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

which you now face. The question regarding hidden valuables again becomes relevant. Perhaps you have a final word on this matter?”
    â€œI have a final word. I display my single treasure.” The creature groped in its pouch, withdrew a round white pebble. “This is the skull-stone of a grue, and at this moment trembles with force. I use this force to curse you, to bring upon you the immediate onset of cankerous death.”
    Cugel hastily killed the bandit, then heaved a dismal sigh. The night had brought only difficulty. “Iucounu, if I survive, there shall be a reckoning indeed!”
    Cugel turned to examine the fort. Certain of the stones would fall at a touch; others would require much more effort. He might well not survive to perform the task. What were the terms of the bandit’s curse? “— immediate onset of cankerous death.” Sheer viciousness. The ghost-king’s curse was no less oppressive: how had it gone? “— everlasting tedium.” Cugel rubbed his chin, nodded gravely. Raising his voice he called, “Lord ghost, I may not stay to do your bidding: I have killed the bandits and now I depart. Farewell and may the aeons pass with despatch.”
    From the depths of the fort came a moan, and Cugel felt the pressure of the unknown. “I activate my curse!” came a whisper to Cugel’s brain.
    Cugel strode quickly away to the southeast. “Excellent; all is well. The ‘everlasting tedium’ exactly countervenes the ‘immediate onset of death’ and I am left only with the ‘canker’ which, in the person of Firx, already afflicts me. One must use his wits in dealing with maledictions.”
    He proceeded over the barrens until the fort was beyond vision, and presently came once more to the sea. Mounting the foreshore he looked up and down the beach, to see a dark headland to east and another to west. He descended to the beach, and set off to the east. The sea, sluggish and gray, sent listless surf against the sand, which was smooth, unmarked by footprint.
    Ahead Cugel spied a dark blot, which a moment later proved to be an aged man on his knees, passing the sand of the beach through a sieve.
    Cugel halted to watch. The old man gave him a dignified nod and proceeded with his work.
    Cugel’s curiosity at last prompted him to speak. “What do you seek so assiduously?”
    The old man put down his sieve, rubbed his arms. “Somewhere along the beach an amulet was lost by the father of my great-grandfather. During his entire life he sifted sand, hoping to find that which he had lost. His son, and after him my grandfather, then my father and now I, the last of my line, have done likewise. All the way from Cil we have sifted sand, but there is yet six leagues to Benbadge Stull.”
    â€œThese names are unknown to me,” said Cugel. “What place is Benbadge Stull?”
    The old man indicated the headland to the west. “An ancient port, though now you will find only a crumbled breakwater, an old jetty, a hut or two. Yet barques from Benbadge Stull once plied the sea to Falgunto and Mell.”
    â€œAgain, regions beyond my knowledge,” said Cugel. “What lies beyond Benbadge Stull?”
    â€œThe land dwindles into the north. The sun hangs low over marsh and bog; there are none to be found here but a few forlorn outcasts.”
    Cugel turned his attention to the east. “And what place is Cil?”
    â€œThis entire domain is Cil, which my ancestor forfeited to the House of Domber. All grandeur is gone; there remains the ancient palace and a village. Beyond, the land becomes a dark and dangerous forest, so much has our realm dwindled.” The old man shook his head, returned to his sieving.
    Cugel stood watching a moment, then, kicking idly in the sand, uncovered a glint of metal. Stooping, he picked up a bracelet of black metal shining with a purple luster. Around the circumference were thirty