On a bier in front of the Holy Seat, by the eastern face of the Maxin-Stone in the Incalithlon, lay all that was of the earth, earthy of Ernon of Suernis. In the triangle were gathered a few witnesses asked by Rai Gwauxln to be present, and over all shone the mysterious light which required no fuel, nor for its tall taper any human keeper. High above, hung the white stalactite ceiling, casting down from its many points the radiance of the lights which no one could see from below.
In front of the sacred throne, beside the eastern side of the Maxin-Stone in the Incalithlon, lay Ernon of Suernis's earthly remains on a funeral platform. A small group of witnesses, invited by Rai Gwauxln, gathered in the triangular space. Above them, a mysterious, self-sustaining light illuminated the scene without any visible fuel or human maintenance. The white stalactite ceiling high overhead reflected the unseen light sources, its pointed formations casting a soft radiance downwards.
"Close his eyes, his work is done."
"His task is complete. Let him rest in peace."
Beside the restful form stood Mainin, the Incaliz, his hand on the shoulder of the dead Rai. After the mighty organ had sounded a mournful requiem, Mainin made the funeral speech, saying:
Next to the peaceful body stood Mainin, the High Priest, his hand resting on the shoulder of the deceased Rai. After the powerful organ played a somber requiem, Mainin delivered the eulogy, saying:
"Once more has a most noble soul known earth. How hath it treated him who gave his life to the service of its children? Verily, Suerna, thou hast done a deed which shall clothe thee in sackcloth and ashes for aye! Ernon, my brother, Son of the Solitude, we bid thee adieu in great sorrow of soul; sorrow not for thee, for thou art at rest; but for us left behind. It shall be until many years ere we know thee again incarnate. As for this, thy poor clay, over it we will say final words, for it hath done its work and is committed to Navazzamin. Ernon, brother, peace be with thee evermore."
"Once again, a truly noble soul has graced this world. How has it treated one who devoted his life to serving its children? Truly, Suerna, you have committed an act that will forever burden you with guilt and shame. Ernon, my brother, Son of the Solitude, we bid you farewell with heavy hearts; not for you, as you are now at peace, but for those of us left behind. It will be many years before we see you incarnate again. As for your mortal remains, we will speak our final words over them, for they have served their purpose and are now entrusted to Navazzamin. Ernon, brother, may you find eternal peace."
Again the mighty organ played in solemn sadness, and while attendants raised the bier upon the cube of the Maxin, the Incaliz raised his hands to heaven and said:
Once more, the powerful organ filled the air with a somber melody. As attendants lifted the bier onto the Maxin's cube, the Incaliz raised his hands skyward and spoke.
"Unto Incal this soul, unto earth this clay."
"To Incal the spirit, to the earth the body."
The body, bound with light bands to the bier, was raised with it to an erect posture, trembled a moment in that position, and fell forward into the Maxin. There was no flame, no smoke, not even ash left behind the instantaneous disappearance of body and bed.
The corpse, lightly secured to the platform, was lifted upright. It quivered briefly before toppling into the Maxin device. In an instant, both body and platform vanished without a trace—no fire, no smoke, not even ashes remained.
The funeral was over. As we who abode in Caiphul turned to depart, we. saw that which no man then living had ever before beheld in the Incalithlon. Back of us, in the auditorium, stood groups of grey-habited men, cowled like monks of Rome. There seemed great numbers of them, collected in groups of seven or eight amongst the maze of stalagmite pillars which supported the roof. As we gazed, these men faded slowly from sight, until over four score of Caiphalians seemed indeed small in number in the vast hall where so recently had been hundreds of Incaleni, Sons of the Solitude in astral form, gathered at the funeral of their brother. Yea, verily, had the Sons come to witness the impressive ceremony where all that was mortal of their dead fellow was restored to the keeping of the elements of nature.
The funeral had ended. As we residents of Caiphul turned to leave, we witnessed something unprecedented in the Incalithlon. Behind us, in the auditorium, stood clusters of grey-robed figures, hooded like Roman monks. They were numerous, gathered in groups of seven or eight among the maze of stalagmite pillars supporting the ceiling. As we watched, these figures slowly vanished from sight, leaving the vast hall seemingly empty save for our small group of Caiphalians. Moments ago, hundreds of Incaleni, Sons of the Solitude in astral form, had been present to honor their fallen brother. Indeed, the Sons had come to witness the solemn ceremony where their comrade's mortal remains were returned to the elements of nature.
"But no man knows that sepulcher, And no man saw it e'er, For the angels of God upturned the sod And laid the dead man there."
No one knows where that grave lies, No mortal eye has seen its site. For God's own angels turned the earth And placed the dead man out of sight.