The Night Land

And there came a Monstruwacan to the Master Monstruwacan to make report

that the Influence had ceased to work upon the Instruments; and by this

thing we knew that in verity the Force which proceeded out from the

House of Silence was cut off from us, and from those Youths; and we had

assurance that there fought a very mighty Power for the salvation of the

souls of the Youths. And all the Peoples were silent, save for an underbreath of wonder and

talk; for all were utter stirred with hope and fear, perceiving that the

Youths had some chance given unto them to return.

And whilst the Youths yet wavered in their minds, as I perceived with

the Great Spy-Glass, and the knowledge of my soul, and of my natural

wit, lo! the Master Monstruwacan sent once more the great Voice of the

Home-Call abroad into the Land; and immediately besought those Youths

for the sake of their souls and the love which their Mothers had for

them, to come swiftly Homewards, whilst they had yet this great Power

to shield them, and allow them sweet sanity.

And I thought that some did look towards the Pyramid, as that they

answered to the mighty Voice of the Home-Call, and did read the message

which the Master Monstruwacan made to them. But in a moment they faced

about, seeming to have a good obedience to one who did always lead; and

of whom I had inquired, and found to be one named Aschoff, who was a

great athlete of the Nine-Hundredth-City. And this same Aschoff, out of

the boldness and bravery of his heart, did make, unwitting, to destroy

the souls of them all; for he went forward and leapt into the billows of

the bright shining fire that made a Barrier in the way of their

Destruction. And immediately the fire ceased from its shining, and gave way and sank

and grew to a nothingness; and Aschoff of the Nine-Hundredth-City began

again to run towards the House of Silence; and all they that were with

him, did follow faithfully, and ceased not to run.

And they came presently to the low Hill whereon was that horrid House;

and they went up swiftly--and they were two hundred and fifty, and

wholesome of heart, and innocent; save for a natural waywardness of

spirit. And they came to the great open doorway that "hath been open since the

Beginning," and through which the cold steadfast light and the

inscrutable silence of Evil "hath made for ever a silence that may be

felt in all the Land." And the great, uncased windows gave out the

silence and the light--aye, the utter silence of an unholy desolation.