‘The world!' cried Huillam D'Averc in considerable relish. 'At last, at last, the world!'
Hawkmoon found D'Averc's joy infectious. 'Where do you go? To Londra or the Kamarg?'
‘To Londra, of course, at once!' said D'Averc. 'After all, a kingdom awaits me.'
'You were never a cynic, Huillam D'Averc,' said Yisselda of Brass, 'and you cannot make us think you are one now. Give our greetings to Queen Flana. Tell her we shall visit her soon.'
Huillam D'Averc bowed with a flourish. 'And my greetings, in turn, to your father, Count Brass. Tell him I shall be sitting beside his fire before long and drinking his wine. Is the castle as draughty as it ever was?'
'We shall prepare a room suitable for one of your delicate health,' Yisselda told him. She took the hand of her son Manfred and the hand of her daughter Yarmila. For the first time, she noticed that Yarmila was holding something. It was Jhary-a-Conel’s small black and white cat.
'Master Fank gave it to me, mother,' said the child.
‘Treat it well, then,' said her father, 'for it is a rarity, that little beast.'
'Farewell for the moment, Huillam D'Averc,' said Bowgentle. 'I found most interesting the time we spent in Limbo.'
'I, too, Master Bowgentle. Though I still wish we had had that deck of cards.' Again, the dandy bowed. 'And good-bye, Oladahn, smallest of giants. I wish I could listen to your boastings when you return to the Kamarg.'
‘They would be no match for yours, sir, I fear.' Oladahn stroked his whiskers, pleased with the retort. 'I look forward to your visit.'
Hawkmoon began to stride forward along the shining roadway, eager to begin the journey back to Castle Brass, where the children would meet their noble old grandfather.
'We'll purchase horses at Karlye,' he said. 'We have credit there.' He turned to his son. 'Tell me, Manfred, what do you remember of your adventures?' He tried to disguise a certain anxiety for his son. 'Do you remember a great deal?'
'No father,' said Manfred kindly, 'I remember very little.' And he ran forward, and, taking his father's hand, led him towards the distant shore.
This ends the Third and Last of the Chronicles of Castle Brass.
This ends the long story of the Eternal Champion.
About the Author
Michael Moorcock is married and has two children. He lives in London. As well as writing science fantasy and criticism, he is heavily involved with the rock band, Hawkwind.
Michael Moorcock, The Quest for Tanelorn
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