The Revenants Read Online Free PDF Page A

Medlo would act. Medlo, however, had listened outside the door while Pellon had been instructing the hired escort, had read over the chant of the virgins several times, and had overheard one lengthy and explicit conversation between Pellon and his mother. He had, after a time of sickened shock, realized that while the quest chanted by the virgins led to a search which might occupy his life, the quest planned by his uncle and assented to by his mother would soon leave him no life to occupy. He wrote twenty angry, bitter and heartbroken letters and burned them all. What he left, at last, was a laconic note saying that he was honoured to be going on such a quest, that all quests should be solitary ones, and that he had taken the necessary supplies.
    What he took included a seven-stringed jangle and an embroidered sash to sling it from, both gifts from a great aunt, a woman with a passion for antiques and rarities; some sausages from the smokehouse; changes of clothing; a spare pair of boots; needles and thread; a few medicines that he Knew and trusted; the transcript of the chant and the amulet from the Temple. He left in the dark hours before dawn and was well away on the northern road before either Mellisa or Pellon knew he was gone.
    When, several days later, they decided in a fit of sudden disquiet to send searchers after him, his cloak was grey with dust and he was lost among the byways of Rhees-march on his way to the meadows of Sisedge and the coast of the Sorgian Sea.

SELECTIONS FROM THE CHANT OF THE VIRGINS OF RHEES
     
    Sud-Akwith, Lord of the Northlands
    Lord of wide plains and great mountains ,
    King of the people of Lazen
    from the far sea to the deserts ,
    Prince of the people of fire…
    Sud-Akwith, with his battalions ,
    Sud-Akwith, pride overweening ,
    seeking to bring to its glory
    ancient Tharliezalor .
    Hearing no word of the warning
    minding no archivist’s caution ,
    marching on into the city ,
    ancient Tharliezalor…
    Sud-Akwith, leader in battle ,
    challenged by legions of horror ,
    serim from under the city ,
    those who do battle in silence ,
    creatures of coldness and stone…
    Sud-Akwith, Lord of the Northlands ,
    faced with defeat, all despairing ,
    praying to Firelord the Master ,
    dreamed he should rise from his night-rest ,
    ride from his camp in the dark-hour ,
    ride to the place of fire-leaping ,
    hearing the voices of demons
    tempting him with silky voices ,
    ‘Halt here, receive wealth and honour.’
    ‘Stay here, receive love of women.’
    ‘Wait, and receive life forever.’
    Sud-Akwith saying in answer ,
    ‘What wiliest thou, Lord of the Fire?’
    Firelord, in answer, heard calling ,
    ‘Strike where stone burns as thy need burns ,
    strike where the flame burns most hotly .
    Sud-Akwith, striking with spearpoint ,
    deep into fire-rock still flowing ,
    splashing his face with the fire-rock ,
    branding his face with the fire-mark ,
    Seeing the fire-rock fall open ,
    there a sword lying, hand-ready ,
    hearing the call of the Firelord ,
    ‘Carry this blade in my honour
    that for such time you prevail…’
    Sud-Akwith, Lord of the Northlands ,
    conquering all who oppose him ,
    coming to power and glory ,
    coming to old-years and pride …
    Then, comes the son of Sud-Akwith ,
    kneeling before his old father ,
    beautiful Widon the Golden ,
    praying the Lord be more humble ,
    praying the King speak of Firelord ,
    saying his father had conquered
    all by the aid of the Firelord ,
    not by the King’s strength alone…
    Then see Sud-Akwith in anger
    striking his son down before him ,
    saying his own arm had conquered ,
    calling his courtiers to him ,
    going with men and with horses ,
    far to that chasm of darkness
    men call the Abyss of Souls …
    standing in pride at the chasm ,
    flinging the sword into darkness ,
    swearing he would rule without it ,
    only to fall as it fell ,
    all at once, cold as though long-dead ,
    gone from his forehead the fire sign ,
    gone from his body the fire