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.The youthful knight fell from his steed into the shallow river, and his black blood mingled with the waters.William leapt from his own charger and stood over him, drawing his sword.The comely youth gazed up at him in evident agony and cried, "Angavar King, I conjure you by all thatyou hold most dear in the Realm of Faerie, to put me out of my pain.Finish your task.Smite me asecond time, and more mightily than before."As he gazed upon the young knight, the mortal King was reminded of the vigor, impetuousness, andenthusiasm of his own recent years.He recalled many an occasion when he had stumbled at the feet ofhis fencing-master, or been thrown down by his comrades during a wrestling bout.For an instant, heseemed to see himself lying there, reaching out his open palm to ask for help, and pity threatened to stirwithin his mortal breast.The instant passed, as William recollected that his defeated opponent was not human but an eldritchwight, who had pleaded with him in the name of everything he loved in the Fair Realm.He did not allow his stern countenance to betray his wry amusement, mingled with his naturalcompassion, triumph, and horror.Bidding his heart petrify to frozen stone he thought, Had I been, intruth, the sovereign of this realm, he would have snared me easily with this sad petition.There isnothing here I hold dear.All things that I truly love are in my own mortal world of Erith.He lowered his blade."Your request," he replied levelly, "is refused.I will not strike you again."Perceiving the steel lacing the King's eyes, the Unseelie Lord called to his followers and bade them carryhim from the ford, for he knew that before sunset all his power would fade and he would thereafter bebut a shadow of his former self, a ragged, flapping, almost mindless thing, no greater than the least ofeldritch wights.Thus, with one blow, did William of Erith defeat the Waelghast, fulfilling his promise to Angavar andbringing peace back to the kingdom of the Faêran.The Unseelie Host knelt before him to pay homage,and celebration blossomed throughout the Realm.William, however, did not tarry longer than wasnecessary.He had kept his word and now his sojourn was at an end; he was eager to return to home andhearth.Excellent beyond description was the Fair Realm; yet it was not home to him.Alone, he rode away to the Forest of Glincuith, seeking the glade wherein he had first set eyes on theHigh King of the Faêran.There, beneath the nodding boughs heavy with foliage, a horseman silentlywaited for him: Angavar, in his true form.Glancing down, William discovered that his own shape wasalready on him once more.Their second meeting was in striking contrast to the first.This time, the two kings hailed each other in aspirit of joyous camaraderie.There was no need for Angavar to ask how William had fared in the duel;he was aware of all that had passed in the Fair Realm during his absence.Nevertheless, he listened withdelight as William recounted his story, and he laughed, congratulating Erith's King-Emperor on hissuccess."For my part, I have ensured your kingdom's prosperity and freedom from strife these past fourseasons," said Angavar."You may be assured that your subjects have not suffered during your absence."Page 197 "Sir, I doubt you not!" said William earnestly."On my life," he added, with a grin, "I never had suchremarkable adventures as I have enjoyed this past year in your domain.I am forever grateful, and Iswear friendship to you for as long as I live.""And I to you!" replied Angavar."Rarely have I encountered a man so worthy of honor.Now we mustpart, but there is something I must do first, if you are to live contentedly from this hour." Placing his handupon the head of William, he said softly, "Forget.Forget desire and delight in the Land Beyond theStars."With that they bade farewell to each other, and William rode with haste to Caermelor.When he arrivedhis guards saluted him, and his household welcomed him back as though he had only departed that verymorning.He exulted at the sight of his people and his home, but he was heedful also, and concealed hishappiness.On the following day he called his advisers together and asked them to tell him how they had liked hisrule during the past year.They were silent for a moment, pondering why he should ask such a question,then the most venerable among them said, "My liege, since you succeeded to the throne you have ruledjustly and effectively, but in the year just past you have displayed greater statesmanship and discretion inall affairs of government than ever before.Not until this year have you hearkened so intently to the wishesof the people, and never to my knowledge have the Known Lands flourished as well as they do now.Appropriately have your subjects named you William the Wise." Bending into a deep bow, he subjoined,"May it please Your Majesty to continue to govern as you have governed this past twelvemonth.""I shall honor your request," said William."Glad indeed am I to hear your report." He looked at thehonest faces of the councilors before him and noted the faint signs of perplexity written there.Merrimentwelled up in him, until he could contain and hide it no longer.William was not a man who loveddeception, and he had had his fill of it that year."No more secrets," said he, laughing aloud, and to theamazement of his advisers he proceeded to recount the tale of his prolonged visit to the Fair Realm,concluding with the wonderful tidings of his alliance with Angavar High King.His audience rejoiced, yet they kept it a secret among themselves, and it was not revealed until after theKing-Emperor's death many years later.For the rest of his long life, William retained his fast friendshipwith Angavar.It became their custom to meet from time to time, and together hunt the Faêran stag in theForest of Glincuith.Occasionally they would give presents to each other.William the Wise did not die until after the great Closing of the Gates between the Fair Realm and Erith.Before the Closing, Angavar gave his mortal friend the Faêran-wrought gift of sildron, and advised himhow to manage the shang winds that would be released by the rupturing of the borders between theworlds.After the Closing, Angavar in exile knew that someday he would enter the Pendur Sleep, themore easily to let the centuries roll past.Therefore he gave to William the Coirnead, a hunting-horn ofFaêran craftsmanship, promising his help to him and the sons of the House of d'Armancourt, should theyever sound the horn in sore need.A silver-clasped hunting-horn, white as milk.   «»      «»      «»  Ashalind's fingertips disturbed the water's surface [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]