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had lost little of its brooding melancholy, but the arrogance had altered, as milk
becomes cheese, to a new and wakeful appreciation of reality.
The fire crackled cheerfully; they ate a breakfast of rampion and pulpy black
gallberries, while Cugel put questions regarding the lands to the east and south.
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The Eyes of the Overworld
Derwe Coreme could return only small information, none of which was
optimistic. "The forest is said to be endless. I have heard it called several names:
the Great Erm, the Forest of the East, the Lig Thig. To the south you -see the
Mountains of Magnatz, which are reputedly dreadful."
"In what respect?" demanded Cugel. "The knowledge is of importance; we must
cross these mountains on our way to Almery."
Derwe Coreme shook her head. "I have heard only hints, and paid no great heed,
as never did I expect to visit the region."
"Nor I," grumbled Cugel. "Were it not for lucounu I would be elsewhere."
A spark of interest animated the listless face. "Who is this lucounu?"
"A detestable wizard of Almery. He has a boiled squash for a head, and flaunts a
mindless grin. In every way he is odious, and displays the spite of a scalded
eunuch."
Derwe Coreme's mouth moved in a small cool smile. "And you antagonized this
wizard."
"Bah! It was nothing. For a trivial slight he flung me north on an impossible
mission. I am not Cugel the Clever for nothing! The mission is achieved and now
I return to Almery."
"And what of Almery is this a pleasant land?"
"Pleasant enough, compared to this desolation of forest and mist. Still,
imperfections exist. Wizardry is rife, and justice is not invariable, as I have
intimated."
"Tell me more of Almery. Are there cities? Are there folk other than rogues and
wizards?"
Cugel frowned. "Certain cities exist, sad shadows of bygone glory. There is
Azenomei, where the Xzan joins Scaum Flow, and Kaiin in Ascolais, and others
along the shore opposite Kauchique, where the folk are of great subtlety."
Derwe Coreme nodded thoughtfully. "I will go to Almery. In your company, from
which I can soon recover."
Cugel glanced at her sidewise, not liking the flavor of the remark, but before he
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could particularize, she asked, "What lands lie between us and Almery?"
"They are wide and dangerous and peopled by gids,
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The Eyes of the Overworld
erbs, and deodands, as well as leucomorphs, ghouls and grues. Otherwise I am
ignorant. If we survive the journey, it will be a miracle indeed."
Derwe Coreme looked wistfully back toward Cil, then shrugged and became
silent.
The frugal meal was at its end. Cugel leaned back against the byre, to enjoy the
warmth of the fire, but Firx would allow no respite, and Cugel, grimacing, jumped
to his feet. "Come; we must set forth. The spite of lu-counu permits no less."
Down the slope they walked, following what appeared to be an old road. The
landscape changed. Heath gave way to' a damp bottomland; presently they came
to the forest Cugel eyed the gloomy shadows with distrust. "We must go quietly,
and hope to arouse nothing baneful. I will watch ahead, and you behind, to
ensure that nothing follows to leap on our backs."
"We will lose our way."
"The sun hangs in the south: this is our guide."
Derwe Coreme shrugged once more; they plunged forward into the shade. The
trees stood tall overhead and the sunlight, filtered through the foliage, only
exaggerated the gloom. Coming upon a stream, they walked along its banks and
presently entered a glade where flowed a brimming river.
On the bank near a moored raft sat four men in ragged garments. Cugel looked
Derwe Coreme over critically, and took the jeweled buttons from her garments.
"These by all odds are bandits and we must lull then- cupidity, even though they
seem a poor lot."
"Better that we avoid them," said Derwe Coreme. "They are animals, no better."
Cugel demurred. "We need their raft and their guidance, which we must
command; if we supplicate, they will believe themselves to have a choice, and
become captious." He strode forward and Derwe Coreme willy-nilly was forced to
follow.
The rogues did not improve upon closer view. Their hair was long and, matted,
their faces gnarled, with eyes like beetles and mouths showing foul yellow teeth.
Withal, their expressions were mild enough, and they watched Cugel and Derwe
Coreme approach with wariness rather than belligerence. One of them, it so
appeared,
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The Eyes of the Overworld
was a woman, though this was hardly evident from garments, face or refinement
of manner. Cugel gave them a salute of lordly condescension, at which they
blinked in puzzlement.
"What people are you?" asked Cugel.
"We call ourselves Busiacos," responded the oldest of the men. "It is both our race
and our family; we make no differentiation, being somewhat polyandrous by
habit."
"You are denizens of the forest, familiar with its routes and trails?"
"Such is a fair description," admitted the man, "though our knowledge is local.
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Remember, this is the Great Erm, which sweeps on league after league without
termination."
"No matter," said Cugel. "We require only transfer across the river, then guidance
upon a secure route to the lands of the south."
The man consulted the others of his group; all shook their heads. "There is no
such route; the Mountains of Magnate lie in the way."
"Indeed," said Cugel.
"If I were to ferry you across the river," continued the old Busiaco, "you would be
as good as dead, for the region is haunted by erbs and grues. Your sword would
be useless, and you carry only the weakest magic this I know for we Busiacos
smell magic as an erb sniffs out meat."
"How then may we Achieve our destination?" demanded Cugel.
The Busiacos showed little interest in the question. But the man next in age to the
eldest, glancing at Derwe Coreme, had a sudden idea, and looked across the river
as if pondering. The effort presently overwhelmed him, and he shook his head in
defeat.
Cugel, observing carefully, asked, "What baffles you?"
"A problem of no great complexity," replied the Busiaco. "We have small practice
in logic and any difficulty thwarts us. I only speculated as to which of your
belongings you would exchange for guidance through the forest."
Cugel laughed heartily. "A good question. But I own only what you see: namely
garments, shoes, cape and sword, all of which are necessary to me. Though, for a
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The Eyes of the Overworld
fact, I know an incantation which can produce a jeweled button or two."
"These would be small inducement. In a nearby crypt jewels are heaped as high
as my head."
Cugel rubbed his jaw reflectively. "The generosity of the Busiacos is everywhere
known; perhaps you will lead us past this crypt."
The Busiaco made a gesture of indifference. "If you wish, although it is adjacent
to the den of a great mother gid, now in oestrus."
'^We will proceed directly toward the south," said Cugel. "Come, let us depart at
once."
The Busiaco maintained his stubborn crouch. "You have no inducement to offer?"
"Only my gratitude, which is no small matter."
"What of the woman? She is somewhat gaunt, but not unappealing. Since you
must die in the Mountains of Magnatz, why waste the woman?"
"True." Cugel turned to look at Derwe Coreme. "Perhaps we can come to terms."
"What?" she gasped in outrage. "Do you dare suggeest such a thing? I will drown
myself in the riverl"
Cugel took her aside. "I am not called Cugel the Clever for nothing," he hissed in
her ear. "Trust me to outwit this moon-calf!"
Derwe Coreme surveyed him with distrust, then turned away, tears of bitter anger
streaming down her cheeks. Cugel addressed the Busiaco. "Your proposal is
clearly the better part of wisdom; so now, let us be off."
"The woman may remain here," said the Busiaco, rising to his feet "We walk an
enchanted path and rigid discipline is necessary."
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