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sections of a fallen roof pillar and the floor was wet.
Facing the heavy boulder, which had borne the savage dints of Roland s furious strokes, they saw instead
a high-backed and ornate throne.
Seated there, leaning casually against a heavy design wherein men suffered at the teeth and talons of
grinning monsters, a thin black man observed them. By his dress, he appeared to be a Moor. He was
wirily bearded. His left hand held a Wand of Power, translucently glittering and ominously pointed at
them, while his other grasped the leash of a snarling creature that strained against it, as though it was mad
to leap upon them.
This strange beast was long of body and the size of a coursing hound. It was covered, as with, armor, by
a tightly joined integument of shining ebony scales, edged with brilliant poisonous viridescent rims, which,
as it writhed serpent-like, appeared and disappeared, causing it to constantly take on new configurations
in design.
Its razor-sharp claws dug deep into the carpet as it fought the restraining fingers of the master who held it
in, and its long tail lashed to and fro, slapping viciously against the throne.
It faced them and hissed like an escaping jet of steam. Its breath came to them as a putrid gust and
although it could not see the intruders, for its snaky head was covered by a leather hood, it knew well
their position. The blinded eyes were obviously following their movements, for the head swung from one
to another of the group.
Among all the transformations of the mountain meadow, one thing only remained the same. Everything
else, to Gwalchmai s eyes, was surrounded with the same hazy outline that had clothed Mairtre with
unreality until touched by the moly powder.
The unchanged article was the treasure chest. Its edges were clear and sharp and it was still filled with
precious objects.
The wizard chuckled, as his eyes followed Gwalchmai s glance.
Aintzina, robbers! he said, witfc a sardonic smile. I have been warned against your coming and now
you are here. Shall you go away again, I wonder? I believe you are the one, ruddy man, who was told to
beware of f ailing into sin, lest you fall also into a greater danger? What would you call theft? Is that sin or
no?
Gwalchmai started at that sinister mirth. The voice held the same glutinous tone he had heard coming up
from below when the elves were menaced by the Worm. For an instant, a cold evil greater than the
wizard s looked out of the wizard s eyes and it made his former mocking gaze appear like the frank
open stare of a baby.
Gwalchmai realized that the trick of possession was not practiced by Corenice alone. Was this the Lord
of the Dark Face in person, or did Oduarpa inhabit this evil being briefly for his own ends?
The wizard spoke again. The wealth is not hers to give, but mine. I give nothing that belongs to me.
Back upon your pedestal, nymph, and guard it again!
Mairtre was moving forward and Arngrim, despite his fear, tried to stop her, but Gwalchmai had already
placed himself before the creature upon the throne, just out of reach of the snarling beast
He raised Roland s sword and held it out. By the crosses upon the blade and by the relics in its hilt, I
command you to depart!
The wizard laughed and let slip a few inches of the leash. Gwalchmai held his ground.
Now shall I loose my pet upon you? Perhaps I should watch you run a little while. Come back to me,
Barbo, my sweet basilisk, you King of Serpents, and allow me to un-hood your eyes that you may gaze
lovingly upon these trespassers!
He drew the creature back and Gwalchmai took another step toward it, this time with hilt in hand. He
swung up Durandal.
The movement caught the wizard s eye and he lifted the Wand. A fury of sparks darted against
Gwalchmai, but at that instant a streaming curtain of light, as impenetrable as diamond and as transparent,
surrounded the whole group. It touched the floor tightly, circling their feet, and rose to an apex at the ring
on Gwalchmai s upraised hand.
The light surged along Durandal in cold waving ripples. The sword gleamed a noble and menacing blue.
The wizard eyed it closely and the hand that bore it. He seemed to shrink slightly into his seat. The
basilisk crouched as though to spring. He drew it gently back.
The appearance of a double identity passed from his face. Whatever had dwelt there briefly now
deserted him and departed to its own place, leaving him to face the Paladin s blade alone. He was not
daunted.
I have been entrusted to give you a further warning. Enrage my master no longer, lest your soul perish.
Be warned that he who lives longer than other men must also rest longer than others do. Remember also
that while one sleeps one is helpless and it is well that a sleeping man has no enemies.
I am not otherwise advised of your attainments or qualities, nor do I wish to learn more, but I bow to
the power of your ring. The emblem it bears is well known to me. I pray you, approach in peace and tell
me something of it and the Mage who bore it.
As he spoke, his eyes never leaving Gwalchmai s, his fingers were fumbling with the fastening of the
basilisk hood.
Corenice whispered, but Gwalchmai had already seen. Before those deadly eyes could be unveiled,
Durandal flashed down.
The reptilian head leapt from the wildly flailing neck, from which blood spouted as from a hose.
The wizard s face contorted with hate. Again the Wand swung up, but as his eyes narrowed with the
intent, the sword of Roland was midway in its sweep.
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