ECHOES OF THE GREAT SONG by David A. Gemmell

‘What future would we have if this woman did – in the unlikely event of a war against the newcomers – help us to victory? The Avatars would have been rescued by a member of an inferior species. Why then should they accept our domination? I agree with Caprishan. The woman should be crystal-drawn.’

Once more Ro leapt to his feet. ‘Questor General, I appeal to you! You have seen her power and the might of the enemy. This is a military matter and should not be decided by vote.’

Rael sat back and was silent for a moment. Then he too rose. ‘We rule,’ he said, ‘through a mixture of fear and awe and selfishness. The Vagars know that we have mighty weapons and are almost immortal. They know also that to live in the five cities, under our control, means good food, high wages, and a standard of life unknown in the outer lands. Each of these three – fear, awe and self-interest – is vital to the other. But by far the most important are the first two. The moment the Vagars cease to fear the Avatar they will rise against us and we will be swamped. If they see that one of their own has power in excess of ours they will no longer hold us in such awe. Then they will question why they should fear us.

‘I accept what Questor Ro puts forward. The woman would be a powerful weapon for us. But I must agree with Councillors Caprishan and Niclin that, in our own best interests, she should be crystal-drawn forthwith.’

A cold anger settled on Sofarita. Returning to her body she opened her eyes. Her hands were trembling with suppressed fury. She felt the eyes of the guards upon her. Sofarita looked up. ‘I am leaving,’ she said.

Rising smoothly she walked towards the door. One of the guards stepped into her path. It was the man who had pictured her naked and dreamed of bedding her. His hand closed on her arm. He screamed as his fingers wrenched back and snapped. Falling back from her he scrabbled for the knife in the bronze sheath at his side. Both his legs gave way, the bones of his thighs cracking and splitting. Sofarita walked on. The second guard ran at her. She swung and raised her hand. He stopped two feet short, as if slamming into a wall. ‘Not one of you Blue-hairs will ever touch me again,’ she told him. He struggled to move forward.

At that moment the Council Chamber doors swung open and the Questor General ran out, closely followed by Ro and several other councillors. Sofarita stood her ground.

‘You are fools,’ she said. ‘I offered you my aid, and you sought to kill me. As Ro said you now face the greatest danger of your lives. The newcomers – the Almecs – will behave just as you do. Think of it, you stupid men! One came to you who had power. Did you greet me with open arms and ask for friendship? No. You decided to destroy me. The Almecs will be exactly the same. You will say to them, “But we have power just like you.” And they will see that it is true. And they will set out to destroy you. They will say, “Yes, they have power, but they are not Almecs.”‘ Sofarita looked into the eyes of the Questor General. ‘You know that I speak the truth. I read it in your thoughts. And you!’ she said, stabbing a finger towards Niclin. ‘You sought to have me killed merely to annoy Questor Ro. You are doubly an idiot. Know this, I could kill you all. But I shall not. The Almecs will do that.’ She swung again to Rael. ‘You spoke of awe and fear. I do not hold you in awe, and you should learn to fear me!’ The guard with the broken bones cried out. His legs were twisted grotesquely and one thigh bone had pierced the flesh. Blood had stained his leggings and was flowing to the lush green rug beneath him. Sofarita turned her back upon the silent councillors and strode out of the hall.