Chapter 17

Corpang

27 min

Maskull did not awaken till long after Blodsombre. Leehallfae was standing by his side, looking down at him. It was doubtful whether ae had slept at all.

Maskull did not wake up until long after Blodsombre. Leehallfae stood beside him, looking down at him. It was doubtful whether ae had slept at all.

“What time is it?” Maskull asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

“The day is passing,” was the vague reply.

“The day is passing,” came the vague reply.

Maskull got on to his feet, and gazed up at the cliff. “Now I’m going to climb that. No need for both of us to risk our necks, so you wait here, and if I find anything on top I’ll call you.”

Maskull stood up and looked at the cliff. “Now I’m going to climb that. There’s no need for both of us to risk our necks. So wait here. If I find anything at the top, I’ll call you.”

A phaen glanced at him strangely. “There’s nothing up there except a bare hillside. I’ve been there often. Have you anything special in mind?”

A phaen glanced at him strangely. “There’s nothing up there except a bare hillside. I’ve been there often. Do you have something special in mind?”

“Heights often bring me inspiration. Sit down, and wait.”

“High places often inspire me. Sit down and wait.”

Refreshed by his sleep, Maskull immediately attacked the face of the cliff, and took the first twenty feet at a single rush. Then it grew precipitous, and the ascent demanded greater circumspection and intelligence. There were few hand- or footholds: he had to reflect before every step. On the other hand, it was sound rock, and he was no novice at the sport. Branchspell glared full on the wall, so that it half blinded him with its glittering whiteness.

Refreshed by sleep, Maskull immediately began climbing the cliff face and covered the first twenty feet in one rush. Then the cliff became steeper, and the climb demanded more care and thought. There were few handholds or footholds, so he had to think before every step. On the other hand, the rock was solid, and he was an experienced climber. Branchspell shone directly on the cliff face, and its glittering whiteness half blinded him.

After many doubts and pauses he drew near the top. He was hot, sweating copiously, and rather dizzy. To reach a ledge he caught hold of two projecting rocks, one with each hand, at the same time scrambling upward, his legs between the rocks. The left-hand rock, which was the larger of the two, became dislodged by his weight, and, flying like a huge, dark shadow past his head, crashed down with a terrifying sound to the foot of the precipice, followed by an avalanche of smaller stones. Maskull steadied himself as well as he could, but it was some moments before he dared to look down behind him.

After many doubts and pauses, he neared the top. He was hot, sweating heavily, and somewhat dizzy. To reach a ledge, he grabbed two jutting rocks, one in each hand. He scrambled upward, with his legs between them. The rock on the left was the larger of the two, and his weight dislodged it. It flew past his head like a huge, dark shadow. It crashed at the foot of the cliff with a terrifying sound, followed by an avalanche of smaller stones. Maskull steadied himself as best he could, but it was several moments before he dared look down behind him.

At first he could not distinguish Leehallfae. Then he caught sight of legs and hindquarters a few feet up the cliff from the bottom. He perceived that the phaen had aer head in a cavity and was scrutinising something, and waited for aer to reappear.

At first he could not make out Leehallfae. Then he spotted legs and hindquarters a few feet up from the bottom of the cliff. He saw that the phaen had aer head in a hollow and was examining something. He waited for aer to reappear.

Ae emerged, looked up to Maskull, and called out in aer hornlike voice, “The entrance is here!”

Ae came out, looked up at Maskull, and called out in aer hornlike voice, “The entrance is here!”

“I’m coming down!” roared Maskull. “Wait for me!”

He descended swiftly—without taking too much care, for he thought he recognised his “luck” in this discovery—and within twenty minutes was standing beside the phaen.

He went down quickly without taking too much care. He thought he recognized his “luck” in the discovery. Within twenty minutes, he was standing beside the phaen.

“What happened?”

“The rock you dislodged struck this other rock just above the spring. It tore it out of its bed. See—now there’s room for us to get in!”

“The rock you knocked loose hit this other rock just above the spring. It knocked the rock out of its place. Look, now there’s room for us to get in!”

“Don’t get excited!” said Maskull. “It’s a remarkable accident, but we have plenty of time. Let me look.”

“Don’t get excited!” said Maskull. “It’s an unusual accident, but we have plenty of time. Let me look.”

He peered into the hole, which was large enough to admit a big man without stooping. Contrasted with the daylight outside it was dark, yet a peculiar glow pervaded the place, and he could see well enough. A rock tunnel went straight forward into the bowels of the hill, out of sight. The valley brook did not flow along the floor of this tunnel, as he had expected, but came up as a spring just inside the entrance.

He looked into the hole. It was large enough for a big man to enter without stooping. It was dark compared with the daylight outside, but a strange glow filled the place, and he could see well enough. A rock tunnel ran straight into the depths of the hill, disappearing from sight. The valley brook did not flow along the tunnel floor, as he had expected. Instead, it rose from a spring just inside the entrance.

“Well Leehallfae, not much need to deliberate, eh? Still, observe that your stream parts company with us here.”

“Well, Leehallfae, there’s not much to think over, is there? Still, notice that your stream leaves us here.”

As he turned around for an answer he noticed that his companion was trembling from head to foot.

As he turned around for an answer, he saw that his companion was trembling from head to toe.

“Why, what’s the matter?”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Leehallfae pressed a hand to aer heart. “The stream leaves us, but what makes the stream what it is continues with us. Faceny is there.”

Leehallfae pressed a hand to aer heart. “The stream leaves us, but what makes it a stream stays with us. Faceny is there.”

“But surely you don’t expect to see him in person? Why are you shaking?”

“But you don’t expect to see him in person, do you? Why are you shaking?”

“Perhaps it will be too much for me after all.”

“Maybe it will be too much for me after all.”

“Why? How is it affecting you?”

The phaen took him by the shoulder and held him at arm’s length, endeavouring to study him with aer unsteady eyes. “Faceny’s thoughts are obscure. I am his lover, you are a lover of women, yet he grants to you what he denies to me.”

The phaen took him by the shoulder and held him at arm’s length, trying to study him with aer unsteady eyes. “Faceny’s thoughts are unclear. I am his lover, and you are a lover of women, yet he gives you what he denies me.”

“What does he grant to me?”

“What does he give me?”

“To see him, and go on living. I shall die. But it’s immaterial. Tomorrow both of us will be dead.”

“To see him and keep living. I will die. But it doesn’t matter. Tomorrow, both of us will be dead.”

Maskull impatiently shook himself free. “Your sensations may be reliable in your own case, but how do you know I shall die?”

Maskull impatiently shook himself free. “Your sensations may be reliable when it comes to yourself, but how do you know I’ll die?”

“Life is flaming up inside you,” replied Leehallfae, shaking aer head. “But after it has reached its climax—perhaps tonight—it will sink rapidly and you’ll die tomorrow. As for me, if I enter Threal I shan’t come out again. A smell of death is being wafted to me out of this hole.”

“Life is blazing inside you,” replied Leehallfae, shaking aer head. “But after it reaches its peak, perhaps tonight, it will quickly fade, and you’ll die tomorrow. As for me, if I enter Threal, I won’t come out again. The smell of death is drifting out of this hole toward me.”

“You talk like a frightened man. I smell nothing.”

“You sound frightened. I don't smell anything.”

“I am not frightened,” said Leehallfae quietly—ae had been gradually recovering aer tranquillity—“but when one has lived as long as I have, it is a serious matter to die. Every year one puts out new roots.”

“I’m not frightened,” said Leehallfae quietly. Ae had gradually been regaining aer calm. “But when you’ve lived as long as I have, dying is a serious matter. Every year, you put down new roots.”

“Decide what you’re going to do,” said Maskull with a touch of contempt, “for I’m going in at once.”

“Decide what you’re going to do,” said Maskull with a hint of contempt, “because I’m going in right now.”

The phaen gave an odd, meditative stare down the ravine, and after that walked into the cavern without another word. Maskull, scratching his head, followed close at aer heels.

The phaen stared thoughtfully down the ravine with an odd expression. Then ae walked into the cavern without another word. Maskull scratched his head and followed close at aer heels.

The moment they stepped across the bubbling spring, the atmosphere altered. Without becoming stale or unpleasant, it grew cold, clear and refined, and somehow suggested austere and tomblike thoughts. The daylight disappeared at the first bend in the tunnel. After that, Maskull could not say where the light came from. The air itself must have been luminous, for though it was as light as full moon on Earth, neither he nor Leehallfae cast a shadow. Another peculiarity of the light was that both the walls of the tunnel and their own bodies appeared colourless. Everything was black and white, like a lunar landscape. This intensified the solemn, funereal feelings created by the atmosphere.

As soon as they stepped across the bubbling spring, the atmosphere changed. It grew cold, clear, and refined, without becoming stale or unpleasant. Somehow, it brought to mind stern thoughts of the grave. Daylight disappeared at the first bend in the tunnel. After that, Maskull could not tell where the light came from. The air itself must have been glowing. Though it was as bright as a full moon on Earth, neither he nor Leehallfae cast a shadow. The light had another strange quality. Both the tunnel walls and their bodies appeared colorless. Everything was black and white, like a landscape on the moon. This deepened the solemn, mournful feelings created by the atmosphere.

After they had proceeded for about ten minutes, the tunnel began to widen out. The roof was high above their heads, and six men could have walked side by side. Leehallfae was visibly weakening. Ae dragged aerself along slowly and painfully, with sunken head.

After they had walked for about ten minutes, the tunnel began to widen. The roof was high above their heads, and six men could have walked side by side. Leehallfae was visibly growing weaker. Ae dragged aerself along slowly and painfully, with aers head lowered.

Maskull caught hold of aer. “You can’t go on like that. Better let me take you back.”

Maskull grabbed hold of aer. “You can’t go on like that. You’d better let me take you back.”

The phaen smiled, and staggered. “I’m dying.”

The phaen smiled and staggered. “I’m dying.”

“Don’t talk like that. It’s only a passing indisposition. Let me take you back to the daylight.”

“Don’t talk like that. You’re only feeling unwell for a little while. Let me take you back to the daylight.”

“No, help me forward. I wish to see Faceny.”

“No, help me forward. I want to see Faceny.”

“The sick must have their way,” said Maskull. Lifting aer bodily in his arms, he walked quickly along for another hundred yards or so. They then emerged from the tunnel and faced a world the parallel of which he had never set eyes upon before.

“The sick must have their way,” said Maskull. He lifted aer into his arms and walked quickly for another hundred yards or so. They then came out of the tunnel and faced a world unlike any he had ever seen.

“Set me down!” directed Leehallfae feebly. “Here I’ll die.”

“Put me down!” Leehallfae said weakly. “I’ll die here.”

Maskull obeyed, and laid aer down at full length on the rocky ground. The phaen raised aerself with difficulty on one arm, and stared with fast-glazing eyes at the mystic landscape.

Maskull obeyed and laid aer flat on the rocky ground. The phaen struggled to prop aerself up on one arm. Aer eyes were quickly glazing over as ae stared at the mystical landscape.

Maskull looked too, and what he saw was a vast, undulating plain, lighted as if by the moon—but there was of course no moon, and there were no shadows. He made out running streams in the distance. Beside them were trees of a peculiar kind; they were rooted in the ground, but the branches also were aerial roots, and there were no leaves. No other plants could be seen. The soil was soft, porous rock, resembling pumice. Beyond a mile or two in any direction the light merged into obscurity. At their back a great rocky wall extended on either hand; but it was not square like a wall, but full of bays and promontories like an indented line of sea cliffs. The roof of this huge underworld was out of sight. Here and there a mighty shaft of naked rock, fantastically weathered, towered aloft into the gloom, doubtless serving to support the roof. There were no colours—every detail of the landscape was black, white, or grey. The scene appeared so still, so solemn and religious, that all his feelings quieted down to absolute tranquillity.

Maskull looked too. He saw a vast, rolling plain, lit as if by moonlight. But of course there was no moon, and there were no shadows. He could make out streams running in the distance. Beside them stood strange trees. They were rooted in the ground, but their branches were also roots that grew in the air. They had no leaves. No other plants could be seen. The ground was soft, porous rock, like pumice. A mile or two away in any direction, the light faded into darkness. Behind them, a great rocky wall stretched out to either side. But it was not straight like a wall. It was full of bays and jutting points, like a jagged line of sea cliffs. The roof of this huge underworld was out of sight. Here and there, a massive column of bare rock rose into the darkness. The columns had been worn into fantastic shapes, and they no doubt supported the roof. There were no colors. Every detail of the landscape was black, white, or gray. The scene seemed so still, so solemn and religious, that all his feelings settled into complete calm.

Leehallfae fell back suddenly. Maskull dropped on his knees, and helplessly watched the last flickerings of aer spirit, going out like a candle in foul air. Death came.... He closed the eyes. The awful grin of Crystalman immediately fastened upon the phaen’s dead features.

Leehallfae suddenly fell back. Maskull dropped to his knees and watched helplessly as aer spirit flickered out like a candle in foul air. Death came.... He closed the eyes. Crystalman's terrible grin immediately appeared on the phaen’s dead face.

While Maskull was still kneeling, he became conscious of someone standing beside him. He looked up quickly and saw a man, but did not at once rise.

While Maskull was still kneeling, he became aware of someone standing beside him. He looked up quickly and saw a man, but did not get up immediately.

“Another phaen dead,” said the newcomer in a grave, toneless, and intellectual voice.

“Another phaen dead,” said the newcomer in a serious, expressionless, intellectual voice.

Maskull got up.

The man was short and thickset but emaciated. His forehead was not disfigured by any organs. He was middle-aged. The features were energetic and rather coarse—yet it seemed to Maskull as though a pure, hard life had done something toward refining them. His sanguine eyes carried a twisted, puzzled look; some unanswerable problem was apparently in the forefront of his brain. His face was hairless; the hair of his head was short and manly; his brow was wide. He was clothed in a black, sleeveless robe, and bore a long staff in his hand. There was an air of cleanness and austerity about the whole man that was attractive.

The man was short and stocky, but emaciated. No organs disfigured his forehead. He was middle-aged. His features were strong and rather coarse, yet Maskull thought a pure, hard life had refined them somewhat. His reddish eyes had a troubled, puzzled look. Some unanswerable problem was apparently foremost in his mind. His face was clean-shaven, his hair was short and manly, and his brow was wide. He wore a black sleeveless robe and carried a long staff. There was something attractive about his clean, austere appearance.

He went on speaking dispassionately to Maskull, and, while doing so, kept passing his hand reflectively over his cheeks and chin. “They all find their way here to die. They come from Matterplay. There they live to an incredible age. Partly on that account, and partly because of their spontaneous origin, they regard themselves as the favoured children of Faceny. But when they come here to find him, they die at once.”

He continued speaking calmly to Maskull, thoughtfully running his hand over his cheeks and chin. “They all make their way here to die. They come from Matterplay. There they live to an incredibly old age. Partly because they live so long, and partly because they came into being spontaneously, they believe they are Faceny’s favored children. But when they come here to find him, they die at once.”

“I think this one is the last of the race. But whom do I speak to?”

“I think this one is the last of the race. But who am I speaking to?”

“I am Corpang. Who are you, where do you come from, and what are you doing here?”

“I’m Corpang. Who are you? Where do you come from? What are you doing here?”

“My name is Maskull. My home is on the other side of the universe. As for what I am doing here—I accompanied Leehallfae, that phaen, from Matterplay.”

“My name is Maskull. My home is on the other side of the universe. I came here with Leehallfae, that phaen, from Matterplay.”

“But a man doesn’t accompany a phaen out of friendship. What do you want in Threal?”

“But a man doesn’t go with a phaen just because they’re friends. What do you want in Threal?”

“Then this is Threal?”

“Yes.”

Maskull remained silent.

Maskull stayed silent.

Corpang studied his face with rough, curious eyes. “Are you ignorant, or merely reticent, Maskull?”

Corpang studied his face with a rough, curious look. “Are you ignorant, Maskull, or are you just keeping quiet?”

“I came here to ask questions, and not to answer them.”

“I came here to ask questions, not to answer them.”

The stillness of the place was almost oppressive. Not a breeze stirred, and not a sound came through the air. Their voices had been lowered, as though they were in a cathedral.

The silence of the place was almost oppressive. Not a breeze stirred, and no sound came through the air. They spoke in lowered voices, as if they were in a cathedral.

“Then do you want my society, or not?” asked Corpang.

“Then do you want my company or not?” asked Corpang.

“Yes, if you can fit in with my mood, which is—not to talk about myself.”

“Yes, if you can go along with my mood. I don't want to talk about myself.”

“But you must at least tell me where you want to go to.”

“But you must at least tell me where you want to go.”

“I want to see what is to be seen here, and then go on to Lichstorm.”

“I want to see what there is to see here, and then go on to Lichstorm.”

“I can guide you through, if that’s all you want. Come, let us start.”

“I can guide you through if that’s all you want. Come on, let’s start.”

“First let’s do our duty and bury the dead, if possible.”

“First, let’s do our duty and bury the dead, if we can.”

“Turn around,” directed Corpang.

“Turn around,” Corpang said.

Maskull looked around quickly. Leehallfae’s body had disappeared.

“What does this mean—what has happened?”

“What does this mean? What happened?”

“The body has returned to whence it came. There was nowhere here for it to be, so it has vanished. No burial will be required.”

“The body has returned to where it came from. There was nowhere for it to exist here, so it vanished. There is no need for a burial.”

“Was the phaen an illusion, then?”

“So, was the phaen an illusion?”

“In no sense.”

“Not in any sense.”

“Well, explain quickly, then, what has taken place. I seem to be going mad.”

“Well, then, quickly explain what happened. I feel like I’m going mad.”

“There’s nothing unintelligible in it, if you’ll only listen calmly. The phaen belonged, body and soul, to the outside, visible world—to Faceny. This underworld is not Faceny’s world, but Thire’s, and Faceny’s creatures cannot breathe its atmosphere. As this applies not only to whole bodies, but even to the last particles of bodies, the phaen has dissolved into Nothingness.”

“There’s nothing hard to understand about it, if you’ll just listen calmly. The phaen belonged, body and soul, to the visible world outside, to Faceny. This underworld is not Faceny’s world, but Thire’s. Faceny’s creatures cannot breathe its air. This applies not only to whole bodies, but even to their smallest particles. So the phaen has dissolved into Nothingness.”

“But don’t you and I belong to the outside world too?”

“We belong to all three worlds.”

“What three worlds—what do you mean?”

“What three worlds? What do you mean?”

“There are three worlds,” said Corpang composedly. “The first is Faceny’s, the second is Amfuse’s, the third is Thire’s. From him Threal gets its name.”

“There are three worlds,” said Corpang calmly. “The first belongs to Faceny, the second to Amfuse, and the third to Thire. Threal is named after Thire.”

“But this is mere nomenclature. In what sense are there three worlds?”

“But those are just names. In what sense are there three worlds?”

Corpang passed his hand over his forehead. “All this we can discuss as we go along. It’s a torment to me to be standing still.”

Corpang ran his hand over his forehead. “We can discuss all this as we go. Standing still is torture for me.”

Maskull stared again at the spot where Leehallfae’s body had lain, quite bewildered at the extraordinary disappearance. He could scarcely tear himself away from the place, so mysterious was it. Not until Corpang called to him a second time did he make up his mind to follow him.

Maskull stared again at the spot where Leehallfae’s body had lain, bewildered by its extraordinary disappearance. The disappearance was so mysterious that he could hardly pull himself away from the spot. Only when Corpang called to him a second time did he decide to follow him.

They set off from the rock wall straight across the airlit plain, directing their course toward the nearest trees. The subdued light, the absence of shadows, the massive shafts, springing grey-white out of the jetlike ground, the fantastic trees, the absence of a sky, the deathly silence, the knowledge that he was underground—the combination of all these things predisposed Maskull’s mind to mysticism, and he prepared himself with some anxiety to hear Corpang’s explanation of the land and its wonders. He already began to grasp that the reality of the outside world and the reality of this world were two quite different things.

They left the rock wall and crossed the light-filled plain toward the nearest trees. The light was dim, and there were no shadows. Massive gray-white shafts rose from the jet-black ground. There were fantastic trees, no sky, and a deathly silence. Maskull also knew he was underground. All these things made him inclined toward mystical thoughts. He prepared himself with some anxiety to hear Corpang explain the land and its wonders. He was already beginning to grasp that the reality of the outside world was quite different from this world's reality.

“In what sense are there three worlds?” he demanded, repeating his former question.

“What do you mean there are three worlds?” he demanded, repeating his earlier question.

Corpang smote the end of his staff on the ground. “First of all, Maskull, what is your motive for asking? If it’s mere intellectual curiosity, tell me, for we mustn’t play with awful matters.”

Corpang struck the ground with the end of his staff. “First, Maskull, why are you asking? If it’s just intellectual curiosity, tell me. We mustn’t play with such terrifying matters.”

“No, it isn’t that,” said Maskull slowly. “I’m not a student. My journey is no holiday tour.”

“No, that’s not it,” said Maskull slowly. “I’m not a student. My journey isn’t a vacation.”

“Isn’t there blood on your soul?” asked Corpang, eying him intently.

“Isn’t there blood on your soul?” asked Corpang, watching him intently.

The blood rose steadily to Maskull’s face, but in that light it caused it to appear black.

Blood steadily rose to Maskull’s face, but in that light, his face looked black.

“Unfortunately there is, and not a little.”

“Unfortunately, there is, and quite a lot.”

The other’s face was all wrinkles, but he made no comment.

The other man's face was all wrinkles, but he said nothing.

“And so you see,” went on Maskull, with a short laugh, “I’m in the very best condition for receiving your instruction.”

“And so you see,” Maskull continued with a short laugh, “I’m in the best possible condition to learn from you.”

Corpang still paused. “Underneath your crimes I see a man,” he said, after a few minutes. “On that account, and because we are commanded to help one another, I won’t leave you at present, though I little thought to be walking with a murderer.... Now to your question.... Whatever a man sees with his eyes, Maskull, he sees in three ways—length, breadth, depth. Length is existence, breadth is relation, depth is feeling.”

Corpang still hesitated. After a few minutes, he said, “Beneath your crimes, I see a man. For that reason, and because we are commanded to help one another, I won’t leave you now. Though I never expected to be walking with a murderer.... Now to your question.... Maskull, whatever a man sees with his eyes, he sees in three ways: length, breadth, and depth. Length is existence, breadth is relation, and depth is feeling.”

“Something of the sort was told me by Earthrid, the musician, who came from Threal.”

“Earthrid, the musician from Threal, told me something like that.”

“I don’t know him. What else did he tell you?”

“He went on to apply it to music. Continue, and pardon the interruption.”

“He went on to apply it to music. Please continue, and excuse the interruption.”

“These three states of perception are the three worlds. Existence is Faceny’s world, relation is Amfuse’s world, feeling is Thire’s world.”

“These three ways of perceiving are the three worlds. Existence is Faceny’s world. Relation is Amfuse’s world. Feeling is Thire’s world.”

“Can’t we come down to hard facts?” said Maskull, frowning. “I understand no more than I did before what you mean by three worlds.”

“Can’t we get to the facts?” Maskull said, frowning. “I still don’t understand what you mean by three worlds.”

“There are no harder facts than the ones I am giving you. The first world is visible, tangible Nature. It was created by Faceny out of nothingness, and therefore we call it Existence.”

“There are no facts more certain than the ones I am giving you. The first world is Nature, which we can see and touch. Faceny created it out of nothing, so we call it Existence.”

“That I understand.”

“I understand that.”

“The second world is Love—by which I don’t mean lust. Without love, every individual would be entirely self-centred and unable deliberately to act on others. Without love, there would be no sympathy—not even hatred, anger, or revenge would be possible. These are all imperfect and distorted forms of pure love. Interpenetrating Faceny’s world of Nature, therefore, we have Amfuse’s world of Love, or Relation.”

“The second world is Love. By love, I don’t mean lust. Without love, everyone would be entirely self-centered and unable to act deliberately on others. Without love, there would be no sympathy. Even hatred, anger, and revenge would be impossible. These are all imperfect and distorted forms of pure love. Amfuse’s world of Love, or Relation, therefore interpenetrates Faceny’s world of Nature.”

“What grounds have you for assuming that this so-called second world is not contained in the first?”

“What reason do you have to assume that this so-called second world is not contained in the first?”

“They are contradictory. A natural man lives for himself; a lover lives for others.”

“They contradict each other. A natural man lives for himself. A lover lives for others.”

“It may be so. It’s rather mystical. But go on—who is Thire?”

“It may be so. It’s rather mystical. But go on. Who is Thire?”

“Length and breadth together without depth give flatness. Life and love without feeling produce shallow, superficial natures. Feeling is the need of men to stretch out toward their creator.”

“Length and width without depth make a flat surface. Life and love without feeling produce shallow, superficial people. Feeling is the need people have to reach out to their creator.”

“You mean prayer and worship?”

“I mean intimacy with Thire. This feeling is not to be found in either the first or second world, therefore it is a third world. Just as depth is the line between object and subject, feeling is the line between Thire and man.”

“I mean closeness with Thire. This feeling cannot be found in the first or second world, so it is a third world. Just as depth is the line between object and subject, feeling is the line between Thire and man.”

“But what is Thire himself?”

“Thire is the afterworld.”

“Thire is the afterlife.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Maskull. “Do you believe in three separate gods, or are these merely three ways of regarding one God?”

“I still don’t understand,” said Maskull. “Do you believe in three separate gods, or are these just three ways of seeing one God?”

“There are three gods, for they are mutually antagonistic. Yet they are somehow united.”

“There are three gods because they oppose one another. Yet somehow they are united.”

Maskull reflected a while. “How have you arrived at these conclusions?”

Maskull thought for a while. “How did you reach these conclusions?”

“None other are possible in Threal, Maskull.”

“Nothing else is possible in Threal, Maskull.”

“Why in Threal—what is there peculiar here?”

“Why in Threal? What is unusual here?”

“I will show you presently.”

“I’ll show you soon.”

They walked on for above a mile in silence, while Maskull digested what had been said. When they came to the first trees, which grew along the banks of a small stream of transparent water, Corpang halted.

They walked on in silence for more than a mile, while Maskull thought over what had been said. They came to the first trees, which grew along the banks of a small, clear stream. There, Corpang stopped.

“That bandage around your forehead has long been unnecessary,” he remarked.

“That bandage around your forehead hasn't been needed for a long time,” he said.

Maskull removed it. He found that the line of his brow was smooth and uninterrupted, as it had never yet been since his arrival in Tormance.

Maskull removed it. He found that his brow was smooth and unbroken, unlike at any time since his arrival in Tormance.

“How has this come about—and how did you know it?”

“How did this happen, and how did you know about it?”

“They were Faceny’s organs. They have vanished, just as the phaen’s body vanished.”

“They were Faceny’s organs. They disappeared, just as the phaen’s body disappeared.”

Maskull kept rubbing his forehead. “I feel more human without them. But why isn’t the rest of my body affected?”

“Because its living will contains the element of Thire.”

“Why are we stopping here?”

Corpang broke off the tip of one of the aerial roots of a tree, and proffered it to him. “Eat this, Maskull.”

Corpang broke off the tip of one of the tree’s aerial roots and offered it to him. “Eat this, Maskull.”

“For food, or something else?”

“Food for body and soul.”

Maskull bit into the root. It was white and hard; its white sap was bleeding. It had no taste, but after eating it, he experienced a change of perception. The landscape, without alteration of light or outline, became several degrees more stern and sacred. When he looked at Corpang he was impressed by his aspect of Gothic awfulness, but the perplexed expression was still in his eyes.

Maskull bit into the root. It was white and hard, and white sap oozed from it. It had no taste, but after eating it, he saw things differently. The landscape looked more stern and sacred, though its light and outlines had not changed. When he looked at Corpang, he was struck by his Gothic, awe-inspiring appearance. But Corpang’s eyes still held a puzzled expression.

“Do you spend all your time here, Corpang?”

“Occasionally I go above, but not often.”

“Sometimes I go above, but not often.”

“What fastens you to this gloomy world?”

“What ties you to this gloomy world?”

“The search for Thire.”

“Then it’s still a search?”

“Let us walk on.”

“Let's keep walking.”

As they resumed their journey across the dim, gradually rising plain, the conversation became even more earnest in character than before. “Although I was not born here,” proceeded Corpang, “I’ve lived here for twenty-five years, and during all that time I have been drawing nearer to Thire, as I hope. But there is this peculiarity about it—the first stages are richer in fruit and more promising than the later ones. The longer a man seeks Thire, the more he seems to absent himself. In the beginning he is felt and known, sometimes as a shape, sometimes as a voice, sometimes an overpowering emotion. Later on all is dry, dark, and harsh in the soul. Then you would think that Thire was a million miles off.”

As they continued across the dim, gently rising plain, their conversation grew even more serious. “Although I wasn’t born here,” Corpang continued, “I’ve lived here for twenty-five years. All that time, I hope, I’ve been drawing closer to Thire. But there’s something strange about seeking him. The early stages bear more fruit and show more promise than the later ones. The longer a man seeks Thire, the more Thire seems to withdraw. At first, he is felt and known, sometimes as a form, sometimes as a voice, sometimes as an overpowering emotion. Later, all is dry, dark, and harsh in the soul. Then you would think Thire was a million miles away.”

“How do you explain that?”

“When everything is darkest, he may be nearest, Maskull.”

“When things are darkest, he may be closest, Maskull.”

“But this is troubling you?”

“But is this bothering you?”

“My days are spent in torture.”

“I spend my days in torture.”

“You still persist, though? This day darkness can’t be the ultimate state?”

“You still insist, though? This day darkness can’t be the final state?”

“My questions will be answered.”

A silence ensued.

Silence followed.

“What do you propose to show me?” asked Maskull.

“What do you plan to show me?” asked Maskull.

“The land is about to grow wilder. I am taking you to the Three Figures, which were carved and erected by an earlier race of men. There, we will pray.”

“The land is about to become wilder. I’m taking you to the Three Figures. They were carved and put up by an earlier race of men. We will pray there.”

“And what then?”

“And then what?”

“If you are truehearted, you will see things you will not easily forget.”

“If you are honest at heart, you will see things you won't easily forget.”

They had been walking slightly uphill in a sort of trough between two parallel, gently sloping downs. The trough now deepened, while the hills on either side grew steeper. They were in an ascending valley and, as it curved this way and that, the landscape was shut off from view. They came to a little spring, bubbling up from the ground. It formed a trickling brook, which was unlike all other brooks in that it was flowing up the valley instead of down. Before long it was joined by other miniature rivulets, so that in the end it became a fair-sized stream. Maskull kept looking at it, and puckering his forehead.

They had been walking slightly uphill in a hollow between two parallel, gently sloping hills. The hollow grew deeper, and the hills on either side became steeper. They were in a valley that climbed uphill. As it curved this way and that, the landscape disappeared from view. They came to a small spring bubbling up from the ground. It formed a trickling brook, unlike any other. It flowed up the valley instead of down. Before long, other tiny streams joined it, until it became a fairly large stream. Maskull kept looking at it, furrowing his brow.

“Nature has other laws here, it seems?”

“It seems nature has different laws here?”

“Nothing can exist here that is not a compound of the three worlds.”

“Nothing can exist here unless it is made up of the three worlds.”

“Yet the water is flowing somewhere.”

“But the water is flowing somewhere.”

“I can’t explain it, but there are three wills in it.”

“Is there no such thing as pure Thire-matter?”

“Does pure Thire-matter exist?”

“Thire cannot exist without Amfuse, and Amfuse cannot exist without Faceny.”

Maskull thought this over for some minutes. “That must be so,” he said at last. “Without life there can be no love, and without love there can be no religious feeling.”

Maskull thought about this for several minutes. “That must be true,” he said at last. “Without life, there can be no love. And without love, there can be no religious feeling.”

In the half light of the land, the tops of the hills containing the valley presently attained such a height that they could not be seen. The sides were steep and craggy, while the bed of the valley grew narrower at every step. Not a living organism was visible. All was unnatural and sepulchral.

In the dim light, the hills enclosing the valley soon rose so high that their tops could not be seen. Their sides were steep and rocky, and the valley floor grew narrower with every step. No living thing was visible. Everything was unnatural and deathly.

Maskull said, “I feel as if I were dead, and walking in another world.”

Maskull said, “I feel as if I were dead and walking in another world.”

“I still do not know what you are doing here,” answered Corpang.

“I still don't know what you're doing here,” replied Corpang.

“Why should I go on making a mystery of it? I came to find Surtur.”

“Why should I keep it a mystery? I came to find Surtur.”

“That name I’ve heard—but under what circumstances?”

“I’ve heard that name, but where?”

“You forget?”

“You forgot?”

Corpang walked along, his eyes fixed on the ground, obviously troubled. “Who is Surtur?”

Corpang walked along, staring at the ground. He was clearly troubled. “Who is Surtur?”

Maskull shook his head, and said nothing.

Maskull shook his head and said nothing.

The valley shortly afterward narrowed, so that the two men, touching fingertips in the middle, could have placed their free hands on the rock walls on either side. It threatened to terminate in a cul-de-sac, but just when the road seemed least promising, and they were shut in by cliffs on all sides, a hitherto unperceived bend brought them suddenly into the open. They emerged through a mere crack in the line of precipices.

Soon afterward, the valley narrowed. The two men could have touched fingertips in the middle while placing their free hands against the rock walls on either side. The valley seemed to be coming to a dead end. But just when the road looked least promising and cliffs surrounded them on all sides, a bend they had not seen before suddenly brought them into the open. They emerged through a narrow crack in the line of cliffs.

A sort of huge natural corridor was running along at right angles to the way they had come; both ends faded into obscurity after a few hundred yards. Right down the centre of this corridor ran a chasm with perpendicular sides; its width varied from thirty to a hundred feet, but its bottom could not be seen. On both sides of the chasm, facing one another, were platforms of rock, twenty feet or so in width; they too proceeded in both directions out of sight. Maskull and Corpang emerged onto one of these platforms. The shelf opposite was a few feet higher than that on which they stood. The platforms were backed by a double line of lofty and unclimbable cliffs, whose tops were invisible.

A kind of huge natural corridor ran at right angles to the path they had taken. Both ends faded into darkness after a few hundred yards. A chasm with vertical sides ran down the center of the corridor. It varied from thirty to a hundred feet wide, but its bottom could not be seen. Rock platforms about twenty feet wide faced each other across the chasm. They too ran out of sight in both directions. Maskull and Corpang emerged onto one of these platforms. The shelf opposite was a few feet higher than the one on which they stood. Behind the platforms rose two lines of towering cliffs, too steep to climb. Their tops were invisible.

The stream, which had accompanied them through the gap, went straight forward, but, instead of descending the wall of the chasm as a waterfall, it crossed from side to side like a liquid bridge. It then disappeared through a cleft in the cliffs on the opposite side.

The stream had followed them through the gap and continued straight ahead. But instead of falling down the chasm wall as a waterfall, it crossed to the other side like a liquid bridge. It then disappeared through a cleft in the cliffs opposite.

To Maskull’s mind, however, even more wonderful than this unnatural phenomenon was the absence of shadows, which was more noticeable here than on the open plain. It made the place look like a hall of phantoms.

But to Maskull, the lack of shadows was even more wonderful than this unnatural phenomenon. It was more noticeable here than on the open plain. The lack of shadows made the place look like a hall of phantoms.

Corpang, without delay, led the way along the shelf to the left. When they had walked about a mile, the gulf widened to two hundred feet. Three large rocks loomed up on the ledge opposite; they resembled three upright giants, standing motionless side by side on the extreme edge of the chasm. Corpang and Maskull drew nearer, and then Maskull saw that they were statues. Each was about thirty feet high, and the workmanship was of the rudest. They represented naked men, but the limbs and trunks had been barely chipped into shape—the faces alone had had care bestowed on them, and even these faces were merely generalised. It was obviously the work of primitive artists. The statues stood erect with knees closed and arms hanging straight down their sides. All three were exactly alike.

Corpang immediately led the way along the shelf to the left. After they had walked about a mile, the gulf widened to two hundred feet. Three large rocks loomed on the opposite ledge. They looked like three upright giants, standing motionless side by side at the very edge of the chasm. Corpang and Maskull drew closer, and Maskull saw that they were statues. Each was about thirty feet high and very crudely made. They represented naked men, but the limbs and bodies had barely been chipped into shape. Only the faces had been made with care, and even those had only general features. The statues were clearly the work of primitive artists. They stood upright with their knees together and their arms hanging straight down at their sides. All three were exactly alike.

As soon as they were directly opposite, Corpang halted.

As soon as they were directly opposite, Corpang stopped.

“Is this a representation of your three Beings?” asked Maskull, awed by the spectacle in spite of his constitutional audacity.

“Does this represent your three Beings?” asked Maskull. Despite his naturally bold nature, he was awed by the sight.

“Ask no questions, but kneel,” replied Corpang. He dropped onto his own knees, but Maskull remained standing.

“Don't ask questions. Just kneel,” replied Corpang. He dropped to his knees, but Maskull remained standing.

Corpang covered his eyes with one hand, and prayed silently. After a few minutes the light sensibly faded. Then Maskull knelt as well, but he continued looking.

Corpang covered his eyes with one hand and prayed silently. After a few minutes, the light noticeably faded. Then Maskull knelt too, but he kept looking.

It grew darker and darker, until all was like the blackest night. Sight and sound no longer existed; he was alone with his own spirit.

It grew darker and darker, until everything was as dark as the blackest night. Sight and sound no longer existed. He was alone with his own spirit.

Then one of the three Colossi came slowly into sight again. But it had ceased to be a statue—it was a living person. Out of the blackness of space a gigantic head and chest emerged, illuminated by a mystic, rosy glow, like a mountain peak bathed by the rising sun. As the light grew stronger Maskull saw that the flesh was translucent and that the glow came from within. The limbs of the apparition were wreathed in mist.

Then one of the three Colossi slowly came into view again. But it was no longer a statue. It was a living person. A gigantic head and chest emerged from the blackness of space, lit by a mysterious rosy glow. It was like a mountain peak bathed in the light of the rising sun. As the light grew stronger, Maskull saw that the flesh was translucent and the glow came from within. Mist wrapped around the apparition’s limbs.

Before long the features of the face stood out distinctly. It was that of a beardless youth of twenty years. It possessed the beauty of a girl and the daring force of a man; it bore a mocking, cryptic smile. Maskull felt the fresh, mysterious thrill of mingled pain and rapture of one who awakes from a deep sleep in midwinter and sees the gleaming, dark, delicate colours of the half-dawn. The vision smiled, kept still, and looked beyond him. He began to shudder, with delight—and many emotions. As he gazed, his poetic sensibility acquired such a nervous and indefinable character that he could endure it no more; he burst into tears.

Soon the features of the face became clear. It was the face of a beardless young man of twenty. It had the beauty of a girl and the bold strength of a man. It wore a mocking, mysterious smile. Maskull felt a fresh, mysterious thrill of mixed pain and rapture. It was like waking from a deep sleep in midwinter and seeing the gleaming, dark, delicate colors of early dawn. The vision smiled, remained still, and looked past him. He began to shudder with delight and many other emotions. As he gazed, his poetic sensitivity took on such a nervous, indescribable quality that he could bear it no longer. He burst into tears.

When he looked up again the image had nearly disappeared, and in a few moments more he was plunged back into total darkness.

When he looked up again, the image had nearly disappeared. A few moments later, he was back in total darkness.

Shortly afterward a second statue reappeared. It too was transfigured into a living form, but Maskull was unable to see the details of its face and body, because of the brightness of the light that radiated from them. This light, which started as pale gold, ended as flaming golden fire. It illumined the whole underground landscape. The rock ledges, the cliffs, himself and Corpang on their knees, the two unlighted statues—all appeared as if in sunlight, and the shadows were black and strongly defined. The light carried heat with it, but a singular heat. Maskull was unaware of any rise in temperature, but he felt his heart melting to womanish softness. His male arrogance and egotism faded imperceptibly away; his personality seemed to disappear. What was left behind was not freedom of spirit or lightheartedness, but a passionate and nearly savage mental state of pity and distress. He felt a tormenting desire to serve. All this came from the heat of the statue, and was without an object. He glanced anxiously around him, and fastened his eyes on Corpang. He put a hand on his shoulder and aroused him from his praying.

Soon afterward, a second statue reappeared. It too was transformed into a living form. But Maskull could not see the details of its face and body because of the bright light shining from them. The light began as pale gold and became a blazing golden fire. It lit up the whole underground landscape. The rock ledges, the cliffs, Maskull and Corpang kneeling, and the two unlit statues all appeared as if in sunlight. The shadows were black and sharply defined. The light brought heat with it, but it was a strange heat. Maskull did not notice any rise in temperature, but he felt his heart melt into a womanly softness. His masculine arrogance and selfishness gradually faded away, and his personality seemed to disappear. What remained was not freedom of spirit or lightheartedness, but a passionate and almost savage feeling of pity and distress. He felt a tormenting desire to serve. All these feelings came from the statue’s heat and were directed at no one. He glanced around anxiously and fixed his eyes on Corpang. He put a hand on Corpang’s shoulder and roused him from prayer.

“You must know what I am feeling, Corpang.”

“You must know how I feel, Corpang.”

Corpang smiled sweetly, but said nothing.

“I care nothing for my own affairs any more. How can I help you?”

“I don't care about my own affairs anymore. How can I help you?”

“So much the better for you, Maskull, if you respond so quickly to the invisible worlds.”

“That’s all the better for you, Maskull, if you respond so quickly to the invisible worlds.”

As soon as he had spoken, the figure began to vanish, and the light to die away from the landscape. Maskull’s emotion slowly subsided, but it was not until he was once more in complete darkness that he became master of himself again. Then he felt ashamed of his boyish exhibition of enthusiasm, and thought ruefully that there must be something wanting in his character. He got up onto his feet.

As soon as he spoke, the figure began to vanish, and the light faded from the landscape. Maskull’s excitement slowly subsided. But only when he was once again in complete darkness did he regain control of himself. Then he felt ashamed of his boyish display of enthusiasm. He thought regretfully that something must be lacking in his character. He got to his feet.

The very moment that he arose, a man’s voice sounded, not a yard from his ear. It was hardly raised above a whisper, but he could distinguish that it was not Corpang’s. As he listened he was unable to prevent himself from physically trembling.

The moment he stood up, he heard a man's voice less than a yard from his ear. It was hardly louder than a whisper, but he could tell it was not Corpang's voice. As he listened, he could not stop himself from trembling.

“Maskull, you are to die,” said the unseen speaker.

“Maskull, you are going to die,” said the unseen speaker.

“Who is speaking?”

“You have only a few hours of life left. Don’t trifle the time away.”

“You have only a few hours left to live. Don’t waste them.”

Maskull could bring nothing out.

Maskull couldn't get anything out.

“You have despised life,” went on the low-toned voice. “Do you really imagine that this mighty world has no meaning, and that life is a joke?”

“You have despised life,” the quiet voice continued. “Do you really think this mighty world has no meaning, and that life is a joke?”

“What must I do?”

“What do I have to do?”

“Repent your murders, commit no fresh ones, pay honour to...”

“Repent for your murders, commit no more, honor...”

The voice died away. Maskull waited in silence for it to speak again. All remained still, however, and the speaker appeared to have taken his departure. Supernatural horror seized him; he fell into a sort of catalepsy.

The voice faded away. Maskull waited silently for it to speak again. But everything remained still, and the speaker seemed to have left. Supernatural horror seized him, and he fell into a kind of trance.

At that moment he saw one of the statues fading away, from a pale, white glow to darkness. He had not previously seen it shining.

At that moment, he saw one of the statues fading away, its pale white glow turning to darkness. He had not seen it glowing before.

In a few more minutes the normal light of the land returned. Corpang got up, and shook him out of his trance.

A few minutes later, the land’s normal light returned. Corpang got up and shook him out of his trance.

Maskull looked around, but saw no third person. “Whose statue was the last?” he demanded.

Maskull looked around, but saw no third person. “Who was the last statue of?” he demanded.

“Thire’s.”

“Did you hear me speaking?”

“I heard your voice, but no one else’s.”

“I’ve just had my death foretold, so I suppose I have not long to live. Leehallfae prophesied the same thing.”

“Someone just predicted my death, so I suppose I don't have long to live. Leehallfae predicted the same thing.”

Corpang shook his head. “What value do you set on life?” he asked.

Corpang shook his head. “How much do you value life?” he asked.

“Very little. But it’s a fearful thing all the same.”

“Very little. But it’s still a frightening thing.”

“Your death is?”

“No, but this warning.”

They stopped talking. A profound silence reigned. Neither of the two men seemed to know what to do next, or where to go. Then both of them heard the sound of drumming. It was slow, emphatic, and impressive, a long way off and not loud, but against the background of quietness, very marked. It appeared to come from some point out of sight, to the left of where they were standing, but on the same rock shelf. Maskull’s heart beat quickly.

They stopped talking. A deep silence settled around them. Neither man seemed to know what to do next or where to go. Then they both heard drumming. It was slow, forceful, and impressive. It came from far away and was not loud, but it stood out sharply against the silence. It seemed to come from somewhere out of sight, to their left, but on the same rock shelf. Maskull’s heart beat quickly.

“What can that sound be?” asked Corpang, peering into the obscurity.

“What could that sound be?” asked Corpang, peering into the darkness.

“It is Surtur.”

“Once again, who is Surtur?”

“Again, who is Surtur?”

Maskull clutched his arm and pressed him to silence. A strange radiance was in the air, in the direction of the drumming. It increased in intensity and gradually occupied the whole scene. Things were no longer seen by Their’s light, but by this new light. It cast no shadows.

Maskull grabbed his arm and urged him to be quiet. A strange glow filled the air in the direction of the drumming. It grew brighter and gradually spread across the whole scene. Everything was now lit by this new light instead of Their’s light. The new light cast no shadows.

Corpang’s nostrils swelled, and he held himself more proudly. “What fire is that?”

Corpang’s nostrils flared, and he stood more proudly. “What fire is that?”

“It is Muspel-light.”

“It’s Muspel-light.”

They both glanced instinctively at the three statues. In the strange glow they had undergone a change. The face of each figure was clothed in the sordid and horrible Crystalman mask.

They both instinctively glanced at the three statues. The statues had changed in the strange glow. Each face was covered by the ugly and horrible Crystalman mask.

Corpang cried out and put his hand over his eyes. “What can this mean?” he asked a minute later.

Corpang cried out and covered his eyes with his hand. A minute later, he asked, “What can this mean?”

“It must mean that life is wrong, and the creator of life too, whether he is one person or three.”

“It must mean that life is wrong, and so is its creator, whether he is one person or three.”

Corpang looked again, like a man trying to accustom himself to a shocking sight. “Dare we believe this?”

Corpang looked again, like a man trying to get used to a shocking sight. “Can we dare believe this?”

“You must,” replied Maskull. “You have always served the highest, and you must continue to do so. It has simply turned out that Thire is not the highest.”

“You must,” Maskull replied. “You have always served the highest, and you must continue to do so. It turns out that Thire is not the highest.”

Corpang’s face became swollen with a kind of coarse anger. “Life is clearly false—I have been seeking Thire for a lifetime, and now I find—this.”

Corpang’s face grew swollen with a kind of coarse anger. “Life is clearly false. I have been searching for Thire all my life, and now I find this.”

“You have nothing to reproach yourself with. Crystalman has had eternity to practice his cunning in, so it’s no wonder if a man can’t see straight, even with the best intentions. What have you decided to do?”

“You have nothing to blame yourself for. Crystalman has had eternity to practice his cunning. So it’s no wonder a man can’t see clearly, even with the best intentions. What have you decided to do?”

“The drumming seems to be moving away. Will you follow it, Maskull?”

“Yes.”

“But where will it take us?”

“Perhaps out of Threal altogether.”

“Perhaps completely out of Threal.”

“It sounds to me more real than reality,” said Corpang. “Tell me, who is Surtur?”

“That sounds more real to me than reality,” said Corpang. “Tell me, who is Surtur?”

“Surtur’s world, or Muspel, we are told, is the original of which this world is a distorted copy. Crystalman is life, but Surtur is other than life.”

“We are told that Surtur’s world, or Muspel, is the original, and this world is a distorted copy of it. Crystalman is life, but Surtur is something other than life.”

“How do you know this?”

“It has sprung together somehow—from inspiration, from experience, from conversation with the wise men of your planet. Every hour it grows truer for me and takes a more definite shape.”

“It has somehow come together from inspiration, experience, and conversations with the wise men of your planet. Every hour, it feels truer to me and takes a clearer shape.”

Corpang stood up squarely, facing the three Figures with a harsh, energetic countenance, stamped all over with resolution. “I believe you, Maskull. No better proof is required than that. Thire is not the highest; he is even in a certain sense the lowest. Nothing but the thoroughly false and base could stoop to such deceits.... I am coming with you—but don’t play the traitor. These signs may be for you, and not for me at all, and if you leave me—”

Corpang stood up straight, facing the three Figures. His face was stern, full of energy and determination. “I believe you, Maskull. No better proof is needed than that. Thire is not the highest. In a certain sense, he is even the lowest. Only someone thoroughly false and base could stoop to such deception.... I am coming with you, but don’t betray me. These signs may be for you and not for me at all. And if you leave me...”

“I make no promises. I don’t ask you to come with me. If you prefer to stay in your little world, or if you have any doubts about it, you had better not come.”

“I make no promises. I’m not asking you to come with me. If you prefer to stay in your little world, or if you have any doubts about coming, you’d better not come.”

“Don’t talk like that. I shall never forget your service to me... Let us make haste, or we shall lose the sound.”

“Don’t talk like that. I’ll never forget what you did for me... Let’s hurry, or we’ll lose the sound.”

Corpang started off more eagerly than Maskull. They walked fast in the direction of the drumming. For upward of two miles the path went along the ledge without any change of level. The mysterious radiance gradually departed, and was replaced by the normal light of Threal. The rhythmical beats continued, but a very long way ahead—neither was able to diminish the distance.

Corpang set off more eagerly than Maskull. They walked quickly toward the drumming. For more than two miles, the path followed the ledge without rising or falling. The mysterious glow gradually faded, replaced by the normal light of Threal. The rhythmic beats continued, but they were still a long way ahead. Neither man could get any closer to them.

“What kind of man are you?” Corpang suddenly broke out.

“What kind of man are you?” Corpang suddenly blurted out.

“In what respect?”

“In what way?”

“How do you come to be on such terms with the Invisible? How is it that I’ve never had this experience before I met you, in spite of my never-ending prayers and mortifications? In what way are you superior to me?”

“How are you so close to the Invisible? Despite all my endless prayers and self-denial, why had I never experienced this before I met you? How are you better than me?”

“To hear voices perhaps can’t be made a profession,” replied Maskull. “I have a simple and unoccupied mind—that may be why I sometimes hear things that up to the present you have not been able to.”

“Perhaps hearing voices can’t be a profession,” replied Maskull. “I have a simple, unoccupied mind. That may be why I sometimes hear things you haven’t been able to hear so far.”

Corpang darkened, and kept silent; and then Maskull saw through to his pride.

Corpang's face darkened, and he said nothing. Then Maskull saw the pride behind his silence.

The ledge presently began to rise. They were high above the platform on the opposite side of the gulf. The road then curved sharply to the right, and they passed over the abyss and the other ledge as by a bridge, coming out upon the top of the opposite cliffs. A new line of precipices immediately confronted them. They followed the drumming along the base of these heights, but as they were passing the mouth of a large cave the sound came from its recesses, and they turned their steps inward.

The ledge soon began to rise. They were high above the platform on the opposite side of the gulf. Then the road curved sharply to the right. Like a bridge, it carried them over the abyss and the other ledge to the top of the opposite cliffs. Another line of cliffs rose directly ahead of them. They followed the drumming along the base of the cliffs. But as they passed the mouth of a large cave, the sound came from deep inside it. They turned and went in.

“This leads to the outer world,” remarked Corpang. “I’ve occasionally been there by this passage.”

“This leads to the outer world,” said Corpang. “I’ve sometimes gone there through this passage.”

“Then that’s where it is taking us, no doubt. I confess I shan’t be sorry to see sunlight once more.”

“Then that’s where it’s taking us, no doubt. I have to admit, I’ll be glad to see sunlight again.”

“Can you find time to think of sunlight?” asked Corpang with a rough smile.

“Can you find time to think about sunlight?” Corpang asked with a rough smile.

“I love the sun, and perhaps I’m rather lacking in the spirit of a zealot.”

“I love the sun, and perhaps I’m not much of a zealot.”

“Yet, for all that, you may get there before me.”

“Even so, you may get there before me.”

“Don’t be bitter,” said Maskull. “I’ll tell you another thing. Muspel can’t be willed, for the simple reason that Muspel does not concern the will. To will is a property of this world.”

“Don’t be bitter,” said Maskull. “I’ll tell you something else. You can’t reach Muspel through will, because Muspel has nothing to do with will. Will belongs to this world.”

“Then what is your journey for?”

“Then why are you on this journey?”

“It’s one thing to walk to a destination, and to linger over the walk, and quite another to run there at top speed.”

“It’s one thing to take your time walking to a destination. It’s quite another to run there at top speed.”

“Perhaps I’m not so easily deceived as you think,” said Corpang with another smile.

“Perhaps I’m not as easily fooled as you think,” said Corpang with another smile.

The light persisted in the cave. The path narrowed and became a steep ascent. Then the angle became one of forty-five degrees, and they had to climb. The tunnel grew so confined that Maskull was reminded of the confined dreams of his childhood.

The light remained in the cave. The path narrowed and grew steeper. Then it reached a forty-five degree angle, and they had to climb. The tunnel became so cramped that it reminded Maskull of the confined dreams of his childhood.

Not long afterward, daylight appeared. They hastened to complete the last stage. Maskull rushed out first into the world of colours and, all dirty and bleeding from numerous scratches, stood blinking on a hillside, bathed in the brilliant late-afternoon sunshine. Corpang followed closely at his heels. He was obliged to shield his eyes with his hands for a few minutes, so unaccustomed was he to Branchspell’s blinding rays.

Soon afterward, daylight appeared. They hurried to finish the last stage. Maskull rushed out first into the world of colours. Dirty and bleeding from many scratches, he stood blinking on a hillside, bathed in brilliant late-afternoon sunshine. Corpang followed close behind. He had to shield his eyes with his hands for a few minutes because he was so unaccustomed to Branchspell’s blinding rays.

“The drum beats have stopped!” he exclaimed suddenly.

“The drumbeats have stopped!” he exclaimed suddenly.

“You can’t expect music all the time,” answered Maskull dryly. “We mustn’t be luxurious.”

“You can’t expect music all the time,” Maskull replied dryly. “We mustn’t indulge ourselves.”

“But now we have no guide. We’re no better off than before.”

“Well, Tormance is a big place. But I have an infallible rule, Corpang. As I come from the south, I always go due north.”

“Well, Tormance is a big place. But I have a rule that never fails, Corpang. Since I come from the south, I always go straight north.”

“That will take us to Lichstorm.”

Maskull gazed at the fantastically piled rocks all around them. “I saw these rocks from Matterplay. The mountains look as far off now as they did then, and there’s not much of the day left. How far is Lichstorm from here?”

Maskull looked at the strangely piled rocks all around them. “I saw these rocks from Matterplay. The mountains look just as far away now as they did then, and there’s not much daylight left. How far is Lichstorm from here?”

Corpang looked away to the distant range. “I don’t know, but unless a miracle happens we shan’t get there tonight.”

Corpang looked away toward the distant mountains. “I don’t know, but unless a miracle happens, we won’t get there tonight.”

“I have a feeling,” said Maskull, “that we shall not only get there tonight, but that tonight will be the most important in my life.”

“I have a feeling,” said Maskull, “that we’ll not only get there tonight, but that this will be the most important night of my life.”

And he sat down passively to rest.