02 Sorcerer's Amulet by Michael Moorcock

Author:Michael Moorcock
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy
Published: 2010-04-10T21:21:16+00:00

eyes. Their lips were drawn back in bestial snarls.

Their white teeth gleamed, and foam flecked their

mouths.

But this was not what astonished Hawkmoon and

his companions. It was their sex that caught them by

surprise, for all the maniacally shrieking warriors rush-

ing at them were women of incredible beauty.

As he slowly recovered his defensive stance, Hawk-

moon desperately sought among the faces for that of

Yisselda and was relieved that he did not find it.

"So this is why the Mad God demanded women be

sent to him," D'Averc gasped. "But why?"

"He is a perverse god I understand," said the War-

rior in Jet and Gold as he brought up his blade to meet

the attack of the first warrior woman.

Though he defended himself desperately against

the blades of the mad-faced women, Hawkmoon

found it impossible to counterattack. They left many

openings for his sword, and he could have slain several,

but every time he had the opportunity to strike, he

held back. And it seemed to be the same with his com-

panions. In a moment's respite he glanced around him,

and an idea came.

"Retreat slowly," he said to his friends. "Follow

me. I've a plan to make this our victoryand a blood-

less one."

Gradually the four fell back until they were stopped

by the poles on which the stout nets of the fishermen

had been hung out to dry. Hawkmoon stepped around

the first and seized one end of the net, still battling.

Oladahn guessed his scheme and grabbed the other

end; then Hawkmoon cried, "Now!" and they flung

the thing out over the heads of the women.

The net settled over most of them, entangling them.

But some slashed free and came on.

Now D'Averc and the Warrior in Jet and Gold had

understood Hawkmoon's intention, and they, too,

flung a net to trap those who had escaped. Hawkmoon

and Oladahn hurled a third net over the group they

had originally ensnared. Eventually the women were

completely trapped in the folds of several strong nets,

and the companions were able to approach them gin-

gerly, grabbing at their weapons and gradually dis-

arming them.

Hawkmoon panted as he raised a sword and flung

it into the lake. "Perhaps the Mad God is not so insane.

Train women to fight and they'll always have a certain

momentary advantage over male soldiers. Doubtless

this was part of some larger scheme...."

"You mean his raising money by piracy was to

finance a conquering army of women?" Oladahn said,

joining him in hurling weapons into the water while

the struggles of the women subsided behind them.

"It seems likely," D'Averc agreed, watching them

work. "But why did the women kill the others?"

"That we may find out when we reach the castle,"

said the Warrior in Jet and Gold. "We-" He broke

off as part of one of the nets burst and a howling

warrior woman came rushing at them, fingers out-

stretched like claws. D'Averc seized her, encircling

her waist with his arms as she kicked and shrieked.

Oladahn stepped up, reversed his sword, and struck

her on the base of the skull with the pommel.

"Much as it offends my sense of chivalry," D'Averc

said, lowering the prone girl to the ground, "I think

that you have presented the best scheme for dealing

with these pretty murderesses,"

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