Elkor Alish, triumphant, made it positive and final by cutting off Comedo's head.
The rock chimney was narrow. It led almost straight up to a dark opening in the side of the mountain.
'That's the way,' said Hearst.
It led up into a system of tunnels and caves that could take them all the way to the top of Maf. From that vantage point, they could, on the morrow, command the mountain with their death-stone.
'Are you sure you remember the way?' said Miphon.
'Positive,' said Hearst, hoping.
'How do we climb up?' said Blackwood. 'We don't have a ladder.'
'Watch,' said Hearst.
And swarmed up the chimney, working with back, knees, feet, hand and hook-hand.
'If you get tired,' he shouted, before disappearing into the cave at the top, 'jam yourself in the crack, back against one wall, knees against the other.'
Blackwood and Miphon followed.
Hearst led them on, through the darkness.
It was a long, slow climb, with many twists and turnings, but at least they had the comfort of knowing that Alish could not follow them. Someone who did not know the way would soon get lost in amongst the caves and tunnels. When they got to the top, they would be safe. They would have no more worries until it was time to use the death-stone again, and take the mountain south to do battle with the Swarms.
At last, they saw ahead a glimmer of light.
'That's the dragon's lair,' said Hearst. 'Wait here, I'll go and see if it's all clear. If it is, we'll be able to get into the tunnel that takes us to the top.'
'Of course it'll be clear,' said Miphon. it's been seven seasons since the dragon Zenphos died,' said Hearst. 'That's time enough for another dragon to come here. Wait till I've had a look.'
'As you wish,' said Miphon.
'Don't take too long,' said Blackwood. i won't.'
Morgan Hearst drew his battlesword Hast and slipped forward through the gloom. Ahead of him the dragon's lair was lit by the fading light of the evening sky; they had indeed been a long time climbing up through the mountain.
Hearst saw the dragon's skeleton in the lair. So there was no new dragon living in this cave high up in the mountain of Maf. Good. He stepped into the lair.
And stopped.
And stared.
'Hello, Morgan,' said Elkor Alish. 'You!'
'Yes, me,' said Elkor Alish, smiling, i've been waiting here for some time. An interesting climb, isn't it?'
Elkor Alish had lost some of the skin of his fingertips 532 somewhere on the mountainside, but there was nothing else in his appearance to suggest he had found the climb difficult. 'Alish…'
'Here,' said Alish, drawing his sword, 'we have an ending.'
'Alish,' said Hearst, his voice low and urgent. 'We've got to talk. I have to explain. We've misunderstood each other for a long time.'
'You wish to talk?' said Alish. 'Then let steel speak to steel!'
He attacked. Hearst barely parried the attack. They broke apart, both panting already, more from the shock of combat than anything else.
'Alish!' said Hearst, in desperation. 'We were friends once!'
'Were we?' said Alish, his voice rising to a shout as he moved in for the kill. 'Were we?'
Hearst had slipped the toe of his boot under a dragon's scale. He kicked it up toward Alish's face. Alish glimpsed something spinning toward him and slashed at it. His sword shattered the brittle scale into a thousand fragments. Catching that momentary opening, the point of Hearst's sword raked across his ribs.
Alish parried a second blow.
The lighters broke apart.
'Only a scratch,' said Alish, harshly.
Hearst said nothing.
'It was good though, good,' said Alish, bringing his breathing under control. 'You've improved.' Alish moved in again.
Hearst backpaced, leaping away like a dancer.
Swords clashed, once, twice, three times. Hearst came up against one of the ribs of the dragon. He slipped in under the arch of the ribcage. In amongst the ribs, where Alish would have no room for his fanciest bladework, Hearst would have his best chance.
'There's no place to hide,' said Alish. 'This is the sword Raunen Song. The bright blade of vengeance. It's all over, Morgan. Ahyak Rovac!'
Screaming, Alish struck.
Metal rang against metal.
Alish beat down Hearst's sword and slashed for his throat. Hearst's right arm swept up. His steel hook caught Alish's blade. His own sword lunged for his rival's heart – but Alish sidestepped then backstepped, withdrawing out of reach.
'Good,' crooned Alish. 'Good, yes. You have, oh yes, my dearest Morgan, you have improved.'
His voice was soft, relaxed, silky.
Then, with a scream, he attacked, fast and furious, driving Hearst out of the rib-cage and into the open ground. Now there was no time to think, only to strike and react. Death matched death in a blur of shadow and light.
Momentarily, their blades locked, hilt to hilt. Alish spat.
And Hearst slashed him with his right-hand hook.
Alish screamed in agony. His left eye was gone, his face torn open. He took a wild swing at Hearst, who parried the blow.
'Yield,' said Hearst.
Alish swore at him.
Then attacked, striking furious blows in a berserker rage. Though Alish had lost one eye, the best Hearst could do was force him to give ground.
That he did.
Hearst started to manoeuvre Alish toward the edge of the cave. He would force Alish to step back into that gulf of air, if that was the only way to end the fight.
'No,' said Alish.
He knew what Hearst was trying to do. Hearst said nothing, but slashed and thrust. 'No,' said Alish, desperate now. 'Yield!' hissed Hearst. 'No!' cried Alish.
They were near the lip of the cave. In the air outside, Hearst saw – what? Distracted, he failed to turn a blow. Alish's blade ripped his sword-arm open. His weapon went flying. Hearst dived sideways, making a desperate attempt to recover his blade, and Alish – Screamed!
Alish screamed like the voice that will scream at the end of the world. His sword fell from his hands and clattered on the rock floor of the cave. Hearst looked up. He saw Alish in the grips of the grapple-hooks of a Neversh. Then the two huge feeding spikes drove home. Alish's body jerked. His mouth gaped open. His whole body shuddered – then was still.
And silent.
Hearst got to his knees and watched as the Neversh carried the body away into the sky. He staggered to his feet, and tottered to the edge of the cave. He almost fell, but steadied himself just in time.
He could not see where the Neversh had gone to.
