ECHOES OF THE GREAT SONG by David A. Gemmell

The twelve Vagars stood in stunned silence as, one by one, each of the six pyramids began to radiate white light.

‘Do not move,’ Questor Ro reminded the box-holder.

‘Yes, lord.’

As if obeying his own instruction Ro also stood still, excitement causing him to tremble. With an effort he swung away and summoned four of the Vagars to follow him to the waterside, where several boxes and a linen-covered chest were lying on the snow. From one box the Vagars took wooden overshoes which they slipped over their fur-lined boots. Then they took from their deep pockets long wooden thimbles, which they placed over their fingers and thumbs.

Carefully they unwrapped the white linen from around a rectangular chest, some four feet long and three feet wide. It was of black wood, heavily engraved with symbols the Vagars could not read. On each of the two longest sides three large golden rings were set into the wood.

‘Be careful now,’ said Questor Ro. ‘Your lives depend upon it.’ Alongside the chest were two wooden poles, each eight feet long. With great care Questor Ro slid the poles through the golden rings. With this accom­plished the four Vagars hefted the poles, lifting the chest clear of the snow. Questor Ro led them to a clearing at the centre of the six glowing pyramids.

His heart was beating fast now. Ordering them to lay the chest on the ground, Questor Ro covered his fingertips with wooden thimbles and took up a length of golden wire. Taking a deep breath he approached the chest.

‘Lord!’ called out one of the Vagars. Ro was annoyed and swung towards the man.

‘What?’ he shouted.

‘Your boots, lord. You are not protected.’

Questor Ro glanced down. In his excitement he had forgotten to slip on the wooden overshoes. ‘Give me yours,’ he snapped at the man who had saved his life. The overshoes were far too large, and Ro was forced to slide his feet forward, rather than walk. He flashed a warning glare at the Vagars. No-one smiled. Kneeling by the engraved chest Ro looped the golden wire over two bronze spheres on its front. The other ends he attached to the first of the pyramids. A low humming noise began to emanate from the chest.

Questor Ro raised his hands to the heavens. ‘We have Communion,’ he said.

‘Praise be!’ chorused the Vagars loyally. Ro knew they did not care. All they wanted was to be free of the ice, safe and warm in their cabins on the Serpent. It did not matter. This was what he had promised the Council. This is what he had fought for, risked humiliation for.

He had achieved Communion with the White Pyramid, buried now in an eternally frozen city. The line of power had been caught and held, drawn through the gold rods, swirling along the golden wires, and feeding the tiny diamonds that filled the silver poles of the pyramids. Here it was changed by the gems, filtered and re-energized to flow into the chest, the power stored in the mica, gold and crystal interior.

Removing the thimbles he dropped them into his pocket then pulled clear the white lace glove, which he lifted to his lips and kissed. Tears formed in his eyes, but he blinked them away. Such displays of emotion were not seemly in the company of Vagars. As if in cosmic punishment for his mistake, one of the pyramids flickered, the light fading. The humming from the chest was subsiding.

Fighting down his panic Questor Ro kicked off the overshoes and ran to the man holding the mobile receiver. ‘Move a little to the right,’ he said, trying to keep his voice calm. ‘Gently now! Seek the line!’ The man edged to the right. Once more the pyramid glowed and the humming began. ‘Watch the pyramids closely,’ he told him. ‘If the light begins to fail try to find it again.’

‘Yes, lord. I am very cold, lord.’

‘We are all very cold,’ snapped Questor Ro, moving away. His assistant Onquer was lying on the ice. Questor Ro nudged him with his boot. ‘This is no time to be sleep­ing,’ he said. ‘On your feet!’ Onquer did not move. Questor Ro knelt alongside him. Onquer’s face was grey. ‘Stupid man,’ whispered Questor Ro. Summoning two Vagars he ordered them to carry Onquer to the silver longboat. ‘When you get him back to the ship remove his clothes and gently warm the body. Massage him with warm oils.’