XI
THE HOMEWARD WAY
Now, truly, it did seem very light, after the horrid and lonesome gloomthat did lie all-ways in the bottom of the olden sea; and I saw that Iwas come out upon a part of the Land that did be surely to the right ofthat place where I made entry into the sea-bed, on mine outward going.And there did be a great plenty of fire-holes, so that mine heart waswarmed to see them; yet did I mind to be wary in coming unto them; for,as you do know, there did so oft be life of this kind and that aboutthese fires.
And I lookt now down to the Maid, and she upward to me, and did comemore anigh to me, and truly she did be most wondrous pretty and sweet;yet did seem very awearied and pale in the face; so that I made blameupon myself that I had overwalked her; for, in verity, I do think that Iwas so strong and hard as that I had been made from iron; and she but adear and tender Maid. Yet did she refuse that I should so reproachmyself; and did but stand anigh to me and look at me with eyes that werevery beautiful. And so I put mine arms about her, and kist her; andafterward lookt again over the Land, that I should shape out our furtherjourneying.
And from that place where I did stand, there spread out all before methe blue shining that I had seen from the mouth-part of the UpwardGorge; yet did it be a great way off. And, indeed, I should tell you inthis place, that it was by the glimmering of this shine within the skyof the night that I had steered, as we did come across the oldensea-bed. And, truly, it was but a broad thing to go toward; but yet didserve me, in that it told me that I went toward the far side of thesea-bed, and made not to go all about in blind circles in the night.
And after that I had considered a while, I did know somewhat where theGorge should be, and perceived that I should go unto my left; but notovermuch, for indeed I saw the red-shining of the giants' hole that layat a great space that way; and surely I must go so that I missed theplace of the giants so much as I might, and in the same going, come notovernear unto the blue-shining that lay before me, across all the farpart of that Country; for, in verity, I Mistrusted the place where thatshining did be.
Now when I had gained somewhat of knowledge where should be found theMouth of the Upward Gorge, I put mine arm about the Maid, where she didstand so nigh to me, and very husht, the while that I had lookt about. AndI pointed outward over the dark Land unto my left, and told her that theGorge did be somewhere that way, a great distance off; yet utter out of mysight, and only to be known that it did be somewise there by the thingsthat I did mind of, concerning my way after I came into the Land.
Now the Maid, having stood very quiet, had lookt all that time abouther; and so had come to some knowing of the place where she did be in theLand, for she to know the land someways, as you shall think. And she asktme how I did mind to go; and truly I said, so straight as we might; but yetso that we come neither too nigh to the shining nor to the great redfire-pit of the Giants.
And the Maid bade me to look in the way that I did mind to go; and Ilookt, but yet there was nothing save, as they did seem, certainfire-holes that had a green-shining about them. And she set out unto methen, how that there did go a tract of bad gas in that part of theLand, that should be utter poisonous unto any; and this had been wellknown in the Lesser Redoubt, by the reading of their instruments. Andwhere the gas did go, there was there a green-shining about thefire-holes.
And she showed me how that the Place of the Gas went a great way untothe North-West, so that I learned now somewhat how the land did lie, as wedo say in these days. And it was in all the North-West that the greatblue-shining did burn. And I askt Naani how they named this, and she toldme by no name, save but The Shine.
And Mine Own made very earnest to warn me, regarding The Shine; and urgedthat we go no more that-wards than should be needful to our lives--thewhich, indeed, was no wish of mine. And her reason to be that the FixedGiants did be within the borders of The Shine, and all hid in the lightthereof, save when the burning mist did roll this way or that. And Itook a great heed of this thing, and did guess that these Fixed Giantswere somewhat even as the Great Watchers that were about the MightyPyramid, as you do know. And immediately I minded me of that uttermonstrous face that I did see amid the bright smoke of The Shine, whenthat I came first into the Land; and surely this had been one of theFixed Giants, that Naani told me were Forces of great and very horridEvil.
And I askt Mine Own how far the Place of the Gas went across the Land;and she pointed and made further explaining. And, in verity, in theend, I saw not how I should come that way to the mouth of the Gorge, ifthat I would keep off-wards from The Shine. Yet, in a moment, Naani asktme how I did come across the Land, when that I searched for her. And,truly, as I showed her, I had walked then by a sweet chance, or guiding,alway upon the far side of the Place of the Gas, and so unto the OldenSea bed; and was in this way come free of the gas, and all unknowing ofit.
And at this telling, the Maid said that we go downward again into thebed of the Olden Sea, and walk some great hours below the shore, but inthe way that should take us unto the South-West, and so until we werecome beyond the Place of the Gas. And afterward up again into the Land,and then to have an utter caution that we escape the watching of thegiants who did be ever about the Great Red Fire-Hole. And by this planvery speedy to the entering-part of the Upward Gorge.
And, truly, this did be very good and sound, and such as I should haveplanned in a moment; for, indeed, I am not over-slow in such matters;only the Maid did be very eager and quick; and it was very sweet to methat she should thus plan; for, in verity, I loved alway the sounding ofher voice, and to hear her have speech and to plan and think, and so toshow me the workings of her inward self and her dear qualities and humanniceness. And to have part and lot alway with me in all things andthinkings.
And, we shaped to this plan that Naani made; but at that time, as you domind, it was somewhat of seventeen hours since last we had slumber; andthe Maid was sore wearied, as I did see. And I showed to her how that itdid be wise that we have our rest very soon, and so forward again in newstrength and ability.
And the Maid did soon agree with me; for indeed she was very weary; andwe made it that we should venture unto one of the fire-holes that lay nogreat seeming away, a little upon our right, which was the Northward-wayof that Land.
And we went toward the fire-hole; and, truly, it did be further off thanwe had thought; for it was a good hour before that we came anigh to it;and, indeed, it to prove a very great and red-glowing shine that wentupward into the night, out of the hollow place where it did burn amongrocks.
And when we were come near unto it, I made a sign to the Maid that shebe utter husht; and I took the Diskos from mine hip, and went forwardbefore her; and afterward to my knees and hands, and beckoned backwardto Mine Own, that she do likewise.
And we came this way to the edge of the hollow-place where the fire-holedid burn; and so were able in the end to look downward. And truly it wasa great fire that burned in the earth in that place; yet, as I perceivedvery swift, there did seem nowhere any monstrous thing about the fire,the which set some peace upon mine heart; but yet not overmuch; for itwas come fresh upon me that we did well to stay afar off from the firesof the Land, in that it was about the fires that all living things didcongregate.
And I lookt a great time, and the Maid crept unto mine elbow, and looktwith me; and afterward we harked, very keen, into the night; but therewas nowhere any trouble of the air or of the aether of the Land. Yet Ispoke quiet with the Maid, and showed unto her how that we did well tostay off-ward from the fires; but, truly, she was so utter cold andchill, that she did beg that we go down by the fire-hole, even should itbe that we stay no more there than should put a warmth through the utterchill of our bodies.
And, in verity, I was so bitter cold that I was all weak to go besidethe fire; yet, truly, I do think that the shiverings of the Maid wasthat which did force my heart, to go against the teachings of my head;so that in the end, we came down into the hollow, and very swift untothe fire.
Now, truly, it doth seem a strange thing to be so diverse-minded asthis, when that, as you do know, I had been so long a-search for afire-pit; and mayhaps you shall perceive the better how my heart andbrain did be contrary, when that I tell to you, now, how that I havebelief that my spirit did even then be subtly set to warn me. And, also,as all do know, it doth be easy to forget this warning and that ofexperience; by which saying, I do mean that, oft as I had come to knowthe dangers that did be alway about the fire-holes, yet when I did befar off from them, and Mine Own broken and a-shiver with the chill ofthe Land, the danger did seem but a small thing and afar off from mymind, and unreal; but the cold to be doubly real. Yet, when we did comeeven unto the fire-hole, then did come again all about my heart thetruth of those dangers that had seemed, but a while gone, so little.And, indeed, I do hope you perceive me in this thing, and how that Istrive alway to set unto you the utter truth, so that you shall go withme all the way, and lend me your nice understanding.
Now, when we were come down unto the fire-pit, I went this way and thatamong the rocks that did be in the bottom of the hollow, so that Ishould perceive whether there did be any living creature there hid, thatshould mayhap come out, unknown, to work us harm.
But, indeed, I discovered nothing of any greatness; yet I saw threesnakes, and there were, beside, two scorpion-creatures, as I did namethem, that neither went backward from me, nor came against me; but didbide where I saw them, each in an hole of the rock.
And because I had seen these things, I saw that we should not do wise tosleep nigh unto the fire-hole; for the creeping things did mortally likethe heat, and should be like to come upon us in our slumber. And,indeed, this did but uphold my caution, that we should be wellactioned, if that we chose some other part to our rest.
Yet, as you shall suppose, I said naught unto the Maid concerning thecreeping and the poisonous things; for I did mean that she have rest andhappiness the while that we did stay beside the fire-hole; andafterward, I should tell her, and so she be the more ready to see theproperness that we go elsewhere to our sleep. But, as you to understand,if that she not to see wisely and be still intent to the fire-hole, Ishould have her to obey; for surely she was Mine Own, and I did love herand did mean alway to have her to safety.
Now, presently, the Maid was something warmed, and afterward, she sliptthe scrip from my shoulder, and so had food and drink very swift to myneed.
And we sat together, and eat and drank; and the Maid very sweet andquiet, as she did begin to eat her second tablet; and, truly, I hadknowing that she did remember in all her body that I had whipt her. And,indeed, she did be utter mine.
And oft as we did eat and drink, I lookt this way and that, so that nocreeping thing should come anigh to us; and presently, when we had madean end of our food, the Maid saw that I did look about, and she thenvery swift to catch some of mine unease, and to stare over her shoulder.And, indeed, in a little while she saw a snake go among the rocks; andshe then to be very eager that we find some place that should be securefrom creeping things. And we to begin then to look for such.
But in the end, we stayed in the hollow, for we found a little cave thatdid be in an upstanding rock of the hollow, and the upstanding rock was,mayhaps, an hundred good feet off from the fire; for the hollow was verygreat. And the cave did be a hole that was thrice my height up from thebottom rocks; and it was dry and sweet and with no creeping thing withinit, neither did there be any place to hide such therein.
And when we were gotten into the hole, surely it did be very sweet andcozy; for the shine of the fire-hole did shine therein; and surely wehad felt it a very haven, but that there was ever the fear of the Landupon our hearts; and upon mine the more than upon the Maid; for, truly,Mine Own did seem to trust me utter; and to seem that she feared not anyevil monster, but to have surety that I had power to succour her in allways. And truly this trust had been very sweet unto my heart, if that Ihad lacked somewhat of my terror for the safe home-going of Mine Own.
And we slept that night as we had done before, and shared the cloak overus; for truly, the fire-hole made no great warmth unto us; yet was itless bitter in that part than in the darkness of the Land.
And by that we had come unto sleep, it was twenty good hours since lastwe had slumber; and truly we did be very wearied; but yet came unto ourrest with our spirits set anxious to harken on danger the while that wedid sleep.
And we slept seven hours, and did know suddenly of some matter that hadneed to waken us; and lo! in a moment I did wake, and the Maid in thesame instant of time; and there was a great screaming and crying out inthe night, that surely affrighted us both; yet did hurt our hearts themore; for it did be the utter cryings and terror of poor humans in thenight of that Land. Yet might I do naught; but only wait that I learnmore of the matter; for my duty was unto Mine Own, and I had no leave ofrashness any more.
Yet, as you do suppose, I was all shaken to go downward of the rock, andafterward to climb out from the hollow, that I should give some helpunto they that did need help; but yet might I not leave the Maid.
And immediately, there was a great roaring in one part of the night, andagain another roaring in another part of the night; and lo! in a momentthe roarings did be answered; and the roarings were the sounds of bigand husky voices; so that it did seem that we harked to men so big ashouses that did run and shout in the night.
And the Maid did begin to shake, and I put mine arm about her, and drewher backward into the hole so that she did be into the shadow; and sheto tremble like one that was broken in courage; for, truly, she hadheard those sounds oft in the night in all the long and dreadful monththat she had wandered.
And, indeed, I was all shaken in my courage; for it did be the shoutingof giants that I heard; and you do know somewhat of the utter horror andterror that did be alway in the heart that did harken unto thosemonstrous voices, for you do know my tale.
And there came in a moment, a dreadful screaming out in the night, andthe screaming did be the screaming of a young maid that doth be slainvery brutal. And my heart sickened, because of Mine Own; but my spiritdid swell with a strange and utter anger, as that it should burst mybody. And the Maid to my side broke into an utter sobbing.
And the screaming of the maid afar off in the dark did end very sudden;but in a moment there did be other screamings in diverse places, and thehoarse shoutings of the great men and the thudding of mighty feet thatran this way and that, a-chase.
And the cryings of the humans came nearer, and the thuddings of thegreat feet. And, in verity, in a little minute, it did seem unto me thatthe sounds did be right upon the hollow; and I crept forward, and peeredout. And I felt the night to be full of people running; and immediatelythere passed by the hollow a clustering of humans that ran ever, andscreamed and gasped and wept, panting, as they ran. And the shining ofthe fire-hole made them plain seen and clear, and they did be both menand women, and were but in rags or utter naked, and all torn by therocks and the bushes, and did seem, indeed, as that they had been wildthings that did go by so swift and lost.
And mine heart troubled me with the pain and longing that it did know;so that I had gone in a moment after those people, but that I shouldleave Mine Own and put her to peril. And even while that I felt so utterin this thing, there came a great thudding of monstrous feet; and thereran four great men out of the night, and went past the hollow veryquick. And three did be dull coloured and seeming much haired andbrutish; but the other did be an horrid white, and livid-blotched; sothat it did seem to my spirit that there went by, a thing that did be avery man-monster filled of unwholesome life. And surely they did be gonefrom out of the shine of the fire, in one moment, as we do say; andagain into the night to their dreadful chasing.
And when the thudding of their feet had gone a long way off over theLand, I heard them bellowing, and afterward a far away screaming, thatdid have a death note in it; and I knew that those dreadful brute-mendid be taking the life from some poor wild humans; and afterward theredid be the silence a
gain.
And, surely, it did come to me with a fierce impatience of sorrow, thatthose people did be without spirit of courage; else had they turned themupon the giants, and slain them with their hands, even if that all haddied to compass that slaying; for, truly, they should all die anywise bythe giant-men; and they had died then with somewhat to comfort theirhate.
Yet, as I do know, the Peoples of the Lesser Redoubt had long been bornof parents that were starved of the Earth-Current through anhundred-thousand years and more, and because of this thing, they didsurely lack somewhat in all ways. Yet was Naani otherwise; but this notto prove aught, save the rule, as we do say.
Now, sudden, as I stooped very husht and troubled in the mouth of thelittle cave, I knew that Mine Own sobbed dryly in the back part of thecave. And I had gone to comfort her, but that in the same moment, I sawa naked maid run very swift over the edge of the hollow, and did lookover her shoulder, as she ran. And she came to the bottom, and crept inunder a ledge of rock that did be in that place; and she did seem utterworn, and gone of the spirit, and desperate. And I perceived in the sameinstant why that she did go stealthy and swift in that fashion, and tocower, as for her very life; for there came a squat, haired man, sobroad as a bullock, who did come silent down into the hollow, lookingthis way and that, even as a wild beast doth peer, very sudden.
And the Squat Man had instant knowing of the place where the maid didbe; and ran in upon her, with no sound.
And I paused not; but leaped all the great way unto the bottom of thehollow, which did be, mayhaps, twenty good feet and more; for mine angerwas upon me, and I did mean that I save that one, though I did bepowerless to give succour unto those others.
And I fell strong upon my feet, and had no harm of my limbs, for allthat the leap did be so high. And in that moment, before that I had timeto save the maid, the Squat Man ript her; and she cried out once with avery dreadful scream, and was suddenly dead in the hands of theBrute-Man.
And my heart made my blood to burn with wrath in mine eyes, so that Ihad scarce power in that instant to see the Squat Man, as I ran uponhim. And the roar of the Diskos filled all the hollow, as I made it tospin, as that it did rage with an anger, and to be glut of the Man.
And the Man came round upon me; and thought, mayhaps, to deal with me,as it had dealt with that poor maid, but not all thatwise, as you mustknow. And I swung the Diskos, and it did seem to sing and to cry eagerin my hands. And I smote at the Squat Man, even as it did leap silentupon me, as a tiger doth leap, making no sound. But I gat not home theblow; for the Man dropt sudden down upon the hands, and the blow wentoverwards. And the Brute-Man caught me by the legs, to rip me; and I cutquick with the Diskos, and it did have but one monstrous talon left untoit. And immediately, it cast me with the other, half across the hollow,and I fell with mine armour clanging mightily, and the Diskos did ringlike a bell.
And by the graciousness of all good things, I was harmed not by thatmonster throw; but was to my feet in one instant, and had not loosed theDiskos from my hand. And the Beast-Man did be upon me with two quickboundings; and I stood up to the Man, and it made no sound or cry as itcame at me; and there did a great froth of brute anger and intent comefrom the mouth of it, and the teeth came down on each side of the mouth,very great and sharp. And I leaped and smote, so that my blow shouldcome the more speedy, and the Diskos took away the head and the shoulderof the Squat Man; and the dead thing knockt me backward, with the springthat it had made; but it harmed me not greatly. Yet afterward I did knowhow sore and bruised I did be, in all my body and being. And I came backvery swift against the Man; but it did be truly dead and greatly horrid.
And I went from the dead monster, and did go, all heart-shaken, unto thedead maid. And I took the torn body of the maid, very sorrowful, andcast it into the fire-hole.
And I turned me then that I should look unto the cave, that I shouldknow that all did be well with Mine Own, and whether she did have seenthe horror, or be gone into a swoon.
And lo! Mine Own did run toward me; and she had in her hand mybelt-knife which I did give her, before that time, to be a weapon forher defence. And I perceived that she had come to be mine aid, if thatI did need such. And she did be utter pale, yet very steadfast and notseeming to tremble.
And I made to take her from that place; but she went beyond me, andlookt at the monstrous bulk of the Squat Man; and was very silent. Andshe came back unto me; and still so silent. And she stood before me, andsaid no word; but my heart knew what she did be thinking; for I am notfoolish, to have lacked to know what did be in her heart; though mineeffort had not shown itself that way unto me, before that moment. And Ihad no pretending of modesty, but received with gladness and astrangeness of humbleness the honour that her eyes did give to me; for,indeed, she did be so, that she might not give word to her joy of me andher glad respecting, the which is so wondrous good unto the heart of allmen that do be loving of a dear and honest maid.
And she said nothing, neither then nor afterward; but I did be honouredall my life after, when that I did anytime mind me of the way that MineOwn lookt upward at me in those moments.
And afterward she did need and allow herself to come unto mine arms,that I hold her from the trembling of heart which did come to her, afterthat there did be no need for courage; for surely we had both seen avery dreadful thing, and there was a great horror upon us.
And I climbed upward again to the little cave, and did help Naani; andwhen we were come there again, we did rest awhile. And presently we eat,each of us, two of the tablets and drank some of the water, and indeedwe were both utter thirsty.
And in about an hour, after that we had harked very keen a time, we camedownward again from the cave, and had our gear with us; and we came upout of the hollow, and set forward with a great caution unto the oldensea-bed. And we came there in two long hours; for we went very slow andwith constant harkings; for the fear of the monstrous men was upon us.But there came no harm anigh, neither did we perceive any disturbance inthe night of the Land.
And we went down an hour into the olden sea-bed, and did go now the moreswift; for our fear was something eased from us, because that we hadcome away from that place where we had perceived so great and dread anhunting. But yet had we all care about us; for the giants surely to beeverywhere in that Land; but yet, as I do think, they to roam more oftanigh to the fire-holes; for the humans did surely wander in such parts,that they have warmth of the fires.
And after we had gone downward an hour into the sea-bed, we turnedsomewhat unto the South-West, and went for twelve great hours, and didnever be any huge space from the shore; for it did run that way, as youdo know. And I made to steer by the shinings of the Land, and withadvices from Mine Own.
And in the end of the twelfth hour, I did count our distance, makingthat we did walk somewhat of a certain speed; and by the tellings of theMaid, we did be surely come beyond the place of the Land where thePoison Gas did lie.
And by this, it did be something after seventeen hours since we didsleep; and surely we did be very ready to have rest; for we had goneforward strongly, and with anxiousness; and truly my hurts did be comeupon me, so that my whole body did ache; for the quick fight had beenbitter, and I had been thrown very hard and brutal; and, indeed, it waswondrous that I had not been all smashed, only that the armour did saveme.
And this doth show truly how hard and strong I did be; and Naani didspeak upon this, and was oft a-wonder, and at that time did beg me thatI make some rest to cure my hurts; for she had not conceived that a mandid grow so strong and hardy; and, in verity, the men of the LesserRedoubt did be soft-made and lacking of grimness, as I did perceive,both through my reason and from her tellings; for they did lack thestrong life that doth breed where is the beat of the Earth-Current, aswe to have in the Mighty Pyramid. And this thing I have said somewisebefore this time.
And because that we did be so wearied, I said unto Naani that we find aplace for our slumber, and she very willing, as I have shown, and tocounsel m
e likewise.
Yet did we search about in that gloom for a great hour more, and foundno cave or hole to give us a safe refuge for our sleep.
And when that we could not find such, I told Naani that we should putthe boulders together, somewhat, and so have them about us, that we begreatly hid; and, in truth, even as I began to tell her my plan, she didhave the same words in her mouth, so that we caught our little fingers,there in the dark of that grim Land in the end of the world, even as sheand I had done oft in the early years, before that eternity, when thatshe did be Mirdath the Beautiful. And we did both be silent, and afterthat we had wished very solemn and earnest, we said each a name; even aslad and maid shall do in this age; and so to laughter and kist one theother. And truly, the world doth seem not to alter in the heart, as youshall think. And this was what I did find.
And we set-to, and gathered together the boulders which did be veryplentiful in that part. And she carry those that did be thin and flat,and I to roll those that did be great and round. And I made a place thatdid be long and narrow; and afterward, I set the flat stones round thesides, that there be no little hole by which any creeping thing shouldcome inward to sting us in our sleep.
And afterward we gat inside; and surely it did be very cozy, as we dosay; but yet not so secure as I did wish, only that I could not shift toplan aught better. And, indeed, it should keep off from us any smallthing, and should be like to save us from any monstrous Brute treadingupon us; but otherwise, it did be but a poor affair.
Now we eat two of the tablets, each, and drank some of the water, evenas we had done in the sixth and the twelfth hours; and afterward weshared the cloak for our slumber; and we kist very sedate and loving,and charged our spirits that we wake if that any horrid thing shouldcome anigh to us in our sleep; and afterward we did be gone very swiftto slumbering, and suffered no harm.
And I waked seven hours after, and surely I did ache very bitter, as Idid move my body; for the bruisings did be gotten hold of me.
And I slipt away from the Maid, very gentle; for I had mind that shesleep a while more, as I did mean that we make a great journey that day.
And after I had harked a while, and perceived that there was no evilthing anigh, I went outward of the stones. And I walked to and fore andmoved mine arms, that I be eased somewhat of the stiffness and ache; butsurely it did seem that many hours must go ere I should make any speedof travel; for I did be all clumsy and slow and nigh to groan with thepain of going and aught that I did.
And I minded me that I should do somewhat to ease this thing, lest thatI cause us both to come to an harm by staying over-long in that Land.
And I went back into the stones, and gat an ointment from the pouch,that I did carry. And surely the Maid did yet sleep. And I went outwardof the stones, again; and stript off the armour, and all my garments;and I rubbed my body with the ointment, and surely the pain did be sothat I groaned at this time and that; but yet must I rub good and strongso that I die not of the cold of the Land; and beside I was greatlyanxious to cure myself.
And sudden, as I did rub very strong and savage, and heeding so well asI might that I groan not, the Maid did speak close beside me. And,indeed, she could see me but dimly, and had waked sudden to hear mygroaning, and I was not to her side. And immediately she had thoughtthat some evil thing harmed me, and was come in an instant that she bewith me.
And she cared not that I did be naked; but was utter in anger that Istrove to do this thing alone, and with none to aid me, and alluncovered to the chill of the Land. And she ran back into the stones,and brought the cloak and put it about me; and was so angered that shestampt, and had no impudence, but rather as that she did be minded tohave tears.
And she sent me back into the sheltering of the stones, and gatheredmine armour, and brought these things after me. But the Diskos I took inmy hand. And she took the pot of the ointment from me, and made me tolie, and she rubbed me very strong and tender, and kept me warm withthe cloak; and surely she was a wise and lovely Maid, and utter MineOwn.
And in the end, she askt me how I was, and I said that I did bedifferent; and she hurried me that I be clothed very quick; for she didbe sore afraid that I should come to a chill.
And when I was gotten again into mine armour, she came to me, and showedme where I did lack wisdom, and spoke very straitly and gentle andserious; and afterward kist me, and gave me my tablets, and to sitbeside me. And we eat and drank; and I with a new lovingness unto MineOwn; and she somewhat as that she did mother me; but when I put mine armabout her, she did be only a maid. And we did be thus, with but littletalk and a great content.
And afterward, we gat our gear together, and went from that littlerefuge that we had made; and in a while we did go upward out of theolden sea-bed.
And when we were come again to the top of the shore, the which we did intwo good hours, I lookt over the Land, a time, with Mine Own anigh tome. And I perceived that the Great Red Fire-Pit of the Giants did be nomighty way off unto the South and West; and surely in a little moment,we saw that there went monstrous figures against the shine of the mightyfire-pit; and we stoopt unto the earth; for it did seem that the lightdid be like to show us standing there, though truly we did be afar off,as you perceive. Yet, mayhaps, you do share with us the utter horror anddistress that those horrid Men did cast about the heart, and so have akindly understanding of our fear.
And over all the Land, in this place and that, there did be the smallshining of little fire-holes and pits, that did be alway red, save inthat part where the Poison Gas did lie, the which we had now come safepast.
And beyond the fire-holes, was the great Shine, that lay from the Westunto the North of all that Land; and, in verity, we did need that westeer so that we come not anigh to it, neither unto the Great RedFire-Pit of the Giants; neither unto the low volcanoes, which werebeyond the Great Red Fire-Pit, as you do know, and someways unto theMouth of the Upward Gorge.
And the way of our journey was between the West and the South-West ofthat Land; and to be made with cunning and wisdom, that we come clear ofall unseemly danger unto Mine Own. And I askt her concerning this thingand that of the Land; and surely she told me so much of terror that Iwas half in a wonder that ever I did live in the end to come unto her.
And it was because of the things that she set out to me, that Iperceived how we must come nowise anigh to the low volcanoes that wereupon this side of the mouth of the Upward Gorge; for it had been knownalway in the Lesser Redoubt that there went very horrid men in thatpart that did be called wolf-men; but whether there did be any suchthing in that age, she had no knowing; for she told me the things thatdid be set down in the Records and the Histories; and truly no man ofthe Lesser Redoubt had found heart in a thousand great years to make ajourneying through the Land, for the desire of glad and dreadfuladventuring, such as our young men did be oft set to; though it was notall such that went.
And because there did be no adventuring for so monstrous a space ofyears, there was no certain new knowledge of the Land of that age. Andthis thing is plain to you, and needing not of many words, which do soirk me.
And Naani set out to me how that The Shine was conceived to be a landwhere Evil did live for ever, and whence came all those Forces of Evilthat did work upon the Lesser Refuge. And afterward, she did quiet; sothat presently I perceived that she did weep to herself, because thather memory was all new-stirred by my questionings. And I took her verygentle into mine arms, as we did be there kneeled upon the earth.
And after that time, I askt her no question, save as it did be needfulto our health and life; yet oft did she tell me this thing and that ofher knowledge, to be for mine help and guiding.
Now we went forward, going a space toward the North-West, so that wecome the more clear of the place where did be the Great Red Fire-Pit ofthe Giants. And we journeyed with a care alway that we show notourselves over-plain unto the light that shone over the Land from thegreat Pit; and oft we did creep a while over this stark place and that;and went nimb
ly amid the bushes that grew oft in great parts.
And we made six hours this way, and did then have pause, that we eat anddrink; and truly it was nine hours since first I did wake; yet had wemade no pausing, because that we were so set to our journeying to comeclear of the place where did be the Giants.
And after that we had eat and drunk, we went onward again; and made nowunto the South-West; for we did heed that we go no more unto theNorth-West, because that should bring us over-near to The Shine.
And in the fourteenth hour of that day's travel, we came to a part wherethe Land dipt downward into a broad valley; and surely it did be verydark down there, and did be seeming shallow, yet truly of a greatdeepness; but we went that way, because that it did be a weary longjourney to go around the place where the valley did be.
And the Valley had a different darkness from the gloom that went alwayin the olden sea-bed; for the gloom of the sea-bed did be ever of agreyness; but the gloom of this Valley had a greater dark within it; yetdid the air seem more clear.
And we went downward three hours into the Valley, and stopt then thatwe eat and drink; and truly I had not paused then; but that Mine Own didinsist; for our methods did be like, else, to go all adrift, and we tobe lacking of proper strength.
And this was wisdom of the Maid; but I to be a little irked-like andrestless; and this mayhap because that my blood did itch me, becausethat it did be so full of the poison of my bruises.
And it was gone now of seventeen hours since last we did sleep; but yetdid we be ready to go forward, that we come so quick as maybe out of thedark of that Valley; for there did seem nowheres any fire-hole to make alight; only that in this place and that, there did be a little blueshining, as that there burned a strange gas in this part or that.
Now, in two hours after the time that we did eat, we stopt, both of us,very sudden; for there did be some vague and curious sound in the night.And we went very swift to the earth, that we be hid, and harked. But didhear nothing.
And in a while, we to go onward again; yet there did be an unease uponour spirits; for our spirits did perceive something afar off in thenight; but yet had we no surety in this matter.
And we went forward through a great hour more; and did pass in thattime, two places where the blue-shining did be; and truly it seemed asthat a low gas hung to the earth in this part and that, and made a slowburning, having neither noise nor spurtings; but slow, as that it didsmoulder and be all to shine and luminous. And oft there did be a strongsmelling of a bitter gas, very horrid in the throat.
And in the end of another hour, while that we were a space off from oneof those gas-shinings, there went past us at a distance, as it did seempeople, running in the night; as that they did be lost spirits; yet witha rustling very soft; so that they did be like to be barefoot.
And I thought mayhap that these did be some of the Peoples of the LesserPyramid; yet did they be only as that shadows went among theblue-shinings. And I pondered a moment, whether that I send my voiceover the Valley, to question what they did be; but yet had caution, andharked through the utter silence of the night; for I had no surety ofaught.
And, surely, in that moment that we harked very keen, there did be asound afar off in the night of the Land; and it was as that we had heardthe sound before; and, in verity, our spirits had perceived the sound,those two hours back; and now our bodies did wot, and perceived that wehad known it subtly before that moment. And the sound was as thatsomething went spinning in the night.
And a very great terror came upon the Maid; for she did know the sound;and the sound was that which did show that one of the great Evil Forcesof the Land did approach; and the sound had been known alway in theLesser Refuge to show this thing. And, indeed, mine own spirit had beenhalf to know that a Power of Evil did come through the night; but yetwas the assurance very terrible; for how should I protect Mine Own.
And the spinning came toward us, and was presently in the Valley; and itcame swiftly across the dark of the Valley. And my heart was all brokenwithin me, because that there had been happiness with us, but a littletime gone; and now there did be our death anigh.
And Mine Own gave me the knife that I had given to her; meaning that Islay her, in the last moment; for she did heed even in that moment thatshe be not gashed horridly by the terror of the Diskos. And I took theknife. And I kist not Mine Own; but stood there, very shaken anddesperate, and gript her fast unto me, scarce heeding the hardness of mygripe; and alway I lookt unto the way of the coming of the Sound. Andpresently did unbare my wrist where the Capsule did be.
And the sound of the thing Spinning came anigh, across the Valley; andmy heart did dull and my spirit go black with my desperateness, becausethat this thing must be, and because that I could nowhere see hope thatI should save Mine Own.
And, of a sudden, the Maid put up her arms, and pulled me downward, andkist me once on the lips; but I wot not whether I kist her; for I didburn with despair and was all adrift in my being. Yet was there a sharpcomfort that mine own dying did be so nigh.
And the Maid stood gently against me; so that she did be convenient untomy hand. And afterward I remembered this thing; and do you pray that yoube never to have such a matter on your hearts! But, indeed, there was awonder in this thing, beside the horror; so that my memory doth be alwayknowing of this wonder; and mayhap you do see with me, and love Mine Ownalso in your hearts. And in the moment that the Maid stood thus, as Ihave told, I perceived sudden that there did be a little glowing in thenight, and the glowing was pale and horrid. And there was no more anysound of the Spinning; only there did be, as it were, the trunk of agreat tree, that did show in the glowing; and the trunk of the tree cametoward us across the darkness.
And I turned the Maid from the Tree, and she did flutter a little in myhands, as I did know, scarce-knowing; for she perceived that she did begoing to die in that moment. And I had my body thus between the EvilThing and the Maid. And lo! the Tree came no more anigh to us; but wentbackward, and the pale glowing did fade, and the Tree no more to beseen.
And I cried unto the Maid, very husky, that we did live; for that theEvil Power was gone off from us; but she answered not, and did be heavyagainst me. And I held her, and lookt alway about us, lest the Tree comein upon the other side.
And, as I lookt this way and that, I saw naught; and afterward, in amoment, I searched the night above, lest that the Thing come fromabove. And, behold, I saw that there abode over us a clear light, as itwere a clear burning Circle, above us in the night. And my heart didleap with an holy joy and an utter great thankfulness; and I was no morein fear of the Tree; for, in verity, there fought for our souls one ofthose sweet Powers of Goodness, that did strive ever to stand betweenthe Forces of Evil and the spirit of man; and this matter have I shownto you, before this time.
And concerning this holy Defense, I have thought that it should not,mayhap, to have had so strong a power to save us, if that we had shownan over-weakness and fear, but because that we did rather stand so wellas we might to make battle of escape from so dire a Destruction.
And, surely, this doth seem but a sane thinking unto me; but yet withoutproof, and to be said to you, only as the shapings of my thoughts. Andthis the chief end of that happening, that the holy Circle did trulydeliver us, and burned through twelve great hours above us; and by this,do I know that the Evil Power hovered anigh, to destroy us, all thatwhile; for, indeed, it doth not be proper of reason to suppose that suchan utter wondrous thing did be needlessly over us, save to be a Shieldof Great and Lovely Force against a waiting Evil Thing. And surely youdo see thiswise with me?
And, truly, so soon as my Spirit and Reason perceived that we did be nomore to suffer from the Evil Thing, I remembered that I did know thatMine Own had swooned. And, in verity, you shall mind how that she didface her death so utter sweet and brave, and had given no cry, but madequietly to help me in that dreadful moment, and did stand brave andgentle to the stroke. And so fell into a swoon, as you have seen,because that she did suffer a
n hundred deaths as she did stand so brave,waiting to be slain, for the blow did be so long delayed, yet to come inany moment.
And I gat her to come-to unto her life again, and I set the lovely talevery swift to ease her, and surely with love and warmth, and kist herwith a great joy. And I showed how I did honour her for her goodcourage.
And she to weep a little, with the ease come so sudden upon her; andafterward to kiss me upon the lips an hundred times, and to need thatshe be very safe in mine arms, because that I had meant that I do sodread an office to her. And surely I do wonder whether you perceive allthat did be then in her heart.
And the holy light that did be over us, she did watch with a sweetnessof awe; and rest did come more great upon her in the heart, as she didlearn how sure was the seeming of that Lovely Power to deliver us.
And, presently, we made forward again in the Valley. And did gosteadfast, and newly-loving each to the other, and so through twelvegreat and body-weary hours; but our hearts could never be done singingwithin us, nor our hands to cease from the hands of the other, becausethat we did so crave each unto the beloved.
And in the ninth hour, a monstrous way off in the dark of the Valley,there did seem as that there went a far and dreadful screaming in thenight. And it did be as that our spirits perceived the sound ofsomething Spinning in the night; yet faint and a great way off; but yethad we no surety that we did truly hear the sound of the Spinning; onlywe did be so shaken in the heart, for truly there was some horror doneunto humans, downward in the mighty darkness of the Valley. And to thinkupon the sound of the Spinning, was to be in a shaking trouble of thespirit; and to bless the quiet and holy light that went above us in allthat time; and to ache only that it should stay to be to our protecting.And surely it did be plain that there were the signs of great Forces inthat Land.
And three hours after that time when we did hear the far-off screaming,we were come up over the edge of the Valley, and did be once more untosuch light as did be general in the Land; and truly it did seem awondrous lightness, after so utter a dark.
And we did be all exhaust, and Mine Own drew her feet so weary that itwas as that she must go no more, until we did rest; for indeed it wasthree and thirty hours since last that we had slept; and a bittertrouble and work there had been in that space, as you do know.
Now we had eat some of the tablets a few hours back, as we did walk, andhad drunk some of the water; but had made no rest; for we did crave onlythat we come free of that Valley. And now it was needful that we rest,if but a little time.
And I minded that we find some place where I should have a hot pool,that I be able to bathe Naani's feet. And, surely, we came in a while toa hollow-place, and there did be two dull-burning fire-holes in thisplace, and a hot-bubbling spring, the which did seem to be a rare thingin that Land; so that we were the more fortunate to perceive it.
And I made Mine Own to sit, with her feet in the hot-spring; for it wasnot over-hot, and did seem pretty natural to my taste, as I did prove inthe first. And also I did search about the hollow, lest there be anyharmful creature near-by; and this you will have truly supposed, becauseyou do know the methods of my journeying. But yet did I not have so muchcare as did be proper; for I was so dull in the mind, by reason of myweariness; but, indeed, there came naught to work us any harm; and so wecame to no suffering, through mine aches and dullness.
And I sat beside the Maid, and made her to eat a tablet, and saw thatthe cloak did be nice about her, and her head to rest against my knee,and I laid the palm of my hand to be as a pillow, because of the armour,to ease the hardness.
And I eat with the Maid, and we both drank after; and so there cameback somewhat of our strength. Then I took the Maid's little feet, andrubbed a portion of the ointment from the pot all about them, verygentle and constant; and so did they be new-rested and eased; and shepresently fit again to the journey; for I was strong set that we goquickly hence out of that Land, and stay no more there to sleep, lest wecome unto Destruction.
And when we had rested an hour, I put the shoes again upon the Maid, andmade them secure; and so gat my gear about me, and made to the journey.
And lo! as we did leave the hollow, I lookt upward unto the Holy Light;and behold it was gone from us, and by this thing I supposed that we hadcome free of instant danger; but yet did there be to me a seeming ofnakedness and unprotection, as you must perceive.
And because that the Light was vanished, I was the more set that we comespeedy out of the Land. And we went forward at a strong speed, and hadthe Great Red Fire-Pit of the Giants to our rear unto the left, and amighty way off in the night; but yet I did wish it the further. Andbefore us, was a small ridging up of the dark Land, as I did judge,because that our view of the lights and the shinings was bounded; and toour left at a great way the low volcanoes, and somewhat to our right,across all that part of the Land went the cold and horrid glare of theShine.
Now, in a little while, I felt that the ground did be sloped upwardbefore us a little, and by this thing I saw that I had known aright, forthat there did be a ridge that hid the Land somewise over unto the partwhere I lookt to find the mouth of the Upward Gorge. And we went up thisslope at a strong pace, because that I was so eager that I find where wedid be in nearness unto the mouth of the Upward Gorge.
And surely, I was something forgetful, in mine eagerness, and camesomewhat ahead of Mine Own, who did make to hide from me that she didbegin to lag, because that her new strength was near gone from her.
And sudden there did be a very dreadful cry, to my back; and I cameround in one instant, so quick as a light doth flash; for it was thevoice of Mine Own, and all my being did suddenly burn with fear thatkindled through me in a moment of thought.
And lo! Mine Own did struggle terribly with a yellow thing which Iperceived to be a man with four arms; and the Man had two arms about theMaid, and with two did make to choke her unto death; for she cried outno more.
And I came unto the Man with a quick leaping, and stopt not to pluck theDiskos from my hip; and surely I did be very strong, and mine anger andrage to make me monstrous; for I caught the two upper arms of the Man,and brought them backward in an instant, so fierce and savage, and sowrencht upon them, that I brake them in the shoulders of the Man.
And the Man roared and shriekt, even as a wild and dreadful Beast shouldcry out, and came round upon me with the two lower arms. And surely itwas a mighty and brutish thing, and so broad and bulkt as an ox, and thelower arms were huge and greatly haired, and the fingers of the handsdid have the nails grown into horrid talons, as that they should gripvery bitter.
And it caught me by the thighs, to rip me upward, as I did fear; but yetthis did not be the intent of the Man; for in a moment it caught meround the body; and on the instant, I gat the Man by the great throat,and the throat did be haired, and so great as the neck of a bull. And Istrove with mine armoured hands that I choke the Man, and surely I madeit to suffer great trouble; yet, I could not harm it in the life.
And so I did be an horrid minute, and fought with the Beast, with nomore than the strength of my body; and it was as that an human went withhis hands to slay a monster so strong as an horse. And the breath of theMan-Beast came at me, and did sicken me; and I held the face off fromme; for I had died with horror, if that it had come more anigh; andsurely the mouth of the Man was small and shaped so that I knew that itdid never eat of aught that it did slay; but to drink as a vampire; andin truth, I did mean that I chop the Man to pieces, if that I havechance to the Diskos.
And I did sway this way and that, as we did struggle; and surely it wasas that the Man had never made to use the lower arms, save to hold untoprey, the while that it did use the upper arms to strangle, as I dothink. For all that weary minute of the fight, the Man made not to loosefrom me, that it should tear my hands from their grip to the throat; butmade vain waggings with the arms that I brake, as that it would usethese to the attack; but surely they had no more power to do hurt.
And sudden, it put forth
an utter power about my body, so that minearmour did be like to crack; and truly I had died in a moment; but forthe strongness of the armour. And the man hugged me thus for an horridtime, the while that I did hold off from me the brutish face, and griptvery savage into the haired throat.
And lo! the creature did work slow in the brain, and in the end loostfrom me, abrupt, and went back with a leap, so that my hands did be riptfrom the throat of the Beast. And in one instant it did be back unto me,and gave me no moment to free the Diskos. But I made anew to fight, andshaped as I had learned in the Exercises of mine Upbringing; for truly Ihad been alway deep in practice of such matters. And I slipt from thegreat hands of the Man, as it did try to take me by the head; and I hitthe Man with mine armoured fist, and put a great power and skill to theblow. And I went instant to the side with a swift stepping, and evadedthe Man, and I smote the Man again, and took him very savage in theneck; but all the while grown very cold and brutal and cruel; for I wasset to the slaying. And the Man-Beast came round on me; and lo! I sliptthe gripe of the great hands, and my body and my legs and mine arms didwork together unto that last blow; so that I did hit so hard as a greathammer. And I gat the Beast in the throat, and the Beast went backwardto the earth, even as it did think to hold me.
And lo! in a moment, I was free, and I pluckt forth the Diskos from myhip. And the Yellow Beast-Man grunted upon the ground; and it rose upagain to come at me; and it stood and did grunt, and did seem as that itwas gone mazed; for it did make other sounds, and an horrid screeching,so that truly, by the way of it, I conceived that it cried out unknownand half-shapen words at me. And in a moment, it came again at me; but Icut the head from the Beast-Man, that was in verity an horrid monster,and the Man died, and was quiet upon the earth.
And truly, in that moment, the distress of mine efforts and mine uttertiredness and the ache of the bruises took me; so that I do surely thinkI rockt as I stood; but yet was my head strong to think and my heart setin anxiousness; for I wotted not how great an hurt had been done uponMine Own.
And I ran to her, and came to where she did be upon the ground; andsurely she was all huddled, and had her hands very piteous to herthroat, that did be so pretty. And it did shake me in that moment thatshe was truly slain; for she was gone so utter still and as that she didbe broken unto death.
And I took her hands from her throat, and surely it did be a littletorn; yet not to be much, or so that it should loose her of her dearlife. And I strove that I steady the trembling of my hands; and I gatfree of mine armoured gloves; and made that I feel whether her throatdid be deadly hurt; and, in verity, it seemed not so; only that my handsdid so shake, because that I was so frightened for Mine Own, and becausethat I was but new come from the battle; and because of this, I had notpower of touch to assure me.
I made then that I quieten my breath, which did yet come very full andlaboured; and I put mine ear above the heart of the Maid, and lo! herheart did beat, and the horridness of my fear went from me in a moment.
And I had the scrip from my back very speedy, and some of the water tofizz, and I dashed the water upon her face and upon her throat; andsurely there did be a little quivering and an answering of her body.
And I strove with her for a while more; and she came unto her lifeagain; and in the first, she was all a-lack, as you may think; andimmediately she began that she remembered, and she then to shake.
And I told her how that the Four-Armed Man was surely dead and couldharm her no more; and she then to weep, because that she had been putto such shock and horror, and held by so brutish a thing. But I took herinto mine arms, and so she did come presently to an ease; and Iperceived in all my being that she was as a little ship that doth lie inharbour; for she did cling and nestle unto me; and did be safe with mein all her heart and body and belief. And surely she was Mine Own, and Ito have glory in that knowing.
And presently, I put her from mine arms, to lie; yet so that she mightnot perceive the body of the Yellow Beast-Man. And I made clean theDiskos, from her sight, and afterward I put on the scrip; and I took theMaid to mine arms again, and had the Diskos in my hand beside her.
And she made protest that she should truly walk; for that I was alla-weary, and she come to her strength again. And, indeed, I carried hera certain way, and did then put her down to her feet; and truly herknees did so tremble that she had not stood, let be to walk! And Icaught her up again; and I kist her, and I told her that I did be surelyher Master, in verity, and she mine own Baby-Slave. And truly you shallnot laugh upon me; for I was so human as any; and a man doth talk thisway with his maid.
And she did be quiet and sweet and to obey wisely; for she was gone veryweak. And thiswise we did go; and I to say loving words, in the first;but afterward I did heed more of my going, now that she was somethingeased and at rest within mine arms. And I did peer everywhere about,lest that some other evil thing come outward of the bushes, to have atus ere I did ware. And, truly, the bushes grew here and there in thatplace, very plentiful, in great dumpings.
And presently I was come to the top part of the ridge; and lo! a greatgladness took me, and some amazement; for there did be the lights thatdid be in the mouth of the Upward Gorge, and they did show me that I wascome anigh to that place. Yet had I feared that we were surely a dozengreat miles off; and now I to learn that we did be scarce of two ormaybe three, as I did judge.
And I told this thing to the Maid; and she rejoiced in mine arms, with adeep and quiet thankfulness. And I set forward then at so good a pace asI might; and I was come into the mouth-part of the Upward Gorge in aboutan hour; and surely I did be very weary, for it was beyond six andthirty hours that we had gone since last we did sleep; and there hadbeen sore labour and terror to our share in that time, as I have told.
And I turned in the mouth of the Gorge, and told Mine Own, very gentle,that we did take our last look upon that Land. And she askt that I puther down to her feet; and I put her down. And therewith we stood in thatplace, and mine arm about her; and so did I support the Maid, the whilethat she lookt silent over the dark of the Land.
And presently she askt me in a very husht voice, whether that I knewwhere the Lesser Pyramid did be in all that Darkness; for she was alladrift of her bearings, and was as a stranger, because that she hadnever lookt upon the Land from that place, before then. And I showed herwhere I thought the Pyramid to stand hid in the everlasting night; andshe nodded, very quiet, as that she did think thatwise, also.
And so a time did pass, and I knew that Naani said good-bye forever untoall that she had known of the world in all her life; and she did bewhispering a goodbye in her soul unto her Dead.
And I was very husht, and deeply sorrowful for the Maid, and didunderstand; for in verity, there should no other human look upon thatLand of terror through all the quiet of eternity; and the Maid did loseall her young life into that blackness, and the Father that was herFather; and the grave of her Mother; and the friends of all her years.And there went death in the Land, even then, after those that did live.
And Mine Own shook a little within mine arm; so that I knew she strovethat she be brave, to weep not; but afterward, she made not to ceasefrom her tears; and truly I was there, to be her understanding; and shedid be sweet and natural ever with me; for she was Mine Own, and did behourly the more so.
And presently, I moved a little, to sign that we go downward of theGorge; and she stayed me one moment, that she look once more over allthat Land; and afterward, she submitted, and turned with me, and didbreak into very bitter sobbing as she did go stumbling beside me; forthe sorrow of memory did fill her; and she was truly a very lonesomeMaid in that moment, and had come through much dreadfulness.
And in a minute, I stoopt and lifted her; and she wept in mine armsagainst mine armour; and I very silent and tender with her; and carriedher downward of the Gorge for a great hour more. And presently she wasgrown calm, and I knew that she slept in mine arms.
And in thiswise we made farewell of that dark Land, and left it unt
oEternity.