ECHOES OF THE GREAT SONG by David A. Gemmell

‘You rule the Almecs. You are the Crystal Queen.’

‘That is what they call me.’

‘What do you want from me?’

7 want for nothing, child. I am eternal and complete. I had also thought myself unique. Imagine my surprise when I sensed you above my home, my resting place, my tomb. How does it feel, Sofarita, to possess such power, to roam the skies, and read the hearts of men?’

‘Frightening,’ said Sofarita.

‘Frightening? Yes, I remember that feeling. But it passes. Everything passes. Except knowledge. It grows and it grows. Of course there is a price to pay – as you will see. Some might call it a terrible price. I used to think so.’

‘What price?’

‘Once I was like you, a creature of soft flesh and transient desires. And I recall how fine that felt, the grass beneath the feet, the scent of summer blooms in the air, the taste of wine upon the tongue. Most of all the feel of a man’s warm body pressing upon the skin. All these things are lost to me now. As they will soon be lost to you.’

‘What are you saying?’ asked Sofarita, the beginnings of an awful fear rising in her belly.

‘/ think you already sense the answer, Sofarita. There are certain humans who should never be touched by the healing crystals. Some – perhaps lucky, perhaps unlucky – become crystal-wed. They swiftly turn to glass, and they shatter and die. More rare are those who become crystal-joined. All the powers of the crystals are unleashed in them. And why? Because they are destined to become the ultimate crystal. Oh yes it is slow. And yes it is infinitely painful. First you notice — as you have already — a sheen to the skin, brows and cheekbones, knuckles and chin. That is only the beginning. Within a year you will scarce be able to move. Within two you will be paralysed, locked like a statue. Within five your body will no longer be discernible. It will twist and change. Slowly, so slowly. By the twentieth year there will be little hint of humanity. After fifty years you will be merely a block of beautiful crystal. Within it you will survive for a little longer. Another hundred years perhaps. Unless fed, of course. Unless life washes over you in the richness of blood. As long as this is done you will remain, powerful and eternal. Is this what you desire?’

‘No. I will not allow it. I will die first.’

Sofarita’s mind was filled with pealing laughter, a sound metallic and artificial.’/ do believe I said the same thing,’ Almeia told her. ‘But I can help you, my dear.’

‘Why would you do this?’

‘Is the answer not obvious? What would be the advantage of having two crystal queens? Would you like my help?’

‘You are evil,’ said Sofarita. This I know. And evil is not to be trusted.’

‘Such silly words are for smaller minds, Sofarita. Is the sun evil? Or the sea? Each kills, each gives life. That does not make them evil. Everything I do is for self-preservation. All creatures of flesh and blood understand this. I kill to live. As do you. Each mouthful of meat you devour comes from a living creature who would not have chosen to die for you. Are you evil, Sofarita?’

‘I do not have children buried alive to feed me, nor do I tear the hearts from prisoners taken in war.’

‘Ah, we are talking merely of scale, then. One lamb is food, ten lambs is a feast, a thousand lambs is gluttony. What then creates evil, the deaths of a million lambs? And what is the difference between a man and a lamb? Everything dies. Most men die uselessly. Those whose lives feed mine at least serve a purpose. In return I give my people prosperity, freedom from want and disease. My trusted councillors also gain eternal lives. They might argue that everything I do is for the general good.

‘However, let us talk about what would be good for you. I can take away your powers, draw them into myself. It will not harm me. And you would become a farm girl again, soft of flesh.’