White Wolf: A Novel of Druss the Legend

EPILOGUE

USTARTE STOOD ON HER BALCONY, STARING DOWN AT THE

INNER gardens. Little Elanin was braiding small white flowers into a crown for the powerful bearded man sitting alongside her at the pool’s edge. Diagoras was silting quietly on a marble bench, watching them.

The servant, Weldi, came up to her. ‘Garianne has returned the Grey Man’s crossbow to the museum, priestess,’ he said. She nodded, and continued to gaze upon the child and the warrior. Elanin reached up and Druss dipped his head, accepting the crown of blooms. ‘Why did the voices leave her?’ asked Weldi.

Ustarte turned away from the balcony. ‘Not all mysteries can be solved, Weldi. That is what makes life so fascinating. Perhaps Skilgannon’s offer of sacrifice was enough for them. Perhaps Garianne had fallen in love with him, and that love gave her peace. Perhaps the soul of the child she is now carrying softened her need for revenge. It does not matter. She is no longer haunted.’

‘And Skilgannon does not know he is to be a father.’

‘No. One day, perhaps… Look at the child, Weldi. Is she not beautiful?’

‘She is, priestess. A rare delight. Will she be someone important to the world?’

‘She already is.’

‘You know what I mean. The two greatest warriors in the world came together on a quest to save her. They risked their lives. They battled a sorceress and a villain with magic swords. The result ought to be world-changing.’

‘Ah, yes,’ she agreed. ‘I like those romances too. The return of a golden age, the banishment of evil, the little princess who will one day be great.’

‘Exactly. Do any of the many futures show this?’

‘They show that Elanin will be happy, and will have happy children. Is that not enough?’

‘I don’t know,’ admitted Weldi.

‘In a few years’ time Druss the Legend will stand on the walls of Dros Delnoch and defy the greatest army the world has ever seen. He will do this to save the Drenai people from slaughter, and keep alive the dreams of civilization. Is this more to your liking?’

‘Ah, indeed it is, priestess.’

She smiled fondly at him. ‘And do you think Druss would find that more important than rescuing this child from a place of darkness and horror?’

Weldi gazed down at the warrior below, the absurd crown of flowers on his greying hair. ‘I suppose he wouldn’t,’ he admitted. ‘Why is that?’

‘Let me ask you this,’ said Ustarte, ‘if a hero sees a child in danger of drowning, does he need to know the fate of worlds hangs in the balance before leaping in and trying to rescue it?’

‘No,’ said Weldi. ‘But if we are playing this game, what if someone told the hero that the child was destined to be evil?’

‘A good question. What then would Druss do?’

Weldi laughed suddenly. ‘He would leap in and save the child.’

‘And why?’

‘Because that is what heroes do.’

‘Excellent, my friend.’

‘So what will happen at Dros Delnoch?’

Ustarte laughed. ‘Your curiosity is insatiable. Why not ask me what you really want?’

He grinned at her. ‘I would like to see one of the many futures. A good one, though. Nothing sad or depressing. I know you have delved them, priestess, because your curiosity is no less pronounced than mine.’

‘Take my arm,’ she said, and together they walked through the inner corridors of the temple, coming at last to a small room. Soft, golden light blossomed around them as Ustarte entered. The room was cool and quiet, and the scent of cedarwood hung in the air. There were no windows, and no furniture of any kind. Three of the four walls were of rugged red rock, the fourth was of smooth glass. Ustarte stood for a moment, staring at their reflections. ‘I will show you one possible future,’ she said. ‘No more than that. It is one that pleases me. Though it will only make you the more curious. Are you ready?’

‘I am, priestess,’ said Weldi happily.

Ustarte lifted her arm and the glass shimmered and went dark. Bright stars appeared in a distant sky, and they found themselves staring down at a colossal fortress bathed in moonlight. A vast army was camped before the fortress. Weldi peered at the campsite. ‘What are they doing?’ he asked.

‘Preparing a funeral pyre.’

‘Who is dead?’

‘Druss the Legend.’

‘No!’ wailed Weldi. ‘I don’t want to see an unhappy future.’

‘Wait!’ The glass shimmered once more, and now it was as if Weldi and the priestess were standing inside a large tent. A powerful figure stood there, surrounded by Nadir warriors. The figure turned and Weldi saw that he had violet eyes of striking power. Another man entered the tent.

‘It is Skilgannon,’ said Weldi. ‘He is older.’

‘Ten years older,’ said Ustarte. ‘Now listen!’

‘Why are you here, my friend?’ asked the violet-eyed man. ‘I know it is not to fight in my cause.’

‘I came for the reward you promised me, Great Khan.’

‘This is a battlefield, Skilgannon. My riches are not here.’

‘I do not require riches.’

‘I owe you my life. You may ask of me anything I have and I will grant it.’

‘Druss was dear to me, Ulric. We were friends. I require only a keepsake: a lock of his hair, and a small sliver of bone. I would ask also for his axe.’

The Great Khan stood silently for a moment. ‘He was dear to me also.

What will you do with the hair and bone?’

‘I will place them in a locket, my lord, and carry it round my neck.’

‘Then it shall be done,’ said Ulric.

Once more the glass shimmered. Weldi saw Skilgannon riding from the Nadir camp, the great axe, Snaga, strapped to his shoulders. Then the image faded. Weldi stood for a moment, staring at his reflection.

‘What happened then?’ he asked.

‘I told you it would only arouse your curiosity further.’

‘Oh, this is unfair, priestess! Tell me, I implore you.’

‘I do not know, Weldi. I looked no further. Unlike you, I am fond of mysteries. I am also enchanted by legends. And you know that, with all great legends, the same story circulates. When the realm is under threat the greatest hero will return. So we will leave it there.’

‘I think you are very cruel,’ said Weldi.

Ustarte laughed. ‘What else would you expect from someone who is part wolf?’

The End