The Complete Dilvish, The Damned

by Roger Zelazny

  "Sister and lover and priestess, greetings, from the many places where I dwell," rose the formal salutation in that same language.

  "And to you, from that one in this place, Tualua, kin of the Elders. You are troubled. What is the cause? Tell me."

  "Queen in this place, Semirama, it is the painful growth cycle of those of my kind. Kin to both darkness and light, I possess both natures."

  "As do we, Tualua."

  "Ah, but men manage to mix them in the brief span of their days. It must make life so much simpler."

  "It brings its problems."

  "Ah, but ours brings eon after eon of recrimination, each time for the previous cycle when the opposite ruled—until that hoped-for, impossible day when our natures merge and we are fit to join our kin in the places beyond this hell of polarities."

  An almost unbearable wave of sadness swept over her, and she wept uncontrollably. A tentacle rose, almost shyly, and its tip touched her foot.

  "Do not grieve for me, child. Weep rather for mankind. For when the dark will comes over me and I repent these days, my power will go forth across the land and all men will suffer—save yourself, as you serve me, for you shall grow strong and bright and hard and cold as the morning star—and I shall be stronger than ever before and the world will tremble onto its foundations as in the early days when others of my kind of disjunct cycle warred for the soul of man."

  "Is there nothing that can be done?" she asked.

  "I can still hold it back, and I will for as long as I can"

  "What of the good mage Jelerak and the debt all of your kind owe to him of old?"

  "What debt there was, Semirama, has long since been paid, believe me. Nor is he that same man whom once you knew."

  "What do you mean?"

  "He is—changed. Perhaps he, too, has his light and dark natures."

  "I find this difficult to believe, though I have recently heard rumors. The last I knew of him in the old days, he had been ill for a long while—years, possibly—following the fall of Hohorga…"

  "Then it may be kindest to say that he never recovered."

  "He treated me very kindly when he called me back…"

  "Of course. He needed you. You possess an extremely specialized skill —for a human. And there is something else…

  "I regret most," he continued, "that he and I may soon have much in common."

  "You have just turned my world upside down," she said.

  "I am sorry, but I had no way of foreseeing when the change would begin to come over me. I will still help you with anything you wish, in any way that I can, for as long as I am able."

  She reached out and touched the tentacle.

  "If there is any way that I can help you…"

  "Nothing," he said. "No mortal can help me. Ironically, I will become truly mad for a time, during the transition period. I will send you away before it comes over me, to a place I have provided for you beyond time and space, where you will know much joy. My other self will doubtless recall you when there is need for your services."

  "It saddens me greatly to hear these things."

  "And me to tell them. So let us talk instead of what it was that brought you here just now."

  "That matter has just been further confused," she said, "by things you have told me. Baran is doing something to the mirror. He's placed at least one spirit inside it. He's probably installing another right now—"

  "I have paid small heed to these mortal affairs, save as you bade me. So tell me now who Baran is and why anything he might do with a mirror should matter to you."

  "Baran is the dark, heavy man who sometimes accompanies me here."

  "The one with the hand trick?"

  "Yes. He is Jelerak's steward in this place. The mirror—in a chamber partway up the north tower —is a means of transportation for Jelerak among his many abodes. Jelerak was injured in a sorcerer's duel some time ago, and we thought that he might be coming here, where I could beg power of you to heal him. While we awaited his arrival, many others who thought him dead or weakened sought to storm this place, that they might attempt to bind you to their own uses."

  A ripple of amusement flowed past her.

  "It was then that I thought of the reason for which Jelerak had restored me—to assist you during last summer's illness…"

  "My first spell of madness in centuries. Up until then I had been furnishing him whatever power he asked of me for those favors of long ago of which you spoke. He did not realize what was occurring. Neither did I at the time."

  "Nor I, of course. Though I might have recalled some very old dark sayings, I had never witnessed the condition before. But when the interlopers came, I thought it well to suggest you repeat the effects upon the land hereabout in full awareness, to keep them away. I knew that this could not impede Jelerak, for he could always employ the mirror to journey here. I would have told Baran my strategy, but by then I was finding his attentions annoying. Better to let him believe that a more difficult situation such as last summer's had arisen, and that I was the only one who might deal with it effectively. The deception gave me more power over him. But all this while, I believed the mirror to be in proper condition. Now I am not so certain. I believe that he might have been blocking it all along."

  "Why would he do such a thing?"

  "When you set the land without in turmoil, it barred every easy means of entry here, save for the mirror. If he found a way to block the mirror, then we were completely isolated, and Jelerak himself could not return for the renewal he would be seeking. The purpose, I believe now, is that Baran has become like the invaders themselves. He wished to keep this place to himself while he sought after a means of controlling you."

  "He does not then realize that I served Jelerak willingly, not under any compulsion—as the doings of humans have meant little to me these many years?"

  "No. I never told him. The less he knew, the better."

  "Then what is the problem?"

  "Now I am uncertain. Originally, I came to ask you to open the way of the mirror and to keep it open against any attempts he may make to close it off again. This, so that Jelerak might return and be refreshed and deal with Baran as he sees fit. Now, though, that you have told me what you have about Jelerak, I do not know what to say."

  "It would be a simple matter to unblock the mirror, though I could not promise to hold it open were another spell of madness to come over me."

  "… and then I was going to ask you to recommence the emanations and disturb the land again, to keep unwanted visitors out while giving Jelerak opportunity to enter through the glass —also to convince Baran that you were still uncontrollable, so that he would not bother me to be his accomplice in a fruitless task"

  "And now?"

  "Now it has become a choice between evils. I do not know. Baran is not nearly so wise, and he likes me. I believe that he would be easy for me to control. Yet I still feel a measure of loyalty to Jelerak. No matter what you may say of him, he has always treated me well."

  "No matter what the situation, you might depend upon that."

  "Out of respect to my station, of course. He was no stranger to the court of Jandar."

  "That may or may not be true, but it was something more personal that I had in mind."

  She stiffened. Then she laughed.

  "No, that I cannot believe. Jelerak? He was always almost monkish in his habits. He was devoted solely to his Arts."

  "He could have called back any of your illustrious line to talk with me."

  "True."

  "His main love is power and the domination of men's spirits. Yet there are two human attachments of which he has not entirely rid himself—a small, fraternal feeling toward the priests of Babrigore, and a measure of devotion toward yourself. You were always the unattainable queen and priestess."

  "Then he hid it well."

  "But not from Tualua, for I have seen his heart and all things in it—even those of which he himself is unaware. But I tell you this now fo
r a reason. My will is crumbling, and I wish to provide for my own before it is completely shattered. Even as we have been speaking here I cast my eye along future time-lines. There is a dark spot ahead which I cannot penetrate. I believe that he is in some way involved beyond that point. My first intent was to send you to the place I have prepared for you, for your protection."

  Her thoughts ran back to the man in chains.

  "I will not go," she stated.

  "I saw that also. Which is why I have told you of the sorcerer's human frailty regarding yourself. It is a slim thing at best, of which even he is only partly aware and does not fully understand. I caution you not to rely upon it, yet the knowledge may serve you in some way during the dark hour."

  She embraced the tentacle.

  "Tualua! Tualua! Perhaps you are stronger than you think. Can you not fight the dark will and perhaps overcome it?"

  The atmosphere about her became heavy and brooding even as she spoke.

  "That," Tualua finally answered, "is not the pattern of my kind, as I understand it. I am trying and I will continue to try. Yet I fear that my struggles only train it to greater strength."

  "Do not give up. Hold out for as long as you can. Call upon your kin the Elder Gods if you must!"

  Something like laughter shook the vault.

  "My illustrious forbears have long since abandoned this plane to which I am confined. They would not hear me in their high abodes. No, we must prepare ourselves for a trial, and I must concern myself again with human matters, for I find them entwined with my own. Listen now to what I say, for I feel the madness rising again…"

  The steaming water of his brightly tiled pool covered Holrun's body to just above shoulder level, and the aroma of an exotic incense filled the air around him. The planes of his face were angular; his eyes—now half lidded—were dark and given to dartings inquisitive and expressive. His mouth, even in repose, quirked toward a slightly sinister smile. He was leaning forward now as one of his favorites, kneeling behind him, massaged his shoulders beneath water level. Another passed him a cooling drink in the carved, curved tusk of an extinct predator. He sipped from it and handed it back, trailing his fingertips along the girl's arm as she withdrew.

  When his crystal summoned him, he cursed softly and ran a hand through his thatch of unruly brown hair, shrugging off the other girl's ministrations, and turned toward the large globe he had set within the wall surrounded by a mosaic of delicate tiles in the form of an enormous eye. He focused his attention and the image of Meliash appeared within the pupil.

  "I am sorry to disturb you," Meliash began.

  "It happens, when you're the youngest member of the Council. Good thing, too, I suppose, if you want to get anything done. Those doddering old unwrapped mummies would take forever to decide to relieve themselves. Someone has to goose them with a hot poker every now and then, and I'm elected. How's everything in the Sangaris? I—"

  "The Kannais."

  "Yeah, the Kannais. I really envy you being out in the field, you know? This administrative stuff—well, it's got to be done."

  He halted abruptly and stared, beginning to smile.

  "Yes," Meliash said. "There have been some changes here recently, and I feel that the Council ought to be made aware of them. We've turned up some very interesting information, also. In fact, I believe that the time has finally come for the Council to take action in a matter directly involving Jel—"

  "Easy! Easy!" Holrun was suddenly standing, palm upraised, as his masseuse rushed to fit a robe over his shoulders. "The ether has ears as well as other appendages, I sometimes think. Let me take this on my other crystal. It's got security spells you wouldn't believe. I'll call you right back."

  He waved his hand and Meliash faded.

  Holrun stalked out of the pool and stepped into a pair of sandals. He headed away from the grotto and down a sloping tunnel, raising two fingers to his mouth and whistling a loud, shrill note. A pale light began to glow within long bands of white stone set into the tunnel walls at either hand.

  Smiling, he turned a corner and entered an L-shaped chamber carved out of stone on two levels. He snapped his fingers and logs began blazing within a recess directly ahead, the smoke rising up a jagged fissure screened by orange stalactites about which long chains of carved bodies transmitted erotic impulses in great spirals; fat candles flickered to life on high stands, revealing a neat but densely packed room containing almost every variety of magical equipment employed by over thirty nations and tribes; every visible spot on the floor, vaulted ceiling and barrel walls was painted with arcane symbols.

  He moved immediately to a shelf at his left and took down a small lemon-wood casket which he bore to a stand in a corner near the fire. With his foot, he drew a low stool covered with gray fur across the geometrically patterned rug. Opening the casket, he withdrew a smoky, almost black crystal which he set in place upon the stand. Then he seated himself upon the stool, took a single deep breath and released it, said one word:

  "Meliash!"

  The crystal cleared only slightly and the form of Meliash appeared dimly within it.

  "How's that?" he said to him.

  "You sound so far away," came the minuscule piping reply.

  "Can't be helped. The protective spells are pressing all around us, like creditors at a funeral. But you can talk freely. What is all this about wanting the Council to do something to Jelerak?"

  "I believe he passed this way in disguise just this morning, and that he's trying to get into the castle now."

  "Well, shit, man! It is his place. If going home is the worst thing he's up to these days, I don't see where—"

  "You don't understand. He is weaker now than at any time within living memory. I am certain that he is trying to get in there to tap one of his major sources of power, to renew himself. And the possibility of his being able to is not all that good—not if Tualua has entered one of the periodic fits of madness his kind are liable to. And I believe this to be the case. Further—"

  Holrun waved his hand.

  "Wait. All of this is very interesting, but I don't understand what you're getting at. Even weakened, he would be a formidable foe. There have been all sorts of secret studies and auguries on the results of possible clashes with him."

  "You know what those are worth," Meliash said. "Sooner or later the man will destroy or subvert the entire organization, as he has so many individual members. I know that he has a whole bloc of followers among us, and so do you. Sooner or later we are going to have to deal with him, and I think this is the most favorable opportunity we've ever had. I've heard you say yourself that you wanted it to occur during your lifetime."

  "Look, I don't deny it. But that was informally and off the record. The Council is a conservative bunch. That's why they've had this hands-off policy on him for years."

  "There is more," Meliash stated.

  "Let's have it."

  "A man went in there this morning with the express intention of killing Jelerak."

  Holrun snorted.

  "That's all?" he asked. "Do you know how many have tried? How few have even come close? No, that's not worth much one way or the other."

  "His name was Dilvish and he rode a metal horse. I've just recently learned who he is."

  "Dilvish the Damned? He's there? You're sure? Part Elf? Tall? Light? Wears the green boots?"

  "Yes. And he was once a Society member—"

  "I know, I know! Dilvish! Gods! I'd hate to see him die this close to his goal. He was one of my boyhood heroes—the Colonel of the East. And when he came back from Hell… He may get him, you know? If I had to choose the assassin myself, I wouldn't look any further. Dilvish…"

  "So I was thinking, if the Society wanted to avoid a direct confrontation, perhaps they could simply find a way to help the man and stay out of the picture themselves.

  Holrun was not looking at him. He was staring off into space,

  'What do you think?" Meliash asked.

  "Tel
l me about that place. What's it like?"

  "The disturbances have ceased. The land is quiet about it now. I can see the castle in the distance. Lights have been lit within it. There may be a map of the interior in the archives. I should have checked with Rawk. Jelerak's steward in the place is Baran of Blackwold, a middling good sorcerer—"

  "Isn't there something peculiar about the place itself? Most old castles have histories."

  "This one fades back into legend. It is reputed to be the oldest building in the world, predating the human race. It is said to be haunted up to the hilt. There is also supposed to be some connection with the Elder Gods."

  "One of those, eh? All right, listen. You've gotten me interested. Keep everything to yourself and don't do anything foolish. I am going to take this up with the Council in emergency session immediately. I am going to try selling them on a change in policy. But don't get your hopes up. Most of them wouldn't recognize an opportunity if it came up and bit them on the ass. I'll get back to you as soon as I have something, though, and we can decide what to do next."

  He broke the connection, rose, stared for a moment into the fire, smiled, and crossed the chamber.

  "Hot damn!"

  He snapped his fingers and the lights went out.

  Chapter 7

  Dilvish heard their laughter, their jests. "Kiss of death" figured prominently among them. But, oblivious to most of it, he hung trembling, his thoughts a chaos of revived memories. His head had ceased hurting. Whatever the woman had done to it had worked with amazing swiftness. The pain he felt now was a mental thing, brought on by the violent touch of a demon. For a time, he was back again in the Houses of Pain, and memories he had sealed off spilled forth like lava, burning him.

  After a time, he thought of where he was and why he was there, and a hate stronger than pain took hold. He attempted to refocus his attention, succeeded. Their words came to him:

  "… get the demon-catcher repaired. They rubbed a lot of it out when they dragged him in."

  "Can you reach his part? He won't be any help for awhile."