Chapter 10

Tydomin

29 min

Oceaxe sat down carelessly on the couch of mosses, and began eating the plums.

Oceaxe sat down casually on the moss-covered couch and began eating the plums.

“You see, you had to kill him, Maskull,” she said, in a rather quizzical voice.

“You see, you had to kill him, Maskull,” she said, sounding a little puzzled.

He came away from the corpse and regarded her—still red, and still breathing hard. “It’s no joking matter. You especially ought to keep quiet.”

He moved away from the corpse and looked at her. He was still red and breathing hard. “It’s no joking matter. You especially should keep quiet.”

“Why?”

“Because he was your husband.”

“You think I ought to show grief—when I feel none?”

“You think I should show grief when I don't feel any?”

“Don’t pretend, woman!”

Oceaxe smiled. “From your manner one would think you were accusing me of some crime.”

Oceaxe smiled. “The way you’re acting, anyone would think you were accusing me of a crime.”

Maskull literally snorted at her words. “What, you live with filth—you live in the arms of a morbid monstrosity and then—”

Maskull actually snorted at her words. “What? You live with filth, in the arms of a sickening monster, and then...”

“Oh, now I grasp it,” she said, in a tone of perfect detachment.

“Oh, now I understand,” she said, in a completely detached tone.

“I’m glad.”

“Well, Maskull,” she proceeded, after a pause, “and who gave you the right to rule my conduct? Am I not mistress of my own person?”

“Well, Maskull,” she continued after a pause, “who gave you the right to control my behavior? Am I not in charge of myself?”

He looked at her with disgust, but said nothing. There was another long interval of silence.

He looked at her with disgust but said nothing. There was another long silence.

“I never loved him,” said Oceaxe at last, looking at the ground.

“I never loved him,” Oceaxe said at last, looking at the ground.

“That makes it all the worse.”

“What does all this mean—what do you want?”

“What does all this mean? What do you want?”

“Nothing from you—absolutely nothing—thank heaven!”

“Nothing from you, absolutely nothing, thank heaven!”

She gave a hard laugh. “You come here with your foreign preconceptions and expect us all to bow down to them.”

She laughed harshly. “You come here with your foreign ideas and expect us all to bow down to them.”

“What preconceptions?”

“Just because Crimtyphon’s sports are strange to you, you murder him—and you would like to murder me.”

“Just because Crimtyphon’s games are strange to you, you murder him. And you would like to murder me too.”

“Sports! That diabolical cruelty.”

“Sports! That devilish cruelty.”

“Oh, you’re sentimental!” said Oceaxe contemptuously. “Why do you need to make such a fuss over that man? Life is life, all the world over, and one form is as good as another. He was only to be made a tree, like a million other trees. If they can endure the life, why can’t he?”

“Oh, you’re sentimental!” said Oceaxe with contempt. “Why make such a fuss over that man? Life is life everywhere, and one form is as good as another. He was only going to be turned into a tree, like a million other trees. If the other trees can endure that life, why can’t he?”

“And this is Ifdawn morality!”

Oceaxe began to grow angry. “It’s you who have peculiar ideas. You rave about the beauty of flowers and trees—you think them divine. But when it’s a question of taking on this divine, fresh, pure, enchanting loveliness yourself, in your own person, it immediately becomes a cruel and wicked degradation. Here we have a strange riddle, in my opinion.”

Oceaxe began to get angry. “You’re the one with strange ideas. You rave about the beauty of flowers and trees. You think they’re divine. But when it comes to taking on that divine, fresh, pure, enchanting beauty yourself, you immediately call it cruel and degrading. I think that’s a strange puzzle.”

“Oceaxe, you’re a beautiful, heartless wild beast—nothing more. If you weren’t a woman—”

“Oceaxe, you’re a beautiful, heartless wild beast, nothing more. If you weren’t a woman...”

“Well”—curling her lip—“let us hear what would happen if I weren’t a woman?”

“Well,” she said, curling her lip, “let’s hear what would happen if I weren’t a woman?”

Maskull bit his nails.

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t touch you—though there’s certainly not the difference of a hair between you and your boy-husband. For this you may thank my ‘foreign preconceptions.’... Farewell!”

“It doesn’t matter. I can’t touch you, though there’s certainly no difference at all between you and your boy-husband. For that, you can thank my ‘foreign preconceptions.’... Goodbye!”

He turned to go. Oceaxe’s eyes slanted at him through their long lashes.

He turned to leave. Oceaxe glanced at him through her long lashes.

“Where are you off to, Maskull?”

“Where are you going, Maskull?”

“That’s a matter of no importance, for wherever I go it must be a change for the better. You walking whirlpools of crime!”

“That doesn’t matter, because wherever I go, it has to be better. You walking whirlpools of crime!”

“Wait a minute. I only want to say this. Blodsombre is just starting, and you had better stay here till the afternoon. We can quickly put that body out of sight, and, as you seem to detest me so much, the place is big enough—we needn’t talk, or even see each other.”

“Wait a minute. I just want to say this. Blodsombre is just starting, and you should stay here until the afternoon. We can quickly hide that body. And since you seem to hate me so much, the place is big enough that we don’t have to talk or even see each other.”

“I don’t wish to breathe the same air.”

“I don’t want to breathe the same air.”

“Singular man!” She was sitting erect and motionless, like a beautiful statue. “And what of your wonderful interview with Surtur, and all the undone things which you set out to do?”

“What a strange man!” She sat upright and still, like a beautiful statue. “And what about your wonderful meeting with Surtur? What about all the things you set out to do but haven't done?”

“You aren’t the one I shall speak to about that. But”—he eyed her meditatively—“while I’m still here you can tell me this. What’s the meaning of the expression on that corpse’s face?”

“You’re not the one I’ll talk to about that. But,” he looked at her thoughtfully, “while I’m still here, you can tell me this. What does the expression on that corpse’s face mean?”

“Is that another crime, Maskull? All dead people look like that. Ought they not to?”

“Is that another crime, Maskull? All dead people look like that. Shouldn’t they?”

“I once heard it called ‘Crystalman’s face.’”

“Why not? We are all daughters and sons of Crystalman. It is doubtless the family resemblance.”

“Why not? We are all daughters and sons of Crystalman. It is surely the family resemblance.”

“It has also been told me that Surtur and Crystalman are one and the same.”

“I’ve also been told that Surtur and Crystalman are the same person.”

“You have wise and truthful acquaintances.”

“You know wise and honest people.”

“Then how could it have been Surtur whom I saw?” said Maskull, more to himself than to her. “That apparition was something quite different.”

“Then how could it have been Surtur I saw?” said Maskull, more to himself than to her. “That figure was completely different.”

She dropped her mocking manner and, sliding imperceptibly toward him, gently pulled his arm.

She stopped mocking him, moved toward him so subtly he barely noticed, and gently pulled his arm.

“You see—we have to talk. Sit down beside me, and ask me your questions. I’m not excessively smart, but I’ll try to be of assistance.”

“You see, we have to talk. Sit down beside me and ask me your questions. I’m not very smart, but I’ll try to help.”

Maskull permitted himself to be dragged down with soft violence. She bent toward him, as if confidentially, and contrived that her sweet, cool, feminine breath should fan his cheek.

Maskull let her drag him down with gentle force. She leaned toward him as if to share a secret. She made sure her sweet, cool, feminine breath brushed his cheek.

“Aren’t you here to alter the evil to the good, Maskull? Then what does it matter who sent you?”

“Aren’t you here to turn evil into good, Maskull? Then what does it matter who sent you?”

“What can you possibly know of good and evil?”

“What could you possibly know about good and evil?”

“Are you only instructing the initiated?”

“Are you only teaching those who have been initiated?”

“Who am I, to instruct anybody? However, you’re quite right. I wish to do what I can—not because I am qualified, but because I am here.”

“Who am I to teach anyone? But you’re quite right. I want to do what I can, not because I’m qualified, but because I’m here.”

Oceaxe’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You’re a giant, both in body and soul. What you want to do, you can do.”

“Is that your honest opinion, or are you flattering me for your own ends?”

“Is that your honest opinion, or are you flattering me to get something you want?”

She sighed. “Don’t you see how difficult you are making the conversation? Let’s talk about your work, not about ourselves.”

She sighed. “Don’t you see how hard you’re making this conversation? Let’s talk about your work, not about ourselves.”

Maskull suddenly noticed a strange blue light glowing in the northern sky. It was from Alppain, but Alppain itself was behind the hills. While he was observing it, a peculiar wave of self-denial, of a disquieting nature, passed through him. He looked at Oceaxe, and it struck him for the first time that he was being unnecessarily brutal to her. He had forgotten that she was a woman, and defenceless.

Maskull suddenly noticed a strange blue light glowing in the northern sky. It came from Alppain, though Alppain itself was behind the hills. As he watched the light, a strange, unsettling wave of self-denial passed through him. He looked at Oceaxe and realized for the first time that he was being needlessly brutal to her. He had forgotten that she was a woman and defenseless.

“Won’t you stay?” she asked all of a sudden, quite openly and frankly.

“Won’t you stay?” she asked suddenly, openly and frankly.

“Yes, I think I’ll stay,” he replied slowly. “And another thing, Oceaxe—if I’ve misjudged your character, pray forgive me. I’m a hasty, passionate man.”

“Yes, I think I’ll stay,” he replied slowly. “And one more thing, Oceaxe. If I’ve misjudged your character, please forgive me. I’m a hasty, passionate man.”

“There are enough easygoing men. Hard knocks are a good medicine for vicious hearts. And you didn’t misjudge my character, as far as you went—only, every woman has more than one character. Don’t you know that?”

“There are enough easygoing men. Hard knocks are good medicine for wicked hearts. And you weren’t wrong about my character, as far as you saw it. But every woman has more than one side to her character. Don’t you know that?”

During the pause that followed, a snapping of twigs was heard, and both looked around, startled. They saw a woman stepping slowly across the neck that separated them from the mainland.

During the pause that followed, they heard twigs snapping. Startled, both looked around. They saw a woman walking slowly across the narrow strip of land that separated them from the mainland.

“Tydomin,” muttered Oceaxe, in a vexed, frightened voice. She immediately moved away from Maskull and stood up.

“Tydomin,” Oceaxe muttered, sounding annoyed and frightened. She immediately moved away from Maskull and stood up.

The newcomer was of middle height, very slight and graceful. She was no longer quite young. Her face wore the composure of a woman who knows her way about the world. It was intensely pale, and under its quiescence there just was a glimpse of something strange and dangerous. It was curiously alluring, though not exactly beautiful. Her hair was clustering and boyish, reaching only to the neck. It was of a strange indigo colour. She was quaintly attired in a tunic and breeches, pieced together from the square, blue-green plates of some reptile. Her small, ivory-white breasts were exposed. Her sorb was black and sad—rather contemplative.

The newcomer was of medium height, very slim and graceful. She was no longer quite young. Her face had the calm expression of a woman who knew her way around the world. It was intensely pale, and beneath its calm was a hint of something strange and dangerous. Her face was strangely alluring, though not exactly beautiful. Her hair grew in boyish clusters and reached only to her neck. It was a strange indigo color. She wore an unusual tunic and breeches, made from the square, blue-green plates of some reptile. Her small, ivory-white breasts were exposed. Her sorb was black and sad, almost thoughtful.

Without once glancing up at Oceaxe and Maskull, she quietly glided straight toward Crimtyphon’s corpse. When she arrived within a few feet of it, she stopped and looked down, with arms folded.

Without looking up at Oceaxe or Maskull, she quietly glided straight toward Crimtyphon’s corpse. She stopped a few feet away and looked down at it, her arms folded.

Oceaxe drew Maskull a little away, and whispered, “It’s Crimtyphon’s other wife, who lives under Disscourn. She’s a most dangerous woman. Be careful what you say. If she asks you to do anything, refuse it outright.”

Oceaxe pulled Maskull a little way aside and whispered, “That’s Crimtyphon’s other wife. She lives under Disscourn. She’s a very dangerous woman. Be careful what you say. If she asks you to do anything, refuse outright.”

“The poor soul looks harmless enough.”

“Yes, she does—but the poor soul is quite capable of swallowing up Krag himself.... Now, play the man.”

“Yes, she does, but the poor soul could swallow Krag himself.... Now, be brave.”

The murmur of their voices seemed to attract Tydomin’s notice, for she now slowly turned her eyes toward them.

The murmur of their voices seemed to catch Tydomin’s attention, for she slowly turned her eyes toward them.

“Who killed him?” she demanded.

Her voice was so soft, low, and refined, that Maskull hardly was able to catch the words. The sounds, however, lingered in his ears, and curiously enough seemed to grow stronger, instead of fainter.

Her voice was so soft, low, and refined that Maskull could hardly catch the words. But the sounds lingered in his ears. Strangely, they seemed to grow stronger instead of fading.

Oceaxe whispered, “Don’t say a word, leave it all to me.” Then she swung her body around to face Tydomin squarely, and said aloud, “I killed him.”

Oceaxe whispered, “Don’t say a word. Leave it all to me.” Then she turned to face Tydomin and said aloud, “I killed him.”

Tydomin’s words by this time were ringing in Maskull’s head like an actual physical sound. There was no question of being able to ignore them; he had to make an open confession of his act, whatever the consequences might be. Quietly taking Oceaxe by the shoulder and putting her behind him, he said in a low, but perfectly distinct voice, “It was I that killed Crimtyphon.”

By now, Tydomin’s words were ringing in Maskull’s head like an actual sound. He could not ignore them. He had to confess openly to what he had done, whatever the consequences. He quietly took Oceaxe by the shoulder and moved her behind him. Then he said in a low but perfectly clear voice, “I killed Crimtyphon.”

Oceaxe looked both haughty and frightened. “Maskull says that so as to shield me, as he thinks. I require no shield, Maskull. I killed him, Tydomin.”

Oceaxe looked both proud and frightened. “Maskull says that because he thinks he’s protecting me. I don’t need protection, Maskull. I killed him, Tydomin.”

“I believe you, Oceaxe. You did murder him. Not with your own strength, for you brought this man along for the purpose.”

“I believe you, Oceaxe. You did murder him. You didn't do it with your own strength, because you brought this man along to do it.”

Maskull took a couple of steps toward Tydomin. “It’s of little consequence who killed him, for he’s better dead than alive, in my opinion. Still, I did it. Oceaxe had no hand in the affair.”

Maskull took a couple of steps toward Tydomin. “It doesn’t matter much who killed him, because I think he’s better off dead. Still, I killed him. Oceaxe had nothing to do with it.”

Tydomin appeared not to hear him—she looked beyond him at Oceaxe musingly. “When you murdered him, didn’t it occur to you that I would come here, to find out?”

Tydomin seemed not to hear him. She gazed thoughtfully past him at Oceaxe. “When you murdered him, didn’t it occur to you that I would come here to find out?”

“I never once thought of you,” replied Oceaxe, with an angry laugh. “Do you really imagine that I carry your image with me wherever I go?”

“I never once thought of you,” Oceaxe replied with an angry laugh. “Do you really think I carry your image with me wherever I go?”

“If someone were to murder your lover here, what would you do?”

“If someone murdered your lover here, what would you do?”

“Lying hypocrite!” Oceaxe spat out. “You never were in love with Crimtyphon. You always hated me, and now you think it an excellent opportunity to make it good... now that Crimtyphon’s gone.... For we both know he would have made a footstool of you, if I had asked him. He worshiped me, but he laughed at you. He thought you ugly.”

“Lying hypocrite!” Oceaxe spat out. “You were never in love with Crimtyphon. You always hated me, and now you think you have a perfect chance to act on that hatred... now that Crimtyphon’s gone.... We both know he would have made a footstool of you if I had asked him. He worshiped me, but he laughed at you. He thought you were ugly.”

Tydomin flashed a quick, gentle smile at Maskull. “Is it necessary for you to listen to all this?”

Tydomin gave Maskull a quick, gentle smile. “Do you need to listen to all this?”

Without question, and feeling it the right thing to do, he walked away out of earshot.

Without question, feeling it was the right thing to do, he walked away until he was out of earshot.

Tydomin approached Oceaxe. “Perhaps because my beauty fades and I’m no longer young, I needed him all the more.”

Tydomin walked up to Oceaxe. “Perhaps I needed him all the more because my beauty is fading and I’m no longer young.”

Oceaxe gave a kind of snarl. “Well, he’s dead, and that’s the end of it. What are you going to do now, Tydomin?”

The other woman smiled faintly and rather pathetically. “There’s nothing left to do, except mourn the dead. You won’t grudge me that last office?”

The other woman smiled faintly and rather sadly. “There’s nothing left to do except mourn the dead. You won’t deny me that one last duty?”

“Do you want to stay here?” demanded Oceaxe suspiciously.

“Do you want to stay here?” Oceaxe demanded suspiciously.

“Yes, Oceaxe dear, I wish to be alone.”

“Yes, dear Oceaxe, I want to be alone.”

“Then what is to become of us?”

“Then what will happen to us?”

“I thought that you and your lover—what is his name?”

“I thought that you and your lover, what is his name?”

“Maskull.”

“I thought that perhaps you two would go to Disscourn, and spend Blodsombre at my home.”

“I thought perhaps you two would go to Disscourn and spend Blodsombre at my home.”

Oceaxe called out aloud to Maskull, “Will you come with me now to Disscourn?”

Oceaxe called out to Maskull, “Will you come with me to Disscourn now?”

“If you wish,” returned Maskull.

“If you want,” Maskull replied.

“Go first, Oceaxe. I must question your friend about Crimtyphon’s death. I won’t keep him.”

“Go ahead, Oceaxe. I need to ask your friend about Crimtyphon’s death. I won’t keep him long.”

“Why don’t you question me, rather?” demanded Oceaxe, looking up sharply.

“Why don’t you question me instead?” demanded Oceaxe, looking up sharply.

Tydomin gave the shadow of a smile. “We know each other too well.”

Tydomin gave a faint smile. “We know each other too well.”

“Play no tricks!” said Oceaxe, and she turned to go.

“Don’t play any tricks!” said Oceaxe, and she turned to leave.

“Surely you must be dreaming,” said Tydomin. “That’s the way—unless you want to walk over the cliffside.”

“You must be dreaming,” said Tydomin. “That’s the way, unless you want to walk over the cliff.”

The path Oceaxe had chosen led across the isthmus. The direction which Tydomin proposed for her was over the edge of the precipice, into empty space.

The path Oceaxe had chosen led across the isthmus. Tydomin proposed that she go over the edge of the cliff, into empty space.

“Shaping! I must be mad,” cried Oceaxe, with a laugh. And she obediently followed the other’s finger.

“Shaping! I must be mad,” Oceaxe cried with a laugh. And she obediently followed the other person’s finger.

She walked straight on toward the edge of the abyss, twenty paces away. Maskull pulled his beard around, and wondered what she was doing. Tydomin remained standing with outstretched finger, watching her. Without hesitation, without slackening her step once, Oceaxe strolled on—and when she had reached the extreme end of the land she still took one more step.

She walked straight toward the edge of the abyss, twenty paces away. Maskull pulled his beard around and wondered what she was doing. Tydomin stood with her finger outstretched, watching her. Oceaxe walked on without hesitation or slowing down. When she reached the very edge of the land, she took one more step.

Maskull saw her limbs wrench as she stumbled over the edge. Her body disappeared, and as it did so an awful shriek sounded.

Maskull saw her limbs twist as she stumbled over the edge. Her body disappeared, and an awful scream rang out as she fell.

Disillusionment had come to her an instant too late. He tore himself out of his stupor, rushed to the edge of the cliff, threw himself on the ground recklessly, and looked over.... Oceaxe had vanished.

She had realized the truth a moment too late. He shook himself out of his daze and rushed to the edge of the cliff. He threw himself down recklessly and looked over.... Oceaxe had vanished.

He continued staring wildly down for several minutes, and then began to sob. Tydomin came up to him, and he got to his feet.

He kept staring wildly down for several minutes, then began to sob. Tydomin came over to him, and he stood up.

The blood kept rushing to his face and leaving it again. It was some time before he could speak at all. Then he brought out the words with difficulty. “You shall pay for this, Tydomin. But first I want to hear why you did it.”

Blood kept rushing to his face, then draining away again. It took him some time before he could speak at all. Then he forced out the words. “You’ll pay for this, Tydomin. But first I want to hear why you did it.”

“Hadn’t I cause?” she asked, standing with downcast eyes.

“Didn’t I have a reason?” she asked, standing with her eyes lowered.

“Was it pure fiendishness?”

“Was it sheer evil?”

“It was for Crimtyphon’s sake.”

“She had nothing to do with that death. I told you so.”

“You are loyal to her, and I’m loyal to him.”

“Loyal? You’ve made a terrible blunder. She wasn’t my mistress. I killed Crimtyphon for quite another reason. She had absolutely no part in it.”

“Loyal? You’ve made a terrible mistake. She wasn’t my mistress. I killed Crimtyphon for a completely different reason. She had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

“Wasn’t she your lover?” asked Tydomin slowly.

“Wasn’t she your lover?” Tydomin asked slowly.

“You’ve made a terrible mistake,” repeated Maskull. “I killed him because he was a wild beast. She was as innocent of his death as you are.”

“You’ve made a terrible mistake,” Maskull repeated. “I killed him because he was a wild beast. She was just as innocent of his death as you are.”

Tydomin’s face took on a hard look. “So you are guilty of two deaths.”

Tydomin’s face hardened. “So you are guilty of two deaths.”

There was a dreadful silence.

“Why couldn’t you believe me?” asked Maskull, who was pale and sweating painfully.

“Why couldn’t you believe me?” asked Maskull. He was pale and sweating painfully.

“Who gave you the right to kill him?” demanded Tydomin sternly.

“Who gave you the right to kill him?” Tydomin demanded sternly.

He said nothing, and perhaps did not hear her question.

He said nothing and perhaps didn't hear her question.

She sighed two or three times and began to stir restlessly. “Since you murdered him, you must help me bury him.”

She sighed two or three times and began to move restlessly. “Since you murdered him, you must help me bury him.”

“What’s to be done? This is a most fearful crime.”

“What can we do? This is a terrible crime.”

“You are a most fearful man. Why did you come here, to do all this? What are we to you?”

“You are a terrifying man. Why did you come here to do all this? What are we to you?”

“Unfortunately you are right.”

“Unfortunately, you're right.”

Another pause ensued.

There was another pause.

“It’s no use standing here,” said Tydomin. “Nothing can be done. You must come with me.”

“There’s no point standing here,” said Tydomin. “Nothing can be done. You must come with me.”

“Come with you? Where to?”

“To Disscourn. There’s a burning lake on the far side of it. He always wished to be cast there after death. We can do that after Blodsombre—in the meantime we must take him home.”

“To Disscourn. There’s a burning lake on the far side of it. He always wanted to be cast into the lake after death. We can do that after Blodsombre. For now, we must take him home.”

“You’re a callous, heartless woman. Why should he be buried when that poor girl must remain unburied?”

“You’re a cold, heartless woman. Why should he be buried when that poor girl has to remain unburied?”

“You know that’s out of the question,” replied Tydomin quietly.

“You know that’s impossible,” Tydomin replied quietly.

Maskull’s eyes roamed about agitatedly, apparently seeing nothing.

Maskull’s eyes darted around, apparently seeing nothing.

“We must do something,” she continued. “I shall go. You can’t wish to stay here alone?”

“We have to do something,” she continued. “I'll go. You don't want to stay here alone, do you?”

“No, I couldn’t stay here—and why should I want to? You want me to carry the corpse?”

“No, I couldn’t stay here. Why would I want to? You want me to carry the corpse?”

“He can’t carry himself, and you murdered him. Perhaps it will ease your mind to carry it.”

“He can’t carry himself, and you murdered him. Perhaps carrying it will ease your mind.”

“Ease my mind?” said Maskull, rather stupidly.

“Ease my mind?” Maskull said, rather stupidly.

“There’s only one relief for remorse, and that’s voluntary pain.”

“There’s only one way to relieve remorse, and that’s to choose to suffer.”

“And have you no remorse?” he asked, fixing her with a heavy eye.

“And don’t you feel any remorse?” he asked, staring at her sternly.

“These crimes are yours, Maskull,” she said in a low but incisive voice.

“These crimes are yours, Maskull,” she said in a low but sharp voice.

They walked over to Crimtyphon’s body, and Maskull hoisted it on to his shoulders. It weighed heavier than he had thought. Tydomin did not offer to assist him to adjust the ghastly burden.

They walked over to Crimtyphon’s body, and Maskull lifted it onto his shoulders. The body was heavier than he had expected. Tydomin did not offer to help him adjust the ghastly burden.

She crossed the isthmus, followed by Maskull. Their path lay through sunshine and shadow. Branchspell was blazing in a cloudless sky, the heat was insufferable—streams of sweat coursed down his face, and the corpse seemed to grow heavier and heavier. Tydomin always walked in front of him. His eyes were fastened in an unseeing stare on her white, womanish calves; he looked neither to right nor left. His features grew sullen. At the end of ten minutes he suddenly allowed his burden to slip off his shoulders on to the ground, where it lay sprawled every which way. He called out to Tydomin.

She crossed the isthmus, with Maskull following her. Their path led through sunlight and shadow. Branchspell blazed in a cloudless sky, and the heat was unbearable. Sweat streamed down his face, and the corpse seemed to grow heavier and heavier. Tydomin walked ahead of him the whole time. His eyes were fixed in a blank stare on her white, womanly calves. He looked neither right nor left. His face grew sullen. After ten minutes, he suddenly let his burden slip from his shoulders to the ground. It lay there sprawled in every direction. He called out to Tydomin.

She quickly looked around.

“Come here. It has just occurred to me”—he laughed—“why should I be carrying this corpse—and why should I be following you at all? What surprises me is, why this has never struck me before.”

“Come here. I just realized something.” He laughed. “Why am I carrying this corpse? And why am I following you at all? What surprises me is that I never thought of it before.”

She at once came back to him. “I suppose you’re tired, Maskull. Let us sit down. Perhaps you have come a long way this morning?”

She came back to him right away. “I suppose you’re tired, Maskull. Let’s sit down. Perhaps you’ve come a long way this morning?”

“Oh, it’s not tiredness, but a sudden gleam of sense. Do you know of any reason why I should be acting as your porter?” He laughed again, but nevertheless sat down on the ground beside her.

“Oh, I’m not tired. I’ve just come to my senses. Can you think of any reason why I should carry your things?” He laughed again, but sat down on the ground beside her anyway.

Tydomin neither looked at him nor answered. Her head was half bent, so as to face the northern sky, where the Alppain light was still glowing. Maskull followed her gaze, and also watched the glow for a moment or two in silence.

Tydomin did not look at him or answer. Her head was slightly bent toward the northern sky, where the Alppain light still glowed. Maskull followed her gaze and watched the glow in silence for a moment or two.

“Why don’t you speak?” he asked at last.

“What does that light suggest to you, Maskull?”

“I’m not speaking of that light.”

“I’m not talking about that light.”

“Doesn’t it suggest anything at all?”

“Perhaps it doesn’t. What does it matter?”

“Maybe it doesn’t. What does it matter?”

“Not sacrifice?”

Maskull grew sullen again. “Sacrifice of what? What do you mean?”

Maskull became sullen again. “Sacrifice of what? What do you mean?”

“Hasn’t it entered your head yet,” said Tydomin, looking straight in front of her, and speaking in her delicate, hard manner, “that this adventure of yours will scarcely come to an end until you have made some sort of sacrifice?”

“Hasn’t it occurred to you yet,” said Tydomin, staring straight ahead and speaking in her delicate, hard manner, “that your adventure will hardly end until you make some kind of sacrifice?”

He returned no answer, and she said nothing more. In a few minutes’ time Maskull got up of his own accord, and irreverently, and almost angrily, threw Crimtyphon’s corpse over his shoulder again.

He did not answer, and she said nothing more. A few minutes later, Maskull got up on his own. With no respect, and almost angrily, he threw Crimtyphon’s body over his shoulder again.

“How far do we have to go?” he asked in a surly tone.

“How far do we have to go?” he asked grumpily.

“An hour’s walk.”

“Lead on.”

“Lead the way.”

“Still, this isn’t the sacrifice I mean,” said Tydomin quietly, as she went on in front.

“Still, this isn’t the sacrifice I mean,” Tydomin said quietly, as she walked ahead.

Almost immediately they reached more difficult ground. They had to pass from peak to peak, as from island to island. In some cases they were able to stride or jump across, but in others they had to make use of rude bridges of fallen timber. It appeared to be a frequented path. Underneath were the black, impenetrable abysses—on the surface were the glaring sunshine, the gay, painted rocks, the chaotic tangle of strange plants. There were countless reptiles and insects. The latter were thicker built than those of Earth—consequently still more disgusting, and some of them were of enormous size. One monstrous insect, as large as a horse, stood right in the centre of their path without budging. It was armour-plated, had jaws like scimitars, and underneath its body was a forest of legs. Tydomin gave one malignant look at it, and sent it crashing into the gulf.

Almost immediately, they reached more difficult ground. They had to travel from peak to peak, as if crossing from island to island. Sometimes they could stride or jump across. At other times, they had to use crude bridges made from fallen trees. The path seemed well traveled. Below lay black, impenetrable abysses. Above, the sun shone fiercely on brightly colored rocks and a chaotic tangle of strange plants. There were countless reptiles and insects. The insects were more thickly built than those on Earth, and therefore even more disgusting. Some were enormous. One monstrous insect, as large as a horse, stood in the middle of their path without moving. It was covered in armor, had jaws like curved swords, and had a forest of legs beneath its body. Tydomin gave it a hateful look and sent it crashing into the gulf.

“What have I to offer, except my life?” Maskull suddenly broke out. “And what good is that? It won’t bring that poor girl back into the world.”

“What can I offer except my life?” Maskull suddenly exclaimed. “And what good is my life? It won’t bring that poor girl back.”

“Sacrifice is not for utility. It’s a penalty which we pay.”

“Sacrifice is not meant to be useful. It’s a penalty we pay.”

“I know that.”

“The point is whether you can go on enjoying life, after what has happened.”

“The question is whether you can still enjoy life after what has happened.”

She waited for Maskull to come even with her.

She waited for Maskull to catch up with her.

“Perhaps you imagine I’m not man enough—you imagine that because I allowed poor Oceaxe to die for me—”

“Perhaps you think I’m not man enough. You think that because I let poor Oceaxe die for me.”

“She did die for you,” said Tydomin, in a quiet, emphatic voice.

“She did die for you,” Tydomin said quietly and firmly.

“That would be a second blunder of yours,” returned Maskull, just as firmly. “I was not in love with Oceaxe, and I’m not in love with life.”

“That would be your second mistake,” replied Maskull, just as firmly. “I was not in love with Oceaxe, and I’m not in love with life.”

“Your life is not required.”

“Your life is not needed.”

“Then I don’t understand what you want, or what you are speaking about.”

“Then I don’t understand what you want or what you’re talking about.”

“It’s not for me to ask a sacrifice from you, Maskull. That would be compliance on your part, but not sacrifice. You must wait until you feel there’s nothing else for you to do.”

“It’s not my place to ask you to make a sacrifice, Maskull. You would only be doing as I asked, not making a sacrifice. You must wait until you feel there’s nothing else you can do.”

“It’s all very mysterious.”

The conversation was abruptly cut short by a prolonged and frightful crashing, roaring sound, coming from a short distance ahead. It was accompanied by a violent oscillation of the ground on which they stood. They looked up, startled, just in time to witness the final disappearance of a huge mass of forest land, not two hundred yards in front of them. Several acres of trees, plants, rocks, and soil, with all its teeming animal life, vanished before their eyes, like a magic story. The new chasm was cut, as if by a knife. Beyond its farther edge the Alppain glow burned blue just over the horizon.

A long, terrifying crash and roar suddenly cut their conversation short. The sound came from a short distance ahead, and the ground beneath them shook violently. Startled, they looked up just in time to see a huge stretch of forest land disappear. It was less than two hundred yards ahead of them. Several acres of trees, plants, rocks, and soil vanished before their eyes, along with all the animals living there. It was like something out of a magic story. The new chasm had been cut as if by a knife. Beyond its far edge, the Alppain glow burned blue just above the horizon.

“Now we shall have to make a detour,” said Tydomin, halting.

“Now we'll have to take a different route,” said Tydomin, stopping.

Maskull caught hold of her with his third hand. “Listen to me, while I try to describe what I’m feeling. When I saw that landslip, everything I have heard about the last destruction of the world came into my mind. It seemed to me as if I were actually witnessing it, and that the world were really falling to pieces. Then, where the land was, we now have this empty, awful gulf—that’s to say, nothing—and it seems to me as if our life will come to the same condition, where there was something there will be nothing. But that terrible blue glare on the opposite side is exactly like the eye of fate. It accuses us, and demands what we have made of our life, which is no more. At the same time, it is grand and joyful. The joy consists in this—that it is in our power to give freely what will later on be taken from us by force.”

Maskull grabbed her with his third hand. “Listen to me while I try to describe what I’m feeling. When I saw that landslide, I remembered everything I’d heard about the final destruction of the world. It felt as if I were actually seeing it, as if the world were really falling apart. Now, where the land once stood, there is an empty, terrifying gulf. There is nothing. And it seems to me that our lives will end the same way. Where there was something, there will be nothing. But that terrible blue glare on the other side is just like the eye of fate. It accuses us and demands to know what we made of our life, which is now gone. At the same time, it is magnificent and joyful. The joy is that we can freely give up what will later be taken from us by force.”

Tydomin watched him attentively. “Then your feeling is that your life is worthless, and you make a present of it to the first one who asks?”

Tydomin watched him closely. “So you feel your life is worthless, and you give it to the first person who asks?”

“No, it goes beyond that. I feel that the only thing worth living for is to be so magnanimous that fate itself will be astonished at us. Understand me. It isn’t cynicism, or bitterness, or despair, but heroism.... It’s hard to explain.”

“No, it goes beyond that. I feel the only thing worth living for is to be so generous in spirit that fate itself is astonished by us. Understand me. This isn’t cynicism, bitterness, or despair, but heroism.... It’s hard to explain.”

“Now you shall hear what sacrifice I offer you, Maskull. It’s a heavy one, but that’s what you seem to wish.”

“Now I’ll tell you what sacrifice I’m offering you, Maskull. It’s a heavy sacrifice, but that’s what you seem to want.”

“That is so. In my present mood it can’t be too heavy.”

“That’s right. In my current mood, it can’t be too heavy.”

“Then, if you are in earnest, resign your body to me. Now that Crimtyphon’s dead, I’m tired of being a woman.”

“Then, if you’re serious, give me your body. Now that Crimtyphon is dead, I’m tired of being a woman.”

“I fail to comprehend.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Listen, then. I wish to start a new existence in your body. I wish to be a male. I see it isn’t worth while being a woman. I mean to dedicate my own body to Crimtyphon. I shall tie his body and mine together, and give them a common funeral in the burning lake. That’s the sacrifice I offer you. As I said, it’s a hard one.”

“Listen, then. I want to start a new life in your body. I want to be a man. I see that being a woman isn’t worth it. I intend to dedicate my own body to Crimtyphon. I’ll tie his body and mine together and give them a shared funeral in the burning lake. That’s the sacrifice I offer you. As I said, it’s a hard one.”

“So you do ask me to die. Though how you can make use of my body is difficult to understand.”

“So you are asking me to die. Though it’s hard to understand how you could use my body.”

“No, I don’t ask you to die. You will go on living.”

“No, I’m not asking you to die. You’ll go on living.”

“How is it possible without a body?”

“How is that possible without a body?”

Tydomin gazed at him earnestly. “There are many such beings, even in your world. There you call them spirits, apparitions, phantoms. They are in reality living wills, deprived of material bodies, always longing to act and enjoy, but quite unable to do so. Are you noble-minded enough to accept such a state, do you think?”

Tydomin looked at him intently. “There are many such beings, even in your world. There you call them spirits, apparitions, or phantoms. They are really living wills without physical bodies. They always long to act and enjoy themselves, but they cannot. Do you think you are noble enough to accept such a state?”

“If it’s possible, I accept it,” replied Maskull quietly. “Not in spite of its heaviness, but because of it. But how is it possible?”

“If it’s possible, I accept it,” Maskull replied quietly. “Not despite its heaviness, but because of it. But how is it possible?”

“Undoubtedly there are very many things possible in our world of which you have no conception. Now let us wait till we get home. I don’t hold you to your word, for unless it’s a free sacrifice I will have nothing to do with it.”

“There's no doubt that many things are possible in our world that you can't imagine. Now let's wait until we get home. I won't hold you to your word, because I want nothing to do with it unless it's a voluntary sacrifice.”

“I am not a man who speaks lightly. If you can perform this miracle, you have my consent, once for all.”

“I don't speak without thinking. If you can perform this miracle, you have my consent, once and for all.”

“Then we’ll leave it like that for the present,” said Tydomin sadly.

“Then we’ll leave it like that for now,” said Tydomin sadly.

They proceeded on their way. Owing to the subsidence, Tydomin seemed rather doubtful at first as to the right road, but by making a long divergence they eventually got around to the other side of the newly formed chasm. A little later on, in a narrow copse crowning a miniature, insulated peak, they fell in with a man. He was resting himself against a tree, and looked tired, overheated, and despondent. He was young. His beardless expression bore an expression of unusual sincerity, and in other respects he seemed a hardy, hardworking youth, of an intellectual type. His hair was thick, short, and flaxen. He possessed neither a sorb nor a third arm—so presumably he was not a native of Ifdawn. His forehead, however, was disfigured by what looked like a haphazard assortment of eyes, eight in number, of different sizes and shapes. They went in pairs, and whenever two were in use, it was indicated by a peculiar shining—the rest remained dull, until their turn came. In addition to the upper eyes he had the two lower ones, but they were vacant and lifeless. This extraordinary battery of eyes, alternatively alive and dead, gave the young man an appearance of almost alarming mental activity. He was wearing nothing but a sort of skin kilt. Maskull seemed somehow to recognise the face, though he had certainly never set eyes on it before.

They continued on their way. Because of the subsidence, Tydomin seemed unsure of the right road at first. But after making a long detour, they eventually reached the other side of the newly formed chasm. A little later, they came upon a man in a narrow grove atop a small, isolated peak. He was leaning against a tree and looked tired, overheated, and discouraged. He was young. His beardless face had an unusually sincere expression. In other respects, he seemed a hardy, hardworking youth of an intellectual type. His hair was thick, short, and flaxen. He had neither a sorb nor a third arm, so presumably he was not a native of Ifdawn. His forehead, however, was disfigured by what looked like a random assortment of eight eyes. They were of different sizes and shapes and arranged in pairs. Whenever a pair was in use, the two eyes shone in a peculiar way. The rest remained dull until their turn came. In addition to these upper eyes, he had two lower ones, but they were vacant and lifeless. This extraordinary array of eyes, alternately alive and dead, gave the young man an appearance of almost alarming mental activity. He wore nothing but a kind of skin kilt. Maskull somehow seemed to recognize the face, though he had certainly never seen it before.

Tydomin suggested to him to set down the corpse, and both sat down to rest in the shade.

Tydomin suggested that he put down the corpse, and they both sat down to rest in the shade.

“Question him, Maskull,” she said, rather carelessly, jerking her head toward the stranger.

“Ask him some questions, Maskull,” she said rather carelessly, jerking her head toward the stranger.

Maskull sighed and asked aloud, from his seat on the ground, “What’s your name, and where do you come from?”

Sitting on the ground, Maskull sighed and asked aloud, “What’s your name, and where do you come from?”

The man studied him for a few moments, first with one pair of eyes, then with another, then with a third. He next turned his attention to Tydomin, who occupied him a still longer time. He replied at last, in a dry, manly, nervous voice. “I am Digrung. I have arrived here from Matterplay.” His colour kept changing, and Maskull suddenly realised of whom he reminded him. It was of Joiwind.

The man studied him for a few moments, first with one pair of eyes, then another, then a third. Next he turned his attention to Tydomin, studying her for even longer. At last he replied in a dry, manly, nervous voice. “I am Digrung. I have come here from Matterplay.” His color kept changing, and Maskull suddenly realized who he reminded him of. It was Joiwind.

“Perhaps you’re going to Poolingdred, Digrung?” he inquired, interested.

“Perhaps you’re going to Poolingdred, Digrung?” he asked with interest.

“As a matter of fact I am—if I can find my way out of this accursed country.”

“Actually, I am, if I can find my way out of this damned country.”

“Possibly you are acquainted with Joiwind there?”

“Perhaps you know Joiwind there?”

“She’s my sister. I’m on my way to see her now. Why, do you know her?”

“She’s my sister. I’m going to see her now. Why, do you know her?”

“I met her yesterday.”

“What is your name, then?”

“What’s your name, then?”

“Maskull.”

“I shall tell her I met you. This will be our first meeting for four years. Is she well, and happy?”

“I’ll tell her I met you. This will be the first time we’ve met in four years. Is she well and happy?”

“Both, as far as I could judge. You know Panawe?”

“Both, as far as I could tell. Do you know Panawe?”

“Her husband—yes. But where do you come from? I’ve seen nothing like you before.”

“Her husband, yes. But where do you come from? I’ve never seen anything like you before.”

“From another world. Where is Matterplay?”

“It’s the first country one comes to beyond the Sinking Sea.”

“It’s the first country you come to beyond the Sinking Sea.”

“What is it like there—how do you amuse yourselves? The same old murders and sudden deaths?”

“What is it like there? How do you entertain yourselves? The same old murders and sudden deaths?”

“Are you ill?” asked Digrung. “Who is this woman, why are you following at her heels like a slave? She looks insane to me. What’s that corpse—why are you dragging it around the country with you?”

“Are you sick?” asked Digrung. “Who is this woman? Why are you following her like a slave? She looks insane to me. What’s that corpse? Why are you dragging it around the country with you?”

Tydomin smiled. “I’ve already heard it said about Matterplay, that if one sows an answer there, a rich crop of questions immediately springs up. But why do you make this unprovoked attack on me, Digrung?”

Tydomin smiled. “I’ve already heard it said that if you plant an answer in Matterplay, a rich crop of questions immediately springs up. But why are you attacking me without provocation, Digrung?”

“I don’t attack you, woman, but I know you. I see into you, and I see insanity. That wouldn’t matter, but I don’t like to see a man of intelligence like Maskull caught in your filthy meshes.”

“I’m not attacking you, woman, but I know you. I can see inside you, and I see madness. That wouldn’t matter, but I don’t like seeing an intelligent man like Maskull caught in your filthy trap.”

“I suppose even you clever Matterplay people sometimes misjudge character. However, I don’t mind. Your opinion’s nothing to me, Digrung. You’d better answer his questions, Maskull. Not for his own sake—but your feminine friend is sure to be curious about your having been seen carrying a dead man.”

“I suppose even you clever Matterplay people sometimes misjudge people. But I don’t mind. Your opinion means nothing to me, Digrung. You’d better answer his questions, Maskull. Not for his sake, but your female friend is sure to be curious. She’ll want to know why you were seen carrying a dead man.”

Maskull’s underlip shot out. “Tell your sister nothing, Digrung. Don’t mention my name at all. I don’t want her to know about this meeting of ours.”

Maskull’s lower lip jutted out. “Tell your sister nothing, Digrung. Don’t mention my name at all. I don’t want her to know we met.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t wish it—isn’t that enough?”

“I don’t want it. Isn’t that enough?”

Digrung looked impassive.

Digrung showed no emotion.

“Thoughts and words,” he said, “which don’t correspond with the real events of the world are considered most shameful in Matterplay.”

“Thoughts and words,” he said, “that don’t match what really happens in the world are considered most shameful in Matterplay.”

“I’m not asking you to lie, only to keep silent.”

“I’m not asking you to lie, only to stay silent.”

“To hide the truth is a special branch of lying. I can’t accede to your wish. I must tell Joiwind everything, as far as I know it.”

“To hide the truth is a special kind of lying. I can’t do as you wish. I must tell Joiwind everything I know.”

Maskull got up, and Tydomin followed his example.

Maskull got up, and Tydomin did the same.

She touched Digrung on the arm and gave him a strange look. “The dead man is my husband, and Maskull murdered him. Now you’ll understand why he wishes you to hold your tongue.”

She touched Digrung’s arm and gave him a strange look. “The dead man is my husband, and Maskull murdered him. Now you’ll understand why he wants you to keep quiet.”

“I guessed there was some foul play,” said Digrung. “It doesn’t matter—I can’t falsify facts. Joiwind must know.”

“I suspected something wrong,” said Digrung. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t change the facts. Joiwind must know.”

“You refuse to consider her feelings?” said Maskull, turning pale.

“You refuse to think about her feelings?” said Maskull, turning pale.

“Feelings which flourish on illusions, and sicken and die on realities, aren’t worth considering. But Joiwind’s are not of that kind.”

“Feelings that thrive on illusions but wither and die when faced with reality aren’t worth considering. But Joiwind’s feelings aren’t like that.”

“If you decline to do what I ask, at least return home without seeing her; your sister will get very little pleasure out of the meeting when she hears your news.”

“If you refuse to do what I ask, at least go home without seeing her. Your sister will get very little pleasure from the meeting when she hears your news.”

“What are these strange relations between you?” demanded Digrung, eying him with suddenly aroused suspicion.

“What’s this strange relationship between you?” Digrung demanded, looking at him with sudden suspicion.

Maskull stared back in a sort of bewilderment. “Good God! You don’t doubt your own sister. That pure angel!”

Maskull stared back, bewildered. “Good God! You don’t doubt your own sister. She’s a pure angel!”

Tydomin caught hold of him delicately. “I don’t know Joiwind, but, whoever she is and whatever she’s like, I know this—she’s more fortunate in her friend than in her brother. Now, if you really value her happiness, Maskull, you will have to take some firm step or other.”

Tydomin gently took hold of him. “I don’t know Joiwind. But whoever she is and whatever she’s like, I know she’s luckier in her friend than in her brother. Now, Maskull, if you really care about her happiness, you’ll have to take some decisive action.”

“I mean to. Digrung, I shall stop your journey.”

“I intend to. Digrung, I'll stop your journey.”

“If you intend a second murder, no doubt you are big enough.”

“If you plan to murder someone again, I’m sure you’re big enough.”

Maskull turned around to Tydomin and laughed. “I seem to be leaving a wake of corpses behind me on this journey.”

Maskull turned to Tydomin and laughed. “I seem to be leaving a trail of corpses behind me on this journey.”

“Why a corpse? There’s no need to kill him.”

“Thanks for that!” said Digrung dryly. “All the same, some crime is about to burst. I feel it.”

“Thanks for that!” said Digrung dryly. “Even so, a crime is about to happen. I feel it.”

“What must I do, then?” asked Maskull.

“What should I do, then?” asked Maskull.

“It is not my business, and to tell the truth I am not very interested.... If I were in your place, Maskull, I would not hesitate long. Don’t you understand how to absorb these creatures, who set their feeble, obstinate wills against yours?”

“It’s none of my business, and honestly, I’m not very interested.... If I were you, Maskull, I wouldn’t hesitate long. Don’t you know how to absorb these creatures who set their weak, stubborn wills against yours?”

“That is a worse crime,” said Maskull.

“That’s a worse crime,” said Maskull.

“Who knows? He will live, but he will tell no tales.”

“Who knows? He will live, but he won't tell anyone what happened.”

Digrung laughed, but changed colour. “I was right then. The monster has sprung into the light of day.”

Digrung laughed, but his face changed color. “I was right, then. The monster has come out into the light of day.”

Maskull laid a hand on his shoulder. “You have the choice, and we are not joking. Do as I ask.”

Maskull put a hand on his shoulder. “You have the choice, and we are not joking. Do as I ask.”

“You have fallen low, Maskull. But you are walking in a dream, and I can’t talk to you. As for you, woman—sin must be like a pleasant bath to you....”

“You’ve fallen low, Maskull. But you’re walking in a dream, and I can’t talk to you. As for you, woman, sin must be like a pleasant bath to you....”

“There are strange ties between Maskull and myself; but you are a passer-by, a foreigner. I care nothing for you.”

“Maskull and I have strange ties, but you are just passing through, a foreigner. I don't care about you.”

“Nevertheless, I shall not be frightened out of my plans, which are legitimate and right.”

“Still, I won't be scared away from my plans. They are legitimate and right.”

“Do as you please,” said Tydomin. “If you come to grief, your thoughts will hardly have corresponded with the real events of the world, which is what you boast about. It is no affair of mine.”

“Do as you please,” said Tydomin. “If you come to harm, your thoughts will hardly have matched what actually happened in the world. Yet you boast that they do. It’s no concern of mine.”

“I shall go on, and not back!” exclaimed Digrung, with angry emphasis.

“I'll go on, not back!” Digrung exclaimed angrily.

Tydomin threw a swift, evil smile at Maskull. “Bear witness that I have tried to persuade this young man. Now you must come to a quick decision in your own mind as to which is of the greatest importance, Digrung’s happiness or Joiwind’s. Digrung won’t allow you to preserve them both.”

Tydomin flashed Maskull a quick, evil smile. “You can see that I’ve tried to persuade this young man. Now you must quickly decide whose happiness matters more, Digrung’s or Joiwind’s. Digrung won’t let you protect both of them.”

“It won’t take me long to decide, Digrung, I gave you a last chance to change your mind.”

“It won’t take me long to decide, Digrung. I gave you one last chance to change your mind.”

“As long as it’s in my power I shall go on, and warn my sister against her criminal friends.”

“As long as I can, I’ll go on and warn my sister against her criminal friends.”

Maskull again clutched at him, but this time with violence. Instructed in his actions by some new and horrible instinct, he pressed the young man tightly to his body with all three arms. A feeling of wild, sweet delight immediately passed through him. Then for the first time he comprehended the triumphant joys of “absorbing.” It satisfied the hunger of the will, exactly as food satisfies the hunger of the body. Digrung proved feeble—he made little opposition. His personality passed slowly and evenly into Maskull’s. The latter became strong and gorged. The victim gradually became paler and limper, until Maskull held a corpse in his arms. He dropped the body, and stood trembling. He had committed his second crime. He felt no immediate difference in his soul, but...

Maskull grabbed him again, but this time violently. Guided by some new and horrible instinct, he pressed the young man tightly against his body with all three arms. A feeling of wild, sweet delight immediately swept through him. For the first time, he understood the triumphant joys of “absorbing.” It satisfied the hunger of the will, just as food satisfies the hunger of the body. Digrung was weak and barely resisted. His personality passed slowly and steadily into Maskull’s. Maskull grew strong and full. Digrung grew paler and limper until Maskull held a corpse in his arms. He dropped the body and stood trembling. He had committed his second crime. He felt no immediate difference in his soul, but...

Tydomin shed a sad smile on him, like winter sunshine. He half expected her to speak, but she said nothing. Instead, she made a sign to him to pick up Crimtyphon’s corpse. As he obeyed, he wondered why Digrung’s dead face did not wear the frightful Crystalman mask.

Tydomin gave him a sad smile, like winter sunshine. He half expected her to speak, but she said nothing. Instead, she signaled him to pick up Crimtyphon’s corpse. As he did, he wondered why Digrung’s dead face did not wear the frightening Crystalman mask.

“Why hasn’t he altered?” he muttered to himself.

“Why hasn’t he changed?” he muttered to himself.

Tydomin heard him. She kicked Digrung lightly with her little foot. “He isn’t dead—that’s why. The expression you mean is waiting for your death.”

Tydomin heard him. She gave Digrung a light kick with her little foot. “He isn’t dead. That’s why. The expression you mean is waiting for your death.”

“Then is that my real character?”

“Then is that who I really am?”

She laughed softly. “You came here to carve a strange world, and now it appears you are carved yourself. Oh, there’s no doubt about it, Maskull. You needn’t stand there gaping. You belong to Shaping, like the rest of us. You are not a king, or a god.”

She laughed softly. “You came here to carve a strange world, but now it seems you’ve been carved yourself. Oh, there’s no doubt about it, Maskull. You don’t need to stand there staring. You belong to Shaping, like the rest of us. You’re not a king or a god.”

“Since when have I belonged to him?”

“What does that matter? Perhaps since you first breathed the air of Tormance, or perhaps since five minutes ago.”

“What does it matter? Maybe since you first breathed the air of Tormance, or maybe since five minutes ago.”

Without waiting for his response, she set off through the copse, and strode on to the next island. Maskull followed, physically distressed and looking very grave.

Without waiting for his answer, she walked through the small grove and on to the next island. Maskull followed, physically distressed and looking very serious.

The journey continued for half an hour longer, without incident. The character of the scenery slowly changed. The mountaintops became loftier and more widely separated from one another. The gaps were filled with rolling, white clouds, which bathed the shores of the peaks like a mysterious sea. To pass from island to island was hard work, the intervening spaces were so wide—Tydomin, however, knew the way. The intense light, the violet-blue sky, the patches of vivid landscape, emerging from the white vapour-ocean, made a profound impression on Maskull’s mind. The glow of Alppain was hidden by the huge mass of Disscourn, which loomed up straight in front of them.

The journey continued for another half hour without incident. The scenery slowly changed. The mountaintops grew higher and farther apart. Rolling white clouds filled the gaps, washing against the peaks’ shores like a mysterious sea. Crossing from island to island was hard work because the spaces between them were so wide. But Tydomin knew the way. The intense light, the violet-blue sky, and the patches of vivid landscape rising from the white sea of mist deeply impressed Maskull. The huge mass of Disscourn loomed directly ahead of them, hiding the glow of Alppain.

The green snow on the top of the gigantic pyramid had by now completely melted away. The black, gold, and crimson of its mighty cliffs stood out with terrific brilliance. They were directly beneath the bulk of the mountain, which was not a mile away. It did not appear dangerous to climb, but he was unaware on which side of it their destination lay.

The green snow on top of the gigantic pyramid had now completely melted. The black, gold, and crimson of its mighty cliffs shone with terrifying brilliance. They were directly below the mountain, less than a mile away. It did not look dangerous to climb, but he did not know which side their destination was on.

It was split from top to bottom by numerous straight fissures. A few pale-green waterfalls descended here and there, like narrow, motionless threads. The face of the mountain was rugged and bare. It was strewn with detached boulders, and great, jagged rocks projected everywhere like iron teeth. Tydomin pointed to a small black hole near the base, which might be a cave. “That is where I live.”

It was split from top to bottom by many straight cracks. A few pale-green waterfalls flowed down here and there, like narrow, motionless threads. The mountainside was rugged and bare. Loose boulders lay scattered across it, and huge, jagged rocks jutted out everywhere like iron teeth. Tydomin pointed to a small black hole near the base. It might have been a cave. “That is where I live.”

“You live here alone?”

“Do you live here alone?”

“Yes.”

“It’s an odd choice for a woman—and you are not unbeautiful, either.”

“It’s an odd choice for a woman, and you’re not unattractive, either.”

“A woman’s life is over at twenty-five,” she replied, sighing. “And I am far older than that. Ten years ago it would have been I who lived yonder, and not Oceaxe. Then all this wouldn’t have happened.”

“A woman’s life is over at twenty-five,” she replied with a sigh. “And I’m much older than that. Ten years ago, I would have lived over there instead of Oceaxe. Then none of this would have happened.”

A quarter of an hour later they stood within the mouth of the cave. It was ten feet high, and its interior was impenetrably black.

Fifteen minutes later, they stood at the entrance to the cave. It was ten feet high, and inside it was pitch-black.

“Put down the body in the entrance, out of the sun,” directed Tydomin. He did so.

“Put the body down in the entrance, out of the sun,” Tydomin said. He did so.

She cast a keenly scrutinising glance at him. “Does your resolution still hold, Maskull?”

She studied him intently. “Are you still determined, Maskull?”

“Why shouldn’t it hold? My brains are not feathers.”

“Why shouldn’t it hold? My brains aren’t feathers.”

“Follow me, then.”

They both stepped into the cave. At that very moment a sickening crash, like heavy thunder just over their heads, set Maskull’s weakened heart thumping violently. An avalanche of boulders, stones, and dust, swept past the cave entrance from above. If their going in had been delayed by a single minute, they would have been killed.

They both stepped into the cave. At that very moment, a sickening crash sounded like heavy thunder just above their heads. Maskull’s weakened heart began to pound violently. An avalanche of boulders, stones, and dust swept down past the cave entrance. If they had entered a minute later, they would have been killed.

Tydomin did not even look up. She took his hand in hers, and started walking with him into the darkness. The temperature became as cold as ice. At the first bend the light from the outer world disappeared, leaving them in absolute blackness. Maskull kept stumbling over the uneven ground, but she kept tight hold of him, and hurried him along.

Tydomin did not even look up. She took his hand and began walking with him into the darkness. The air grew as cold as ice. At the first bend, the light from the outside world disappeared, leaving them in complete darkness. Maskull kept stumbling over the uneven ground, but she held him tightly and hurried him along.

The tunnel seemed of interminable length. Presently, however, the atmosphere changed—or such was his impression. He was somehow led to imagine that they had come to a larger chamber. Here Tydomin stopped, and then forced him down with quiet pressure. His groping hand encountered stone and, by feeling it all over, he discovered that it was a sort of stone slab, or couch, raised a foot or eighteen inches from the ground. She told him to lie down.

The tunnel seemed endless. After a while, though, the atmosphere seemed to change. Somehow, he had the impression that they had entered a larger chamber. Tydomin stopped there and gently pressed him down. His searching hand found stone. Feeling it all over, he discovered a kind of stone slab or couch, raised a foot or eighteen inches above the ground. She told him to lie down.

“Has the time come?” asked Maskull.

“Yes.”

He lay there waiting in the darkness, ignorant of what was going to happen. He felt her hand clasping his. Without perceiving any gradation, he lost all consciousness of his body; he was no longer able to feel his limbs or internal organs. His mind remained active and alert. Nothing particular appeared to be taking place.

He lay there waiting in the dark, not knowing what would happen. He felt her hand holding his. Without feeling any gradual change, he lost all awareness of his body. He could no longer feel his limbs or internal organs. His mind remained active and alert. Nothing in particular seemed to be happening.

Then the chamber began to grow light, like very early morning. He could see nothing, but the retina of his eyes was affected. He fancied that he heard music, but while he was listening for it, it stopped. The light grew stronger, the air grew warmer; he heard the confused sound of distant voices.

Then the chamber began to grow light, like the first light of morning. He could see nothing, but his eyes sensed the light. He thought he heard music, but it stopped as he listened for it. The light grew stronger and the air warmer. He heard the indistinct sound of distant voices.

Suddenly Tydomin gave his hand a powerful squeeze. He heard someone scream faintly, and then the light leaped up, and he saw everything clearly.

Suddenly, Tydomin squeezed his hand hard. He heard someone scream faintly. Then the light flared up, and he could see everything clearly.

He was lying on a wooden couch, in a strangely decorated room, lighted by electricity. His hand was being squeezed, not by Tydomin, but by a man dressed in the garments of civilisation, with whose face he was certainly familiar, but under what circumstances he could not recall. Other people stood in the background—they too were vaguely known to him. He sat up and began to smile, without any especial reason; and then stood upright.

He was lying on a wooden couch in a strangely decorated room lit by electricity. Someone was squeezing his hand. It was not Tydomin, but a man dressed in the clothes of civilization. His face was certainly familiar, but he could not remember where he knew him from. Other people stood in the background. They too were vaguely familiar. He sat up and began to smile for no particular reason. Then he stood up.

Everybody seemed to be watching him with anxiety and emotion—he wondered why. Yet he felt that they were all acquaintances. Two in particular he knew—the man at the farther end of the room, who paced restlessly backward and forward, his face transfigured by stern, holy grandeur; and that other big, bearded man—who was himself. Yes—he was looking at his own double. But it was just as if a crime-riddled man of middle age were suddenly confronted with his own photograph as an earnest, idealistic youth.

Everyone seemed to be watching him with anxiety and emotion. He wondered why. Yet he felt that he knew them all. He recognized two in particular. One was the man at the far end of the room, pacing restlessly back and forth. His face was transformed by a stern, holy grandeur. The other was a big, bearded man who was himself. Yes, he was looking at his own double. But it was like a middle-aged man with a life full of crimes suddenly facing a photograph of himself as an earnest, idealistic young man.

His other self spoke to him. He heard the sounds, but did not comprehend the sense. Then the door was abruptly flung open, and a short, brutish-looking individual leaped in. He began to behave in an extraordinary manner to everyone around him; and after that came straight up to him—Maskull. He spoke some words, but they were incomprehensible. A terrible expression came over the newcomer’s face, and he grasped his neck with a pair of hairy hands. Maskull felt his bones bending and breaking, excruciating pains passed through all the nerves of his body, and he experienced a sense of impending death. He cried out, and sank helplessly on the floor, in a heap. The chamber and the company vanished—the light went out.

His other self spoke to him. He heard the sounds but could not understand their meaning. Then the door suddenly burst open, and a short, brutish-looking man leaped in. The man behaved strangely toward everyone around him. Then he came straight up to Maskull. He said something, but Maskull could not understand him. A terrible expression came over the newcomer’s face, and he gripped Maskull’s neck with his hairy hands. Maskull felt his bones bend and break. Excruciating pain shot through every nerve in his body, and he felt that death was near. He cried out and sank helplessly to the floor in a heap. The room and everyone in it vanished. The light went out.

Once more he found himself in the blackness of the cave. He was this time lying on the ground, but Tydomin was still with him, holding his hand. He was in horrible bodily agony, but this was only a setting for the despairing anguish that filled his mind.

Once again, he found himself in the darkness of the cave. This time he was lying on the ground. But Tydomin was still with him, holding his hand. He was in terrible physical pain, but it was only a backdrop to the despair and anguish filling his mind.

Tydomin addressed him in tones of gentle reproach. “Why are you back so soon? I’ve not had time yet. You must return.”

Tydomin spoke to him with gentle reproach. “Why are you back so soon? I haven’t had time yet. You must go back.”

He caught hold of her, and pulled himself up to his feet. She gave a low scream, as though in pain. “What does this mean—what are you doing, Maskull?”

He grabbed her and pulled himself to his feet. She gave a low scream, as if in pain. “What does this mean? What are you doing, Maskull?”

“Krag—” began Maskull, but the effort to produce his words choked him, so that he was obliged to stop.

“Krag,” Maskull began, but the effort to speak choked him, and he had to stop.

“Krag—what of Krag? Tell me quickly what has happened. Free my arm.”

“Krag, what about Krag? Tell me quickly what happened. Let go of my arm.”

He gripped her arm tighter.

“Yes, I’ve seen Krag. I’m awake.”

“Oh! You are awake, awake.”

“Oh! You're awake, awake.”

“And you must die,” said Maskull, in an awful voice.

“And you must die,” said Maskull in a terrible voice.

“But why? What has happened?...”

“But why? What happened?...”

“You must die, and I must kill you. Because I am awake, and for no other reason. You blood-stained dancing mistress!”

“You must die, and I must kill you. Only because I am awake. You bloodstained dancing mistress!”

Tydomin breathed hard for a little time. Then she seemed suddenly to regain her self-possession.

Tydomin breathed hard for a little while. Then she seemed to suddenly regain her composure.

“You won’t offer me violence, surely, in this black cave?”

“Surely you won’t hurt me in this dark cave?”

“No, the sun shall look on, for it is not a murder. But rest assured that you must die—you must expiate your fearful crimes.”

“No, the sun can watch, because this is not murder. But be sure of this: you must die. You must pay for your terrible crimes.”

“You have already said so, and I see you have the power. You have escaped me. It is very curious. Well, then, Maskull, let us come outside. I am not afraid. But kill me courteously, for I have also been courteous to you. I make no other supplication.”

“You have already said that, and I see you have the power. You have escaped me. That is very strange. Well then, Maskull, let us go outside. I am not afraid. But kill me politely, because I have been polite to you too. I ask for nothing else.”