The Night Land

Now, truly, it did seem very light, after the horrid and lonesome gloom

that did lie all-ways in the bottom of the olden sea; and I saw that I

was come out upon a part of the Land that did be surely to the right of

that place where I made entry into the sea-bed, on mine outward going.

And there did be a great plenty of fire-holes, so that mine heart was

warmed to see them; yet did I mind to be wary in coming unto them; for,

as you do know, there did so oft be life of this kind and that about

these fires.

And I lookt now down to the Maid, and she upward to me, and did come

more anigh to me, and truly she did be most wondrous pretty and sweet;

yet did seem very awearied and pale in the face; so that I made blame

upon myself that I had overwalked her; for, in verity, I do think that I

was so strong and hard as that I had been made from iron; and she but a

dear and tender Maid.

Yet did she refuse that I should so reproach

myself; and did but stand anigh to me and look at me with eyes that were

very beautiful. And so I put mine arms about her, and kist her; and

afterward lookt again over the Land, that I should shape out our further

journeying.

And from that place where I did stand, there spread out all before me

the blue shining that I had seen from the mouth-part of the Upward

Gorge; yet did it be a great way off. And, indeed, I should tell you in

this place, that it was by the glimmering of this shine within the sky

of the night that I had steered, as we did come across the olden

sea-bed. And, truly, it was but a broad thing to go toward; but yet did

serve me, in that it told me that I went toward the far side of the

sea-bed, and made not to go all about in blind circles in the night.

And after that I had considered a while, I did know somewhat where the

Gorge should be, and perceived that I should go unto my left; but not

overmuch, for indeed I saw the red-shining of the giants' hole that lay

at a great space that way; and surely I must go so that I missed the

place of the giants so much as I might, and in the same going, come not

overnear unto the blue-shining that lay before me, across all the far

part of that Country; for, in verity, I Mistrusted the place where that

shining did be.

Now when I had gained somewhat of knowledge where should be found the

Mouth of the Upward Gorge, I put mine arm about the Maid, where she did

stand so nigh to me, and very husht, the while that I had lookt about. And

I pointed outward over the dark Land unto my left, and told her that the

Gorge did be somewhere that way, a great distance off; yet utter out of my

sight, and only to be known that it did be somewise there by the things

that I did mind of, concerning my way after I came into the Land.

Now the Maid, having stood very quiet, had lookt all that time about

her; and so had come to some knowing of the place where she did be in the

Land, for she to know the land someways, as you shall think. And she askt

me how I did mind to go; and truly I said, so straight as we might; but yet

so that we come neither too nigh to the shining nor to the great red

fire-pit of the Giants.

And the Maid bade me to look in the way that I did mind to go; and I

lookt, but yet there was nothing save, as they did seem, certain

fire-holes that had a green-shining about them. And she set out unto me

then, how that there did go a tract of bad gas in that part of the

Land, that should be utter poisonous unto any; and this had been well

known in the Lesser Redoubt, by the reading of their instruments. And

where the gas did go, there was there a green-shining about the

fire-holes.

And she showed me how that the Place of the Gas went a great way unto

the North-West, so that I learned now somewhat how the land did lie, as we

do say in these days. And it was in all the North-West that the great

blue-shining did burn. And I askt Naani how they named this, and she told

me by no name, save but The Shine.

And Mine Own made very earnest to warn me, regarding The Shine; and urged

that we go no more that-wards than should be needful to our lives--the

which, indeed, was no wish of mine. And her reason to be that the Fixed

Giants did be within the borders of The Shine, and all hid in the light

thereof, save when the burning mist did roll this way or that. And I

took a great heed of this thing, and did guess that these Fixed Giants

were somewhat even as the Great Watchers that were about the Mighty

Pyramid, as you do know. And immediately I minded me of that utter

monstrous face that I did see amid the bright smoke of The Shine, when

that I came first into the Land; and surely this had been one of the

Fixed Giants, that Naani told me were Forces of great and very horrid

Evil.

And I askt Mine Own how far the Place of the Gas went across the Land;

and she pointed and made further explaining. And, in verity, in the

end, I saw not how I should come that way to the mouth of the Gorge, if

that I would keep off-wards from The Shine. Yet, in a moment, Naani askt

me how I did come across the Land, when that I searched for her. And,

truly, as I showed her, I had walked then by a sweet chance, or guiding,

alway upon the far side of the Place of the Gas, and so unto the Olden

Sea bed; and was in this way come free of the gas, and all unknowing of

it.

And at this telling, the Maid said that we go downward again into the

bed of the Olden Sea, and walk some great hours below the shore, but in

the way that should take us unto the South-West, and so until we were

come beyond the Place of the Gas. And afterward up again into the Land,

and then to have an utter caution that we escape the watching of the

giants who did be ever about the Great Red Fire-Hole. And by this plan

very speedy to the entering-part of the Upward Gorge.

And, truly, this did be very good and sound, and such as I should have

planned in a moment; for, indeed, I am not over-slow in such matters;

only the Maid did be very eager and quick; and it was very sweet to me

that she should thus plan; for, in verity, I loved alway the sounding of

her voice, and to hear her have speech and to plan and think, and so to

show me the workings of her inward self and her dear qualities and human

niceness. And to have part and lot alway with me in all things and

thinkings.

And, we shaped to this plan that Naani made; but at that time, as you do

mind, it was somewhat of seventeen hours since last we had slumber; and

the Maid was sore wearied, as I did see. And I showed to her how that it

did be wise that we have our rest very soon, and so forward again in new

strength and ability.

And the Maid did soon agree with me; for indeed she was very weary; and

we made it that we should venture unto one of the fire-holes that lay no

great seeming away, a little upon our right, which was the Northward-way

of that Land.

And we went toward the fire-hole; and, truly, it did be further off than

we had thought; for it was a good hour before that we came anigh to it;

and, indeed, it to prove a very great and red-glowing shine that went

upward into the night, out of the hollow place where it did burn among

rocks.

And when we were come near unto it, I made a sign to the Maid that she

be utter husht; and I took the Diskos from mine hip, and went forward

before her; and afterward to my knees and hands, and beckoned backward

to Mine Own, that she do likewise.

And we came this way to the edge of the hollow-place where the fire-hole

did burn; and so were able in the end to look downward. And truly it was

a great fire that burned in the earth in that place; yet, as I perceived

very swift, there did seem nowhere any monstrous thing about the fire,

the which set some peace upon mine heart; but yet not overmuch; for it

was come fresh upon me that we did well to stay afar off from the fires

of the Land, in that it was about the fires that all living things did

congregate.

And I lookt a great time, and the Maid crept unto mine elbow, and lookt

with me; and afterward we harked, very keen, into the night; but there

was nowhere any trouble of the air or of the aether of the Land. Yet I

spoke quiet with the Maid, and showed unto her how that we did well to

stay off-ward from the fires; but, truly, she was so utter cold and

chill, that she did beg that we go down by the fire-hole, even should it

be that we stay no more there than should put a warmth through the utter

chill of our bodies.

And, in verity, I was so bitter cold that I was all weak to go beside

the fire; yet, truly, I do think that the shiverings of the Maid was

that which did force my heart, to go against the teachings of my head;

so that in the end, we came down into the hollow, and very swift unto

the fire.

Now, truly, it doth seem a strange thing to be so diverse-minded as

this, when that, as you do know, I had been so long a-search for a

fire-pit; and mayhaps you shall perceive the better how my heart and

brain did be contrary, when that I tell to you, now, how that I have

belief that my spirit did even then be subtly set to warn me. And, also,

as all do know, it doth be easy to forget this warning and that of

experience; by which saying, I do mean that, oft as I had come to know

the dangers that did be alway about the fire-holes, yet when I did be

far off from them, and Mine Own broken and a-shiver with the chill of

the Land, the danger did seem but a small thing and afar off from my

mind, and unreal; but the cold to be doubly real. Yet, when we did come

even unto the fire-hole, then did come again all about my heart the

truth of those dangers that had seemed, but a while gone, so little.

And, indeed, I do hope you perceive me in this thing, and how that I

strive alway to set unto you the utter truth, so that you shall go with

me all the way, and lend me your nice understanding.

Now, when we were come down unto the fire-pit, I went this way and that

among the rocks that did be in the bottom of the hollow, so that I

should perceive whether there did be any living creature there hid, that

should mayhap come out, unknown, to work us harm.

But, indeed, I discovered nothing of any greatness; yet I saw three

snakes, and there were, beside, two scorpion-creatures, as I did name

them, that neither went backward from me, nor came against me; but did

bide where I saw them, each in an hole of the rock.

And because I had seen these things, I saw that we should not do wise to

sleep nigh unto the fire-hole; for the creeping things did mortally like

the heat, and should be like to come upon us in our slumber. And,

indeed, this did but uphold my caution, that we should be well

actioned, if that we chose some other part to our rest.

Yet, as you shall suppose, I said naught unto the Maid concerning the

creeping and the poisonous things; for I did mean that she have rest and

happiness the while that we did stay beside the fire-hole; and

afterward, I should tell her, and so she be the more ready to see the

properness that we go elsewhere to our sleep. But, as you to understand,

if that she not to see wisely and be still intent to the fire-hole, I

should have her to obey; for surely she was Mine Own, and I did love her

and did mean alway to have her to safety.

Now, presently, the Maid was something warmed, and afterward, she slipt

the scrip from my shoulder, and so had food and drink very swift to my

need.

And we sat together, and eat and drank; and the Maid very sweet and

quiet, as she did begin to eat her second tablet; and, truly, I had

knowing that she did remember in all her body that I had whipt her. And,

indeed, she did be utter mine.

And oft as we did eat and drink, I lookt this way and that, so that no

creeping thing should come anigh to us; and presently, when we had made

an end of our food, the Maid saw that I did look about, and she then

very swift to catch some of mine unease, and to stare over her shoulder.

And, indeed, in a little while she saw a snake go among the rocks; and

she then to be very eager that we find some place that should be secure

from creeping things. And we to begin then to look for such.

But in the end, we stayed in the hollow, for we found a little cave that

did be in an upstanding rock of the hollow, and the upstanding rock was,

mayhaps, an hundred good feet off from the fire; for the hollow was very

great. And the cave did be a hole that was thrice my height up from the

bottom rocks; and it was dry and sweet and with no creeping thing within

it, neither did there be any place to hide such therein.

And when we were gotten into the hole, surely it did be very sweet and

cozy; for the shine of the fire-hole did shine therein; and surely we

had felt it a very haven, but that there was ever the fear of the Land

upon our hearts; and upon mine the more than upon the Maid; for, truly,

Mine Own did seem to trust me utter; and to seem that she feared not any

evil monster, but to have surety that I had power to succour her in all

ways. And truly this trust had been very sweet unto my heart, if that I

had lacked somewhat of my terror for the safe home-going of Mine Own.

And we slept that night as we had done before, and shared the cloak over

us; for truly, the fire-hole made no great warmth unto us; yet was it

less bitter in that part than in the darkness of the Land.

And by that we had come unto sleep, it was twenty good hours since last

we had slumber; and truly we did be very wearied; but yet came unto our

rest with our spirits set anxious to harken on danger the while that we

did sleep.

And we slept seven hours, and did know suddenly of some matter that had

need to waken us; and lo! in a moment I did wake, and the Maid in the

same instant of time; and there was a great screaming and crying out in

the night, that surely affrighted us both; yet did hurt our hearts the

more; for it did be the utter cryings and terror of poor humans in the

night of that Land. Yet might I do naught; but only wait that I learn

more of the matter; for my duty was unto Mine Own, and I had no leave of

rashness any more.

Yet, as you do suppose, I was all shaken to go downward of the rock, and

afterward to climb out from the hollow, that I should give some help

unto they that did need help; but yet might I not leave the Maid.

And immediately, there was a great roaring in one part of the night, and

again another roaring in another part of the night; and lo! in a moment

the roarings did be answered; and the roarings were the sounds of big

and husky voices; so that it did seem that we harked to men so big as

houses that did run and shout in the night.

And the Maid did begin to shake, and I put mine arm about her, and drew

her backward into the hole so that she did be into the shadow; and she

to tremble like one that was broken in courage; for, truly, she had

heard those sounds oft in the night in all the long and dreadful month

that she had wandered.

And, indeed, I was all shaken in my courage; for it did be the shouting

of giants that I heard; and you do know somewhat of the utter horror and

terror that did be alway in the heart that did harken unto those

monstrous voices, for you do know my tale.

And there came in a moment, a dreadful screaming out in the night, and

the screaming did be the screaming of a young maid that doth be slain

very brutal. And my heart sickened, because of Mine Own; but my spirit

did swell with a strange and utter anger, as that it should burst my

body. And the Maid to my side broke into an utter sobbing.

And the screaming of the maid afar off in the dark did end very sudden;

but in a moment there did be other screamings in diverse places, and the

hoarse shoutings of the great men and the thudding of mighty feet that

ran this way and that, a-chase.

And the cryings of the humans came nearer, and the thuddings of the

great feet. And, in verity, in a little minute, it did seem unto me that

the sounds did be right upon the hollow; and I crept forward, and peered

out. And I felt the night to be full of people running; and immediately

there passed by the hollow a clustering of humans that ran ever, and

screamed and gasped and wept, panting, as they ran. And the shining of

the fire-hole made them plain seen and clear, and they did be both men

and women, and were but in rags or utter naked, and all torn by the

rocks and the bushes, and did seem, indeed, as that they had been wild

things that did go by so swift and lost.

And mine heart troubled me with the pain and longing that it did know;

so that I had gone in a moment after those people, but that I should

leave Mine Own and put her to peril. And even while that I felt so utter

in this thing, there came a great thudding of monstrous feet; and there

ran four great men out of the night, and went past the hollow very

quick. And three did be dull coloured and seeming much haired and

brutish; but the other did be an horrid white, and livid-blotched; so

that it did seem to my spirit that there went by, a thing that did be a

very man-monster filled of unwholesome life. And surely they did be gone

from out of the shine of the fire, in one moment, as we do say; and

again into the night to their dreadful chasing.

And when the thudding of their feet had gone a long way off over the

Land, I heard them bellowing, and afterward a far away screaming, that

did have a death note in it; and I knew that those dreadful brute-men

did be taking the life from some poor wild humans; and afterward there

did be the silence again.

And, surely, it did come to me with a fierce impatience of sorrow, that

those people did be without spirit of courage; else had they turned them

upon the giants, and slain them with their hands, even if that all had

died to compass that slaying; for, truly, they should all die anywise by

the giant-men; and they had died then with somewhat to comfort their

hate.

Yet, as I do know, the Peoples of the Lesser Redoubt had long been born

of parents that were starved of the Earth-Current through an

hundred-thousand years and more, and because of this thing, they did

surely lack somewhat in all ways. Yet was Naani otherwise; but this not

to prove aught, save the rule, as we do say.

Now, sudden, as I stooped very husht and troubled in the mouth of the

little cave, I knew that Mine Own sobbed dryly in the back part of the

cave. And I had gone to comfort her, but that in the same moment, I saw

a naked maid run very swift over the edge of the hollow, and did look

over her shoulder, as she ran. And she came to the bottom, and crept in

under a ledge of rock that did be in that place; and she did seem utter

worn, and gone of the spirit, and desperate. And I perceived in the same

instant why that she did go stealthy and swift in that fashion, and to

cower, as for her very life; for there came a squat, haired man, so

broad as a bullock, who did come silent down into the hollow, looking

this way and that, even as a wild beast doth peer, very sudden.

And the Squat Man had instant knowing of the place where the maid did

be; and ran in upon her, with no sound.

And I paused not; but leaped all the great way unto the bottom of the

hollow, which did be, mayhaps, twenty good feet and more; for mine anger

was upon me, and I did mean that I save that one, though I did be

powerless to give succour unto those others.

And I fell strong upon my feet, and had no harm of my limbs, for all

that the leap did be so high. And in that moment, before that I had time

to save the maid, the Squat Man ript her; and she cried out once with a

very dreadful scream, and was suddenly dead in the hands of the

Brute-Man.

And my heart made my blood to burn with wrath in mine eyes, so that I

had scarce power in that instant to see the Squat Man, as I ran upon

him. And the roar of the Diskos filled all the hollow, as I made it to

spin, as that it did rage with an anger, and to be glut of the Man.

And the Man came round upon me; and thought, mayhaps, to deal with me,

as it had dealt with that poor maid, but not all thatwise, as you must

know. And I swung the Diskos, and it did seem to sing and to cry eager

in my hands. And I smote at the Squat Man, even as it did leap silent

upon me, as a tiger doth leap, making no sound. But I gat not home the

blow; for the Man dropt sudden down upon the hands, and the blow went

overwards. And the Brute-Man caught me by the legs, to rip me; and I cut

quick with the Diskos, and it did have but one monstrous talon left unto

it. And immediately, it cast me with the other, half across the hollow,

and I fell with mine armour clanging mightily, and the Diskos did ring

like a bell.

And by the graciousness of all good things, I was harmed not by that

monster throw; but was to my feet in one instant, and had not loosed the

Diskos from my hand. And the Beast-Man did be upon me with two quick

boundings; and I stood up to the Man, and it made no sound or cry as it

came at me; and there did a great froth of brute anger and intent come

from the mouth of it, and the teeth came down on each side of the mouth,

very great and sharp. And I leaped and smote, so that my blow should

come the more speedy, and the Diskos took away the head and the shoulder

of the Squat Man; and the dead thing knockt me backward, with the spring

that it had made; but it harmed me not greatly. Yet afterward I did know

how sore and bruised I did be, in all my body and being. And I came back

very swift against the Man; but it did be truly dead and greatly horrid.

And I went from the dead monster, and did go, all heart-shaken, unto the

dead maid. And I took the torn body of the maid, very sorrowful, and

cast it into the fire-hole.

And I turned me then that I should look unto the cave, that I should

know that all did be well with Mine Own, and whether she did have seen

the horror, or be gone into a swoon.

And lo! Mine Own did run toward me; and she had in her hand my

belt-knife which I did give her, before that time, to be a weapon for

her defence. And I perceived that she had come to be mine aid, if that

I did need such. And she did be utter pale, yet very steadfast and not

seeming to tremble.

And I made to take her from that place; but she went beyond me, and

lookt at the monstrous bulk of the Squat Man; and was very silent. And

she came back unto me; and still so silent. And she stood before me, and

said no word; but my heart knew what she did be thinking; for I am not

foolish, to have lacked to know what did be in her heart; though mine

effort had not shown itself that way unto me, before that moment. And I

had no pretending of modesty, but received with gladness and a

strangeness of humbleness the honour that her eyes did give to me; for,

indeed, she did be so, that she might not give word to her joy of me and

her glad respecting, the which is so wondrous good unto the heart of all

men that do be loving of a dear and honest maid.

And she said nothing, neither then nor afterward; but I did be honoured

all my life after, when that I did anytime mind me of the way that Mine

Own lookt upward at me in those moments.

And afterward she did need and allow herself to come unto mine arms,

that I hold her from the trembling of heart which did come to her, after

that there did be no need for courage; for surely we had both seen a

very dreadful thing, and there was a great horror upon us.

And I climbed upward again to the little cave, and did help Naani; and

when we were come there again, we did rest awhile. And presently we eat,

each of us, two of the tablets and drank some of the water, and indeed

we were both utter thirsty.

And in about an hour, after that we had harked very keen a time, we came

downward again from the cave, and had our gear with us; and we came up

out of the hollow, and set forward with a great caution unto the olden

sea-bed. And we came there in two long hours; for we went very slow and

with constant harkings; for the fear of the monstrous men was upon us.

But there came no harm anigh, neither did we perceive any disturbance in

the night of the Land.

And we went down an hour into the olden sea-bed, and did go now the more

swift; for our fear was something eased from us, because that we had

come away from that place where we had perceived so great and dread an

hunting. But yet had we all care about us; for the giants surely to be

everywhere in that Land; but yet, as I do think, they to roam more oft

anigh to the fire-holes; for the humans did surely wander in such parts,

that they have warmth of the fires.

And after we had gone downward an hour into the sea-bed, we turned

somewhat unto the South-West, and went for twelve great hours, and did

never be any huge space from the shore; for it did run that way, as you

do know. And I made to steer by the shinings of the Land, and with

advices from Mine Own.

And in the end of the twelfth hour, I did count our distance, making

that we did walk somewhat of a certain speed; and by the tellings of the

Maid, we did be surely come beyond the place of the Land where the

Poison Gas did lie.

And by this, it did be something after seventeen hours since we did

sleep; and surely we did be very ready to have rest; for we had gone

forward strongly, and with anxiousness; and truly my hurts did be come

upon me, so that my whole body did ache; for the quick fight had been

bitter, and I had been thrown very hard and brutal; and, indeed, it was

wondrous that I had not been all smashed, only that the armour did save

me.

And this doth show truly how hard and strong I did be; and Naani did

speak upon this, and was oft a-wonder, and at that time did beg me that

I make some rest to cure my hurts; for she had not conceived that a man

did grow so strong and hardy; and, in verity, the men of the Lesser

Redoubt did be soft-made and lacking of grimness, as I did perceive,

both through my reason and from her tellings; for they did lack the

strong life that doth breed where is the beat of the Earth-Current, as

we to have in the Mighty Pyramid. And this thing I have said somewise

before this time.

And because that we did be so wearied, I said unto Naani that we find a

place for our slumber, and she very willing, as I have shown, and to

counsel me likewise.

Yet did we search about in that gloom for a great hour more, and found

no cave or hole to give us a safe refuge for our sleep.

And when that we could not find such, I told Naani that we should put

the boulders together, somewhat, and so have them about us, that we be

greatly hid; and, in truth, even as I began to tell her my plan, she did

have the same words in her mouth, so that we caught our little fingers,

there in the dark of that grim Land in the end of the world, even as she

and I had done oft in the early years, before that eternity, when that

she did be Mirdath the Beautiful. And we did both be silent, and after

that we had wished very solemn and earnest, we said each a name; even as

lad and maid shall do in this age; and so to laughter and kist one the

other. And truly, the world doth seem not to alter in the heart, as you

shall think. And this was what I did find.

And we set-to, and gathered together the boulders which did be very

plentiful in that part. And she carry those that did be thin and flat,

and I to roll those that did be great and round. And I made a place that

did be long and narrow; and afterward, I set the flat stones round the

sides, that there be no little hole by which any creeping thing should

come inward to sting us in our sleep.

And afterward we gat inside; and surely it did be very cozy, as we do

say; but yet not so secure as I did wish, only that I could not shift to

plan aught better. And, indeed, it should keep off from us any small

thing, and should be like to save us from any monstrous Brute treading

upon us; but otherwise, it did be but a poor affair.

Now we eat two of the tablets, each, and drank some of the water, even

as we had done in the sixth and the twelfth hours; and afterward we

shared the cloak for our slumber; and we kist very sedate and loving,

and charged our spirits that we wake if that any horrid thing should

come anigh to us in our sleep; and afterward we did be gone very swift

to slumbering, and suffered no harm.

And I waked seven hours after, and surely I did ache very bitter, as I

did move my body; for the bruisings did be gotten hold of me.

And I slipt away from the Maid, very gentle; for I had mind that she

sleep a while more, as I did mean that we make a great journey that day.

And after I had harked a while, and perceived that there was no evil

thing anigh, I went outward of the stones. And I walked to and fore and

moved mine arms, that I be eased somewhat of the stiffness and ache; but

surely it did seem that many hours must go ere I should make any speed

of travel; for I did be all clumsy and slow and nigh to groan with the

pain of going and aught that I did.

And I minded me that I should do somewhat to ease this thing, lest that

I cause us both to come to an harm by staying over-long in that Land.

And I went back into the stones, and gat an ointment from the pouch,

that I did carry. And surely the Maid did yet sleep. And I went outward

of the stones, again; and stript off the armour, and all my garments;

and I rubbed my body with the ointment, and surely the pain did be so

that I groaned at this time and that; but yet must I rub good and strong

so that I die not of the cold of the Land; and beside I was greatly

anxious to cure myself.

And sudden, as I did rub very strong and savage, and heeding so well as

I might that I groan not, the Maid did speak close beside me. And,

indeed, she could see me but dimly, and had waked sudden to hear my

groaning, and I was not to her side. And immediately she had thought

that some evil thing harmed me, and was come in an instant that she be

with me.

And she cared not that I did be naked; but was utter in anger that I

strove to do this thing alone, and with none to aid me, and all

uncovered to the chill of the Land. And she ran back into the stones,

and brought the cloak and put it about me; and was so angered that she

stampt, and had no impudence, but rather as that she did be minded to

have tears.

And she sent me back into the sheltering of the stones, and gathered

mine armour, and brought these things after me. But the Diskos I took in

my hand. And she took the pot of the ointment from me, and made me to

lie, and she rubbed me very strong and tender, and kept me warm with

the cloak; and surely she was a wise and lovely Maid, and utter Mine

Own.

And in the end, she askt me how I was, and I said that I did be

different; and she hurried me that I be clothed very quick; for she did

be sore afraid that I should come to a chill.

And when I was gotten again into mine armour, she came to me, and showed

me where I did lack wisdom, and spoke very straitly and gentle and

serious; and afterward kist me, and gave me my tablets, and to sit

beside me. And we eat and drank; and I with a new lovingness unto Mine

Own; and she somewhat as that she did mother me; but when I put mine arm

about her, she did be only a maid. And we did be thus, with but little

talk and a great content.

And afterward, we gat our gear together, and went from that little

refuge that we had made; and in a while we did go upward out of the

olden sea-bed.

And when we were come again to the top of the shore, the which we did in

two good hours, I lookt over the Land, a time, with Mine Own anigh to

me. And I perceived that the Great Red Fire-Pit of the Giants did be no

mighty way off unto the South and West; and surely in a little moment,

we saw that there went monstrous figures against the shine of the mighty

fire-pit; and we stoopt unto the earth; for it did seem that the light

did be like to show us standing there, though truly we did be afar off,

as you perceive. Yet, mayhaps, you do share with us the utter horror and

distress that those horrid Men did cast about the heart, and so have a

kindly understanding of our fear.

And over all the Land, in this place and that, there did be the small

shining of little fire-holes and pits, that did be alway red, save in

that part where the Poison Gas did lie, the which we had now come safe

past.

And beyond the fire-holes, was the great Shine, that lay from the West

unto the North of all that Land; and, in verity, we did need that we

steer so that we come not anigh to it, neither unto the Great Red

Fire-Pit of the Giants; neither unto the low volcanoes, which were

beyond the Great Red Fire-Pit, as you do know, and someways unto the

Mouth of the Upward Gorge.

And the way of our journey was between the West and the South-West of

that Land; and to be made with cunning and wisdom, that we come clear of

all unseemly danger unto Mine Own. And I askt her concerning this thing

and that of the Land; and surely she told me so much of terror that I

was half in a wonder that ever I did live in the end to come unto her.

And it was because of the things that she set out to me, that I

perceived how we must come nowise anigh to the low volcanoes that were

upon this side of the mouth of the Upward Gorge; for it had been known

alway in the Lesser Redoubt that there went very horrid men in that

part that did be called wolf-men; but whether there did be any such

thing in that age, she had no knowing; for she told me the things that

did be set down in the Records and the Histories; and truly no man of

the Lesser Redoubt had found heart in a thousand great years to make a

journeying through the Land, for the desire of glad and dreadful

adventuring, such as our young men did be oft set to; though it was not

all such that went.

And because there did be no adventuring for so monstrous a space of

years, there was no certain new knowledge of the Land of that age. And

this thing is plain to you, and needing not of many words, which do so

irk me.

And Naani set out to me how that The Shine was conceived to be a land

where Evil did live for ever, and whence came all those Forces of Evil

that did work upon the Lesser Refuge. And afterward, she did quiet; so

that presently I perceived that she did weep to herself, because that

her memory was all new-stirred by my questionings. And I took her very

gentle into mine arms, as we did be there kneeled upon the earth.

And after that time, I askt her no question, save as it did be needful

to our health and life; yet oft did she tell me this thing and that of

her knowledge, to be for mine help and guiding.

Now we went forward, going a space toward the North-West, so that we

come the more clear of the place where did be the Great Red Fire-Pit of

the Giants. And we journeyed with a care alway that we show not

ourselves over-plain unto the light that shone over the Land from the

great Pit; and oft we did creep a while over this stark place and that;

and went nimbly amid the bushes that grew oft in great parts.

And we made six hours this way, and did then have pause, that we eat and

drink; and truly it was nine hours since first I did wake; yet had we

made no pausing, because that we were so set to our journeying to come

clear of the place where did be the Giants.

And after that we had eat and drunk, we went onward again; and made now

unto the South-West; for we did heed that we go no more unto the

North-West, because that should bring us over-near to The Shine.

And in the fourteenth hour of that day's travel, we came to a part where

the Land dipt downward into a broad valley; and surely it did be very

dark down there, and did be seeming shallow, yet truly of a great

deepness; but we went that way, because that it did be a weary long

journey to go around the place where the valley did be.

And the Valley had a different darkness from the gloom that went alway

in the olden sea-bed; for the gloom of the sea-bed did be ever of a

greyness; but the gloom of this Valley had a greater dark within it; yet

did the air seem more clear.

And we went downward three hours into the Valley, and stopt then that

we eat and drink; and truly I had not paused then; but that Mine Own did

insist; for our methods did be like, else, to go all adrift, and we to

be lacking of proper strength.

And this was wisdom of the Maid; but I to be a little irked-like and

restless; and this mayhap because that my blood did itch me, because

that it did be so full of the poison of my bruises.

And it was gone now of seventeen hours since last we did sleep; but yet

did we be ready to go forward, that we come so quick as maybe out of the

dark of that Valley; for there did seem nowheres any fire-hole to make a

light; only that in this place and that, there did be a little blue

shining, as that there burned a strange gas in this part or that.

Now, in two hours after the time that we did eat, we stopt, both of us,

very sudden; for there did be some vague and curious sound in the night.

And we went very swift to the earth, that we be hid, and harked. But did

hear nothing.

And in a while, we to go onward again; yet there did be an unease upon

our spirits; for our spirits did perceive something afar off in the

night; but yet had we no surety in this matter.

And we went forward through a great hour more; and did pass in that

time, two places where the blue-shining did be; and truly it seemed as

that a low gas hung to the earth in this part and that, and made a slow

burning, having neither noise nor spurtings; but slow, as that it did

smoulder and be all to shine and luminous. And oft there did be a strong

smelling of a bitter gas, very horrid in the throat.

And in the end of another hour, while that we were a space off from one

of those gas-shinings, there went past us at a distance, as it did seem

people, running in the night; as that they did be lost spirits; yet with

a rustling very soft; so that they did be like to be barefoot.

And I thought mayhap that these did be some of the Peoples of the Lesser

Pyramid; yet did they be only as that shadows went among the

blue-shinings. And I pondered a moment, whether that I send my voice

over the Valley, to question what they did be; but yet had caution, and

harked through the utter silence of the night; for I had no surety of

aught.

And, surely, in that moment that we harked very keen, there did be a

sound afar off in the night of the Land; and it was as that we had heard

the sound before; and, in verity, our spirits had perceived the sound,

those two hours back; and now our bodies did wot, and perceived that we

had known it subtly before that moment. And the sound was as that

something went spinning in the night.

And a very great terror came upon the Maid; for she did know the sound;

and the sound was that which did show that one of the great Evil Forces

of the Land did approach; and the sound had been known alway in the

Lesser Refuge to show this thing. And, indeed, mine own spirit had been

half to know that a Power of Evil did come through the night; but yet

was the assurance very terrible; for how should I protect Mine Own.

And the spinning came toward us, and was presently in the Valley; and it

came swiftly across the dark of the Valley. And my heart was all broken

within me, because that there had been happiness with us, but a little

time gone; and now there did be our death anigh.

And Mine Own gave me the knife that I had given to her; meaning that I

slay her, in the last moment; for she did heed even in that moment that

she be not gashed horridly by the terror of the Diskos. And I took the

knife. And I kist not Mine Own; but stood there, very shaken and

desperate, and gript her fast unto me, scarce heeding the hardness of my

gripe; and alway I lookt unto the way of the coming of the Sound. And

presently did unbare my wrist where the Capsule did be.

And the sound of the thing Spinning came anigh, across the Valley; and

my heart did dull and my spirit go black with my desperateness, because

that this thing must be, and because that I could nowhere see hope that

I should save Mine Own.

And, of a sudden, the Maid put up her arms, and pulled me downward, and

kist me once on the lips; but I wot not whether I kist her; for I did

burn with despair and was all adrift in my being. Yet was there a sharp

comfort that mine own dying did be so nigh.

And the Maid stood gently against me; so that she did be convenient unto

my hand. And afterward I remembered this thing; and do you pray that you

be never to have such a matter on your hearts! But, indeed, there was a

wonder in this thing, beside the horror; so that my memory doth be alway

knowing of this wonder; and mayhap you do see with me, and love Mine Own

also in your hearts. And in the moment that the Maid stood thus, as I

have told, I perceived sudden that there did be a little glowing in the

night, and the glowing was pale and horrid. And there was no more any

sound of the Spinning; only there did be, as it were, the trunk of a

great tree, that did show in the glowing; and the trunk of the tree came

toward us across the darkness.

And I turned the Maid from the Tree, and she did flutter a little in my

hands, as I did know, scarce-knowing; for she perceived that she did be

going to die in that moment. And I had my body thus between the Evil

Thing and the Maid. And lo! the Tree came no more anigh to us; but went

backward, and the pale glowing did fade, and the Tree no more to be

seen.

And I cried unto the Maid, very husky, that we did live; for that the

Evil Power was gone off from us; but she answered not, and did be heavy

against me. And I held her, and lookt alway about us, lest the Tree come

in upon the other side.

And, as I lookt this way and that, I saw naught; and afterward, in a

moment, I searched the night above, lest that the Thing come from

above. And, behold, I saw that there abode over us a clear light, as it

were a clear burning Circle, above us in the night. And my heart did

leap with an holy joy and an utter great thankfulness; and I was no more

in fear of the Tree; for, in verity, there fought for our souls one of

those sweet Powers of Goodness, that did strive ever to stand between

the Forces of Evil and the spirit of man; and this matter have I shown

to you, before this time.

And concerning this holy Defense, I have thought that it should not,

mayhap, to have had so strong a power to save us, if that we had shown

an over-weakness and fear, but because that we did rather stand so well

as we might to make battle of escape from so dire a Destruction.

And, surely, this doth seem but a sane thinking unto me; but yet without

proof, and to be said to you, only as the shapings of my thoughts. And

this the chief end of that happening, that the holy Circle did truly

deliver us, and burned through twelve great hours above us; and by this,

do I know that the Evil Power hovered anigh, to destroy us, all that

while; for, indeed, it doth not be proper of reason to suppose that such

an utter wondrous thing did be needlessly over us, save to be a Shield

of Great and Lovely Force against a waiting Evil Thing. And surely you

do see thiswise with me?

And, truly, so soon as my Spirit and Reason perceived that we did be no

more to suffer from the Evil Thing, I remembered that I did know that

Mine Own had swooned. And, in verity, you shall mind how that she did

face her death so utter sweet and brave, and had given no cry, but made

quietly to help me in that dreadful moment, and did stand brave and

gentle to the stroke. And so fell into a swoon, as you have seen,

because that she did suffer an hundred deaths as she did stand so brave,

waiting to be slain, for the blow did be so long delayed, yet to come in

any moment.

And I gat her to come-to unto her life again, and I set the lovely tale

very swift to ease her, and surely with love and warmth, and kist her

with a great joy. And I showed how I did honour her for her good

courage.

And she to weep a little, with the ease come so sudden upon her; and

afterward to kiss me upon the lips an hundred times, and to need that

she be very safe in mine arms, because that I had meant that I do so

dread an office to her. And surely I do wonder whether you perceive all

that did be then in her heart.

And the holy light that did be over us, she did watch with a sweetness

of awe; and rest did come more great upon her in the heart, as she did

learn how sure was the seeming of that Lovely Power to deliver us.

And, presently, we made forward again in the Valley. And did go

steadfast, and newly-loving each to the other, and so through twelve

great and body-weary hours; but our hearts could never be done singing

within us, nor our hands to cease from the hands of the other, because

that we did so crave each unto the beloved.

And in the ninth hour, a monstrous way off in the dark of the Valley,

there did seem as that there went a far and dreadful screaming in the

night. And it did be as that our spirits perceived the sound of

something Spinning in the night; yet faint and a great way off; but yet

had we no surety that we did truly hear the sound of the Spinning; only

we did be so shaken in the heart, for truly there was some horror done

unto humans, downward in the mighty darkness of the Valley. And to think

upon the sound of the Spinning, was to be in a shaking trouble of the

spirit; and to bless the quiet and holy light that went above us in all

that time; and to ache only that it should stay to be to our protecting.

And surely it did be plain that there were the signs of great Forces in

that Land.

And three hours after that time when we did hear the far-off screaming,

we were come up over the edge of the Valley, and did be once more unto

such light as did be general in the Land; and truly it did seem a

wondrous lightness, after so utter a dark.

And we did be all exhaust, and Mine Own drew her feet so weary that it

was as that she must go no more, until we did rest; for indeed it was

three and thirty hours since last that we had slept; and a bitter

trouble and work there had been in that space, as you do know.

Now we had eat some of the tablets a few hours back, as we did walk, and

had drunk some of the water; but had made no rest; for we did crave only

that we come free of that Valley. And now it was needful that we rest,

if but a little time.

And I minded that we find some place where I should have a hot pool,

that I be able to bathe Naani's feet. And, surely, we came in a while to

a hollow-place, and there did be two dull-burning fire-holes in this

place, and a hot-bubbling spring, the which did seem to be a rare thing

in that Land; so that we were the more fortunate to perceive it.

And I made Mine Own to sit, with her feet in the hot-spring; for it was

not over-hot, and did seem pretty natural to my taste, as I did prove in

the first. And also I did search about the hollow, lest there be any

harmful creature near-by; and this you will have truly supposed, because

you do know the methods of my journeying. But yet did I not have so much

care as did be proper; for I was so dull in the mind, by reason of my

weariness; but, indeed, there came naught to work us any harm; and so we

came to no suffering, through mine aches and dullness.

And I sat beside the Maid, and made her to eat a tablet, and saw that

the cloak did be nice about her, and her head to rest against my knee,

and I laid the palm of my hand to be as a pillow, because of the armour,

to ease the hardness.

And I eat with the Maid, and we both drank after; and so there came

back somewhat of our strength. Then I took the Maid's little feet, and

rubbed a portion of the ointment from the pot all about them, very

gentle and constant; and so did they be new-rested and eased; and she

presently fit again to the journey; for I was strong set that we go

quickly hence out of that Land, and stay no more there to sleep, lest we

come unto Destruction.

And when we had rested an hour, I put the shoes again upon the Maid, and

made them secure; and so gat my gear about me, and made to the journey.

And lo! as we did leave the hollow, I lookt upward unto the Holy Light;

and behold it was gone from us, and by this thing I supposed that we had

come free of instant danger; but yet did there be to me a seeming of

nakedness and unprotection, as you must perceive.

And because that the Light was vanished, I was the more set that we come

speedy out of the Land. And we went forward at a strong speed, and had

the Great Red Fire-Pit of the Giants to our rear unto the left, and a

mighty way off in the night; but yet I did wish it the further. And

before us, was a small ridging up of the dark Land, as I did judge,

because that our view of the lights and the shinings was bounded; and to

our left at a great way the low volcanoes, and somewhat to our right,

across all that part of the Land went the cold and horrid glare of the

Shine.

Now, in a little while, I felt that the ground did be sloped upward

before us a little, and by this thing I saw that I had known aright, for

that there did be a ridge that hid the Land somewise over unto the part

where I lookt to find the mouth of the Upward Gorge. And we went up this

slope at a strong pace, because that I was so eager that I find where we

did be in nearness unto the mouth of the Upward Gorge.

And surely, I was something forgetful, in mine eagerness, and came

somewhat ahead of Mine Own, who did make to hide from me that she did

begin to lag, because that her new strength was near gone from her.

And sudden there did be a very dreadful cry, to my back; and I came

round in one instant, so quick as a light doth flash; for it was the

voice of Mine Own, and all my being did suddenly burn with fear that

kindled through me in a moment of thought.

And lo! Mine Own did struggle terribly with a yellow thing which I

perceived to be a man with four arms; and the Man had two arms about the

Maid, and with two did make to choke her unto death; for she cried out

no more.

And I came unto the Man with a quick leaping, and stopt not to pluck the

Diskos from my hip; and surely I did be very strong, and mine anger and

rage to make me monstrous; for I caught the two upper arms of the Man,

and brought them backward in an instant, so fierce and savage, and so

wrencht upon them, that I brake them in the shoulders of the Man.

And the Man roared and shriekt, even as a wild and dreadful Beast should

cry out, and came round upon me with the two lower arms. And surely it

was a mighty and brutish thing, and so broad and bulkt as an ox, and the

lower arms were huge and greatly haired, and the fingers of the hands

did have the nails grown into horrid talons, as that they should grip

very bitter.

And it caught me by the thighs, to rip me upward, as I did fear; but yet

this did not be the intent of the Man; for in a moment it caught me

round the body; and on the instant, I gat the Man by the great throat,

and the throat did be haired, and so great as the neck of a bull. And I

strove with mine armoured hands that I choke the Man, and surely I made

it to suffer great trouble; yet, I could not harm it in the life.

And so I did be an horrid minute, and fought with the Beast, with no

more than the strength of my body; and it was as that an human went with

his hands to slay a monster so strong as an horse. And the breath of the

Man-Beast came at me, and did sicken me; and I held the face off from

me; for I had died with horror, if that it had come more anigh; and

surely the mouth of the Man was small and shaped so that I knew that it

did never eat of aught that it did slay; but to drink as a vampire; and

in truth, I did mean that I chop the Man to pieces, if that I have

chance to the Diskos.

And I did sway this way and that, as we did struggle; and surely it was

as that the Man had never made to use the lower arms, save to hold unto

prey, the while that it did use the upper arms to strangle, as I do

think. For all that weary minute of the fight, the Man made not to loose

from me, that it should tear my hands from their grip to the throat; but

made vain waggings with the arms that I brake, as that it would use

these to the attack; but surely they had no more power to do hurt.

And sudden, it put forth an utter power about my body, so that mine

armour did be like to crack; and truly I had died in a moment; but for

the strongness of the armour. And the man hugged me thus for an horrid

time, the while that I did hold off from me the brutish face, and gript

very savage into the haired throat.

And lo! the creature did work slow in the brain, and in the end loost

from me, abrupt, and went back with a leap, so that my hands did be ript

from the throat of the Beast. And in one instant it did be back unto me,

and gave me no moment to free the Diskos. But I made anew to fight, and

shaped as I had learned in the Exercises of mine Upbringing; for truly I

had been alway deep in practice of such matters. And I slipt from the

great hands of the Man, as it did try to take me by the head; and I hit

the Man with mine armoured fist, and put a great power and skill to the

blow. And I went instant to the side with a swift stepping, and evaded

the Man, and I smote the Man again, and took him very savage in the

neck; but all the while grown very cold and brutal and cruel; for I was

set to the slaying. And the Man-Beast came round on me; and lo! I slipt

the gripe of the great hands, and my body and my legs and mine arms did

work together unto that last blow; so that I did hit so hard as a great

hammer. And I gat the Beast in the throat, and the Beast went backward

to the earth, even as it did think to hold me.

And lo! in a moment, I was free, and I pluckt forth the Diskos from my

hip. And the Yellow Beast-Man grunted upon the ground; and it rose up

again to come at me; and it stood and did grunt, and did seem as that it

was gone mazed; for it did make other sounds, and an horrid screeching,

so that truly, by the way of it, I conceived that it cried out unknown

and half-shapen words at me. And in a moment, it came again at me; but I

cut the head from the Beast-Man, that was in verity an horrid monster,

and the Man died, and was quiet upon the earth.

And truly, in that moment, the distress of mine efforts and mine utter

tiredness and the ache of the bruises took me; so that I do surely think

I rockt as I stood; but yet was my head strong to think and my heart set

in anxiousness; for I wotted not how great an hurt had been done upon

Mine Own.

And I ran to her, and came to where she did be upon the ground; and

surely she was all huddled, and had her hands very piteous to her

throat, that did be so pretty. And it did shake me in that moment that

she was truly slain; for she was gone so utter still and as that she did

be broken unto death.

And I took her hands from her throat, and surely it did be a little

torn; yet not to be much, or so that it should loose her of her dear

life. And I strove that I steady the trembling of my hands; and I gat

free of mine armoured gloves; and made that I feel whether her throat

did be deadly hurt; and, in verity, it seemed not so; only that my hands

did so shake, because that I was so frightened for Mine Own, and because

that I was but new come from the battle; and because of this, I had not

power of touch to assure me.

I made then that I quieten my breath, which did yet come very full and

laboured; and I put mine ear above the heart of the Maid, and lo! her

heart did beat, and the horridness of my fear went from me in a moment.

And I had the scrip from my back very speedy, and some of the water to

fizz, and I dashed the water upon her face and upon her throat; and

surely there did be a little quivering and an answering of her body.

And I strove with her for a while more; and she came unto her life

again; and in the first, she was all a-lack, as you may think; and

immediately she began that she remembered, and she then to shake.

And I told her how that the Four-Armed Man was surely dead and could

harm her no more; and she then to weep, because that she had been put

to such shock and horror, and held by so brutish a thing. But I took her

into mine arms, and so she did come presently to an ease; and I

perceived in all my being that she was as a little ship that doth lie in

harbour; for she did cling and nestle unto me; and did be safe with me

in all her heart and body and belief. And surely she was Mine Own, and I

to have glory in that knowing.

And presently, I put her from mine arms, to lie; yet so that she might

not perceive the body of the Yellow Beast-Man. And I made clean the

Diskos, from her sight, and afterward I put on the scrip; and I took the

Maid to mine arms again, and had the Diskos in my hand beside her.

And she made protest that she should truly walk; for that I was all

a-weary, and she come to her strength again. And, indeed, I carried her

a certain way, and did then put her down to her feet; and truly her

knees did so tremble that she had not stood, let be to walk! And I

caught her up again; and I kist her, and I told her that I did be surely

her Master, in verity, and she mine own Baby-Slave. And truly you shall

not laugh upon me; for I was so human as any; and a man doth talk this

way with his maid.

And she did be quiet and sweet and to obey wisely; for she was gone very

weak. And thiswise we did go; and I to say loving words, in the first;

but afterward I did heed more of my going, now that she was something

eased and at rest within mine arms. And I did peer everywhere about,

lest that some other evil thing come outward of the bushes, to have at

us ere I did ware. And, truly, the bushes grew here and there in that

place, very plentiful, in great dumpings.

And presently I was come to the top part of the ridge; and lo! a great

gladness took me, and some amazement; for there did be the lights that

did be in the mouth of the Upward Gorge, and they did show me that I was

come anigh to that place. Yet had I feared that we were surely a dozen

great miles off; and now I to learn that we did be scarce of two or

maybe three, as I did judge.

And I told this thing to the Maid; and she rejoiced in mine arms, with a

deep and quiet thankfulness. And I set forward then at so good a pace as

I might; and I was come into the mouth-part of the Upward Gorge in about

an hour; and surely I did be very weary, for it was beyond six and

thirty hours that we had gone since last we did sleep; and there had

been sore labour and terror to our share in that time, as I have told.

And I turned in the mouth of the Gorge, and told Mine Own, very gentle,

that we did take our last look upon that Land. And she askt that I put

her down to her feet; and I put her down. And therewith we stood in that

place, and mine arm about her; and so did I support the Maid, the while

that she lookt silent over the dark of the Land.

And presently she askt me in a very husht voice, whether that I knew

where the Lesser Pyramid did be in all that Darkness; for she was all

adrift of her bearings, and was as a stranger, because that she had

never lookt upon the Land from that place, before then. And I showed her

where I thought the Pyramid to stand hid in the everlasting night; and

she nodded, very quiet, as that she did think thatwise, also.

And so a time did pass, and I knew that Naani said good-bye forever unto

all that she had known of the world in all her life; and she did be

whispering a goodbye in her soul unto her Dead.

And I was very husht, and deeply sorrowful for the Maid, and did

understand; for in verity, there should no other human look upon that

Land of terror through all the quiet of eternity; and the Maid did lose

all her young life into that blackness, and the Father that was her

Father; and the grave of her Mother; and the friends of all her years.

And there went death in the Land, even then, after those that did live.

And Mine Own shook a little within mine arm; so that I knew she strove

that she be brave, to weep not; but afterward, she made not to cease

from her tears; and truly I was there, to be her understanding; and she

did be sweet and natural ever with me; for she was Mine Own, and did be

hourly the more so.

And presently, I moved a little, to sign that we go downward of the

Gorge; and she stayed me one moment, that she look once more over all

that Land; and afterward, she submitted, and turned with me, and did

break into very bitter sobbing as she did go stumbling beside me; for

the sorrow of memory did fill her; and she was truly a very lonesome

Maid in that moment, and had come through much dreadfulness.

And in a minute, I stoopt and lifted her; and she wept in mine arms

against mine armour; and I very silent and tender with her; and carried

her downward of the Gorge for a great hour more. And presently she was

grown calm, and I knew that she slept in mine arms.

And in thiswise we made farewell of that dark Land, and left it unto

Eternity.