Elder Isles 2: The Green Pearl by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online

attention to detail, so at times Manting and the condemned man seemed participants in a tragic drama which set every heart to throbbing; and at last, when the latch had been sprung, or the blow struck, or the torch tossed into the faggots, there was seldom a dry eye among the spectators.
    Manting’s duties occasionally included a stint of torture, where again he proved himsef not only the adept at classical techniques, but deft and clever with his innovations.
    Manting, however, while pursuing some theoretical concept, tended to overreach himself. One day his schedule included the execution of a young witch named Zanice, accused of drying the udders of her neighbor’s cow. Since an element of uncertainty entered the case, it was ordained that Zanice die by the garrote rather than by fire. Manting, however, wished to test a new and rather involved idea, and he used this opportunity to do so, and thereby aroused the fury of the sorcerer Qualmes, the lover of Zanice.
    Qualmes took Manting deep into the Forest of Tantrevalles, along an obscure trail known as Ganion’s Way, and led him a few yards off the trail into a little glade.
    Qualmes asked: “Manting, how do you like this place?”
    Manting, still wondering as to the reason for the expedition, looked all about. “The air is fresh. The verdure is a welcome change from the dungeons. The flowers yonder add to the charm of the scene.”
    Qualmes said: “It is fortunate that you are happy here, inasmuch as you will never leave this place.”
    Manting smilingly shook his head. “Impossible! Today I find myself at leisure, and this little outing is truly pleasant, but tomorrow I must conduct two hangings, a strappado and a flogging.”
    “You are relieved of all such duties, now and forever. Your treatment of Zanice has aroused my deep emotion, and you must pay the penalty of your cruelty. Find yourself a pleasant place to recline, and choose a comfortable position, for I am imposing a spell of stasis upon you, and you will never move again.”
    Manting protested for several minutes, and Qualmes listened with a smile on his face. “Tell me, Manting, have any of your victims made similar protests to you?”
    “Now that I think of it: yes.”
    “And what would be your response?”
    “I always replied that, by the very nature of things, I was the instrument, not of mercy, but of doom. Here, of course, the situation is different. You are at once the adjudicator, as well as the executioner of the judgement, and so you are both able and qualified to consider my petition for mercy, or even outright pardon.”
    “The petition is denied. Recline, if you will; I cannot chop logic with you all day.”
    Manting at last was forced to recline on the turf, after which Qualmes worked his spell of paralysis and went his way.
    Manting lay helpless day and night, week after week, month after month, while weasels and rats gnawed at his hands and feet, and hornets made their lodges in his flesh, until nothing remained but bones and the glowing green pearl, and even these were gradually covered under the mold.

Chapter 2
    EIGHT KINGS RULED the realms of the Elder Isles. The least of these was Gax, nominal King of North Ulfland, whose decrees were heeded only within the walls of Xounges. In contrast, King Casmir of Lyonesse and King Audry of Oahaut both ruled wide lands and commanded strong armies. King Aillas, whose possessions included three islands: Troicinet, Dascinet and Scola, as well as South Ulfland, guarded his communications through the power of a strong navy.
    The other four kings varied as greatly. Mad King Deul of Pomperol had been succeeded by his son, the eminently sane King Kestrel. The ancient Kingdom of Caduz had been absorbed by Lyonesse, but Blaloc, under the rule of bibulous King Milo, retained its independence. Milo had contrived a wonderful ruse, which never failed in its purpose. When envoys from Lyonesse or Dahaut came to enlist Milo’s support, he seated them at