Nyissa, will never submit to the overlordship of a nameless Alorn
butcher.’
And wroth was grey-bearded Eldrig, King of Cherek, and
ChoRam also and equally Rhodar of Drasnia. And Cho-Ram of Algaria
spake, saying, ‘May it not be that the memory of the emissary
of Eternal Salmissra is somewhat short? And that of the snake
woman in Sthiss Tor also? Might it not profit her to be reminded of
the consequences of offending Aloria? Let us send her the head of
this spiteful ambassador that her memory might be refreshed.’,
Then rose Mergon, ambassador of Tolnedra to the Court at Vo
Mimbre, and spake, saying, ‘Highnesses, Great Kings of the North,
much wonder have we seen here. Great Brand, Warrior without
peer, hath overthrown Dark Torak and well have we avenged the
wasting of Drasnia and the invasion of Algaria upon the hordes of
Angarak. I greet Brand in the name of his Imperial Majesty, Ran
Borune IV, Crown of the third Borune Dynasty, and extend to the
Noble Warder of Riva an Imperial invitation to come to the court at
Tol Honeth that my Emperor might honor him as befits the
foremost warrior of the West. Let us not, however, hasten into
unchangeable decisions in the first flush of admiration and
gratitude. Noble Brand, I am sure, will be the first to agree that the arts
of war and the arts of peace are in no wise similar. Seldom indeed
are the two arts linked in the same man. A battle is soon over and a
war endures not forever. The burdens of peace, however, grow
heavier with the passing of each year. Moreover, I am troubled by
this talk of Aloria. Of Cherek I have heard and of Drasnia also and
Algaria. And who hath not heard of the Isle of the Winds and the
unassailable Riva? But where is this Aloria? What are its
boundaries? where lies this mysterious land Of the North? Where is its
capital? In truth, Aloria hath not existed since the sundering which
took place in the days of Cherek Bear-shoulders and his three
mighty sons. I am disquieted by this sudden re-emergence of a
kingdom long buried in the mists of antiquity’ Imperial Tolnedra
must deal with mundane reality. We can send no emissary to the
court of the King of the Fairies. We can conclude no treaty with the
Emperor of the Moon. With earthly kingdoms only may we have
commerce. Myth and legend, however grand, may not enter into
the affairs of the Empire lest we become unsettled in our minds,
and the solid rock upon which depends the stability of all the West
become as insubstantial mist or shifting sand.
i Also, Great Kings and Lords, I am distressed by the evident
disregard of long-standing covenants and treaties I have here
witnessed. Most solemn agreements have here been breached. Many
of you have treaties with the Empire, and those treaties state most
clearly that you will have no meetings with other Kings without first
informing the Emperor of your intent. Is it wise to tempt thus the
might of Imperial Tolnedra?’
And rose grey-bearded Eldrig, King of Cherek, and spake, saying,
‘Hearken unto me, Noble Mergon. Upon this field Aloria stands
armed. We fear not the might of Imperial Tolnedra. If it please you,
you may carry news of our meeting here to Ran Borune. Cherek
vessels are swift. It is possible that I myself may be in Tol Honeth to
greet you upon your arrival.’
And Cho-Ram of Algaria rose, saying, ‘The horses of the Algars
are also swift. I too will be in Tol Honeth awaiting you.’
And Rhodar rose, saying, ‘I and my pikemen came a thousand
leagues to this field. The two hundred to Tol Honeth will not even
shake the dust of battle from our feet. I also will await your coming
in Tol Honeth.’
Then quoth Eldrig, saying, ‘We would instruct your Emperor in
geography. The armies of the Alorns assembled are invincible. The
boundaries of Aloria are where we say they are, and what we say is
to be, will be. And if we must prove this to Ran Borune and to
Salmissra, then so be it.’
Then spake the Venerable Gorim of Ulgo, saying, ‘Care must we
use here, dear Brothers, lest the Spirit of Torak rejoice at our division.
Words of spite and of warlike defiance are easy to say in the heat of
a moment. They are difficult to unsay even after years of sorrow
have proved their folly.
‘The Alorn Kings would name Brand of Riva Overlord of the West
by reason of his overthrow of the Maimed God Torak – and also by
reason that he is Alorn. Tolnedra and Nyissa would honor Brand for
his victory’ but would perhaps not wish to submit themselves to his
overlordship – because he is Alorn. Might not an accommodation be
reached, dear Brothers? Let us give Brand an Imperial Princess of
Tolnedra to wed and one third of the treasury of Nyissa as tribute if
he will withdraw from the uncomfortable eminence into which he
hath been thrust.’
‘Never,’ hissed Podiss, emissary of Eternal Salmissra.
And troubled was Mergon, ambassador of Tolnedra, and he
spake, saying, ‘Surely the Gorim of Holy Ulgo speaks in jest. The
Imperial Princesses of Tolnedra are the fairest jewels of the Empire.
Their bestowing is decided oft-times even before their birth.’
Then Brand, Warder of Riva, who had remained silent, arose and
spake, saying, ‘Peace, Brothers. No wife do I require, since she who
shared my youth and bore my children awaits me in Riva. To me she
is a greater jewel than all the princesses of all the empires of the
earth. And I require not the treasury of Nyissa – nor of any other
kingdom. What should I do with it? The walls of Riva are complete,
built by Iron-grip himself, and he it was who clave the rock that the
river might come forth to bathe the feet of the city. What need hath a
Rivan of treasure? We have one treasure already, and our race hath
guarded it with our lives for two thousand years and more. Would
you inflict another treasure upon us to guard? How many lives do
we have?
‘The honor which the Kings of Aloria would do me is beyond my
power to bear. I am quite bowed down by the weight of it. But how
might I, in far-off Riva, maintain dominion and Empire? How might
I know when the people in deepest Nyissa hungered, or the herds in
farthest Algaria perished of thirst, or the caverns in Holy Ulgo fell
down, trapping the Children of UL beneath the earth? And what of
the Gods? Will Nedra permit a son of the Bear-God to hold power in
Tol Honeth? Will Chaldan or Issa accept my Overlordship in Arendia
or in the land of the Snake-People? And what of mysterious UL? And
of Aldur, the God who stands apart? Overlordship may not be
bestowed by men, but must come as a duty hnposed by the Gods.
‘I may not, therefore, accept this honor. And must we all be wary
here lest in our seeming power we rise up to such height that the
Gods become offended with us; or, if our contentions become too
great, might we not see again the disputation of partisan Gods? And
if the Gods make war, will they not destroy the world?’
Then rose the Aged Man who had counseled the Warder of Riva
and spake, saying, ‘Great is the wisdom of Brand. Hear his words,
Oh, Kings and Lords of the West, and offend not the Gods by thine
impiety. And yet, might there not be some token of gratitude to
Brand and to Riva?’
And Gorim of Ulgo looked long at the Aged Man and knew him
and spake, saying, ‘Thou knowest, Immortal One, that Torak is
overthrown, but is not slain.’
‘Yes,’ quoth the Aged One.
‘And thou wouldst fulfill the prophecy?’ quoth the Gorim.
‘It must be,’ quoth the Aged One. ‘If we bring not the prophecies
into fruition through our own efforts, then will they come to pass in
our despite and oftentimes in strange and unseemly ways. The
outcome of the great battle is still in doubt, and I would do all that
might be done to aid the Champion of the West. If he be not
victorious – if he be slain – foul Torak will overcome the world and master
it, and all men will be his slaves.’
And the Gorim of Ulgo spake, saying, ‘The prophecy is old, and
its meaning may have been clouded by the falling of so many dusty
years upon it. Art thou certain, Immortal One, that it hath not been
twisted by some events of the distant past?’
And the Aged One spake, saying, ‘The auguries still hold true. The
prophecy is intact. He will rise and will seek out his throne, and a