bl.necroscope2-第40章

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sheer　as　these。　Fool　that　I　was…the　Ferenczy　was　no　mere　man！
　And　there　he　was：　flat　to　the　wall；　making　his　way　agonisingly　slowly；　like　a　great　lizard；　up　the　stonework。　A　lizard；　aye；　for　his　hands　and　feet　were　huge　as　banquet　platters　and　sucked　where　they　slapped　the　walls！　Horrified　to　my　roots；　I　stared　harder　in　the　dark。　He　had　not　yet　seen　me。　He　grunted　quietly　and　his　huge　disc　of　a　hand　made　a　quagmire　sound　where　it　left　the　wall　and　groped　upward。　His　fingers　were　long　as　daggers　and　webbed　between。　Hands　like　that　would　pull　a　man's　flesh　from　his　bones　as　if　they　were　plucking　a　chicken！
　I　looked　wildly　about。　The　bubbling　cauldrons　of　oil　were　positioned　at　the　ends　of　the　span；　where　the　great　hall　joined　the　towers。　Rightly　so；　for　who　would　suppose　that　a　man　could　crawl　under　the　flying　buttresses　and　e　up　that　way；　with　nothing　but　the　gorge　and　certain　death　beneath　him？
　I　flew　to　the　closest　cauldron；　laid　my　hands　on　its　rim。　Agony！　The　metal　was　hot　as　hell。
　I　took　my　sword　belt　and　passed　it　through　the　metal　framework　of　the　tilting　engine；　then　dragged　device　and　cauldron　and　all　back　the　way　I　had　e。　Oil　splashed　and　drenched　my　boot；　one　foot　of　the　tilting　bench　went　through　a　rotten　plank　and　I　must　pause　to　free　it；　the　entire　contraption　jerked　and　shuddered　through　friction　with　the　planking；　so　that　I　knew　Faethor　must　hear　me　and　guess　what　I　was　about。　But　finally　I　had　the　cauldron　above　the　spot　where　I　had　seen　him。
　I　glanced　fearfully　over　the　parapet…and　a　great　groping　sucker　hand　came　up　over　the　rim；　missed　my　face　by　inches；　slapped　down　and　gripped　the　coping　of　the　wall！
　How　I　gibbered　then！　I　threw　myself　on　to　the　tilting　device；　turned　the　handle　furiously；　and　saw　the　cauldron　bearing　over　towards　the　wall。　Oil　spilled　and　ran　down　the　cauldron's　side。　It　met　the　hot　brazier　and　caught　fire；　my　boot　went　up　in　flames。　The　Ferenczy's　face　came　up　over　the　rim　of　the　parapet。　His　eyes　reflected　the　leaping　flames。　His　teeth；　whole　again；　were　gleaming　white　slivers　of　bone　in　his　gaping　jaws；　with　that　flickering　abomination　of　a　tongue　slithering　over　them。
　Shrieking；　I　worked　at　the　handle。　The　cauldron　tilted；　slopped　a　sea　of　blazing　oil　towards　him。
　〃NO！〃　he　croaked；　his　voice　a　broken　bell。　〃NO…NO　…NOOOOOO！〃
　The　blue　and　yellow　fire　paid　him　no　heed；　ignored　his　cry　of　terror。　It　washed　over　him；　lit　him　like　a　torch。　He　wrenched　his　hands　from　the　wall　and　reached　for　me；　but　I　fell　back　out　of　harm's　way。　Then　he　screamed　again；　and　launched　himself　from　the　wall　into　space。
　I　watched　the　fireball　curving　down　into　darkness　and　turning　it　day　bright；　and　all　the　while　the　Ferenczy's　scream　echoed　back　up　to　me。　His　myriad　minion　bats　flocked　to　him　mid…flight；　dashing　their　soft　bodies　against　him　to　quell　the　flames；　but　the　rush　of　air　thwarted　them。　A　torch；　he　fell；　and　his　scream　was　a　rusty　blade　on　the　ends　of　my　nerves。　Even　blazing；　he　tried　to　form　a　wing　shape；　and　I　heard　again　that　rending　and　crackling　sound。　Ah；　what　sweet　agony　that　must　have　caused　him；　with　his　crisp　skin　splitting　instead　of　stretching；　and　the　burning　oil　getting　into　the　cracks！
　Even　so；　he　half…succeeded；　began　to　glide　as　before；　and　as　before　struck　a　tree　and　so　went　spinning　and　crashing　through　the　pines　and　out　of　sight。
　He　left　a　few　sparks　and　scraps　of　fire　drifting　on　the　air；　and　a　host　of　scorched　bats　skittering　crippled　against　the　moon；　and　a　lingering　odour　of　roasted　flesh。　And　that　was　all。
　Still　I　wasn't　satisfied　that　he　was　dead；　but　I　was　satisfied　that　he　wouldn't　be　back　that　night。　It　was　now　time　to　celebrate　my　triumph。
　I　doused　the　fire　where　it　had　taken　hold　of　dry　timbers；　shut　down　the　burning　braziers；　and　went　wearily　to　Faethor's　living　quarters。　There　was　good　wine　there　which　I　sipped　warily；　then　gulped　heartily。　I　spitted　pheasants；　sliced　an　onion；　nibbled　on　dry　bread　and　swilled　wine　until　the　birds　were　done。　And　then　I　dined　royally。　It　was　a　good　meal；　aye；　and　my　first　in　a　long　time；　and　yet。。。　it　lacked　something。　I　couldn't　say　just　what。　Fool；　I　still　thought　of　myself　as　a　man。　In　other　ways；　however；　I　still　was　a　man！
　I　took　a　stone　jar　of　proven　wine　with　me　and　went　unsteadily　to　the　lady　in　the　locked　room。　She　did　desire　to　receive　me；　but　I　was　in　no　mood　for　arguments。　I　took　her　again　and　again；　in　as　many　ways　as　entered　my　head；　so　I　entered　her。　Only　when　she　was　exhausted　and　slept　did　I；　too；　sleep。
　And　so　the　castle　of　Faethor　Ferenczy　became　mine。　。
　
　
　Chapter　Ten
　Harry　Keogh's　nimbus　of　blue　fire　burned　bright　in　the　stirless　glade　over　Thibor's　tumbled　mausoleum；　and　Keogh's　incorporeal　mind　was　aware　of　the　passage　of　time。　In　the　M？bius　continuum　time　was　a　very　nearly　meaningless　concept；　but　here　in　the　first　low　foothills　of　the　Carpatii　Meridionali　it　was　very　real；　and　still　the　dead　vampire's　tale　was　not　pletely　told。　The　important　part…for　Harry；　and　for　Alec　Kyle　and　INTESP　…was　still　to　e；　but　Harry　knew　better　than　to　ask　directly　for　the　information　he　desired。　He　could　only　press　Thibor　to　the　bitter　end。
　〃Go　on；〃　he　urged；　when　the　vampire's　pause　threatened　to　stretch　indefinitely。
　What？　Go　on？　Thibor　seemed　mildly　surprised。　But　what　more　is　there？　My　tale　is　told。
　〃Still；　I'd　like　to　hear　the　rest　of　it。　Did　you　stay　in　the　castle　as　Faethor　had　manded；　or　did　you　return　to　Kiev？　You　ended　your　days　in　Wallachia；　right　here；　in　these　cruciform　hills。　How　did　that　e　about？〃
　Thibor　sighed。　Surely　it　is　now　time　for　you　to　tell　me　certain　things。　We　made　a　bargain；　Harry。
　I　warned　you；　Harry　Keogh！　the　spirit　of　Boris　Dragosani　joined　in；　sharper　than　that　of　Thibor。　Never　bargain　with　a　vampire。　For　there's　always　the　devil　to　pay。　。
　Dragosani　was　right；　Harry　knew。　He'd　heard　of　Thibor's　cunning　from　the　very　horse's　mouth：　it　had　taken　no　small　amount　of　guile　to　defeat　Faethor　Ferenczy。　〃A　deal　is　a　deal；〃　he　said。　〃When　Thibor　has　delivered；　so　shall　I。　Now　e　on；　Thibor；　let's　have　the　rest　of　the　story。〃
　So　be　it；　he　said。　This　is　how　it　was。
　
　Something　brought　me　awake。　I　thought　I　heard　the　rending　of　timber。　My　mind　and　body　were　dull　from　the　night's　excesses…all　of　the　night's　excesses；　of　which　Faethor　had　only　been　the　first…but　nevertheless　I　stirred　myself　up。　I　lay　naked　on　the　lady's　couch。　Smiling　strangely；　she　approached　from　the　direction　of　the　locked　door；　her　hands　clasped　behind　her　back。　My　dull　mind　saw　nothing　to　fear。　If　she　had　sought　to　escape　she　could　easily　have　taken　the　key　from　my　clothes。　But　as　I　made　to　sit　up　her　expression　changed；　became　charged　with　hatred　and　lust。　Not　the　human　lust　of　last　night　but　the　inhuman　lust　of　the　vampire。　Her　hands　came　into　view；　and　clasped　in　one　of　them　was　a　splinter　of　oak　ripped　from　the　shattered　door　panel。　A　sharp　knife　of　hardwood！
　〃You'll　put　no　stake　through　my　heart；　lady；〃　I　told　her；　knocking　the　splinter　from　her　hand　and　sending　her　flying。　While　she　hissed　and　snarled　at　me　from　a　corner　I　dressed；　went　out；　and　locked　the　door　behind　me。　I　must　be　more　careful　in　future。　She　could　easily　have　slipped　away　and　unbarred　the　castle's　door　for　Faethor…if　he　still　lived。　Obviously　she'd　been　more　intent　on　putting　an　end　to　me　than　on　seeing　to　his　well…being。　Her　master　he　may　have　been；　but　that　wasn't　to　say　she'd　relished　it！
　I　checked　the　castle's　security。　All　stood　as　before。　I　looked　in　on　Ehrig　and　the　other　woman。　At　first　I　thought　they　were　fighting；　but　they　were　not　。　。
　Then　I　went　up　onto　the　battlements。　A　weak　sun　peered　through　dark；　drifting　clouds　heavy　with　rain。　I　thought　the　sun　frowned　on　me。　Certainly　I　did　not　enjoy　the　sensation　of　its　feeble　rays　on　my　naked　arms　and　neck；　and　in　a　very　little　while　I　was　glad　to　return　indoors。　And　now　I　found　myself　with　time　on　my　hands；　which　I　put　to　use　exploring　the　castle　more　fully　than　before。
　I　searched　for　loot　and　found　it：　some　gold；　very　ancient；　in　plate　and　goblets；　a　pouch　of　gems；　a　small　chest　of　rings；　necklaces；　bangles　and　such　in　precious　metals。　Enough　to　keep　me　in　style　for　an　entire　lifetime。　A　normal　lifetime；　anyway。　As　for　the　rest：　empty　rooms；　rotten　hangings　and　wormy　furniture；　a　general　air　of　gloom　and　decay。　It　was　oppressive；　and　I　determined　to　be　on　my　way　as　soon　as　possible。　But　first　I　would　like　to　be　sure　that　the　Ferenczy　was　not　lying　in　wait。
　In　the　evening　I　dined　and　drowsed　in　front　of　a　fire　in　Faethor's　quarters。　But　as　night　drew　on　it　brought　thoughts　to　disturb　and　niggle　in　the　back　of　my　mind；　disquieting　ideas　which　would　not　surface。　The　wolves　were　aprowl　again；　but　their　howling　seemed　dismal；　distant。　There　were　no　bats。　The　fire　lulled　me　。
　Thibor；　my　son；　said　a　voice。　Be　on　your　guard！
　I　started　awake；　leaped　to　my　feet；　snatched　up　my　sword。
　Oh？　Ha；　ha；　ha！　that　same　voice　laughed…but　no　one　was　there！
　〃Who　is　it？〃　I　cried；　knowing　who　it　was。　〃e　out；　Faethor；　for　I　know　you're　here！〃
　You　know　nothing。　Go　to　the　window。
　I　stared　wildly　all　about。　The　room　was　full　of　shadows；　leaping　in　the　fire's　flicker；　but　plainly　I　was　alone。　Then　it　came　to　me　that　while　I　had　heard　the　Ferenczy's　voice；　I　had　not　〃heard〃　it。　It　had　been　like　a　thought　in　my　head；　but　not　my　thought。
　Go　to　the　window；　fool！　the　voice　came　again；　and　again　I　started。
　Shaken；　I　went　to　the　window；　tore　aside　the　hangings。　outside　the　stars　were　ing　out；　a　moon　was　rising；　and　the　eerie　crying　of　wolves　floated　down　from　distant　peaks。
　Look！　said　the　voice。　Look！
　My　head　turned　as　if　directed　by　some　other's　will。　I　looked　up；　away　to　the　ultimate　range；　a　black　silhouette　against　the　sunken　sun's　fast　fading　glow。　Up　there；　a　far　weary　distance；　something　glinted；　caught　the　rays　of　the　sun；　aimed　them　at　me。　Blinded　by　that　effulgence；　I　threw　up　an　arm　and　staggered　back。
　Ah！　Ah！　See　how　it　hurts；　Thibor。　A　taste　of　your　own　medicine！　The　sun；　which　once　was　your　friend。　But　no　more。
　〃It　didn't　hurt！〃　I　shouted　at　no　one；　stepping　to　the　window　again　and　shaking　my　fist　at　the　mountains。　〃It　merely　startled　me。　Is　that　really　you；　Faethor？〃
　Who　else？　Did　you　think　me　dead？
　〃I　willed　you　dead！〃
　Then　you　are　weak　willed。
　〃Who　travels　with　you？〃　I　asked；　surrendering　to　the　strangeness　of　it。　〃Not　your　women；　for　I　have　them。　Who　signals　with　your　mirrors　now；　Faethor？　It　isn't　you　who　casts　the　sun　about。〃
　The　mirror　flashed　at　me　again　but　I　stepped　aside。
　My　own　go　where　I　go；　came　his　voice　in　answer。　They　carry　my　scorched　and　blackened　body　until　it　is　whole　again。　You　have　won　this　round；　Thibor；　but　the　battle　is　undecided。
　〃Old　bastard；　you　were　lucky！〃　I　boasted。　〃You'll　not　be　so　fortunate　next　time。〃
　Now　listen。　He　ignored　my　bluster。　You　have　incurred　my　wrath。　You　will　be　punished。　The　degree　of　punishment　is　up　to　you。　Stay　and　guard　my　lands　and　castle　and　all　that　is　mine　while　I'm　gone；　and　I　may　be　merciful。　Desert　me　…〃And　what？〃　And　you　shall　know　hell's　torment　for　eternity。　This　I；　Faethor　Ferenczy；　swear！
　〃Faethor；　I'm　my　own　man。　Even　if　it　were　in　me　to　serve；　I　could　never　call　you　master。　You　must　know　that；　for　I　did　my　best　to　destroy　you。