MENAGERIE
Six – In which Red Sonja learns much
"Well, his name is Galud, and he arrived in this area about three years ago, though where he came from originally, I've no idea. I only ever saw him the once. He looked harmless. Crazy, but harmless. Said he was looking for somewhere quiet and out-of-the-way to conduct his researches."
"So he built himself this tower?"
"Oh no; that has been there for hundreds of years. Ruined and empty for as long as anyone can remember. I went exploring there once as a kid. Anyway, this Galud asked very politely if he could install himself there; and since no-one seemed to know who actually owned the place, there were no objections.
"So; he shut himself away – made a few repairs by all accounts – and no-one gave him a thought for a year or two. Then the howling started."
"Howling?"
"Yes. Some men from this village were out on a hunting expedition and found themselves near the place. They decided to have a look out of curiosity; find out what the mad old fool was up to, if anything. Then they heard it. Howling, they called it; but not like a wolf or anything else that exists outside of nightmares. Fair froze the blood, they said; and they turned and ran. One of them – Gaflin – swore he saw something as well. Never said what it was but it frightened the life out of him, and he wasn't the sort to start at shadows. He died a week later. His heart gave out, or so it was said. Others think different." Jharlen paused.
"Including you?" Sonja prompted.
Jharlen nodded grimly. "If ever a man was frightened to death, Gaflin was. Anyway, after that people stayed well clear of the Howling Tower, as we began to call it – if it had a name in the past it's long been forgotten. But a few months later the disappearances started."
"People vanished?"
"Yes. Seven or eight from this village; others from Laiden – that's a village three day's walk on the other side of the tower. There were rumours, of course. Something – or some things – was stalking the woods. Monstrous abominations. You know what the imagination can do."
"That serpent wasn't something imaginary. And it wasn't natural, either. I could've sworn it had human eyes."
Jharlen was silent for a long while. Then Sonja said gently; "that doesn't come as a surprise to you."
"No."
"Why not? Have you seen something like it before?"
"Not exactly; but I have seen something. Two months ago, or thereabouts. I saw something a few miles from here."
"What?"
"A monster. Like a huge wolf – the biggest you've ever seen. Only instead of front legs it had arms. Human arms. It had killed a deer and was holding one of the bones in its hands as it tore the flesh off it. I didn't stay to see any more. But it's my belief that Galud is somehow combining humans with beasts. To what end, I dare not guess."
"And you've never told anyone what you saw?"
"No. How do you know that?"
"I can read it in your face. Why did you keep it to yourself?"
"Look at this village. It's full of frightened people. Why scare them further?"
"Don't they have a right to know?"
"What would they do?"
"Leave?"
"And go where? This is our land, our home. If we leave, we are nothing."
"Fight, then."
"Aye, fight. I've thought about it; but how do you fight magic? How do you fight monsters?"
"You did quite well with your bow today."
"I merely persuaded that – thing – to seek its supper elsewhere."
"Nevertheless you proved that they can be hurt; can be fought."
"By who?"
"Me."
Jharlen shook his head. "I knew you were going to say that. But this is not your fight."
"I'll decide what is my fight and what isn't. I said I owed you a debt, and that I would repay it. Now I know how."
"But -"
"But nothing. Now, if you will allow it, I'm going to get some sleep. I'll set out in the morning."
"Yes, I know you will. You're as stubborn as Clodia."
Sonja said nothing, but removed her boots, wrapped herself in a blanket and lay down on the floor. After a while, Jharlen got up and went to his own room.