####### % %# ##### ###### %##### ====+=== :%# %# ## ## ### % ### ## a$h ---|---- + ####### %##### % %# # ## %# +====== ||+==+ +===+ || | #### % %# : ## :### ## |+------ |||+-|+|+--|+|| || %## : ## %#### ## ## ## +======+ |||| |||| ||+===+| ####### # ## ##### %# ##. :# +-----|+|||| ||+==++| +--|| | |||||| |||+-|++ || +=====================================+|+ +==+||| || ====+| +-------------------------------------+ + +--+ | || ----+ | FROM DUSTY ARCHIVE OF DEMIURGE ASH | +===== +------------------------------------+ +----- # # #. #### .### ###. # # # # ## # # ### ### #### # # ### ###### ### # # ##%#####:#### ### ### # #### #### ### ## # ## # # #% ### ###### #### ### #### ### ## # # ###%: ###### ### # #%# ### %# :%#### # # ##%%%:::: ##### #### ### ### ## ## # ::::%:%%%## # # ####:%# ########## ######## ###%# ######## #:##### # ## # ### ### ##### %# # Roger ZELAZNY The job was done. And done well, I might add. The princess lay dead on the floor of my cave, among scattered bones of heroes, magicians, princes, princesses, dwarves and elves, and fragments of nine swords intended for protection of the kingdom of goodness and joy, which I destroyed before its buds could bloom. I touched the fangs with my tongue and felt a burning taste. The last hero, bent in an unimaginable way, lay in corner. His magic blade was broken. It was the tenth and the last of those forged centuries ago by the Forces of Light for in order to fight my master and those like me, serves emy. What a pleasure! The ring that I ctepery lies in a precious box in a niche behind me. The remains of their faithful comrades - the gnomes - are also scattered everywhere. I can see the little hand that's still holding ax Did he really think he could approach me? or cause harm with your pathetic weapons?Only the old wizard is still breathing with difficulty. But I broke it staff and dissipated its power on the paths of Darkness. I gave emy a few moments of life in order to laugh at him and see how he curses the forces he served. - Can you hear me, Lortan? - I asked. “Yes, Baktor,” he answered from where he fell to my left. He sat leaning against the wall, turning his head unnaturally legs. - Why am I still alive? - For the last fun, Clothed with Light. If you curse all that is good and beautiful, true and noble, I I will give you a quick death. “No need,” he replied. - Why not? You lost, just like the nine before fight. You are the last one. It's over. The good guys are lost, that's it as one. He didn't answer, so I teased him further. - And your hero - Eric Bradshaw, or whatever you call him - didn't even touch me with your weapon. The last one of you finally dealt me a good one hit on the shoulder before I destroyed it. - Were we the worst you've encountered? - askedhe. - Oh, I wouldn't say that. Rather, you were among the best. - Do the old defeated man a favor and answer me. Who was the best? I laughed. - Easier than easy. Glorin, from the second kingdom. He was like that close to killing me, which is just adorable. His sword fell like lightning from heaven. The muscles in his arms moved like sea tide He was shiny with sweat from exertion. He scolded me so wonderfully that it sounded like poetry. I was nailed to the spot. I barely stopped him for this too it took all my magic rather than the strength of my body. Truly, it was Glorin and his sword Dammering who were the greatest. - So, poor Eric couldn't do something like that. - Yes, and none of those I have encountered. And now the reign of my lord Gloym will never end, so how Darkness defeated Light. There is no one left to oppose us. - Among those swords that I see on the floor, show me which one Dammering and where Glorin's bones lie so I can see where our greatest hope is lost. - You talk too muchold man. It's time to finish conversations. - But I only see nine handles among the rubble. I extended my paws and rose up to hit him. But he held me back, not with magic, but with a simple word: - You haven't won yet. - How can you say this when you're the last one? “You’re lying,” he continued, “when you say that your master's reign will never end because Darkness defeated Light. You don't see your own weakness. - I have no weakness, wizard. Through the darkness I saw his smile. “Okay,” I said. -You don't need to curse greatness, truth, beauty and nobility to deserve quick death. Just tell me what kind of weakness you see. - I have always considered the advantages of a quick death in numbers those in last place,” he answered. - Tell me how I can defend myself. - Saucy old man has the nerve to laugh. I decided that his death would be long and painful. - I'll tell you, and you won't be able to protect yourself from it. I Now I see that you will die when you know love.I stamped my foot and roared. - Love? Love? Your ym is as damaged as yours body to accuse me of such obscenities! Love! My laughter filled the cave as I beheaded him and rolled his head back towards the aisle. My sides hurt from laughing. After some time I took someone's leg and started chewing it. At least that's it. Must be a hero. My lord Gloym, the present and future ruler of the world, entered in the evening, dressed in clothes splashed with Light, to praise my work and congratulate me on a job well done for centuries. As a reward for my honest service, he skillfully gave me processed gold bar with my name engraved on it German “My dear Baktor,” he asked after a while. - How could it be that I see the remains of only nine weapons? Knights of Light, although all ten died? I laughed. - There are only nine here. The tenth one is over there corridor. This hero walked differently than the others and I stopped him there. He was very skillful. - I want to see this cam. - Of course, sir. Follow me.I showed emy the way. I heard him sigh when I stopped in front of a niche. - He's safe! - he hissed. - The man is not killed and the blade is not broken! I laughed again. - But he is harmless, sir. From now on forever. I stopped him alone more with magic than with power. of your body. On occasion I come here to admire him. He was the best. He was very close to winning me. - Fool! - he exclaimed. - The spell can be lifted! And I see that it is Glorin with his Dammering! We must end with them now to make sure of your victory! He reached for his wand in the pouch on his belt. I turned again and saw the tip of this blade, which I stopped an inch from my chest when my spell froze all movement and left them in the position forever delayed justice and punishment. Dammerung's blade was thinner than a sheet, its tip was close to what could create infinity... I heard my master: - Go away, Baktor.And I heard another voice, my own, saying words that break the spell. The delightful blow was completed after a thousand-year pause. Then the sword slipped out of me a fountain of my vital juices and I fell back. And when this beautiful blade that took my life slowly leaving the body, turns against Gloym, I throw a look at its owner, his beloved face, his stern smile. ------------------------------ -
Short Story - Roger ZELAZNY: Dark Evil.
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