When, according to request, I arrived at the Agacoe palace on the next morning, I proceeded directly to the private office there occupied by Prince Menax, expecting to find my father alone. But in this I was disappointed, as Rai Gwauxln was there with him. The two were in conversation when I entered, and did not cease, evidently not regarding me as an intruder. At last I heard the Rai ask:
The next morning, I went to Prince Menax's private office at Agacoe Palace as requested. I expected to find my father alone, but to my surprise, Rai Gwauxln was also there. They were deep in conversation when I entered, and continued talking, apparently not minding my presence. After a while, I heard the Rai ask:
"Should we not now go to the Incalithlon?"
"Shouldn't we head to the Incalithlon now?"
"If it please thee. And thou, Zailm, accompany us."
"If you're willing. And you, Zailm, come with us."
A palace car was summoned by the Rai, and came rolling along into our presence without any person to operate it; came in at the door of the office, which opened to allow its passage precisely as if some court page had opened it. It wheeled into the room and came to a stop in front of us. All this was done exactly as if under a guiding hand. But no visible hand was there. This was the first time I had ever seen any exhibition of occult power on the part of Gwauxln; indeed I never saw many examples of his power, notwithstanding his high adeptship. Like all true adepts he was exceedingly chary of such object lessons, disliking to show his knowledge before those not possessed of sufficient common sense to know that any acts of the sort were but examples of the control of nature through an understanding of higher laws than the ordinary mind perceives in its natural surroundings; but I was not one who saw anything miraculous in the occult; if I understood not the process, I did understand that it was but the operation of some unfamiliar law. Hence Gwauxln was not averse to allowing me to witness his power at times.
A vehicle resembling a luxurious carriage appeared at the Rai's command, gliding silently into the room without a driver. It entered through the office door, which opened automatically as if an invisible attendant had ushered it in. The vehicle maneuvered effortlessly into position before us, coming to a smooth stop. All of this occurred with an unseen but seemingly expert hand at the controls. This was my first glimpse of Gwauxln's paranormal abilities, and such displays were rare despite his mastery. Like other genuine adepts, he was reluctant to demonstrate his skills. He disliked showcasing his knowledge to those who might misinterpret it as supernatural rather than understanding it as the manipulation of nature through advanced, lesser-known laws. However, I approached these phenomena rationally, recognizing them as applications of unfamiliar principles rather than miracles. Because of this, Gwauxln occasionally allowed me to witness his extraordinary capabilities.
The car conveyed us to the vailx-landing outside, where we found a vailx of small size, into which Rai Gwauxln courteously assisted first Menax, then myself, and himself entered last. Here was a spectacle worthy of note, the ruler of a mighty nation without the display of a single attendant, not more deferential to rank than to those of inferior station. True, as a Xio-Incali, Gwauxln had command over mechanical service which was more regal far than a retinue of menials could be.
The car took us to the airship dock outside, where we found a small airship waiting. Emperor Gwauxln politely helped Menax and me board before entering himself. It was a remarkable sight: the ruler of a powerful nation without any entourage, treating everyone with equal respect regardless of their status. Of course, as a Xio-Incali, Gwauxln had control over advanced technology that was far more impressive than any group of servants could be.
Like father, like son. Gwauxln, who was as a father to his people, was copied by them in his demeanor. They, too, were simple in habits, courteous in manner, and, though in many cases wealthy and luxurious in their habits in life, were entirely unostentatious, as their Rai set them example.
Like father, like son. Gwauxln, who was a father figure to his people, was emulated in his behavior. They, too, were modest in their ways, polite in their manners, and, though many lived in wealth and luxury, they remained unpretentious, following the example set by their Rai.
The great temple of Incal was distant several miles, but a few minutes sufficed to bring us to its huge structure. Outwardly the Incalithlon was shaped like the Egyptian pyramid of Cheops, not quite so high, but covering an area of twice as great extent. No windows pierced its sides, and sunlight or that of day never entered its interior. Besides a number of small apartments, the building contained one vast hall where was space for several thousand worshipers. The Poseid habit of copying nature was followed in this sanctuary with extraordinary faithfulness. Instead of straight walls, or alcoves, or the ordinary arrangement of interiors, the enormous auditorium was in faithful semblance of a cave of stalactites and stalagmites. In placing all this calcite, utility was consulted with regard to the stalagmites so that too much floor space should not be occupied by them. But the stalactites, being pendent from the marble ceiling, had been placed as thickly as space allowed and sparkled like stars in the light from the incandescent lamps swung midway between them and the floor below. From the latter point of view these lamps were concealed by broad concave shades so that their glow was wholly invisible from beneath, but shining upwards was reflected from myriads of sparkling white needles, filling the temple with a steady and. soft, but powerful, light that seemed to emanate from no special point, but from the air itself, a light well adapted to religious meditation.
The grand temple of Incal stood several miles away, but we reached its massive structure in minutes. The Incalithlon resembled an Egyptian pyramid, similar to Cheops but shorter and covering twice the area. Its windowless exterior blocked all natural light from entering. Inside, besides numerous small rooms, a vast hall accommodated thousands of worshippers. The Poseid tradition of mimicking nature was evident in this sanctuary's extraordinary design. Instead of conventional walls or alcoves, the enormous auditorium faithfully recreated a cave of stalactites and stalagmites. The calcite formations were arranged with practicality in mind. Stalagmites were positioned to minimize floor space occupation, while stalactites densely covered the marble ceiling. They sparkled like stars in the light from concealed incandescent lamps suspended between the ceiling and floor. Broad concave shades hid the lamps from view below. Their upward-directed glow reflected off countless shimmering white needles, bathing the temple in a steady, soft, yet powerful light. This illumination seemed to emanate from the air itself rather than any specific source, creating an atmosphere ideal for religious contemplation.
We left the vailx and entered the unimposing but ample portal, and proceeded across the hall to the Holy Seat, in the back of the sanctuary. Within it we found Mainin, the Incaliz, or high priest, a man of wondrous attainments of knowledge, second to none in fact. To him we all made courteous obeisance, and then Prince Menax said:
We exited the airship and entered through the modest yet spacious entrance. We crossed the hall to the Sacred Chair at the rear of the sanctuary. There, we found Mainin, the Incaliz or high priest, a man of remarkable wisdom unrivaled by any. We all bowed respectfully to him, after which Prince Menax spoke:
"Most holy Incaliz, thou knowest, in thy great wisdom, upon what errand thy sons have come before thee. Wilt thou fulfill our prayer by granting us thy blessing?"
"Most revered Incaliz, in your great wisdom, you know why we've come before you. Will you grant our request and give us your blessing?"
The Incaliz arose and bade us to follow him into the triangle of the Maxin, or Divine Light, in front of the Holy Seat. Deferring the relation of our subsequent action, I will describe this especially sacred part of the temple. It was a raised, triangular platform of red granite, several inches higher than the floor of the auditorium, thirty-six feet between its points. In the very center of it was a large block of crystal quartz, upon the perfect cube of which rose the Maxin. This seemed aflame, in shape like a giant spearhead, and it cast a light of intense power over all things around, yet one could look at its steady, unwavering white glow without desiring shade for the eyes, even though these were not strong. Over three times the height of a tall man it stood, a mysterious manifestation of Incal, as all spectators believed. In reality it was an occult odic light, and had stood in that one spot for centuries. It had witnessed the grander development of Poseid and its capital city, and had seen the original temple of Incal (a small architectural structure, unworthy of a great people) torn down, and the present Incalithlon built around it. It made no heat, did not even warm the quartz pedestal; yet for any living being to touch it was fatal in the instant of the rash act. No oil, no fuel, no electric currents fed it; no man tended it. Its history was peculiar, and can not fail to interest thee, my friends.
The Incaliz rose and told us to follow him into the triangle of the Maxin, or Divine Light, in front of the Holy Seat. I will put off telling what we did next, and first describe this especially sacred part of the temple. It was a raised, triangular platform of red granite, several inches higher than the floor of the auditorium, with thirty-six feet between its points. In its very center was a large block of crystal quartz, and from this perfect cube rose the Maxin. It looked like a flame, shaped like a giant spearhead, and it cast a light of intense power over everything around it. Yet one could look at its steady, unwavering white glow without wanting to shade the eyes, even if one's eyes were not strong. It stood over three times the height of a tall man, a mysterious manifestation of Incal, as everyone who saw it believed. In reality it was an occult odic light, and it had stood in that one spot for centuries. It had witnessed the grander growth of Poseid and its capital city. It had seen the original temple of Incal (a small building, unworthy of a great people) torn down, and the present Incalithlon built around it. It gave off no heat and did not even warm the quartz pedestal. Yet for any living being to touch it meant death in the very instant of the rash act. No oil, no fuel, no electric currents fed it, and no man tended it. Its history was unusual, and cannot fail to interest you, my friends.
Many hundred years previously there had been for four hundred and thirty-four days a ruler over the Poseidi who possessed wonderful knowledge. This wisdom was like that of Ernon of Suern. No one knew whence he came, and not a few were disposed to question his statement, while all were in doubt, as to whether his meaning was figurative or literal when he said:
Many centuries ago, a ruler governed Poseidi for 434 days, possessing extraordinary knowledge comparable to that of Ernon of Suern. His origins were a mystery, and many doubted his claims. People were unsure whether to interpret his words literally or figuratively when he stated:
"I am from Incal. Lo, I am a child of the Sun and am come to reform the religion and life of this people. Behold Incal is the Father and I am the Son, and He is in Me and I am in Him."
"I am from Incal. Look, I am a child of the Sun, and I have come to reform the religion and the life of this people. See, Incal is the Father and I am the Son, and he is in me and I am in him."
He was asked to prove this claim, whereupon be laid his hand upon a man born blind, and the man received his sight and saw with the doubters that his deliverer stooped to the pavement of the triangular platform, and with his finger drew a square five and a half feet either way. Then he stepped outside of the lines indicated, and at once the great block of quartz appeared, a perfect cube, in the place. Standing by its side he placed his finger upon the rock, and blew thereon with his breath, As he withdrew the finger the Maxin, or Fire of Incal, sprang up, and thus had cube and Unfed Fire remained during all the centuries since.
He was asked to prove this claim. So he laid his hand on a man born blind, and the man received his sight. With the doubters, the man then saw his deliverer stoop to the pavement of the triangular platform and draw a square with his finger, five and a half feet each way. Then he stepped outside the lines he had drawn, and at once the great block of quartz appeared in that place, a perfect cube. Standing beside it, he placed his finger on the rock and breathed on it. As he withdrew his finger, the Maxin, or Fire of Incal, sprang up. And so the cube and the Unfed Fire had remained through all the centuries since.
It is needless to say the proof was satisfactory, and thereafter the mysterious stranger revised the laws and provided then the code which had ever since governed the land. He had said that whosoever should add to or take from his laws, that person should not come into the Kingdom of Incal until "I am come on earth for the final judgment."
The evidence was convincing, and from that point on, the enigmatic visitor rewrote the laws, establishing the code that has governed the land ever since. He declared that anyone who altered his laws, either by addition or subtraction, would be barred from the Kingdom of Incal until "I return to Earth for the final judgment."
No one had ever desired to disobey, it would seem, or at least no change had ever been made. The laws which this Rai had given were written by him with his finger upon the Maxin-Stone, and no work of sculptor's chisel were better done. They were also written upon a book of parchment leaves, and this he placed under the Unfed Light itself, which thereafter sprang from the surface of the Book; this had remained ever since, unharmed, unscorched. The wonderful writer had placed it there in sight of all the people who could enter the new Temple built in place of the old one. As he did so, he said:
It would seem that no one had ever wanted to disobey, or at least no change had ever been made. The laws this Rai had given were written by him with his finger on the Maxin-Stone, and no work of a sculptor's chisel could have been done better. They were also written in a book of parchment leaves. He placed this book under the Unfed Light itself, which from then on sprang from the surface of the Book. It had stayed there ever since, unharmed and unscorched. The wonderful writer had placed it there in sight of all the people who could enter the new Temple, built in place of the old one. As he did so, he said:
"Hearken unto me. This is my law. Behold it also written on the Maxin-Stone. No man shall remove it, lest he die. Yet after centuries have flown, behold! the Book shall disappear in sight of a multitude, and no man shall know its place. Then shall the Unfed Light go out, and no man be able to rekindle it. And when these things have come to pass, lo! the day is not far off when the land shall no more be. It shall perish because of its iniquity, and the waters of Atl shall roll above it! I have spoken."
"Listen to me. This is my law. See, it is also written on the Maxin-Stone. No man shall remove it, or he will die. Yet after centuries have flown, see! the Book will disappear in sight of a multitude, and no man will know where it is. Then the Unfed Light will go out, and no man will be able to rekindle it. And when these things have come to pass, know that the day is not far off when the land will be no more. It will perish because of its wickedness, and the waters of Atl will roll over it! I have spoken."
Once, in the history of Poseid, a Rai had come to doubt whether a man would surely die if he tried to withdraw the Book of the Unfed Light. He conceived the idea that as the Maxin sprang from the top of the Book alone, and not from its sides, that removal might be possible. So therefore he forced a malefactor to attempt the deed, fearing after all to try it himself, although in the tyrannous policy which he followed, he cared not whether the man died or not. That was a day of growing darkness and wickedness, when men had somewhat forgotten the Great Rai, Son of Incal. The unhappy wretch was made to grasp the Book, and withdraw it if he could. He found it impossible to move it, but yet was not destroyed by the Maxin. Grown bolder, and urged by the Rai, he tried harder. He pulled, and then his grasp gave way, and one hand passed through the Maxin. The member was instantly destroyed, cut off, gone, while the monarch, standing many feet distant, fearful of approaching near, was stricken in that same instant by an outleaping flash of the Maxin, and no one ever saw him more!
Once in Poseid's history, a Rai doubted whether removing the Book of the Unfed Light would truly be fatal. He theorized that since the Maxin only emanated from the book's top, not its sides, removal might be possible. Too cautious to attempt it himself, he forced a criminal to try, indifferent to the man's fate due to his tyrannical policies. This occurred during a time of growing darkness when people had begun to forget the Great Rai, Son of Incal. The unfortunate soul grasped the Book, attempting to withdraw it. Though he couldn't move it, the Maxin didn't destroy him. Emboldened and urged on by the Rai, he tried harder. As he pulled, his grip slipped, and one hand passed through the Maxin. The limb vanished instantly. At that moment, the Rai, standing at a safe distance, was struck by a sudden flash of the Maxin. He was never seen again.
That one example was sufficient! The error of their ways suddenly became very apparent to the evil-doers, and administration of the laws was again in accord with their spirit, as with their letter. The day of the "Dismal Prophecy" had been looked for as the decades passed into centuries, but its time was not yet come, and though many alarmists set days when it would surely come, it came not, and the Unfed Light continued. According to the law, bodies of all souls which had passed into Navazzamin were cremated. This even included some animals. Those dying at a distance from Caiphul were incinerated in some one of the multitude of Navamaxa (furnaces especially for dead bodies) which the government provided all through the provinces, and if the incinerated body was that of a human being the ashes were taken to Caiphul and cast into the Maxin, as a ceremonial act. Those of the departed from Caiphul were taken as they lay in death to the Incalithlon, and being raised to the top of the Cube, were let fall face forward into the Unfed Light. In either case, whether as incinerated ashes or unaltered forms, the result was the same; that is, while there was no flaming, no smoke, no tremor of the Maxin, nevertheless the instantaneous disappearance of the object occurred at the second of contact with the marvelous Unfed Fire.
One example was enough! The wrongdoers suddenly realized their mistakes, and the laws were once again enforced according to their intent and wording. People had long anticipated the day of the "Dismal Prophecy," but it hadn't arrived yet. Despite many alarmists predicting specific dates, it never came, and the Unfed Light continued to burn. By law, all bodies of those who had passed into Navazzamin were cremated, even some animals. Those who died far from Caiphul were burned in one of the many Navamaxa (special furnaces for the dead) provided by the government throughout the provinces. If the cremated body was human, the ashes were taken to Caiphul and ceremonially cast into the Maxin. Those who died in Caiphul were taken to the Incalithlon and raised to the top of the Cube, where they were dropped face-first into the Unfed Light. Whether as ashes or intact bodies, the result was the same: there was no flame, no smoke, and no tremor from the Maxin. Instead, the object disappeared instantly upon contact with the remarkable Unfed Fire.
Hence it had been sung by poets as the "Gateway" to the country which each soul must discover for itself. To die, with out in some manner passing into the Maxin, either in corpus personae or by the ashes from prior incineration, was thought to be the most frightful calamity by the greater number of the people.
That is why poets had sung of it as the "Gateway" to the country that each soul must discover for itself. Most of the people thought it the most frightful calamity to die without passing into the Maxin in some way, either in the body itself or as ashes from an earlier cremation.
It might appear that people of such scientific erudition would not be so seemingly childish in religious conceptions as this. As a verity it was not childishness. Instead, it was an insistence upon such entire destruction of the earthly casket of the soul, as to render certain the freedom of the real person from all earthly restraint in entering into, Navazzamin.
One might expect that individuals with such scientific knowledge wouldn't hold seemingly simplistic religious beliefs. In truth, these ideas weren't childish at all. Rather, they reflected a desire for the complete destruction of the body—the soul's earthly vessel—to ensure the spirit's unhindered passage into Navazzamin.
Not that many people understood the esoteric significance of the rite; no, they but understood so much of the real meaning as the Incali had given them through comparing the earth-leaving soul to the seed which, sprouting, leaves behind it every fragment of the shell.
Few people grasped the deeper meaning of the ritual. Most only understood the basic concept the Incali had taught them: comparing the departing soul to a sprouting seed that leaves its shell behind.
To return to the Incalithlon and the ceremonial of my adoption by Prince Menax.
Returning to the Incalithlon and the ceremony of my adoption by Prince Menax.
As we stood beside the Maxin-Stone, Gwauxln bade me kneel, and then, placing his hand upon my head, spoke, saying:
As we stood next to the Maxin-Stone, Gwauxln asked me to kneel. He placed his hand on my head and began to speak:
"In harmony with the laws of the land, made and provided in such cases, Astika Menax, a Councilor of the land of Poseid, hath a wish to adopt thee, Zailm Numinos, for a son unto his name, in place of one departed hence into Navazzamin. Wherefore, as thy Sovereign and his, I, Gwauxln, Rai of Poseid, do declare it to be as prayed for by Astika Menax."
"In accordance with the laws of our nation, Astika Menax, a Councilor of Poseid, wishes to adopt you, Zailm Numinos, as his son. This adoption would fill the place of his child who has passed into Navazzamin. Therefore, as your Sovereign and his, I, Gwauxln, Rai of Poseid, hereby declare this adoption official, as requested by Astika Menax."
The Incaliz completed the ceremonies by placing his right hand upon my head and his left upon that of Menax as we knelt before him, and invoking the blessing of Incal upon us both. As he removed his hands, he addressed me thus:
The High Priest concluded the rituals by resting his right hand on my head and his left on Menax's as we knelt before him. He then called upon Incal to bless us both. After withdrawing his hands, he turned to me and said:
"Be thou erect in the sight of Incal, that no man may accuse thee truthfully. This do, and thy days shall be long. But even as thou shalt fail, so then shall thy time be shortened. May the peace of Incal be with thee."
"Stand tall before Incal, so that no one can rightly accuse you. Do this, and you'll live a long life. But if you fail, your days will be cut short. May Incal's peace be with you."
Not one of the three hearers, of the Incaliz understood him to mean that my days would be short because I would fail in rectitude, but only as a warning were the words taken. Yet I knew afterwards, all too late, what prescience guided Mainin in his words. Knew in a flood of bitter memory, which recalled how recreant I had been to the high resolve on Pitach Rhok to be successful, a, a result of being true to my divine. God-considering selfhood. But, all this came, as I thought, too late. Too late was it, when I lay in a dungeon awaiting death, from which no mortal could save me, and dreamed that my soul sat on a verdureless shore looking across a limitless ocean. and crying, "Ah! where is the hope of my years!" Bitter and fiery was the remorseful agony, but my name was still on the Book of Life; still there, and not erased as I feared. Karma is inexorable and severe, my brother, my sister; but our Savior hath said: "Follow Me." "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear." "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."
None of the three who heard the Incaliz understood him to mean that my days would be short because I would fail in uprightness. We took the words only as a warning. Yet afterward I knew, all too late, what foresight guided Mainin in his words. I knew it in a flood of bitter memory. It recalled how false I had been to my high resolve on Pitach Rhok to succeed by being true to my divine, God-minded self. But all this came, as I thought, too late. It was too late when I lay in a dungeon awaiting a death from which no mortal could save me. There I dreamed that my soul sat on a barren shore looking across a limitless ocean, and crying, "Ah! where is the hope of my years!" The remorseful agony was bitter and fiery. But my name was still in the Book of Life. It was still there, and not erased as I had feared. Karma is relentless and severe, my brother, my sister. But our Savior has said: "Follow Me." "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear." "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."
As we turned away, an Incala, who had been present, began playing on the great organ of the temple; then the silences of the vast auditorium responded as no human voice could make them do.
As we walked away, a priest who had been present started playing the temple's massive organ. The music filled the vast auditorium, echoing through the silence in a way no human voice could match.
"On the winds the bells' deep tones are swelling--"
"On the winds the deep tones of the bells are swelling..."
The echoes rang again and again as the thundering voices of the great organ pealed forth, thrilling the soul with its mighty harmony. Rays of many-hued lights, some brilliant, some soft-tinted as those of a spectroscopic image of the moon, played from point to point in exhausted air-tubes, and as the colors changed, so did the notes of music, for every ray of light, whatsoever its source, is a pulsing choral note, if developed rightly. Thus the stars sing.
Again and again the echoes rang as the thundering voices of the great organ pealed out, thrilling the soul with their mighty harmony. Rays of many-colored light played from point to point in tubes emptied of air. Some were brilliant, and some were soft-tinted like those of a spectroscopic image of the moon. As the colors changed, so did the notes of the music. For every ray of light, whatever its source, is a pulsing choral note, if developed rightly. In this way the stars sing.
The Rai did not go with Menax and myself, when the conclusion of our business was reached, but remained with the Incaliz Mainin. With him Gwauxln was more familiar, his friendship more deeply intimate than with any other human being. And the reason was that both be and Mainin were Sons of the Solitude and had been youths together in the days ere public favor had marked the one for Rai, the other for Incaliz, these both being elective positions, the office of High Priest being the only ecclesiastical office which could be filled by popular vote. And this exception was because it was considered true justice to allow the people to consult their own desires in this matter of choosing one whom all believed to be the most eminently good and perfect example of moral life, to be over them in this highest spiritual office.
The Rai stayed behind with Incaliz Mainin when Menax and I finished our business. Gwauxln shared a closer bond with Mainin than with anyone else. They had been Sons of the Solitude together in their youth, before public favor chose one as Rai and the other as Incaliz. Both positions were elected, with the High Priest role being the only religious office filled by popular vote. This exception was made to allow people to choose someone they believed to be the most morally upright and exemplary individual to lead them in this highest spiritual position.
But in the days of their youth neither had seemed to expect the preferment which the years had in store, and after the long course required of Xio Incali at the Xioquithlon, both had hidden the world of men adieu and had gone forth into the solitudes of the vast mountains, where only the Sons of Incal had abode, of all mankind. These men were the Theochristic or Occult Adepts of that olden age, the Yog-Vidya of their time. They were indeed chary of their wisdom, then as now; but to Gwauxln and Mainin they imparted it without stint. They had no families then, nor do these students of God, of Nature, deviate now from the same celibate principles. None who hope to achieve their deep knowledge will mate.
But in the days of their youth neither had seemed to expect the high office the years held in store. After completing the long course required of Xio Incali at the Xioquithlon, both had said goodbye to the world of men. They had gone out into the solitudes of the vast mountains, where, of all mankind, only the Sons of Incal lived. These men were the Theochristic or Occult Adepts of that ancient age, the Yog-Vidya of their time. They were indeed sparing with their wisdom, then as now. But to Gwauxln and Mainin they gave it without limit. They had no families then, and these students of God and of Nature do not depart from the same celibate principles now. None who hope to reach their deep knowledge will marry.
1 Corinthians 7:3-5, 7-9, 29, 31-32
After years had flown, so many that men had almost forgotten them, Gwauxln and Mainin did what few had ever been known to do--returned to the haunts of ordinary humanity. My father, Menax, had been but a babe when Gwauxln went away, and the latter's sister was not then born. Yet when Gwauxln came back, the silvery threads of age already gleamed in the hair of the Prince Menax, while as for the Rai that was to be, he looked a little more mature, but otherwise unchanged from the youthful semblance of the days of yore. In the interim, his sister had come to the world, grown to womanhood, wedded Menax, and after bringing into life their son, Soris, and their daughter, Anzimee, had gone into the undiscovered country through the Maxin gateway. Mainin, too, was of a similarly youthful appearance.
Years passed, so many that they faded from memory. Then, Gwauxln and Mainin did something rare—they returned to the world of ordinary people. My father, Menax, was just a baby when Gwauxln left, and Gwauxln's sister wasn't even born yet. But when Gwauxln came back, Prince Menax's hair was already streaked with silver. As for the future Rai, he looked only slightly older, still youthful as in days past. During his absence, his sister had been born, grown up, married Menax, and given birth to their son, Soris, and daughter, Anzimee. She had then passed on through the Maxin gateway. Mainin, too, looked similarly young.
Both of these "Sons of the Solitude" came back, giving as their reason for return that their presence was needed, and both were eventually chosen by the people to fill the respective positions which we have seen them occupying, positions rendered vacant by the death of the incumbents. It is only now, after twelve thousand years have slipped into eternity through the back door of time that I have come to know how much Mainin had to do with those events, and how wholly in the dark concerning his real character was Gwauxln and every other Son of the Solitude. Not to anticipate, is it strange that Rai-Gwauxln felt more pleasurable intimacy possible in his intercourse with Mainin than with any other person connected with his daily life? Or that he felt his finally exposed treachery more keenly than any one else could? I think not.
Both of these "Sons of the Solitude" returned, claiming their presence was needed. The people eventually chose them to fill vacant positions we've seen them occupy. Only now, after twelve thousand years have slipped into eternity, have I learned how much Mainin influenced these events, and how completely unaware Gwauxln and the other Sons of the Solitude were of his true nature. Is it any wonder that Rai-Gwauxln felt a stronger connection with Mainin than with anyone else in his daily life? Or that he felt Mainin's eventual betrayal more deeply than anyone else could? I think not.