more than either, the kingdom valued its honour.
And it came to pass that Lord Dreldragon heard rumour of great disaster in Argan.And he said unto his father, the great Jon Arabin:
'My lord king, is it right that we should sit in idleness while a continent entire falls to the evil of the Swarms?And his father answered him thus:
'It is written that a darkness will fall over Argan and will persist for tens of years upon thousands. Such is the fate of fair and foul alike. What can we avail against prophecy?'
That we know not until we try,' said Lord Dreldragon.
And, grim in decision, he took the battle-sword Warwolf, which had been in his family for thrice five generations, and he went forth from the Scattered Empire that he might contend with the mighty evil which was come upon Argan.
With him went the Lady Zanya, whom he had taken to be his lawful wedded wife, for she was a woman strong in decision, and there was naught beneath the stars which could daunt her courage.
And thus the two came unto Argan, where they had command of armies. These armies they led against the monsters of the Swarms. And many fell deeds were seen beneath sun and beneath stars. But, in the end, heroism availed not against prophecy, and all who survived from the wars against the Swarms retreated into Chenameg.
Now it happened that toward spring in the year Celadric 2, Lord Dreldragon and the Lady Zanya came unto the Gates of Chenameg.
The people were amazed to see them, for surely there was nobility about them. For the Lady Zanya was not as other women, but walked with the stars about her. And the wise, when they looked on Lord Dreldragon, saw that a mighty doom was upon his brow, and they knew him for the son of a king.And they asked him:'What do you here?'And he answered:T bring justice.'
But there was a rough-speaking brigand by name of Plovey who said:
'What need have we of justice when the very skies are falling? Now is the time for rape, slaughter, butchery, the rule of strength over weakness, of steel over flesh.'
And he drew a blade against Lord Dreldragon.
But the blade Warwolf availed over Plovey, and his head was buried separate from his trunk.
Now it happened that at that time great Groth, master of the hordes of evil, held the Gates of Chenameg against those who sought refuge from the Swarms. There was but one passage out of Chenameg, and that was through the Gates. For long had Groth sore oppressed the people, and Lord Dreldragon saw that his rule was an abomination.
Thus Lord Dreldragon tempted Groth with rumours of a mighty wealth to the south. And Groth rode out with a warparty. But Lord Dreldragon and those men he had rallied around him fell upon Groth in a place of ambush, and made a mighty slaughter.
Then Lord Dreldragon returned to the Gates of Chenameg with Groth as a hostage. But his lieutenants laughed, and said:
'Are we not men, even as Groth was? And can we not therefore govern in our own right?'
Whereupon Lord Dreldragon set Groth at liberty to walk amongst his ancestors.Then Lord Dreldragon said to those who held the Gates:
'Know that I am of the Favoured Blood. I am descended from a royal line, appointed by Higher Powers to rule over lesser mortals. Yield to my lordship, for your submissionis fitting.'
But those who held the Gates laughed mightily, then threw rocks, then threw worse. Therefore Lord Dreldragon said unto them: ' Very well. Hold the heights, and I will hold the flats, and there will be no war between us, for I will yield up a rich tribute daily.'
And the next day he brought a great tribute in meat and wine. And he said:
'Point to any portion, and I will eat thereof and drink thereof, that you may know it safe.'And this was done.
Then meat and drink were taken into the fortress of the Gates of Chenameg, and those within glutted themselves on the goodness, for they had seen nothing so good for many a day.
But, while they were eating, a doom came upon them, and all but a few were struck by death.
Then the Lady Zanya stepped forward and spoke in a voice of wrath to those still upon the Gates:
'Behold me, for I am a princess of Hexagon. Deep is the magic of our islands, and fell is my skill. A doom have I put upon you. Those yet standing will die before the morrow but for my mercy.'
Then those who survived surrendered, and came down from the fortress that they might receive the mercy of the Lady Zanya. And she gave them a magical wine, which brought a swift death upon them.
Then Lord Dreldragon and the Lady Zanya held the Gates in justice, and their levy on the traffic which went inland was but 10 per cent.Yet this justice was not welcomed by all.
For it happened that a band of priests came to the Gates. With them was an old man whom they named as Gouda Muck. They alleged that Muck was the High God of All Gods. And the priests disputed the right of Lord Dreldragon and his consort to live – let alone to rule.
For the priests claimed Lord Dreldragon to be the son of the Demon Hagon.'Who says?' declared Lord Dreldragon.'Gouda Muck says,' replied the priests.
'Then let Gouda Muck stand forward and declare it so,' answered Lord Dreldragon.
Then were the priests loath to permit Gouda Muck to speak. But a mob had gathered around the priests, and the mob denied choice to them.
Thus it was that Gouda Muck stood forth and spoke unto Lord Dreldragon and unto the fair Lady Zanya and unto the multitude.
And Gouda Muck gazed around in perplexity, then declared that the streets of Selzirk were passing fair, that the blossoms strewn beneath his feet were sweet, and that the thousand naked maidens dancing before him were beautiful to behold.
Then one cried from the mob that there were no maidens and there was no blossom, that Selzirk was fallen andthat the Swarms had over-run the Harvest Plains. Whereupon Gouda Muck frowned, and said: 'That man is mad! Arrest him!'
Then Gouda Muck spoke as if he saw before him first trial then execution.
And he then spoke in a high voice to people not present. He addressed the rulers of Yestron and of Dalar ken Halvar. He accepted tribute in gold and in jade from mighty men invisible to the multitude.And Lord Dreldragon declared:
'The old man is mad and has been for years. His madness is its own pardon. But as to the priests who knew he was mad, yet pretended to draw authority from him – in such men there is evil.'
Whereupon the mob fell upon the priests, and Lord Dreldragon was unable to offer them the benefits of his mercy.
And it came to pass that Gouda Muck dwelt at the Gates of Chenameg in his madness, and was fed and clothed and housed by Lord Dreldragon and his consort.For Lord Dreldragon said:
'This man's madness has wrought much evil in the world. But many things wondrous fair have passed from the world in a great destruction. Muck is not fair nor wondrous, saving in the extent of his madness, yet I lack the will to add to the world's destruction by encompassing his doom.'
And it happened that when Gouda Muck had lived at the Gates for seven moons, he died in his sleep, and was given to the mercies of the river.
Then it came to pass, after Lord Dreldragon had held the Gates for upwards of a year, that the Swarms were seen before the very fortress of the Gates.Then Lord Dreldragon said:
'They cannot pass beyond the Gates, for the cliffs are sheer, the river swift, and the path scarce fit for goats. Truly the mountains will stand sentinel here, for now and for all time.
'We have held the Gates in justice for upwards of a year, and there is no need remaining here for our strength. Therefore let us depart, for such ghosts as remain here can hold the Gates as well as we.'
Thus they departed, taking with them such food as they could carry, and such gear of war. And they endured the suffering of the Dragon Way, as others had before them.
To the borders of the Araconch Waters they went, then passed beneath the shadow of Mountain Barg, which was named in antiquity for Barglan of the Empire. And thus they passed into the Broken Lands, then followed the
