The Oak and the Ram - 04 by Michael Moorcock Read Free Book Online

friend, I must tell you that my masters, while apparently stupid in some matters, have a proper regard for this place. They would not come an inch within the outer circle. Your journey has been for nothing." Gaynor laughed his bleak laugh. "Only once were your Sidhi ancestors successful in luring their foes to this place. Only once did Fhoi Myore warriors find themselves engulfed and drawn back to Limbo. And that was many centuries ago. Beastlike, the remaining Fhoi Myore keep a safe distance from Craig Don, barely realizing why they do so."
    "They would not rather return to their own Realm?"
    ' 'They do not understand that that is where they would go. And it is scarcely in the interest of those, like me, who do know, to try to communicate this knowledge to them. I have no wish to be abandoned here without their protecting power?"
    "So," said Corum as if to himself, "my journey has been fruitless."
    ' 'Aye. Moreover, I think it unlikely you'll return to Caer Mahlod alive. When I go back to Caer Llud I shall tell them I have seen their Sidhi foe. Then all the Hounds will come. All the Hounds, Corum. I suggest you remain here, where you are safe." Gaynor laughed again. "Stay in this sanctuary. There is nowhere else in this land that you can escape the Fhoi Myore and the Hounds of Kerenos.''
    "But," replied Corum, pretending to miss Gaynor's meaning, "we have food only for a little while. We should starve here, Gaynor."
    ' 'Possibly,'' said Gaynor with evident relish.' 'On the other hand I could come from time to time with food-—when it pleased me. You could live for years, Corum. You could experience something of what I felt while I enjoyed my banishment in Limbo."
    "So that is what you hope for. That is why you did not harry us on our way here!" Jhary-a-Conel began to descend the hill, drawing one of his curved blades.
    "No!" Corum cried out to his friend. "You cannot harm him, Jhary, but he can slay you!"
    "It will be pleasant," Gaynor said, retreating slowly as Jhary came to a reluctant stop. "It will be pleasant to see you squabbling for the scraps I bring. It will be pleasant to see your friendship die as hunger grows. Perhaps I'll bring you a hound's corpse—one that you slew, Jhary-a-Conel, eh? Would that be tasty? Or perhaps you will begin to find human flesh wholesome. Which one of you will first begin to desire to slay and eat the other?"
    "This is an ignoble vengeance that you take, Gaynor," said Corum.
    ' 'It was an ignoble fate you sent me to, Corum. Besides, I do not claim nobility of spirit. That is your province, is it not?"
    Gaynor turned, and his step was almost light as he walked away from them.
    "I will leave the dogs," he said. "I am sure you'll appreciate their company."
    Corum watched Gaynor until he had reached the outer circle and climbed onto his horse. The wind made a low sound in the distance, a melancholy murmuring, as if it wished to enter the seven stone rings but could not.
    "So," said Corum musingly, "we have gained something from the encounter. Craig Don is more than a holy place. It is a place of great power—an opening between the Fifteen Realms, perhaps—or even more. We were right to be reminded of Tanelorn, Jhary-a-Conel. But how is the gateway formed? What ritual opens it? Perhaps the High King will know."
    "Aye," said Jhary, "we have, as you say, gained something, Corum. But we have lost something, too. How are we to reach the High King now? Listen."
    And Corum listened, and he heard the ferocious baying of the frightful Hounds of Kerenos as they ranged about the outer stone circle. If they rode from the sanctuary of Craig Don, the dogs would instantly be upon them.
    Corum frowned and he shivered as he drew his fur cloak about him. He squatted by the altar while Jhary-a-Conel paced back and forth and the horses snorted nervously as they pricked their ears and heard the hounds. It seemed to become colder as the evening settled upon the place of the seven stone circles. Craig Don's