Chapter 20

Barey

23 min

The day had already dawned, but it was not yet sunrise when Maskull awoke from his miserable sleep. He sat up and yawned feebly. The air was cool and sweet. Far away down the landslip a bird was singing; the song consisted of only two notes, but it was so plaintive and heartbreaking that he scarcely knew how to endure it.

Day had already broken, but the sun had not yet risen when Maskull woke from his miserable sleep. He sat up and yawned weakly. The air was cool and sweet. Far down the landslip, a bird was singing. Its song had only two notes, but it was so sorrowful and heartbreaking that he could hardly bear it.

The eastern sky was a delicate green, crossed by a long, thin band of chocolate-coloured cloud near the horizon. The atmosphere was blue-tinted, mysterious, and hazy. Neither Sarclash nor Adage was visible.

The eastern sky was a delicate green. A long, thin band of chocolate-colored cloud stretched across it near the horizon. The air was blue-tinged, mysterious, and hazy. Neither Sarclash nor Adage was visible.

The saddle of the Pass was five hundred feet above him; he had descended that distance overnight. The landslip continued downward, like a huge flying staircase, to the upper slopes of Barey, which lay perhaps fifteen hundred feet beneath. The surface of the Pass was rough, and the angle was excessively steep, though not precipitous. It was above a mile across. On each side of it, east and west, the dark walls of the ridge descended sheer. At the point where the pass sprang outward they were two thousand feet from top to bottom, but as the ridge went upward, on the one hand toward Adage, on the other toward Sarclash, they attained almost unbelievable heights. Despite the great breadth and solidity of the pass, Maskull felt as though he were suspended in midair.

The saddle of the Pass was five hundred feet above him. He had descended that far overnight. The landslip continued downward like a huge flying staircase to the upper slopes of Barey, perhaps fifteen hundred feet below. The surface of the Pass was rough, and its slope was extremely steep, though not a sheer drop. The Pass was more than a mile across. On either side, east and west, the dark walls of the ridge dropped sheer. Where the Pass sprang outward, the walls were two thousand feet high. But the ridge rose on one side toward Adage and on the other toward Sarclash, reaching almost unbelievable heights. Despite the Pass’s great width and solidity, Maskull felt as though he were suspended in midair.

The patch of broken, rich, brown soil observable not far away marked Sullenbode’s grave. He had interred her by the light of the moon, with a long, flat stone for a spade. A little lower down, the white steam of a hot spring was curling about in the twilight. From where he sat he was unable to see the pool into which the spring ultimately flowed, but it was in that pool that he had last night washed first of all the dead girl’s body, and then his own.

A patch of freshly turned, rich brown soil nearby marked Sullenbode’s grave. He had buried her by moonlight, using a long, flat stone as a spade. A little farther down, white steam from a hot spring curled in the twilight. From where he sat, he could not see the pool into which the spring flowed. But last night, he had washed the dead girl’s body in that pool, and then his own.

He got up, yawned again, stretched himself, and looked around him dully. For a long time he eyed the grave. The half-darkness changed by imperceptible degrees to full day; the sun was about to appear. The sky was nearly cloudless. The whole wonderful extent of the mighty ridge behind him began to emerge from the morning mist... there was a part of Sarclash, and the ice-green crest of gigantic Adage itself, which he could only take in by throwing his head right back.

He got up, yawned again, stretched, and looked around blankly. He stared at the grave for a long time. The dim light gradually gave way to full daylight. The sun was about to rise. The sky was nearly cloudless. The whole magnificent length of the great ridge behind him began to emerge from the morning mist... part of Sarclash was visible, along with the ice-green summit of the gigantic Adage itself. He had to tilt his head all the way back to see it.

He gazed at everything in weary apathy, like a lost soul. All his desires were gone forever; he wished to go nowhere, and to do nothing. He thought he would go to Barey.

He looked at everything with weary indifference, like a lost soul. All his desires were gone forever. He wanted to go nowhere and do nothing. He thought he would go to Barey.

He went to the warm pool, to wash the sleep out of his eyes. Sitting beside it, watching the bubbles, was Krag.

He went to the warm pool to wash the sleep from his eyes. Krag was sitting beside the pool, watching the bubbles.

Maskull thought that he was dreaming. The man was clothed in a skin shirt and breeches. His face was stern, yellow, and ugly. He eyed Maskull without smiling or getting up.

Maskull thought he was dreaming. The man wore a skin shirt and breeches. His face was stern, yellow, and ugly. He looked at Maskull without smiling or getting up.

“Where in the devil’s name have you come from, Krag?”

“Where the devil did you come from, Krag?”

“The great point is, I am here.”

“The important thing is, I’m here.”

“Where’s Nightspore?”

“Not far away.”

“It seems a hundred years since I saw you. Why did you two leave me in such a damnable fashion?”

“It feels like a hundred years since I saw you. Why did you two leave me in such a damnable way?”

“You were strong enough to get through alone.”

“So it turned out, but how were you to know?.... Anyway, you’ve timed it well. It seems I am to die today.”

“That’s how it turned out, but how could you have known? Anyway, your timing is good. It seems I’m going to die today.”

Krag scowled. “You will die this morning.”

“If I am to, I shall. But where have you heard it from?”

“If I have to, I will. But where did you hear that?”

“You are ripe for it. You have run through the gamut. What else is there to live for?”

“You’re ready for it. You’ve experienced everything. What else is there to live for?”

“Nothing,” said Maskull, uttering a short laugh. “I am quite ready. I have failed in everything. I only wondered how you knew.... So now you’ve come to rejoin me. Where are we going?”

“Nothing,” said Maskull with a short laugh. “I’m ready. I’ve failed at everything. I just wondered how you knew.... So now you’ve come back to join me. Where are we going?”

“Through Barey.”

“And what about Nightspore?”

Krag jumped to his feet with clumsy agility. “We won’t wait for him. He’ll be there as soon as we shall.”

Krag jumped to his feet with clumsy agility. “We won’t wait for him. He’ll get there as soon as we do.”

“Where?”

“At our destination.... Come! The sun’s rising.”

“At our destination.... Come on! The sun’s rising.”

As they started clambering down the pass side by side, Branchspell, huge and white, leaped fiercely into the sky. All the delicacy of the dawn vanished, and another vulgar day began. They passed some trees and plants, the leaves of which were all curled up, as if in sleep.

As they began climbing down the pass side by side, Branchspell leaped fiercely into the sky, huge and white. All the delicate beauty of dawn vanished, and another vulgar day began. They passed some trees and plants whose leaves were all curled up, as if asleep.

Maskull pointed them out to his companion.

“How is it the sunshine doesn’t open them?”

“Why doesn’t the sunshine open them?”

“Branchspell is a second night to them. Their day is Alppain.”

“Branchspell is like a second night to them. Alppain is their day.”

“How long will it be before that sun rises?”

“How long until that sun rises?”

“Some time yet.”

“Some time still.”

“Shall I live to see it, do you think?”

“Do you think I'll live to see it?”

“Do you want to?”

“At one time I did, but now I’m indifferent.”

“I used to, but now I don’t care.”

“Keep in that humour, and you’ll do well. Once for all, there’s nothing worth seeing on Tormance.”

“Keep that attitude, and you’ll do well. Let me say this once and for all: there’s nothing worth seeing on Tormance.”

After a few minutes Maskull said, “Why did we come here, then?”

After a few minutes, Maskull said, “Why did we come here, then?”

“To follow Surtur.”

“True. But where is he?”

“Closer at hand than you think, perhaps.”

“Perhaps closer than you think.”

“Do you know that he is regarded as a god here, Krag?... There is supernatural fire, too, which I have been led to believe is somehow connected with him.... Why do you keep up the mystery? Who and what is Surtur?”

“Do you know that people here regard him as a god, Krag?... There’s supernatural fire, too. I’ve been led to believe it’s somehow connected to him.... Why do you keep it a mystery? Who and what is Surtur?”

“Don’t disturb yourself about that. You will never know.”

“Don’t worry about that. You’ll never know.”

“Do you know?”

“I know,” snarled Krag.

“The devil here is called Krag,” went on Maskull, peering into his face.

“The devil here is called Krag,” Maskull continued, looking closely at his face.

“As long as pleasure is worshiped, Krag will always be the devil.”

“As long as people worship pleasure, Krag will always be the devil.”

“Here we are, talking face to face, two men together.... What am I to believe of you?”

“Here we are, two men talking face to face.... What am I supposed to believe about you?”

“Believe your senses. The real devil is Crystalman.”

“Trust your senses. The real devil is Crystalman.”

They continued descending the landslip. The sun’s rays had grown insufferably hot. In front of them, down below in the far distance, Maskull saw water and land intermingled. It appeared that they were travelling toward a lake district.

They continued down the landslide. The sun’s rays had become unbearably hot. Far below and ahead of them, Maskull saw water and land mixed together. They seemed to be traveling toward a lake district.

“What have you and Nightspore been doing during the last four days, Krag? What happened to the torpedo?”

“What have you and Nightspore been doing for the last four days, Krag? What happened to the torpedo?”

“You’re just about on the same mental level as a man who sees a brand-new palace, and asks what has become of the scaffolding.”

“You’re about as smart as a man who sees a brand-new palace and asks where the scaffolding went.”

“What palace have you been building, then?”

“We have not been idle,” said Krag. “While you have been murdering and lovemaking, we have had our work.”

“We haven't been idle,” said Krag. “While you've been murdering and making love, we've had our own work to do.”

“And how have you been made acquainted with my actions?”

“And how did you learn about my actions?”

“Oh, you’re an open book. Now you’ve got a mortal heart wound on account of a woman you knew for six hours.”

“Oh, you’re an open book. Now your heart is broken over a woman you knew for six hours.”

Maskull turned pale. “Sneer away, Krag! If you lived with a woman for six hundred years and saw her die, that would never touch your leather heart. You haven’t even the feelings of an insect.”

Maskull turned pale. “Go ahead and sneer, Krag! You could live with a woman for six hundred years and watch her die. Even then, her death would never touch your heart of leather. You don’t even have the feelings of an insect.”

“Behold the child defending its toys!” said Krag, grinning faintly.

“Look at the child defending its toys!” said Krag, grinning faintly.

Maskull stopped short. “What do you want with me, and why did you bring me here?”

Maskull stopped suddenly. “What do you want with me? Why did you bring me here?”

“It’s no use stopping, even for the sake of theatrical effect,” said Krag, pulling him into motion again. “The distance has got to be covered, however often we pull up.”

“There’s no point stopping, even for dramatic effect,” said Krag, pulling him along again. “We still have to cover the distance, no matter how often we stop.”

When he touched him, Maskull felt a terrible shooting pain through his heart.

When he touched him, Maskull felt a terrible pain shoot through his heart.

“I can’t go on regarding you as a man, Krag. You’re something more than a man—whether good or evil, I can’t say.”

“I can’t keep thinking of you as a man, Krag. You’re more than a man. I can’t say whether you’re good or evil.”

Krag looked yellow and formidable. He did not reply to Maskull’s remark, but after a pause said, “So you’ve been trying to find Surtur on your own account, during the intervals between killing and fondling?”

Krag looked yellow and intimidating. He did not reply to Maskull’s remark. But after a pause, he said, “So you’ve been trying to find Surtur on your own, between killing and fondling?”

“What was that drumming?” demanded Maskull.

“What was that drumming?” Maskull demanded.

“You needn’t look so important. We know you had your ear to the keyhole. But you could join the assembly, the music was not playing for you, my friend.”

“You don't need to look so important. We know you were listening at the keyhole. But you could join the gathering. The music wasn't playing for you, my friend.”

Maskull smiled rather bitterly. “At all events, I listen through no more keyholes. I have finished with life. I belong to nobody and nothing any more, from this time forward.”

Maskull smiled somewhat bitterly. “In any case, I won't listen through keyholes anymore. I'm finished with life. From now on, I belong to no one and nothing.”

“Brave words, brave words! We shall see. Perhaps Crystalman will make one more attempt on you. There is still time for one more.”

“Bold words, bold words! We'll see. Perhaps Crystalman will make one more attempt on you. There's still time for one more.”

“Now I don’t understand you.”

“You think you are thoroughly disillusioned, don’t you? Well, that may prove to be the last and strongest illusion of all.”

“You think you’ve seen through every illusion, don’t you? Well, that belief may prove to be the last and strongest illusion of all.”

The conversation ceased. They reached the foot of the landslip an hour later. Branchspell was steadily mounting the cloudless sky. It was approaching Sarclash, and it was an open question whether or not it would clear its peak. The heat was sweltering. The long, massive, saucer-shaped ridge behind them, with its terrific precipices, was glowing with bright morning colours. Adage, towering up many thousands of feet higher still, guarded the end of it like a lonely Colossus. In front of them, starting from where they stood, was a cool and enchanting wilderness of little lakes and forests. The water of the lakes was dark green; the forests were asleep, waiting for the rising of Alppain.

The conversation stopped. An hour later, they reached the foot of the landslip. Branchspell was rising steadily in the cloudless sky. It was approaching Sarclash, and it was uncertain whether it would rise above the peak. The heat was sweltering. Behind them, the long, massive, saucer-shaped ridge glowed with bright morning colors, as did its terrifying cliffs. Adage rose thousands of feet higher still, guarding the end of the ridge like a lone colossus. Before them, starting where they stood, lay a cool and enchanting wilderness of small lakes and forests. The lake water was dark green. The forests slept, waiting for Alppain to rise.

“Are we now in Barey?” asked Maskull.

“Are we in Barey now?” asked Maskull.

“Yes—and there is one of the natives.”

“Yes, and there is one of the natives.”

There was an ugly glint in his eye as he spoke the words, but Maskull did not see it.

There was an ugly glint in his eye as he spoke, but Maskull did not see it.

A man was leaning in the shade against one of the first trees, apparently waiting for them to come up. He was small, dark, and beardless, and was still in early manhood. He was clothed in a dark blue, loosely flowing robe, and wore a broad-brimmed slouch hat. His face, which was not disfigured by any special organs, was pale, earnest, and grave, yet somehow remarkably pleasing.

A man was leaning in the shade against one of the first trees. He seemed to be waiting for them to catch up. He was small, dark, and beardless, and still a young man. He wore a loose, flowing dark blue robe and a broad-brimmed slouch hat. His face had no unusual organs to disfigure it. It was pale, serious, and solemn, yet somehow remarkably pleasing.

Before a word was spoken, he warmly grasped Maskull’s hand, but even while he was in the act of doing so he threw a queer frown at Krag. The latter responded with a scowling grin.

Before anyone spoke, he warmly grasped Maskull’s hand. But even as he did so, he gave Krag a strange frown. Krag responded with a scowling grin.

When he opened his mouth to speak, his voice was a vibrating baritone, but it was at the same time strangely womanish in its modulations and variety of tone.

When he spoke, his voice was a vibrating baritone. But its shifting tones were strangely womanish.

“I’ve been waiting for you here since sunrise,” he said. “Welcome to Barey, Maskull! Let’s hope you’ll forget your sorrows here, you over-tested man.”

“I’ve been waiting for you here since sunrise,” he said. “Welcome to Barey, Maskull! Let’s hope you’ll forget your sorrows here, you who have been through so much.”

Maskull stared at him, not without friendliness. “What made you expect me, and how do you know my name?”

Maskull stared at him with some friendliness. “Why did you expect me, and how do you know my name?”

The stranger smiled, which made his face very handsome. “I’m Gangnet. I know most things.”

The stranger smiled, making his face look very handsome. “I’m Gangnet. I know most things.”

“Haven’t you a greeting for me too—Gangnet?” asked Krag, thrusting his forbidding features almost into the other’s face.

“Don't you have a greeting for me too, Gangnet?” Krag asked, pushing his intimidating face almost into the other's.

“I know you, Krag. There are few places where you are welcome.”

“I know you, Krag. You aren't welcome in many places.”

“And I know you, Gangnet—you man-woman.... Well, we are here together, and you must make what you can of it. We are going down to the Ocean.”

“And I know you, Gangnet, you man-woman.... Well, we are here together, and you must make what you can of it. We are going down to the Ocean.”

The smile faded from Gangnet’s face. “I can’t drive you away, Krag—but I can make you the unwelcome third.”

The smile faded from Gangnet’s face. “I can’t drive you away, Krag, but I can make you the unwelcome third person.”

Krag threw back his head, and gave a loud, grating laugh. “That bargain suits me all right. As long as I have the substance, you may have the shadow, and much good may it do you.”

Krag threw back his head and laughed loudly, a harsh, grating sound. “That deal suits me fine. As long as I have the substance, you can have the shadow, and good luck with that.”

“Now that it’s all arranged so satisfactorily,” said Maskull, with a hard smile, “permit me to say that I don’t desire any society at all at present.... You take too much for granted, Krag. You have played the false friend once already.... I presume I’m a free agent?”

“Now that everything is arranged so satisfactorily,” said Maskull, with a hard smile, “let me say that I don't want any company at all right now.... You take too much for granted, Krag. You've already pretended to be my friend once.... I assume I'm free to make my own choices?”

“To be a free man, one must have a universe of one’s own,” said Krag, with a jeering look. “What do you say, Gangnet—is this a free world?”

“To be a free man, you need a universe of your own,” said Krag, with a mocking look. “What do you say, Gangnet? Is this a free world?”

“Freedom from pain and ugliness should be every man’s privilege,” returned Gangnet tranquilly. “Maskull is quite within his rights, and if you’ll engage to leave him I’ll do the same.”

“Every man should have the right to be free from pain and ugliness,” Gangnet replied calmly. “Maskull has every right to do so, and if you agree to leave him alone, I’ll do the same.”

“Maskull can change face as often as he likes, but he won’t get rid of me so easily. Be easy on that point, Maskull.”

“Maskull can change his face as often as he likes, but he won’t get rid of me so easily. You can be sure of that, Maskull.”

“It doesn’t matter,” muttered Maskull. “Let everyone join in the procession. In a few hours I shall finally be free, anyhow, if what they say is true.”

“It doesn’t matter,” muttered Maskull. “Let everyone join the procession. If what they say is true, I’ll finally be free in a few hours anyway.”

“I’ll lead the way,” said Gangnet. “You don’t know this country, of course, Maskull. When we get to the flat lands some miles farther down, we shall be able to travel by water, but at present we must walk, I fear.”

“I’ll lead the way,” said Gangnet. “Of course, you don’t know this country, Maskull. When we reach the flatlands a few miles farther down, we can travel by water. But for now, I’m afraid we have to walk.”

“Yes, you fear—you fear!” broke out Krag, in a highpitched, scraping voice. “You eternal loller!”

“Yes, you’re afraid, you’re afraid!” Krag burst out in a high-pitched, grating voice. “You’re always lounging around!”

Maskull kept looking from one to the other in amazement. There seemed to be a determined hostility between the two, which indicated an intimate previous acquaintance.

Maskull looked from one to the other in amazement. They seemed deeply hostile toward each other, suggesting they had known each other well before.

They set off through a wood, keeping close to its border, so that for a mile or more they were within sight of the long, narrow lake that flowed beside it. The trees were low and thin; their dolm-coloured leaves were all folded. There was no underbrush—they walked on clean, brown earth, A distant waterfall sounded. They were in shade, but the air was pleasantly warm. There were no insects to irritate them. The bright lake outside looked cool and poetic.

They set off through a wood, staying close to its edge. For more than a mile, they could see the long, narrow lake flowing beside it. The trees were low and thin, and their dolm-coloured leaves were all folded. There was no underbrush. They walked on clean, brown earth. They could hear a distant waterfall. They were in the shade, but the air was pleasantly warm. There were no insects to bother them. Beyond the wood, the bright lake looked cool and poetic.

Gangnet pressed Maskull’s arm affectionately. “If the bringing of you from your world had fallen to me, Maskull, it is here I would have brought you, and not to the scarlet desert. Then you would have escaped the dark spots, and Tormance would have appeared beautiful to you.”

Gangnet squeezed Maskull’s arm affectionately. “If I had brought you from your world, Maskull, I would have brought you here, not to the scarlet desert. Then you would have escaped the dark spots, and Tormance would have seemed beautiful to you.”

“And what then, Gangnet? The dark spots would have existed all the same.”

“And then what, Gangnet? The dark spots would have existed anyway.”

“You could have seen them afterward. It makes all the difference whether one sees darkness through the light, or brightness through the shadows.”

“You could have seen them afterward. There is all the difference between seeing darkness through the light and seeing brightness through the shadows.”

“A clear eye is the best. Tormance is an ugly world, and I greatly prefer to know it as it really is.”

“It’s best to see clearly. Tormance is an ugly world, and I much prefer to see it as it really is.”

“The devil made it ugly, not Crystalman. These are Crystalman’s thoughts, which you see around you. He is nothing but Beauty and Pleasantness. Even Krag won’t have the effrontery to deny that.”

“The devil made it ugly, not Crystalman. What you see around you are Crystalman’s thoughts. He is nothing but beauty and pleasantness. Even Krag won’t dare deny that.”

“It’s very nice here,” said Krag, looking around him malignantly. “One only wants a cushion and half a dozen houris to complete it.”

“It’s very nice here,” said Krag, looking around with a malicious expression. “All it needs is a cushion and half a dozen houris.”

Maskull disengaged himself from Gangnet. “Last night, when I was struggling through the mud in the ghastly moonlight—then I thought the world beautiful.”

Maskull pulled away from Gangnet. “Last night, as I struggled through the mud in the ghastly moonlight, I thought the world was beautiful.”

“Poor Sullenbode!” said Gangnet, sighing.

“What! You knew her?”

“I know her through you. By mourning for a noble woman, you show your own nobility. I think all women are noble.”

“I know her through you. Mourning a noble woman shows your own nobility. I think all women are noble.”

“There may be millions of noble women, but there’s only one Sullenbode.”

“If Sullenbode can exist,” said Gangnet, “the world cannot be a bad place.”

“If Sullenbode can exist,” said Gangnet, “the world can't be a bad place.”

“Change the subject.... The world’s hard and cruel, and I am thankful to be leaving it.”

“Change the subject.... The world is hard and cruel, and I’m glad to be leaving it.”

“On one point, though, you both agree,” said Krag, smiling evilly. “Pleasure is good, and the cessation of pleasure is bad.”

“On one point, though, you both agree,” said Krag, smiling wickedly. “Pleasure is good, and the end of pleasure is bad.”

Gangnet glanced at him coldly. “We know your peculiar theories, Krag. You are very fond of them, but they are unworkable. The world could not go on being, without pleasure.”

Gangnet glanced at him coldly. “We know your strange theories, Krag. You are very fond of them, but they won't work. The world could not exist without pleasure.”

“So Gangnet thinks!” jeered Krag.

They came to the end of the wood, and found themselves overlooking a little cliff. At the foot of it, about fifty feet below, a fresh series of lakes and forests commenced. Barey appeared to be one big mountain slope, built by nature into terraces. The lake along whose border they had been travelling was not banked at the end, but overflowed to the lower level in half a dozen beautiful, threadlike falls, white and throwing off spray. The cliff was not perpendicular, and the men found it easy to negotiate.

They came to the edge of the woods and found themselves looking down from a small cliff. About fifty feet below, a new series of lakes and forests began. Barey appeared to be one huge mountain slope, shaped by nature into terraces. The lake they had been traveling along had no bank at its end. Instead, it overflowed to the lower level in half a dozen beautiful, threadlike waterfalls, white and throwing off spray. The cliff was not vertical, and the men found it easy to climb down.

At the base they entered another wood. Here it was much denser, and they had nothing but trees all around them. A clear brook rippled through the heart of it; they followed its bank.

At the base, they entered another wood. It was much denser, with trees all around them. A clear stream rippled through the middle of the wood. They followed its bank.

“It has occurred to me,” said Maskull, addressing Gangnet, “that Alppain may be my death. Is that so?”

“I’ve been thinking,” Maskull said to Gangnet, “that Alppain may be the death of me. Is that true?”

“These trees don’t fear Alppain, so why should you? Alppain is a wonderful, life-bringing sun.”

“These trees aren’t afraid of Alppain, so why should you be? Alppain is a wonderful sun that brings life.”

“The reason I ask is—I’ve seen its afterglow, and it produced such violent sensations that a very little more would have proved too much.”

“The reason I ask is that I’ve seen its afterglow. It caused such intense sensations that even a little more would have been too much.”

“Because the forces were evenly balanced. When you see Alppain itself, it will reign supreme, and there will be no more struggling of wills inside you.”

“Because the forces were evenly balanced. When you see Alppain itself, it will be supreme, and the wills inside you will no longer struggle.”

“And that, I may tell you beforehand, Maskull,” said Krag, grinning, “is Crystalman’s trump card.”

“And I can tell you now, Maskull, that’s Crystalman’s trump card,” said Krag, grinning.

“How do you mean?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see. You’ll renounce the world so eagerly that you’ll want to stay in the world merely to enjoy your sensations.”

“You’ll see. You’ll reject the world so eagerly that you’ll want to stay in it just to enjoy the feeling.”

Gangnet smiled. “Krag, you see, is hard to please. You must neither enjoy, nor renounce. What are you to do?”

Gangnet smiled. “You see, Krag is hard to please. You must neither enjoy nor give up anything. What are you supposed to do?”

Maskull turned toward Krag. “It’s very odd, but I don’t understand your creed even yet. Are you recommending suicide?”

Maskull turned toward Krag. “It’s very strange, but I still don’t understand what you believe. Are you recommending suicide?”

Krag seemed to grow sallower and more repulsive every minute. “What, because they have left off stroking you?” he exclaimed, laughing and showing his discoloured teeth.

Krag seemed to grow more sallow and repulsive every minute. “What, because they've stopped stroking you?” he exclaimed, laughing and showing his discolored teeth.

“Whoever you are, and whatever you want,” said Maskull, “you seem very certain of yourself.”

“Whoever you are and whatever you want,” said Maskull, “you seem very sure of yourself.”

“Yes, you would like me to blush and stammer like a booby, wouldn’t you! That would be an excellent way of destroying lies.”

“Yes, you’d like me to blush and stammer like an idiot, wouldn’t you! That would be a great way to destroy lies.”

Gangnet glanced toward the foot of one of the trees. He stooped and picked up two or three objects that resembled eggs.

Gangnet glanced toward the base of one of the trees. He bent down and picked up two or three objects that looked like eggs.

“To eat?” asked Maskull, accepting the offered gift.

“To eat?” asked Maskull, taking the gift he was offered.

“Yes, eat them; you must be hungry. I want none myself, and one mustn’t insult Krag by offering him a pleasure—especially such a low pleasure.”

“Yes, eat them. You must be hungry. I don’t want any myself, and we mustn’t insult Krag by offering him a pleasure, especially such a low one.”

Maskull knocked the ends off two of the eggs, and swallowed the liquid contents. They tasted rather alcoholic. Krag snatched the remaining egg out of his hand and flung it against a tree trunk, where it broke and stuck, a splash of slime.

Maskull knocked the ends off two eggs and swallowed the liquid inside. It tasted rather alcoholic. Krag snatched the remaining egg from his hand and threw it against a tree trunk. It broke and stuck there, a splash of slime.

“I don’t wait to be asked, Gangnet.... Say, is there a filthier sight than a smashed pleasure?”

“I don’t wait to be asked, Gangnet.... Tell me, is there a filthier sight than a shattered pleasure?”

Gangnet did not reply, but took Maskull’s arm.

Gangnet did not answer, but took Maskull’s arm.

After they had alternately walked through forests and descended cliffs and slopes for upward of two hours, the landscape altered. A steep mountainside commenced and continued for at least a couple of miles, during which space the land must have dropped nearly four thousand feet, at a practically uniform gradient. Maskull had seen nothing like this immense slide of country anywhere. The hill slope carried an enormous forest on its back. This forest, however, was different from those they had hitherto passed through. The leaves of the trees were curled in sleep, but the boughs were so close and numerous that, but for the fact that they were translucent, the rays of the sun would have been completely intercepted. As it was, the whole forest was flooded with light, and this light, being tinged with the colour of the branches, was a soft and lovely rose. So gay, feminine, and dawnlike was the illumination, that Maskull’s spirits immediately started to rise, although he did not wish it.

For more than two hours, they walked through forests and descended cliffs and slopes in turn. Then the landscape changed. A steep mountainside stretched for at least two miles. Over that distance, the land must have dropped nearly four thousand feet, at an almost constant gradient. Maskull had never seen such an immense stretch of sloping land anywhere. An enormous forest covered the mountainside. But this forest was different from those they had passed through before. The leaves were curled in sleep, but the branches were so close together and so numerous that they would have completely blocked the sun’s rays if they had not been translucent. Instead, light flooded the whole forest. The branches gave it a soft, lovely rose color. The light was so cheerful, feminine, and like dawn that Maskull’s spirits immediately began to rise, though he did not want them to.

He checked himself, sighed, and grew pensive.

He stopped himself, sighed, and grew thoughtful.

“What a place for languishing eyes and necks of ivory, Maskull!” rasped Krag mockingly. “Why isn’t Sullenbode here?”

“What a place for dreamy eyes and ivory necks, Maskull!” Krag rasped mockingly. “Why isn’t Sullenbode here?”

Maskull gripped him roughly and flung him against the nearest tree. Krag recovered himself, and burst into a roaring laugh, seeming not a whit discomposed.

Maskull grabbed Krag roughly and threw him against the nearest tree. Krag regained his balance and burst into a roaring laugh. He seemed completely unfazed.

“Still what I said—was it true or untrue?”

“Still, was what I said true or untrue?”

Maskull gazed at him sternly. “You seem to regard yourself as a necessary evil. I’m under no obligation to go on with you any farther. I think we had better part.”

Maskull looked at him sternly. “You seem to think of yourself as a necessary evil. I don’t have to go any farther with you. I think we’d better part ways.”

Krag turned to Gangnet with an air of grotesque mock earnestness.

Krag turned to Gangnet with a grotesquely exaggerated look of false seriousness.

“What do you say—do we part when Maskull pleases, or when I please?”

“What do you say? Do we part when Maskull wants to, or when I want to?”

“Keep your temper, Maskull,” said Gangnet, showing Krag his back. “I know the man better than you do. Now that he has fastened onto you there’s only one way of making him lose his hold, by ignoring him. Despise him—say nothing to him, don’t answer his questions. If you refuse to recognise his existence, he is as good as not here.”

“Keep your temper, Maskull,” said Gangnet, turning his back on Krag. “I know the man better than you do. Now that he’s latched onto you, there’s only one way to make him let go. Ignore him. Despise him. Say nothing to him, and don’t answer his questions. If you refuse to acknowledge that he exists, he might as well not be here.”

“I’m beginning to be tired of it all,” said Maskull. “It seems as if I shall add one more to my murders, before I have finished.”

“I’m starting to get tired of it all,” said Maskull. “It seems I’ll commit one more murder before I’m finished.”

“I smell murder in the air,” exclaimed Krag, pretending to sniff. “But whose?”

“I smell murder in the air,” Krag said, pretending to sniff. “But whose?”

“Do as I say, Maskull. To bandy words with him is to throw oil on fire.”

“Do as I say, Maskull. Arguing with him will only add fuel to the fire.”

“I’ll say no more to anyone.... When do we get out of this accursed forest?”

“I won’t say anything more to anyone.... When do we get out of this cursed forest?”

“It’s some way yet, but when we’re once out we can take to the water, and you will be able to rest, and think.”

“It’s still some distance, but once we’re out, we can take to the water. Then you can rest and think.”

“And brood comfortably over your sufferings,” added Krag.

“And dwell comfortably on your suffering,” added Krag.

None of the three men said anything more until they emerged into the open day. The slope of the forest was so steep that they were forced to run, rather than walk, and this would have prevented any conversation, even if they had otherwise felt inclined toward it. In less than half an hour they were through. A flat, open landscape lay stretched in front of them as far as they could see.

None of the three men spoke again until they came out into the daylight. The forest slope was so steep that they had to run rather than walk. Even if they had felt like talking, running would have made it impossible. In less than half an hour, they were through the forest. A flat, open landscape stretched out before them as far as they could see.

Three parts of this country consisted of smooth water. It was a succession of large, low-shored lakes, divided by narrow strips of tree-covered land. The lake immediately before them had its small end to the forest. It was there about a third of a mile wide. The water at the sides and end was shallow, and choked with dolm-colored rushes; but in the middle, beginning a few yards from the shore, there was a perceptible current away from them. In view of this current, it was difficult to decide whether it was a lake or a river. Some little floating islands were in the shallows.

Three quarters of this country was smooth water. It was a series of large lakes with low shores, separated by narrow strips of wooded land. The lake directly ahead of them had its narrow end toward the forest. There, it was about a third of a mile wide. The water along the sides and at the end was shallow and choked with dolm-colored rushes. But in the middle, a noticeable current flowed away from them, beginning a few yards from shore. Because of this current, it was hard to tell whether it was a lake or a river. Some small floating islands lay in the shallows.

“Is it here that we take to the water?” inquired Maskull.

“Is this where we enter the water?” Maskull asked.

“Yes, here,” answered Gangnet.

“Yes, here,” said Gangnet.

“But how?”

“One of those islands will serve. It only needs to move it into the stream.”

“Any one of those islands will do. It just needs to be moved into the stream.”

Maskull frowned. “Where will it carry us to?”

Maskull frowned. “Where will it take us?”

“Come, get on, get on!” said Krag, laughing uncouthly. “The morning’s wearing away, and you have to die before noon. We are going to the Ocean.”

“Come on, hurry up!” said Krag, laughing crudely. “The morning is passing, and you have to die before noon. We’re going to the Ocean.”

“If you are omniscient, Krag, what is my death to be?”

“If you know everything, Krag, how will I die?”

“Gangnet will murder you.”

“You lie!” said Gangnet. “I wish Maskull nothing but good.”

“You're lying!” said Gangnet. “I want nothing but good for Maskull.”

“At all events, he will be the cause of your death. But what does it matter? The great point is you are quitting this futile world.... Well, Gangnet, I see you’re as slack as ever. I suppose I must do the work.”

“In any case, he will cause your death. But what does it matter? The important thing is that you’re leaving this pointless world.... Well, Gangnet, I see you’re as lazy as ever. I suppose I’ll have to do the work.”

He jumped into the lake and began to run through the shallow water, splashing it about. When he came to the nearest island, the water was up to his thighs. The island was lozenge-shaped, and about fifteen feet from end to end. It was composed of a sort of light brown peat; there was no form of living vegetation on its surface. Krag went behind it, and started shoving it toward the current, apparently without having unduly to exert himself. When it was within the influence of the stream the others waded out to him, and all three climbed on.

He jumped into the lake and ran through the shallow water, splashing as he went. By the time he reached the nearest island, the water was up to his thighs. The island was diamond-shaped and about fifteen feet long. It was made of a kind of light brown peat. Nothing grew on its surface. Krag went behind the island and began pushing it toward the current, apparently without much effort. When the island reached the current, the others waded out to him, and all three climbed on.

The voyage began. The current was not travelling at more than two miles an hour. The sun glared down on their heads mercilessly, and there was no shade or prospect of shade. Maskull sat down near the edge, and periodically splashed water over his head. Gangnet sat on his haunches next to him. Krag paced up and down with short, quick steps, like an animal in a cage. The lake widened out more and more, and the width of the stream increased in proportion, until they seemed to themselves to be floating on the bosom of some broad, flowing estuary.

The voyage began. The current moved at no more than two miles an hour. The sun beat down mercilessly on their heads. There was no shade and no hope of finding any. Maskull sat near the edge and splashed water over his head from time to time. Gangnet squatted next to him. Krag paced back and forth in short, quick steps, like an animal in a cage. The lake grew wider and wider, and the stream widened along with it. Soon they felt as if they were floating on a broad, flowing estuary.

Krag suddenly bent over and snatched off Gangnet’s hat, crushing it together in his hairy fist and throwing it far out into the stream.

Krag suddenly bent over and snatched off Gangnet’s hat. He crushed it in his hairy fist and threw it far out into the stream.

“Why should you disguise yourself like a woman?” he asked with a harsh guffaw—“Show Maskull your face. Perhaps he has seen it somewhere.”

“Why are you disguised as a woman?” he asked with a harsh laugh. “Show Maskull your face. Perhaps he has seen it somewhere.”

Gangnet did remind Maskull of someone, but he could not say of whom. His dark hair curled down to his neck, his brow was wide, lofty, and noble, and there was an air of serious sweetness about the whole man that was strangely appealing to the feelings.

Gangnet reminded Maskull of someone, but he could not say who. His dark hair curled down to his neck, and his forehead was broad, high, and noble. There was a serious sweetness about him that stirred the emotions in a strange and appealing way.

“Let Maskull judge,” he said with proud composure, “whether I have anything to be ashamed of.”

“Let Maskull decide,” he said calmly and proudly, “whether I have anything to be ashamed of.”

“There can be nothing but magnificent thoughts in that head,” muttered Maskull, staring hard at him.

“There can only be magnificent thoughts in that head,” muttered Maskull, staring hard at him.

“A capital valuation. Gangnet is the king of poets. But what happens when poets try to carry through practical enterprises?”

“That’s an excellent assessment. Gangnet is the king of poets. But what happens when poets try to carry out practical projects?”

“What enterprises?” asked Maskull, in astonishment.

“What ventures?” asked Maskull, astonished.

“What have you got on hand, Gangnet? Tell Maskull.”

“What are you working on, Gangnet? Tell Maskull.”

“There are two forms of practical activity,” replied Gangnet calmly. “One may either build up, or destroy.”

“There are two kinds of practical activity,” Gangnet replied calmly. “You can either build up or destroy.”

“No, there’s a third species. One may steal—and not even know one is stealing. One may take the purse and leave the money.”

“No, there’s a third kind. You can steal without even knowing you’re stealing. You can take the purse and leave the money.”

Maskull raised his eyebrows. “Where have you two met before?”

“I’m paying Gangnet a visit today, Maskull, but once upon a time Gangnet paid me a visit.”

“I’m visiting Gangnet today, Maskull, but Gangnet visited me once before.”

“Where?”

“In my home—whatever that is. Gangnet is a common thief.”

“In my home, whatever that is. Gangnet is a common thief.”

“You are speaking in riddles, and I don’t understand you. I don’t know either of you, but it’s clear that if Gangnet is a poet, you’re a buffoon. Must you go on talking? I want to be quiet.”

“You’re speaking in riddles, and I don’t understand you. I don’t know either of you. But if Gangnet is a poet, you’re clearly a fool. Do you have to keep talking? I want some quiet.”

Krag laughed, but said no more. Presently he lay down at full length, with his face to the sun, and in a few minutes was fast asleep, and snoring disagreeably. Maskull kept glancing over at his yellow, repulsive face with strong disfavour.

Krag laughed but said nothing more. Soon he lay down flat, facing the sun. Within minutes, he was fast asleep and snoring unpleasantly. Maskull kept glancing at Krag's yellow, repulsive face with strong dislike.

Two hours passed. The land on either side was more than a mile distant. In front of them there was no land at all. Behind them, the Lichstorm Mountains were blotted out from view by a haze that had gathered together. The sky ahead, just above the horizon, began to be of a strange colour. It was an intense jale-blue. The whole northern atmosphere was stained with ulfire.

Two hours passed. The land on either side was more than a mile away. Ahead of them, there was no land at all. Behind them, a gathering haze had hidden the Lichstorm Mountains from view. The sky ahead, just above the horizon, began to turn a strange color. It was an intense jale-blue. The whole northern sky was stained with ulfire.

Maskull’s mind grew disturbed. “Alppain is rising, Gangnet.”

Maskull felt uneasy. “Alppain is rising, Gangnet.”

Gangnet smiled wistfully. “It begins to trouble you?”

Gangnet smiled wistfully. “Is it starting to bother you?”

“It is so solemn—tragical, almost—yet it recalls me to Earth. Life was no longer important—but this is important.”

“It is so solemn, almost tragic, yet it reminds me of Earth. Life was no longer important, but this is important.”

“Daylight is night to this other daylight. Within half an hour you will be like a man who has stepped from a dark forest into the open day. Then you will ask yourself how you could have been blind.”

“Daylight is like night compared with this other daylight. Within half an hour, you will be like a man who has stepped out of a dark forest into daylight. Then you will ask yourself how you could have been blind.”

The two men went on watching the blue sunrise. The entire sky in the north, halfway up to the zenith, was streaked with extraordinary colours, among which jale and dolm predominated. Just as the principal character of an ordinary dawn is mystery, the outstanding character of this dawn was wildness. It did not baffle the understanding, but the heart. Maskull felt no inarticulate craving to seize and perpetuate the sunrise, and make it his own. Instead of that, it agitated and tormented him, like the opening bars of a supernatural symphony.

The two men continued watching the blue sunrise. The northern sky, halfway up to the zenith, was streaked with extraordinary colors. Jale and dolm were the most prominent. Just as mystery is the main feature of an ordinary dawn, wildness was the main feature of this one. It baffled the heart, not the mind. Maskull felt no wordless longing to seize the sunrise, make it last, and make it his own. Instead, it stirred and tormented him, like the opening notes of a supernatural symphony.

When he looked back to the south, Branchspell’s day had lost its glare, and he could gaze at the immense white sun without flinching. He instinctively turned to the north again, as one turns from darkness to light.

When he looked back to the south, Branchspell’s daylight had lost its glare. He could look at the immense white sun without flinching. He instinctively turned north again, as one turns from darkness to light.

“If those were Crystalman’s thoughts that you showed me before, Gangnet, these must be his feelings. I mean it literally. What I am feeling now, he must have felt before me.”

“If those were Crystalman’s thoughts you showed me before, Gangnet, these must be his feelings. I mean that literally. He must have felt what I’m feeling now before I did.”

“He is all feeling, Maskull—don’t you understand that?”

“He is all feeling, Maskull. Don’t you understand that?”

Maskull was feeding greedily on the spectacle before him; he did not reply. His face was set like a rock, but his eyes were dim with the beginning of tears. The sky blazed deeper and deeper; it was obvious that Alppain was about to lift itself above the sea. The island had by this time floated past the mouth of the estuary. On three sides they were surrounded by water. The haze crept up behind them and shut out all sight of land. Krag was still sleeping—an ugly, wrinkled monstrosity.

Maskull watched the sight before him eagerly and did not reply. His face was hard as stone, but his eyes were growing dim with tears. The sky blazed brighter and brighter. Clearly, Alppain was about to rise above the sea. By now, the island had floated past the mouth of the estuary. Water surrounded them on three sides. The haze crept up behind them, hiding the land from view. Krag was still sleeping, an ugly, wrinkled monstrosity.

Maskull looked over the side at the flowing water. It had lost its dark green colour, and was now of a perfect crystal transparency.

Maskull looked over the side at the flowing water. It was no longer dark green, but perfectly clear as crystal.

“Are we already on the Ocean, Gangnet?”

“Yes.”

“Then nothing remains except my death.”

“Then all that remains is my death.”

“Don’t think of death, but life.”

“Don’t think about death, but about life.”

“It’s growing brighter—at the same time, more sombre. Krag seems to be fading away....”

“It’s getting brighter, but also darker. Krag seems to be fading away....”

“There is Alppain!” said Gangnet, touching his arm.

The deep, glowing disk of the blue sun peeped above the sea. Maskull was struck to silence. He was hardly so much looking, as feeling. His emotions were unutterable. His soul seemed too strong for his body. The great blue orb rose rapidly out of the water, like an awful eye watching him.... it shot above the sea with a bound, and Alppain’s day commenced.

The deep, glowing disk of the blue sun appeared above the sea. Maskull was struck silent. He was hardly looking at all, so much as feeling. His emotions were beyond words. His soul seemed too strong for his body. The great blue sun rose rapidly from the water, like a terrifying eye watching him.... It leaped above the sea, and Alppain’s day began.

“What do you feel?” Gangnet still held his arm.

“I have set myself against the Infinite,” muttered Maskull.

“I have opposed the Infinite,” muttered Maskull.

Suddenly his chaos of passions sprang together, and a wonderful idea swept through his whole being, accompanied by the intensest joy.

Suddenly, his chaotic passions came together. A wonderful idea swept through his whole being, filling him with intense joy.

“Why, Gangnet—I am nothing.”

“Why, Gangnet, I am nothing.”

“No, you are nothing.”

The mist closed in all around them. Nothing was visible except the two suns, and a few feet of sea. The shadows of the three men cast by Alppain were not black, but were composed of white daylight.

The mist closed in around them. They could see nothing but the two suns and a few feet of sea. The three men's shadows, cast by Alppain, were not black. They were made of white daylight.

“Then nothing can hurt me,” said Maskull with a peculiar smile.

“Then nothing can hurt me,” said Maskull with a strange smile.

Gangnet smiled too. “How could it?”

“I have lost my will; I feel as if some foul tumour had been scraped away, leaving me clean and free.”

“I have lost my will. I feel as if some foul tumor had been scraped away, leaving me clean and free.”

“Do you now understand life, Maskull?”

“Do you understand life now, Maskull?”

Gangnet’s face was transfigured with an extraordinary spiritual beauty; he looked as if he had descended from heaven.

Gangnet’s face was transformed by an extraordinary spiritual beauty. He looked as if he had come down from heaven.

“I understand nothing, except that I have no self any more. But this is life.”

“I understand nothing, except that I no longer have a self. But this is life.”

“Is Gangnet expatiating on his famous blue sun?” said a jeering voice above them. Looking up, they saw that Krag had got to his feet.

“Is Gangnet going on about his famous blue sun?” a mocking voice called from above them. They looked up and saw that Krag had stood up.

They both rose. At the same moment the gathering mist began to obscure Alppain’s disk, changing it from blue to a vivid jale.

They both stood up. At the same moment, the thickening mist began to hide Alppain’s disk, changing it from blue to a vivid jale.

“What do you want with us, Krag?” asked Maskull with simple composure.

“What do you want with us, Krag?” asked Maskull calmly.

Krag looked at him strangely for a few seconds. The water lapped around them.

“Don’t you comprehend, Maskull, that your death has arrived?”

“Don’t you understand, Maskull, that your death has come?”

Maskull made no response. Krag rested an arm lightly on his shoulder, and suddenly he felt sick and faint. He sank to the ground, near the edge of the island raft. His heart was thumping heavily and queerly; its beating reminded him of the drum taps. He gazed languidly at the rippling water, and it seemed to him as if he could see right through it... away, away down... to a strange fire....

Maskull did not answer. Krag rested an arm lightly on his shoulder, and Maskull suddenly felt sick and faint. He sank to the ground near the edge of the island raft. His heart was pounding heavily and strangely. Its beat reminded him of the drum taps. He gazed weakly at the rippling water. It seemed he could see right through it... far, far down... to a strange fire....

The water disappeared. The two suns were extinguished. The island was transformed into a cloud, and Maskull—alone on it—was floating through the atmosphere.... Down below, it was all fire—the fire of Muspel. The light mounted higher and higher, until it filled the whole world....

The water disappeared. The two suns went out. The island turned into a cloud. Maskull was alone on it, floating through the air.... Below him, everything was fire, the fire of Muspel. The light rose higher and higher until it filled the whole world....

He floated toward an immense perpendicular cliff of black rock, without top or bottom. Halfway up it Krag, suspended in midair, was dealing terrific blows at a blood-red spot with a huge hammer. The rhythmical, clanging sounds were hideous.

He floated toward a huge vertical cliff of black rock, with no top or bottom. Halfway up the cliff, Krag hung in midair, striking a blood-red spot with a huge hammer. The rhythmic clanging was hideous.

Presently Maskull made out that these sounds were the familiar drum beats. “What are you doing, Krag?” he asked.

Soon Maskull recognized the sounds as the familiar drumbeats. “What are you doing, Krag?” he asked.

Krag suspended his work, and turned around.

Krag stopped working and turned around.

“Beating on your heart, Maskull,” was his grinning response.

“Beating on your heart, Maskull,” he replied with a grin.

The cliff and Krag vanished. Maskull saw Gangnet struggling in the air—but it was not Gangnet—it was Crystalman. He seemed to be trying to escape from the Muspel-fire, which kept surrounding and licking him, whichever way he turned. He was screaming.... The fire caught him. He shrieked horribly. Maskull caught one glimpse of a vulgar, slobbering face—and then that too disappeared.

The cliff and Krag vanished. Maskull saw Gangnet struggling in the air. But it was not Gangnet. It was Crystalman. He seemed to be trying to escape the Muspel-fire. Wherever he turned, the fire surrounded him and licked at him. He was screaming.... The fire caught him. He shrieked horribly. Maskull caught one glimpse of a vulgar, drooling face. Then the face disappeared too.

He opened his eyes. The floating island was still faintly illuminated by Alppain. Krag was standing by his side, but Gangnet was no longer there.

He opened his eyes. Alppain still cast a faint light on the floating island. Krag stood beside him, but Gangnet was gone.

“What is this Ocean called?” asked Maskull, bringing out the words with difficulty.

“What is this Ocean called?” Maskull asked, struggling to get the words out.

“Surtur’s Ocean.”

Maskull nodded, and kept quiet for some time. He rested his face on his arm. “Where’s Nightspore?” he asked suddenly.

Maskull nodded and stayed quiet for a while. He rested his face on his arm. “Where’s Nightspore?” he suddenly asked.

Krag bent over him with a grave expression. “You are Nightspore.”

Krag bent over him with a serious expression. “You are Nightspore.”

The dying man closed his eyes, and smiled.

The dying man closed his eyes and smiled.

Opening them again, a few moments later, with an effort, he murmured, “Who are you?”

A few moments later, he opened them again with an effort and murmured, “Who are you?”

Krag maintained a gloomy silence.

Krag remained silent and gloomy.

Shortly afterward a frightful pang passed through Maskull’s heart, and he died immediately.

Soon afterward, a terrible pain shot through Maskull’s heart, and he died instantly.

Krag turned his head around. “The night is really past at last, Nightspore.... The day is here.”

Krag turned his head. “The night is finally over, Nightspore.... The day is here.”

Nightspore gazed long and earnestly at Maskull’s body. “Why was all this necessary?”

Nightspore looked at Maskull’s body for a long time, his gaze intent. “Why was all this necessary?”

“Ask Crystalman,” replied Krag sternly. “His world is no joke. He has a strong clutch—but I have a stronger... Maskull was his, but Nightspore is mine.”

“Ask Crystalman,” Krag replied sternly. “His world is no joke. He has a strong grip, but mine is stronger. Maskull was his, but Nightspore is mine.”