David Gemmell - Echoes of the Great Song

Upon the upper deck, above and behind the prow, he saw three large metal structures, adorned with a series of wheels and balances, and protruding like a spear from each machine was a long metal tube some two feet in diameter. Ro had no idea as to their purpose. Beyond the machines a group of men were studying charts. The men were tall, their skins the colour of copper. They wore clothes of gold and elaborate headdresses sporting metal feathers stained red and green and blue.

'How soon will they reach Egaru?' he asked Sofarita.

'/ don't know. But there are other ships to the south.'

'Show me.'

In an instant Ro found himself hovering above the familiar ice caps and glaciers where only recently he had found Communion. Five ships were anchored here. Sofarita led him inland to where a camp had been established. The newcomers had created a structure of golden poles laid flat in the shape of an octagon. At its centre lay three men — nomads by their appearance. They were dead, their chests open, their hearts ripped out.

Blood-covered crystals filled the open cavities.

There were some thirty newcomers in the camp. Despite the intense cold none of them wore furs or any warm clothing. Most were dressed in thin tunics of cotton and seemed oblivious to the glacial temperature around them. Two men caught Ro's spirit eye. One was wearing armour of gold and a tall feathered headdress.

The man beside him was shorter, and hunchbacked. Together they were scanning a map painted on hide.

'What are they looking for? asked Ro.

'I do not know. They came here two days ago and killed a group of nomads.'

'Take me closer. I want to see their map.'

Ro was now floating directly behind the tall man. The map was covered with symbols Ro could not read, which was galling for an Avatar versed in all the languages known to man.

'Why can we not bear them?' he asked Sofarita.

'These powers are new to me. I cannot read their minds either.'

A troop of soldiers came marching from the north. Ro glanced at them. These were wearing furs, and they were big men. As they came closer Ro saw that they were not men at all. They were krals, huge and lumbering.

Crossed belts of black leather adorned their chests and they carried clubs of iron. Ro saw that two of them were carrying a long pole, from which hung a nomad, tied by his hands and feet. The krals halted before the tall leader and bowed.

He stepped forward and drew a golden knife with which he cut the ropes holding the prisoner. The man fell to the ground. The leader placed his hand on the man's brow.

Noise burst into Ro's brain like sudden thunder. 'Can you hear them now?' asked Sofarita.

'Yes. A little warning would have been helpful. I almost died of fright.'

The leader was speaking to the prisoner. 'Now do you understand me? Am I speaking your tongue?' he asked.

'I hear you,' responded the prisoner sullenly. He was young, and a gash to his face was leaking blood.

'My men have seen a palace built near a lake of ice. Does it belong to your people?'

'No. It was built by the Avatars. Long ago.'

'The Avatars? A race of gods? Immortal? Undying?'

'Yes.'

'And where are they now?'

'North. The gods toppled them. The sea destroyed them. It is said they hold sway over northern lands. I do not know. I have never been there.'

'Have you seen them, these Avatars?'

'Yes. A ship came and they walked this ice. My chieftain saw them. Sold them tusker horns. Then they fight krals with magic bows.'

The leader rose and turned to the hunchback. 'Draw out his knowledge.' The hunchback knelt by the prisoner, clasping both hands on the man's head. He held this pose for more than a minute, then stood.

'It is done, lord,' he said.

The leader swung to the krals. 'Now you may have him,' he told them. Two of the great beasts dropped down.

Talons flashed, severing the prisoner's jugular and snapping through his ribs. He did not have time to scream.

'Take me back,' ordered Questor Ro.

He opened his eyes back in his chambers. 'Your powers are a gift from the Source,' he told Sofarita, then realized he was still holding her hand. Swiftly he let go — and instantly regretted it. It had been a long time since he had allowed himself such contact.

'You are a lonely man,' she said.

'You must call me lord,' he said gently. 'We will be meeting others, and if it is seen you are disrespectful there may be trouble for you.'

'You said you would help rid me of this curse.'

'First we must understand the power. And, indeed, use it. We are all in danger from these newcomers. Your new talents will be a great help to us.'

'If I help you, will you help me?'

'I will do all that I can.' Ro was surprised to find that he meant it.

Talaban worked the crew hard for two days, running the Serpent at full speed through rough water, simulating combat conditions by sharp changes of direction, swinging the ship to port, into the onrushing waves, then hurling her to starboard. Although all the ship's movements were guided from the upper cabin, there were many duties for the crew. On each side of the vessel there were hidden boxes, containing powered controls.

Some of these activated devices for preventing the Serpent being boarded. Others lifted curved shields into place to protect archers.

On the morning of the third day Talaban took Methras to the locked doors behind the prow. These too had a golden triangle, which when removed displayed a set of symbols. Talaban showed them to Methras and the two men entered.

Talaban activated a glow globe and Methras found himself staring at a large metal tube as thick as a man's thigh. It was clamped to the ship's timbers. At the base there was a large chest. Talaban slid back a panel upon it and showed his sergeant a series of wheels and dials.

'The chest contains white crystals and three large rubies,' said Talaban. 'When activated it builds up a charge of power which can be released by pulling this lever. Watch closely!' Talaban slowly turned a dial. Two sections of the wall slid back. The tube slid forward, clearing the first opening. 'At long range great judgement is called for,' said Talaban. 'But I do not believe we will be fighting at long range. The second window is used to sight the weapon. It is like a giant zhi-bow and releases a bolt a hundred times as powerful. It could pierce a city wall twenty feet thick.'

'That is indeed powerful, sir,' said Methras. 'It must take enormous energy.'

'It does. Three bolts and then the weapon needs to be recharged. We do not have the power to recharge it.

Three hits and it is gone — perhaps for ever. Therefore we have no opportunity for practice, and no margin for error. This will be your place, Methras.'

'I will not fail you, captain,' said the sergeant. Talaban looked at him closely.

'Is something wrong?'

'Not at all, sir.'

'I have noticed that you and the crew seem… more distant. Is it because of the new duties, or fear of battle?

What? Speak freely.'

'I would, sir, but I am not aware of any change. We are your Vagar crew. We live to obey your commands.

What more do you ask of us?'

'A little honesty would not go amiss,' said Talaban. 'But let us put that aside and return our attention to the weapon here. When these ships were first commissioned there were telepaths among the crew. It is a skill we have lost. One would stand with the captain, another wait below with the weapon handler. That way the captain could issue an order to loose the fire. We do not have telepaths and therefore need another signal. What I intend is to flicker the glow globe above you. The next ship you see through the aiming window will be the target.'