The Zimiamvia Trilogy

by E R Eddison

  Gro said, ‘My Lord Corinius, choose I pray thee another who shall be fitter than I to do this errand for thee;’ and so for a long time most earnestly besought him. But Corinius, the more he perceived the duty hateful to Gro, the firmer became his resolution that none but Gro should undertake it. So that in the end Gro perforce consented, and in the same hour went with eleven up to the gates of Krothering, and a white flag of truce was borne before him.

  He sent his herald up to the gate to desire speech of the Lady Mevrian. And in a while the gates were opened, and she came down attended to meet Lord Gro in the open garden before the bridge-gate. It was by then late afternoon, and the burning sun swam low amid streaked level clouds incarnadine, setting aflame the waters of Thunderfirth with the reflection of his beams. From the horizon, high beyond the pine-clad hills of Westmark, a range of clouds reared themselves, solid and of an iron hue; so hard-edged against the vapoury sky of sunset, that they seemed substantial mountains, not clouds: unearthly mountains (a man might fancy) divinely raised up for Demonland, for whom not all her ancient hills gave any longer refuge against her enemies. Here, in Krothering gates, wintersweet and the little purple daphne bush that blooms before the leaf breathed fragrance abroad. Yet was it not this sweetness in the air that troubled the Lord Gro, nor that western glory burning that dazzled his eyes; but to look upon that lady standing in the gate, white-skinned and dark, like the divine Huntress, tall and proud and lovely.

  Mevrian, seeing him speechless, said at last, ‘My lord, I heard thou hadst some errand to declare unto me. And seeing a great camp of war gathered under Erngate End, and having heard of robbers and evil-doers rife about the land these many moons, I look not for soft speech. Take heart, therefore, and declare plainly what ill thou meanest.’

  Gro answered and said, ‘Tell me first if thou that speakest art in truth the Lady Mevrian, that I may know whether to human kind I speak or to some Goddess come down from the shining floor of heaven.’

  She answered, ‘Of thy compliments I have nought to do. I am she thou namest.’

  ‘Madam,’ said Lord Gro, ‘I would not have brought your highness this message nor delivered it, but that I know full well that did I refuse it another should bear it thee full speedily, and with less compliment and less sorrow than I.’

  She nodded gravely, as who should say, Proceed. So, with what countenance he might, he rehearsed his message, saying when it was ended, ‘Thus, madam, saith Corinius the king: and thus he charged me deliver it unto your highness.’

  Mevrian heard him attentively with head erect. When he had done she was silent a little, still studying him. Then she spake: ‘Methinks I know thee now. Thou art Lord Gro of Goblinland that bearest me this message.’

  Gro answered, ‘Madam, he thou namest went years ago from this earth. I am Lord Gro of Witchland.’

  ‘So it seemeth, from thy talk,’ said she; and was silent again.

  The steady contemplation from that lady’s eyes was like a knife scraping his tender skin, so that he was ill at ease well nigh past bearing.

  After a little she said, ‘I remember thee, my lord. Let me stir thy memory. Eleven years ago, my brother went to war in Goblinland against the Witches, and overcame them on Lormeron field. There slew he the great King of Witchland in single combat, Gorice X, that until that day was held for the mightiest man-at-arms in all the world. My brother was as then but eighteen winters old, and that was the first blazing up of his great fame and glory. So King Gaslark made great feasting and great rejoicing in Zajë Zaculo because of the ridding of his land of the oppressors. I was at those revels. I saw thee there, my lord; and being but a little maid of eleven summers, sat on thy knee in Gaslark’s halls. Thou didst show me books, with pictures in strange colours of gold and green and scarlet, of birds and beasts and distant countries and wonders of the world. And I, being a little harmless maid, thought thee good and kind of heart, and loved thee.’

  She ceased, and Gro, like a man hath taken some drowsy drug, stood looking on her confounded.

  ‘Tell me,’ said she, ‘of this Corinius. Is he such a fighter as men say?’

  ‘He is,’ said Gro, ‘one of the most famousest captains that ever was. That might not his worst enemies gainsay.’

  Mevrian said, ‘A likely consort, think’st thou, for a lady of Demonland? Remember, I have said nay to crowned kings. I would know thy mind, for doubtless he is thy very familiar friend, since he made thee his go-between.’

  Gro saw that she mocked, and he was troubled at heart. ‘Madam,’ said he, and his voice shook somewhat, ‘take not in too great scorn this vile part in me. Verily this I brought thee is the most shamefullest message, and flatly against my will did I deliver it unto thee. Yet with such constraint upon me, how could I choose but strike my forehead into dauntless marble and word by word deliver my charge?’

  ‘Thy tongue,’ said Mevrian, ‘hath struck hot irons in my face. Go back to thy master. If he look for an answer, tell him he may read it in letters of gold above the gates.’

  ‘Thy noble brother, madam,’ said Gro, ‘is not here to make good that answer.’ And he came near to her, saying in a low voice so that only they two should hear it, ‘Be not deceived. This Corinius is a naughty, wicked, and luxurious youth, that will use thee without any respect if once he break in by force into Krothering Castle. It were wiselier carried to make some open show to receive him; so by fair words and putting of him off thou mayst yet escape.’

  But Mevrian said, ‘Thou hast mine answer. I have no ears to his request. Say too that my cousin the Lord Spitfire hath healed his wounds, and hath an army afoot shall whip these Witches from my gates ere many days be passed by.’

  So saying she returned in great scorn within the castle.

  But the Lord Gro returned again to the camp and to Corinius, who asked him how he had sped.

  He answered, she did utterly refuse it.

  ‘So,’ said Corinius; ‘doth the puss thump me off? Then pause my hot desires an instant, only the more thunderingly to clap it on. For I will have her. And this coyness and pert rejection hath the more fixedly confirmed me.’

  XXII

  AURWATH AND SWITCHWATER

  How the Lady Mevrian beheld from Krothering Walls the Witchland Army and the Captains thereof: and of the tidings brought her there of the war in the west country, of Aurwath Field and the great slaughter on Switchwater Way.

  THE fourth day after these doings aforewrit, the Lady Mevrian walked on the battlements of Krothering keep. A blustering wind blew from the north-west. The sky was cloudless: clear blue overhead, all else pearl-grey, and the air a little misty. Her old steward, stalwart and soldier-like, greaved and helmed and clad in a plated jerkin of bull’s hide, walked with her.

  ‘The hour should be about striking,’ said she. ‘’Tis today or tomorrow my Lord Zigg named to me when they were here a-guesting. If but Goblinland keep tryst it were the prettiest feat, to take them so pat.’

  ‘As your ladyship might clap a gnat ’twixt the palms of your two hands,’ said the old man; and he gazed again southward over the sea.

  Mevrian set her gaze in the same quarter. ‘Nothing but mist and spray,’ she said after a few minutes’ searching. ‘I’m glad I sent Lord Spitfire those two hundred horse. He must have every man can be scraped up, for such a day. How thinkest thou, Ravnor: if King Gaslark come not, hath Lord Spitfire force enow to cope them alone?’

  Ravnor chuckled in his beard. ‘I think and my lord your brother were here he should tell your highness “ay” to that. Since first I bowled a hoop, they taught me a Demon was under-matched against five Witches.’

  She looked at him a little wistfully. ‘Ah,’ she said, ‘were he at home. And were Juss at home.’ Then on a sudden she faced round northward, pointing to the camp. ‘Were they at home,’ she cried, ‘thou shouldst not see outlanders insulting in arms on Krothering Side, sending me shameful offers, caging me like a bird in this castle. Have such things been in Demonland, until now
?’

  Now came a boy running along the battlements from the far side of the tower, crying that ships were hove in sight sailing from the south and east, ‘And they make for the firth.’

  ‘Of what land?’ said Mevrian, while they hastened back to look.

  ‘What but Goblinland?’ said Ravnor.

  ‘O say not so too hastily!’ cried she. They came round the turret wall, and the sea and Stropardon Firth opened wide and void before them. ‘I see nought,’ she said; ‘or is yon flight of sea-mews the fleet thou sawest?’

  ‘He meaneth Thunderfirth,’ said Ravnor, who had gone on ahead, pointing to the west. ‘They shape their course toward Aurwath. ’Tis King Gaslark for sure. Mark but the blue and gold of his sails.’

  Mevrian watched them, her gloved hand drumming nervously on the marble battlement. Very stately she seemed, muffled in a flowing cloak of white watered silk collared and lined with ermine. ‘Eighteen ships!’ she said. ‘I dreamed not Goblinland might make so great a force.’

  ‘Your ladyship may see,’ said Ravnor, walking back along the wall, ‘whether the Witchlanders have slept while these ships sailed to port.’

  She followed and looked. Great stir there was in the Witchland army, marshalling before the camp; there was coming and going and leaping on horseback, and faintly on the wind their trumpets’ blare was borne to Mevrian’s ears as she beheld them from her high watch-tower. The host moved forth down the meadows, all orderly, a-glitter with bronze and steel. Southward they came, passing at length through the home-meads of Krothering, so near that each man was plainly seen from the battlements, as they rode beneath.

  Mevrian leaned forward in an embrasure, one hand on either battlement at her left and right. ‘I would know their names,’ said she. ‘Thou, that hast oft fared to the wars, mayst teach me. Gro I know, with a long beard; and heart-heaviness it is to see a lord of Goblinland in such a fellowship. What’s he beside him, yon bearded gallant, with a winged helm and a diadem about it, like a king’s, and beareth a glaive crimson-hafted? He looketh a proud one.’

  The old man answered, ‘Laxus of Witchland: the same that was admiral of their fleet against the Ghouls.’

  ‘’Tis a brave man to look on, and worthy a better cause. What’s he rideth now below us, heading their horse: ruddy and swarthy and light of build, hath a brow like the thunder-cloud, and weareth armour from neck to toe?’

  Ravnor answered, ‘Highness, I know him not certainly, the sons of Corund so favour one another. But methinks ’tis the young prince Heming.’

  Mevrian laughed. ‘Prince quotha?’

  ‘So moveth the world, your highness. Since Gorice set Corund in kingdom in Impland—’

  Said Mevrian, ‘Name him prithee Heming Faz: I warrant they trap them now with barbarous additions. Heming Faz, good lack! lording it now in Demonland.

  ‘The prime huff-cap of all,’ said she after a little, ‘holdeth aback it seemeth. O here he comes. Sweet heaven, what furious horsemanship! Troth, and he can sit a horse, Ravnor, and hath the great figure of an athlete. Look where he gallopeth bare-headed down the line. I ween he’ll need more than golden curls to keep his head whole ere he have done with Gaslark, ay, and our own folk gathering from the north. I see he beareth his helm at the saddle-bow. To ape us so!’ she cried as he drew nearer. ‘All silks and silver. Thou’dst have sworn none but a Demon went to battle so costly apparelled. O, for a scissors to cut his comb withal!’

  So speaking she leaned forward all she might, to watch him. And he, galloping by below, looked up; and marking her so watching, reined mightily his great chestnut horse, throwing him with the check well nigh on his haunches. And while the horse plunged and reared, Corinius hailed her in a great voice, crying, ‘Mistress, good-morrow!’ crying, ‘Wish me victory, and swift to thine arms!’

  So near below was he a-riding, she might scan the very lineaments of his face and read it as he looked up and shouted to her that greeting. He saluted with his sword, and spurred onward to overtake Gro and Laxus in the van.

  As if sickened on a sudden, or as if she had been ready to tread on a deadly stinging adder, the Lady Mevrian leaned against the marble of the battlements. Ravnor stepped towards her: ‘Is your ladyship ill? Why, what’s the matter?’

  ‘A silly qualm,’ said Mevrian faintly. ‘If thou’dst medicine it, show me the sheen of Spitfire’s spears to the northward. The blank land dazzles me.’

  So wore the afternoon. Twice and thrice Mevrian went upon the walls, but could see nought save the sea and the firths and the mountain-bosomed plain fair and peaceful in the spring-time: no sign of men or of war’s alarums, save only the masts of Gaslark’s ships seen over the land’s brow three miles or more to the south-west. Yet she knew surely that near those ships beside Aurwath harbour must be desperate fighting toward, Gaslark the king engaged at heavy odds against Laxus and Corinius and the spears of Witchland. And the sun wheeled low over the dark pines of Westmark, and still no sign from the north.

  ‘Thou didst send one forth for tidings?’ she said to Ravnor, the third time she went on the wall.

  He answered, ‘Betimes this morning, your highness. But ’tis slow faring until a be a mile or twain clear of the castle, for a must elude their small bands that go up and down guarding the countryside.’

  ‘Bring him to me o’ the instant of his return,’ said she.

  With a foot on the stair, she turned back. ‘Ravnor,’ she said.

  He came to her.

  ‘Thou,’ she said, ‘hast been years enow my brother’s steward in Krothering, and our father’s before him, to know what mind and spirit dwelleth in them of our line. Tell me, truly and sadly, what thou makest of this. Lord Spitfire is too late: other else, Goblinland too sudden-early (and that was his fault from of old). What seest thou in it? Speak to me as thou shouldst to my Lord Brandoch Daha were it he that asked thee.’

  ‘Highness,’ said the old man Ravnor, ‘I will answer you my very thought: and it is, woe to Goblinland. Since my Lord Spitfire cometh not yet from the north, only the deathless Gods descending out of heaven can save the king. The Witches number at an humble reckoning twice his strength; and man to man you were as well pit a hound against a bear, as against Witches Goblins. For all that these be fierce and full of fiery courage, the bear hath it at the last.’

  Mevrian listened, looking on him with sorrowful steady eyes. ‘And he so generous-noble flown to comfort Demonland in the blackness of her days,’ she said at last. ‘Can fate be so ungallant? O Ravnor, the shame of it! First La Fireez, now Gaslark. How shall any love us any more? The shame of it, Ravnor!’

  ‘I would not have your highness,’ said Ravnor, ‘too hasty to blame us. If their plan and compact have gone amiss, ’tis likelier King Gaslark’s misprision than Lord Spitfire’s. We know not for sure which day was set for this landing.’

  While he so spake, he was looking past her seaward, a little south of the reddest part of the sunset. His eyes widened. He touched her arm and pointed. Sails were hoisted among the masts at Aurwath. Smoke, as of burning, reeked up against the sky. As they watched, the most part of the ships moved out to sea. From those that remained, some five or six, fire leaped and black clouds of smoke. The rest as they came out of the lee of the land, made southward for the open sea under oar and sail.

  Neither spake; and the Lady Mevrian leaning her elbows on the parapet of the wall hid her face in her hands.

  Now came Ravnor’s messenger at length back from his faring, and the old man brought him in to Mevrian in her bower in the south part of Krothering. The messenger said, ‘Highness, I bring no writing, since that were too perilous had I fallen in my way among Witches. But I had audience of my Lord Spitfire and my Lord Zigg in the gates of Gashterndale. And thus their lordships commanded me deliver it unto you, that your highness should be at ease and secure, seeing that they do in such sort hold all the ways to Krothering, that the Witchland army cannot escape out of this countryside that is betwixt Thunderfirth and Stropar
don Firth and the sea, but and if they will give battle unto their lordships. But if they choose rather to abide here by Krothering, then may our armies close on them and oppress them, since our forces do exceed theirs by near a thousand spears. Which tomorrow will be done whate’er betide, since that is the day appointed for Gaslark the king to land with a force at Aurwath.’

  Mevrian said, ‘They know nought then of this direful miscarriage, and Gaslark here already before his time and thrown back into the sea?’ And she said, ‘We must apprise them on’t, and that hastily and tonight.’

  When the man understood this, he answered, ‘Ten minutes for a bite and a stirrup-cup, and I am at your ladyship’s service.’

  And in a short while, that man went forth again secretly out of Krothering in the dusk of night to bring word to Lord Spitfire of what was befallen. And the watchmen watching in the night from Krothering walls beheld northward under Erngate End the campfires of the Witches like the stars.

  Night passed and day dawned, and the camp of the Witches showed empty as an empty shell.

  Mevrian said, ‘They have moved in the night.’

  ‘Then shall your highness hear great tidings ere long,’ said Ravnor.

  ‘’Tis like we may have guests in Krothering tonight,’ said Mevrian. And she gave order for all to be made ready against their coming, and the choicest bed-chambers for Spitfire and Zigg to welcome them. So, with busy preparations, the day went by. But as evening came, and still no riding from the north, some shadows of impatience and anxious doubt crept with night’s shades creeping across heaven across their eager expectancy in Krothering. For Mevrian’s messenger returned not. Late to rest went the Lady Mevrian; and with the first peeping light she was abroad, muffled in her great mantle of velvet and swansdown against the eager winds of morning. Up to the battlements she went, and with old Ravnor searched the blank prospect. For pale morning rose on an empty landscape; and so all day until the evening: watching, and waiting, and questioning in their hearts.