David Gemmell - Echoes of the Great Song

'Every plant has its role to play, a scent to draw butterflies and aid pollination, a wide leaf to gather moisture and provide shade for the earth. And when their leaves and petals wither, they go down to the earth to feed the ground for future generations of blooms.'

His voice rang out. 'This land, this planet, is a garden. We are like plants upon it. But what kind of plants are we? Two thousand years ago an Avatar developed a script through which people could communicate without speech. Fifteen hundred years ago another Avatar discovered the link between certain crystals and sunlight.

Twelve hundred years ago three mathematicians, seeking the secrets of the stars, discovered the Great Song. Its music helped build the wonders of the lost continent. We were valued plants in the garden then, my friends. We taught the world to write and farmers how to feed the land and grow better crops. We conquered disease and finally death itself. We were like fruit trees growing from naked rock. We fed the world with our knowledge.' He paused, and scanned his audience.

'But that was then. What are we now, we innovators, we inventors, we Questors? For what do we quest?

What do we offer this garden? We stand facing annihilation, and the only argument that my cousin Caprishan can offer for joining with the enemy is that we are now so useless that we cannot possibly survive alone. We, who gave the world its civilization, cannot make a chair. We, who clothed the tribes with knowledge, cannot weave a cloth. What then is our purpose in this garden land? We are no longer fruit, nor even flowers. We are straw, long dead and dried out.

'And make no mistake, Avatars. The Almecs are the same. They do not give to the world. They take. They do not feed, they hunger. Yes, they are like us, and like us the Gardener will weed them, casting them out.

'And I have an answer to Caprishan's questions. Yes, I can grow crops, and yes, I can raise and butcher cattle.

And I have made chairs and tables and even a bed to sleep upon. No, I cannot weave cloth. But if I need to I will learn.

'I put it to this gathering that we reject the Almecs' offer.'

The audience sat in stunned silence as he returned to his seat.

Rael returned to his place in the centre. 'My thanks to my esteemed cousins. It is left now for me to speak as the Questor General. We have, through these past decades, managed to convince ourselves that the Vagars are sub-humans and natural slaves for us. We have seen ourselves as benevolent parents, overseeing a land peopled by unruly children. The first point, as I have come to realize during these past days, is a fallacy. The second is a conceit. But it is that second point on which I would like to dwell. If we are, indeed, benevolent parents, then do we allow our children to be slaughtered? I think not.

'Despite their knowledge and their advanced civilization the Almecs have descended into evil. They do not see themselves in this light, I am sure. But that is what they are, nonetheless. To join with them would be to embrace that evil, to accept its validity in our lives. I cannot in all conscience consider such an action. It is my intention to fight them, and to defeat them. If this gathering votes to join with the Almecs I shall renounce my Avatar heritage, surrender my crystals and fight alongside the Vagars.' He fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. 'This gathering is suspended for three hours to allow you all to discuss the matter among yourselves.

We will assemble again at midnight and a vote will be taken.

'In the meantime would those among you who remain soldiers of the empire walk with me to the Museum armoury.

One hundred and twelve Avatars rose from their seats. Mirani moved to stand beside him. Taking his arm she said, 'I am so proud of you, Rael. I have never loved you more than I do at this moment.'

Leaning down he kissed her. 'As long as you are beside me I fear nothing,' he said.

'Then that is where I will always be,' she promised.

The armoury was a dank cold place, windowless and deserted. Dust-laden cobwebs hung on the arches and upon the suits of armour flanking the grey walls. Dust was also heavy in the air as Rael led his soldiers down into the depths of the building. Lanterns had been lit in the stairwells and in the armoury itself, and the silver armour on display glittered in the dull red light.

'These battle suits were once worn by the royal guards of the Avatar Prime,' said the Questor General. 'They were crafted two thousand years ago and last used in the Crystal Wars.' Viruk strode to the nearest suit of armour. It had been set upon a wooden frame, the silver-winged helm perched on the top. Lifting the helm clear he brushed away the webs and examined it. It was lighter than he expected and crafted from a metal unknown to him. It had a curved visor that slid down to shield a warrior's face and a long, curved neck guard at the base. The breastplate was created using bands of silver over a leather undershirt, and thigh guards and greaves were fashioned over leather leggings.

'They are too bulky for the men to wear,' Viruk said.

T was not intending them for use in defence,' Rael told him. The Questor General climbed to a table and turned back towards the gathered men. 'The Almecs' superiority rests in their thunder clubs and the tubes which unleash the fireballs. We know that they are powered by black dust. Great amounts of it. If we can destroy that power source then the Vagars will merely be facing eight thousand warriors with swords.'

'Merely?' put in Viruk. 'And you say the Vagars will be facing. What is it you are suggesting, cousin?'

'I intend to repeat the strategy used by Banel in the last battle of the Crystal Wars.' A murmur started up among the soldiers. 'Do not speak of it aloud,' he warned them. 'We cannot know whether the Crystal Queen is observing us.'

Goray stepped forward. 'You say you intend to repeat the strategy, Rael. But what if our people vote to join the Almecs?'

'Do you think they will?' countered Rael. Goray was silent.

'Of course they will,' said Viruk. 'You think the fatted calf would vote for slaughter?'

'I am hoping that my people will act with honour,' said the Questor General.

Viruk laughed. 'I love you, cousin,' he said, 'but you have become a romantic. Fear not, I will follow you on Banel's path.'

'And I,' said Goray.

No-one else spoke. Rael looked at his soldiers' faces in the lantern light and realized that Viruk had accurately gauged the feeling of the Avatars. None of them was willing to continue the battle. Fat Caprishan stood silently at the back. 'I will not need the armour,' he said.

'None of the suits would fit you, you fat bastard,' said Viruk.

At that moment the sound of thunder echoed high above them, followed by a series of explosions that caused huge cracks to appear in the ceiling of the armoury.

'Sweet Heaven, we are under attack!' shouted Goray.

'Stand fast!' bellowed Rael. 'We are under the building here. Nothing can reach us!'

Scores of explosions sounded, one after the other, as if the world were ending above them in fire and death.

After what seemed an age the noise subsided.

Rael led his men up the stairs. They were blocked by fallen masonry. Working steadily the Avatars dragged clear the stones. Above them they could see moonlight. Rael was the first to push himself out into the ruins of what had once been the Great Library. The statue of the Avatar Prime had fallen, the head smashed into a dozen pieces. Fires were burning all around and bodies were scattered among the broken rocks.

Vagar troops appeared, led by Mejana and Pendar. Rael walked out to meet them.

'It was so sudden,' said Mejana. 'The Almecs began to move their fire tubes about two hours ago. They concentrated them then began loosing their fireballs. We thought they were attacking the walls, but every missile was aimed at the Library. There was nothing we could do.'