best fare home to Goblinland. But we will sail openly to Carcë and
crave audience of the great King, entreating him suffer us to kiss his
toe, and acknowledging him to be our King and us his ill-conditioned,
disobedient children. So may he haply restore unto us our brother, when
he hath chastised us, and haply of his mercy send us home to Demonland,
there to fawn upon Corsus or vile Corinius, or whomsoever he shall
set up in Galing for his Viceroy. For with Goldry hath all manliness
departed out of Demonland, and we be milksops that remain, and objects
of scorn and spitting.”
Now while Spitfire spake thus in wrath and sorrow of heart, the Lord
Brandoch Daha fared fore and aft on the gangway about and about, as a
caged panther fareth when feeding time is long overdue. And at whiles
he clapped hand to the hilt of his long and glittering sword and
rattled it in the scabbard. At length, standing over against Gaslark,
and eyeing him with a mocking glance, “O Gaslark,” he said, “this
that hath befallen breedeth in me a cruel perturbation which carries
my spirits outwards, stirring up a tempest in my mind and preparing
my body to melancholy, and madness itself. The cure of this is only
fighting. Wherefore if thou love me, Gaslark, out with thy sword and
ward thyself. Fight I must, or this passion will kill me quite out.
’Tis pity to draw upon my friend, but sith we be banned from fighting
with our enemies, what choice remaineth?”
Gaslark laughed and seized him playfully by the arms, saying, “I will
not fight with thee, how prettily soe’er thou ask it, Brandoch Daha,
that savedst Goblinland from the Witches”; but straight grew grave
again and said to Juss, “O Juss, be ruled. Thou seest what temper thy
friends are in. All we be as hounds tugging against the leash to be
loosed against Carcë in this happy hour, that likely cometh not again.”
Now when Lord Juss perceived them all against him, and hot-mouthed
for that attempt, he smiled scornfully and said, “O my brother and my
friends, what echoes and quail-pipes are you become who seem to catch
wisdom by imitating her voice? But ye be mad like March hares, every
man of you, and myself too. Break ice in one place, ’twill crack in
more. And truly I care not greatly for my life now that Goldry is
gone from me. Cast we lots, then, which of us three shall fare home
to Demonland with this our ship, that is but a lame duck since this
sending. And he on whom the lot shall fall must fare home to concert
the raising of a mighty fleet and armament to carry on our war against
the Witches.”
So spake Lord Juss, and all they who had but a short hour ago
felt themselves in such point that there was in them no hope of
convalescence nor of life, had now their spirits raised in a seeming
drunkenness, and thought only on the gladness of battle.
The lords of Demonland marked each his lot and cast it in the helm of
Gaslark, and Gaslark shook the helm, and there leapt forth the lot of
the Lord Spitfire. Right wrathful was he. So the lords of Demonland did
off their armour and their costly apparel that was black with soot, and
let cleanse it. Sixty of their fighting men that were unscathed by the
sending went aboard one of Gaslark’s ships, and the crew of that ship
manned the ship of Demonland, and Spitfire took the steering paddle,
and the Demons that were hurt lay in the hold of the hollow ship. They
brought forth a spare sail and hoisted it in place of that that was
destroyed; so in sore discontent, yet with a cheerful countenance, the
Lord Spitfire set sail for the west. And Gaslark the king sat by the
steering paddle of his fair dragon of war, and by him the Lord Juss and
the Lord Brandoch Daha, who was like a war-horse impatient for battle.
Her prow swung north and so round eastaway, and her sail broidered
with flower-de-luces smote the mast and filled to the north-west wind,
and those other six fared after her in line ahead with white sails
unfurled, striding majestic over the full broad billows.
VI: THE CLAWS OF WITCHLAND
OF KING GASLARK’S LEADING IN THE ATTEMPT ON CARCË IN THE DARK, AND
HOW HE PROSPERED THEREIN, AND OF THE GREAT STAND OF LORD JUSS
AND LORD BRANDOCH DAHA.
On the evening of the third day, whenas they drew near to within
sight of the Witchland coast, they brailed up their sails and waited
for the night, that so they might make the landfall after dark; for
little to their mind it was that the King should have news of their
farings. This was their plan, to beach their ships on the lonely shore
some two leagues north of Tenemos, whence it was but two hours’ march
across the fen to Carcë. So when the sun set and all the ways were
darkened they muffled their oars and rowed silently to the low shore
that showed strangely near in the darkness, yet ever seemed to flee and
keep its distance as they rowed toward it. Coming at length ashore,
they drew their ships up on the beach. Some fifty men of the Goblins
they left to guard the ships, while the rest took their weapons. And
when they were marshalled they marched inland over the sand-dunes and
so on to the open fen; and seeing that the most of them by far were of
Goblinland, it was agreed between those three, Juss, Brandoch Daha, and
Gaslark, that Gaslark should have command of this emprise. So fared
they silently across the marshes, that were firm enough for marching so
it were done circumspectly, rounding the worst moss-hags and the small
lochs that were scattered here and there. For the weather had been fine
for a season, and little new water stood on the marsh. But as they drew
near to Carcë the weather worsened and fine rain began to fall. And
albeit there was little comfort marching through the drizzling murk of
night towards that fortress of evil name, yet was Lord Juss glad at the
rain, since it favoured surprise, and on surprise hung all their hopes.
About the middle night they halted within four hundred paces of the
outer walls of Carcë, that loomed ghostly through the watery curtain,
silent as it had been a tomb where Witchland lay in death, rather than
the mailed shell wherein so great a power sat waiting. The sight of
that vast bulk couched shadowy in the rain lighted the fire of battle
in the breast of Gaslark, nor would aught please him save that they
should go forthwith up to the walls with all their force, and so march
round them seeking where they might break suddenly in and seize the
place. Nor would he listen to the counsel of Lord Juss, who would send
forth detachments to select a spot for assault and bring back word
before the whole force advanced. “Be sure,” said Gaslark, “that they
within are all foxed and cupshotten the third night with swilling of
wine, in honour of such triumph as he hath gotten by his sending, and
but a sorry watch is kept on such a night. For who, say they, shall
come up against Carcë now that the power of Demonland is stricken in
pieces? The scorned Goblins, ha? A motion for laughter and derision.
But thine advance guard might give them warning or ever our main force
could seize the occasion. Nay, but as the Ghouls in an evil day coming
suddenly upon me in Zajë Zaculo gat my palace taken ere we were well
ware of their coming, so must we take this hold of Carcë. And if thou
fearest a sally, right hotly do I desire it. For if they open the gate
we are enough to force an entry in despite of any numbers they are like
to have within.”
Now Juss thought ill of this counsel, yet, for a strange languor that
still hung about his wits, he would not gainsay Gaslark. So crept they
in stealth near to the great walls of Carcë. Softly ever fell the rain,
and breathless stood the cypresses within the outer ward, and blank and
dumb and untenanted frowned the black marble walls of that sleeping
castle. And dour midnight waited over all.
Now Gaslark issued command, bidding them march warily round the walls
northward, for no way was betwixt the lofty walls and the river on the
south and east, but to the north-east was he hopeful to find a likely
place to win into the hold. In such order went they that Gaslark with
an hundred of his ablest men led the van, and after him came the
Demons. The main strength of the Goblins followed after, with Teshmar
for their captain. Warily they marched, and now were they on the rising
ground that ran back north and west from the bluff of Carcë to the fen.
Full eager were they of Goblinland and flown with the intoxication of
impending battle, and they of the vanguard fared apace, outstripping
the Demons, so that Juss was fain to hasten after them lest they should
lose touch and fall to confusion. But Teshmar’s men feared greatly to
be left behind, nor might he hold them back, but they must run betwixt
the Demons and the walls, meaning to join with Gaslark. Juss swore
under his breath, saying, “See the unruly rabble of Goblinland. And
they will yet be our undoing.”
In such case stood they, nor were Teshmar’s folk more than twenty paces
from the walls, when, sudden as night-lightning, flares were kindled
along the walls, dazzling the Goblins and the Demons and brightly
lighting them for those that manned the walls, who fell a-shooting
at them with spears and arrows and a-slinging of stones. In the same
moment opened a postern gate, whence sallied forth the Lord Corinius
with an hundred and fifty stout lads of Witchland, shouting, “He that
would sup of the crab of Witchland must deal with the nippers ere he
essay the shell”; and charging Gaslark’s army in the flank he cut them
clean in two. As one wood fared forth Corinius, smiting on either
hand with a two-edged axe with heft lapped with bronze; and greatly
though the folk of Gaslark outnumbered him, yet were they so taken at
unawares and confounded by the sudden onslaught of Corinius that they
might not abide him but everywhere gave ground before his onslaught.
And many were wounded and some were slain; and with these Teshmar of
Goblinland, the master of Gaslark’s ship. For smiting at Corinius and
missing of his aim he louted forward with the blow, and Corinius hewed
at him with his axe and the blow came on Teshmar’s neck and so hewed
off his head. Now Gaslark with the best of his fighting men was come
some way past the postern, but whenas they fell to fighting he turned
back straightway to meet Corinius, calling loudly on his men to rally
against the Witches and drive them back within the walls. So when
Gaslark was gotten through the press to within reach of Corinius, he
thrust at Corinius with a spear, wounding him in the arm. But Corinius
smote the spear-shaft asunder with his axe, and leapt upon Gaslark,
giving him a great wound on the shoulder. And Gaslark took to his
sword, and many blows they bandied that made either stagger, till
Corinius struck Gaslark on the helm a great down-stroke of his axe,
as one driveth a pile with a wooden mallet. And because of the good
helm he wore, given by Lord Juss in days gone by as a gift of love and
friendship, was Gaslark saved and his head not cloven asunder; for on
that helm Corinius’s axe might not bite. Yet with that great stroke
were Gaslark’s senses driven forth of him for a season, so that he fell
senseless to the earth. And with his fall came dismay upon them of
Goblinland.
All this befell in the first brunt of the battle, nor were the lords
of Demonland yet fully joined in the mellay, for the great press of
Gaslark’s men were between them and the Witches; but now Juss and
Brandoch Daha went forth mightily with their following, and took up
Gaslark that lay like one dead, and Juss bade a company of the Goblins
bear him to the ships, and there was he bestowed safe and sound. But
the Witches shouted loudly that King Gaslark was slain; and at this
chosen time Corund, that was come privily forth of a hidden door on the
western side of Carcë with fifty men, took the Goblins mightily in the
rear. So they, still falling back before Corinius and Corund, and their
hearts sick at the supposed slaying of Gaslark, waxed full of doubt and
dejection; for in the watery darkness they might nowise perceive by
how much they outwent in numbers the men of Witchland. And panic took
them, so that they broke and fled before the Witches, that came after
them resolute, as a stoat holdeth by a rabbit, and slew them by scores
and by fifties as they fled from Carcë. Scarce three score men of that
brave company of Goblinland that went up with Gaslark against Carcë
won away into the marshes and came to their ships, escaping pitiless
destruction.
But Corund and Corinius and their main force turned without more ado
against the Demons, and bitter was the battle that befell betwixt them,
and great the clatter of their blows. And now were the odds clean
changed about with the putting of the Goblins out of the battle, since
but few of Witchland were fallen, and they were as four to one against
the Demons, hemming them in and having at them from every side. And
some shot at them from the wall, until a chance shot came that was like
to have stove in Corund’s helm, who straightway sent word that when
the rout was ended he would make lark-pies of the cow-headed doddipole
whosoever he might be that had set them thus a-shooting, spoiling sport
for their comrades and dangering their lives. Therewith ceased the
shooting from the wall.
And now grim and woundsome grew the battle, for the Demons mightily
withstood the onset of the Witches, and the Lord Brandoch Daha rushed
with an onslaught ever and anon upon Corund or upon Corinius, nor might
either of those great captains bear up long against him, but every
time gave back before Lord Brandoch Daha; and bitterly cursed they one
another as each in turn was fain to save himself amid the press of
their fighting men. Nor could one hope in one night’s space to behold
such deeds of derring-do as were done that night by Lord Brandoch Daha,
that played his sword lightly as one handleth a willow wand; yet death
sat on the point thereof. In such wise that eleven stout sworders of
Witchland were slain by him, and fifteen besides were sorely wounded.
And at the last, Corinius, stung by Corund’s taunts as by a gadfly,
and well nigh bursting for grief and shame at his ill speeding, leapt
upon Lord Brandoch Daha as one reft of his wits, aiming at him a great
two-handed blow that was apt enough to cleave him to the brisket. But
Brandoch Daha slipped from the blow lightly as a kingfisher flying
above an alder-shadowed stream avoideth a branch in his flight, and
ran Corinius through the right wrist with his sword. And straight was
Corinius put out of the fight. Nor had they greater satisfaction that
went against Lord Juss, who mowed at them with great swashing blows,
beheading some and hewing some asunder in the midst, till they were
fain to keep clear of his reaping. So fought the Demons in the glare
and watery mist, greatly against great odds, until all were smitten to
earth save those two lords alone, Juss and Brandoch Daha.
Now stood King Gorice on the outer battlements of Carcë, all armed in
his black armour inlaid with gold; and he beheld those twain how they
fought back to back, and how the Witches beset them on every side yet
nowise might prevail against them. And the King said unto Gro that was
by him on the wall, “Mine eyes dazzle in the mist and torchlight. What
be these that maintain so bloody an advantage upon my kemperie-men?”
Gro answered him, “Surely, O King, these be none other than Lord Juss
and Lord Brandoch Daha of Krothering.”
The King said, “So by degrees cometh my sending home to me. For by my
art I have intelligence, albeit not certainly, that Goldry was taken
by my sending; so have I my desire on him I hold most in hate. And
these, saved by their enchantments from like ruin, have been driven mad
to rush into the open mouth of my vengeance.” And when he had gazed
awhile, the King sneered and said unto Gro, “A sweet sight, to behold
an hundred of my ablest men flinch and duck before these twain. Till
now methought there was a sword in Witchland, and methought Corinius
and Corund not simple braggarts without power or heart, as here
appeareth, since like boys well birched they do cringe from the shining
swords of Juss and the vile upstart from Krothering.”
But Corinius, who stood no longer in the battle but by the King, full
of spleen and his wrist all bloody, cried out, “You do us wrong, O
King. Juster it were to praise my great deed in ambushing this mighty
company of our enemies and putting them all to the slaughter. And if
I prevailed not against this Brandoch Daha your majesty needs not to
marvel, since a greater than I, Gorice X. of memory ever glorious,
was lightly conquered by him. Wherein methinks I am the luckier, to
have but a gored wrist and not my death. As for these twain, they be
stick-frees, on whom no point or edge may bite. And nought were more to
be looked for, since we deal with such a sorcerer as this Juss.”
“Rather,” said the King, “are ye all grown milksops. But I have no
further stomach for this interlude, but straight will end it.”
Therewith the King called to him the old Duke Corsus, bidding him take
nets and catch the Demons therein. And Corsus, faring forth with nets,
by sheer weight of numbers and with the death of near a score of the
Witches at length gat this performed, and Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch
Daha well tangled in the nets, and lapped about as silkworms in their
cocoons, and so drawn into Carcë. Soundly were they bumped along the
ground, and glad enow were the Witches to have gotten those great
fighters scotched at last. For utterly spent were Corund and his men,
and fain to drop for very weariness.
So when they were gotten into Carcë, the King let search with torches
and bring in them of Witchland that lay hurt before the walls; and any
Demons or Goblins that were happed upon in like case he let slay with
the sword. And the Lord Juss and the Lord Brandoch Daha, still lapped
tightly in their nets, he let fling into a corner of the inner court of
the palace like two bales of damaged goods, and set a guard upon them
until morning.
As the lords of Witchland were upon going to bed they beheld westward
by the sea a red glow, and tongues of fire burning in the night.
Corinius said unto Lord Gro, “Lo where thy Goblins burn their ships,
lest we pursue them as they flee shamefully homeward in the ship they
keep from the burning. One ship sufficeth, for most of them be dead.”
And Corinius betook him sleepily to bed, pausing on the way to kick at
the Lord Brandoch Daha, that lay safely swathed in his net powerless as
then to do him harm.
VII: GUESTS OF THE KING IN CARCË
OF THE TWO BANQUET HALLS THAT WERE IN CARCË, THE OLD AND THE NEW,
AND OF THE ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN BY KING GORICE XII. IN THE ONE
HALL TO LORD JUSS AND LORD BRANDOCH DAHA AND IN THE OTHER
TO THE PRINCE LA FIREEZ; AND OF THEIR LEAVE-TAKING WHEN THE
BANQUET WAS DONE.
The morrow of that battle dawned fair on Carcë. Folk lay long abed
after their toil, and until the sun was high nought stirred before the
walls. But toward noon came forth a band sent by King Gorice to bring
in the spoil; and they took up the bodies of the slain and laid them
in howe on the right bank of the river Druima half a mile below Carcë,
Witches, Demons, and Goblins in one grave together, and raised up a
great howe over them.
Now was the sun’s heat strong, but the shadow of the great keep
rested still on the terrace without the western wall of the palace.
Cool and redolent of ease and soft repose was that terrace, paved
with flagstones of red jasper, with spleenwort, assafoetida, livid
toadstools, dragons’ teeth, and bitter moon-seed growing in the joints.
On the outer edge of the terrace were bushes of arbor vitae planted in
a row, squat and round like sleeping dormice, with clumps of choke-pard
aconite in the interspaces. Many hundred feet in length was the terrace
from north to south, and at either end a flight of black marble steps
led down to the level of the inner ward and its embattled wall.
Benches of green jasper massily built and laden with velvet cushions
of many colours stood against the palace wall facing to the west, and
on the bench nearest the Iron Tower a lady sat at ease, eating cream
wafers and a quince tart served by her waiting-women in dishes of pale
gold for her morning meal. Tall was that lady and slender, and beauty
dwelt in her as the sunshine dwells in the red floor and gray-green
trunks of a beech wood in early spring. Her tawny hair was gathered
in deep folds upon her head and made fast by great silver pins, their
heads set with anachite diamonds. Her gown was of cloth of silver with
a knotted cord-work of black silk embroidery everywhere decked with
little moonstones, and over it she wore a mantle of figured satin the
colour of the wood-pigeon’s wing, tinselled and overcast with silver
threads. White-skinned she was, and graceful as an antelope. Her eyes
were green, with yellow fiery gleams. Daintily she ate the tart and
wafers, sipping at whiles from a cup of amber, artificially carved,
white wine cool from the cellars below Carcë; and a maiden sitting at
her feet played on a seven-stringed lute, singing very sweetly this
song:
Aske me no more where Jove bestowes,
When June is past, the fading rose;
For in your beautie’s orient deepe,
These flowers, as in their causes, sleepe.
Aske me no more whether doth stray
The golden atomes of the day;
For in pure love heaven did prepare
Those powders to inrich your haire.
Aske me no more whether doth hast
The nightingale when May is past;
For in your sweet dividing throat
She winters and keepes warme her note.
Aske me no more where those starres light,
That downewards fall in dead of night;
For in your eyes they sit, and there
Fixed become as in their sphere.
Aske me no more if east or west
The Phenix builds her spicy nest;
For unto you at last shee flies,
And in your fragrant bosome dyes.
“No more,” said the lady; “thy voice is cracked this morning. Is none
abroad yet thou canst find to tell me of last night’s doings? Or are
all gone my lord’s gate, that I left sleeping still as though all the
poppies of all earth’s gardens breathed drowsiness about his head?”
“One cometh, madam,” said the damosel.
The lady said, “The Lord Gro. He may resolve me. Though were he in the
stour last night, that were a wonder indeed.”
Therewith came Gro along the terrace from the north, clad in a mantle
of dun-coloured velvet with a collar of raised work of gold upon silver
purl; and his long black curly beard was perfumed with orange-flower
water and angelica. When they had greeted one another and the lady had
bidden her women stand apart, she said, “My lord, I thirst for tidings.
Recount to me all that befell since sundown. For I slept soundly till
the streaks of morning showed through my chamber windows, and then
I awoke from a flying dream of sennets sounding to the onset, and
torches in the night, and war’s alarums. And there were torches indeed
in my chamber lighting my lord to bed, that answered me no word but
straightway fell asleep as in utter weariness. Some slight scratches he
hath, but else unhurt. I would not wake him, for balm is in slumber;
also is he ill to do with if one wake him so. But the tattle and wild
surmise of the servants bloweth as ever to all points of wonder: as
that a great armament of Demonland is disembarked at Tenemos, and
all routed last night by my lord and by Corinius, and Goldry Bluszco
slain in single combat with the King. Or that Juss hath set a charm
on Laxus and all our fleet, making them sail like parricides against
this land, Juss and the other Demons leading them; and all slain save
Laxus and Goldry Bluszco, but these brought bound into Carcë, stark
mad and frothing at the lips, and Corinius dead of his wounds after
slaying of Brandoch Daha. Or, foolishly,” and her green eyes lightened
dangerously, “that it was my brother risen in revolt to wrest Pixyland
from the overlordship of Gorice, and joined with Gaslark to that end,
and their army overthrown and both ta’en prisoner.”
Gro laughed and said, “Surely, O my Lady Prezmyra, truth masketh in
many a strange disguise when she rideth rumour’s broomstick through
kings’ palaces. But somewhat of herself hath she shown thee, if thou
conclude that an event was brought to birth betwixt dark and sunrise to
stagger the world, and that the power of Witchland bloomed forth this
night into unbeholden glory.”
“Thou speakest big, my lord,” said the lady. “Were the Demons in it?”
“Ay, madam,” he said.
“And triumphed on? and slain?”
“All slain save Juss and Brandoch Daha, and they taken,” said Gro.
“Was this my lord’s doing?” she asked.
“Greatly, as I think,” said Gro; “though Corinius claimeth for himself,
as commonly, the main honour of it.”
Prezmyra said, “He claimeth overmuch.” And she said, “There were none
in it save Demons?”
Gro, knowing her thought, smiled and made answer, “Madam, there were
Witches.”