Questing Knight(科幻战争)-第8部分

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There　were　gasps　from　the　crowd　of　onlookers；　but　it　was　not　for　this　mechanical　wonder；　or　the　sight　of
the　silver　moon。　No；　those　intakes　of　air　were　for　the　appearance　of　the　second　moon：　Morrslieb；
glowing　malignant　and　green；　that　stared　down　at　them　like　a　baleful　eye。
Merovech　was　standing　with　his　arms　raised　to　the　heavens；　bathing　in　Morrslieb’s　sinister　emerald
glow。
‘It　is　time！’　bellowed　the　duke。　‘Bring　forth　the　prisoner！’
BOUND　IN　HEAVY；　ensorcelled　chains　and　surrounded　by　armed　guards；　the　prisoner　was　dragged　up
through　the　palace　halls　from　the　oubliette　that　had　held　it；　far　below。　It　bellowed　its　fury；　the　sound
echoing　deafeningly　through　the　lower　levels。　Its　massive　body　was　a　patchwork　of　burns；　savage　cuts
and　mottled　bruises　courtesy　of　the　duke’s　finest　torturers。　More　than　a　score　of　muscle…bound　wardens
hauled　upon　the　thick　chains；　straining　and　heaving　to　keep　the　prisoner　moving。　They　wore　black　leather
hoods　over　their　heads；　and　were　accompanied　by　an　entourage　of　palace　guards；　silent；　long…dead
warriors　enclosed　in　black　plate　armour。

The　ambush　hit　them　hard　and　fast。　The　battle　took　place　halfway　up　a　wide　marble　staircase；　with
the　attackers　striking　simultaneously　from　above　and　below。　The　fight　was　brutal　and　bloody；　and　over
within　thirty　heartbeats。　The　prisoner　itself　tore　apart　half　a　dozen　of　its　gaolers；　ripping　them　limb　from
limb　in　a　gory　explosion　of　rage　and　savagery。
Grandfather　Mortis　approached　the　prisoner　warily；　hands　raised；　as　one　might　approach　a　wounded
bear。　His　eyes　were　full　of　pity　as　he　looked　upon　his　lord’s　tortured　flesh。
Murmuring　calming　words；　he　laid　a　hand　gently　upon　one　of　the　prisoner’s　immensely　muscled
shoulders。　Its　heavy　head　came　up　sharply；　snarling；　and　Mortis　jerked　back。　Its　snarl　descended　into　a
low；　warning　rumble　deep　in　its　chest；　and　Mortis　placed　his　hand　back　upon　its　shoulder。　This　time　it
accepted　his　touch。
‘It’s　over；’　said　Grandfather　Mortis　in　a　soothing　voice。　‘It’s　over。’
‘No；’　growled　the　prisoner；　forming　the　words　with　some　difficulty。　Its　mouth　was　built　for　tearing
and　ripping；　not　for　speech。　‘It　is　time　for　vengeance。’
CALARD　SAW　THE　thrill　of　anticipation　on　Bertelis’s　ungodly　pale　face；　mirroring　the　expression　of　every
onlooker。　His　brother　grinned；　exposing　needle…sharp　canines。
‘Blessed　Lady　of　mercy；’　Calard　breathed。
As　if　hearing　his　words；　Bertelis’s　head　snapped　around。　For　a　second　his　eyes　darted　from　face　to
face；　searching　for　who　had　spoken；　but　then　they　settled　on　Calard。　His　grin　widened；　and　he　began　to
chuckle。　With　slow；　unhurried　movements　he　drew　his　sword　and　began　walking　towards　Calard。　The
knights　and　ladies　around　the　questing　knight　drew　back　away　from　him；　leaving　him　isolated　and
exposed。
‘Hello；　Calard；’　said　Bertelis。　‘What　a　pleasant　surprise　this　is。’
‘What　has　he　done　to　you；　my　brother？’　said　Calard；　standing　alone。
‘Nothing　that　I　did　not　wish　for；’　said　Bertelis　with　a　grin；　loosening　the　muscles　of　his　neck　and
shoulders　languorously；　like　a　cat　stretching。　‘And　it　feels　fantastic。’
‘Finish　it　quickly；’　hissed　Merovech。　‘The　time　of　the　conjunction　draws　near。’
‘I’ve　been　looking　forward　to　this　for　a　long　time；　brother；’　spat　Bertelis；　hefting　his　sword　and
moving　purposefully　across　the　killing　circle。
Reluctantly；　Calard　drew　the　Sword　of　Garamont　and　stepped　out　to　meet　him。　He　swung　his
battered　shield　from　his　back　and　secured　it　on　his　left　arm。
‘It　does　not　have　to　be　like　this；　brother；’　he　said。
‘Oh；　it　does；’　said　Bertelis。　‘It　truly　does。’
BERTELIS　ATTACKED　WITH　such　savagery　and　speed　that　Calard　was　instantly　fighting　for　his　life；
defending　desperately　as　furious　attack　after　attack　rained　down　on　him。　It　took　all　his　concentration；　skill
and　hard…earned　experience　just　to　survive　the　opening　exchange；　and　such　was　the　power　and　vitriol
behind　each　blow　that　he　was　knocked　physically　backwards　each　time　his　sword　met　his　brother’s。
He　was　given　no　opportunity　to　even　consider　launching　a　counter…attack。；　and　his　left　arm　was　numb
from　the　jarring　blows　he　took　on　his　shield。　He　was　doing　all　he　could　to　evade　Bertelis’s　furious　assault；
stepping　off　the　line　of　attack　and　retreating　hastily　in　an　effort　to　put　some　distance　between　them。　His
brother　came　after　him　relentlessly；　sword　blade　flashing　as　it　sliced　through　the　air　again　and　again。　Had
any　of　those　attacks　struck　home；　they　would　have　been　fatal。
Calard　knew　that　he　was　a　vastly　superior　warrior　now　than　he　had　been　when　he　first　took　up　the
quest；　six　years　earlier。　The　long　years　on　the　road　had　hardened　him；　body　and　soul；　forging　him　anew

and　honing　his　killer　instincts　to　a　razor’s　edge。　He　was　stronger；　leaner　and　faster　than　he　had　been；　and
was　confident　enough　in　his　own　abilities　to　back　himself　against　any　man。　Even　so；　he　was　struggling
now　with　the　pace　of　battle　that　Bertelis　was　setting；　and　struggling　even　more　with　his　brother’s
unprecedented　strength　and　fury。
Calard　and　Bertelis　had　trained　together　since　childhood；　and　both　had　been　schooled　by　Gunthar；
the　old　weapon　master　of　Garamont。　Growing　up；　their　duels　had　always　been　evenly　matched；　though　it
had　been　obvious　that　Bertelis　was　the　more　gifted　of　the　two；　a　natural　swordsman　with　the　perfect
blend　of　strength；　balance；　speed　and　instinct。　He　had　always　relied　too　heavily　on　his　natural…born
talents；　however；　and　in　his　youth　had　been　a　lax　student；　earning　many　stern　words　from　Gunthar。　In
contrast；　Calard　had　worked　hard　at　his　swordsmanship；　rising　hours　before　the　rest　of　the　household　to
hone　his　technique　and　strengthen　his　body。　It　was　only　after　Gunthar’s　death　that　Bertelis　began　taking
his　training　more　seriously；　devoting　himself　to　it　with　a　focus　bordering　on　obsession。　Only　then　had　he
started　to　show　his　true　potential。
It　was　clear　now　that　Bertelis　had　eclipsed　those　expectations　and　taken　them　to　a　whole　new　level；
reaching　a　plane　that　Calard　had　no　hope　of　matching；　and　even　less　of　competing　with。　Bertelis’s　skill
was　bordering　the　sublime；　and　Calard　could　think　of　few　–　perhaps　only　the　Grail　Knight　Reolus；　Lady
rest　his　soul　–　that　could　have　equalled　it。　The　speed　of　his　blade　was　incomparable；　and　Calard　had
rarely　crossed　blades　with　one　who　struck　with　such　power。　It　was　overwhelming　how　far　Bertelis’s
blade　skill　had　come　in　the　last　six　years。　Calard　felt　a　child　facing　a　master。
A　blow　thundered　into　his　shield；　wrenching　it　out　of　shape；　and　he　winced。　He　slashed　a　riposte
towards　his　brother’s　neck；　but　it　was　batted　aside　with　contemptuous　ease。　Bertelis　grinned　and　stepped
back；　allowing　Calard　a　moment　to　catch　his　breath。　He　realised　that　his　brother　was　toying　with　him；　just
as　he　had　his　earlier　opponent。
‘You　have　grown　soft；’　said　Bertelis。
‘Turn　from　this　path；　Bertelis；’　said　Calard。　‘It　leads　you　only　to　damnation。’
‘You　drove　me　onto　this　path；　brother；’　snapped　Bertelis。　‘You　turned　your　back　on　me！’
‘And　I’m　truly　sorry；’　said　Calard。　‘My　words　were　spoken　in　haste。　I　was　blinded　by　grief。　I　meant
not　what　I　said。’
‘It　is　too　late　for　apologies；’　said　Bertelis；　and　Calard　knew　he　spoke　the　truth。　There　was　a　madness
behind　his　eyes　that　Calard　had　never　seen　before；　a　simmering；　insatiable　rage　that　threatened　to
consume　him。　It　was　as　if　some　wild　beast　had　taken　up　residence　in　the　flesh　of　his　brother；　directing　his
movements　like　a　puppet。
‘You　are　no　longer　the　brother　I　knew　and　loved；’　said　Calard。　His　breath　was　ragged　from　the
intensity　of　the　fight；　yet　Bertelis　appeared　completely　rested；　barely　having　raised　a　sweat。
‘No；’　agreed　Bertelis。　‘I　am　something　far　greater。’
‘Enough！’　hissed　Duke　Merovech　from　the　edge　of　the　killing　circle。　‘Finish　it；　now！’
Calard’s　gaze　darted　between　the　fiend　that　was　once　his　brother　and　the　pale；　immortal　figure　of
Duke　Merovech。　Realisation　dawned。
‘It　was　you　who　sacked　Garamont；’　he　said；　looking　back　at　Bertelis。　‘It　was　you　who　killed
Orlando　and　Montcadas；　and　butchered　my　knights。’
‘I　would　have　killed　you　too；’　said　Bertelis；　‘had　you　been　there。　Now；　the　cycle　will　be　complete；
and　every　tie　to　my　former　life　will　at　last　be　severed。’
‘You　are　not　even　human；’　said　Calard。　Bertelis　smiled　in　response；　exposing　needle…sharp　canines。
‘My；　you　are　quick；　brother；’　he　said。　The　smile　dropped　from　his　face。　‘And　now；　you　die。’
For　a　moment　the　brothers　regarded　each　other　from　opposite　sides　of　the　killing　circle；　before　they

began　closing　the　distance；　swords　at　the　ready。
A　deafening　roar　boomed　through　the　cavernous　chamber；　echoing　loudly　and　making　the　windows
rattle　in　their　frames。　Calard　could　feel　the　reverberant　sound　in　his　bones。　He　looked　up；　the　duel
momentarily　forgotten。
An　arched　balcony　jutted　out　over　the　room；　thirty　feet　overhead；　and　crouched　upon　its　marble
balustrade　was　a　monster。
XIII
IT　WAS　HUGE；　easily　six　times　the　bulk　of　a　man；　and　it　looked　like　some　monstrous　gargoyle　come　to
life。　It　was　hunched；　and　black　matted　fur　covered　its　massive　shoulders。　Immense　talons　carved　furrows
in　the　marble　as　it　tensed　its　huge　arms；　bulging　with　sinew　and　muscle。　It　howled　at　the　heavens　again；
the　sound　deeply　affecting　on　some　primal　level；　before　turning　its　baleful　gaze　down　into　the　chamber
below。
Its　head　was　huge　and　wide；　a　hideous　blend　of　man；　bat　and　wolf。　Its　lips　drew　back　to　expose　a
terrifying　array　of　fangs；　and　its　snarl　rumbled　deep　in　its　powerful　chest。　Its　canines　were　heavily
pronounced；　and　each　was　easily　six　inches　in　length。　Its　eyes　were　those　of　a　predator；　burning　with　fury
and　hunger；　and　they　locked　on　the　pale　figure　of　Duke　Merovech；　far　below。
The　monster　howled　again；　spittle　flying　from　its　maw；　and　it　launched　from　its　eyrie。　Powerful　leg
muscles　propelled　it　downwards　at　astonishing　speed；　and　its　huge　taloned　arms　extended　in　front　of　it；
veined　membranes　of　skin　unfurling　from　wrist　to　hip　like　vestigial　wings。
It　hurtled　downwards；　like　a　monstrous　bird　of　prey　dropping　on　its　quarry；　and　shouts　and　screams
erupted　across　the　chamber。　Calard　heard　the　sound　of　weapons　clashing　along　with　cries　of　shock　and
pain；　and　through　the　dense　crowd　he　spied　the　filth…encrusted　forms　of　Grandfather　Mortis’s　children；
leaping　and　howling　as　they　attacked。　Like　a　frenzied　pack；　they　descended　on　the　crowded　chamber；
and　chaos　erupted。
Duke　Merovech　hurled　himself　to　one　side　as　the　monster　struck。　It　slammed　down　into　the　floor
with　titanic　force；　sending　cracks　shooting　out　across　the　surface　of　the　marble　from　the　impact。
Merovech　rolled　neatly　to　his　feet；　a　sword　in　each　hand。
People　were　running　across　the　killing　circle　in　panic；　separating　Calard　and　Bertelis。　He　saw　his
brother　fighting　his　way　through　the　crowd　towards　him；　his　face　a　mask　of　fury。　A　knight　slammed　into
Calard；　knocking　him　back　a　step；　and　a　heavy　blow　to　his　arm　knocked　the　Sword　of　Garamont　from
his　grasp。　The　ancient　heirloom　clattered　to　the　ground　and　was　kicked　away；　spinning　just　out　of　reach。
Calard　swore　and　dived　after　it。　Someone　tripped　over　him　and　fell　sprawling；　and　he　grunted　as　he
was　kicked　and　trampled；　but　he　ensured　that　he　kept　his　eyes　locked　on　the　holy　sword。　He　reached　for
it；　and　his　fingers　grazed　its　hilt　tantalisingly；　but　then　it　was　kicked　away　again；　this　time　disappearing　into
the　crowd。　Glancing　over　his　shoulder；　he　saw　Bertelis　storming　towards　him；　hacking　down　knights；
ladies　and　feral　peasants　alike；　and　he　swore　again。
Fighting　back　to　his　feet；　he　tore　the　shield　from　his　arm　and　hurled　it　aside。　He　reached　up　over　his
back　and　yanked　his　hand…and…a…half　sword　from　its　scabbard　as　Bertelis　drew　close。
Had　he　been　a　fraction　slower　he　would　have　been　dead；　and　he　only　barely　managed　to　block
Bertelis’s　blow　slicing　in　at　his　neck。　He　was　knocked　back　a　step　and　Bertelis　came　after　him；　getting
inside　the　reach　of　his　longer　blade。
He　was　completely　outclassed；　and　they　both　knew　it。　Confident　that　Calard　could　not　match　him；
Bertelis　was　now　fighting　well　within　his　own　limits；　and　his　form　was　slipping。　Calard’s　anger　swelled；　he
was　determined　to　punish　Bertelis　for　such　arrogance；　but　knew　he　might　only　get　one　chance。

After　a　few　more　passes；　Bertelis　lunged。　Calard　sidestepped　neatly；　turning　side…on　to　let　Bertelis’s
momentum　take　him　past　him。　His　brother’s　blade　slid　by　him；　a　hair’s…breadth　from　his　throat。　With　a
grunt　of　exertion；　he　rammed　his　sword’s　heavy　pommel　into　the　side　of　Bertelis’s　head；　putting　his　whole
armoured　weight　behind　it。
The　move　was　expertly　delivered；　his　timing　perfect；　and　it　should　have　caved　Bertelis’s　skull　in。　His
brother’s　head　snapped　back；　but　he　did　not　fall。　Calard　used　the　moment　to　step　back；　adopting　a
ready　stance　with　his　blade　held　high；　its　point　levelled　at　Bertelis。
A　trickle　of　blood　ran　from　Bertelis’s　temple；　but　he　appeared　otherwise　unaffected　by　the　blow。　He
reached　up　to　the　wound；　and　then　licked　the　blood　from　his　finger　tips。
‘For　that；　I’m　going　to　make　this　really　hurt；’　said　Bertelis。
Calard　lunged　at　him　and　Bertelis　danced　out　of　the　way。　Calard　turned；　sweeping　his　blade
overhead　and　bringing　it　crashing　down　in　a　heavy；　diagonal　strike。　Bertelis　parried　it　early　and　leapt　in
under　the　blade　to　grab　Calard　by　the　throat。　He　moved　so　fast；　he　was　little　more　than　a　blur。　His　grip
was　like　iron；　and　his　snarling　face　was　close。　Up　close；　he　looked　barely　human　at　all；　his　eyes　glinting
with　fathomless　hunger　and　madness；　his　skin　almost　translucent；　and　his　expression　twisted　and　bestial。
‘Orlando’s　blood　was　so　sweet；　so　innocent；’　he　hissed。　‘It　was　like　nectar　on　my　lips；　sweeter　than
the　finest　wine。’
Bertelis　lifted　Calard　off　his　feet；　holding　him　aloft　with　one　hand　before　tossing　him　aside　like　a　child。
Calard　slammed　into　one　of　Merovech’s　knights；　bowling　him　over；　and　they　fell　in　a　tangled　heap。
Calard　was　up　first；　and　as　the　knight　grappled　with　him；　he　pummelled　his　elbow　into　the　man’s　face；
dropping　him　instantly。
Calard　staggered　to　his　feet；　dragging　his　sword　up。　Bertelis’s　boot　slammed　down　on　it　hard；
snapping　the　blade　halfway　up　its　length；　and　Calard　reeled　back。
A　knight　lunged　at　him　with　a　drawn　sword；　and　Calard　swayed　to　the　side；　avoiding　the　killing
thrust。　He　stabbed　the　jagged　end　of　his　shattered　sword　into　the　man’s　face；　and　he　fell　away　with　a
strangled　cry。　Another　knight　swung　at　him　from　behind；　but　Calard　sidestepped　neatly。　Grabbing　the
man’s　arm　as　he　came　around；　he　pulled　him　off…balance；　shoving　him　into　Bertelis’s　path。
Without　blinking；　Bertelis　ran　the　knight　through；　and　the　tip　of　Bertelis’s　blade　burst　from　his　back。
He　dragged　his　sword　clear；　and　hurled　the　man　aside。
Calard　took　a　moment　to　survey　his　surroundings。　The　attack　by　Mortis’s　feral　brood　had　taken　the
knights　by　surprise；　but　they　were　fighting　back　now；　gathering　into　tight　huddles　to　support　each　other；
and　both　sides　were　taking　heavy　casualties。　Bodies　were　strewn　across　the　chamber　floor；　and　more
than　a　few　of　the　hunched　peasants　had　dropped　to　the　ground　to　feed；　unable　to　restrain　their　hunger
amid　the　sight　and　smell　of　so　much　blood。
He　saw　Mortis　standing　alone；　up　on　the　balcony　where　the　monster　had　appeared；　watching　the
mayhem　unfold。
The　immense　beast　and　Duke　Merovech　had　taken　their　fight　up　onto　the　raised　dais　where　the　five
statues　sat　enthroned；　separating　themselves　from　the　chaotic　melee　below。
The　creature　was　bleeding　from　a　dozen　wounds；　but　it　did　not　appear　to　be　slowing。　Merovech
danced　and　weaved　like　a　dervish；　ducking　under　blows　that　would　have　torn　him　in　half；　twin　blades
flashing。　He　moved　with　preternatural　speed；　but　the　monster　he　fought　was　almost　as　quick；　despite　its
bulk。　As　he　watched；　he　saw　the　beast　catch　Merovech　a　glancing　blow　that　sent　the　duke　skittering
across　the　dais　like　a　rag　doll；　crashing　into　the　central　altar　holding　the　huge；　dark　chalice　with
bone…jarring　force。
The　beast　roared　in　victory　and　leapt　after　him　but　Merovech　recovered　quickly；　and　rolled　under　the
blade…like　talons　that　hammered　down　towards　him。　As　he　came　to　his　feet；　both　blades　carved　bloody

furrows　across　the　monster’s　chest；　and　it　hissed　in　pain。
Using　the　immense　beast’s　arm　like　a　ladder；　Merovech　turned　and　leapt　lightly　up　his　enemy’s　body；
spinning　both　swords　around　in　his　hands　so　that　they　were　pointed　downwards；　like　daggers。　Kicking
off　the　beast’s　chest；　he　turned　in　mid…air　and　plunged　both　swords　into　its　neck。
The　monster　bellowed。　Both　swords　were　embedded　to　the　hilt；　and　Calard　could　see　their　tips
protruding　from　the　back　of　its　neck　as　it　thrashed　around　in　pain。　It　reached　up　and　ripped　both
weapons　free；　hurling　them　away　from　it；　and　blood　gushed　from　the　wounds。　Such　a　blow　ought　to　have
been　fatal；　but　the　beast　merely　shook　its　head　and　dropped　to　all　fours；　and　began　stalking　towards　the
now　unarmed　Duke　Merovech。
‘Your　master’s　going　to　die；’　said　Calard　as　Bertelis　closed　the　distance　between　them。
‘I　think　not；’　said　his　brother。　‘No　devolved　varghulf　is　a　match　for　him。’
Bertelis　lunged；　feinting　high　and　coming　in　low　with　a　brutal　attack　intended　to　disembowel　him。
Calard　saw　it　coming；　and　dropped　his　guard　to　block　the　vicious　attack；　but　Bertelis　had　already　shifted
the　angle　of　his　attack　once　more。
Spinning　on　his　heel；　Bertelis　turned　quickly；　his　head　whipping　around　and　his　body　following。　His
sword　slashed　across　Calard’s　shoulder；　striking　just　under　his　pauldron。　The　blow　hacked　through　his
chainmail　and　padding；　and　bit　deep　into　flesh　before　striking　bone。
Before　Calard　could　even　cry　out；　Bertelis　spun　back　around　the　way　he　had　come　and　rammed　his
blade　into　Calard’s　body。　The　tip　penetrated　just　inside　his　hip；　slipping　through　the　slender　gap　under　his
breastplate。
Calard　gasped；　and　his　shattered　sword…blade　dropped　from　his　hands。　He　fell　to　one　knee；　and
Bertelis　loomed　above　him；　his　blade　slick　with　blood。
‘Goodbye；　brother；’　said　Bertelis；　drawing　his　sword　back　for　the　killing　thrust。
A　knight　burst　from　the　crowd　nearby。　He　had　a　sword　in　each　hand；　and　he　shouted　at　the　top　of　his
lungs　as　he　charged。
‘Calard！’　Raben　cried；　tossing　one　of　the　blades　towards　him。
Calard　caught　the　sword；　his　fingers　closing　around　the　familiar　hilt。
Raben　swung　a　two…handed　blow　at　Bertelis；　who　turned　and　blocked　the　attack　with　one　of　his
own。　Dropping　to　one　knee；　Bertelis　slashed　from　right　to　left　across　Raben’s　stomach；　carving　through
his　chain　hauberk　and　the　muscle　beneath；　then　rose　and　kicked　the　outcast　away。
With　a　snarl；　Bertelis　rounded　on　Calard；　but　his　eyes　went　wide　as　the　Sword　of　Garamont　impaled
him。
Calard　was　on　his　feet　now；　and　he　grunted　with　effort　as　gave　his　sword　another　shove；　ramming　it
up　into　Bertelis’s　body。
Blood　gushed　from　the　fatal　wound；　and　Bertelis’s　face　became　increasingly　gaunt；　as　if　all　the
moisture　in　his　body　was　being　sucked　out　of　him。　His　features　became　ever　more　skeletal　and　inhuman
as　his　translucent　flesh　withered；　his　lips　drawing　back　to　expose　his　savage　fangs。　Calard　stepped　back；
a　look　of　disgust　on　his　face；　and　slid　hi