White Wolf: A Novel of Druss the Legend

someone close to me.’

Druss’s face was set, and his eyes blazed with cold fire. ‘Where do I find this Ironmask now?’ he asked.

‘Ah, this is better,’ said the Old Woman. ‘Rage and revenge are such sweet siblings. It does my heart good to feel such purity of emotion.

Ironmask is heading into the Pelucid mountains. There is a stronghold there. Be warned, though, axeman. Ironmask has seventy riders with him, hard men and ruthless. At the stronghold there will be a hundred more Nadir warriors.’

‘The numbers do not interest me. How far is this place?’

‘Two hundred miles northwest. I shall furnish you with maps. Pelucid is an ancient realm, containing many mysteries, and many perils. There are places where all the natural laws are bent and twisted. Your journey will not be without incident.’

‘Just give me the maps. I will find Ironmask.’

The Old Woman rose from her chair, and slowly straightened. Taking a long staff she leaned upon it. Her breathing was harsh, and caused the black veil to billow gently. ‘You also need to travel northwest, Olek Skilgannon. The temple you seek is in Pelucid, and close to the stronghold.

It is not easily found. You will not see it by daylight. Look for the deepest fork in the western mountains, and wait until the moon floats between the crags. By its light you will find what you seek.’

‘Can they accomplish what I desire?’ asked Skilgannon.

‘I have been there only once. I do not know all they are capable of. The priestess you will need to convince is called Ustarte. If she cannot help you, then there is no-one I know of who can.’

‘Why are you doing this for me?’ he asked. ‘What trick is there? What evil lurks behind this apparent goodwill?’

‘My reasons are my own,’ said the Old Woman. ‘You will travel with Garianne and the twins.’

‘And why would I do that?’

‘Because it would be kind of you,’ she snapped. ‘Jared also needs to find the temple. His brother has a cancer inside his head. I have held it at bay with herbs and potions, and even a spell or two. It is now beyond my skills.’

‘And why Garianne?’ asked Skilgannon.

‘Because I ask it. You have reason to both hate and fear me, Olek Skilgannon. But you also owe me the life of the woman you love. If you succeed in Pelucid you will also owe me the life of the woman who loved you.’

Skilgannon sighed. ‘There is truth in that. Although I doubt you wish me to succeed. Be that as it may, I shall take Garianne.’

‘I think she will surprise you,’ said the Old Woman. ‘And now let me fetch you the maps.’ Leaning heavily on her staff she made several steps towards an open door. Then her head turned and she stared at the silent Rabalyn. ‘What a handsome young man,’ she said. ‘Can you recite the code, Rabalyn?’

‘Yes, mistress,’ he answered. ‘I think so.’

‘Say it.’

Rabalyn glanced at Druss, then drew himself up. He licked his lips and took a deep breath. ‘Never violate a woman, nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak… I don’t remember the rest exactly, but it’s something like don’t allow money to make you evil?

The Old Woman nodded. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil. The iron code of Shadak. The simplistic philosophy of Druss the Legend. And now it is yours, Rabalyn. Do you intend to live by it?’

‘I do,’ said Rabalyn.

‘We will see.’ Then she moved away.

At first Rabalyn was pleased to be outside the ruined tavern, and back on open streets under a clear sky. The atmosphere inside had been sinister and more than a little frightening. When the ghastly face under the gauze veil had turned towards him Rabalyn had felt sick with dread.

Now, however, as the small group moved through the crowded streets, Rabalyn was less happy to be outside. He cast nervous glances at the hostile faces of the citizens as they passed. Skilgannon and Druss seemed unconcerned, and chatted quietly. The youth looked at Garianne. She was muttering to herself, and nodding and shaking her head.

They moved on, more slowly now through the mass of people, coming at last to a wider square. Here several men were standing on the back of a wagon and addressing the crowd. The words were angry, and, every so often, the crowd would cheer loudly. The speaker was railing against the iniquities suffered by the populace, and demonstrating how the rich were to blame for the shortage of food, and the anguish of the citizens.

No-one accosted the group, and they eased their way through, and out onto a wider avenue. Rabalyn moved alongside Skilgannon. ‘There is so much anger,’ said the youth.

‘Hunger and fear,’ said Skilgannon. ‘It is a potent mix.’

‘That man back there was saying the rights of the citizens had been taken away.’

‘I heard him. A few weeks ago that same man would have been blaming foreigners for their plight. In a few months’ time it might be people with green eyes, or red hats. It is all a nonsense. They suffer because they are sheep in a world ruled by wolves. That is the truth of it.’

Skilgannon sounded angry, and Rabalyn fell silent. They walked on, coming at last to the gates of the embassy quarter. Crowds had gathered here too, and they had to force their way through to the front. The gates were locked, and beyond them stood around forty soldiers, some in the red cloaks of the Drenai, others in the thigh-length chain mail and horned helms of Vagria. Beyond the soldiers were bowmen, arrows notched. The gates were tall, and tipped with iron points. On each side were high walls, but already some in the crowd had scaled them and were sitting on the top, shouting down at the soldiers.

Skilgannon tapped Druss on the shoulder. They won’t open the gates for us,’ he said. ‘If they did the crowd would storm them.’ Druss nodded agreement, and the small group eased their way back through the mob, moving off to the side to a jetty overlooking a canal. Stone steps led down to the water’s edge. Skilgannon led them down to the waterside. The angry shouting from above was more muted here, and Rabalyn sat down with his back to the stone wall, and stared out over the water. In the distance he could see more ships anchored in the harbour, awaiting their turn to be unloaded.

‘They are going to storm the gates,’ said Garianne.

‘I don’t believe they will during daylight,’ Skilgannon replied. ‘They may be angry, but no-one wants to die. They will shout and curse for a while.

That is all. Tonight may be different.’

Druss stood silently by. Skilgannon approached him. ‘You seem deep in thought, my friend.’

‘I do not like that woman.’

‘Who could? She is a malevolent crone.’

‘What did you make of what she said?’ The older man’s eyes locked to Skilgannon’s gaze.

‘Probably the same as you.’

‘Say it.’

Skilgannon shrugged. ‘She knew too much about what your friend was seeking. How? My guess would be that Orastes went to her, seeking her help, and that she then betrayed him to this Ironmask.’

‘Aye, that would be my reading also,’ said Druss. ‘Though I cannot work out why. If she hates Ironmask, why would she deliver a potential enemy to him?’

‘She is a subtle creature, Druss. She wants Ironmask dead. How better to do that than to make him an enemy of Druss the Legend?’

‘There could be truth in that. However, this is a woman who once sent a demon to kill a king. I fought that demon, and, by Missael, it almost had me. Why does she not simply send another after Ironmask? She has the power.’

‘The answer to that,’ replied Skilgannon, ‘probably lies in what she did not say. Tell me about this Ironmask. She said you met him.’