The Night Land

Now, concerning my love-trouble, there did happen a certain thing which

gave me to decide; for one night I waked from a sore troubled sleep, and

it did seem that Naani did call my name, mine olden love name, and in a

voice of utter anguish and with beseeching. And I sat up in the bed, and

sent the Master-Word into the Night, with my brain-elements; and

presently all about me there was the solemn beat of the Master-Word,

answering; but weak, and gone faint, that scarce I might hear it.

And I called again with my brain-elements unto Naani, that was Mirdath;

and spoke to give her assurance, and to haste to tell unto me that which

was so wrong and pitiful with her. And who shall be amazed that I was

shaken with the eagerness of my spirit, in that it was so long since

Naani had spoken clear within my soul; and now behold, her voice.

Yet, though I did call many a time unto the everlasting night, there

came no more the voice of Naani, speaking strangely within my spirit;

but only at times a weak thrilling of the aether about me

. And, at the last I grew maddened with the sorrow of this thing, and the

sense and knowledge of harm about the maid; and I stood upright upon my

feet, and I raised my hands, and gave word and honour unto Naani through

all the blackness of the night, that I would no more abide within the

Mighty Pyramid to my safety, whilst she, that had been mine Own through

Eternity, came to horror and destruction by the Beasts and Evil Powers

of that Dark World. And I gave the word with my brain-elements, and bade

her to be of heart; for that until I died I would seek her. But out of

the Darkness there came naught but the silence.

Then I clothed me swiftly, and went up quickly to the Tower of

Observation, that I might speak instant with the Master Monstruwacan;

for my heart burned in me to intention, and to be doing speedily that

which I had set upon myself to do.

And I came to the Master Monstruwacan, and told all to him; and how that

I did mean no more to suffer in quiet and to no end; but to make

adventure into the Night Land, that I find Naani, or perchance find a

swift peace from this my long troubling.

Now, when the Master Monstruwacan heard that which I had to say, it sat

heavily upon him, and he besought me long and many times that I refrain

from this thing; for that none might achieve so great a task; but that I

should be lost in my Youth before many days were gone by. Yet to all his

speech I said naught, save that this thing was laid upon me, and even as

I had promised, so should I make to act.