The Night Land

And about this time, there came a fresh matter of trouble to our minds;

for one of the Monstruwacans made report that the instruments were

recording an influence abroad in the night; so that we had knowledge

that one of the Evil Forces was Out. And to me there came an awaredness

that a strange unquiet stole over the Land; yet I knew it not with mine

ears; but my spirit heard, and it was as though trouble and an

expectation of horror did swarm about me.

And once, listening, I heard the Master-Word beating strangely low, and

I knew the aether to thrill about me, and a faint stirring was there in

my soul, as of a faint voice, speaking; and I knew that Naani called to

me some message across the night of the world; yet weak and coming

without clear meaning; so that I was tormented and could but send

comfort to her, with my brain-elements. And presently I knew that she

ceased to speak.

And, later, I heard that there was a new matter forward in the Redoubt;

for ten thousand men had assembled to attend the Room of Preparation

for the Short Preparation; and by this we knew that those poor Youths

who stumbled towards us through the dark, were presently to have help.

And through all that Sleep-Time, there went forward the Spiritual and

the Physical Preparation of the ten thousand; and upon the morrow they

slept, whilst an hundred thousand made ready their arms.

And in this space of time the two hundred and fifty Youths that went

towards the Road Where The Silent Ones Walk, had come very nigh thereto;

having gone very warily and with some slowness, because, as may be, of

the lesson of the Giants.

And to us in the Pyramid, the instruments made known constantly that

Influence which was abroad, and which all those of the Tower of

Observation thought to proceed from the House of Silence. Yet, nothing

could we see with the Great Spy-Glass, and so could come to no sure

knowing; but only to fear and wonder.

And, presently, the Youths were upon the Great Road, and turned to the

Northward. And beyond them, a great way, stood the House of Silence,

upon a low hill at a certain distance to the right of the Road.

By now, they that were wounded had come to within, maybe, fifteen miles

of the Great Redoubt; and the news went through all the Cities, that the

ten thousand men that were Prepared, made to arm themselves. And I went

down by the Tower Lift, and saw them come down by thousands from the

Room of Preparation; and none might go nigh to them, or cause them to

speak; for they were made Ready, and were, as it might be, holy.