Read Online To Rescue Tanelorn by Michael Moorcock - Free Book Online

Ghost Worlds move into another phase of their weird orbit, so that any halflings on Earth cannot return and any of our people are in the same position if on the Ghost Worlds. Therefore, you will understand, it is dangerous to stay on either side overlong.”
    “Is it possible,” I asked, “that the Eldren came originally from these Ghost Worlds?”
    “I suppose it is possible,” he agreed. “There are no records.”
    “Perhaps that is why the humans hate you as aliens,” I suggested.
    “That is not the reason,” he told me, “for the Eldren occupied the Earth for ages before humankind ever came to the planet.”
    “What!”
    “It is true,” he said. “I am an immortal and my grandfather was an immortal. He was slain during the first wars between the Eldren and Humanity. When the humans came to Earth, they had incredible weapons of terrible destructive potential. In those days we also used such weapons. The wars created such destruction that the Earth seemed like a blackened ball of mud when the wars were ended and the Eldren defeated. Such was the destruction that we swore never again to use our weapons, whether we were threatened with extermination or not. We could not assume the responsibility for destroying an entire planet.”
    “You mean you still have these weapons?”
    “They are locked away, yes.”
    “And you have the knowledge to use them?”
    “Of course—we are immortal, we have many people who fought in those ancient wars, some even built new weapons before our decision was made.”
    “Then why…?”
    “I have told you—we swore not to.”
    “What happened to the humans’ weapons—and their knowledge of them? Did they make the same decision?”
    “No. The human race degenerated for a while—wars between themselves occurred, at one time they almost wiped themselves out, at another they were barbarians, and at another they seemed to have matured at last, to be at peace with themselves and one another. At one stage they lost the knowledge and the remaining weapons. In the last million years they have climbed back from absolute savagery—the peaceful years were short, a false lull—and I’d predict they’ll sink back soon enough. They seem bent on self-destruction as well as ours. We have wondered if the humans who must surely exist on other planets than this are the same. Perhaps not.”
    “I hope not,” I said. “How do you think the Eldren will fare against the humans?”
    “Badly,” he said. “Particularly since they are inspired by your leadership and the gateway to the Ghost Worlds is due soon to close again. Previously Humanity was split by quarrels. King Rigenos could never get his marshals to agree and he was too uncertain of himself to make decisions. But you have made decisions for him and the marshals. You shall win.”
    “You are a fatalist,” I said.
    “I am a realist,” he said.
    “Could not peace terms be arranged?”
    He shook his head. “What use is it to talk?” he asked me bitterly. “You humans, I pity you. Why will you always identify our motives with your own? We do not seek power—only peace—peace. But that, I suppose, this planet shall never have until Humanity dies of old age.”

    I stayed with Arjavh for another day before he released me, on trust, and I rode back expecting, when I arrived, to find Ermizhad gone. But she was not. She was still in captivity. On learning this I visited her in her chambers.
    “Ermizhad—you were to be traded for me, those were the terms. Where is the king? Why has he not kept his word?”
    “I knew nothing of this,” she said. “I did not know Arjavh was so close, otherwise…”
    I interrupted her. “Come with me. We’ll see the king and get you on your journey home.”
    I found the king and Katorn in the king’s private chambers. I burst in upon them. “King Rigenos, what is the meaning of this? My word was given to Arjavh that Ermizhad was to leave here freely upon my release. He allowed me to leave