The Oak and the Ram - 04 Read Free Page B

could not go back. So he lost them—all save one. And that Treasure he brought across the water to the Distant West, to the land of gentle mists and rain. And Onragh of Caer Llud was dying from his wounds which were of great variety. Half of one hand had been gnawed by the Hounds. An ear had been severed by a Ghoolegh flencher. Several knives had found his offal. Dying, he presented into my safekeeping the only Treasure he had saved, though it had not saved him. He could not use it. Only a Sidhi can use it, though I do not understand why, save that it was originally a Sidhi gift, like most of Caer Llud's Treasures, and must have worked for us once. And Onragh, doomed to die believing that he had failed our race, brought news of Amergin the High King. At that time Amergin was still in the great tower which stands by the river close to the center of Caer Llud. This tower has always been the home of the High King. But Amergin was already under the glamour which makes him believe himself a beast. And he was guarded by many Fhoi Myore vassals—some of whom came with the Fhoi Myore from their own Realm and others, the half-dead like the Ghoolegh, drawn from slain or captured Mabden. But guarded right well, my friends, if Onragh is to be believed. And not all the guards have human shape, I heard. But that is doubtless where Amergin is."
    ‘ 'I will need an excellent disguise," mused Corum, who privately felt he was doomed to fail in this quest, but who also felt that he must attempt it if only to show his respect for these people.
    ' 'I hope I can suggest one," said King Fiachadh, and his massive bulk began to rise as he stood up.' 'Is my chest where I asked it to be put, brother?"
    King Mannach also rose, smoothing back his white hair. Corum remembered that not long since his hair had also had red in it. But that was before the Fhoi Myore had come. And King Mannach's beard was almost white now, too. Still he was a handsome man, standing almost as tall as broad-shouldered Fiachadh, the gold collar of his kingship around his firm throat. King Mannach pointed to a corner behind their seats. "There," he said. "There is the chest."
    And King Fiachadh went to the corner and picked up the heavy chest by its golden handles and, carrying the chest to the table, with a grunt he put it down. Then from a pouch at his waist he took some keys and unlocked five strong locks. Then he paused, his piercing blue eyes staring at Corum. And he said something mysterious: "You are not a traitor, Corum, now."
    "I am not," said Corum. "Not now."
    "I trust a reformed traitor more than I trust myself," said King Fiachadh, grinning cheerfully as he opened the lid. But he opened the chest in such a way that Corum could not see the contents.
    King Fiachadh reached into the chest and carefully began to draw something out. "There," he said. "The last of the Treasures of Caer Llud."
    And Corum wondered if the King of the Tuha-na-Manannan were still joking, for King Fiachadh was displaying in both hands a rather tattered robe; a robe such as the poorest of peasants might be too fastidious to wear. A robe which was so patched, torn, and faded that it was impossible to tell the original color.
    Holding it almost gingerly and yet tenderly, as if in awe of the old robe, King Fiachadh offered it to Corum.
    "This is your disguise," said King Fiachadh.
     
     
    THE THIRD CHAPTER
    CORUM ACCEPTS A GIFT
     
     
    "Did some hero wear it once?" Corum asked. It was the only explanation for the reverence with which King Fiachadh handled the tattered robe.
    "Aye, a hero has worn it, according to our legends, during the first fights with the Fhoi Myore." King Fiachadh seemed puzzled by Corum's question. "It is often called just 'The Mantle,' but sometimes it is called Arianrod's Cloak—so that strictly speaking it is a heroine's mantle, for Arianrod was a female Sidhi, of great fame and much loved by the Mabden."
    "And so you treasure it," said Corum. "And well you might. .