Spadevil

Maskull found that his new organs had no independent function of their own, but only intensified and altered his other senses. When he used his eyes, ears, or nostrils, the same objects presented themselves to him, but his judgment concerning them was different. Previously all external things had existed for him; now he existed for them. According to whether they served his purpose or were in harmony with his nature, or otherwise, they had been pleasant or painful. Now these words “pleasure” and “pain” simply had no meaning.

Maskull found that his new organs had no independent function. They only intensified and changed his other senses. When he used his eyes, ears, or nose, he perceived the same objects, but judged them differently. Before, all external things had existed for him. Now he existed for them. Things had been pleasant or painful, depending on whether they served his purposes or suited his nature. Now the words “pleasure” and “pain” simply had no meaning.

The other two watched him, while he was making himself acquainted with his new mental outlook. He smiled at them.

The other two watched him as he grew familiar with his new way of thinking. He smiled at them.

“You were quite right, Tydomin,” he said, in a bold, cheerful voice. “We have been fools. So near the light all the time, and we never guessed it. Always buried in the past or future—systematically ignoring the present—and now it turns out that apart from the present we have no life at all.”

“You were absolutely right, Tydomin,” he said in a bold, cheerful voice. “We’ve been fools. We were so close to the light all along, and we never guessed it. We were always caught up in the past or the future, constantly ignoring the present. And now it turns out that we have no life at all outside the present.”

“Thank Spadevil for it,” she answered, more loudly than usual.

“Thank Spadevil for it,” she replied, louder than usual.

Maskull looked at the man’s dark, concrete form. “Spadevil, now I mean to follow you to the end. I can do nothing less.”

Maskull looked at the man’s dark, solid form. “Spadevil, I’m determined to follow you to the end now. I can do nothing less.”

The severe face showed no sign of gratification—not a muscle relaxed.

The stern face showed no sign of pleasure. Not a muscle relaxed.

“Watch that you don’t lose your gift,” he said gruffly.

“Be careful not to lose your gift,” he said gruffly.

Tydomin spoke. “You promised that I should enter Sant with you.”

Tydomin spoke. “You promised I could enter Sant with you.”

“Attach yourself to the truth, not to me. For I may die before you, but the truth will accompany you to your death. However, now let us journey together, all three of us.”

“Hold on to the truth, not to me. I may die before you, but the truth will stay with you until your death. For now, though, let the three of us travel together.”

The words had not left his mouth before he put his face against the fine, driving snow, and pressed onward toward his destination. He walked with a long stride; Tydomin was obliged to half run in order to keep up with him. The three travelled abreast; Spadevil in the middle. The fog was so dense that it was impossible to see a hundred yards ahead. The ground was covered by the green snow. The wind blew in gusts from the Sant highlands and was piercingly cold.

Before he had finished speaking, he turned his face into the fine, driving snow and pressed on toward his destination. He walked with long strides, and Tydomin had to half run to keep up. The three traveled side by side, with Spadevil in the middle. The fog was so thick that they could not see a hundred yards ahead. Green snow covered the ground. The wind blew in gusts from the Sant highlands and was piercingly cold.

“Spadevil, are you a man, or more than a man?” asked Maskull.

“Spadevil, are you a man or more than a man?” asked Maskull.

“He that is not more than a man is nothing.”

“Anyone who is not more than a man is nothing.”

“Where have you now come from?”

“Where have you come from now?”

“From brooding, Maskull. Out of no other mother can truth be born. I have brooded, and rejected; and I have brooded again. Now, after many months’ absence from Sant, the truth at last shines forth for me in its simple splendour, like an upturned diamond.”

“From deep thought, Maskull. Truth can be born from no other mother. I have thought deeply and rejected what I found. Then I thought deeply again. Now, after many months away from Sant, the truth finally shines before me in its simple splendor, like a diamond turned upward.”

“I see its shining,” said Maskull. “But how much does it owe to ancient Hator?”

“I can see it shining,” said Maskull. “But how much does it owe to ancient Hator?”

“Knowledge has its seasons. The blossom was to Hator, the fruit is to me. Hator also was a brooder—but now his followers do not brood. In Sant all is icy selfishness, a living death. They hate pleasure, and this hatred is the greatest pleasure to them.”

“Knowledge has its seasons. Hator had the blossom, and I have the fruit. Hator also liked to think deeply, but now his followers do not. In Sant, everything is icy selfishness, a living death. They hate pleasure, and this hatred gives them the greatest pleasure.”

“But in what way have they fallen off from Hator’s doctrines?”

“But how have they strayed from Hator’s teachings?”

“For him, in his sullen purity of nature, all the world was a snare, a limed twig. Knowing that pleasure was everywhere, a fierce, mocking enemy, crouching and waiting at every corner of the road of life, in order to kill with its sweet sting the naked grandeur of the soul, he shielded himself behind pain. This also his followers do, but they do not do it for the sake of the soul, but for the sake of vanity and pride.”

“For him, with his sullen purity of nature, all the world was a trap, a sticky twig. He knew that pleasure was everywhere, a fierce, mocking enemy. It crouched and waited at every corner of life’s road, ready to kill the soul’s naked grandeur with its sweet sting. So he shielded himself behind pain. His followers do the same, but not for the sake of the soul. They do it for the sake of vanity and pride.”

“What is the Trifork?”

“What is the Trifork?”

“The stem, Maskull, is hatred of pleasure. The first fork is disentanglement from the sweetness of the world. The second fork is power over those who still writhe in the nets of illusion. The third fork is the healthy glow of one who steps into ice-cold water.”

“The stem, Maskull, is hatred of pleasure. The first fork is freeing yourself from the sweetness of the world. The second fork is power over those who still struggle in the nets of illusion. The third fork is the healthy glow of someone stepping into ice-cold water.”

“From what land did Hator come?”

“Where did Hator come from?”

“It is not said. He lived in Ifdawn for a while. There are many legends told of him while there.”

“No one says. He lived in Ifdawn for a while. Many legends are told about his time there.”

“We have a long way to go,” said Tydomin. “Relate some of these legends, Spadevil.”

“We have a long way to go,” said Tydomin. “Tell us some of these legends, Spadevil.”

The snow had ceased, the day brightened, Branchspell reappeared like a phantom sun, but bitter blasts of wind still swept over the plain.

The snow stopped, and the day grew brighter. Branchspell reappeared like a ghostly sun, but bitter winds still swept across the plain.

“In those days,” said Spadevil, “there existed in Ifdawn a mountain island separated by wide spaces from the land around it. A handsome girl, who knew sorcery, caused a bridge to be constructed across which men and women might pass to it. Having by a false tale drawn Hator on to this rock, she pushed at the bridge with her foot until it tumbled into the depths below. ‘You and I, Hator, are now together, and there is no means of separating. I wish to see how long the famous frost man can withstand the breath, smiles and perfume of a girl.’ Hator said no word, either then or all that day. He stood till sunset like a tree trunk, and thought of other things. Then the girl grew passionate, and shook her curls. She rose from where she was sitting she looked at him, and touched his arm; but he did not see her. She looked at him, so that all the soul was in her eyes; and then she fell down dead. Hator awoke from his thoughts, and saw her lying, still warm, at his feet, a corpse. He passed to the mainland; but how, it is not related.”

“In those days,” said Spadevil, “there was a mountain island in Ifdawn, separated from the surrounding land by wide gaps. A beautiful girl who knew sorcery had a bridge built so that men and women could cross to the island. She lured Hator onto the rock with a false story. Then she pushed the bridge with her foot until it fell into the depths below. ‘You and I are together now, Hator, and there is no way to separate us. I want to see how long the famous frost man can resist a girl’s breath, smiles, and perfume.’ Hator said nothing, either then or all that day. He stood until sunset like a tree trunk, thinking of other things. Then the girl grew passionate and shook her curls. She rose from where she was sitting, looked at him, and touched his arm, but he did not see her. She looked at him with all her soul in her eyes, and then she fell down dead. Hator woke from his thoughts and saw her lying at his feet, a corpse still warm. He crossed to the mainland, but the story does not say how.”

Tydomin shuddered. “You too have met your wicked woman, Spadevil; but your method is a nobler one.”

Tydomin shuddered. “You have met your wicked woman too, Spadevil, but your way of dealing with her is nobler.”

“Don’t pity other women,” said Spadevil, “but love the right. Hator also once conversed with Shaping.”

“Don’t pity other women,” said Spadevil, “but love what is right. Hator also once spoke with Shaping.”

“With the Maker of the World?” said Maskull thoughtfully.

“With the Maker of the World?” Maskull said thoughtfully.

“With the Maker of Pleasure. It is told how Shaping defended his world, and tried to force Hator to acknowledge loveliness and joy. But Hator, answering all his marvellous speeches in a few concise, iron words, showed how this joy and beauty was but another name for the bestiality of souls wallowing in luxury and sloth. Shaping smiled, and said, ‘How comes it that your wisdom is greater than that of the Master of wisdom?’ Hator said, ‘My wisdom does not come from you, nor from your world, but from that other world, which you, Shaping, have vainly tried to imitate.’ Shaping replied, ‘What, then, do you do in my world?’ Hator said, ‘I am here falsely, and therefore I am subject to your false pleasures. But I wrap myself in pain—not because it is good, but because I wish to keep myself as far from you as possible. For pain is not yours, neither does it belong to the other world, but it is the shadow cast by your false pleasures.’ Shaping then said, ‘What is this faraway other world of which you say “This is so—this is not so?” How happens it that you alone of all my creatures have knowledge of it?’ But Hator spat at his feet, and said, ‘You lie, Shaping. All have knowledge of it. You, with your pretty toys, alone obscure it from our view.’ Shaping asked, ‘What, then, am I?’ Hator answered, ‘You are the dreamer of impossible dreams.’ And then the story goes that Shaping departed, ill pleased with what had been said.”

“With the Maker of Pleasure. The story tells how Shaping defended his world. He tried to force Hator to acknowledge its beauty and joy. But Hator answered all his marvelous speeches in a few brief, iron words. He showed that this joy and beauty were only another name for the bestiality of souls wallowing in luxury and laziness. Shaping smiled and said, ‘How is it that your wisdom is greater than that of the Master of wisdom?’ Hator said, ‘My wisdom does not come from you or your world. It comes from that other world, which you, Shaping, have tried in vain to imitate.’ Shaping replied, ‘What, then, are you doing in my world?’ Hator said, ‘I am here falsely, and so I am subject to your false pleasures. But I wrap myself in pain. I do this not because pain is good, but because I want to stay as far from you as possible. Pain is not yours, nor does it belong to the other world. It is the shadow cast by your false pleasures.’ Shaping then said, ‘What is this distant other world you speak of when you say “This is so. This is not so?” How is it that you alone of all my creatures know of it?’ But Hator spat at his feet and said, ‘You lie, Shaping. All know of it. You alone, with your pretty toys, hide it from our view.’ Shaping asked, ‘What, then, am I?’ Hator answered, ‘You are the dreamer of impossible dreams.’ The story then says that Shaping departed, displeased by what had been said.”

“What other world did Hator refer to?” asked Maskull.

“What other world did Hator mean?” asked Maskull.

“One where grandeur reigns, Maskull, just as pleasure reigns here.”

“One where grandeur rules, Maskull, just as pleasure rules here.”

“Whether grandeur or pleasure, it makes no difference,” said Maskull. “The individual spirit that lives and wishes to live is mean and corrupt-natured.”

“Whether it’s grandeur or pleasure, it makes no difference,” said Maskull. “The individual spirit that lives and wants to live is base and corrupt by nature.”

“Guard you your pride!” returned Spadevil. “Do not make law for the universe and for all time, but for yourself and for this small, false life of yours.”

“Guard your pride!” Spadevil replied. “Do not make laws for the universe and for all time. Make them for yourself and for this small, false life of yours.”

“In what shape did death come to that hard, unconquerable man?” asked Tydomin.

“How did that tough, unconquerable man die?” asked Tydomin.

“He lived to be old, but went upright and free-limbed to his last hour. When he saw that death could not be staved off longer he determined to destroy himself. He gathered his friends around him; not from vanity, but that they might see to what lengths the human soul can go in its perpetual warfare with the voluptuous body. Standing erect, without support, he died by withholding his breath.”

“He lived to an old age, but remained upright and moved freely until his last hour. When he saw that he could no longer delay death, he decided to kill himself. He gathered his friends around him, not out of vanity, but to show them how far the human soul can go in its endless war against the pleasure-seeking body. Standing upright, without support, he died by holding his breath.”

A silence followed, which lasted for perhaps an hour. Their minds refused to acknowledge the icy winds, but the current of their thoughts became frozen.

Silence followed for perhaps an hour. Their minds refused to acknowledge the icy winds, but the flow of their thoughts froze.

When Branchspell, however, shone out again, though with subdued power, Maskull’s curiosity rose once more. “Your fellow countrymen, then, Spadevil, are sick with self-love?”

But when Branchspell shone out again, though less brightly, Maskull’s curiosity returned. “So, Spadevil, your fellow countrymen are sick with self-love?”

“The men of other countries,” said Spadevil, “are the slaves of pleasure and desire, knowing it. But the men of my country are the slaves of pleasure and desire, not knowing it.”

“The men of other countries know they are slaves to pleasure and desire,” said Spadevil. “But the men of my country are slaves to pleasure and desire without knowing it.”

“And yet that proud pleasure, which rejoices in self-torture, has something noble in it.”

“And yet there is something noble in that proud pleasure in torturing oneself.”

“He who studies himself at all is ignoble. Only by despising soul as well as body can a man enter into true life.”

“Anyone who studies himself at all is dishonorable. A man can enter true life only by despising both his soul and his body.”

“On what grounds do they reject women?”

“Why do they reject women?”

“Inasmuch as a woman has ideal love, and cannot live for herself. Love for another is pleasure for the loved one, and therefore injurious to him.”

“Because a woman has ideal love and cannot live for herself. Love for another person gives that person pleasure and therefore harms him.”

“A forest of false ideas is waiting for your axe,” said Maskull. “But will they allow it?”

“A forest of false ideas is waiting for your axe,” said Maskull. “But will they let you?”

“Spadevil knows, Maskull,” said Tydomin, “that be it today or be it tomorrow, love can’t be kept out of a land, even by the disciples of Hator.”

“Spadevil knows, Maskull,” said Tydomin, “that sooner or later, love will find its way into a land, even if Hator’s disciples try to keep it out.”

“Beware of love—beware of emotion!” exclaimed Spadevil. “Love is but pleasure once removed. Think not of pleasing others, but of serving them.”

“Beware of love. Beware of emotion!” exclaimed Spadevil. “Love is just pleasure at one remove. Don’t think about pleasing others. Think about serving them.”

“Forgive me, Spadevil, if I am still feminine.”

“Forgive me, Spadevil, if I am still feminine.”

“Right has no sex. So long, Tydomin, as you remember that you are a woman, so long you will not enter into divine apathy of soul.”

“Right has no sex. Tydomin, as long as you remember that you are a woman, you cannot enter into divine apathy of soul.”

“But where there are no women, there are no children,” said Maskull. “How came there to be all these generations of Hator men?”

“But where there are no women, there are no children,” said Maskull. “How did there come to be all these generations of Hator men?”

“Life breeds passion, passion breeds suffering, suffering breeds the yearning for relief from suffering. Men throng to Sant from all parts, in order to have the scars of their souls healed.”

“Life gives rise to passion. Passion brings suffering, and suffering creates a longing for relief. Men come to Sant from everywhere to heal the scars on their souls.”

“In place of hatred of pleasure, which all can understand, what simple formula do you offer?”

“Everyone can understand hatred of pleasure. What simple formula do you offer in its place?”

“Iron obedience to duty,” answered Spadevil.

“Unyielding obedience to duty,” Spadevil replied.

“And if they ask ‘How far is this consistent with hatred of pleasure?’ what will your pronouncement be?”

“And if they ask, ‘How consistent is this with hatred of pleasure?’ what will you say?”

“I do not answer them, but I answer you, Maskull, who ask the question. Hatred is passion, and all passion springs from the dark fires of self. Do not hate pleasure at all, but pass it by on one side, calm and undisturbed.”

“I do not answer them, but I answer you, Maskull, because you ask the question. Hatred is a passion, and all passion comes from the dark fires of the self. Do not hate pleasure at all. Instead, pass it by, calm and undisturbed.”

“What is the criterion of pleasure? How can we always recognise it, in order to avoid it?”

“What is the test for pleasure? How can we always recognize it so we can avoid it?”

“Rigidly follow duty, and such questions will not arise.”

“Strictly follow your duty, and such questions will not arise.”

Later in the afternoon, Tydomin timidly placed her fingers on Spadevil’s arm.

Later that afternoon, Tydomin timidly placed her fingers on Spadevil’s arm.

“Fearful doubts are in my mind,” she said. “This expedition to Sant may turn out badly. I have seen a vision of you, Spadevil, and myself lying dead and covered in blood, but Maskull was not there.”

“I have terrible doubts,” she said. “This expedition to Sant may end badly. I saw a vision of you, Spadevil, and me lying dead, covered in blood. But Maskull was not there.”

“We may drop the torch, but it will not be extinguished, and others will raise it.”

“We may drop the torch, but it will not go out, and others will pick it up.”

“Show me a sign that you are not as other men—so that I may know that our blood will not be wasted.”

“Show me a sign that you are different from other men, so I may know our blood will not be wasted.”

Spadevil regarded her sternly. “I am not a magician. I don’t persuade the senses, but the soul. Does your duty call you to Sant, Tydomin? Then go there. Does it not call you to Sant? Then go no farther. Is not this simple? What signs are necessary?”

Spadevil looked at her sternly. “I am not a magician. I don’t persuade the senses, but the soul. Does your duty call you to Sant, Tydomin? Then go there. Does it not call you to Sant? Then go no farther. Isn’t that simple? What signs do you need?”

“Did I not see you dispel those spouts of lightning? No common man could have done that.”

“Didn't I see you make those streams of lightning disappear? No ordinary man could have done that.”

“Who knows what any man can do? This man can do one thing, that man can do another. But what all men can do is their duty; and to open their eyes to this, I must go to Sant, and if necessary lay down my life. Will you not still accompany me?”

“Who knows what any man can do? One man can do one thing, another can do something else. But all men can do their duty. To make them see this, I must go to Sant and, if necessary, give my life. Will you still come with me?”

“Yes,” said Tydomin, “I will follow you to the end. It is all the more essential, because I keep on displeasing you with my remarks, and that means I have not yet learned my lesson properly.”

“Yes,” said Tydomin, “I will follow you to the end. It is even more important because my remarks keep displeasing you. That means I haven’t learned my lesson properly yet.”

“Do not be humble, for humility is only self-judgment, and while we are thinking of self, we must be neglecting some action we could be planning or shaping in our mind.”

“Do not be humble, because humility is only judging yourself. While we are thinking about ourselves, we must be neglecting some action we could be planning or shaping in our minds.”

Tydomin continued to be uneasy and preoccupied.

Tydomin remained uneasy and distracted.

“Why was Maskull not in the picture?” she asked.

“Why wasn't Maskull in the picture?” she asked.

“You dwell on this foreboding because you imagine it is tragical. There is nothing tragical in death, Tydomin, nor in life. There is only right and wrong. What arises from right or wrong action does not matter. We are not gods, constructing a world, but simple men and women, doing our immediate duty. We may die in Sant—so you have seen it; but the truth will go on living.”

“You dwell on this warning because you think it is tragic. There is nothing tragic about death, Tydomin, or life. There is only right and wrong. The results of right or wrong actions do not matter. We are not gods creating a world. We are ordinary men and women doing the duty before us. We may die in Sant, as you have seen, but the truth will live on.”

“Spadevil, why do you choose Sant to start your work in?” asked Maskull. “These men with fixed ideas seem to me the least likely of any to follow a new light.”

“Spadevil, why did you choose Sant as the place to start your work?” asked Maskull. “These men have fixed ideas. They seem to me the least likely of all to follow a new light.”

“Where a bad tree thrives, a good tree will flourish. But where no tree at all can be found, nothing will grow.”

“Where a bad tree grows well, a good tree will grow even better. But where there are no trees at all, nothing will grow.”

“I understand you,” said Maskull. “Here perhaps we are going to martyrdom, but elsewhere we should resemble men preaching to cattle.”

“I understand you,” said Maskull. “Here, perhaps we are going to die for our beliefs. But elsewhere, we would be like men preaching to cattle.”

Shortly before sunset they arrived at the extremity of the upland plain, above which towered the black cliffs of the Sant Levels. A dizzy, artificially constructed staircase, of more than a thousand steps of varying depth, twisting and forking in order to conform to the angles of the precipices, led to the world overhead. In the place where they stood they were sheltered from the cutting winds. Branchspell, radiantly shining at last, but on the point of sinking, filled the cloudy sky with violent, lurid colors, some of the combinations of which were new to Maskull. The circle of the horizon was so gigantic, that had he been suddenly carried back to Earth, he would by comparison have fancied himself to be moving beneath the dome of some little, closed-in cathedral. He realised that he was on a foreign planet. But he was not stirred or uplifted by the knowledge; he was conscious only of moral ideas. Looking backward, he saw the plain, which for several miles past had been without vegetation, stretching back away to Disscourn. So regular had been the ascent, and so great was the distance, that the huge pyramid looked nothing more than a slight swelling on the face of the earth.

Shortly before sunset, they reached the edge of the upland plain. The black cliffs of the Sant Levels towered above them. A dizzying, man-made staircase of more than a thousand steps led to the world overhead. Its steps varied in depth, and it twisted and forked to follow the angles of the cliffs. Where they stood, they were sheltered from the cutting winds. Branchspell was finally shining brilliantly, but was about to set. It filled the cloudy sky with violent, glaring colors. Some of the combinations were new to Maskull. The horizon formed such a vast circle that Earth would have seemed small by comparison. If Maskull had suddenly been carried back there, he would have imagined himself moving beneath the dome of a small, enclosed cathedral. He realized he was on a foreign planet. But the knowledge did not stir or uplift him. He was conscious only of moral ideas. Looking back, he saw the plain stretching away toward Disscourn. For the last several miles, it had been bare of vegetation. The ascent had been so gradual, and the distance so great, that the huge pyramid looked like a slight swelling on the earth.

Spadevil stopped, and gazed over the landscape in silence. In the evening sunlight his form looked more dense, dark, and real than ever before. His features were set hard in grimness.

Spadevil stopped and looked out over the landscape in silence. In the evening sunlight, he looked denser, darker, and more real than ever. His face was set in a grim expression.

He turned around to his companions. “What is the greatest wonder, in all this wonderful scene?” he demanded.

He turned to his companions. “What is the greatest wonder in this whole wonderful scene?” he demanded.

“Acquaint us,” said Maskull.

“Tell us,” said Maskull.

“All that you see is born from pleasure, and moves on, from pleasure to pleasure. Nowhere is right to be found. It is Shaping’s world.”

“Everything you see is born from pleasure and moves from one pleasure to another. Right is nowhere to be found. This is Shaping’s world.”

“There is another wonder,” said Tydomin, and she pointed her finger toward the sky overhead.

“There is another wonder,” said Tydomin, pointing up at the sky.

A small cloud, so low down that it was perhaps not more than five hundred feet above them, was sailing along in front of the dark wall of cliff. It was in the exact shape of an open human hand, with downward-pointing fingers. It was stained crimson by the sun; and one or two tiny cloudlets beneath the fingers looked like falling drops of blood.

A small cloud drifted in front of the dark cliff face. It was so low that it was perhaps no more than five hundred feet above them. It was shaped exactly like an open human hand, with fingers pointing downward. The sun had stained it crimson. One or two tiny clouds beneath the fingers looked like falling drops of blood.

“Who can doubt now that our death is close at hand?” said Tydomin. “I have been close to death twice today. The first time I was ready, but now I am more ready, for I shall die side by side with the man who has given me my first happiness.”

“Who can doubt now that we are close to death?” said Tydomin. “I have come close to death twice today. The first time I was ready, but now I am even more ready. I will die side by side with the man who first brought me happiness.”

“Do not think of death, but of right persistence,” replied Spadevil. “I am not here to tremble before Shaping’s portents; but to snatch men from him.”

“Do not think about death, but about persisting in what is right,” replied Spadevil. “I am not here to tremble before Shaping’s omens, but to snatch men from him.”

He at once proceeded to lead the way up the staircase. Tydomin gazed upward after him for a moment, with an odd, worshiping light in her eyes. Then she followed him, the second of the party. Maskull climbed last. He was travel stained, unkempt, and very tired; but his soul was at peace. As they steadily ascended the almost perpendicular stairs, the sun got higher in the sky. Its light dyed their bodies a ruddy gold.

He immediately led the way up the stairs. Tydomin looked up after him for a moment, an odd, worshipful light in her eyes. Then she followed him, second in the group. Maskull climbed last. He was dirty from travel, unkempt, and very tired, but his soul was at peace. As they steadily climbed the almost vertical stairs, the sun rose higher in the sky. Its light colored their bodies a reddish gold.

They gained the top. There they found rolling in front of them, as far as the eye could see, a barren desert of white sand, broken here and there by large, jagged masses of black rock. Tracts of the sand were reddened by the sinking sun. The vast expanse of sky was filled by evil-shaped clouds and wild colors. The freezing wind, flurrying across the desert, drove the fine particles of sand painfully against their faces.

They reached the top. Ahead of them, a barren desert of white sand rolled as far as they could see. Large, jagged masses of black rock rose here and there. The setting sun turned patches of sand red. The vast sky was full of sinister-shaped clouds and wild colors. A freezing wind swept across the desert, driving fine grains of sand painfully against their faces.

“Where now do you take us?” asked Maskull.

“Where are you taking us now?” asked Maskull.

“He who guards the old wisdom of Sant must give up that wisdom to me, that I may change it. What he says, others will say. I go to find Maulger.”

“The one who guards Sant’s old wisdom must give it to me so I can change it. Others will say what he says. I am going to find Maulger.”

“And where will you seek him, in this bare country?”

“And where will you look for him in this barren country?”

Spadevil struck off toward the north unhesitatingly.

Spadevil headed north without hesitation.

“It is not so far,” he said. “It is his custom to be in that part where Sant overhangs the Wombflash Forest. Perhaps he will be there, but I cannot say.”

“It’s not far,” he said. “He usually stays in the area where Sant overhangs the Wombflash Forest. Perhaps he’ll be there, but I can’t say.”

Maskull glanced toward Tydomin. Her sunken cheeks, and the dark circles beneath her eyes told of her extreme weariness.

Maskull glanced at Tydomin. Her sunken cheeks and the dark circles under her eyes showed how exhausted she was.

“The woman is tired, Spadevil,” he said.

“The woman is tired, Spadevil,” he said.

She smiled. “It’s but another step into the land of death. I can manage it. Give me your arm, Maskull.”

She smiled. “It’s just another step into the land of death. I can manage it. Give me your arm, Maskull.”

He put his arm around her waist, and supported her along that way.

He put his arm around her waist and helped her walk.

“The sun is now sinking,” said Maskull. “Will we get there before dark?”

“The sun is setting now,” said Maskull. “Will we get there before dark?”

“Fear nothing, Maskull and Tydomin; this pain is eating up the evil in your nature. The road you are walking cannot remain unwalked. We shall arrive before dark.”

“Don’t be afraid, Maskull and Tydomin. This pain is eating away the evil in your nature. You must keep walking the road you are on. We will arrive before dark.”

The sun then disappeared behind the far-distant ridges that formed the western boundary of the Ifdawn Marest. The sky blazed up into more vivid colors. The wind grew colder.

The sun then disappeared behind the distant ridges along the western edge of the Ifdawn Marest. The sky blazed with brighter colors. The wind grew colder.

They passed some pools of colourless gnawl water, round the banks of which were planted fruit trees. Maskull ate some of the fruit. It was hard, bitter, and astringent; he could not get rid of the taste, but he felt braced and invigorated by the downward-flowing juices. No other trees or shrubs were to be seen anywhere. No animals appeared, no birds or insects. It was a desolate land.

They passed some pools of colorless gnawl water, with fruit trees planted around their banks. Maskull ate some of the fruit. It was hard, bitter, and made his mouth pucker. He could not get rid of the taste, but the juices flowing down his throat made him feel stronger and refreshed. There were no other trees or shrubs anywhere. No animals, birds, or insects appeared. It was a desolate land.

A mile or two passed, when they again approached the edge of the plateau. Far down, beneath their feet, the great Wombflash Forest began. But daylight had vanished there; Maskull’s eyes rested only on a vague darkness. He faintly heard what sounded like the distant sighing of innumerable treetops.

After a mile or two, they came to the edge of the plateau again. Far below them lay the great Wombflash Forest. But daylight had vanished there, and Maskull could see only a vague darkness. He could faintly hear what sounded like the distant sighing of countless treetops.

In the rapidly darkening twilight, they came abruptly on a man. He was standing in a pool, on one leg. A pile of boulders had hidden him from their view. The water came as far up as his calf. A trifork, similar to the one Maskull had seen on Disscourn, but smaller, had been stuck in the mud close by his hand.

In the rapidly darkening twilight, they suddenly came upon a man. He was standing on one leg in a pool. A pile of boulders had hidden him from view. The water came up to his calf. A trifork had been stuck in the mud close to his hand. It was like the one Maskull had seen on Disscourn, but smaller.

They stopped by the side of the pond, and waited. Immediately he became aware of their presence, the man set down his other leg, and waded out of the water toward them, picking up his trifork in doing so.

They stopped beside the pond and waited. As soon as the man noticed them, he set down his other leg. He picked up his trifork and waded out of the water toward them.

“This is not Maulger, but Catice,” said Spadevil.

“This isn't Maulger, but Catice,” said Spadevil.

“Maulger is dead,” said Catice, speaking the same tongue as Spadevil, but with an even harsher accent, so that the tympanum of Maskull’s ear was affected painfully.

“Maulger is dead,” said Catice. He spoke the same language as Spadevil, but his accent was even harsher. It hurt Maskull’s eardrum.

The latter saw before him a bowed, powerful individual, advanced in years. He wore nothing but a scanty loincloth. His trunk was long and heavy, but his legs were rather short. His face was beardless, lemon-coloured, and anxious-looking. It was disfigured by a number of longitudinal ruts, a quarter of an inch deep, the cavities of which seemed clogged with ancient dirt. The hair of his head was black and sparse. Instead of the twin membranous organs of Spadevil, he possessed but one; and this was in the centre of his brow.

The latter saw a powerful, stooped man before him. He was old and wore only a scanty loincloth. His torso was long and heavy, but his legs were rather short. His face was beardless, lemon-colored, and anxious. Several grooves running lengthwise disfigured his face. They were a quarter of an inch deep and seemed clogged with old dirt. His hair was black and thin. Unlike Spadevil, who had two membranous organs, he had only one, in the center of his forehead.

Spadevil’s dark, solid person stood out from the rest like a reality among dreams.

Spadevil’s dark, solid figure stood out from the rest like something real among dreams.

“Has the trifork passed to you?” he demanded.

“Has the trifork come to you?” he demanded.

“Yes. Why have you brought this woman to Sant?”

“Yes. Why did you bring this woman to Sant?”

“I have brought another thing to Sant. I have brought the new faith.”

“I’ve brought something else to Sant. I’ve brought the new faith.”

Catice stood motionless, and looked troubled. “State it.”

Catice stood still and looked troubled. “Say it.”

“Shall I speak with many words, or few words?”

“Should I use many words or few?”

“If you wish to say what is not, many words will not suffice. If you wish to say what is, a few words will be enough.”

“If you want to say what is not, many words won't be enough. If you want to say what is, a few words will be enough.”

Spadevil frowned.

Spadevil frowned.

“To hate pleasure brings pride with it. Pride is a pleasure. To kill pleasure, we must attach ourselves to duty. While the mind is planning right action, it has no time to think of pleasure.”

“To hate pleasure brings pride. Pride is a pleasure. To kill pleasure, we must devote ourselves to duty. While the mind is planning to do what is right, it has no time to think about pleasure.”

“Is that the whole?” asked Catice.

“Is that all?” asked Catice.

“The truth is simple, even for the simplest man.”

“The truth is simple, even for the simplest man.”

“Do you destroy Hator, and all his generations, with a single word?”

“Do you destroy Hator and all his descendants with a single word?”

“I destroy nature, and set up law.”

“I destroy nature and establish law.”

A long silence followed.

A long silence followed.

“My probe is double,” said Spadevil. “Suffer me to double yours, and you will see as I see.”

“My probe is double,” said Spadevil. “Let me double yours, and you will see as I do.”

“Come you here, you big man!” said Catice to Maskull. Maskull advanced a step closer.

“Come here, big man!” Catice said to Maskull. Maskull stepped closer.

“Do you follow Spadevil in his new faith?”

“Do you follow Spadevil in his new faith?”

“As far as death,” exclaimed Maskull.

“As far as death,” Maskull exclaimed.

Catice picked up a flint. “With this stone I strike out one of your two probes. When you have but one, you will see with me, and you will recollect with Spadevil. Choose you then the superior faith, and I shall obey your choice.”

Catice picked up a flint. “With this stone, I will strike out one of your two probes. When you have only one, you will see with me and remember with Spadevil. Then choose the better faith, and I will follow your choice.”

“Endure this little pain, Maskull, for the sake of future men,” said Spadevil.

“Bear this small pain, Maskull, for the sake of future generations,” said Spadevil.

“The pain is nothing,” replied Maskull, “but I fear the result.”

“The pain is nothing,” said Maskull, “but I’m afraid of the result.”

“Permit me, although I am only a woman, to take his place, Catice,” said Tydomin, stretching out her hand.

“Let me take his place, Catice, although I am only a woman,” said Tydomin, stretching out her hand.

He struck at it violently with the flint, and gashed it from wrist to thumb; the pale carmine blood spouted up. “What brings this kiss-lover to Sant?” he said. “How does she presume to make the rules of life for the sons of Hator?”

He struck it violently with the flint, cutting it from wrist to thumb. Pale carmine blood spurted out. “What brings this kiss-lover to Sant?” he said. “How dare she make the rules of life for the sons of Hator?”

She bit her lip, and stepped back. “Well then, Maskull, accept! I certainly should not have played false to Spadevil; but you hardly can.”

She bit her lip and stepped back. “Well then, Maskull, accept! I certainly would not have betrayed Spadevil. But you hardly can.”

“If he bids me, I must do it,” said Maskull. “But who knows what will come of it?”

“If he tells me to, I must do it,” said Maskull. “But who knows what will come of it?”

Spadevil spoke. “Of all the descendants of Hator, Catice is the most wholehearted and sincere. He will trample my truth underfoot, thinking me a demon sent by Shaping, to destroy the work of this land. But a seed will escape, and my blood and yours, Tydomin, will wash it. Then men will know that my destroying evil is their greatest good. But none here will live to see that.”

Spadevil spoke. “Of all Hator’s descendants, Catice is the most wholehearted and sincere. He will trample my truth underfoot. He will think I am a demon sent by Shaping to destroy the work of this land. But a seed will escape, and my blood and yours, Tydomin, will wash it. Then men will know that my destructive evil is their greatest good. But none of us here will live to see that.”

Maskull now went quite close to Catice, and offered his head. Catice raised his hand, and after holding the flint poised for a moment, brought it down with adroitness and force upon the left-hand probe. Maskull cried out with the pain. The blood streamed down, and the function of the organ was destroyed.

Maskull moved close to Catice and offered his head. Catice raised his hand and held the flint poised for a moment. Then he brought it down skillfully and forcefully on the left-hand probe. Maskull cried out in pain. Blood streamed down, and the organ no longer functioned.

There was a pause, while he walked to and fro, trying to staunch the blood.

There was a pause as he walked back and forth, trying to stop the bleeding.

“What now do you feel, Maskull? What do you see?” inquired Tydomin anxiously.

“What do you feel now, Maskull? What do you see?” Tydomin asked anxiously.

He stopped, and stared hard at her. “I now see straight,” he said slowly.

He stopped and stared at her. “I can see clearly now,” he said slowly.

“What does that mean?”

“What does that mean?”

He continued to wipe the blood from his forehead. He looked troubled. “Henceforward, as long as I live, I shall fight with my nature, and refuse to feel pleasure. And I advise you to do the same.”

He kept wiping the blood from his forehead. He looked troubled. “From now on, for as long as I live, I will fight my nature and refuse to feel pleasure. I advise you to do the same.”

Spadevil gazed at him sternly. “Do you renounce my teaching?”

Spadevil looked at him sternly. “Do you reject my teaching?”

Maskull, however, returned the gaze without dismay. Spadevil’s image-like clearness of form had departed for him; his frowning face he knew to be the deceptive portico of a weak and confused intellect.

Maskull, however, returned his gaze without fear. Spadevil’s form no longer seemed to him as clear-cut as an image. He knew that Spadevil’s frowning face was a deceptive front for a weak and confused mind.

“It is false.”

“It is false.”

“Is it false to sacrifice oneself for another?” demanded Tydomin.

“Is it false to sacrifice yourself for someone else?” demanded Tydomin.

“I can’t argue as yet,” said Maskull. “At this moment the world with its sweetness seems to me a sort of charnel house. I feel a loathing for everything in it, including myself. I know no more.”

“I can’t argue yet,” said Maskull. “Right now, the world and all its sweetness seem to me like a house full of corpses. I loathe everything in it, including myself. That is all I know.”

“Is there no duty?” asked Spadevil, in a harsh tone.

“Is there no duty?” Spadevil asked harshly.

“It appears to me but a cloak under which we share the pleasure of other people.”

“It seems to me that it’s just a cover for sharing in other people’s pleasure.”

Tydomin pulled at Spadevil’s arm. “Maskull has betrayed you, as he has so many others. Let us go.”

Tydomin tugged at Spadevil’s arm. “Maskull has betrayed you, just as he has betrayed so many others. Let’s go.”

He stood fast. “You have changed quickly, Maskull.”

He stood his ground. “You have changed quickly, Maskull.”

Maskull, without answering him, turned to Catice. “Why do men go on living in this soft, shameful world, when they can kill themselves?”

Maskull turned to Catice without answering him. “Why do men keep living in this soft, shameful world when they can kill themselves?”

“Pain is the native air of Surtur’s children. To what other air do you wish to escape?”

“Pain is the air Surtur’s children breathe. What other air do you want to escape to?”

“Surtur’s children? Is not Surtur Shaping?”

“Surtur’s children? Isn’t Surtur Shaping?”

“It is the greatest of lies. It is Shaping’s masterpiece.”

“It is the biggest lie of all. It is Shaping’s masterpiece.”

“Answer, Maskull!” said Spadevil. “Do you repudiate right action?”

“Answer, Maskull!” said Spadevil. “Do you reject doing what is right?”

“Leave me alone. Go back! I am not thinking of you, and your ideas. I wish you no harm.”

“Leave me alone. Go back! I’m not thinking about you or your ideas. I don’t wish you any harm.”

The darkness came on fast. There was another prolonged silence.

Darkness fell quickly. There was another long silence.

Catice threw away the flint, and picked up his staff. “The woman must return home,” he said.

Catice threw away the flint and picked up his staff. “The woman must go home,” he said.

“She was persuaded here, and did not come freely. You, Spadevil, must die—backslider as you are!”

“She was persuaded to come here. She did not come of her own free will. You must die, Spadevil, because you have betrayed your beliefs!”

Tydomin said quietly, “He has no power to enforce this. Are you going to allow the truth to fall to the ground, Spadevil?”

Tydomin said quietly, “He has no power to enforce this. Are you going to let the truth be lost, Spadevil?”

“It will not perish by my death, but by my efforts to escape from death. Catice, I accept your judgment.”

“It will not be destroyed by my death, but by my attempts to escape it. Catice, I accept your judgment.”

Tydomin smiled. “For my part, I am too tired to walk farther today, so I shall die with him.”

Tydomin smiled. “I'm too tired to walk any farther today, so I'll die with him.”

Catice said to Maskull, “Prove your sincerity. Kill this man and his mistress, according to the laws of Hator.”

Catice said to Maskull, “Prove you are sincere. Kill this man and his mistress, as the laws of Hator require.”

“I can’t do that. I have travelled in friendship with them.”

“I can’t do that. I’ve traveled with them as a friend.”

“You denied duty; and now you must do your duty,” said Spadevil, calmly stroking his beard. “Whatever law you accept, you must obey, without turning to right or left. Your law commands that we must be stoned; and it will soon be dark.”

“You denied duty, and now you must do your duty,” said Spadevil, calmly stroking his beard. “Whatever law you accept, you must obey it without straying from it. Your law says we must be stoned, and it will soon be dark.”

“Have you not even this amount of manhood?” exclaimed Tydomin.

“Don't you even have that much courage?” exclaimed Tydomin.

Maskull moved heavily. “Be my witness, Catice, that the thing was forced on me.”

Maskull moved heavily. “Catice, bear witness that this was forced on me.”

“Hator is looking on, and approving,” replied Catice.

“Hator is watching and approves,” Catice replied.

Maskull then went apart to the pile of boulders scattered by the side of the pool. He glanced about him, and selected two large fragments of rock, the heaviest that he thought he could carry. With these in his arms, he staggered back.

Maskull went over to the boulders scattered beside the pool. He looked around and chose two large rocks, the heaviest he thought he could carry. Holding them in his arms, he staggered back.

He dropped them on the ground, and stood, recovering his breath. When he could speak again, he said, “I have a bad heart for the business. Is there no alternative? Sleep here tonight, Spadevil, and in the morning go back to where you have come from. No one shall harm you.”

He dropped them on the ground and stood catching his breath. When he could speak again, he said, “I feel uneasy about this. Is there no other way? Sleep here tonight, Spadevil, and go back where you came from in the morning. No one will harm you.”

Spadevil’s ironic smile was lost in the gloom.

Spadevil’s ironic smile disappeared in the darkness.

“Shall I brood again, Maskull, for still another year, and after that come back to Sant with other truths? Come, waste no time, but choose the heavier stone for me, for I am stronger than Tydomin.”

“Should I spend another year thinking, Maskull, and then return to Sant with other truths? Come, don't waste time. Choose the heavier stone for me, because I am stronger than Tydomin.”

Maskull lifted one of the rocks, and stepped out four full paces. Spadevil confronted him, erect, and waited tranquilly.

Maskull picked up one of the rocks and took four full steps forward. Spadevil stood upright facing him and waited calmly.

The huge stone hurtled through the air. Its flight looked like a dark shadow. It struck Spadevil full in the face, crushing his features, and breaking his neck. He died instantaneously.

The huge stone flew through the air like a dark shadow. It struck Spadevil squarely in the face, crushing his features and breaking his neck. He died instantly.

Tydomin looked away from the fallen man.

Tydomin looked away from the fallen man.

“Be very quick, Maskull, and don’t let me keep him waiting.”

“Hurry, Maskull, and don’t let me keep him waiting.”

He panted, and raised the second stone. She placed herself in front of Spadevil’s body, and stood there, unsmiling and cold.

He panted and raised the second stone. She stood in front of Spadevil’s body, cold and unsmiling.

The blow caught her between breast and chin, and she fell. Maskull went to her, and, kneeling on the ground, half-raised her in his arms. There she breathed out her last sighs.

The blow struck her between her breast and chin, and she fell. Maskull went to her and knelt on the ground. He partly lifted her into his arms. There she breathed her last breaths.

After that, he laid her down again, and rested heavily on his hands, while he peered into the dead face. The transition from its heroic, spiritual expression to the vulgar and grinning mask of Crystalman came like a flash; but he saw it.

After that, he laid her down again and leaned heavily on his hands, staring into her dead face. In a flash, its heroic, spiritual expression changed into Crystalman's vulgar, grinning mask. But he saw the change.

He stood up in the darkness, and pulled Catice toward him.

He stood up in the dark and pulled Catice toward him.

“Is that the true likeness of Shaping?”

“Is that what Shaping really looks like?”

“It is Shaping stripped of illusion.”

“It is Shaping without the illusion.”

“How comes this horrible world to exist?”

“How did this horrible world come to exist?”

Catice did not answer.

Catice did not answer.

“Who is Surtur?”

“Who is Surtur?”

“You will get nearer to him tomorrow; but not here.”

“You will get closer to him tomorrow, but not here.”

“I am wading through too much blood,” said Maskull. “Nothing good can come of it.”

“I’m wading through too much blood,” said Maskull. “Nothing good can come of it.”

“Do not fear change and destruction; but laughter and joy.”

“Do not fear change and destruction. Fear laughter and joy instead.”

Maskull meditated.

Maskull thought.

“Tell me, Catice. If I had elected to follow Spadevil, would you really have accepted his faith?”

“Tell me, Catice. If I had chosen to follow Spadevil, would you really have accepted his faith?”

“He was a great-souled man,” replied Catice. “I see that the pride of our men is only another sprouting-out of pleasure. Tomorrow I too shall leave Sant, to reflect on all this.”

“He was a man of great spirit,” replied Catice. “I see that our men's pride is just another form of pleasure. Tomorrow I will leave Sant too, to think about all this.”

Maskull shuddered. “Then these two deaths were not a necessity, but a crime!”

Maskull shuddered. “Then these two deaths weren't necessary. They were a crime!”

“His part was played and henceforward the woman would have dragged down his ideas, with her soft love and loyalty. Regret nothing, stranger, but go away at once out of the land.”

“His part was played. From now on, the woman would have held back his ideas with her gentle love and loyalty. Regret nothing, stranger, but leave this land at once.”

“Tonight? Where shall I go?”

“Tonight? Where should I go?”

“To Wombflash, where you will meet the deepest minds. I will put you on the way.”

“To Wombflash, where you will meet the deepest minds. I will show you the way.”

He linked his arm in Maskull’s, and they walked away into the night. For a mile or more they skirted the edge of the precipice. The wind was searching, and drove grit into their faces. Through the rifts of the clouds, stars, faint and brilliant, appeared. Maskull saw no familiar constellations. He wondered if the sun of earth was visible, and if so which one it was.

He linked his arm with Maskull’s, and they walked away into the night. For a mile or more, they walked along the edge of the cliff. The biting wind drove grit into their faces. Through gaps in the clouds, faint and brilliant stars appeared. Maskull saw no familiar constellations. He wondered if Earth’s sun was visible, and if so, which star it was.

They came to the head of a rough staircase, leading down the cliffside. It resembled the one by which he had come up; but this descended to the Wombflash Forest.

They came to the top of a rough staircase leading down the cliff. It looked like the one he had climbed, but this staircase led down to the Wombflash Forest.

“That is your path,” said Catice, “and I shall not come any farther.”

“That is your path,” said Catice, “and I won’t come any farther.”

Maskull detained him. “Say just this, before we part company—why does pleasure appear so shameful to us?”

Maskull stopped him. “Tell me just one thing before we part. Why does pleasure seem so shameful to us?”

“Because in feeling pleasure, we forget our home.”

“Because when we feel pleasure, we forget our home.”

“And that is—”

“And that is...”

“Muspel,” answered Catice.

“Muspel,” Catice answered.

Having made this reply, he disengaged himself, and, turning his back, disappeared into the darkness.

After replying, he freed himself, turned his back, and disappeared into the darkness.

Maskull stumbled down the staircase as best he could. He was tired, but contemptuous of his pains. His uninjured probe began to discharge matter. He lowered himself from step to step during what seemed an interminable time. The rustling and sighing of the trees grew louder as he approached the bottom; the air became still and warm. Inky blackness was all around him.

Maskull stumbled down the stairs as best he could. He was tired, but he scorned his pain. His uninjured probe began to discharge matter. He lowered himself from one step to the next for what seemed like an endless time. The trees rustled and sighed more loudly as he approached the bottom. The air grew still and warm. Inky darkness surrounded him.

He at last reached level ground. Still attempting to proceed, he began to trip over roots, and to collide with tree trunks. After this had happened a few times, he determined to go no farther that night. He heaped together some dry leaves for a pillow, and immediately flung himself down to sleep. Deep and heavy unconsciousness seized him almost instantly.

At last, he reached level ground. He tried to keep going, but began tripping over roots and bumping into tree trunks. After this happened a few times, he decided to go no farther that night. He piled up some dry leaves for a pillow and immediately lay down to sleep. Almost instantly, he fell into a deep, heavy sleep.