The Sword and the Stallion - 06 by Michael Moorcock Read Free Book Online Page A

rim of his long shield. "We have seen only this one." He nodded at Corum. "In those foul and sorcerous islands back there.'' He jerked his head in the direction of the sea.' 'The island where we beached eight good longships and ten rafts of provisions and livestock, going ashore for fresh water and meat. You will recall,' ‘ he continued, staring with hatred at Corum, "that when we left it was with but a single ship, no women or children, no livestock save our ponies, and few provisions."
    Corum said: "I assure you that you have not seen me until this moment. I am Corum. I fight the Fhoi Myore. These last weeks I have spent at Caer Mahlod. I have not left at any time. This is the first journey I have taken beyond the immediate confines of the city in a month!"
    "You are the one who came against us on the island," said the youth who had first accused Corum. "In your red cloak, with your helmet of mock-silver, with your face all pale like that of a dead thing, with your eye-patch and your laughter ..."
    "A Shefanhow," said the leader. "We know you."
    "It has been literally a lifetime since I heard that word used," said Corum somberly. "You are close to angering me, stranger. I speak the truth. You must have come to blows with an enemy who resembled me in some way."
    '' Aye! ‘ ‘ the youth laughed bitterly.' 'To the extent of being your twin! We feared you would follow us. But we are ready to defend ourselves against you. Where do your men hide?" He looked about him, his braids swinging with the movement of his head.
    "I have no men," said Corum impatiently.
    The leader laughed harshly. "Then you are foolish."
    "I will not fight you," Corum told him. "Why are you here?"
    "To join those who gather at Caer Mahlod."
    "It is as I thought." All Corum's earlier forebodings had returned and he fought to hold them off.' 'If we give you our weapons and take you to Caer Mahlod, will you believe that we mean you no harm? At Caer Mahlod you will learn that we speak the truth, that we have never seen you before and that we are not your enemies.''
    The loud-voiced youth called:' 'It could be a trick, to lure us into a trap."
    "Ride with your swords at our throats if you like," said Corum carelessly. "If you are attacked, you may kill us."
    The leader frowned.' 'You have none of the manner of that other we met on the island/' he said. ‘ 'And if you lead us to Caer Mahlod at least we shall have reached our destination and thus gained something from this meeting."
    ''Artek!' ‘ shouted the youth. "Be wary!''
    The leader turned. "Silence, Kawanh. We can always slay the Shefanhow later!"
    "I would ask you, in courtesy," said Corum evenly, "not to employ that term when you refer to me. It is not one I like and it does not make me sympathetic to you."
    Artek made to answer, a hard smile half-forming on his lips. Then he looked into Corum's single eye and thought better of his reply. He grunted and ordered two of his men forward.' 'Take their weapons. Hold your swords at them as we ride. Very well— Corum—lead us to Caer Mahlod."
    Corum derived some pleasure from the looks of shock on the strangers' faces as they rode to the outskirts of the camp and saw the expressions of concern and anger in the eyes of every Mabden who became aware that Corum and Medhbh were prisoners. Now it was Corum's turn to smile and his smile was broad as the crowd around the twenty riders became thicker and thicker until they were no longer able to advance and came to a halt in the middle of the camp, still some distance from the hill on which Caer Mahlod was built. A war-chief of the Tir-nam-Beo glared at Artek, whose sword pressed upon Corum's chest.
    "What mean you by this, man! Why do you hold hostage our princess? Why threaten the life of our friend, Prince Corum?"
    Artek's embarrassment was so complete that he blushed a deeper red than his hair and beard. "So you spoke the truth . . ."he muttered. But he did not lower his sword. "Unless this is some monstrous