doom-Quest of Ara-Karn 3 The Iron Gate Page 24

by Adam Corby


  It took me a long time to recast the second volume, and years to rework the third. The book was long overdue; what’s more, the first two volumes had not sold well, and David Hartwell had left Pocket Books. The new editorial staff looked over my reworked third volume (now almost as long as the entire tale had been when it was deemed too long to publish in one volume), and declared it was unpublishable. They were right: the thing had run away from me.

  And so no one but my friends has ever read the full story, or learned the final fate of Ara-Karn.

  Now some thirty years after the book was first accepted for publication (and with asotir’s assistance), I can offer a revised and expanded 30th anniversary edition.

  The first two volumes – The Former King and The Divine Queen – I reproduce much as they were first published, correcting only some typos and grammatical errors that slipped past me. The unhappy third volume I have shortened somewhat, and reworked it into two parts, now titled The Iron Gate and Darkbridge.

  To those who read the first volumes long ago, and have wondered in the years since, ‘What happened, and how did it all end up?’ I offer my apologies. Now at last, if you have found this, you can find out.

  — Adam Corby

  Spring 2009

  Also Available

  Gundoen knew now where he was.

  Above him the battle raged in silence. He had come so far, and had conquered all the North in the name of Ara-Karn. But his life was draining out of him, mixing with the blood of his victims. He would join them now.

  He saw the Southrons regarding him with fear, even though he was helpless now and slain. He grinned, baring the bloody mouth. This was a good death. He had never hoped for one so fine. Now there remained only one final deed for him to do here – one last cry to release the spirit and send it flying up to Goddess.

  He opened the cavernous mouth. He filled his lungs with air. And he cried out in a voice echoing terribly off the rocky walls, so that it might be heard by all there even above the din of combat, Gundoen’s final words:

  ‘O Ara-Karn, avenge my death my son!’

  — from Canto Four:

  Darkbridge

  The Naked Damsel

  The armored men parted and the damsel stepped forth.

  ‘Now,’ said King Arthur, ‘what has brought you here?’

  ‘This,’ she answered, and let fall the mantle to the floor. Beneath the furs the damsel stood naked, and wore nothing beside the black veil and a heavy sword belted over her slim waist.

  ‘What is this sword you wear?’ asked the King. ‘Maiden, to stand so naked with a sword ill beseems you.’

  ‘The Lady Lille of Avalon,’ she answered, ‘has made me this scabbard and Belt of the Strange Clasp, so that the sword may not be drawn but by the best knight in the world, of the greatest heart and strength of arms, untouched by treachery, tricks or villainy. And I have come to your court, O King, to see if I may find that knight here among you…’

  — from The Killing Sword

  Lady Agatha was alone

  Her lord had gone to take the measure of his lands, and his voice calling to his hounds came from far-off through her window, till it was hidden in the wind.

  And she heard a great wave breaking on the stones of the Irish land, washing to the Western Sea; and a cry went with it, from a stricken old woman in a hut beyond the hill.

  And Lady Agatha heard a third voice calling; and that was Aengus’ voice.

  She shut the window to stop the voice, but the room waxed so warm she had to open up again. His song went on and on. And the beat of the riders was everywhere; and Lady Agatha fell asleep at last.

  And Master Aengus’ song went right into her sleep.

  She knew now why the riders came. They came for her.

  — from Blood by Moonlight

 

 

 


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