«But they are evil themselves! »

«Just so. It takes a strong evil to battle a strong evil. The days not will come will be when the forces of good can overcome those of evil. They are not yet strong enough. That, as I told you, is what we must strive for.»

«And what is the other purpose of the blades?»

«That is their final purpose-your destiny. I can ten you now. I must ten you now, or let you live out your destiny unknowing.»

«Then tell me, » Elric said impatiently.

«Their ultimate purpose is to destroy this world! »

Elric stood up. «Ah, no, Sepiriz. That I cannot believe. Shall I have such a crime on my conscience?»

«It is not a crime, it is in the nature of wings. The era of the Bright Empire, even that of the Young Kingdoms, is drawing to a close. Chaos formed his earth and, for theons, Chaos ruled. Men were created to put an end to that rule.»

«But my ancestors worshipped the powers of Chaos. My patron demon, Arioch, is a Duke of Hell, one of the prithe Lords of Chaos! »

«Just so. You, and your ancestors, were not true men at all, but an intermediary type created for a purpose. You understand Chaos as no true men ever could understand it. You can control the forces of Chaos as no true men ever could. And, as a manifestation of the champion Eternal, you can weaken the forces of Chaos-for you know the qualities of Chaos. Weaken them is what you have done. Though worshipping the Lords of Chance, your race were the first to bring some kind of order to the earth. The people of the Young Kingdoms have inherited this from you-and have consolidated it. But, as yet, Chaos is still that much stronger. The runeblades, Stormbringer and Mournblade, this more orderly age, the wisdom your race and mine have gained, all will go towards creating the basis for the true beginnings of Mankind's history. That history will not begin for many thousands of years, the type may take on a lowlier form, become more beastlike before it re-evolves, but when it does, it will re-evolve into a world bereft of the stronger forces of Chaos. It will have a fighting chance. We are all doomed, but they need not be.»

«So that is what Darnizhaan meant when he said we were just puppets, acting out our parts before the true play began ...» Elric sighed deeply, the weight of his mighty responsibility was heavy on his soul. He did not welcome it; but he accepted it.

Sepiriz said gently: «It is your purpose, Elric of Melnibone. Hitherto, your life has appeared comparatively mean' ingless. All through it you have been searching for some purpose for living, is that not true?»

«Aye, » Elric agreed with a slight smile, »I've been restless for many a year since my birth; restless the more between the time when Zarozinia was abducted and now.»

«It is fitting that you should have been, » Sepiriz said, «for there is a purpose for you - Fate's purpose. It is this destiny that you have sensed all your mortal days. You, the last of the royal line of Melnibone, must complete your destiny in the times which are to follow closely upon these. The world is darkening-nature revolts and rebels against the abuses to which the Lords of Chaos put it. Oceans seethe and forests sway, hot lava spills from a thousand mountains, winds shriek their angry torment and the skies are full of awful movement. Upon the face of the earth, warriors are embattled in a struggle which will decide the fate of the world, linked as the struggle is, with greater conflicts among Gods. Women and little children die on a million funeral pyres upon this continent alone. And soon the conflict will spread to the next continent and the next. Soon all the men of the earth will have chosen sides and Chaos might easily win. It would win but for one thing: you and your sword Stormbringer.»

«Stormbringer. It has brought enough storms for me. Perhaps this time it can calm one. And what if Law should win?»

«And if Law should win-then that, too, will mean the decline and death of this world-we shall all be forgotten. But if Chaos should win-then doom will cloud the very air, agony will sound in the wind and foul misery will dominate a plunging, unsettled world of sorcery and evil hatred. But you, Elric, with your sword and our aid, could stop this. It must be done.»

«Then let it be done, » Elric said quietly, »and if it must be done-then let it be done well.»

Sepiriz said: «Armies will soon be marshalled to drive against Pan Tang's might. These must be our first defence. Thereafter, we shall call upon you to fulfil the rest of your destiny.»

«I'll play my part, willingly, » Elric replied, »For, whatever else, I have a mind to pay the Theocrat back for his insults and the inconvenience he has caused me. Though perhaps be didn't instigate Zarozinia's abduction, he aided those who did, and he shall die slowly for that»

«Go then, speedily, for each moment wasted allows the Theocrat to consolidate further his new-won empire.»

«Farewell, » said Elric, now more than ever anxious to leave Nihrain and return to familiar lands. «I know well meet again, Sepiriz, but I pray it be in calmer times than these.»

Now the three of them rode eastwards, towards the coast of Tarkesh where they hoped to find a secret ship to take them across the Pale Sea to Ilmiora and thence to Karlaak by the Weeping Waste. They rode their magical Nihrain horses, careless of danger, through a war-wasted world, strife-ruined and miserable under the heel of the Theocrat.

Elric and Zarozinia exchanged many glances, but they did not speak much, for they were both moved by a knowledge of something which they could not speak of, which they dared not admit She knew they would not have much time together even when they returned to Karlaak, she saw that he grieved and she grieved also, unable to understand the change that had come upon her husband, only aware that the black sword at his side would never, now, hang in the armoury again. She felt she had failed him, though this was not the case.

As they topped a hut and saw smoke drifting' black and thick across the plains of Toraunz, once beautiful, now ruined. Dyvim Slorm shouted from behind Elric and his bride:

«One thing, cousin-whatever happens, we must have vengeance on the Theocrat and his ally.»

Elric pursed his lips.

«Aye, » he said, and glanced again at Zarozinia whose eyes were downcast.

Now the Western lands from Taikesh to Myyrrhn were sundered by the servitors of Chaos. Was this truly to be the final conflict that would decide whether Law or Chaos would dominate the future? The forces of Law were weak and scattered. Could this possibly be the final paroxysm on earth of the great Lords of Eva? Now, between armies, one part of the world's fate was being decided. The lands groaned in the torment of bloody conflict.

What other forces must Elric fight before he accomplished his final destiny and destroyed the world he knew. What else before the horn of fate was blown-to herald in the night?

Sepiriz, no doubt, would tell him when the time came.

But meanwhile more material scores had to be settled. The lands to the east must be made ready for war. The Sealords of the Purple Ports must be approached for aid, the kings of the south marshalled for attack on the western continent. B would take time to do all this.

Part of Elric's mind welcomed the time it would take.

Part of him was reluctant to continue his heavy destiny. for it would mean the end of the Age of the Young Kingdoms, the death of the memory of the Age of the Bright Empire which his ancestors had dominated for ten thousand years.

The sea was at last in sight, rolling its troubled way towards the horizon to meet a seething sky. He heard the cry of gulls and smelled the tang of the salt air in his nostrils.

With a wild shout he clapped his steed's flanks and raced down towards the sea...