Chapter 19

Sullenbode

24 min

Sullenbode’s naked skin glowed softly through the darkness, but the clothed part of her person was invisible. Maskull watched her senseless, smiling face, and shivered. Strange feelings ran through his body.

Sullenbode’s bare skin glowed softly in the darkness, but her clothed body was invisible. Maskull watched her unconscious, smiling face and shivered. Strange feelings ran through his body.

Corpang spoke out of the night. “She looks like an evil spirit filled with deadliness.”

Corpang spoke from the darkness. “She looks like a deadly evil spirit.”

“It was like deliberately kissing lightning.”

“It was like kissing lightning on purpose.”

“Haunte was insane with passion.”

“Haunte was mad with passion.”

“So am I,” said Maskull quietly. “My body seems full of rocks, all grinding against one another.”

“So am I,” said Maskull quietly. “My body feels full of rocks, all grinding against each other.”

“This is what I was afraid of.”

“It appears I shall have to kiss her too.”

“It looks like I'll have to kiss her too.”

Corpang pulled his arm. “Have you lost all manliness?”

Corpang pulled his arm. “Have you lost all your courage as a man?”

But Maskull impatiently shook himself free. He plucked nervously at his beard, and stared at Sullenbode. His lips kept twitching. After this had gone on for a few minutes, he stepped forward, bent over the woman, and lifted her bodily in his arms. Setting her upright against the rugged tree trunk, he kissed her.

But Maskull impatiently shook himself free. He tugged nervously at his beard and stared at Sullenbode. His lips kept twitching. After a few minutes, he stepped forward, bent over the woman, and lifted her into his arms. He set her upright against the rough tree trunk and kissed her.

A cold, knifelike shock passed down his frame. He thought that it was death, and lost consciousness.

A cold, knifelike shock passed through his body. He thought he was dying and lost consciousness.

When his sense returned, Sullenbode was holding him by the shoulder with one hand at arm’s length, searching his face with gloomy eyes. At first he failed to recognise her; it was not the woman he had kissed, but another. Then he gradually realised that her face was identical with that which Haunte’s action had called into existence. A great calmness came upon him; his bad sensations had disappeared.

When he came to, Sullenbode was holding his shoulder with one hand, keeping him at arm’s length. She searched his face with gloomy eyes. At first, he did not recognize her. She was not the woman he had kissed, but another woman. Then he gradually realized that her face was identical to the one Haunte’s action had brought into being. A great calm came over him. His unpleasant sensations had disappeared.

Sullenbode was transformed into a living soul. Her skin was firm, her features were strong, her eyes gleamed with the consciousness of power. She was tall and slight, but slow in all her gestures and movements. Her face was not beautiful. It was long, and palely lighted, while the mouth crossed the lower half like a gash of fire. The lips were as voluptuous as before. Her brows were heavy. There was nothing vulgar in her—she looked the kingliest of all women. She appeared not more than twenty-five.

Sullenbode had become a living soul. Her skin was firm, her features strong, and her eyes shone with an awareness of her power. She was tall and slender, but all her gestures and movements were slow. Her face was not beautiful. It was long and pale, and her mouth cut across its lower half like a gash of fire. Her lips were as voluptuous as before. Her brows were heavy. There was nothing vulgar about her. She looked the most regal of all women. She appeared to be no more than twenty-five.

Growing tired, apparently, of his scrutiny, she pushed him a little way and allowed her arm to drop, at the same time curving her mouth into a long, bowlike smile. “Whom have I to thank for this gift of life?”

Apparently growing tired of his scrutiny, she pushed him a little way and let her arm drop. At the same time, her mouth curved into a long, bow-shaped smile. “Who do I have to thank for this gift of life?”

Her voice was rich, slow, and odd. Maskull felt himself in a dream.

Her voice was rich, slow, and strange. Maskull felt as if he were dreaming.

“My name is Maskull.”

She motioned to him to come a step nearer. “Listen, Maskull. Man after man has drawn me into the world, but they could not keep me there, for I did not wish it. But now you have drawn me into it for all time, for good or evil.”

She motioned for him to come a step closer. “Listen, Maskull. One man after another has drawn me into the world. But they couldn't keep me there because I didn't want to stay. Now you have drawn me into it forever, for good or evil.”

Maskull stretched a hand toward the now invisible corpse, and said quietly, “What have you to say about him?”

Maskull reached toward the corpse, which was now out of sight, and said quietly, “What do you have to say about him?”

“Who was it?”

“Haunte.”

“So that was Haunte. The news will travel far and wide. He was a famous man.”

“So that was Haunte. The news will spread far and wide. He was a famous man.”

“It’s a horrible affair. I can’t think that you killed him deliberately.”

“It’s a horrible situation. I can’t believe you killed him on purpose.”

“We women are endowed with terrible power, but it is our only protection. We do not want these visits; we loathe them.”

“We women have terrible power, but it is our only protection. We do not want these visits. We hate them.”

“I might have died, too.”

“You came together?”

“There were three of us. Corpang still stands over there.”

“There were three of us. Corpang is still standing over there.”

“I see a faintly glimmering form. What do you want of me, Corpang?”

“I see a faintly glowing shape. What do you want from me, Corpang?”

“Nothing.”

“Then go away, and leave me with Maskull.”

“Then go away and leave me with Maskull.”

“No need, Corpang. I am coming with you.”

“No need, Corpang. I’m coming with you.”

“This is not that pleasure, then?” demanded the low, earnest voice, out of the darkness.

“So this isn’t that pleasure?” a low, earnest voice asked from the darkness.

“No, that pleasure has not returned.”

“No, that pleasure hasn't returned.”

Sullenbode gripped his arm hard. “What pleasure are you speaking of?”

Sullenbode gripped his arm tightly. “What pleasure are you talking about?”

“A presentiment of love, which I felt not long ago.”

“A feeling I had not long ago that love was coming.”

“But what do you feel now?”

“Calm and free.”

Sullenbode’s face seemed like a pallid mask, hiding a slow, swelling sea of elemental passions. “I do not know how it will end, Maskull, but we will still keep together a little. Where are you going?”

Sullenbode’s face looked like a pale mask, hiding a slowly swelling sea of powerful, primal passions. “I don’t know how it will end, Maskull, but we’ll stay together a little longer. Where are you going?”

“To Adage,” said Corpang, stepping forward.

“But why?”

“We are following the steps of Lodd, who went there years ago, to find Muspel-light.”

“We’re following in Lodd’s footsteps. He went there years ago to find Muspel-light.”

“What light is that?”

“It’s the light of another world.”

“The quest is grand. But cannot women see that light?”

“The quest is great. But can't women see that light?”

“On one condition,” said Corpang. “They must forget their sex. Womanhood and love belong to life, while Muspel is above life.”

“On one condition,” said Corpang. “They must forget their sex. Womanhood and love belong to life, but Muspel is above life.”

“I give you all other men,” said Sullenbode. “Maskull is mine.”

“You can have all the other men,” said Sullenbode. “Maskull is mine.”

“No. I am not here to help Maskull to a lover but to remind him of the existence of nobler things.”

“No. I am not here to help Maskull find a lover, but to remind him that nobler things exist.”

“You are a good man. But you two alone will never strike the road to Adage.”

“You are a good man. But the two of you will never find the road to Adage on your own.”

“Are you acquainted with it?”

“Are you familiar with it?”

Again the woman gripped Maskull’s arm. “What is love—which Corpang despises?”

Again the woman gripped Maskull’s arm. “What is love, which Corpang despises?”

Maskull looked at her attentively. Sullenbode went on, “Love is that which is perfectly willing to disappear and become nothing, for the sake of the beloved.”

Maskull looked at her closely. Sullenbode continued, “Love is the willingness to disappear completely and become nothing for the sake of the one you love.”

Corpang wrinkled his forehead. “A magnanimous female lover is new in my experience.”

Corpang frowned. “I've never known a woman to be a generous lover.”

Maskull put him aside with his hand, and said to Sullenbode, “Are you contemplating a sacrifice?”

Maskull pushed him aside with his hand and said to Sullenbode, “Are you thinking of making a sacrifice?”

She gazed at her feet, and smiled. “What does it matter what my thoughts are? Tell me, are you starting at once, or do you mean to rest first? It’s a rough road to Adage.”

She looked down at her feet and smiled. “What does it matter what I’m thinking? Tell me, are you leaving now, or will you rest first? The road to Adage is rough.”

“What’s in your mind?” demanded Maskull.

“What are you thinking?” demanded Maskull.

“I will guide you a little. When we reach the ridge between Sarclash and Adage, perhaps I shall turn back.”

“I’ll guide you for a little while. When we reach the ridge between Sarclash and Adage, perhaps I’ll turn back.”

“And then?”

“Then if the moon shines perhaps you will arrive before daybreak, but if it is dark it’s hardly likely.”

“Then if the moon shines, perhaps you will arrive before dawn. But if it is dark, that’s hardly likely.”

“That’s not what I meant. What will become of you after we have parted company?”

“That’s not what I meant. What will happen to you after we go our separate ways?”

“I shall return somewhere—perhaps here.”

“I’ll return somewhere, perhaps here.”

Maskull went close up to her, in order to study her face better. “Shall you sink back into—the old state?”

Maskull moved closer to her to get a better look at her face. “Will you sink back into... the old state?”

“No, Maskull, thank heaven.”

“No, Maskull, thank God.”

“Then how will you live?”

Sullenbode calmly removed the hand which he had placed on her arm. There was a sort of swirling flame in her eyes. “And who said I would go on living?”

Sullenbode calmly took his hand off her arm. A kind of swirling flame burned in her eyes. “And who said I would keep living?”

Maskull blinked at her in bewilderment. A few moments passed before he spoke again. “You women are a sacrificing lot. You know I can’t leave you like this.”

Maskull blinked at her, confused. A few moments passed before he spoke again. “You women are always sacrificing yourselves. You know I can’t leave you like this.”

Their eyes met. Neither withdrew them, and neither felt embarrassed.

Their eyes met. Neither looked away, and neither felt embarrassed.

“You will always be the most generous of men, Maskull. Now let us go.... Corpang is a single-minded personage, and the least we others—who aren’t so single-minded—can do is to help him to his destination. We mustn’t inquire whether the destination of single-minded men is as a rule worth arriving at.”

“You will always be the most generous of men, Maskull. Now let us go.... Corpang is single-minded. The least the rest of us can do is help him reach his destination. We aren’t so single-minded ourselves. We mustn’t ask whether the destinations of single-minded men are generally worth reaching.”

“If it is good for Maskull, it will be good for me.”

“Well, no vessel can hold more than its appointed measure.”

“Well, no container can hold more than its allotted amount.”

Corpang gave a wry smile. “During your long sleep you appear to have picked up wisdom.”

Corpang gave a wry smile. “It seems you picked up some wisdom during your long sleep.”

“Yes, Corpang, I have met many men, and explored many minds.”

“Yes, Corpang, I have met many men and explored many minds.”

As they moved off, Maskull remembered Haunte.

As they left, Maskull remembered Haunte.

“Can we not bury that poor fellow?”

“Can't we bury that poor man?”

“By this time tomorrow we shall need burial ourselves. But I do not include Corpang.”

“By this time tomorrow, we’ll need to be buried ourselves. But I don’t include Corpang.”

“We have no tools, so you must have your way. You killed him, but I am the real murderer. I stole his protecting light.”

“We have no tools, so you must get your way. You killed him, but I am the real murderer. I stole the light that protected him.”

“Surely that death is balanced by the life you have given me.” They left the spot in the direction opposite to that by which the three men had arrived. After a few steps, they came to green snow again. At the same time the flat ground ended, and they started to traverse a steep, pathless mountain slope. The snow and rocks glimmered, their own bodies shone; otherwise everything was dark. The mists swirled around them, but Maskull had no more nightmares. The breeze was cold, pure, and steady. They walked in file, Sullenbode leading; her movements were slow and fascinating. Corpang came last. His stern eyes saw nothing ahead but an alluring girl and a half-infatuated man.

“Surely that death is balanced by the life you have given me.” They left in the opposite direction from the one the three men had come from. After a few steps, they came to green snow again. At the same time, the flat ground ended, and they began crossing a steep mountain slope with no path. The snow and rocks glimmered, and their bodies shone. Everything else was dark. Mist swirled around them, but Maskull had no more nightmares. The breeze was cold, pure, and steady. They walked single file, with Sullenbode leading. Her movements were slow and fascinating. Corpang came last. His stern eyes saw nothing ahead but an alluring girl and a half-infatuated man.

For a long time they continued crossing the rough and rocky slope, maintaining a slightly upward course. The angle was so steep that a false step would have been fatal. The high ground was on their right. After a while, the hillside on the left hand changed to level ground, and they seemed to have joined another spur of the mountain. The ascending slope on the right hand persisted for a few hundred yards more. Then Sullenbode bore sharply to the left, and they found level ground all around them.

For a long time, they crossed the rough, rocky slope, heading slightly uphill. The slope was so steep that one wrong step would have been fatal. Higher ground lay to their right. After a while, the hillside to their left gave way to level ground. They seemed to have reached another spur of the mountain. The ground on their right continued to rise for a few hundred yards. Then Sullenbode turned sharply left, and they found themselves surrounded by level ground.

“We are on the ridge,” announced the woman, halting.

“We’re on the ridge,” the woman announced, stopping.

The others came up to her, and at the same instant the moon burst through the clouds, illuminating the whole scene.

The others came up to her. At the same moment, the moon burst through the clouds, lighting up the whole scene.

Maskull uttered a cry. The wild, noble, lonely beauty of the view was quite unexpected. Teargeld was high in the sky to their left, shining down on them from behind. Straight in front, like an enormously wide, smoothly descending road, lay the great ridge which went on to Adage, though Adage itself was out of sight. It was never less than two hundred yards wide. It was covered with green snow, in some places entirely, but in other places the naked rocks showed through like black teeth. From where they stood they were unable to see the sides of the ridge, or what lay underneath. On the right hand, which was north, the landscape was blurred and indistinct. There were no peaks there; it was the distant, low-lying land of Barey. But on the left hand appeared a whole forest of mighty pinnacles, near and far, as far as the eye could see in moonlight. All glittered green, and all possessed the extraordinary hanging caps that characterised the Lichstorm range. These caps were of fantastic shapes, and each one was different. The valley directly opposite them was filled with rolling mist.

Maskull cried out. The wild, noble, lonely beauty of the view was completely unexpected. Teargeld was high in the sky to their left, shining down on them from behind. Straight ahead lay the great ridge leading to Adage, though Adage itself was out of sight. The ridge looked like an enormously wide road sloping smoothly downward. It was never less than two hundred yards wide. Green snow covered it completely in some places. In others, bare rocks showed through like black teeth. From where they stood, they could not see the sides of the ridge or what lay beneath it. To the right, in the north, the landscape was blurred and indistinct. There were no peaks there, only the distant, low-lying land of Barey. But to the left stood a whole forest of mighty pinnacles, near and far. They stretched as far as the eye could see in the moonlight. All glittered green, and all had the extraordinary hanging caps that marked the Lichstorm range. The caps had fantastic shapes, and each was different. Rolling mist filled the valley directly opposite them.

Sarclash was a mighty mountain mass in the shape of a horseshoe. Its two ends pointed west, and were separated from each other by a mile or more of empty space. The northern end became the ridge on which they stood. The southern end was the long line of cliffs on that part of the mountain where Haunte’s cave was situated. The connecting curve was the steep slope they had just traversed. One peak of Sarclash was invisible.

Sarclash was a massive horseshoe-shaped mountain. Its two ends pointed west, with a mile or more of empty space between them. The northern end became the ridge where they stood. The southern end was the long line of cliffs on the part of the mountain where Haunte’s cave was located. The curve connecting the two ends was the steep slope they had just crossed. One peak of Sarclash was out of sight.

In the south-west many mountains raised their heads. In addition, a few summits, which must have been of extraordinary height, appeared over the south side of the horseshoe.

Many mountains rose in the southwest. A few peaks appeared over the south side of the horseshoe. They must have been extraordinarily high.

Maskull turned round to put a question to Sullenbode, but when he saw her for the first time in moonlight the words he had framed died on his lips. The gashlike mouth no longer dominated her other features, and the face, pale as ivory and most femininely shaped, suddenly became almost beautiful. The lips were a long, womanish curve of rose-red. Her hair was a dark maroon. Maskull was greatly disturbed; he thought that she resembled a spirit, rather than a woman.

Maskull turned to ask Sullenbode a question. But when he saw her in the moonlight for the first time, the words died on his lips. Her gashlike mouth no longer dominated her other features. Her face, pale as ivory and very feminine in shape, suddenly looked almost beautiful. Her lips formed a long, womanly curve of rose-red. Her hair was dark maroon. Maskull was deeply disturbed. He thought she looked more like a spirit than a woman.

“What puzzles you?” she asked, smiling.

“Nothing. But I would like to see you by sunlight.”

“Nothing. But I would like to see you in the sunlight.”

“Perhaps you never will.”

“Your life must be most solitary.”

“Your life must be very lonely.”

She explored his features with her black, slow-gleaming eyes. “Why do you fear to speak your feelings, Maskull?”

She studied his face with her black eyes, which gleamed softly. “Why are you afraid to speak about your feelings, Maskull?”

“Things seem to open up before me like a sunrise, but what it means I can’t say.”

“Things seem to open up before me like a sunrise, but I can’t say what it means.”

Sullenbode laughed outright. “It assuredly does not mean the approach of night.”

Sullenbode laughed out loud. “It certainly doesn’t mean night is coming.”

Corpang, who had been staring steadily along the ridge, here abruptly broke in. “The road is plain now, Maskull. If you wish it, I’ll go on alone.”

Corpang had been staring steadily along the ridge. Now he suddenly interrupted. “The road is clear now, Maskull. If you want, I’ll go on alone.”

“No, we’ll go on together. Sullenbode will accompany us.”

“No, we’ll go on together. Sullenbode will come with us.”

“A little way,” said the woman, “but not to Adage, to pit my strength against unseen powers. That light is not for me. I know how to renounce love, but I will never be a traitor to it.”

“I’ll go a little way,” said the woman, “but not to Adage to test my strength against unseen powers. That light is not for me. I know how to give up love, but I will never betray it.”

“Who knows what we shall find on Adage, or what will happen? Corpang is as ignorant as myself.”

“Who knows what we’ll find on Adage, or what will happen? Corpang knows as little as I do.”

Corpang looked him full in the face. “Maskull, you are quite well aware that you never dare approach that awful fire in the society of a beautiful woman.”

Corpang looked him straight in the face. “Maskull, you know perfectly well that you never dare approach that terrible fire with a beautiful woman beside you.”

Maskull gave an uneasy laugh. “What Corpang doesn’t tell you, Sullenbode, is that I am far better acquainted with Muspel-light than he, and that, but for a chance meeting with me, he would still be saying his prayers in Threal.”

Maskull laughed uneasily. “Sullenbode, Corpang doesn’t tell you that I know Muspel-light far better than he does. And if he hadn’t met me by chance, he would still be saying his prayers in Threal.”

“Still, what he says must be true,” she replied, looking from one to the other.

“Still, what he says must be true,” she said, looking from one to the other.

“And so I am not to be allowed to—”

“So I’m not going to be allowed to...”

“So long as I am with you, I shall urge you onward, and not backward, Maskull.”

“As long as I’m with you, I’ll urge you forward, not backward, Maskull.”

“We need not quarrel yet,” he remarked, with a forced smile. “No doubt things will straighten themselves out.”

“We don't need to argue yet,” he said with a forced smile. “I'm sure things will work themselves out.”

Sullenbode began kicking the snow about with her foot. “I picked up another piece of wisdom in my sleep, Corpang.”

Sullenbode began kicking the snow around with her foot. “I learned something else in my sleep, Corpang.”

“Tell it to me, then.”

“Then tell me.”

“Men who live by laws and rules are parasites. Others shed their strength to bring these laws out of nothing into the light of day, but the law-abiders live at their ease—they have conquered nothing for themselves.”

“Men who live by laws and rules are parasites. Others spend their strength creating these laws out of nothing. But those who obey the laws live at ease. They have conquered nothing for themselves.”

“It is given to some to discover, and to others to preserve and perfect. You cannot condemn me for wishing Maskull well.”

“Some people discover, and others preserve and improve. You cannot blame me for wishing Maskull well.”

“No, but a child cannot lead a thunderstorm.”

They started walking again along the centre of the ridge. All three were abreast, Sullenbode in the middle.

They started walking again along the middle of the ridge. All three walked side by side, with Sullenbode in the middle.

The road descended by an easy gradient, and was for a long distance comparatively smooth. The freezing point seemed higher than on Earth, for the few inches of snow through which they trudged felt almost warm to their naked feet. Maskull’s soles were by now like tough hides. The moonlit snow was green and dazzling. Their slanting, abbreviated shadows were sharply defined, and red-black in colour. Maskull, who walked on Sullenbode’s right hand, looked constantly to the left, toward the galaxy of glorious distant peaks.

The road sloped gently downward and was fairly smooth for a long stretch. The freezing point seemed higher than on Earth. For the few inches of snow they trudged through felt almost warm to their bare feet. By now, the soles of Maskull’s feet were as tough as hides. The snow shone a dazzling green in the moonlight. Their short, slanting shadows had sharp edges and were red-black. Maskull walked on Sullenbode’s right, constantly looking left toward the glorious array of distant peaks.

“You cannot belong to this world,” said the woman. “Men of your stamp are not to be looked for here.”

“You cannot belong to this world,” said the woman. “Men like you are not found here.”

“No, I have come here from Earth.”

“No, I came here from Earth.”

“Is that larger than our world?”

“Smaller, I think. Small, and overcrowded with men and women. With all those people, confusion would result but for orderly laws, and therefore the laws are of iron. As adventure would be impossible without encroaching on these laws, there is no longer any spirit of adventure among the Earthmen. Everything is safe, vulgar, and completed.”

“Smaller, I think. Small, and overcrowded with men and women. With all those people, there would be chaos without laws to keep order, so the laws are ironclad. Adventure would be impossible without breaking those laws. So there is no longer any spirit of adventure among the Earthmen. Everything is safe, vulgar, and complete.”

“Do men hate women there, and women men?”

“Do men hate women there, and do women hate men?”

“No, the meeting of the sexes is sweet, though shameful. So poignant is the sweetness that the accompanying shame is ignored, with open eyes. There is no hatred, or only among a few eccentric persons.”

“No, the meeting of the sexes is sweet, though shameful. The sweetness is so intense that people knowingly ignore the shame. There is no hatred, except among a few unusual people.”

“That shame surely must be the rudiment of our Lichstorm passion. But now say—why did you come here?”

“That shame must surely be the beginning of our Lichstorm passion. But now, tell me, why did you come here?”

“To meet with new experiences, perhaps. The old ones no longer interested me.”

“Perhaps to have new experiences. The old ones no longer interested me.”

“How long have you been in this world?”

“This is the end of my fourth day.”

“Then tell me what you have seen and done during those four days. You cannot have been inactive.”

“Then tell me what you’ve seen and done during those four days. You can’t have been idle.”

“Great misfortunes have happened to me.”

“Terrible things have happened to me.”

He proceeded briefly to relate everything that had taken place from the moment of his first awakening in the scarlet desert. Sullenbode listened, with half-closed eyes, nodding her head from time to time. Only twice did she interrupt him. After his description of Tydomin’s death, she said, speaking in a low voice—“None of us women ought by right of nature to fall short of Tydomin in sacrifice. For that one act of hers, I almost love her, although she brought evil to your door.” Again, speaking of Gleameil, she remarked, “That grand-souled girl I admire the most of all. She listened to her inner voice, and to nothing else besides. Which of us others is strong enough for that?”

He briefly told her everything that had happened since he first woke in the scarlet desert. Sullenbode listened with her eyes half closed, nodding from time to time. She interrupted him only twice. After he described Tydomin’s death, she spoke in a low voice. “By nature, none of us women should be any less willing to sacrifice than Tydomin. For that one act, I almost love her, although she brought evil to your door.” Later, when he spoke of Gleameil, she said, “I admire that noble-spirited girl most of all. She listened to her inner voice and nothing else. Which of the rest of us is strong enough to do that?”

When his tale was quite over, Sullenbode said, “Does it not strike you, Maskull, that these women you have met have been far nobler than the men?”

When he had finished his story, Sullenbode said, “Maskull, don’t you think the women you’ve met have been far nobler than the men?”

“I recognise that. We men often sacrifice ourselves, but only for a substantial cause. For you women almost any cause will serve. You love the sacrifice for its own sake, and that is because you are naturally noble.”

“I understand that. We men often sacrifice ourselves, but only for an important cause. For you women, almost any cause will do. You love sacrifice for its own sake, because you are naturally noble.”

Turning her head a little, she threw him a smile so proud, yet so sweet, that he was struck into silence.

She turned her head slightly and gave him a smile so proud yet so sweet that he fell silent.

They tramped on quietly for some distance, and then he said, “Now you understand the sort of man I am. Much brutality, more weakness, scant pity for anyone—Oh, it has been a bloody journey!”

They walked on quietly for a while. Then he said, “Now you understand what kind of man I am. Very brutal, even weaker, with little pity for anyone. Oh, it has been a bloody journey!”

She laid her hand on his arm. “I, for one, would not have it less rugged.”

She put her hand on his arm. “I, for one, wouldn't want it to be any less rugged.”

“Nothing good can be said of my crimes.”

“Nothing good can be said about my crimes.”

“To me you seem like a lonely giant, searching for you know not what.... The grandest that life holds.... You at least have no cause to look up to women.”

“You seem to me like a lonely giant, searching for you don't know what.... The greatest thing life has to offer.... At least you have no reason to look up to women.”

“Thanks, Sullenbode!” he responded, with a troubled smile.

“Thanks, Sullenbode!” he said with a troubled smile.

“When Maskull passes, let people watch. Everyone is thrown out of your road. You go on, looking neither to right nor left.”

“When Maskull passes, let people watch. Everyone is thrown out of your way. You keep going, looking neither right nor left.”

“Take care that you are not thrown as well,” said Corpang gravely.

“Be careful not to get thrown too,” Corpang said seriously.

“Maskull shall do with me whatever he pleases, old skull! And for whatever he does, I will thank him.... In place of a heart you have a bag of loose dust. Someone has described love to you. You have had it described to you. You have heard that it is a small, fearful, selfish joy. It is not that—it is wild, and scornful, and sportive, and bloody.... How should you know.”

“Maskull can do whatever he likes with me, old skull! And whatever he does, I will thank him.... Instead of a heart, you have a bag of loose dust. Someone has described love to you. You have heard it described. You have heard that love is a small, fearful, selfish joy. It is not that. It is wild, scornful, playful, and bloody.... How would you know.”

“Selfishness has far too many disguises.”

“If a woman wills to give up all, what can there be selfish in that?”

“If a woman is willing to give up everything, how can that be selfish?”

“Only do not deceive yourself. Act decisively, or fate will be too swift for you both.”

“Just don't deceive yourself. Act decisively, or fate will overtake you both.”

Sullenbode studied him through her lashes. “Do you mean death—his death as well as mine?”

Sullenbode looked at him through her eyelashes. “Do you mean death? His death as well as mine?”

“You go too far, Corpang,” said Maskull, turning a shade darker. “I don’t accept you as the arbiter of our fortunes.”

“You’re going too far, Corpang,” said Maskull, turning slightly darker. “I don’t accept that you get to decide our fate.”

“If honest counsel is disagreeable to you, let me go on ahead.”

“If you don't like honest advice, let me go on ahead.”

The woman detained him with her slow, light fingers. “I wish you to stay with us.”

The woman held him back with her slow, light fingers. “I want you to stay with us.”

“Why?”

“I think you may know what you are talking about. I don’t wish to bring harm to Maskull. Presently I’ll leave you.”

“I think you may know what you’re talking about. I don’t want to harm Maskull. I’ll leave you soon.”

“That will be best,” said Corpang.

“That’s best,” said Corpang.

Maskull looked angry. “I shall decide—Sullenbode, whether you go on, or back, I stay with you. My mind is made up.”

Maskull looked angry. “I’ll decide, Sullenbode. Whether you go on or go back, I’m staying with you. I’ve made up my mind.”

An expression of joyousness overspread her face, in spite of her efforts to conceal it. “Why do you scowl at me, Maskull?”

Joy spread across her face, though she tried to hide it. “Why are you scowling at me, Maskull?”

He returned no answer, but continued walking onward with puckered brows. After a dozen paces or so, he halted abruptly. “Wait, Sullenbode!”

He didn’t answer, but kept walking with a frown. After about a dozen steps, he stopped suddenly. “Wait, Sullenbode!”

The others came to a standstill. Corpang looked puzzled, but the woman smiled. Maskull, without a word, bent over and kissed her lips. Then he relinquished her body, and turned around to Corpang.

The others stopped. Corpang looked puzzled, but the woman smiled. Without a word, Maskull bent over and kissed her lips. Then he let go of her body and turned to Corpang.

“How do you, in your great wisdom, interpret that kiss?”

“In your great wisdom, what do you make of that kiss?”

“It requires no great wisdom to interpret kisses, Maskull.”

“It doesn't take much wisdom to understand kisses, Maskull.”

“Hereafter, never dare to come between us. Sullenbode belongs to me.”

“From now on, don't you dare come between us. Sullenbode belongs to me.”

“Then I say no more; but you are a fated man.”

“Then I’ll say no more. But you are a man marked by fate.”

From that time forward he spoke not another word to either of the others.

From then on, he did not speak another word to either of the others.

A heavy gleam appeared in the woman’s eyes. “Now things are changed, Maskull. Where are you taking me?”

A heavy gleam appeared in the woman’s eyes. “Things have changed now, Maskull. Where are you taking me?”

“Choose, you.”

“You choose.”

“The man I love must complete his journey. I won’t have it otherwise. You shall not stand lower than Corpang.”

“The man I love must finish his journey. I won’t accept anything else. You must not rank below Corpang.”

“Where you go, I will go.”

“Wherever you go, I’ll go.”

“And I—as long as your love endures, I will accompany you—even to Adage.”

“And I, as long as your love lasts, I will go with you, even to Adage.”

“Do you doubt its lasting?”

“Do you doubt it will last?”

“I wish not to.... Now I will tell you what I refused to tell you before. The term of your love is the term of my life. When you love me no longer, I must die.”

“I don’t want to.... Now I’ll tell you what I refused to tell you before. I will live only as long as you love me. When you no longer love me, I must die.”

“And why?” asked Maskull slowly.

“Yes, that’s the responsibility you incurred when you kissed me for the first time. I never meant to tell you.”

“Yes, you took on that responsibility when you first kissed me. I never meant to tell you.”

“Do you mean that if I had gone on alone, you would have died?”

“I have no other life but what you give me.”

“I have no life except the one you give me.”

He gazed at her mournfully, without attempting to reply, and then slowly placed his arms around her body. During this embrace he turned very pale, but Sullenbode grew as white as chalk.

He looked at her sadly, without trying to answer, then slowly put his arms around her. As they embraced, he turned very pale, but Sullenbode turned as white as chalk.

A few minutes later the journey toward Adage was resumed.

A few minutes later, the journey toward Adage continued.

They had been walking for two hours. Teargeld was higher in the sky and nearer the south. They had descended many hundred feet, and the character of the ridge began to alter for the worse. The thin snow disappeared, and gave way to moist, boggy ground. It was all little grassy hillocks and marshes. They began to slip about and become draggled with mud. Conversation ceased; Sullenbode led the way, and the men followed in her tracks. The southern half of the landscape grew grander. The greenish light of the brilliant moon, shining on the multitude of snow-green peaks, caused it to appear like a spectral world. Their nearest neighbour towered high above them on the other side of the valley, due south, some five miles distant. It was a slender, inaccessible, dizzy spire of black rock, the angles of which were too steep to retain snow. A great upward-curving horn of rock sprang out from its topmost pinnacle. For a long time it constituted their cheif landmark.

They had been walking for two hours. Teargeld was higher in the sky and closer to the south. They had descended several hundred feet, and the ridge was becoming harder to cross. The thin snow gave way to damp, boggy ground, covered with small grassy mounds and marshes. They began to slip and become covered in mud. They stopped talking. Sullenbode led the way, and the men followed in her tracks. The southern half of the landscape grew grander. The brilliant moon cast a greenish light on the countless snow-green peaks, making them look like a ghostly world. The nearest peak towered high above them across the valley, five miles due south. It was a slender, dizzyingly high spire of black rock, too steep for snow to remain on its slopes. It was impossible to reach. A great horn of rock curved upward from its very top. For a long time, it was their main landmark.

The whole ridge gradually became saturated with moisture. The surface soil was spongy, and rested on impermeable rock; it breathed in the damp mists by night, and breathed them out again by day, under Branchspell’s rays. The walking grew first unpleasant, then difficult, and finally dangerous. None of the party could distinguish firm ground from bog. Sullenbode sank up to her waist in a pit of slime; Maskull rescued her, but after this incident took the lead himself. Corpang was the next to meet with trouble. Exploring a new path for himself, he tumbled into liquid mud up to his shoulders, and narrowly escaped a filthy death. After Maskull had got him out, at great personal risk, they proceeded once more; but now the scramble changed from bad to worse. Each step had to be thoroughly tested before weight was put upon it, and even so the test frequently failed. All of them went in so often, that in the end they no longer resembled human beings, but walking pillars plastered from top to toe with black filth. The hardest work fell to Maskull. He not only had the exhausting task of beating the way, but was continually called upon to help his companions out of their difficulties. Without him they could not have got through.

The whole ridge gradually became soaked with moisture. The spongy topsoil lay over rock that water could not pass through. At night it absorbed the damp mist, then released it by day under Branchspell’s rays. Walking became unpleasant, then difficult, and finally dangerous. None of the party could tell firm ground from bog. Sullenbode sank up to her waist in a pit of slime. Maskull rescued her, but after that he took the lead himself. Corpang was the next to get into trouble. While exploring a new path on his own, he fell into liquid mud up to his shoulders. He narrowly escaped a filthy death. Maskull pulled him out at great personal risk, and they continued. But now their struggle went from bad to worse. They had to test the ground carefully before putting weight on each step, and even then the test often failed. All of them sank in so often that they no longer looked human. They looked like walking pillars, plastered from head to toe with black filth. Maskull had the hardest work. He had the exhausting task of finding a way through, and his companions constantly needed his help getting out of trouble. Without him, they could not have made it through.

After a peculiarly evil patch, they paused to recruit their strength. Corpang’s breathing was difficult, Sullenbode was quiet, listless, and depressed.

After an especially difficult stretch, they stopped to regain their strength. Corpang struggled to breathe. Sullenbode was quiet, listless, and depressed.

Maskull gazed at them doubtfully. “Does this continue?” he inquired.

Maskull looked at them doubtfully. “Does this continue?” he asked.

“No. I think,” replied the woman, “we can’t be far from the Mornstab Pass. After that we shall begin to climb again, and then the road will improve perhaps.”

“No, I don’t think we’re far from the Mornstab Pass,” the woman replied. “After the pass, we’ll start climbing again. Then the road might improve.”

“Can you have been here before?”

“Could you have been here before?”

“Once I have been to the Pass, but it was not so bad then.”

“I've been to the Pass once, but it wasn't so bad then.”

“You are tired out, Sullenbode.”

“You’re exhausted, Sullenbode.”

“What of it?” she replied, smiling faintly. “When one has a terrible lover, one must pay the price.”

“What of it?” she replied, smiling faintly. “When you have a terrible lover, you have to pay the price.”

“We cannot get there tonight, so let us stop at the first shelter we come to.”

“We can't get there tonight, so let's stop at the first shelter we find.”

“I leave it to you.”

He paced up and down, while the others sat. “Do you regret anything?” he demanded suddenly.

He paced back and forth while the others sat. “Do you regret anything?” he suddenly demanded.

“No, Maskull, nothing. I regret nothing.”

“Your feelings are unchanged?”

“Do you still feel the same way?”

“Love can’t go back—it can only go on.”

“Love can’t go back. It can only move forward.”

“Yes, eternally on. It is so.”

“Yes, it goes on forever. That's how it is.”

“No, I don’t mean that. There is a climax, but when the climax has been reached, love if it still wants to ascend must turn to sacrifice.”

“No, I don’t mean that. There is a climax. But once love reaches it, love must turn to sacrifice if it still wants to rise higher.”

“That’s a dreadful creed,” he said in a low voice, turning pale beneath his coating of mud.

“That’s a terrible belief,” he said quietly, turning pale beneath the mud on his face.

“Perhaps my nature is discordant.... I am tired. I don’t know what I feel.”

“Perhaps my nature is conflicted.... I am tired. I don’t know what I feel.”

In a few minutes they were on their feet again, and the journey recommenced. Within half an hour they had reached the Mornstab Pass.

A few minutes later, they got to their feet and continued their journey. Within half an hour, they reached the Mornstab Pass.

The ground here was drier; the broken land to the north served to drain off the moisture of the soil. Sullenbode led them to the northern edge of the ridge, to show them the nature of the country. The pass was nothing but a gigantic landslip on both sides of the ridge, where it was the lowest above the underlying land. A series of huge broken terraces of earth and rock descended toward Barey. They were overgrown with stunted vegetation. It was quite possible to get down to the lowlands that way, but rather difficult. On either side of the landslip, to east and west, the ridge came down in a long line of sheer, terrific cliffs. A low haze concealed Barey from view. Complete stillness was in the air, broken only by the distant thundering of an invisible waterfall.

The ground was drier here because the broken land to the north drained moisture from the soil. Sullenbode led them to the northern edge of the ridge to show them what the country was like. The pass was simply a gigantic landslide on both sides of the ridge, where it stood lowest above the surrounding land. A series of huge, broken terraces of earth and rock descended toward Barey. Stunted plants grew over them. It was quite possible to reach the lowlands that way, but rather difficult. On either side of the landslide, to the east and west, the ridge fell away in long lines of terrifying, sheer cliffs. A low haze hid Barey from view. The air was completely still, and the only sound was the distant thunder of an unseen waterfall.

Maskull and Sullenbode sat down on a boulder, facing the open country. The moon was directly behind them, high up. It was almost as light as an Earth day.

Maskull and Sullenbode sat on a boulder, facing the open country. The moon was high in the sky, directly behind them. It was almost as bright as daytime on Earth.

“Tonight is like life,” said Sullenbode.

“How so?”

“So lovely above and around us, so foul underfoot.”

“So beautiful above and around us, so filthy beneath our feet.”

Maskull sighed. “Poor girl, you are unhappy.”

Maskull sighed. “Poor girl, you're unhappy.”

“And you—are you happy?”

“And you, are you happy?”

He thought a while, and then replied—“No. No, I’m not happy. Love is not happiness.”

He thought for a while, then replied, “No. No, I’m not happy. Love is not happiness.”

“What is it, Maskull?”

“Restlessness—unshed tears—thoughts too grand for our soul to think...”

“Restlessness, tears not yet shed, thoughts too grand for our soul to grasp...”

“Yes,” said Sullenbode.

After a time she asked, “Why were we created, just to live for a few years and then disappear?”

After a while she asked, “Why were we created just to live for a few years and then disappear?”

“We are told that we shall live again.”

“We are told that we will live again.”

“Yes, Maskull?”

“Perhaps in Muspel,” he added thoughtfully.

“What kind of life will that be?”

“Surely we shall meet again. Love is too wonderful and mysterious a thing to remain uncompleted.”

“Surely we will meet again. Love is too wonderful and mysterious to remain incomplete.”

She gave a slight shiver, and turned away from him. “This dream is untrue. Love is completed here.”

She shivered slightly and turned away from him. “This dream isn’t true. Love is complete here.”

“How can that be, when sooner or later it is brutally interrupted by Fate?”

“How can that be, when Fate will brutally interrupt it sooner or later?”

“It is completed by anguish.... Oh, why must it always be enjoyment for us? Can’t we suffer—can’t we go on suffering, forever and ever? Maskull, until love crushes our spirit, finally and without remedy, we don’t begin to feel ourselves.”

“It is completed by anguish.... Oh, why must we always enjoy ourselves? Can’t we suffer? Can’t we go on suffering forever and ever? Maskull, we don’t begin to feel ourselves until love crushes our spirit completely and beyond repair.”

Maskull gazed at her with a troubled expression. “Can the memory of love be worth more than its presence and reality?”

Maskull looked at her with a troubled expression. “Can the memory of love be worth more than love itself?”

“You don’t understand. Those pangs are more precious than all the rest beside.” She caught at him. “Oh, if you could only see inside my mind, Maskull! You would see strange things.... I can’t explain. It is all confused, even to myself.... This love is quite different from what I thought.”

“You don’t understand. Those pains are more precious than everything else.” She reached for him. “Oh, if only you could see inside my mind, Maskull! You would see strange things.... I can’t explain. It’s all confused, even to me.... This love is very different from what I thought it would be.”

He sighed again. “Love is a strong drink. Perhaps it is too strong for human beings. And I think that it overturns our reason in different ways.”

He sighed again. “Love is a strong drink. Perhaps it is too strong for human beings. And I think love overwhelms our reason in different ways.”

They remained sitting side by side, staring straight before them with unseeing eyes.

They stayed seated side by side, staring straight ahead without seeing anything.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Sullenbode at last, with a smile, getting up. “Soon it will be ended, one way or another. Come, let us be off!”

“It doesn’t matter,” Sullenbode said at last, smiling as she stood up. “Soon it will be over, one way or another. Come on, let’s go!”

Maskull too got up.

Maskull got up too.

“Where’s Corpang?” he asked listlessly.

They both looked across the ridge in the direction of Adage. At the point where they stood it was nearly a mile wide. It sloped perceptibly toward the southern edge, giving all the earth the appearance of a heavy list. Toward the west the ground continued level for a thousand yards, but then a high, sloping, grassy hill went right across the ridge from side to side, like a vast billow on the verge of breaking. It shut out all further view beyond. The whole crest of this hill, from one end to the other, was crowned by a long row of enormous stone posts, shining brightly in the moonlight against a background of dark sky. There were about thirty in all, and they were placed at such regular intervals that there was little doubt that they had been set there by human hands. Some were perpendicular, but others dipped so much that an aspect of extreme antiquity was given to the entire colonnade. Corpang was seen climbing the hill, not far from the top.

They both looked across the ridge toward Adage. Where they stood, the ridge was nearly a mile wide. It sloped noticeably toward the southern edge, making all the land look sharply tilted. To the west, the ground stayed level for a thousand yards. Then a high, sloping, grassy hill stretched across the ridge from side to side. It looked like a vast wave about to break and blocked the view beyond. A long row of enormous stone posts stood along the entire crest of the hill. They shone brightly in the moonlight against the dark sky. There were about thirty in all, spaced so evenly that there was little doubt human hands had placed them there. Some stood upright, but others leaned so far that the whole row looked extremely ancient. Corpang was climbing the hill, not far from the top.

“He wishes to arrive,” said Maskull, watching the energetic ascent with a rather cynical smile.

“He wants to get there,” said Maskull, watching the energetic climb with a slightly cynical smile.

“The heavens won’t open for Corpang,” returned Sullenbode. “He need not be in such a hurry.... What do these pillars seem like to you?”

“The heavens won’t open for Corpang,” replied Sullenbode. “He doesn’t need to be in such a hurry.... What do these pillars look like to you?”

“They might be the entrance to some mighty temple. Who can have planted them there?”

“They might be the entrance to a great temple. Who could have planted them there?”

She did not answer. They watched Corpang gain the summit of the hill, and disappear through the line of posts.

She did not answer. They watched Corpang reach the top of the hill and disappear through the line of posts.

Maskull turned again to Sullenbode. “Now we two are alone in a lonely world.”

Maskull turned back to Sullenbode. “Now we are alone together in a lonely world.”

She regarded him steadily. “Our last night on this earth must be a grand one. I am ready to go on.”

She looked at him steadily. “Our last night on this earth must be a magnificent one. I am ready to go on.”

“I don’t think you are fit to go on. It will be better to go down the pass a little, and find shelter.”

“I don’t think you’re well enough to go on. It would be better to go a little way down the pass and find shelter.”

She half smiled. “We won’t study our poor bodies tonight. I mean you to go to Adage, Maskull.”

She gave a slight smile. “We won’t study our poor bodies tonight. I want you to go to Adage, Maskull.”

“Then at all events let us rest first, for it must be a long, terrible climb, and who knows what hardships we shall meet?”

“Then let's rest first, at any rate. The climb must be long and terrible, and who knows what hardships we'll face?”

She walked a step or two forward, half turned, and held out her hand to him. “Come, Maskull!”

She walked forward a step or two, turned halfway around, and held out her hand to him. “Come, Maskull!”

When they had covered half the distance that separated them from the foot of the hill, Maskull heard the drum taps. They came from behind the hill, and were loud, sharp, almost explosive. He glanced at Sullenbode, but she appeared to hear nothing. A minute later the whole sky behind and above the long chain of stone posts on the crest of the hill began to be illuminated by a strange radiance. The moonlight in that quarter faded; the posts stood out black on a background of fire. It was the light of Muspel. As the moments passed, it grew more and more vivid, peculiar, and awful. It was of no colour, and resembled nothing—it was supernatural and indescribable. Maskull’s spirit swelled. He stood fast, with expanded nostrils and terrible eyes.

When they were halfway to the foot of the hill, Maskull heard drumbeats. They came from behind the hill, loud and sharp, almost explosive. He glanced at Sullenbode, but she seemed to hear nothing. A minute later, a strange glow began to fill the sky behind and above the long row of stone posts on the hilltop. The moonlight faded there, and the posts stood black against a background of fire. It was the light of Muspel. As the moments passed, the light grew more vivid, strange, and terrifying. It had no color and resembled nothing. It was supernatural and impossible to describe. Maskull’s spirit swelled. He stood still, his nostrils flared and his eyes fierce.

Sullenbode touched him lightly.

“What do you see, Maskull?”

“Muspel-light.”

“I see nothing.”

The light shot up, until Maskull scarcely knew where he stood. It burned with a fiercer and stranger glare than ever before. He forgot the existence of Sullenbode. The drum beats grew deafeningly loud. Each beat was like a rip of startling thunder, crashing through the sky and making the air tremble. Presently the crashes coalesced, and one continuous roar of thunder rocked the world. But the rhythm persisted—the four beats, with the third accented, still came pulsing through the atmosphere, only now against a background of thunder, and not of silence.

The light shot up until Maskull hardly knew where he stood. It burned with a fiercer, stranger glare than ever. He forgot that Sullenbode existed. The drumbeats grew deafeningly loud. Each beat was like a sudden crack of thunder, crashing through the sky and making the air tremble. Soon the crashes merged into one continuous roar of thunder that rocked the world. But the rhythm continued. The four beats, with the third accented, still pulsed through the air. Now, though, they sounded against a background of thunder instead of silence.

Maskull’s heart beat wildly. His body was like a prison. He longed to throw it off, to spring up and become incorporated with the sublime universe which was beginning to unveil itself.

Maskull’s heart beat wildly. His body felt like a prison. He longed to cast it off and leap up, becoming one with the sublime universe beginning to reveal itself.

Sullenbode suddenly enfolded him in her arms, and kissed him—passionately, again and again. He made no response; he was unaware of what she was doing. She unclasped him and, with bent head and streaming eyes, went noiselessly away. She started to go back toward the Mornstab Pass.

Sullenbode suddenly wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately, again and again. He did not respond. He was unaware of what she was doing. She let him go and walked silently away, her head bowed and tears streaming from her eyes. She started back toward the Mornstab Pass.

A few minutes afterward the radiance began to fade. The thunder died down. The moonlight reappeared, the stone posts and the hillside were again bright. In a short time the supernatural light had entirely vanished, but the drum taps still sounded faintly, a muffled rhythm, from behind the hill. Maskull started violently, and stared around him like a suddenly awakened sleeper.

A few minutes later, the glow began to fade. The thunder died down. The moonlight returned, lighting up the stone posts and the hillside again. Soon the supernatural light had vanished completely. But the drumbeats still sounded faintly from behind the hill, a muffled rhythm. Maskull started violently and stared around him like someone suddenly awakened from sleep.

He saw Sullenbode walking slowly away from him, a few hundred yards off. At that sight, death entered his heart. He ran after her, calling out.... She did not look around. When he had lessened the distance between them by a half, he saw her suddenly stumble and fall. She did not get up again, but lay motionless where she fell.

He saw Sullenbode walking slowly away from him, a few hundred yards ahead. At the sight, death entered his heart. He ran after her, calling out.... She did not look back. When he had covered half the distance between them, he saw her suddenly stumble and fall. She did not get up again, but lay motionless where she fell.

He flew toward her, and bent over her body. His worst fears were realised. Life had departed.

He rushed toward her and bent over her body. His worst fears had come true. She was dead.

Beneath its coating of mud, her face bore the vulgar, ghastly Crystalman grin, but Maskull saw nothing of it. She had never appeared so beautiful to him as at that moment.

Beneath the mud covering her face was the vulgar, ghastly Crystalman grin, but Maskull did not see it. She had never looked so beautiful to him as she did at that moment.

He remained beside her for a long time, on his knees. He wept—but, between his fits of weeping, he raised his head from time to time, and listened to the distant drum beats.

He stayed on his knees beside her for a long time. He wept, but between bouts of crying, he occasionally raised his head and listened to the distant drumbeats.

An hour passed—two hours. Teargeld was now in the south-west. Maskull lifted Sullenbode’s dead body on to his shoulders, and started to walk toward the Pass. He cared no more for Muspel. He intended to look for water in which to wash the corpse of his beloved, and earth in which to bury her.

An hour passed. Then two. Teargeld was now in the southwest. Maskull lifted Sullenbode’s dead body onto his shoulders and started walking toward the Pass. He no longer cared about Muspel. He meant to find water to wash his beloved’s body and earth in which to bury her.

When he had reached the boulder overlooking the landslip, on which they had sat together, he lowered his burden, and, placing the dead girl on the stone, seated himself beside her for a time, gazing over toward Barey.

He reached the boulder overlooking the landslide, where they had sat together. He set down his burden and placed the dead girl on the stone. Then he sat beside her for a while, gazing toward Barey.

After that, he commenced his descent of the Mornstab Pass.

After that, he began to descend the Mornstab Pass.