The Eyes of the Overworld by Jack Vance Read Free Book Online Page A

about Cugel’s liver, permitted no loitering, and Cugel’s only solace was the prospect of revenge. To the east were low hills; toward these Cugel proceeded, jumping from tussock to tussock, running delicately over the crusted slime. At times he missed his footing, to sprawl into mud or rotting reeds, whereupon his threats and imprecations in regard to Iucounu the Laughing Magician reached a maximum of rancor.
    Dusk held until, tottering with fatigue, he reached the slope of the eastern hills, where his condition was worsened rather than improved. Certain half-human bandits had noted his approach, and now they set upon him. A vile reek reached Cugel even before the sound of their foot-steps; fatigue forgotten, he sprang away, and was pursued up the slope.
    A shattered tower rose against the sky. Cugel clambered over mouldering stones, drew his sword, stepped into the gape which once had served as doorway. Within was silence, the odor of dust and damp stone; Cugel dropped to his knee and against the skyline saw the three grotesque shapes come to a halt at the edge of the ruins.
    Odd, thought Cugel, though gratifying — if coincidentally somewhat ominous. The creatures apparently feared the tower.
    The last vestige of twilight departed; by various portents Cugel came to understand that the tower was haunted. Near the middle of night a ghost appeared, wearing pale robes and a silver fillet supporting twenty moonstones on long silver stalks. It swirled close to Cugel, staring down with vacant eye-sockets into which a man might lose his thoughts. Cugel pressed back against the wall so that his bones creaked, unable to move a muscle.
    The ghost spoke: “Demolish this fort. While stone joins stone I must stay, even while Earth grows cold and swings through darkness.”
    â€œWillingly,” croaked Cugel, “if it were not for those outside who seek my life.”
    â€œTo the back of the hall is a passage. Use stealth and strength, then do my behest.”
    â€œThe fort is as good as razed,” declared Cugel fervently. “But what circumstances bound you to so unremitting a post?”
    â€œThey are forgotten; I remain. Perform my charge, or I curse you with an everlasting tedium like my own!”
    Cugel awoke in the dark, aching with cold and cramp. The ghost had vanished: how long had he slept? He looked through the door to find the eastern sky colored by the approach of dawn.
    After an interminable wait the sun appeared, sending a flaming ray through the door and to the back of the hall. Here Cugel found a stone stairway descending to a dusty passage, which after five minutes of slow groping returned him to the surface. From concealment he surveyed the ground, and saw the three bandits, at separate points, each hidden behind a tumbled pillar.
    Cugel unsheathed his sword and with great caution stole forth. He reached the first prone figure, thrust steel into the corded neck. The creature flung out its arms, groped at the ground and died.
    Cugel wrenched free his blade, wiped it on the leather of the corpse. With the deftest and most facile stealth he came up behind the second bandit, which in its dying made a sound of distress. The third bandit came to investigate.
    Springing from concealment, Cugel ran it through. The bandit screamed, drew its own dagger and lunged, but Cugel leapt back, hurled a heavy stone which felled it to the ground. Here it lay, grimacing in hate.
    Cugel came cautiously forward. “Since you face death, tell me what you know of hidden treasure.”
    â€œI know of none,” said the bandit. “Were there such you would be the last to learn for you have killed me.”
    â€œThis is no fault of mine,” said Cugel. “You pursued me, not I you. Why did you do so?”
    â€œTo eat, to survive, though life and death are equally barren and I despise both equally.”
    Cugel reflected. “In this case you need not resent my part in the transition