The Ghosts of Earth

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Welcome

THE GHOSTS OF EARTH (2009 Paul Dore) is the = first=20 volume in the hexology that will constitute the Truthfarer series. The = remaining=20 five volumes will be published at regular intervals over the next two=20 years.

The first book describes the beginnings of a universe: the = origins=20 of space and time, of consciousness itself. These cataclysmic events set = in=20 train the Truthfarers' quest, and the account of their journey=20 Homewards.

This history follows the adventures of two of these = beings as=20 they travel from the skies of an ancient planet to the realm of the = gods, and=20 then onwards to the freezing landscape of a new world, before finally=20 encountering the subterranean realms of the Gaki. These creatures are a = strange=20 race indeed, inexorably driven by an insatiable hunger towards madness, = to an=20 insanity that holds within itself the key to the next stage of their = path=20 towards ultimate knowledge.

Welcome all, to the realms of the=20 Truthfarers! We bid you rejoice - and perchance join - in their struggle = to find=20 that lost treasure of all sentient life; the Truth that Lies = Within.
We hope=20 you enjoy your journey.

If you have enjoyed the book please feel = free to=20 pass the link (www.truthfarer.co.uk) on to a friend (ie. it would be = appreciated=20 if you did not copy the file but rather referred your contact to the = site where=20 they can also download the free ebook).This ebook may not be = re-sold.

If=20 you wish to make a contribution to the author you may do so via a secure = payment=20 system on the Truthfarer site. There are a number of options available = ranging=20 from =A32.00 up to =A38.00 and of course it's entirely up to you to = decide on an=20 amount that you feel reflects your appreciation. It should be said that = it would=20 have been preferable to use a donation system but that is only available = to=20 charities or non-profit organisations (neither category of which we fall = into).=20 Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you

THE = GHOSTS OF=20 EARTH

PROLOGUE

No time or place. Nothing and = then -=20 fullness; a soft, even, pure and translucent glow, a constant whiteness, = a=20 limitless beauty in silver-cold light that invaded everything. It = penetrated=20 all, and filled the void with its near perfection. A minutia of the=20 preternatural emptiness shivered across its surface and the unity was = broken.=20 And then eternity and infinity shattered and fragmented, and from that = terrible=20 whiteness uncountable fragments exploded into an infernal heat that = swept=20 outwards, dimensions swirling into being in its awful wake.

And = so time=20 and space were born, and once again the terrible cycle of life and death = was set=20 into motion. Blazing light and heat boiled maniacally, devouring all and = spewing=20 out the remainder in incandescent dust; and chaos was brought under the = tyranny=20 of dimension. The measured process ticked away, nanosecond by = nanosecond, as the=20 alpha accident exploded in wave upon wave, a primal fire raging through=20 space.

Time passed, and passed on. Great gas clouds cooled and = coalesced,=20 forming particulates that collided and combined. Stars were born and = died as the=20 nebulae swirled and exploded, floating like great hulks upon an ocean of = flame,=20 their dead elemental forms basking in its luminosity. Throughout the = newly born=20 cosmos the embers lurched in a drunken dance, great arches of dust = twisting and=20 gyrating sinuously, breaking and then reforming in a mindless ballet of=20 accidental death, purposeless and meaningless; space born upon space, = with all=20 racing from all into the blackness of eternal night.

The aeons = pass and=20 that dread fury has now slowed and dispersed. Great suns blaze across = space,=20 circling ponderously about each other, some to die quietly, others to = implode=20 and then explode, sending their debris soaring outwards in search of new = homes.=20 Thus the process of birth and death, expressing itself in unthinking and = unfeeling matter, metres on, measuring moment by moment its senseless=20 path.

Epochs upon epochs speed by. Suns are born and suns die, = and around=20 them the dust gathers and coils, gravity bound. Then, too, the planets = make=20 their entrance, exemplars of that most elegant of forms, the sphere. And = they=20 join the majestic chorus, ploughing their stately orbits, adding each = one their=20 measure to the cosmic dance. Some would fly far from their mother star, = and her=20 light and heat would barely dance upon their surface. Others would draw = too=20 close to their parent, and would fall back into that deadly embrace, to = be=20 swallowed whole by their progenitor. Element bound to element, born from = the=20 solar furnaces, matter endlessly seeking new expression; but all still = dead - so=20 dead.

But from that flaw, embedded in the matrix of primordial = matter, a=20 new expression lay in wait; an accident yet to be born - and the ages = stream by.=20 The skies were much darker now, for that vast, embryonic array of = jewels, those=20 burnished suns that had filled the great spaces, they had reeled away = now,=20 moving into the deeps, receding ever further from their kin. Some were = solitary=20 children, blazing their light out into the cold dark reaches until their = nuclear=20 fires were exhausted. Others cast their warmth upon attendant planets, = bound=20 like servants to their estate. On a very few of these captives an = ancient play=20 was about to be presented; that same dark flaw, the sole witness to this = universe's conception, was about to perform its latest role, its purpose = finally=20 to be fulfilled. Form played upon form, combinations and permutations = endlessly=20 experimenting; fault upon fault, with no discernible pattern but a = random chaos,=20 a madness spinning out anarchy - and all about lay cosmic death. But = within this=20 vast nexus of interplaying forces a surprise conceals its face. Yet = still there=20 was no spectator to this crucible, this forcing medium. No eye or ear, = no=20 physical sense or consciousness to prostrate itself in terrified worship = before=20 the insensate whirl. The mystery that was to be awaited its time and = place, and=20 the unfolding of its esoteric purpose. The primal flaw had struck at the = heart=20 of the universe, born within the first cosmic fires, the progeny of a = force=20 indestructible and perfect, though within it own nature fundamentally = divided.=20 This was the first paradox of the many, which would echo yet through the = void. A=20 perplexity and a puzzle so profound that the whole cosmos itself would = in its=20 deepest being unravel the solution; both the analysis and the synthesis, = beautiful in its conception, but still a pregnant enigma ready to spill = its=20 seed, its creatures eager to vitalise the dead forms that surrounded it. = It lay=20 poised, a deadly precursor, creator of life and death, and holding all = within=20 its compass; this miasma incoherent, seductive, cardinal, immortal, but = mortally=20 incarnate. It flowed through time and space, immediate in its power, = creating=20 forms, yet in these insufficiencies seeking always its=20 completion.

Finally, on a dead husk of rock, it emerged within = matter,=20 whilst the harsh light of a nearby star played upon that impervious = surface; and=20 thus it remained for millennia. Nothing happened; changeless; no = transformation,=20 immutable; and the universe ground on its dead way. This lifeless world = turned=20 mechanically about its axis, in mindless, echoing repetition. The nearby = star=20 beat its sterile surface with a raw, harsh radiation. Thousands upon = thousands=20 of years slipped by, the universe and the planet older but by a fraction = in=20 cosmic terms. And then: Awakening! Life! There was not a movement, no = hint even=20 of this subtle change; it was so nevertheless, but of a fragility that = even the=20 slightest shift in all those variables that had conspired to bring about = this=20 miracle would have extinguished its incipience forthwith; thus it clung = to the=20 very edge of existence.

And the universe continued on its course = in an=20 insensible and constant pursuit of its limits. Up until now all was an = impotent=20 play of light and darkness, of change and purposeless transformation, = and the=20 essence of futility; but here the imperceptible seed was about to bear = fruit.=20 Upon that tiny sphere of rock, which twirled endlessly within darkness = into=20 light and into darkness, time seemed frozen. This monotone, punctuated = only by=20 the burning light of the nearby sun, merely accentuated the sense of = stasis. It=20 could have been that this unique experiment, this limitless possibility, = might=20 never have occurred, but for the intervention of another = transformational event.=20 From far away, coursing through the depths of space, a rogue meteor = struck the=20 surface of this empty bauble, scoring out a vast chunk of rock, and = dismissing=20 the wounded splinter into the void, as it accelerated away irreversibly = from its=20 mother sun?.

Millennia passed. The small asteroid hurtled ever = onwards,=20 ploughing through the emptiness and dust, bearing constantly its hidden = load.=20 Eventually it sank into the gravitational embrace of a minor sun, which = lay in=20 an isolated corner of a dark galaxy, and began its spiralling course = downwards=20 towards a fiery conclusion. As it arrowed towards the grave, the = fragment passed=20 across the orbit of a small planet that circled about this star, and was = drawn=20 into its more benevolent influence. Thus, as to a rescuing parent, it = hastened=20 like a wayward child into that adoptive embrace, and drew closer to its = new=20 haven. By this series of coincidences the orphan now found itself within = reach=20 of a new home. Throughout its extensive wanderings it had acquired a = protective=20 mantle of dust, seared onto its surface by the fires of numerous suns, = and this=20 further sealed by the multiple impacts of smaller meteorites. This = shroud burned=20 away fiercely as the wanderer reached into the atmosphere of the planet, = until=20 finally, unable to withstand the stresses, it exploded, showering the = lands=20 below with chunks of superheated rock.

Time beat onwards = interminably.=20 The aeons flowed past like the wavelets on a mountain torrent, time and = tide in=20 speeding flight. Volcanoes and fiery molten lava streams had once played = upon=20 the tormented surface of the planetoid, but now a gentler nature = prevailed. The=20 flaw lay basking upon its beneficent surface, a nestling awaiting = whatever fate=20 might bring, its insentient guardian necessarily unaware of the miracle = that it=20 bore, and quite oblivious to the implications for this world, or indeed = the=20 universe itself. But there remained yet another accident to present = itself=20 before this act of the play might conclude, and thus usher in the = prelude to the=20 next scene. There could be no witness to this event; none can say truly = what=20 passed on this lonely isle in space. However, the consequences of the = final=20 enactment are evident, and undeniable. In due course the flaw finally = burst into=20 full bloom. This small, grey ember, this insignificant, little smut, = which lay=20 upon the ground, slowly and almost imperceptibly changed colour. From = the dull=20 and insensible greyness that it presented to the light, a faint shine = now=20 appeared upon its surface, with the faintest tinge of iridescence, so = subtle as=20 to be quite unremarkable. It emanated a sombre glow, and a warmth quite = unlike=20 the blistering fury of the vast sun that floated above the planet's = surface; and=20 a gentle, delicate frisson shook it, indicative of a new kind of heat - = and a=20 new form. This birthling speck seemed to quiver. An internal quake = vibrated=20 through its form as if it were rousing from a long slumber, a quiescence = that=20 had lasted for a near eternity. The budding tremor grew in strength. It = was a=20 motion engendered within itself, not born of the blind forces of gravity = nor of=20 the solar winds, nor even of the action and reaction of mass, but a new = kind of=20 movement; the movement of life. Suddenly the form seemed to explode = within=20 itself, producing a violent perturbation that ran throughout its entire = frame;=20 and a new wonder was brought forth from the gestation. It was a = generative=20 movement, the first of living matter, and the beginning of that which = could=20 renew itself, thus unconsciously ensuring its own immortality; for what = had been=20 one was now two. There they were, glistening and quiescent, two newborn = forms=20 laying easily, side by side. And time proceeded on its inexorable and=20 irrevocable way. The anvil had been struck and its echoes were already = beating=20 through the void. Two became four, and four became eight, and with each=20 generation, each accident, diversity was created.

The eras swept = by. The=20 sun now looked down on a world that was saturated with life, albeit = primitive.=20 Unicellular plant forms floated in the clear, warm seas that bathed the = planet,=20 their waters nurturing and supporting its many offspring. A few of these = tiny=20 organisms had clustered together as if for mutual support. Others = floated here=20 and there on the surface, drifting wherever the tepid currents took = them. There=20 existed such a nice balance, but also a deadly inertia. It is arguable = whether=20 what followed was the product of a natural tendency built into the = cosmos, or=20 maybe the cells themselves provoked the next phase; or then again, = merely=20 another accident. The organisms continued to replicate, multiplying=20 continuously. They fed voraciously upon the copious waters and bright = sunlight.=20 The clumps of cells had now become vast mats that drifted over the = oceans. As=20 they propagated they bumped and collided, scraping cell against cell. = Some=20 lived, some died, and their corpses floated and decayed upon the = swelling=20 surface. Between these mats lay great open spaces of water upon which a = few lone=20 cells danced. But such was the fecundity of these organisms that = eventually even=20 these great gaps began to condense; finally the entire ocean surface was = covered=20 with one enormous layer of these germs. The clumps started to thicken. = As tier=20 weighed upon tier, and the upper levels grew upon each succeeding = generation,=20 those at the lowest levels were deprived of their life-giving light and = died.=20 Mutation continued upon mutation, and the struggle for survival = increased as=20 adaptation accelerated. The clusters became more integrated and = specialised,=20 seeking always to increase their chances for continued existence. = Competition=20 grew between the differentiating species, the death rates soaring as new = equilibria were established and then abandoned, in the continuous and=20 unrelenting process of evolution. On the surface nothing seemed to have = changed;=20 the great drifting mats floated as always, serene upon the oceans. But = in the=20 depths below the struggle had become ferocious and unforgiving. Some = lone cells,=20 which had long split away from the mats, now adopted more aggressive = strategies,=20 their competition spurred on by the increasingly desperate contest for = the=20 requirements of life. Their mode of adaptation was quite different from = the=20 collective and aggregated organic forms. The same process of division = and=20 specialisation proceeded within their evolutionary development, but = produced=20 radically different species. Since they were no longer able to rely = solely on=20 the motion of the ocean currents to bring food to them they had had to = acquire=20 the means to propel themselves forwards, and developed a sensory = apparatus to=20 guide them in their constant search for sustenance. They instinctively=20 understood not only that they were in competition with the vast mats = that=20 dominated the surface, but also with each other. The battle for survival = was now=20 well and truly joined: aggressor against aggressor. New balances were=20 established, and the dwindling food sources and constant evolution = ensured that=20 the great mats gradually shrunk in size. The antagonist organisms now = fed not=20 only on their passive brethren but also upon their more mobile brothers. = The=20 seas began to open up again. Through it all the sun glowed steadily down = upon=20 this cosmic experiment.

The newly born planet, though established = in=20 relative docility by comparison with its more juvenile years, was still = vomiting=20 up rock from its core. The process of plate formation thrust land ever = upwards=20 and new islands formed continuously, beading the wide seas. = Periodically, one of=20 the great sea mats would drift upon these new coastlines and lie = stranded there,=20 its massive form no longer cooled by the ocean currents. Soon it would = die under=20 the blistering heat of the new sun, its corpse decaying upon the = sandbanks. The=20 rich dust it produced as it decomposed would gradually be blown inland = by the=20 sea winds, to settle into dunes along the shoreline, thereby enriching = the near=20 sterile earth that lay there. Similarly, the violent gales and rains = that=20 frequently swept the planet's surface would break down the freshly = exposed rocks=20 thrust up from beneath the mantle, there to mix with the decaying mats, = and thus=20 produce a rich loam, the fertile basis for new life.

The = millennia rolled=20 forwards. Genetic variation begat the development of multi-cellular = organisms,=20 both more capable but also more vulnerable, rendered thus by their = increasing=20 differentiation and specialisation. Within the oceans drifted embryonic=20 predators, evolving in ceaseless competition and, with greater food = reserves,=20 growing ever larger, as they propagated, struggled and died in the = agonizing=20 contest for life.

Thus did these matters unfold as the planet and = its=20 sun, indeed the whole system, sped through immeasurable space. And then, = from=20 out of its depths, came nemesis; a massive rock that had been hurtling = towards=20 this point in space and time for millions upon millions of years, to = keep=20 finally its fateful and violent appointment. Mass collided with mass, = and the=20 whole was reduced instantaneously to a frame of flaming debris, which = exploded=20 back into the night, each fragment bearing its own lone message into the = void.

Again and again, across the empty reaches of space, in = millions=20 upon millions of galaxies, on worlds more numerous than the sands of a = billion=20 seashores, life struggled to gain a foothold in this all but sterile = wasteland,=20 relentlessly beaten back time and time again by vast unthinking and = uncaring=20 forces. And so the grim process unfolded, an endless procession of blind = chance,=20 an infinity of opposition ranked against these weak and fragile forms, = all but=20 helpless against those seemingly malevolent powers: the supernovae and = meteorite=20 strikes, and the planetary orbits so erratic as to deny the accident its = due=20 place in the cosmic play.

The uneven struggle continued over even = more=20 vast passages of time than can be conceived by consciousness; yet life = seemed=20 forever doomed to remain an undiscovered possibility. Finally, in a = desolate=20 star system on the edge of a newly born galaxy, random chance threw yet = another=20 cast that life might find its foothold. The experiment ran its course = for the=20 trillionth time; the gradual evolutionary process from simple to = complex, the=20 interplay of survival and adaptation producing an increasing diversity = of animal=20 and plant life, these in turn based on a fragile and mutual = interdependence;=20 species coming into existence then to pass away, only to be replaced by = more=20 successful forms. These again, by mutation and combination, moving from = the=20 lesser to the greater, a stumbling invention framed always within the = steady=20 beat of time.

The ages passed, and still the repeated catastrophe = withheld its baleful influence. On a fine edge this life continued to = flourish,=20 gradually enforcing itself upon the planet, firmly establishing its = base. But=20 all that had come to be bore yet the hallmark of the relatively = insensible. The=20 higher primates that had now evolved here, it is true, exhibited many = aspects of=20 a fully sentient development; the ability to group together for mutual=20 protection, the use of primitive skills, even a rudimentary language; = but=20 reflexive consciousness was absent. There was still no subject for any=20 object.

Yet Nature bided her time, debating the catalyst that = might=20 provoke this movement. Some have insisted that it was simply another = mutation=20 and consciousness came into being in the same fashion that all other=20 transformations had been stimulated. Others argued for divine = intervention -=20 though most now would dismiss this as a mere childish fancy. Howsoever, = we must=20 bear witness to the fact that despite the undefined cause the effect is=20 indisputable, for there would be none otherwise to join this argument. = Reflexive=20 consciousness, at some time and in some place, was spawned; and = strangely, not=20 just here on this small world, but again and again throughout the = cosmos. From=20 these modest beginnings the universe and everything in it would be = transformed=20 to a degree so far unknown; the next phase had commenced. However, what = had not=20 been understood - until fairly recently that is - was this form of = consciousness=20 was but the lowest stage of a whole range of psychic evolutionary stages = yet to=20 arise. For time being at least, we must be satisfied with its present=20 incarnation; the form of a hominid, a proto man. Those other hidden and = esoteric=20 depths would display themselves when time and nature declared them due. = For=20 now?

It is part of the vanity of any species to refer to itself = as 'man',=20 conveying as it does that sense of a final reference by which all other = groups=20 and forms are judged. So the idea 'man' in this new world resembles but = little=20 in what we would conceive with respect to our own condition. The = creature in=20 question possessed a body bordered by four limbs. Upon the superior = aspect of=20 the torso was seated the main receptacle for sensory data. The form, as = a whole,=20 was capable of motion. It was fully autonomous in terms of action, = although=20 quite capable of operating with its own kind in collective ventures such = as=20 hunting, defence, construction and so on. It possessed internal organs = for the=20 processing of food necessary to sustain its life force, together with = ancillary=20 organs that had evolved to maintain it in optimum condition in all but = the most=20 adverse of environmental circumstances. It was the product of uncounted=20 generations of selection, and held easy sway over the other species that = inhabited the planet. Its predisposition to act in accord with its = fellows gave=20 it a clear advantage over the many other equally well-adapted life = forms; this,=20 together with its superior intelligence, allowed it to maintain its=20 dominance.

These hominids were omnivores, able to consume and = digest both=20 plant and animal life. By the lengthy and painful process of trial and = error it=20 had gradually acquired insight into what was ally, and what was not.=20 Additionally it had acquired the capacity to pass down knowledge from = generation=20 to generation, in a folklore conveyed in many forms, so that these in = turn were=20 able to benefit greatly from the accumulated wisdom of their elders. = This was=20 the real source of man's control over other species. Whereas other = creatures too=20 were able to transmit hard won expertise via instinctual learning, this = could=20 not equate with self-conscious intelligence, and the transference of = more=20 complex conceptualisations. In this manner the process of intellectual = evolution=20 was sent into overdrive, telescoping what would have taken millions of = years=20 through natural selection into a matter of centuries, even decades. Thus = this=20 species rapidly outstripped every other, and easily gained and = maintained its=20 ascendancy. Inevitably the weaker and less adaptive organisms fell by = the=20 wayside and, one by one, whole genera were wiped out. It seemed that the = highly=20 developed intellectual ability possessed by the hominid breed was = matched only=20 by an almost paradoxical heedlessness when it came to the welfare of its = competitors. But for now the primary question of concern was the = day-to-day=20 business of survival; the luxury of contemplation was reserved for an as = yet=20 distant future. And so day followed day, with a routine clinging to the = edges of=20 existence.

SEPARATION

Now there lies a fiery = desert=20 here, stretching across vast landscapes to the waters of an inland sea; = a waste=20 extending many thousands of miles, with but few creatures clinging to = life, and=20 otherwise empty. This barren furnace finally ends at a sea that a noble = warrior=20 people long ago named The Sea at the Middle of the Earth. But then this = land was=20 filled with life, with rich pastures and great forests and valleys, and = fast=20 running streams that flowed eagerly across its face, feeding the earth = and all=20 its creatures. In the great blue sky contoured with vast plumed clouds,=20 testimony to the teeming life below, there lived, amongst others, two = majestic=20 eagles. They were great golden beings. This was an age when that = precious metal=20 did not lie cold and dead in the earth, but was born on the wings of = living=20 creatures; their feathers shone resplendently in the brilliant sun. = Indeed,=20 their bodies glowed so brightly that they appeared as sons and daughters = of that=20 great burning orb itself, that rode the sky far above. Their names were = Aquila=20 and Aquilus, female and male. Their days were spent drifting in the air=20 currents, floating in great circles as they rose and fell according to = their=20 wish, their penetrating gaze staring into the blue distance, measuring = the great=20 circle of the earth, or seeking out prey on the land far below. Their = dominion=20 was the air, and within that element their will was law. They saw the = world as=20 no others did; and from that an insight was born: the wisdom of eagles. = Each=20 night they would float down to their lair that balanced on a ledge, = cleaved by=20 ageless time into the side of a mountain, one of a range of granite = cliffs that=20 lay to the south of their land. And each night they would make love, = their=20 mating calls echoing through the mountains, and then passing into deep = space, to=20 greet the cold stars above. Then they would sleep, Aquila lying enfolded = in the=20 great golden wings of her lover, her nest within her nest. From these = unions=20 many offspring were born, to be raised by their father and mother until = they too=20 were ready to depart their home. Then they would take their place in the = ether,=20 and become masters and mistresses of that element; but always Aquila and = Aquilus=20 remained inseparable. In their journeys through the sky they would = sometimes=20 circle so far apart that they disappeared from each other's sight; but = their=20 hearts were united and the bond was never broken.

One morning = Aquilus=20 awoke, and within him arose a great conceit. He wished to give his mate = a token,=20 a proof of his great love and adoration. He reflected on that which was = most=20 precious in this world. Of course he knew instantly, that there could be = nothing=20 greater than that which gave life and granted power to his wings, which = warmed=20 his feathers and fed the updraughts that lifted him high into the sky. = It was=20 the father and mother of being; it was the great golden sun from which = he and=20 his kin had descended. He would set upon this as his prey. He would = bring it=20 down to earth to lay at the feet of his beloved Aquila; then she would = know his=20 great passion. He moved with ease into the sky whilst Aquila still = rested=20 sleeping in the nest. He danced with the currents, higher and higher, = his wing=20 beat steady and powerful. He felt the heat of that distant quarry burn = upon his=20 face, but his eyes he kept averted, so bright was its light even for his = fearsome sight. The air became colder and thinner and he beat his wings = the more=20 vigorously, fighting the forces that would draw him back to the earth. = He knew=20 that he would not, could not, give up, and so he struggled onwards, and = rose=20 above the world. He felt his blood pounding within his skull as he = pushed=20 through the atmosphere. So high had he gone that the sky had become = dark, and=20 the stars seemed brighter and harsher, floating just before him, dancing = wildly,=20 crazily. Finally, it was too much for his mortal frame, and his heart = burst into=20 a thousand pieces, his insensible body falling back towards the earth. = But his=20 eagle will carried him upwards, sparing not a thought for the dead shell = that=20 had now encased his soul. His spirit soared out into space for he could = see=20 clearly now the great fire, burning directly before him, drawing this = child of=20 the air to her bosom; with an unwavering gaze he sped towards his prey = until,=20 without hesitation, he flew into the heart of the sun.

Far below = Aquila=20 had awakened. She felt uneasy that her mate had left her without calling = out, as=20 was his custom. She rose from the nest and flew towards the east, and to = the=20 rising sun, in search of Aquilus. She flew all day, even until the = shadows fell=20 deeply from the mountaintops. She soared high and low, her fierce gaze = piercing=20 even those granite peaks. Her wings spread over the plains and forests, = cutting=20 the clouds and skimming the seas. All that day, and the next, and the = next, she=20 sought him out. These hollow and desperate passages mounted into months, = and=20 then years, until within her heart she grew to the knowledge that he had = gone=20 forever. Now she lay alone in the nest, with the biting loneliness in = her heart=20 settling into a cold despair, that in turn became resignation. The years = passed=20 and she lived the life of the eagle. No other mate did she take, no more = children did she bear. Then, on one bright and clear morning, she rose = into the=20 sky and took flight towards the east and to her mother sun; and her = heart=20 finally broke. She fell to the earth to pass once more into the great = cycle of=20 life and death.

THE ASCENT

For a few moments = he knew=20 not where he lay. All around him there blazed a light that was almost = impossible=20 to contemplate, yet strangely its fierce heat left him untouched. = Gradually this=20 incandescence seemed to dissipate, and at last he could see his = surroundings=20 more clearly. He appeared to be lying on a bed of flower blossoms of the = brightest hues; blood reds and creamy whites, butter yellows, both dark = and=20 light, with wine deep purples flowing through all. They provided the = softest of=20 beds, easing and cushioning his limbs, their perfume both overwhelming = and=20 invigorating. Far above his head arched a perfect azure sky, pure and = brightly=20 clear. He raised himself to lean upon his hands. For one strange moment = he=20 seemed to feel the sensation of wings unfolding upon his shoulder = blades. But=20 this absurdity disappeared as quickly as it had glanced into his mind. = He gazed=20 with fascination at the extraordinary landscape that encompassed him. As = he=20 narrowed his eyes, burdened as they were by the burning light that = seemed to=20 emanate from everything about him, he found that he could pick out the = smallest=20 details on objects, and no matter how far away they appeared to be. = Gently=20 sloping hills, shading green into green, flowed across the far plains = into the=20 distance, and these in turn were criss-crossed by wide flowing streams = and=20 rivers, their waters reflecting the glorious heavens, their surfaces = shimmering=20 mirrors framed by bright water lilies that bore flowers of indescribable = beauty.=20 Some of these colours were cognizable; but there were tones too that he = had no=20 way to describe, so wondrous were their hues. Great trees spread their = massive=20 limbs across the foreground, their outstretched boughs elegant in their = reach.=20 Many were of great age, and bore fruit that much resembled bright and = sparkling=20 jewels, pendant upon their frames. His senses bore to him all these=20 undiminished, as if he were a newborn babe awakened for the first time. = His=20 sharp hearing could pick out a subtle breeze blowing gently over the = land, a=20 soft sussuration, a reassuring murmuring that lulled his mind into quiet = tranquillity; his skin shivered, caressed by these same gentle, soft and = fluttering swirls, sending a thrill of pleasure through his body. It was = only=20 then that he noticed not a single ache or pain in his entire frame. His = thoughts=20 dwelt idly on a recollection that seemed to be fading fast, a strange = echoing of=20 something from another time, that drifted away into the air. All the = while the=20 penetrating perfumes from the blossoms assailed his nostrils, = stimulating him,=20 lifting his thoughts higher and higher.

He stood up, and the = movement was=20 effortless. Again he had that vague notion that surely there should be = some=20 resistance, an inertia that would burden every movement. And yet his = body rose=20 effortlessly, as if born on a zephyr. He gazed about him at this foreign = land.=20 He had no idea of how he had come to be here, no intimation at all. He = looked=20 down at his body. He discovered that he was attired in a long, flowing = robe of=20 the purest gold, which drifted languorously about him, light as the = finest of=20 silks though it had the appearance of that beaten metal. It fell in = swathes=20 about him, shimmering and glowing, as if the sun rested within its = fabric. He=20 could not tell of what it was fashioned, either by touch or by sight, = yet it was=20 as light as the most gossamer wisp of cloud. It neither chafed nor = irritated his=20 skin, as it swept about him, shadowing his every move. His gaze fell for = a=20 moment upon his arms where they emerged from the long sleeves of the = gown. The=20 pale skin glowed with perfection, a satin surface corrupted by neither = blemish=20 nor scar. Yet it was not lifeless, for a network of fine, red veins and=20 capillaries traversed the flesh indicating that here stood no cold and=20 insensible statue.

He returned his attention to the landscape = around him,=20 and stood ensnared by its beauty. He could see small, brilliantly = coloured birds=20 darting through the air, for all the world like delicate jewels. Their = feathers=20 glowed with blues and scarlets, yellows and greens, a veritable rainbow = of=20 magical tones, and a display so clear and intense that they were as = fiery darts=20 cast by some mischievous divine into the skies, flashing like bright = sapphires=20 and rubies, or glowing garnets and emeralds. They moved so swiftly that = they=20 seemed like trails of flame in the air. He espied some of their number = resting=20 on the branches of a nearby tree, and his ears could pick out their = calls, a=20 sound so clear and melodic that tears came to his eyes, so enraptured = was he by=20 their song. He stood there in momentary time, captivated by the sights = and=20 sounds of this new world.

Doubtless he would have remained in = this=20 entranced state much longer if he had not noticed some figures = approaching him=20 across the plain from his left. At first he thought that they had = advanced from=20 a position quite close to where he presently stood. But then he recalled = how his=20 vision, so acute, could see far into the distance, and it was only their = scale=20 that alerted him to the fact that they were still some way off; his = sense of=20 this dimension remained utterly confused. However, he could already = distinguish=20 clearly their facial aspects and forms, and these revealed the approach = of three=20 men and one woman. Their countenances were exquisitely beautiful, with = refined=20 and symmetrical features, their pale skin like his, quite flawless. They = moved=20 effortlessly, seeming to glide over the intervening ground and, though = they=20 advanced with no great haste, they covered the distance in what seemed a = matter=20 of seconds. As they drew nearer he could more fully appreciate their = excellence.=20 All were dressed in the same manner as he, though their robes were of = different=20 colours. They were of distinguished proportion, tall but strong, the = shape and=20 length of their limbs in harmony with the whole. Their faces were of an=20 androgynous form. Indeed, it was only possible to ascertain that one was = female=20 from the more curvaceous elements of her physique. All possessed a kind = of=20 beauty that surpassed the usual conventions of masculine and feminine. = Their=20 bone structure was elegant yet powerful, and there was an economy of = strength=20 that radiated from their features, coupled with a sensitivity and = softness that=20 were truly ethereal. Their eyes glowed with a warmth and intensity that = were=20 altogether unbearable to receive; it was at once luminous, yet = overspilling with=20 wisdom and compassion; a glance in itself was sufficient to lift one's = spirits=20 to the very heights. They came to a halt directly before him, welcoming = him with=20 their presence, silent but clearly appraising him and his sudden = appearance in=20 their land. Suddenly his senses were assailed by the most delightful of = odours,=20 perfumes so exotic and complex that he fell back in confusion, = momentarily=20 overwhelmed by their powerful intoxication. To his surprise he seemed to = sense a=20 meaning in these luxuriant smells. The others remained quiet, still = regarding=20 him with that same calm curiosity. But they appeared a little taken = aback by his=20 reaction. He struggled to regain his composure despite what might almost = be=20 termed an olfactory assault. Within the barrage of perfumes he began to=20 translate this strange new language into concepts with which he was more = familiar. It would seem that within this extraordinary sensual = communication the=20 strangers were welcoming him; and as his skill grew the message had now = become=20 quite unmistakable. He could detect a slight hint of polite inquiry as = to whence=20 he came, and perhaps an interrogatory whiff requesting his name. Quite=20 bewildered, he attempted to reply in a manner that was customary to his = species;=20 but as he moved his lips no sounds issued forth. He reassured himself = with the=20 recollection that he was confident that this was the usual mode of = expression=20 that he had employed in the past; but again the words simply would not = come. The=20 four looked on, a degree of inquisition in their manner, trying to = fathom what=20 he might be essaying. It was the woman who first seemed to grasp what = was=20 passing between them. She turned to her companions and an exchange of = quite=20 extraordinarily beautiful fragrances floated through the air between = them. With=20 his new-found skill, he could now catch the essence of her = communication. It=20 would seem that they had deduced that he must be newly arrived, and not = at all=20 familiar with the mode of language here. They laughed, a remarkable = cascade of=20 scents, quite different in tone from those employed in communicating = their=20 language; but the nuances, though subtle, were clear. They turned back = to him,=20 and quickly clarified his situation. They recalled for his benefit their = own=20 distant pasts and how they had come to reside in this realm - though it = had been=20 so long now that they had almost forgotten those times. It emerged that = he had,=20 in some fashion as yet unspecified, passed from his old life to this = heavenly=20 realm. He had been reborn a full-grown adult, for there was no infantile = stage=20 in this world. They again welcomed him. With great patience and = consideration=20 they told him all that they could about his new world, including their = own=20 unique mode of communication. It seemed that all that was required to = answer was=20 simply to think what he wanted to 'say'; the scent glands contained in = his skin=20 would quite naturally exude the perfumes that would convey those = concepts. He=20 attempted this and, to his astonishment, perfectly and fluently = expressed his=20 wishes. The conversation from that point onwards was most enlightening. = His=20 companions indicated that time here proceeded in quite a different mode = from=20 other worlds. It could not exactly be described in the manner of the = 'passing'=20 of time, nor could it be said that he would reside here for eternity. = These=20 complex ideas were quite easily grasped in their perfumed form but our = language=20 unfortunately cannot adequately translate these intricacies. Whilst he = resided=20 in this place he would have need of neither food nor drink though he = could=20 consume both if he wished. There was an abundance of trees and plants = supplying=20 both fruits and berries to meet this unnecessary hunger, and these were = of an=20 unparalleled delight and succulence. The waters of the rivers and = streams were=20 of a most pure and sweet taste, easily sufficient to allay a thirst that = needed=20 no quenching. There were no wild creatures to fear, no predators against = which=20 he should be on guard. All his requirements would be supported in this=20 delightful place. He could pass his time, so to speak, in any way that = he chose;=20 in conversation, or in contemplation upon his condition in this most = beautiful=20 of worlds. It had already struck him that his own conceptions possessed = a most=20 striking lucidity. Indeed, his thought processes were extremely clear = and=20 uncluttered, perfectly formed and framed, and passing serenely through = his=20 consciousness, the most abstract of considerations displaying a kind of=20 pellucidity that was quite remarkable. His perspicacity seemed = extraordinarily=20 developed: it was sharp and clear, and totally devoid of its customary = confusion=20 or opacity. Any idea that he cared to focus his mind upon, any = philosophical=20 question that he raised within his consciousness, each was effortlessly = and=20 instantly penetrated and resolved. Seemingly, and in concord with this=20 extraordinary precision of thought, his emotional states too were of a = steady=20 blissful tenor, which did not appear to diminish; a kind of warm = excitement, and=20 an exhilaration that neither disturbed nor tired him. His whole being = was=20 suffused with this equanimous sentiment, expressive of both love and = compassion,=20 these seeming to exude an influence in every direction and without=20 discrimination, extending even to the blades of grass beneath his feet = and to=20 the jewelled pebbles that lay on the beds of the streams; and this = beneficence=20 was unstained by any kind of fear or anxiety.

The others had = retired to=20 some distance, to observe him disporting within his thoughts. Finally, = and=20 assured of his well being, they left him to his own reflections. He = remained=20 there, timelessly drinking in the sights and smells and sounds, ever = delighting=20 in his own company. The sky darkened faintly as evening fell. He scanned = the=20 skies carefully, seeking some source for this diminishing effulgence; = but he=20 could detect nothing. The heavens possessed an immanent radiance, which = had now=20 almost indiscernibly dimmed, leaving the bright landscape to settle into = more=20 sombre hues. Though he felt no need to rest he lay upon the blossom bed, = and=20 fell promptly into a profound slumber. He was assailed by dreams both = soft and=20 vivid, full of unfathomable and unspeakable significance, which enfolded = him in=20 a warmth of quite unimaginable depth.

Thus he sojourned in this=20 delightful realm. There was no counting of the days or months or years, = for=20 there were none to measure. There was no oppressive ennui, no sense of = languor=20 or prolixity. Each boundless moment seemed as fresh and new as the next. = Occasionally he would converse with his neighbours, who seemed to appear = always=20 and without fail, at the point when he felt most inclined towards = company.=20 Similarly, when he chose to visit them, they would dependably welcome = him, as if=20 they had been anticipating his arrival at that precise instant. All of = this=20 world's inhabitants seemed to lead solitary lives, taking the same = pleasure in=20 their own company as he did in his. On a number of occasions the woman = visited=20 him. They talked in their own manner, roving through thoughts and = sensations,=20 emotions and perceptions, with a fluidity that was prodigious, and in a = mode=20 that transported him into the mysteries of their minds and deeper still, = even=20 beneath conscious thought, and into ideal realms more marvellous than = the ones=20 they customarily inhabited. However, there was one notable occasion = where their=20 communication took on a quite different form. At this interview the = female=20 indicated that she would take pleasure in communion. At first he could = not=20 interpret the sense of what she was trying to empathize .She explained = lucidly=20 the nature of that contact, and again asked if he would assent. He had = at no=20 point since his arrival felt the slightest stirrings of sexual interest = in her;=20 but he now realised this to be the gist of her intent; or at least as = best he=20 could translate it. He indicated his approval more from a sense of = curiosity=20 rather than any desire. She reached out towards him and very gently and = softly=20 placed her finger upon his brow. Suddenly he was assailed by sensations = of a=20 completely unfamiliar character. Where factual or emotional = communications=20 possessed quite distinct tones, these were of a wholly different order. = There=20 was conveyed, if one could describe it in words, an amalgam of bliss, = ecstasy,=20 rapture and tranquillity; all were perfectly combined to heighten the = impact,=20 both individually and collectively, of these qualities. The contact was = brief=20 but, for all that, powerful. He was left with a sense of enhanced = completeness,=20 an experience that in itself suggested, perfect though this world = seemed, there=20 was yet a deficiency; this was his first intimation that paradise = existed at=20 some distance from his present condition. He was to experience this = contact only=20 once during his abiding, but so powerful was this that it burned deeply = into his=20 consciousness.

And so the moment expanded, with experience upon=20 experience, but not once descending into gross familiarity or boredom. = It was as=20 if on each awakening he was reborn afresh, to imbibe the sights and = sounds,=20 odours and tastes, and tactile impressions of this wondrous place. No = hint of=20 world-weariness or ennui interfered with his pleasure. Timelessness = passed=20 onwards, immeasurable and ungraspable. There was no apparent change or = ageing in=20 this precious place. He seemed as youthful and vigorous as when he first = arrived. Similarly, there was no indication or sign of degeneration or = decay in=20 anything about him; death seemed to be a stranger here, unknown and=20 alien.

One morning, and when he had wakened from his customary = vivid=20 slumbers, he noticed the slightest of aches in the region of his chest. = So=20 extraordinary was this that for a moment he experienced what might have = been=20 called anxiety - if it might be said that he could feel such an emotion. = He was=20 quite at a loss to comprehend the sensation. He pondered on this feeling = within=20 his physical sensibility, and the tremor that it had sent through his = body. How=20 could it be called? Or reconciled? What would the frame of reference be? = On the=20 next awakening the same thing occurred. He repeated the process, of = searching=20 for some basis for grasping and encapsulating the event. Now he was = seized with=20 a growing uneasiness. If anything it was this 'anxiety' more than the = actual=20 physical sensation that was causing him the greater problem; the = strangeness of=20 it, and his inability to fit this into his understanding of this world. = It was=20 as if something quite extraneous had intruded into this place: an = element, both=20 unnecessary and jarring. The physical sensation had gradually receded in = significance, and he became entirely preoccupied with the more central = problem,=20 that of reconciliation. As the matter played upon his mind he found = himself=20 roaming about those delightful scenes, experiencing what can only be = described=20 as a slight annoyance with his surroundings. He began to find the = unchanging=20 landscape irksome, its unrelenting similitude an irritant. This = displeasure and=20 anxiety grew, and came to pervade his whole being. He shunned too the = company of=20 his friends. They would visit him from time to time, but now he would = wave them=20 away. Of course they withdrew immediately, recognising his need to be = alone. If=20 he but knew it they could easily have explained his condition, but their = wisdom=20 dictated that this was not a matter on which they might = intervene.

The=20 light had grown brighter, which signified what passed for morning in = this world.=20 He had awakened to discover that the ground beneath his body seemed = unusually=20 uncomfortable, hard and replete with intrusive edges. His sleep had been = restless, and his dreams wild and disturbing, full of unknown portents = that he=20 could not distinguish. He struggled to his feet. As he looked downwards = he=20 noticed with some astonishment that the earth beneath him appeared to be = growing=20 transparent. He viewed this new phenomenon with some fascination, and = not a=20 little disquiet. The colours seemed to bleed away, as it were, leaving a = clear=20 window upon the ground into which he now peered with some curiosity. He = could=20 see far below some thick, puffy, white objects, which floated over a = grey haze,=20 this last appearing to recede even further underneath. It suddenly = occurred to=20 him that these could only be clouds, and that what emerged from under = these was=20 the surface of some distant land. With this knowledge his vision = strengthened=20 and clarified, and now he could clearly perceive this far removed=20 terrain.

Finally, his telescoping gaze brought him in sight of = the body=20 of a man lying by a stream, its edges frozen in the grip of ice. Within = him the=20 recognition grew that this fellow was clinging to the very limits of = life. And=20 there stirred a faint memory, the vaguest recollection, that this being = had=20 played some part in his life, albeit in a very distant past. More than = that=20 there arose in him an overwhelming sense of pity, and with such force = that he=20 was almost cast to the ground. He could see clearly that this poor = creature was=20 dying from hunger, and sensed the man's pain cutting deeply into his own = body.

Time and space converged within him. He/she was a fawn, = cast forth=20 into the world by his/her mother; then a yearling, and finally a young=20 adolescent, antlers growing and thickening. Now she/he was wandering = through=20 some thickets near a stream. At one and the same time he was far above, = looking=20 down through this window into a distant world, and then here too, = standing by=20 the stream, he/she gazed upon the fallen man lying nearby. A searing = pain again=20 shot through her, a terrible agony, and her consciousness grew dim, and = she fell=20 to her knees into the freezing waters, collapsing finally on to her = side. And=20 then there was darkness again ?..

THE = DESCENT

Cold=20 penetrated through the sleep of the man as the first faint touches of = dawn were=20 caressing the sky. It was a most inhospitable season both without and = within, a=20 chill air enshrouding the cold emptiness of his belly. He struggled to = wake=20 through the freezing fog that enveloped his mind, only to rouse to that=20 interminable pain that racked his body. As he lifted from his uneasy = slumbers he=20 could faintly recall the lingering echoes of a dream, the last in a = series of=20 strange visions had followed him all his life. He could dimly recall = within this=20 reverie he had been some kind of great bird, soaring through the air on = powerful=20 golden wings, searching for something; but he knew not what. He had = flown for=20 miles upon miles, scanning the blue-grey distances, a great desolation=20 penetrating to his bones, and carrying a loss so deep that it manifested = itself=20 even in the physical, in an ache that reached to his very soul. Now he = was awake=20 and that hurt had been translated, and had become the hard ground upon = which he=20 lay. He had never spoken to anyone about these visions; they haunted = him, and he=20 endured them alone.

About him his fellows were stirring with = groans and=20 grunts. Not one was eager to face either the dreadful cold or the = dangers of=20 another dawn. One by one their bodies stirred into life. The cave in = which they=20 dwelt could shelter nearly one hundred of the tribe; but there was = nothing like=20 that number here now. The winter had been harsh and many of the old and = the=20 sicklier had perished. Even some of the healthy had succumbed to an = unknown=20 illness, coughing their life's blood away, with both lack of food and = warmth=20 contributing to their untimely demise. Now they barely mustered = twenty-five all=20 told; and they were on the very brink of extinction. They needed able = hunters,=20 men and women who could track prey, and feed their ever-falling numbers; = healthy=20 males and females, too, to breed so that their children could defend the = tribe=20 and their lands in the future. Although the other natives in the region = fared no=20 better than they, enemy scouts had been sighted near the stream that = flowed=20 through their valley, and they knew that soon they would have to fight = again.=20 Matters became worse when food was so meagre; men were desperate, and = prepared=20 to risk all to seize what they could.

He moved, groaning slightly = with=20 the effort, and forced himself to get to his feet, his body sickened = with cold=20 and hunger. His eyes were sunken deep into their sockets, and the = deprivation=20 had etched itself into his face. There was that gnawing emptiness in his = belly=20 that never seemed to go away, a constant accompaniment for as long as he = could=20 remember. Fatigue flooded every limb, leaving them trembling and frail. = He=20 looked around at his friends. All had that same despondent and defeated = air,=20 anticipating another desperate day hunting for food that did not exist, = the cold=20 sucking their life away moment by moment. He dragged himself wearily to = the cave=20 entrance where he looked out into the valley below. The sky was crystal = clear,=20 and a sharp, icy wind floated high over the freezing lands as these = disappeared=20 into the horizon. This site had been chosen for its clear vantage over = the land=20 about it. No surprise assault could be made against them here. There = were rock=20 screes that lay above and below upon the slope. Any attempt to approach = would be=20 heralded by the noise of falling debris. It was fortunate indeed that = they=20 needed no guard, for none of them were in any condition to undertake = such a=20 task. He leaned against the rock wall, gasping with even this slight = exertion,=20 and peered back into the gloom of the cave. He could make out a few of = the=20 others in the half-light; they did not seem inclined to venture forth. = Some of=20 the babies, the few that had survived winter, were crying in the = darkness,=20 screaming out their hunger, with their mothers helpless to feed them. He = and a=20 few of the other younger men had hunted on the previous day. They had = travelled=20 many miles searching for game. They had sighted some deer but had been = too weak=20 to pursue their quarry, their hunger and exhaustion disabling them = completely,=20 even for this vital task. Wearily he again turned back to look down the = valley.=20 He could not allow himself to think any further for there was no other = choice.=20 The freezing grip of fear enveloped his heart, attacking both his body = and his=20 will. If he could not summon up the resolve then he would surely die, = and the=20 tribe would be weakened further by the loss of yet another hunter and = warrior.=20 He had to move, to try once again. But throughout his whole being echoed = the=20 certainty of failure and death; and his resolve was almost=20 extinguished.

He did not even bother to look behind him as he = stumbled=20 down the slope. If any were to follow they would; and if not ?. His = frail=20 condition caused him to slip, and he fell forward, sliding down the = incline, a=20 stream of rocks and pebbles tumbling around him. So tired was he that he = simply=20 allowed himself to hurtle forwards, raising his hands only to protect = his face.=20 Finally he arrived near the bottom of the gradient, raising a cloud of = hoar=20 frost and dust as he hit the frozen ground. He lay there dazed and = bruised, the=20 torrent of rocks and stones still falling around him, exhaustion and = pain=20 battering his body. Grimly he again pulled himself to his feet, and = climbed down=20 the remainder of the slope. He could hear no noises behind him so he = guessed=20 that none were following. He took the trail through a small wood of = spindly=20 trees, their grey branches and trunks rotten and broken. Everything = about him=20 was covered in a thick layer of sharp, white frost. The whole landscape = had an=20 almost mystical character garlanded as it was in this unforgiving but = beautiful=20 coating of freezing ice. But to his eyes it signified nothing more than = the cold=20 harshness of their lives, an uncaring blankness that gave no comfort. He = was so=20 careless and tired that he barely noticed as a branch struck his face; = but then=20 he felt a coil of blood dripping from the wound to his forehead. He = stumbled=20 onwards with just the desperate realisation that he had to keep moving = forwards=20 sustaining him, punishing him with its merciless drive He proceeded in = this=20 fashion and moved deeper into the valley, the ground gradually levelling = out=20 before him. The only sounds that he could hear were the irregular rhythm = of his=20 footsteps, slipping and sliding over the frozen ground.

His sight = was now=20 almost totally obscured by the blood dripping down into his eyes; but he = was too=20 weary to wipe it away. Finally he came upon the stream that had over the = millennia carved out this river valley, and which was home to his tribe. = The=20 edges of the watercourse were frozen solid, but the water trickled = freely though=20 sluggishly down its centre. If there were any game to be discovered in = the area=20 this was where it might be found. The animals - those few that had = survived the=20 freezing conditions - would come down to water here in the early hours = of the=20 morning. He stared hopelessly around him; but no creatures were to be = seen; deep=20 within his heart the despair rose up again to overwhelm him. His = resources were=20 exhausted and he knew that death must come soon, for cold and hunger = would see=20 to that. He fell to the ground, a deadly tiredness invading every part = of his=20 being. He could hear the sounds of water gurgling gently past his prone = body,=20 and a layer of silence seemed to fall about him. His hearing grew dull, = and=20 everything felt distant, quite unreal. The cold insidiously took hold of = him,=20 ready to carry him out of this world, and with it came a curious warmth = that=20 penetrated even to his bones. He could feel sleep tugging at his eyes, = pulling=20 them blessedly shut. Then, through the closing fog, he vaguely sensed = some=20 movement, a vibration that shook the ground ever so gently. He dismissed = it, as=20 a part of a dying dream. There - again - he felt rather than heard a = slight=20 thud. Despite his weakened condition he forced his eyes open, and = managed to=20 roll his body over in the direction from which he believed the noise = emanated;=20 but even this small effort was almost beyond him. He squinted towards = the memory=20 of the sound. He thought he detected a slight movement. It was then he = glimpsed,=20 out of the corner of his eye, a rush of russet and gold, and the merest = blur of=20 colour. He exerted himself further for it occurred to him that this = might be the=20 very last thing that he would see before his spirit finally gave way. He = shook=20 his head, as much to clear his mind as his sight. There, but a few feet = away, he=20 saw the most beautiful of creatures, standing quite still and gazing at = him=20 inquisitively: a fine, red deer. He knew that he had never seen anything = quite=20 so splendid, nor so alluring. Perhaps this was one of those spirit = creatures of=20 which the shaman had spoken, welcoming him at his entry into the spirit = world.=20 Or maybe a long dead ancestor sent to conduct him into the concourse of = his=20 elders, all of those who had already passed on to the other side. The = deer made=20 a movement, and he could hear the sounds of its hooves as it delicately=20 scrabbled over the rocks. He groaned aloud his sorrow. This was a kind = of=20 cruelty, that such a beautiful beast should be sent to remind him of the = vitality of life just as he was being ushered so callously from it. The = deer=20 gazed at him steadily; it showed no fear, nor did it seem inclined to = flee.=20 Could it be that she had sensed his weakened condition, that he posed no = threat?=20 The two remained caught in the moment, staring at each other: the dying = man and=20 the sublime animal. Then, as if a screen had been drawn away from her = eyes,=20 there appeared a gleam, a spark that completely transformed her dull = gaze, a=20 momentary flash, and the bright patina of intelligence betrayed itself = as=20 something passed between them. The beast had been transformed; no more = an animal=20 but a messenger. Something divine had possessed the creature, and now = struggled=20 to commune with him. It lasted but a fraction of a second and then the = deer's=20 blank and mindless gaze returned. Suddenly the doe fell to its knees, = and then=20 the rest of its body followed, toppling slowly to the ground. The shock = pulled=20 him from his reverie. A sudden vitality flooded through his body. He = struggled=20 to his feet, swaying slightly with the effort, and managed to stagger = into the=20 stream and wade across to the motionless creature. She was dead. There = was no=20 sign as to the cause; there was not a mark upon her body. The pelt was = undamaged=20 and the beast appeared to be in the prime of life. Gradually, and as the = surprise ebbed from his body, his pained hunger reasserted itself. He = knew he=20 had to somehow get the carcass back to his people. He could not leave it = where=20 it was. There would be many hungry creatures that would quickly sense = the death,=20 and they would come urgently, seeking their share. He knew also that his = cries=20 would not carry back to the cave. He had no choice but to try and drag = the body=20 homewards by himself. He lashed its feet together with some thick = grasses that=20 he had pulled from the ground, his hands slipping on the cold, white, = biting=20 leaves. He grasped the hooves and started the long, slow struggle, to = heave the=20 dead weight back along the trail towards the cave mouth. Despite the = numbing=20 chill he soon found himself sweating profusely with the effort. He drew = upon all=20 his reserves of energy and, with head lowered, fought his way back along = the=20 path. At each step his heart pounded, as if it would press forth from = his body.=20 His whole frame ached with the almost superhuman exertion of his labour. = Every=20 step was dragged from his depths, and each pace seemed the last that he = could=20 summon up. After what seemed an age he came to the lower slopes that lay = beneath=20 the cave, and raised a halloo to rouse his comrades. His cries, though = weak,=20 carried up the hill, and he could see some movement above. When the = others=20 caught sight of his burden the entire clan was transformed. They rushed = down the=20 slope as one, animated by the vision of such a rich trophy, and with = new-found=20 vigour. With much noisy chattering and excited shouting the body of the = deer was=20 quickly carried back up the hill to safety. The tribe immediately fell = upon the=20 creature, eagerly ripping into it, gorging themselves on its flesh and = innards.=20 In but a short space the creature had been stripped down to its bones, = and even=20 these the adults chewed upon and crushed between their teeth, until the = very=20 marrow was sucked out. When they had sated their hunger the questions = poured=20 forth as to how the hero had come upon the animal. They listened to his = story=20 with astonishment, scarcely believing his, and their own good fortune. = So=20 enthralled were they by his account that he had to repeat the tale = several=20 times. It was as if the savour of the story lent gusto to their recent = meal.=20 Every detail was examined with excited curiosity; all that he had seen = and felt.=20 For some reason, which was not clear even to himself, he decided not to = tell=20 them of that strange exchange between him and the beast; of that glance = that=20 seemed to betoken an intelligence. He was even persuaded that he had = imagined=20 the whole episode. After all, in his weakened physical condition and in = the=20 state of mind that that conduced, how could he be sure that this had = taken place=20 at all? But for the rest of his life he could not forget it; and he = never=20 completely dismissed the matter.

The death of the deer marked a = dramatic=20 change in the fortunes of the tribe. The long series of catastrophes = that had=20 brought them to the point of extinction seemed happily reversed. The = long cold=20 season lifted and the sun again shone warmly in the sky. Game that had = abandoned=20 the valley returned in large numbers to the region. With these = beneficent omens=20 the tribe regained its strength, as if some evil curse had been lifted. = The hero=20 of that day attained a powerful standing in the tribe. His own abilities = and=20 qualities would have assured him of this anyway, but his role on that = day=20 secured his position. His fellows held to the belief, true or not, that = he had=20 brought good luck to them. Now that he was attired in the garb of the = mystic and=20 wise man, saviour and saint, many sought his advice, coming to him to = resolve=20 their disputes and quarrels. As time passed his reputation spread, of = his great=20 wisdom and fairness. People would travel from far away to seek his = counsel. He=20 took a wife and then another, such was his status in the tribe. They = bore him=20 many sons and daughters and, with the growth of his clan, his influence = became=20 even greater. Finally, in accordance with tribal tradition and with the = death of=20 the incumbent chief, he assumed that mantle. Under his leadership the = tribe=20 continued to flourish. By a series of skilfully negotiated treaties and=20 marriages peace was established - and strengthened - with their = neighbours. Year=20 followed year, and under his wise guidance all prospered.

But the = passage=20 of the years led inevitably to the approach of that old foe, one that he = had so=20 adroitly evaded. He grew old and frail and there came a time when, with = due=20 ceremony, he transferred his powers and responsibilities to his eldest = son. He=20 continued to advise and counsel the young man but gradually withdrew = from even=20 these roles as the latter became more proficient. His first wife died = soon=20 afterwards, which was a great sadness for him. The grief of the loss = aged him=20 suddenly, and he seemed to falter. Many of his friends believed that he = never=20 fully recovered from this shock. Then the old enemy struck a further = blow, and=20 his second wife too succumbed to old age; he was left to continue=20 alone.

He was blind now and entering the last year of his life if = he but=20 knew it. Each morning he would sit in the sun, enjoying its warm and = consoling=20 glow upon his skin. He would remember increasingly that cold season so = many=20 years ago, which had nearly extinguished his people. Memories crowded = upon=20 memories, jostling in his mind for attention. Frequently one of his many = grandchildren would sit by his side, and ask him to recount the stories = of those=20 days; but it all seemed as a dream now. They would always want to hear = the tale=20 of the deer. For some reason that incident alone seemed to have survived = the=20 passing of the years, undiminished in its clarity. There he was, lying = near the=20 stream, his life ebbing away. Here was the sound of the deer coming down = to=20 water's edge, its steps ringing in his ears. Now he was struggling to = raise=20 himself from the ground. Yet still he could not bring himself to mention = that=20 strange light that had glowed in the deer's eyes.

It was an = autumn day=20 and the sun was very low in sky. It was approaching evening and there = was a=20 biting chill in the air. Winter was near and he could feel its icy = fingers=20 reaching into his bones. Despite this he had asked to be brought down to = the=20 stream. He liked to sit there upon the bank, and listen to the soft and = gentle=20 plashing sounds of water as it rolled over stones that layered the = rivulet's=20 bed. It was a melody that he treasured the more, for his other senses = had become=20 increasingly dulled. On this eve he was accompanied by his youngest = great=20 grandchild. The old man had lived to an extraordinary age and knew that = his time=20 was near. As usual the lad was asking him about the old days when even = he,=20 grandfather, was a young man. He could hear the the boy's voice echoing = in his=20 ears, but he felt somewhat distracted. He could not quite make out the = meaning=20 of the words. There was another sound drifting in the air. It was not = the=20 stream, nor the wind blowing gently through the leaves. It had a strange = familiarity to it, something that recalled the distant past. He strained = to hear=20 it clearly. It was a soft exhalation, of warm air blowing through = nostrils, and=20 a slight huffing, of an animal breathing. His eyes opened and yet again = he was a=20 young man, laying by the stream. Opposite, and upon the other bank, he = could see=20 the deer. It was gazing at him intently, its eyes bright with = intelligence. But=20 there was something more than that; they held in their depths a sapience = that=20 was unknown even among men. That look passed between them, of the kind = exchanged=20 between the closest and deepest of friends; here was a warmth and a = knowing, and=20 an intimacy sealed a long time ago. He felt the tears rolling down his = cheek,=20 for his old friend had truly returned. And then it was as if all these = years had=20 been but a dream. His wives and children were mere fantasies, that had = floated=20 into and out of his life; that glance of intense communion had reduced = all to=20 the slightest of fancies, so real was it in its depths. Once again he = could see=20 the deer standing over him, a gentle smile playing over its human/animal = face.=20 With a look of such kindness and love, of compassion and understanding, = that his=20 heart had completely melted within that gaze; and his spirit passed on. = The boy=20 knelt by his great grandfather. He stared down at him, and saw the tears = that=20 lay wet upon the old man's face. His own tears fell, to mingle with = those of his=20 beloved ancestor. He called out to the skies, to the earth and to the = waters,=20 for in his grief he knew that a great man had died. He lifted the slight = and=20 frail body, and carried his burden back to the tribe.

For many = days and=20 many nights the whole tribe grieved their loss, and much ceremony and = many=20 rituals were performed, to safeguard the departing spirit of their = father.=20 People from near and far travelled to make their leave-taking of the = elder. In=20 accordance with custom he was given a sky burial. His body was carried = down to=20 his favourite place by the stream and laid out on a wooden bier, itself=20 supported on tall wooden stands, which held the corpse high in the air. = They=20 made their farewells and then departed, leaving their chieftain's flesh = quite=20 exposed to the elements. For many days the great eagles of that region = feasted=20 on the cadaver, stripping it clean to the bones. When the animals had = finished=20 their task the men of the tribe returned and collected the few remnants, = and=20 buried these in the earth next to the stream, a final resting place, = which they=20 marked with a small cairn of stones. This became one of the tribe's holy = places=20 and was much revered. It was a refuge where any who were troubled would = bring=20 themselves, there to reflect and meditate. It possessed an atmosphere of = quiet=20 and tranquillity that brought much comfort to those who rested nearby. = They knew=20 that they were in the presence of wisdom and valued it highly, for the = spirits=20 blessed this place.

And so that eagle consciousness whirled = endlessly=20 from world to world, from being to being ? and the universe rose and = fell, and=20 was born and destroyed in a cycle of becoming and re-becoming, without = beginning=20 and without conclusion. And then it came to earth?.

THE = GHOSTS OF=20 EARTH

The soft fluttering tendrils of dust floated gently = through the=20 air, twisting and sinuously shifting, a cloying game of sparkle and = flash as the=20 motes flickered in the eye of the sun, its glare burning down through = the skies.=20 Light touches skipped across the space, flicking mischievously their = flurries,=20 falling into fresh spasms of play as these fine particulates spun = through their=20 dance. An eye peered curiously from the shadow of a doorway, watching = this=20 careless motion with both joy and envy. How would it be to play so=20 thoughtlessly, without consequence, and no mind to burden the motion? = The other=20 remained tightly closed, the better to focus on the tiny players that = disported=20 so hypnotically and elegantly. The watcher might have wished for a third = eye for=20 from the darkness behind a form quietly crept up on him. A hand was = raised, and=20 the sunlight caught the flash of the blow upon the unfortunate's head. = "So again=20 I catch you dreaming, foolish". The strike had spun the watcher around. = As he=20 lost his balance he stumbled a few paces back into the yard. His = assailant=20 followed him quickly, his hand raised for yet another attack. Now, in = the=20 daylight, all could be seen. He was a young lad, perhaps no more than a = dozen=20 years of age, slightly built and fair haired. His skin was pale, a = marked=20 contrast to the dark and hirsute visage of his assailant. The man stood = over the=20 young fellow, his shadowy face darkened further by his evident rage. = "Fool. Is=20 there time for your stupidity? The light's failing and you're not yet on = your=20 way to bring the cattle into the shelter. You stand there, gazing like = an idiot=20 into the air. Well?" The challenge rang around the yard but the boy knew = that no=20 answer would be the best reply. His uncle would be further enraged if he = made=20 any attempt to respond, or to excuse his actions. He wanted the boy to = speak up=20 for then he would have his chance, and the blows would follow fast and = hard upon=20 him, as they had many times in the past. He looked down to the ground, = his gaze=20 buried in the earth, and as far away from the light as he could stare. = He could=20 not see it but he could feel the man shaking with rage but a few paces = away.=20 Inwardly he prayed as hard as he could that the blows would not follow. = He must=20 not wince or draw back, for that would be the signal and the attack = would begin,=20 only to be concluded when his oppressor's breath would catch; but then = he would=20 be lain upon the floor, crouched against that frenzy of violence. He had = given=20 up seeking an answer to this man's appetite for brutality. There was no = meaning=20 but to endure and wait - but wait for what? He had no clue.

He = could hear=20 the man's breathing, a heavy rasping and almost wanton sound; but not = the=20 shuffling of leather against cloth, as his oppressor might raise his = fist. "Get=20 out fool. Into the fields and bring the beasts in. There'll be no food = for the=20 wastrel tonight". He turned and, with a grimacing smile, moved back into = the=20 darkness of the dwelling. The boy turned away and, with a strange joy, = walked=20 across the courtyard, his body shaking with fear but filled with relief = at his=20 uncle's extraordinary beneficence. Strange that the mere absence of = terror=20 should fill a heart with such lightness; and yet it did. He pushed past = the=20 wicker fencing that lay across part of the yard, and walked down past = the mud=20 walls of the cow byre and out into the fields that surrounded the farm. = His=20 uncle was right in one respect; the light was falling fast, and the = shadows=20 stretched ever longer before him as he strode along the path towards the = pastures, and the herd had been gathered there in the early morning. His = immediate joy had subsided somewhat, and again his grumbling mind = started its=20 litany in his head. Aching as it was from the blow dealt by his uncle, = the pain=20 within started to grow afresh as his mind protested the injustice. For = as long=20 as he could recall his uncle had treated him thus. From the death of his = mother,=20 but a few years before, he had been placed under this man's = guardianship, if it=20 could be called that. The thought of his mother - a sister to this = monstrous=20 tormentor - could barely be countenanced. How strange the twists of = ancestry=20 that one so sweet and kind in disposition should be from the same root = as such=20 an antithesis in character embodied in her brother. The question rose = within=20 him, as it had done so many times in the past - how could it be that she = had so=20 misjudged the fellow as to leave her only son in his care and charge? He = shook=20 his head to rid his mind of these distressing reflections; questions and = more=20 questions, and nothing to hold back the tide of uncertainty.

His = thoughts=20 carried him along the dusty pathway as much as his legs, until suddenly = there=20 appeared before him the herd. They had dispersed themselves across the = broad,=20 sparse pasture, cropping upon the clumps of stringy, brown fronds that = passed=20 for vegetation here. The year had been cruel, and the summer rains had = not=20 fallen so fruitfully. The ground was stony hard, grazing against the = soles of=20 his bare feet, and the dust swirled upwards at each step, testimony to = its=20 parched state. But the beasts were of a hardy branch, and well used to = such=20 provender. They stared up at him as he approached and lazily stirred = their=20 bodies around, as they marched in heavy but determined files towards = him. At the=20 sound of their hooves the more distant beasts fell into line, and soon = the whole=20 herd was converging upon him. His envy now took a new direction. How = easy to=20 live like this? How simple the steady pace of these beasts - untroubled, = unthinking, uncaring - their dull, friendly but vacuous eyes that let = the world=20 slip by, to hurtle easily into the past that they could never recall, = and into a=20 future beyond their grasp; only the swift slip of the knife to separate = them=20 from this moment and that dark journey into eternity. Besides these his = burden=20 seemed a dreadful one. Moment by moment the thoughts and fears blasted = and=20 sputtered through his mind, a fury and a tempest in which he could = barely keep=20 his footing. Against the steady pace of their life his world would erupt = again=20 into the chaos of his fate. Fancies and dreams would evaporate in a = second, and=20 he would be thrust back into doubt. Yet how could he rank himself with = these=20 fool animals? This could only be a betrayal of his birthright as a human = being.=20 Poor creatures that they were, the price of their apparent serenity was = high;=20 and his, almost beyond payment.

He gazed on quietly as the beasts = gathered around him, standing so closely that he could feel the hot = clouds of=20 their breath upon his face. He passed a glance along their ranks and = they looked=20 back, the unseeing blankness of their stares reflecting back his own = unknowing.=20 He turned and started on his way back towards the farm buildings, the = herd=20 falling in behind, stepping steadily along the way as they did each = morning and=20 evening. Sometimes he found the rhythm of their hooves upon the ground = oddly=20 comforting, but this evening it was not so. It accented, if anything, = his own=20 disquiet, and the anger that lay upon his heart boiled upwards. He could = sense=20 its pressure rise through his chest, and then into his throat as the = muscles=20 there tightened. He could not endure this life much longer; but he knew = no other=20 way. His prison had no walls, no gaoler, and no lock. All around the = country=20 spread widely, its greying colours merging into the soft rise of the = hills that=20 bordered the district upon every side; and far above the darkening sky = rose on=20 and on until it touched - nothing. He could walk in any direction and = none could=20 hinder him, not even his uncle. Yet the fear of the unknown held him as = securely=20 as any wall might; and doubt was his captor. The anger swept up in = waves, but=20 now it had a new object. He must be a coward for no other would tolerate = this=20 life; and a coward such as he was contemptible. And so there it was; he = deserved=20 fully such a fate as this. He was but a scared child with neither the = wit nor=20 the strength of character to oppose his fortune, and with only one = recourse: to=20 submit. This is the lot of all that lack that essential vitality, that = vigorous=20 state which seeks out the unknown and embraces it fully. His sentence = therefore=20 must be that of the lacklustre and spiritless creature, which bows to = its own=20 poor fortune, as do these poor dumb creatures now, that follow him so=20 obediently; they accept what is their due, and thus must he. The fury = had abated=20 now and instead he had sunk into that dark corner within, where it = enfolded him=20 in its horrible but familiar embrace. His home was a place of = desperation, and=20 there was to be no future for him but the endless refrain of his own=20 disdain.

The light was failing fast both within and without. The = outlines=20 of the farm were softened by the evening glow, and the sun cast its last = long=20 shadows across the ground even as the herd paced their way back = homewards. He=20 stepped into the yard and stood to one side as his charges filed = dutifully into=20 the sheds, the ground already strewn with hay, and the baskets filled = with grain=20 for their evening feed. He looked behind him at the doorway that led = into the=20 dwelling. He could see the reddy glow of firelight seeping out beneath = the door=20 frame, there to reflect gently upon the cobbled stones. Again a wave of = envy=20 rose up within him, as he wondered at these creatures' careless and = unthinking=20 nature, contrasted so sharply with his own, which was engorged with = opposition=20 and strife. He decided he did not wish to join his uncle in their = evening meal.=20 The repast would be conducted in a customary silence with perhaps the = occasional=20 grunt from his guardian, as that monster wolfed down his food. The man = was an=20 animal but lacked even the grace of these poor beasts. The boy smiled at = the=20 comparison; even in his pain the human spirit fought against that = suffocating=20 tide of suffering that swept through his fragile form. He was defeated = in all=20 ways but one; for within his heart, if he but knew it, there lay that = vital=20 spark that would not give way, that would not surrender. No. He did not = feel=20 inclined to share the dubious company of the only family left to him. = His uncle=20 would not care if he returned or not; and all the more food for him! It = was not=20 fear that turned him away from that fire lit doorway but a resignation = that=20 tonight, at least, he could be alone with his own dark thoughts. The = herd were=20 safely secured and it just remained for him to fasten the gates upon = them. He=20 pulled the wooden bars through their guides and, without again looking = at the=20 hut, he moved across the yard and passed through the opening onto the = track. The=20 sun had almost set now, and he could just see its shimmering rays sharp = against=20 the brows of the hills far away to the east. The sky was almost black = now. As=20 the night drew in, the stars grew brighter above. He quickened his pace, = driven=20 by a strange anxiety that rose inexorably within his breast. There was = something=20 precious here, and he could not risk its loss. His uncle would not = question his=20 absence, yet he was stirred to hurry forward to preclude even that faint = chance.

He advanced along the path, his heart pounding with an=20 unaccountable anticipation. Around him the night drew down from the = heavens, and=20 the daytime sounds of the creatures of the field and sky gradually faded = back=20 into the shadows. Even the gentle breeze had now stilled, and he was = left quite=20 alone, with only the sounds of his muffled footsteps shuffling along the = ground,=20 his feet lifting and falling softly, as he tiptoed along the track. = Ahead the=20 sky was a deep purple, with only the faintest outlines of light from the = dying=20 sun to silhouette the distant hilltops. He looked upwards to admire the = beauty=20 of the night sky, which flung itself far above the land. As he drew = further and=20 further away from the farmstead his anxiety diminished by degrees, and = he=20 settled down to a steady but even pace, covering the ground in long, = easy=20 strides. The mere pleasure of this motion stilled his body and mind, and = he=20 exulted in that physical calm, and the enormous sense of freedom that = now=20 spilled through him. The path headed straight out through the dry meadow = lands=20 and down to a small stream, which curled its lazy way round one of the = borders=20 of the farmstead. Even though the rains had been sparing, enough water = had=20 fallen upon the hills to send their flow even this far out into the = plain. The=20 path ended at a small pool that had formed to one side of the meandering = stream.=20 The waters were generally at their shallowest at this time of year, and = yet he=20 had never seen their levels so low as they were now. He loved to sit = here of an=20 afternoon under the shade of the tall beech trees that lined the = watercourse,=20 and stare into the murky depths of the pool, to imagine what lay beneath = its=20 surface. This was a place where his moods seemed to rise and swirl to = the=20 surface, much like the small brown fishes that darted about in this = tiny, watery=20 world. At one time he thought that the pool possessed some kind of = magical and=20 malevolent power. Indeed, on certain days there would be a such a dread = about it=20 that he could barely bring himself to sit nearby, and sometimes he had = had to=20 fight the compulsion to flee its dark menace. He would persuade himself = that=20 some frightful monster might hurl itself from those muddy depths, and = fall upon=20 him as he sat helpless upon the bank. No matter how many times he = rebuked=20 himself, that the pool, even at its deepest, was but a few inches of = water, yet=20 his imagination would argue this madness so eloquently that he would be = quite=20 convinced of the threat, and it was only with the greatest of self = control that=20 he would restrain himself from running headlong from its edge. He = hesitated only=20 because to do so would mean that he would no longer be able to observe = carefully=20 the incipient signs of the monster's arrival upon the surface, and thus = his=20 gruesome despatch would be rendered all the more horrific by its = invisible=20 advent. However, he could never quite decide whether it would be better = to meet=20 this fearsome end knowing the nature of his assailant, or whether it = would be=20 better to be consumed within this beast's jaws, yet fully ignorant of = its true=20 nature. And so, partly paralysed by this self induced fear, and partly=20 mesmerised by its fascination, he would remain beside the dark pool, = praying=20 that his mind would still its fearful mutterings, and the waters would = again=20 return to their benign form. But then, at other times, it would possess = a=20 completely different aspect. Instead of these dark phantasmagoria he = would=20 observe the water boatmen flitting across its sticky surface, whilst = beneath=20 them the little fishes would flit by, the sunlight occasionally catching = upon=20 their scales, and revealing their silvery bellies so cunningly concealed = by=20 nature. Then the starlings that nested above in the leafy canopy would = rise=20 suddenly and without warning, seemingly called by some hidden sentry, = and swirl=20 above the fields, silently drifting clouds of fluttering wings, beating = in=20 perfect unison. At these times the pool would be like a friend, a = familiar and=20 cool haven of peace hidden away from the hot sun, which burned down day = upon day=20 over the parched fields. And so the guardians of the pool took turns in = their=20 duty, and the boy would keep them company.

But now it was night. = He had=20 never been in this place at this time, and a novel feeling arose within = him. The=20 moon had taken her station in the skies, and shed her silvery glow over = the=20 quiet lands. There was just enough light to penetrate the shield of = leaves that=20 covered the stream and the pool. The waters, by contrast, were the = darkest in=20 the shadows, and yet blazed with a white glow where their surface lay = open to=20 the moon's gaze. He was not afraid now of the pool, for the moonlight = seemed to=20 chase away all of the mysteries that lay in its depths. He sat and = stared at the=20 bright, still waters. There was no sign of the little fishes now, and he = imagined that they lay peacefully at the bottom of the waters, = slumbering=20 quietly under the night sky. To his childish mind the world was a = reflection of=20 himself and it existed according to his unspoken rules; a comforting = image=20 perhaps, and even occasionally a truthful one. He did not know it but he = gained=20 a kind of solace from this imagining. This was his world too, and for = now he=20 stayed carefully within its embrace. The night was quiet and calm, and = his body=20 and mind gradually stilled, embraced in that soothing tranquillity. He = rested=20 there for he knew not how long. The pool and its shimmering aspect = enfolded his=20 soul, and time eternal dwelt in his heart. The heat of the day had been=20 exchanged for the soft coolness of the night, and his restless being = gave up its=20 turmoil. Imperceptibly he drifted from wakefulness into sleep, and the = hidden,=20 inner world of his darker mind drifted to the surface. Images and echoes = swirled=20 here, an amalgam of the day's sights and sounds, flowing seamlessly into = one=20 another, a scribbling rush unfolding the cipher of his waking hours. = Gradually,=20 the spectacle receded into a dark mist, that seemed to float just behind = his=20 eyes, holding him fast within a dream. From out of this sombre ether = appeared a=20 figure, which advanced towards him slowly. He could not discern its = features but=20 the gait of the form seemed familiar; yet he still could not identify = it. The=20 outline approached, moving with a kind of inexorable pace that itself = brought a=20 shiver to his ghostly mind. He wanted to retreat before this procession, = but his=20 body would not allow it. He stood frozen in a swirl of mist that drew = itself=20 about him. Now it was he who was moving towards the form, while it = remained=20 motionless. A tightness drew across his throat and he made to call out. = But=20 again his body denied him this liberty; instead the breath was caught = within. He=20 felt his body struggling against this oppression, and his whole frame = shook with=20 the effort. He could not distinguish whether it was fear or this awful = tension=20 that convulsed him the more. Whichever, the two were locked together, an = inescapable bond linking them. Finally, the shape stood directly before = him. He=20 awaited its pronouncement with a dread heart. But then he thought he = heard a=20 heavy sigh. He stared intently into what might be the face of this = being,=20 anxiously seeking the source of this sound. But all that could be seen = was a=20 dark blankness: no mouth, no lips, no features at all. Suddenly, as if a = veil=20 had been drawn aside, two dark eyes appeared, and their penetrating gaze = shot=20 through him as a knife might pierce his heart. The shock and their very=20 intensity seemed to push his body back, and he could feel himself = falling. An=20 arm reached out and grasped his elbow, drawing him abruptly upright. The = eyes=20 gazed with an horrific intensity into his own. The mist before the = figure's face=20 seemed to slowly drift aside and now he was able to see the person = clearly=20 before him. It bore the countenance of his uncle, or so it appeared, for = although there was some physical resemblance this was not the man = himself. The=20 eyes had softened somewhat. and there was a look of what might be = described as=20 compassion in that otherwise fearsome gaze. His uncle in the real world = was a=20 brute and a fool, and the fellow that stood before him now was anything = but=20 these. The mist continued to clear. He could not be sure but there = seemed to be=20 something of a smile playing upon the lips of this creature. Quietly he = awaited=20 whatever was to befall him. He was quite sure that he was in the = vicinity of=20 something that was far more powerful than he, and not at all = predictable. This=20 stranger continued to hold him by the arm, either to prevent his escape = or=20 collapse, he could not tell. Not a sound issued from the apparition's = lips, not=20 even the murmur of a breath; just a dark presence, both formidable yet = familiar.=20 Gradually, and almost imperceptibly, the boy saw the fogs drift towards = him, and=20 felt the grip upon his sleeve loosen. He raised his arms to steady = himself as a=20 sudden wave of giddiness fled through his mind, his body jolting = shockingly at=20 the sensation. The mist grew thicker and thicker. All that he could see = now of=20 the figure were those two luminous eyes gazing into his own. Then, and = quite=20 oddly, he experienced a sense of loss as this ghostly simulacrum started = to=20 drift away. Never before had he regretted being out of the presence of = the real=20 man, but now, in this unfamiliar world, even he was welcome company. = Finally the=20 fog drew down completely, and the eyes at last vanished into the gloom. = But just=20 as he thought that his companion had finally disappeared he heard a = voice=20 echoing through the twilight, which seemed to shimmer to this unworldly = tone;=20 and the words he could just discern; "Seek beneath; seek only beneath"; = and then=20 nothing.

The night sky rose darkly above his head. He found = himself again=20 lying on the damp grasses at the border of the pool. His body felt warm = against=20 the ground but he shivered with the night chills that were rising up = from the=20 earth. He could not remain here longer and yet he hesitated to return to = the=20 farm. His uncle would have long taken to his bed and he had nothing = really to=20 fear from him for the time being. Rather he exulted in the freedom that = he felt=20 resting here beneath the great dark sky with its sharp and glittering = stars,=20 their light piercing the shadowed heavens, and the vast ochre moon that=20 illuminated the meadows and plains, as these disappeared into the = softened=20 gloom. He was disinclined to give all this up now, in exchange for the=20 questionable comfort of a warm pile of straw. Instead, he raised himself = upon=20 his elbows, and struggled to his feet. His body ached, and his limbs = were stiff=20 from lying on the ground for so long; but he was young and the rigour = left him=20 quickly enough. He looked about him, uncertain where to proceed. If he = walked=20 for a while he could shrug off the cold and maybe find somewhere to bed = down for=20 the rest of the night. He strolled easily along the border of the pool = until it=20 rejoined the course of the stream, and thus he followed its winding way = along=20 the meadow's edge. Although he had been by this way many times before he = had not=20 traversed here by night, and the terrain seemed unfamiliar to him as it = floated=20 serenely beneath the gentle tones of the moonlight. The moon lay just = behind his=20 right shoulder, and he could see his shadow lengthily advancing ahead of = him=20 upon the ground. He followed the path with no particular aim in mind, = other than=20 to warm himself a little. An owl-hoot echoed suddenly through the = silence, the=20 jarring notes causing him to jump. He peered into the trees nearby as if = he=20 might espy the creature responsible, and chide it for its importunate = calling.=20 The night died away into the silence. But if he attended carefully even = now he=20 could just hear the rustling sounds of the night dwellers as they busied = themselves in the gloom, pursuing their own obscure activities; he was = by no=20 means alone. The rivulet ran calmly on its way, its dark waters drifting = lightly=20 over the pebbles that formed the base of the channel. The clouds were = rushing by=20 overhead. From time to time they would pass over the face of the moon, = and the=20 land below would grow darker under their passage. Then she would emerge = again=20 triumphant, her bright silver serene face still gazing down upon the = earth. He=20 moved on into the unknowing night.

Beneath him through the half = open=20 window he could hear the sounds of the city floating upwards. The = constant=20 murmur of the metropolis' traffic flowed through the narrow ways, veins = and=20 arteries of the conurbation, that stretched out in every direction, = seemingly to=20 the horizon, and a buzz of industrious activity that at this very moment = was=20 annoying him almost beyond measure. 'Hesvee should not be troubled in = this=20 fashion', he thought. 'Did the world not know that he needed to = concentrate on=20 this most perplexing problem? Why did it insist on imposing its = troubling and=20 trifling affairs upon his attention when he had far more important = occasions=20 upon which to reflect?' He was, after all, one of the Masters of = Psychical Study=20 at the most prestigious school of learning in this, the foremost city of = his=20 homeland. It was a matter of intellect, of discipline, of years of = applied and=20 constant effort that had led him to be where he was now. And there, = below, was=20 that fickle humanity, so troubled by its own ant-like activities that it = must=20 need force its foolishness upon him. He was indeed engaged upon a piece = of=20 research that must demand every ounce of his attention. The burden of = the years=20 of intense effort had marked itself on his body and face. He was of = sturdy build=20 that gave some hint as to his peasant ancestry, a lineage that he cared = not to=20 much advertise. However, this rough frame presented a distinct contrast = to his=20 strangely delicate features, the most remarkable of which were those = dark and=20 penetrating eyes that peered out from beneath deeply furrowed brows. It = was a=20 brave student, or colleague indeed, who could withstand the master's = dread=20 scrutiny. This powerful countenance was lent further emphasis by the = sharply=20 hawkish profile of his nose, which jutted out just like this bird of = prey. He=20 was of dark complexion, more a reflection of his genealogy than hours = spent in=20 the open. But in all, the general effect inspired not a little respect; = perhaps=20 even fear. He had a broad chest and powerful arms and would have cut a = fine=20 figure but for the presence of a pronounced hump upon his back; a = congenital=20 condition but accentuated by many hours of study bowed above his desk. = His sight=20 similarly had paid the price for his studious endeavours, for he was = remarkably=20 short sighted yet declined the assistance of glasses, a vanity and a = conceit=20 that would occasionally lead to awkward encounters with obtrusive = furniture. It=20 was a strange and elective disability, for whilst he was indeed prone to = such=20 accidents, when it came to his own speciality, the translation of = ancient texts,=20 he could mostly rely upon his natural vision with but the occasional = assistance=20 of an eyeglass for the more obscure writings. He was getting on in years = but the=20 march of time had been softened by the application of certain dark dyes = to his=20 hair, which should by now be silvery grey; but we shall comment no more = upon=20 this, and return again to a consideration of the master's studies. The = matter in=20 hand, the translation of a text but recently discovered in the archives, = and a=20 document located with great difficulty, buried as it was under layers of = scrap=20 paper, dust and indeed a considerable accumulation of negligence on the = part of=20 the archivist; the discovery might almost be compared with that of an=20 archaeological find, given the depths of detritus under which it had = been=20 submerged. At first sight it seemed an innocuous document, a scrawling = in=20 faintly inked letters, inscribed in the second century coda of the = dynasty that=20 had reigned in the time in Sulla, and of the lineage Vebeneii. To the = untutored=20 eye it was but another piece of scrap parchment, having all the = importance of a=20 bill of lading. However, he, Hesvee, was not one to miss a jewel in a = dung heap.=20 It had been brought to his attention by one of his few remaining = students, a=20 fellow who seemed to have grasped a little of the skill that he, the = Master, had=20 tried desperately to impart to the fellow when, on those rare occasions, = the=20 duties of his academic position required that he communicate with the = man. In=20 this case he felt almost grateful at the imposition since it had = seemingly led=20 to the present occasion, and to this encounter with the wonder that lay = upon the=20 wooden desk before him. His eyes were red and sore from the intensity of = his=20 inspection. All night, and now well into the morning, he had strained to = make=20 out the faint outlines of the hieroglyphs, furiously copying these into = his=20 notebook together with copious annotations to assist him in his = researches. He=20 had already been able to make some kind of general sense of the = information. It=20 seemed to be, in outline, a form of instructive manual though it was = unclear as=20 yet as to the purpose of its devising. There were large gaps in the = translation=20 due to the obliteration of parts of the original script, these caused=20 indubitably by water damage, and the fact that major sections of the = manuscript=20 were simply missing through its unfortunate fragmentation, another = casualty of=20 careless time. His hope was that there would be enough information to = fill in=20 these breaches, at least sufficient to portray a fuller picture of the=20 document.

To one side of the room stood a couch that was = presently=20 occupied by the sleeping form of his student, the discoverer of this = miracle.=20 The man had been pressed into service the night before and had not been=20 permitted to depart. It was clear neither to him nor to Hesvee why his = presence=20 was demanded since his sole function so far had been to ensure that the = oil=20 lamps remained fully charged. From the Master's point of view the man = was almost=20 totally useless, but for this function and the fact that he had somehow = stumbled=20 upon the manuscript. Perhaps superstition underlined the Master's = motive; that=20 the presence of the scroll and the attendant, both quite simultaneously, = were=20 two necessary conditions for unravelling its meaning. Or maybe, and this = a more=20 likely explanation, the Master was so enraptured by his exploration that = he had=20 quite forgotten that the fellow was still there. It was at that very = moment that=20 the fellow awakened. Completely oblivious as to where he lay he turned = abruptly=20 on the couch, and consequently tumbled noisily onto the rush-covered = floor,=20 uttering as he did so a loud exclamation. "Gods! Where am I?" The Master = jumped=20 in his seat at the interruption, and turned with considerable anger to = address=20 the man. "What? What? Who?" This stuttering inquisition came to an end = as he=20 recalled the fellow's presence, and recognised him once more. "Quiet. Be = quiet.=20 Just be quiet". The Master turned away and, hunching his shoulders, = returned to=20 his studies. The fellow had fully awakened now and raised himself = carefully from=20 the floor, seating himself upon the couch. He remained there, very = quietly,=20 unsure as to what to do. One did not question the Master - ever. The = fellow was=20 of middle years, but with a young face, and a bright smile that = demonstrated a=20 friendly and even temperament. He had a naturally buoyant personality = that he=20 subdued with much effort in the presence of his chief; light badinage = ill-fitted=20 the due decorum of the scholar. It was fortunate that he encountered = life in=20 such an amiable fashion; such a resource was of great benefit when = dealing with=20 the vagaries of his present charge. At the moment his countenance was = taking on=20 a rather paler hue. Just recently risen from his slumbers he had = recognised an=20 increasingly, pressing need that could not be ignored for much longer, = not=20 without some considerable embarrassment that is. Finally the biological=20 imperative overcame both discomfiture and fear, and he made a silent = move to=20 rise from the couch. He managed a few steps across the rush-covered = floor, his=20 bare feet making little sound other than a slight rustling. This, = however, was=20 more than sufficient to arouse the ire of the Master, subject as he was = to a=20 hypersensitivity to any kind of distraction. Again he turned to face the = hapless=20 servant. "What? What? What are you doing?" The man was obliged to make = some kind=20 of response, adjoined to a suitable excuse. "If it please you sir?" he = was about=20 to continue. "It clearly does not", was the swift and direct rejoinder. = The=20 pressing need was approaching a potentially bursting climax, and the = man's=20 discomfort served to embolden his reply. "I have to go, sir. Really! I = have to=20 go". "Go where?" was the inquiry. "Not so much where, but now", replied = the=20 squirming servant. Light dawned even upon the preoccupied scholarly mind = of the=20 inquisitor, and he dismissed the man perfunctorily. "Get out. Get out. = Just get=20 out". The man literally ran from the room, but carefully, to hear the = words=20 called out behind him "But be back. Be back". He ran down the corridor = and=20 almost flung himself into the privy - where we shall leave him to his=20 privacy.

The master had returned to his perusal of the script. = The=20 writing was very faint and almost impossible to decipher. He passed his = hand=20 across his brow, seeking to sweep away the tiredness and the = perspiration that=20 lay there. He could feel the heaviness of sleep dragging down upon his = eyes, and=20 the yellow parchment scraps seemed to float dizzily before him. His mind = was=20 quite befuddled, and he had to acknowledge that he could make no further = progress in his condition. Almost angrily he pushed the papers away, and = stood=20 up. He stretched his body and felt his spine straightening, a great = relief after=20 so many hours spent cramped over his desk. He tottered towards the = recently=20 vacated couch and threw himself down upon it, and fell instantly into a = deep=20 sleep. His loud snores burst upon the room. His body may have lain prone = and=20 bereft of action on the bed, but his mind was still gambolling away, = excited,=20 almost tormented by the imposition of its enforced labour over so many = hours.=20 His thoughts were pierced through and through by unsought images that = floated up=20 from his consciousness, prompted perhaps by the intriguing codes that he = had=20 sought to disentangle for so many hours now. Yellow pages flapped like = great=20 birds through this dreamscape, and the air was filled with their loud = and=20 incomprehensible cawing. He waved his hands wildly, seeking to thrust = away these=20 importunate beasts; but his limbs merely flailed in the empty air, the = crazily=20 darting creatures always slipping by, just beyond his reach. He grew = more and=20 more frustrated. Now he was enraged, and struck out again and again, his = mouth=20 opened in a bellow of anger; but not a sound could be heard. He felt his = legs=20 begin to buckle beneath him. Before he could raise his arms to protect = himself=20 he had collapsed, and fallen upon a cold and unyielding = surface.

He awoke=20 abruptly and discovered that, in both dream and reality, he had fallen = to the=20 earth, and was presently chewing on a clump of rushes that made up the = floor=20 covering. He twisted his pained body, trying to reach the side of the = couch, and=20 finally managed to pull himself up onto it, but huddled in a supine = position. As=20 he did so he noticed a pair of sandals, which contained a pair of feet, = which=20 were in turn located close to one side of his head. He raised his eyes = to=20 discover his student, staring down at him with what could only be = described as a=20 expression of pure horror on his face. In part to hide his discomfiture, = and=20 also an acknowledgement of the fact that he could not sit up unaided, he = scowled=20 at the fellow. "Well! Well! Are you just going to stare, fool? Help me". = With=20 this gentle invitation the student suddenly recalled his master's = position and=20 bent forwards, proffering his hand towards the latter. Between the = efforts of=20 the two of them, finally, the older man regained an upright posture - = and a=20 little of his composure - whereupon he roughly ordered his saviour to = make some=20 tea, and bring it to him immediately. Meanwhile, the master made his way = towards=20 the desk, his intent to return to his studies. He looked down over the = smooth=20 polished surface and instantly realised that something was amiss. To the = casual=20 eye things were much as they had been before he had taken his brief nap. = Papers=20 lay hither and thither, spread in much disorder, but to his practised=20 observation these had been disturbed. His efforts had largely been = focussed on=20 assembling the fragments in some kind of pattern, which eventually would = make a=20 sense of the message inscribed upon their various surfaces. He had = matched tear=20 to rent, and jagged corner to incised cutting, in a laborious attempt to = piece=20 together the wreckage of these documents. So intense had been his = labours that=20 although the inattentive observer would miss it, the absent section = signified a=20 great gaping hole had been torn in his researches; a small, but very = important,=20 piece was missing. He examined the open window in front of which the = desk was=20 situated. Although the air outside was warm and still, it might be = possible that=20 a soft gust had blown the missing section to the floor. He fell to his = knees=20 and, with as much vigour as an elderly man might summon up should he be=20 sufficiently impelled to do so, he set about examining the area beneath = the=20 counter. His eyes flitted everywhere, searching eagerly, if not = frantically, for=20 the errant morsel. There was nothing to be seen but some stale crumbs of = bread=20 from a long distant meal, and the usual accretions of dust and dirt that = might=20 be found on the flooring of any dedicated and disinterested scholar. His = meticulous nature might be most suited to the study of ancient texts but = it did=20 not extend to a too close examination of his living and work quarters. = He cast=20 his eyes further afield in the hope that perhaps the soft gust might = have been=20 more in the mould of a brisk draught, and thus had blown the fragment = further=20 into the room. For a moment the horror passed across his mind that = perchance it=20 had been carried fully aloft, and thence wafted into the streets of the = city=20 below. He cast this thought aside with alacrity, for such a thing could = not be=20 contemplated now; the paper had to be here somewhere. He heard steps = sounding=20 along the corridor outside, and then the door to the room swung open. He = heard a=20 gasp behind him, and felt his upper arm being tightly grasped. "This is=20 terrible, sir. Are you alright? Perhaps a little dizzy from the fall, = Master?"=20 enquired his student and now, apparently, his protector. "Get off, fool! = Get=20 off! Get off!" The hand abruptly released its grip, and he again fell = forwards=20 onto the floor. He was quite fuming with annoyance and fear, and the = full force=20 of the anger and anxiety he felt at his loss was now directed at the = poor fellow=20 behind him. "You are undoubtedly an idiot. A complete idiot. A full fool = beyond=20 question". The Master roared the last with utter venom. So vehement was = his=20 declaration that the hapless man stumbled backwards into the open = doorway. Wrath=20 surged through the Master's body, and with the energy thus evoked he = hauled=20 himself again to his feet and turned upon his student. He knew with = complete=20 certainty that before him stood the person who was singularly = responsible for=20 this tragedy. "Where is it? Where is it. you idiot? Tell me now". A = silent pause=20 followed whilst the interrogated cast desperately about in his mind to = decipher=20 for himself this out-flung code, shrouded as it was in an = incomprehensible fury.=20 He deduced from the expression on the Master's face that no response was = not a=20 politic choice. "I, I, I'm not sure what you mean, Master? Er. The = question is=20 not quite?..", and he tailed off. Perhaps silence would have been the = wiser=20 course. The Master leaned forward, and hissed like a snake about to = strike.=20 "Fool. A piece of the document is missing. Where is it? Where IS IT?" = The last=20 words were uttered with such ire that again the man shrunk back; but at = least=20 now he had a clue as to the basis of the Master's inquisition. "The = paper?"=20 "Yes. The paper, fool!" The Master's anger seemed to be growing by the = second,=20 and repeating his words back to him clearly had a far from a soothing = effect. It=20 was time for a desperate admission. "I don't know sir. Truly I don't. = I've been=20 out of the room since you decided to take a rest, sir. I've not seen, = not=20 touched the papers. Please, sir. Indeed I have not". Through the veil of = his=20 rage the master could just distinguish the shivering outlines of his = servant,=20 and it was this vague impression rather than rational choice that = impelled him=20 to reconsider his initial judgement. Perhaps the fool was telling the = truth?=20 What motive could he possibly have to filch the missing item? The idiot = was=20 barely able to make his tea let alone estimate the value of the = information that=20 these fragments might contain. The master reflected that, indeed, = perhaps his=20 lack of sleep, and almost obsessive investigations had rendered his = perspective,=20 on this occasion at least, faulty. He felt his rage begin to subside, = and the=20 mist before his eyes gradually dissipated. "Very well". He turned away = from the=20 man and looked again at the desk, hoping that somehow the missing piece = would=20 rematerialise, for if willing had such power it surely would have; but = there was=20 nothing. His body slumped forward, and the tiredness that had been swept = away by=20 the torrent of his emotions suddenly reasserted itself; he would have = fallen yet=20 again if his attendant had not observed him. The latter moved quickly = and,=20 before there should be a repetition of the previous events, he grasped = the old=20 man about the waist, and helped him towards the chair. It is strange how = the=20 emotions can transform so quickly. Moments before he had been in almost = mortal=20 fear of the man's anger, and now he felt sorrow and compassion for the = fellow,=20 seeing how despondent and weakened he had become. He knew at least that = the=20 man's passions were driven by his work and, even if he did not fully = comprehend=20 the importance of his studies, nevertheless he could not doubt the = impact of the=20 loss upon his master. "If it please you, sir, perhaps you need to take a = proper=20 rest? A good night's sleep should restore you". He was surprised at his = own=20 temerity. The master was not widely reputed for the ease with which he = took=20 advice, especially when such emanated from his inferiors. However, his = instincts=20 told him that the man was at the end of his tether. He helped him to the = couch=20 again, and laid a blanket over the still, and already slumbering, = form.

A=20 world away the boy walked through the night. The sky was clear, and the = air,=20 cool and still. The path moved through the gloom, and he followed its = winding=20 way quite unconsciously. There was a simple joy in the movement, and his = pace=20 followed that inclination; no direction other than that afforded by the = road; no=20 intention other than that guided by the sense of liberation that filled = his=20 body. Each step took him further away from the farm and his past, and = into a=20 future of unknown possibilities. He had had no plan when he left the = farm, and=20 still no notion as to what he might do next. Through his mind flowed the = solemn=20 images of his past. His mother's death filled these vistas, and the = growing=20 realisation of his unhappiness from that dreadful day. Even when he = considered=20 his uncle he could not truthfully say that the man had been deliberately = cruel.=20 It was his nature; he had led a brutal life and knew only that way in = his=20 consort with others. He was no more than an unwanted burden upon the = man, and=20 one that the latter could not sustain. His resentment was clear against = his=20 nephew; yet the fellow lacked the self-restraint to hold that part of = his anger=20 in check. He was not totally blameless, nevertheless he remained quite = helpless=20 within the grasp of his own weak character. The boy, although of the = same=20 bloodline, was not of his stock at all. He might be kin in that = household, but a=20 stranger all the same. He was not sure how it came about but with each = pace that=20 he took from the farmstead he moved imperceptibly into a different = world. He=20 could not be certain that this new realm would be any more friendly or = gracious=20 than the former, but change was inevitable, and he knew that he could = not go=20 back. He had passed a frontier within himself that would ensure, more = completely=20 than the highest range of mountains in this world, that there was no = retreat. As=20 the conviction of his decision grew within him, so his pace intensified. = He=20 doubted very much that his uncle would be greatly concerned at his = absence. It=20 was rather that he was impatient to greet this new world, eagerly = reaching out=20 towards it as it, in turn, welcomed him.

He had already passed = well=20 beyond the boundaries of the farm. It was not a large holding, and only=20 sufficient to keep one man in a livelihood and, until recently, one = small boy.=20 The path had joined a larger track that traversed the plain, passing by = the=20 adjoining parcels of land belonging to their neighbours. As he strode = along,=20 occasionally he would hear a fox's barking cries, as they broke in upon = the=20 night's silence, marking at least one creature's witnessing of his = passage. As=20 soon as he had moved out of scent's range the quiet of the night would = again=20 fold about him, and he would be all but invisible to the world. He drew = some=20 sense of reassurance from this, yet he had no fear as he marched through = the=20 district, for this was a peaceful community. There had been no trouble = from=20 brigands in many a year. The badlands were still some way off, lying = deep within=20 the confines of the Northern mountains. Their inhabitants knew better = than to=20 venture here into Videnford, and with any kind of evil intent. The = locals might=20 be farmers but they were a sturdy race, and knew well how to protect = themselves=20 against the incursions of those who would be foolhardy enough to essay a = raid.=20 The wild men of the mountains had had their noses bloodied before, and = judged it=20 better to attack only those who were bold, or stupid enough, to venture = into the=20 high passes, or the dark valleys of their own realm. Nevertheless, it = was a=20 brave adventure to sally so far from home. 'Home'. It felt strange to = apply that=20 word to the farm, for it had never seemed that way to him. His mother's = cottage=20 had been the last place that he had considered thus. His mother's - and = of=20 course his father's. But now they were gone, and he felt a surge of = excitement -=20 and of sadness - rush through his body; he was marching forth into the = unknown;=20 but truly alone. His heart thrilled, and beat the more strongly with = these=20 conflicting emotions; the world, indeed, had taken on a new aspect. He = could not=20 describe this precisely; it was neither friendly nor inimical. It just = had a=20 newness about it, and even with the most commonplace experience, this = now=20 impressed itself more deeply upon his senses. In truth, he was not quite = sure=20 how he felt about this transition, between the old and the new. = Suddenly, the=20 fact of his departure forced itself upon his consciousness most = powerfully. He=20 looked about him as if he had just woken up. He stopped in his tracks, = and=20 turned about, looking back up the way that he had come. The path wound = away into=20 the distance, through the fields and copses that dotted the landscape = until,=20 finally, it disappeared over a shallow hillside; and beyond this lay his = past.=20 How odd that he had left without any plan or intention! He felt like he = had=20 escaped some great oppression; but in truth it could hardly be called = that. He=20 had no idea of where he might go, neither plan nor aim; he was lost. It = crossed=20 his mind to reverse this foolishness, and make his way back to the farm. = If he=20 exerted himself he could easily return before the sun rose. His uncle = would=20 never know; indeed, he would barely remark upon the matter. He could = return and=20 the whole thing would be banished from his mind, if not his memory. He = had no=20 provisions upon him; no money, not even a dagger, foolish and ill = prepared=20 fellow that he was. But the moment passed swiftly though much had passed = within=20 his soul. There are times in life when upon the moment turns the whole = of its=20 course; and for Melaskkoli this was one. To go forwards, or to go back? = But the=20 impulse of life, especially that of the youthful, is ever onward. And so = the boy=20 turned his head, and continued on his journey into the = future.

Bold as=20 the spirit may be the body will make its demands regardless. Though he = was=20 driven forward by the excitement of this undertaking his stomach = commenced to=20 rumble in a most prosaic way. Again he was reminded of the importunity = of his=20 nature, as the gurgling grew into a dull ache that even his youthful = zest could=20 not ignore. He looked about him wistfully, searching for some sign that = these=20 symptoms could be alleviated urgently. The night was well advanced, and = the=20 shadows deep black. Nothing stirred but a few grasses, drifting in the = faintest=20 of breezes. Faintly he could hear the rustlings of the night creatures = as they=20 scavenged their own living. But these were well tutored in their trade, = and he=20 but a poor novice. No immediate solution presented itself, and he was = left with=20 but one choice. He reached to his waist and tightened, by a couple of = notches,=20 the leathern belt that circled there. But he resolved, at first light, = those=20 notches would be loosened at the earliest, possible opportunity. The = moon=20 glimmered patiently down upon the path as he disappeared into a small = grove of=20 trees.

The master awoke, slowly and gently, to the sound of = someone=20 moving in the room. He lay quietly for a few moments, disoriented by the = lingering sleep that still enveloped his mind. Gradually he came to, and = shifted=20 his body around to observe the source of the disturbance. He saw the = crouched=20 figure of his dutiful, but not very astute, pupil, busying himself = before the=20 fire that he had cultivated in the hearth. The master observed that = daylight had=20 given way to night, and a coolness had descended with the gathering = darkness.=20 His body ached as if it had sustained some terrible blows, and his head = felt=20 dull and heavy, as though from an excessive indulgence of wine. = Momentarily he=20 had forgotten the causes of his physical and mental anguish, and then = the=20 recollection returned with the rising clarity of his thoughts. "Ohhhhh", = was=20 wrenched from his very soul, as he recalled the missing slip of = parchment. At=20 this exclamation his fellow ceased his ministrations before the fire, = and turned=20 to observe the master. The man's face displayed his anxiety, and he = braced=20 himself for a renewed verbal assault. Perhaps it was sheer fatigue on = the part=20 of Hesvee for he had neither the energy, nor it would seem the = inclination, to=20 renew his admonitions. Besides, it seemed that he might have been = entirely=20 unreasonable. Yet he reflected, 'Why on earth should this fellow steal = something=20 that to him could have no value? He did not know the significance of the = parchment, and so he would be quite without motive.' It was extremely = painful=20 for him to admit these facts, especially in his grossly weakened state. = But the=20 fault should lie with the responsibility, and this was his alone = certainly. He=20 was not an unkind or unreasonable man, which made his behaviour all the = more=20 reprehensible. Something powerful had overwhelmed him, to drive his = temper thus,=20 and to such overweening passion. He pushed himself upright, closely = observed all=20 the while by his student. The fellow looked as if he was readying = himself to=20 sprint from the room should the master's anger explode forth once more. = A tinge=20 of pity rose in the former, and he glanced over to the fellow. "Softly,=20 Celarent" he murmured. It was an affectation on his part to pretend = ignorance of=20 such trifles as names, but in truth his memory was exceedingly acute. = "Softly",=20 he repeated. The pupil could see that the fury had passed, and a look of = such=20 relief brushed over his features that again the master felt a strong = sense of=20 remorse, that he should have caused the man such discomfort. It would, = however,=20 not do, not do at all, to actually apologise. There were certain forms = in these=20 hierarchies, and these could not be dispensed with. However, an = accommodation=20 could be reached, and a restoration of harmony achieved, if only by a = diplomatic=20 detour of recent events. "The night has already drawn in, Celarent. I = must have=20 slept for some considerable time. It was considerate of you to light the = fire".=20 The words, and their evident kindness, secured the breach, and both = master and=20 servant returned to their previously concordant affiliation. Carefully = Celarent=20 continued to feed the flames, piling on coals to the burning bundle of = twigs,=20 each one placed attentively to feed the red, glowing fire whose heat = already=20 filled the room. He rose and walked across to the open window. There was = a=20 slight breeze wafting into the room and he raised his arms to draw the = shutters.=20 The city was beautiful to behold in the later evening hours, with a = bright,=20 silver moon glowing down upon the myriad flat rooftops, that lay like so = many=20 tesserae, spreading constantly outwards, rising and falling in = staircases across=20 the scape. The darkness of the streets beneath was pierced only by the = orange=20 glow of fires and torches, which diffused their comforting beams = throughout the=20 city. He pulled the shutters close upon the scene, and turned towards = the=20 master. "How are you feeling, sir?" His concern was evident, and quite = genuine.=20 The master grimaced slightly. "Ah! Feeling my age tonight, I fear, = Celarent.=20 Indeed." Much was left unsaid, but that sufficed. "Perhaps if I prepare = you=20 something to eat? Then I shall leave you alone to your studies?" The = questions=20 floated through the air between them, and the master appeared to = consider the=20 matter. "Yes. I am hungry. But I think enough of study for today. It = does not=20 seem to agree". There it was said; and the matter could now finally be=20 concluded. The unwritten code had been observed, and normality restored. = "Yes=20 sir. Perhaps something light. Soup and bread to keep out the cold, sir?" = Such an=20 observation seemed quite unnecessary for the room was already aglow from = the=20 fire. But the master nodded, and Celarent left the study and made his = way to the=20 kitchen. As he was passing through the doorway the master looked up. = "Perhaps=20 you would care to join me in the meal, Celarent. You must be hungry = too". The=20 fellow nodded his assent but was surprised at the invitation. In the = four years=20 that he had served as attendant and pupil he had never before been = issued with=20 such a summons. He made his way down the corridor and into the small = kitchen=20 that lay at the end.

As he busied himself cutting up the = vegetables and=20 meat he pondered on the invitation. It had been a most unusual day to = say the=20 very least. His master was not a man of changeable temperament, and yet = his=20 conduct of late had been almost unfathomable. He was, of course, devoted = to his=20 work, and became entirely absorbed in each new project, and to such an = extent=20 that on occasion he would neglect eating, even foregoing sometimes due = care to=20 his attire, fastidious man that he was. However, it would usually be = enough to=20 remind him of these essentials, and he would recollect himself and break = off=20 from his studies. Indeed, it was one of Celarent's duties to ensure that = the=20 master was properly cared for, as well as to attend to his other=20 responsibilities. Ever since he had discovered these old letters, or so = they=20 seemed to him, the man had become as one obsessed, and his whole = demeanour=20 transformed. If ever possession by inimical spirits could be = demonstrated, the=20 master over the last few days could be said to exemplify the condition. = But the=20 outburst today had been extreme, and briefly Celarent had been all but = convinced=20 that the master was finally losing his mental equilibrium. It was a = considerable=20 relief to see him restored to his old self though the man looked quite = drained=20 by this recent eruption. Celarent finished his preparations and poured = the=20 contents into a pot, then added some herbs, and as an afterthought flung = a=20 generous pinch of pepper into the mixture, to bring some zest to the = concoction.=20 Finally, he tossed some chunks of goose fat into the container before = making his=20 way back up the corridor to the study. He found the master sitting in = his chair=20 and staring at the fire, his face peaceful, but quite ruddy from the = heat.=20 "Excuse me, sir". Celarent knelt before the flames and hung the pot = handle over=20 a metal hook that was suspended over the hearth. He quickly returned to = the=20 kitchen and came back with a pitcher of water in one hand, and a wooden = ladle in=20 the other. He could smell the fragrant aroma of the fat sizzling over = the fire,=20 and the delicious scents of the meat as it browned in the pot. He again = knelt=20 down and proceeded to stir and turn over the contents of the pan with = the ladle.=20 When he was satisfied that the meat was starting to burn he added a = little water=20 to the copper, and continued to stir. All the while the master looked = upon the=20 scene with a calm and quiet expression upon his face. Finally, the = servant=20 tipped the rest of the water into the pot and left the stew to bubble = and hiss=20 over the fire. The smells drifting through the room were quite = mouthwatering and=20 Celarent recalled how hungry he had become; all that remained now was to = wait=20 for supper to cook.

On the other side of the world, in the = growing light=20 of early dawn, there stumbled another humble and weary creature. The = night was=20 falling away quickly, and sharp rays of gold were piercing the sky. He = was so=20 tired now that he could spare not even a glance for this splendour. All = that=20 preoccupied him now was finding somewhere to lay his head. He had been = driven by=20 hunger so far, and his belt was tightened to the last notch; but now his = body=20 protested its exhaustion. There was but one benefit from this, for one = pain=20 seemed to distract from the other. His feet were dragging along the = ground,=20 raising little spurts of dust behind him as he pushed himself onward. He = could=20 have rested earlier, but something drove him on. It was not for fear of=20 discovery, that his uncle should notice his absence and give chase. He = managed=20 to raise a smile that such a thought should even cross his mind. No! The = man=20 might complain the deficit of such cheap labour; but no great love was = lost=20 between them. He doubted even that he would raise the alarm. Again, he = did=20 believe that the fellow was driven more by malice than indifference, = though he=20 was not sure that the latter was a lesser evil; many wrongs have = occurred=20 through the inactivity of the will or conscience. It was more that he = should=20 regain his sanity, or his sense, and turn back along the way he had = travelled so=20 arduously throughout the night; a fear indeed of his own vacillatory = nature. He=20 shrugged his shoulders as if to ward off the thought, and perhaps to = restore=20 some feeling of vigour to his exhausted body. Maybe he could just turn = off the=20 way, and find a little nest in which to curl up? His body ached and his = feet=20 were sore, his eyes bleary and red from peering into the darkness for so = long.=20 But he struggled on a little further, looking about him constantly for a = place=20 to sojourn. Now the path had reached the brow of a low rise, and before = him was=20 spread a little valley down the middle of which ran a small stream = bordered by=20 long green and brown rushes. If he could not eat at least he could fill = his=20 belly with water, and pretend that his hunger was sated; besides, his = mouth was=20 parched. He was breathing heavily, both from the demands of his long = march but=20 also from exhaustion, which was threatening to drag him down at each = step. He=20 stumbled, as he made his way along the slope of the dale. The grasses on = either=20 side were shimmering with the morning dew, and there was a low mist = hanging over=20 the dip. He waded through this vaporous ether until he reached the = bottom, and=20 then commenced to push his way through the grasses that lined the bank. = Ahead of=20 him, and just to his right, he could see a muddy patch of earth, which = bordered=20 the edge of the shallow stream. He made his way there and knelt down on = the=20 sludge, to slake his thirst with the cool waters. The stream flowed = slowly but=20 steadily, and the water was beautifully clear. He plunged his face into = the=20 liquid, and gasped with shock as the cold fluid brushed his face. He = raised his=20 head quickly, laughing with surprise. There was no reason why it should = not be=20 so, for its source must lie in the mountains, which lay just a few miles = to=20 north. The freezing jolt had fully wakened him now, and banished his = tiredness=20 completely. But then eagerly loitering nearby was his old friend Hunger, = and=20 this one had hastened to make his presence known. Indeed, the cold water = in his=20 stomach had, if anything, increased his appetite rather than allayed it. = He drew=20 handfuls of water from the stream and alternately flung them over his = face and=20 arms, shivering as he did so, but thrilled by the cold. He got to his = feet and=20 turned to face the rising sun. Her rays had broken over the horizon now, = and the=20 mist was starting to dissolve under her bright gaze, little twists and = snakes of=20 haze coiling up from the ground. His eyes were still sore, and he looked = only=20 briefly westwards before turning his face away. The path he had left = followed=20 the stream's edge and disappeared amongst the reeds and rushes that = stretched=20 all along the valley floor. Before him lay the other side of the valley = and,=20 more from curiosity than anything else, he was prompted to climb the low = gradient just to see the view that would greet him from the ridge. He = could=20 already feel the fatigue creeping back into his limbs, and he hastened = upwards=20 before it grew too great. In a matter of seconds he reached the hill = brow, and=20 gazed down on what lay beyond.

The stew was bubbling nicely as = Celarent=20 slopped the juices on the ladle, savouring keenly the aromas that rose = from the=20 pot. He was really hungry now. The anticipation was such that he could = barely=20 refrain from diving a hunk of bread into the mess, and greedily = devouring the=20 whole in one swallow. However, he recollected his eminent company, = though this=20 was barely sufficient to rein in his enthusiastic appetite. He looked = around=20 briefly at the master, and was surprised to see him staring back, with a = most=20 beneficent smile upon his face. He turned back to his duties quickly, = unused as=20 he was to such a sight. "How goes the cooking, good Celarent?" enquired = his=20 superior. "Well sir. Very well. Almost there I would say, sir". He was = tempted=20 to add a witty quip, and then was most surprised, for the words seemed = to tumble=20 from his mouth quite without permission. "Oh! I could eat the pot as = well, I'm=20 that hungry, sir". He felt a horror grip his heart, that he should = indulge in=20 such familiarity. Yet, and to his own great astonishment, his witticism = was=20 greeted with appreciative laughter. "Indeed. I should say so myself, = fellow. I=20 don't know what it is with me today, but I might fight you for the = privilege".=20 Celarent looked over his shoulder to ensure that it was indeed the = master who=20 was addressing him thus. Yes. There he was, and beaming fit to split his = face.=20 This was the strangest of days. Finally, the stew was adjudged = completed, and=20 Celarent went to the cupboard and drew out a couple of trenchers, and = laid them=20 upon a low wooden table that stood just before the fire. He had also = drawn out a=20 couple of fine wooden spoons, and he set these beside them. He made his = way out=20 to the kitchen and there he hacked off a couple of large chunks of = coarse=20 wheaten bread, and brought these back into the study. He was surprised = to see=20 the master had already set to, with some vigour, and wielding his spoon, = was=20 demolishing the stew with great enthusiasm. He set down a hunk of bread = at the=20 master's elbow, who had barely raised an eye at his entry. "Mmmmphh. = Ggggghhh.=20 Rawwwwlllll!" were the appreciative grunts growled through the air in = his=20 direction. The servant hardly knew where to look. He had seen pictures = of=20 ravenous wolves setting about their fallen prey with far less gusto than = was=20 displayed here. He knelt down at the table's edge, and started to apply = his=20 spoon to the concoction, but with slightly more decorum. Usually the = master was=20 so fastidious and delicate in his manners and now?. Finally, and with a = hearty=20 slurp and a flourish, the bowl was empted, and the newly exposed = gourmand tore=20 off another morsel of bread and began to polish the interior of the bowl = with=20 it. "Excellent Celarent. Excellent", exclaimed the master. "Thank you, = sir", was=20 the low response. He continued his meal whilst observing, out of the = corner of=20 his eye, his better settle back in his chair, and pat his stomach with = evident=20 satisfaction. A final seal of approval was vented, and the master wiped = away the=20 profuse grease drippings from his lips and jowls with the edge of his = sleeve.=20 "Excellent my good fellow. First class indeed. Oh! I was so hungry. I = felt like=20 I hadn't eaten for a hundred years, you know", he laughed. Celarent was = quite=20 dumbstruck. In all the time that he had known the master he had never = yet seen=20 displayed such exuberance. The man was so studious, even studied in his = manner.=20 And yet here he was, a veritable monster of appetite. It was such a=20 transformation, and Celarent was by no means sure that the revolution = was=20 entirely to his liking. Change was always difficult, but this was quite = another=20 matter. "Of course, sir. Your day has been quite arduous". If the master = was=20 unprepared to observe the proper politesse it did not mean that all = standards=20 were to fall by the wayside; Celarent, at least, was certainly not going = to=20 abandon tradition; or not in that sense. He concluded his own meal and = was now=20 quite delicately, and maybe a little pointedly, cleaning his own bowl of = the=20 remaining juices. "How long have you served me now, my dear Celarent?" = The=20 latter almost choked over his last morsel of bread. "Oh dear. Are you = quite=20 right, fellow? Something gone down the wrong way perhaps?" For one awful = moment=20 the servant worried that he was about to be struck full upon the back by = the=20 master. Eager to prohibit such familiarity he gasped back his reply. = "Quite,=20 sir, quite alright, thank you, sir. Yes. It must have been a bit of = bread going=20 down the wrong way. Your pardon, sir". "No not at all", replied the = master. "Not=20 at all. Now where was I? Ah yes! How long is it?" For a moment he was = lost,=20 quite unable to recall the original question. Fortunately he managed to = rally=20 his thoughts, and replied. "Er. Four years, I think, sir. Must be coming = up to=20 four years. Yes. Just after the second term I began my studies with = you". Time=20 seemed to have fled, not merely flown, by. "Four years. Good. And tell = me, dear=20 fellow, what precisely have you acquired in the way of learning in that = time?"=20 Celarent regarded the man carefully now, for this sounded like some kind = of=20 test. He was quite used to the master throwing him a bone now and then, = so to=20 speak, to see if he would choke upon it; and thus would a question = appear out of=20 thin air. He was never sure if it was intended to further his knowledge = or=20 simply to amuse the master, a man who clearly enjoyed such challenges, = and=20 especially those that discomfited lesser intellectual mortals. On the = other=20 hand, a 'viva voce' was not usually offered in such circumstances, and = were=20 generally presented in a much less cordial fashion. Nevertheless he = concluded=20 that the invitation should be treated with some circumspection. "I'm = quite sure=20 that I've learnt much under your tutelage, sir" he advanced cautiously. = He knew=20 that the master detested any appearance of subservience, even when he=20 simultaneously demanded it in fact. But the fellow was behaving so = oddly, that=20 any response might be ventured without necessarily guaranteeing an = expected=20 reply. "Really!" Hesvee smiled down at Celarent. He could see the fellow = was=20 acting cagily, trying to work out how the 'move' should be played. What = he did=20 not know was that there was no game to be played at all; well, perhaps = not yet!=20 He, Hesvee, felt better and freer than he had in many a long year. He = had spent=20 all of his life in this city, and most of it in this very school, this = great=20 Academy; first as a student, then as a fellow, and now as Professor of = the=20 Archives, and Master of Psychical Studies. He had had such a wonderful, = and=20 indeed, privileged career. So many accolades had been his; prizes and = awards=20 aplenty, and the respect, if not reverence, of his peers and students. = It was=20 true that he had the reputation of a hard task master - if that term = might be=20 applied - but then he was all the more eagerly sought out, by those of = high=20 ambition. And now here, a tired old man sitting in front of a fire, and = his=20 highest pleasure, a belly full of stew and bread. He smiled to himself = at this=20 incongruous juxtaposition of elevated academia and sensuous = gratification. There=20 were few who were able to observe his life beyond the screens afforded = by=20 position and rank. And there he was, poor fellow, the hapless Celarent, = having=20 to put up with the tantrums of an old fool who had lost a bit of paper; = surely=20 nothing could be more foolish that that. But it was an important piece = of paper,=20 and he could not understand how it had come to be misplaced. He felt = annoyed=20 with his own heedlessness. Perhaps these were the first signs of = incipient=20 mental fragility that sometimes accompanies those of advancing years. = His mind,=20 though, felt as agile as in his youth, perhaps a little slower and more=20 cautious, but qualities endowed by experience rather than dotage. He = recalled=20 again the excitement he had felt when his assistant had brought to him = the dusty=20 bundles of papers from the old archives. Celarent must be a better = student than=20 he had given him credit, for he had recognised the seal that lay upon = one of the=20 yellowing parchments. The lineage of the Sullak had been pre-eminent. = But=20 because of the civil war many valuable records of that time had been = destroyed;=20 both as a result of the hostilities, but also as deliberate acts of = vandalism on=20 the part of the rebellious forces. Finally these had been crushed = ruthlessly,=20 but not before enormous damage had been suffered by the kingdom. At one = point=20 the insurgents had gained partial control of the city, and had only with = greatest of efforts been dislodged from their stronghold within the = palace. But=20 they had been in occupation for a sufficient time to break into the = treasury=20 vaults, in their rapacious search for loot. Frustrated by the fact that = the=20 king's forces had anticipated their ambitions and removed all the = valuables from=20 these treasuries, they had vented their spleen on the libraries and = archives,=20 setting fires to the masses of documents and records stored within. So = great was=20 the conflagration that it could be seen for miles around, the brilliant=20 scarlet-red flames sending a rich glow into the dark night skies. When = the royal=20 forces had finally managed to regain command they found great piles of = burning=20 embers, the only remnants of that ancient heritage. But, as is the way = of=20 fortune, some papers had been saved, and these had been placed = temporarily in=20 the cellars. With all the confusion they had lain forgotten for many = years; that=20 is, of course, until Celarent had stumbled upon them, whilst engaged in = his own=20 researches. He had seen the seal and promptly recalled his master's = interests in=20 that period. He had returned with them, and set the dusty and = unprepossessing=20 bundles of rags down before Hesvee. The latter was about to protest the=20 disturbance when he caught sight of the emblem, which immediately = silenced his=20 remonstration. He had carefully and delicately pulled apart the rotting = material=20 and placed each section upon the polished wooden boards before him. The = smell of=20 mildew rose heavily in the air, causing him to sneeze repeatedly. On = each=20 occasion he had turned away quickly, fearful of disturbing the stack of=20 parchments piled before him. It had taken some time but finally he had = separated=20 out all the sheets, and they were spread out before him in as good an = order as=20 he could discern. Some of the material was still damp, from the humid = atmosphere=20 of the cellars in which they had resided for so many years. He let the = dry air=20 of the room draw out this residue of moisture but had been careful to = ensure=20 that the shutters remained closed. This had as much been a reflection of = a=20 growing secretiveness that enshrouded his activities, as to avoid what = in fact=20 later transpired. Some instinct had told him that what lay here should = remain=20 undisclosed to a wider public, for the time being at least. There had = been=20 nothing so far to encourage this degree of caution; for all he knew the=20 collection might contain nothing of more significance than an inventory = of=20 laundry for the palace records. But again, the presence of the seal = suggested=20 that these were probably important state papers. Even at this distance = in time=20 certain sensitivities might be exposed that would have repercussions = yet,=20 distant generations away that they might be. Still, this decision was = based more=20 on an intuition than a reasoned judgement on the part of the master. If = only his=20 caution had prevailed, and he had not so absent-mindedly left the = shutters open!=20 He caught himself again sinking into a mood of purposeless = self-recrimination,=20 and shrugged away the burdensome sentiment.

His thoughts again = returned=20 to the task. He recalled his great excitement as he had begun to sort = through=20 the compendium. Many of the pieces were so badly damaged that he had had = to set=20 them aside for a later and more careful perusal. However, a surprising = number of=20 sections were in remarkably good condition, and the script upon them, = though=20 faint, was of a sufficiently good quality to render translation = possible. There=20 were also some of an intermediate quality, and these were set aside = accordingly.=20 Finally, he had three, fairly, neat heaps of mouldering paper, to which = he now=20 directed the next stage of his efforts. Firstly, it was obvious that he = should=20 try to reassemble the documents as closely as possible in their original = order=20 whilst imposing his own systematic method of organisation. He was not = aided in=20 this task by the fact that there was no page numbering as such; but that = would=20 not have been the case anyway, for that ancient period. Additionally, = the sheer=20 quantity of the material also suggested that there was more than one = collection=20 present. He had tried as far as possible to preserve the order of the=20 compilation within each dusty heap. It would necessitate quite probably = that the=20 three piles would again be amalgamated as he proceeded with his = investigation;=20 but at least he would have gleaned a clearer idea of the structure of = the work=20 as he progressed. He took the first fragment and began to examine the = writings=20 upon it. He had already determined that the script would itself present = no=20 problems to his transliterative abilities. The problem was not the = language but=20 the dreadful condition of the materials. But then he located the title = page of=20 the work, and this was of great assistance. It was evident that the = material=20 related to a survey, which concerned some dominions of the kingdom. The=20 introductory pages contained diagrams that, though faintly presented, = seemed to=20 resemble the outlines or boundaries of geographical entities of some=20 unidentified territory. There were indicators also of the orientation of = the=20 map, with north, south, east and west clearly indicated. Apart from = this, the=20 legends depicted were of an unfamiliar type, and it was impossible to=20 distinguish between whether a line was drawn to signify a river or a = road. He=20 set aside this section and moved onto the next page, where the main part = of the=20 manuscript began. There were missing fragments from every leaf that, = together=20 with the water and fire damage, made the process of interpretation most = arduous.=20 Age too had drawn the colour from the inks, and he had to peer with = great=20 concentration at the pages in order to decipher anything. He had = carefully=20 placed a lamp nearby, the better to assist his efforts; for, with the = shutters=20 closed, he had denied himself the benefit of the sunlight. Now he = recalled the=20 reason why he had so foolishly left them open in the first place. = Frustrated by=20 the flickering light upon the parchment he had decided to take the risk = of=20 exposing his collection to the elements. He had also brought into = service an=20 enlarging glass, to ease somewhat the strain upon his vision, for after = many=20 hours devoted to poring over this puzzle he found himself suffering the = most=20 dreadful headaches. And even then, when he looked away, he could see the = fuzzily=20 edged figures of script dancing in the air before him. But as he probed = through=20 this maze of lettering his excitement grew. Even from the broken account = that=20 lay before him he was quickly able to determine the significance of the=20 document. It was indeed an inventory of a kind - but certainly not a=20 quantification of linen ware. Furthermore, although the predominant = purpose of=20 the review had clearly been intended to render an account of the value = of the=20 lands and property thereon, it was also a map of discovery. Whichever = lands=20 these papers referred to, they were certainly none that he knew that had = been=20 recorded at that time or, for that matter, existed now. The age of = exploration=20 had long passed by, and the world had been mapped and investigated = thoroughly.=20 Many mysteries remained, but an unknown territory was not one - not, at = least,=20 until now. And yet here were demonstrated features, and of which he had = no=20 knowledge certainly. He was something of an amateur cartographer as = well; such=20 skills were of occasional utility in his researches. To his eye he could = not=20 recall a part of any locality, which bore a resemblance to anything = displayed=20 here. It was at this juncture that he concluded reluctantly that he = would have=20 to consult with another colleague on the subject. He had a reputation = for=20 seclusion, and a marked inclination to resist any kind of assistance in = his=20 researches. He had to admit that this had caused him difficulties in the = past,=20 and frequently hindered his own studies. Thus far he had rationalised it = as an=20 opportunity to develop new skills. But there were times when a = consultation with=20 an expert in another field was necessary, and really quite unavoidable; = and this=20 was one of those. Fortunately, one of his closest associates in the = department=20 possessed the requisite knowledge. At least in this respect he might = feel quite=20 reassured, that a complete stranger would not be involved at such an = early stage=20 of his exploration. Ferioque was acknowledged to be at the forefront of = the=20 cartographic science and his services would be quite indispensable if = the Master=20 were to have any chance of making sense of this information. He = concluded that=20 he would speak to his colleague on the morn, and see if he could shed = any light=20 on the map's insignia.

The young boy looked down upon the open = slope=20 before him - and froze. His heart beat heavily, and disbelief gripped = his body.=20 He had expected to see the same rolling meadows and pasture land = extending=20 onwards up to the mountain ranges, which lay grey blue upon the horizon. = Instead, the sight that greeted him was of incomprehensible devastation; = a dread=20 vision indeed. He looked behind him on the way that he had come, as if = its=20 reality would make a dream or nightmare of that which lay before his = eyes. Yes.=20 There it was; the gently sloping valley, the grasses wafting easily in a = light=20 breeze, stirred by the slowly heating earth. Here, the little rivulet = that=20 sparkled and quivered in the early morning light, and the rushes = rustling=20 quietly along its margin. And now, before him, a vast plain ripped apart = by some=20 dreadful power, a force that had cut great, deep, black and grey gashes = into the=20 ground, as if an awful monster had ploughed the fields with its claws, = ripping=20 up grasses and trees, hedges and hillocks, and strewing them insensately = all=20 about. It was a scene that he could not imagine even in his worst fears. = Yet=20 here it was, and all but a short distance from his own home. It was = another=20 world, and one so outlandish as to exceed any horror that might be = unleashed in=20 a restless sleep. He gazed about him, gripped by an awful fascination. = What=20 could possibly have wrought such devastation in this otherwise beautiful = land?=20 He searched through his memory desperately trying to find some kind of=20 explanation for this awful occurrence. He had heard tales of land = quakes, and of=20 great fires that had scoured the earth. But the scene before him did not = resemble these accounts. He noticed, also, not a sound could he hear = nearby: no=20 bird song, no animal calls - nothing. Whatever had done this had = seemingly=20 scooped up every living thing, and left behind only a dead wilderness. = As he was=20 thus engaged he heard a faint scraping noise that seemed to come from = nearby. He=20 glanced around, anxiously seeking the source of this disturbance. It was = so=20 slight that he could easily have attributed it to his imagination. It = was only=20 the contrasting, deadly silence that emphasised this whisper in his = ears. He=20 cast his eyes back and forth; but there was nothing, just the same grey = brown,=20 scorched earth, and the flutters of dust blowing desolately across its = ravaged=20 surface. Then he caught a glimpse of something from the corner of his = eye. For=20 an instant he thought that it might be a dead leaf trapped twitching in = the mud.=20 He took a few paces forward and fell to his knees, the better to examine = the=20 object. Almost as soon as he had done so the whole ground appeared to = heave up=20 before him. He fell back in shock, staring at the apparition that had = suddenly=20 erupted from the earth. It was about the size of a young child. In the = ground it=20 had left behind an impression, an outline, as if it had been born from = the soil=20 itself. Bits of earth and dead foliage clung to its form, with fragments = of mud=20 and other detritus falling from its body, or being flung about as it = swayed to=20 and fro, seemingly searching for something misplaced. He could not be = sure but=20 whatever this being might be, it had not yet spied him; or so he hoped. = He could=20 see now that the form resembled that of a human, or some similar = species, albeit=20 a very muddy and confused one. He had scrabbled back a few feet, driven = by fear;=20 but this afforded him a clearer view of the creature. It had stopped = swaying and=20 now seemed to fix its attention some distance away, towards the = mountains. His=20 foot slipped, and a rock that had lain close by skipped over the earth = and=20 cracked against another. He caught his breath, frozen to the spot; but = it was no=20 use. The creature evidently possessed quite acute hearing and it swung = round=20 immediately to face him. As it did so yet more earth fell from its body, = to=20 reveal a head, and a pallid face stained with mud. He could just detect = a pair=20 of gleaming eyes peering out at him from beneath its broad brow. = Suddenly the=20 beast took on a wholly human aspect, and much of his anxiety slipped = away. He=20 was not face-to- face with some great malevolent force, a demonic = incarnation of=20 the earth, but one that appeared to be as discommoded as he. The man, or = possibly child, dropped its gaze, and the pale, silvery eyes disappeared = from=20 view. However, this disconcerting vision was quickly replaced by a = strange,=20 high, wheezing sound, that seemed to emanate from the head. "Whoooo are = ?.?" and=20 the question floated away into the air. Melaskkoli guessed that it must = be=20 addressed to him, for as far as he could tell there was no one else in = the=20 vicinity. He replied quickly, anxious to reassure the fellow that at = least one=20 of them bore no ill-will. "I'm Melaskkoli. How do you do?" On reflection = the=20 pleasantry seemed a little odd, given the circumstances. It was not = every day=20 that one addressed a pile of mud, for that resemblance was still quite=20 impressive. "Howwww dooo I dooo whaaat?" was the slightly prolixious = response.=20 "I'm sorry". Melaskkoli realised that although the creature spoke his = own=20 language it might hold to a more literal tendency when it came to=20 interpretation. "No. What I meant to say was, are you alright? You seem = to have=20 had a bad accident? Well, in fact, the whole area seems to have been in = some=20 kind of dreadful storm". There was a long silence. And then there rose = into the=20 air again that most peculiar sound. "Heeeeeee. Heeeeeeee. Heeeeeee". = Melaskkoli=20 decided that there really was no reply to this, and waited for some kind = of=20 elaboration. "Yesssss. Youuuu miiight saaaay thaaat indeeeed. An = accideeent.=20 Yessssss". Melaskkoli was not at all sure where all this might lead but = at least=20 there was no sign of immediate danger. "How did you come to be here = might I=20 ask?" There again was a long silence but at least no repetition of that = dreadful=20 noise. "Ooohh. It isss a loooong ssstoory and I aaaam quite suuure = thaaat it=20 would boore youu terribllyyy". He decided not to press the point, for = the fellow=20 showed no signs of wishing to continue. It had managed to recover its = composure=20 somewhat, and raised itself from the ground on to its - Melaskkoli was = relieved=20 to see - two legs. Now that this creature's full form was outlined = against the=20 sky, and no longer partly camouflaged by the mud, he could see clearly = that it=20 bore a close resemblance to a man of his own race; but the legs and arms = were=20 remarkably long and spindly, and the belly quite protuberant. His new=20 acquaintance was attired most extravagantly, wearing a broad rimmed and = pointed=20 hat that fell forward over the face, for the most part concealing the = fellow's=20 eyes and other features. The upper part of the torso was hung in a = jerkin whilst=20 the legs and feet were covered with leggings of some drab material. Over = the=20 whole was draped a long cloak from which the mud and earth still dripped = with=20 every motion that he made. The entire outfit was of a dismal brown and = grey=20 colour that, together with the earth that still coated it, provided an = almost=20 perfect shade for blending into the background. It was no wonder that he = had not=20 spotted him until the latter had made his dramatic and abrupt = appearance. He had=20 got to his feet himself now, not wishing to be at any kind of = disadvantage=20 should the mood of his new companion change. The elongated limbs of the = man=20 accentuated the length of his form; but despite this he still bore the = general=20 proportions of a child. They were standing on a level and yet Melaskkoli = towered=20 easily over the other. This sense of physical superiority reassured him=20 somewhat, and his opposite showed no signs of wishing to offer offence. = "Annnd=20 whaaat miiight I asssk are youuuu doing heeerre, youuung one?" = Melaskkoli=20 considered the question carefully. The manner of address was that of an = elder to=20 a younger, and he guessed that he might have misjudged their relative = age. He=20 adjusted his response accordingly, and cautiously. "Er well. I'm = visiting some=20 relatives of mine in the northern country. I haven't seen them for some = time and=20 well ?. well then I came across all of this". He gestured about him, = indicating=20 the wasted land that lay there. "Are you sure you're alright? And can = you tell=20 me what happened here? I mean I've never seen this before". The creature = appeared to be listening, but it was hard to tell. He wished that he = could see=20 more clearly the other's eyes and face. At least then he would be able = to judge=20 what might be passing through the fellow's mind. "Ahhh. Visitiiing = relaaatives.=20 Yesss. Thaaaat wassss whaaat I tooo was doiiing. Buuuutt asss fooor = thissss,=20 ittt issss aaa terriblllle thinnnng thaaat hasss happened heeer. I = cannnnot=20 telll youuu yeeet. Mayyyybee soon". At this point the creature collapsed = in a=20 heap upon the earth, now apparently lifeless. Melaskkoli stared down at = the=20 body, quite uncertain what to do next. It had been a very, very strange=20 day.

The master awoke to the sounds - and quite delicious smells = - of his=20 servitor's culinary efforts, as the latter prepared their breakfast. He = had=20 slept most soundly and, for the first time in some days, he felt fully = rested.=20 He could appreciate now, with the clarity of a calm and settled mind, = that he=20 had been overworking and had driven himself almost beyond the limit with = his=20 endeavours. He still felt somewhat remorseful, and not a little ashamed, = over=20 his conduct of the day before. Nature had a way of rectifying the = balance, and=20 the passions of his emotions and the relentless drive of his will had to = be=20 brought under rein. Nature, he reflected, contained its own wisdom, and = only a=20 fool would neglect her counsel. He stretched his arms and enjoyed the = sense of=20 ease that filled his body. His mind was quiet and his senses were alive = to life=20 again. It was all very well burying your head in books and maps and = dusty=20 mildewed parchments, he thought, but there was a beautiful world out = there, and=20 he had spent far too long encrusted about by his studies. He could see a = glorious blue sky framed within the window, with great white clouds = drifting=20 slowly across its pristine azure face. Even here indoors he felt the = grace of=20 this fine day. He swung his legs over the edge of the couch and sat = there for a=20 while, enjoying this equilibrium. Long gone were the days when he could = leap=20 from his bed. Age tended to impart a slower and more regal pace to one's = movements, and the commencement of the day was no exception. From the = sounds=20 emanating from the end of the corridor Celarent was busy about his = duties. Over=20 the fire had been slung a griddle, and strips of bacon were already = sizzling=20 away, soaked in their smoking fat. Celarent entered the room bearing two = great=20 flagons of steaming tea, which he placed down on the table before the = master.=20 "With honey, of course, just as you like, sir". "Thank you Celarent". = "You slept=20 well, sir?" he enquired solicitously. "Like the proverbial baby, = Celarent, like=20 a baby indeed", laughed the master. "You have risen long yourself?" "Oh, = not=20 long. I must confess to having enjoyed a long sleep myself, sir". "Good. = Good.=20 Then we're both rested and we can get much done today". The bacon was = almost=20 ready, for there was a slight burning smell in the air. Celarent took = some=20 large, thick slices of the coarse bread left over from the previous = night and=20 smeared a generous coating of butter over each. Then he carefully - to = avoid=20 dripping fat upon the floor - picked up the crispy slices of bacon and = placed=20 them neatly onto their prepared beds. He crumbled some herbs over the = whole=20 delicious array and presented one of these to the master. The latter bit = into=20 the thick hunk without ceremony, relishing the rich taste and texture of = the=20 meat; in every way he felt a different man today; life was richer and = deeper. It=20 was as if he had emerged from a dream, a trance that he had mistaken for = his=20 waking hours. They ate enthusiastically, the silence broken only by the = sounds=20 of bacon and bread being noisily devoured, together with indecorous = sloshes of=20 tea descending eager throats.

After only a brief period the = repast was=20 concluded, and the two of them sat back to quietly digest their meal. = Whist he=20 had been enjoying his food Hesvee had given some consideration to his = plans. He=20 would contact his colleague Ferioque on this very day, and endeavour to = gain=20 some further insight into the newly discovered archives. The missing = piece of=20 paper may or may not have been able to shed some light upon its whole=20 significance. It had carried writing upon it, but in an unknown dialect. = It was=20 this characteristic that suggested its importance, and he had intended = to return=20 to it later so as to devote all his energies to a preliminary = decryption. His=20 annoyance at its loss - which he realised now had been quite = disproportionate,=20 and wholly due to his fatigue - had been largely based upon this belief, = that it=20 might serve as a key to the whole collection. On the other hand, and = this was a=20 possibility that he had considered, the fragment could just as easily = have been=20 part of some other collection, and had slipped entirely by accident into = the=20 papers that Celarent had presented to him. It was largely pointless now = to=20 speculate on the matter since there was no sign of the missing section, = and=20 further searches had failed to reveal its whereabouts. It was clear that = it had=20 not fallen within the confines of the room and therefore must now be = lying on=20 some city wayside, trodden into the mud and dirt by the hooves of = passing=20 horses. A more profitable use of his time and energy would lie with = examining=20 the remaining contents and focussing his attention on that section that = seemed=20 to depict a map. "Ah! Thank you, good fellow. Just what I needed to = start a very=20 busy day. Firstly, when you've finished your meal I want you to visit = Professor=20 Ferioque at his home. It's important that you speak to him personally". = The=20 master looked at Celarent pointedly, to emphasise his command. Celarent = nodded=20 his understanding. "There's no need to expand on the matter beyond what = you=20 already know". Celarent indicated his acquiescence although such was his = limited=20 acquaintance with what was passing that it hardly seemed necessary to be = pressed=20 on the point. The latter's manner was decidedly odd but at least he was = back to=20 his old self; for him, at least, that was sufficient. It was evident = from the=20 master's erratic conduct that the object of his researches had had more = than=20 their usual impact. He had never seen such extreme variations in the = man's moods=20 as he had witnessed in the last few days; only a fool would have failed = to draw=20 the conclusion that there existed some connection between these = vagaries, and=20 the documents so recently unearthed. For a brief moment he had even = thought that=20 he might be sworn to secrecy; but fortunately that instant had passed. = He=20 continued. "If the Professor is unavailable, which is quite likely, for = he is,=20 after all, a busy man like myself, then it will be sufficient to leave a = message=20 asking him to arrange a meeting at his earliest convenience. He will = know that=20 the matter is of some importance for I don't make such requests lightly. = Is this=20 all clear Celarent?" Again the latter nodded. The message was clear, as = was the=20 fact that something was, as they say, afoot. The master looked at him = blankly.=20 "You've finished your meal?" "Yes thank you, sir". Again there was a = short=20 silence before Celarent realised that this was his cue to depart. "Then = I'll be=20 off, sir. I shouldn't be too long", and with this he got up from his = chair and=20 left the room. The master remained behind, silently staring into an = unknown=20 distance.

Melaskkoli, although initially hesitant, and shocked by = the=20 sudden collapse of the fellow, rushed forward, sweeping aside completely = any=20 apprehension that might still linger with regard to this strange man, = creature,=20 monster, or whatever he might be, concerned only to observe the fellow's = apparent distress. He knelt down beside him and removed the fellow's = hat, the=20 better to examine the condition of his new companion. He was somewhat = surprised=20 - and very disturbed - by what was revealed. Truth to say, it was no = monstrosity=20 that presented itself to his investigation. His imagination, vivid at = the best=20 of times, had already created strange fantasies, horrors indeed, that = might be=20 revealed upon an unduly close perusal of this strange being. The visage = that=20 demonstrated itself to his exam was, after all, very odd. The most = striking=20 feature was the pallor of the skin. He had never witnessed anyone with = such=20 fair, indeed bloodless, skin. The tone and texture resembled somewhat = the=20 underside of a slug, which might be discovered, lurking under a stone = carelessly=20 overturned. However, that brief feeling of revulsion which he = experienced he=20 discounted, by considering that the sweat laden and pasty aspect = displayed was=20 probably the result of whatever illness the fellow was suffering. But = what was=20 even more disconcerting was the man's extraordinarily small mouth. It = seemed to=20 be entirely lipless, and of a dimension that surely could not admit more = than a=20 few crumbs of food at one time. This narrow aperture would explain the = lisping=20 and high-pitched tone of the creature's voice. The eyes were shut, and = the other=20 features seemed to broadly conform to the conventional human type. He = managed to=20 draw his gaze away from this unusual profile, and recalled the reason = for his=20 examination. He looked about the prostrate form and noticed the cloak, = which=20 covered the body from head to toe. He pulled the garment aside, there to = reveal=20 a water bottle hanging from the belt. It was then that he observed the = outline=20 of a distended belly, which had been partly concealed by the voluminous = robe.=20 Again this might be a natural feature of the man's body, or perhaps an = indicator=20 of severe malnutrition; which, he could not tell. The general = impression,=20 though, was that this was no child but a fully formed adult. He managed = to draw=20 the water bottle off its strap and, discovering it to be empty, he = turned away=20 from the prone form and made his way quickly back up the slope, then = downwards=20 upon the other side, to reach the watercourse. He was struck by the = incongruity=20 of the whole affair. There was, in this pretty little valley, not a sign = of the=20 desolation that lay so close by. He pulled off the stopper on the = bottle, and=20 plunged the whole into the cold waters. As it filled, the bubbles of air = that=20 were displaced rose to the surface of the pool, there to burst = noiselessly. He=20 snapped the stopper back onto the bottle lip, and retraced his steps up = the=20 hillside. He reached the brow and looked again on the destruction, which = spread=20 in every direction. It was then that he got his next shock. Casting his = eye to=20 each quarter, there was no sign of the creature whatsoever; he, or it, = had=20 completely vanished. He marched precipitately down the hill, anxious to = locate=20 his new-found charge. He reached the spot where he believed he had left = the=20 fellow; but there was nothing to be seen. The ground was covered in = blackened=20 earth and mud; but no clues at all of his recent encounter. Recalling = that it=20 had been exceedingly difficult to see the fellow against this grimy = background,=20 he searched about the area, using his hands as well as his feet, lest = his eyes=20 again deceive him; but it was fruitless. There was nothing to show that = anyone=20 had been there ever; but for the evidence supplied by the water bottle, = it might=20 have been a dream. He persisted in his exploration for some time before=20 concluding that nothing further could be achieved by the effort. As his=20 curiosity and anxiety receded concerning the creature's fate, so did his = stomach=20 rapidly remind him of his own poor condition. If he did not wish to fall = into a=20 similar predicament as his erstwhile company then he would need to find = food,=20 and quickly at that. There were no more notches on his belt to tighten, = and a=20 diet of cold water would not suffice to distract his belly from its = growing=20 emptiness. At least he had obtained one useful tool from the encounter: = the=20 water bottle.

He looked out across the plain. It was completely = desolate,=20 and it seemed futile to continue by this way. Indeed, so mournful was = its aspect=20 that he felt that it would serve only to depress his already depleted = mood, and=20 a more profitable route must lie elsewhere. He decided to return to the = stream=20 and follow its course further up the valley; for where there was water = there was=20 usually life. As his hunger grew, so did his determination similarly = strengthen,=20 to find food - and that without further delay.

He had returned to = the=20 stream and, turning to his right, he made off in the direction that lay = against=20 the flow of the water, moving in a gentle climb up to the head of the = shallow=20 gorge. As he moved further and further onwards the sides of the valley = gradually=20 drew closer, and the slopes steeper. He was hopeful that as the space = became=20 more confined, that any quarry that he might find would be easier to = capture and=20 kill. He had not figured out how he might bring down any prey since he = had no=20 weapons, not even twine with which to fashion traps. Alternatively, he = hoped=20 that he might stumble upon some kind of human habitation along the way, = for=20 water not only attracted beasts but also his own kind. The sun had risen = well=20 above the horizon now, and a light breeze brushed across his back. There = was no=20 reminder here, at least, of the blasted lands nearby. His endeavours = were now=20 devoted wholly to the main question at hand; the location of provisions, = dead or=20 alive, that would fill the gnawing cavern that was importunately growing = behind=20 his belt. He had been walking for about an hour or so along the valley = floor. As=20 the incline steepened the underlying rocks, which had been torn away = over so=20 many thousands of years, became exposed. The way was becoming more and = more=20 arduous to traverse. He now had to frequently clamber over large = boulders, and=20 even wade the waters of the stream to make any progress. It twisted and = turned,=20 snaking its way over the ground, the waters tumbling and crashing in a = most=20 alarming fashion. He was crawling over one particularly large granite = chunk,=20 balanced most precipitously to one side of the stream, when he came to = the=20 entrance of a tiny plateau, that nestled tidily between two almost = vertical=20 cliffs. On either side the stream had cut away this space, wearing down = the rock=20 over an almost limitless span of time. And on this narrow shelf, between = one=20 side of the gorge and the other, he found himself standing before a = small,=20 wooden hut perched most precariously upon this stony ledge; through an = opening=20 in its roof drifted a thin stream of smoke. Someone was at = home.

Celarent=20 left his master to his reveries and descended the stairs that led into = the=20 street. It was a beautiful and bright morning. The apartments occupied = by=20 himself and the master were located right in the middle of the = university=20 district, which itself lay to the east of the city centre. Already the = street=20 was busy with citizens going about their business. It was not to their=20 employment though that they made their way. At least one day a week the=20 inhabitants took a break from their daily chores, enjoying the amenities = of the=20 metropolis, and disporting themselves generally. The only exceptions to = this=20 rule were those whose duties allowed no such interruption, the domestic = routines=20 that could never be abandoned, and the familial responsibilities that = must not=20 be neglected. And, of course, there were those trades that derived their = benefit=20 from such holidays. The various mongers of the city took full advantage = of this=20 opportunity, and made haste to bring their wares to the markets, to = tempt those=20 who might buy their produce. It seemed as if the whole city had decided = to take=20 to the streets, and the city thoroughfares were packed with joyful = crowds.=20 Celarent stepped into the roadway and turned right. He was moving away = from the=20 centre of town and against the direction in which most of the = inhabitants were=20 heading, for it was here in the city centre, that the finest markets = were held.=20 He had to force his way upstream, so to speak, always against the = pressing flood=20 of people that surged down the narrow avenues, noisily chattering and = laughing=20 as they looked forward to the day's bargains. It was a delight to behold = for not=20 only was it a regular rest day but also one of the first feasts of that = month -=20 the time of Velius - a celebration of the founding of the city. It was = the=20 tradition, on this auspicious occasion, that all should wear their = brightest and=20 best finery for the celebrations. It had quite slipped his mind, which = was=20 hardly surprising considering the events of the past few days, and the = rather=20 odd behaviour of his master, and so he was dressed rather sombrely, in a = plain=20 jerkin of rough, brown cloth and sporting rather frayed leggings made of = old=20 leather; an ancient ensemble at that. He noted a few disapproving looks = cast his=20 way by some of the peacocks and dandies as they hastened past him on = their way=20 to the festivities. However, he paid no great heed to their unspoken = commentary,=20 and reminded himself that though the rest of the world might be on = holiday, a=20 few still had a higher calling; thus he endeavoured to console himself. = But the=20 truth was that he rather envied the happy throng, and found himself = speculating=20 whether indeed his errand was that urgent. Surely the master could not = object if=20 he took just a little time to honour the day? After all, was he not a = good=20 citizen! And how could he be held blameworthy, in any respect, should he = dutifully carry out such observances? Celarent had to smile to himself. = No! Even=20 he could not swallow that one; and he could well imagine the reaction of = the=20 Master of Psychic Studies should he choose that course. It would be = wiser to=20 continue on his mission, and convey his message to the Professor as soon = as=20 possible. If he could complete the task rapidly, the sooner he might = join in the=20 party; or at least he hoped so. As he made his way further from the = centre the=20 crowds started to diminish in numbers, and he found it correspondingly = easier to=20 make good progress through the rapidly emptying streets. But the = revellers were=20 so lively and they did appear to be having such fun. He cast one more = lingering=20 glance in the direction of a small group that had just passed by. The = veritable=20 rainbow of hues that adorned them, the glowing silks of the ladies' = gowns and=20 the traditional russet and blues of the jupons and kilts worn by the = men, they=20 were so pleasing and attractive in aspect that his longing glance almost = caused=20 him to walk straight into a wall. The encounter brought him to his = senses, and=20 he realised that he had come to the side street that led to the house of = the=20 professor. He turned off the main thoroughfare and began to walk briskly = down a=20 narrow lane, lined on both sides by the tall and rather impressive = edifices that=20 bordered the district. His master had chosen a habitation closer to the = heart of=20 the conurbation and, despite the considerable income he enjoyed as a = consequence=20 of his elevated position in the academic hierarchy, the apartments were = rather=20 cramped. However, here, on the edge of both the central zone and at the = outer=20 boundaries of the university district, there was more room to breathe, = and the=20 dwellings were on a much grander scale. Indeed, even the facades of the=20 buildings were of a most ornate, not to say, byzantine style. Although = most of=20 the houses in the city were constructed of bricks dug from the clay = quarries=20 situated to the south of the city, the grander edifices in the more = salubrious=20 areas had marble and stone cladding attached to their exteriors, which = produced=20 a most imposing impression to the eye. The underlying material was = really not at=20 all suitable to the skills of the stone mason, but these ornamental = additions=20 gave a fuller scope to their expertise, and the artisans had not stinted = in the=20 application of their craft to those grainy faces; this, and the = encouragement of=20 the more financially well endowed citizens, had allowed them a wide = range in=20 their endeavours. Indeed, to the more discerning and aesthetically = trained eye,=20 some of the stonework bordered on the excessive, even garish. The more=20 outlandish designs had included a colouration of the stone that, though = it did=20 indeed add a livelier aspect to the whole artistic expression, seemed = also to=20 overstate the case. However, the same could not be said of the = professor's=20 domicile. Here there could be no question of lack of style, or of crude = display.=20 The man was of exquisite good taste. There was no room for uninhibited=20 exhibitionistic tendencies in the palette. The whole artistic expression = resided=20 in the skills of the sculptor and stone carver. The materials retained = their=20 original complexion, and the only artifice derived from the application = of=20 hammer and chisel, rasp and saw, to their surfaces. Celarent took a = brief moment=20 to regard and admire the craftsmen's work. The whole front of the = building had=20 been rendered in an elegant grey marble, flecked with creamy spots, and = streaked=20 in the same colour by the more extensive deposits of the mineral. The = stone=20 itself had had to be imported from Hthuva, an island which lay some = distance off=20 the coast of the mainland. This outcrop was the result of some violent = and=20 cataclysmic upheaval from deep within the bowels of the earth, a fiery = birth=20 that had thrust its fury above the waves, and had fruited thus. This = outpouring=20 from the depths had also thrown forth a complex of minerals, which had = produced,=20 with the ministrations of wind and rain, ice and fire, this unique = combination=20 within the stone that now adorned the present residence of the esteemed=20 professor and his family. Celarent never failed to be impressed by how = the=20 sculptor had so skilfully woven his designs into the fabric of the = stone, taking=20 full advantage of its natural qualities, and bringing them to a full = fruition=20 with his extraordinary skill. Most of the surface had been left = untouched=20 thereby creating the appearance of a natural cliff, which rose from the = street=20 surface, and reached right up to the roof tiles. A grand doorway stood = at its=20 centre, an impressive archway through which the visitor could pass to = the=20 anterooms. Windows rose, rank upon rank, in perfect symmetry, their = borders cut=20 in elaborate curlicues, which presented a life-like representation of = the boughs=20 of trees, complete with stony foliage and even birds, and with so close = a=20 resemblance to the original that one was surprised that these last did = not take=20 flight; it was only their perfect immobility that dispelled this = illusion. This=20 naturalistic but contrived canvas was so perfectly executed that neither = seemed=20 to contradict the other, but instead enhanced the overall effect. = Finally, and=20 with some regret, Celarent had to break away from his viewing, and = return to the=20 purpose of his mission.

He climbed up the few steps that led from = street=20 level to the massive wooden doorway and, clasping the heavy, bronze, = metal=20 clapper, slammed it energetically twice against the metal panel. He = could hear=20 the impact resound beyond the door, and echo into the house behind. He = waited a=20 few seconds. In this side-street, though he was not far from the main = highway=20 and could yet see people passing by that route as they strolled into the = town,=20 this whole district seemed to be shrouded in silence. He could detect = neither=20 signs nor sounds issuing from within the building, or indeed any of the = adjacent=20 dwellings, to indicate that someone was at home. It seemed quite likely = that=20 they too would have joined the rest of the happy populace on their way = to the=20 revelries and entertainments occurring that day. He waited a few moments = more=20 and contemplated applying his efforts to the great bronze knocker again. = But=20 perhaps this would be a foolish exercise, and might serve only to annoy = some of=20 the late risers who were yet abed. He was on the point of departing, = resolving=20 to report the matter to the master, and then take his instructions = accordingly.=20 But as he turned away from the door he heard footsteps approaching from = the=20 other side. He hesitated and listened attentively, to ensure that he had = made no=20 mistake. Yes - there they were again. There was no mistaking it now; the = sounds=20 of bolts being drawn, and then the groaning of hinges and the creaking = of wood,=20 as the portal was drawn backwards. A face peered at him from within. = "Who is=20 it?" The tone was slightly irate, as of someone who had been distracted = from a=20 more pressing matter. "It is I, Celarent, attendant to Master Hesvee. He = has=20 sent me with a message for Professor Ferioque". The announcement was = greeted=20 with more silence, and then a low muttered curse, the precise wording of = which=20 thankfully remained beyond his hearing. He could still not make out the = form of=20 the janitor, and was about to chide the man for his inhospitable reply. = But then=20 the door was dragged further aside, again accompanied by some muttering = and=20 imprecations. "Damn door!" was all he could hear. Finally there was a = creaking=20 and crashing noise, as the door base managed to violently negotiate some = obstacle, and then it swung wider still. As more light was admitted to = the=20 interior Celarent was surprised to be greeted by the sight of the = professor=20 himself. He quickly swallowed his expression of indignation. "I'm sorry, = sir. I=20 didn't mean to disturb you. Well. I mean I did mean to call upon you, = but not=20 discommode you in any way". "Well, well, fellow. It's Celarent, isn't = it? No.=20 Don't worry about that. It's this door. The servants are away today. = Some=20 foolish festival or something. I've been meaning to get it fixed. Keeps = on=20 jamming. Somebody said something about it, but I quite forgot. Anyway. I = remember now eh?" "Yes sir. Of course. Thank you", replied Celarent. The = professor finally managed to drag the protesting mass of wood to one = side, and=20 urged Celarent to enter. He was carrying a lighted torch aloft in one = hand and=20 it was by this, and the small amount of daylight penetrating through the = opening, that one was able to make anything of the interior, so dark was = it=20 within. It seemed not only had the servants been neglectful in this area = of=20 maintenance, but they had also omitted to draw back the shutters that = covered=20 the upper windows. Celarent guessed that such failings could only be = attributed=20 to the eagerness with which they had probably departed the building, = excited no=20 doubt at the prospect of the day's beguilements. "Come in, fellow. Come = in", the=20 host beckoned him. Celarent managed to push his way through the narrow = gap and=20 then, by putting his own back to the frame, returned the wood to its = former=20 position in its hole. It crashed behind them, and the noise echoed = through the=20 great hallway in which they were now both standing. The small circle of=20 flickering torchlight around them only hinted at the space that lay = beyond,=20 concealed as it was by the grey gloom. The professor made his way back = into the=20 house, with Celarent following a few paces behind. From time to time he = would=20 glance to one side, eager to catch a glimpse of the interior; but the = servants=20 had been thorough in their negligence, for not a chink of light showed = through=20 from any direction. As they proceeded, the sharp clacking of their shoes = upon=20 the stone floor changed soon to the more friendly clunking sounds of = leather=20 upon wood. Celarent almost stumbled, but quickly regained his = equilibrium, as a=20 shallow flight of steps appeared beneath him. He had reached out to keep = his=20 balance and, in so doing, had brushed his hand against his guide's back. = "Ah!=20 Yes. Sorry, fellow. Should've warned you. Mind the steps". He = acknowledged the=20 professor's postponed warning, and moved forward with considerably more = caution,=20 for now he recognised that he could not necessarily rely completely on = his guide=20 to get him to their destination without mishap. Fortunately, it seemed = that the=20 steps were the only barrier to be encountered on this journey, and = shortly=20 afterwards, at the end of what seemed a very extended corridor, they = arrived at=20 a doorway, one of a considerably smaller dimension than the last; and = certainly=20 more easily negotiated. The professor entered, and made his way across = to a=20 small table placed in the middle of the room "Here we are. At last." He = set his=20 torch into a bracket on the wall and, by its flickering and uncertain = light,=20 made his way over to to the other wall. He reached up with both hands = and=20 vigorously pulled back on a pair of shutters there. Shockingly the = sunlight=20 exploded into the darkness. Celarent raised his hands to his eyes, so = blinding=20 was the contrasting brightness to the previously blank obscurity. "Ah! = That's a=20 little better". Ferioque seemed rather oblivious to the luminary = effects. He=20 turned to face Celarent. "Well. I'm sorry about that. We're not usually = this=20 sinister", he laughed. For a moment the attendant was at a loss. = "Sinister! You=20 know? Dark, obscure, gloomy, mysterious". The professor roared with = amusement at=20 his own witticism and Celarent thought it polite to nod his appreciation = of the=20 word play. "Not at all". He was busily searching his mind for a suitably = adroit=20 and witty response; but it seemed that that facility had been rendered = somewhat=20 dull, by overexposure to this premature dusk. Finally, he could not see = how he=20 might work any observation into the conversation, and abandoned the = attempt at a=20 sally or riposte. He settled for a rather trite, "Of course, sir. Very = good". He=20 hoped that this might not be interpreted as a dismissive and = condescending=20 reply. He knew too well that his own master had a peculiar sensitivity = to any=20 suggestion of criticism on the part of others, most especially by those = he=20 regarded as his intellectual inferiors; and in his world that meant the=20 majority. However, Ferioque was of quite a different type. Both = professors were=20 of the same age - not quite venerable, but fast approaching that = condition. But=20 the resemblance, in terms of both physique and temperament, stopped = there.=20 Whereas the master was of a broad and sturdy frame, the cartographer was = quite=20 lithe, indeed scrawny, if this is not too indelicate a way of putting = the=20 matter. He, too, was dark skinned, and this merely served to emphasise = his thin=20 build. His hair had disappeared long ago, to expose the burned and=20 parchment-like skin beneath. The veins across his temples were most = pronounced,=20 and extended like a fine network across the whole surface. His eyes were = blue, a=20 very light blue and, because of a weakness in one of these, he tended to = observe=20 people from the other angle. This gave his whole manner a quizzical but = friendly=20 mode, which encouraged most to feel comfortable in his presence. He was = very=20 popular with his students, for though he was very precise in his methods = and=20 stringent in discipline, he was equally generous in praise, of both = their=20 efforts and accomplishments. He was a tall man, which again lent = emphasis to his=20 slender stature, and he stood bolt upright with shoulders thrown back,=20 indicating perhaps a more vigorous mode of living than that enjoyed by=20 Celarent's master. He was examining the attendant now closely, with a = slight=20 smile on his lips. "So tell me, Celarent. How fares my old friend? How = long is=20 it since I've seen him?" The attendant was about to attempt a reply, = recalling=20 that the last meeting would have been the Ceremony of the Gowns, the = award of=20 distinctions for outstanding scholarship, which had been held some time = ago. But=20 before he could reply the former dispensed with the matter. "Ah! = Probably too=20 long. A strange thing friendship. The less indulged, the greater the = bond. It=20 would seem that frequent proximity does not always promote this = condition. I=20 wonder why that is?" The question floated in the air, but Celarent had = learnt=20 from past experience that there was no accompanying necessity to venture = an=20 opinion. It did seem that these fellows displayed at least one common=20 characteristic: a great fondness for their own views. He quietly scolded = himself=20 for this unkind observation, but could not help acknowledging some = validity to=20 his analysis. "Is it that friendship truly resides in the individual's=20 perception of the matter, and that the object of the relationship is = purely=20 secondary - a mere stimulus? For example, how often do friends overlook = the=20 deficiencies of their comrades? Do we ever really perceive truly virtue = and vice=20 in our fellows, or is it something that we merely cloak upon them, as a = pretext=20 for a species of indolence? Let us say that I were to admire someone's = bravery,=20 which after all is only an inferable condition, and albeit that there is = an=20 objective basis to the judgement; nevertheless, I cannot clearly see = into the=20 soul of the hero, and therefore must miss the true root of his action. = And if I=20 were to discover there some ignoble motive, would I not recoil in = horror? Or=20 perhaps dissemble the matter, and choose to avoid the inconvenience of = the=20 evidence? And again, one need only observe the rapidity with which an = amicable=20 relation can turn to deep hostility, and that sometimes upon an = inherently=20 inconsequential misunderstanding. It cannot be said here that friendship = can=20 truly sustain itself if it relies upon such weak foundations. Yes. It's=20 something to think about". Celarent remained silent throughout this = somewhat=20 self-absorbed and tangential monologue. However, he did recall he was = there for=20 a reason, and chose, at this moment, to remind the householder of his = presence.=20 Nothing more complicated than a slight cough should be sufficient. = "Hrrrrmpph",=20 he managed. "Yes", responded Ferioque vaguely. "Yes", he repeated more = firmly,=20 as he returned from his reflections to the present company. "So, my = friend is=20 well, I trust?" On this occasion it seemed that Celarent could proffer = an=20 opinion. "Yes indeed, sir. Very well. In good health and working hard as = usual.=20 In fact it's with regard to his present project that he instructed me to = seek=20 you out, and request that you meet with him. He's arrived at a point in = his=20 current researches where he would value your assistance". "Really", = observed the=20 professor. "Well that is most unusual. We've collaborated on a number of = studies, but very rarely. Can you tell me the nature of the enquiry"? "I = cannot=20 I regret, sir. The matter is quite confidential and the master has not = seen fit=20 to make me privy as to the full content of his study. However, he has = impressed=20 upon me the importance of his efforts, and would therefore appreciate it = greatly=20 if you would take the time to advise him". The older man stood silently=20 pondering for a few moments, apparently searching his mind for any = pressing=20 matters that might require priority. "Important, you say?" he demanded. = "Yes=20 indeed, sir. Quite, I mean I think 'very' important, if I may judge from = my=20 master's manner". At this added qualification Ferioque's interest was = pricked=20 further. It would have to be something of great moment for Hesvee to = display any=20 kind of enthusiasm for a project. He was of a nature to scorn vain = expressions=20 of fervour, regarding such outbursts as unprofessional, and indeed = verging on=20 the hysterical. Similarly, for him to request assistance suggested that = whatever=20 it was he was engaged upon, it had to be of some fundamental = significance.=20 Celarent's presence, and the substance and manner of his report of the = master's=20 work, had served to whet his appetite. "Very well. I have to say that = the little=20 you have communicated here has only served to amplify my curiosity. = Return to my=20 friend and inform him that I will see him at his home within the hour. = There are=20 a few minor but necessary matters to take care of before I may depart = the house.=20 The servants may be forgiven their neglect, but my wife is not so = generous with=20 me. Yes. Tell him I shall be there shortly, and we shall see what we = shall see".=20 "Thank you, sir", replied Celarent. "I shall inform him of your = decision".=20 Celarent looked around him as if to depart, but then recalled that he = would not=20 know his way, the route hither being a little obscure. Ferioque saw his=20 hesitation. "Don't worry. I'll escort you back", he laughed. He again = picked up=20 the torch from its stand, and led the way back to the main entrance. = Here he=20 bade the attendant farewell, and repeated his assurance. Celarent made = his way=20 along the side street towards the main thoroughfare, satisfied that his = duty was=20 now done.

The landscape stretched away into the grey distance, = beautiful=20 in its desolation. A low humming sound filled the air, but its source = was=20 oblivious to this unconsciously trilled melody. "Heeeeeeee. Heeeeeeee. = Heeeeee",=20 it went, softly floating over the dark and shattered earth. These thin = and reedy=20 tones keened from a pinhead-like orifice, which was centred upon the = lower part=20 of the face of the wanderer. Its location and form would suggest a = mouth, but=20 its dimensions did not. The possessor of this remarkable aperture was = presently=20 engaged in reflecting upon that meeting with the young man-creature. "A = close=20 call that", he thought. But he had handled it well enough, though not as = craftily as would generally become one of his race. The young chap had = caught=20 him napping. They had told him, had they not? "You'll get into trouble = one of=20 these days. The dark ones will stumble upon you when you least expect = it, and=20 then where will you be?" The question has been posed to him by his = friends; and=20 had he a suitable answer? Well, obviously not, for precisely what had = been=20 predicted, to the letter in fact, had come to pass. The young one had = almost=20 fallen over him as he lay on the ground, and whilst engaged in his = feeding=20 moreover! It was fortunate that the child-fool was clearly not = acquainted with=20 his kind. If he had then he would surely have made a swift withdrawal = from the=20 encounter. Instead, and much to his surprise, a conversation had ensued. = This=20 had been totally unexpected, in every respect. It was the first time = that he had=20 ever had the fortune - or misfortune as he might have considered it = prior to=20 this eventful interview - to meet one of the sky or surface dwellers, as = they=20 were called amongst his people. Much information had been garnered = concerning=20 their species for they had been closely observed, albeit from a = distance,=20 regarding their habits and customs. His kind knew that closer contact = would=20 result in no benefit to them and, indeed, if the last occasion was = anything to=20 go by, only a disastrous outcome could be expected. So the elders had = reflected=20 carefully on the matter, and concluded that the two races should never = meet, or=20 not at least until the time was fortuitous. It would seem that this = occasion was=20 approaching more rapidly than anticipated, and the circumstances did not = bode=20 well for the surface dwellers. Still, he shied away from those dark = thoughts,=20 and returned to his musings on the latest accident. How could he have = been so=20 foolish? It was a matter of instinct, and moreover a deeply ingrained = skill,=20 that they should never been seen by men. And yet he had been caught out = like=20 some novice scout. He could only put it down to being utterly absorbed = in the=20 delicious though unsatisfying tastes and textures of the surface = nutrients. It=20 was a luxury, indeed, to be able to partake so liberally of this fresh=20 vegetation, which flourished under the almost unbearable sunlight that = glowed=20 down upon the outer surfaces of this world. It was said that many = generations=20 ago his people, too, had lived on the outer crust of the earth. They had = worked=20 and played under the great, open heavens, just as the sky dwellers did = now.=20 Until recently most of his people rarely ventured upon the outer skin; = for so=20 long had they lived and died, without ever seeing the blue firmament = above. But=20 things were changing rapidly, and the time was approaching that?. But he = quickly=20 banished those thoughts from his mind. The young human had seemed quite = shaken=20 by their meeting; it must have been something of a shock. Usually the=20 colouration of his garb would have hidden his form from discovery; but = the young=20 creature had approached so silently that even his acute hearing had = failed to=20 hear his footsteps; that and those delicious green stems! His mouth = watered,=20 recalling their succulent taste. And then he had to lose consciousness! = Such a=20 coincidence of bad luck it would seem; but he still felt the fault. = Fortunately=20 he had recovered almost immediately, and as his new acquaintance had=20 disappeared, so too, he concluded, should he similarly extricate = himself, and=20 withdraw quickly back into the landscape. It was not simply that his = garb and=20 adornment were most suitable for blending into the background of this = devastated=20 land. He and his kind also had a chameleon-like ability to merge into = whatever=20 surface they stood upon, and indeed adopt completely invisibility if = required.=20 It was a voluntarily exercised skill and one that he had neglected, = presumably=20 for the same reasons that he had been caught napping. Beware always that = fatal=20 complacency! The grasses were indeed delectable, and he still salivated = at the=20 thought. But things were getting out of hand now. In the past, when a = new source=20 of such delight was discovered upon the surface, his people had = exercised much=20 caution in harvesting the fare. But matters had changed, and there were = some=20 amongst his race that had grown quite bold, and carelessness and = foolhardiness=20 had quite replaced caution. He subscribed to the last quality but could = see the=20 way things were going; and it was not well. For instance, and with this = last=20 escapade, in the not-so-distant past the foragers would have returned = home, and=20 presented their reports on the food source. Those responsible for such = things=20 would have convened a meeting, with the harvesters despatched to make a=20 preliminary survey to assess the manner in which this new food supply = might be=20 exploited. Present in all their minds would be the need to ensure that = their=20 activity should not attract the attention of the sky dwellers in the = locality;=20 after all, the vegetation in which they were interested was of no = importance to=20 the latter. For these particular grasses their only competition would be = from=20 those quadrupeds, which the surface people grew for their own = sustenance.=20 However, they had learnt that the brutes were generally restricted to = certain=20 fenced locations and, if his people's conduct did not conflict with = those=20 interests, there should be no reason for anyone to be the wiser. The = vegetation=20 would be collected in such a way as to draw little attention to their = labours.=20 They were also careful not to deplete the food supply beyond a certain = point,=20 recognising that to do so would be to sacrifice prudent stewardship for = greedy=20 and immediate gratification. Unfortunately, certain matters had arisen = in the=20 lands below where the former policy, if it could be called that, had = been=20 displaced by a more demanding exigency. A new generation had arisen, and = in=20 great numbers, who were no longer willing to proceed in measured steps = towards=20 their final goal. Impatient voices now rang out loudly, drowning under = their=20 rancorous bellowing the counsels of more prudent men. In fact, the = reason why he=20 was on the surface this very day was due to an outbreak, which had taken = place=20 on the previous night. It could no longer be ignored that the rapid = population=20 growth of previous years had forced up the demand for food, and had = placed=20 enormous pressures on the farmers and hunters of his world to support = that=20 insatiable burden; this, of course, was further exacerbated by the very = nature=20 of his people's unfathomable appetites, which did nothing to lighten the = load.=20 These factors had coalesced and, with the increasingly careless and = aggressive=20 attitudes displayed in some quarters, this had led to the night raid. = Literally=20 thousands of his fellows had come to the surface and rampaged over the = district,=20 ripping up the precious vegetation in a desperate attempt to satiate = what=20 essentially could not be satisfied. Driven by the extremities of hunger = and=20 inordinate greed they had literally stripped the landscape for miles = around,=20 before again descending to their dark lands deep below the ravaged = surface. The=20 first reports of the raid had rapidly filtered back to the Council; it = would=20 have been quite impossible to conceal such a massive incursion. Its = members were=20 gravely alarmed that the sortie had taken place at all, but they were = even more=20 apprehensive about the motives that might lie beneath the action. There = was a=20 suspicion that a political impetus lay in the background, and that there = were=20 forces at work that might seek to overthrow this governing body; that = someone=20 somewhere was trying to force their hand. There was a great deal of = anger=20 directed at the suspected ringleaders, and many voices were calling for = swift=20 and violent retribution. But more moderate tempers had prevailed, and it = was=20 decided that an investigation should be carried out before any kind of = response,=20 violent or otherwise, was prepared. He, iDarii, had been sent to the = surface to=20 assess the damage, and it was to this end that he had been directing his = attention when the surface dweller had discovered him. He berated = himself again=20 for his carelessness, but he could not deny his own nature. He should = have taken=20 the precaution to feast well before ascending to the surface. However, = the=20 turmoil that the raid had engendered, together with the sense of urgency = that=20 prevailed generally, had infected him too, and he had foregone this=20 consideration in his haste to arrive at his destination. The hunger had = been=20 upon him before he had realised it; for when those of his race had to = feed, it=20 took absolute priority over all else. Thus had he been about his meal = when the=20 young human stumbled upon his prone body. He resolved to banish these = regrets=20 from his heart for the last time. There was nothing more to be done on = the=20 matter; so let there be an end to it.

He hesitated there for a = while. He=20 was mindful of his last surprise encounter with that odd fellow on the = plain. It=20 was a day - and a night - of surprises, and he was reluctant to repeat = the=20 experience. Despite his extreme hunger caution held him back, and he = carefully=20 examined the area about him, for any clues as to the inhabitant, or = inhabitants,=20 of the hut. Apart from the thin trickle of grey blue smoke that issued = from the=20 roof opening, there was no other sign, or sound of occupants. The = splashing and=20 gurgling stream rushed by him, its waters sending a crashing echo off = the steep=20 walls of the canyon. He hesitated again but could not deny the = mutterings coming=20 from his belly; where there was smoke there was fire; and where there = was fire=20 there might be food - and hot, tasty food at that, so his imagination = informed=20 him. His appetite rose; and with this, his resolve. He took a few = cautious paces=20 towards the hut, all the while keeping his eyes and ears alert to any = danger.=20 But still the stream rushed by, and the smoke crept lazily into the sky. = He=20 approached the shack from the side and, ever so quietly, made his way = round the=20 corner of the dwelling, standing some way out so as to be able to = observe any=20 who might seek to conceal themselves. He was much relieved to discover = no sign=20 of an ambush. As his immediate fears were allayed it occurred to him = that=20 perhaps it might be prudent to call out. If there were someone within = would it=20 not be wise to give some warning of his presence? He was now standing = directly=20 in front of the building. It was a simple structure, composed = essentially of=20 four wooden walls constructed of roughly hewn planks, these arranged = vertically=20 upon a frame, and topped off with a ragged and lopsided roof. The only = openings=20 that he could see were a small, low doorway, and the gap in the roof = through=20 which the smoke trailed. Finally, he summoned up sufficient courage and, = looking=20 about himself to make sure of an escape route, he called out firmly but=20 nervously; "Hello. Anyone at home?" His voice echoed off the rocks, and = joined=20 the soft slushing sounds of the stream. The noise of his call died away = quickly,=20 and he was left with a dull silence.

Melaskkoli hesitated. It = seemed that=20 there was no one in. The doorway both beckoned and repelled; but his = stomach=20 again decided the issue. He approached the hut, treading almost on = tiptoes. It=20 would not have mattered so much for the ground was covered in what = appeared to=20 be grass, but which on closer investigation turned out to be a coarse = moss. It=20 flowed over almost the whole surface with an occasional grey rock = forcing its=20 way through the soft mantle. Still there was nothing to indicate that = anyone was=20 within and, bolstered by his rumbling intestines, he made his way = slowly, and=20 very, very cautiously, up to the doorway. Now he stood just outside it. = The door=20 was fast closed and he was most reluctant to advance further. He reached = forward=20 with a closed fist and, summoning up his breath, rapped firmly on the = wooden=20 panel. He stepped back quickly, readying himself for the expected = attack. His=20 nerves balanced upon a precipice, and the strange silence of this small = valley=20 did nothing to reassure him. Again - not a sound. He was faced with a = choice,=20 and nature again rose to determine his conclusion. He stepped towards = the door=20 and raised his hand, but this time with the palm extended towards the = knotted=20 wood surface. He braced himself and, taking a another deep breath, = pushed=20 against the wood; it gave way easily. He had expected to meet some = resistance,=20 but whoever or whatever lived here obviously did not place much reliance = upon=20 locks or bolts. It swung aside noisily and he could see within. It would = have=20 been pitch dark except for the glow of a fire that was burning in the = centre of=20 the cabin. He stepped over the door jamb and took a couple of paces into = the=20 hut. Gradually, as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he could see that = the=20 place was quite empty. The fire had burned quite low, which suggested = that it=20 had not been tended for some little while. He looked carefully behind = the door=20 but was relieved not to meet any creatures of evil intent lurking there. = He=20 smiled somewhat at his foolishness; surely he was far too old to be = scared of=20 the dark. Had he not just marched through the night, all by himself - = and yet=20 come to no harm? He pulled his shoulders back, noticing for the first = time the=20 tension that had built up in the muscles there. Reassured by his = inspection so=20 far, he stepped further into the interior of the cabin, and moved closer = to the=20 fire. As he did so he noticed some bundles hanging from the roof rafters = on the=20 left side of the hut. As his eyesight adjusted to the relatively sombre = light,=20 so he could see they were joints of some kind of smoked meat, which had = been=20 stored out of harms way. He looked about, searching in dark corners for = any=20 signs of life; but the place was completely empty. He looked again at = those=20 delicious cuts of meat and, without further hesitation, reached up to = one hunk=20 and pulled it down from its hook. Now, driven by his intense hunger, he = turned=20 towards some cupboards that lined one of the walls and, pulling them = open,=20 ransacked their contents. He could not help but feel something of a = thief,=20 coming stealthily thus, to pilfer from some innocent's abode. But his = appetite=20 reined supreme, and any moral niceties were swept away in its flood. His = hands=20 fell upon the bone handle of a sharp knife. He returned to the table = upon which=20 he had placed the meat and, without a falter, hacked off a generous = chunk of the=20 grainy flesh. He raised it to his mouth and bit into the succulent = morsel. It=20 was the most delicious thing that he had ever tasted, or so he thought, = and he=20 wrought havoc upon it, devouring it with unrestrained delight. If anyone = had=20 happened upon him at that moment he doubted very much whether he would = have left=20 off from his feast for one instant, so demanding was his = hunger.

After=20 sometime, and when a quite considerable quantity of meat had been = sheared off=20 the joint, he noticed that his mouth was dry, from the salt used to = preserve the=20 viands. Then he recalled the water bottle hung about his neck. He = eagerly=20 unplugged the stopper, raised the neck to his mouth, and took a long, = deep=20 draught of the slightly warm water. Some of the excess fluid ran down = his chin=20 and on to his tunic, but he was far from concerned with matters of = decorum. He=20 pulled up a stool and sat down to continue with his meal, the urgency of = his=20 hunger having abated a little. The worst ravages of his craving now = satisfied,=20 he had time to look about, examining the contents of the hut, hoping to = gain=20 some clues to its erstwhile occupant - or occupants - and as to why = apparently=20 they might have left in such haste. There was a low couch set to one = side in the=20 corner, which intimated the place was inhabited only by a solitary = individual.=20 Other than this there were the usual furnishings, rough and ready that = they=20 were, that one might expect to find. The furniture was basic and roughly = crafted. There was a plentiful supply of firewood stacked over against = one wall=20 and, of course, the meat supplies hanging from the ceiling. He guessed = that the=20 owner might be a hunter for there was no sign of any cultivation nearby; = neither=20 the land nor the locale were really suitable for farming. Further, there = were no=20 tools in the hut that would be associated with that trade. No. = Melaskkoli=20 concluded this had to be the domicile of a huntsman, for everything = pointed to=20 that employment. However, he could still not see why whosoever lived = here should=20 leave the place so carelessly, and unsecured. It is true that such = fellows were=20 not generally renowned for their tidiness, or with a great concern for = domestic=20 duties; but to leave a fire unattended, this was foolhardy in the = extreme. It=20 was possible, of course, that the occupier might have stepped outside to = attend=20 to a call of nature, and could still be in the neighbourhood. But he had = been=20 here for some time now, and did not think that the explanation. He = consumed the=20 last portion of meat with a degree more delicacy, now the edge had been = turned=20 upon his hunger, and then resolved to take another look outside the hut = before=20 continuing with his exploration.

His eyes had fully adjusted to = the low=20 light within the building; now, as he departed, he had to squint against = the=20 bright sunlight once more. Again he looked about him. The stream bubbled = merrily=20 on its way as it flowed down from the hills above. He could see a small=20 waterfall at the head of the gorge, spilling its waters into a swirling = pool,=20 before it continued its lively course along the valley floor. It really = was=20 quite beautiful. Now that he had the leisure to appreciate this vista he = found=20 it quite delightful in every aspect. This place, indeed, would be an = ideal spot=20 for someone who preferred his own company, a refuge set well away from = the=20 bothersome intrusion of his fellow men. The thought passed through his = mind,=20 that his presence here might provoke an extreme response, a brisk reply = to his=20 infringement upon their desire for privacy; it might well be good policy = to make=20 as rapid a departure as possible from the environs, and thus avoid such = a=20 confrontation. He had satisfied all his immediate needs and there only = remained=20 the requirement to refresh his water bottle and perhaps borrow, if it = might be=20 phrased that way, one of those delicious cuts of meat; then he might = continue on=20 his way securely provisioned. His conscience with regard to the latter = question=20 had recovered some of its force now that his immediate physical demands = had been=20 answered. He resolved that he would, at the first opportunity, return to = the=20 place, preferably in the company of some friend, and make full = recompense for=20 his uninvited withdrawals of victuals from an unconsenting, but generous = host.=20 He concluded his survey of the scene, and made his way back over to the = stream=20 to fill the water bottle. Once he had finished this task he again = entered the=20 hut. He had no bag in which to carry any of his newly acquired supplies, = but he=20 was quite sure that he would find something that would serve that = purpose=20 within. As he had thought, he quickly discovered a pile of sacks, which = must=20 have served as flour bags before. He took one of these outside and gave = it a=20 vigorous shaking, removing all the dust from both inside and out. When = he was=20 satisfied that it was mostly clear of dirt and rubbish, he returned to = the hut=20 and, reaching up, unhooked a fair sized haunch of meat, and placed it = into its=20 new but makeshift container. He also determined to take the knife that = he had=20 found in the cupboard, again with a firm resolution that he would make = full=20 restitution for this at the earliest opportunity. He had slung the sack = over his=20 shoulder and slid the knife into his belt, and was just turning to = leave, when=20 he heard a scraping sound from outside; he immediately = froze.

iDarii=20 continued his slow but steady progress over the riven countryside. All = around,=20 and as far as the eye could see, the earth presented a devastated aspect = to the=20 traveller. Gone were the great plains of waving green and brown grass = fronds,=20 and uprooted were the little copses of trees that had punctuated the = meadows.=20 The only signs that remained of the original landscape were the faint = rivulets=20 that drifted slowly between the great, brown mounds of stripped earth. = The horde=20 had denuded the whole countryside; not a leaf, not a stem remained. This = catastrophe would be quite impossible to conceal; it was evident that = the=20 creatures that had passed by this way had essayed no attempt to = dissemble. The=20 farmsteads of the humans lay to the other side of the plain, and much = closer to=20 the eastern edge, and followed the line of the mountains, which ran = along the=20 border. These farmers were a sturdy breed, but not foolish; they were = unwilling=20 to take unnecessary risks, and steered clear of this part of the = territory,=20 lying closely as it did to the badlands. It was predominantly a deserted = region,=20 though the occasional traveller did venture this way from time to time, = as=20 iDarii had already observed. It was only a matter of time, however, = before the=20 word spread amongst the nearby farms, of what had passed here. The = rumours would=20 then disseminate to the towns and cities of the province, and there = could well=20 be trouble from those authorities. His encounter with the young one led = him to=20 believe that the latter's reaction indicated complete ignorance of the = possible=20 causes of this event. His exclamations of surprise, and indeed = undisguised=20 horror, at the form of one of the Gaki - the name by which they called=20 themselves - hinted at a complete unfamiliarity with their kind and, = therefore,=20 there was every chance that the responsibility for this destruction = would not be=20 laid at their door. He had briefly considered killing the young = creature, but an=20 unaccountable sense that this would be wrong had assailed him, and had = prevented=20 him from carrying out the act. It was not the case that he felt any pity = or=20 sympathy for the fellow; it just seemed an unnecessary step to take, = given the=20 probable future trend of events; yet again his mind recoiled from = consideration=20 of this. Despite the fact that he was not encumbered excessively with = such=20 sensibilities, nevertheless he had to acknowledge that there were = certain acts=20 from which even the most hardened of hearts might shrink.

It was = at this=20 moment that he noticed the ground falling away beneath his feet. This = had=20 nothing to do with it having a sloping surface, but rather his own = carelessness.=20 Even though there was no one to witness his progress through the = wasteland, he=20 could not afford to neglect his training. It was one of his, and of his = breed's,=20 physical peculiarities, that due to a strange disproportion of some = elements in=20 their material composition they had a tendency to float somewhat above = the=20 ground; under the right conditions, that is. Underground this did not = tend to be=20 a problem, for there was usually a rocky ceiling to limit any excessive = vertical=20 movement. But here, in the open, the potential for a disastrous = elevation might=20 be more serious; And so he re-applied his concentration to the business = of=20 returning to terra firma. It was simply a matter of mind control and, as = he had=20 not risen too far above the terrain, in a few moments his feet again = made=20 contact with the ground. Another peculiarity - perhaps even more = significant=20 from the point of view of the untutored - was that this same elemental=20 constitution also lent itself to a tendency for their physical masses to = coincide occasionally with that of others, the conventional boundaries = operating=20 between each being rendered supervenient. Thus, the untrained novice = who, having=20 acquired somewhat the skill of remaining fixed to the earth, would = sometimes=20 overcompensate as it were, and find their lower appendages sinking into = the=20 ground. This caused no damage to the practitioner; but might be a source = of=20 considerable embarrassment nevertheless. It was considered not only to = be a=20 matter of great, personal dignity, to be able to sustain a coherent form = that=20 did not merge disreputably with other forms, but in the case of the = observer=20 sent above ground to spy upon the surface dwellers, it could provoke = unwelcome=20 interest on the part of these same individuals. iDarii, fortunately, was = not=20 frequently prone to such miscalculations, and managed to retain his = equilibrium=20 to the extent that the manner of his propulsion would appear quite = normal to the=20 casual, or even the more inquisitive observer. His attire was equally = designed=20 to avoid undue comment by strangers since it covered his unusual profile = quite=20 adequately. It was unfortunate that the young human had had the = opportunity to=20 examine him closely; but there was nothing to be done about that now. He = was=20 still somewhat surprised that he had not followed his first instinct and = dispose=20 of the boy. Yet it would have been quite a superfluous act. But he was = not at=20 all sure that this restraint had been prompted solely by such a = consideration.=20 No matter! Even if the boy should recount his story to another they were = more=20 than likely to discount it as the wayward imaginings of a foolish youth. = And=20 then if his story were to be verified by a subsequent history it would = be too=20 late.

It was thus he made his way across the plain, drawing = closer and=20 closer to the mountains. About him the air was filled with that strange = keening=20 sound of which he was quite oblivious, so entrapped was he in his own = musings.=20 The sun was far advanced across the sky, and the light fell slantwise = upon his=20 body, pushing his dark shadow to the side of the path. The monotonous = murmuring,=20 that emitted constantly from his tiny mouth, had softened somewhat as he = roused=20 from his reveries. His journey, or at least this part of it, was nearly = at an=20 end. The countryside had already reverted to its customary form. = Although the=20 extent of the erosion had been considerable it was not as bad as he had = at first=20 estimated. It was true that his initial inspection had carried a = terrible=20 import; but now that he had surveyed the area thoroughly it would seem = that only=20 a relatively small region had been affected. This was bad enough though. = The=20 bizarre nature of the incident was inevitably going to arouse a = curiosity, an=20 inquisition perhaps, that his race would rather avoid. There had been = some heavy=20 storms in the area that had been accompanied by minor flooding. It had = been=20 nothing of great consequence but his hope was that the damage might be=20 attributed to some natural phenomena such as these. And then again, = perhaps even=20 a native superstition might be encouraged, for there were some who still = believed in the old gods, foolish as they were. As he approached the = pass by=20 which he had made his entry into the plain, and by that same route he = was=20 returning homewards, he started to feel the first pangs of hunger rising = again=20 in his cavernous belly. It was a trait of his race that they were always = in a=20 state of disquiet, most notably with regard to the physical demands of = the body.=20 It was thus that neither could their need for food nor drink ever be = fully=20 satisfied. Indeed, the horde that had surfaced on the previous night had = not=20 been driven by the ordinary demands of their bodies. The hunger, of = which he was=20 experiencing the first symptoms, would be equated amongst humans to the = normal=20 stirrings of a quite natural inclination to nourish the body. However, = amongst=20 his race, this urge was sometimes multiplied a hundredfold, and drove = its=20 sufferers to the most extraordinary lengths, to satiate that drive. The = raid=20 upon the surface had been but the last of a number of incidents, which = were=20 increasing with worrying frequency. There was something occurring within = the=20 Gaki physiology that was spurring on that appetite to even greater = depths. Their=20 scientists had sought an explanation for these visceral upsurges; but = their=20 researches had yielded little result. It was for this reason that there = was a=20 growing discontent amongst the under dwellers Their own food supplies = were=20 rapidly being exhausted, both by the increasing demands of the existing=20 population, and by an almost exponential growth in their numbers. These = two=20 factors had combined to produce a crisis that no one knew how to = resolve.=20 Earlier that day, when he had been discovered by the young one, he had = had a=20 mild attack of the condition and, until he had attended to the yearning, = he had=20 been quite helpless against its onslaught. Now, however, he was sensing = the=20 normal demands of his body, but his appetite had so augmented of late = that he=20 had become fearful of what had been a regular, physiological need. He = paused=20 briefly, and turned aside from his path, to attend to this importunate = demand.=20 He had noticed that the grasses nearby looked quite delicious, and it = would be=20 sensible, he reflected, to allay his desire before continuing his = journey. He=20 was not at all sure what he might encounter once he returned to the = settlement.=20 He lowered his face to the succulent fronds and, with considerable = force, sucked=20 one into his mouth. The pressure of the inhalation was considerable, and = more=20 than compensated for the narrowness of the aperture through which both = the stem=20 and its leaves were now disappearing. One after the other they were = drawn into=20 his maw and, in but a short space of time, he had consumed enough to = clear the=20 ground for a distance of several feet around him. The bald patch thus = revealed=20 was of no great significance, for the land was pitted, here and there, = with=20 earthen mounds and dips, and it was unlikely that a chance traveller = would=20 remark the bare sections. As he fed he could feel the hunger subside. = When he=20 was satisfied, or as replete as it was possible for one of his race to = be, he=20 resumed his path into the mountains.

The pass in which he now = found=20 himself was a deep cut between two, high granite ridges. His people = called this=20 Fangway, its resemblance to this form being quite striking. It was one = of their=20 major routes into the mountains, and mainly so because it avoided the = attention=20 of the brigands, their hostile neighbours, who dwelt in large numbers on = the=20 mountainsides. The Gaki saw the mountain dwellers as an ill-organised = rabble,=20 who were not worth the effort to subdue. They knew, too, that the = plainsmen=20 feared and despised these savages, and that there was little chance of = much=20 contact between the two communities, still less a military alliance. It = would=20 suffice that the former be left alone, for the time being anyway. The = outlaws=20 were a much less significant problem; it were best that that the Gaki = should=20 focus their energies on the former, and leave the last to what destiny = might=20 bring.

He moved deeper into the pass. The mountains crowded up on = either=20 side, their great granite buttresses reaching high into the darkening = sky, like=20 the shoulders of some immense giant, which carried the burden of that = infinite=20 vault above the world. Far overhead he could see the squadrons of = grey-white=20 clouds scudding higher and higher over the peaks, running before the = winds that=20 whipped up over the land. As the blasts of air struck his body he felt = the chill=20 upon his face, and shivered under its lash. It was important that he = gain=20 shelter quickly, for soon it would be impossible for him to retain his = poise=20 above ground, subject as he was to these random gusts. Gratefully he saw = before=20 him a great, dark gash gouged into the wall of the gorge; it was towards = this=20 that he made all haste. He had just entered into this gloomy opening = when the=20 skies above exploded, in a titanic display of lightning, and the clouds=20 collapsed in the sky, sending down a torrent of freezing rain. The whole = mountain range crackled under these energetic discharges, their bright = spiked=20 tracks racing across the dark sky, to strike upon those granite turrets, = before=20 splashing out again into the valleys beneath. The rain fell like a vast=20 waterfall, emptying its belly onto the dry land beneath, then rushing = down the=20 gorges in bursting floods that spread out over the plain below. When = iDarii saw=20 this his hopes rose. If the storm continued with such ferocity then all = signs of=20 his fellows' incursions would be concealed; and the horror that might = have=20 followed could be delayed; or, at least, for a little while longer. Yet = again he=20 was surprised at his fervour. It really was quite unlike him to be at = all=20 concerned for the welfare of anyone other than his immediate family; = even his=20 own race figured not greatly in his estimation. They were largely an = unemotional=20 people; and he was typical of his species. It occurred to him that these = strange=20 outflows of sentiment might, in some way, be related to the deviant = excesses of=20 appetite, which he and the others had been experiencing in recent times; = he=20 could think of no other explanation. He remained there for a while at = the=20 cavern's mouth, immersed in the wonder of the violent storms that ranged = athwart=20 the heavens. He was, at heart, a true creature of the darkness. But even = he=20 could not turn away from the magnificence of this mighty power. Within = his cold=20 body there could no more be denied the stirrings of the sublime, and the = response of the fundamental within him to the elemental carried in the = great=20 storm outside; the light and thunder of the skies, and the cold silence = of the=20 earth.

It was much quieter now as he retraced his steps through = the=20 narrow streets toward his master's abode. Most of the crowds had made = their way=20 to the centre already. As he debated the matter he thought it more = prudent to=20 return to Hesvee, present his report on the interview, and only then ask = permission to join the festivities. The professor was not a tyrant after = all, he=20 reflected. Surely now, with the scholar in a much improved frame of = mind, he=20 would easily gain permission to absent himself for the remainder of the = day and=20 evening. The height of the festival was the post-tenebral celebration. = There=20 would be food and wine aplenty, and always a lively firework display to = amuse=20 and amaze the populace. Yes! He could almost taste those delicious = traditional=20 roasted sweetmeats, delightfully melting in his mouth. In anticipation = of the=20 night's revelries he quickened his pace, eager to discharge his duties = and join=20 the fun. He quickened his pace back to the university quarter, and = turned into=20 the street in which the professor's apartments were located. The sun was = still=20 high in the heavens, and the sky was a gorgeous pure blue, empty of = everything=20 but that exhilarating sense of unlimited space. Even though this was = framed=20 between the high roofs of the buildings that lined this narrow street, = this very=20 earthly confinement, if anything, accentuated the enormous sense of = freedom and=20 expansiveness which such vistas always conveyed to Celarent. Such was = the=20 exultation and excitement in his heart, already roused by thoughts of = the coming=20 bacchanalia, that he could barely contain his mounting sense of = excitement, and=20 he now sprinted along the street. He reached the doorway to the dwelling = and=20 raced up the stairs to their rooms. He thrust his way through the = doorway and=20 only just caught himself in time, and abbreviated his headlong pace = before=20 entering the professor's room. He saw his master had once again returned = to his=20 perusal of those rare and evidently important documents. As he he = crossed the=20 room he noticed of the heaviness of his own breathing. Fortunately the = scholar=20 was so mesmerised by the objects of his scrutiny that it was unlikely = that even=20 if one of those large fireworks - so popular at these festive events - = had been=20 ignited in the room, he would probably have not remarked the explosion. = Celarent=20 remained as still as his beating heart would allow, and waited until his = breathing had returned to a more even depth and rhythm. Finally, he had=20 recovered his equilibrium sufficiently to be able to address the man. = "Sir?" he=20 ventured. There was no response. "Sir I'm back" he repeated, perhaps a = little=20 unnecessarily. Again there was no reply. He hesitated whilst considering = the=20 possibility that if his superior were to be so unaware of his presence = when he=20 was there, so much the better if he should remove himself entirely. He = toyed=20 with this thought, of withdrawing from the room as quietly as he had = noisily=20 entered it, and was on the point of taking a step backwards, still = disputing=20 within himself the matter. Unfortunately, because of his rearward, but = careless=20 progress, he inadvertently stepped upon a creaking floorboard, and its = almost=20 soundless protest drew the master's attention to his presence. Celarent = cursed=20 this paradox, and ceased his retreat. "Ah! There you are, dear fellow. = Where=20 have you been?" It appeared that the master had forgotten the errand = upon which=20 he had been despatched. "Oh yes", he recalled. "And how of my friend? = His=20 response? You did speak to him directly, I hope?" "Yes, sir. The = professor was=20 at home. He instructed me to tell you that he'll be here shortly. He = just has to=20 attend to a few domestic chores and then he'll be free. Most assuredly, = sir".=20 "Excellent", replied the master. "We must get on with this business as = soon as=20 possible. I need to clarify a few things with Ferioque before we = depart".=20 Celarent remained silent for a few moments, his heart rising with both=20 recognition and surprise; recognition, perhaps, that the master had = belatedly=20 realised that the Velian festival was being held; and surprise, that he = seemed=20 to be proposing that they might both attend the feast. "Well yes, sir. = That=20 would indeed be fine". Hesvee eyed him for a few moments. "You think so, = sir".=20 He seemed to be somewhat suspicious of Celarent's enthusiasm. "Well yes, = sir. It=20 should be an excellent evening. I think almost the whole city must have = gone=20 down to the central square. There were lots of people going that way = when I was=20 outside". Again the master gave him a curious look. "What are you = talking about,=20 fellow?" Celarent became uneasy. It seemed that there might be some=20 misunderstanding between them, for there was nothing to suggest in the = master's=20 attitude that he was looking forward to a celebration. Indeed, a frown = now=20 hovered about the man's face indicating, if anything, a burgeoning = irritation.=20 "Er, sir. I mean the festival. Lots of people will be there". His = increasing=20 sense of nervousness, exacerbated too by the master's darkening = demeanour,=20 seemed to unleash a bold, but very foolish, recklessness in his next = utterance.=20 "I was wondering, sir, of course with your permission, and only if it = causes no=20 inconvenience, if I might absent myself, sir". He paused to measure the=20 response. "I mean it would be very kind of you, sir, if you were to = permit me to=20 go to the festival". A silence followed whilst the professor seemed to = regard=20 his servant with incredulity. "Festival? Festival?" he repeated. With = the last=20 repetition it was obvious that the master was quite unclear about = Celarent's=20 ambitions, or indeed their object. Then the light suddenly dawned upon = the=20 master, if not upon the servant. "Oh! Yes! The festival. Velius, of = course.=20 Quite forgot. Yes. Yes. Of course you may go; but it was not that to = which I was=20 referring". Before he could continue with his explanation there sounded = a loud=20 knock upon the door below. "That must be the Professor, Professor!" = exclaimed=20 the slightly bemused servant. Somewhat relieved at the interruption, and = more so=20 the opportunity to remove himself from the situation he, without = prompting, left=20 the room, and made his way quickly down the stairs. He opened the door = and there=20 was Ferioque, holding his side, and grimacing slightly. "Shouldn't have = walked=20 so fast. Really must get more exercise, eh Celarent?" "Please come in, = sir",=20 replied the latter. "Thank you", puffed the older man. Celarent led the = way=20 upstairs, and showed the visitor into the study. The two scholars = greeted each=20 other warmly. They had been friends for many years, and met regularly, = though=20 sometimes infrequently, both socially and professionally. "Come, = magister. Sit=20 down" Hesvee joked, employing the formal mode of address. "Bring us some = wine=20 won't you, Celarent? It's not too early for you, sir?" he enquired of = his=20 friend. Ferioque made the appearance of considering the question = carefully=20 before responding. "Well! It is a feast day. I see no reason why we = shouldn't.=20 After all, the rest of the city are probably well into their cups by = now", he=20 laughed. "Ah yes. Celarent was just reminding me. I'd almost forgotten. = Well,=20 and how have you been, my friend?" "Flourishing sir, but a little stiff = in the=20 joints. And you?" the venerable professor asked. "Most interesting. Most = interesting. I've just discovered?.". He paused, and looked over at = Celarent.=20 "Now, my good chap. Just bring a flagon and a couple of glasses, and you = can be=20 off". Celarent realised that his absence was encouraged; Hesvee might = wish to=20 continue his discussion in private with his colleague, and thus his = servant's=20 desire to join the festivities might have a dual advantage for both of = them.=20 Celarent went to a cupboard in the kitchen, and pulled out a bottle of a = moderate, vintage red claret. He knew it to be most appetising, and from = his own=20 experience, for he had had occasion to sample the contents; but = politically, of=20 course, when the master was out, and only on special occasions. He = collected a=20 couple of glasses in the other hand, and returned to the study. The two = men were=20 standing side by side, both peering down at the desk, and shifting = through the=20 papers, which covered every inch of its surface. He poured out two = generous=20 measures, knowing his master's fondness for this particular tipple, and = further=20 guessing that Ferioque would probably err more on the side of generosity = than=20 relative abstinence. He set the bottle down, and addressing Hesvee's = back: "With=20 your permission, sir?" There was a moment's silence before he observed = Ferioque=20 nudge his colleague's arm. "Ah yes. Thank you. Of course. Off you go = then, and=20 enjoy yourself". The master was about to turn away but then recalled. = "But you=20 will need to be ready first thing in the morning. So imbibe in = moderation, my=20 good fellow". Both professors laughed, knowing that it was easier to = proffer=20 such advice than to follow it. Celarent smiled and withdrew from the = room,=20 leaving the two scholars absorbed in their studies. It was a matter of = moments=20 before he stood once more outside the door; and this time he was looking = down=20 the street towards the city centre. Already he could hear the sounds of = the=20 revellers, noisily proclaiming their merriment to all = about.

Moments=20 ticked by like eternities. Melaskkoli held his breath, remaining = stock-still,=20 desperately straining to detect any more sounds from without. His heart = pounded,=20 like a dog straining at the leash, eager to escape its owner's control; = but he=20 could near nothing. Nevertheless, he stayed motionless inside the hut, = not=20 daring to open the door for fear of what he might discover upon the = other side.=20 He had almost convinced himself that he had imagined the noise when it = sounded=20 again; this time there was no doubting it. It was loud and clear, and = seemingly=20 just on the other side of the narrow, wooden partition. Again he froze,=20 desperately searching for some escape route; but it was a fruitless = gesture, for=20 he already knew that there was no other way out of the dwelling. He had = but two=20 choices: remain where he was and hope that whatever it was would leave; = but=20 then, of course, it might enter the hut, and he would be trapped with = it; or he=20 could force the door violently open, and hope that the element of = surprise would=20 be sufficient to give him time to make his escape. It never occurred to = him that=20 its cause might be benevolent; perhaps just a loose plank of wood, say, = swinging=20 in the breeze, and striking upon the outside of the hut as it did so. = But there=20 was a deliberateness about the vibration, which defied that = interpretation. It=20 seemed that he might loiter here forever, so did time appear to suspend = its=20 progress. Sooner or later one of them would have to move. He retreated = slightly,=20 and braced himself upon one leg, the other poised to kick the door open. = He made=20 sure he had a good grasp on his makeshift satchel, and then lunged = forward with=20 his whole body. The door went crashing out into the open, and he threw = himself=20 after it, clean through the newly exposed hole. He had only taken a few = paces=20 before he turned, to observe the fulcrum of his flight. Such had been = the force=20 of his exit that the door frame itself had been partly detached from its = mounting, and the whole now leaned precariously over the ground. Some of = the=20 wood had splintered, and fragments lay all over the ground near the = entrance.=20 However, apart from those few signs of his vigorous egress, there was = absolutely=20 no indication of any visitor. He had been quite sure that he would be = greeted by=20 the appearance of some dread and malevolent creature, a being bent = solely upon=20 his painful destruction; and yet there was nothing, just the pitiful = remnants of=20 the door, its splintered frame adding yet more to the increasing = inventory of=20 restitution that already lay upon his back. He groaned inwardly. Here he = was, an=20 unwanted guest, a thief who had taken both food and tools from this = stranger's=20 home, and then, upon his departure, had succeeded in destroying the only = means,=20 albeit unemployed, of securing these quarters. Was it possible to have a = worse=20 guest in one's own home? He was forced to admit that it was very = unlikely. He=20 placed his satchel upon the ground and returned to the doorway, the more = closely=20 to inspect the damage. As he did so he could not help but feel a strange = presence in the vicinity. He glanced around, searching for some clue to = confirm=20 the root of his unidentified fears. But apart from the stream splashing = nearby,=20 and a slight breeze drifting over the poison green moss, there was = nothing to=20 signify any other person; he was completely alone; but he could clearly = see the=20 ruined entrance. He reached up to the broken door frame and, with a = little=20 effort, managed to push it roughly back into position. He thought = momentarily to=20 inspect the hut for some tools, and perhaps to try and effect some = repairs; but=20 then he concluded that the longer he remained here the more likely it = was that=20 he would add to his rapidly growing tally of debt. He shoved the frame = back into=20 place and, gripping the door in both hands, he carefully restored it, as = far as=20 possible, to its original closed position. Fortunately, the wood was = sturdy,=20 despite splintering badly with the impact of his foot and, from a = distance at=20 least, the wreckage did not appear so bad. However, there remained quite = a few=20 bits of detritus strewn about the earth. He contemplated clearing this = up but=20 knew that it would contribute nothing to safeguarding the place. He = reflected=20 that it might seem that he was attempting to hide the evidence of his = undoubted=20 crime, and did not want to add the appellation 'hypocrite' to his = deserved=20 reputation of 'thief', 'home wrecker' and 'felon'; 'leave bad alone' was = his=20 departing thought. He took one last look around before returning to = where he had=20 left his bag; but it had disappeared. He could feel the panic rising in = his=20 chest. He fell to the ground, reaching out with his hands in a = desperate, and=20 quite irrational, attempt to locate the missing object. He could still = see a=20 slight depression in the moss where the package had rested just a few = moments=20 before; but now - nothing.

With the sounds of explosive = thunderbolts=20 crashing off the sheer cliffs, and flaming sheets of incandescent light = sweeping=20 across the dark skies, iDarii turned his back on the scene and, with his = heart=20 filled with gratitude, made his way into the welcoming darkness of the = cavern.=20 To the surface dwellers' vision the dimness would have been totally=20 impenetrable. To his eyes, however, the illumination was sufficient for = him to=20 be able to traverse the smooth path with considerable ease. As the light = display=20 behind him reduced in intensity he could see more clearly the soft and = pale hues=20 of dull luminescence, which grew ever stronger, as he began his descent = into the=20 depths of the Gaki realm. The source of this strange, cold light was = revealed,=20 as the path he followed made a sharp turn, and then fell steeply before = him. One=20 who did not know the way would have fallen here. He, however, had = travelled this=20 route many a time, as he set forth on his excursions to the surface = dwellers'=20 world. On the low outcroppings of rock, alongside the path upon which he = set his=20 course, he could now see the small mounds of green moss-like plants, = which sent=20 forth their drear light into the surrounding gloom. It was a pitiful = light=20 indeed, casting its sickly glow upon his pale features. And yet, to his=20 sensibilities, this was the warm and welcoming illumination of his home. = The=20 plants were a natural species of this underworld, and his fellows had = spent many=20 centuries cultivating these forms selectively, seeking always to produce = a type=20 that would display the highest effulgence. They were really quite = extraordinary=20 for they were the only known species that actually thrived in the dark, = feeding=20 primarily upon the cold moisture that pervaded this underground = atmosphere and,=20 through a mechanism similar to photosynthesis, transforming that = substance into=20 the radiance, which now shone on either hand.

The sights and = sounds of=20 the storm had abated now. All that could be heard was the lowing = rumbling of=20 thunder, its power still penetrating this far underground, shaking the = massive=20 granite roof that weighed overhead. Finally, that too subsided, and he = was left=20 only with that low, keening hum, and the soft shuffle of his feet upon = the damp,=20 rocky ground. Constantly the path took a downward trend, and this gentle = incline=20 speeded him on his way home. As he drew closer to his own lands he = relaxed his=20 guard, and the posture and habits that he had trained in gradually fell = away, as=20 his body drifted down the slopes, his feet sometimes sinking into the = smooth=20 rock surface as his material substance merged with it. Many generations = had come=20 and gone since his kind had had to rely literally upon their feet and = legs to=20 support them. They had suffered much, but at least this particular = burden had=20 been removed. The moss grew more and more abundantly here, at the deeper = levels,=20 and it shone so brightly that it seemed like the daylight of the surface = world,=20 though a pale and wan imitation. His normally pasty face took on a quite = unearthly colouration from this softened glow, and he would have = presented a=20 frightening aspect to any who wandered here by accident. It was rare = indeed for=20 outlanders to stray into the heart of the mountains, and even rarer to = these=20 depths. No one had ever returned to give an account of what lay beneath = their=20 fellows' feet, here in the dark world of the Gaki. The path wound down = and down,=20 ploughing ever deeper into the core of the mountain.

It was some = hours=20 later that the subterranean traveller finally came to the end of his = long trek.=20 The path had flattened out, and was almost level now. The mosses were = growing in=20 profusion all about, though the murk still lingered in the recesses, = which gaped=20 on either side. The way made another sharp turn and there, before him, = lay a=20 solid wall of heart stone. This substance was composed of a deep, black = mineral,=20 flecked and finely ingrained with what appeared to be gold; but an = experienced=20 miner would recognise it as a quartz compound, which mimicked that = precious=20 metal but possessed the texture and fragility of glass. However, it was = much=20 prized amongst the Gaki, and was frequently used as a stone to embellish = much of=20 their jewellery. It had the advantage of being of low density and = therefore very=20 lightweight. For now, however, he had no time to admire the beauty of = the scene,=20 and hastened up to the rock face, eager to return home. It would seem a = futile=20 act for there was no obvious path by which he might surmount this = obstacle. But=20 he knew the secret of the barrier and, without hesitation, he marched = directly=20 towards the dark mass. He recognised the signs by which to navigate, and = turned=20 obliquely as he was almost upon it; then, in an instant, he was inside = the stone=20 itself. There were, upon its surface and in its body, marker stones, = which had=20 been inserted by the designers of this gateway; for that was indeed its = purpose.=20 The mineral had some unusual properties, and these had been exploited = fully by=20 the artful Gaki masons who had worked this seam so shrewdly. His body = had a=20 natural ability to merge with other objects under certain circumstances. = Generally, this would only allow a marginal interweaving between = different forms=20 before the density of the material would prevent any further coalescing. = However, a way had been charted through the rock, which would allow him = to pass,=20 so long as he remained between the markers of metal quartz. He slid = easily=20 through the apparently impenetrable surfaces, his pace only slightly = reduced by=20 the drag it imposed on his own mass. It was only a matter of moments = before he=20 arrived at the other side of the barrier, and was once again within yet = another=20 cavern; but the scene was quite different here. Gone was the pale light = of the=20 moss; instead the whole scene was ablaze with the radiance of a thousand = torches, burning away merrily, and illuminating every surface. A few = feet away=20 from the rock surface whence he had just emerged ran a narrow roadway, = which led=20 between these ranks of glowing lights, and then onwards, out into the = vast cave,=20 which had opened up before him. So high was its ceiling that this = dimension=20 could not be gauged from where he stood. But in other directions, and = with the=20 aid of that sea of torches, he could see a huge, underground city, one = of the=20 many that had been constructed by his race, built inside deep fissures, = which=20 penetrated the mountain, and infiltrated the entire, subterranean = kingdom. All=20 around him he could hear the low hum of their voices, and the sounds of = their=20 industry, a city vibrant with the comings and goings of the under = mountain=20 dwellers. The section by which he had entered the city was quite = deserted. Not=20 many ventured this way, and any that might have dared were discouraged, = with=20 horrific tales of the multitudes of bloodthirsty demons that inhabited = these=20 parts. These stories had been encouraged by the elders, for they = preferred to=20 keep these secret ways unknown to their people, and deter them from = indulging an=20 undue curiosity in the superior regions. However, recent events clearly = pointed=20 to the fact that these measures were no longer having the desired = impact. The=20 worsening conditions under which the inhabitants now lived were pushing = them to=20 more and more desperate acts, and the recent outbreak had been but the = latest in=20 a whole string of incidents. The authorities were becoming increasingly = worried=20 and, with a growing sense of their own impotence, concerned to halt the = trend.=20 This had been the main reason for his present mission, and itself = occasioned the=20 urgency with which his report must be delivered. He looked around to see = if his=20 exit from the rock wall had been observed. The rulers of this realm had = other=20 reasons for wishing to keep the barrier secret. It is sometimes useful,=20 especially for a ruling administration that might be growing unpopular, = to have=20 a means of escape of which others knew little. It appeared that such a = policy=20 could prove to be necessary - and soon - given the present turn of = events. But=20 he could see no one nearby and set off again, satisfied that at least = this=20 secret had been preserved for now. The same assurance could not be = reserved for=20 much else in his world.

Once Celarent had made his departure the = master=20 and his guest settled down to study the documents. Ferioque had already = had his=20 curiosity piqued by the nature of the summons. Hesvee was not a man who = either=20 experienced profound changes of mood, or displayed much in the way of = emotion.=20 Obviously. Ferioque had not been witness to his friend's aberrant = behaviour of=20 the last few hours, for he would have been mightily shocked. = Nevertheless, there=20 was no doubting the man's excitement now. They had dispensed with the = usual=20 exchange of courtesies and, armed with their glasses of wine, proceeded=20 immediately upon their examination of the papers. Hesvee gave a brief = commentary=20 on the nature of his discovery, and recounted briefly, and somewhat = bitterly,=20 his carelessness with regard to the errant fragment. Ferioque restrained = his=20 natural instinct to chide his friend on such a potentially grievous = error, but=20 could not hide his disappointment. "I know. I know. Don't say it", = anticipated=20 the master. "I really don't know what came over me. I have to confess = that for a=20 brief while my mind was most unsettled. I really can't explain it". = Ferioque=20 acknowledged the man's discomfiture with his usual generosity of spirit, = displayed especially when encountering that rare quality, humility, in = another.=20 "Never mind", he asserted. "There's plenty of material here. I'm sure = that=20 between the two of us we can make some sense of this". They remained = standing,=20 their heads bent forwards, carefully lifting and replacing the papers, = as they=20 scrutinised each carefully. After quite some while Ferioque placed the = piece of=20 parchment which he had been holding up to the light, back down upon the = desk.=20 "You know. This map you discovered?" "Yes?" replied the master. "You = thought it=20 to be of a terrain with some adjoining coastline?" the cartographer = enquired.=20 "Well yes", replied the master. "I don't think that I can recall any = territory=20 that resembles this in the least. Of course it's not possible to measure = the=20 scale since there's no magnitude to indicate it. We could be looking at = the line=20 of a whole continent, or just a few hundred measures of a small cove. = But I=20 don't think that's it either", Ferioque observed. "Oh", Hesvee = exclaimed. He=20 waited for his friend to elaborate, but this one showed no sign of = wishing to do=20 so. He again picked up the rag, and held it up against the torchlight, = the=20 better to examine the inscriptions upon its surface. "No. I'm pretty = sure that's=20 no coastline. But I do think that it's a map of something", he added = somewhat=20 redundantly. Let me think now". He retired to a chair with his glass, = and sat=20 down, deep in thought. Hesvee recognised that this would be a good = opportunity=20 to take a break in their investigations. He was about to suggest some = food when=20 the fellow leapt to his feet. "Got it. I knew it. I've seen something = like this=20 before. The legends seemed familiar but they were slightly different = from the=20 usual conventions. Let me see again". He picked up the paper once more = and=20 examined it closely, his eyes now aglow with the fervour of recognition. = "It's a=20 mine", he exclaimed. "Mine?" For an instant the master thought his = fellow=20 investigator had lost his sense of propriety, and property. What did he = mean=20 'It's mine'? He was on the point of remonstrating with him when Ferioque = continued. "See here. It's a map of an underground settlement of some = kind. Not=20 just a mine but something much bigger. Much bigger". The light dawned. = "You're=20 sure?" queried the master, relieved that they were not about to debate = the=20 ownership of this archive. "Yes. It's underground. These lines here you = took for=20 roads or streams or some such, they bear the wrong colour; and the = lineation is=20 different anyway. It's an old system of subterranean cartography; but I=20 recognise it now. And what's more, this triangle on the top left shows = the=20 scale". He pointed to the faint outline of a figure, which Hesvee had = simply=20 taken to be a piece of ornamentation. "The length of the sides indicates = respectively a local latitude, longitude and depth. Do you realise what = this=20 means?" Finally his full attention had returned to Hesvee. The latter = nodded=20 dumbly, but was reluctant to admit that the discovery that this might be = some=20 large-scale, underground, prospecting plan did not exactly enthral him. = In fact,=20 to tell the truth, he was rather disappointed. Ferioque, for his part, = could see=20 by his friend's expression that he had not realised the import of what = they were=20 examining. But then, why should he? It was not his speciality. But it = was HIS.=20 He, Ferioque was actually in the presence of THE map: the map of distant = myth.=20 He could not contain himself at all. "This th-, the map". He was so = excited that=20 he had become quite incoherent. In times of great stress he had a = tendency to=20 stutter and was desperately trying to avoid this, so anxious was he to = transmit=20 clearly the magnitude of the discovery. But he managed to calm himself=20 sufficiently to frame the explanation. "This is the map. It was thought = to be a=20 myth itself. You had the right era when you recognised the seal, the = mark of=20 Sullak. But there's more. At that time the dominant religious belief was = that=20 only members of the royal lineage held the key to immortality. They, and = only=20 they, and their kin, could ascend to the heavenly realms, that is of = course,=20 subsequent to their physical dissolution. There, they would enjoy a life = of=20 bliss and ease, untroubled by earthly concerns. For the rest of the = population,=20 however, they would have to content themselves with incarceration in an=20 underworld, where they would roam forever, neither dead nor alive, and = subject=20 always to longings that no mortal appetite could ever contain. Their = condition,=20 though not unbearable, so much approached it that absolute extinction = itself=20 would seem a privilege, but remaining always just out of reach. Needless = to say,=20 this would be an unappealing prospect to anyone. However, the convention = had=20 been upheld amongst anthropologists that this was simply another one of = those=20 'heaven and hell' myths that have proliferated throughout history. But = there had=20 always been a suspicion, in some circles, that there was a literal basis = to the=20 story. Some research was carried out with which I was personally = involved, and=20 even expeditions despatched to investigate selected underground sites; = but all=20 to no avail. For the most part the view still prevails that these = accounts are=20 simply legends, and are to be treated accordingly. However, if this map = - and=20 the information with it - is to be taken as factual, then this is the = first real=20 evidence that there may indeed be an underground world, and one of which = we have=20 no direct knowledge. Of course, I wouldn't go so far as to say that in = reality=20 it's peopled by beings such as are described in the stories that come = from that=20 time. Nevertheless, it does suggest that there may be underground = workings,=20 perhaps on a vast scale, that form the basis of that part of the = historical=20 record". Hesvee listened to his friend's account with growing interest. = So these=20 were not just a record of some ancient mining operation but might be a = guide to=20 a mythic history, as yet unknown. It had been a long time since he had = felt so=20 excited. There may have been some intimation in his consciousness of the = deeper=20 significance of these ancient records, which had led to his bizarre = emotional=20 uprisings recently. He was a little relieved that his heightened = sensibilities=20 might have some form of rational basis. A man of his temperament was not = easily=20 roused, and he found it most disconcerting to discover his customary = equanimity=20 disturbed without just cause. It would appear now that there was perhaps = sufficient reason for his unusual animation. "If it's true what you say, = my=20 friend, then we must determine the validity of this find". Ferioque = looked at=20 his colleague, with eager, sparkling eyes. "Yes. Yes. Of course. = Firstly, we=20 must investigate everything that we have here, and glean as much insight = as=20 possible. Then we'll be in a better position to assess the whole import = of what=20 might be contained within the collection; and decide, then, on how we = should=20 proceed". Both men turned their attention back to the heap of dusty = papers=20 spread out on the desk. The day had drawn to a close, and the first = stars were=20 gleaming fiercely in the skies; but to this beauty they were entirely=20 oblivious.

It was no good. The bag was gone, and it had happened = in just=20 a few moments. He had heard not a sound, nor a sign of any kind that = there was=20 anyone but he on that small, enclosed plateau; and yet the evidence = could not be=20 clearer. Perhaps a large bird, descending swiftly from the skies, might = have=20 lifted the satchel bodily heavenwards; otherwise he could see no way = that it=20 could have disappeared unobserved. He cast a last look around, but in = vain; the=20 longer he remained in this place the more grew his uneasiness. There was = something very strange here, and he concluded that it would be better to = make a=20 swift retreat rather than risk any more inexplicable events, especially = those=20 that might intrude upon his person. However, he still lacked provisions = for the=20 journey, and there remained supplies uncollected within the hut. The = fear and=20 shock had subsided but he felt - and quite reasonably under the = circumstances -=20 an almost overwhelming desire to race headlong from the spot. His heart = was=20 pounding heavily, and it was all he could do not to follow that prior=20 inclination. But the reasoning part of his mind was yet in control, and = urged=20 him towards a more prudent response. He forced himself to return to the = hut and=20 again pulled the door open. He glanced behind quickly before going = inside,=20 hoping, but also fearing, to catch sight of his hidden companion. With = the=20 greatest of alacrity he pulled another haunch of smoked meat down from = the roof=20 rafter where it was hanging, and placed it inside another sack, which he = had=20 pulled from the same pile as the first. He left the hut speedily and, = recalling=20 that he still had some obligation to his involuntarily benefactors, = pushed the=20 door tightly shut behind him. The urge to flee had not left him, and he = was more=20 than keen to make his departure promptly. He warily surveyed the = landscape once=20 more, and then noticed a faint path leading out of the valley, but away = from his=20 original course alongside the stream; he decided that it would be more = prudent=20 to part company with his old guide. It could be the case that it was not = only he=20 who was following that particular route, and that a diversion might = serve his=20 purpose well. He had no clearly formulated plan as to what his final = destination=20 might be but, for the time being, he had a very clear idea, certainly, = of where=20 he did not wish to remain. He made his way up the shallow incline and = over the=20 top of the bluff, which rose above the plateau. He looked behind him at = the hut,=20 and at its surrounds. There was no indication of any pursuit. Much = relieved he=20 turned his back on the scene, and made his way down the slope that lay = on the=20 reverse side.

Ahead of him stood the mountains of the north. He = had=20 changed the general direction of his course slightly, but this had only = been=20 because of the convolutions of the stream, as it wound its way into the = uplands.=20 He had little knowledge of the region and was reluctant to continue in = this=20 direction, knowing as he did the ill repute of the inhabitants. However, = he=20 could not go back by the way he had come; nor to the east. But as he = proceeded,=20 further and further from his home and his past, there arose within him a = sense=20 of adventure that had hitherto lain dormant. Though he was young he was = of an=20 age when youth feels impervious to the forces of nature, and time and = space can=20 hold naught to impress fear upon the spirited heart; the dangers of the = road=20 though real, as he had already discovered, yet seemed to hold no real = threat for=20 him. In some this might be called foolhardiness, to wander where the = prudent=20 soul would caution against such acts. But then the urge to venture into = unknown=20 regions could be described as the essence of the human spirit, and the = impulse=20 to set forth into lands uncharted lay at the centre of a man's = character,=20 whether that journey lay within or without. Melaskkoli, but he knew it, = was from=20 a long line of ancestors, of those who would dare where others would = rather step=20 back from the brink. Presently, however, he felt far from the bold = explorer, but=20 rather a tired and lonely fellow in a land that was growing more and = more=20 unfriendly - and unfamiliar - with each step deeper into the unknown, = and into=20 lands populated rather by enemies than by friends. He had not come to = any harm=20 yet; but he could only conclude that this was due rather to good fortune = than=20 anything else. Still, there was the way ahead, and until another = direction=20 presented itself as more or less desirable, then that would be the = bearing to=20 pursue. It seemed to the young man that the choices he might make on = this=20 journey, or indeed in life itself, might be governed more by = circumstance than=20 by personal design, a reflection that he both enjoyed - and feared -=20 simultaneously.

The sun was descending rapidly, and the shadows = grew long=20 about him. As he climbed further into the foothills he felt the air grow = colder,=20 and the winds blow stronger. Far away in the distance he could see a = mighty=20 storm beating against the mountains, with flashes of lightning, and the = low=20 mutter of thunder as it grumbled around the hillsides. For now he just = felt=20 thankful that he was not travelling by that way on this eve.

The = red glow=20 of torchlight permeated the whole district. The wavering and flickering = plumes=20 cast their warm shadows over the walls and roofs of the dwellings, which = marched, rank upon rank, across the wide floor of this vast cave. The = buildings=20 themselves were largely composed of adobe, a material drawn from the = banks and=20 beds of the underground rivers, which flowed across these under lands = The sturdy=20 and rounded outlines of these structures, together with the warm = illumination=20 cast by the torchlight, lent a comforting air to the whole setting. As = he made=20 his way down from the outer perimeter of the city, and into the outlying = suburban districts, he was filled with a sense of pride in the beauty of = his=20 city; it was truly breathtaking. The tall spires and minarets formed an=20 elegantly punctuated horizon, rising almost defiantly over the sea of = flat=20 roofs, which stretched into the distance upon every side. All his life = he had=20 lived here, from the very moment when he had entered this world so long = ago. At=20 first he had been bewildered by his new condition. There had been that = strange=20 transition between the old life he had left behind, and the new one that = he=20 encountered deep below the surface. At first he had found it most = disconcerting,=20 to discover the tendency of his body to float some few inches above the = surface;=20 even more so when, on that first occasion, his body had merged with = another. He=20 could still recall the sense of fear that had thrilled through his body. = It was=20 only the presence of his mother and father that had allayed this = anxiety, their=20 reassuring presence an oddity in itself given the length of time it had = been=20 since he had last seen them. Indeed, things had not at all been entirely = as he=20 had expected; and he was not quite the person that he remembered. He had = some=20 understanding of this, but only in the sense that he was not altogether=20 different from the man that had lived before, nor was he identical. It = was an=20 extraordinary sensation, to both be, and not be, who you were. But again = there=20 were people near, who were ready to help with this crossing over into a = new=20 world. Many tears had been shed, for he had encountered some individuals = that he=20 had known from his past life but who, in that odd way, were not the same = at all.=20 It was not simply the physical differences, though these had been = awkward enough=20 to come to terms with. It was more the way in which he and they = experienced this=20 new realm. And even now the feeling persisted that he had lived here all = his=20 days, and yet he was but newly arrived. Yes indeed. That period of = adjustment=20 had been painful for all, but it was a well-trodden path. Today, the = memories of=20 his previous life had faded to such an extent that they seemed but a = dream,=20 barely recollected. But finally he was here; and this was his = home.

He=20 moved deeper into the great metropolis and as he did so the sounds of = his=20 fellows rose up all around him. The high pitched hum of their speech = filled the=20 ether to the very vaults of this world; yet, of their bodies, there was = not a=20 sign. He glanced downwards, and was satisfied to see nothing of his own = form.=20 The lineaments that he had adopted for his foray into the upper regions = had=20 fallen away, and he was now revealed, so to speak, in his true array. It = had=20 been found, from experience, that daylight ventures into the upper = realms were=20 more efficacious when utilising the camouflage that he had chosen. Their = odd=20 physical configuration was better obscured through the use of voluminous = clothing than complete imperceptibility. There had been some extremely=20 unfortunate mishaps where scouts had chosen to retain their natural = guise. These=20 early experiments had inclined latter excursions to be conducted in a = less=20 obtrusive way. It would appear strange that there could be anything less = obtrusive than invisibility; yet, sometimes, the best concealment is = none at=20 all. However, on night-time ventures it mattered neither way, and it was = left to=20 the discretion of the agent to decide upon the better = disguise.

All=20 around him he could feel the bodies of his fellows press upon him, = jostling=20 against each other as they went about their affairs. Truly, they were = fully=20 indiscernible to that common sense of sight; but easily ascertained by = his other=20 sense, the insight, in which all his people participated. With this = facility he=20 could 'see' them as easily as ordinary sight would reveal physical form = to the=20 surface dwellers. It is impossible to explain this ability to one who = does not=20 possess it. In some respects it was a superior perspective for not only = was the=20 bodily outline fully perceptible, but also the inner character of the=20 individual, in an analogous fashion, was revealed; it was as if the = outer, and=20 the inner man, were revealed simultaneously, and in the same mode. This = had been=20 most disturbing for iDarii when he again encountered his parents. In his = previous life their outer aspect had been apparent and, over the passage = of the=20 years, he had believed that he had grown to know them well. It was only = when he=20 awoke here, in the realm of the Gaki, that he realised that he had not = truly=20 'seen' them at all. It had been both painful and exhilarating to = discover the=20 true nature of those who had been his progenitors in the world before = and here -=20 a kind of enlightenment.

Periodically, as he proceeded through = the city=20 thoroughfares, he would see someone that he recognised and exchange the=20 traditional greeting; a loud "Heeeee" would shrill through the air as = they=20 acknowledged each other. But he was eager to give a full account of his=20 expedition to his superiors and unburden himself fully of that = responsibility=20 before he would allow himself time to meet with his friends. He passed = swiftly=20 through the crowds and strode onwards along the broad streets, which = finally=20 merged into the wide avenues and plazas of the hub, a central zone from = which=20 all the other city roadways radiated. The central square, or to be more=20 accurate, circle, was a vast area, packed with those who gathered there = to=20 converse, and generally to socialise. It was here that a major part of = the=20 business of the metropolis was transacted. It was also an opportunity to = engage=20 in that social activity that seems to be universally most popular = amongst all=20 species; the exchange of information about one's fellows; or as it is = better=20 known, gossip. If there was anything to be found out by anyone, it was = to this=20 place that one should come: secrets, confidences, apocrypha and the = truly=20 arcane; all were brokered here. However, it might be considered that in = this=20 place all reputations were broken, smashed, and reduced to a mere = bagatelle; for=20 nothing was sacred in this circle. He could see, as he drew closer, that = it=20 would be quite hopeless to try and negotiate the throng that saturated = the=20 centre. Instead, he decided to proceed on his way by the more = circuitous, but=20 doubtless less time consuming, route, and circumnavigate part of the=20 circumference. Here, at least, there were fewer obstacles to avoid, and = there=20 was some prospect that he might arrive at the Ministry by the allotted = time. He=20 had made rapid progress around about a quarter of the circle before he = saw an=20 opportunity to cut across the hub again. His objective lay not quite = directly=20 opposite the point at which he had entered the centre. On this side the = crowds=20 were thinner, and he was now in a position to view the building towards = which he=20 was headed. The Ministry of Security was not one of the more imposing = edifices=20 in this quarter, otherwise renowned for its impressive architectural=20 expressions. But its rather plain appearance, coupled with its = apparently=20 restricted dimensions, concealed an enormous structure, a veritable = warren, most=20 of which lay submerged beneath the ground. To the casual observer it was = an=20 unassuming edifice, something of a box, its blank windows staring out = upon each=20 face, and with a minimum of any external decoration. It would seem that = the=20 builders had done their utmost to construct something of little = aesthetic=20 interest. Perhaps it was this quality that most attracted the present = occupants=20 of the structure. The Ministry, it should be said, had a certain = reputation, and=20 its activities were such that it was preferable they should not be too = widely=20 broadcast. Most people knew of its existence, and many had had direct = dealings=20 with its officers; of the latter, a large proportion of these would = rather not=20 have had that privilege. It was not a place that was eagerly sought out = by=20 sightseers and, if anything, the dominating predilection was to give it = a very=20 wide berth. iDarii, however, did not have that choice, and counted = himself=20 fortunate that he was in their employ rather than subject to their = scrutiny.=20 However, it would also be quite accurate to say that even the Ministry's = employees would choose to have as little contact as possible with their=20 superiors. Many of them carried out their functions, not so much from = choice,=20 but more as having been press-ganged into that role. It was accounted an = honour=20 by the state to be selected for this obligation; but amongst the general = populace it was seen rather as a punishment. Still, he reflected, the = sooner he=20 was in, the sooner he would be out. He found himself now at the bottom = of a=20 flight of steps that led upwards into the main entranceway of the = building.=20 There was nothing outside to indicate the functions of the Ministry. But = then=20 there was no need to advertise its function; everyone knew its = character. He=20 paused momentarily and, with beating heart, made his way up the steps, = and into=20 the monolithic structure.

Late into the night the two men sifted = through=20 the papers, shifting one fragment to one pile and then back again, = piecing=20 together a history that had, until this moment, lain deep in the distant = past.=20 It was thick darkness outside and they worked only with the aid of = torchlight,=20 which at the best of times was an errant servant to vision. Undeterred, = both=20 were so fixed upon their goal that such inconveniences barely = registered. It was=20 only after several more hours, and when the watches of the night was far = advanced, that they heard the sounds of Celarent returning from his = excursion.=20 The outer door slammed loudly and this drew a smile and a quick comment = from=20 Ferioque. "Your fellow, I'd surmise, has enjoyed himself, perhaps = excessively,=20 tonight?" "Eh?" was Hesvee's vague and inattentive response. However, he = caught=20 the gist sufficiently to admonish his servant's behaviour indirectly to = his=20 colleague. "Ah yes. Indeed. And he'll know fully how much pleasure he = imbibed in=20 the morn, eh?" Both laughed. There was no further sign of the servant. = It seemed=20 that he had made his way directly to bed. The interruption did, however, = serve=20 to remind them of their own needs. The lateness of the hour suggested = two=20 courses of action; either to retire themselves, or reinforce their = energy and=20 concentration with a hot drink, before continuing their researches. It = was=20 inconceivable that the former option would be selected. So it was that = Hesvee=20 placed a pan of tea over the fireplace, and brought a couple of mugs in = from the=20 kitchen. He poured the fragrant infusion into the two receptacles and = carried=20 one over to his friend. The two colleagues sat down to enjoy their = drinks, and a=20 break from their endeavours. "So?" opened Hesvee. The other paused, = quietly=20 savouring the rich taste of the fluid. Finally he spoke. "Well. There's = no doubt=20 in my mind. I think that everything that we've seen so far confirms my = original=20 view. The documents are largely irrelevant. As you've observed, they're = largely=20 a survey of property and asset holdings. I'm of the view that at least = two sets=20 of records have become mixed up. Even the quality of the parchment = suggests that=20 it derives from different batches. The inks themselves seem dissimilar, = which I=20 believe tends to confirm my assessment. However, the map I think is the = central=20 point of interest. The papers relating to that are, for the most part, = and=20 rather unfortunately, indecipherable. The few sections that I've been = able to=20 interpret simply expand somewhat on the legend used in the map and are, = in this=20 respect, purely conventional, as I first thought. The key to the scale - = the=20 triangular iconograph - is most helpful. We can certainly locate the = workings to=20 which it refers, by its designations. Apart from that, there's no way of = assessing the information further without visiting the site itself". = Hesvee=20 listened to his friend's analysis with a growing sense of both = satisfaction and=20 anticipation. "Excellent. Then that's what we'll do". Ferioque regarded = his=20 friend with some surprise. "Do? You propose that we, the both of us?", = he=20 pointed to himself at this juncture, to emphasise the point, and his = attendant=20 disbelief, "?go there?" "Why of course", responded the master. "You said = it=20 yourself. We can't confirm any of this other than by a direct = examination".=20 "Well yes. I mean I did say that the site would need to be investigated. = But I=20 didn't mean to imply?." At this point he was cut off by Hesvee whose = rising=20 excitement had overwhelmed his usually well-mannered custom. "Of course. = Of=20 course. Who else but ourselves? And soon, at that". Ferioque seemed to = ponder=20 the question. "I can't just dispose of my current responsibilities. The = new term=20 starts soon... and there are my graduate students. And quite apart from = that, my=20 own researches are?.". Again the master interjected. "Can't you see? = Surely it=20 must be clear. This could be one of the most significant finds of this = century.=20 Why! If it is what we believe it to be surely you cannot contemplate = passing up=20 such an opportunity?" Again the former paused. He was a cautious man by = nature,=20 and one not so easily animated by the appearance of good fortune. = However, and=20 up to this point, he would have regarded himself to be the leader of the = two in=20 terms of this quality, when it came to such mutability of emotion. The = fact that=20 the master demonstrated such enthusiasm and verve could hardly fail to = make an=20 impression upon the venerable cartographer. He could hardly imagine a = more=20 unlikely pair of adventurers, and yet he felt himself swept up within = this=20 apparently contagious spirit of exhilaration. 'Who knows', he thought = 'when I=20 might have this chance again? The years move always forwards, never = backwards'.=20 One last expedition might be a most suitable entry on his obituary. He = saw=20 nothing morbid in the thought, for he was a man who had faced the = realities of=20 life and death with ease, a composure gained through years of reflection = upon=20 the essential fragility of mortal existence. 'Yes. This would be a good = fashion=20 in which to make a modest departure from this present existence'. "Very = well",=20 he replied, in measured tones. He had, after all, striven equally = arduously to=20 maintain an appearance of gravitas, and it would ill-become his station = to=20 appear unduly excited. "You're quite right. On second thoughts I can = make other=20 arrangements for my students and studies. It's not as though we're = talking about=20 a long expedition. Fortunately, the map seems to locate the position of = the site=20 in the Northern mountains, and not at a great distance within them. Most = of our=20 journey will be relatively easy, except for the last few leagues. = However, we=20 must give some thought to the composition of our party". Hesvee had not = yet=20 arrived at that point in the planning, being still quite overwhelmed by = the=20 enormity of their discovery. Ferioque, thankfully, was of a more = practical bent=20 than the master, and was already proving to be a great asset to the = venture,=20 that is, quite apart from his contribution to the analysis thus far. = "Well,=20 Celarent, of course", opined the master. "You think that he'd be willing = to join=20 the group?", for Ferioque did not share his fellow's assurance that the = servant=20 would necessarily wish to participate in the adventure. "Yes. Yes. Don't = worry.=20 He discovered the papers in the first place after all. Don't worry about = him".=20 Ferioque concluded that the master knew the servant best. "You do = realise the=20 implications of going into the Northern mountains? They're not the most=20 hospitable of regions. The natives have a reputation, you know?" Hesvee = paused.=20 "In my judgement we should go, just the three of us, that's all. A = larger party=20 would draw attention. We can pose as three poor wanderers. Surely they = won't=20 bother us? Rich merchants are what they seek, the mountain dwellers. = What use=20 would we be to them?" But Ferioque was far from being in agreement with = the=20 master's optimism, at least not in this respect. The latter seemed to = place a=20 na=EFve faith in the purely pecuniary ambitions of these brigands, and = had,=20 perhaps, discounted that cruel streak in humanity that derives its = pleasure -=20 and recompense - purely in witnessing the suffering of others. However, = he was=20 probably right that a smaller party would pass by places where a large = group=20 would attract unwanted interest. "Well. The three of us it is, assuming = that=20 Celarent's agreeable?" The question was left hanging in the air, and the = master's expression indicated that that is where it should be left. "The = journey=20 is overland - a distance of some two hundred leagues I estimate. I'd say = that,=20 for the most part, we can proceed along the main ways until we reach the = foothills of the Northern mountains. We should allow maybe ten leagues a = day for=20 the easy section; but after that I'm not sure at all. We must get to our = destination well before the snows set in. After all we can't guarantee = that=20 we'll be able to winter in the mountains, and then we'll have to ensure = that=20 we've left that region behind us, and long before the worst of the = storms. This=20 map, if it's reliable, can take us all the way there. But it's my belief = that we=20 might still need to find a local guide to assist us. My experience is = that maps=20 are never quite as accurate as they purport to be. We'll not need to = take much=20 with us on the journey, nor do I think should we, at any stage, = thereafter.=20 Other than sufficient provisions, if we encumber ourselves with an = excess this=20 will only slow us down, and make us a more attractive target for the=20 ne'er-do-wells who occupy those parts." Again Hesvee listened carefully = to his=20 friend's exposition, well pleased that he had had the extraordinary good = sense=20 to invite the fellow to join his expedition. "I concur completely. The = only=20 thing to be decided now is the day of our departure. This will govern = the=20 schedule by which we need to abide to ensure that we're off speedily". = "I=20 suggest the end of the week. That gives us three days in total. But = firstly we=20 must advise Celarent of our plans". Again the master's assured demeanour = suggested that this was a mere formality; Ferioque was not so sure. = "Perhaps we=20 should rest now, and recommence our planning on the morn", suggested the = professor. The master nodded his agreement. He walked over to the window = and=20 pulled aside one of the shutters. He was surprised to see the first = hints of=20 dawn light breaking over the line of the surrounding hills. "Yes. A = couple of=20 hours rest should see us right. You, of course, will stay. It is late, = or=20 perhaps too early, for you to make your way home now. Please use the = couch and=20 rest awhile. I will off to my bed, though I doubt if I'll sleep this = night".=20 Ferioque laid himself down upon the couch, drawing the wrap over his = body, as=20 the master left the room. The torches upon the walls were sputtering = violently=20 now, their oils gradually burning away. Finally, the light faded until = the last=20 one gave up its flame, and was extinguished in a small plume of purple=20 smoke.

As the darkness fell so did Ferioque descend into a deep, = but=20 dream-filled, sleep. The master, too, had taken to his bed. He could = also hear,=20 quite clearly, the stertorous breathing of the man's attendant in the = next room.=20 Evidently Celarent had partaken liberally of heady liquor that evening, = for its=20 auditory effects were rebounding even now throughout the apartment. The = master=20 lay in the darkness, his mind awhirl with the night's discoveries. He = was yet in=20 shock, struck down by the boldness of his plan. He had observed also, by = his=20 colleague's reaction, that the surprise was not limited to him. 'It was=20 extraordinary really, wasn't it' he thought, 'how little we know others? = But=20 even more so - how small is our knowledge of ourselves?' Perhaps this = was just=20 another symptom of that strange mood, which had possessed him since he = had come=20 into possession of those ancient papers. But there was no doubt, he = reflected=20 again, that whatever had transformed him had also aroused a sense of = liveliness=20 that he had not experienced since he was a young lad. Life was filled = with mixed=20 blessings truly. Unknowingly his eyes closed, and he fell into a deep=20 slumber.

Melaskkoli passed further and further into the uplands. = The=20 skies had grown dark overhead; the storm that he had observed earlier, = and still=20 far away, seemed to be coming closer by the hour. Fortunately it = appeared to=20 have vented the worst of its anger against the mountainsides. Yet still = could he=20 see the long trails of dark rain pouring down from those black clouds, = which=20 glowered over the lands far below. Occasionally his gaze fell upon the = trail by=20 which he had passed. The events of the last few hours had done much to = unsettle=20 him, and he could not shake off the feeling that his progress through = the low=20 hills was being closely observed. He had even turned about swiftly, as = if hoping=20 to catch his stalker unawares; but, on each occasion, there had been = nothing to=20 see. He somewhat shamefacedly scolded himself for his foolishness, but = could not=20 resist the temptation to indulge this morbid fancy. He was not at all = sure what=20 he might have done if he had been confronted by this imaginary, and = presumably=20 malevolent, companion; take to his heels perhaps? But to flee where on = these=20 lonely hillsides? There was very little cover. The trees and thickets = that=20 covered the lowlands and pastures of his district had long been left = behind. As=20 he climbed higher into the hills this vegetation had become increasingly = sparse.=20 Now all that could be seen was a sea of waving grasses that lay upon = every side.=20 Here and there grew feeble bushes, their outlines stunted and distorted = by the=20 powerful winds that blew up the valleys, and into the mountain ranges = ahead.=20 These strange shapes wove themselves into his mind, and presented a = sinister=20 aspect to his already overheated imagination. But beyond all of this, = and even=20 more disconcerting, was what was taking place within his own = conceptions. Ever=20 since he had left behind the farm, and his unhappy past, his whole = history=20 seemed to have taken on an increasingly surreal tone. He could quite = clearly=20 recall he had, in fact, lived once with his mother in their cottage; = that is=20 before her life had come to its premature conclusion. He could even just = remember his father, though only vaguely, for this man had departed this = life=20 while Melaskkoli was still an infant. But even his uncle's face, the man = he had=20 left but a matter of days ago, already his features seemed to have = coalesced=20 into an indistinct blur. It was as if the lineaments of his countenance = had=20 become combined with those of other folk he had known, and who had been = closest=20 to him; but it was more than this. The features of friends and more = distant=20 relatives, even strangers, seemed to have merged into a coalition, until = all=20 individuality had been lost, and the face that presented itself to his = mind's=20 eye was a mere representation, of an humanity as it might be embodied in = singular form. It really was most distressing. The more he exerted = himself to=20 revive within his mind's eye those once so familiar, the more they = eluded him.=20 His mother's eyes would float before him in the darkness of his = consciousness,=20 only to merge with those of his father, and his uncle, and so on, until = there=20 was nothing left but an impersonal gaze staring coldly back at him. He = tried to=20 shrug off the sensation as if it were merely the onset of a fever, or an = hallucination, or a simple delusion perhaps. But try as he might, the=20 generalised impressions became stronger, and the distinctiveness of = these=20 individuals receded further and further into the background. A fear = started to=20 grow deep in his belly that he was losing his mind. Could it be that the = experiences that he had undergone had upset its balance, and that his = adventure=20 was, indeed, misconceived? Surely this must be the case if these = episodes had=20 such a grave effect upon his psychic states? It occurred to him that it = would be=20 wise, given his growing fear, to retrace his steps, and return homewards = at=20 once. There could be no shame in acting thus. After all he was but a = young lad,=20 and could deal with any punishment that his uncle might choose to mete = out upon=20 him. But again, the oddity of his experience asserted itself as he = reflected on=20 the prospect. He had a sufficient recollection of the way that he had = come. He=20 was skilled enough in topography to be assured of his ability to retrace = his=20 steps. He had, without conscious effort, retained a sense of his = whereabouts,=20 always charting his progress by reference to natural landmarks as these=20 presented themselves. He recognised the general lay of the land, with = its=20 outcrops of rock and the outline of the hills in the distance. All of = these=20 would serve as more than adequate guides should he choose to go back on = his=20 route. He was even confident that he would not need to follow the path = exactly=20 (setting aside the fact that it would be most imprudent, indeed, to = return to=20 that little valley with the hut). But here again he encountered that = outlandish=20 quality that pervaded his mind. In a part of his consciousness he could = easily=20 perceive his road and yet, at an increasingly more obtrusive level, it = seemed to=20 be a return to nothing but which was alien. Home, in this sense at = least, was no=20 longer home. The past was not a refuge, neither welcoming nor otherwise. = It had=20 an uncertainty and unfamiliarity about it that was more akin to an = intimation of=20 the future. It was as if the two times had merged; and neither forward = nor=20 backward held the greater allure. So affected was he by his sentiments = that he=20 stopped in his tracks. Ahead he could see the hillside rising, slowly = and=20 inexorably, to greet the white peaks of the mountains. To his right the = storm=20 still hovered above the great, grey summits that lifted there. To his = left the=20 sun shone brightly in the heavens, the white snows all the more = resplendent for=20 her friendly radiance. Finally, behind lay the lowlands, and the strange = creatures that dwelt there. And here he was in the middle of it all; a = heart and=20 centre of he knew not what. His brain whirled under the pressure of the=20 extraordinary sensations, which flooded in from every direction. He sank = to his=20 knees under this onslaught, this storm. His eyes closed, and a thick = darkness=20 fell.

The under lander entered the dark hallway of the Ministry, = leaving=20 behind the glittering arrays of lights that glowed across the city, = their soft=20 traces of gentle radiance shimmering on the smoothly moulded surfaces of = the=20 elegant homes and workplaces that extended into the distance in every = direction.=20 Inside the building a few torches burned in the darker corners. The = general=20 impression though, was one of gloom. This was a deliberate ploy on the = part of=20 the Elders, those who were responsible for running this particular = office of the=20 state. It was their intent to induce within the visitor that particular = sense of=20 foreboding, which was so conducive to a degree of servility. Experience = had=20 shown that even with such a subtle influence as light, it could be most=20 effective in producing the proper responses to any inquisition that = might be=20 conducted within the premises. They were, after all, a civilised race, = and there=20 was no need to resort to primitive methods of coercion - not immediately = anyway.=20 iDarii, though he was familiar with the surroundings and knew well the = purpose=20 of its masters, nevertheless even he felt his heart grow sombre, and = quite in=20 tune with this mournful atmosphere. He ascended rapidly, by way of a = broad=20 staircase that led to one of the upper levels, and then turned to the = right=20 towards his destination. The noises from the square outside had fallen = to a low=20 hum, and the building seemed deathly quiet by comparison. Again, it had = been=20 part of the strategy of the designers of this environment to prevent the = intrusion of any sounds from without, and thus heighten the solemn mood. = Chatter, or any unnecessary speech, was strongly discouraged, and = certainly on=20 the part of the regular occupants. It was a paradox, perhaps, that this = very=20 ambience seemed to have a reverse effect on those who might be called = the=20 clientele of the Ministry; many a tongue had been loosened by such a = combination=20 of factors.

After some time iDarii came to the doorway leading to = his=20 section. He pushed it open and entered yet another long and dark = passageway.=20 Upon either side of this, and at periodic intervals, lay the entrances = to the=20 various departments which made up the sub section within the Ministry; = that of=20 the "Overland" or "Sky Dwellers"; sometimes casually referred to as the=20 "Uppers". His superior's office was situated a few paces along this = corridor.=20 The layout of the building was certainly reminiscent of a warren or = maze, and=20 where the newcomer could easily become lost. There were no signs on the = walls to=20 indicate directions, and none of the doorways carried any information = that would=20 reveal the activities conducted behind their dark brown facades. He = entered the=20 anteroom of his director, Gorval. There was a minimum of furnishings in = the=20 room. Since the entire office was located deep within the interior of = the=20 building there were no exterior windows, and so absolutely no daylight = could=20 enter the pervading murkiness. All that could be seen was a large desk, = with a=20 solitary chair located behind it. To one side there was a series of = large=20 cabinets, which housed the records for this section. Other than that, a=20 superficial survey of the room would indicate that it was quite empty. = But with=20 his peculiar vision he could clearly detect the presence of Gorval's = personal=20 assistant. It might seem a strange etiquette to us but neither his name = was=20 known to iDarii, nor iDarii's to him. However, they were sufficiently = well=20 acquainted to recognise each other by 'sight', and his colleague = indicated, with=20 a brusque shake of the head, that he should immediately enter the inner = sanctum.=20 Without a further exchange of pleasantries he knocked on the door; and = waited.=20 After what seemed a long delay a sonorous "Come" emanated from within = and, with=20 some little trepidation, he opened the port.

The director's = office was no=20 more elaborately furnished than the anteroom. There was a desk located = towards=20 the back wall, and a chair placed behind that; other than these = requisites,=20 there was nothing. Even to his sharp vision, accustomed as it was to = such light=20 levels, it would have been impossible to detect anything other than the = general=20 form of the director, for the latter had chosen to adopt a visible = presence for=20 this interview though his face was quite draped in darkness. This = general=20 principle, of obscuration, was what the whole Ministry was predicated = upon; that=20 is, to create fear and uncertainty. He remained silent, awaiting the = invitation=20 to give his report. There was no sign that Gorval was engaged in any = kind of=20 work. There were no papers on his desk; but then there never were. On = past=20 occasions, whenever he had entered this office - which was quite = infrequently=20 fortunately - he had always been presented with this same aspect. The = moments=20 passed by, but interminably. He could not tell whether he was being = observed or=20 not. What he did know, however, was that he would not open his mouth = until=20 instructed, such was the disquiet engendered by his superior's = deportment.=20 Finally, a low hum emitted from the dark figure behind the desk. It was = the=20 customary greeting, to which he gave the customary response. "Yoouuur=20 repoooorrt?" enquired the director. "Woooorrthy siiiirrr iffff ittt = maaaaay=20 pleeeeease yooooou yooooour huuummmble seeeerrrvaaant beggs toooo = connnnnveeey=20 theee follllllooooowing infooooormaaaation". As these words were uttered = he fell=20 to the ground, and prostrated himself full length upon the floor, his = head=20 pointing in the direction of the feet of his chief. "Contiiiiinuuuue", = was the=20 monotonic and emotionless response. iDarii proceeded to give a full = account of=20 his expedition, recounting every event that had occurred since he had = left the=20 city, right up to the present moment. His story was greeted with = complete=20 silence. He gave, additionally, an approximate estimate of the extent of = the=20 damage, which that impromptu raiding party had caused upon the surface = lands,=20 together with his assessment of probable repercussions. He did, however, = omit=20 one detail that even he found surprising. He referred not at all to his=20 encounter with the young surface dweller. Generally, such a meeting = would have=20 been regarded as highly significant, and certainly should have featured = in any=20 description of his mission. To fail to communicate such matters would = inevitably=20 invite severe punishment should the oversight ever be revealed. Yet = something=20 within him obstructed this part of his report. He could not have = explained why=20 he chose to keep silent about an occurrence he should undoubtedly have = declared.=20 As he continued with his story he sought to justify the slip to himself, = and=20 argued inwardly that either it was an inconsequential thing, or that = Gorval=20 would not have been interested anyway. He knew neither to be the case. = In the=20 end he was completely flummoxed, for he could neither render a = satisfactory=20 reason for the lapse to himself nor, if he had been asked, to any other. = It felt=20 like some kind of power obstructed his will, and led him down quite = another=20 path, one that he pursued most reluctantly. He sensed within himself a = powerful=20 desire to blurt out the whole episode; but an even more potent force = bade him=20 hold his tongue. The latter impulse held sway, and he finished his story = without=20 a single reference to Melaskkoli, and what had taken place between them. = The=20 statement was greeted with a long silence. "Goooood", commented the = director,=20 finally. "Yooooou haaaave donnnne weeeeell". The scout remained quiet, = slightly=20 shocked by the warmth of this compliment, but even more so by the = consciousness=20 of his own deception. Paranoia was a central trait of the Gaki = personality,=20 perhaps hardly surprisingly, and it seemed to manifest itself most = prominently=20 within servants of the Ministry. His heart was filled with mixed = feelings on=20 hearing this comment. His first thought was that it was some kind of = ploy to=20 throw him off guard. But he considered that Gorval could not possibly = have any=20 intimation of his concealment. He had to conclude that the response was = genuine,=20 and not intended to deceive. There followed another long silence before = Gorval=20 indicated, with a wave of his hand, that the interview was terminated. = With=20 considerable relief iDarii turned upon his heel, removing himself, as = rapidly=20 but decorously as possible, from the room. Just as he reached the door = he heard=20 Gorval's voice addressing his departing back. "Weee wiiiill reeeecaaaall = yoooou=20 soooooon. Maaake yoooooourseeeelf reeeeaaaady". So impelled was he by = his=20 anxiety he dared only to turn quickly and bow, before he exited the = room. His=20 chief might have interpreted this as discourteous but he was keen to = make his=20 departure, and this overruled his usually cautious nature. With a = considerable=20 sigh of relief he closed the door behind him, and made his way back out = of the=20 shadowy building.

Now that the decision had been made there could = be no=20 further delay in making preparations for the expedition. Both scholars, = though=20 for the most part inhabitants of a predominantly intellectual realm, = were=20 discovering their aptitude for applied action when required. Celarent = was=20 consulted by the master, and in accord with the latter's prediction, = raised no=20 objection to participating in the venture. He was assigned the task of = obtaining=20 pack animals, supplies, and other requisite equipment, for the initial = stages of=20 their journey. Both Ferioque and Hesvee concluded their examination of = the=20 papers, and selected those parts that seemed to have the most bearing = upon their=20 present purpose. Three copies were made of the original map of which, it = had=20 been decided, each one of them would carry a facsimile. If one copy = should be=20 lost, due to misadventure or worse, then at least two would remain, as = well as=20 the original. Fortunately, the bulk of the papers referred to = predominantly=20 extraneous matters; and these could be dispensed with. There was left = only a=20 small bundle, which bore a direct relation to the present project. The = documents=20 were placed carefully inside a waxed paper envelope, and the whole = further=20 stored inside a waterproofed, leathern purse. It was agreed that Hesvee = would=20 serve as expedition leader, and that he would carry the original, plus = one copy=20 of the map. Celarent and Ferioque would thus bear the responsibility for = the=20 carriage of the remaining copies of the guide. The planning and = execution of the=20 preparations proceeded rapidly. Celarent, in particular, seemed to have = a real=20 flare for organisation and, in a matter of one day, had made all the = necessary=20 purchases. Additionally he had been given the role of locating the most=20 up-to-date guides, and the routes that they were to take into the = Northern=20 mountains. These regions were well charted, it would appear, from these=20 cartographs. However, the road they had chosen did not go by the most = populous=20 areas of the region, and it would be prudent to avail themselves of that = guidance which was most extant. Despite this, for most of their journey = they=20 would be but a couple of days' distant from the nearest town or village. = Even=20 should an emergency arise, aid would be close at hand. For Celarent, the = prospect of this unexpected expedition was strangely appealing. He had = never=20 thought of himself as the adventurous type any more than he might have = so=20 regarded his two superiors. He, like they, was primarily a man devoted = to the=20 quest for intellectual knowledge. Although it was occasionally necessary = to=20 conduct in situ examinations, for the most part his researches revolved = around=20 the examination of documents much like those, which had been the subject = of=20 their recent investigations. However, now that the opportunity had = presented=20 itself, he had been quite astonished at his readiness to embark on such = an=20 endeavour; the exploration of unknown regions, and all the accompanying = dangers=20 that this might occasion. Indeed, he found his heart quite uplifted at = the=20 prospect, and an excited anticipation flooded his whole body. The master = and the=20 professor consulted with the university authorities on the question of = the=20 allocation of their duties whilst they were absent. Such was their = eminence in=20 the establishment that though a few eyebrows were raised, and even the=20 occasional lip pursed, and with this an expression of disapprobation = elegantly=20 but restrainedly imparted, no serious objections were raised concerning = their=20 quite impromptu departure. It was a fact, they discovered, that there = was a more=20 than adequate reservoir of colleagues who were quite happy to adopt = their=20 respective roles; how else, otherwise, to advance upwards than by the = fortune,=20 or misfortune of others!

So, in a very short space, everything = had been=20 arranged and all plans set. It was to be on the morrow, at first thing, = that the=20 three travellers would set off on their journey into the wilds of the = north.=20 Both Hesvee and Ferioque had been quite circumspect when it came to = making any=20 kind of precise disclosures of their plans or itinerary, or indeed = anything to=20 do with this outing. It had been decided, partly from prudence but also = from a=20 natural competitiveness, that the fewer people who were acquainted with = the=20 foray, its nature, and the potential rewards, the less chance there = would be for=20 any unwanted attention from certain quarters. There was no shortage of=20 unscrupulous characters, both here in the city, and the world generally, = who=20 would naturally assume that cryptic maps and hidden cities might imply = wealth=20 unimaginable. Vistas of hidden caves packed with treasure would = doubtless excite=20 these untutored imaginations, and lead to a folie and distress, with a = corollary=20 maleficence for the expeditors. Similarly, and certainly to the minds of = the two=20 academics, professional pride (and a zeal to be the first to unveil the = hidden=20 secrets of the long lost caves) could not permit any other to pre-empt = their=20 disclosures. Such an eventually had, for them, far more baleful = consequences=20 than those which might derive from brigands and thieves, eager to garner = yet=20 more treasure. So the story was put about to those who enquired, that = the three=20 were engaged in a field study, but that it was to be located at a fairly = recent,=20 but relatively well-researched, site; no mention, at all, was to be made = of=20 distant mountains. Celarent was instructed that only provisions = sufficient for a=20 local journey need be acquired, the better to throw off the scent any = who might=20 seek clues from this quarter. Further supplies could easily be obtained = at other=20 stops along their proposed route.

It was not even dawn and = already the=20 trio were up, and saddling the pack animals that would carry their = necessities.=20 Celarent had purchased six mules, all sturdy creatures, or so it had = been=20 claimed by the vendor. Celarent was no expert but they presented a sorry = sight.=20 Lank, iron-grey hair fell about their bony bodies, and they exuded a = scent that=20 could not be called appealing. It was, however, the doleful expression = in their=20 dark, and rather blank, eyes that had inclined him to conclude the = purchase. It=20 seemed that it could only be considered an act of compassion on his = part, to=20 free these tormented souls from the evidently well-fed clutches of their = previous owner. He had been informed by this last that they were indeed = fine=20 beasts of burden. Celarent could only hope that the term 'burden' = extended=20 solely to their ability to bear the weight of their loads rather than = anything=20 that they might subsequently impose upon their new owners, as a result = of their=20 emaciated condition. Anyway, and regardless of this, or indeed any = further=20 consideration of aesthetics, the deal had been struck, and instructions = had been=20 given to bring the animals, together with their harness, to Ferioque's = house on=20 the following morn, at the agreed hour. The merchant had arrived, true = to his=20 word, and somewhat to Celarent's surprise, given the man's dubious = appearance.=20 The fellow had also agreed to supply, as part of the purchase price, = enough=20 animal feed to last for a few days into the journey. This, in itself, = would=20 constitute a major part of the load of at least one of the beasts. The = three=20 travellers had decided to embark on their journey from Ferioque's = dwelling. The=20 master had no yard in which to load the animals, and so the professor = had=20 volunteered this facility. Since they were to make such an early start = both=20 Celarent and Hesvee had stayed overnight at the Professor's house, that = they=20 might leave more promptly on the following day. As soon as the animals = had=20 arrived the three of them set to with great vigour and, in only a couple = of=20 hours, they were ready to make off. Ferioque bade his farewells to his = wife,=20 promising her again that they would return soon. Even she had not been = made=20 privy to their true intentions for it was felt that to do so would = unnecessarily=20 encumber her with worries about her husband's well-being. However, he = was not=20 such an inconsiderate husband to ignore the possibility that things = might go=20 awry. He had taken care to deposit a letter with his lawyer, to be = delivered to=20 his spouse should he fail to return later than one year after his = departure; or=20 on his death, if earlier. Both he and Hesvee had deliberated on the = matter of=20 scheduling, and had concluded that one year should be more than = sufficient to=20 carry out their mission. They had also, following the same logic, = concluded to=20 leave wills which made, variously, provision for any family members, = friends,=20 and even the university, in the event of their departure from this life. = Neither=20 Celarent nor the master had any close living relatives; the matter was=20 relatively simple for them. For the servant, too, his pursuit of the = scholarly=20 life had meant that he had not so far acquired much in the way of = pecuniary=20 advancement, and he cherished (and hoped) that this little jaunt, as he=20 humorously depicted it to himself, might prove a changing tide in his=20 fortunes.

The street and the city were still cloaked in darkness = when the=20 three wayfarers set off; an early start had the added advantage that = this might=20 serve to obscure the true intent of their voyage. They quickly gained = the main=20 thoroughfare and, with the soft clicking tread of the unshod beasts' = hooves as a=20 quiet accompaniment to their progress, they made their way through the = centre of=20 the city, and then outwards to the suburbs. Within the hour they had = arrived at=20 the outskirts of the metropolis. Along the roadway they had passed only = a few=20 other solitary citizens going about their business. These were mostly = the=20 watermen carrying great flagons upon their carts, full to brimming, to = every=20 household throughout the city; and the victuallers who brought in fresh = supplies=20 of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, ready for the early markets. Other = than=20 these few folk the road was clear and, with the way illuminated by the = bright=20 moonlit skies, they made good time. As they approached the perimeter of = the city=20 they could see the great walls rising up in front of them, the vast = ramparts=20 interrupted only by the imposing eastern gate. Again it had been decided = that=20 they should leave the city at this egress since this would further = render=20 unintelligible the true course of their endeavours. As these barriers = drew=20 nearer they could see the state of disrepair into which they had fallen. = The=20 huge, sandstone boulders, which had been hewn from the nearby quarries = and=20 transported thence to the site, there to be shaped by legions of = stonemasons,=20 and finally laid in position by the builders; these great stones had, = over the=20 intervening centuries, decayed greatly. Wind and rain, and the = occasional=20 bombardments during the civil wars, together with a general lack of = maintenance,=20 had resulted in great breaches appearing in the ranks of stones. This = neglect=20 had not been mitigated by the fact that the original necessity, which = had=20 dictated the erection of this massive boundary, had long ago = disappeared. The=20 city had not required protection from those intent upon conquest for = many=20 generations now. City taxes, levied to ensure that this barrier remained = effective, had long ago been diverted into other channels - and = frequently other=20 pockets - and the consequence was that these magnificent fortifications = would=20 now have been totally inadequate against even the most desultory of = assaults.=20 They remained merely as a reminder of greater and more dangerous times. = It was=20 towards these sad remnants that the trio now advanced. Finally, they = stood=20 before the massive eastern gateway itself. At one time it had not only = been a=20 construction impregnable to the most fiercesome weapons of war, but also = a work=20 of great sculptured elegance. One could just distinguish the fine = contours of=20 those imposing figures - the guardians of the city - which had once been = so=20 gracefully carved into the columns that framed this edifice. But the = same=20 elements and complacency, which had led to the corrosion of the walls, = applied=20 here equally. Worse than this, the great wooden gates, which had blocked = this=20 way to all but the invited, now lay mouldering in the dust upon either = side of=20 the opening. The wood, from which they had been constructed, had once = possessed=20 remarkable properties of endurance, enhanced by the dry conditions that=20 prevailed in this part of the country. But even these had not been = sufficient to=20 ensure that the great portals retained their integrity and solidity. = They lay=20 like the sad bones of a great, once indomitable beast, defeated and = quite=20 ineffectual, prone upon the sands that had drifted up against the city = walls,=20 great dunes dumped by the easterly winds that blew almost continuously = in these=20 parts. The party paused for a while, to survey the melancholy scene. It = struck=20 Celarent how little he had seen of the outside world over the past few = years.=20 When he was younger he, and his parents and little sister, had regularly = ventured beyond the city walls, to explore the arid countryside nearby. = He=20 recalled with pleasure those little picnics they had all enjoyed, = sitting beside=20 the banks of that broad and shallow river, which wound its way across = the plain=20 to just below the city wall. The watercourse entered the city here, on = its=20 eastern edge, and then continued through to the southern section, = feeding most=20 liberally the plants, animals and people of the municipality. Over the = years its=20 flow had gradually declined and sometimes, when drought struck, it = forsook its=20 waters completely, and became a strip of dried mud, snaking through the = land, a=20 network of ancient channels which had been hacked out of the land by the = city=20 dwellers over the course of many centuries. During these periods fresh = water=20 supplies had to be drawn from the numerous wells that were dotted about = the=20 area. Or alternatively, when even these failed, caravans were sent = regularly, a=20 score of miles away, to a smaller watercourse, which retained its water = flow=20 even when its larger neighbour failed. There had been periodic = discussions, and=20 over a number of years, on the question of diverting the waters from = this more=20 fruitful source, and thus augmenting the city's supplies; but a failure = of=20 investment, and a lack of will, had led to no fruitful consequence. Now, = the=20 three travellers, having cast a last lingering look behind them, = proceeded=20 underneath the great arch, and out onto the open plain. Ahead they could = see=20 their road snaking away into the distance. The desert fulfilled its name = completely here for they were quite alone in the grey light; or so they = thought.=20 But dark eyes were observing them closely, even now, as they and their = mules=20 moved into the soft morning light, a cool dew lying all about them upon = the=20 sands, the droplets sparkling under the dawning sun's gentle = touch.

Some=20 time must have passed since he had lost consciousness. The sky had grown = darker,=20 and the air cooler. Fortunately where he had fallen had been free of = rocky=20 outcrops. He shuddered to think what might have occurred should he have = struck=20 his head. In this wilderness there would be no one to come to his aid, = and this=20 incident emphasised the precarious nature of his position. He still = sensed that=20 strange disorientation that had affected him earlier. The strength of = the=20 sensation had subdued somewhat, but still his memories seemed to grow = dimmer by=20 the hour. But for now, he thought, his priority must be to find = somewhere of=20 safety, which would provide him with some shelter for the approaching = night. He=20 looked about him; but all he could see were the slopes of the hillsides=20 stretching ever upwards before him. The ground itself was uneven and = hummocky,=20 and the vegetation much sparser and enfeebled, as he made his advance = upon the=20 uplands. There were but a few hours of daylight remaining, and he = concluded that=20 he should make the utmost haste to press on with this travels. Surely = there had=20 to be somewhere that he could lie up for the night and rest? His = enforced break=20 had partly renewed his energies. He knew, however, that as the night = fell the=20 temperatures would similarly depress, and he could not afford to be = caught thus=20 exposed to the elements, not at this elevation certainly. If the storm = should=20 reassert its influence then he would be in great danger of hypothermia = and, even=20 with his limited knowledge of the condition, he knew that could be = fatal. He=20 reached for his water bottle and took a generous swig of its contents. = One thing=20 that there would be no lack of in these parts was fresh water. He set = the flask=20 back upon his waist and, swinging the package over his shoulder, resumed = his=20 march up the hill. The ground was still soft underfoot and the going not = at all=20 rough, though he would still occasionally stumble over a hidden mound of = earth,=20 the remnants of some poor creature's burrow; but he would quickly regain = his=20 balance, and continue on his way. To his relief the storm now seemed to = be=20 drifting away from where he stood. But he could still distinctly see the = flashes=20 of lightning lashing out across the heavens, and hear the low grumble of = thunder=20 as it murmured around the hillsides. The slope had grown slightly = steeper, and=20 the ground increasingly uneven beneath his tread. He watched his way = carefully,=20 wary of falling and injuring himself again. It did seem that this = terrain might=20 afford some kind of shelter, a cavity in the earth that would serve as a = shelter=20 for the night. He could feel the air growing colder on his skin. It was=20 fortunate that the breeze was gentle, even at this altitude; but the = night was=20 drawing close. And then he saw up ahead of him, albeit indistinctly, a = dark=20 patch upon the hillside. Although it lay slightly off his present course = he=20 thought it worth investigating, and in a short space of time he had = approached=20 closely enough to find a shallow depression, lightly etched into the = earth. He=20 looked around but could see nothing that offered a more suitable abode = for the=20 night. In these parts, when night fell, it came down a-tumble, and he = knew that=20 he had little choice. He examined the dip and could see that its base = consisted=20 of earth, with some pebbles and larger rocks mixed in. The storm he had = observed=20 earlier seemed to be moving away steadily, but the winds had picked up. = If he=20 could dig himself into the ground then he could make a small nest that = would be=20 sufficient to protect him against the worst of the elements. He would = use his=20 jerkin as a kind of small tent which, when placed above him, would serve = as a=20 makeshift roof. He knew, however, that if the rains should come his way, = then=20 this poor haven would be of little avail. He studied the sides of the = hollow=20 carefully and noticed a piece of flint, about the size of his hand, = lodged into=20 its surface. It would furnish a most useful tool to cut out more earth = and=20 stones. Using this implement he would be able to work on some of the = larger=20 fragments, loosening them, and then pulling them up from the surrounding = soil. .=20 He took a grip of its edge with both hands and heaved upwards, = extracting it=20 like a tooth from its socket, and then held it firmly, balancing the = stone in=20 his hands to test the weight; it was just right for the job he had in = mind. He=20 scrambled down into the little pit to begin his task. Grasping the small = wedge-shaped boulder he began to attack the ground, using the rock like = a hoe,=20 hacking into the earth to break it up. Fortunately, the material was = very loose,=20 and in a short space of time he had removed quite a large section. Then, = using=20 his hands like a shovel, he drew out the dirt, tossing it away from the = pit,=20 before again resuming his assault on the remaining loam. He made good = progress=20 and within half an hour he had dug out a further three feet in depth, = and as=20 much again in width. Part way through his efforts the morbid reflection = did=20 cross his mind that he might be excavating his own grave; but with a wry = smile=20 he dismissed this foolish notion. He was kneeling now in the bottom of = the pit,=20 busily assailing the earth, and quite determined to add a couple more = feet to=20 his demolition before the light had completely gone. He had encountered = a=20 particularly stubborn patch, and it seemed that maybe a larger rock lay=20 concealed just below the grimy surface. He had worked away around the = area in an=20 attempt to dislodge whatever it was. However, despite these efforts the = ground=20 remained obtusely resistant to his labours. Finally, and with more than = a little=20 exasperation, he lifted the flint high above his head and, with all his = power,=20 brought the edge down upon the recalcitrant earth. What happened next = was a=20 blur; and a messy one at that. With a soft whooshing sound the ground = vanished,=20 and he felt himself falling into a darkness, which had opened up beneath = his=20 feet. He did not descend vertically, but rather found himself sliding = down a=20 steep slope. Earth and pebbles, larger rocks and, from the sounds of it, = quite=20 sizeable boulders, were tumbling all about him. He had instinctively = drawn his=20 hands up over his face, and his body was curled into a tight ball, as he = rolled=20 down the incline. After what seemed an interminable age he finally came = to rest,=20 with the hissing and cracking reports of unseen fragments flying about = him. The=20 plunge, and the shock, had quite driven out all the air from his lungs. = Whilst=20 falling, he had held his breath, diving as he was clumsily into the = earth; and=20 it was this that had probably saved him from drowning in that sea of = dirt that=20 swirled all about him. Now he drew in great gulps of air, but very, very = carefully, to avoid any violent motion, and thus risk dislodging the = unstable=20 ground further. He lay quite motionless in the darkness, trying to = adjust to his=20 new circumstance. It struck him as incongruous that he no longer need = have any=20 concerns about falling foul of the elements; at least not the heavenly = ones. It=20 would appear that these dangers had been replaced, and by one from a = most=20 unexpected quarter; the not so 'firmament' beneath his feet. His hand, = with=20 which he had been exploring his immediate vicinity, unexpectedly came = into=20 contact with something other than earth and stone; it was the package of = meat.=20 Not only that for he found that his jerkin had tumbled downwards with = him, and=20 lay only a hand's breadth away from where he was now lying. = Miraculously, too,=20 the water bottle had not been separated from his belt during the fall. = He was=20 more than a little relieved there would be no immediate risk of dying = from=20 starvation or thirst. Tentatively, he raised himself onto his knees, = careful not=20 to lose contact with his recently discovered possessions. The ground = seemed=20 solid enough here although he could still hear little streams of dirt = and=20 smaller rocks trickling down the incline. He looked upward to discover = if he=20 could see daylight; but there was not a glimmer from that direction. = Perhaps the=20 hole through which he had fallen had become blocked again, he reflected. = It did=20 not really matter now. He could see no way of escaping by that = direction. He=20 pulled his jerkin on carefully, and drew the bundle closer to his body. = He=20 extended his hands forwards, but all he could discover was the dry and = dusty=20 earth stretching out into the darkness. This 'night' had seemed quite=20 impenetrable at first. As his sight adjusted, however, he believed that = he could=20 make out some lighter patches within the enveloping gloom. He moved his = aching=20 body round so he was once again sitting on the ground. He squinted = fiercely at=20 the murk, as if this additional effort would penetrate the fog. Yes. He = was=20 quite sure now. He remained still though, until he was certain that his = eyes=20 were not playing tricks upon him. He could just about see the mound of = earth on=20 which he was perched. He guessed it was mainly composed of the material = that he=20 had dislodged in the course of his fall. He could also blearily make out = a rock=20 surface, which lay a few feet away. He carefully scrabbled down the = slope,=20 slithering like an exhausted snake, and anxious to avoid any further = risk of=20 falling. He groaned as he slid down over the rough dirt, the cuts and = bruises=20 all over his body protesting their presence; he had no desire to add to = his=20 already extensive collection. Finally, he felt his feet resting upon a = firm,=20 resistant and, most importantly, steady surface. Now he was sufficiently = confident to try his luck. He raised himself fully to his feet, but = readied for=20 catastrophe at any moment; the ground remained solid. He took a step = forward, to=20 test its stability: terra firma at last. He reached down and picked up = the=20 thoroughly battered package which contained his last remaining supplies = of food.=20 He swung it over his shoulder, and again scrutinised his surroundings = carefully.=20 The darkness was still profound but it did seem slightly greyer, rather = than=20 pitch black, to his left. He was disinclined to proceed but knew that he = must,=20 and promptly. The recollection of his latest accident was still clearly=20 imprinted, not only on his memory, but upon his aching body, the torn = flesh but=20 recent evidence of this mishap. He took a step, testing the ground, then = trusting it with his weight and, with one hand outstretched, he = proceeded into=20 the greyer darkness. Carefully, and with every movement expecting to = walk face=20 first into an unyielding rock wall, he stumbled into the gloom. It came = as=20 something of a relief, therefore, to observe that the grey patch towards = which=20 he was heading, was growing in size and brightness, and colouration. It = is a=20 trick of the eyes, sometimes, to misperceive colour, especially under = conditions=20 such as these; for what had appeared grey now showed up as a pale green=20 luminescence. Though it was still too faint to light his way clearly, it = was=20 sufficient to reinforce his audacity. He continued his slow advance, = wary of=20 more scrapes but eager to leave that dreadful sepulchre behind. Finally, = the=20 muted glow pierced the darkness, and the opening to some kind of = passageway was=20 revealed. Thus encouraged he speeded his pace; and yet a native caution = abated=20 his eagerness somewhat. For these were unknown regions and who could = know what=20 might be the source of the illumination? He had had so many strange = experiences=20 and encounters, even in this short time abroad, that he had grown more = judicious=20 in his explorations. There were no other sounds than those of his = muffled=20 footsteps on the granite floor, and his slightly laboured breathing, his = lungs=20 heavily drawing in the dry and slightly odorous vapours that filled this = subterranean cave. He was now at the entrance to the passageway, and it = was=20 evident that whatever was producing the light must be located at some = distance=20 away. The glow was steady, but of a distinctively unknown quality. He = turned to=20 review the way back; all he could see was an unremitting blankness, = which=20 disappeared finally into a empty darkness. He had no other recourse but = to enter=20 the stony corridor and investigate the source of this strange and = unearthly=20 radiance. Girding up his courage, he stepped into the = passageway.

Gorval=20 watched the rapid departure of his underling with what might have been = described=20 as mild humour; that is, if he had possessed such an attribute. iDarii's = report=20 had been substantially correct, and had been borne out by the accounts = given by=20 other spies who had been sent into the field. It was the policy of the = Ministry=20 to ensure that its employees were zealous and punctilious in their = endeavours.=20 But Gorval and his fellows were well schooled in the realities of the = Gaki=20 temperament. His people had a tendency to become distracted by their = appetites.=20 Sometimes these diversions led them to fall short of the requisite = attention to=20 detail, a precise standard which their superiors commanded; hence the = need to=20 send out a number of scouts, to cross check the veracity of the = information, and=20 to ensure a thorough and accurate, final testimony as to the unfolding = events in=20 the upper world. However, what had been of the greatest significance was = the=20 failure of the fellow to recall his meeting with the young surface = dweller.=20 Normally such an omission would arouse his wrath; in this case, no such = response=20 was dictated. Things were proceeding as they should, or as predicted, at = least.=20 Gorval knew well that if he had questioned his inferior on the matter = the latter=20 would have been quite unable to account for his deception, even had he = sought=20 to. What iDarii did not know, however, and what Gorval and a few of his=20 associates were privy to, served his people's interests for now. The = Gaki had=20 been observing developments, both within their own realm and that of = their=20 proximate neighbours, and for some considerable time now. To the = uninitiated=20 such apparently disparate events as the recent uprisings, and consequent = raids=20 upon the surface world, would appear relatively random; to Gorval, and = to that=20 inner circle, these all formed a pattern; a pattern around which the = young=20 surface dweller played the focus. It was ironic, therefore, that he, who = was=20 most ignorant of the play of events, actually constituted the = centrifugal force=20 driving them. The Seers - of which Gorval was one - were a small group = of adepts=20 within the Council of Elders who, as their name suggested, possessed an = aptitude=20 for insight, which far exceeded that of the generality. It was they who = were=20 charged with the responsibility for guaranteeing when the time of the = Great=20 Change came, that nothing should prevent it following its preternatural = course.=20 So far everything had advanced as expected, and the conclusion now so = contiguous=20 that the scout's omission was of relatively little import. He had = recently=20 received information from the other scouts located in Stela, that a = small party=20 had been observed departing the city in the early hours of that morning; = thus,=20 yet another piece in the schema was moving into position. Soon all would = be=20 ready, and then what would happen, would happen; the world would never = be the=20 same again. He sat there quietly, the dark settling about him like a = heavy=20 cloak, his thoughts drifting into the ether.

The first rays of = the sun=20 were spreading over the plain. At their touch the cool dew started to = evaporate=20 above the desert floor, sending up a low mist that twisted and spiralled = in=20 small snakelike currents, flowing sinuously over the damp earth. The = walls of=20 the city were falling away behind them and, when Hesvee had judged that = they had=20 travelled a sufficient distance and were out of the sight of any prying = eyes,=20 the party turned away from its eastwards march, to make a new course = northwards.=20 The going was easy, and all three felt invigorated, eager to make a good = start=20 upon their adventure. The earliness of the hour and the quietness of = their=20 surroundings inclined none to idle chatter. Instead, they accompanied = their=20 footsteps with silence, and reflective thought. Hesvee was still = grappling with=20 the surprising turn of events, as was his friend Ferioque. The former = had rarely=20 stirred from the city apart from occasional trips to visit relatives, or = to=20 attend conferences with colleagues, at assemblies hosted in some of the=20 neighbouring cities of the region. His studies in psychical research = necessarily=20 conduced towards a more solitary observation and introspection. He had = conducted=20 some experimentation with volunteers, but these efforts had turned out = to be=20 rather inconclusive. He had found that he rather had to concentrate his=20 attention more acutely upon obscure, esoteric sources, where = practitioners of=20 the art, if it can be called that, gave a fuller account of their own = aptitudes.=20 Obviously the authors of these accounts were long gone, and he had = developed=20 some skills as an archivist whilst in pursuance of these researches. It = was=20 these that had been the occasion for his first encounter with Ferioque. = Clearly=20 their areas of study were quite independent though it had struck the = master=20 that, in some respects, they were both map makers; for one examined the = physical=20 terrain, whilst the other was more a cartographer of the human mind. = However=20 their friendship was rather founded, quite paradoxically, on a mutual = dislike of=20 social contact and, at some level, a personal and indefinable empathy. = For his=20 part Ferioque was equally bemused with what he regarded as the profound = folly=20 upon which this whole project had been projected, and as an exhilarating = and=20 inspiring departure from the well-trammelled routes of his quotidian = routines.=20 Unlike Hesvee he was well accustomed to travelling in foreign parts, = though=20 usually not on such short notice, or to quite as unfriendly regions. = However, he=20 did not fundamentally regret his decision to join the party, and = anticipated=20 eagerly the outcome of their undertaking. But Celarent walked in a kind = of daze.=20 Although he was accustomed to debouching promptly his bed to attend upon = the=20 master, he had never developed a penchant for early rising, and it was = truly not=20 the best time of day for him in any respect. He was more naturally a man = of=20 later hours, and for him the dawn was an assault upon the consciousness = that he=20 would much rather delay as long as possible. That is not to say that he = was of=20 poor temper, but that not all his faculties were aroused synchronously, = and=20 therefore a time lag, between the opening of his eyes and the effective=20 functioning of his brain, must needs occur. However, the air was brisk, = and the=20 new sun kindly in its aspect, and these seemed to engender a nascent = liveliness,=20 which helped him adjust to his novel situation. He plodded on = resignedly,=20 leading the docile team of mules behind, his gaze, like theirs, firmly = directed=20 groundward.

The plain across which they travelled was flat, and = largely=20 featureless. The walls of the city were just perceptible against the = horizon,=20 for their sandstone construction rendered them all but invisible against = the=20 backdrop of the desert. Here and there were small clumps of trees, = indicating=20 where the water table came closest to the surface. Far ahead stretched a = wasteland; but it was not such an inhospitable region. Its aspect might = appear=20 unforgiving, but to the natives of this territory it presented a = pleasing view.=20 The broad vistas, the clear vault of the silver-white skies above, and = the deep=20 ochre sandstone bluffs marching away into the distance, all endowed a = sense of=20 freedom within the heart of the observer. This was a place of simple, = elemental=20 form. Nature had dispensed with her usual frivolities and lay fully = exposed in=20 her raw essence. Earth and sky, above and below, and the dividing line = an=20 imaginary frontier that no one could ever reach. Besides, the land was = not as=20 vacant as it might seem to the neophyte. It abounded with wildlife, with = lizards, snakes and small burrowing mammals, each preying upon the = others during=20 the day and night hours. Here, too, were flying creatures that skimmed = the=20 ground; bats under cover of darkness, trawling for insects, which = laboured in=20 the sands in their millions; dune swallows by day, flying swiftly in = swarms of=20 hundreds, darting over the surface in search of the smallest bugs upon = which=20 they feasted. Such was the abundance of vitality that the trio of = travellers=20 knew that they would encounter more than adequate water supplies along = their=20 route. For this was not the deep desert after all; it was but a taste of = that=20 truly inimical territory. But finally their journey would necessitate = passage=20 through these inhospitable lands. It sufficed presently that they remain = on this=20 course; then they might not fear any danger other than that which = commonly=20 exhibited itself to the unwary, and unprepared, traveller. After all, it = was the=20 merest day or so's journey before they would come to their next = habitation: the=20 small town of Zikar. It was here that they planned to replenish their = supplies,=20 sufficient for the remainder of their journey.

The sun continued = on its=20 upward course into the heavens and, with its ascent, the temperatures, = too,=20 climbed rapidly. The party were well acclimatized to such conditions = (though not=20 so accustomed to these in conjunction with hard physical activity). At = midday,=20 by general agreement, the three of them decided to rest, for a while, at = an=20 oasis, which lay near to their route. They turned off the road and, with = considerable relief, set themselves down under the shade of the tall,=20 broad-fronded trees that outlined the small pool of water. There was = much=20 evidence of wild life in this place, for that tiny, dirty, brown pond = was=20 essential for the many species that subsisted hereabouts. The mules were = unloaded and led down to the pool. The beasts drank eagerly whilst the = three men=20 set about their midday meal. Cheese and bread were withdrawn from one of = the=20 bags, which had been carried hence by their charges. These, together = with a=20 flask of water and a small allotment of wine, constituted their rations = for=20 lunch. Hesvee advised his two colleagues to indulge but sparingly on the = latter=20 since, he cautioned, an excess of liquor under hot temperatures might = have the=20 gravest of consequences. Otherwise, he volunteered, they should take in = as much=20 water as possible since they were more likely to suffer from under = indulgence=20 than over indulgence in this case. Both listened to his advice politely, = but the=20 occasion served as a reminder of their leader's occasional predilection = to state=20 the obvious. However, it had to be acknowledged that the advice was = sound=20 nevertheless, and they acted accordingly. The meal was eaten in silence. = The=20 increasingly oppressive heat, and the unaccustomed ardour of their = travels, had=20 left the three scholars quiescent. After they had finished their repast, = the=20 aforementioned factors together with a full belly, suggested an = afternoon siesta=20 and, laying their blankets upon the ground, they settled down for a nap. = It did=20 not seem to have occurred to their leader it might be prudent to post a = sentry.=20 But too late, for all had fallen into a deep sleep.

His step was=20 noticeably lighter as he finally exited the grim Ministry, and = re-entered the=20 central hub. The day - to adopt a conventional measure, for such diurnal = divisions were not employed underground - was already far advanced. His = people=20 did not sleep as such although there were periods when they became less = active.=20 Because of the nature of their metabolisms, and consequent appetites, = the Gaki=20 preferred to take their resting periods after extremely heavy meals. = These would=20 happen periodically; but not 'daily', so to speak. In these cases they = would=20 remain effectively comatose - but not fully unconscious - for = considerable=20 lengths of time whilst their latest meal was properly digested. = Otherwise, they=20 would remain active for even longer periods, constantly moving to and = fro about=20 their business; they were, by nature, a most restless race. iDarii found = that=20 when he rested the incessant physical pain that he experienced would = become more=20 apparent, and intrusive. He could only gain some degree of respite from = this=20 distress by keeping his body continuously mobile. This was a condition = universal=20 amongst his race, and was one of the main reasons that the central hub = was=20 always so busy. In many instances the majority of the population were = engaged in=20 those trades and occupations necessary to their own support and, of = course, that=20 of the larger colony. However, a large proportion of those presently = within the=20 hub would be engaged in simply circling about its vast circumference. It = seemed=20 that not only could the pain be abated by this practised mobility, but=20 additionally ameliorated, if conducted in the presence of their fellows. = And so=20 they would circumnavigate the area, sometimes for hours on end, or even = days at=20 a time, their low keening cries drifting upwards to the stony cavern = ceiling.=20 Fortunately for the scout he had been so busy about his, and the = Ministry's,=20 affairs of late, that the fact of his own physical discomfort had mostly = receded=20 from his consciousness. But now this proximity to his less fortunate = compatriots=20 had had the effect of hastening him in his removal from the city centre. = His=20 escape route, on this occasion, lay on this facet of the hub, and he had = no need=20 to traverse against the stream of Gaki who perambulated there. It was a = short=20 distance again before he turned away, and moved through the torch lit = streets=20 towards the perimeter of the city. He marched briskly along the = boulevards, the=20 ways filled to brimming with the ghostly population, the ubiquitous = torchlight=20 casting its benevolent glow upon the scene. The contrast with the gloomy = environment that he had just departed could not be starker. To an = outsider this=20 place might proffer a dismal aspect; but this was home for the Gaki, and = a=20 precious place in his own soul. His heart glowed as brightly as those = thousands=20 of cressets, which sent their fiery beams into every crevice and corner = of the=20 town. He strode smartly along, eager to be home and to greet his family = once=20 more. He was quite certain that both his mother and father would be = there to=20 welcome him. They always fretted when he went on one of his missions to = the=20 upper lands. They were fearful that he might be discovered, and then ill = used,=20 by the barbarians who dwelt above. It must be said that their = expectations were=20 largely governed by the predominant prejudices that held sway amongst = the under=20 people; for they themselves had never ventured into these lands. Rumour = and=20 gossip abounded on the habits and customs of the over landers, with much = redounding to their disfavour. It seemed that the predilection of = attributing to=20 the unknown the worst possible qualities was common to all peoples. = iDarii was=20 quite sure that the sky dwellers would hold an equally unfavourable = opinion of=20 his fellows, if they but knew of the latter's existence. Fortunately, = perhaps,=20 for both races, the Gaki remained as yet unknown. Finally, he arrived = outside=20 the door of his home, and entered quietly.

As Melaskkoli advanced = along=20 the path the light became gradually stronger. Its unearthly green = radiance gave=20 the walls of the rock corridor a strange and unsettling aspect. The = place was=20 deadly quiet, and the whole provoked a growing anxiety, which symptoms = rose up=20 through his chest and into his tightening throat. His breathing became = even more=20 uneven and rapid, as he braced himself for what he was sure would be = some=20 terrible shock. It was in vain that he inwardly tried to console = himself, and=20 that he would come to no harm; all the evidence suggested the converse. = Finally=20 he turned a shallow corner, and found himself, at last, face-to-face = with the=20 basis of his supposed fear. As far as he could see, and extending into = the=20 gloomy distance, were clumps of some strange substance, which lay = dispersed=20 widely over parts of the granite wall. It was from these that this odd=20 illumination dispensed its bizarre glow. He moved towards one of them = and bent=20 closer to examine the phenomenon more closely. He was relieved to = discover that=20 it resembled some kind of moss rather than of a more sinister = provenance. The=20 primitive vegetable seemed to be growing directly out of the mineral. = There was=20 no sign that it had lodged itself into a crack in the hard surface and, = by these=20 tenacious means, had thereby gained a purchase; it emerged literally, = and=20 directly, from the stone. He reached forward tentatively, curious to = touch this=20 unusual flora. It glowed brilliantly indeed, and he half expected to = feel its=20 heat upon his face; but there was none. Encouraged by his preliminary=20 examination he ventured to touch the foliage. He was surprised to = discover no=20 sense of radiant energy. He brushed his fingers across the close packed = fronds;=20 and then withdrew them. He observed, with some consternation, a greenish = deposit=20 had now appeared upon his skin. Still there was no sensation of heat, = and no=20 indication of any maleficent effects. He remained there for some = minutes,=20 carefully scrutinising the whole area. The way back looked dark and = rather=20 foreboding. Then it crossed his mind that if he were to coat himself = with this=20 peculiar matter it might serve as a means of illuminating his way in the = darkness. He energetically scraped some of the fine moss of the walls = and=20 proceeded to smear it liberally upon his clothes, avoiding, for the time = being,=20 applying it to his skin. He had suffered no immediate harm as a result = of his=20 earlier experiment; but who knows what the longer term effects might be. = He=20 retraced his steps up the corridor and re-entered the cave into which he = had=20 descended so violently from the surface. With the assistance of his = new-found=20 light source he was able to see more clearly the mound of earth, which = had=20 accompanied him on his arrival. He looked upwards in the vain hope that = he might=20 now see a way by which he could return to the surface. However, the = candlepower=20 generated by this strange plant was insufficient to penetrate to that = height. He=20 concluded that he must proceed by the only route that seemed available, = and go=20 back into the corridor.

He entered the passageway again and, with = slightly less trepidation than before, he made his way at a brisk pace = forward,=20 watchful always for any sign of danger. Who knows what men, or what = creatures,=20 might inhabit these unknown parts? The way was not onerous for the floor = was=20 level, and largely clear of obstructions. The surfaces were rough-hewn = for all=20 that. Nevertheless he felt sure that some creature had constructed this = route,=20 or at least had widened a natural fault within the rock, so that they = might pass=20 by here with greater facility. He found this thought both consoling and = worrying=20 by turn. He quite dreaded the notion that somehow he might be the only = human=20 inhabitant condemned forever - so he fancifully reflected - to wander = these=20 stony paths, alone and quite separated from his kith and kin. On the = other hand=20 the prospect that he might encounter one of these underground dwellers = was=20 equally worrying, for he had no idea of what sort of welcome he might = receive.=20 His imagination commenced upon its course of exploration within this = particular=20 theme and he had to make a determined effort to push these thoughts = away, and=20 well to the back of his mind. His first priority must be to find some = way out of=20 here. It was more likely that any harm which might befall him would = probably=20 originate from lack of food or water, rather than the wicked intent of = some, as=20 yet, unknown indigenes. The indications were not promising, however, = that this=20 particular road led back to the surface. The incline was gentle but = downwards,=20 and no other alternative had presented itself. For the time being he was = compelled to follow his present course.

The mosses at this deeper = level=20 seemed to grow in yet greater profusion, and the way was now brightly = lit. It=20 could not be a coincidence, he reflected, that these grew here, and in = such=20 quantities. This served to confirm his growing suspicion that there must = indeed=20 be some form of intelligent life that dwelt in these parts; yet again = that=20 uneasy feeling of hope and fear coincided in his heart, and jostled = there with=20 each other. But the practicalities of his condition took precedence, and = thus he=20 strengthened his resolve. He must have been travelling for some while = now but he=20 had no distinct idea of the passage of time. All the normal indicators = of this=20 were, of course, absent in this gloomy place. The only guides that = remained to=20 him of its passing were his fatigue and his appetites. He did not, = however, feel=20 in the least tired, for he had hardly to make any great exertion. He had = stopped=20 occasionally to take a sip from his water bottle, but still did not feel = any=20 great inclination to eat. Moreover he was surprised that he had still = seen no=20 sign of any side passages. He was no speleologist but he felt sure that = he=20 should have encountered at least a few side turnings along the way. The=20 conception grew ever stronger that this traverse had indeed been = constructed by=20 artifice. He had to wonder at the energy and enterprise of those who = could have=20 driven a shaft, and of such dimensions, through solid rock. He paused=20 periodically to look over his shoulder, to observe if he was being = pursued; but=20 these impulses were occasioned more by irrational inclination than sound = judgement; for, as far as he could determine, there was no one here but=20 he.

It was quite a surprise, therefore, when he turned a corner = and was=20 suddenly presented with a sight such as he had never witnessed, and = which quite=20 took his breath away. The passageway had opened up into an enormous = cavern whose=20 walls and floor extended in every direction until their features = disappeared=20 into the vague distance. Such was the contrast with the relatively = narrow=20 confines of the passageway in which he stood that he felt quite fearful, = to step=20 out into this immensity. Instead he remained on its margin, staring with = wonder=20 at this unbelievable, and quite breathtaking, vista. The sheer scale of = this=20 huge space beggared even his lively imagination. The rocky corridor by = which he=20 had made his way hence might well be of the devising of intelligent = creatures.=20 But the vastness of this was beyond any capacity, human or otherwise. = When man=20 and nature are set side-by-side to display their talents, the artifice = of one is=20 impressive, but stands dwarfed by the power of the other. On either side = the=20 cave walls extended as far as the eye could see, both in length and = height. As=20 he gazed upwards, to better gauge that dimension, he could not see even = the=20 beginnings of a roof to this enormous hole. But what grasped his = attention=20 mostly was the topography which presented itself to his scrutiny. The = ground=20 directly in front of him was quite smooth. But as he let his inspection = proceed=20 he was most struck by the unusual rock formations, which unfurled across = the=20 landscape. Here and there, vast towers of rock rose precipitously from = the=20 ground, continuing upwards until their heads were quite lost in the = darkness.=20 The rest of the terrain proceeded in swells and hollows, much resembling = in=20 contour, those hills and valleys of the surface world. However, the = swirls and=20 striations upon the rocky faces were largely unencumbered by any form of = plant=20 life apart, of course, from the ever-present mosses. In this place, and = so far=20 underground, there was no wind or rain for Nature to sculpt them, but = evidently=20 some form of mechanical activity must have played a part in their = configuration.=20 If anything they imitated the texture of a dough mix, which Melaskkoli = had seen=20 his mother contrive when she had been baking bread. The flour and yeast = and=20 water, all combined and then kneaded, pulled and punched, tugged and = twisted,=20 until its surface would present a coiled and smoothened appearance, = reminiscent=20 of what he was now examining; but this was a living rock. The mosses = grew in=20 patches across the prospect, but the greater dimension they sought to = illuminate=20 mitigated their intensity. Nevertheless, it was still sufficient to = light his=20 path. Now the only question was - which way to proceed? He had more = choice of=20 action, but this greater liberty, if anything, compounded his = indecision.=20 Finally it would have to remain an arbitrary selection, and the outcome = would=20 depend upon fortune rather than correct judgement. The best course would = seem to=20 be directly ahead. With a conscious effort he overcame his initial = trepidation,=20 and stepped out of the corridor and onto the plain.

It was = Celarent who=20 first wakened from his postprandial slumbers. He looked across at the = others who=20 were still fast asleep. The sun had conducted itself past its noon-time = peak,=20 and was now descending into the eastern horizon, the temperature falling = correspondingly. He shuffled forwards until he was sitting upright. He = brushed=20 the sleep from his eyes, and stretched his limbs to ease them back into = motion.=20 The slight noises occasioned by his actions finally aroused his two = companions.=20 Hesvee raised himself upon one elbow and looked across at his servant; = and then=20 at Ferioque, who was stumbling to his feet. "Ah", he exclaimed. = "Excellent. I=20 think the weather's temperate enough for us to continue, don't you = think, my=20 dear fellow?" "Eh?" was Ferioque's questioning reply. "I was saying that = I think=20 we can be on our way again, now that it's cooler". "Of course. Of = course. I=20 agree. Just got to wake up though I'm not at all used to sleeping during = the=20 day. I try and avoid it as much as possible. It seems to tire me out = more than=20 revive me, don't you find?" Hesvee nodded. Celarent was instructed to = feed the=20 mules whilst the others readied themselves. In a short space of time = they had=20 returned to the roadway, and continued with their march. The rest of the = evening=20 passed without event, and they made no further stops. It had been agreed = before=20 they set out that they should follow a pattern of early starts, and thus = take=20 advantage of the cool of the morning. They could also extend their daily = journey=20 with some late marches into the night. As they had already discovered = the=20 noontime temperatures were too oppressive for any kind of hard physical=20 activity, and would deplete their energies unnecessarily. At the moment = the moon=20 was in its burgeoning phase, and the skies clear of cloud. These = opportune=20 conditions further extended their progress well into the night. The main = meal=20 would be taken just before they retired, readying them for an early = start on the=20 following morn. It would be on the next day that they would arrive at = Zikar=20 where they planned to stop briefly, and top up their supplies before = pressing=20 onwards.

As they ambled along, imitating very much the pace of = their=20 mules, the two men continued their debate on their present project as = well as=20 upon other matters that had taken their professional interest. Hesvee = and=20 Ferioque discovered that, whereas they held many views in common - and = on a wide=20 range of subjects - they similarly held quite disparate opinions on = others.=20 Foremost amongst the latter was that which was the very basis of = Hesvee's=20 subject area: psychical studies. It must be said that, by temperament, = Ferioque=20 was very much a materialist. He was sure only of what he could measure, = and=20 consequently steered well clear of any purely subjective perspective. By = necessity, of course, Hesvee could hardly make any advances into his own = researches other than by consultation and investigation into what was = hidden,=20 and sometimes deeply, within men's minds; and most notably, his own. And = so they=20 would argue, back and forth, in an old debate, as to how one could = demonstrate=20 to the other the validity of their assertions. Ferioque would = triumphantly point=20 to his maps and his research, the cross indexing of references, and the=20 corroborative evidence supplied by other scholars, and so on. For his = part the=20 master would draw upon very similar exemplars. There was a wealth of = material=20 available, and usually quite widely disseminated, that lent credence - = or so it=20 was claimed - to some of the mental phenomena that were the object, and = subject,=20 of his explorations. However, there were no scales to apply, as in = cartography=20 or the other sciences, and no measurable indexes or objective standards = against=20 which to estimate their value. Ferioque worked constantly within the = parameters=20 of the quantitative though these frequently involved some degree of = evaluation,=20 especially when it came to the selection of data and method of study. = Hesvee,=20 however, had recourse to more qualitative judgements. There was = exceedingly=20 little that could be subject to any form of mensuration. The final = arbiter, in=20 any case, could only be his own experience and judgement when it came to = the=20 veracity of the evidence with which he was presented. Ferioque was quite = happy=20 to acknowledge that psychical studies made no claim to be an science, = certainly=20 not in the sense in which he and his fellows would use the term; but at = the same=20 time it was not an art or humanity. So his contention essentially was = that if it=20 was not one, and it was not the other, and nor was it a synthesis of the = two,=20 then what finally was it? Hesvee would generously acknowledge the = problem, and=20 even accept Ferioque's objections, but he would not concede that simply = because=20 it could not be framed within the usual categories that this somehow = invalidated=20 its enquiry, its scope and its methods. And so they proceeded to and = fro,=20 merrily exchanging views and opinions, with considerable fervour, and = always=20 good humoured. Celarent had been a frequent witness to these dialogues = but he=20 rarely participated. It was not that he did not have his own views on = the=20 subjects under discussion, but simply that he would have found it = difficult to=20 edge an opinion into the exchange, so narrow were the gaps in the = discourse.=20 However, he was always pleased to hear the two men talk for though they = rarely=20 arrived at an agreed conclusion the enthusiasm with which they attacked = the=20 subject was an inspiration. This, and the fact that the toil of an = otherwise=20 wearisome journey was alleviated by their contest, inclined Celarent to = listen,=20 with close attention, to their scholarly bartering.

Night had = well and=20 truly fallen by the time that a halt was called to the day's or rather,=20 evening's journeying. They were all tired, hardly surprising given that = they=20 were men who were unaccustomed to such arduous, physical demands. The = evening=20 meal, its preparation and consumption, were executed with great = dispatch, and=20 the three of them prepared to retire. It had been decided that they = would adopt=20 the practice of keeping watch from now on. This was not undertaken = because of=20 any particular peril presented by the inhabitants or wild life of the = region;=20 rather, that it would be a good discipline to adopt prior to the time = when they=20 would need to employ such measures when they entered less hospitable=20 territories. Hesvee volunteered to take the first watch, to be succeeded = by=20 Celarent and in turn, Ferioque. Barely had Celarent's head hit the = rolled-up=20 blanket which served as a pillow when he found himself being awakened by = his=20 master. "Come. good fellow. Your watch. I must turn in soon. I can = barely stay=20 awake as it is". The servant groaned, feeling distinctly cheated of his = night's=20 rest; it seemed to him that he had had none. However, as Hesvee settled = down, he=20 took up his post just outside their little encampment, and began his=20 surveillance. The desert was quiet, with not even the frittering or = clicking of=20 insects to disturb the calm. The fire had died down to a dull, red glow. = There=20 had been no need to feed its flames further once the cooking had been = completed,=20 and the night was still warm though the skies were sharply clear. The = land lay=20 outstretched, bathed in a silvery moonlight that covered the whole scene = like a=20 shimmering, silken cloak. Under its strange lustre the landscape took on = a most=20 ethereal quality. The browns and ochres, the yellows and blacks, all had = been=20 replaced by a sheen of white that glowed upon every surface. The whole = effect,=20 and with a deep purple-black sky above, had a most calming influence. As = Celarent swept his gaze away from the heavy moon, which floated = magically over=20 the land, its ghastly pale face peering down from the heavens, he could = see a=20 brilliant dusting of stars, spreading out across the firmament. The = stillness of=20 the scene prompted within his own mind a growing sense of tranquillity. = It was=20 odd to see how busy his thoughts had been. All day long and into the = night, and=20 even within his dreams, these notions and fancies would dart about like = shoals=20 of fish, flying through the shallows, and flitting about the reefs under = a dark=20 blue sea. But unlike these natural formations that moved as one, his = ideas would=20 jostle continuously, sometimes colliding, sometimes shifting, but = without a=20 measure to structure their pace. But now, under this calm midnight sky, = he found=20 these errant conceptions ceasing from their frantic terpsichorean = endeavours,=20 and revolving languidly if not lazily, finally to rest gracefully within = his=20 mind. It seemed that he could perceive more clearly the contents of his=20 consciousness as it lay so uncluttered before his stilled review. Random = thoughts would pop up here and there, but his mind lay calm and serene, = drinking=20 in the vastness of the space that embraced him. In the course of these = casual=20 musings he reflected on the conversation that he had observed earlier = that day=20 between his two seniors. It was strange, he thought, that no matter how = long and=20 how frequently they argued their positions, nor how coherently and = clearly they=20 sought to arrive at a consensus, none ever occurred. It was not the case = that=20 there was no will to reach this synthesis; it was simply that it did not = appear=20 to exist. The dichotomies seemed intrinsic within their deliberations = and, if=20 anything, the debate served only to widen the gulf between their = perspectives=20 rather than narrow it. He noticed this same chasm occurred within his = own=20 experience. How many times had he found himself trying to reconcile = opposing=20 views within his own conceptions? And more significantly, how little he = knew=20 himself at all? Here was he, a man of some years, and yet he was quite = sure that=20 he could observe nothing of himself that could be held to be = determinate. In=20 fact, on any occasion where he might describe himself to be the = possessor of=20 this or that trait, and conversely devoid of their opposites, within but = a short=20 space of time subsequently he would display these very same, but = apparently=20 absent, qualities. Of the world he could honestly say he knew little its = nature,=20 its causes or its future; and if it were possible, even less concerning = himself.=20 But here, under the calm and quiet light of this night sky, these = confusions and=20 self-deceptions seemed of little consequence. Now and here, the bright = moon cast=20 its effulgence upon all; and there was nothing, not one thing, to be = added to=20 the scene. It was complete within itself; and he felt complete within = it. These=20 two were one. And he was one.

There was complete silence within = the=20 Ministry. Gorval was quite, quite alone, with his thoughts and = reflections. He=20 was still pondering over his subordinate's report. It seemed that = everything was=20 moving in the direction that had been predicted by the seers; but not in = every=20 detail. They could discern the general outlines of events, and even some = of=20 their specific features occasionally. These last would intersperse = themselves=20 into the weave of destiny, those adventitious outcrops that in = themselves had no=20 great significance, but whose main purpose served to confirm the general = trend.=20 He could feel a strange shiver wafting about his mind, and he knew that = the=20 others were now summoning him. He was a novice to this Inner Council and = it was=20 his function to report to his superiors, and to follow their sequent=20 instruction. He possessed the sight to some extent, but his development = was=20 immature, and it would take many years yet to develop to fruition. But = time was=20 running out and, if things followed their course, then perhaps he would = not be=20 present to witness this epiphany. Now the mental vibrations were = becoming more=20 importunate, and he could no longer delay his attendance at the meeting. = He rose=20 from his chair and silently crossed the room towards the opposite wall. = There=20 was nothing of note upon its surface; just the same bare monotony of = colour and=20 texture as the rest of the room; or, at least, to the untrained eye. He = walked=20 directly up to the wall and entered its bland substance. The material of = which=20 it was constructed was of the same nature as the barrier by which iDarii = had=20 passed when he had re-entered the home cavern. The same principles = applied to=20 passage through this way, though, in this instance, the direction was = downwards.=20 Gorval slipped through its substance with ease, his progress further = assisted by=20 gravity. This exit had been constructed to ensure the greatest secrecy. = Most of=20 the employees of the Ministry were completely unaware of this = department's=20 ultimate function; that is, to serve the seers. No one knew of this = route other=20 than a very few; and not all could pass here. In addition to navigating = the=20 material structure of the rocky shaft the wayfarer had also to possess = the=20 appropriate mental attributes to penetrate its depths; and these = qualities were=20 possessed only by those with the correct genetic and physical = dispositions. It=20 was one of the functions of the Inner Council to distinguish these=20 characteristics amongst the newborn Gaki, and identify those who would = be the=20 more suitable candidates to join their ranks in later life; Gorval had = been one=20 of these. As he sank, layer-by-layer, he reflected on his first meeting = with the=20 seers. He had awoken in his 'new' parent's home, and was recovering from = the=20 shock of being reunited with them in this familiarly strange world. It = had been=20 only a short time afterwards that a young visitor had called upon the = household.=20 Gorval had been introduced to the man at which point his parents, = somewhat to=20 his consternation, had left him alone with the stranger. The fellow had = chosen=20 to materialise into full visibility, and had instructed the young Gorval = to do=20 the same. He was typical of their species but for one noticeable = feature: his=20 eyes. They were quite colourless, but of an extremely percipient nature. = So much=20 so, it seemed to Gorval, that once the other had caught his gaze he = found it=20 quite impossible to break the connection. They had remained silent, for = what=20 seemed an age, before the stranger nodded, and left the room; not a word = had=20 been exchanged. His parents had returned, and from that day onward no = mention=20 was made of the encounter. It was some years later, when he had come of = age,=20 that he was summoned to the Ministry, and had remained there ever since. = Moreover, from that day forward, he never had any further contact with = either=20 his mother or father, or even returned home; the Ministry had become the = place=20 where he dwelt, and the seers his new family. He had not experienced any = particular distress at the separation for it seemed a completely natural = transition in his life; he had been well chosen. Shortly after his = arrival at=20 the department he had been assigned a mentor. This fellow had tutored = him not=20 only in his duties but also in that long and demanding discipline, which = was to=20 develop and tune his natural talent for the sight. Over the years he had = been=20 minutely observed, and his progress assessed, as gradually he was = acquainted=20 more fully with the activities of his confederates, and the future that = was to=20 unfold for them all. As their confidence grew in him he was finally = shown the=20 path to the council chamber - the one he was presently navigating - and = inducted=20 into the council as a junior member. He was permitted to attend some, = but not=20 all, of their meetings.

Now he recalled his presence. As his = physical=20 form drifted downwards, via the shaft, he experienced his descent rather = by=20 touch than by sight. Much familiarity with this journey informed him = that he had=20 arrived at a sufficient depth to have passed below the foundations of = the=20 Ministry itself. Now he was entering the rock that formed the base of = the city=20 cavern. Finally he felt his feet touch upon an impenetrable substance. = He turned=20 about until he was facing in the opposite direction, and took a couple = of paces=20 forward, and emerged from the wall. He saw before him a small = antechamber, which=20 was occupied by a single figure. The Gaki nodded at his arrival, and = gestured to=20 him that he should continue through a doorway, which opened to his left. = He=20 passed through here, and into the council chamber beyond. The room was = not=20 large, sufficient perhaps to accommodate twenty of his kind. It was a = precise=20 circle in form, and lay upon two levels. The outer orbit was a narrow = pathway,=20 which followed the line of the circumference. Along its length were a = series of=20 short stairways leading down to the inner circle. Dotted about the room = were=20 torches, which dispensed a modest light upon the otherwise darkened = space. A=20 table, that mirrored the shape of its containing room, filled most of = this=20 central area. Around this, at regular intervals, were positioned twelve = chairs.=20 When the full council met all of these would be occupied. Occasionally,=20 especially with a full session, it was necessary that the junior members = would=20 stand nearby in attendance. For now, however, the room contained but a = single=20 figure. As Gorval entered he noted this individual's presence, and = waited=20 wordlessly to be addressed. Again that strange vibration swept through = his body,=20 and the greeting signified an invitation to take one of the seats. He = moved=20 quietly round the perimeter until he came to a short staircase; by this = means he=20 made his way down to the inferior level where he took the closest chair. = What=20 passed between them after that cannot be recounted, for the nature of = their=20 communication would be quite alien to both human ear, and human=20 comprehension.

Melaskkoli had made some considerable progress = across the=20 undulating rock that constituted the unyielding floor of this vast, = underground=20 land. The absence of vegetation had made his way easier, and the light = from the=20 mosses was quite adequate for his purposes. This, together with that = same=20 substance which he carried upon his person, ensured his transit was=20 straightforward. The ease of his journey enabled him to observe closely = some of=20 the structures that lay along his path. The massive towers, in = particular, were=20 quite intriguing. He had never before seen anything that quite resembled = them.=20 They extended above his head to a height that he was unable to = determine. Their=20 bases were ample; many times wider, indeed, than he could encircle, even = with=20 fully outstretched arms. They bore the greatest resemblance to tree = trunks, but=20 broader in diameter than any such that existed in the upper lands. = Naturally=20 these stony columns were quite bare of any branches or foliage, and = their=20 surfaces were of a texture identical to that of the rest of this = subterranean=20 world. Other than these large vertical structures the ground rose and = fell much=20 like the surface of an ocean, but with waves and troughs fashioned from = solid=20 rock. It was then that it struck him, and with some force, the exactness = of this=20 comparison. They were extraordinarily similar to that watery element, = but as if=20 frozen in time. They swayed motionlessly, as it were, great flourishes = of=20 unyielding rock that rolled across the landscape; yet still, so still, = that they=20 might never have moved for an eternity. This strange notion, of walking = across=20 an sea, played within his mind, and almost distracted him completely = from his=20 path. The entranceway, by which he had come into the cave, had now = disappeared=20 completely into the receding distance. He had not even thought to = recollect his=20 route should it become necessary for him to return by that way. It = seemed that=20 such precautions would be fruitless since there would to be no hope of = egress=20 there. Only one way remained, and that was forward, and wherever it = might take=20 him. He was truly cast upon an ocean's surface, left to the whim of the=20 elements, and with fortune to determine his fate.

The house was=20 unexpectedly silent as iDarii entered. Generally, on his return home, he = could=20 expect a cheery greeting, at least from his mother. But it would seem = that the=20 place was quite deserted. He moved through the atrium, and passed under = an=20 archway into the main living area. This was a rectangular room in which = most of=20 the activities of the household were conducted. From here a number of = doorways=20 led, respectively, to the kitchen, the sleeping and washing areas, and = then=20 finally, to a small courtyard where the household gathered at the end of = each=20 'day' to chat and exchange the latest news. However, as he moved from = room to=20 room, he found that, as he had at first thought, there was no one at = home. This=20 really was quite unusual for though his father still worked as a = merchant in a=20 nearby storehouse, and might yet be engaged in some business there, his = mother=20 was usually to be found here at home, occupying herself with domestic=20 responsibilities. Up until recently she had worked at the same premises = as his=20 father but had been obliged to resign her duties due to increasing ill = health.=20 She had largely recovered from her ailment yet had felt no great desire = to=20 return to her former employ, and contented herself rather with = maintaining the=20 home. He did not give the matter any further thought, except to conclude = that=20 she might be visiting friends nearby, or had gone out on an errand. He = felt=20 slightly aggrieved at their absence because of his recent experiences on = the=20 surface world. Of course it was quite out of the question that he would = give an=20 account of what had occurred, and most certainly not to his parents. All = they=20 knew of his duties was his assignment to the Ministry; they knew nothing = of his=20 'field' operations, as they might be termed. They believed that he was = employed=20 as an administrator, and this was an opinion he did nothing to dispel. = However,=20 he felt a kind of pressure within, and a growing need to disclose = something of=20 what had passed; a little idle chatter would have helped to dissipate = the strain=20 he was feeling. Although he did not know the full implications of what = was=20 passing in the upper world, and of the activities of the Council with = regard to=20 these, nevertheless he was sufficiently astute to realise that they were = living=20 in dangerous times. He felt impelled to warn his parents of the = increasingly=20 proximate - and potentially disturbing - future, that might be fast = approaching.=20 But, taking into account the close security that surrounded what little=20 information he possessed, he could not have framed the warning in any = form that=20 would have made sense to them. Indeed, all that he might achieve by this = would=20 be to cause needless anxiety. None of this reasoning, however, really = lent to=20 him any form of relief from the burden that he bore; for now, he would = have to=20 manage somehow.

He went into the kitchen and found some morsels = of bread=20 in a storage bin. He returned with these to the living area, sat himself = down=20 upon a stool, and commenced to chew delicately upon both the bread and = his=20 reflections, whilst he awaited the return of the rest of the household. = The=20 evidence he had witnessed of the Gaki raid was most shocking, as were = the=20 accounts he had heard of other such forays, which had been launched from = a=20 number of cities in the region. So far they had been fortunate, and no = attacks=20 had been launched from their own cavern. When he had made his report to = Gorval=20 he had not really expected any kind of reaction, for that was not his = superior's=20 way. He would return to his office on the morn, and perhaps then he = would be=20 able to glean some further news on developments. As he sat there, = turning these=20 thoughts over in his mind, he heard the door open. and his mother's = voice call=20 out. "Darii, arrrre yoooou hooooome?" She used the personal form of = address,=20 omitting the customary title. "Yeeees. I'm iiiin the liviiiiiiing = rooooom". This=20 last piece of information was rendered redundant, for she was entering = the room=20 as he spoke. "Hellooo, myyyy deeeear". She smiled. He rose to his feet = and=20 bowed, before they hugged each other. "I see yooooou've founnnnd = yooooour=20 meeeeal, deeeear". He glanced at the dry hunk of bread in his hand and = grimaced.=20 "I hoooope thaaaat thissss isssn't diiiinner, belooooved mooootherrrr", = he=20 responded with a mocking respect. "Ah poooor thiiiing. Yooooou are = reeeeally=20 quiiite helpllllessss, arrren't yooou? Yooou annnd yooooour faaather. = Weell! At=20 leeeast yooou'rree not quiiiite aas baad aas he. Issss it not truuuue = thaat he=20 thiiinks thaat boiliiing waater isss cooooking? I reeeally thiiiink = yooou might=20 boooth staarrve buttt foor meee". iDarii laughed at a very old joke. = "Yeesss=20 mooother. Yoooou'rree quiite riiight. But iiin the meeeaaantiime haave=20 coompaassssion on mee annd pleease doon't let meee diiie of hunnnger". = She=20 laughed. "Doon't worrrry, helplessss one. The fooood wiill bee reeaady = soooon=20 aand yooour faather willl doo what hee dooes beest with ittt, and eeat". = She=20 left him to his thoughts, and made her way into the kitchen area. Soon = there=20 were the reassuring sounds of the daily meal being prepared, and iDarii = was left=20 again to his reflections. A kind of conversation was carried on with his = parent=20 whilst she worked away; mostly upon the relatively mundane matters that = they=20 usually discussed. However, she had now returned to the living room, and = was=20 sitting opposite him. "Therre. It's cookinnng aawaay". He could smell = the most=20 delicious aromas drifting in from the kitchen, and his mouth was already = watering. "I wasss viissiting my friiend, Lenvasssta, toodaay". He = nodded his=20 recognition. She and his mother had been close for a long time. He = observed that=20 his mother's face demonstrated some anxiety. "Sshee waass teelling mee = of ssome=20 trooouble with the surrrffface woorrld". She was looking at him somewhat = quizzically, and he began to feel a little uncomfortable. "Trrooouble = yooou=20 saay?" He tried to appear nonchalant but, recalling his recent = experiences and=20 his own conjectures, she could not have timed her remarks more = inopportunely.=20 "Yeess. I wasss woooondering wheether yooou haad heeaard anythiiing, = yooou=20 knooow, wooorking at the Sssecuriiity deeparrrtmeent?" Again he tried to = appear=20 relaxed, even slightly bored, at the line of questioning. But his own = curiosity=20 got the better of him, and he could not refrain from pursuing the = matter. "Whaat=20 soort of trooouble wooould that bee then?" She looked at him closely, = for she=20 knew him well enough. The non-committal way in which he had replied gave = much=20 away. "Weelll. Sshee saiid thaat therrre'd beeeen soome soort of = disssturbaance.=20 Maaybee even aaa fiiight". She was watching him closely, seeking some = kind of=20 clue from his expression, or lack of it. He was starting to feel = distinctly=20 trapped. "Welll, yooou knoow Lenvasssta, moootheerrr. Sheee haas a biitt = of ann=20 iiimaaagiinaaation. It'ss proobaablly juuusst a biit ooof siillly = goosssip". He=20 recalled, gratefully, that it was indeed fortunate that no such raid had = been=20 made upon the surface by the people of his home city. It was forbidden = for the=20 Gaki to ever leave their own neighbourhood, that is other than with the = express=20 permission of the council; which was rarely forthcoming. It was by these = means,=20 at least, that their superiors hoped to ensure the growing crisis could = be kept=20 under control. But there was a degree of communication between the = elders of=20 each cavern; and then, of course, there were the scouts like himself. It = was=20 really quite extraordinary that these recent raids had not become more = widely=20 broadcast; this, in itself, was a testimony to the efficacy of their = security=20 measures. It was inevitable, he supposed, that someone, somewhere, would = mistakenly or not, speak out of turn. This news from his mother was = probably an=20 indication that the secrecy was starting to dissolve. It was at that = moment that=20 he heard the sound of the front door opening. This signalled both the = entrance=20 of his father and the end, thankfully, of what was beginning to feel = like an=20 interrogation. They greeted each other, whilst his mother, interrupted = in her=20 inquisition, returned to her preparations in the kitchen. The man was = blanketed=20 in dust, head to foot, from his labours in the storehouse. It was a = dusty place=20 at the best of times, and he had brought a large proportion of this home = with=20 him upon this day. Since the business was his, and two of the workmen = had been=20 taken ill that day, he had no choice but to don overalls, and help heave = sacks=20 of grain onto the drays, before they were distributed to the merchants = of the=20 city. His business dealt mainly in the storage and wholesaling of = cereals,=20 though he could turn his hand to most things if there was a downturn in = trade.=20 But for the time being demand was on the up, and the enterprise was = going well.=20 Their conversation was perfunctory, for the fellow was anxious to bathe = before=20 dinner. He left his son in the living room, to ponder on his mother's = questions,=20 whilst he conducted his ablutions. iDarii was by no means sure how to = deal with=20 the news that she had conveyed to him. If he reported the conversation = to Gorval=20 it would be certain that she would be implicated, and required to attend = an=20 interview; and that was something to be avoided at all costs. No. He = would have=20 to find some other way of broaching the news to his superior. The = problem was he=20 could see no way of achieving this objective. Gorval would inevitably = demand to=20 be acquainted with the source so as to expose the weakness in their = security. He=20 would just have to remain silent for now, at least until he had figured = a way=20 out of this apparently intractable dilemma.

The three of them = passed a=20 peaceful and uneventful night. Despite the watches Celarent felt much = refreshed,=20 notwithstanding his doubts on the eve before. He had a sneaking = suspicion that=20 he had fallen asleep at some point during his guard duty, but = fortunately had=20 woken in sufficient time to rouse Ferioque for the last watch. They had=20 breakfasted early, and had set out on their journey well before dawn had = broken.=20 They would reach their next destination, Zikar, before noon. As the = night faded=20 the road ahead was slowly unveiled, still draped in mist, a diaphanous = flow of=20 vapours that drifted sinuously over the ground. As the sun rose this = slight fog=20 lifted, to reveal the desert landscape in all its morning beauty. The = clear,=20 blue sky rose above in a perfect dome, its purity unsullied by a single = cloud. A=20 virgin light accentuated the colours of the wasteland, as that golden = orb rose=20 higher and higher into the heavens; the land truly glowed like a gown of = jewels.=20 So intense was its radiance that Celarent needed to narrow his eyes = against the=20 glare of those aurora born gems. But the light bathed not only their = bodies but=20 their minds and hearts as well. Who would not feel uplifted by such a = vision, of=20 dawn in her waking hours? Only the most benumbed sensitivity could fail = to be=20 aroused by this beauteous vision. They marched along with a lively step, = their=20 footsteps lightened by the hour of the day, and the visions that lay = upon every=20 hand. Even the mules, whose usual demeanour betokened a grudging = acceptance of=20 their servile existence, seemed exhilarated, and lifted their hooves = like=20 youthful yearlings, betraying perhaps a nobler lineage than their = present=20 appearance might exhibit.

Time passed quickly, and soon they had = their=20 first sight of Zikar. The three of them had come to the crest of a low = rise. As=20 they breasted this they could now see the whole town below, lying at the = base of=20 that gentle slope. It was not a large conurbation, perhaps no more than = four or=20 five hundred inhabitants; but it was ancient, and an established = settlement of=20 many centuries. It had grown up, like most desert settlements, around an = oasis,=20 which fed this spot with its sweet waters. The early settlers had been=20 descendants of those nomadic tribes, which had wandered the wastes, = moving from=20 water hole to water hole, and from one grazing to the next, feeding = their herds,=20 and resting awhile under the gentle shades of the great palms that = flourished=20 nearby. Some of their number had concluded that this life was no longer = for them=20 and had, instead, settled upon the oasis. There they had channelled its = waters,=20 and constructed an irrigation system of some sophistication, which would = support=20 the more intensive production of crops. More and more of their fellows = had=20 joined them, to set up their homes here, until the present modest = population had=20 been reached. The life-giving waters could not sustain greater numbers = and,=20 apart from the travellers that passed by this way, the town had remained = at its=20 present size for many generations now.

The sun was at its zenith, = and=20 temperatures were rising rapidly. The three travellers made their way = down the=20 slope until they reached the outskirts of the town. Even from some = distance away=20 they could see the townsfolk going about their business, by the narrow = streets=20 and lanes that dissected the settlement. Finally, they passed through = the=20 perimeter of the village, by a narrow track that wound into its centre. = Within=20 the narrow doorways of the mud brick dwellings, which lay on either side = of=20 their path, they would catch an occasional glimpse of one of the = occupants.=20 These people left their doors unclasped, for they feared neither = neighbours nor=20 visitors. Not the former, for in such a small community all knew all's = business,=20 and not one would betray their fellows by a foolish act. In the case of = the=20 latter, if a wayfarer be so foolish as to harm any of Zikar's = inhabitants, they=20 could be sure that retribution would be harsh and swift, and quite = unforgiving.=20 The townspeople may have abandoned the desert for their present = surroundings,=20 but they had not wholly relinquished the strict laws of their forebears. = But a=20 law-abiding voyager had nothing to fear, for this people had a = reputation for=20 the most generous hospitality, and were widely reputed as of the = greatest=20 probity in commerce. It was for this reason, primarily, that Hesvee had = decided=20 that Zikar should be where they would rest on their way to the Northern=20 mountains, and where they might purchase further supplies. As they = proceeded=20 into the centre of the small town they noticed that the streets had = largely=20 emptied of the citizenry. As the day's heat rose higher the dwellers had = retired=20 into the interior of their thick-walled homes, to enjoy the relative = coolness of=20 those surroundings. The travellers had arrived slightly later than = planned,=20 delayed somewhat by their deep absorption in the glories of the = morning's vista.=20 However, Hesvee was hopeful that they would still find someone at the = waterside=20 who would be able to assist them. Their intention was to remain the rest = of the=20 day here, and then, on the following night, resume their journey. They = continued=20 on their way through the narrow streets of the town, now entirely devoid = of any=20 of the population. Finally they arrived at its focus, and a view = dominated by=20 that most beautiful of sights for a desert dweller - the oasis - around = which=20 the whole of the area's life revolved. All were relieved to observe that = some of=20 the residents were still about their business. They approached a man who = was=20 busy watering his beasts at the side of the large pool. It really was a = most=20 impressive watering hole, some forty spans in diameter. The oasis itself = was=20 bordered by a narrow reed bed. Interspersed amongst these grasses was a=20 multiplicity of water plants, their vivacious blooms sparkling with = water=20 droplets, which had been thrown up in sprays that erupted from the wings = of the=20 numerous water fowl disporting themselves amongst the greenery. Here and = there=20 were a few solitary, but regal, lotus blossoms, which had drawn = themselves out=20 of the mud, and now flaunted their delicate hues under the hot sun. The = waters=20 were quite clear except where men and beasts had stirred up the mud; = here, the=20 otherwise limpid fluid resembled more a thick broth. It was because of = this that=20 it was the custom in this place that people should take their rations = from the=20 pool before the beasts received their allotment. The fellow had been = somewhat=20 tardy in this duty, and was hastening to carry out the chore before the = heat of=20 the day rose any higher. As the three of them drew nearer. he heard the = noise of=20 their shuffling steps upon the sandy ground, and briskly turned to face=20 them.

He presented a somewhat forbidding appearance. His skin was = burnished dark, both by the heritage of his ancestors, and the harsh = light and=20 heat, which beat down upon them relentlessly. In contrast to this almost = stygian=20 tint, the whites of his eyes and his teeth seemed to take on an almost = unearthly=20 brightness, emphasising further the warmth of his smile. The vision was = slightly=20 marred for he seemed to bear the evidence of some ancient contest; an = old, white=20 scar divided his face in a diagonal, from right to left, the result of a = blow=20 from some kind of blade perhaps. "Halloo", he called, as they drew near, = and he=20 bowed in the customary fashion. Hesvee followed suit, and indicated to = his=20 companions to do likewise. The man waved them forward and bade them take = their=20 ablutions. They required little encouragement and enthusiastically = ducked their=20 heads under the cool waters, to remove at least one layer of the dust = that had=20 accumulated upon their bodies and clothes. They were hardly deterred by = the=20 rather brownish aspect of that element, and their host encouraged their = efforts.=20 Hesvee was the first to cease his lavings. "Thank you for your = hospitality. May=20 I introduce myself. I am Hesvee from the city of Stela, as are my two=20 companions, Ferioque and Celarent. We hope to purchase some provisions = here, and=20 remain overnight, before continuing on our journey tomorrow". The man = looked at=20 them appraisingly. He was friendly, but no fool, and it never did any = harm to=20 get as much information about a stranger before giving away aught = yourself; but=20 they seemed harmless enough. This fellow Hesvee, he thought, was a = well-spoken=20 man, and their accoutrements suggested that they were men of some = substance,=20 though not rich. He was a trader, and he knew the signs of money. = "You're most=20 welcome" he responded, nodding to the others, who replied in kind. = "You're most=20 welcome here. And of course you may remain the night. We're well = accustomed to=20 travellers passing by this way; and you're even more valued should you = wish to=20 make some purchases". He laughed at his own wit, and the others thought = it=20 politic to smile. "Come. When you're finished here I can show you where = you may=20 stable your animals. Then perhaps I can be of some further assistance". = The=20 master nodded his agreement, and they followed their new host as he led = them=20 away from the oasis, and into one of the many side streets that radiated = away=20 from its waters. As they walked along he called over his shoulder, as if = an=20 afterthought, "Oh! By the way, I'm Alaste". They followed him quietly, = in a=20 file, through the passageways of the old town, the thick walls of the = buildings=20 protecting them somewhat from the fiercesome sun, which flared ever=20 downwards.

Gorval and the elder remained in the darkness of the = chamber=20 for some time whilst the former related the latest report from their = servant,=20 iDarii. He was not mentioned by name, for this was an irrelevancy; nor = was his=20 omission commented upon for, similarly, it was deemed inconsequential, = that is,=20 in the greater scheme of things; it had always been so, and always = would. The=20 nature of their communication could not be described in terms that would = make=20 much sense to a human being. To say that it was a form of telepathy = would be=20 partly the truth; but that would suggest merely a cognitive transmission = of=20 knowledge. There was much more to it, however, than this. There was also = conveyed in the interchange that which referred to levels of deeper=20 consciousness, which for most men would be quite unrecognisable, but yet = formed=20 an essential part of the message, fully expressed. Suffice it to say = that by the=20 end of their discourse much more had been imparted than mere content. = Gorval had=20 his new instructions, and the seer would shortly meet with his fellows = to=20 consult. In brief, it was decided that iDarii need not make any further = trips to=20 the surface. For the time being he would be assigned desk duties in the = ministry=20 whilst the new measures were introduced. The latter were not intended to = change=20 the course of what had already been predestined. There was naught that = could be=20 done in that circumstance, other than smooth the way for the inevitable. = The=20 seer and his fellows were mainly concerned to ensure that the transition = was=20 conducted as smoothly, and as painlessly, as possible. The raiding = parties on=20 the surface were unavoidable, as was the likelihood that the news of = these acts=20 would permeate through the rest of the subterranean community = eventually. Order=20 could be preserved for now; but for how much longer, no one knew. = Gorval's=20 superior indicated to him that the interview as at an end. The latter = rose from=20 his seat, and proceeded out of the chamber and back into the anteroom. = The other=20 Gaki had remained at his post throughout the interview, completely = silent and=20 utterly immobile. Without hesitation Gorval re-entered the column of = stone by=20 which he had made his descent, and began the upward journey back to his = office.=20 This was a more arduous route unassisted as he was by gravity, but he = arrived at=20 his destination without mishap. He resumed his seat and returned to his=20 reflections. Others would take responsibility for communicating to = iDarii's his=20 new instructions. He need not trouble himself with those matters. He = immersed=20 himself again in his dark contemplation.

The frozen sea seemed to = stretch=20 away endlessly on all sides. There was not a sound in this vastness = except for=20 the scratching and shuffling of his sandals upon the smoothened surfaces = of the=20 rock, as he marched determinedly forward. It is strange, indeed, that = the most=20 unfamiliar of experiences can rapidly transmute themselves into the = ordinary. He=20 had been travelling for some time now, and the initial novelty of his=20 surroundings, which had made such an impression upon him, had now = receded, into=20 a kind of monotony. He realised that what he missed most of all here was = the=20 simple variation of colour. Everywhere he was surrounded by a grey = darkness,=20 broken only by that green light exuding from the ubiquitous mosses. = Grateful as=20 he was for their assistant luminary properties he was beginning to long = for the=20 sight of a blue sky, and the warmth of the sun on his face. Despite the = vast=20 emptiness that surrounded him the sentiment that he had already been = consigned=20 to a grave struck his consciousness with some force, and he could feel = his=20 breath labour somewhat as if he lay entombed already beneath the heavy = earth.=20 The realisation that above him lay an infinite weight of stone and rock, = this=20 imposed upon him a greater sense of oppression, not only upon his body, = but also=20 upon his spirit. He was, by nature, a surface dweller and, remarkable as = this=20 world might be, his entry here was unsought, and increasingly = burdensome. Still,=20 he was a realist, and knew that if he was to find a means of escape this = could=20 only be achieved by further exploration of this strange and dark land. = Yet his=20 mind was increasingly filled with visions of wide-open spaces, of great = rivers=20 and azure skies, and the sounds and smells of the life which abounded = above.=20 Here there was nothing, no movement other than his own, and he longed = for some=20 relief from this monotone realm.

Melaskkoli would occasionally = halt on=20 his journey to rest, and to eat some of the dried meat that he was = thankful he=20 had had the foresight to obtain. For the time being, at least, there was = no=20 prospect of running short of supplies. He found also that his appetite = here=20 seemed strangely diminished, and this despite his considerable physical=20 exertions. Although the ground levels varied constantly, the slopes = themselves=20 were gentle, and required little effort, either to ascend, or descend. = He did=20 seem, however, to be consuming rather excessive quantities of water, and = this he=20 attributed to the extreme dryness of the atmosphere here underground. He = was not=20 yet unduly concerned about future water sources for he was quite sure = that the=20 cavern could not continue forever barren; there should be considerable=20 waterflows beneath ground. After all, the rain must end up here, as well = as in=20 the watercourses upon the surface. Of more urgent moment, however, that = he=20 should not run the risk of returning upon his tracks within these = largely=20 featureless caves; but here the towers of rock proved to be invaluable = in=20 excluding this error. He would take a bearing upon a column, preferably = at the=20 greatest distance from his present position, and then approach it = directly. As=20 he neared his target, this would he line up with one still further away = and=20 that, in turn, would represent his next goal. In this manner he was = quite sure=20 that he had avoided a peril, which can befall any novice, and confident = that he=20 proceeded straight upon his course. The greater problem, from = Melaskkoli's=20 perspective, was that he had no way of judging for how long he had been=20 travelling, or even the total duration of his sojourn underground. The = fact that=20 he had not rested thus far must put some upper limit to the extent of = his stay=20 in this world; hunger, however, seemed not such a reliable indicator. = Even the=20 distance he had covered could not be measured other than by the paces = marched,=20 and he had not bothered to keep an account of these. A slight panic rose = up=20 within his chest as he considered his position, but he forced himself to = dismiss=20 these speculations, and to keep his mind firmly focussed on that first=20 objective; to find a way out of this sombre land.

Time floated=20 inscrutably by, and Melaskkoli plodded steadily onwards across that = stony sea.=20 The unmitigated regularity of the landscape, its atonality, and the = deadly=20 silence which coated everything like a dust, conduced to an increasing=20 self-absorption. Again he was struck by the apparent spontaneity of his = decision=20 to depart the farm. He hesitated to refer to this as 'home' for he had = neither=20 resided there any great time, nor had he formed an affection for its = environs,=20 and neither for that matter, its other inhabitant, his uncle. His home = lay far=20 away, and with it the memories of his mother. He could see her now, her=20 beautiful, raven dark hair cascading over pale shoulders, her sparkling = and=20 smiling eyes gazing at him, as the two of them played some foolish game=20 together. The image of his father floated vaguely in the background, an=20 indistinct figure, but real for all that. He had been very young when = the man=20 had died; and then not much older when his mother had departed this = life. The=20 circumstances of both their deaths had been hazy. His uncle had arrived = at their=20 cottage shortly afterwards, and had taken him away to live on the farm. = He=20 remembered how the neighbours had gathered around the wagon, as he and = this new=20 relative made their preparations to leave the village. He was too young = to=20 understand what had occurred, and no one had thought to tell him. All = that he=20 did know was that something terrible had come upon them, and that his = life would=20 never be the same again. He recalled how he had looked over his shoulder = as the=20 cart trundled along the track, and that little group of people standing = there,=20 staring silently in his direction. He could still hear the sobs of some = of the=20 women, but those cries had quickly faded. He had looked across at his = uncle,=20 this stranger, but the man spared him not a glance or a word. So there = he was,=20 left with those few memories, and an imagination, which filled the gaps = with its=20 own faint inferences. As soon as he had arrived at the farm his life had = commenced the course that it was to follow for the rest of his stay. It = had been=20 made clear from the start that his uncle regarded him, at best, a source = of=20 labour, and at worst, a weight upon his back. By turns he would either = beat him=20 or ignore him, and these actions would be solely dependent upon the = man's mood,=20 not upon Melaskkoli's behaviour. However, he was a bright lad, and = quickly=20 learned how to avoid the harm that he might otherwise have had to = endure. 'Work=20 hard and keep quiet' were his bywords, and this strategy served him well = whilst=20 he served his term of indenture. But none of this had really been = influential in=20 his decision to depart that slavish existence. It had become bearable = within its=20 limits; but he had concluded that, as soon as he came of age, he would = make his=20 own way in the world. No. There was another explanation for his sudden = and=20 wholly impulsive departure; but of this he was not yet conscious. And so = he=20 plotted his course in the dreary realm of the under lands.

Dinner = was=20 served, and they settled down to their meal. His mother made no further = mention=20 of the conversation she had had with her friend; iDarii, for his part, = was not=20 at all anxious to resume the subject. His father seemed quite = non-committal and=20 more inclined to concentrate his attention on the delicious food that = his wife=20 had prepared rather than engage in chit-chat. It was customary in the = household=20 to resume a visible, physical appearance whilst indoors, since this was = the=20 custom amongst their people. It was only in the public arena that one = would=20 adopt the hidden form. But at home, or at work, it was the convention to = be of=20 "form as well as substance" as the saying went. iDarii examined his = father=20 covertly as the man devoured his meal with considerable gusto. Given the = constraints of their anatomy, and their enormous appetites, mealtimes = could=20 sometimes extend over a considerable period, especially if the hunger = was upon=20 them; but even if not, the quantities to be consumed were considerable. = A=20 strange high-pitched squealing would precede each mouthful, as the small = morsels=20 of food - the only size that could navigate the pin-like orifice of = their mouths=20 - would be sucked in, there to be chewed and swallowed. Fluids presented = less of=20 a problem, of course, but still their intake was accompanied by a = considerable=20 din. Both the process of ingestion and the associated noisy = accompaniment meant=20 that there could be little indulgence in conversation, even if the = participants=20 should be so inclined. His father appeared quite fatigued. He was a hard = worker=20 and invested a great deal of time and effort in his business. But the = years were=20 passing by, and time was taking its toll second-by-second, day-by-day. = Yet again=20 he felt that sadness, which so thoroughly imbued his witnessing, of the = ageing=20 of those most dear to him. It seemed a great cruelty that they were to = be parted=20 once more; and the sorrow was the greater for the inevitability of it = all. Every=20 creature, it seemed, was doomed to live and die, to die and live, and = there was=20 nothing that could alleviate or bring to an end that dreadful process. = Life was=20 sweet, but always tinged with a remorseless knowledge that on one day or = night,=20 that that final breath would be exhaled, and once again a poor soul = would be=20 sent out into eternity to voyage, in one form or another, to the very = end of=20 time. But then who could say that that time itself did not endure, an = endlessly=20 revolving cycle, a treadmill inescapable to all? He desisted from his=20 examination for fear that he should be observed, and that they might = guess what=20 was passing through his mind. Finally he cleaned the last grain from his = plate.=20 He rose from the table and, making his excuses, explained that he had = some=20 errands to run for a friend. Both looked at him and nodded. "Beee = carefuuulll=20 noooww, liitttttle onnnne", his mother exclaimed humorously. It was a = term of=20 endearment that she had used since he was born. In his present mood it = seemed to=20 possess a poignancy that was quite unbearable. He knew that he must = leave=20 quickly, and disguised his melancholic temper with a brief = laugh.

He made=20 his way out of the room and onwards into the street. He felt quite = overwrought=20 and was not at all sure whence this turmoil of emotions had come. The = roadway=20 appeared, and was in fact, devoid of passers-by. He was grateful for = this mercy,=20 and decided that he should go down to the river. There was a spot that = he=20 favoured, just by where the waters flowed over a small fall, and it was = there=20 that he directed his steps. The sounds of the tumbling waters, gently = rushing=20 over the rocks, helped clear his mind, and subdued those unruly = emotions. He=20 took a route, which led by the back streets and alleyways that = criss-crossed=20 this district. So it was that he ensured that he was unlikely to meet = another=20 who might observe his state. His grief - for that is what it was - was=20 essentially private, and he protected this sentiment carefully. The = watercourse=20 was a short distance away and he was soon standing beside its dark rush, = watching the wavelets and eddies dancing their way into the interior of = the=20 city. This distributary was one of a number of small rivers, which fed = the water=20 system of the metropolis, and supplied the drinking and sanitary needs = of its=20 inhabitants. It was not much visited by most of the locals since its = appeal did=20 not run to their tastes. He, however, had found it to be an invariably = reliable=20 source of tranquillity when he was disturbed. Even if his mood was of an = even=20 tenor he still enjoyed the company of the swiftly flowing currents, as = he=20 observed the bubbles burst upon the surface, or float along errantly, = born by=20 the dark tide. He would sit here, just gazing into the waters, immersing = himself=20 mentally in their cool depths. He took up his favoured position and = looked=20 across towards the other bank. He was quite alone, as he had thought he = would=20 be. It was the meal time and across the city most folk would be engaged = in their=20 extensive feasting. He reflected a little on his conversation, if it = could be=20 called that, with his chief, Gorval. There had been no reaction and no = comment=20 on his observations; and no sign of apprehension or distress. He = considered that=20 perhaps he might have exaggerated his own worries as well as losing all=20 perspective on the recent disturbances. It was true that these raids = were=20 unusual but, taking into account a longer history and a more distant = past (when=20 there had been a greater frequency of contact between the over- and=20 underworlds), there had been many such conflicts between the two races; = there=20 was a precedent for these encounters, and such events might be no more = than the=20 precursors of a renewed contact between the two species. He dwelt upon = this=20 argument, and tried to convince himself that these episodes were just = that:=20 forerunners of more peaceful times. However, his deeper intuitions were = telling=20 him something quite different, and he knew that he was only seeking to = mislead=20 himself. As he sat there, gazing deeply into the shadowy waters, his = mood grew=20 darker and darker, and with it the presentiment that something dreadful = was=20 about to emerge into both worlds; a catastrophe from which there could = be no=20 escape, or retreat. And that time was drawing ever nearer.

As = Alaste led=20 the three travellers back into the interior of the town, Ferioque took = the=20 opportunity to examine the dwellings that lined their route. These = habitations=20 were quite exquisitely constructed, and he was able to observe, where = the=20 facades had sometimes broken away, the underlying structure of their=20 composition. They were based upon a system of interlocking stacks = composed of=20 solid mud bricks, upon which an ornamented plaster layer had been = applied. On=20 this surface had been incised intricate traceries, with delicately = inlays=20 manufactured from the same material, but artfully positioned to = embellish these=20 elaborate surfaces. It was obvious from the quality of the workmanship = that the=20 townspeople of Zikar excelled, not only as hosts and traders, but also = as=20 artisans in their own right. These were no longer the savage hermits of = the=20 desert, but a settled race of high culture, and possessing great = discernment. It=20 was these artistic exhibitions that reminded Ferioque of what had drawn = him to=20 his present discipline of cartography. As a child he had always = fancifully=20 imagined what it would be like to travel the world and meet such = cultures as=20 these. He would sometimes pore over the maps held in the great city = library, and=20 depict in his mind the lives and habits of those who dwelt in distant = lands,=20 even far away across the great oceans, those which divided the three = continents=20 of his world. But here he was, a little over a day's travel from his own = city,=20 and he had already encountered such beauty, and such merit. He called to = mind=20 his own house, and why he had chosen to live there. He had to admit, = though=20 certainly not to his wife - a far more practically-minded individual - = that it=20 was that wonderful aspect, its sculpted frontage, which had primarily = influenced=20 his choice. He had made his own amendments and additions to the display, = but the=20 major part of the work was already present before he and his family had = taken up=20 residence. It was evident that these people took the same joy and = pleasure in=20 such artistry, albeit on a more modest scale, but certainly with as much = enthusiasm as he. He thought sadly that he had spent too many of his = years in=20 study, and too few in enjoying such impressions as these. Still, he was = in a=20 position to remedy that now; and he resolved to do so, and with a = vengeance. So=20 absorbed was he in his reflections that he almost failed to observe that = they=20 had arrived at their destination. Alaste had turned into a narrow = doorway that=20 lay to their right, and the other two had come to a halt as he did so. = Bit=20 Ferioque did not see this in sufficient time and bumped into Celarent, = who stood=20 just ahead of him in the file. "Sorry, dear chap," proferred Ferioque. = "That's=20 quite alright, sir", responded the good-natured Celarent. "Almost came a = cropper=20 myself". Alaste had disappeared into the house. The travellers could = hear the=20 sounds of orders being issued, accompanied by a flurry of activity from = within.=20 Shortly afterwards their host re-emerged, and stepping to one side, and = with=20 something of a flourish, bade them enter his humble abode. One by one = they=20 crossed the threshold, and made their way into a shaded interior of = blessed=20 coolness. It took a few moments before their eyes adjusted to the = shadowy forms=20 of the anteroom, but soon they were able to follow their host as he led = them=20 down a long hallway into the depths of the residence. It became rapidly = apparent=20 that though the front of the building presented a modest and compact = aspect this=20 concealed its true dimensions. As they advanced further within, it = seemed that=20 they left the noonday heat proportionately behind. On either side of the = corridor along were small apertures, which led off to other parts of the = household. Finally, and after what seemed a long time, they arrived at = the=20 entrance to a small courtyard. If Ferioque had been impressed by the = artistry=20 and elegance displayed on the outside of the building, it was nothing as = compared to the creativity displayed within. Despite the fact that the=20 quadrangle they had entered was exposed to the open skies, the = insulating=20 qualities of the surrounding buildings ensured that it retained a = coolness=20 prevalent in the rest of the interior of the complex. A small fountain = at the=20 centre of the yard sprayed its waters upwards, which both cooled the = air, and=20 added a pleasing humidity to the surroundings. The mud walls had now = been=20 replaced by delicate traceries, carved from some unknown material. The = floor was=20 covered in a layer of stone tiles, which glistened under the gentle = mists that=20 permeated the atmosphere. Dotted about the enclosure were large = earthenware pots=20 from which grew small, delicately leafed trees, that gracefully draped = their=20 branches above the scene. Upon the traceries and extending up the walls = were=20 climbing plants, which carried upon their vines great bowls of = brilliantly=20 coloured petals that exuded a scent, which lingered sweetly throughout,=20 permeating the air with beguiling odours. All three newcomers were = completely=20 overwhelmed by the exquisite smells and sights that encompassed them, = and it was=20 evident that their host thoroughly enjoyed their unspoken admiration. It = was=20 Hesvee who first broke the stunned silence. "This really is quite = marvellous,=20 sir. Who would have thought that in the midst of the desert, even near = an oasis,=20 that such a garden of delight should exist?" If it were possible = Alaste's smile=20 became even more generous, and he nodded his appreciation at the = compliment=20 almost frantically. "Oh yes. Yes. Indeed. This is my pride and joy. All = those=20 long hours at work, and the hot sun always above. This is my true = sanctuary, my=20 pride and my deep joy. However, sirs, always should one's greatest = treasure be=20 reserved for last - and I would not break that tradition". He called = out, and=20 two women entered the courtyard from one of the adjoining rooms. "May I=20 introduce to you, my beloved wife Tellesa". He indicated the older = woman, as=20 they turned towards her. She was most elegant in form, not quite as dark = skinned=20 as her husband, but with the same brilliant white teeth that she now = displayed,=20 as she smiled at them warmly. She was of mature years, and a little = overweight -=20 indelicate as it may be to comment upon this; but her face was that of = an angel.=20 Her features were very fine, quite delicate in fact, and time seemed not = to have=20 touched her physiognomy so fiercely as might be guessed from her more = ample=20 build. Her dark eyes glowed intensely, indicating both a passionate and = generous=20 nature. She was dressed in a long, white robe that swathed her from head = to=20 foot, the bottom folds of which she had draped gracefully over her head, = to=20 shield her face somewhat from the slight light. They were well suited as = a=20 couple. She extended her hand in a gesture of welcome, and the three = visitors=20 bowed in acknowledgement. "You are welcome, sirs. Be as in your own = homes whilst=20 you remain with us." The traditional courtesies exchanged Alaste now = turned to=20 the other woman. "And my daughter, sirs, rivalling only my beloved wife = in my=20 affections", he laughed. "Erame". It would be true to say that at least = one of=20 the party was already exceedingly preoccupied with her presence. Hesvee = and=20 Ferioque, being men of more mature years, had cast glances in the = daughter's=20 direction, but only in that most surreptitious and guarded manner, as = befitted=20 their station and years. Celarent, however, a relative youth, had not = been so=20 circumspect in his observation, and was caught quite unawares by their = host's=20 introduction; he was entirely mesmerised by Erame's appearance. It would = be to=20 do her an injustice merely to describe her as a younger image of her = mother.=20 However, there is more to the being of another than their physical=20 manifestation, and there was a quality within this girl that made a = formidable=20 impression. Her beauty was indisputable; those dark, flashing eyes and = elegant=20 stature, with midnight black hair that curled down over her shoulders = and fell=20 fully to her waist, a mane that shone with a bright lustre even under = the=20 subdued lighting of the courtyard. All of these she had surely inherited = from=20 her mother. Her even white teeth, which displayed those iridescent tones = of=20 pearl as she smiled at the visitors, these were undoubtedly a birthright = derived=20 from both her parents. But in all other respects she was a unique and = singular=20 individual. Her expression communicated both keen intelligence and an = acute=20 curiosity about the world. But there was something beyond even this, and = which=20 pervaded every atom of her body; an aura of great strength and power, = which=20 radiated from her being with such a force that it was quite = irresistible. It was=20 this more than anything else that impressed itself most forcefully upon = the=20 senses, and upon the intellect of the visitors, and most especially upon = Celarent. This is not to say that he was not aware of her physical = attractions,=20 but they were as if nothing besides these other, more indeterminate, = qualities.=20 As she smiled at the three strangers it seemed that any response would = have been=20 quite superfluous. Suffice to say that her welcome was greeted = appreciatively,=20 if in silence. It appeared that their host was not unused to effect that = his=20 daughter had upon the uninitiated, and to the close observer, who was = not=20 completely beguiled by Erame's aura, they might have witnessed a look of = proud=20 amusement playing across his face as he observed the reactions of his = guests. As=20 if a gesture of mercy, he precluded the need for any further exchanges = by=20 indicating to his spouse and their daughter that they might now leave = the four=20 of them to their discussions. There was not only the matter of = entertaining=20 one's guests, but also an opportunity for some business to be = infiltrated into=20 the conversation. He was a shrewd merchant and found hospitality a = useful=20 lubricant as a prelude to matters of commerce. He had discovered that = many a=20 trading venture went so much more to his advantage where his customers = had been=20 introduced to the captivating presence of his beloved daughter, and = prior to any=20 negotiations. It would seem that even the most hard-headed amongst them = would=20 melt like warmed butter in her vicinity. Occasionally, his wife had = chided him=20 for such tactics, claiming he had no right to use his own daughter to = gain such=20 a financial advantage. However Erame herself seemed amused by the whole = matter,=20 and reassured her father that it caused her no great discomfort. She = loved him=20 very much, and knew that he would never do anything to harm her. She was = quite=20 sure that it had more to do with his fatherly pride than any commercial=20 advantage that might accrue, and that it was the former motive that = accounted=20 for these displays; such was the innocence of her youth. The two women = left the=20 men to their discussions and retired to their own quarters. A house = servant was=20 sent for, to bring some cool refreshments for the host and his weary = guests. "Of=20 course you must remain here overnight, my friends", insisted Alaste. = Hesvee was=20 about to demur, but was quickly overruled by the householder. "No. No. I = won't=20 hear a word. You must remain as my guests, for otherwise my family and I = would=20 be very disappointed. And besides, you'll want to wash, and perhaps take = a rest=20 before we dine. And then, of course, if you're so inclined, perhaps I = can be of=20 some small assistance in the matter of your supplies. But please, feel = under no=20 obligation concerning this matter. I will happily introduce you to some = of my=20 colleagues who, I'm quite sure, will be able to meet your needs most = adequately=20 should you feel that any indebtedness to me might sway your judgement". = Both=20 Hesvee and Ferioque immediately protested they would be more than happy = to=20 purchase those necessaries from the merchant. In brief, the four men = observed=20 the due proprieties before concluding that they would be quite content = to come=20 to an arrangement with their present company. The servant returned to = the=20 courtyard, bearing upon a silver salver four tall glasses, and a pitcher = of iced=20 tea. He placed these upon the table in front of each in turn, and then = took his=20 position behind the master of the house. Another servant followed = closely upon=20 his heels, carrying baskets in which various pastries and other = delicacies were=20 distributed, and similarly placed these in the centre of the table. = Alaste=20 dismissed them both, and the small party were left to enjoy their modest = meal.=20 Above them floated a pure blue sky, empty and endless, and all around = the town=20 lay quiet and calm, resting quiescently under the burning heat of the=20 sun.

For a day or more, or so it seemed to Melaskkoli - for the = matter=20 was largely guesswork - he had made his way across this grey stone sea, = and=20 still had no idea of where this road might lead. The landscape continued = on=20 ahead, unfolding changelessly. The same great towers of rock pierced the = gloom,=20 as they disappeared into the vaults of the granite heavens above. The = green=20 mosses spread in every direction, great patches of glowing light that = cast their=20 sickly radiance upon his path. His food supplies were holding out but he = could=20 foresee a time in the not-too-distant future where he would need to = refill his=20 water bottle. As he had already discovered, the arid atmosphere = increased his=20 thirst, and he would not be able to sustain life for very much longer = after this=20 precious fluid had run out. He felt no particular tiredness; it seemed = that he=20 could maintain this present pace, if not indefinitely, for some time yet = to=20 come. He peered into the haze that constituted his horizon, but there = seemed to=20 be nothing there to distinguish itself greatly from the view that lay = behind. He=20 was in the middle it seemed, of a vast underground desert and, he = reflected -=20 and very drily at that - ,by definition, these regions were not renowned = for=20 their flowing streams and extensive lakes. He observed his mind was more = frequently turning upon the question of water. He knew that he would = have to=20 find a new source, or be in serious danger of perishing in this alien = world. As=20 he marched along he cast glances from side to side, increasingly anxious = to=20 discover a solution to this predicament.

Some time had passed now = since=20 his last halt and, more out of a sense of conserving his energies than = of an=20 immediate fatigue, he was about to take a break from his journey when he = thought=20 he caught sight of something ahead. He paused momentarily to examine = more=20 carefully the phenomenon. It was difficult to tell whether he was = witnessing=20 something real, or a trick played by the dim light. He stared directly = ahead. He=20 could have sworn that the darkness on that bearing seemed slightly = lighter. He=20 shook his head as if this would clear his vision, and rid his eyes of = any=20 obscuration. But one thing was quite clear. He had not seen any = variation of=20 this nature in the entire time that he had spent in this enormous cave, = and he=20 was quite convinced that such a change could only herald something to = his=20 advantage. Why he should hold such a belief it cannot be said, except = perhaps=20 that a growing desperation lends a weightier account to any source of = hope. All=20 thoughts of resting had disappeared and, keeping his sight fixed firmly = ahead,=20 he marched onward with much increased vigour. He was thankful that he = seemed to=20 possess almost unlimited reserves of energy, for now he was all but = sprinting=20 over that grey plain, eager to confirm what this lighter region in the = 'sky'=20 might be. It was as he was climbing a gentle rise when the ground = suddenly=20 seemed to slip from beneath him, and he fell forward violently, just = having the=20 time - and presence of mind - to put up his hand, and so cushion the = fall. He=20 tumbled down upon the unfriendly and abrasive surface, the impact = pushing the=20 air forcefully from his lungs. He lay there for a few seconds, gasping = for air,=20 and quite winded by the impact. The shock of the plunge had temporarily=20 distracted him; but as this receded he noticed that his knee was = bruised, and=20 was beginning to throb most painfully. He examined that area and could = now see a=20 slow trickle of blood ebbing from a slight gash in the skin . He raised = himself=20 until he was in a sitting position, and studied the cut more carefully. = It was=20 no more than a graze, and there was some slight bruising around the = incision. He=20 was about to stand up but as soon as he placed his weight on the limb he = could=20 feel a sharp pain shoot through his patella, and he cried out. He rested = for a=20 few moments more but knew that he could not remain here indefinitely. = Finally,=20 overcoming his reluctance to undergo further discomfort, he struggled to = his=20 feet. Again there was a stabbing pain but it seemed less acutely = uncomfortable=20 this time. He did not think that he had done any really serious damage, = but his=20 injury was going to make walking quite onerous. He reproached himself = for his=20 impatience. If he had been more careful in the first place this accident = would=20 not have occurred. Fortunately the mood passed quickly, since it could = serve no=20 purpose in his present circumstances. If anything it spurred on his=20 determination to replenish his water supply, and find a way out of this = dungeon,=20 as he was now coming to see it. He put his weight carefully upon the = damaged=20 leg, and was relieved to feel the pain had abated. He retrieved his sack = of=20 provisions that had fallen upon the ground nearby, and began to hobble = along his=20 original track. As he exercised the joint he found that the stabbing = shocks had=20 receded, and that he was now able to maintain a brisk pace. However, the = accident had reminded him of how vulnerable he was, alone, and beyond = human aid,=20 it would seem; a more serious incident might result in an outcome that = could be=20 fatal. With an elevated sense of caution he resumed his quest across the = plain=20 in search of escape.

The pain had gradually lessened until only a = slight=20 limp was discernible in his gait. He had made good headway, and could = clearly=20 see the darkness ahead was slightly less oppressive. Even this moderate=20 difference had the effect of raising his flagging spirits, and his heart = rose in=20 anticipation of the possibility of an escape from the cavern. He hobbled = along=20 eagerly and it was only with the greatest of self-discipline that he = restrained=20 himself from once again breaking into a run, the quicker to reach his=20 destination. The darkness ahead had now given way to a fainter shadow = and then,=20 as he drew closer, that was in turn replaced by a more powerful = radiance. The=20 source of this luminescence was still unknown, but it grew steadily = brighter,=20 and he was quite sure that he was moving in the right direction. = Finally, and=20 experiencing something akin to astonishment, he could observe once again = a rocky=20 barrier directly before him. In his imagination he had almost come to = believe=20 that the cavern might go on forever. His intellect naturally = contradicted this=20 impression, but sometimes the imagination recognises no bounds, and = intelligence=20 is a weak rein upon its influence. It was unquestionably a sheer rock = face which=20 now presented itself to his view. Set in the middle of this massive = barrier was=20 a narrow opening, and it was from this that a brilliant, golden white=20 illumination was radiating. The contrast between this powerful beacon of = light,=20 and its paler counterparts, the green glowing mosses, could not be = greater.=20 Their feeble rays were drowned out almost completely within the sharply=20 incandescent beams that now flooded into the cavern. He eagerly moved = towards=20 what might herald his salvation, unmindful of any potential dangers that = this=20 could betoken. It seemed such a friendly radiance in opposition to that = sickly=20 glow, which had been his ever present companion in this gloomy environ.=20 Fortunately, there was still some distance to cross before he would = reach this=20 rock fracture. It allowed him a little time, at least, to accustom his = sight to=20 this potent force. Now he was close enough to examine the fracture = within the=20 rock more precisely. Upon either side he could see the vertical walls = disappear=20 back into the gloom. Behind him lay the green tinged murk of the cavern; = and=20 ahead, a bright, but still unknown destination. He had quite = unconsciously=20 anticipated that with this light would come an equally powerful source = of heat,=20 yet the air here remained quite cool. He approached closer still, to = gain a=20 better view of the fault's dimension. It did appear that he would be = able to=20 enter by this way, but there was no clue as to what lay within its = recesses. As=20 always it seemed that there was only one course of action; to move ever = forward.=20 He took one last look behind him and, with little regret but some = hesitation,=20 moved forward. He averted his eyes slightly to the blazing light, and = entered=20 the fissure.

At first the light was so intense that he feared = that he=20 might be blinded, and he closed his eyes until they remained mere slits = in his=20 face. It was in this fashion that he made his way along the corridor, = which=20 intruded behind the gap. It was just wide enough to take his whole frame = although his shoulders would bump occasionally against the rough rocky = outcrops=20 that lined its walls. There was sufficient headroom fortunately, and he = did not=20 need to bow his head often, though he did glance upwards from time to = time, to=20 prevent any such contact. It would not do at all to suffer an injury of = that=20 type, and an abrupt contact between his skull and this hard mineral, = whatever it=20 might be, would surely be quite unforgiving. It was not at all obvious = whence=20 the light emanated. As far as he could determine the rock itself seemed = to be=20 the source; but he could not determine by what mechanism. He carefully = squeezed=20 his way along the length of the passageway, turning from time to time, = as it=20 wound and twisted through the depths of the earth. His gaze was mostly = directed=20 towards the ground, not only to avoid tripping over but also because = from this=20 vantage the glare was rendered more bearable. He could not tell for how = long he=20 had been navigating this crevice but finally he noticed that the gap had = widened=20 minimally during his advance. He could now reach out, with both arms at = full=20 span, before his fingertips came into contact with the glaring rock = surface. It=20 seemed also that the light had dimmed somewhat for he was now able to = open his=20 eyes, almost fully, and survey his surroundings. The path still toiled = back and=20 forth, but he had, it appeared, traversed the narrowest portion, and the = walls=20 of the corridor continued to fall away on either side. In front of him = he could=20 see the glow remained quite concentrated, but slightly less for all = that. In a=20 matter of a few score paces he emerged once again into another large = cavity in=20 the earth. But the view that now presented itself to him was as = different from=20 what he had left behind as the surface world was to the under realm = itself; and=20 if anything, still more fantastic.

iDarii remained by the water's = edge=20 for some time. He loved being here, so alone, with his thoughts and = emotions.=20 The dilemmas that constituted his life seemed to ebb away under the = influence of=20 this peaceful place. His world was composed of much that was unyielding. = The=20 very ground under which they lived moved but slowly, awakening from its = slumbers=20 occasionally, with a sullen shifting of the earth, or a rare, dramatic = outburst=20 of molten magma from deep below, buried far within the bowels of the = planet;=20 even the warm air of the cavern was a testimony to that violent = influence, even=20 from such a great distance. The currents rarely blew more than a light = breeze;=20 otherwise the atmosphere was quite still. Even the underworld's = inhabitants=20 were, by nature, unemotional except when the hunger arose, and then they = would=20 indeed be quite transformed. Gorval was quite typical of these. His cool = responses at the interview had been entirely characteristic of both him = and=20 their people. It was, of course, the case that the Gaki possessed = heightened=20 sensitivities, and intuited with great facility any variant emotional = phases=20 that their comrades might be undergoing. It was perhaps for that very = reason=20 that they had acquired the ability to moderate their responses, and = accordingly=20 thereby reduce the impact that these might have on their fellows. It was = fortunate that the hunger was only an intermittent condition, and rarely = swayed=20 the whole mass of the population simultaneously. It tended to manifest = itself=20 within sole individuals, and therefore was the more easily contained by = others=20 in their vicinity; or at least this had been the case up until fairly = recently.=20 The raids were an indication that instances of the hunger were becoming = more=20 frequent, and synchronistic within whole groups. If the trend continued, = and=20 there was every indication that it would, then the next catastrophic = outbreak=20 would occur very soon. There were no authoritative historical records of = the=20 last occurrence. All upon which they had to rely were those accounts = that could=20 at best be described as mythic. The increasing activity within the = Ministry had=20 been a reflection of the growing urgency that these incidents aroused in = the=20 hearts of the Council members, and the consequent need to take every = measure to=20 mitigate the impact of the rapidly approaching calamity. Still, he = reflected,=20 there was not much that a single Gaki could do. He had followed his=20 instructions; the rest was up to his superiors. For some reason, = however, this=20 self-imposed perspective did not seem to offer much reassurance. There = was the=20 matter of his father and mother, and of his friends in the community; = even his=20 work colleagues. He could not ignore them, or pretend that he was = unaffected by=20 their possible fate. But again the reality struck him that all he could = do was=20 continue with his duties, and hope that some means of tempering the = blows of an=20 inimical destiny might be found.

He paused in his reflections and = looked=20 up. From this slightly elevated position he had a fine view of his own=20 neighbourhood. It was, in most respects, like many other parts of the = city. It=20 did not possess the grand edifices of the centre; the great offices of = the=20 government, the trade corporations, the financial district and = ecclesiastical=20 quarters, and all those ancillary services that supplied their needs. = This was=20 the quarter for the professional classes, those who enjoyed a good, but = not over=20 generous, mode of living. The quality of the buildings, and their = generally=20 stylish aspect, suggested a society that took not a little pride in = their=20 community. They were, by Gaki standards, quite a friendly and hospitable = herd.=20 He had spent all of his life in this part of the city. He and his = friends had=20 played in these streets, and had frequently been admonished by the = elders for=20 their sometimes boisterous behaviour. But they were not bad lads; just=20 high-spirited. Mostly their mischievous conduct was overlooked, though=20 necessarily commented upon; 'boys will be boys' as the saying goes. But = that was=20 many years ago; now he and they were grown up. They had, each one, = passed=20 through the rituals that marked entry into adulthood. But the streets = were=20 quieter these days, and there seemed to be fewer youngsters. Rarely now = did he=20 hear the noise of play, the rough and tumble of youth, always careless = of the=20 future and living only for the present. Again that sadness, which was = part of=20 his nature, came flowing into his heart; for all things change, and time = was=20 implacable; and nothing was fixed and invariable. He looked out again at = the=20 scene before him. The city was quite beautiful. The whole of the cavern = was lit=20 up, by the tens of thousands of torches glowing from every aspect, = through=20 windows and doorways, and along the main thoroughfares of the = metropolis. It was=20 the custom of the inhabitants, after they had dined, to go up to the = flat=20 rooftops of their dwellings and pass the time sitting and gossiping, = perhaps=20 drinking a little tea or wine each according to their taste, and maybe = pausing=20 now and then, to admire the view. This was an opportunity for idleness, = to catch=20 up on other people's business; but mostly to enjoy each others' company. = The=20 Gaki were sociable within their own households, but quite reserved with = each=20 other. This, however, did not inhibit them at all in that most universal = of=20 pastimes, an abundant curiosity concerning other people's affairs. = Predominantly=20 this habit was imbued with good humour, but there were instances where = an unduly=20 prurient interest might have been pursued, and into the questionable = moral=20 conduct of a relative or friend, especially where these had led to = unfortunate=20 repercussions. But these were rare events, and the Gaki generally = preferred to=20 maintain a decorum conducive to social equilibrium. It was this even=20 temperedness itself, however, which brought into high relief the = extremes of=20 conduct that were prompted by the arising of the hunger. This was, it = might be=20 said, the most terrifying aspect of such a condition. A Gaki in thrall = to the=20 hunger was indeed quite dreadful to behold; but worse, a tribe, or even = a whole=20 society of such; this was too awful to contemplate. iDarii shuddered, = for he=20 could not contemplate easily such an extremity of violence. The time was = drawing=20 near to depart. He had lingered overlong with his own thoughts, and = these were=20 beginning to incline him to a state of despondency. Never before had = this place=20 failed to rouse his fortitude, and yet his spirits were sinking. He = realised=20 that he must leave or descend further into the pit of his own despair. = He got to=20 his feet, and retraced his steps homewards.

The conversation = drifted=20 pleasantly by between the four men as they relaxed in their chairs in = the cool=20 shadows of the courtyard, with its pretty fountain sending softly = sibilant=20 sprays of moisture into the still air. It would be truer to say that = most of the=20 discussion took place between the host and Hesvee. Both Ferioque and = Celarent=20 were quite content to allow the master to give an account of why three = such=20 fellows should find themselves on the road, and with two of their number = somewhat advanced in years. Alaste was a skilful host, adept not only in = trade,=20 but also in its necessary accompaniments; the ability to develop a = rapport with=20 a potential customer. He was a true merchant by nature. He had learnt = the=20 mechanics of his trade from his father, who had passed away many years = now. But=20 his instinctive grasp of commerce had been with him, even from early = youth. He=20 recalled fondly his mother reprimanding him for his rather = overenthusiastic=20 bartering, warning him that if he were not careful he would end up a = rich man,=20 but with few friends. He respected his mother greatly, and took her = advice much=20 to heart. From that moment onward he had never allowed the temptation = for a good=20 profit to insinuate itself so deeply into his heart as to place in = jeopardy an=20 opportunity for friendship. He was unique in many respects for he was = not only=20 widely regarded and respected as a merchant, a man of integrity and = honour, but=20 also as a good friend, and even reputed to be forgiving of his enemies. = From the=20 attention he displayed towards Hesvee's account he was evidently most = curious -=20 quite apart from any commercial considerations - to discover what = brought these=20 obviously erudite and learned men into the desert. As had been already = been=20 agreed Hesvee had adhered to their original story, that the purpose of = their=20 expedition was to visit a site of great archaeological interest in order = to=20 review some of the findings of earlier explorers. Alaste was a man of = broad=20 interests, and took great pleasure in learning from such histories as = these. It=20 was not unheard of for parties such as these to venture into the wilder = parts of=20 the land in the pursuit of knowledge. He did, however, remark on the = small size=20 of their party. Surely such an investigation would require much greater=20 manpower? He pleaded his ignorance on the matter, but noticed Hesvee was = keen to=20 respond; and maybe a little too glibly. The master pointed out that = their=20 purpose was not to open a new site, but rather to investigate existing=20 excavations so that they might confirm, or refute, various theories = which had=20 been suggested by previous research. "But aren't you concerned for your = safety?"=20 asked the merchant. Hesvee had been inclined to trust their host, at = least up to=20 a point, and had revealed that they were indeed travelling to the = Northern=20 mountains to pursue their enquiries. It seemed pointless to dissimulate = another=20 direction now that they were here in Zikar, a town that bestrode the = main route=20 to that destination. He could have persisted with their fiction, but = there was=20 something inherently trustworthy about the merchant that inclined him to = dispense with any unnecessary lies. He was not a man given to untruths, = even of=20 the harmless variety, and much preferred straight dealing on every = occasion. He=20 did sense in Alaste, at least in this respect, a kindred spirit. = However, he=20 also recalled that the man was a trader, and thus he recoiled from a = complete=20 disclosure of their mission; after all, a profit was a profit, and who = knows=20 what they might discover during the course of their enterprise. He knew = that he=20 was not dealing with a fool; the man's questioning revealed a mind that = was=20 sharp, and missed no incongruity. "Well there is that. But we felt, my = friends=20 and I", and at this point he nodded in their direction. "We thought that = there=20 was much less chance of an encounter with any brigands if we kept our = numbers=20 small. The alternative would have been to fit out a full-scale = expedition. And=20 to be frank, the university finances would not run to that, its purpose = being a=20 review rather than for new exploration". The merchant nodded his = understanding=20 of the practical realities of economic life, but inwardly reserved his=20 judgement. These were quite evidently senior men in their professions, = as was=20 their assistant, but to his mind it seemed mere foolishness to send out = a small=20 team to carry out work of this nature, and moreover in a region = notorious for=20 its lawlessness. But then he recognised that he was far from an expert, = and that=20 they probably knew what they were doing. He kept his doubts to himself = but=20 resolved to revisit the matter later. He had found in the past that the = best=20 progress can be made by going quietly rather than quickly, and that this = principle was particularly effective in the case of discovering the = motives that=20 frequently lay hidden beneath those otherwise asserted. He decided to = try=20 another tack. "How long do you expect to be in the mountains, sir? If I = can be=20 of assistance to you in the matter of your supplies then clearly the = duration of=20 your endeavours will be of some consequence". Hesvee had already = calculated that=20 to cover the distance of approximately two hundred leagues at a rate = about ten=20 leagues a day, they should arrive in the foothills in approximately = twenty days.=20 Thereafter, the time scale was less clear, for they would be moving into = mountainous country, and would thence have to depend upon the ancient = map they=20 had acquired. He observed that the merchant was awaiting his reply. = "Well I=20 would reckon some twenty days to the foothills". He paused, searching = for a=20 credible figure to fill the unknown blank. "And maybe twenty days there, = and=20 then the same back again. Yes. I would say the round trip would be no = more than=20 sixty days in all, probably less". Hesvee again glanced towards his = companions,=20 seeking the quite irrational assurance that his masquerade might have = convinced=20 at least them, who were, after all, already in the know. "But we can = replenish=20 our supplies right up to the foothills. Vsquala is the last town before = the wild=20 lands. So we'll only need to carry enough for the twenty days that we're = away=20 from civilisation. We would very much appreciate your advice and = assistance in=20 making a good estimate of what necessities to purchase. It's a long time = indeed=20 since any of us have conducted a field survey, at least of this type". = There was=20 a protracted silence while the merchant considered this information. He = was=20 still quite unconvinced he was being given the entire facts of the case. = But=20 then he recalled that he had frequently had recourse to stopping short = of a full=20 revelation of his own trading position, notably where this might be more = compatible with his particular interests. "Well you're quite right. It = would be=20 foolish to try and carry any more than you actually need, and indeed = beyond what=20 you can replace on the way. On the other hand it's better to = overestimate how=20 much you might require and have a surplus, rather than the converse, and = then=20 find yourselves in deficit, and suffer the consequence. Let me give the = matter=20 some thought and I think that I'll be able to supply you with an = inventory that=20 will admit a correct balance between the two. In the meantime, my = friends, you=20 must desire to wash the dust from your feet, and rest awhile. It's the = custom to=20 take a siesta whilst the sun is at its most ferocious. You'll feel the = better=20 for this evening's festivities". The three of them looked at the fellow, = somewhat nonplussed. "Festivities?" ventured Ferioque. "Well of course, = my=20 friends. You surely cannot expect our hospitality to fall short of a = feast in=20 your honour, most especially for men of such eminence. We may be a rough = people=20 of the desert", he commented with a mocking self-deprecation, "but = learning is=20 always worthy of respect". The scholars accepted the compliment as = modestly as=20 they could whilst seeking to avoid giving any offence to their generous = host.=20 The latter called out, and one of the servants entered the courtyard. = "Here!=20 This fellow will show you to your quarters. Please make yourselves = completely at=20 home, and be at ease. You face an arduous journey and should take every=20 opportunity that affords itself to enjoy the comfort of our household. = You may=20 long for such fond memories as these when you are trudging through the = wild=20 lands upon your quest".

The three of them rose and followed the = servant=20 out of the courtyard, and back into the quiet interior of the house. He = led them=20 through a maze of dark passageways before they emerged again into a = suite of=20 rooms. From their rich decoration, and the ornate embellishment of their = furnishings, it was obvious that these were reserved for more = distinguished=20 guests. The fellow showed them around briefly before departing. Each had = his own=20 room, though all were connected by a series of doorways. There was a = sleeping=20 area too, which was composed of a mound of down-filled cushions overlain = with a=20 thin sleeping rug. Another doorway led into the communal bathroom, and = it was=20 towards this that they next addressed their attention. The tiled pool, = which=20 filled the entire room, was already overflowing with clear tepid water = that had=20 been pumped from a heating pool outside. With little hesitation the = three men=20 stripped, and promptly immersed themselves in its scented waters, there = to float=20 whilst the soft waters brushed away the grime and sweat, the dust and = dirt, of=20 their travels. As they resided there, soaking in the fragrant waters, it = was=20 Ferioque who was first to speak. "So what do you think of our host, my = friend?"=20 addressing himself to Hesvee. "Well, a fine chap, I think. Certainly = most=20 generous, and not unintelligent". The latter observed Ferioque's = questioning=20 glance, and realised that the enquiry required a more percipient = response. "If=20 you mean do I think that he believed our story? I really don't know. He = was very=20 insistent about the dangers of the journey. And of course he was quite = right. We=20 knew from the start of the possible perils that might lie in wait. But = if he=20 does suspect anything I don't believe that he'll raise the matter. He's = no fool.=20 Besides, what's it to him if three fools decide to go wandering in the=20 mountains? No. I think he'll be quite happy to advise us according to = his=20 skills, and leave the matter at that". Ferioque appeared quite = unconvinced by=20 his friend's assertions; for that matter Hesvee was none to sure = himself. The=20 trader was quite astute, and had demonstrated this clearly in his = assessment of=20 their venture; and that without even knowing the true breadth of their = possible=20 folly. "I'm not so sure. Also I formed a very favourable impression of = the man.=20 One has an instinct for these things, and I like to think that I can = mark a man=20 well, even on a casual acquaintance. You said yourself we are relatively = inexperienced. It might be well to win the aid of such a fellow as this. = He must=20 be well travelled, if his occupation is anything to go by; and he seemed = to be=20 well acquainted with the region to which we are directed. Wouldn't it be = prudent, perhaps, to consult him in more detail on what we are about? It = could=20 do no more harm I believe, and might be considerably to our advantage". = Hesvee=20 could concede Ferioque's argument, but was still undecided. It was then = that=20 Celarent, who had remained discreetly silent throughout the discussion,=20 interjected. "If I may be so bold, sirs", he volunteered. "Yes. = Celarent?"=20 responded his master, encouraging him to continue. "Well it seems to me, = sirs,=20 that this evening would be an ideal opportunity to sound the man out. = We've only=20 had a brief opportunity this afternoon to gauge his character. Perhaps = over=20 dinner, this evening, you might raise some of these matters, in a most = indirect=20 way of course", he added, "and see how the land lies. After all, if = there's some=20 kind of commercial advantage attached to our expedition, it may be that = we'll=20 need the assistance of someone with his particular skills and = expertise". Hesvee=20 quietly considered his assistant's advice. He was aware of the = possibilities the=20 latter had raised, but had never proceeded so far as to consider the=20 consequences; what the fellow said, however, did make sense. Neither he = nor=20 Ferioque, nor indeed Celarent, had any kind of experience when it came = to=20 business undertakings. In the same fashion that he had decided to = consult with=20 Ferioque upon his discovery of the ancient archive, and subsequently to = invite=20 him on the mission, so it seemed prudent to consider the merchant as a = possible=20 partner in their enterprise. He remained of the view, however, that the = group=20 should be kept as small as possible; the fewer tongues that might wag, = the less=20 risk of unsolicited interest from other, more disreputable, quarters. = But then=20 there was the real prospect that the fellow, if he indeed possessed good = sense,=20 might not want any kind of involvement with their project. After all he = had=20 family responsibilities. Why, therefore, should he abandon a prosperous = life at=20 home to go wandering around the badlands for what would probably be = little=20 recompense? It was a ridiculous notion. It even gave him some pause for = thought=20 at his own impulsiveness. Still, it was too late to go back on that = decision=20 now, and he dismissed those doubts promptly. "What do you think, = Ferioque? Are=20 you in agreement on this?" "I think so. The fellow has made some sound=20 observations. I think we should at least pursue the matter this evening, = and see=20 what occurs". Hesvee again fell silent, weighing up the advantages and=20 disadvantages of the proposal. After some little while he nodded his = agreement.=20 "Yes. Very well then. We'll see how things go. Of course the fellow = might not=20 wish to get involved". "Ah! I think he's something of an adventurer that = one",=20 observed his colleague. "He has an inquisitive nature. He'll surprise us = yet".=20 "Well! We shall find out in either case, won't we", concluded = Hesvee.

The=20 three finished their ablutions, and then returned to their rooms. = Despite the=20 cool temperatures of the interior of the house their bodies quickly = dried, and=20 each took advantage of the opportunity to rest. How long might it be, as = their=20 host had pointed out, when they might yet again enjoy such luxury? As = they=20 slept, the sun continued its steady course across the skies and, beyond = the=20 shimmering horizon, night waited to greet her.

The seer remained = in the=20 council chamber, digesting the full substance of Gorval's report. There = was=20 nothing of great note here. It had been confirmed by the other councils = - those=20 of the adjoining caves - that there was growing unrest amongst the Gaki = race.=20 The raids, though still quite sporadic, and on a relatively small scale, = were=20 nevertheless becoming more and more intrusive upon the upper lands. = Their spies,=20 those located within the cities of the surface dwellers, were able to = confirm=20 that though stories of these incidents were beginning to circulate = amongst the=20 rural population, that most were based on hearsay, and were frequently = dismissed=20 as delusional; or, perhaps more humorously, as the products of drunken = revelry=20 on the part of the hapless eyewitnesses, those unfortunates who strived = to=20 convince their fellows of the causes that they had directly, but = accidentally,=20 observed. There was no question, of course, that there existed some = physical=20 evidence for these events; and no one doubted that some kind of = phenomena were=20 responsible for these. But most attributed the origins to freak storms, = or even=20 fires, which had sprung up and scorched the earth, only to extinguish = themselves=20 spontaneously, and shortly, after their brief manifestation. Far fetched = as some=20 of these notions were in themselves, nevertheless the idea that a breed = of=20 strange creatures from below the earth were responsible for these = occurrences,=20 these were dismissed as mere alcohol-induced nightmares. In vain did = they=20 struggle to communicate the danger they foresaw; finally, exhausted by = the=20 ridicule and occasional opprobrium heaped upon them for their reward, = they=20 ceased their efforts. As if to confirm their neighbours' contempt, some = indeed=20 took to the bottle as a relief from that terror, which had penetrated = deeply=20 into their souls. If the country folk took little heed, it was certain = the urban=20 population would take none. There existed between these two communities = a=20 considerable degree of distrust. Within the cities the belief was = generally held=20 that though the former carried out work, which was universally = acknowledged as=20 vital, they were not to be regarded as particularly sophisticated, nor = indeed=20 well educated, and even, in some quarters, considered to be a little = dull; mere=20 toilers of soil and herders of beasts, these were the tasks for which = they were=20 best suited. As for the civilised arts and sciences, for politics and=20 administration, one needed a modicum of intelligence, and in these their = country=20 kin were sadly lacking. Fortunately these 'toilers of soil' and 'herders = of=20 beasts' had a corresponding complacency when it came to their own innate = talents. They regarded the city dwellers with an equal, if not greater, = measure=20 of pity, attributing to the latter all manner of deficiencies, both in = the moral=20 and practical spheres, and most notably with regard to the business of = 'keeping=20 one's feet on the ground'. Indeed, it was a widely held belief that the=20 urbanites would not last a week if they had to live off the land, a view = for=20 which there was some justification. Thus each community regarded the = other with=20 a lively condescension and generous contempt, which pleased both and = enabled=20 each to live securely within the sense of their own native superiority. = There=20 were, quite naturally, exceptions to these prevailing philosophies in = both=20 camps, but these were quite rare. Their saving grace, however, was the=20 indisputable fact that their mutual well-being was founded on = co-operation and,=20 despite their reciprocal mistrust, this had never extended so far as to = an=20 actual breach between them. The Gaki, for their part, were much relieved = that=20 this state of affairs existed between the two blocs. Such an attitude of = mutual=20 contempt ensured that any reports of the raiding parties would be = scorned or=20 dismissed, a reaction that suited their purposes admirably. Of equal = concern,=20 from the point of view of the council, and indeed the Inner Council, was = that as=20 far as possible the Gaki population should not learn the true extent of = what was=20 happening in the world above their heads. The time would come soon = enough when=20 it would be quite impossible for rumours of these incidents to be = suppressed.=20 Finally, if the predictions were true it would no longer be necessary to = maintain the present fictions. The last piece of this puzzle had yet to = present=20 itself - and in the manner foretold - whereupon Fate would truly enforce = her=20 presence; and then both human and Gaki would bow before her demands. = Patience=20 and more patience would be their watchword; time would take care of all=20 else.

The blazing light, within which Melaskkoli was immersed as = he=20 emerged from the corridor, was such a contrast to what he had become = accustomed=20 underground. The brilliant golden glow was everywhere, and seemed to = emerge from=20 everything about him; from the ground beneath his feet, the walls = besides, even=20 the very air seemed to carry a radiance within its body. Fortunately he = had=20 developed a moderate tolerance towards its overwhelming intensity as his = eyes=20 accommodated to the higher luminosities. Now he found himself at the = entrance to=20 another cavern. The walls extended a number of leagues upon each side, = their=20 glowing ramparts moving away from his present position at an acute = angle. If one=20 can imagine a cave, of ovoid shape, and his entry at one apex, whilst = the=20 furthermost point away was the opposite terminus of the figure. The roof = stretched far above, and it seemed that the light intensity was greater = in this=20 direction. What was more noteworthy, however, was the landscape that = filled his=20 view. At first, he found it difficult to interpret its contours. The = only=20 comparison that he was able to make was its resemblance to some kind of = maze.=20 There was clearly a network of passages that ran across the whole floor = of the=20 cave, with the heights of the intervening and interlocking walls being = some=20 several spans. The ground directly ahead descended some distance before = merging=20 into what appeared to be the entrance to one of these corridors. His = first=20 impression suggested that its design indicated some kind of intelligence = behind=20 the construction; but its more localised structures suggested that it = might be=20 the product of a natural force. It is impossible to convey this apparent = confusion between sensate and insensate origins, but its flowing forms = were very=20 reminiscent of the main cavern from which he had just departed, and = these had=20 appeared quite naturalistic. Further, it was on such a scale that it was = impossible to conceive that this could be the product of human, or = non-human,=20 endeavour. But then again, what kind of natural force could possibly = have=20 contrived this remarkable landscape? The furthest aspect of the cave was = not=20 clearly visible, and the glare of the light made it impossible to = distinguish=20 any of its features. What he could see from his present position was = that the=20 corridors themselves were quite dimly lit and, from his present vantage, = he felt=20 strongly inclined to remove himself from this penetrating luminosity, = which=20 thoroughly pierced him with its power. Indeed, he could feel a headache=20 developing, apparently induced by his body having to withstand the = light's=20 penetrating force. Since he could contemplate no other alternative he = concluded=20 to take refuge, at least, at the maze entrance, until he might recover = his sight=20 somewhat. He walked carefully down the slope towards the maze. As he did = so he=20 looked from side to side for some indication of an alternative to his = present=20 course; but none presented itself.

He arrived at the entrance, = and=20 stepped inside the welcoming shade of its walls. It was a great relief = to be=20 removed from the glare of that harsh radiation. As he looked above him = he could=20 still see its powerful rays playing over the whole landscape. By = contrast, the=20 walls of the passage way were quite dark. They appeared to be = constructed of=20 ordinary granite; he even brushed his hands over their surface as if to = reassure=20 himself on that point. It was as if he felt sometimes that he was losing = touch=20 with the ordinary nature of things here, in this bizarre world. He had = been=20 subjected to so many extraordinary circumstances that he could almost = sense his=20 sanity slipping from his grasp. He longed for the sight of the = commonplace and=20 the ordinary, the banal and the nondescript, thus was his psyche = stretched and=20 distorted, by this constant exposure to such a perverse environment.=20 Accompanying this relief for his visual sense he felt that the air also = seemed=20 cooler within the confines of the maze; and not only this, but there was = a=20 distinct sensation of a wind current blowing against his cheek. The = underground=20 world was not totally devoid of such breezes, but they were generally = weak and=20 quite erratic. This, however, though not a strong draught, was = nevertheless of a=20 vigorous and even invigorating quality. It occurred to him that this = draught=20 might be channelled by the narrow chamber in which he was now standing, = and=20 could indicate a source that derived from the upper reaches of this = world,=20 perhaps even from the surface itself. He decided that it should be a = simple=20 hypothesis to test. All that would be required was to ensure that his = face was=20 always presented to the gusts directly and, by this means he might find = his way=20 through the labyrinth, and finally to the source of these refreshing = zephyrs. He=20 hesitated momentarily for he knew that if his theory was wrong how might = he find=20 his way out? But again he had the misfortune - or fortune, dependent = upon one's=20 outlook - to have few options, and this very paucity of choice eased his = dilemma, uncomfortable though the experience was. He took his first few = steps=20 into the corridor, anxious to continue on his way before indecision = would=20 provide another obstacle to his escape from this prison.

On the = following=20 day iDarii made his way to the Ministry offices. He had received word, = when he=20 had arrived home on the previous evening, that he should present himself = to=20 Gorval. The streets were busy as usual, but he passed with practised = ease=20 through the masses of invisible but quite tangible bodies. As he = approached the=20 environs of the Ministry he noticed a few of his fellow workers = proceeding in=20 the same direction. He observed the usual custom and refrained from=20 acknowledging any of them. However, he could not help himself when he = caught=20 sight of one in particular, who also happened to be employed in same = department=20 as he. He increased his pace to catch up with the fellow before he = disappeared=20 into the main entrance. "Heeyyy!" he called out, occasioning some = disapproving=20 glances from passers-by. His friend turned round quickly, recognising = his voice.=20 "Heeellllo iiiDarriii". Larache was rather formal in his manner of = address, and=20 equally reserved in his deportment. For those who did not know him, and = even for=20 a Gaki, he could seem quite imposing. But iDarii had discovered that = this=20 outwardly cool display masked an individual with a warm-hearted nature. = Since=20 the Gaki viewed with suspicion anyone who tended towards overt emotional = display, he had learned that it was more diplomatic to be even more Gaki = than=20 the generality; and this camouflage had proved most efficacious, and so = much so=20 that many in his own section did not even know his name. However, and = the reason=20 was never quite clear, the two of them had got on well from the moment = they had=20 met, and nothing had occurred to challenge that friendship. Larache = displayed a=20 rather dry sense of humour, a quality that could almost be characterised = as=20 anarchic in their society. It was not wise to exhibit any of these = attributes=20 other than in one's own household, and then only in private; public = display was=20 very much frowned upon. "Waasss ittiii quite necesssssarrrrry tooo = draaaaw=20 ssssuch attennnnntion toooo yooourrrssself?" His mocking caution iDarii=20 recognised, but ignored with an equally facetious response. "Myyy = apolooogiesss,=20 friieeend". Larache remained silent. "Commmme. Wee haavve wooorrrk tooo = dooo".=20 For an instant iDarii was taken aback. The fellow seemed a little abrupt = today,=20 even by his standards. It crossed his mind that perhaps he had somehow = genuinely=20 offended the fellow with his raucous outburst; even he could not be sure = sometimes about his friend and his moods. He fell into step with his = colleague,=20 and together the two of them entered into the dark halls of the=20 Ministry.

They continued up to the higher levels of the building. = iDarii=20 was just about to turn to enter his section when his companion plucked = his tunic=20 sleeve and, with a nod of his head, indicated that he should follow him. = They=20 walked down a long corridor, occasionally passing another of their = fellows in=20 the dim silence. The entire trip was made wordlessly. iDarii was = starting to=20 feel rather uncomfortable, and indeed wondering what this might all be = about.=20 His friend seemed curiously secretive, and he could feel that certain = anxiety=20 begin to well up within his chest as if in anticipation of a reprimand. = It was=20 an old, familiar feeling, which he recalled well from his youth while = still=20 attending school. He could remember one occasion, and not the only by = any means,=20 when he was summoned to the school director's office on some = disciplinary=20 matter. The punishments meted out had not been particularly harsh, but,=20 nevertheless, there was still that cold dread that invaded the heart at = such=20 times; and now here it was again. He brushed aside these thoughts, = dismissing=20 them as mere foolishness, and returned his attention to his friend's=20 uncharacteristic behaviour. Suddenly Larache turned to his right and, = pushing=20 open the door, invited his friend to enter. iDarii stepped into the = dimly lit=20 room, half expecting to be greeted by his old schoolmaster. It was = empty. There=20 was not even a desk or chair; just four blank walls. They were quite = alone.=20 Larache closed the door behind them. As he did so he glanced up and down = the=20 corridor as if seeking someone. "Sorrrry foorrr thisss, myyy friieennd". = "Iiii=20 thoughhttt yoouu weeerre plaaayiinngg sooomme kiiiinnnd oooff joookke", = he=20 replied, growing increasingly annoyed at what he considered to be silly=20 play-acting. 'Really', he thought, 'the fellow should grow up'. "Iiii = knooooww=20 aaaboouut thee raaiidssss, yoouu knooww", commented his friend. iDarii = was taken=20 aback by the revelation, and he hesitated. He could see that he was = being=20 closely observed. "Raaiidsss?" This one word response was the best that = he could=20 summon up. "Yeesss. Thee raaiidss. I knooww off theemm. Buutt diid yoouu = knoooww=20 thaatt theeeyy arrree spreeaaddinngg, myyy friieennd?" He could see that = it was=20 pointless to pretend ignorance, and he was curious to discover more from = Larache. But he was more determined to give away as little as possible. = He would=20 bide his time, for there was nothing to be gained by blurting out what = he knew=20 until he could determine the extent of his associate's knowledge. = "Iittt's=20 allriiightt, my friieennd", continued Larache. "Theee Miiniisstryy isss = nottt=20 sooo gooood aatt keeepiingg seecreetss as itt thinks isss iittt?" he = laughed. In=20 a flood of words Larache went on to reveal what he had heard from a = variety of=20 anonymous sources. iDarii was very surprised at how much information the = fellow=20 had gleaned. It was true that he was employed at the Ministry, and thus = had=20 access to information not generally available to the wider public. = Nevertheless,=20 it would seem indeed that Gaki security measures had proven to be quite=20 insufficient in this case. The fellow even knew about the raids that had = been=20 launched from the other cities, and that civil order was starting to = break down=20 there as well. The authorities had hoped to limit the scope of the = disruption=20 and, by creating quarantines, had attempted to restrict what = increasingly had=20 come to resemble an outbreak of some form of psychic contagion. The = relative=20 autonomy of each of these city-states had supported this strategy but = there was=20 inevitably a degree of contact between these entities, and rumours were=20 spreading more rapidly, and more freely, than ever before. The fear was = that=20 their own city would be 'infected', and they too would be drawn into the = burgeoning chaos, which threatened to tear this society apart. When = Larache had=20 finished his detailed appraisal it was iDarii's turn to speak. "Theerree = isss=20 noott muchhh moooree tooo beee saaiid", he observed, almost petulantly. = "Yesss=20 Iii kneeeww a liittlle ooofff thiiisss. Iii haavvee beeenn = caarrryyyiinngg ooutt=20 miiissssioons myyssself, yoouuu knooow, iinntoo theee suurrfaacee = wooorrlldd".=20 He told his friend of what had taken place on his latest mission, and = even=20 included his meeting with the surface dweller in that account. At the = merest=20 mention of the encounter Larache's expression changed quite = dramatically. He=20 became extremely animated, his sibilant breathing growing almost frantic = in its=20 frequency and intensity. "Aaaahhh. Sssssuurrffaccce dweellerr. Aaa = yoouunng=20 oonne, yoouu saaayy. Dessscriibbee thissss onnne tooo mee". iDarii did = his best,=20 but had to acknowledge that when it came to the over landers each looked = much=20 like his fellows. He was only midway through his attempt when the fellow = interrupted him again. "Nooo maaatteerr. Buuttttt thiiiisss isss = verrrryy=20 innnterressstinngg. Iiisss theerree aannyymoorre yoouu caann teeell = meee?" He=20 shook his head. "Veerrry weellll. Weee shaaalll taallkk agaaaiin, meee = aannd=20 yoouu - buuttt nooott nooow. Nooott heerree. Buuttt teeelll noo oonee = off=20 thiisss. Dooo yoouuu unnderssstaanndd?" iDarii nodded. "Gooodddd". The = two of=20 them left the room and returned to their respective offices. Before they = parted=20 Larache warned iDarii once more not to mention their meeting to=20 anyone.

He sat under the soft flickering of the torchlight and = began his=20 attack on the pile of paper work, which had accumulated on the desk = during his=20 absence. He shuffled the documents to and fro, mulling over his recent=20 conversation. It had certainly been an eye opener. He had had no idea of = the=20 extent of the disruption that the hunger had caused in the neighbouring = caverns.=20 However, what was much more significant was his friend's reaction to his = meeting=20 with the young human. Larache seemed to attribute to it a significance = that so=20 far evaded him. What matter that he had mistakenly fallen in with the = boy? It=20 had been an accident and that was it. It was bound to happen sometime. = In fact=20 there had been a number of such incidents in the past, but nothing had = come of=20 them. But there was no dismissing the Gaki's excitement at this news; = and then=20 there was his enjoinder, that he should speak to no one. Again he found = himself=20 placed in that invidious position, of whether to betray a confidence or = not. In=20 the first instance it had been with respect to his mother's comments, = but now it=20 had arisen with a colleague. He was duty bound to report to his superior = Gorval=20 anything that might have a bearing on security, and these questions = certainly=20 fell within its scope. And yet he hesitated. If this crisis were to = continue,=20 then so too would these dilemmas, and thence the heavier the burden of=20 responsibility to be borne by him. He sat there in the semi darkness, = turning=20 over in his mind the import of the conversation, and the unknown = repercussions=20 it might unleash. He could see no answers - yet.

The sun had = returned to=20 her haven, and the skies already darkened when the three travellers were = awakened by a servant who had been sent to their quarters to summon them = to the=20 evening meal. Celarent dressed quickly, and brushed some water over his = face,=20 paying a little more attention than usual to his hair. He was not a man = inclined=20 to be unduly concerned by his appearance, though he was fastidious in = his=20 ablutions. But he thought that he would make some more modest effort on = this=20 occasion. It might have been to do with the anticipated presence at the = meal of=20 Erame; but who could say? He was not conversant with local customs; that = is to=20 say as to whether womenfolk would attend such a formal occasion as this. = In the=20 city, of course, where folk were so much more sophisticated, there would = be no=20 question that both men and women would be present. However, it might be = that=20 these descendants of the desert tribes would cling to the old forms, and = that=20 only men would be admitted to the celebrations. 'Still', thought = Celarent, 'it=20 would do no harm to make an unassuming effort to present oneself in the = best=20 possible light, regardless of whom his dinner companions might be'. The = servant=20 escorted the them down to the dining hall. It would have been quite = impossible=20 to have found their own way, for the building was a veritable warren of=20 corridors and passages; rooms leading off from each other, to dead ends = and=20 large cupboards, and so on. Again Celarent was struck by the sheer scale = of the=20 dwelling, compared to its modest frontage. It seemed that at least part = of the=20 house was constructed underground for, on a number of occasions, he = found=20 himself descending considerable staircases, which must have carried them = well=20 below the surface. He concluded that such subterranean structures would = be most=20 suitable residences for the desert dwellers, affording as they did such=20 excellent insulation from the extreme temperatures that existed upon the = surface. These descents were frequently succeeded by ascents of an = apparent=20 equivalence, and thus the comparison he had made with a warren seemed = most=20 apposite. The only way in which he could truly estimate whether they = were above=20 ground or not, was by the occasional presence of a window that admitted = external=20 light.

The three of them, with their servitor, finally found = themselves=20 once again in the company of Alaste. Celarent was more than pleased to = discover=20 that urban, rather than desert traditions, were pre-eminent here, and = that both=20 their host's wife and daughter were already seated upon cushions, = patiently=20 awaiting the arrival of their guests. Alaste indicated to each to take = their=20 place. As they did so, more servants appeared, and placed bowls of = scented water=20 to the right hand side of the diners, together with a napkin for their = hands. "I=20 trust you slept well, gentle sirs?" enquired their host. "Indeed", = responded=20 Hesvee. "A much needed rest as well, I should say. Slept like a baby". = Alaste=20 laughed, and appeared well pleased by the remark. "Good. I'm sure that = your=20 endeavours have given you a bold appetite. I apologise for the = meagreness of our=20 offerings, for if we had been forewarned then we would have made more = adequate=20 preparation". At this he waved to the servant who stood at his elbow to = commence=20 serving the first courses. It quickly became clear that if their host's=20 apologies were to be taken at face value, then indeed the feast would = have been=20 sumptuous beyond imagining. Celarent was not acquainted with all the = dishes=20 served, but this lack of recognition subtracted in no way from his = enjoyment of=20 the meal. Braised desert quail in a light wine sauce served as the = introduction,=20 to be followed by a green salad of leaf radish, red kale and finally, = couscous -=20 to cleanse the palate. After a brief respite the next course was brought = into=20 the guests. Its main ingredient was unknown to the newcomers but Alaste=20 explained helpfully that it was a species of small deer, which thrived=20 thereabouts. The meat had to be hung for some time before it was ready = to be=20 cooked; but when fully matured it was a prized delicacy. With their = mouths full=20 of the succulent flesh, none of the visitors seemed inclined to debate = the=20 point. The delicious viand was served with vegetables grown in their own = gardens, together with black rice, and a hot sauce that lent a = considerable zest=20 to the whole dish. It would take far too long now to list, in detail, = the=20 delicacies with which they were presented; and, indeed, some might = consider such=20 an exposition indelicate, bordering as it would upon a depiction of = gluttony.=20 Regardless of such concerns, suffice it to say, that by the end of the = repast=20 the guests were filled to repletion, and indeed, were more prone than = upright in=20 demeanour at its conclusion. This condition might also be accounted for = by the=20 generous servings of a variety of wines, which accompanied every stage = of their=20 epicurean journey, each one rendering them increasingly immobile. It = seemed that=20 their host was quite determined to ensure that not one iota more of food = could=20 they ingest before he was satisfied that he had fully discharged his = duties to=20 his guests. At last the meal came to its quiescent end, and all present = were=20 more than grateful that this did not signify their immediate departure, = for such=20 would have been quite impossible. They remained where they were, = silently=20 ruminating on this gastronomic deluge. During the gamut of the meal the = usual=20 inconsequentialities had been exchanged; of work, acquaintances and so = forth.=20 Both women had been curious to discover the latest news from the city, = as had=20 their host. However, none of the three scholars could have been accused = of being=20 in touch with the fashions - and scandals - of the metropolis. In this = respect=20 they had fallen far short of their duties as guests. However, within = these=20 polite exchanges, at least four of those present eagerly awaited the = main=20 course, as it were. After a sufficiently decorous interval the two = ladies of the=20 household made their excuses, commenting upon the lateness of the hour, = and bade=20 their guests farewell. It was somewhat morosely that Celarent witnessed = Erame=20 make her departure, but consoled himself with the thought that she = seemed to=20 have reserved a particularly warm smile for him as she had left the = room. The=20 servants were dismissed, and the four men were left alone. After a brief = pause,=20 it was Alaste who spoke up. "Well, gentlemen. I've given some thought to = your=20 requirements and believe that I'll be able to guide you in the best way = to=20 proceed. As we've already discussed it would be best to replenish your = supplies=20 in Vsquala, the last settlement at the base of the Northern mountains. = I've a=20 friend there and would be happy to write for you a letter of = introduction=20 explaining your needs to him. I'm quite sure that he'll assist you to = the best=20 of his ability, and will ensure that any charges you incur will be=20 proportionately fair". Hesvee listened carefully to the merchant's = proposal.=20 "We're most indebted to you, sir. Not only for your aid but also for the = most=20 generous welcome you've afforded us as your guests". He paused for a = moment,=20 glancing across at his confreres, before assuming a nonchalant air that = fooled=20 no one, especially the merchant. Hesvee was undoubtedly a scholar of = great merit=20 and knowledge, but as a dissembler he was quite hopeless. Nevertheless, = Alaste=20 decided that the better policy was to assume an air of na=EFvet=E9, = which would=20 complement Hesvee's clumsiness, and so encourage the latter to show his = hand.=20 "We wondered if you'd been born in this district yourself, friend?" The = merchant=20 considered this opener, and responded fluently. "Well I must admit - no. = I'm not=20 a native of these parts though my more distant ancestors were wanderers = of the=20 desert. A matter of only a few generations ago some of them decided to = explore=20 the northern regions, and settled in the mountains there themselves. = That was=20 why I was so interested to hear that your journey led that way". = Inwardly Hesvee=20 congratulated himself, on the success of this opening gambit. For his = part=20 Alaste was quite enjoying the game though he might have wished for a = worthier=20 opponent. "Ah really. That is interesting. So you might say that your = forebears=20 were explorers as well?" enquired Hesvee, assuming as innocent = expression as he=20 could muster. "Yes, they settled there. In fact some of them founded the = very=20 town that will be your last halt. I lived there myself, that is until my = later=20 youth. That's how I came to know the fellow to whom I have directed you. = Many's=20 the time that I've wandered in the foothills, on my own little = expeditions if=20 you like. But my elders would always warn me against travelling too far = into the=20 badlands. It was only later that I decided to come here, to return to my = desert=20 roots. I started in business under the tutelage of my father but decided = later=20 to strike out on my own account; and so I came to this delightful place. = I have=20 remained ever since though I still make the journey northwards to visits = friends=20 and relatives from time to time. The life of a merchant suits me = greatly. In=20 what other trade might I turn a small profit and see a little of the = world at=20 the same time?" The others nodded, assenting to the fellow's astute=20 observations. Ferioque, however, noticing his colleague's somewhat = clumsy=20 efforts, and not a man possessed of an enduring patience when it came to = negotiation, decided to intercede at this point. "So you've some = detailed=20 knowledge of the regions into which we'll be passing then?" Hesvee was = both=20 surprised and annoyed by his friend's intervention - but a little = relieved too -=20 and it was this last sentiment that won out. Alaste, sensing that = Ferioque=20 preferred the more direct approach, decided to take the bull by the = horns.=20 "Look, gentleman. I don't wish to offend such eminences as you, but I = sense that=20 there's something beneath your comments and questions. I know those = regions well=20 enough to find your declared purposes for being there, shall we say, = difficult=20 to accept". He raised his hand quickly, to avert any protests, and to = signify=20 that no insult was intended. "Please be so kind as to let me continue. = I'm sure=20 that we will thus avoid any misunderstanding, and perhaps even advance = towards=20 our objective with greater alacrity". He took the others' silence for=20 acquiescence. "I make no claim to such proficiency as you, but I'm a man = of=20 modest education and take an interest in all manner of disciplines. = However,=20 it's true that I'm a native of the region you propose to visit, and thus = well=20 acquainted with the area. Now the question that I would ask myself would = be -=20 why would eminent fellows as yourselves take such risks as to sally into = lawless=20 lands, unless what you were seeking was of considerable value?" He = paused, but=20 briefly, and then continued. "I mean by 'value' not necessarily = monetary, though=20 I wouldn't exclude it; but such a venture is not undertaken lightly, and = for no=20 good reason". The three of them remained silent this time. Their host = proceeded.=20 " What I do know, from my own researches and from those accounts passed = down by=20 my forebears and others amongst my people, is that the mountains hold = many=20 secrets, and ancient ones at that. Now it may be that what I know, and = what you=20 seek, could be linked. Perchance the only way to discover that fact is = to be=20 frank with each other". Alaste paused again, to observe the effect of = his=20 relentless candour upon the three visitors. They remained still, = reflecting upon=20 his assertion. Hesvee was the first to recover his composure, and = responded to=20 their host's invitation. "Thank you for your perceptive comments". There = was a=20 slight hint of irony in his voice but he admired the fellow's guileless=20 approach, and his estimation of him rose accordingly. "You're quite = right in=20 what you say. We were in two minds whether to confide, in any degree, = our true=20 intention. But I'm sure you'll appreciate, especially after you've heard = what we=20 have to say, that we couldn't risk disclosing too much, especially on = the basis=20 of a relatively casual acquaintance. It may well be that you can assist = us in=20 more ways than we had originally thought". From this point onwards = Hesvee=20 recounted the whole of their business, omitting no detail, right up to = the=20 present moment. From time to time he would look towards the others, but = saw no=20 indication there that he should desist from his tale. Finally he fell = silent;=20 and all three waited expectantly.

The lower levels of light = within the=20 corridors of the maze were a welcome relief from the glare, which filled = the=20 rest of the cavern. It was with relative ease that Melaskkoli was able = to pass=20 between the narrow walls. He could still feel the light caress of a cool = breeze=20 kissing his face. Fortunately, the flow of air remained quite steady, = and he was=20 able to plot his path with some ease. The passage proceeded in a = convoluted=20 fashion, sometimes turning at such a sharp angle that he would swear = that he was=20 returning directly to his starting point. As he advanced he would = encounter=20 smaller paths leading off from his own, and these too would split into = two,=20 three, or even four other routes. However, by the simple expedient of = testing=20 the airflow, he was able to make his selections with some assurance. = Naturally,=20 he had no guarantee that this method would lead him from his present=20 predicament; but then he knew of no other alternative, and this fact = simplified=20 his position. Far above him he could see, nay feel - so powerful was the = light -=20 an intense golden glow that pervaded the whole area, and still there = were=20 absolutely no discernible landmarks to measure truly his advance or = retreat. He=20 had no idea of the passing of time since he had begun the traverse. He = did=20 notice, however, that the deeper he advanced into the maze, the lighter = grew the=20 colour of the adjoining walls. This transition was quite subtle, and it = took him=20 a little while to recognise the phenomenon. Accompanying this = transformation he=20 was slightly concerned to observe a variation within his own body. For = most of=20 his stay underground he had been struck at how little fatigue had = affected him.=20 It was indeed odd that, given his experiences, and with the duration of = time, he=20 should not feel some greater degree of weariness. And yet, apart from a = slight=20 aching in his joints, he felt as fresh now as when he had first fallen = through=20 the earth. But paradoxically, since he had entered the labyrinth he had = begun to=20 experience, with each step he took, the life energy being drained from = his=20 limbs, as it were. Suddenly, he was assailed with an overwhelming sense = of=20 vertigo. So abrupt was its onset that he raised his arm in surprise, and = was=20 forced to lean against the wall until he had regained his sense of = equilibrium.=20 He could feel his heart pounding heavily, and his breath had grown deep = and=20 laboured. His body and mind told him to rest and recover from his = endeavours,=20 but a deeper instinct impelled him onwards. He realised that if he = stopped here=20 he might never again see the blue skies of the upper world. He urged = himself=20 forward, with each step an enormous effort, the exertion extending even = to his=20 eyes, for now sleep sued for his attention. He had to use his hands to = draw=20 himself along the wall, for the way ahead had become blurred. It was = only with=20 the aid of that oncoming breeze that he was able to maintain any sense = of=20 purposeful action. His sight dimmed, and he could no longer see clearly = what lay=20 directly before him. He staggered once and almost fell, but managed to = regain=20 his balance. Then, a few paces later, he stumbled, and fell heavily to = the=20 ground. In vain he clawed at the harsh rock with his hands, desperately = trying=20 to gain some purchase, and so pull himself upright. A profound darkness=20 descended, and he was quickly enveloped within its embracing=20 shroud.

Strange visions came rushing up to greet him as he fell = into the=20 void. Who he was, and where? He had no recollection. He could not even = determine=20 if there was a 'he' that might be present. All that existed was an = endless=20 emptiness; and the sense of falling through eternity. Then, in the = distance, a=20 small light appeared, and whatever possessed him rushed forward, as if = bidden by=20 a great hunger. Like an eagle falling upon its prey, the light was = devoured, and=20 then extinguished. From far away a voice echoed through space and time: = "Seek=20 beneath. Seek only beneath".

The ache grew in his back, and with = the pain=20 his senses revived. Melaskkoli awoke to find himself lying prone, upon a = hard=20 and unyielding rock mattress. He remained motionless for a few seconds,=20 desperately trying to penetrate the fog that had enclosed his mind. He = had a=20 vague remembrance of some manner of vision, and an encounter within an = embracing=20 darkness; but the more he concentrated, the further away slipped the = memory. He=20 felt a strong pressure upon his arms as something sought to draw him = upright. At=20 first he offered no resistance, but then remembered abruptly where he = was. His=20 sight was still befogged, and he shook his head to clear this. He could=20 distinctly feel someone, or something, holding his arm quite firmly, and = a=20 strange, sibilant voice whispering in his ear. "Coommmee. Driiinnnkk = thiissss,=20 yoouunngg onnee". He tasted some water dribbling into his mouth, and he = eagerly=20 gulped down the cool liquid. As his vision cleared he looked sideways; = to his=20 surprise - and horror - he could see nothing; yet he could still feel = that=20 strong clutching upon his elbow. He recoiled and with a great effort = pulled free=20 of its grasp, scrabbling away furiously upon his hands and knees, = looking upon=20 all sides, in a desperate attempt to identify the source of this strange = occurrence. "Cooommeee nooow", hissed the voice again. "Ahhhh. = Foorrrgiiivveee=20 meeee. Iiii quiiitteee fooorggoott". And with that utterance a strange = creature=20 seemingly dissolved out of the air directly before him. Now that he = could see=20 clearly his unbidden assistant, he was not at all sure that he would not = have=20 preferred whatever it was to remain invisible. But there was something = very=20 familiar about the creature's aspect. Or was it the voice? He recalled = his=20 encounter on the surface world, and concluded that this must be the = fellow=20 himself, or at least one of his closer brethren. "Who, who, what, = what??" This=20 was the best that he could manage. "Yessss, myyyy yoouunngg = frrrriieennd.=20 Fooorrggiiiiivve meee. Yoouuu aarreee nooottt aacccuussstommeed toooo = sssuucchh=20 aasss usss". Melaskkoli struggled to recover his composure. The creature = showed=20 no signs of wishing him ill, despite its unprepossessing appearance. = Whatever it=20 might be it bore the same distorted form that he had partly observed in = its kin=20 on the devastated plain. This one wore no cloak, and its bloated = features were=20 the more clearly exposed. There were the same extraordinarily distended = belly,=20 the withered and elongated limbs, a countenance with ice cold eyes, and = that=20 small pin-like orifice that would serve, he assumed, the function of a = mouth,=20 given its position on the creature's face. He struggled to prevent = himself from=20 turning away, so obnoxious was the aspect presented by the creature; = but, he=20 reflected, it might be unwise to provoke it in any way. He forced = himself to=20 speak, hoping that any conversation might distract it from any hostile = intent=20 yet unexpressed. "Sorry. You startled me there". "Yeessss. Nooottt = uusseeed tooo=20 oouurr kiinndd aarreee yoouurrs. Yooouu feeel beettteer, Iiii hoooppe?" = "Yes=20 thank you - kindly sir". There was no harm, after all, in being polite. = As the=20 creature had not offered any threat he was beginning to believe that he = might=20 survive this rendezvous. Somewhat emboldened he ventured a question. = "May I ask=20 who you are, sir?" "Oooofffff cooourrrssseee yooouu maayyy. Myyyyy = naamme isss=20 ?...", the fellow hesitated momentarily, before continuing, = "....Gooorrvaall.=20 Iiii aamm aatt yoourrr ssserrrviiice". 'Well', thought Melaskkoli, = 'that's=20 encouraging at least. If he is to kill me at least he will be polite = about it'.=20 "Really. Well, thank you, Mr Gorval. I'm quite unfamiliar with this = world. I=20 fell through the earth and?.." At this point the creature held its hand = up.=20 "Ppllleeeaassse. Iiiii knoooow aalll, yoounngg oonnee". "You do", = responded=20 Melaskkoli, with some surprise. "Weee haavveee beeenn waattchiiinng = yoouu foorrr=20 soommee tiiimmmee. Pplleeeasse to fooolloooww meee. Yoouuu caannn = sttaanndd?"=20 The last question obliged the attempt, and he managed to get to his = feet, but=20 shaking considerably with the effort. All the while he kept a close = watch on his=20 new-found acquaintance. "Yes. I seem to be alright, thank you. Perhaps = you can=20 give me directions from this place?" Gorval, it seemed, was not inclined = to=20 engage in further discussion, and signed that he should follow. The = creature=20 walked, or rather seemed to float, over the ground, beckoning him = onwards. He=20 had little choice, and so fell into step behind his guide.

They = continued=20 in this fashion for some time, Gorval moving at a steady pace with = Melaskkoli=20 following after, torn between keeping a respectable distance from his=20 questionable ally, but eager not to lose sight of his sole means of = escape from=20 this gaol. The wind currents yet blew softly upon his face and he = concluded,=20 with a degree of satisfaction, that his theory might still be accurate. = It did=20 look as if its providence might be a guide to liberation; that is, if = his=20 present company proved unwilling to fulfil that function. One peculiar = thing=20 that he observed - amongst the many others with which he had to contend = - was=20 not only did Gorval seem to float rather than walk upon the ground, but=20 periodically he would appear also to sink into its mass. Further, that = when his=20 shoulders touched the walls of the stony walkway, they would seem to = merge=20 partly into its solidity. At first he thought that his sight must still = be=20 suffering from that debilitating attack. However, and after a few such=20 instances, he became quite convinced that what he witnessed was in fact = the=20 case. Not only did it seem that these creatures could become visible - = or=20 invisible - at will, but the actual density of their bodies was also = variable.=20 It passed through his mind that this is what must have occurred in his = first=20 meeting with one of their kind. A shudder went through his body as he = reflected=20 that the creature might have been standing there all along, right next = to him on=20 the stricken heath, and when he had believed that it had left the scene. = Then he=20 remembered the strange events that had occurred, in that little hut in = the=20 valley. Had they been there too? Quite unawares, he came to a halt, so = absorbed=20 was he in his surmising. It was then he noticed that they had come to = the end of=20 the maze. The rock walls had given way to open space, and they were = facing the=20 entrance to yet another cavern. He should not have been surprised, but = there it=20 was. He tried to repel the thought from his mind but he could not resist = the=20 growing conviction, that perhaps he would never escape from this = crushing, grey=20 world. The longing grew and grew within his heart, to once more stroll = under=20 clear blue skies and wander across the open meadows of the over lands, = instead=20 of scurrying underground like some poor burrowing creature. He observed = that=20 Gorval had stopped, and the fellow was waiting patiently for him to = catch up. He=20 approached, but kept a few paces clear between them. Gorval watched the = young=20 human carefully. He could see the look of confusion and fear on the = boy's face.=20 He was not a creature greatly inclined to compassion but even he had to = remind=20 himself that, pitiable though the sight might be, there were matters of = greater=20 moment to be considered, and he could not allow himself the indulgence = of such=20 transient sentiments. In the vast cycle of events that were revolving = here, we=20 are but instruments of fate, he reflected. The boy had arrived, and had=20 successfully passed by the maze. True, he had almost succumbed to its = embrace;=20 nonetheless he had overcome the barrier. There was nothing left but to = ensure=20 that he completed the rest of his journey; then what would be, would be. = He=20 beckoned the human onwards; and the two hastened on into the waiting=20 darkness.

"Good", responded Alaste. "What you've described to me = isn't=20 entirely unfamiliar. I've heard of the mine-workings in the Northern = mountains.=20 The region has been mined for centuries past, and gold, and other = precious=20 metals and stones have been excavated from the earth. But those were = worked=20 clean a long time ago; that, and the fact that it's a good deal more = dangerous=20 to venture by those ways, deters any further prospecting from being = conducted.=20 But what you describe is something of a different order. Underground = cities! Now=20 I've never heard of those. Might I be permitted to examine the = documents,=20 especially the map that you have?" Hesvee considered the question = quietly. He=20 looked across at both Ferioque and Celarent before replying. "Of = course"; and=20 the last residue of reserve had slipped away. Alaste called for one of = the=20 servants, and the fellow conducted Celarent back to their quarters to = pick up=20 the purse, which contained the ancient papers. He returned quickly, and = passed=20 the bundle over to Hesvee. They waited while the servant cleared away = the dinner=20 things. Only when he had departed did Hesvee draw out the packages, and = unwrap=20 the precious scrolls from their protective envelopes. He laid them out, = in some=20 sort of order, for their host's inspection. "Well! I can save you some = work,=20 gentlemen", he laughed. They looked questioningly at him as he went on = to=20 explain. "This is all gibberish to me. Maybe the map will make more = sense".=20 Ferioque passed to him his copy of the map while Celarent busied himself = rewrapping the remainder of the papers. Alaste spent some time studying = the=20 yellowed piece of paper, turning it carefully this way and that, trying = to=20 fathom its orientation. Suddenly he stopped, and exclaimed. "Well. Don't = hold me=20 to this but I think that I know where this might be. Or at least the = district. I=20 don't know about the other markings though. But these", and here he = pointed to a=20 series of wavy lines alongside the base of which ran a thick line. "If = I'm not=20 mistaken this is the mid-part of the western section of the Northern = mountains.=20 These three peaks form a kind of triangle between them, and parallel to = the base=20 is a river, the Belasso. It's the largest in the region. One of its = tributaries=20 feeds the water supply for your destination, Vsquala. If I'm right then = it's a=20 simple matter to follow these. At least it'll take you into the = immediate area=20 that the map outlines. I know of no other formations like these in the = range, if=20 indeed these symbols represent what I think they do". The visitors held = firmly=20 to every word. Ferioque took the map back, and examined it carefully. = "You're=20 reasonably sure of this?" he asked Alaste. "Well, as sure as I can be", = he=20 replied. "I know of no other hills and rivers that would match so = closely".=20 "Good", replied the cartographer, as he smiled broadly. He continued. = "We knew=20 the general location from the documents, but the legend on the map - the = triangle - it can only provide us with a local scale. If correct, you = have=20 provided us with the missing connection between the two". Ferioque = turned to his=20 two colleagues. "So all that remains now, is for us to reach the = locality that=20 our friend has so fortunately pointed out, and the rest should be quite=20 straightforward". A bellow of laughter accompanied these observations. = The three=20 turned to their host, wondering at his outburst. "One small point, = gentlemen.=20 Just one small point". They looked at him expectantly. The fellow = stabbed with=20 his finger at a spot on the map that signified their destination. "Just = one=20 small point, sirs. Where you are going happens to be the most notorious = part of=20 the bad lands. You really couldn't have picked a more inauspicious goal. = Believe=20 me! The last place you want to be is there". The transition from the = pinnacle of=20 hope to the trough of despond could never have been more rapidly = descended than=20 did the spirits of the voyagers that evening. Just when it seemed that = the map=20 had revealed all its secrets, and the way lay clear, they had omitted to = recall=20 that most enduring of barriers: the wills and desires of other men. The = room=20 fell silent as each digested the implications of their host's outburst. = His=20 assessment might not be safely discounted. It seemed that the door had = slammed=20 fast in their faces, and that with a resounding and final = crash.

Celarent=20 looked at his colleagues. If ever one had wished to see how dashed hope=20 displayed itself upon the faces of men, then an examination of the = countenances=20 of those three would have more than sufficed. It was not so much a blow = to=20 Celarent, of course, but for Hesvee, certainly, the realisation must = have been=20 devastating. They had all known that there were great risks attendant to = their=20 mission; to hear it directly from the mouth of one who was more = intimately=20 connected with the land - well, it could not be denied; the hand and = heart had=20 reached out eagerly for the prize, only to have it ripped cruelly away. = Alaste=20 observed carefully the reactions of his guests. He had not made his = remarks=20 either carelessly or purposelessly, for he was a man of depths, of which = even=20 his own family was unaware. He played the role of merchant well, for = that was=20 truly his trade. But he revealed himself only according to necessity, = and at a=20 time and place most fit. In part he had revealed some of the truth but, = despite=20 appearances, he was a close-mouthed fellow, and had not been entirely = open with=20 his guests. It was surely the case that as a young man he had frequently = travelled into the foothills that surrounded Vsquala, relishing that = lively=20 energy and enthused freedom bestowed by youth. He was an adventurer by = heart,=20 and his inclination towards trade was mainly driven by a fondness for = some=20 degree of risk. But he did not make foolish decisions nor was he driven = by mere=20 impulse. He relished the skills of his trade, yet there was nothing to = surpass=20 that sense of achievement, of moving outside the usual bounds, and still = bearing=20 home the prize. This deep-seated inclination within his nature he had = hinted at=20 to his guests; but not the full scope of its power. He did, indeed, love = to=20 travel, and such a passion could only partly be satisfied in his role as = trader.=20 Yet oft-times he felt that his life had become a little tame, perhaps = routine,=20 and he would find himself dreaming of those days and nights when he had = wandered=20 far from his home, venturing deep into the foothills, and even to the = wild=20 mountain passes themselves. He had not, of course, mentioned these = riskier=20 jaunts to either his father or mother, for he was quite sure what their = response=20 might be, and with this the accompanying reprimand. But it was his mode = to go a=20 little beyond what was sanctioned, to investigate just the fringes of = the=20 mysterious, and step outside and away from the regular thoroughfares of = life=20 from time to time. He was fast approaching middle age and, much as he = loved his=20 daughter, her developing maturity reminded him of his own advancing = years. It=20 would be ludicrous to suggest that he was already in his dotage. Yet the = days=20 and weeks flashed by, and soon all that he might have to console him, as = he sat=20 by his hearth, would be the memories of a life past; then death would = finally=20 draw her veil over him, and he would join his ancestors within that long = resting=20 place to which all beings are bound. And now these three wise fellows, = or maybe=20 fools, and two of who, at least, were older than himself, men of = learning and of=20 the city, and unworldly in every sense that he recognised the word, they = had=20 left their safe lives, the trappings of their accomplishments and the = regular=20 conduct of their business, left it all behind to pursue a dream, a = phantasm=20 sketched out on a ochred piece of parchment. Alaste felt almost shamed = by their=20 daring, and once again sensed that old stirring in his chest. He glanced = across=20 at Hesvee; an old fool perhaps, or a hero of the olden times! For a few = moments=20 he had the strangest notion; a vision passed behind his eyes, of the = elderly=20 scholar, adorned in the leathern armour of a bolder, simpler age. Gone = was the=20 clerkish demeanour, and its place the soul of a fierce warrior stared = out of an=20 old man's blearied gaze; and so it was with both Ferioque and Celarent. = They,=20 too, were no longer gentlemen of the city, whose manners and physique=20 demonstrated a life devoted largely to intellectual pursuits. These had = been=20 transformed into the ardent and fiercesome fighters of a distant time, = proud of=20 bearing, and masters of their own will; no challenge too great, and no = hardship=20 beyond endurance to these sturdy men; so did the company appear to the = merchant.=20 It was as if they had summoned up from within him a spirit that had for = too long=20 lain slumbering. But how to communicate this to his guests? They did, = indeed,=20 appear most despondent now. "But of course you must have realised this, = my dear=20 friends". The words were uttered both as a statement and a question, and = perhaps=20 a challenge. "Well, yes. We knew there were risks attached to our = venture; but=20 then you're familiar with this territory. We're not fools. There seems = little=20 point in risking one's life foolishly?.". Hesvee's voice trailed away = into=20 nothing. Alaste realised that his testimony might have been a degree = bombastic.=20 The warrior heart may yet inhabit those languid frames, but a little = coaxing=20 might be required before this more vigorous nature would reassert its = natural=20 place. "Of course, sir. It would indeed be foolish to pursue such ends; = but with=20 a guide the odds might dramatically improve in your favour; that is, one = who's=20 conversant not only with the country but also a little of what lies = beneath it".=20 He could not resist spurring the issue forward somewhat. "A guide, you = say?"=20 Hesvee's shoulders straightened and his eyes brightened again. The = others leaned=20 forwards, eager to hear their host's suggestion. "Would you know of = someone who=20 would be willing to conduct us there?" Alaste hesitated. He was a man = who=20 enjoyed high drama and this really was too good an opportunity to miss. = He had=20 his audience, all now straining at the leash. One faction within his = nature=20 remonstrated with this modest cruelty, but the greater revelled in the=20 performance. "Well I might. You recall that as a youth I spent some = considerable=20 time exploring the foothills. Perhaps I didn't quite tell the whole = story. It=20 certainly would have been extremely unwise for me to have disclosed all = that I=20 found in my little jaunts at that time. After all I was but a foolish = young=20 fellow, and prone to take quite silly risks. Sometimes it's better to = err on the=20 side of obscuration, especially if it comes to one's parents, wouldn't = you=20 agree?" Hesvee could barely contain his excitement. "You know this = district=20 then, beyond what you've told us?" His voice was shaking, and his gaze = earnestly=20 fixed upon the man. Now the merchant could see, that within this fellow = might=20 run passions as deep as his own. "I know something more of the range = than mere=20 maps might disclose. There was one occasion when I was away for a whole = week=20 from home. My mother and father were quite furious when I finally = returned. The=20 fact is that I had become quite lost. I didn't tell them where I'd been. = In=20 truth, I wasn't quite sure myself", he joked. "I survived, I believe, = more from=20 good fortune than good judgement. My father always said that the gods = smiled=20 upon me, for otherwise my life would've been forfeit long ago". Alaste = paused=20 and then continued; his audience was primed. "Anyway, I had decided to = take a=20 walk around As I ventured out the day was fine and clear, but then a = thick mist=20 descended, and before I knew it I was quite askew. I wandered deeper and = deeper=20 into the mountains. Finally, I came upon a small stream and followed its = course,=20 believing that it would lead me back down onto the plain; but it took me = further=20 into the heights. Then it disappeared deep underground, losing itself = amongst=20 the rocks that bestrewed the floor of the little valley in which I found = myself.=20 I managed to make my way out of this place, and found a cave in which I = spent=20 the night, all but exhausted by my efforts. I was quite convinced by = then that=20 unless conditions changed I would perish in this spot. When morning came = I was=20 relieved to see that the fog had disappeared, and I could find my = bearings once=20 more. Now I could discern the line of hills, which would take me back to = the=20 plain, and to my home. I looked about me at the land, and saw those = three mounts=20 that are indicated on your map. It's extraordinarily accurate. The lines = on the=20 paper depict, and most precisely, the profiles of the mountain peaks as = they=20 must present themselves against the skyline. It could only have been = drawn from=20 a spot not far from where I stood. I could even see that river that ran = by their=20 bases. The reason I hesitated earlier to mention all of this, was that I = was=20 surprised to see it so clearly drawn in your chart. But that spot is = deep inside=20 the badlands, and very few travel by that way. As far as I know no other = has=20 mapped this region". He paused briefly before continuing with his tale. = "Well,=20 needless to say, I didn't spend too much time admiring the scenery. I = knew I'd=20 wandered well inside bandit territory and I couldn't count on my = relative youth=20 to protect me from their merciless natures. I made my descent fairly = easily, and=20 thence back down onto the lowlands. Fortune continued to smile upon me, = and I=20 returned home without further incident. The warmth of my welcome, as I = have=20 already mentioned, was considerable, and I might have suffered a gentler = welcome=20 from the brigands; but perhaps not", he concluded, laughing. It was = Ferioque=20 then who commented. "So you know the area first hand. But you've = confirmed what=20 you said earlier. If it's the case that the region is infested with = thugs and=20 robbers, the danger yet remains?" "This is quite true. The danger = remains, but=20 if the reward is sufficient then who might not dare? So now I come to = the second=20 part of my account. I'm quite sure that it's not at all by accident that = you=20 come to be here. Perhaps my father was correct..". Their host seemed to = be on=20 the point of a digression before Celarent, quite forgetting his manners, = and=20 moreover his station, interrupted. "You were saying. About the second = part?"=20 Alaste smiled. Maybe the young one had not had all the spirit educated = out of=20 him yet! "Yes. Forgive me". Both Hesvee and Ferioque gave their junior a = reprimanding look, but the latter was so enraptured by Alaste's tale = that he=20 quite missed their disapprobation. "It was many years later and after I = had=20 moved here to start my own business. In my line of work you encounter a = good=20 deal of people, and with these no shortage of a tale to learn. I love a = good=20 yarn myself and so long as it entertains then I mind not if it be true = or false.=20 But from time to time a story will crop up that'll be more than just = idle=20 chatter. Well it happened that a fellow came by this way. In those days, = and=20 we're talking a few years ago now, when the town was much smaller. = Anyway, he=20 came by on his way to?. Oh! I can't remember now. But I was interested = because=20 he'd come from my old stamping grounds, and I thought maybe we knew a = few people=20 in common. But then it turned out that he'd travelled all the way down = over the=20 Northern range. Now mind you, he was a wild-eyed fellow as I recall, and = I had=20 him down for a madman or a simpleton, or both. I mean nobody, but = NOBODY,=20 crosses through the mountains. Along the foothills maybe, or for the = more=20 adventurous souls, like myself", he added wryly, "a jaunt into the = valleys - but=20 never, ever, across them. You might as well slit your own throat and = have done=20 with it. So I had him pegged down for a liar as well as for the former. = He did=20 speak strangely, and I would have dismissed him the quicker if he'd not=20 particularly amused me. Still, I felt sorry for the fellow, and gave him = more=20 time than I would more judiciously have done otherwise. Anyways, he goes = and=20 mentions the three mountains. It's at this point he's got my interest = truly, for=20 as I said there were not many who knew that particular district. From = the way he=20 spoke I could tell that he knew the area directly, so at least that part = of his=20 story rang true. But then he went further. It seems that if I'm a fool = then he=20 must have been a relative of mine. For more or less the same thing = happened to=20 him as did with me. He, too, had wandered into the mountains but in this = poor=20 fellow's case he'd not had my good fortune. The fool had heard some = rumours of a=20 great treasure buried away there. Now these stories abound; and there's = always=20 some idiot who will believe them and go off in search of their fantasy. = Now=20 undoubtedly the fellow must have been lacking in good sense, even before = his=20 venture into the mountains. But whatever had come to pass there, it must = have=20 fair driven away what was left of his wits. He'd set off with a mule, = and a few=20 provisions. The matter was ill conceived and within a short space of = time he was=20 quite lost. The fogs that I had encountered are by no means uncommon, = and can=20 come and go with a frightening speed. Well he'd managed to hang on to = his mule=20 and his life, and wandered around in the mist for who knows how long. At = least=20 he had some food with him so he was not going to die from hunger; at = least not=20 for a while. But the cold and the damp can be deadly, and caught on an = open=20 hillside he wouldn't have lasted long, even with the leather jerkin, and = trousers and coat that he was wearing. Anyway, fortune smiles on fools = such as=20 him and me. During his meanderings he came upon an old, stone shelter = that must=20 have been the home of one of the locals. Happily, the owner was not in, = and my=20 poor friend - the fool - stayed the night under its protection. Come the = following morning the mist still lay thick around, but had lifted a = little. He=20 had but one choice. He could remain where he was and run the risk that = his=20 unwitting landlord might return; or take his chances back out on the=20 mountainside. He figured that if he could get onto lower ground the fog = would=20 clear, and he would find his way out of this mess. He was not a man of = great=20 patience, and it did seem as if the way was brighter. So he chose the = second=20 course and, leading his mule, he struck out again. As luck would have it = the=20 mist did rise shortly afterwards, and it was then that he saw the three=20 mountains, and the stream that ran past them. From his vantage he = calculated=20 that he could follow the watercourse out of the mountains". Alaste = paused=20 briefly, to catch his breath and observe his listeners' reaction. There = was not=20 a sound in the room; his guests were utterly transfixed by the tale. He = went on.=20 "So the fellow scrabbled down the hillside, anxious to take full = advantage of=20 the clear view, and get to safety. He and his mule did make it down the = side of=20 the mountain, and he found himself next to the river. He started to = follow it,=20 believing that he might yet make it out of the mountains with his life. = It was=20 then that his story became a little vague. He became very agitated; kept = on=20 talking about monsters, and all sorts. He was very confused. But it = turns out=20 that the mist fell again, just as he was following the river path. = Fortunately=20 he now had at least one guide, and even when the path swung away from = the waters=20 he could still hear its waves breaking against the banks. It was then = that these=20 monsters of his came out of the fog. He said that he didn't even hear = them=20 approach, that they flew at him like winged demons. He tried to get away = but=20 they were too fast for him. The next thing he knew they were dragging = him into=20 the gloom, and then finally into the mountainside itself. He completely = broke=20 down at this part of the story, and fell to sobbing hysterically. He = became=20 quite incoherent. He started babbling on about being led into a vast = cavern,=20 which glowed like the sun. He said that all around him, in every = direction and=20 as far as the eye could see, there was gold; that it glowed so brightly = that he=20 had to close his eyes". Alaste regarded his audience. Not a muscle = moved. All=20 were intent upon his every word, treasuring them as if they were = composed of=20 that same substance. "Now, of course, I thought the poor fellow had = completely=20 lost his mind. I mean, who would not after suffering such an ordeal? Or = maybe he=20 was one of those tricksters trying to get some money, or even just a = meal, off=20 me? But then he asked for nothing". Alaste fell silent. His audience, = too,=20 remained quite wordless, seemingly quite overwhelmed by his account. = Ferioque=20 interrupted this hiatus. "Well. What do you think? Was he telling the = truth?"=20 "As I said", replied Alaste "I can't say for sure. But you have this map = and I=20 think there must be some connection between the information that you've = found=20 there, and what I've recounted. Of course, I think that the poor = fellow's=20 ravings about monsters must be treated as proof that he'd finally lost = his=20 sanity. Anyway, there are always such rubbish circulating, and I suspect = that=20 the mountain folk encourage them. Now that they are monstrous, true = enough! But=20 such wild tales can also serve to keep unwelcome visitors at bay". = "Whether or=20 not this is the case, do you have any ideas of how we might proceed?" = inquired=20 Hesvee. Alaste regarded the company calmly; a plan was beginning to = unfold in=20 his mind.

From the steep declination of the path it was evident = to=20 Melaskkoli that they were progressing deeper and deeper into the heart = of the=20 mountains. His new-found guide showed little interest in him, other than = an=20 occasional glance over his shoulder to ensure that the young human was = keeping=20 pace. The air had grown noticeably warmer the further underground they = ventured.=20 The brutal glare of the cavern had long ago receded back into the = darkness. Once=20 again their only sources of illumination were the green mosses that grew = on=20 every side. It seemed to Melaskkoli that either the darkness had become = more=20 profound, or the luminescence shed by these primitive plants had = increased, for=20 they did seem to shine more brightly here. He had little time to observe = these,=20 for the ground here was rough and uneven, and he had to watch his = footing=20 carefully. However, this posed no problem for his companion who, now = that he=20 could observe the fellow more clearly, was able to drift easily over the = sharply=20 undulating surface. Although this being's appearance - and bizarre = abilities -=20 still caused him some alarm, he had dismissed all notions of escaping = this=20 strange world on his own account. Like it or not, this fellow Gorval = remained=20 his only possible means of liberation from this underground prison. He = had lost=20 all track of time; it might have been the brightest noon above, or the = darkest=20 hour of the night for all he knew. The one hope to which he clung was = that the=20 creature had shown no overt hostility; and despite its unprepossessing=20 appearance it might still prove an ally.

They continued, it = seemed,=20 forever downwards, and then down some more, into the very bowels of the = earth.=20 Fortunately, though the path underfoot remained jagged and occasionally=20 treacherous, there was plenty of room overhead, and to either side. = Whoever, or=20 whatever, had been responsible for its construction, they had clearly = spared no=20 effort in carving out its dimensions. From time to time they would pass = the dark=20 mouths of side passages which, from their smaller scale, suggested that = the=20 route they were immediately following must be some kind of main artery = into the=20 underworld. Each time they passed these turnings he would stare into = their pitch=20 black maws, trying to fathom the darkness that might conceal an imagined = horror.=20 He could not help but fancy that there might be some strange predator = lurking=20 within, ready to leap out and fall upon him. Then he would hasten his = pace=20 somewhat, the quicker to pass by. As they continued their descent so did = his=20 hopes fall, that he might soon see the open sky; for wherever he was = being led,=20 it was certainly not to the upper world. Finally, so wretched did he = become that=20 he overthrew his fear, and called out to his guide. "Stop". Gorval came = to a=20 halt instantly, and paced back towards him. "Whhaaattt issss itttt, = mmyyy=20 yoouunngg friiieeend? Yooouu neeeedd tooo reeessssttt?" "No it's not = that. I=20 must get back to the surface. But this way just leads down. Where are = you taking=20 me?" The creature regarded him solemnly before replying. "Pleeeasssee = doonn't=20 coonnnceerrnn yoouurrssseellf. Alllll wiiilll beeee weeeelll". With that = dismissive reply he turned on his heel, and continued down the dark = path.=20 Melaskkoli had no choice but to follow, obliged to resign to whatever = the future=20 might bring.

The path went on and on, down and down, and the air = grew=20 warmer, and then warmer still. He could feel drops of perspiration = welling up on=20 his face and neck, to become trickles that ran generously down the small = of his=20 back.. He still experienced no great fatigue at his exertions, but his = feet were=20 becoming sorer, as they blistered angrily from the rocky ground upon = which he=20 marched. Gorval showed no signs of slowing his pace and, since their = last=20 conversation, had not even bothered to see if the boy was still = following. He=20 must have realised that Melaskkoli had nowhere else to go. Then, = suddenly, the=20 path levelled, and its surface became quite smooth. Gorval halted. = "Waaaiiitt=20 heerreee, yoouunng oonnne. Iiiii wiiilll beeee baacckk ssshooortttlly", = and with=20 that he disappeared around a corner, and thence completely from the = former's=20 view. Melaskkoli waited patiently and quietly, in the = dark.

Gorval=20 reflected, as he left the poor fellow behind, how evenly matters had = proceeded.=20 He had thought that the human would put up much more resistance, but he = had=20 followed quite meekly. He had no conception of how demoralising it might = be for=20 a surface dweller to spend so much time underground. But the human's = acquiescent=20 manner had certainly made things a lot easier all round, and it was just = a case=20 of getting him back to the home cavern; the council would then take over = responsibility for his charge. For now he must concentrate on finding = the right=20 path so that they could complete their journey efficiently. He was well = aware=20 that humans did not possess the ability to pass directly through matter, = as did=20 his people. They would have to take a more circuitous route, but one = that no=20 human would ever detect. Memories of times long past had not dimmed in = the Gaki=20 mind, neither the last encounter with that surface species, nor the = lessons they=20 had learned from it; none of these had been forgotten. This youngster = might not=20 seem much of a threat and, if all went to plan, it mattered little if he = discovered the secret ways; but no unnecessary risk should be taken, = certainly=20 when such was not required. Gorval reached out in the darkness, to find = what he=20 sought. He placed his foot carefully against a part of the rock wall, = and pushed=20 against it steadily. There was a low rumbling sound, and a small section = swung=20 back, to reveal a smaller and narrower passageway, which would lead the = way=20 deeper into the Gaki world. Now that it was fully exposed the tunnel = entrance=20 looked much like the many others that they had passed on their journey = here.=20 Gorval returned to where the human waited, his minute mouth emitting a = low=20 keening sound of satisfaction.

Finally the merchant spoke, and in = a few=20 words opened up another pathway into the future. "Well. Perhaps I might = serve=20 that purpose?" He quickly expanded on what had been in his mind for = sometime=20 now, perchance to embark upon some little adventure; perhaps the gods, = growing=20 tired of a deficit of fools, had sent them his way as a sign of their = ennui. His=20 guests smiled at this reference for they found little to fault within = the=20 analysis. "May it be we can pool your knowledge and my experience and = find=20 ourselves this hidden city. Of course, I must confess that though I = fully=20 believe that these tales be the product of grave delusion, or the = fantasy of a=20 heated imagination driven onwards by greed, nevertheless my curiosity = has always=20 been irrepressible. I would never forgive myself if I didn't at least = try and=20 find out if it's so. And I'd never be so uncouth as to deprive the gods = of their=20 amusement. What say you, my friends?" There was barely a moment's = hesitation=20 before Hesvee grabbed Alaste's hand and proceeded to shake it = vigorously. "Well=20 said, sir, well said", he exclaimed. The others, too, chimed in with = their=20 approval. "But there still remains those cut-throats of the hills. How = might we=20 evade them?" enquired Ferioque, who was the first to regain his = composure.=20 "Monsters of one form or another exist in those passes, that's for = sure", added=20 Celarent. "Indeed. But I think your original plan is well conceived, and = a small=20 party does have a better chance of passing undetected. And if we are = going to=20 carry out the major part of our explorations underground then we'll have = relatively little to fear from the mountain folk. They're a = superstitious bunch,=20 and dread to pass by those ways. It will only be while we're above = ground that=20 we must fear their attacks". "And the gold? What if it's true? We = couldn't carry=20 that back on our own", Celarent called out presumptuously. "Now hold = on", Hesvee=20 rebuked his increasingly outspoken attendant. "Firstly we must get there = and=20 back. Personally I don't think that there is any gold, and it's not = something=20 that I'm going to expend my energy and thought upon". Celarent fell = silent,=20 smarting somewhat from the remonstration. It seemed to him eminently = reasonable=20 to consider the possibility, and to make plans accordingly. Alaste = observed the=20 young fellow's discomfiture, and in a quiet aside tried to reassure him. = "Never=20 mind. You've a good point, and I for one will give it some thought. = These=20 fellows are good men but have no commercial acumen". He nodded at = Celarent, and=20 the latter recovered his poise somewhat, but remained mute from then on. = "One=20 thing I'd suggest, gentlemen, if we're going to proceed in this way. I'd = advise=20 avoiding any of the towns on the route henceforth, and proceeding by a = more=20 direct course to the mountains. All the supplies that might be needed I = can=20 provide, but I feel that the fewer people who observe our passing the = better.=20 Loose tongues and so forth?". He put his finger to his lips to emphasise = the=20 point. "We'll have to carry more provisions, but I've some skill as a = hunter,=20 and we can supplement our needs accordingly". Both Hesvee and Ferioque = nodded=20 their agreement. "But setting aside my young assistant's outburst", and = Hesvee=20 again cast a look of censure in Celarent's direction, to the latter's = mounting=20 chagrin, "What arrangements should be made to remunerate your efforts? = We're=20 quite capable of recompensing you for the provisions, but I'm not at all = sure=20 about the rest. I mean if the worst comes to the worst, your family?.." = His=20 voice tailed off as he recalled the possible fatal, and final, = consequences if=20 they should encounter the vagabonds of the Northern mountains; or even = those=20 other more mysterious monstrosities. "You need not concern yourself on = that=20 account. My family's needs are always provided for, even in the case of = my=20 death. My wife and daughter are well acquainted with my inclinations = towards=20 such occasional adventuring, and will acquiesce". "There's the question = too",=20 Hesvee persisted, "concerning financial matters. This is essentially a = mission=20 of research. You must understand that we're not rich men". Alaste = laughed. "As=20 to money, do not discommode yourselves further, sirs. I've more money = than I=20 need, and the riches I seek are beyond mere common accounting. But if it = really=20 troubles you then I will only ask for a quarter share in that little = cavern of=20 gold that I mentioned". At that point he looked across at Celarent and = smiled.=20 "Yes. If we should come across it, just give me licence to hack a little = piece=20 off some wall, and bring it back with me. I'm sure that will more than=20 adequately cover my expenses. And if it all be true, well! We can return = with an=20 army at our backs, and carry off every last rock, eh sirs?" He roared = with=20 laughter at his own wit. The two scholars were quite unsure how to = respond to=20 their newly discovered and somewhat boisterous comrade, and smiled = weakly in=20 reply. But Celarent felt that things were going to get a sight more = interesting=20 from now on. "The hour is growing late and perhaps it would be best to = bring the=20 discussion to an end. There is much to think about, and much to plan, = and this=20 should be done with a clear head atop a rested body", averred their = host. The=20 others agreed, and a servant was summoned to show them to their rooms. = After the=20 three guests had departed the merchant remained alone, sipping on a = glass of the=20 wine as he gazed into a vague distance, and ruminating upon the turn of = events.=20 As he was thus engaged he was surprised to see his daughter Erame enter = the=20 room. The night was well advanced, and it was unusual for her to be up = so late.=20 "Well, my dear", he addressed her warmly. "What! Are you not abed, my = pretty=20 one?" She smiled at his question. "The strangest thing really, father". = She sat=20 down next to him, but with a strange and slightly pained expression in = her eyes,=20 that belied her smile of greeting. "I was asleep, but had the most = extraordinary=20 dream". He looked at her questioningly. "Yes. Quite odd. Shall I tell = you about=20 it?" He nodded. "Well, it was most unusual. I'm not sure where I was but = it=20 seemed to be in the mountains". He looked at her sharply, reminded of = that=20 recent conversation. "Yes. In the mountains, but they were nowhere that = I knew.=20 The really odd thing was that I could fly. It was quite extraordinary. = When I=20 looked at my arms all I could see were these great, golden wings. And = when I=20 raised them I was simply flung into the air, carried aloft. I couldn't = see the=20 rest of my body at all; just this pair of wings. And like a bird, I = could fly=20 anywhere, at will. I remember very clearly floating past these great = mountain=20 peaks, and then out over the plain below. There were no towns or cities, = no=20 people at all. Nothing but the space above and the land below. At one = point I=20 could even see a great sea in the far distance. But the most striking = thing of=20 all was that I seemed to be searching for something. There was this = intense=20 loneliness in my heart, and it felt as if I had lost some great = treasure, and I=20 was desperately trying to recover it. I flew everywhere. But no matter = how hard=20 I tried I never came upon it. It seemed that I was flying forever, and = the sky=20 grew darker and darker, and finally I couldn't see my way at all. And it = was=20 then that I woke up". Her father regarded curiously. She had had these = dreams=20 before, vivid and full of wild imagination, as children do. He brushed = aside any=20 connection between what she had described, and his earlier discussion = with the=20 travellers. It was mere coincidence, and he was not going to succumb to = any=20 fanciful notions on that score. Erame noticed her father's thoughtful=20 expression. "Are you alright, father? I've not disturbed you I hope. I'm = sorry=20 if I bothered you with my silly dream. It is a dream after all". She = looked up=20 at him apologetically. "No, my dear. I was just wondering at it. It must = have=20 been exciting to be able to fly. You know what I'm like. Just floating = up there=20 in the clouds instead of down here watering the animals, and so on". = They both=20 laughed, for they were of a similar disposition. She may have inherited = her=20 mother's exquisite beauty and elegance, but her father's smile, his = humour, and=20 a little of his folly too, these were his bequests to her. But then she = was=20 grateful that her feet were not too solidly planted upon the ground, and = that=20 her imagination had scope to fly beyond the bounds of mundane gravity. = It passed=20 through Alaste's mind to divulge to his daughter his latest plans. He = knew that=20 she would be excited for him, and a little afraid for his safety; but = she would=20 never seek to discourage his purpose. His wife, too, would not oppose = his=20 schemes. Still it was late, and the time was not right for such debate. = It would=20 keep until the morning when the fears that seem greatest in the night = hours=20 always returned to their proper dimensions in the light of day. No. He = would=20 reveal his plottings on the morrow, and then what would come to pass = would come=20 to pass. "Come, daughter. Off to bed with you now. Perhaps your wings = await yet=20 in your dreams. Then you can fly onwards, and find what you're searching = for.=20 Your old father must take his rest now. I can't take these late nights = like I=20 used to. I'll be fit for nothing in the morning otherwise. Off with = you". She=20 jumped to her feet and kissed him quickly on the cheek before departing. = He=20 remained where he was for a few more moments longer, gazing out through = the=20 window, and watching as the first golden touches of dawn kissed the deep = night=20 sky. Yes. It was time to sleep, and weave a few dreams on his own=20 account.

Melaskkoli observed the creature's return as he/it - he = still=20 was not absolutely sure on these questions - drifted slowly around the = corner of=20 the rock face. For a few moments he suspected some kind of dreadful trap = had=20 been laid; but then there would be no need, for he had no idea how many = of these=20 creatures there might be in this strange world; only that he must be at = a=20 disadvantage. No. If this fellow had wanted to cause him harm he would = have=20 acted before now. Gorval nodded to him to follow, as he again = disappeared from=20 view. Melaskkoli did as he was instructed, and was just in time to see = the=20 fellow pass into a narrow opening, which was set into the rock wall = nearby. He=20 hesitated for a moment, but reflected that it was too late to retreat. = Taking a=20 deep breath, he passed into the shaded passageway, and fell in behind = his guide.=20 The walls were much closer together here. It was fortunate that the = ever-present=20 mosses grew in great quantities, not only on the floor and walls, but = also in=20 clumps that extended over the low ceiling. It was only by their weak = light that=20 he was able to avoid bumping his head against some of the rocky = outcrops, which=20 hung down from the roof. Their pace had slowed slightly, to accommodate = the=20 narrower confines of the tunnel, but otherwise the terrain remained much = the=20 same. He thought that they must arrive at some destination soon, for = fatigue was=20 finally starting to catch up with him, though it could have been the=20 increasingly warm atmosphere that was causing him to feel drowsy. The = air seemed=20 thick and heavy, and he found himself staggering slightly under these = oppressive=20 influences. His companion appeared completely unaffected, and carried = on, wholly=20 indifferent to Melaskkoli's fate. As they proceeded downwards the = passageway=20 seemed to be growing ever tighter in girth, and so much more difficult = to=20 negotiate. And then the inevitable happened, and he hit his head a sound = blow=20 against the rock. The impact was severe, but not sufficient to cause him = to lose=20 consciousness. He reached up to touch his brow, and could feel the = sticky, warm=20 flow of blood seeping from a shallow cut. He had let out a yelp of pain, = at=20 which point his companion paused. The fellow turned back and approached = him=20 cautiously. Reaching up with his thin, bony hand, Gorval carefully = examined the=20 wound. It would seem he recognised for the first time that the young = human might=20 be growing weary. "Pllleeaasssee beee caarreefffuuull, boooyyy. Weee = haaaveeee=20 nooootttt mmuuucchh ffuurrrttheerr toooo gooo". At last there might be = some kind=20 of end to this torture, thought Melaskkoli. He wiped his sleeve across = the cut=20 to prevent the warm fluid seeping into his eyes and obscuring his = vision. He=20 reached into his pocket and found a rag there that, though a little = dirty, would=20 serve to staunch the trickle. He applied it firmly to the abrasion, = wincing=20 slightly as the rough cloth touched on bruised flesh. He then motioned = to Gorval=20 that they could proceed. As they proceeded Melaskkoli continued to dab = at the=20 cut until it seemed the dribble had stopped. The corridor was continuing = to=20 shrink in size, and Melaskkoli doubted if he would be able to pass = through its=20 increasingly narrow confines; and then, quite abruptly, the pair of = travellers=20 came to the end. Gorval waved to him to move carefully. As he stepped up = the=20 opening that had appeared before them he could see the reason why. The = exit did=20 not lead onto level ground but instead yawned outwards, breaching upon = the side=20 of a very sharp slope, the bottom of which was some distance below. The = gradient=20 was such that it would have been quite impossible to simply walk down = it. They=20 would have to climb down the face, though it was not so steep that they = would=20 need any ropes or equipment; but it would certainly require much caution = on=20 their part. However, this was not what had fixed his attention. Directly = before=20 him, and filling the whole vista, was an enormous cavern, and this in = turn,=20 occupied entirely by a vast city, whose structures extended to every = quarter.=20 Its scale was really quite breath-taking. As far as the eye could see = lay a sea=20 of flat roofs that disappeared into the hazy distance. Interspersed at = frequent=20 intervals were towers and minarets, which piled up to great heights into = what=20 might be called the sky. The whole scene was lit up by array upon array = of=20 flickering torches that dispensed their red incandescence upon every = surface and=20 every angle. The city glowed, in pinks and reds, scarlets and fiery = ochres,=20 except where the shadows of the streets and alleyways cut across its = face,=20 leaving dark tracks to divide the scene. The whole panorama was redolent = of a=20 multitude of delicious smells that drifted up from beneath him; of rich = and=20 pungent stews bubbling over an army of fires, as thousands upon = thousands of=20 households prepared their meals. And everywhere could be heard that = soft,=20 murmuring rumble, of a populace going about their business. All of these = suggested a densely populated metropolis yet not a single citizen could = be seen.=20 It was true that the pair were still some way from the city boundary.=20 Nevertheless, even at that distance, it should have been possible for = them to=20 see the crowds passing through the boulevards and squares, which lay = spread out=20 below them. It was then that he recalled his companion's unique skill = for=20 camouflage, and concluded that this ability must be quite universal = within this=20 strange race, and perhaps even represented their natural state. He = withdrew from=20 these reflections to observe that the Gaki had already climbed some way = down the=20 gradient; without further delay, he followed his example. He was a = little=20 nervous at first, but quickly found his first foothold, and then the = next. He=20 refrained from looking downwards to estimate his progress for the ground = still=20 lay some distance beneath. He felt quite dizzy, both from the physical = exertion,=20 and the slight loss of blood he had sustained from his wound. He kept = his face=20 firmly towards the rock wall, and reached down slowly but steadily, = making sure=20 to get a good grip with both hands before feeling with his foot for the = next=20 lodgement. It was no long at all before a hand on his shoulder indicated = that=20 they had reached ground level, and a safe footing. He turned to look = across the=20 city again. Without hesitation Gorval was already moving out across the = small=20 plain towards the outer fringes of the town. As they drew nearer to the=20 outskirts Melaskkoli could see that the structures were mostly single = storey,=20 their walls pierced at intervals by rectangular gaps. It was through = these that=20 he caught sight of the torchlight glowing within. As they approached = even closer=20 he could now hear sounds emitting from the interior of the dwellings; of = people=20 talking, and the crackle of cooking fires, all the clamour to be = expected in any=20 domestic setting. But still he caught not a glimpse of a single person, = not even=20 a child playing in the street. It was a most unsettling sensation; a = vast=20 conurbation and not an individual to be observed. In his musings on the = subject=20 he considered whether they had the ability to perceive each other, even = when=20 invisible. He made a mental note to discover this fact at the earliest = possible=20 opportunity. Although fear still had a grip upon him, his natural = curiosity=20 reasserted itself. He felt a little more confident that he might not = come to=20 immediate harm; or, at least, not from this fellow. They had now entered = a long=20 and narrow street, which seemed to lead towards the city centre. On = either side=20 could yet be heard the sounds of families, their voices ringing along = the=20 glowing avenue; but not a hair seen.

Dawn had risen. Hesvee was = awakened=20 from his slumbers by the morning light, which now glittered through the = vents in=20 the shutters barring the windows. It was not for security that these = barriers=20 were employed, but rather to repel the night airs; or those which the=20 inhabitants believed carried inimical vapours. They were of a more = practical use=20 during the heat of the day where they served to keep the temperatures = low inside=20 the buildings. He raised himself from his sleeping pile, and shuffled = across to=20 the window. His body and head ached painfully from the previous night's=20 celebration. He really was getting too old for these late night parties, = and=20 even more for adventuring, so he thought. He recalled the conversation = of the=20 previous eve, and felt a twinge of doubt as to whether they had been = wise to=20 take the trader into their confidence. But the fellow was undoubtedly a = shrewd=20 man, and would prove quite invaluable in their quest. Obviously he did = not know=20 the man as well as his colleagues, Celarent and Ferioque, both of whom = he=20 trusted completely. Still it was a risky venture, and one should not = embark upon=20 such with an overly cautious heart. As he opened the window the noise = brought=20 the other two out of their slumbers. He heard Ferioque groaning feebly, = "Oh! Not=20 enough sleep. Really do we have to arise now?" The question did not seem = to be=20 addressed to anyone in particular, but Hesvee decided to respond. "I = know how=20 you feel. But if, as our new friend said, if we're to proceed, there are = plans=20 to be made to meet our new requirements. I don't think that we'll be = starting=20 today anyway. And you can catch up a bit, this afternoon, with your = sleep".=20 Ferioque muttered something under his breath, but joined his colleague = at the=20 window. Although it was an early start for them, the rest of the town = was=20 already busy. The animals had already been taken down to the waterside, = and were=20 being led back along the streets towards the edge of the town, and to = the=20 pasturage that was situated there. The sound of lowing cattle seemed to = echo=20 from every quarter. From the window they could see a herdsman below, = patiently=20 goading his beasts, flicking a long reedy stick over the angular rumps = of his=20 charges. The streets were filled with people, marching towards the = pasture land=20 that surrounded the oasis.

Celarent had also risen by now, and = joined=20 them at the window to observe the scene below. He seemed to have = weathered their=20 late night festivities more lightly than his two elders. The three of = them=20 conducted their morning rituals, before a servant arrived to conduct = them to the=20 breakfast table. Their host was already present, and seemed painfully = ebullient,=20 both in appearance as well as in manner. It seemed that the prospect of=20 adventure had renewed and enhanced his already natural zest for life, = and all=20 the challenges that it might bring. Neither Hesvee nor Ferioque could = quite=20 bring themselves to match this display of enthusiasm so promptly in the = morning,=20 and set themselves upon the serious business of consuming their first = meal of=20 the day. Alaste recognised that the two elder men, at least, were = disinclined to=20 engage in discussion. And so he turned his attention to the youngest of = the=20 trio, leaving the former to introduce themselves to this day at a = gentler pace.=20 However, he did enquire as to whether they had enjoyed a good night, a = question=20 to which all soberly assented. "And you, young sir? I expect that you = slept=20 well. The desert air agrees with you?" Celarent was a little taken aback = that=20 the host had chosen to address him directly. He had become used to = occupying the=20 junior, and slightly subservient role, in the group, and to be spoken to = in this=20 fashion was somewhat disturbing. In fact he even caught himself looking = towards=20 Hesvee, seeking permission, as it were, to respond. But it would seem = that the=20 master was more intent on eating, and quite heedless of their host's = enquiry.=20 Alaste had observed in the young fellow a certain lack of confidence. He = was=20 anxious to encourage Celarent to emerge from his self-imposed, and = unduly=20 diffident shell. It was important, he believed, and in this venture at = least,=20 that all felt that they could speak up, and act freely when necessary. = There=20 could be no standing on ceremony or reticence of action when, and if, = they=20 arrived at their destination. All this passed through his mind in a = flash as he=20 awaited Celarent's reply. "Oh! Very well indeed, sir. Very well". "Is = this your=20 first expedition of this kind, young friend?" Again Celarent felt quite=20 disconcerted with such familiarity, and that especially from an elder. = But there=20 was something in Alaste's manner that encouraged him to continue. "Not = my first=20 certainly, sir. But the previous ventures haven't been into territories = that we=20 now propose to explore". "I'm pleased to hear that, my friend. It's very = important that we all understand the potential risks attached to this=20 expedition". At this comment the other two looked up briefly, aware that = the=20 remark was not solely directed at their younger colleague. Alaste = continued.=20 "But you're looking forward to it nonetheless, I trust?" "Well enough = indeed,=20 sir. Despite some anxieties I have to confess that the prospect of = advancing=20 into such unknown lands does have a certain appeal, though I'd still = prefer to=20 emerge from the experience with my throat intact". Alaste roared with = laughter=20 at the young man's humour. "Good. Good. I'm with you there, sir. How = could we=20 keep our food down, gentleman, should there be an additional portal = opened=20 beneath our lips, eh?" The other two laughed, albeit a little nervously, = at=20 their host's bold humour. Alaste saw again that neither of the two were = quite=20 themselves yet. "Perhaps we shall take a little walk around after = breakfast,=20 sirs? We can combine some sightseeing perhaps with the purchase of our=20 supplies". Hesvee, feeling more sufficient within now that he had taken = in some=20 supplies himself, and with the blood flowing to his head more freely and = warmly,=20 replied. "A good proposal, sir. It would be interesting to see more of = your=20 town. A good time to take some fresh air, in the early hours". "Well. = Not quite=20 the early hours, sirs, but close enough", laughed their host. The four = of them=20 continued with their breakfast, with only the occasional = inconsequentiality=20 exchanged.

After a brief interval, and when all had sufficiently=20 recovered their poise, their host led them forth into the busy streets = of the=20 town. By this time the herd animals had all been safely ushered from the = precincts, and were grazing on the pasturage nearby. It should not be = thought=20 that these were either luxuriant or verdant . The grasses in this = locality,=20 though rich by comparison with their poor cousins - those that survived = in the=20 surrounding desert - were composed of a rather unprepossessing, wiry and = dry-fronded vegetation; yet the beasts here had been bred to survive = upon these=20 poor rations. A more bountiful profusion of herbs, flowers, shrubs and = trees=20 grew around the spring itself. This area, however, was reserved mainly = for=20 kitchen produce, and was now being tended by another small herd, that of = gardeners, who were busily applying their trade after the grazing = animals had=20 departed the oasis. Over the many years that men had lived in this place = they=20 had done much to exploit the life-giving waters. An ingenious irrigation = system=20 had been devised, with many channels and water pumps, which in turn = transported=20 the water from its main location into the many acres that surrounded the = well=20 itself. Not only had this land been put into useful production but it = served=20 also as somewhere that the local citizenry could visit, and find = relaxation in=20 those more temperate hours, of the early day and evening. Beautiful = gardens had=20 been laid out here, with gravel paths that wove their tapestry between = the rich=20 borders of flowering shrubs, while copses of elegant silver skinned and = copper=20 barked trees dotted the whole area. Between these was a sea of wild = flowers of=20 every hue and shape, bearing great bell-like petals, or blooms = resembling=20 delicate many-coloured flakes of snow - if such a thing were known in = this=20 place. The scents that floated in the gentle airs were truly = intoxicating and=20 these, together with the vivacious visual display, composed a scene that = was a=20 delight within which to immerse the senses. Their host took obvious = pride in the=20 achievements of his fellows, and seemed eager to draw their attention to = every=20 possible detail. He invited them, finally, to sit in a small arbour. = Within this=20 were provided a few seats so that people might rest their weary feet, = and=20 perhaps take a cool drink from one of the stands nearby. "Well" = commented=20 Alaste. "What do you think of our little garden?" "Truly splendid", = replied=20 Hesvee. "Yes indeed. Quite beautiful", added Ferioque. Celarent remained = silent,=20 preferring to express his admiration in that fashion. Alaste's smile, if = anything, became broader so that one might have feared his face would = split=20 asunder. "Yes. The work of many generations; but a miracle nonetheless. = Even now=20 I come here often, and am quite intoxicated by its allure. The spell = never seems=20 to abate. When we've taken a little break we'll go to the market, and = place our=20 orders for the necessaries of the journey". He could see that his guests = were=20 sufficiently roused to get down to the serious business of the day. They = remained seated for a short while only, drinking in the splendour of the = place=20 before their host rose again, and they once more set off upon their = day's=20 labours.

There were a number of markets located around the = central=20 spring, and it was towards these that they headed. There really was an=20 extraordinary profusion of produce on display, and Alaste explained that = not=20 everything was from this locality. Many traders travelled, sometimes = covering=20 great distances, to bring their wares to this spot. Much of the commerce = was=20 between merchant and merchant, this being a convenient junction to make = such=20 exchanges. Leather ware, pottery, precious metals and stones, incense, = wines,=20 spices, and a myriad of other goods, were laid out on colourful carpets = beneath=20 the cooling umbrella of the palms, their welcoming shade covering most = of this=20 part of the town. However, the travellers were more interested in food=20 provisions, especially those comprising dried meats and fruit, grains = and so=20 forth. The trader suggested too that the neophytes might like to = purchase some=20 weapons as an addition to their defence. Strange to say, and despite = their=20 knowledge of the risks that they might encounter, it had not quite sunk = into=20 their consciousness that such measures might be necessary, an omission = that=20 testified to their lack of experience. Hesvee, for one, took note of = this, and=20 it reinforced his sense that he had been right to include the merchant = in their=20 plans. With the assistance of that fellow they rapidly made a round of = all the=20 stalls. It was then arranged for their purchases to be delivered to = Alaste's=20 house before evening fell. Some more pack animals were also purchased to = carry=20 the additional supplies, and these too were to be brought round to his = home=20 before the end of the day. Finally, and as the heat of the afternoon = rose about=20 them, the four, in common with most of the other inhabitants, retired to = their=20 quarters to take a siesta. It had been a good day's work, and they would = be able=20 to make an early start upon the following morn.

For the most part = iDarii's life settled back into its usual routine. There was no = suggestion that=20 he might be called upon to make another excursion to the surface world. = He had=20 not seen or spoken to his superior since their last interview. Indeed, = the=20 rumour was travelling rapidly within the department that their chief = might=20 himself be off on some kind of reconnoitring mission. Although the Gaki = were=20 quite a private people they suffered from that common flaw of all = intelligent=20 beings, an insatiable desire - amongst many such of their species - and = an=20 overweening interest in the business of their neighbours. So it was that = the=20 stories scurried about, that Gorval had already travelled to the surface = world=20 to make a full assessment of the situation, and to corroborate the = accounts so=20 far delivered by his scouts. Yet more tales circulated that he had been = called=20 to a meeting between the councils of the nearby caverns; such an event = was=20 extremely rare, given the tendency of their neighbours to remain very = much=20 aloof. He, iDarii, had heard many of these rumours, but was unable to = determine=20 their accuracy. At last he concluded that the best course was to mind = only his=20 own business, and to leave that of his fellows to theirs. However, he = found that=20 he could not dismiss his last meeting with Larache so lightly. They had = had no=20 further contact since that mysterious exchange. He, for one, was = starting to=20 believe that it had grown to an exaggerated importance in his own mind. = Perhaps=20 he was reading too much into his comrade's manner? Maybe it was one of = his=20 little jokes, to play the secret agent? But what with the tales and the=20 circumstances with which he was directly familiar, he had a sneaking = suspicion=20 that the questions would not come to an end there.

But then, as=20 frequently happens, he was seated at his desk, engaged in sifting = through some=20 security files - mostly routine matters relating to petty offences = committed by=20 some well-known malefactors within the cavern - when that very fellow = arrived.=20 He indicated wordlessly to his colleague to accompany him, and vanished = abruptly=20 from the room. Larache had that same conspiratorial air about him, and = it was=20 with not a little relief that iDarii abandoned the somewhat tedious = reports, and=20 followed the Gaki into the corridor. "Cooommmeee. Weee shaaaall = leeaavveee=20 theeee buillllddiiinnngg. Fooolllooww meeee". The two of them proceeded = rapidly=20 through the corridors, and then down to ground level, before departing = the=20 ministry. The square was packed to brimming with the usual crowds of = invisible=20 citizenry. If anything they seemed to be present in even greater numbers = than=20 was normally the case. They agreed that it would be easier to pass round = the=20 perimeter of the hub in order to arrive at their destination than to try = and=20 cross it directly. Larache led the way, and iDarii followed him at a = short=20 distance. After travelling almost a third of the way round the crowd's = edge his=20 guide turned away from the square, and launched himself into one of the = radial=20 streets that led from the centre. This, too, was quite busy, and it was = only=20 with some effort that they were able to push their way through the dense = throngs=20 of their fellows. Finally the numbers thinned somewhat, and they made = easier=20 progress. Without warning Larache turned to the right, and then as = swiftly to=20 the left. They had now left the main highway behind, and were entering a = warren=20 of narrow corridors that criss-crossed this section of the city. iDarii = was=20 growing more and more anxious with each step they advanced for this was = one of=20 the more disreputable quarters of the region. Moreover, it was inhabited = by a=20 few of those very characters whose records he had been reviewing only a = short=20 time before. Larache, however, seemed quite at ease, and extraordinarily = familiar with his whereabouts. iDarii gave up trying to recall the route = by=20 which they had advanced this far and reluctantly placed himself, both = physically=20 and mentally, in the hands of his associate. With each pace they took = they moved=20 further and further into the depths of the ghetto, and the appearance, = and=20 smell, of some of the dwellings by which they passed grew increasingly = rank. The=20 area was quite repugnant, and he was rapidly regretting ever setting off = on this=20 ill-conceived escapade. He was just on the point of retracing his steps = from of=20 this unwholesome burrow when Larache stopped, and was now banging = vigorously=20 with his fist against the door of one of the hovels. After some time the = portal=20 cracked open very slightly, and he could just overhear his friend = addressing=20 someone within the building. After a brief exchange the doorway was = edged open a=20 mite further, and a hand emerged from the darkness, beckoning them = inwards.=20 Larache pushed his way past the unseen host. After a moment's hesitation = iDarii=20 followed, involuntarily holding his breath against both the smell = emanating from=20 inside, and braced mentally against what might greet him from within the = gloom.

Gorval walked, or rather drifted, along at a brisk pace.=20 Periodically he would glance over his shoulder at the young human, not = so much=20 to ensure that he was following - for his companion had little choice = given his=20 predicament - but the more clearly to observe his condition. It was = evident from=20 the child's demeanour that the human had no idea of what was occurring, = and even=20 less a clue as to the events that were to unfold. He could even feel the = vaguest=20 stirrings of pity for the chap. Though he lacked somewhat in compassion = he had=20 sufficient imagination to place himself in the human's shoes and = conceive the=20 confusion which might have seized that creature's mind, and perhaps even = a sense=20 of the desperation and hopelessness that could accompany such a = circumstance. He=20 could see the young lad looking about him, as he painfully attempted to = make=20 some sense of these alien surroundings. The young fellow was undoubtedly = unaware=20 of the furore that he was causing in his wake. He was indeed blissfully = - if it=20 could be called that - ignorant of the fact that all that separated him = from the=20 masses of Gaki, who were even now pressing upon them from on all sides, = was the=20 small detachment of guards, which had met them both at the city's edge. = Gorval=20 had tried to time their arrival with the quietest period of the daily = routine,=20 that is when most of the population would have retired indoors for their = evening=20 meal. But it was quite hopeless. The mere appearance of this strange = being would=20 naturally invite the curious attention of the inhabitants, and word of = their=20 arrival had got round like a whirlwind. People streamed onto the streets = to=20 witness the travellers as they made their way into the centre of the = metropolis.=20 Viewed from above, they would have appeared like a vortex, with the = crowds=20 surging around them, trying desperately to catch sight of this oddity.=20 "Iiitttsss a huummmaann" went the whispers, floating through the cavern. = Most of=20 them had never seen such as Melaskkoli although all had heard the myths. = There=20 had been many rumours circulating the city for some time now; even more = than=20 usual. Tales of their brethren's activities in the neighbouring caverns = were=20 passed from mouth to mouth, each account being eagerly devoured like a = rich=20 morsel cast upon the floor by a master to his hungry serf. As the crowds = grew=20 ever more densely packed, and proportionately more importunate, Gorval = signalled=20 to the escort to follow, and the party turned from this thoroughfare, = and ducked=20 into a side alley. Gorval knew the ways of the city intimately, and = judged that=20 a less obvious route might be used to pursue their course towards the = Ministry,=20 for that was where they were headed. The alleyway was only just wide = enough to=20 allow them to walk in single file, and this suited his purpose most = admirably.=20 He led the way, while the human, still quite unaware of the interest he = had=20 excited, followed cautiously, and behind them the rest of their escort. = They=20 were able to advance more rapidly now. Gorval threaded his way through = the city=20 suburbs, ever holding tenaciously to his final goal.

It really = was quite=20 bewildering. His guide had suddenly turned off the main way, and into a = narrow=20 side turning. All about him the sounds and smells of the city floated in = the=20 air. From time to time he heard what sounded like a low rumbling, as if = of waves=20 crashing gently on the seashore, and he experienced the strangest = feeling that=20 he was being closely watched by myriads of eyes. But the space about him = was=20 empty except for that strange creature striding directly ahead. They had = entered=20 a cramped corridor, which was just wide enough for a single person to = pass=20 through at a time. The walls of the buildings on either side rose high = above=20 him, and increased painfully his sense of being hemmed in; he felt like = an=20 animal, being herded into a pen. However, he had little chance to ponder = the=20 matter, for the fellow was moving at an even faster pace, and it = required all=20 his attention to keep up. But stranger than all of this was his memory, = for it=20 seemed to be playing tricks with him. His recollection of the past was = becoming=20 progressively obscure, and even events that had occurred recently were = waning=20 opaquely to his recollection. Everything seemed to be receding into a = dream-like=20 mass, bundled up, as it were, at the very edge of his consciousness. He = could=20 dimly recall a world, overflung by a vast blue field. He seemed to = vision great=20 plains that stretched away into the distance, covered with waving = fronds, which=20 danced easily in a gentle breeze. He almost fell to his knees, so vivid = were the=20 impressions, and so overwhelmed was he by the immensity of the space = that=20 surrounded him. With each step the world in which he now found himself = seemed=20 ever more familiar. The grey walls of the cavern, the red mud structures = that=20 covered the whole surface of this vast cave, the flickering torch light = that=20 pervaded every corner of the city, all of these felt like? The = recollection was=20 just there on the tip of his mind. The whole place seemed like? home. = And there=20 it was. He was no stranger here. This was where he had always been, and = these=20 were the very streets he had roamed a thousand times before. Where had = he=20 wandered? He asked himself this question again and again. He almost = called out=20 to his friend, to a man he had never met before, but who was oddly a = stranger no=20 longer. He wanted to tell him what passed through his mind, but = something warned=20 him against too bold a pronouncement. The dread and despair that had = filled his=20 heart for so long, now it seemed to ease away like a cave fog, drifting = away to=20 disappear into the deep darkness. Yes. He was home; and he wanted to = shout it to=20 the world. However, there were still great blanks in his mind, and he = could not=20 account for the apparent absence of the other inhabitants; but he knew = they were=20 there.

The sun had risen, and now was falling in the sky. The = heat had=20 also reached its zenith, and descended in concert with the quotidian = cycle. The=20 household was still entrapped in sleep, quietly dozing within the cool = recesses=20 of the dwelling. They had returned home, the four of them, all excited = by those=20 prospects for the future. However prudence, and the lack of sleep, = inclined all=20 to catch up with their rest, mindful of the exertions of their coming=20 expedition. But now the siesta period had ended, and again the household = congregated. On this occasion both Alaste's wife and daughter were = present, the=20 latter much to Celarent's delight. Drinks were served as they settled = down to=20 consider their plans. Alaste had informed the family of his intentions. = If they=20 were distressed neither woman showed any sign, and indeed both seemed of = hale=20 spirit. Celarent was moved to observe this, and could only applaud the = bold=20 complexion of the ladies of this noble household. Privately he regarded = himself=20 as of a somewhat timid nature, and certainly not endowed with an = adventurous=20 disposition; but he would not display such reservations in front of his=20 colleagues, and certainly not before women of this tempered metal. = Erame, it=20 seemed, was the most affected by their mission, and expressed the regret = that=20 she could not be part of their voyage. It was clear from the look of = admiration=20 in Alaste's eyes that he greatly valued and loved his daughter, and = could not=20 bear the thought that she might come to any misadventure. She scolded = him for=20 his weakness, but with good humour, and the party settled down to the = serious=20 business of anticipating their journey. The route towards the Northern = mountains=20 was simple enough, if they followed the usual paths. But Alaste again = cautioned=20 against that choice, for it might provoke much interest, and thence = consequent=20 inquiry. No. It would be best if they cut across country. It might slow = them a=20 trifle, but by only a few days, and such a brief diversion could be = counted=20 little against any delays that they might incur through unwelcome = attention, and=20 even interference, in their plans. The unmetalled route was neither = arduous nor=20 dangerous, and it would only be when they reached the Northern mountains = that=20 they would truly need to be on their guard. They had ordered more than = enough=20 provisions, some of which had already been delivered, and they could = supplement=20 these with some freshly killed game en route. The city dwellers = shuddered=20 somewhat at their host's proposal, but acknowledged the virtue of his = advice,=20 and realised that they would have to shed some of their over- sensitive = city=20 ways if they wished to proceed from civilisation, and into the = wilderness. Once=20 they arrived at the Northern range, he assured them, he would easily = retrace his=20 route back to the locality they sought. From that point onwards the = party would=20 depend upon the map they possessed, and the cartographic skills of = Ferioque in=20 interpreting it. This last seemed quite confident that he would decipher = both=20 the legend and its accompanying scale, and with sufficient accuracy to = get them=20 to their final goal, that is if such existed, for there was no way of = confirming=20 the issue other than trial by evidence. And so they laid down their = plans. When=20 they had concluded their deliberations the little gathering settled down = once=20 more to eat their evening repast, perhaps the last they might consume in = civilised surroundings for some time to come. Celarent imaginatively = threw=20 himself into the future. Already the obstacles of the journey had been = subdued.=20 Every enemy had been vanquished and he had returned victorious, the bold = hero=20 and paragon of adventurers, from a strange and toilsome land, now = bedecked with=20 glory, and inestimable riches. He even permitted himself the pleasant = delight of=20 picturing himself winning the hand of the beautiful Erame, this damsel = now quite=20 bedazzled by his audacity and fame; thus are dreams fashioned, and thus = too=20 great disappointments. But for now he indulged this passionate notion, = and was=20 fantastically transported by his imaginings into prospects and = possibilities far=20 distant. As the night drew its black cloak over the land, the guests = returned to=20 their quarters whilst Alaste remained with his wife and daughter. "We, = too, must=20 sleep. I'd be at my best tomorrow. The city farers will be quite lost, = and I=20 think that the responsibility will lie with me, for a little while at = least, to=20 get them through the first part of the journey. They're good men. And = the young=20 fellow in particular, when he overcomes his reticence, will prove a bold = heart.=20 And we're going to need that on this venture, my beloved ones". His = daughter=20 bade him good night and retired. Shortly thereafter both the merchant = and his=20 wife made to their bed. Darkness had long fallen upon the town. The only = noises=20 that floated up from the streets and alleyways were the cries of the = wolves,=20 calling into the night sky, their yelping drifting upwards into the = cold, dark=20 sphere, there to greet the stars above. A great calmness swept lightly = over the=20 land. The town dwellers slept peacefully and securely in their beds, = guarded by=20 a vast desert that stretched away in every direction, with the oasis, a = jewelled=20 refuge, lying at its heart.

Even to his eyes, that were well = accustomed=20 to penetrating the gloom of the underworld, iDarii found it almost = impossible to=20 distinguish anything in the darkness into which he had now stepped. What = he=20 could detect was a most foul odour, which seemed to permeate the whole = building.=20 It was with some difficulty that he restrained himself from emptying the = contents of his stomach upon the floor. He could hear some shuffling = sounds=20 nearby, issuing from some unknown source within the murk, and he = strained to=20 determine what they might signify. He felt a hand grasp his arm. He was = about to=20 shake himself free when he heard his friend Larache address him. "Doooo = nooottt=20 beeee feeaarrrffulll. Yoouuu aarrreee quiitteee ssssaaaffeeee = heeerrree". He had=20 to remind himself of their friendship for, in these circumstances, he = was less=20 than happy to concede the point. However, the grip remained rigidly upon = his=20 arm, and he was pulled deeper inside. He almost tripped as his foot = encountered=20 an obstacle, and then he realised that he was standing at the bottom of = a flight=20 of stairs. Cautiously, and with one hand outstretched to steady himself = against=20 the wall, he made his unsteady way up the incline. It was with some = relief that=20 he could see a glint of light ahead and, on reaching the top of the = stairwell,=20 he observed that they were about to enter another room from which this = welcome=20 illumination came. He stepped forward behind his friend, and could see = now that=20 there were other Gakis present. There were two, and both were fully = visible to=20 ordinary eyesight. Their appearance, however, belied very much their=20 surroundings. He had half expected to see members of the lower castes in = such a=20 place as this, but these fellows were clearly not of that origin for = each=20 carried robes and accoutrements that demonstrated considerable wealth = and rank.=20 He was unable to see their features since they had chosen to keep the = cowls of=20 their gowns pulled downwards, thus almost completely covering the face. = One of=20 them waved iDarii to a seat opposite, a request with which he quickly = complied.=20 He felt slightly more at ease now, for there seemed to be no immediate = threat of=20 violence. He noticed that Larache had remained standing, and he was more = than a=20 little disconcerted when one of the Gaki signed to his friend to leave = the room.=20 "Iiitttt isssss alllriigghttt, yoouunngg fellllow. Yoouurrr friiieenndd = haasss=20 caarrriieeed oouutt hisssss duuttiieesss". He observed Larache depart, = and with=20 very mixed feelings. What duty was it that he had carried out? he = wondered.=20 "Yoouuuu aarrreee iDarii arre yoouu noottt, yoouunngg onnee?" He nodded, = feeling=20 that to risk his voice at this point might betray his nervousness. "Wee = aaree=20 oofff theeee Innneeerrrr Coouunncilll". Now he was truly surprised. He = had never=20 encountered any of these council members, and certainly not the seers of = that=20 group. "Dooo nooottt beee surrrpriiisssed. Weee neeeed too speeaakk inn=20 prriivaattee. Tellll ussss offff youurrr meeetttinng with theeee = eeaarrth=20 dweellleeerrr aabbooveee". He hesitated for a moment. Such accounts were = for the=20 ears of his superiors only - and sometimes not even then - and he had no = confirmation that these were who they claimed to be. "SPEEEAAAAAKKK = NOOOWWW".=20 The power of the words rocked his body violently. It was not that the = fellow had=20 raised his voice. If anything the sounds seem to snake towards him = quietly,=20 insinuating themselves into his consciousness, and draining his will to = resist.=20 He had heard stories of the power of the seers, but had never witnessed = it=20 directly. He heard his response, as it tumbled forth from his lips = unrestrained,=20 its flow pausing only briefly before being prompted by one or the other = of his=20 interviewers as they mined every detail of his encounter. He had no idea = how=20 long he was subjected to their interrogation. But then the questions = finished,=20 and he felt an enormous fatigue sweep through his body. "Yoouuu = haaavvveeee=20 doonnnneee weelllll, frriieennd. Yoouuu maayy leaavee. Gorval willll = giiivvee=20 yoouuu furrtheeerrr insssttrruuctioonns". GOOO!" The command was given. = Before=20 his mind could respond his body had already raised itself to its feet, = and they=20 were escorting him out of the room. Outside, Larache was waiting for = him, and=20 they again made their careful way back down the dark staircase, and out = of the=20 hovel. As he descended the stairs he noticed the vile smell, which had = seemingly=20 pervaded every corner of the place, had quite disappeared. Even the = darkness,=20 which cloaked every nook and cranny of the dwelling, seemed diminished. = Shaking=20 slightly from his recent experience, and with fear still girdling his = heart, he=20 and his colleague returned by the way they had come, back towards the = Ministry.=20 Neither seemed inclined to converse, and they walked side-by-side, in = complete=20 silence. It was only when they reached its main entrance that Larache = turned,=20 and bade him farewell. It was an odd parting, for there was something = about his=20 friend's manner that suggested a finality to the adieu; his expression = conveyed=20 a sense that their paths would not cross again. He felt impelled to ask = his=20 friend to explain. Before he could do so, Larache had turned on his = heel, and=20 was already disappearing into the crowds of Gaki nearby; he was left to = return=20 to his desk. It seemed that he must await whatever Gorval might = determine, and=20 whenever that might be.

At that very moment, as iDarii was = engaged in his=20 interview with the seers, Gorval and his charge were approaching the = Ministry.=20 His tactic of avoiding the main routes had worked well, and they had = made very=20 good progress. Apart from the occasional, and very surprised, passer-by, = the=20 small party had crossed a considerable section of the city, and were = nearly at=20 its centre. Gorval knew that it would be extremely foolish to enter the = building=20 by the usual method. He had already concluded to employ one of the = secret ways=20 by which he and other council members entered and departed that place. = They were=20 almost upon the main square when he turned to one side, and led = Melaskkoli into=20 a small courtyard. The quadrant was quite empty. Their escort remained = in the=20 street outside, to ensure that none might follow. Gorval reached down to = one of=20 the flag stones that lay upon the ground, and pushed his hand into a = recess set=20 into the ornate design upon its surface. Melaskkoli could not see = precisely what=20 his guide had done. Almost immediately, however, there was a low grating = noise,=20 as if stone was rubbing against stone, and the paving slab slid to one = side to=20 reveal a dark aperture in the ground. His heart fell when he saw this = entrance=20 to yet another underground tunnel make its appearance. He had had his = fill of=20 such subterranean ways but, despite his increasing familiarity with = these=20 surroundings, there still remained a sufficient fraction of the old = Melaskkoli=20 who yearned yet for the great, open spaces. The ample dimensions of the = cavern=20 had sufficed so far. However, he really did not relish the prospect of = once=20 again being buried alive, as it were, in yet another dark and narrow = coffin. But=20 he had little choice and, as he observed Gorval descend into the depths, = he made=20 up his mind to follow. The gap was quite narrow and so he prepared = himself to=20 squeeze into the hole. He was relieved to see that just below the = surface lay=20 the first step of a staircase, which led steeply downwards. Gorval had = already=20 disappeared into the darkness. He hesitated momentarily, for he could = see no=20 more than a few paces ahead. It came as quite a shock when he heard a = small=20 explosion, and then bright light flooded upwards, completely filling the = grotto;=20 evidently his guide had lit a torch. Gorval could now be seen, standing = at the=20 bottom of a small flight of stairs, and awaiting his descent. Guided by = the=20 illumination he had no difficulty distinguishing his footing, and = rapidly joined=20 his companion below. As his head fell below ground level he could hear = the=20 paving stone draw close above him once again, concealing this entryway = from=20 prying eyes.

Finally, he stood upon the bottom-most step and = observed=20 Gorval, with a torch held high in one hand, striding along the path into = the=20 gloom ahead. He fell quickly into step, anxious not to be left behind. = They=20 proceeded like this for sometime. It was with some relief that = Melaskkoli=20 observed they were not descending any further into the earth. In fact = there even=20 seemed to be a slight upward trend to their progress. Suddenly Gorval = came to a=20 halt. "Coommmeee feeeelllooowww. Weee muusssttt gooo bbyyyy thiiissss=20 waaaaayyy". He caught up with his guide, and looked to where the fellow = pointed;=20 his heart fell like a stone. His short-lived hope that they might once = again=20 ascend towards the cavern above was dashed. Before him he could see what = appeared to be a vast well, which plunged into the depths of the earth. = It was=20 some distance in diameter, and he could feel a strong breeze blowing up = from=20 below. The current felt warm against his skin, but he shivered = nonetheless. He=20 could not quite make out what it was that Gorval intended. But then he = followed=20 the direction of the creature's pointing finger, and saw a narrow = staircase that=20 wound down like a massive spiral along the walls of this vast chasm. = There was=20 no railing on the outside edge, and the shaft dropped away sheer to one = side.=20 Melaskkoli could already feel the nausea rising in his stomach at this = awful=20 prospect. Gorval began to advance down the long, winding staircase that = followed=20 the perimeter of the shaft. Melaskkoli held back, fighting the horror = that was=20 rising through his body, even to his throat. He could feel it tightening = now,=20 and constricting his already laboured breathing. Gorval noticed his = hesitation,=20 and came back up the stairway to observe him more closely. He could see = the fear=20 in the young human's eyes and, for an instant, he was at a loss to = account for=20 his condition. He followed the young fellow's gaze, and realised that it = was=20 directed to the shaft that stretched away beneath them. Then he = understood what=20 was passing through the lad's mind. He approached him, and looked = directly into=20 his eyes. "YOOUUU WIIIILLLL FOOOLLLOOWW". The voice echoed through his = mind like=20 a detonation. Gorval immediately resumed his descent, this time not even = bothering to see if his charge had complied with the order. Melaskkoli = found his=20 feet moving as if of their own volition, and already he had set foot on = the top=20 stair of this precipitous descent. His terror rose, for he discovered = himself to=20 be completely unable to control his movement. The fear had not gone, but = his=20 body seemed to have taken control of his actions completely. Step by = step, his=20 heart beating like a hammer, he followed his guide down this deadly = road, with=20 just the flickering light, its flame driven wildly about by the winds = blowing up=20 from the depths, to guide his terrified steps. And thus they made their = way into=20 the great deeps of the under lands.

The sun had not yet raised = her head=20 above the encircling horizon of the great desert. The cool of the night = lingered=20 over the ground, dressing the earth in a soft raiment of dews, and = waiting to be=20 disrobed by the bright aurora. The household had already risen, and the = servants=20 were busying themselves, loading the pack animals with their supplies. = Alaste,=20 his wife and daughter, had already breakfasted before the three scholars = finally=20 made their way into their company. "Ah! My friends. You slept well?" = enquired=20 their host, with his usual enthusiasm. "We'll just have to accustom = ourselves to=20 the early starts again, I suppose", observed Hesvee, with a complete = dearth of=20 zest. "No matter, gentlemen. We shall be off soon. My servants have = already=20 loaded the beasts. All that remains is for us to eat, and then be on our = way;=20 though we shall have to be our own masters - and servants - in future, = of=20 course". The three of them settled down to the small meal, which they = hastily=20 consumed to avoid any further delay. Then the whole party made their way = outside=20 to greet the rising dawn. Alaste turned to both his daughter and wife, = and=20 embraced them warmly. The others turned away, a little embarrassed to = witness=20 this expression of affection, and feeling that they intruded upon what = might be=20 a private and, indeed, final separation. Again, neither of the women = displayed=20 any distress, and were in good spirits; evidently they were well used to = the=20 master of the household setting off on such ventures. And then the = farewells had=20 been concluded. It but remained for him to instruct his steward on the = running=20 of his affairs during their absence, and the three of them were set to = go.=20 Hesvee, Ferioque and Celarent bade their own adieux to the ladies, = Celarent with=20 much awkwardness when he came to Erame. However, he was heartened to = observe=20 that same warm smile directed towards him, which revived somewhat the = fanciful=20 notion that perhaps there existed a degree of affection there beyond = mere=20 friendship. Alaste took his position at the head of the small column = and,=20 grasping the halter of one of his mules, he started to draw the beast = forward.=20 The train fell into line behind the lead animal, and the trio of = scholars fell=20 into step alongside. The only sounds that could be heard in this early = morning=20 hush were the shuffling of hooves upon the softened, sandy ground, and = the=20 huffing breaths of the beasts, as they expelled great clouds of vapour = into the=20 cold, dank air. They had decided to time their departure to avoid the = morning=20 rush-hour, when the herd animals were being brought down to the oasis. = They did=20 not expect their exit to excite much interest beyond that of any other=20 expedition conducted by their host. He had suggested, however, that some = people=20 might be surprised at the rapidity of their leaving; but then again he = was a=20 trader, and must needs go where the profit lies. Celarent cast a last = look=20 backwards, once more to savour the beauty of the Erame. But he was = disappointed=20 for he could see that she had already disappeared into the building. = Only her=20 mother, Tellesa, remained, to gaze after their departing backs. Thus, = the heart,=20 subject as it is to the vagaries of passion, must rise - and then fall - = enslaved in its dependence upon fortune. Erame's premature absence = suggested=20 that his presence might not pre-eminent in her mind after all. He = steeled=20 himself against the onset of disappointment, and returned his attention = to his=20 comrades as they led their beasts through the town. The hour was early = indeed,=20 for there was not a sight, nor barely a sound, of any of the townsfolk = yet risen=20 from their slumbers. They strode quietly through the gardens that = surrounded the=20 spring, and then onwards through the narrow streets until finally they = came out=20 into the open desert. The sun had risen above the edges of the = surrounding=20 hills, and her beams cast their enlivening heat across the surface of = the sands.=20 Wherever she laid her touch there sprung forth a gleaming stream of = glinting=20 diamonds, as the fine dews sparkled under her regal influence. And then = these=20 diamond points were, in turn, transformed into curling wisps of mist, = which=20 danced softly upon those gossamer gems. Now they were wading through a = low sea=20 of silken coolness that flowed gently all about them, its steaming heart = lifting=20 higher and higher into the cool dawn air before disappearing within the = fiery=20 orb's embrace.

They followed the main route from the town before = turning=20 off this track, and striking out into the virgin sands of the wasteland. = It was=20 not a difficult matter to navigate their way here, for all that was = required was=20 to keep the rising sun to their left, and they would surely be headed = north; in=20 this trackless void there were few landmarks to guide their path. Their = host=20 assured them that he was quite confident in holding them to their = course, even=20 in the depths of the night, but only so long as the skies remained = clear, for=20 the stars would show their path as clearly as the bright sun, but in = their own=20 cool way. It had been agreed to travel as far as possible into the = evening, and=20 recommence their voyages in the early matinal hours, for this would = ensure that=20 they conserved both their energy and water supplies. Their main concern = was not=20 so much for food but water, for themselves and for their beasts. Arid as = the=20 desert appeared, Alaste reassured them that he was well acquainted with = the=20 springs that lay along their route, and that they would, at least, not = die of=20 thirst. But he could not resist that one aside when he added his = emphasis to the=20 phrase "at least", and threw a glance at Celarent, winking at the young = fellow.=20 Both Hesvee and Ferioque seemed to miss the joke or, if they understood = it, did=20 not show any great appreciation for their guide's wit; but Celarent = smiled=20 solemnly at the allusion. Their trail was remarkable only in its uniform = character. On either side the desert stretched evenly and remorselessly = into a=20 vague distance. The sun rose relentlessly in the sky and, as the heat = grew, so=20 it was that the abundant wildlife retreated to their protective quarters = below=20 the surface; in truth, this was a far from desolate land. All about them = could=20 be seen the desert's habitants, each pursuing those ends most suited to = their=20 sustenance. These were, for the most part, smaller creatures, and better = suited=20 by size to this environment. Everywhere great numbers of dark-haired = rabbits=20 sped over the ground, darting this way and that, carelessly indifferent = to the=20 travellers as they passed by. They bounded into the air, leaping as if = in a=20 sheer exultation for life. From time to time a sand cat would make its = furtive=20 way over the dunes, its sharp yellow eyes ferociously seeking the next = meal.=20 Occasionally, brightly coloured lizards would flit across their path, = anxiously=20 pursuing smaller prey, mostly insects, flies, ants, and even smaller = lizards,=20 which formed the mainstay of their diet. Far overhead, and almost lost = in the=20 blue distance, could be seen the lords of this realm, the great eagles = that=20 floated the air currents, roaming over the wilderness, calm and = detached, far=20 removed from the mere worldly concerns of men and beasts.

The = travellers=20 moved at an easy pace, conserving their energy but, nonetheless, = covering the=20 ground rapidly. Their way, though unmarked, was easy. The ground was = level, and=20 the sand soft beneath their feet, gently cushioning each step. They = moved out=20 deeper and deeper into the desert, with the clear azure skies soaring = overhead,=20 and the sun scaling their heights steadily. Already far ahead, floating = and=20 twisting in the heat haze of the pale horizon, could be seen the = outlines of the=20 great Northern mountains. Alaste had reckoned that it would not be too = long=20 before they gained their foothills. Celarent found himself staring = eagerly in=20 their direction, straining to pick out any detail in their vague masses. = It was=20 sometimes difficult to distinguish between those mighty grey bulwarks, = which=20 heaved their mist shrouded shoulders over the horizon, and the = flickering and=20 shimmering mirages that danced magically and beguilingly, coaxed forth = by the=20 sun's influence. There was something indeed intoxicating about this = strange=20 prospect. Sometimes it seemed as if a great sea lay before him, and he = would=20 swear that he could hear the sounds of crashing waves beating upon this = desert=20 shore, the white frothing surf flung high into the air. And then the = scene would=20 shift, and a forest of shuddering trees would present themselves to his = eyes,=20 their boughs fluttering and shaking in an intangible breeze. He was = familiar=20 with such phenomena but it was easy to see how the unwary might be = trapped by=20 such bewitching images. As they passed across the great sands Celarent = would=20 cast a wistful glance along the route by which they had come. There he = might=20 catch a glimpse of one of the sand cats quartering its territory, = anxiously=20 hunting down prey before the noonday heat would burst upon the ground. = Alaste=20 had informed them that they would arrive at their first watering hole = long=20 before that time arrived. It seemed sensible to discontinue their day's = march=20 then, before that violent heat descended upon their heads; they could = remain=20 there by the waterside during the day, resting and sleeping, before = enjoying the=20 cool of the evening briefly, and then again setting off upon their = travels=20 during the latter hours. Celarent was amazed that their new-found friend = could=20 pursue a path through this desert with such certitude. There were no = landmarks=20 that he could decipher, beyond that given by the position of the sun in = the sky.=20 Finally, his curiosity overcame his natural reticence, and he quickened = his pace=20 until he had caught up with Alaste, who was still heading the column. = Meanwhile,=20 both Hesvee and Ferioque walked beside each other, exchanging but few = words,=20 their attention inwardly directed.

Alaste heard the approaching = footsteps=20 but continued his march without looking back. "Sir!" called Celarent. At = this=20 the guide spared a glance round, but still did not slacken his pace. The = younger=20 man fell into step beside him, and they walked along in silence. It was = Alaste=20 who prompted the question. "So, lad. How are you bearing up? Is the heat = too=20 much for you yet?" "No indeed, sir. Not at all. We're accustomed to such = temperatures, although vigorous exercise is not such a usual = accompaniment". "Of=20 course you are", commented Alaste. "Still we'll reach the water hole = soon, and=20 take our rest there". "That was what I was going to ask you, sir. How = can you be=20 so sure of your path, sir?" "Well firstly, my friend, please stop = addressing me=20 as 'sir'. I can quite understand that that's most appropriate for our = more=20 elderly companions, illustrious scholars as they are. But I'm a humble = merchant,=20 and don't require such civilities". "Very well, ss?.", replied Celarent, = stumbling in his efforts to break the habit. "Very well, Alaste", he = added=20 cautiously. "But I'm very curious as to how you're able to gauge your = path?" "Ah=20 well. That might be a mystery indeed, might it not?" added the merchant, = with a=20 mischievous smile. "I might attribute it to the mystical arts. Or = portray myself=20 as an adept of the desert ways. Or perhaps it's a simple case of knowing = where=20 you start from, and then fixing your aim on a distant target. So I = regret to say=20 it's the last. All I needed to do was to set my course by that", and he = pointed=20 with a finger into the distance. Celarent followed the direction he had = picked=20 out, whilst narrowing his eyes against the light, the more clearly to = see. He=20 could hardly distinguish anything which might serve the purpose that = their guide=20 asserted. "I'm afraid I can't see anything but dust; or maybe dust and = mirages,=20 and the distant mountains". "Ah well you see, I've lived in these parts = many=20 years, and the horizons here are as familiar to me as the back of my = hand. So I=20 do serve some purpose as a guide after all", he laughed. Celarent had to = concede=20 the point. "I guess so". "Now don't worry, my friend. We'll find our = water, and=20 the desert will not dry your bones so soon. And another secret". He = leaned=20 towards Celarent as if to whisper in his ear. "I can smell the stuff as = well".=20 "You can smell water? Now you're undoubtedly pulling my leg, sirrah". = "No. It's=20 quite true, my young friend. Water has a smell all its own; and the = greater the=20 thirst, the stronger the scent". Celarent gave the fellow a glance, = formed half=20 way between incredulity and belief. But Alaste seemed quite serious. The = former=20 thought it better not to pursue the discussion further, and thus avoid = giving=20 offence. They trudged along side-by-side while Celarent scanned the = distant=20 horizon, looking for clues from within its grey brown = mists.

Behind them,=20 Hesvee and Ferioque watched the two leaders, both of whom seemed to be = enjoying=20 some kind of joke. "Well. Here we are, Hesvee", opined Ferioque. "I = don't know=20 about you but I still feel like I'm going to wake up in my bed, safe at = home,=20 instead of going off on this harebrained scheme. I don't know what's got = into=20 me?" he added jokingly. "I think that it must be the same thing that set = me off,=20 friend", replied Hesvee. "Old fools and all that, I believe the = condition is=20 thus described". "You could be right. Still, it was time for a change, = and who=20 knows? The map may indeed lead us somewhere. Anyway, I think we're in = safe=20 hands, at least for the time being. As for what awaits us in those = mountains up=20 ahead, well?" "Yes. But there's truly only one means to discover that = end. Let's=20 hope it's not too final", replied the master, with grim humour. And so = the party=20 toiled across the wastes, to meet with a good or bad end, whichever fate = felt=20 inclined to dispense.

The pair continued into the deeps. = Melaskkoli was=20 entirely helpless within the grip of that relentless force, from which = he sought=20 fruitlessly to free himself. He was partly hampered in his efforts by = the=20 realisation that, should he succeed, he would find himself precariously=20 positioned at the immediate margin of an apparently bottomless pit. The = sheer=20 terror that had invaded his body seemed to have slightly receded now; = for even=20 that horror could not be physically sustained for very long. It really = is quite=20 extraordinary how adaptable both the human frame and psyche are, = especially in=20 circumstances that make the most grievous demands upon each. That is not = to say=20 that the dread had faded completely. He was very much aware of his = predicament,=20 and it was only too clear what fate he might encounter should his step = falter=20 but one iota. From time to time his tread would displace a few small = stones,=20 which were scattered upon the pathway before him. They would clatter = over the=20 ground towards the path's edge before disappearing noiselessly into the = depths.=20 He did not dare to observe more closely their descent, but he could hear = no=20 sound, not an echo, of those rocks striking even a distant surface. He = moved,=20 step by step, much in the manner of a puppet suspended by strings, = awkwardly and=20 joltingly, down the seemingly endless ranks of steps that stretched = below.=20 Fortunately the risers were quite shallow, and he did not have to worry = too=20 greatly about losing his balance on their account. Gorval moved steadily = ahead=20 always, seemingly quite unperturbed by the experience. They marched down = and=20 downwards, moving slowly round the great perimeter, and ever descending = into the=20 great dark. He could yet feel the strong gusts of wind blowing up from = below=20 and, as they descended, it seemed that these draughts were growing = warmer. His=20 knees felt shaky. If he had not been propelled by the power that Gorval = exerted=20 over his frame he would surely have fallen to his death. His body ached = with=20 fear and exhaustion, and his mind reeled under the waves of terror that = broke=20 over him, driving his thoughts awry. Again that strange sensation, of = having=20 experienced all of this before, assailed him. Despite the alarm = occasioned by=20 his present position he could not shake the feeling that this was = somehow quite=20 familiar. The memories of his past life grew ever more tenuous, with = each pace=20 that he took into this peculiar future. On and on they went; and time = passed=20 immeasurably. The torchlight flickered ever before him. Sometimes it was = all he=20 could do to fix his attention upon its wavering flame, but this seemed = to expel=20 some of his fears. It came as quite a shock to see the line of steps = coming to=20 an end, to terminate in a small platform just below him. Gorval had = stopped, and=20 was watching him as he climbed down the last few flights. As he drew = closer he=20 could see that there was a small doorway set into the rock. It was with=20 considerable gratitude that he finally stepped aside, and entered its = warm and=20 embracing darkness. He spared a glance backwards to observe the = stairway, as it=20 continued downwards from the parapet, disappearing finally into the pit. = The=20 passageway they had entered was quite narrow, but sufficiently wide to = be able=20 to pass by, and with a little room to spare on either side. The ceiling = was=20 rather low and he noticed that it, together with the walls and the = floor, had=20 been sculpted to a fine finish; and more, that upon those surfaces had = been=20 carved quite extraordinarily intricate designs. There was insufficient = time or=20 light to examine those markings more carefully, but they seemed to = depict a=20 series of episodes in some unfolding story. Here and there he could see=20 displayed the strange outlines of beasts, and interwoven amongst these = the=20 unmistakeably bizarre forms of the Gaki race themselves. It was somewhat = surprising - and disturbing - therefore, to observe, inscribed within = one of=20 these narrative sections, the form of a human being. Up to this point he = had not=20 seen a single individual of his race - or, indeed, image thereof - = throughout=20 his entire progress in this underground land. The only figure that = graced his=20 view otherwise was the becloaked profile of his guide, striding always = before=20 him. He had slowed slightly in an attempt to examine more closely these = stony=20 figures. As he did so, however, Gorval had swiftly turned, and waved to = him to=20 keep up. Fortunately he had now regained full control of his faculties, = and no=20 longer had to endure the unpleasant sensation of being subject to = another's=20 will. As he recollected his recent ordeal, he felt a thrill of fear run = through=20 his body, his mind's eye running again over that desperate = descent.

They=20 had now emerged from the passageway and were entering a small, but = relatively=20 well-lit, chamber. He had noticed that the green luminescent mosses did = not grow=20 at these depths, and they were now wholly dependent on torches to = illumine their=20 path. It was by this light that he could see that they were no longer = alone.=20 Dotted around the perimeter of the small antechamber were the figures of = other=20 Gakis, all of whom seemed to serve the function of guards. They were = dressed in=20 a kind of light armour, composed of he knew not what material, though it = did=20 appear metallic. Each one also carried a short stabbing spear in one = hand, and a=20 buckler in the other. They gave no indication that they had noticed the = arrival=20 of either Gorval or himself. The former indicated to his companion to = remain=20 motionless, whilst he disappeared from the room via a small doorway, = this=20 aperture draped in some kind of heavy, shiny material. Melaskkoli = glanced about=20 him, taking full advantage of this opportunity to examine his = surroundings. He=20 made no move towards the guards, presenting as they did a rather = formidable and=20 sinister appearance. The place itself was rather nondescript, roughly = oval in=20 shape, with undressed walls, ceiling and floor. The only openings were = those of=20 the entrance, and the doorway by which Gorval had recently exited. He = remained=20 there only a short span before his guide re-entered the room, and = gestured to=20 him to follow. Gorval stood to one side as he ushered his charge into = the=20 adjoining chamber. The first thing that struck him was the precise = dimension of=20 this area. It was a perfect circle in form, and within the precise = centre of the=20 room stood a table, which mirrored perfectly that elegant geometric = figure.=20 Around the table, at intervals, were arranged chairs, and it was towards = these=20 that the visitors' attention was drawn. He counted a dozen in all, each = placed=20 equidistantly around the table, and in turn occupied by the dark figure = of a=20 Gaki. At one point on the circumference, he noted, was a small flight of = steps,=20 which led from the floor right up to the table's surface. He felt = someone tap=20 his shoulder, and it was Gorval, urging him forwards. "Issssss heeee=20 preeeepaarreed?" one figure demanded; Melaskkoli could not tell which. = Gorval=20 nodded. "Theennnn heeee maaaayyy taaakkkeee hisssss pllaaccee". Gorval = took his=20 arm and led him to the side of the table near the steps. Then he pushed=20 Melaskkoli towards the small staircase. The latter was rather = disinclined to=20 follow this direction, but Gorval was very insistent. For one awful = moment he=20 thought the Gaki might again utilise his dreadful skill to force him to = obey.=20 The memory of this was sufficient for him to resolve that he would = proceed=20 according to his own will, and not that of another's. Without any = further=20 prompting he ascended the short incline, and found himself standing upon = the=20 table surface. Gorval pointed to the centre of the circle and, by this = gesture,=20 Melaskkoli understood that he was required to stand there. The room was = well=20 lit, by Gaki standards, and as he took his place he turned to face his=20 instructor. He observed that all present sat with faces concealed, their = faces=20 shrouded in darkness. Furthermore, each Gaki wore a thick hood, which = fell=20 forward in great black folds over his or her head, this lending an even = greater=20 air of menace to the proceedings. Melaskkoli stood stock-still, = observing them=20 as they were quite evidently observing him. "So you have finally found = your way=20 back to us, young one?" a voice boomed through the room. The intonation = and=20 sibilance to which he had become accustomed was not present in this = strange=20 accent, though it lacked the timbre of a human expression. He was quite = sure=20 that those tones could never have been uttered by one from amongst his = own=20 species. He looked about him, trying to see who it was that might be = addressing=20 him. The words seemed to have come from every direction. He scrutinised = the=20 hooded figures carefully, hoping to gain a clue as to their source. But = there=20 was only a deep silence. Nothing stirred in the depths.

The = desert=20 travellers had already covered a considerable distance in a relatively = short=20 space of time. Although they had not pressed forward quickly, they had=20 maintained a steady pace, and the going had been easy. It was only = mid-morning=20 when Alaste called to his fellows from his position at the head of their = small=20 caravan. "Well. Good news. Fresh water today, gentleman". Celarent and = his two=20 masters scanned the land for some sign of the water hole. Celarent had = been=20 expecting to see something, albeit on a smaller scale, that resembled = the=20 generous springs of their recent dwelling place. But apart from a few = straggly=20 bushes and an aged tree, crooked and riven, and quite stripped of = foliage, there=20 was nothing to give credence to their guide's declaration. "What do you = mean?"=20 called Hesvee. He, too, was glancing this way and that, as was Ferioque. = "Right=20 there, my friends. Right before your eyes. Surely you can see. Am I the = only one=20 with good eyesight around here?" It was no good. Celarent suspected that = Alaste=20 was again indulging in one of his jokes, playing upon their ignorance of = the=20 desert. "Ah! I see you'll need some assistance. Well! Follow me", and he = strode=20 over towards that dried-up tree, which languished in solitary pathos = before=20 them. As he did so he pulled a spade from a pack carried by one of the = mules,=20 and walked briskly across the desert floor. When he reached the vicinity = of that=20 sad vegetation he raised the spade and, in a somewhat dramatical way, = thrust it=20 into the ground, and proceeded in a business-like fashion to excavate = the spot.=20 The others watched him with some surprise, and not a little amusement. = Alaste=20 continued energetically in this manner for some time before he had dug = out a=20 sizeable pit in the desert sand. The others by now had crowded around, = the=20 better to observe the mad man at his work. He had dug through the soft = sand=20 layers, and exposed a deeper stratum composed of pebbles and smaller = rocks.=20 Celarent felt something hit his cheek. He was about to call out to his=20 industrious friend to be more careful when, on reaching up with his = hand, he was=20 surprised to discover a smear of mud upon his face. He craned forward, = eager to=20 see where it might have come from. Alaste was standing on a small mound = of what=20 appeared to be dark sand. As his spade chopped into the soil and he = lifted it=20 away, all could see a small, muddy puddle of water bubbling up from the = cut. He=20 did not cease in his endeavours, and before long the small pool had = grown much=20 larger; and it was filled to the brim with dark, brown but beautiful = water. It=20 was an unwholesome sight, but in the desert this was akin to unearthing = a rich=20 vein of gold within an exhausted mine. Alaste looked up to Celarent. = "Here. Pass=20 me a bucket". The latter went over to one of the pack mules, and = returned=20 quickly with the pail. He passed it down to Alaste who promptly dipped = it in the=20 water and, with a generous portion of mud and sand, passed it back up to = the=20 others. "Just let it settle a little, and then the mules can water = first". At=20 first the liquid appeared rather unappetising, but the pebbles and = coarse sand=20 quickly settled to the bottom of the container. In no time at all the = water was=20 potable, and the bucket was placed in front of one of the animals. = Alaste called=20 for more water carriers to be brought, and these too were quickly = filled, and=20 the water dispensed in the same manner. It seemed no matter how many = times he=20 dipped into the well it never ran dry. Soon all the animals had drunk = their=20 fill; and now it was the turn of the humans. They drank until they were=20 bursting, so great a thirst had they grown under the ministrations of = the=20 blazing sun. Now that their thirst was slaked they proceeded to = replenish all=20 the remaining water containers. Alaste had instructed them in the first = rule of=20 the desert. 'You can do without food; you cannot do without water'. "So = my=20 eyesight is better than yours it would seem, gentlemen?" he enquired = ironically=20 of them. "So it would seem. And fortunate for us, I think", replied = Hesvee.=20 "Yes. The desert has many hidden secrets, and her codes are known only = to her=20 children. Remain ignorant of them and these lands are an unforgiving = master".=20 The party settled down to eat a small meal; just some cheese with bread = and=20 fruit. The sun was at its height now, and the heat most fiercesome. = Their guide=20 showed them how to dig out some shallow burrows into which they could = then=20 climb. The earth would provide some shelter against the blazing sun, for = there=20 was nothing otherwise to shade them, and certainly not that impoverished = tree,=20 which cast its bare branches in futile defiance skywards. About them the = desert=20 settled into a deeper silence, as its denizens withdrew beneath the = sands,=20 protected from the furnace that burned fiercely above their = heads.

Not a=20 murmur was to be heard in the room. Melaskkoli felt his heart beating = rapidly,=20 and the blood that rushed in his ears sounded like a torrent. His mouth = was dry,=20 not merely from the arid atmosphere that suffused the room, but also = from a=20 fear, which had its icy grip about his throat. His breath felt even more = laboured now than when he had been climbing down into this tomb. He = stared=20 fixedly at each of the figures that were seated near him. There was no = movement,=20 not an indication even of life. For a brief instance it passed through = his mind=20 that they were indeed all lifeless; but this ghoulish thought thankfully = came=20 and went. There would be little purpose in bringing him here for an = encounter=20 with the dead unless?. He shrugged away what that conclusion might lead = him=20 towards. "Yoouuu sssaaaaay heeeee iissss reeaaddddy?" The voice rolled = around=20 the walls. "Yessss", replied Gorval. The fellow was standing just = outside the=20 circle, but facing towards Melaskkoli. "Very well. So you've returned to = us,=20 young one?" Melaskkoli again tried to determine the source of this = enquiry. It=20 occurred to him that an answer might help his case, and maybe even = prolong his=20 life. These creatures, though they had not acted in any kind of hostile = fashion=20 so far, might yet reverse this policy. "I'm not sure what you mean", he=20 hesitated, "sirs?" "Your coming has been known to us for some time, = Melaskkoli".=20 He was surprised to be addressed by name. How was it possible that they = should=20 know it? "Ah!" was the best response that he could summon. "You hear my = voice=20 clearly, I trust?" Again he hesitated. "I do, though your speech doesn't = sound=20 much like that of the one who brought me here". There was a low chuckle. = "Oooffff coourrrssseee noooottt". He had the growing feeling that some = kind of=20 joke was being played upon him, and he felt a thrill of anger shoot = through his=20 body. "Look. I've come here. I don't know what's going on or what you = want with=20 me. I come from up above". He pointed upwards to emphasise the point. = "We know=20 quite well where you come from. We've been observing you for some time; = perhaps=20 longer than you realise. As for my speech, that is indeed different, as = you have=20 observed". There was a slight pause. "You don't hear me with your ears = but with=20 your mind. Do you understand?" He remained silent, trying to comprehend = what the=20 fellow was telling him. "With my mind, you say?" "Yes. Speech between us = is=20 usually limited to the conventional methods. But then these are not = conventional=20 circumstances". A long silence followed this statement. "So you're = talking with=20 your mind to my mind, do I understand rightly?" "That's correct, young = one. I=20 knew that you would see. And now as to why you are here. Tell me what = you can=20 recall?" It seemed that there was little point in dissimulation, and = that if he=20 was frank with these creatures they might be inclined to assist him. = After a=20 brief pause he began to give an account of his adventures so far. But = his=20 questioner motioned with his hand, interrupting the flow of his speech. = "No. I=20 wish you to give me a full account, as far back as you can remember; = even to=20 your childhood. You understand?" Melaskkoli nodded, and retraced his = steps=20 accordingly. He spoke of his mother and father, and of their deaths, and = how he=20 had been placed under the guardianship of his uncle, and of his = subsequent=20 departure from that household. He did not speak of the strange thoughts = that had=20 passed through his mind when he had been travelling; even now they = possessed a=20 quality of impulsiveness that surpassed his comprehension. He told of = his first=20 encounter with one of their kind, and of the devastation that he had = witnessed=20 on the surface world. Then he recounted his visit to the cabin in the = valley. He=20 concluded his story with that fateful and accidental entry into this = underworld.=20 His speech was accorded complete silence, and similarly when he had = finished his=20 discourse; then that voice again arose in his mind. He wondered for a = moment if=20 the others in the room could hear it . "Very well. It's in accord with = our=20 intentions". There was a slight pause, as if his interlocutor was = conferring=20 with another. "Now I'll tell you the truth of what has passed here". = Then the=20 Gaki, without interruption, launched into a story so bizarre that = Melaskkoli had=20 the greatest difficulty in grasping its content. It was not that the = narrator=20 lacked clarity in his discourse. After all, these were directly = apprehended=20 conceptions, and so much more vivid than ordinary speech, with all its = attendant=20 semantic confusions. No. It was indeed the content. Melaskkoli had = experienced=20 many extraordinary events in the course of his brief life. For example = there was=20 that unaccountable restlessness in his moods, which he had omitted in = his=20 previous narration. But now the Gaki was communicating such an = inconceivable=20 interpretation of what had come to pass that his mind shied away, = recoiling with=20 incredulity. As the creature continued with his account Melaskkoli felt = himself=20 slumping down upon the table's surface. It would have been quite = impossible for=20 him to have remained upright, so shocking was the news that this fellow = relayed=20 to him. The creature addressed him thus. "You're of our race, young = Gaki. You=20 were not born to the surface dwellers, nor did you have that mother and = father=20 with them". The seer could see that the young one was very bewildered. = "I'll=20 proceed slowly in my account. Please be patient, and try to understand = what I'm=20 telling you. Believe me when I say - and I do speak for the Council in = this -=20 that we know that you'll find it very hard to conceive it, but it is the = truth=20 that I tell you. I'll retrace my steps somewhat. The history of the Gaki = goes=20 back further even than the birth of 'your' race, the humans. But it's = only of=20 this cycle that I shall speak, and thereby some confusion will arise. = For now=20 let us just speak of our present history. For most of this world's = existence=20 there was only one people that lived here. They were the surface = dwellers with=20 whom you are familiar. Their lives were hard, but they were a = resourceful race,=20 and strived always, as is the lot of all living beings. It was in their = nature=20 to prevail over other sentient forms and, in time, they were perhaps too = successful. As the millennia passed they became the overlords of the = surface.=20 Their supremacy contributed to a hubris, which came to dominate their = thoughts,=20 for all were subdued before their ambition. However, what they didn't = fully=20 comprehend was that the more they gained, the more they wanted. After a = while=20 they could no longer distinguish what was requisite to their lives, and = instead=20 were rather driven by an all-consuming greed, a craving to possess even = more.=20 This condition manifested almost as a disease amongst them, and became = so=20 prevalent that it was taken for their normal condition. And so as they = consumed,=20 so were they consumed. Their peoples spread over the face of the world; = but=20 whatever they touched was destroyed. As other creatures disappeared = before this=20 onslaught, as the abundant natural resources of this world were = gradually eaten=20 up, their happiness, which they believed was founded upon their = appetites,=20 transformed slowly into a hunger that could never be allayed. Under = their=20 dominion the whole world was swallowed up, devoured by the beast that = they had=20 unleashed within themselves. There were few who challenged this way of = life, and=20 their voices went largely unheard, drowned out under the groaning = demands and=20 cries of more and more mouths as their race spread out over the face of = this=20 world. Finally, a few amongst their number, driven almost mad by the = sickness,=20 were forced to take refuge. The only solace they could find was beneath = the=20 earth, and it was in these dark caverns that they made their homes. But = it was=20 as they fled below that an extraordinary event came to pass. It was as = if their=20 bodies gave up a fraction of that life energy, and with this loss their = forms=20 transformed concurrently. This vital force itself sought out a new home, = and=20 deposited itself in clusters, dispersed here and there in the = underworld. You=20 encountered one of these during the course of your descent. Do you = recall that=20 cavern of gold which you passed through before you encountered our = guide?" This=20 last question prompted a nod from Melaskkoli. "You also remember, = perhaps, that=20 you grew increasingly faint at that time?" Again he nodded. "Well that = is simply=20 a consequence of you giving up a part of your life force. This realm = will have=20 become more and more familiar as you returned to it, in both body and = soul, if=20 you like. The physical transformations that we underwent, which = distinguishes us=20 so much from the humans above, represent those appetites, or rather our=20 inability to satisfy these cravings fully. We believe that the flight of = our=20 ancestors, and all those who have since moved from the surface world to = the Gaki=20 realm, that it is a form of instinctive migration, a subconscious = attempt to=20 preserve the whole species. It was found that as more of our kind came = to make=20 the underworld our home this seemed to lessen the effects of the disease = above.=20 The surface dwellers were more easily able to control their appetites = and, as a=20 consequence, the natural resources recovered, and a new equilibrium = established.=20 That's not to say that greed was abolished, but at least it has been = attenuated.=20 However, the disease continues to manifest amongst us, and for some = considerable=20 period now it has gradually worsened. The hunger that has always been a = dominant=20 part of our lives, although manageable to some extent, shows increasing = signs of=20 getting out of hand. What you witnessed on the surface world was just = one of=20 many upsurges from the under lands. Now the Gaki, in increasing numbers, = are=20 venturing outside in order to satisfy those desires, those which can no = longer=20 be met here. There have always been some encounters between our kind and = the=20 surface dwellers, but we have managed thus far to contain any damage = that might=20 arise from these. But lately this has changed, and matters are going = beyond our=20 control entirely. The raids, that were once quite small and isolated, = have=20 become increasingly recurrent, and the numbers of those engaged larger = and=20 larger. It's just a matter of time before our existence becomes fully = exposed,=20 and then such terrible consequences will ensue". The Gaki paused in his = story,=20 allowing Melaskkoli some time to catch up. "However, there's an aspect = to this=20 which I've not yet revealed. There is, in the history of our people, and = we=20 believe also in that of the surface dwellers, a foreshadowing that such = a time=20 as this would come. For the most part we have regarded such stories much = as=20 other myths; something to amuse children, and the foolish. But it has = become=20 clearer that this particular legend too closely predicts what is indeed=20 unfolding. The Great Hunger of the Gaki race is represented in these = stories as=20 a vast devouring monster, which will eventually consume not only the = world, but=20 also itself. If this prophecy is to be believed then Fate itself cannot = be=20 avoided. However, it is further presaged that two beings will come to = us, as the=20 saviours of the Gaki race, and that they will be human. For this to = happen it=20 was necessary that the Gaki should send an envoy to the upper realms, = and that=20 this servant would in some way draw these two beings to the underworld. = If they=20 arrive here, and both are present simultaneously in one of the Caves of = Life -=20 that is, one of the energy depositories I have described - then the full = tragedy=20 will be averted. The Great Hunger will manifest itself, but instead of = complete=20 destruction this will lead to the final liberation of our people, and we = will=20 somehow be restored in our whole being. And now we come to you". = Melaskkoli had=20 been listening carefully to the fellow's tale, though with a = considerable degree=20 of scepticism. But he felt a shock of realisation jolt through his mind = and body=20 at the Gaki's last words. "Yes. You're that envoy. You were sent to the = upper=20 world, and within your mind was planted a set of memories that have no = truth.=20 For you to merge fully into human society it was most important that, in = every=20 respect, you resemble one of their people. In some ways that was the = easier part=20 of the task to accomplish; but your physical transformation was somewhat = more=20 problematic. Our scientists had been researching for some time the Gaki = anatomy=20 and physiology. They redoubled their efforts when it became clearer that = the=20 prophecy was something more than a fiction. It was discovered that = prolonged=20 exposure within one of the energy chambers led some Gaki to revert to a = human=20 physiology. It took a number of years, and the considerable dedication = of quite=20 a few of our foremost researchers, to ensure that this technique was = refined=20 sufficiently to allow you to pass unnoticed above. You were then placed = in the=20 care of that fellow you call your uncle, by the simple expedient of = placing you=20 at his door as an infant. We could not be sure how you would be treated; = according to the histories this particular condition was not specified. = As far=20 as we could tell the Gaki envoy simply had to remain in the upper world = for a=20 significant period of time. This in itself was considered sufficient to = set in=20 motion the remainder of the prescribed events. We've no idea precisely = how this=20 is to come about, and we're not at all sure that we have achieved our = objective.=20 The only clue that we might have been successful is that the envoy = would, of his=20 own accord, return to the Gaki realm - which in fact you have". Again = the seer=20 paused in his account. Melaskkoli knew that throughout this entire = interview he=20 was being examined closely by those ranks of silent figures. His mind = reeled=20 under the facts that were being relayed to him, but mostly he rebelled = against=20 this bizarre presentation of his entire life history. Deep within, = however,=20 there was an as yet unvoiced recognition that what was being recounted = was the=20 truth. But his psyche was not ready for such an admission, and for the = time=20 being he remained utterly confused. "There's one other thing. We have = spies who=20 operate in the overworld. They have not adopted human guise and so must = remain=20 extremely covert in their behaviour. One of these has been closely = following the=20 activities of a certain scholar in one of their cities. In fact it's the = largest=20 metropolis in this region, and certainly the most proximate. He's of = particular=20 interest since his studies include those relating to the activities of = the mind,=20 and its unusual attributes. It has come to our attention, by means that = we don't=20 need to disclose, that this fellow has recently become privy to some = important=20 papers that disclose, in part, the possible existence of a certain = underground=20 location. We were not quite sure of this fact for after all these = scholars are=20 always digging up old, and usually quite nondescript, papers, but in = this case,=20 and it really is quite extraordinary, this fellow was somewhat careless, = and a=20 fragment of one of these documents made its way forth from his dwelling. = Our=20 agent was able partly to decipher its contents, and thus recognise its=20 significance. This was sufficient in itself to alert us, that one of the = overground dwellers had an inkling of our existence or, at least, of one = of our=20 cities. He brought this report, and the fragment itself, to our = attention; we=20 were able to confirm his suspicions. When we realised the implications = of this=20 we assigned further agents, to keep an eye on developments. Indeed, the = document=20 must have impressed this fellow mightily, for our last report indicates = that he=20 has left the city with two companions, and is currently making his way = in the=20 direction of what the humans call 'the Northern mountains'; those, in = fact, that=20 lie directly above our heads. At first we thought that this group might = include=20 the two beings that were mentioned in the prophecy. However, when we = heard of=20 the composition of the party, our spirits sank. The prediction tells = that one of=20 the two will be a male, and the other a female. Now we know that this = assembly=20 is composed solely of men. It could be, of course, that one of these = will form=20 part of the pair, and that the female will appear from another quarter. = We=20 remain hopeful that this is the case, but there's no sign of any other=20 travellers who might be making their way here". He fell silent whilst = Melaskkoli=20 sought to digest all that had been imparted to him. Up to a point it = made sense.=20 But whereas the mind might accept such a diet with difficulty, the heart = will=20 not. The news that his mother, for whom he felt such love, and for his = father,=20 that both had never really existed was beyond the scope of his emotions = to=20 contain. The memories were so real. It could not be possible that = everything,=20 his history, his memories, his thoughts and feelings, they were all a = great lie.=20 His whole being rebelled against such a notion, and a great fury arose = deep=20 inside him. "How can you tell me this? How can you say such things?" He = could=20 feel the tears beginning to run down his cheek, hot and scalding to the = skin.=20 "You're lying". He buried his head in his hands and drew himself up into = a ball=20 upon the table, his whole body shaking with the violent emotional = turmoil that=20 exploded within his being. The Gaki remained silent; not one moved to = comfort=20 him. Yet within their hearts there fluttered the vaguest recognition of = the=20 torment to which they had exposed their fellow. But there was nothing to = be done=20 but let the storm express its own nature. They remained still for some = time,=20 listening calmly and coolly to his sobbing, and to the heartfelt calls, = which=20 railed out against the cold rock walls. Finally, the cries became more = subdued,=20 and the seer felt able to continue with his tale. "We're sorry, young = one, for=20 your suffering. We knew that when we returned you to the human world you = would=20 regain all their passions. We've but one left to us - the great hunger = of which=20 I spoke. But as for anger, or lust, or any of that species, we know = little. But=20 we do know suffering, as does every creature that walks upon the earth = or swims=20 the seas or flies through the skies; for that is our universal = birthright. And=20 you have rediscovered this, both as a human as well as a Gaki. When you = came=20 back through the Cave of Life you relinquished some of that energy back = into the=20 rock. If you remain here you will gradually give back the whole of that = life=20 force; only then will you regain your true Gaki form and psyche. But = that will=20 take some time. For now you must endure the suffering that you have = inherited".=20 Melaskkoli could hear his words, but still the import did not penetrate = deeply.=20 His whole being felt consumed in his loss, and its intensity seemed to = overlay=20 any other sensibility. The pain had subsided a little, and he was able = to raise=20 his head to look at the quiet assembly. "So what now? What happens to = me? I've=20 lost my family once, not even a real family. My life's a fraud and I've = nothing=20 left. I'm neither Gaki nor human. Should I remain here or return to the = upper=20 world? Can't I resume my life there? It's not too late surely. I still = have=20 human form. Can't you send me back?" This last was uttered with great = feeling,=20 for he had no desire to remain in this dark place the rest of his life. = "You=20 can't go back. Even if we were willing to repeat the experiment, and = return you=20 to the upper world, we do not have time. Events are moving with great = rapidity.=20 The raids are growing more frequent with each passing day. Soon the = earth=20 dwellers will realise what is happening; and we believe that war can be = the only=20 result. And that perhaps is what the Great Hunger truly is; that we = shall all be=20 devoured in a conflict, which will finally end our race. So I'm afraid, = young=20 one, that you must remain with us. But as time proceeds you'll become = more=20 accustomed to our world, and to the life we live here; that is, what is = left to=20 us, of course". Melaskkoli quietly absorbed the implications of the = seer's=20 statement. His grief had diminished somewhat, or at least its more = violent=20 manifestations. Now he was left merely with an aching hollowness within = his=20 heart, that silently cried in its loneliness. He was quite alone amidst = this=20 solemn gathering.

The heat of the day had long passed, and with = the=20 cooling airs the travellers awakened. Immediately both Celarent and = Alaste set=20 about preparing the evening meal. They had brought some kindling with = them,=20 which had been packed upon the backs of two of their mules. Despite the = presence=20 of the old tree they had refrained from stripping it for wood to feed = their=20 fire. It was not simply that this would deprive future travellers of = that vital=20 landmark to the well; there was also something so poignant about life = struggling=20 to survive against such odds, just clinging to this small foothold in = the=20 desert. This was a sacred place, and not to be desecrated for such a = small=20 necessity. In a short time there was a pot of water bubbling above the = newly lit=20 flames, and to this the ingredients for the meal were being = enthusiastically=20 added. Both Hesvee and Ferioque seemed quite content to let their = fellows=20 indulge their appetite for labour. Alaste, however, had concluded that = this was=20 a state of affairs that needed to be remedied. He gave Celarent a quick = glance=20 before addressing the two venerable scholars. "Sirs. If you'd be so kind = as to=20 care for the mules? It would hardly do for us to sup when they might go = hungry".=20 He inclined his head in the direction of one of the packs that had been = placed=20 upon the ground nearby. "If you would. That's their feed". Both men = seemed=20 slightly surprised by the request, but quickly grasped its meaning, and = set=20 about their task. Alaste leaned towards Celarent. "It wouldn't do would = it, my=20 young friend, for our comrades to feel bereft of employment?" Celarent = laughed=20 quietly at the joke, and nodded his agreement. "Not at all. Not at all". = The two=20 continued with their preparations as their comrades saw to the welfare = of the=20 beasts. The water was boiling vigorously now, and to this was added = dried meat,=20 oatmeal and some root vegetables. The whole was left simmering gently = whilst the=20 two chefs retired, to seat themselves a short distance away from the = fire.=20 Although the temperatures had dropped quite quickly, nevertheless = nightfall was=20 still some way off, and the remnants of the daytime heat were quite = oppressive.=20 They were joined shortly afterwards by their two companions who had now = finished=20 their chores. "Perhaps this would be a good time to discuss the division = of=20 labour within our little company, gentlemen. I, of course, being the = guide to=20 the party, must devote the greater part of my energies to ensure that we = arrive=20 at our destination. I therefore propose that until we arrive in the = environs of=20 that area depicted by the map, I assume leadership of the party. When we = get=20 there only then would it be prudent to pass this command over to the = expedition=20 leader, Hesvee". At first the master appeared somewhat uneasy concerning = the=20 arrangement. It was not that he was confounded by any notions of who = should be=20 in charge. If anything he had a marked preference to avoid that role. It = was=20 certainly true that when it came to his profession he brooked little=20 interference in his business or, for that matter, its conduct. Rather it = had not=20 even passed through his mind that such a deliberation would be = necessary.=20 However, he was sufficiently astute to recognise that every group needed = someone=20 to take charge, and to make those decisions that demanded especially an=20 immediacy, which could not be supplied by prolonged discussion. But he = felt that=20 in this respect Ferioque would be the more suitable choice, for he was = the=20 cartographer of the party; and it was thus he gave voice to his = conclusion. "I'm=20 quite in accord with your proposal for my own part, my friend. But = surely my=20 colleague would be a much better candidate?" He was about to explain his = reasoning when the man himself spoke up. "Oh! There can be no question = of it.=20 Alaste is by far the better choice in navigating this desert, and = getting us to=20 our destination in the mountains. But it's also crystal clear, indeed = blindingly=20 obvious, that you should be our leader from then on. I've no head or = heart for=20 the matter, and this is very much your province. So I'm afraid, whether = you like=20 it or not, you must be chief in that place". "But in response to your = view, and=20 I quite understand your position, though I must beg to point out....", = began=20 Hesvee. It was clear, at any rate, to Celarent, that the two were about = to=20 embark upon one of their extremely lengthy and tortuous debates on the = pros and=20 cons of the subject. But Alaste was quick to see which way the wind was = blowing.=20 "And what of you Celarent? What's your view on this? We might as well = hear=20 everyone while we have the leisure to pursue the theme?" Both Hesvee and = Ferioque were shocked into silence by Alaste's interruption. It had not = occurred=20 to either one that Celarent might be consulted on this issue. It was not = that=20 Alaste thought the scholars boorish, or in any way ill-mannered or = prejudiced.=20 But it did occur to him that sometimes, when one was venturing into new=20 territory, it was necessary to acquire new attitudes; and one of these = certainly=20 would be the recognition that, at least on this venture, Celarent was an = equal=20 member of the party, and should act, and be treated as such, = accordingly. If the=20 two academics were surprised, their student was even more so. "Er, er", = he began=20 unpromisingly. "I'd be interested to hear your views, my young friend. = After=20 all, you've known both these gentlemen far longer than I. You would = perhaps be=20 in the best position to arbitrate on such a dispute". Now all three were = quite=20 aghast. It would be something of an exaggeration to regard Alaste's = suggestion=20 as almost contrary to the laws of nature, but certainly, in terms of its = impact=20 on his fellows, it approached that category. "Well, well.....", Hesvee = attempted=20 to resume the thread of his argument. Yet again Alaste interrupted. He = could=20 barely conceal his glee, such was his enjoyment of the trend of the = inquisition.=20 "Well, my young friend. I'm sure we'd all like to hear your opinion?" = There was=20 no other choice but for Celarent to give some kind of reply, if only to = protect=20 Hesvee, and for that matter, Ferioque, from further embarrassment. = "Well", he=20 started. "If I may be permitted, and without any intention whatsoever to = cause=20 offence?" At this point he looked worriedly in the direction of both the = master=20 and the professor. "If I might say to begin with, I believe Alaste has a = good=20 point. I concur with his view as to leading our party to the mountains = but, in=20 my opinion, and I hasten to add it is but a perspective and may easily = be=20 disregarded...." Alaste would have none of it. "Now, now, young fellow. = Don't be=20 modest here. You've a right to be heard equally amongst us. Speak up!" = "Er well,=20 as I was saying. I believe that since Hesvee is, in essence, the = proponent of=20 this mission, and it was his judgement to call upon his most esteemed = colleague=20 to a play a consultative role, I say that we should preserve this order, = and=20 thus the master should indeed be the expedition leader, at least from = the point=20 at which we arrive in the area delineated by the map. However, in line = with the=20 argument, and thus obviously when it comes to those matters pertaining = to the=20 interpretation of any cartographical features, then in this respect, as = the=20 party's only cartographer, it's clear that my learned superior's opinion = should=20 take precedence". The whole of this speech was uttered without the = benefit of a=20 single intake of breath, so anxious was Celarent to convey his meaning, = both=20 without interruption from a certain party, who seemed to be enjoying the = discomfiture of his companions a little too much, but also to ensure = that he did=20 not lose the thread of his finely tuned, and almost legalistic = proposition.=20 There was a very long silence while those assembled imbibed his = utterance. And=20 then, "Excellent, my young friend. Absolutely first class, and so = succinctly=20 put", opined Hesvee. "Indeed, a most propitious response", added = Ferioque.=20 Celarent let out a deep exhalation mindful suddenly of the fact that air = needs=20 occasionally both to be expired as well as inspired. It would seem that = his=20 tightrope performance had satisfied all, and displeased none. "Might I = say=20 something, young friend?" interjected Alaste. Celarent's heart fell. = Just as he=20 thought he had extricated himself so skilfully from the trap into which = he had=20 been so carefully placed by their guide, now the fellow was preparing to = lure=20 him into another. "Might I just say", as Alaste milked the tension, "I = have to=20 agree: a perfect solution". And so that was it. A leader had been = chosen, and=20 thenceforth the allocation of duties was not to be a committee matter, = but for=20 their head alone. The remainder of the time before the meal was passed = in=20 pleasant exchanges, with the regaling of short - and not so short - = tales of=20 times past, with perhaps a modicum of creativity appended. Darkness had = fallen=20 by the time the meal was ready to serve, and Alaste, as if in an act of=20 contrition for his previously mischievous conduct, scooped out the = contents of=20 the pot into four bowls, and presented one to each of his companions in = turn,=20 before allotting himself his due reward. The outdoor life certainly adds = a zest=20 to the appetite, and the men wolfed down their meal with little ceremony = - and=20 even less delicacy - before retiring. It had been conceded by their = leader that=20 perhaps they might conclude their travels at this point Both scholars = were=20 feeling the strain somewhat and they had made excellent progress so far. = 'But=20 they must be ready to be off', Alaste warned them, 'on the morn! And no = time for=20 slacking!' Suitably admonished each took took his place on the ground = near the=20 fire, and abandoned themselves to a pleasing unconsciousness. Apart from = the=20 crackling of the burning wood and the occasional shuffling of their = mules,=20 nothing could be heard in the vast space all around. The sky was as = clear as the=20 brightest crystal, and across its vast darkened face the stars stretched = outwards into the infinite, a silver dusting flung across the void. = Celarent=20 could hear the sounds of snoring emanating already from the direction of = his=20 comrades' prone forms. A full stomach and fresh air have a deeply = somnolent=20 effect upon the body and the mind, especially on those of a more mature=20 development. He, the youngest of the party, and still a little disturbed = by his=20 recent elevation of rank within the group, lay quietly for a while, and=20 contemplated the vast heavens above.

He was just about to drift = of into=20 an enveloping slumber when he thought he heard a small sound over to his = left,=20 some distance out in the surrounding darkness. At first he thought it = might be=20 one of the pack animals, kicking a stone over with its hoof. But then = his eyes=20 grew heavy again, and sleep beckoned most enticingly. A sharp crack = echoed=20 through the night; he was wide-awake in an instant. He glanced around at = the=20 other sleeping figures. There was no sign of movement apart from the = steady rise=20 and fall of the blankets, draped over the chests of their torpid forms. = He=20 looked to where the mules were stationed. They had been safely hobbled = for the=20 night. It was hardly a necessity but taken as a precaution against them = taking=20 fright, and escaping into the desert. It occurred to him that perhaps it = would=20 have been wise to set a guard. They had acted thus before; and yet = Alaste had=20 decided against such a safeguard. He assured them that these were = friendly=20 regions, and that it was rather unlikely that others would stumble upon = them=20 here, far out in the open desert. Most travellers would follow the more=20 established routes, the very ones that this party had chosen to avoid. = Celarent=20 hesitated. Should he raise the alarm and awaken the rest of the party, = or leave=20 them be? He certainly had no desire to arouse the ire of his fellows. He = had=20 quite convinced himself now that his over vivid imagination was at play, = and he=20 resolved to ignore its overtures. Yet again he was on the point of = dropping off=20 when he felt something strike his blanket, and a low voice whispered in = the=20 darkness. "Hsst". It was quite unmistakeable, and not to be ignored = longer.=20 "Here! Celarent!" It was some relief to know that whoever was about to = assail=20 him at least knew his name. "Come over here. I'm just a few yards away, = but come=20 quietly". Now a sane and rational man would have alerted his fellows, = and then=20 grabbed a sturdy sword and made haste to capture - or slay - whoever it = might be=20 who had crept up on their camp in the depths of the night. But the fact = that=20 this person knew his name, and that the voice was unmistakeably female, = rendered=20 him less judicious. It also seemed curiously familiar though he could = not place=20 it. He raised himself carefully until he was kneeling, and then stared = in the=20 direction from which the voice appeared to come. "I'm over here. Come = quietly.=20 Don't wake the others". Again it struck him, what kind of foolishness = could lead=20 a fellow to follow such advice? Whoever may have uttered it might as = well have=20 said, "Come over here so that I can kill you without witnesses". The = fact that=20 it was a woman's voice should not have been taken as a guarantee that he = might=20 not find a steel blade nestling up to his heart should he take up the=20 invitation. Although he was not widely experienced in such affairs, he = had heard=20 that there were female as well as male brigands, and that it did not = require a=20 great feat of strength to plunge a blade into a body, nor that the = feminine=20 psyche necessarily excluded such an aptitude. Still, he was in different = lands,=20 and the mere unfamiliarity of his surroundings inclined him to behaviour = that he=20 would not demonstrate ordinarily. And so, wondering all the while, he = found=20 himself withal, creeping out into the desert night to encounter whatever = destiny=20 might bring his way. "Come away further", the voice said. Now he really = should=20 pay attention to his instincts; but nevertheless he persisted in this = madness.=20 He was already some distance from the camp when he saw, just in front of = him, a=20 dark form crouched upon the ground. Whoever she might be she was = completely=20 covered by a dark robe, from head to foot. As he drew closer the figure = rose,=20 and simultaneously pulled back the hood to reveal what lay beneath. He = was=20 incredulous to observe the delicate beauty of none other than Erame, the = daughter of Alaste. "What are you doing here?" he called out in = surprise, his=20 voice a little too loud for his neighbour's liking. "Sssshh. Keep quiet. = I don't=20 want to draw the others' attention. Especially not my father". In a = slightly=20 lower tone but with a faint edge hysteria behind it, he replied. "Well. = What on=20 earth are you doing here? Your father doesn't know?" The last question, = though=20 redundant given Erame's comment, was the most urgent from his point of = view.=20 Suddenly, he felt strangely complicit in what was obviously a deception. = Erame=20 anticipated his next outburst. "No. He doesn't know I'm here. And I want = it to=20 stay that way for the time being". He paused, quite uncertain how to = proceed. On=20 the one hand he was already sufficiently conversant with the guide's = temperament=20 to know that he would be less than pleased to discover his daughter = wandering=20 about in the desert, completely alone and unescorted. He was also well = enough=20 acquainted with Alaste's character to realise that he was a man who = valued=20 honesty, and who would have a converse contempt for anyone who sought to = deceive=20 him. But at this very moment these considerations seemed to dissolve = like a mist=20 in the presence of sunlight. Here he was, presently face-to-face with = the most=20 radiant creature that he had ever encountered, surrounded by the dark = desert=20 sands drifting away on all sides, star glittering skies overhead, and = the hush=20 of the night overlaying the whole dream-like scene. He was experiencing = what can=20 only be described as a dilemma of the head and of the heart, a relative = novelty=20 for him. "Well? You still haven't answered my question". She waved her = hand at=20 him, indicating that they should put some more distance between = themselves and=20 the camp; together they walked further into the desert darkness. Finally = Erame=20 judged that they were far enough away so that even Celarent's = ill-disciplined=20 voice could not betray them. "I'm sorry to have alarmed you. It wasn't = my=20 intention, but I had to speak to you". "Well. I won't say that you = alarmed me=20 actually", he began. She smiled. "Of course not, but you never know what = lurks=20 in the night do you?" He coughed, to clear his suddenly tightened = throat. "We=20 should have posted a sentry. Even though your father said that it was = safe, and=20 it was unlikely that any wanderers should bump into us, you're proof = that he was=20 wrong, in that respect anyway". "Ah well", she laughed lightly. "We all = make=20 mistakes, don't we?" If she was spellbinding in the normal course of = events, in=20 this present environment she exerted an even more powerful hypnotic = influence=20 upon Celarent. He was finding it increasingly difficult to find the = right words.=20 It was as if his wits had been suspended completely, and he had been = rendered an=20 idiot. He felt he should remonstrate with her for her foolishness, for=20 travelling alone in the desert. Yet he hardly felt in due possession of = such=20 sentiments as would become the older and wiser of the two. Moreover, she = seemed=20 quite unconcerned about her predicament, and rather more preoccupied = with=20 avoiding her father's wrath than any dangerous encounters with = predators, human=20 or otherwise, in this great wilderness. At last he managed to frame a = question=20 that did not sound completely ignorant. "Well. You still haven't = answered. What=20 on earth are you doing here? You should be at home". She looked at him = with some=20 amusement. "You think so do you, young Celarent?" Now she seemed to be = mocking=20 him, and that was almost intolerable. She hesitated but then continued, = for she=20 had observed his expression. "I really am sorry. I didn't want to draw = you into=20 this. If I'd roused any other in your party my father would know of it, = and=20 would be sure to break off the expedition to return me to safety. You're = the=20 only one I thought I could trust who would not react that way". She = paused,=20 watching him carefully, and waiting for his response. "I don't know what = to do=20 now. You can't be left here like this. Despite your father's confidence = we're=20 four men whereas you're quite alone. I must tell him of this or possibly = place=20 your life at risk; and that would be unthinkable to me". He stumbled in = his=20 words at this point, and his throat felt even tighter; it was all he = could do to=20 speak clearly. Fortunately, she did not notice his discomfiture. "I'll = explain.=20 When my father said that he was to make a trip to the Northern mountains = I=20 wanted to join the adventure. I knew for a fact that he'd never permit = it. He=20 indulges me in most matters, displaying a virtue in generosity, and a = vice in=20 discipline. But he wouldn't risk me on this occasion. As a child I would = frequently travel with him on his trading missions, but then we would = pass=20 through lands that were lawful and well guarded. This, however, is a = different=20 matter. But also I felt compelled to go forth, and if you ask me the = reason I=20 could not tell you. I'm not generally inclined to disobedience. I would = neither=20 wish my father's wrath nor his sorrow, to witness such a breach of = trust. So I=20 can't claim that it's simply a matter of a wilful spirit pursuing its = own=20 pleasure. There's a significance to this mission that goes beyond my=20 comprehension. I'm not sure that you'll sympathise with my explanation, = but I do=20 beg you to take what I've said to be true". Celarent considered her = words but=20 could not, in all honesty, claim to recognize her intentions. = Nevertheless, she=20 made her appeal in such a fashion as to render any repudiation of her = request a=20 most crass act. The genuineness of her treaty invited only an accession. = "I will=20 help you. But you must understand that I can't countenance you remaining = thus in=20 these lands. Surely you can see this". Her face showed her relief, to = know that=20 he was not about to reject her request. "Don't worry. I shan't remain=20 unannounced much longer. Once we've arrived in the mountains it'll make = little=20 difference. It will be harder for him to turn back, and hopefully he'll = be more=20 amenable to my argument accordingly. I shall shadow your party, but = remain out=20 of sight. If you know of my presence then my safety is that much = increased.=20 During the day I must remain some way behind your caravan. But at night = I shall=20 approach your camp for greater security; this surely must allay your = fears". He=20 looked at her somewhat doubtfully. It seemed to Celarent that there = still=20 remained a considerable degree of danger; yet her plan did offer a = possible=20 compromise. "You carry some form of blade to protect yourself?" he = demanded. "Oh=20 yes! I have - and the skill to use it", she smiled. "I assure you. When = we reach=20 the foothills I'll make my presence known. And no mention of your part = in this=20 will ever be made". He was still torn by the knowledge that he must = maintain a=20 deception that ill-fitted his character; yet Erame obviously depended on = his=20 complicity to carry out her plan. And he still had no clear insight into = her=20 motives. However, it seemed that she was not directed by selfish = inclinations=20 alone, and that some other force was in operation. He shook his head and = muttered under his breath. "I'm a fool, I think. This is quite = definitely not a=20 decision based on my better judgement, but I'll go along with it. But I = will say=20 I don't like it one bit". Impulsively she stepped forward and gave him a = hug,=20 and then, hesitantly, a quick peck on the cheek. Already somewhat = disarmed by=20 his own sense of awkwardness this act rendered him into a state of even = greater=20 confusion. "Well alright. Now I shall leave you. But you must call out = if=20 there's any sign of danger". He regarded her with the most serious = expression=20 that he could conjure up, the more to emphasise his injunction. "I will, = I=20 promise. And again, thank you". For fear that she might be moved to = another=20 display, he nodded his agreement and started to turn away. He had taken = only a=20 few steps back towards the camp when he looked over his shoulder to = observe her=20 departure. There was no one to be seen; it was as if she had vanished = into the=20 sand. He continued on his way, treading on the ground lightly to avoid = rousing=20 his companions. He had nothing to fear. All three were still sleeping = soundly,=20 just as he had left them. He stretched out once more upon the sleeping = blanket,=20 and drew the thick, coarse material over his head. His mind was whirling = wildly=20 as he lay there in the darkness. A feeling of anxiety flooded his heart = at the=20 thought of the lone maiden out there in the desert night. The question = came=20 again and again; was this the right thing to do? He found no answer. = Finally=20 sleep came, and laid its consoling touch upon his body. He slept deeply, = though=20 his dreams were filled with strange and vivid images.

The seers = sat in=20 silent contemplation, and observed the young Gaki before them. His = anguish was=20 clear to all, and their helplessness equally evident to them. For the = fellow,=20 caught now between two worlds, and with an ancestry completely reversed = by their=20 companion's account, it was unsurprising that the news should not have = had a=20 devastating impact upon him. His sobs and cries had died away now, and = he had=20 fallen into a deep slumber. Wordlessly they rose to their feet, and = withdrew=20 from the chamber, leaving the speaker alone with his charge. Gorval also = had=20 departed, but only to the antechamber, there to await instructions from = his=20 superior. This latter rose from his seat and ascended to the table's = surface to=20 stand silently by the sleeping figure. He examined the boy carefully to = ensure=20 that the violent storm of emotion that had racked his body and soul had = passed.=20 After a few moments he descended from the table, and made his way out to = greet=20 Gorval. "Taakkkeee theee boooyyyy toooo iDarii. Heee caann loooookk = aaffteerrr=20 hiimmm fooor nooow". Gorval nodded. The elder turned away from his = servant, and=20 walked towards the rock wall that lay just behind them. Without = hesitation he=20 merged his body into its solid face, and quickly disappeared from view. = Gorval=20 called out an order and two guards emerged from the darkness, to wait = upon his=20 instructions. "Taakkeee thee boooy toooo theee Minniisstrryy. Heeee = issss iiinn=20 aaaa deeeepppp sssleeeeppp. Maaakkee sssurreee heeeee dooessss noooot=20 aawaaakkeeenn". The two guards left him to enter the council chamber; = Gorval did=20 not wait for them to reappear but made his own way to the city above. He = had=20 work to do, and there was much preparation to be made; time was fast = running out=20 for the Gaki people. If the prophecy was to be fulfilled he and the = council=20 would do everything in their power to see it through to its end - or = not, as the=20 case may be. He must alert iDarii to his new duties.

Erame had = returned=20 to her small encampment. She was much relieved to discover that she did = indeed=20 have an ally in Celarent. She had not been at all sure what her = reception might=20 be. It would have been understandable if he had chosen to disclose her = presence=20 to her father. Of course, she did not realise that the fellow had fallen = somewhat under her spell, for her natural modesty would have excluded = that=20 realisation on her part. But even she had had to acknowledge that her = present=20 adventure attached great risk. It was this consideration which had = forced her to=20 seek support for her decision. But her father was quite right; this = region was=20 relatively secure, and there was little real danger from vagabonds, or = even wild=20 beasts. However, life is largely a matter of the predictable failing to=20 materialise - and its converse - and there was always the chance that = she might=20 fall foul of bad fortune. It made sense to alert one of the party of her = presence (and as it turned out the most sympathetic) so that she could = call for=20 assistance should it be required. She had had but little time to prepare = for=20 this excursion. As soon as she became aware of her father's intentions = she had=20 been as excited as her mother, but in a disinterested way, as one not = directly=20 involved. However, as the hours had passed, the sentiment had grown = within her=20 heart to join the undertaking. She had tried to explain this inclination = to=20 herself, and had failed miserably, just as she been unsuccessful in=20 demonstrating this phenomenon to Celarent. But, in truth, the impulse = was quite=20 unaccountable; and finally irresistible. She had made efficient = arrangements to=20 acquire the requisite provisions, and had departed shortly after her = father and=20 his party had left the oasis. She knew well the route they were taking. = She had=20 travelled often with him into the desert, not only to accompany him on = his=20 trading missions, but also when he pursued his love of the desert = traditions;=20 thus it was that they would return together to these wild places, and = harken=20 back to their ancestry. Both father and daughter loved the great open = spaces of=20 sand and sky, and the stark desolation that embraced this place. The = cool, dry=20 air of the wilderness seemed to act like a magnifying glass; it was as = if you=20 could look into infinity when gazing out into the boundless void. She = loved her=20 home, and the seductive beauty of the lush and verdant surroundings of = the=20 oasis. Its life-giving source was vital in every sense to their lives. = But if=20 anything, the surrounding wastes lent an emphasis to the value of their=20 existence, measuring one world against the other. The fertility of the = oasis was=20 balanced against the barren lands that encircled it, creating a jewel in = their=20 hearts, which was of incomparable value, and never to be treated with=20 complaisance or contempt. She had an inkling of what they sought in the = Northern=20 mountains, but this is not what impelled her on this adventure. It was = more an=20 instinct, which strived always onwards, against even her own counsel. = Indeed, if=20 she could not explain it to herself, how much the poorer in expression = to=20 another. Still, Celarent had proven himself a good friend, and she was = hopeful=20 that her plan would now succeed. She dared not contemplate what she = would do if=20 her father refused to continue with the enterprise, and instead insisted = on=20 escorting her home. In the night-time sky she could see the gleams from = the=20 flames of the camp-fire blazing upwards, and she felt calmed by that = warming=20 presence. She pulled the blankets up over her head to keep the chill air = from=20 her face and, despite her restless reflections, was soon fast=20 asleep.

iDarii had been summoned to the Ministry. The = instructions had=20 been clear, but the reasons for his mission had not been forthcoming, or = indeed=20 its untimely announcement. He had been fast asleep when the guards = arrived. His=20 parents had been wakened by their loud and persistent knocking and, once = roused,=20 had grown more than slightly concerned to see who it was standing in = their=20 doorway. He had had little time to ready himself, and was told only that = it was=20 likely to be a long assignment. He tried to reassure both his mother and = father,=20 but the circumstances were really most unusual. Finally, he had managed = to calm=20 his mother somewhat, and his father had regained his phlegmatic = demeanour,=20 before the three - the two guards and himself - made their departure. He = bid=20 them both farewell, and assured them that he would see them again, and = soon. But=20 truth to tell, he was far from convinced by that promise himself. There = had been=20 all sorts of rumours flying round the city, even more than was usually = the case.=20 It was even being hinted that a surface dweller had been discovered, = sneaking=20 slyly through the city boundaries. This fellow had been apprehended only = as he=20 had arrived at the very centre of the metropolis; still others claimed = that the=20 fellow had been killed on sight, whilst yet more hinted that he had made = good=20 his escape, and was even now roaming free. At the same time there was = still more=20 gossip circulating concerning the events allegedly unfolding in the = neighbouring=20 caverns. So it was that these fanciful and fearful tales spread like = wildfire;=20 that they were on the brink of war. Some amongst them saw the = infiltration of=20 the human as the possible advance guard for an imminent invasion by the = surface=20 dwellers. The Ministry itself had played some part in the promulgation = of a few=20 of these confabulations; they had been regarded as a way of muddying the = waters=20 further. And, by spreading so much contradictory information, it was = believed=20 that the true state of affairs could be concealed more effectively. It = mattered=20 not greatly to iDarii. By his position within the security ministry he = knew more=20 than most of what was passing, both in the under- and over-worlds. But = he was=20 sworn to secrecy and with regard to the latest events he had no more = idea than=20 the rest of the citizenry what had occurred but recently. The three of = them=20 passed hastily through the streets. At this hour the thoroughfares were = very=20 quiet. They only encountered the occasional Gaki still abroad, perhaps = returning=20 home from a late assignment at work; or then again maybe one of those=20 unfortunates who, gripped by that terrible restlessness which afflicted = his=20 kind, was desperately seeking to ease its influence by walking the = streets,=20 trying to rid themselves of its baleful effect. In due course they = arrived at=20 the main entrance to the Ministry. The guards left him, their duty done. = He=20 looked up at the dark entrance, and a great dread entered his heart. The = hub=20 behind him was almost entirely empty of people, apart from the = occasional=20 wanderer. Subduing his doubts he forced himself to mount the steps and = enter the=20 building, making his way briskly to Gorval's office.

There was = no=20 attendant present, which was hardly surprising given the late hour. He = entered=20 the inner office, and immediately observed his superior, seated in his = customary=20 place behind the desk. He remained silent, waiting for the latter to = address=20 him. After a short interval Gorval looked up. "Ah! iDarii. Yooouuu = haaavvee=20 maadddee goooddd tiiimmeee". To be addressed in this fashion amounted = almost to=20 a pleasantry. He was quite taken aback, but chose to limit his answer to = a=20 simple reply. "Yessss sssiiirrr. Theeee ssstreeeets werree indeed = quiieet".=20 There was another silence. "Yoooouuu wiilll beee taakkiinng caarree = offff aaa=20 guueessst fooor aaa whiiilleee". He heard the door behind him open and = then two=20 guards entered, bearing between them the apparently unconscious body of = a human=20 - a surface dweller. iDarii almost cried out, so shocked was he to see = one of=20 that species in his own world. "Yoouuu wiilll ssstaaayy wiiitthhh theee=20 yoouunngg huummaan tiilll heee awaakeenns". It was all iDarii could do = but nod a=20 response. Gorval instructed the guards to take their burden to the = living=20 quarters, and iDarii was to accompany them. There they were to remain on = duty=20 outside the apartments, charged with ensuring both the safety of the = human, and=20 his secure confinement from escape. Gorval signed their dismissal and = they=20 departed, bearing the slight and sleeping form between them. iDarii = followed as=20 they proceeded down the corridor in the direction of the living = quarters. These=20 were usually placed at the disposal of officers of Gorval's rank, or = other=20 dignitaries if they were visiting the Ministry and required = accommodation. Very=20 rarely they also served as residences for the seers from nearby caverns, = but=20 only on those occasions when a convocation took place, and these had = been=20 summoned to attend. The accommodations seemed the most apt under the = present=20 circumstances, given the sensitivity of the human's presence in the = cavern, and=20 the possible risks to security that that might provoke. In short order = they=20 arrived at the doorway to the assigned apartment, and the two guards = entered,=20 carrying their light burden easily within. iDarii followed closely upon = them,=20 reflecting upon the gravity of his task. He could not yet be sure but = the human=20 bore a striking resemblance to one that he had met only a short time ago = on the=20 surface. Melaskkoli was carried through the apartment, and into the = sleeping=20 area. The two Gaki carefully placed the human upon a pile of blankets, = and=20 promptly departed the room, leaving iDarii alone with his new = responsibility. It=20 was his first real chance to examine the young human properly. The garb = was=20 familiar although the young fellow's face appeared more pallid than he = recalled.=20 This, of course, could be attributed to the faint torchlight that = illuminated=20 the room. Or perhaps it was the visitor's prolonged sojourn underground = that had=20 contributed to his sallow complexion. iDarii was largely unaware of the=20 circumstances of the boy's arrival in his world, and therefore he was in = no=20 position to comprehend that fellow's condition. It struck him as strange = though,=20 that this youth had not stirred once in the entire course of his transit = from=20 Gorval's office. Whatever had affected him must have done so deeply, for = he gave=20 no signs of coming forth from his slumber. The Gaki felt that this was = perhaps=20 to his benefit. He was not at all sure how he would deal with the human = if this=20 one should protest his incarceration, no matter that the two guards = remained=20 nearby. He nevertheless bore the responsibility, and he knew that Gorval = would=20 expect nothing less than a superlative performance in the conduct of his = duties.=20 He would have much preferred to be assigned to his regular tasks, boring = as=20 these might sometimes be, rather than sustain the unpredictable nature = of this=20 particular burden. He sat down on a cushion close to where the human was = laying,=20 and waited for him to wake up. There seemed nothing else to be done for = the time=20 being.

Dark dreams played within his mind. At first all that = could be=20 seen was a blankness, encircling upon all sides. No shapes, no sounds; = nothing=20 to signify, just a curious absence. Even the watcher of this nothingness = seemed=20 to have disappeared. It was a most disturbing sensation to reflect and = think, to=20 ponder and contemplate, and yet be unable to discern who might be = carrying out=20 these actions. And then, suddenly, it was as if something had exploded = in his=20 mind. Now 'he' was back, and the dark emptiness had given way to a = brilliant,=20 incandescent light, so bright that he instinctively sought to raise his = hands to=20 protect his sight. But again, what a strange occurrence! Where there = should have=20 been arms and hands, and eyes to be covered, there was nothing. He could = feel=20 his mind grappling to comprehend it all. Where had his body gone? Was = the light=20 so great that it had blinded him to his own form? He tried desperately = to=20 distinguish the absent appendages. He was quite sure that he had arms, = and even=20 how they appeared to him. In his memory he could recollect their shape = and=20 elongation, and indeed the textures and tones of the skin. But when he = raised,=20 or thought he had raised them before his eyes, there was naught but this = extraordinary light. Time slipped meaninglessly by. He had no notion of = how long=20 he remained there, saturated in these vast pools of luminescence. Then - = or=20 perhaps it was his imagination - this effulgence began to dim, and he = ceased in=20 his efforts to ward of the sharp rays, which still penetrated deeply = into his=20 brain. He felt an extraordinary aching sensation in his head, painful = and=20 persistent, and a sharp throbbing that seemed to grow stronger and = stronger as=20 the light about him faded. His whole body ached as if he was being = engulfed in=20 an inexorable grip, which had squeezed him until his body was almost = bereft of=20 life, and betrayed, limp and unresisting, to these careless forces. The = light=20 had now diminished to a insipid glow. As it did so his eyelids flickered = open=20 painfully. A dread flooded through his body, that this harsh radiance = might=20 return, and cause his head to explode into a myriad of fragments. Now he = could=20 see a vague chaos, of blues and browns and blacks. And then, over to his = right,=20 something appeared, that glittered in the gloom. His vision cleared, and = the=20 colours resolved themselves into objects scattered all about him. Over = to one=20 side he could see a table pushed up against the wall. The gleam that he = had=20 observed defined itself into a flickering flame, that danced sinuously = from the=20 crown of a torch which stood nearby. He realised that he was lying upon = a bundle=20 of some kind of soft fabric heaped up on the floor. Although his head no = longer=20 quite felt like it was about to burst, it still throbbed painfully. He = started=20 to raise himself carefully, and groaned aloud as he felt the anguish run = through=20 his entire body. It was only then that he caught sight of a movement = from the=20 corner of his eye, and realised that he was not alone. He turned his = head=20 sharply, fearful of what it might be, and instantly regretted this=20 ill-considered act. A firework display of brightly coloured sparks = detonated in=20 his mind, together with a series of sharp and powerful explosions, which = he=20 found almost deafening. "Staaaaayyy stiiiillllll, yoouuunnggg oonnnee", = and a=20 voice seemed to emanate from the form. A figure approached and, through = the=20 almost suffocating pain, he caught sight of one of the creatures close = by. The=20 effort had cost him too much, and he fell back again into the darkness, = its=20 welcoming anaesthesia saturating his body and mind.

It was still = early=20 morning when he awoke. He felt groggy, and it was a struggle to = penetrate the=20 fog that enfolded his thoughts. Matters could not have been made easier = by the=20 fact that 'morning', in this case, did not refer to sunrise, but rather = to the=20 commencement of his labours, for what greeted his eyes should rather = have been=20 called the later hours of the night. But night-time temperatures fall=20 considerably below those of the day, and travelling in these cooler = conditions=20 was a far more efficient and productive experience. As he sought to = marshal his=20 energies he suddenly recalled his meeting with Erame. The memories came = flooding=20 back into his consciousness, and jolted him wide awake. He felt more = than a=20 twinge of guilt that he had fallen asleep so carelessly when a young = woman was=20 out there in the desert, a lone wanderer in this land, or so it might = appear.=20 This recollection brought him to his feet, and he turned to peer out = into the=20 surrounding wastes, striving to catch some sign of her presence. "Are = you=20 alright, my young friend?" a voice greeted him. He turned swiftly to = observe=20 Alaste regarding him with some curiosity. "Er. Er." He stammered his = response.=20 "You seemed a little bit alarmed, that's all", he observed. "No. No. I'm = fine=20 really. Just had to get up. Bit of a bad dream, that's all". "Ah yes. We = all=20 have those from time to time. Well. I've got the fire going. We've just = time for=20 a warm drink before we set off. Rouse the others, will you?" Celarent = turned,=20 his heart still beating quickly, and he stumbled towards the still = sleeping=20 forms of Hesvee and Ferioque. He hesitated before gently shaking each in = turn,=20 rousing them from their resolute slumbers. "What, what", started the = master. But=20 then he realised where he was and, with a groan, struggled to his feet. = Ferioque=20 followed his example shortly afterwards, complaining all the while about = his=20 aches and pains. "Definitely not as young as I used to be", he stated = somewhat=20 redundantly. The three of them trudged over to the fire and gratefully = accepted=20 the steaming cups of tea that Alaste had prepared. They sat round the = warming=20 blaze as the cold gradually invaded their limbs and then, in turn, was = repelled=20 by the warming influences of both tea and fire. "Well, gentlemen. We = shall have=20 to be off early today, and we've to travel much further. And tonight we = shall=20 have to carry as much water as we can. We won't be able to replenish our = supplies until tomorrow". The others grunted their acknowledgement. As = their=20 newly elected leader Alaste assigned to each of them their tasks. Hesvee = and=20 Alaste would be responsible for the feeding and watering of the beasts, = after=20 which they would again load them with their gear. Celarent and Hesvee = were=20 tasked to carry out the same duties, but on behalf of the humans of the = party;=20 that is to say, to collect and filter water from the well, and then fill = all the=20 containers they possessed. The four of them worked briskly, and the = exercise=20 helped restore them to wakefulness. Within a short time all these chores = had=20 been completed, and they were again ready to depart. The sunlight had = not even=20 breached the horizon yet, though there was the faintest hint of a glow = from=20 beneath its dark edge. Alaste gave instructions for the cooking fire to = be=20 extinguished. Celarent commented on this to Alaste. "Why is it = necessary? I mean=20 it's hardly likely that anything is going to catch fire is it, in the = middle of=20 the desert after all?" Alaste looked at him sombrely, recalling that he = was a=20 novice in these matters. "Firstly, because it's a good habit to observe. = We'll=20 be passing through regions where there's vegetation, and where = forgetfulness in=20 such things can lead to absolute catastrophe. The cultivation of good = habits of=20 behaviour and, of course, antecedently good habits of mind, are = essential in=20 every area of our lives, you'd agree?" Celarent nodded at the assertion = although=20 not entirely clear about its full significance. "Secondly, all things = have their=20 place and function. Once something has fulfilled its purpose should it = not then=20 proceed along whatever course is destined for it, or should it continue = simply=20 to repeat and repeat its endeavours, merely to achieve something that it = has=20 already surpassed?" Now Celarent was quite confused. He really could not = see how=20 any of this applied to the fire. Alaste continued. "Thus in this case. = The fire=20 has achieved its purpose. Wouldn't it be wasteful, if not profane, to = leave it=20 to burn purposelessly and uselessly?" Celarent was not at all sure, but = it did=20 seem inconceivable that the fellow be suggesting a matter of so little = moment=20 should require such consideration. After all it was just a fire, a bit = of dried=20 wood and flame. What did it really matter if it was put out now, or just = burned=20 down later? He really could not see it. He decided to voice this = opinion. He was=20 most surprised to see Alaste, who was normally quite restrained and=20 good-humoured, become quite annoyed by his observations. "Not matter! = What you=20 mean is that it doesn't matter to you, or isn't important to you? Is = that what=20 you think? But are you the final arbiter of what's important or = valuable? Can=20 you be so sure of your judgement as to decide what is and what isn't = significant=20 in this world?" He seemed to soften a little as he observed Celarent's = evident=20 awkwardness. "Forgive me, young friend. Perhaps I make my point a little = too=20 forcefully. As is so often the case some matters aren't clear to us = until we=20 have experienced them directly for ourselves. Just put it down to a = little=20 idiosyncrasy on my part". Celarent smiled, relieved indeed that Alaste's = outburst had passed. "I'm sure you're right", he commented. "And of = course I=20 defer to your judgement on this. Maybe I need to think about what you = said, eh?"=20 Alaste nodded. And now it was time to make their departure. It was = Alaste who=20 extinguished the fire finally. Celarent was careful to watch him as he = carried=20 out this task, trying to realise the significance of what the fellow had = said.=20 He did notice that their leader performed the duty as if it were a = religious=20 ceremony. He carefully brushed the burnt ash over the live flame and, as = it was=20 deprived of air, it gradually died away. He knelt before the fire almost = as if=20 he were praying, or engaged in an act of devotion. Celarent watched the = man's=20 face as he went about his work. Alaste seemed very calm, and completely = absorbed=20 in what he was doing. Indeed, simply watching these actions induced = within=20 Celarent a great feeling of ease within his own heart. But then he = recalled that=20 young girl, alone in the desert, and his complicity in concealing this = fact from=20 her father. The more contact he had with the fellow, the more he = realised that=20 it would be a grave mistake to underestimate him; there were depths to = Alaste=20 that he had not previously discerned. Shortly thereafter the small group = resumed=20 their trek into the featureless waste. Behind them, and some little = distance=20 away, Erame watched as they disappeared into the swirling mists that = cloaked the=20 landscape.

Celarent had kept his word. There was no sign of any = attempt=20 at pursuit, and certainly no raised voices to indicate an argument. She = had=20 watched the party keenly and, in particular, the conversation between = her father=20 and Celarent. If the latter had decided to disclose her presence she = really did=20 not know what course of action she might have taken. In the desert there = is=20 nowhere to run or hide. She would have had to face her father's ire, = something=20 she was not anxious to experience. It was not that he was a man of = violent=20 temper. But the expression on his face where she might have in anyway = displeased=20 him, that reproachful glance, it was sufficient to cause her far more = pain than=20 any physical punishment that might be administered. She waited until the = travellers had completely disappeared from view before leading her own = animals=20 down to the spring. Only a short time had elapsed since her predecessors = had=20 left the waterhole, and a little sand had drifted back into the = excavation. She=20 quickly cleared this mess away before carefully filling her own water = bottles,=20 and then the buckets for the mules. She placed these before the = creatures' eager=20 mouths. As they drank their fill she drew some hay from one of the = packs, and=20 placed this also on the ground before them. She worked at a leisurely = place for=20 she was in no hurry to catch up with her unwitting companions. She knew = this=20 land well enough to allow them some distance advantage, before she again = set out=20 herself. But it was still dark, and there was little chance of her = discovery=20 under these conditions. However, in bright daylight, and with the clear = desert=20 air free of the morning mists, it was not difficult to pick out a = figure, even=20 from some way off. She needed to remain far enough behind the advance = party so=20 that she remained beneath their line of sight. The air was quite calm = and their=20 tracks would show in the sand for sometime after their passing. She = examined the=20 fire and, with some satisfaction, noted it was completely dead; that = would be=20 her father's doing. There was no prospect of re-igniting the embers, and = little=20 enough time to eat anyway. She would have to make do with cold water for = now.=20 That was one disadvantage attached to her strategy. Fires were quite out = of the=20 question, for they would be spotted easily from far away; by daytime the = smoke=20 would expose her position; and by night, the flames. So it would have to = be cold=20 rations until they reached the mountains. Only then, she concluded , = might she=20 risk disclosing her presence to her parent. Even now she shivered at the = prospect, but there was no turning back; the impulse that had driven her = this=20 far was, if anything, stronger, and really quite relentless. She could = not=20 account for its power at all. It seemed best simply to follow that = instinct, and=20 see what unfolded. She sat there quietly, and watched the mules feeding=20 complacently. She turned from time to time to stare outwards into the = desert,=20 looking always towards where the Northern mountains lay.

It was = like=20 struggling up from the bottom of a muddy pool, but eventually he managed = to=20 surface again into consciousness. He had a vague recollection of his = previous=20 awakening. At least this time the pounding headache seemed to have = disappeared.=20 The room was still draped in gloom, broken only by the tremulous light = cast by=20 the flickering torches. He moved more cautiously now, anxious to avoid a = repetition of his previous experience. His body seemed rested now, yet = there was=20 still that sensation, that he had been exposed to some kind of brutal = and=20 traumatic event. He raised his head slowly, and examined the surrounding = area.=20 The first thing he noticed was the presence of a figure seated quite = near his=20 feet. Whoever it was must have seen his movement because it stood up, = and moved=20 close to where he still reclined. "How are you, young one?" This was = strange.=20 That odd sibilant voice had disappeared, and had been replaced by one = that was=20 almost human in timbre. He recalled his previous interview and realised = that his=20 companion was addressing him telepathically. "You're speaking to my = mind?" he=20 thought, directing his ideas as though in the direction of the Gaki. = "Yes. I've=20 been informed that you've the capacity to practise this manner of = speech. We use=20 it sparingly ourselves for it does require a considerable amount of = energy and=20 discipline. It's a talent usually employed by the higher castes in our = world.=20 For the remainder, however, conventional speech suffices. I'm quite = surprised=20 that you've this ability though clearly you haven't employed it for some = time".=20 Melaskkoli considered these comments cautiously. He decided that it was = not=20 necessary to disclose everything that had been revealed to him by = Gorval. Some=20 instinct informed him that perhaps discretion might be wiser, at least = until he=20 had had the opportunity to learn more about this strange, but oddly = familiar,=20 race. He was still very resistant to the notion that he might have = descended=20 from the same stock as these, even though it otherwise made sense. No. = The best=20 thing to do was to remain quite tight-lipped, and learn as much as he = could from=20 those who were freer with their expression. "Yes strange - I don't know. = Where=20 am I? I must have passed out?" His questions were met with silence; = perhaps this=20 other one had also decided to ration his words. "Yes. All I know is that = you're=20 to be housed here for the time being. I don't have any other = instructions apart=20 from that". There was another pause during which his companion seemed to = be=20 scrutinising him. "Forgive me. I've neglected you. Are you hungry at = all? I can=20 have some food brought to you?" But Melaskkoli did not have the least = appetite.=20 He felt rather sick, and so the thought of food did not appeal. "No. But = maybe=20 some water. My mouth feels very dry". His companion got to his feet and = left the=20 room. Shortly afterwards he returned, bearing a glass of water that he = proffered=20 to his charge. "Thank you". Melaskkoli drank the water greedily, so = thirsty was=20 he. So much so, in fact, that iDarii had to fetch another before this = appetite=20 was sated. Whilst the fellow was gone Melaskkoli was able to examine his = surroundings. He had no idea how far he had been brought during the = interval of=20 his unconsciousness, or whether he had travelled higher or lower = underground;=20 certainly from the d=E9cor there was no indication of this last. The = decorative=20 element in the design seemed to be remarkably consistent, and quite=20 unimaginative. There were no paintings or sculptures present, not even = wall=20 hangings, to vary the interior of the room. Simple bare rock, though = skilfully=20 dressed, made up the walls, floors and ceiling of his present lodgings. = This=20 theme only served to enforce the gloomy ambience that pervaded the whole = area.=20 The only effect that lent any sense of cheer was the light - albeit = dispensed=20 grudgingly - which was afforded by torches that were distributed rather=20 infrequently around the walls, and even upon the occasional floor stand. = As=20 iDarii returned to the room he caught sight of his guest inspecting the=20 quarters. "Forgive me if I ask a rather obvious question, but I'd like = to be=20 sure. You're actually a surface dweller. I'm not mistaken in that, am = I?" "Yes",=20 replied Melaskkoli, "although there's some question about it". The other = examined him quizzically. Melaskkoli decided that if he were to be more=20 forthcoming himself, and dispensed with a superfluous caution, then he = might=20 elicit some useful information from his new acquaintance. It might be = worth the=20 risk. So he recounted his story in its entirety, including even the = meeting with=20 the Gaki on the surface. "I knew it!" the other burst out. Melaskkoli = regarded=20 him questioningly. "I knew it!" he repeated. "We met before. It was me = you=20 encountered on that day." "Really" observed Melaskkoli. "Well. That's = some=20 coincidence!" "I didn't recognise you at first. Well, to tell the truth, = you all=20 look much the same to us Gaki". Melaskkoli laughed. " Funnily enough, = it's the=20 same with me. Well I'm blowed. Who would've thought it possible?" The = two fell=20 silent, both pondering this remarkable event. "But you didn't know that = you were=20 a Gaki then? You had no idea?" demanded the creature. "No. As I said = before.=20 Until Gorval ? it is Gorval, isn't it?" The other nodded. "Well, until = he told=20 me about how I was sent above all that time ago, I believed that I was = human=20 like everybody else. Even now it doesn't seem possible. How do I look to = you?"=20 iDarii examined him closely and observed. "Well, human, I guess!" "Your = superior=20 said that I'd eventually revert to my original form although he didn't = say how=20 it would happen, or how long it would take". "Mmmm. It must be very = strange for=20 you. And maybe a little frightening too". Melaskkoli nodded. "Do you = have any=20 idea how long I shall remain here? Or when I may leave?" "I'm afraid = not. My=20 instructions are clear only in one respect. But until I'm ordered = otherwise, we=20 must stay put". Melaskkoli thought on the other's words, and saw that = there was=20 little point in pursuing the matter further. He would just have to bide = his time=20 and be patient. In the meantime perhaps he could use this opportunity to = find=20 out something more about this world into which he had apparently been = born=20 again. "Tell me of your land then, friend? I know virtually nothing = apart from=20 what I've discerned in my travels with Gorval, and a little bit of the = history=20 of how your race came to be here". iDarii paused momentarily to consider = the=20 request. He could see no reason not to give out this information and, = after all,=20 it was quite natural to be curious about the land of your birth, = especially=20 given Melaskkoli's extraordinary circumstances. "Well then. Where shall = I begin?=20 You've seen the city cavern. The Gaki realm is divided into many such. = I'm=20 afraid I know little of the other caves, and the people who live there. = We're=20 generally a very private people, and don't take kindly to others prying = into our=20 affairs". He observed Melaskkoli's expression, and hastened to reassure = him.=20 "No. I don't mean you. Since you were brought here, and from what you've = told=20 me, you must have come originally from this particular region". He = continued.=20 "Our society is a very ancient one. We've lived below ground now from a = time=20 before any records were kept. The legends tell that we originally = inhabited the=20 surface but some great disaster sent our ancestors into the deeps. It = was from=20 that point that our forms and minds changed - from human to Gaki. But = you've=20 heard some of this already - from my chief?" Melaskkoli nodded. "Yes. = Some. But=20 I'm more curious really about you and your family. Do you have any = brothers and=20 sisters?" "I don't. There's just me, and my mother and father" replied = iDarii.=20 "But I've friends who have brothers and sisters born here, or are = waiting for=20 them to be born?" Melaskkoli looked up at the Gaki. "What do you mean? = Waiting=20 to be born?" iDarii regarded the human with some surprise before = recalling that=20 he could have no idea of what he was talking about. "I'm sorry. Of = course you=20 don't know. I'll try and explain, but you're going to find this even = more=20 difficult to grasp". He paused to rally his thoughts, and then = continued.=20 "Perhaps it would be best if I spoke of my own family. Both my mother = and father=20 were humans, just as those you knew upon the surface. I, too, was once a = human=20 as well. But then death came, and we thought, as most people did, that = it was=20 the end of all. But it isn't. For some of us, that is for our spirits or = souls,=20 although that isn't quite the right way of looking at it at all?.". He = broke=20 off. "Well, to sum up: when surface dwellers die some of them transform = into=20 Gaki and are then reborn into this world. When the first generation of = Gaki came=20 down from the over lands they established a sort of bridge, a psychic = causeway=20 if you like, between the two realms. Thus, from later generations, some = of the=20 humans who died were reborn here. Not all, by any means. We really don't = know=20 what happens to those others. But it seems that both my parents, who in = the=20 natural course of events died many years before me, were reborn here. = When it=20 came to my turn I also was born in this place. Like I say that doesn't = always=20 happen, but it did in the case of our family. So when I became conscious = I=20 discovered that I'd been born to the same two parents again. It was not = like a=20 human birth at all but more a kind of emanation from their minds, which=20 crystallised into my present form. I was a child again, and had to learn = many=20 things anew; but I remembered them, and they remembered me. So when I = said that=20 some of my friends were awaiting their brothers and sisters, that's what = I=20 meant. Of course not all of them will be born here; but a lot will. But = I never=20 had any when I was a human, so I will have none here". iDarii again = paused,=20 allowing his companion to digest some of what he had said. "So you mean = that I=20 was once truly a human, then died, and was born here as Gaki, and then = sent back=20 again as a human? Is that what you're telling me". "Well yes. I suppose. = Although the last bit obviously doesn't usually apply. I mean about = being sent=20 back as a human". Melaskkoli's mind was awhirl, and he was desperately=20 struggling to comprehend the significance of the Gaki's tale. And then = it struck=20 him. "So that means that I have parents here as well. Is that so?" The = Gaki=20 hesitated. "I really can't say. I don't know". He saw a look of = disappointment=20 passed across the young lad's face. "I would guess it though. I mean, if = they=20 haven't suffered any kind of accident. You appear young as a human and, = from=20 what you've told me, you were sent to the surface world at an early age. = So I'd=20 guess so. But I'm not sure of that. Human time and Gaki time are not = necessarily=20 the same". Again, a look of puzzlement swept across his auditor's face.=20 "Different times for human and Gaki?" he queried. "What I meant to say, = because=20 that came out wrong?.. Well. Firstly, our scientists discovered that = there is a=20 discontinuity between the rate at which times passes here below and in = the world=20 above. There doesn't seem to be any regularity to it, or at least no one = has=20 determined an equivalence between the two respective time zones. = Fortunately,=20 it's not a great disparity usually, although there can be quite = significant=20 shifts between the two. For example, there've been occasions when I've = visited=20 the surface on one of my missions. I've then returned to discover that a = greater=20 period of time has elapsed here than up there; and vice versa. But I = have to say=20 that it is an irregular phenomenon. The research suggests that the = incongruence=20 between the two time phases may have been much more significant in the = past, and=20 that this greater asynchronicity may return in the future. Other than = this I=20 can't explain further." Melaskkoli looked quite lost now, and so iDarii = decided=20 to continue anyway. "The other factor is that the Gaki and human ageing=20 processes are dissimilar. Again I can't be precise on this, for the = reasons that=20 I've already given; but Gaki ageing is generally much slower than human. = So if=20 you take all these uncertainties into account then it's probable, though = not=20 certain, that you do indeed have parents, or maybe one parent, here". = "Only=20 one?" asked Melaskkoli. "Well yes. It gets even more complicated. But = here goes.=20 Like I said not all humans who die come here. We really don't know where = they=20 go. But sometimes it happens that only one parent is born here, and it = is they=20 alone who 'emanate' the child, so to speak. And then, yet again, it = sometimes=20 occurs that neither mother nor father come to our realm, but just their = child or=20 children. In these instances the child is placed with another family to = be=20 looked after; that is until they are old enough to care for themselves. = So you=20 see it can be convoluted, and I really can't put it more simply". "I = think I=20 understand", he commented slowly. "But how can I find out?" "Gorval will = be able=20 to help you in this. But I suppose he has his reasons for not mentioning = it=20 yet". Melaskkoli nodded. He would have to be patient. "So what else can = you tell=20 me about this place then? Why don't you visit the other caverns?" "Well, = as I=20 said, the Gaki tend not to intrude on others' affairs. We're quite = private in=20 many respects. But more importantly it's against the law for any to = travel=20 outside their own city without permission. I can't recall the last = occasion=20 where this has been granted. The elders of the Council, or the Seers, = may=20 sometimes visit our neighbours, but that's very rare, and only on the = most=20 weighty of matters. I really don't know much about these things other = than what=20 my superior is willing to tell me. It's really odd in some ways; I know = much=20 more about the surface world that I do even about those caverns nearby". = Melaskkoli considered his next question carefully before posing it. = "Well, don't=20 you ever think about investigating these, when you're above ground, for = example?=20 Surely it's possible to gain access to the other caves when you're on = the=20 surface world?" iDarii appeared distinctly unhappy now at the former's = line of=20 questioning. "I'm not sure what you mean". He had become suddenly = evasive.=20 "Aren't you curious at all? If it was me I suppose I'd want to see how = they=20 lived". "I think they live much as we do" and the Gaki had lowered his = voice.=20 "It's a great offence to even discuss such as you suggest here. Please = we=20 shouldn't continue with this". There was a look of fear about him, and=20 Melaskkoli realised that he had overstepped the mark. "I'm sorry. I = don't really=20 understand. But please forget that I even said what I said". "Thank = you",=20 replied his companion. "It's something that we have to be careful about. = You've=20 been above ground for some time now, and have probably forgotten most of = our=20 ways". Melaskkoli nodded, and decided to proceed onto safer ground. "And = what of=20 your parents then, and your friends? Tell me about them". At this the = fellow=20 quite perked up, and the conversation continued easily. Thus they passed = the=20 time with the Gaki giving his charge some instruction on this society, a = community that would be his home, at least, for the time = being.

Most of=20 their journey passed uneventfully. The desert dunes spread about them = resembled=20 nothing so much as great frozen waves, which swept far into the grey = distance.=20 For the eagles that roamed the high sky, they and their mules were but = speckles,=20 minute dark dots, and almost invisible in this vastness. The party had = covered a=20 lot of ground this day. Already they were some distance from their last=20 encampment, and the sun had still only climbed a short way towards the = sky's=20 summit. They travelled in silence for the most part. There was something = about=20 this land that inclined the mood towards the contemplative. It was = hardly=20 surprising therefore that Celarent's thoughts turned mainly upon his = recent=20 encounter. He could not shake his sense of unease, that he was engaged = in=20 helping to dupe Alaste, a man who had shown great friendship towards = him, and=20 had treated him with the utmost respect. Nevertheless, he had also some = regard=20 for the man's daughter, which did not necessarily centre upon her = evident=20 attractiveness, but more upon the manner in which she comported herself. = It was=20 almost palpable in its expression that this expedition was not simply an = opportunity for the folly of youth to express itself, a mere wilful = inclination=20 selfishly determined for her part. There was something underlying her = actions,=20 which went deeply into the essence of her being. He sensed this in = himself, and=20 indeed in the others of the party. It was as if there was a force = compelling=20 each of them beyond their own wills, a power in operation that could not = so=20 easily be delineated, yet remained undeniably effective for all that. He = reconciled himself to his own duplicity by recalling her assurance that = the=20 masquerade need not be continued beyond their arrival at the Northern = mountains.=20 It was in this direction that his gaze mostly strayed, for day-by-day = they grew=20 closer. Already their massive peaks stretched like vast battlements = linking=20 distant horizon to distant horizon. They were still too far away for any = individual features to be clearly distinguished, although he would have = sworn=20 that he could see already the snows crowning their upper heights. Ahead = of him=20 the rest of the party steadily trudged across the sands. Alaste was in = the lead=20 whilst the two scholars walked a few paces behind him, each one leading = a small=20 file of mules. He brought up the rear, and it was from this position = that he was=20 able to observe, at leisure, his comrades. He was struck again by the=20 incongruities of their fellowship. Alaste was well suited to this = profession it=20 was clear. But himself, and the other two? Surely not? It was a strange = world,=20 and the longer he endured, the more unpredictable it became. If someone = has=20 suggested to him, but a few days before, that he would be where he was = today, he=20 would have laughed in their face; that is if it were possible for him to = be so=20 ill-mannered. But here he was, and here they were, and there could be no = question of retiring from the journey now; pride itself would place that = beyond=20 reach.

The sun rose higher and higher. Finally, the heat had = grown quite=20 unsupportable, and so they halted their day's journey. Here was the deep = desert,=20 with not even the shelter of a withered tree. They dug themselves into = the sand,=20 and raised a small covering overhead, to ward off those burning rays, = which=20 flooded so brutally down upon them. In these high temperatures there was = really=20 little else to do but to take refuge in sleep, and thus wait out the = inferno.=20 The pack animals were well acclimatised to these regions but even they = lay=20 prostrate upon the ground, their ears twitching from time to time, as = they too=20 succumbed to this elemental burden. The heat saturated the ground, and = the land=20 fell silent under its weight.

Erame had also acknowledged that = the heat=20 was impressing an exorbitant demand upon her physical frame. She had = resorted to=20 the same methods as her nearby, but invisible companions, to insulate = herself=20 from the intense radiation that flailed the land. After she had watered = the=20 small group of mules she took cover in a shallow trench, dug out from = the loose=20 greyish sand. She swallowed some generous draughts of tepid water, and = settled=20 down to rest from her efforts. The heat was so intense that it was = difficult to=20 sleep. But finally she slipped into that dream world, which hides so = patiently=20 beneath the surface of consciousness; banished were the sands, and the = vast=20 expanses of the desert lands; dismissed also was that unforgiving sun, = which=20 held this region under its tyrannical sway. Now she found herself = walking along=20 an avenue that stretched arrow straight into the distance. Upon either = side of=20 the path swayed tall and elegant trees of an unfamiliar species. They = bore=20 leaves which resembled fine needles, and of a deeper green hue than she = had ever=20 beheld. A soft and fragrant breeze drifted across her face, and the = delicate=20 boughs, which stretched out across the path in front of her, swayed = backwards=20 and forwards, as if beckoning an invitation. The sky itself was quite=20 extraordinary. Rather than blue it was a pale green, its soft tones = broken only=20 by vast clouds of brilliant red, which danced languidly across its = visage. This=20 rich tone reminded her of blood, and she shivered slightly as this image = surfaced in her mind. She seemed to be dressed in the most diaphanous of = gowns,=20 of a material that swept around her body like a soft and caressing mist. = Her=20 feet were bare, and the ground felt like a thick carpet beneath her = tread. The=20 grass was of a pale bluish hue, and covered in pools of small, brightly = shining=20 blossoms, which sparkled like snow, bewitched under a full moon light. = There was=20 nothing to be heard but the soft whispering of the leaves, and the = occasional=20 ragged creaking of tree limbs, as they shifted to and fro. There seemed = to be no=20 destination in her mind, and she continued to stroll along the avenue, = carefree=20 as the wind that murmured about her. Time had no meaning here, and it = could have=20 been for an instant - or an eternity - that she had resided in this = eccentric=20 landscape. Far away and directly ahead she caught a glimpse of a = vagueness,=20 which gradually defined itself more precisely as she approached. The = mote=20 finally resolved itself into a human figure, one advancing with some = speed=20 towards her. Now her heart was tremulous, as if some unknown threat = presented=20 itself here. But there was nothing to observe about this form that = suggested it=20 might be inimical. Despite this caution she did not falter in her pace, = and=20 quickly the two of them were facing each other. Whoever it was had the=20 appearance of a young man. He was dressed in a long white cloak that = fastened at=20 the neck, the cloth flowing to the ground like a torrent of water about = him. For=20 some unaccountable reason there were only two features that seemed to = enforce=20 themselves indelibly upon her recollection of that meeting. The first = was the=20 colour of his hair. Never had she seen such brilliant gold tones so = richly=20 displayed, not even by the metal itself. It flowed about his head, and = then upon=20 his shoulders, almost liquid in its form and texture, and resembling a = kind of=20 mantle that luxuriantly graced his upper body. The second feature was = his eyes.=20 It was not so much their colour or clarity, though these were both = striking;=20 they shone blue-grey like the light reflected from a burnished shield. = More, it=20 was rather the intensity of their expressiveness. The strength held = within them=20 was unmistakeable, and their steadiness unwavering. Absorbed as she was = in these=20 particular qualities, they were as nothing compared to the extraordinary = sense=20 of age, which was conveyed somehow in that glance. The body and face = spoke of=20 youth; but the eyes betrayed an ancient wisdom quite overwhelming to = behold. She=20 did not turn away though the impulse to do so was almost irresistible; = that=20 stare compelled her attention despite its dreadful intensity. Finally, = the world=20 around her appeared to fade away. The avenue of trees, the ground = beneath her=20 feet, even that bizarre sky, drifted and coalesced, until nothing was = left but=20 those two bright orbs looking deep into her soul. And then these too = dissolved,=20 into an intense brightness, and?.

?. she awoke. In her restless = sleep she=20 had pushed aside the covering that had been raised over the trench, and = her face=20 was now exposed to the still blazing sun. She touched her fingers = against the=20 skin, and could feel the heat glowing angrily there. She realised that = she must=20 have burnt somewhat. She settled back into the shallow depression in the = sand=20 and began to contemplate the dream that still echoed in her mind, its = features=20 still bright and distinct in her recollection. She had had many dreams = in the=20 past, and a few that had recurred. But they were no more than the = phantasmagoria=20 of the human mind at play. This, however, was of quite a different = order.=20 Firstly, its lineaments had been most distinguishable. The colours, and = so=20 forth, they may well have been the results of a healthy imagination, a=20 juxtaposition of unusual elements randomly aligned, and a kind of = curious=20 experiment, which the mind likes to conduct spontaneously. But more = significant=20 yet was the presence of the stranger, and what had passed between them = in that=20 thoughtful exchange, as they had gazed into each other's eyes. More had = been=20 communicated in that moment, she believed, than all the words she had = spoken in=20 her life; an intimacy never experienced before with anyone, not her = parents, nor=20 even a lover, had occurred in that instant. And the stranger had seemed = no=20 stranger at all. His features she did not recall; they were not = important. But=20 those eyes, and that soul, these now resounded within her = spirit.

Time=20 passed on, and the sun gradually sank back towards the edge of the = world, its=20 heat abating reluctantly. She slipped back into sleep, but there was no=20 recurrence of the dream. It was nearly dark when she again awoke and, = pulling=20 aside the sheltering canvas, she got to her feet. The desert was quiet, = glowing=20 serenely under the great moon that shone brightly in the southern = quarter. The=20 whole landscape was bathed in a cool milky glow, such a contrast to the = harsh=20 light displayed by her predecessor, the sun, in those interminable = daylight=20 hours. She looked away, to observe the files of foot and hoof prints = left in the=20 sand by her father and his companions and their mules. They had been = easily=20 tracked during the day. After all there was no reason to obscure them, = for why=20 should these travellers exercise caution? Only Celarent knew that they = were not=20 alone in their safari. She turned to the preparation of her evening = meal. She=20 was far enough behind them now that she could see no trace of a = camp-fire=20 against the evening sky. She thought that she might risk a fire herself = but=20 concluded that it would be unwise. It would seem folly, and just for the = sake of=20 a hot meal, to jeopardise her plans, and attract the undue and unwelcome = attention of her parent. Reluctantly she withdrew some dried meat from = one of=20 the packs, and chewed upon the leathery viands, screwing up her face at = the=20 salty flavour that permeated the tough, sinewy flesh. Despite the = invasive=20 savour it was an excellent source of nutrition, and would remain edible = for some=20 time; and, moreover, it was very light to carry. She took some long sips = from=20 the water bottle, for her body was heavily dehydrated by the sun's = depredations;=20 these at least served to ameliorate the strong and bitter taste of the=20 provender. Once she had concluded her own repast she attended to the = beasts,=20 putting hay down before each of them, and filling a bucket with warm = water,=20 which she placed before the beasts in turn. As the animals ate and = drank, in=20 their characteristically languid fashion, she contemplated the landscape = about=20 her. In its own way it possessed a sort of magical ambience, its = softened black=20 and white tones melting into each other under the mollifying influence = of the=20 moonlight, which flowed lambently upon the whole scene. In this respect = it held=20 a great contrast to what she had witnessed in her dream. The colours = displayed=20 in that odd region had possessed a resonance most abrasive. Again, the = scene,=20 although apparently naturalistic in its own terms, had been imbued with = a kind=20 of speciousness, a misrepresentation of true nature. It was not a matter = of=20 form, nor even the unnatural colouration, but rather the mode in which = these=20 were combined. But then, confusingly, the same could not be said of that = meeting=20 with the stranger; that episode in itself would have made anything set = beside it=20 appear vacuous and meaningless, indeed truly lacking in any real = substance.=20 Unlike most imaginings these details seemed to impress themselves upon = her=20 consciousness with a greater rather than lesser impact now, even with = this=20 passage of time. She could not shake the intuition that a message lay = submerged=20 within the reverie, one which presaged a future that she could not = ignore; or=20 maybe a past she should not dismiss. The present returned, and she = recalled her=20 predicament; it was time to break off from these reflections. She set to = with a=20 will, folding the tent covering efficiently, and quickly packing = everything back=20 upon the mules. Soon she was ready to depart once more on her journey. = She was=20 fairly certain she had allowed enough time to elapse for her father and = his=20 friends to be well on their way by now. She was not overly concerned = that she=20 might catch up with them, but carelessness was something easily avoided, = and=20 such an upset now would be quite unforgivable. She roped the beasts = together in=20 a file and, taking the halter of the lead animal, she marched out into = the=20 night.

A gathering had been summoned, but this was like no other. = The=20 seers of the Inner Council had concluded that events had taken such a = turn that=20 extraordinary action must be taken. The council elders from the other = caverns=20 had been called so that they might decide what should be done. The word = had been=20 spread by the usual esoteric means, and already a majority had accepted = the=20 invitation. Deep below the earth, and deeper still beneath their home = cavern,=20 the elders were to meet in a specially constructed chamber. So large = were the=20 numbers due to attend that the usual meeting places could not be = employed.=20 Without break, a host of stonemasons had strenuously applied themselves = and=20 their craft to the task, and had already succeeded in extending an = existing=20 chamber to a size that would meet the council's requirements. In a short = time it=20 was ready and, as the council members arrived, the assembly chamber = quickly=20 filled. In some cases there were Gaki seers present who had not met for = whole=20 generations, and this further emphasised the gravitas of the occasion. A = count=20 was called, and it was evident that all those who were able to attend = were=20 present. There were, however, some notable exceptions, and some = commentaries=20 were occasioned with regard to these absences. All were conversant with = the=20 subject matter of their debate, but equally they were aware that not all = Gaki=20 were in accord. Some regarded the raids, and their increasing frequency = upon the=20 upper world, as mere unfortunate instances, and passing phenomena that = would=20 shortly resolve themselves. Others, however, representing the more = warlike=20 faction, suggested these forays presented an opportunity for the Gaki = race to=20 wrest back what was theirs and, according to their viewpoint, reclaim = the=20 surface world as their own, subjugating in the process the present = populations=20 of humans who unlawfully remained there. But the present company was = composed=20 mostly of wiser counsels, of those who had a firmer grasp of the = realities of=20 their present condition, and a recognition that a na=EFve and crude = response could=20 only be grotesque in its effects, especially given their current = position. By=20 definition all those who were present in the Council were seers, and = therefore=20 of the higher caste. On this account the entire discussion was conducted = purely=20 in mind-to-mind form, since this was the natural discourse within their=20 community. The actual structure of their debates cannot be represented = here, for=20 it resembles in no way what might take place between humans. The = exchange=20 between the seer and the human/Gaki Melaskkoli was an exception, for = that seer=20 had trained in this human mode of dialogue. In a similar manner, = communication=20 within the lower castes took place either using physical language, or in = a form=20 of mind-speak, which was used predominantly by members of the higher=20 administrative castes. However, between the Gaki seers a private = telepathic=20 language existed, of which only the content may be approximately = rendered at=20 this time. The council were acquainted mainly with the nature of the = problem=20 insofar as it referred to their own localities. But up until this moment = few=20 among them had realised to what endemic proportions the crisis had = inflated.=20 After only a few reports had been recounted it rapidly became obvious to = all=20 that this was not a matter that could be dismissed lightly; nor could it = be=20 viewed as a pretext to be exploited in order to gain a tactical = advantage in any=20 putative struggle with the humans. Interestingly, though the scope of = the=20 problem had been more clearly defined, this precision was equalled only = by an=20 absence of any discernible strategy to deal with the question . Most of = the=20 debate essentially centred around the question of "What can be done?" to = which=20 no obvious answer presented itself. The arguments raged to and fro, but = without=20 any conclusion. Finally, it was the seer that had interviewed Melaskkoli = who=20 advanced his solution for the convocation's consideration. All present = had been=20 briefed on Melaskkoli's mission, but only a minority knew of the most = recent=20 developments. The seer informed them that not one, but two, separate = parties of=20 humans had been detected making their way across the desert towards what = the=20 surface dwellers called the Northern mountains. These peaks themselves = were=20 actually the uppermost elevations of the roof that presently arched = above the=20 massive city, which lay directly above their heads now. The constitution = of that=20 first party had already been well broadcast amongst the Gaki community = of=20 elders; but few knew of the second. When it was announced that this = latter group=20 comprised but a single human female, gasps of surprise echoed around the = council=20 chamber. For those who were well acquainted with the myths of = redemption, this=20 presence seemed to confirm the possible truth of the ancient = predictions. The=20 seer concluded that, in his opinion, this female must represent a = component of a=20 pairing - the other, of course, being a male - who would, in some as yet = undefined way, prove to be the salvation of both their worlds. He = asserted,=20 further, that it must be assumed that the second part of this = soteriological=20 equation would be supplied by one of the human males in the other group. = The=20 seer concluded that since they had not been able to arrive at any plan = of action=20 themselves, and that it seemed that the predicted elements of the = prophecy were=20 present, this might suggest a way out for all of them; indeed, the only = course=20 of action in fact left - was inaction. On hearing this some of the = younger seers=20 reacted angrily, for they saw such a response as entirely fatalistic and = passive, and quite insufficient to this evidently deadly state of = affairs. But=20 their outbursts were rather symptoms of frustration than a passionately = held=20 conviction. Fortunately, in this council, wiser and cooler heads = prevailed, and=20 the gathering concluded that the better way to proceed was to return to = their=20 respective regions, and try to maintain public order. Loss of life would = indeed=20 be tragic but there was nothing to suggest that this must be an = inevitable=20 consequence of the unfolding drama. Other than this it would be assumed = for now=20 that destiny followed an implicit design, within which the forces of = destruction=20 had some role to play. Thus all would have to place their faith in this = eternal=20 verity, and await the outcome. With that the assembled seers paused to = share=20 silently their vow, before returning by hidden paths to their own = caverns. As=20 the chamber emptied the seer summoned Gorval to his side. The latter was = instructed to make his way to the human/Gaki Melaskkoli and explain, = according=20 to his capacity, what was taking place. "Should I tell him all that you = have=20 conveyed to me, sir?" The seer paused briefly before responding. "It = would seem=20 only fair. In truth I don't know myself what awaits our young friend. = His part=20 seems to have been played out. All that remains is this confluence = between the=20 human female and male who are presently travelling towards our city; if = indeed=20 these are the ones to whom the prophecy alludes. There can be little = enough=20 harm, for he won't be allowed to come into contact with the general = population,=20 and certainly not in his present condition; and even then only if the = legends=20 have been fulfilled. Yes. I see no reason why not. And if he has any = further=20 questions I leave it to your discretion to respond. After all, he's = given up=20 much for our people. A gesture of gratitude wouldn't be misplaced, I = think".=20 "Very well, sir". Gorval departed, leaving the seer alone with his = thoughts. He=20 made his way back to the upper levels, and thence through the city = streets to=20 the Ministry, finally coming to the section that contained the = accommodations.=20 He paused at the door, observing the two guards still on duty there. As = he=20 approached they noted his arrival, and moved to obstruct the way. Then = one of=20 them recognised the senior administrator, and signalled to his companion = to let=20 him pass. Without any further delay Gorval entered the apartments, and = came upon=20 both iDarii and the newcomer apparently deep in conversation. As soon as = Gorval=20 appeared iDarii leapt to his feet, and awaited obediently his orders. = For his=20 part Melaskkoli remained where he was, seated on the floor, but = regarding Gorval=20 warily. It was then, as the latter passed close by one of the torches, = that the=20 light was sufficient to illuminate his features. "Youuu maaayyy beee = goonnneee",=20 Gorval addressed the Gaki. Without hesitation iDarii left the room, not = even=20 pausing to bid farewell. The administrator turned to examine Melaskkoli. = "And=20 you, my young friend. How are you faring? You've been treated well, I = trust?"=20 Melaskkoli nodded, and started to get to his feet. "There's no need. You = should=20 rest. The journey, and all the other matters with which you've had to = contend,=20 these must have weakened you seriously. Stay and rest. I have some news = to bring=20 you from the council". Melaskkoli resumed his position whilst the other=20 rehearsed the latest developments, or those, at least, that seemed to = have the=20 most bearing on his own concerns. He had already amassed quite a lot of=20 information on current circumstances from his conversations with the = seer, and=20 also those with iDarii and Gorval. However, he could not pretend to = understand=20 their full import any more than did Gorval himself, or even the seers.=20 Predictions and prophecies seemed to meld strangely within the evolving=20 physiology of the Gaki race. Although much of what was occurring seemed = to bear=20 all the hallmarks of a great catastrophe in the making, this was = simultaneously=20 combined, or so it appeared, with omens of a more fortuitous nature. But = whatever the outcome, great events indeed were coming to pass, and of = such a=20 magnitude and complexity that none could honesty venture an accurate = assessment=20 of the final production. If this were a world of darkness it would seem = that its=20 people were descending into even greater unillumined depths.

Time = passed=20 in the desert measurelessly. Celarent felt as if he had already spent a = lifetime=20 in this land. His eyes had grown accustomed to the stark light that = flooded down=20 upon every corner of this ill-tempered region. Their company had fallen = into an=20 easy routine, which varied little day-by-day, or even night-by-night. = Sometimes=20 they would find themselves resting in the vicinity of a small = underground=20 spring. These were not so difficult to locate, so it might seem to the = novice,=20 as had already been demonstrated by their adept guide. Wayfarers had = been=20 voyaging by these desert paths for generations. To the neophyte's eye = this land=20 appeared featureless and seamless, and one part much like another. But = to the=20 seasoned explorer, and certainly to one well versed in this terrain, = there was a=20 multitude of clues by which to navigate. The position and declination of = the sun=20 in the sky - an observation modified by the passage of the seasons - = would give=20 a moderately accurate indication of where the navigator might plot his = passage=20 in this sea of sand. The bright, clear night sky displayed yet another = chart,=20 one written precisely across their dark heavens, and which proved to be = a=20 surprisingly accurate guide. The water holes themselves were generally=20 accompanied by at least some sparse vegetation, be it only a few blades = of=20 desert grass breaking through the sun-baked ground, for, against the=20 remorselessly uniform texture of the surface, these would show up quite=20 distinctly, even at some distance, and most adventitiously, to the = seasoned eye.=20 So although initially rendered quite dumbfounded by Alaste's sure-footed = leadership, which at times appeared to border on the miraculous, his = skill in=20 forging his way through this unremarkable void had already been = penetrated by=20 Celarent and the others who, having gained some insight into his = methods, saw=20 his apparently inspired powers recede in due proportion to their = expanding=20 knowledge. However, none were so arrogant to believe that they could = have=20 performed equally, and all would readily acknowledge that, but for his = abilities=20 in desert craft, they would never have made any significant ingress into = this=20 locale, let alone have determined an egress.

And so day passed = into=20 night, and night into day. With each sunrise Celarent would look up at = the great=20 mountains ahead, and with each day it appeared they were not one step = closer to=20 their destination. Distances in this place were quite misleading. = Moreover,=20 there was no way of estimating the size of those great vaults of rock, = which=20 piled upwards, deep into the heavens. He commented on this to Alaste who = assured=20 him that he was not mistaken. The desert air was so dry and clear that = it acted=20 like an enlarging glass. Distant objects that would otherwise appear = vague and=20 indistinct would, in this atmosphere, stand out as clear and as sharp as = if they=20 were at arms length. And the mountain range was indeed enormous. = Although it=20 seemed that those peaks were already towering directly above their = heads,=20 nevertheless there was still some way to travel before they would reach = even the=20 foothills. Under the ruthless glare of the sun their skins had become = darker and=20 tougher; and as each day passed the superfluous fat and flaccid muscle, = the=20 inheritances of a relatively sedentary life, were falling away. No = longer did=20 the three scholars appear so exceptional to this place. Instead, each = was taking=20 on the aspect of an adventurer, one born to wild and rugged climes. Even = Ferioque, he of slight build and stooping aspect, had acquired a = musculature=20 that would have been the envy of a much younger man. Hesvee, by = contrast, a=20 fellow somewhat prone to moderate corpulence, had rid himself of this=20 superabundance, and had acquired the demeanour and profile of more = warrior-like=20 proportions. Celarent, despite being the youngest of the party, had at = first=20 suffered greatly from the rigours of the march, but was now adjusting = fully to=20 this new life. Instead, there was a spring to his step, even at the very = conclusion of a long day's march. Sleep and energy and appetite, all had = thrived=20 under this new regime. Alaste, however, resembled himself as much now as = at the=20 outset of the mission, aught that the smile was broader, and the = laughter came=20 more easily to his lips. He was truly of desert stock; this was his = land, and=20 his home, and where his heart would always lie. For the most part they = travelled=20 in silence, the better to conserve energy, but also because this = atmosphere=20 predisposed to mute reflection. Celarent was quite naturally preoccupied = with=20 their hidden companion. He had seen no further sign of her since that = last=20 meeting. At the day's end, and in the darkness of the night, he would = stare=20 along the line of tracks that they had left in the sand behind them. He = hoped=20 Erame was still keeping pace with their advance. It was at these times = that he=20 would wonder if she might have come to any harm. Indeed, it was all he = could do=20 to summon up sufficient self-restraint, and prevent himself from rushing = headlong back along that route, the better to reassure himself of her = security.=20 However, he was mindful of his promise, and recalled that she seemed a = woman,=20 most competent and capable, and well equipped to take good care of = herself in=20 these parts; perhaps better even than he. Nevertheless, the thought was = there,=20 always in the back, if not the forefront, of his mind. It nagged away at = him=20 like an itch that would not be relieved.

Hesvee was a happy man, = or so he=20 discovered. Under his naturally cautious nature, with a marked tendency = towards=20 perfection and introspection, he had always erred on the side of = avoiding=20 unnecessary risk. It was the case certainly, given his general = temperament, that=20 he would never have considered seriously his present endeavour. A man of = letters, and never happier than when delving into a dusty archive - the = more=20 arcane the better - he had followed these sober guides unswervingly. He = regarded=20 adventuring as at best, the activity of the foolhardy, and at worst, = signifying=20 a grave want in intelligence, and exemplary of a considerable degree of=20 foolishness. And yet, demonstrably, he was greatly contented with his = current=20 condition. It had never occurred to him that such contact with the = elemental in=20 nature should provoke within him a similar, if not mirrored, response = from his=20 own psyche. He was a fellow much accustomed to concentrate upon the = minutiae and=20 detail of a question. He would most willingly wrestle with such matters = for=20 greatly prolonged periods, sometimes for days on end. Then, hopefully,an = insight=20 might fall like a blessing from heaven, and open his eyes to that = obscure truth,=20 which he had sought so eagerly to penetrate. But now he had discovered = that such=20 veracities might also reveal themselves within the grander lineaments of = this=20 vast world. Whilst lying upon the ground and looking out into the depths = of=20 space, or during the passing of the day atop a sand dune - the heights = of which=20 permitted a broad vantage point whence might be pondered the comparable=20 dimensions, and qualities of another, more earthly void - he found that = these=20 greater perspectives acted as a filter, dredging through the obscuring = layers of=20 clutter with which the mind so easily encumbered itself, only to reveal = a=20 clarity beneath that opened up his deeper psyche to a more deeply = incisive=20 examination. Many a time as he strode across the sand, the heat beating = down=20 upon his head and back, and his body aching from the exertion, his mind = would=20 leap like a fiery dart, to burn away the deadwood, exposing his true = nature=20 buried far beneath. Sometimes he would feel almost compelled to shout = with sheer=20 exultation at these remarkable discoveries, and he was even tempted to = impart=20 them directly to his fellows. And yet he knew, in his soul, that these = visions=20 were beyond the clumsy scope of speech, and that a sally towards this = end would=20 be purposeless; and this realisation had been the occasion of some = sadness in=20 his heart. But he had discovered that the truths upon which he meditated = were of=20 a reality, and one which was discernible eventually by all men; but only = in=20 their due time. Thus the journey across the desert, for Hesvee, was = equally a=20 journey within, for that old scholar. His body might be growing aged, = moment by=20 moment, but his mind was eternal.

Ferioque was also, in his own = unique=20 way, realising the fruits of this enterprise. He was an observant man = and never=20 more at ease than when he could scrutinise his fellows, but only=20 surreptitiously, by preference. He thought homewards to his family, for = he loved=20 and missed them dearly. From the rigours of the journey he had suffered = much. As=20 a younger man, and even before taking up his profession, he had = travelled=20 widely, and enjoyed thoroughly his intercourse with fellows of different = lands=20 and races. His curiosity had quite naturally led him to his present = position as=20 chief cartographer. When he had married, and had begotten children, he = had been=20 obliged to discontinue many of his youthful interests and, as this = abridgement=20 progressed, he had modified the objects of his enthusiasm accordingly. = His=20 studies of ancient cartography had allowed him imaginatively to travel, = not only=20 to distant lands, but also to distant times. By means of the designs = exhibited=20 in the ancient archives, and their attached commentaries, he had made = the=20 acquaintance of men, and races, long dead. In some instances so detailed = were=20 the accompanying notes that he felt as if he had grown to know some of = these men=20 most intimately, perhaps better even than his own family and friends. = His=20 imagination supplied those parts of the accounts that were sparse, and = he had,=20 in his own way, led an adventuresome life, albeit confined within the = narrow=20 corridors and storage rooms of the university library and archives. To = be once=20 again crossing unknown lands in search of a great secret was akin to = returning=20 home for the professor. Ferioque was more extroverted in his = apprehension of=20 life. He was a warm-hearted man who greatly enjoyed the company of his = fellows,=20 and welcomed any opportunity to engage in conversation with a new = acquaintance,=20 and this despite his near incarceration in those labyrinthine cellars, = which=20 housed his stock-in-trade. He found the expansiveness of the desert = almost=20 overwhelmingly invigorating, and was rather grateful for the experience = of once=20 more travelling in the company of his fellows. He valued especially = those=20 evenings when they would sit by the fire, and talk of matters close to = their=20 hearts, or even just the idle chatter of men. He supposed that it was = this=20 kinship that he had missed for so long, and which even a family cannot = supply.=20 This was his journey through this desert.

Alaste, indeed, was in = his=20 element. No sooner had he embarked upon this journey than he asked = himself why=20 he had left it so long overdue. His people came from these parts, and = the sands=20 were a part of his blood. He loved the life of a wanderer and had been = able, to=20 an extent, to indulge this aspect of his temperament within his business = activities. It was true that the greater part of his travels had been to = the=20 prosperous and necessarily more heavily populated regions - or = civilisation, as=20 some might say; but the wilderness had its own appeal, and there were = riches to=20 be found here as well. He had had a few doubts before their departure, = wondering=20 if he had made a prudent choice in volunteering to be their guide on = this=20 venture. A more unlikely and unsuitable group, he had thought, could = surely not=20 be found. But as time had passed these misgivings faded, and he found = himself to=20 be in the company of true explorers, unprepossessing or not, as they = might have,=20 at first, appeared. He had noted the manner in which each one had = adapted in=20 response to their circumstances, and how, apart from a few hiccups at = the=20 commencement of their travels, they had behaved quite admirably since. = It was=20 evident in the way in which each conducted himself that the desert had = proved to=20 be a great teacher. His hope was that by the time they reached the = foothills=20 ahead they would have cohered into a clan, and one which would be able = to deal=20 with any adversity that must surely await them there. The Northern = mountains=20 were notorious for their lawless peoples, and only the foolhardy, or the = brave,=20 would venture into their deep passes. Still, as he scrutinised these = fellows,=20 and as each day passed, his confidence grew, and with it the certainty = that they=20 possessed the fortitude and capacity sufficient to surmount any = difficulty that=20 might present itself. He had taken a particular interest in the = youngest,=20 Celarent. He had noted that though the fellow was clearly intelligent = and not=20 without spirit, nevertheless, the many years dedicated to his studies = had=20 detracted somewhat from his natural resources, leaving a vigour depleted = but not=20 totally extinguished. Apart from the necessity of ensuring that = Celarent's=20 status within the expedition was properly acknowledged, he was keen to = ensure=20 that that spirit was fully revitalised. He had also been somewhat amused = to=20 witness the fellow's evident interest in his daughter. He was neither a = jealous=20 man nor a possessive father. He rather saw this curiosity as the = entirely proper=20 response of a young man faced with the attractions of a vivacious and = graceful=20 woman. Alaste took great pride in the virtues of both his wife and = daughter=20 though he had to admit he erred somewhat in favour of his daughter on = occasion.=20 As his thoughts dwelt on his only child he wondered to himself how she = might be=20 faring. This would be her first time travelling alone, and in the desert = as=20 well. It was a cause of great merriment to him that youth thought itself = more=20 capable in mendacity than age; it should be evident surely that age had = all the=20 advantage. The capacity to lie or deceive requires a sharp wit, = intelligence,=20 and above all, experience. How frequently does one observe a young child = seeking=20 to deceive its parents, and how impoverished the attempt! Their = innocence,=20 though disarming, is no ally to intrigue. And so it was that when he had = announced to both his wife and daughter his intention to depart upon = this=20 project, he had observed the immediate spark ignite within his = daughter's eyes,=20 a reaction which betrayed an interest which superseded that of mere = spectator.=20 From that moment onwards he knew that she would seek to attach herself = to the=20 group in some way or another. He had mentioned this fact to his beloved = wife who=20 had drawn the same conclusion as he. He knew, moreover, that she would = not=20 approach him directly, anticipating his reply to be contrary to her = wishes.=20 Therefore, she was left with but two alternatives; to sweep from her = mind that=20 ambition or, by the practice of some artifice, ensure her participation. = He had=20 not known the precise form of her ruse, and had awaited its maturation = with some=20 anticipation. His suspicions had been confirmed from that point where he = had=20 observed Celarent departing furtively the encampment. His absence had = been=20 longer than would have been warranted by a call of nature. Thus he was = left with=20 the possibility that his withdrawal had been at the behest of his = daughter; or=20 perhaps Celarent had succumbed to an overwhelming desire for a lone = stroll in=20 the moonlight. Alaste had drawn his conclusion.

The Northern = mountains=20 were massed along that border of the desert like a great army, poised = ready to=20 throw itself against the enemy. Ancient were those huge walls, their = jutting=20 peaks breaking forth from vast, granite bases; savage, jagged, fanged=20 protrusions that hacked into the skies, to puncture the enormous cumulus = clouds,=20 which clung over their summits, sending down huge torrents of rain onto = the=20 foothills below. A man standing upon one of these heights might look out = across=20 the grey desert sands below, and sweep those wastes with his gaze, = searching for=20 some lost creature in that great emptiness. He might keep his watch = there, day=20 upon day, week on week, and even longer, and in vain achieve his = purpose. But=20 men do pursue such hopeless goals, and, from time to time, the gods will = favour=20 such a one, and reward him for that seemingly futile endeavour; perhaps = on a day=20 as this - or not.

It was his custom to wander the hills in = pursuit of=20 game, of small deer, and even straying wild cats, which ventured onto = the lower=20 slopes of the Northern mountains. Occasionally he would break from his = hunt, and=20 look upwards towards those fearful grey peaks that stretched high into = the=20 skies. Within him would grow the longing to reach into their very heart, = and=20 flee the bonds of earth, ascending every upwards into those suspended = heights,=20 and soar there limitlessly, like an eagle. His spirits grew heavy for = his life=20 seemed a masquerade, tied as it was to this heavy and blatant earth. The = mountains seemed to mock him with their ponderous weight. Yet they rose = so=20 effortlessly, when he, frail creature that he was, could barely climb = beyond the=20 snows, where his breath grew heavy, his vision clouded. Then he would = retreat in=20 confusion to the foothills, his breathing eased, and his balance of = thought=20 restored; truly the gods guarded their realm jealously; none but the = favoured=20 could ever hope to venture further. Despite these numerous failures he = had never=20 abandoned the hope that one day he might reach his goal, and discover = there in=20 that snowy realm, what he, in his soul, sought. If any had asked him to = describe=20 the object of this venture he would have found it quite impossible. And = yet he=20 was convinced that if he could but reach those peaks he would find that = which=20 was absent from his heart. He could feel the void within him even now. = There it=20 was, a dull ache, which erupted into a longing so great that tears would = burst=20 forth, and what had been the merest twinge would grow to a emptying pain = that=20 enveloped and penetrated his entire body. Finally, he would let his = hopes=20 falter, and thus reconcile to his lot; but always the struggle would = continue=20 afresh. There seemed little that he could do to release himself from = this=20 bondage and gain his freedom, there to enter either fully into life, or = into=20 darkest death; but this was a bright day, and he was light of heart. He = had been=20 engaged in the pursuit of a black antelope, a species quite commonly = discovered=20 upon the lower slopes. They were agile creatures, equally well adapted = to=20 fleeing the predators of the lowlands, or negotiating the steeper slopes = of the=20 mountainside. He had pursued this particular beast for two days and two = nights=20 now, following relentlessly its spoor until, at last, he caught sight of = the=20 beast. It was a mature male, some fourteen hands in height. Its horns = were well=20 developed, with at least two curves in their length. One of these = spikes,=20 however, had a broken tip, indicating at least one combat with another = of its=20 kind. The creature's coat was a deep black, and displayed the silken = lustre of a=20 beast in its prime. It was well aware of its pursuer but its mature = years had=20 deceived it into the folly that it could outwit this poor two-legged = beast. And=20 so the game was played; the animal would allow its admirer to move in = closer=20 only to leap lightly out of range, nimbly skipping up the higher slopes, = there=20 to taunt its shadow from safety. But the hunter knew his craft, and he = was=20 plentifully endowed with patience. Sooner or later all creatures, = notably those=20 prone to an overweening pride in their own abilities, make an error; and = this=20 beast would be no exception. The contest continued, with the beast = always just=20 one step outside the grasp of its pursuer. It was late on the third day = that the=20 long awaited fault finally materialised. Both predator and prey had = descended=20 the slopes until they were at the lower edge of the foothills. The = numerous=20 streams that emerged from the peaks above flowed down the mountainside = here, to=20 form a confluence, whose waters flowed more gently upon these shallower = slopes.=20 It might have been that this lone creature was missing the company of = its=20 fellows; and maybe it had tired a little of the sport. For whatever = reason, it=20 had made its way from the precipitous heights above, and was now = trotting nimbly=20 along a narrow path that led into the side of the small watercourse. = Along the=20 track there was a scattering of boulders that had broken free from the = higher=20 cliffs. These fragments had bounded down the hillside, finally coming to = rest=20 near the trail. The antelope had grown careless and heedless, and = perchance a=20 little contemptuous, of the poor little two-leg that had followed it so=20 fruitlessly. But now the hunter had greatly decreased the distance = between them,=20 and was poised behind one of the boulders, closely observing the beast. = It had=20 reached the water hole and raised its head to sniff the air, catching = neither=20 sight nor scent of its fellows, nor of the man. The pursuer was downwind = of the=20 beast, and quite invisible to his prey. He observed the antelope as it=20 approached the water. It paused briefly, to look from side to side, = before=20 lowering its head to the cool frothing flow where it languorously = commenced to=20 scoop up the water with its long coiling tongue. The man moved carefully = and=20 quietly, anxious not to disturb the loose stones that littered this = whole side=20 of the mountain. The man advanced, slowly and slower, moving from = boulder to=20 boulder, as he closed in upon the animal. Now he was within range. He = had=20 already unslung his bow, and had strung it, ready for use. His eye never = wavered, not for a moment, from the creature, as he drew a long, wooden = shaft=20 from its sheath, and slid the notch over the sinewy string. He raised = the bow=20 fluidly, his eye fixed on the beast, levelling the arrowhead just above = its=20 right shoulder blade. There was a light breeze blowing from his right, = and he=20 adjusted the sight accordingly. He braced himself against his back foot, = the bow=20 bending into a great arc, his body quite motionless. His breathing was = steady,=20 his arm flexed ready, and the arrowhead drawn back almost to the wood of = the=20 bow. The animal raised its head, and the man's breath ceased. His whole = being=20 was centred on the target; and his body was the bow. An instant passed = and the=20 cord whispered past the man's cheek, the arrow flying upon its course. = The deer=20 fell to the ground, already dead, struck clean and true. The hunter = leapt into=20 the air, with the joy of the kill filling every part of his being. He = ran=20 joyously down the slope, covering the remaining distance between himself = and the=20 deer in a matter of moments. He slowed as he approached the beast, = eyeing it=20 carefully; more than one man had been killed by a thrust from those = deadly=20 horns, and that following upon the mistaken belief that their prey had = been=20 despatched. But the creature was lifeless. There was not a movement to = show=20 life's breath. It was indeed a magnificent beast, and a worthy opponent = in the=20 chase. His first thought was to withdraw the arrow, and that he did very = gingerly, not wishing to break the head off. He wiped clear the blood = upon the=20 grass nearby, and dipped the shaft into the stream to rinse away the = remainder.=20 He returned the arrow to its sheath, and set about his work. His first = task was=20 to cut the horns from the body. It was a great shame that one tine was = broken;=20 but still they were a fine trophy. He felt a twinge of shame as he = removed this=20 elegant work of nature from the beast, much like a thief stealing a rare = treasure, or even worse, committing an act of sacrilege. He brushed = aside the=20 notion and returned to his labours. After he had removed the horns he = attended=20 to his hunger. During his pursuit he had had neither time nor = opportunity to=20 break his fast, stopping only briefly to sup from his water flask. As he = saw the=20 blood oozing from the wound he drew his short bladed dagger from its = sheath and,=20 pulling a small wooden cup from his sack, he poised the vessel beneath = the=20 creature's throat, and drew the blade swiftly across the artery. = Immediately, a=20 generous flow issued from the incision, most of which trickled into the = cup. The=20 bright, red, foaming fluid quickly filled it to the brim. He raised the = vessel=20 to his lips, and drank deeply of the liquor; it was still warm, and the = taste=20 was rich. He could already feel the life energy flowing into his body = and, with=20 this addition, his almost spent energies restored. Much blood had spilt = upon the=20 ground, and the body was quickly drained of the residue. Working quickly = and=20 efficiently he skinned and eviscerated the beast. Piece by piece he = jointed the=20 animal's frame, though from its innards he kept only those organs that = would be=20 of some use; the gut he cast aside. But there were other creatures = waiting,=20 readily and most eager, to take their share of the kill; there would be = nothing=20 wasted on this day. Above he could already see the flights of carrion = birds=20 gathering overhead, hungrily awaiting their turn at the dining table. = Each=20 morsel he washed in the stream to clean away the blood; these he then = carefully=20 wrapped, binding the flesh within the broad leaves which he carried in = his bag..=20 It had been discovered long ago that this foliage contained within its = fibres a=20 property that maintained the freshness of meat. The action of this = preservative=20 allowed hunters to travel great distances but still bear home their kill = yet=20 fresh. The remainder would be hung or smoked, to be consumed at a later = date.=20 Fortunately, though he had been engaged in the chase for some two days, = he had=20 not wandered far from where his people lived. His clan had made their = base deep=20 in one of the mountain passes; it would only be a short time, even = before=20 darkness fell, before he could return there. He concluded his butcher's = trade,=20 and stowed the meat away neatly in his sack. He had unstrung the bow = again, and=20 placed it upon his back. He looked down upon the remnants of the beast, = and at=20 the grass upon which they lay, the ground stained a darkening red with = its=20 life's blood, and silently offered a prayer to the gods, that they might = look=20 with kindness upon their recently deceased kin and, even more = generously, upon=20 the agent of its demise. To support this supplication he buried one of = the small=20 packets of meat nearby, as an offering to the local deities. It was only = after=20 this obeisance that he made his way back along the mountainside, and=20 homewards.

The light had begun to fail. The clouds had drawn down = upon=20 the high peaks, and the first wisps of mist were even now drifting over = the=20 lower slopes. He was not greatly worried that a fog should beset him. At = this=20 time in the season these would not linger long, for they would easily be = displaced by the warm airs that rose from the desert. But the atmosphere = grew=20 cold, and a grey light fell over the whole area. He felt a shiver run = through=20 his frame as the temperatures rapidly dropped. He picked up his pace, = both to=20 warm his body and to hasten his return. He had been absent from home for = considerably longer than usual, and he was keen to see his family again. = He=20 thought fondly of them now, and of the warm comforts of his hut, set = high up on=20 the side of a deep valley. He dearly loved to roam these slopes at his = leisure,=20 but there was always that anticipation, to return home once more to the = warm=20 hearth of his brethren. In truth he could not be sure whether it was the = freedom=20 of the hills that he enjoyed most, or that sweetened return to the bosom = of his=20 family, for the one experience seemed to enhance the other. But for now = he=20 longed for a warm fire, hot food, and the comfort of a bed, within which = he=20 would bury himself beneath thick fur coverings, there to sleep soundly = through=20 the night. So preoccupied was he with his reveries that he hardly = noticed the=20 cloud as it lifted around him. It was only when the sun broke through, = and=20 pierced the thinning murk, that he could again survey his environs. He = had made=20 his way some considerable distance up the mountainside, and was able to = survey=20 the desert now, its dry plains rolling away far beneath. It might have = been a=20 mere impulse, for he was not particularly fatigued, but he decided to = rest=20 briefly before continuing on his journey. He sat down and, leaning back = on his=20 elbows, cast his gaze over the landscape. There was nothing of great=20 significance to remark upon. Deserts, by their very nature, are of a = rather=20 repetitive character, and their particular prospect is hardly likely to = excite=20 an enlivened interest. No. it was more the breadth and expansiveness of = that=20 spreading vista, which inspired his appreciation. Range upon range of = low=20 sloping dunes, sweeping away across the scene, to disappear, finally, = into a=20 greyish distance. At its very margin the crystal clear blue skies raised = themselves like a curtain from that misty boundary, to soar into the = infinite=20 spaces above. That enormous sense of emptiness, precious to him beyond = all=20 earthly riches, gave his soul the scope that it craved, a boundless and=20 limitless compass, to explore, and to be truly free. It was such a = contrast to=20 the narrow mountain defiles in which his people lived. Oftentimes it = felt as if=20 he could hardly breathe, surrounded by those enormous falls of rock, the = sky=20 barely visible between those ponderous granite towers. Scarcely would he = return=20 home before that impulse would again drive him, to wander the mountains, = his=20 heart longing for release. But today he felt a heaviness grow upon him. = Even the=20 great plains exhibited before before him did not occasion that sense of = awe,=20 which he customarily derived from their generosity of dimension. Now = there was=20 just this grey desert, stretching onwards and outwards; and it felt like = a=20 burden, a barrier and prison from which he could make no evasion. = Weighed down=20 by this vague oppression, he was about to resume his journey when he = caught a=20 glimpse of something far away on the plain beneath. This might seem = quite=20 extraordinary to people endowed with ordinary vision, but his people = were=20 blessed with an acuity of that sense that might seem almost superhuman = to=20 others. He narrowed his eyes, the better to determine whether his mind = had not=20 played a trick upon his sight. He stared intently towards that distant = mark=20 until he was quite sure that he had made no mistake. He could distinctly = pick=20 out a dark speck, but he was unable to distinguish more than that. He = continued=20 to examine the feature, striving to identify its nature. But even with = his=20 extraordinary faculty it was quite impossible to discern any more = specifics.=20 What could be quite certain, however, was that it was no animal. The = only=20 creatures that populated the desert here would be the eagles, and they = held=20 their watch only in the skies. Sand cats would occasionally venture into = the=20 deep desert, but only if food was very scarce; and certainly not in this = season.=20 The only other beast that would have the gall to venture so far into = this=20 wasteland would be of the human species. But if there was a man down = there, or=20 men - for he could not tell if the speck represented an individual or a = group -=20 then what on earth were they be doing there? A single individual would = have to=20 be extremely foolish to make such a journey. He was so intent upon his=20 surveillance that he almost failed to notice the arrival of yet more = dark=20 minutiae upon the plain. Whatever they were they must have just breasted = the=20 crest of a large sand dune, for he was quite sure that they had not been = there a=20 few instants earlier. They were quite some distance ahead of the first = speck.=20 Surely this was a mystery! Or bigger mystery! Why on earth would there = be two=20 groups wandering the desert? Perhaps the solitary figure had become = separated=20 from the main company, and was attempting to return to his comrades. He=20 reflected on this briefly before concluding that such speculation could = bring=20 him no answers. More to the point, what should he do now? His people and = those=20 of the lowlands had little to do with each other. There existed an = unspoken -=20 and unwritten - rule that each should keep to their own domain. It had = been many=20 generations ago that the upland folk had made their homes in these = mountains=20 ranges. Their forebears had been outcasts, driven away by the bedouin of = the=20 desert plains. Criminals or the dispossessed, who faced either death or=20 mutilation should they remain in the lowlands, they had instead taken = refuge in=20 the mountains. It was there they gathered in small communities until, = finally,=20 they had made this wild realm their home. As their numbers had grown the = lowlanders feared this burgeoning power, and numerous expeditions had = been=20 mounted to destroy the threat. But the mountain folk had become too = potent, and=20 they knew these heights better than the intruders. They had avoided any = direct=20 confrontation with the armies despatched to subdue them. Instead, they = had=20 engaged in a guerilla campaign, taking full advantage of their superior=20 knowledge of the terrain. As the enemy ranks had infiltrated the passes = they=20 were greeted with torrents of rocks, tossed upon their heads from the = rocky=20 ledges above. Smaller units of soldiers, which had been tempted into = pursuing a=20 retreating enemy, these were diverted into canyons from which there was = no=20 escape. Here the trap was sprung, and the highlanders would fall upon = their=20 foes, destroying them to a man. Three major expeditions were made in = all, so=20 determined were the plains folk to destroy their neighbours; all failed=20 miserably. Instead, the survivors fled the mountains, bringing with them = tales=20 of great savagery and barbarism, of inhuman cruelties inflicted upon = them by the=20 beasts that infested those parts. From that time onwards no further = attempts had=20 been made to extirpate this nuisance, and for their part the dwellers of = the=20 heights were content to remain within their own boundaries. Some among = their=20 number farmed the lower slopes of the mountains, or herded their cattle = wherever=20 they might forage in the warmer months. The rest, such as he, Garuda, = were=20 hunters and warriors, though all amongst them might be called to arms = should the=20 occasion arise.. There were now only sporadic encounters between the two = neighbours, and an uneasy peace, if it can be called that, existed = between the=20 two sides. However, this truce was sustained only upon the clear = understanding=20 that there should no intrusion by either side into the other's = territory. It was=20 this last condition that had occasioned Garuda's surprise when he = observed the=20 presence of the interlopers below. It was quite unheard of for any to = attempt to=20 approach this territory nowadays. No watch was kept, and it had been = pure chance=20 that he should be in a position to observe them from his present = vantage. This=20 part of the range was rarely visited and, apart from game, it had little = agricultural value, adjacent as it was to the desert borders. He debated = within=20 himself as to the best course of action. He could return to the = settlement and=20 raise the alarm. But nightfall was rapidly approaching, and even if he = returned=20 with reinforcements they would be unable to launch a search. Darkness = would=20 obscure any clues as to the visitors' whereabouts, and they might make = their=20 escape under its cover. No. It would be better to track these fools on = his own=20 account. They were yet in the desert, and had not entered his people's = lands.=20 They might even veer off their present course, and take a route along = the base=20 of the range towards one of the settlements that lay to the east. He = decided to=20 maintain a watch upon them and then , if they should be arrogant enough = to=20 continue on their present track, he would at least know by what route = they were=20 to proceed. If this indeed was their intention, he could return with his = allies,=20 and the lowlanders would be treated to another salutary lesson in = minding their=20 own business. By his reckoning those below were perhaps another day's = march from=20 the foothills. There remained a few hours of light and, if the mists did = not=20 return, he would remain where he was, and keep a sharp eye upon them. If = they=20 were indeed determined upon this folly he would have plenty of time on = the morn=20 to descend the slopes, there to better observe their numbers and = composition.=20 Furnished with such information he would muster a sufficient force, and = repel=20 whatever attack they might be mounting.

To Celarent's eye there = could be=20 no further doubt that they were within striking distance of the = mountains. It=20 was only now that he could gain a full appreciation of their magnitude; = they=20 were truly awful to behold. For days and nights, in their voyage across = the=20 desert, those snow swept peaks had dominated the landscape. It seemed, = however,=20 that no matter how much they strived and toiled, those stupendous grey=20 buttresses remained always out of reach. But here they were, and = suddenly those=20 enormous bulwarks reared up before them, reaching upwards into the sky = to such=20 dizzying heights, and so precipitous, that it seemed that they might = tumble=20 downwards upon his head. Alaste had assured them that it would be only = one more=20 night and one more day, and they would be amongst the foothills. = Celarent was=20 much relieved to hear this, as were both Hesvee and Celarent. Accustomed = as they=20 had become to the unremitting heat that blasted them during the day, it = was=20 rather the unrelieved monotony of the desert sands which was beginning = to drain=20 him. Striking though the colours were, with freezing golden-silver = dawns, or the=20 deep reds and purples of the glowing sunsets, their rich hues fading = slowly into=20 a deep black firmament, yet the daytime hours were filled with a burning = light,=20 which oppressed the eyes, and drove the surrendered gaze to the ground, = then=20 finally, to a sea of fine grains that mocked the imagination with their=20 uniformity. But now the world seemed to erupt once more into life, and = the=20 horizon was transformed again, into a mass of grey and black = battlements, with=20 snowy white wreaths garlanding their summits. The skyline jostled in = amongst the=20 great parapets, and white clouds skimmed the tops of the mountains, = while a=20 sharp blue sky lay as a resplendent canvas upon which all was defined = with=20 sharpest clarity. It was on the last night before they would reach the = mountains=20 that the small party gathered around their camp-fire All were excited - = and a=20 little apprehensive too - for they were on the very threshold of the = next stage=20 of their adventure. Their customary supper, of meat and oatmeal, was = already=20 bubbling away in the pot, and the conversation had turned towards the = morrow.=20 "So you think we'll be in the foothills presently, sir?" asked Hesvee, = of=20 Alaste. "No doubt. No doubt. In fact if you care to observe, we're = already on=20 the margin of the desert. Didn't you mark the colour of the sands = hereabouts?"=20 The other looked at him blankly. "No, perhaps not", continued their = guide.=20 "Observe tomorrow, when the sun's up. The ground's already of a darker=20 complexion. You note those great mountains that lie ahead of us. To the = eye they=20 seem as behemoths; indestructible and unchangeable. Yet over the passing = of many=20 generations the winds and rain, the snows and icy rivers, all have made = their=20 mark upon those grey indomitable faces. Yea. Even these must bow before = time".=20 Alaste's suddenly poetical turn of phrase had come as something of a = surprise to=20 the party; all were rather more accustomed to his more prosaic style. To = hear=20 him speak thus was both unexpected, and a little alarming. But his mood = seemed=20 sombre and restrained. "Yes. All must turn to dust. And that's what = you'll see=20 in the sand about you on the morrow. Those great granite faces have shed = their=20 tears into the ground, and blackened the sands with their sorrow". = Celarent=20 stared at the man. "Of course", commented Ferioque. "But I'm surprised = that the=20 dust should've carried this far from the range. Surely it'd be too heavy = to be=20 carried by the winds. And I see no evidence of ancient riverbeds in this = area".=20 "True enough, friend, true enough. Normally the winds that blow by this = way are=20 of no great force. But sometimes the storms that drive through the = mountains are=20 so ferocious that they rip the rock with their fury, and can carry their = prey=20 even thus far onto the plains". "Well, I for one wouldn't wish to = witness that,=20 to be sure", Hesvee observed. "Worry not, sirs. If we did then none = would return=20 to tell the tale". Alaste laughed at his own grim humour. He did seem to = be held=20 in the grip of a strange mood this evening. It was on the tip of = Celarent's=20 tongue to enquire as to his well-being, but discretion enforced the rule = that=20 forbade such familiarity. He was not a man much practised in such = disclosure and=20 had, no doubt, good reason for this melancholic disposition. Instead, he = returned to the topic that was undoubtedly on everyone's mind. "You = believe that=20 we're in the right position to enter the mountains, Alaste?" "I think = so",=20 replied their guide. "I'm not accustomed to entering the range from this = quarter. But I've still got my bearings. I marked one of the peaks = today, the=20 fellow that lies directly ahead of our course. If I'm not mistaken - and = I think=20 that I'm not - this will point to the right side of the base of the = triangle=20 upon the three mountains. At the moment it's a simple enough matter to = keep on=20 target, here in the desert. But when we enter the mountains, then will = my skills=20 be greatly tested. But I'm confident. Worry not, friends. Worry not". = The=20 companions fell silent momentarily, listening to the sounds of the fire=20 crackling, and the gentle muttering of the bubbling stew. In the cooling = night,=20 and after the ardour of the day, it was easy to work up a good appetite; = Celarent was ravenous. He contented himself for now by gnawing upon a = piece of=20 stale bread, the last of their reserves. They had planned prudently, and = their=20 provisions would see them to their destination. Alaste had assured them = that it=20 would be a simple matter to restock their supplies with the plentiful = wild game=20 inhabiting these parts. On their return journey they would go by way of = one of=20 the nearby villages, and obtain the rest of their needs accordingly. = There would=20 be less need for concealment then, for they would have discovered the = truth - or=20 not - of their mission. If the map led to nowhere, and to nothing, no = harm=20 suffered; maybe just the loss of a little time - time perhaps, which = could have=20 been more profitably employed. But it would be true to say that even if = such a=20 contingency arose there would not have been one among them who would = have=20 regretted setting out on this venture. For the other part - that is, if = the=20 reports should prove true and the chart indeed led them to long lost = cities, and=20 perhaps even great treasure - then they could return once again; but on = this=20 occasion with a full-scale expedition.

The night had descended = into a=20 hush. The only sounds that could be heard were the scuffling and low = chirpings=20 of the night creatures as they hunted for their own suppers in the deep = burrows=20 of the sands. The travellers had fallen silent, each reflecting soberly = upon his=20 future. Suddenly there was a loud crack, and each head jerked around as = if=20 snapped by a string. Alaste looked up from where he was seated near the = pot. He=20 had been stirring its contents steadily, and debating whether to serve = it now,=20 or leave it be a while longer. Now he sat there motionless, ladle in = hand,=20 staring in the direction from which the sound had come. It had not yet = occurred=20 to Celarent that this interruption might signify Erame. But then he = recalled=20 what she had said, that she intended to announce her presence to the = group=20 shortly before they entered the foothills. He did not know why but he = had=20 assumed that she would choose the morning, or even sometime during the = following=20 day, to reveal her position. He noticed that Alaste had glanced across = at him=20 and, he could swear that he saw a smile on the other's face. "Come = forward and=20 show yourself", the fellow announced loudly. The four of them remained = utterly=20 still, each straining to pierce the silence of the night. "Come on, = Erame. I=20 know you're out there. Come forward or test my patience". Alaste was = looking at=20 him directly, and he was grateful for the poor light shed by the fire, = for it=20 concealed the expression on his face. A low shuffling noise could be = heard in=20 the darkness, and from out of the shadows emerged a figure, carrying in = one hand=20 a bridle, which in turn was attached to the harness of a mule. Following = upon=20 this beast was the rest of his herd, which trudged resignedly into the = circle of=20 flickering light. All four had got to their feet, but only two remained = utterly=20 baffled by the interruption. The fellow had said, 'Erame', thought = Hesvee. But=20 what on earth would she be doing here? And Ferioque's speculation was = proceeding=20 in a similar direction. The new arrival had now come to a halt and was = standing=20 motionless near the fire. With one hand it raised the hood from its face = and,=20 with this gentle gesture, the delicate features of their guide's = daughter were=20 revealed. Alaste presented a stern expression to the world, and was = regarding=20 his daughter with as much disapproval as he could summon; but = maintaining this=20 facade was too great a strain upon his temperament, and he was quite = unable to=20 contain himself any further, and burst out laughing. The rest of the = party,=20 including the errant daughter, stood by, unsure as to how to respond to = this=20 fellow's strange merriment. Celarent did commence to feel the slightest=20 stirrings of relief though these were still tinged with apprehension. = Perhaps=20 the fellow had lost his mind, and this peculiar behaviour simply = signified the=20 final departure of his sanity? If he should learn of his - that is = Celarent's -=20 complicity in this subterfuge, then surely his humour would depart as = rapidly as=20 it had arrived, only to be replaced with a wrath vented, and quite = rightly, in=20 his direction. Hesvee and Ferioque stood open-mouthed, now looking at = Erame as=20 if to ensure that they were not mistaken, and then at Alaste, trying = earnestly=20 to fathom the source of his jollity. Finally, of the whole party, Erame = seemed=20 the most discomfited. She had prepared herself to meet her father's ire, = disapproval, annoyance, or whatever might come, but nothing had quite = prepared=20 her for this reaction. She stood there, staring somewhat irately at her = father,=20 whilst casting the occasional glance towards Celarent as if to implore = an=20 explanation. However, the latter, still not assured of the trend that = things=20 might take, did his best (and without wishing to appear rude) to avoid = her=20 silent bidding, and to await patiently whatever was to come. But Alaste = seemed=20 to have exhausted his capacity and, observant of his daughter's troubled = expression, bade her come closer. "Now daughter. Why so surprised? Are = you not=20 pleased to see your father"? She remained tight- lipped, taken aback by = his=20 peculiar demeanour. "Surely you've not travelled all this way just to = ignore=20 this poor fellow?" he asked mockingly. She found her words. "You knew. = You=20 knew". "Knew what, my pretty one? Enlighten me a little on the matter?" = "You=20 knew", she repeated, almost accusingly. "Knew all along?" "Again I beg = you, have=20 some fond regard for your old father. What is this knowledge of which = you hold=20 me accused? Have pity on me". He assumed a hangdog expression, but a = smile=20 twitched at the corner of his mouth. "You knew I was following you. But = how?"=20 "Ah! A mystery, indeed, is it not, my beloved daughter? That a father = should=20 know his daughter. What a strange occurrence. Have you never had = occasion to=20 hear my dear wife remark, 'You're just like your father you are'. Have = you heard=20 these words uttered by your mother? Tell me?" Erame was growing redder = and=20 redder, and Celarent did not think it was the heat from the fire that = was=20 affecting her otherwise pure complexion. "You're mocking me father. I = warn you".=20 She seemed to have recovered some of her poise. "Warn me, daughter! Warn = me of=20 what? That your mother is right, and that the poor, old fool has a poor, = young=20 fool for a daughter. Oh! It's too late for that now surely". He was = watching her=20 face, and had seen embarrassment and surprise turn to annoyance. "Come = daughter.=20 Put up the bridle and give your father, the old fool that he is, an = embrace".=20 She glanced up at him, and then suddenly burst into laughter, mixed = perhaps with=20 a few tears. She crossed the intervening ground, and threw herself into = the=20 welcoming arms of her parent. "There, there, pretty one. You're home = again", he=20 muttered in her ear. He patted her head affectionately as she drew back. = "You=20 did know then?" "Yes, my dear. And so did your mother, of course. I = assume that=20 you left a note behind, announcing your plans?" "Of course I did. I'm = not that=20 careless, father". "Well I'm glad to hear it. A least in one thing = you're a=20 dutiful daughter. I fear for the rest", he smiled. "Come. Warm yourself = by the=20 fire, and tell us all of your adventures in the desert". Alaste glanced = across=20 at Celarent and indicated that he should attend to the mules. When he = returned=20 from this duty he found Erame seated by the fire, hungrily eating from a = bowl of=20 stew. The others were similarly engaged. Alaste passed him his = allotment, and he=20 took his place by the fireside. "So now we're all here, daughter. Your=20 adventures? You obviously passed safely through this place, and here you = are.=20 Might I be so bold as to enquire of you your intentions?" Erame gave him = a look=20 as only a daughter can a father. "Stop playing games, father. Yes. I = know you=20 well enough for that". "Games - me?" The latter responded, with mock = surprise.=20 "Yes. You know very well". Alaste paused before resuming his light=20 interrogation. "Well! Did you meet anyone of great interest in your = travels, my=20 dear? The desert is so large, and it can be such a lonely place". Alaste = slyly=20 observed Celarent from the corner of his eye. Erame noticed this, and = realised=20 that the time for dissembling had come to an end. "Very well. Yes = father, I did=20 - and you know that I did". A hint of exasperation lingered in her = voice. "I do?=20 Really. Please enlighten us". He was smiling broadly now, those gleaming = white=20 teeth flashing in the flame light. Erame glanced quickly at Celarent = before=20 continuing. "Well, I'll tell you what you already know if it amuses you, = father.=20 But he's not to blame, and you won't hold him to be so. It's only fair". = "Fair?=20 Fair! Hmmm. Let me see. Have you ever known me to be an unreasonable = arbiter,=20 dearest one?" "No, father", she responded a little wearily. "Then I see = no=20 reason to conduct myself in any other fashion now". Alaste knew that the = jest=20 had grown well worn, and relieved his daughter of her burden. "Yes. I = did know=20 of your intention. And yes, I did observe your little rendezvous with = our friend=20 Celarent". He looked across at the young fellow who was displaying every = sign of=20 his disquiet. "Now, sir. Don't fret. I've known little Erame some years = more=20 than you so I know where to apportion the responsibility for this little = deception; and it'll not be on your head, sir. Be at peace". Up until = that point=20 Celarent had not realised that he had been holding his breath in = anticipation of=20 some kind of violent outburst on the part of the aggrieved father. But = now he=20 let the exhalation flow, and with some relief. Erame saw his expression. = "See=20 here, father. Your humour has vexed our friend". "My humour! My humour! = You say.=20 So now it's my fault?" "No. No. But not everyone's accustomed to your = jesting,=20 father. At least I've the advantage there". "True enough daughter. True = enough.=20 Well, I'll let you both off for now". He paused but his face grew = serious. "You=20 wish to come with us into the mountains, Erame?" The question was put = thus, but=20 was intoned as a statement. "Yes. I do. Please don't ask me why = precisely. It's=20 an adventure, but I do feel impelled to make this journey. I wouldn't = easily=20 thwart your wishes, father". She fell silent, perhaps shocked by her own = audacity. "I know, daughter. I know. It's the same with me, and perhaps = with all=20 of us". He looked around the group but both Hesvee and Ferioque remained = silent.=20 "And you're here, and we must decide, I suppose. Or rather I - is it not = so,=20 daughter?" She looked across at her father's face. She was shocked to = see how=20 tired he had suddenly appeared. Her heart ached for she did love him = dearly, and=20 never wished to be the cause of any hurt. "We must go on. And anyway, = you're old=20 enough to make your own decisions. But you'll know of the dangers. The = Northern=20 mountains are beyond the civilised world. Or at least they are now. You=20 understand?" She nodded. "I knew before I set out but for not a moment = did it=20 give me hesitation". She went on. "I've a feeling about this. I can't = and won't=20 try to explain it. But deep down within my heart I feel that this is = something=20 that I have to do. And that the result, whatever it might be, is a = matter of=20 necessity or fate, or design, or whatever you might wish to call it. But = I'm as=20 ready for the risk as any among you". Her father stared at her fixedly = as she=20 spoke. Then he lowered his head, and his voice came quietly, in the very = softest=20 of tones "Very well, daughter. We'll proceed together. And we shall see = what we=20 shall see". The night drew its mantle about that little beacon of light. = In the=20 vast emptiness around, nothing stirred; but time measured its inexorable = beat,=20 drawing them closer, moment by moment, to their fated ends - or=20 beginnings.

In caverns vast and deep, extending far below the = surface of=20 this world, in cities and over seas, the Gaki went about their business. = This=20 restless people, daily and by greater degree grew more agitated, and = their=20 rulers, the councils of Elders and of the seers, became increasingly = fearful for=20 the welfare of their populations. Further raids had been reported from = caverns=20 all across the underground realm, and there was news that a number of = surface=20 dwellers had, by ill chance, encountered these sorties, and had suffered = consequent casualties. It would only be a matter of time before the = authorities=20 of the over world would gain credible evidence of what was occurring = beneath=20 their feet, and within their own lands; and then they might come below, = and seek=20 the cause. But everything that could be done was ventured, in an attempt = to=20 contain the spread of this restiveness. But within the underground = cities the=20 populace, even those who had not gone forth to the surface to sate the = Great=20 Hunger, were becoming more and more distressed. The hubs, that formed = the=20 central part of most Gaki cities, were daily filling with great crowds. = The=20 citizenry, acting it seemed almost on an instinctual level, hastened to = these=20 axes, to circle them endlessly, in a desperate bid to alleviate their = distress,=20 their strange keening howls filling the air, and echoing across the = rooftops.=20 All of this was unknown to Melaskkoli as he ate and slept and carried on = the=20 regular daily routines of what had become his life. If it had not been = for=20 iDarii, his constant companion, his life would have been insupportable. = They=20 spent many hours in conversation while the former recounted stories from = Gaki=20 history, and together they explored all the wonderful intricacies of = that=20 strange society. In many respects the Gaki and the surface dwellers = differed=20 little in their preoccupations. Apart from the obvious physical and = material=20 differences between their two peoples it seemed that the forces that = drove the=20 Gaki were virtually identical to those that impelled Melaskkoli's = erstwhile=20 companions. The expected transformation from human back to Gaki had not = yet=20 begun, and there had been some discussion between Gorval and his = superiors on=20 the tardiness of this phenomenon. On his side Melaskkoli was little = concerned,=20 and perhaps slightly relieved at this omission. After all, his human = form - the=20 one to which he was most accustomed - whereas he was not as shocked or = repelled=20 to such a great degree as he had been by the grotesque appearance of his = hosts,=20 yet his frame of reference, his sense of normality, still owed much to = this, and=20 to his life in the upper lands. iDarii, however, he found to be a = kindred=20 spirit. As their conversations proceeded, and as the former became more = inclined=20 towards personal revelation, their physical differences receded to a = point where=20 they no longer struck him so forcefully. The only occasions where they = again=20 rose to prominence was during meal times which, to be frank, Melaskkoli = would=20 rather not have attended. The sight of his friend (for he came to regard = him as=20 such) ingesting his fare through that minute mouth, he still found quite = repulsive. However, his outlook was such that he was not disposed to = display=20 those inward sentiments, for quite clearly his friend was a fellow of = fine=20 sensibility, and would be deeply hurt if he should so carelessly express = his=20 disgust at that gustatory display. Occasionally, Gorval would join them = in their=20 dialogues and though he was not a talkative fellow, and showed little in = the way=20 of emotion, nevertheless he remained the only other person with whom he = might=20 hold discourse. As he became more attuned to the Gaki temperament he was = with=20 greater facility able to read the moods of his two colleagues. Although = the Gaki=20 appeared at first sight a rather humourless race, he detected, = certainly, though=20 somewhat infrequently, that noble characteristic in iDarii, the hallmark = of a=20 truly civilised being. His wit, though notably of a grim slant, was = quite=20 unmistakeable, and appealed more to his Gaki than human side. One = consequence of=20 his increasing fluency in their manners was to permit him to read more=20 insightfully between the lines in their communications. iDarii would = leave him=20 at regular intervals, presumably to report to his superiors. He would = generally=20 return in a fairly sombre mood, and Melaskkoli could not always be sure = that=20 this was not simply a reflection of his normal frame of mind, or that he = might=20 not have been the recipient of some particularly doleful information. He = hesitated to probe the fellow on the matter. However, on one occasion, = the Gaki=20 had returned to the apartments in an evidently depressed state; there = really was=20 no mistaking it. Their conversation had been somewhat halting, even = desultory,=20 and it had been mainly incumbent upon Melaskkoli to keep the flow going. = It was=20 then that he decided to risk querying the fellow. Maybe it was the case = that his=20 friend was homesick, and merely tiring of his duties here? They usually=20 conversed mind-to-mind for he had grown more adept in that mode of=20 communication. He had discovered some time ago that the fatigue and = headaches,=20 which he had experienced on his first interview with the seer, had in = part been=20 due to a lack of exercise in this particular faculty; that is, as well = as his=20 debilitating experiences whilst journeying down to the Gaki world = "Please=20 forgive me, friend. And I apologise for my intrusion; but I feel = compelled to=20 mention it. Does something ail you at all?" iDarii seemed a little = surprised, if=20 not disconcerted, by the question. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" He = pretended a=20 deafness, not at all convincingly, given the previous evidence of the = acuity of=20 this sense. "You seem troubled. I was just enquiring as to the cause". = The Gaki=20 hesitated, and it was obvious that he was debating which way to go. = "Well I'm a=20 bit tired, it's true". He left it there. However, Melaskkoli was not = convinced=20 by the reply. "Well, I thought perhaps you were becoming a little bored = here.=20 I'm sure you'd rather be spending time with your parents and family". In = the=20 same fashion that the human had grown more skilful in reading the temper = of the=20 Gaki, so too had the latter grown in empathy for the surface dweller. = The=20 expression on the other's face clearly demonstrated a genuine concern = for his=20 well-being, and to repel his enquiry so facilely could only be construed = as=20 lacking in even the most elementary courtesy. Although it had been = agreed that=20 there was little point in withholding information from the young = human/Gaki, it=20 had been agreed, or rather the seers had decided, that he need not be = burdened=20 with the entire weight of the current crisis within the underground = world. It=20 was not so much a fear that he might escape to the upper world and alert = the=20 authorities that informed their ruling. After all, he was but a child so = far as=20 the surface dwellers were concerned. Why should they pay heed to any = warning=20 that he might convey when they so blithely ignored reports concerning = the Gaki=20 raids from full-grown males. No. It was rather a question of pride. = Although=20 Melaskkoli had been born a Gaki, nevertheless he retained his human = form. His=20 interlocutors could not dislodge that slight sense of shame, and admit = the full=20 extent of their current condition to a 'human'. Indeed, it was trying = enough to=20 acknowledge the gravity of their situation to one another, let alone to = a human,=20 different as he might be from the general run of his kind. Yes. A pride = in their=20 own condition, or rather a growing sense of humiliation with their = deteriorating=20 circumstances, and the rapid dissolution of their society, these were = the=20 factors that inhibited a full disclosure. It was as if by denying the = truth to=20 this young fellow they might continue to conceal it from themselves. But = now=20 Melaskkoli had asked his question, and iDarii believed that he, at = least, had=20 earned an honest reply. Briefly, he summarised for Melaskkoli the latest = news.=20 The latter could not pretend to understand the full import of what the = Gaki was=20 trying to communicate, but he did glean something of the seriousness of = the=20 situation. It was more in the halting and awkward manner in which iDarii = expressed himself that conveyed the gravity of events, rather than the = content=20 of his analysis. He did not grasp fully the notion of the Great Hunger = though,=20 of course, he was well acquainted with its distant relation in his own=20 appetites. But the depth and anguish that were its consequences were = quite=20 beyond his immediate comprehension. In disclosing this massive = disruption in=20 their society, iDarii suddenly realised what an enormous strain he had = been=20 under, in attempting to keep the full truth not only from their guest, = but also=20 from himself. He was relieved to observe Melaskkoli did not seem greatly = disturbed at his account although he knew that the latter could not = possibly=20 comprehend all the implications. But he was even more reassured to = measure his=20 own reactions to the story; the unravelling of those hidden fears did = not=20 destroy him as he had secretly believed. Instead he experienced a = peculiar sense=20 of relief, that at last all was fully displayed, with nothing left to = conceal.=20 Even in the accounting he could feel his spirits rise, and the vigour = return to=20 his frame. It had been true, of course, that he was very physically = fatigued.=20 The burden of his secrets had sapped his strength, and brought even his = modest=20 humour to a very low ebb. And thus he concluded his history. At times = during the=20 narration Melaskkoli had interrupted him, requesting clarification on = some=20 point, or on an obscure reference. Now that it was finished he awaited = the=20 response. "Thank you for telling me all of this. That must have been = hard. I had=20 an idea of course, from what you and Gorval have already spoken of. But = no=20 notion at all, of how serious things had got. It would seem that perhaps = my=20 mission has failed?" "Oh. I don't think you can say that. Please don't = take what=20 I've said to indicate any fault in you. No. Not at all. If anything we = should be=20 grateful to you. You've given up much for your people. I feel that it's = us=20 rather, that should apologise to you. It doesn't seem right that you = should be=20 confined. After all, you've been away from your people for so long, and = you=20 should be reconciled with them. It's only?.". He paused, struggling for = the=20 right words. "It's not a matter of trust. Well, in a sense it is?". = Again he=20 hesitated, clearly at pains to advance his argument with accuracy. = "Since you're=20 used to being a human it was felt that there had to be a period of = transition=20 before you returned to Gaki society. As you will appreciate some of my = people=20 find your appearance disturbing, as I'm sure you do ours". Melaskkoli = nodded; in=20 this world he was, indeed, the freak. "So a period of time was to elapse = before=20 you could be reunited with those from your past; that in itself would be = a shock=20 enough for you for we weren't at all sure how you might react. Part of = the=20 reason for our conversations was to acclimatise you as far as possible, = and=20 familiarise you with our way of life before you're set adrift again, you = might=20 say". Melaskkoli nodded. Everything that the fellow had said made sense, = and=20 there was little point in protesting against an argument based on such = sound=20 judgement. "I understand. I really do. I have to say that there's much = within me=20 that resists the notion of being returned to my people, as you call = them. In my=20 mind, and for that matter, in my heart, I still feel quite differently = from=20 them. I don't know how I'd handle that at all. I did resent being locked = away=20 here. But I must assure you that you've done much to make my = imprisonment", and=20 he laughed at this point, "more bearable. Your people have shown great = wisdom=20 and compassion, I think". "I'm pleased to hear you speak so, my friend, = for I=20 have come to regard you as such. And there's much occurring in our world = that's=20 most unpleasant. It did seem a troubling prospect to return you to our = society=20 when it's in such a state of ferment. No one knows for sure what will = happen=20 next. Catastrophe, or a return to order? It's anyone's guess! I, for = one, am not=20 prepared to wager on the question. Thank you for listening to me as = well. You=20 were quite right. I had a lot on my mind, and you've helped me greatly. = Thank=20 you". Melaskkoli was quite touched, to hear the effusive thanks of his=20 companion. "Not at all. Not at all" he replied shyly.

There was a = low=20 mist on the ground, which softened the harsh landscape, and rendered the = whole=20 terrain dream-like in its aspect. Garuda awoke to find this chilling = shroud=20 lying about his body, drifting and flowing around him, caressing with = its=20 careless touch. He got briskly to his feet, stamping them on the hard = ground,=20 eagerly shrugging of its numbing grasp, and then, to feel once more the = life=20 return to his stiffened limbs. He could sense the blood flowing through = his=20 veins, pumping the warmth from his heart to his extremities. The sun had = already=20 pierced the gloom, and soon the fog would be gone. He had slept upon the = hillside that night. There was little to fear from wild animals in these = parts,=20 and even less from strangers. He knelt on the damp ground to pull up the = covering, and shook the gleaming dew from its hardened folds. A short = distance=20 down the slope there grew a small clump of brushwood, and towards this = he made=20 his way, his gait awkward, his limbs still feeling unsteady from the = night's=20 cold. He broke off some of the branches and dead wood, and then = collected up=20 these fragments in his arms. He returned to his former position, and = reached=20 into one of the bundles that he carried in his knapsack. From this he = withdrew a=20 small handful of dry kindling together with a small stone, which he kept = there=20 as well. He placed the fibrous matter on the ground and, grasping his = knife, he=20 struck the metal haft against the fire-stone. A few sparks flew off = immediately,=20 but failed to catch. He struck the knife upon the stone again, and then = once=20 more. Suddenly a fleck of fire was captured within the fibres, and this = began to=20 glow a dull red. He bent forward, shielding the clump within his hands, = and blew=20 gently upon the nascent ember. A few gentle puffs and a delicate white = flame=20 erupted from the pile. The dry cords caught rapidly, and soon the whole = bundle=20 was blazing vigorously. Quickly he added wood and brush to the small = pile,=20 anxious not to extinguish it, feeding the flames until they burned = fiercer=20 still. He went back down the slope but this time returned with an even = larger=20 break of wood, and added some of this to the blaze. In short order the = flames=20 had died down, but the heat from the glowing heart of the fire was = growing=20 steady and strong. Using a hardwood pole, already blackened deeply from = previous=20 employment, he suspended a pot, full of water, above the flames. As soon = as its=20 contents had begun to simmer he took another bundle from his wallet, and = extracted some dried meat shavings, and added these to the brew. It was = not long=20 before the water again came to the boil, and to this he added some herbs = for=20 flavour. Soon he was able to remove the pot from the fire, and let it = cool a=20 little, before supping on the brew. There really is nothing more = reviving in the=20 morning than a succulent mug of meat tea. He could feel its vivifying = warmth=20 penetrating his bones, and his spirits rising correspondingly. To add = further to=20 his sense of beneficence the sun was cutting through the haze, and the = mist=20 retreated wistfully before its attack. The hillside had taken on its = former=20 appearance, and Garuda was once again able to gaze down upon the desert = plain,=20 his vision quite unobstructed. At first he could see nothing of the = intruders,=20 and feared that overnight they might have given him the slip. He cast = his eyes=20 backwards and forwards, desperately searching for the point at which he = had=20 first discovered them. But there was nothing there but the grey = emptiness of the=20 sand to greet his frantic researches. He sipped upon the tea, savouring = its=20 aromatic flavour, but not for a instant withdrawing his attention from = the land=20 beneath. Finally, he caught sight of something black against the = otherwise=20 monotone background. Yes. There it was. He was quite sure now. And then = another,=20 and another. They must have been hidden behind the cover of a dune, and = were=20 just now making their way down the opposite slope. He narrowed his gaze, = keen to=20 see if that lone fellow still followed upon his predecessors' course; = but there=20 was nothing. By his calculation, and if they continued on their present = heading,=20 then they should be amongst the foothills well before nightfall. He = continued to=20 sup upon his drink, relishing its full, rich taste. Soon enough he had = finished=20 his breakfast, and it was time to decide upon the next course of action. = It was=20 vital that he maintain his watch, and not lose sight of them. Although = the party=20 was small he could not be sure that they were not the advance guard of a = larger=20 expedition, perhaps still some distance away over the horizon. He would = have to=20 move closer, and assess their intentions as best he could. They still = lay far to=20 his right, and it would do no harm to move further along the = mountainside until=20 he occupied a position nearer to where they might enter the range. He = would=20 remain at the same height throughout his traverse so that he would not = lose=20 sight of his quarry. Now that his mind was set upon its tack all that = remained=20 was to break camp. The fire he carefully, though regretfully, = extinguished. The=20 sun was well above the hillside but there were stiff breezes blowing, = and these=20 sent a shiver through his body. It had occurred to him that his fire = might give=20 away his position to those below; but the ground was uneven here, and = the flame=20 itself was unlikely to have been observed. The branches that he had used = were=20 mostly dry, and free of any leaves; little - if any - smoke had been = produced.=20 He ground the remaining embers under his feet, careful to make sure that = there=20 was no possibility that they might re-ignite. As a final precaution he = kicked=20 some damp earth over the grey ashes, to leave nothing to chance. He = bundled up=20 all his possessions once again, and slung the sack over his shoulder. = Similarly,=20 his bow he hung about his neck, and the sheath of arrows from his waist. = He cast=20 a last look out over the desert, to mark the position of the wayfarers, = and then=20 set off along the slope, aiming roughly in the direction of their = heading. The=20 sky was clear, and the air bright and fresh. His body felt light, and = his limbs=20 full of energy, and quite free now of that early morning sluggishness. = He moved=20 at a steady pace, though not hastily, for the slope was gentle but it = would not=20 do to suffer an injury this far from home. The space opened up about = him, with=20 the peaks of the mountains flying skywards to his right, and the vast = expanse of=20 the desert disappearing into its own enormity to his left. He kept his = gaze=20 steadily fixed before him but would periodically halt in his advance to = scan the=20 desolate tracts below for signs of the travellers. On each occasion he = was not=20 disappointed, for it seemed that they were making no attempt at = concealment.=20 Perhaps they had not even considered the possibility that they might be=20 detected. As they drew closer to the desert margins their destination = became=20 obvious to Garuda. Ahead of them there lay a deep ravine, which toiled = its=20 convoluted way through those vertical cliffs, and into the heart of the = Northern=20 mountains. The route they had chosen was hazardous. There were softer = ways by=20 which one might enter the range, and certainly less perilous. If any = should be=20 trapped within the canyon they would be an easy target for any hostiles. = It=20 seemed that whoever was in charge of this little party might have made = the same=20 calculation. If it was a deliberate act on their part, in proceeding in = this=20 fashion, then that would suggest that at least one of their number might = be=20 familiar with the territory. It was unlikely that any among his people = who would=20 act as a guide; an act of treachery such as this would lead to a swift = and=20 bloody retribution. On the other hand it could be purely accidental that = this=20 was their choice. In the latter case then these unfortunates were in for = a very=20 rough ride, and in every sense of that expression. Garuda concluded that = he=20 would have to climb some way further down the mountainside if he was to = get a=20 closer look at these daring fools. It might mean that he would lose = sight of=20 them briefly; but then was there another choice? He altered his course = so that=20 he was now moving in a diagonal, both along the hillside but also whilst = losing=20 height. He had to be even more cautious in keeping his footing here, and = this=20 slowed his pace considerably. But the sun was not even at its zenith, = and the=20 day was clear, so he was still making good time. After he had been = travelling=20 for some little while he could feel the strain building in his calf = muscles, as=20 his legs fought against the gradient. He had to exercise even greater = care now.=20 Should he slip and hurt himself, even a small fracture could prove to be = fatal.=20 From time to time he lost sight of his prey momentarily, hidden behind = the=20 vagaries of the mountain sides. Fortunately these intervals were brief, = and he=20 was easily able to locate them anew. As he moved from the heights = towards the=20 plain below the air grew noticeably warmer. Finally, between his own = exertions=20 and the milder climate, he was obliged to remove his jacket, for he was=20 perspiring profusely. The sun rose, and as it did so the reflected heat = from the=20 desert shimmered up from the hot surface, its warm breezes brushing over = him.

Now he had arrived at a plateau, the edge of which obscured = his view=20 of the lands below, and he made haste to cross this. When he finally = came to the=20 scarp face, which descended from the opposite border, he was surprised = to=20 discover how rapidly he had approached the party of wanderers. Although = still=20 some distance away he was now clearly able to distinguish them. There = appeared=20 to be five persons - with about three times that number of pack animals. = There=20 was no sign of any others in the vicinity, and he was quite at a loss to = account=20 for the disappearance of that second group. The strangers were still = quite some=20 way from the mouth of the ravine but he guessed that unless they had = made a=20 sharp detour, that this would remain their objective. He was left again = with a=20 choice to make. The only means by which to track them, once they were = within the=20 confines of that precipitously guarded defile, were to follow them = directly, or=20 to attempt to monitor their progress from the heights above. The latter = course=20 was extremely dangerous, and there would inevitably be obstructions, = which would=20 oblige him to divert from his march. But then again, he could descend to = the=20 level of the plain and follow at a short distance behind the intruders, = always=20 contriving to remain out of their sight. His original plan had been to = return to=20 his fellows, and to warn them of the incursion; but this was rendered=20 unnecessary by their present itinerary. If they followed the ravine to = its only=20 exit they would then be but a short march away from one of the mountain=20 settlements. It would be simple enough to raise the alarm; then his = people would=20 fall upon the interlopers, and conclude their business quickly and = efficiently.=20 The answer seemed obvious. He would descend to the plain below and work = his way=20 around until he was at their rear. When he arrived at the canyon this = would=20 provide more than ample cover, and it would be a simple matter to pursue = them=20 closely, and still remain undiscovered. He directed his course = accordingly, and=20 set his face towards the desert.

As usual the party rose early, = albeit=20 this time its numbers increased by one. Erame was the first to waken, = and she=20 set to to revive the fire and prepare breakfast. She had broken with = tradition=20 somewhat and prepared a thick gruel, a fairly tasteless concoction but = one that=20 she rendered palatable with the addition of some honey to the mess. As = the men=20 wolfed down the food, stopping only briefly to drink from their mugs of = hot=20 steaming tea, she observed with some satisfaction this noisy, but = honest,=20 testimony to her efforts. Despite her father's assurances she was aware = that her=20 presence would place an additional burden upon his shoulders. There was = little=20 that she could do to alleviate this but at least she could ensure that = she took=20 her place within the expedition, and discharged her portion of the = duties.=20 Hesvee had already seen to the mules, and Ferioque was busying himself = attending=20 to the fire. Alaste had left the small encampment, and disappeared over = a small=20 rise. It was the etiquette within the party not to enquire upon = another's=20 absence in these circumstances, for a call of nature was a matter not to = be=20 intruded upon in either sense. Although Alaste had indeed left the = company for=20 precisely this purpose, he wished also to investigate a matter that had = come to=20 his attention from the previous day. As they had been crossing the = plain, and=20 making very good time, drawing ever closer to the foothills before them, = his=20 eyes had been drawn to the foreground. Even at some distance out from = the canyon=20 mouth, its dark maw could be seen clearly, outlined against the gently = rising=20 slopes on either side. He had deliberately chosen this entry point, for = only the=20 foolhardy would cross the mountains by this way. But he knew that the=20 inhabitants of these parts were a cautious people, and it would not be = entirely=20 unthinkable that they might place a guard, even here. He had thought = that he=20 might catch sight of any fires that such sentries would have lit, to = warm=20 themselves through the long hours of the night. It could be of no = concern to=20 these if the flames alerted others to their presence, and perhaps might = even=20 serve as a deterrent to any who would be foolish enough to set foot in = their=20 land. The darkness was thick black, and not one glimmer of light could = he see in=20 the gloom. A little reassured by this discovery he made his way back to = the=20 camp. As he did so he reflected on Erame's arrival. Although he had been = well=20 prepared, and despite the fact that he could easily have forestalled her = plan,=20 yet here she was, and the proximity of the dangers they faced seemed = even more=20 persuasive now. For the first time since their departure from the oasis = he=20 considered the possibility that they might actually suffer casualties. = For the=20 most part he had scarcely given the fact of his own mortality much=20 contemplation. To be sure he had been in some troublesome places, and = had met=20 men along the way who had borne him great ill will. But he had come = through=20 these ordeals with little fear in his heart - or not so much that it = would=20 incapacitate him. For only a fool abstains from fear, and this is a gift = from=20 the gods; to endow men lacking even in wit with some means of saving = life and=20 limb. And so for his own preservation he gave no more than due account. = But for=20 the lives of those dear to him, this had never been a question subject = to much=20 debate. But now she was here, and just before them lay the great = mountains, and=20 with them the adventures and dangers that were their progeny. He drew = closer to=20 the camp, and observed that the others had almost concluded their = preparations.=20 They worked well together, and he was pleased to see that they had = progressed so=20 greatly, and in such a brief time. Even Celarent had gained a deal in=20 confidence, and was clearly more than slightly buoyed up by Erame's = arrival. His=20 estimation of that fellow had not been diminished at all by this recent = turn of=20 events. Indeed, the fact that he had remained true to his word impressed = him=20 favourably, and reinforced his view that here was a young man of good = character.=20 As to the fellow's prospects of a future liaison with his daughter - = well! -=20 that was another matter, and truly in the hands of those playful deities = who=20 enjoy such sport with men's fortune. The fire was doused, and the packs = replaced=20 upon the backs of the mules. The sun was far below the horizon when the = small=20 party set out again upon their journey, with Alaste and his daughter in = the=20 lead, followed by Hesvee and Ferioque, and with Celarent bringing up the = rear=20 guard.

The group had been under way for some time before Ferioque = observed to his fellow, "Well, my friend. The mountains grow desperately = close".=20 Hesvee grunted quietly. "Mm. Yes indeed". "But Alaste seems to know the = way. He=20 pointed out the ravine to me yesterday, before we stopped for our midday = rest".=20 "Yes. He mentioned it to me. He said there were a few risks attached to = choosing=20 that route, but they're overruled by the advantages. Anyway, he assured = me that=20 this way would lead us quickly to our destination - the three mountains. = Though=20 to be honest I can't pick out one from the other. They all seem much the = same to=20 me - Very high!" he laughed. They continued a few more paces in silence. = "The=20 fellow's a strange one, isn't he?" queried Ferioque. "What do you mean?" = "Well -=20 a man who's difficult to figure in some ways. I don't mean he's = dishonest. But a=20 simple merchant; he doesn't seem the type at all. And his daughter as = well.=20 She's very much a bud from the same tree. I was thinking about her = comment,=20 about her not being clear quite why she's here, or at least not able to = explain=20 it. I'm not quite sure but the question has occurred to me more than = once on=20 this trip, and most assuredly I tell you". Hesvee examined his friend = carefully=20 before replying. "I think I know what you mean. Yes. Undoubtedly there's = a depth=20 to the fellow that isn't easily plumbed. And Erame's of the same breed. = For=20 myself I can't say truly the reasons why I decided to pursue this = venture=20 either. There are the evident ones, of course, for our journey that is. = The=20 discovery of the map, and the possibilities it opens up for research are = quite=20 enormous. I find it difficult to conceive not following the matter to = its full=20 conclusion. But as you say, it seems to me that there's something = underlying my=20 actions, and I can't determine its root. I can honestly say that I have = never,=20 and I mean NEVER, acted with such impulse before in my life. You know me = Ferioque?" The latter nodded. Hesvee continued. "I'm a careful man. = Meticulous=20 to a fault, and not given to whims or fancies. And yet this adventure = stirs my=20 blood in a way that has never happened before. It was almost like a = calling=20 forth of something within me, something that has lain long dormant. But = if you=20 were to ask me to identify it's nature I couldn't; there are no words to = give=20 expression to it". "Now that you speak thus, my friend, I have to grant = myself=20 in accord with your pronouncement. There I was, happy in the bosom of my = family,=20 my work proceeding most fortunately, and me enjoying the best of my = life, and=20 then - Boom! I, like you, put up little or no resistance to embarking on = this=20 escapade, not a second thought even. Certainly to a properly planned = expedition=20 I would have given the matter detailed consideration, and perhaps then = rejected=20 it as foolish, and despite its potential rewards. And yet here I am, on = the very=20 brink of risking my life, and for what? A few pieces of old parchment = and a=20 myth? Hmm. This is not me, or not the me that I recognise, to be sure - = to be=20 very sure". He chuckled a little, as if in commiseration with his own=20 foolhardiness. "Mm. Something to ponder?" observed Hesvee. "Maybe we = will find=20 our answer somewhere up there?" and he pointed ahead, into the rising = shadows of=20 the mountains, darkly shadowing their path. "Maybe, friend. Maybe", = echoed=20 Ferioque.

Garuda had reached the plain. He had made good time, = and had=20 rarely lost sight of the desert travellers during his rapid descent. Now = that he=20 had reached the desert he found that the rise of one of the foothills = lay=20 between him and them. This served his purpose well, for otherwise his = presence=20 would easily have been detected on this featureless and gently = undulating land.=20 It was now beyond any doubt that they were headed into the ravine. It = simply=20 remained for him to close in behind them, and follow the tracks that = they left=20 clearly indented upon the sand. Once the strangers had entered the = defile there=20 was plentiful cover, and he would be able to further close the interval. = The=20 heat was greatly oppressive, and he was ill used to such high = temperatures. He=20 had already doffed his jerkin, and now discarded the overshirt which he = had been=20 wearing. The leather trousers, which had served him so well on the = mountain=20 heights, proved to be a most unsuitable garment in these climes. He = reconciled=20 himself to this temporary discomfort by recalling that shortly he would = again be=20 up amongst those peaks, and once more in the cool embrace of that = temperate, if=20 not chilly, climate. As the sweat poured down his back he took frequent = swigs=20 from his canteen, grimacing slightly as the tepid flow of water trickled = down=20 his throat. The sun was high overhead, and the noonday heat was rising = rapidly=20 with it. With any luck his prey would have entered the valley, and he = should be=20 able to follow them into its welcoming shadows, and that long before the = sun had=20 reached its full fury in the heavens. He made his way around the lower = slopes of=20 the hill, all the while keeping a watchful eye lest he come upon the = advance=20 party unawares; but there was nothing to indicate a single human being = in this=20 whole land. The only signs of life he could discern were a few birds = flying far=20 away in the desert, whose gliding wings described great sweeping arcs in = the=20 sky, as they swept blithely over the lands below. Finally, he crested = the brow=20 of the rise and there, before him, the mouth of the pass presented = itself to his=20 view. There was no one in the vicinity. They must have already entered = by this=20 way. Eager to avoid the worst of the heat he hurried down the hill until = he was=20 standing upon the very lintel of the rift. It cut directly into the = hillside as=20 if the rock had been sliced savagely asunder with a gigantic axe. The = place was=20 enveloped in deep shadow. His eyes were still dazzled by the bright = sunlight,=20 and he found it difficult to penetrate the obscurity that dwelt in that = gaping=20 hole. He eyed the valley entrance warily, striving to distinguish any = movement=20 within the shade; but there was nothing. He continued his advance, = moving to one=20 side, and using the line of the rising rock wall to hide his presence. = He=20 expected at any moment to be discovered, convinced that they would have = prepared=20 some kind of trap for a careless pursuer; but nothing - not a movement = nor a=20 sound. Emboldened by their heedlessness he pressed ahead, ready to close = with=20 the enemy, and discover their full intent. Now the high walls on either = side of=20 his path were blocking the sun, and the dark, cool shadows blessed his = baking=20 skin. So sharp was the contrast between the burning heat of the open = desert and=20 the cool shade of this place that he shivered momentarily, and felt the = goose=20 bumps rising upon his flesh. He paused briefly to allow his sight to = recover its=20 precision, now that it was relieved of that unrelenting glare to which = he had=20 become so accustomed. It was not sight but sound that acted as his guide = in this=20 place. In the deathly hush, and with the walls of the ravine acting to = focus any=20 reverberations, he could distinctly hear noises originating somewhere up = ahead.=20 It was difficult to determine how far away they might be, but here was = evidence=20 that he was on the right track. The way was littered with boulders and = smaller=20 stones, which had split away from the mountainous walls that towered = above, and=20 he had to pay careful heed again to his passage along the path. He moved = silently, not wishing to alert those ahead of his presence as they had = so=20 incautiously - and helpfully - advised him of theirs. The gloom seemed = lighter=20 now, and with ears pricked, he hurried forward in eager pursuit. The = sounds=20 seemed to grow louder. Encouraged by this he pushed forward, and with = such=20 enthusiasm that he almost failed to notice his error. The valley had = narrowed=20 considerably and the way was extremely tortuous, turning this way and = that, with=20 massive rock walls rising upon either side, seemingly to bar his = advance. It was=20 then that the noises coming from deeper in the valley disappeared. For a = moment=20 he believed that he might have lost his quarry, and increased his pace = to close=20 the intervening distance. He was almost running now, a dangerous folly = with all=20 those stones littering the ground, each one ready to betray his presence = with=20 their clatter. Ahead of him another rock projection cut across the path = and, as=20 he turned the corner, his foot turned upon a loose rock, and he fell = heavily to=20 the ground. As he tumbled he reflexively raised his hands, and so, = fortuitously,=20 managed to land safely - and quietly - face down upon the unyielding = surface. As=20 he lay there, panting heavily with the shock, he could hear voices now, = quite=20 distinctly, and it seemed that he was almost directly upon them. He = raised his=20 head carefully and saw, not more than a few score paces away, the small = group of=20 travellers with their mules. He froze, convinced that no one but a = completely=20 deaf and blind person could have failed to detect his presence. However, = the=20 noise of their voices, and the echo of the beasts' hooves upon the hard = rocky=20 ground, and both magnified by the surrounding rock, masked any = disturbance that=20 might have been detected originating from him. He remained there, lying = pressed=20 close against the hard earth, his stare fixed upon the receding backs of = his=20 prey; gradually they disappeared from sight, plodding into the dimness = of the=20 valley deeps. When he was quite sure that he could not be spotted, he = lifted=20 himself carefully from his prone position, and began to brush the dirt = and dust=20 from his clothes. Under his breath he cursed himself for his = impetuosity. One=20 more step, one more mistake like that, and he would surely be = discovered. From=20 his brief sighting they did not seem to represent an important threat;=20 nevertheless, they were five to his one. With an ear acutely cocked he = resumed=20 his march, but this time moderating his pace somewhat. He realised now = that the=20 numerous twists and turns of the gorge had had the effect of = intermittently=20 blocking the passage of sound down its length. He needed but maintain a = steady,=20 even leisurely pace, and he could be sure that he would not lose them. = Only when=20 they stopped to set up camp would he be able to draw closer, and = discover more=20 concerning these fellows, and their intentions.

Gorval sat = quietly in the=20 comforting gloom of his office. He had recently emerged from a meeting = with his=20 superior, one of the elders. There had been some consultation on the = unfolding=20 crisis that was so rapidly deepening its grip upon the Gaki world. = Equally=20 worrying were the reports from the Gaki scouts that an increasing number = of the=20 surface dwellers were coming into contact with the raiding parties. It = had now=20 reached a point that news of these attacks was finally filtering through = to the=20 cities and their populations. Even the authorities - at best, a hide = bound=20 bureaucracy - could no longer afford to ignore the growing flood of = stories=20 coming in from the outlying districts. Despite the ancient feuds between = the=20 city and country dwellers it was no longer possible for the former to = shrug=20 these accounts off as mere yarns, spread abroad by a superstitious rural = population. Their scouts had witnessed, on at least two occasions, = military=20 units being despatched to the affected areas, to gain further = intelligence on=20 these extraordinary raids. The situation was growing worse by the day, = and=20 although the priority still lay with maintaining some degree of civil = order=20 within the Gaki cities, nevertheless these problems could only be = compounded if=20 the surface dwellers decided to challenge one of the raiding parties, or = even=20 worse, to pursue it underground. The old wars might once again erupt, = and the=20 slaughter begin afresh. But unfortunately there seemed to be no = immediate=20 solution to the problem. There was no way of restraining the outbreaks = now, for=20 the numbers involved were growing on each occasion. Any access between = the Gaki=20 cities was extremely limited but, contrariwise, the opportunities to = reach the=20 surface were numerous. Whatever the vagrant Gakis were seeking it did = not lie=20 underground, whether they be driven by the Great Hunger, or by an even = darker=20 unconscious motive. The councils of elders, who dealt rather with the = civilian=20 administration, were limited to predominantly anodyne exclamations; = calls for=20 order and calm, and such like. The councils of seers were equally = impotent=20 though their responsibilities lay in a different, but allied sphere. = They were=20 not unconcerned with the sufferings of their people, but viewed matters = from a=20 wider, or perhaps it should be said, deeper perspective. The unfurling = course of=20 events, and the fulfilment of the prophecy, this is what they monitored = most=20 intently, for in these lay the future not only of the Gaki race, but = also of the=20 humans above. According to the myths there lay within these precipitate = and=20 dreadful events a purpose even greater and more universal than widely=20 recognised. Its precise form was unknown, even to the most skilful in = their art;=20 and its direction and purpose yet more obscure. Some among their number = had=20 acquired an intuition into these happenings but it was beyond the powers = of all=20 to transmit its full significance. 'Wait and see' were the watchwords of = the=20 day, unsatisfactory as these might be. Gorval pondered the latest = reports. He=20 drew some consolation from the fact that the young Melaskkoli seemed to = be in=20 good spirits and health. Whatever came to pass he would be sure to = commend his=20 subordinate for carrying out his duties so faithfully, and taking such = good care=20 of their guest. iDarii had provided him with regular reports on the = fellow's=20 condition, and everything pointed towards him making a full recovery = from his=20 traumatic experiences, and the even more devastating revelations about = his true=20 nature. Gorval - not a fellow given to idle speculation - could not help = but=20 imagine what it must feel like to have your entire history overthrown, = and to=20 discover that not only were you not the person that you believed = yourself to be,=20 but indeed, to never have been such a one in the first place. It would = be akin=20 to dying, and being born again; but to commence as if from nothing and = yet be=20 fully aware, moment-by-moment, of the actual parturition... this was too = much.

He had not departed the Ministry for some time now, not = since his=20 expedition to retrieve Melaskkoli from the higher levels of the Gaki = world. He=20 did not care at all to venture into the city streets. But he was aware = of the=20 vast crowds that now circled outside, their numbers growing day by day. = The=20 whole hub was a mass of closely packed bodies now, barely able to move, = and=20 pressing up against each other as they shuffled in a mindless circle = around the=20 central axis. Their condition was alleviated only by that peculiar fact = of Gaki=20 physiology; their strange ability to merge partly with other solid = substances.=20 It was this, and this alone, that accounted for the fact that not one = individual=20 had yet been crushed to death in the melee. For those who remained free = of this=20 strange compulsion, the sight itself was horrific to witness, and he = fell=20 undoubtedly into that class of people who felt such an abhorrence. = Anyway, there=20 was nothing that he could do to help, or to alleviate their circumstance = . Time=20 would provide its own solution; patience and fortitude were the only = resources=20 that they could call upon now; and perhaps hope - but always = hope.

The=20 cool airs of the valley were an enormous relief to all as they entered = its dark=20 confines. Even so, Celarent felt some regret as its walls embraced them, = locking=20 them in upon every side. He had grown accustomed to the expansiveness of = land=20 and sky and, despite his growing ennui with these, he found his new home = to be=20 less to his liking. To be sure, the lower light levels were much less = wearisome=20 to the eyes, and the air so much tenderer upon the skin; nevertheless, = there was=20 much of the prison about this place. He did not believe that he had ever = suffered from that illness, which magnifies a sense of incarceration = into a form=20 of panic. But he could not deny the sheer scale and weight of those = rocky=20 battlements, which soared so far above them, the sky a mere thin blue = slit in=20 their roof, that these caused within him the sensation of being = entombed, buried=20 alive in an airless sarcophagus. He stroked his throat, as if to relieve = the=20 gripping choking that seemed to bind itself there, and rebuked himself=20 soundlessly for this irrational inclination. The others seemed quite = unaffected.=20 Erame seemed quite unconcerned at their new predicament. He reminded = himself=20 sternly that it would never do to display such foolish weakness, and = resolved to=20 pull himself together, to put aside such corrupting notions. It had = taken a=20 little time for his eyes adjust to the subdued lighting but he could now = see=20 some way ahead. The canyon had narrowed quite quickly, and the path was = falling=20 deeper into the ground, which partly accounted for how quickly the = heights=20 seemed to rise above them. It was as if the very earth was eager to bury = itself,=20 and them, deep within the bowels of the mountain. Again he felt that odd = sense=20 of constriction about his neck, but repeatedly he firmly rebuffed the = conceit.=20 The path they followed was greatly convoluted, twisting this way and = that, as it=20 corkscrewed into the mountainside; on either hand the buttresses of grey = granite=20 soared into the heights above. The party now advanced in a single file, = so=20 narrow had the way become. There were numerous obstacles along the = track, mostly=20 boulders and rocks that had broken away from the peaks above and tumbled = down,=20 to rest finally in this dark pit. Otherwise, the ground was quite = smooth, and he=20 could hear the hooves of the mules ringing loudly and clearly down the = whole=20 length of the cut. The others had been engaged in some kind of = conversation, but=20 they had fallen silent now. There was something quite dreadful about = this place,=20 something that inspired a chill within the heart, but which also = quietened the=20 chatter of both the mind and the mouth.

The narrow aperture of = the sky,=20 now only just visible above their heads, had darkened quite = imperceptibly, for=20 but little light managed to penetrate to these depths; then even that = small=20 illumination gave way to night. It was at this point that Alaste decided = it was=20 too dangerous to proceed further. It was quite perilous in these = unfavourable=20 conditions to navigate a way across the boulders and rocks, which were = strewn so=20 profusely over the valley floor. Already, and on more than one occasion, = at=20 least one amongst them had slipped and fallen, prey to the treacherous = ground.=20 So it was that they set up camp for the night, and the mules were = efficiently=20 unburdened of their loads. There was no lack of water in this place for = numerous=20 small falls flowed down from the heights above, punctuating the silence = with a=20 soft hissing noise Curiously, not one of these flows continued their = course=20 along the canyon floor, but quickly disappeared underground, losing = themselves=20 amongst the debris of fallen stones that covered the whole area of the = ravine=20 bottom. Their food supplies were more than adequate, and Alaste assured = them=20 that they would have quite enough to see them through to their = destination. When=20 they again emerged from this chasm they would be in the lowlands of the=20 mountains, and there would be abundant pasturage for the beasts; but for = the=20 time being these would have to make do with the grain and hay, which = they had=20 transported upon their backs. The party set to their regular duties, and = a fire=20 was quickly lit and the meal prepared. The sight of the flickering = flames was a=20 warm pleasure to behold in this dark place. Celarent was weary of the = gloom, and=20 the cheery flames fanned away this sombre mood. It was not cold here, = for they=20 were still at a low altitude. Indeed, it seemed rather that they had = burrowed=20 into the ground than risen above it. But the valley air was damp, and = its clammy=20 vapours clung to the skin. Soon all were seated about the fire, hungrily = scrutinising the pot as its contents simmered over the flames, their = bellies=20 already tight with anticipation. This day had been particularly tiring. = It may=20 have been the swift transition from the blazing heat of the desert to = the=20 relative coolness of this place, or perhaps the gruelling nature of the = rough=20 ground over which they had had to travel, but either way, all were happy = to be=20 at the end of their day's labours, and looking forward to a hot meal, = and a good=20 night's sleep. As they waited for their meal Alaste reassured them - for = he had=20 observed the disconsolate expressions on the faces of some of his = comrades -=20 that they would be through the pass soon, and nearing their next goal = before=20 midday on the morrow. They had already penetrated some way into the = Northern=20 ranges, and it was here that the next stage of their journey would = begin. He=20 reckoned thereafter that it would be but a short stroll - as he put it - = to=20 where the three mountains lay. Then it would be down to the skill and = experience=20 of their cartographer - Ferioque - to conduct them to their journey's = end. The=20 meal was ready, and Hesvee filled the bowls eagerly proffered by his = comrades.=20 They settled down to the serious business of eating, the sounds of = chewing and=20 chomping only occasionally interrupted by an exchanged word. As the = extremity of=20 their hunger was eroded there came time, at last, for a little chatter; = but all=20 were weary, and eager to get to sleep. Alaste might have chosen a better = moment,=20 given their fatigued condition, but necessity takes precedence over = convenience,=20 and he dictated that they would have to assign guards, to maintain a = watch=20 during the night hours. "Don't worry. There's no immediate risk, I = assure you. I=20 don't think our passage has been observed thus far. And there are none = to=20 witness our fire, not at these depths anyway. But from now on we can't = afford to=20 take foolish risks. A watch must be kept. If we take it in turns during = the=20 night, each can get all the sleep he needs, and ensure that no one is on = duty=20 for so long that their attention will wander. I'll take the first watch, = then=20 Ferioque, Hesvee, Erame, and then you Celarent. All are agreeable?" This = last=20 was phrased as an invitation to acquiesce, but conveyed with a = commanding tone;=20 this was not a subject for disputation. All nodded their assent, albeit=20 reluctantly, recognising the value of their leader's judgement. Their = supply of=20 brushwood had been sadly depleted, but there was still sufficient to = keep the=20 fire burning well into the night. Alaste emphasised the importance of it = being=20 well maintained for it would certainly serve to keep any wild animals at = bay,=20 and warn off any of the mountain folk who might have strayed this far. = While the=20 rest took to their sleeping bundles Alaste piled more wood upon the = flames,=20 sending them leaping higher, crackling and snapping, casting a cascade = of=20 shadows upon the rocky walls, a dancing crowd of grotesque silhouettes = that=20 wildly circled the camp fire. Finally the flames gradually settled back = down=20 into the heart of the fire, and its warm glow spread around them, = comforting and=20 lulling them into its welcoming clasp . Celarent's eyes were heavy, and = soon he=20 slipped away from this world, and into another realm.

He was back = in the=20 darkness, but this was of a different cast. All around him stretched a = forest of=20 ancient trees, their great gnarled trunks and leafy boughs merging = seamlessly=20 into the gloom. Their wood was torn and split, with swollen twists and = coils=20 threading the bark, their misshapen forms mocking the eye with horror. = Their=20 girth was massive, and it would have taken many men, linked arm in arm, = to=20 encompass fully the circumference of some of the more venerable growths. = He was=20 quite alone, and found himself walking down a long alleyway lined with = these=20 bizarre figures, the sky overhead obscured by a canopy of drooping and = tentacled=20 branches. Finally, and after some considerable time, he espied what = appeared to=20 be another human form, which stood motionless at the end of this natural = colonnade. He was in two minds whether to continue, for he had no idea = as to=20 which this might be; friend or foe. Yet his steps carried him forward, = and he=20 disregarded the debate within his own mind. Soon he was close enough to = discern=20 that it was, indeed, a man, and one that seemed quite unarmed. And = further, the=20 fellow was not only bereft of weapons but also clothing, for the figure = appeared=20 entirely naked except for a wildly flowing mane of hair, which fell down = over=20 his shoulders, and thence onto his chest. The man stood at such an angle = that he=20 was not yet able to distinguish the fellow's features. He remained quite = still,=20 and seemed completely unaware of Celarent's advance. As the latter = continued his=20 approach he was perplexed to observe that the light seemed to be = increasing in=20 intensity. He was completely at a loss to explain this phenomenon. As he = looked=20 above he could see no break or aperture in the forest canopy that could = explain=20 this event, for the branches and leaves above presented as an opaque a = layer as=20 ever. And yet there could be no question that the illumination was = growing=20 steadily and rapidly. It is strange to say but it was only when he was = within a=20 few paces of this strange creature that he realised whence the light = emanated,=20 for it streamed in powerful waves from those furious fires which burned = upon the=20 man's crown; indeed, it was evident that that great golden mane of hair = itself=20 was essentially composed of this fiery substance. The flames blazed = upwards,=20 high into the air, gold and red and white, and with an awful ferocity, = or so it=20 seemed. Moreover, what he had taken to be hairs covering the fellow's = body were=20 fashioned also from this element. He was appalled to observe the man's = skin=20 glistening with an incandescent energy. Yet he could feel no heat from = this=20 conflagration, nor that the man's manner gave any hint of distress, and = this=20 despite the fact that his skin should have been flayed away in an = instant by=20 such a fiery assault. Celarent halted a few paces away from this human = pyre.=20 Still the man did not acknowledge his presence, and the two remained = thus for=20 awhile, the man staring to one side whilst Celarent was transfixed to = the spot.=20 An eternity might have passed when suddenly the figure began to turn = slowly=20 towards him. Again he was almost overwhelmed by a panic, which seized = control of=20 every part of his being, and urged him to flee this place immediately. = Still his=20 legs paid no heed to this command, and he remained immobile, awaiting = whatever=20 fate might befall him. The head had swivelled around, and he was being = observed=20 directly; and now he could view its face clearly. If the fellow's pelt = appeared=20 shocking, his eyes were even more so. There were no pupils, not even = whites.=20 They were the eyes of a statue, but one composed of gold and not flesh. = The=20 sightless orbs gazed at him, a pure metallic stare, reflecting neither = life nor=20 intelligence, but only the sparks of fire that crowned his head. And = then=20 Celarent's nerve broke, and he turned and fled back down the avenue of = trees,=20 his heart beating furiously, his mind quite crazed by this awful = apparition. He=20 ran and ran until, thankfully, the darkness drew him back into its = obscuring=20 folds. Exhausted and all but drained of any vigour he stopped, his whole = chest=20 convulsing massively, his lungs desperately dragging the meagre air into = his=20 shaking body. He looked behind him half expecting the figure to be in = eager=20 pursuit; but there was nothing. Not a sign. No flames. No light. Just = the=20 darkness of the great forest. Then he felt an absence rise up within = him, and a=20 great sickness filled his body. He fell to the earth in a swoon; this = time the=20 dark was complete.

He awoke to the sound of a soft voice = murmuring in his=20 ear. For a moment he was quite disoriented. It was still dark and the = dream was=20 yet resonating through his mind; part of him remained behind in that = fearsome=20 forest. But his thoughts gradually cleared, and he realised that it was = Erame,=20 summoning him to take his turn at watch. "It's been quiet. Not a sound = or a=20 sight. A little boring really", she smiled. The fire had died down, and = cast its=20 wayward light but dimly now. He got to his feet as she moved away. He = had wanted=20 to take the opportunity to talk to her but it was difficult to find the = words;=20 another time would have to suffice. He poured some water from a canteen = into his=20 cupped hand and brushed the cold liquid over his face, hoping to wash = away the=20 remaining cobwebs that lingered in his brain. He moved over towards the = fire and=20 knelt down, rubbing his hands together to bring some warmth to the = fingers.=20 There was still a small pile of wood set to one side and he carefully = added some=20 twigs to the dying embers, to reinvigorate the flames. He crouched down = on his=20 haunches, his face to the gentle heat, allowing it to soak through his = body. As=20 he rested there the dream began to resurface within his mind, and he = reflected=20 upon what it might signify. It was certain, he thought, that the man = with the=20 burning hair bore no resemblance whatsoever to anyone he had ever met in = his=20 life. He was acquainted with the many myths of his people, and yet he = could=20 relate none of these to his somnolent vision. After a while he gave up = this=20 internal enquiry, and set to his watch. He looked out beyond the = perimeter of=20 light, and into the darkness that encircled the camp. He found it quite=20 impossible to penetrate beyond this dark barrier, and decided that it = would=20 serve a better purpose if he moved some small distance away; the glare = from the=20 flames would be much reduced, and he would better be able to see into = the=20 shadows. Regretfully he walked slowly away from the consoling warmth. At = last he=20 stood close to the very edge of the firelight, and again gazed out into = the=20 dark, and into the invisible valley. Apart from the low crackling of the = burning=20 kindling, and an occasional snort erupting from one of the sleepers, the = place=20 was deadly quiet. There was not even the hint of the night creatures, = which=20 usually scurried about in the gloom, busying themselves upon their = deadly trade.=20 He looked up towards the distant sky, a narrow bluish-black slit far = above, and=20 speckled plentifully with the glittering of faraway stars. But an = instinct told=20 him that he presented too easy a target, outlined as he was against the = glow=20 behind. He lowered himself to the ground, crouched closely to the earth, = and=20 resumed his watch into the dark night.

Garuda had followed his = course=20 through the valley without further mishap. The sounds had died away = ahead but he=20 could still hear the noise of the mules' hooves as they rang upon the = stony=20 ground. He looked upwards and could see the light already beginning to = fail. It=20 would not be long now before they would make camp. He slowed his pace = and=20 proceeded with greater caution, keen to ensure that he should not come = upon them=20 unawares. But the travellers continued upon their way much longer than = he had=20 expected, and night had already fallen before they finally halted their = march.=20 He had approached the corner of yet another buttress, which had piled = itself=20 against the side of the ravine. With great care he peered round its = edge, and=20 caught sight of the group of travellers, no more than a few score paces = away=20 now. They were already engaged in unloading the mules. He settled down = behind a=20 boulder and studied them as they went about their business. He was = surprised to=20 discover that one of their number was a woman, or rather a girl, for he = could=20 hear her voice ring out from time to time, and her laughter was quite=20 unmistakeable. The remainder were men, mostly of mature years, with the=20 exception of one who, though not a youth, carried fewer grey hairs. He=20 recognised not one of them; but then why should he? His people and the = plains=20 dwellers never mixed, for not even trade was carried on between them, so = mutual=20 was their hostility. He did, however, recognise their tongue. Both = peoples had=20 not been separated for so long as to evolve completely different = languages,=20 although their accents and intonations varied considerably. But, = nevertheless,=20 he was surprised how easily he could understand the occasional words and = phrases, those anyway that carried this far down the valley. He was = still some=20 distance away, and the amplifying effects of the ravine walls served = also to=20 distort their speech. If he wanted to discover more he would have to get = even=20 closer. However, he determined that it would be better to remain here = until they=20 had finished their chores, and had settled down for the night. They were = still=20 too active for his liking, and there was every possibility that one = might break=20 away from the group, and move in his direction. For the time being he = would stay=20 put, and learn as much as he was able from his present vantage. He, = indeed,=20 debated briefly whether it might not be better to withdraw some distance = for=20 fear that he could too easily be discovered. But he concluded that so = long as he=20 had them always in view he would be more than adequately warned of any = approach,=20 and thus have ample time to make good his retreat. He cautiously lowered = his=20 sack and bow to the ground, carefully unbuckled the sheath about his = waist, and=20 quietly placed this next to the other items. Without breaking from his=20 observation for a moment, he reached into the bundle and withdrew some = dried=20 meat, a morsel of which he chewed upon eagerly, for hunger had crept = upon him=20 unbidden. He had unslung his water container, and took some generous = sips from=20 this, thereby offsetting the somewhat salty taste of the cured meat. He = had=20 taken up a position beside a boulder, and it was against this that he = leant, as=20 he kept his own watch that night. They seemed to be a convivial gang, = and went=20 about their duties with a quiet but cheerful energy. Occasionally, a = fragment of=20 conversation would find its way to his ears, but nothing from which he = could=20 decipher their intent in these dangerous ranges. He looked on, and = somewhat=20 enviously, as they settled down about their fire, to enjoy a good, hot = meal. He=20 had already replaced his clothing, which he had cast off during his = brief=20 sojourn in the desert. But this place was dank, and the sodden cloth = felt cold=20 upon his skin; a meal of hard, dry meat was but a poor substitute for a = warm pot=20 of broth. Still - as long as he knew of them, and they not of him, he = was=20 content enough. He figured that within a day they would be out of the = valley,=20 and he would be able to alert his people, and bring them down in force = upon this=20 hapless band of fools; there would be time enough for celebration then. = The=20 night deepened, and the darkness grew. He watched as, one by one, they = took to=20 their bivouacs. He saw that there had been little conversation after = their meal=20 but that one of their number was now standing guard near the perimeter = of the=20 fire. Happily, the fellow had taken up a position on the opposite side = to where=20 he now sat. Though they were foolhardy it did not seem that they were = entirely=20 lacking in sense. He would bide his time, and wait his = chance.

The night=20 passed peacefully enough though the valley was cold. The wayfarers awoke = to find=20 a thick dew covering their blankets. Since it was Celarent who took the = last=20 watch it was he who roused the others. He had built the fire up with the = last of=20 the wood, and it was blazing away merrily now, greeting them as they = rose from=20 their slumbers. A pot of gruel had been set over the flames, and a warm = meal was=20 ready to further invigorate them. This dark valley burdened their = spirits=20 heavily and all were anxious to remove themselves from this region as = soon as=20 possible. It was sure that they would be at greater risk upon the open = slopes,=20 but this seemed a fair exchange for the sight of wide, blue skies again. = There=20 was little conversation as they finished their breakfast, sufficient = only to=20 impart instructions, and make ready to leave. This they did with even = more=20 alacrity than usual, and then they were on their way once more. The = ground was=20 still heavily littered with debris, but they had become well accustomed = to this,=20 and made good progress. Alaste again assured them that they would soon = reach the=20 end of the ravine, and begin their ascent from this forbidding hole. = Indeed, it=20 was mid morning when the ground once again began to slope upwards before = them,=20 and they were climbing towards the bright daylight at last. The valley = widened=20 at this point, and the gradient had become so steep that they had to = wind their=20 way upwards, their path zigzagging towards the heights. As the rock = walls fell=20 away on either side the sky opened up above them, and the warmth of the = sun=20 again fell upon their grateful faces. All were gladdened that they had = not had=20 to spend more than one night in that gloomy place, and they were eager = to feel=20 again that welcoming radiance upon them. As the heat returned to their = bodies so=20 did it to to their tongues, and their hearts lifted accordingly. So = rapid had=20 been their progress that it was well before noon when they reached the = upper=20 part of the valley. The stone walls and harsh rocky ground gave way to=20 meadowland. It was as if they had been transported into another world, = with grey=20 rock replaced by lush pasture, and this speckled with wild, brightly = hued maiden=20 flowers, and occasional flourishes of small copses of trees, which = dotted the=20 whole landscape. As they emerged from the valley Alaste indicated to his = companions to halt whilst he scouted ahead. As he stepped out onto the = plateau=20 he carefully examined the whole scene, seeking out any sign of = habitation; but=20 there was nothing, not even the smoke from a cooking fire. It was a = virgin land=20 there, which lay displayed before his eyes; nothing but the tall grasses = swaying=20 gently under the breeze, their ripples playing across the fields like = waves on a=20 lake. He surveyed the plateau from edge to edge, and then onwards up the = lower=20 slopes of the mountainside before returning to his friends. "Well. It = looks=20 clear to me. There's no sign of anyone living in these parts. I didn't = think=20 there would be but it's a while since I've been here. That mountain = ahead of us,=20 if I'm right, should be one of those indicated on the map. The other two = lie=20 beyond it, but we won't be able to see them yet. If we pass by we should = come to=20 the land that falls between it and its fellows, and I believe that's the = area=20 that's shown by the chart. After that, sirrah, I'm afraid it's upon your = shoulders", and with this he smiled at Ferioque. The latter did not = appear=20 unduly worried. "Good. Good. Well we're almost there then. The hard = part's=20 over". "Well, not quite", Alaste added. "Certainly in terms of physical = hazards=20 we've come through quite unscathed. But now our greatest peril lies with = the=20 inhabitants hereabouts. There's no sign of anyone at the moment but = who's to say=20 what lies in the ranges ahead? We've got two choices, and neither one's=20 appealing. If we keep to the lower slopes then the way is easy, but = we're more=20 likely to run into the locals. If we go for the high ground and try to = cross by=20 that way", and here he pointed to the col, which sat between two of the = lower=20 peaks, "then we should avoid any contact with them; but the weather is = likely to=20 be a harsh, and very, very cold". Alaste paused as he watched their = faces. "Are=20 you sure we can cross by that way? What about the snows?" asked Hesvee. = "Well=20 it's not so much the snows but rather if a storm blows up while we're = making the=20 crossing", responded Alaste. "I'd rather take the risk of that though, = than run=20 into any indigenes", commented Ferioque. "What do you think, father?" = Erame=20 asked. "You know this area better than us". "For my choice I'd go by way = of the=20 mountain. It'll take us no longer, and we can make the crossing quickly = enough.=20 There's no easy way to predict a storm coming. We could start off in = bright=20 sunlight and within minutes a gale might blow up; so I don't want you to = underestimate the risks. But even if that's the case there's a good = chance that=20 we could survive it if we found shelter. But then again if we run into = any of=20 the locals ?" and he left the rest unsaid. Celarent had remained silent = during=20 the discussion but now he found his voice. "I think we should take the = mountain=20 way. You've got us this far without mishap". The others nodded in = agreement.=20 "Very well. Let's make haste. We've plenty of daylight yet. And the sky = is=20 clear. We'll be off now, and as long as we're on the other side of the = shoulder=20 before nightfall we'll be alright". Without further ado they gathered up = the=20 reins of their mules, and set off again across the plateau, heading for = the base=20 of the mountain.

No great distance behind them lay their pursuer, = concealed within the shadows of the rift wall. He had seen Alaste make = his=20 sortie onto the plain, and then rejoin the main party. He could hear = nothing=20 directly but there was clearly some kind of discussion taking place. = Then the=20 party set off again, but instead of taking the route round the lower = slopes of=20 the mountain, they were directing their path to its very base. At first = he was=20 confused as to their intent. Where on earth were they going? He looked = up=20 towards the mountain peak. He had some knowledge of this district but = not with=20 the same degree of intimacy as his home ground. He scanned the heights = until he=20 came across the same shoulder that Alaste had noted. 'That's it', he = realised.=20 Indeed, whoever was leading this party must have some close = acquaintanceship=20 with this area, and perhaps also of the people who lived in these = valleys. They=20 were taking the high pass to avoid any contact with the inhabitants. He = recalled=20 then that there was a small settlement just on the other side of the = plateau, a=20 hamlet located in a shallow valley near its margin. If he could alert = the=20 villagers they would be able to help him capture these intruders. The = question=20 was whether he would have enough time to put his plan into effect before = they=20 got away. It was either that, or follow them immediately, though he was = somewhat=20 outnumbered; but really there was no choice. He would have to take a = direct=20 route across the small plain, which meant that he ran every risk of = being=20 discovered. His only hope would be that their attention was wholly = placed upon=20 the heights before them rather than on the plain behind. They were = already well=20 advanced, and had drawn out a good lead; he could delay no longer. = Keeping as=20 low to the ground as possible, and with his eyes constantly directed = upon the=20 backs of the retreating party, he ran quickly over the plain, taking = advantage=20 of every bit of cover. Fortunately, the grasses grew tall and thick = across the=20 ground - well above a grown man's height - and these, together with the = many=20 dips and rises in the terrain, obscured most of his progress. He used = the many=20 copses of trees to evade casual observation, sprinting between them, and = stopping only to rest under the cover of their densely packed trunks and = branches. In this fashion he rapidly covered nearly three quarters of = the=20 distance to the other side of the tableland. His heart was pounding = heavily with=20 his exertions, and he had to halt to catch his breath, the perspiration=20 streaming down his face from the effort. He looked up towards the = mountain, and=20 could see the strangers, already mere dots against the hillside, = steadily=20 ascending its lower slopes . He took some consolation from the knowledge = that=20 their pace would be greatly reduced now, and if he could just keep going = he=20 would get to the village soon enough to raise the alarm. He could rest = no=20 longer. Moving out from under the thicket of trees, and throwing caution = to the=20 wind, he sprinted across the remaining gap towards another clump, which = lay a=20 few hundred paces away. He knew that though the travellers were some = distance=20 away, that it would still be possible to pick out a moving object even = from that=20 far. They might not be able to see him distinctly, but enough to tell = that he=20 was a man. He reached the cover, and paused to see if he had been = discovered. As=20 far as he could tell they were still pursuing their original course, and = gave no=20 sign that he had been observed. There were only a few hundred more paces = to go=20 before he reached the other side of the plateau; after this he would = have passed=20 beyond its edge, and out of their line of sight. Rallying his energy he = once=20 more broke into the open, and ran at full tilt until he came finally to = the far=20 boundary of the plain, where he flung himself forward, and over the brow = of the=20 low rise, which bounded that whole area. Now, just in front of him, he = could see=20 the small vale in which should lie the encampment. He knelt upon the = ground=20 until he felt sufficiently rested, and then, with a deep sigh, he = dragged=20 himself to his feet, to resume his march down the slope. Now that he was = able to=20 walk fully erect he did not tire so easily, and was soon entering the = mouth of=20 the shallow depression. It was then he heard a voice that rang out = through the=20 air. "Halt". He stopped immediately. From a low dip in the ground to his = right=20 emerged a man. "Stay where you are", repeated the fellow, as he advanced = hesitantly towards Garuda. In his right hand the ruffian was balancing a = throwing spear, and his countenance gave every indication that he was = prepared=20 to use it. "Hail", replied Garuda. "Hail" he repeated, throwing up his = arms to=20 show that he carried no weapons. The man came closer, but watching = Garuda like a=20 hawk. He had no fear upon his face but his every sinew was bent to its = fullest=20 tension, readied for any sign of betrayal. "I'm Garuda", he announced. = The man=20 was close enough now to see his attire. "I, too, am of the mountains. I = bring no=20 evil to your hearth". The spear was still held at the ready, but the man = nodded.=20 "And you wander in our lands? For what reason?" He waved his arm, = indicating the=20 mountain that rose behind them. "I seek your assistance, brother. There = are=20 plains folk who've come into the mountains, and I've tracked them thus = far". The=20 man was standing close by now, and had lowered his spear slightly, as he = listened attentively to Garuda's tale. Finally, he seemed satisfied. = "Stay here.=20 Don't move. We'll see if you're telling the truth. And you're being = watched". At=20 this point the fellow raised his hand, and silently half a dozen of his = fellows=20 rose from their hiding places, seemingly from the earth itself, and = gathered=20 about their leader. There was a brief conference before the fellow = turned to him=20 once more. "Very well. You'll lead us until we can see these savages for = ourselves. Then we'll decide from there". He came up to Garuda. He was = of a=20 short but sturdy build, which seemed to be the general type amongst his = people.=20 His face, and those of his band, bore the markings of their clan. He = regarded=20 Garuda with suspicion, but displayed in his smile the sure knowledge = that the=20 latter was within his power. "How many are there?" he demanded. "Five = all told.=20 Four men and a woman", Garuda replied. "A woman?" commented the man. = "Foolish to=20 come here anyway; but to bring a woman. This is strange indeed. Are they = warriors then?" he continued. Garuda considered the question. Up until = now he=20 had considered them merely as enemies, despite their disposition. But = from the=20 little he had seen of them they hardly carried themselves with martial = bearing.=20 And they were far too low in numbers to comprise an expeditionary force; = then=20 again they were too numerous to be viewed as a scouting party. In these = regions=20 it was better either to travel in large numbers, or with as few as = possible. "I=20 don't think so. They don't bear the aspect of soldiers, and the presence = of a=20 woman would suggest not. Now you come to mention it, I can't think what = purpose=20 they might have here. But I suspect one of their number, at least, knows = something of these parts". "A highlander acting as guide among their = number!"=20 growled their chief. "No. No. I don't think so. Or if he was, then he's = been=20 many years away from our people. Maybe he's travelled this land before. = I can't=20 say for sure but they do seem to have some destination in mind. I can't = believe=20 that they're lost, and certainly no one would be mad enough to wander = into the=20 mountains. Better to die in the desert than at the hands of our people". = The=20 last commented was received with loud guffaws by the others. "True = enough.=20 Perhaps they're madmen - and a mad woman - poor fools! It would almost = incline=20 one to pity". If anything this remarked was greeted with even more = raucous=20 merriment. "Well! No point in wondering. Let's go and find out for = ourselves,=20 shall we?" he smiled grimly. "I'm sure we can get all the answers we = need. I am=20 Rogas, by the way. I lead the clan. You're in luck". Garuda had to ask = the=20 question even though he thought that he might well regret the answer. = "Why so,=20 Rogas?" "Well, if one of these had come upon you, his orders were to = kill,=20 mountain dweller or not. You're indeed a fortunate one". Garuda = swallowed=20 quietly. It would not do to show fear here. "I am indeed, most noble = Rogas". The=20 leader regarded him silently, and for just long enough for the tension = to build.=20 Then he smiled toothily. "It's not often that I'm addressed in that = fashion. But=20 your humour amuses me. Now we must off. Lead the way, sir. But don't = forget,=20 noble or not, if you play us ill then I may yet forget my high birth, = and have=20 your throat carved from ear to ear". Garuda managed to force a smile and = then=20 turned and started back up the slope towards the plateau. He paused to = look=20 behind him as his new comrades followed him up the incline with Rogas at = their=20 head.

The air was growing chill, and the winds rising rapidly, as = they=20 made their way up the slope. At first it had seemed easy going as they = had=20 started across the plain. The ground was covered with thick grasses, and = it was=20 soft underfoot. But the foliage covered a multitude of small burrows, = and=20 Celarent, at least, was constantly catching his foot in these, and then=20 stumbling, sometimes heavily. As the incline steepened so their footing = became=20 even more precarious, and it was not long before their progress had been = reduced=20 to a crawl. So hazardous had the way become that their full attention = was=20 reserved for the ground beneath their feet, sparing only an occasional = glance=20 for those peaks, which now rose so precipitously before them. A shiver = went=20 right through his body at the prospect of even having to pass by that = way.=20 Celarent did not have such a great head for heights, and he felt sick to = his=20 stomach at the mere contemplation of that trial. He consoled himself = with the=20 thought that the col appeared a much less intimidating route though it = was still=20 some considerable distance above them. He was panting heavily now, as = were the=20 others. Even the mules - that most resilient and dogged of brutes - were = sorely=20 afflicted by their exertions, and their dark eyes held a most pained = expression,=20 as if they were suffered some great importunate affront to their = dignity. He had=20 just taken another pace forward, and it was then that he again caught = his foot=20 in a hole, but this time completely lost his balance. He fell forward = heavily,=20 putting his hand up instinctively to soften the impact. His body had = twisted=20 slightly as he slipped, and his arm did not fully cushion the blow. He = hit the=20 ground with his chest, and the impact pushed all the air from his lungs. = He lay=20 there winded for a few moments before he managed to raise his head, and = look=20 upwards along the slope. His companions had remained quite impervious to = his=20 accident, and were continuing their arduous way up the steep incline. He = carefully examined his limbs to ascertain whether he had broken a bone = in the=20 fall. He had felt no pain as he tumbled, nor heard the sound of any = fracture. It=20 was with considerable relief that he realised that he had escaped a more = serious=20 mishap. He rolled over upon his back, the better to ease his breathing. = As he=20 did so he glanced downwards towards the plain. They were already some = height=20 above the plateau but he was sure he seen a sudden movement near its = margin.=20 This errant motion had been near a clump of trees, which grew over = towards the=20 edge of the flattened ground. He shook his head to clear his vision, = thinking=20 that he might still be groggy from the fall, or that his sight might = have become=20 in some way impaired. He looked again at the spot, but there was = nothing; it=20 could have been a bird or a small animal for all he knew, or even his=20 imagination. There was nothing to be done anyway. There was certainly no = purpose=20 to be served in going back down the hill to investigate. The prospect of = having=20 to climb back up again was more than enough to deter him from that line = of=20 thought. He checked his body for breaks and scrapes once more, before = bracing=20 himself to get up. With nothing more than a dent to his dignity, and = perhaps a=20 few bruises, he had remained relatively unscathed. Groaning with the = effort, he=20 set himself once more to the slope, and applied his efforts accordingly. = The=20 ground rose and rose higher above them, and the incline grew steeper and = steeper=20 with every step they advanced. It certainly was not precipitous here, = but for=20 Celarent it was quite a sufficient challenge to encounter; he was = entirely=20 unaccustomed to this degree of exercise. Although he was a fitter man by = far=20 than when he had left home, he was, nevertheless, feeling his years = here; he=20 could only imagine how Hesvee and Ferioque were faring. He paused = briefly to=20 observe his companions. Both Alaste and Erame seemed to be keeping up a = good=20 pace, but he could see that the other two were struggling as was he. = However, it=20 would never do to fall back now, and again his pride spurred him = on.

It=20 was a shortly afterwards that he was grateful to observe Alaste had = called a=20 halt, to let the stragglers catch up. It was not long before he too = joined the=20 small group, as they huddled together on the declivity. He was much = relieved to=20 observe that he was not the only one who seemed to be short of breath, = for all=20 were panting heavily. It crossed his mind to mention the incident he had = just=20 witnessed, but again there seemed to be little point, and so he remained = silent.=20 "Well, sirs. And how do you fare?" Both Hesvee and Ferioque were gasping = in=20 great lungfuls of air, and were quite unable to reply "Don't distress=20 yourselves, sirs. The air's a little thinner, even at this altitude. So = unless=20 you're one of the mountain folk, and accustomed to this atmosphere, = you'd be out=20 of breath for sure - even a younger man". He looked across at Celarent, = who was=20 just about holding his own. As if reading their thoughts, Alaste = continued, "We=20 can start cutting across now towards the pass. We've only a bit more = height to=20 gain, and we'll be there soon enough". He looked up at the skies as he = spoke.=20 The others followed his gaze. Over the desert, already some distance = behind=20 them, the airs were clear and blue. It was difficult to believe that the = temperatures there would be so oppressive that they would barely be able = to=20 move. And yet here they were, and the chill was already reaching into = their=20 bones though they had been resting for only a few moments. The peaks = ahead were=20 enshrouded in thick white clouds, and overhead more of these vast white = columns=20 were advancing to join their fellows on the higher slopes. The pass = itself was=20 still clear, but the ground about bore a thick white mantle, for at = these=20 altitudes the snow abided all year round. Each of the party was wearing = sturdy=20 boots and it was Alaste's suggestion that they now don thick fur = stockings=20 before they continued on their way. "Don't want to get frostbite, sirs. = Lose a=20 toe like that". He walked over to one of the mules and pulled out some = packages,=20 which he passed around. "Here. It's warm enough now, but it's best to be = prepared. If the clouds come down the temperatures can drop in an = instant. It=20 may be a bit hot for a while but the discomfort will be worth it, = believe me".=20 Alaste pulled out a bundle of socks from one of the packs, and then some = jackets=20 and fur-lined trousers from the rest. It was really rather awkward to = put the=20 cumbersome clothing on over their leather jerkins and thick canvas = trousers,=20 but, he explained, it was the layers of air between the clothes that = would keep=20 them warm, rather than the material itself. Each one struggled to wedge = him- or=20 herself, into their new outfits, but with some considerably energetic = assistance=20 from their comrades. Soon they all stood there like so many round furry = balls,=20 their arms and legs protruding from each bundled mass. Finally they were = set,=20 and taking up the reins again, they headed out across the slope, moving = always=20 upwards, but at a much slower pace. The grasses and mosses, which had = covered=20 the ground up until now, gave way to bare rock. Small patches of snow = appeared,=20 mostly piled up in heaps against the shady sides of the large boulders = and=20 outcrops, which were dispersed over the entire slope. The peril of the = burrows=20 had gone, only to be replaced by these treacherous patches of slippery=20 ice-covered granite. Fortunately, their boots had thick soles, and a = rough=20 tread, and these kept them from sliding about too much. All, however, = were=20 keenly aware that they could not afford an accident, especially at this = stage in=20 their journey. Undoubtedly it was the most dangerous part of their = endeavours,=20 and if they could only get through this safely then the rest would all = be=20 downhill, if it might be described thus.. The bare rock had now = disappeared=20 completely below a thick layer of hard snow, and, as it deepened, so = their march=20 became that much more debilitating. It was no longer sufficient merely = to put=20 one foot in front of the other, but instead they were obliged to lift = the whole=20 leg upwards, clearing completely the impression left in the packed snow, = before=20 replacing it anew in the next ; this was most debilitating. It would be = accurate=20 to say that he, Celarent, was rediscovering muscles that he had long = since=20 forgotten, even as a youngster. They were obliged to stop frequently for = it was=20 vital that they remained together. The air was yet clear, but if a mist = were to=20 descend, and one or more of the party lost sight of the others, then it = could=20 spell death for them. All looked eagerly ahead, gauging how much closer = they=20 were to the gap in the ridge, which marked their way over this massive = barrier.=20 Despite their strenuous efforts they seemed to be proceeding at a = desperately=20 slow pace, for the pass appeared no closer. Celarent noticed that the = light=20 seemed to be failing, and he looked up at the sky. It was far too early = for the=20 onset of night but he was alarmed to see the clouds, which had lain so = far=20 overhead, seemingly dropping precipitately from the sky. It was on their = next=20 halt that Alaste confirmed his observation. "The cloud cover's falling. = It=20 shouldn't be a problem so long as it holds off long enough for us to get = to the=20 pass. Once we're there we can't lose our way. My only fear would be if = the mist=20 comes down before then and we miss the entrance. We must redouble our = efforts.=20 It's not too far". His words had the desired effect, and they set off = with=20 considerable enthusiasm, and a little fear as well. Pace by pace they = advanced,=20 their entire concentration now devoted to the climb. There was nothing = to do but=20 to reach that objective, and then all would be well; or at least that = was what=20 Alaste had said, and that should be the end of the matter. On and on = they=20 pounded through the snow. The mule tracks helped somewhat for their = hooves=20 flattened the deep snow; but then someone had to lead the beasts, and = this was a=20 most onerous duty. All took turns to draw the mule train forwards, while = the=20 others followed as best they could. And always above lingered the = clouds,=20 mysteriously contemplating their fate.

Rogas and his men had = moved=20 swiftly up behind Garuda. There was no need for concealment now. Even if = the=20 party on the heights above should detect them, it was of no consequence. = Sooner=20 or later they would meet, and the mountain men were confident that, in = their=20 realm, these intruders would not escape. Garuda had been worried that he = might=20 not be able to point out this quarry to his new allies. He had no doubt=20 whatsoever that if he failed in this task there would be little or no = debate on=20 his fate. This people were an insular race, and much given to warring = amongst=20 themselves. However, nothing bound them together more than an alliance = against=20 the plains folk. It was this appeal to a common enemy that had inspired = Garuda's=20 confidence in gaining their support. He was much relieved, therefore, = when he=20 caught sight of the file of small dots outlined clearly against the = green lower=20 slopes. He was surprised though to see that they had made significant = progress,=20 and stood already at some height above the plain. He had stopped to = examine the=20 terrain ahead when Rogas and his brethren caught up with him. "Well, = fellow.=20 You've sighted our prey?" "Indeed I have", replied Garuda, pointing = upwards=20 towards the distant specks. Rogas followed the line of his finger until = he too=20 saw them. "Mmm. The clouds may come down soon. See how dark they grow. = They are=20 heavy with moisture. If they should discharge their burden upon the = mountains=20 then the gods will do the job for us. No one can survive there, not even = us. But=20 for now we'll follow until we can be sure. Come. Onwards". Now Rogas = took the=20 lead, and Garuda diplomatically gave way to his command. The pack set = off again,=20 running steadily across the plain, the ground already starting to rise = beneath=20 their fleet pace.

It was easy to lose all sense of time in this = place.=20 Melaskkoli had little idea of the passing of the days and nights - if = they could=20 be called such - in this strange place. He had much recovered his energy = now,=20 and was starting to grow restive in his moods. iDarii observed the = change in his=20 young friend, and made his report to Gorval accordingly. "Has the young = fellow=20 begun the change yet? It is somewhat overdue", enquired the latter. "Not = that=20 I've observed, sir". "Nothing? His Gaki form should at least be = reasserting=20 itself by now. What about his frame of mind? Can you tell me about = that?" "Well=20 that was what I was going to say, sir. He is growing restless. But I = can't be=20 sure if that's the hunger growing within him, or the mere fact of his=20 incarceration. We've kept him withdrawn from all contact with the = outside world=20 for some time now, sir. I'd not be surprised if he's not simply bored. = And who=20 could blame him? I try to entertain as best I can, but I think he grows = weary of=20 the same four walls". Gorval considered his servant's response. "You're = probably=20 right. But even if we were to consider letting him go forth from his = present=20 quarters he certainly cannot appear thus in our city. There'd probably = be a=20 riot, and we already have more than enough to contend with". They both = fell=20 silent, each studying the problem from his own perspective. After some = time=20 iDarii spoke again. "May I suggest something, sir?" "Go on", replied = Gorval.=20 "Well, if he's permitted to leave the apartments he would have to be=20 accompanied. We already have two guards assigned to this duty, which is = more=20 than sufficient. Indeed, I don't think he contemplates any kind of = escape. He=20 becomes more reconciled daily to the facts as we've presented them to = him. But=20 if we were to cloak him, and thus hide his face and form, I don't = believe that=20 there's any risk whatsoever of him revealing, of his own accord, his = identity,=20 or indeed nature. In this fashion we might go anywhere in the city = without=20 arousing great interest or attention". Gorval looked at his subordinate, = and=20 then downwards towards the ground. "You're sure of this? It's only now = that the=20 rumours of a human living amongst us have died down. The populace have = much to=20 distract them anyway. But if he should be seen I don't like to think = what might=20 happen". Gorval seemed to be leaning towards dismissing his lieutenant's = suggestion. iDarii did have some sympathy with his senior's point of = view, but=20 equally felt that it was quite unfair, and indeed unnecessary, to keep = the young=20 fellow imprisoned further. "I'm merely suggest an outing, sir. We don't = need to=20 venture into any of the heavily populated parts of the city. I've in = mind a=20 place that I go to on the outskirts, near where I live. It really is = quite=20 deserted, and at least it'll give him some change of view. The guards = will at=20 all times accompany us. I assure you, sir, that at the first hint our = plan is=20 compromised we shall return immediately to the apartments, and that'll = be the=20 end of the matter". Gorval appeared to consider this proposal. After = some time=20 he nodded. "Very well. I'll take the final responsibility, of course, = but you'd=20 better make sure that nothing does go awry. Am I clear?" "Of course sir. = Absolutely". iDarii was quite delighted. He was sure that Melaskkoli = would be=20 equally - if not more - pleased to discover that his confinement was not = to be=20 quite as absolute as it had been so far. "I'll inform him immediately. = And, of=20 course, explain why it's imperative that he remain undiscovered". "You = may go=20 now. If he wishes you may make your expedition whenever you please. But = report=20 to me immediately upon your return. I'll review any further expeditions = on this=20 basis. You may go". iDarii bowed, and without further utterance, left = the=20 office, and returned to their apartments. As he entered the room his = friend=20 looked up and smiled. "Ah! Darii. You're well I trust". "Excellent. And = all the=20 better for the tidings I bring you". He told Melaskkoli of Gorval's = decision.=20 Naturally the latter was delighted to hear that, finally, he might see = more of=20 the Gaki city than his present accommodations. iDarii explained the = several=20 caveats attached to this little jaunt, impressing upon his friend that = on no=20 account should he reveal his face at any time to anyone during their = jaunt. It=20 was obvious that Melaskkoli grasped the significance of what his friend=20 proposed, and grasped fully the import of these precautions. "Well? When = can we=20 go? I've got to tell you that if I stay cooped up here for much longer = I'm going=20 to go crazy. Well - crazier really". iDarii was pleased to see his = friend's=20 spirits had already been restored somewhat by the news. Melaskkoli was = not=20 generally prone to self-pity but he had been growing noticeably more = morose as=20 the length of his detention had extended. "We can go immediately if you = wish. I=20 have Gorval's permission. We'll be accompanied by the guards, of course, = who by=20 now will have been given their orders". As if on cue one of them entered = the=20 chamber, bearing in his arms a large bundle of clothing. "These have = been=20 delivered, sir. We await your orders", he announced as he handed the = clothing to=20 iDarii. "Thank you. You can wait outside. We'll be leaving in a few = minutes".=20 The guard departed silently. "Here. Put these on, and make sure that = every part=20 of you is covered, the face most especially". As Melaskkoli dressed, = iDarii left=20 the room to instruct the guards, both on their destination, and the=20 contingencies that they should adopt in the unlikely event of some = upset. By the=20 time he returned he saw that Melaskkoli was now completely hidden, from = head to=20 toe, in an all enveloping cloak, with the hood thrown forward over his = face,=20 leaving only a small gap for his eyes. This form of attire, though a = little=20 extensive by Gaki standards, would not draw a great deal of attention = and, so=20 long as they kept their distance from the other Gaki, things should go = smoothly.=20 "Good", observed the Gaki. "But how is it in there?" he laughed. "A = little warm=20 perhaps, but I can see well enough". "That's fine. And once we're = outside in the=20 cavern the temperature will be cooler, and you'll feel more comfortable. = Are you=20 ready?" The shrouded figure nodded. "Ah yes. I should say that when = we're=20 outside, or at least until we get to our destination, and certainly if = there are=20 others about, you must remain completely silent. Only in an emergency = should you=20 consult with me, and then only out of earshot of the others. It's = certainly as=20 important to obscure your voice as it is your form". The other nodded, = putting=20 into practice his directions. "Well. No need to wait any more We shall = go". He=20 turned, and Melaskkoli followed him out of the room, and then into the = corridor=20 beyond. He noted that the two guards had fallen into step behind them. = It felt=20 quite odd to be outside the room, so long had he been confined within = its four=20 walls. Now the four of them strode off along the dark corridor, and = onwards to=20 the Gaki city, and whatever else awaited them beyond the thick walls of = the=20 Ministry.

The light was fading rapidly, and the cause all too = evident.=20 Flocks of thick, dark clouds could be seen flooding across the skies, = and the=20 first swirls of mist were gathering upon the slopes ahead. Without a = word from=20 Alaste they redoubled their efforts, and hastened forwards. The mules = too seemed=20 to sense the growing urgency of their condition, and struggled heavily = in the=20 snow as they gave vent to their distress and vexation in the usual = fashion,=20 their braying cries of protest echoing through the valley, the noise = grating=20 upon Alaste's ears. He was more worried than he cared to admit to his=20 companions. If they could not make the pass before the mists thickened = they=20 would be unlikely to survive. Not only would the way be completely = obscured, but=20 also the chilling vapours would quickly saturate their clothes, and = here, on=20 this exposed mountain side, the heat would be drawn from their bodies = most=20 rapidly; they would almost certainly die of exposure. However, he was = quite sure=20 that once they reached the comparative security of the col they could = shelter=20 there until the worst of the weather had passed. He recognised that his = friends=20 had some notion of this, for all were making the utmost effort to mount = the=20 slope. Fortunately the depth of snow had diminished slightly, and they = were able=20 to cross the ground more rapidly as a consequence. He was pushing = himself to the=20 limit now, his breathing heavy and laboured, his heart pounding in his = chest.=20 The climb had been exhausting, and had tested each of them to the limit. = But he=20 had underestimated the courage of the older fellows, Hesvee and = Ferioque;=20 scholars they might be but their spirit was impressive, and neither had = uttered=20 a single protest despite the strain that was clearly imprinted in their = faces.=20 Erame, and Celarent too, were faring better, which is only to be = expected from=20 those of tenderer years. His daughter, though of slight figure, = possessed=20 considerable resources of energy, and he worried little about her = ability to=20 cope with this present ordeal. They walked in a half-light now, the mist = deepening to a fog, and the hillside just barely visible around them. It = could=20 only be a couple of hundred more paces to their target, but these would = be the=20 most difficult of all. He pushed on knowing that if he should falter the = pace of=20 the whole party might slacken. He could hear the mules still protesting = most=20 noisily, but he spared them not, lashing them on mercilessly. Man or = beast,=20 their lives depended on finishing this climb without hindrance. Finally, = the=20 ground began to level beneath him and, shocked, he found himself already = at the=20 top of the ascent. Yes! He had made it. He turned to observe his = fellows,=20 calling out to them as best he could, labouring as he was to recover his = own=20 breath. "Quickly. Quickly. We're there", and he encouraged them to make = one last=20 push. One by one they struggled through the last section of their = journey, until=20 all were gathered safely at the entrance to the pass. The mountainside = was now=20 completely laden in a thick, impenetrable vapour, and visibility was = reduced to=20 no more than a few paces. The way ahead was equally murky, but at least = their=20 direction was assured. The pass was extremely narrow here, and even in = this=20 thick miasma the grey walls of the mountains were just visible upon = either side.=20 He managed to regain his breath sufficiently to speak again. "We made = it. Well=20 done.". None of the others had yet sufficiently recovered to reply. "All = we have=20 to do now is to find shelter. I'd hoped that we might be able to finish = the=20 crossing today, but in these conditions I think it would be too = perilous. We'll=20 advance as far as we can but only with extreme caution. Fortunately the = winds=20 have held back. At least we don't have to deal with a storm. Keep an eye = out for=20 any breaks in the rock wall - a small cave will do. That'll give us = shelter, and=20 we can huddle together for warmth until the skies have cleared. The = mists=20 shouldn't last for too long". There was no reply from the two older men. = They=20 had clearly reached the limits of endurance. Although Alaste had not = voiced all=20 his fears he was determined that they find cover soon, and get out of = this mist;=20 that, at the very least, was imperative. A little food and a short rest, = and=20 their spirits should be greatly revived, he thought. Erame simply = nodded, as did=20 Celarent. Although they were in a better condition than the others, it = was by=20 not so much. Alaste waved them forward, and the party set off again. The = air was=20 bitterly cold, and all had raised their hoods to protect their faces = from its=20 harsh caress. As they trudged through the snow Alaste kept a keen eye = out,=20 anxiously seeking for some kind of fracture in the rock walls, which = might=20 afford them shelter from the freezing wetness that now invaded to their=20 clothing. As he dragged his feet over the ground he noticed that it had = begun to=20 snow. At first it was just a few solitary flakes that floated downwards, = but=20 then these were followed by more, and then more still. Soon a thick = curtain of=20 down-like swirls was adding to the murk that surrounded them. It was = getting=20 harder and harder to see, and he kept his gaze directed towards the = ground, only=20 occasionally looking up to peer through the swirling melee that danced = about=20 them. From time to time he would stop and study the granite walls = nearby, but=20 still there was no sign of a hole that might serve their purpose. They = marched=20 on wearily, their breath steaming from their open mouths, a mockery of = the=20 freezing air that forced its way into their lungs. Suddenly Ferioque = fell to the=20 ground, and as he called out Celarent quickly came to his side. Alaste, = too, on=20 hearing the man's exclamation, turned back from the head of the party to = assist.=20 Ferioque's face was blue-white, a pallor that spelt trouble. "Are you = alright,=20 sir?" he asked. Ferioque seemed to have some trouble answering. His eyes = were=20 slightly unfocussed, and it was evident that he was in considerable = distress.=20 "Don't worry. We shall find shelter soon, and be out of this blasted = mist and=20 snow. Just keep moving". He nodded at Celarent. The party moved onwards = but with=20 Celarent at Ferioque's elbow, helping the older man forward. Both Hesvee = and=20 Erame were able to continue under their own steam, their shoulders = hunched=20 forwards in a futile attempt to protect themselves from both the = chilling cold,=20 which was burrowing its way into their bones, and the deepening swirls = of snow=20 now sweeping furiously through the narrow defile. There was not much = time left=20 before the cold would do its work and drain them of the last remnants of = the=20 life force that sustained them. He had to find shelter, and he had to = find it=20 soon.

Rogas led his men up the slopes in hungry pursuit of their = quarry.=20 Garuda followed at the rear of the group, aware that these fellows knew = the=20 terrain much better than he. He had been rather disconcerted by his = reception.=20 Although he was of the same race as these, they appeared to him to be of = a feral=20 nature. They reminded him rather of wild beasts than men. His own people = were of=20 a sturdy disposition, it was true, and it ill befell anyone who should = make the=20 error of presuming upon their hospitality. Only the most hardy could = survive in=20 these parts, for there was little time or effort to be expended on the = social=20 niceties. The mountain dwellers considered the plains folk to have grown = soft=20 and lax, even degenerate. They led lives of indolence, and were = ill-equipped to=20 deal with the rigours of life in its raw state. Even so his kind were = not=20 animals, and it was this quality that he had observed in these fellows. = They had=20 the appearance of men and, indeed, the speech of his kind fell from = their lips.=20 But now, as he watched them hurtling forward over the landscape, he = could not=20 repel the impression that they hunted much like a pack of wolves rather = than a=20 hunting party of men. From their mouths would issue small yelps as they=20 encouraged each other in their pursuit, these barks much akin to the = howls of a=20 wolf as it closes in upon its victim. He grew uneasy as they climbed the = mountain, and unconsciously he had fallen back slightly, as if wishing = to sever=20 his link with the party. Unfortunately Rogas had noticed this = recalcitrance, and=20 called his men to a halt from their headlong pursuit. "Ho! Sirrah. Come, = laggard. Are you not eager to be in at the kill?" The fellow laughed=20 uproariously, chorused in like fashion by his gang. Garuda heard the = guffaws,=20 but felt the man's eyes questioningly upon him, and attended the threat = that lay=20 therein. To what "kill" might the fellow be referring, as his thoughts = dwelt=20 upon the ambiguity of the question? Not his, if he had anything to do = with it.=20 He raised his pace, and rejoined the main party. For the time being it = seemed=20 well advised not to voice any doubt, and to play the part, if not with=20 conviction, at least convincingly . "Oh! Not at all Rogas. More than = happy. But=20 see you the mist that falls upon the peaks? Will it not hinder us?" = Rogas=20 observed him with an appraising expression. "Well? the cold airs will = greet us,=20 but then so will they are prey. And cold air killed not one of my = people. But=20 cold feet! Now that's another story. Many a man has died of cold feet in = these=20 parts". The rest of his crew seemed somewhat puzzled by this allusion, = but to=20 Garuda the warning was clear. 'Keep up or else'. "You're right, of = course. Let=20 us be off". And to show his enthusiasm he leapt up the slope ahead of = the rest.=20 Behind him he could hear Rogas and his fellows take up the chase. But = now his=20 thoughts were preoccupied with how he might extricate himself from the = company=20 of these savages. They were not men but beasts, and he might suffer more = harm=20 from these than the strangers ahead. He decided that, at the first = opportunity,=20 he and they would part company. And it might be that that chance might = present=20 itself somewhere up in the mists ahead.

They passed down long, = gloomy=20 corridors, and through large, darkened halls, onwards through the twists = and=20 turns of that vast complex, which was home to Gorval and iDarii, and to = the=20 thousands of other Gakis who worked within this enormous edifice.. Some = knew=20 only of the superficial purposes of the department whereas others, like = Gorval,=20 and now iDarii, were privy to its more esoteric functions. But it was a = carefree=20 party that emerged finally from this warren of buildings, which = constituted this=20 part of the state bureaucracy; and then outwards, into the Gaki cavern. = There=20 were but few entrances and exits to the building, and for the most = obvious=20 reason; it should itself be secure from unwanted intruders. However, the = main=20 entrance had been ruled out as a means of egress. The crowds that = gathered=20 within the hub had grown so numerous it was now almost impossible to = reach the=20 wider city by this route. Instead, iDarii had chosen one of the = lesser-known=20 ways, one usually employed by the scouts when they went on missions to = the upper=20 world. The party, at last, came to a doorway, which led out into the = city=20 streets. iDarii left first, instructing the guards to remain behind with = his=20 charge. He surveyed the street in both directions, and was relieved to = find it=20 quite empty. He quickly re-entered the building, and curtly reminded = both guards=20 of their instructions. When he was satisfied that they fully understood = their=20 duty, he again opened the door, and the small party issued forth. iDarii = took=20 the lead, and they began to make their way down the quiet avenue towards = the=20 periphery of the city. Although Melaskkoli had not seen any Gaki he = could hear=20 the sounds of their cries, soulfully drifting over the rooftops. Since = there=20 were none nearby, other than those in their party, and ever mindful of = his=20 instructions, he caught up with his companion. "Those cries. What do = they=20 betoken?" "Ah yes", replied the Gaki. You probably have no recollection = of that.=20 Those sounds signify the Great Hunger. All of us experience this grossly = magnified appetite occasionally. But as I've told you the Hunger seems = to be=20 spreading across the populace, and many more among us display the = symptoms=20 daily. Never before have so many Gaki, and at one time, been subject to = its=20 influence. It's like a plague sweeping our world, and the means to = alleviate its=20 baleful results no longer seem effective. There's nothing to be done = that has=20 not already been essayed". At this he fell silent, whilst Melaskkoli = considered=20 his words. "Nothing, you say. And this has all been foretold?" "No, or = at least,=20 not in detail. We really are quite ignorant of the precise unfolding of = these=20 matters. We've knowledge only of its general outline, but I'm afraid = that we're=20 as ignorant as you are when it comes to how this will all end". He = paused and=20 shrugged his shoulders. "There's nothing to be done. Sometimes that's a=20 difficult thing to be grasped. To be helpless and quite unable to act, = and yet=20 wait patiently nonetheless. That's truly all we can do for now. Wait and = see.=20 But we don't have to be patient mournfully, do we?" "No I guess not", = replied=20 Melaskkoli. "So where are you taking me then?" "Oh, a place I go to when = I want=20 a bit of peace and quiet", he laughed. "And I think we could certainly = do with=20 some of that, with all this racket going on". His attempt at humour was = brave,=20 but with those shuddering cries floating through the air the joke fell = macabre=20 from his lips.

They continued along the thoroughfare until they = came to a=20 junction. There were a few individuals strolling nearby, none of who = seemed to=20 be suffering from this strange affliction. Melaskkoli, for one, was not = eager to=20 witness this malady, for its mere sound was quite enough to deter him = from an=20 encounter, and he was as keen as his companion to move away from this = quarter of=20 the city. The two of them walked quickly through the streets and = alleyways, the=20 guards bringing up the rearguard. He observed the citizenry going about = their=20 business, and all appearing quite indifferent to the tumult. He was = still unused=20 to this newly discovered ability, to be able to discern the forms of the = other=20 Gaki about him. On his only previous venture into the streets of the = metropolis,=20 when he had been escorted hither by Gorval, these fellows had remained = entirely=20 opaque to him; but now he had no difficulty, whatsoever, in = distinguishing them.=20 However, it was not quite 'seeing' in the way to which he was = accustomed, not in=20 that sensual mode employed by human beings. This was not 'sight' for the = eyes=20 any more than their mind-to-mind communication was 'sound' for the ears. = It was=20 assuredly quite confusing as he tried to explain this 'human' sensation = to his=20 friend. "I understand in part", commented the latter. "It's difficult to = explain=20 a sense impression in those terms usually reserved for quite another. I = mean how=20 on earth could one possibly describe 'colour' to one who has never = possessed=20 sight, or 'sound' to one who has never heard? It's true that our race = can be=20 'visible' at certain times - and in certain places - and in a fashion = that=20 humans might use that term; and then again they can be 'visible' but = only in a=20 way that a Gaki could comprehend that condition; to a human being the = Gaki would=20 not be visible at all. But what I can say is that your Gaki nature must = be=20 reasserting itself, or at least its inward manifestations. Perhaps the=20 transformation proceeds from within to without, and your physical form = will=20 conform to the Gaki model at a latter stage of the process. I consider = this to=20 be most propitious". Melaskkoli, however, did not find the prospect of = reverting=20 to his Gaki origins particularly inviting. He still possessed an = essential=20 prejudice against that Gaki template, and an equal but opposite = preference for=20 his more familiar human aspect. But he thought it impolite to make such = an=20 observation, for he truly did not wish to upset his companion. It = occurred to=20 him that iDarii's preceding advice - on the matter of dealing with the=20 inevitable with patience, and a recognition that what cannot be avoided = should=20 rather be received with some equanimity - sound and well conceived. If = he was to=20 return to full Gakihood, as it were, then so be it. He was sure that he = would=20 adapt, and there might be worse things than to be a member of this race, = troubled as it presently was.

They had been walking for some time = now and=20 were already a good distance from the centre. But there was still some = way to go=20 before they would arrive at the fringes of the town. The buildings were = less=20 grand here, for this area served as a dormitory, housing the vast = numbers of=20 workers who were needed to maintain this enormous conurbation. The = streets were=20 generally quiet in this part of town but to iDarii, who was familiar = with the=20 district, it was unusually deserted. There was an ominous calm about the = place,=20 which concealed within it a menace undefined, and all the more = threatening for=20 that. The guards seemed unaffected by the atmosphere and iDarii = struggled to=20 discount the feeling as a bad case of nerves, or a mild case of = agoraphobia=20 perchance. It would not do to communicate his discomfort to his charge, = and he=20 made no mention of the sentiment. Anyway, it served their purpose well; = the=20 fewer people around, the less chance of their discovery. They continued, = the=20 buildings becoming progressively more humble, until finally the last of = these=20 edifices fell away behind. They had now crossed beyond the city limits = and were=20 out in the open countryside, or what passed for this in the Gaki world. = The=20 light had fallen to more subdued levels in these outlying areas. For = here the=20 people were poorer, and could not afford so easily the oil that fuelled = the=20 multitudes of torches, those which were scattered throughout the city. = But now=20 that they were beyond the city boundary even this illumination = diminished, and=20 the cheery red glow of the city lights was replaced by the cold = luminescence of=20 the mosses, patches of which spread widely across the landscape. The = terrain was=20 smooth and unremarkable, and the few hills were of modest altitude. = iDarii had=20 grown increasingly excited during the course of their trip. Now that = they were=20 drawing away from the city Melaskkoli could sense the relief within his = guide,=20 to be finally divorced from the prying eyes of its citizenry. In the = near=20 foreground he could just discern a dark sinuous curve, which snaked its = way over=20 the landscape. He could not quite make out what it was at this distance, = but as=20 they drew closer he could hear the sound of running water. At last they = came to=20 its edge, and he could see the river, deepest black in this light, but = with=20 small ripples and swirls beading its surface, a pattern that reflected = faintly=20 the light yet reaching them from the nearby municipality. iDarii signed = that=20 they should sit here for a while and rest. The guards moved away some = distance=20 but remained alert. "Here we are. This is one of my more favoured spots. = I love=20 to sit by the river and just rest my thoughts for a while". Melaskkoli = made no=20 response, fascinated by the prospect of those pitch-dark waters running = sleekly=20 by, murmured gently to themselves. "It's not much like the rivers of my = world,"=20 he commented. And then as an afterthought he asked. "Are there any fish = in its=20 waters, Darii?" "Of course. But I'm not one for fishing myself. Can't = stand the=20 things to be honest. No. It's just so restful here, staring at the = water. Not to=20 think sometimes, is such bliss". He laughed at his own words, and = Melaskkoli=20 could see the Gaki appeared to be the most at ease, certainly since he = had met=20 him. It was evident by the change in the fellow's manner that he had = been under=20 a considerable strain, and that the outing might have been just as much = for his=20 benefit as for his charge's. "Yes. I know. I used to sit by a river near = my=20 home. Well, what I thought was my home anyway. All sorts of strange of = things=20 would come into my head". "Really", asked iDarii. "What for example?" = Melaskkoli=20 hesitated. He was still unused to having an audience, let alone a = sympathetic=20 one. "Well. Just wondering about everything really. My mind would just = go off on=20 its own. 'Daydreaming' my uncle would call it. But I did wonder about it = sometimes. Where did all those thoughts come from? Sometimes it even = seemed that=20 they might not come from me, they were so odd. Maybe it was to do with = my being=20 sent up to the surface. Was that were these ideas came from?" iDarii was = silent,=20 contemplating his companion's musing. "I don't think so", he commented = finally.=20 "Well I don't know to be truthful. But I'm like that as well. Sure, I = think=20 about my family, and work, and what's going on in my life; but I do find = it goes=20 off on odd tangents. I guess everyone's like that. But then we don't = talk about=20 the way we think, but rather what we think about. But what I like about = this=20 place is that everything seems to slow down. I don't notice it until I = come=20 here, how much I seem to be rushing all the time. Even when I'm sitting = down,=20 and not doing anything in particular, my mind does seem to be in such a = hurry.=20 I've no idea where it thinks it's going. But it's a relief to hear you = say that,=20 Melaskkoli. I often wondered if I was a little crazy. But now I know I'm = not=20 alone". They both laughed at this. One of the guards looked round, but = then=20 returned to his own contemplations. The Gaki and the human sat there on = the=20 riverbank, watching the waters flow by, dark and always = mysterious.

The=20 weather was worsening steadily in the pass. The snowfall showed no signs = of=20 abating and, if anything, was growing thicker and denser. To make = matters worse=20 the breeze had picked up, and whether it was growing stronger of its own = accord,=20 or merely that the winds were being funnelled by the rocky walls on = either side,=20 it had the effect of blowing the flakes directly into their faces. = Ferioque was=20 bearing up, but only just, and they urgently needed to find shelter. = Alaste cast=20 his eyes about him, desperately seeking some haven; even a rock overhang = would=20 have been a blessing, anything to avert the growing storm that pressed = upon=20 them. He stumbled on through the white flood, almost swimming now = against the=20 blustering winds, which seemed so intent upon blocking their progress. = His eyes=20 were narrowed to slits, the icy blasts forcing tears to trickle forth, = for them=20 only to freeze almost instantly upon his cheek. At that instant he = thought that=20 he caught a glimpse of something to his right. He shuffled over in that=20 direction unsure whether what he had spied was just a rock spur jutting = from the=20 wall, or an hallucination, a product of his failing vision and = exhaustion. But=20 no! There, just before him, he could see a dark shadow, which loomed out = of the=20 snowstorm. He staggered on a few paces more, and then slipped, and fell = down a=20 steep incline that ended at the rock face. Reaching out with both his = hands he=20 stumbled forward only to find himself suddenly separated from the gale, = which=20 had been beating so viciously upon his face. He bent forward to better = protect=20 his head, and entered a small cave. Already the sounds of the storm were = retreating behind him, to be replaced with the relative tranquillity of = this=20 haven. A quick survey showed that the space might be sufficient for all, = and he=20 hastily retraced his steps. It was quite possible that the others might = have=20 failed to notice his absence, and would continue to wander in the storm. = He was=20 just about to emerge once more from the shelter when a figure brushed = roughly=20 past him, followed by another. and then another. It seemed that Hesvee = had seen=20 his detour from their path, and had led the rest of the party after him, = mules=20 and all. Soon the whole group were safely ensconced inside this rocky=20 excavation, and were busily brushing the snow from their shoulders. Very = little=20 could be seen in this light. The small amount of illumination that = managed to=20 make its way through the cave entrance barely sufficed. Alaste felt = around him=20 with his hands until he had located one of the mules. He searched = through the=20 bundles that were loaded upon its back, hoping that he might find one = that=20 contained their oil lamps. He was unlucky at his first trial, and = proceeded onto=20 the next beast; this time he was more fortunate. He pulled the bundle = from the=20 strap that secured it, and knelt down upon the floor, busily unravelling = the=20 hide with his frozen hands. A low voice came out of the darkness. It was = Hesvee.=20 "What are you doing?" He sounded hoarse, his throat chilled by the air, = and he=20 was coughing heavily, his lungs clearing themselves of the icy miasma = that still=20 lingered within them. "Just a while. If I can get the lamp lit perhaps = we can=20 see where we are". Reaching beneath the thick leather he pulled out a = flint, a=20 small knife, and a twist of tinder to hold the flame. He struck = repeatedly upon=20 the hard stone, and a few sparks arched off into the darkness. His hands = were=20 cold and they felt clumsy and awkward as he grasped the wooden haft. = Finally, a=20 spark caught upon the tinder, and, by blowing gently upon this, a small = flame=20 licked up out of the kindling. He applied this urgently to the lantern = wick=20 until that too had caught. Carefully he enclosed this newborn light = behind the=20 glass shield that surrounded the lamp, and held it thus aloft. The = steady flame,=20 magnified by the reflecting surface within the container, threw out a = weak but=20 constant light upon their surroundings. About him, Alaste could now see = the pale=20 faces of his companions, their eyes squinting at him in this = impoverished light.=20 The cave ceiling was low but its dimensions were larger than he had at = first=20 surmised. Alaste could see the low opening through which they had made = their way=20 within. The entrance lay at a slant to the face of the rock wall = outside. They=20 could have quite easily walked on by, and remained completely oblivious = to its=20 existence. However it also meant that, with the prevailing direction of = the=20 winds, these were completely blocked by the overhang, and the air inside = seemed=20 almost miraculously calm in contrast to the gales that blew without. But = they=20 could all quite clearly hear the howling of the storm, as it buffeted = the=20 mountain outside. He inclined the light towards the deeper interior of = their=20 shelter and saw that, although it narrowed somewhat, the cavity seemed = to extend=20 some way further back into the rock. "We are fortunate, I think", he = observed=20 solemnly. Then Alaste saw that Ferioque must be at the end of his = tether, for=20 the poor fellow had slumped heavily to the ground. Celarent knelt beside = him.=20 "He's alright. He's just tired - and not the only one. Couldn't have = gone on=20 much longer in that", and he nodded in the direction of the mouth of the = cave.=20 "We'll be alright here, I think", Alaste commented. "At least for the = time=20 being". "We're out of firewood though", observed Hesvee. He looked at = Erame and=20 Alaste. The former nodded. "Yes. We burnt it all at our last camp". This = seemed=20 an age past to Celarent. "We have shelter. That's the main thing. It's = still=20 cold here but perhaps if we retreat further into the cave it might be a = little=20 warmer. This place seems to go back quite a way. Stay here while I have = a scout=20 around. I'll see what's there". Alaste left them, and holding the lamp = before=20 him, he moved towards the back of the hole. He was now able to see that = the roof=20 lowered somewhat; but there was still no sign of a dead end. He pursued = his=20 investigation as the fissure continued onwards into the darkness. = Satisfied that=20 there was no immediate sign of danger from this quarter he returned to = the=20 party. "Well. We can go some way further in. And I can't see any = wildlife=20 there". "Wildlife?" asked Ferioque, his energies restored sufficiently = to find=20 his voice. "A jest. I don't think that anything would live here. It's = too high=20 in the mountains anyway. Nothing up here but snow and rock". "And us", = added=20 Celarent, a little unnecessarily. "Yes. And us", echoed their guide. = They moved=20 into the cave, Alaste taking the lead whilst he shone his light upon = their path;=20 Celarent followed at the hind part of the column, driving the mule train = forwards. It might have been his imagination but the air did seem a mite = warmer=20 as they burrowed inwards; and as for wildlife - they would have to take = their=20 chances, for they could not survive outside. Erame had extracted some of = their=20 remaining supply of dried meat from a pack, and proceeded to distribute = these=20 morsels to each in turn. They munched quietly upon their rations, = resting now=20 from their efforts, and sitting in a circle about the glowing lamplight, = their=20 only source of warmth and consolation in this freezing dungeon; outside = the=20 winds howled furiously.

The hunters kept up a relentless pace, = closing=20 all the while on the figures ahead as they approached the snow line. = Garuda had=20 been careful not to repeat his mistake, and ensured that he remained=20 inconspicuous by his pre-eminent position in the pack. Always he allowed = Rogas=20 the lead, but he kept his position just behind the man; he could not = afford to=20 arouse the fellow's suspicion, nor draw attention to his growing = reluctance to=20 participate further in this manhunt. The more he examined his fellows, = the more=20 he distinguished their feral nature. The clouds ahead were lowering upon = the=20 slopes, and their quarry was already partly hidden by these mists; but = the=20 pursuers showed no signs of slackening their efforts. It seemed that = nothing=20 could stop them from tracking down their foe, and wreaking upon them = some dread=20 harm; not even the elements. Driven as they were by their blood lust, = they=20 seemed fuelled by an inhuman energy, which impelled them ever forwards.=20 Increasingly Garuda was finding it more and more difficult to maintain = this=20 pace. It was only the realisation that if he faltered he might well = replace the=20 intruders as a target for their savagery that sustained him. No - not a = sign of=20 frailty, or he would be done for. Fortunately, the slope had become so = steep=20 that it was impossible even for these to continue at full speed, and = finally=20 Rogas called a halt. The men, or whatever they were, stood panting = heavily in a=20 circle, like so many dogs upon the heels of their master. Their eyes = were=20 bloodshot, and this did nothing to dispel their semblance to beasts of = the=20 field. "Well, my friend. How like you the chase so far?" There was = nothing of=20 friendliness in the voice, nor in the demeanour of their leader. Garuda = was=20 quite sure now that, whether they caught up with the men upon the = mountain or=20 not, something would be sacrificed to their appetites before the day was = out.=20 "Well enough. Well enough, Rogas". He fought furiously to keep his voice = even,=20 though he was struggling to draw air into his lungs. "Good. I'm pleased = to hear=20 it. What say you, sir? Shall we come upon them before the storm falls - = or not?"=20 This was not a question that could invite another answer. Garuda knew = well that=20 his opinion mattered naught in this present company; the man was playing = a game,=20 and testing him to see how he would perform. "Ah! I know not these = mountains as=20 well as you, good Rogas. But the storm does seem to be approaching = fast". "Mmm",=20 replied their leader. "But we shall have them nevertheless, shan't we, = my boys?=20 This was greeted with roars of approval. Garuda thought that they must = be quite=20 insane, to even consider continuing under these conditions. How could = they hope=20 to follow them in such a storm? They would all surely die. He had to get = away=20 from these, and soon. But how? Seemingly, and as if to banish all = further=20 thoughts upon a retreat, Rogas rallied them with a cry, and rushed = onwards up=20 the mountainside, his fellows pressing close behind. Garuda, too, = rallied what=20 little reserves of energy he still possessed, and energetically but=20 unenthusiastically, followed in their wake.

Melaskkoli awoke from = his=20 sleep with a start. The soothing effects of the silently flowing river = had=20 lulled him into this slumber. He looked about him and observed that all = his=20 companions, guards as well, were similarly unoccupied. In a flash it = crossed his=20 mind to leave them, and set off on his own across the plain. But he = realised=20 then that he had no idea how he might escape from this fathomless = subterranean=20 world. He had no recollection, at all, of the way back, nor even of = where he had=20 entered the city cavern with Gorval. Any further contemplation in this = direction=20 was rendered purposeless for it was then that iDarii stirred, and opened = his=20 eyes. "Goodness. I must have been tired". He looked about him and = observed their=20 escort, quite oblivious to the world. Abruptly he realised how remiss = they had=20 been in their duties, and he leapt to his feet, calling out angrily. At = the=20 sound of his upraised voice the two fellows awakened, both leaping = promptly to=20 their feet. They looked rather sheepish as iDarii harangued them. At the = conclusion of his tirade he returned to where Melaskkoli was seated, and = resumed=20 his place. "My apologies. Those fools". He glared angrily in the = direction of=20 the hapless duo. "Oh, when we get back they're going to be dealt with." = "Please,=20 friend. Don't be angry. Everyone's tired at the moment", pleaded = Melaskkoli,=20 seeking to soften his friend's mood. "No. No", iDarii held up his hands. = "Don't=20 make excuses for them. Lazy ne'er-do-wells. They're entrusted with our = security=20 and what do they do at the first opportunity but?". His voice tailed = off. "What=20 am I saying? I'm responsible, and just as much at fault as they. More = so, in=20 fact. I really do know better". When Melaskkoli saw the look of deep = remorse on=20 his friend's face he knew that he must speak up. "Look. We came to no = harm. And=20 no one need know. I won't say anything. And I think you can be pretty = sure that=20 they won't", he indicated the two guards, now nervously standing some = paces=20 away, both looking this way and that, as if seeking some avenue of = escape. "But=20 I was charged with your care and I've let you down", protested iDarii. = "No=20 matter", insisted Melaskkoli. He was about to continue when he heard, = sounding=20 behind them from the direction of the city, a low rumbling noise. At = first he=20 thought it to be thunder until it occurred to him that such a thing = would be=20 impossible this far underground. The guards, too, had noticed the = clamour, and=20 all turned towards what appeared to be its source. At first nothing = could be=20 seen. The silhouettes of the buildings appeared unchanged, their dark = outlines=20 clearly visible against the red glow of torchlight burning from within = the city=20 walls. The low rumbling continued for some time. Suddenly there was a = blast; an=20 explosion of sound. Still there was nothing to be seen on the skyline, = and the=20 group continued to search for the cause of this unusual phenomenon. Then = a flash=20 of light suddenly shot up into the heights of the cavern and, as their = eyes=20 followed its course, for the first time Melaskkoli caught a glimpse of = the=20 ceiling of this vast underground structure. Indeed, the rock wall was so = far=20 away that very little detail could be distinguished. But he was quite = sure that=20 if clouds had existed in this land then those heights could easily have=20 accommodated them within their scope. But for now their attention was = drawn back=20 again to the metropolis. The light, which emanated from behind the city=20 boundaries, seemed to have risen sharply in intensity. There was another = flash,=20 and a boom sounded shortly afterwards, as it floated across the range = towards=20 them. Now flames could be seen, licking above an area of the city far = away to=20 the left. "There. A fire", called Melaskkoli, as he pointed towards the=20 conflagration. "Yes. I see", replied the Gaki. "I suppose it can't be = that=20 uncommon here what will all the torches and cooking fires?" iDarii = hesitated=20 before replying. "Yes. We do have them. But because of the risk there = are strict=20 rules about their care. But the explosion!" His face betrayed his = disquiet.=20 "Should we get back? Can we help?" demanded Melaskkoli anxiously. His = companion=20 seemed quite preoccupied, and the guards, for their part, were equally = absorbed=20 in the display. Then a loud report echoed across the cavern, and yet = another=20 fire could be observed, this one burning much closer to the centre. = "What's=20 this? There can't be so many fires breaking out so closely together, = surely?"=20 Slowly the Gaki replied. "I'm not sure. But for now we should remain = here and=20 watch. It does seem an unlikely event though". Then, as if recalling his = friend's earlier question, "No. We have fire watchers who'll take charge = of=20 this. It's best left to them". He fell silent again, his eyes wide, and = staring=20 with a kind of horror at the growing pyres of destruction that floated = over the=20 city streets.

The hunters had reached the snow line; now they = plunged=20 into the storm. The snows were falling heavily but their senses were = more finely=20 attuned to these surroundings than their predecessors and, without = hesitation,=20 they dove into its white depths. With sharp eyes they picked out the = faint=20 tracks of the pursued, and they eagerly coursed along the spoor, the = hunger for=20 the kill filling every belly. Regardless of the fixedness of his purpose = Garuda=20 knew that Rogas' gaze was upon him constantly. His only hope lay in = slipping=20 away under the cover of the snowstorm, and retracing his steps back down = the=20 mountainside; but this prospect was fading rapidly the further they = advanced=20 into the hills. The ground had levelled off and, despite the snowfall, = he was=20 just able to distinguish the features of the mountain pass ahead. The = tracks=20 were quickly disappearing under the blizzard but in this constricted = space there=20 was only one way that their quarry might have gone. The pack advanced = more=20 cautiously now. They knew that their prey could not be far ahead, and = would only=20 be making slow progress in these conditions; at any moment they might = fall upon=20 them, and it would not do to be taken by surprise; they were bold = creatures, but=20 not foolish. The cunning of their kind preceded their zest for the = chase, and no=20 one was prepared to risk life or limb unnecessarily, not at least in = exchange=20 for a foolhardy act. Now all traces had been obliterated by the snow, = and=20 nothing remained but to navigate the pass until they could fall upon = their=20 victims. The party had drawn together now, and Garuda overheard briefly = a=20 muttered exchange between two of the huntsmen. "Ohhhh, my poor belly's = empty"=20 lamented one fellow. "Leave off your whining. It'll be full soon = enough",=20 replied the other. Then the latter nudged his friend, pointing out = Garuda=20 nearby. They fell silent and moved away; but their words echoed in = Garuda's=20 ears; he did not like the sound of this at all, and hoped that he had=20 misinterpreted what they had said. Yet their appearance and manner = betokened=20 otherwise. He would not be at all surprised, albeit horrified, at their = dietary=20 habits. If he had not already been completely convinced of the necessity = for=20 making a swift departure from his present company, then these words = sealed his=20 determination, to seize the first opening that presented itself. But = Rogas was=20 watching him, as no doubt were the rest of his gang. Doubtless they = would assume=20 that if he did make a break for it, it would be back down the = mountainside.=20 Rogas himself remained in the lead, but the others were following = closely upon=20 his footsteps. There was little chance that he might make good his = getaway by=20 that direction. But they would not dream that he would pursue his = freedom=20 through the pass ahead. The weather was quite appalling, and even these = hardened=20 trekkers could not survive here for much longer. They would be counting = upon the=20 weakened state of their victims for a quick kill. He felt some pity for = the=20 latter, but this was no time to indulge such sensitivities. His own life = was at=20 risk, and he was quite sure now that his demise would quickly follow = their=20 despatch. He was still at a loss to explain the savage nature of these = fellows;=20 they were really quite unlike any of his people. Then he recalled that = he had=20 never actually entered the village itself, which lay some distance below = on the=20 valley floor, yet he had assumed that these men hailed from that = encampment; but=20 then not one had claimed it as his home. It had been strange also that = he had=20 seen no sign of smoke from the camp fires there. What might have come to = pass=20 for his fellows? He shuddered to think that his kin might have met some = dreadful=20 end at the hands of these beasts.

They continued their advance = into the=20 pass, seeking constantly the least sign of the intruders. Garuda glanced = around,=20 to mark where the others stood, and then towards Rogas at their head. He = cast=20 all doubt to one side, and he called out. "Ho! I think I see them". = Rogas=20 turned, and took a few paces towards him. "Where ... where do you see = them?" His=20 eyes were wide with a kind of animal rage, and his lips curled in an = eager and=20 ferocious snarl. "There", and Garuda pointed downwards into the valley. = "They=20 must have lain in the snow as we passed by". The explanation sounded = feeble, but=20 he had to account somehow for their evasion. Cunning as these fellows = were the=20 vision of the kill now filled their minds, and displaced all remaining = caution.=20 A deep hunger drove them, and a murderous frenzy filled their being. = Rogas,=20 confident that his captive would make no attempt to escape into the = pass, joined=20 his fellows, and peered into the snow flurries in the direction that = Garuda had=20 indicated. Some of them had even started retracing their steps, the = smell of=20 blood seemingly cloying in their nostrils. "I can see nothing", said = Rogas, with=20 some exasperation. Before the fellow could turn to face him again, = Garuda dealt=20 him a mighty blow upon his back, and sent him sprawling into the snow. = It was=20 now or never. With a bound Garuda turned back up the pass, and sprinted = into the=20 gale, the snow clouds quickly closing about his disappearing form. = Behind him he=20 could faintly hear the screams of rage issuing from Rogas' mouth as he = bellowed=20 furiously at his comrades. "Find him. Kill him now", he roared. Energy = that he=20 did not know he possessed flew into his limbs, and spurred his desperate = flight.=20 Even the cold and the storm were forgotten now, as he fled down the = narrow=20 gorge. It may be that all that lay ahead of him was a cold and miserable = death,=20 but better that than the one he would surely suffer at the hands of his=20 pursuers.

Inside the cave Alaste and his fellows were snuggled = together,=20 hungrily sharing the warmth of each others' bodies to stay alive. = Although it=20 had seemed warmer when they had entered this hole in the earth, yet the = air here=20 was still well below freezing. They had placed the mules all about them, = hoping=20 to draw at least a little warmth from these sturdy creatures. The lamp = they had=20 set in their midst, its poor light - and even poorer heat - making but a = small=20 contribution towards the alleviation of their condition. Fortunately, = Ferioque=20 had regained some of his strength, and the colour had returned somewhat = to his=20 otherwise pale features. The cold, dry meat had helped revitalise them = as well,=20 though it was a feeble substitute for a hot meal. Although they had = escaped from=20 the immediate violence of the storm and its deadly consequences, their = hopes now=20 lay with it abating rapidly. They had sufficient rations for now, and of = water=20 there was plenty; but the capacity of these plains dwellers to live long = at the=20 higher altitudes was limited, most especially in these dreadful freezing = conditions. If the storm were to stop, or merely lessen in its fury, = they might=20 yet continue along the mountain path, and then descend easily upon the = other=20 side, there to enjoy the relative safety and warmer climes of the = adjoining=20 valley. Alaste sat in the dark, holding his daughter tightly in his = arms. He had=20 not voiced his thoughts, but inwardly he condemned himself for his = foolishness.=20 How could he have permitted himself the notion that she would be safe = here? He=20 might easily have forbidden her to follow her inclinations. But for him = she=20 would now be safely at home, with her mother and her people, enjoying = that=20 delightful haven of beauty within the desert. Instead here she was, = freezing in=20 the mountains, with only fools such as he for company. He chided = himself, too,=20 for his part in encouraging this dangerous expedition. It was true that = these=20 were grown men, and well able to make up their own minds; but they had = elected=20 him as their guide, and he had as good as led them to their death. They = might be=20 blamed for their ignorance but he, surely, only for his stupidity; and = which was=20 worse? Well! He had declared himself on this. He was not a man given to = prayer=20 for the gods of old, it seemed, had long departed. But at that moment he = swore=20 upon his own poor life - with a longevity that might soon be in dispute = - an=20 oath to the gods - indeed any gods - that should they see both his = daughter and=20 his charges safely from this place, that they might burden him with any = fee or=20 obligation that they would choose, including his own life as forfeit. = His vow=20 was heartfelt, if tinged with a large margin of incertitude. But despite = this he=20 gained a sense of relief from his burden of guilt. If he could make = recompense=20 he would, and without stinting the charge.

The winds howled about = the=20 mouth of the cave. Such was their violence that an occasional gust would = penetrate even as far as their little grotto, sending a chill across = their=20 faces, and a shiver through their bodies. Despite the testimony of his = hearing,=20 and prompted by a sense of unease, Alaste got to his feet, and crossed = to the=20 cave entrance. As he rose Hesvee looked at him questioningly. "Just = going to=20 check outside. Who knows? Maybe it's better than it sounds". Hesvee = nodded, and=20 buried his head in his arms, trying hopelessly to keep warm. Alaste knew = before=20 he had even reached the entrance that it was pointless. Indeed, it = seemed that=20 conditions had deteriorated still further. The storm was gusting = violently,=20 sending great walls of snow fleeing before its advance. It was virtually = impossible to see any distance in this tempest, not even as far as the = opposite=20 wall of the defile, so thick were the snow flurries. He was about to = retreat=20 into the relative warmth and shelter of the cave when he saw a dark bulk = emerge=20 from the shadows of the gale, and stagger drunkenly towards him. At = first he=20 thought it might be some poor, wild creature, cast adrift in this fury. = But as=20 the figure drew nearer his apprehensions rose. Could it be a man, a = mountain=20 dweller? He drew back, instinctively reaching for the knife in his belt. = Unfortunately the weapon was buried beneath layers of clothing and furs, = and he=20 was unable to reach the blade quickly. He stumbled backwards into the = darkness,=20 still desperately fumbling for the haft. The figure lurched forward = again.=20 Perhaps it had caught sight of him as he struggled to retrieve the = knife? In the=20 blackness he tripped and fell backwards, tumbling heavily upon the = floor. To his=20 horror he saw an indistinct form loom up above him, outlined against the = greyish=20 light that penetrated through the cave entrance, and then felt a thump = as=20 whoever - or whatever - it was, fell upon his body. As it did so it let = forth a=20 yelp, and kicked out against him wildly. Alaste scrabbled backwards, his = feet=20 lashing the rock frantically as he clawed his way into the darkness, all = the=20 while calling out loudly to his friends. He could hear footsteps coming = in his=20 direction and felt, rather than saw, a rush of figures fall upon the = newcomer.=20 Emboldened, he too got to his feet, and added his weight to the melee. = Fists and=20 elbows were flying everywhere, but soon the intruder was subdued. From = the=20 depths of the cave a light appeared, and Erame came into view, bearing a = lamp=20 above her head. Both Hesvee and Celarent had taken a hold of the = stranger's arms=20 whilst Alaste and Ferioque stood close by, ready to resume their grip = should the=20 fellow offer any further resistance. Strangely, the latter had not = uttered a=20 sound, apart from that solitary scream when the two had first collided. = Erame=20 held the light close to the creature's face, and all were relieved to = see a=20 human physiognomy displayed , though one with a cut and bleeding lip. = Alaste had=20 recovered his wits enough to address the man. "What are you doing here?" = The=20 fellow looked at his questioner, and then at the others who stood = nearby.=20 "Perhaps I could ask you the same question?" He paused. "Look. You might = consider me an enemy, and you might be right. And then again I might be = your=20 friend. Right now there are a band of....", at which point he hesitated. = "I=20 would have said 'men' out there, but maybe not". He paused again. = "They're=20 hunting me and they're hunting you. We don't have much time. You have to = defend=20 yourselves. They'll find this place soon enough, and they'll be bent = upon taking=20 your lives. You have weapons?" Alaste looked doubtfully at the fellow. = "Yes we=20 do. But why should we believe this story?" "It doesn't matter whether = you=20 believe me or not. You'll find out soon enough. And you've a woman here = with=20 you. Believe me when I say that they'll spare no one. No one!" he = emphasised.=20 Alaste looked around at the group of anxious faces staring at him, their = features laid gaunt by the flickering lamplight. "Look. You're trapped = here.=20 They'll find the cave entrance. There's no point in venturing by that = way". He=20 shook his head, indicating the outside, for his hands were still gripped = tightly=20 by his captors. "You might be able to hold them off here for a bit - but = not=20 long". Again, Alaste considered the man quietly. Finally he spoke. "The = cave=20 goes back some way. Perhaps there's an alternative. Will they follow us = further=20 in? I've heard the mountain folk fear these places. They're your people = are they=20 not? Speak up". "Yes. It's unlikely that they'll follow. But I'm not = sure that=20 they're of my race. They're quite savage". Alaste uttered a grim laugh. = "Savage,=20 you say? And you're not?" "Believe what you will. But I, for one, want = to hang=20 on to my life a little longer. I care not if you wish to throw yours = away; and=20 that of the woman". Again he looked across at Erame. "But then maybe the = plains=20 dwellers don't value their lives as highly as do my folk?" And outside = still the=20 winds howled miserably, the snow piling ever thicker upon the ground. In = the=20 deepening murk the pack approached quietly, nostrils testing the air. = Man flesh=20 and plenty of it - and so near.

The explosions and blasts echoed = across=20 the plain. The small group watched the burgeoning inferno, mesmerised by = the=20 growing horror. The fires had spread, and with these the strange wailing = noises=20 had grown too, now flowing from every quarter of the city. It was an = unnerving=20 racket. Melaskkoli could see the fear on the faces of the guards, and of = his=20 companion iDarii. It would seem that even if an escape route were to = present=20 itself, by which they might flee this nightmare, none would have taken = it, so=20 transfixed were they by this dreadful spectacle. The smoke from the = multiplying=20 fires rose high into the cavern roof, and the thick, black fumes had = already=20 partly obscured the more distant suburbs of the town. So engrossed were = all by=20 these catastrophic events that no one noticed a pair of figures rapidly=20 approaching, as they emerged from the wavering shadows, which writhed = beneath=20 the city walls. As they drew into sight the two guards instinctively = reached for=20 their weapons, unsheathing their swords, and holding them at the ready. = The two=20 creatures came closer. It was evident from their gait that they were = both Gaki;=20 as to why Melaskkoli might have thought otherwise is unclear. Perhaps = the shock=20 and surprise that he had undergone of late had inclined him to a more = dread=20 anticipation of the unknown. But that peculiar drifting, walking motion=20 demonstrated, at least, their Gaki antecedents. Finally, the pair stood, = or=20 rather floated, gently, before the small gathering. It was not until one = of the=20 new arrivals spoke that Melaskkoli recognised it was Gorval. "Good. = We've found=20 you. There's no time to waste on unnecessary explanation. I and the = seer", he=20 nodded in the direction of his companion, "managed to escape the mob. = Civil=20 order has completely broken down. It's as we feared. The Hunger is in = control=20 now. We must leave the cavern. And perhaps flee the Gaki world = altogether.=20 You're both unharmed?" This question was addressed to himself and = iDarii. The=20 latter nodded. "Yes. We saw the explosions and wondered what had = happened. Where=20 shall we go?" It was at this point that the seer spoke up. "We must go = to our=20 refuge. The Cave of Light. We shall wait there". iDarii looked at = Gorval, as if=20 seeking confirmation. "Yes. We should be safe there for a while. No one = can say=20 how this will proceed. It may be that the rioting will come to an end, = though I=20 don't think so". This last utterance was delivered in an undertone, as = if the=20 Gaki did not hold out much hope for that possibility. Gorval and the = seer set=20 off again across the plain, with iDarii and Melaskkoli following behind, = whilst=20 the guards formed the rearguard. To their left they were easily able to = hear the=20 tumult arising from the dying city. The whole horizon seemed to be = framed in=20 fire, with a thick black smoke that rose from every point, to coalesce = with the=20 darkness that shrouded the cavern heights. The wailing noises, which = wafted=20 across the landscape, were now punctuated by cries and screams, as the = desperate=20 citizens fell upon each other in a frenzy of destruction, engendered by = both=20 madness and panic. As those dreadful calls came within the hearing of = the small=20 group they quickened their pace, eager to leave this terror = behind.

At=20 first their course took them on a parallel line to the city walls. All = kept=20 their eyes focussed upon those ramparts, watchful for any signs of a = threat that=20 might come at them from that angle. But apart from the occasional = explosion,=20 which sent a jarring shock across the intervening space, they were able = to=20 proceed unhindered. Indeed, it seemed that they might make good their = escape,=20 and without any further interruption at all. They had now drawn clear of = the=20 metropolis' environs, and were advancing steadily towards the margin of = the=20 plain, approaching what appeared to be a solid wall of rock, which = formed the=20 boundary of that section of the cavern. Melaskkoli could see no means of = escape=20 by this route, and assumed that they would turn either to the right or = the left,=20 and thus make their exit at some point distant. It was then some = instinct=20 obliged him to look back towards the stricken city. Despite the = considerable=20 distance that now lay between them and it, he saw what appeared to be a = mist,=20 which blew across the plain towards them from that bearing. At first he = guessed=20 that it must be some kind of eddy from the winds that were now = forcefully=20 gusting over the land, driven by the enormous fires, which were burning = quite=20 out of control within the city walls. However, as he examined the = phenomenon=20 more closely, he realised that it was not a cloud of smoke at all, but = rather a=20 massive horde of the inhabitants fleeing the disaster. So dense was the = press of=20 the multitude that some were being driven upwards above the heads of = their=20 fellows, there to tumble and fall, carried along as if on the crest of a = great=20 flood, their terrified screams and cries reverberating above the heads = of the=20 mob. Gorval and the seer had halted now, and all were watching the = onrushing=20 torrent of Gaki. Even from their present position it was evident that = anyone=20 caught in the path of this monster would be crushed. "Quickly. We must = reach the=20 wall before they arrive", Gorval called out. With no further ado they = resumed=20 their previous course, though at a much accelerated pace. As they = crossed the=20 intervening distance between them and the rock wall, Melaskkoli could = still see=20 no way out. They were almost on top of it now, and it was only when they = were=20 within a few paces of its apparently impenetrable surface that he saw a = small=20 aperture, which lay some small distance above the ground. He turned to = look=20 behind him, and was shocked to see how close the mob had drawn; the = whole=20 landscape was concealed beneath the fleeing forms of the population. = From=20 horizon to horizon the throng extended, streaming across the plain in = blind=20 terror, driven onwards by an unknown and hideous fear, which embedded = itself=20 within each frozen heart. "Quickly. Climb. There are foot and handholds = for=20 those who know. Follow me, and place your hands accordingly". The seer = was the=20 first to make the ascent, quickly followed by Melaskkoli, then Gorval, = iDarii,=20 and lastly the guards. The flood was almost upon them now. Their cries = and=20 screams could be heard with a dreadful clarity. The ground shook beneath = them,=20 as did the rock wall itself; indeed the whole earth quivered beneath = that mass=20 of pounding feet. Melaskkoli scrabbled up the wall, carefully observing = where=20 the seer placed his feet before mimicking precisely his actions. He was = vaguely=20 aware of the others beneath him, fearful of what might become of them, = and of=20 him, should he lose his grip and fall. The seer had suddenly disappeared = from=20 sight. In an instant a hand reached down and pulled him to the safety, = and he=20 fell forward into a narrow corridor. He just had time to see both Gorval = and=20 iDarii also surface, to be followed, he observed gratefully, by both the = guards,=20 who rapidly joined them within the relative security of their new = redoubt. Then=20 there was a massive shock, as if the cliff had been bludgeoned with some = great=20 hammer. At first he thought that it might be an underground quake. But = then he=20 realised that the rabble had arrived at the rock wall, and had crashed = bodily=20 against it. He did not dare to return to the entrance, fearful to = witness what=20 was passing below; the blood- chilling screams that reached his ears = were=20 testimony enough. The crush of the throng was so great that the life was = literally being squeezed from the bodies of those who were pressed up = against=20 the rock face. Outlined against the opening he could see both Gorval and = the=20 seer looking down at their fellows. They did not linger long, and not a = word was=20 spoken of what they had witnessed. Shortly thereafter the seer again = took the=20 lead, and they turned their backs upon this terrible calamity, the wails = and=20 vexatious groans of those poor unfortunates still ringing in their=20 ears.

Rogas and his men were momentarily confused by the = unexpected=20 direction of their erstwhile ally's flight. On his side Rogas had always = distrusted the fellow, if only because he sensed that this one placed = little=20 confidence in him, and in his confederates. It was fortunate that they = had=20 intercepted him before he reached the village. It had long been = deserted, but=20 there was enough evidence there to point in the direction of him and his = men -=20 and pretty damning at that; it really would not do for awkward questions = to be=20 asked. He and his fellows were outcasts; criminals and vagrants. They = had been=20 turned away from the society of their fellows, considered unfit to mix = even with=20 the mountain folk. They had lived in the true wilds for many a year now, = and,=20 from time to time, it seemed only fair and just, to return, and repay = their debt=20 in blood - the villagers' blood. They had been hunting the region for = some time=20 now, unopposed by the remaining locals all of whom were too fearful to = challenge=20 their dominion. It had been a matter of pure chance, that they had been = where=20 they were at the time that the lone stranger had arrived. And it had = indeed been=20 the truth that Rogas had told to Garuda. His fellows would have most = certainly=20 fallen upon him without question, and then killed him out of hand. But = the=20 fellow was no fool, and had now slipped their grasp. But how could the = fool=20 believe that he might remain alive? This was a mystery to Rogas, for = none could=20 survive the mountain storms. They would search awhile but if they could = find no=20 trace, then no matter, they would have their kill anyway. All that would = be=20 required would be to return when the storm had passed; then they could = search=20 the bodies out. The flesh would be well preserved, and they could feast = to their=20 stomachs' content. He could not remember when the pack had first turned = to man=20 flesh to supplement their diet. His only regret was that the hunt would = be cut=20 short, for the aroma of newly hunted meat was unsurpassed. He rallied = his men=20 again, and they set off down into the pass, their lean bodies leaning = against=20 the thrusts of the wind, their eyes blanked by the driving snow. In this = cold it=20 would be more difficult to hunt down a prey, for the freezing = temperatures would=20 dull the sharpest sense of smell to naught.

Alaste thought on the = stranger's words. He could see no advantage to the fellow should he be = lying. It=20 had been his plan to wait out the storm, whereupon they would return to = their=20 course through the pass. If the fellow were deceitful they might come = back up to=20 the surface anyway, there to continue with their journey. And, If there = were=20 truly someone pursuing them, they could not survive for long in the open = under=20 these storms, and must withdraw eventually. Nevertheless, he could not = shake the=20 feeling that his judgement was in some way deficient. The fact remained = he was=20 primarily responsible for their present quandary, and was not prompted = to make=20 things worse. He decided to take a look outside, and see if he could = spot these=20 alleged pursuers. "Wait here and hold him", he instructed the others. = The man=20 was about to protest, but then realised that this was quite fruitless. = It was=20 strange, he thought, that the very people he had been tracking might be = the only=20 means by which he might now survive. How the fates twist and turn, = dictating=20 destiny by their whim! Alaste felt the freezing gusts of air gnaw upon = his face=20 as he came towards the mouth of the cave. He crouched against the rock = wall near=20 the entrance, partly from caution, but also because of the overwhelming = power of=20 the gales, which were now sweeping over the ground. The snow was driven=20 horizontally by the harsh gusts, and tears were running down his cheeks = as he=20 squinted against their brutal buffets. He could see nothing, just a = whiteness=20 that blanketed the whole scene. He remained briefly where he was, the = bitter air=20 urging him with each moment to withdraw into the cold sanctuary behind. = He was=20 just about to turn and re-enter the cavern, there to remonstrate with = this=20 malicious fellow, when a sudden movement caught his eye. He returned to = his=20 previous position and knelt in the cold wet snow, the hard unyielding = rock=20 scraping his knees. Yes. There it was again. A dark shadow moved across = the=20 ground just before him, a body convulsed against the storming winds; = there could=20 be no doubt. So the fellow had not been lying after all! He did not need = to=20 ascertain the intentions of the intruder; he was dressed as a hunter, = and they=20 could be his only prey. Carefully, and moving very slowly, he gradually = sank=20 back into the darkness, his eyes fixed unwaveringly upon the huntsman. = Finally=20 and painfully, he had withdrawn fully, and made haste to rejoin the = company=20 within the cave. "He's telling the truth. There is someone out there. We = don't=20 take any chances. Give me the lamp, Erame. I'll lead. Bring the mules, = but for=20 the sake of the gods don't make any noise. The storm will probably cover = any=20 sounds that we might make, but let's not make a present of our lives to = these=20 fellows". He took the lamp from his daughter and started off into the = darkness,=20 with Erame following immediately behind, drawing the mule train. The = others=20 followed upon her, with both Hesvee and Celarent keeping a good hold on = their=20 prisoner, and then Ferioque bringing up the rump. There was no sign of = their=20 visitor yet, and it took but a few turns of the passageway before all = the blasts=20 and revels of the storm outside had disappeared completely, to be = replaced by=20 the tomb-like silence of the mountain interior. The corridor in which = they now=20 found themselves was quite narrow, but sufficient to accommodate the = whole of=20 the party, if only in a single file. The path declined gently and, as = they=20 passed deeper into the mountain, the air grew steadily more temperate. = In this=20 respect, it occurred to Alaste, perhaps the intervention of the stranger = had=20 been a blessing of some kind. Still! Who knows what lay ahead, and what = perils=20 awaited them in the depths of the earth!

Above them, in the = gathering=20 snowstorm, neither Rogas nor his men had been able to find the = absconder, or=20 anyone else for that matter. The storm was gathering strength steadily = and,=20 despite their disappointment, there really was no choice but to find = cover here,=20 or give up their search and retreat into the valley below. Reluctantly = they=20 turned their backs to the gales, and began to retrace their steps = homeward. As=20 he marched down the slope Rogas again consoled himself with the thought = that=20 they would return in a few hours, and he would have the pleasure himself = of=20 retrieving their frozen bodies from the icy drifts.

They had been = travelling for some time now. The gradient had been shallow, and the way = unobstructed. At Alaste's suggestion they had stopped for a short while = so that=20 more lamps might be unpacked, the better to light their way. They also = used this=20 break to bind the stranger's hands, thus relieving Hesvee and Celarent = of the=20 chore of safeguarding their charge. But Garuda had no intention of = trying to=20 escape, for in one direction lay the mountain beasts, and ahead, the = darkness of=20 the underworld. His people had always feared these regions, and only the = brave -=20 or very foolhardy - would venture into these places. If he had to be in = this=20 predicament at least there would be safety in numbers, he reflected. But = he=20 understood their caution, and knew that he would behave no differently = if he=20 were in their shoes. The best policy for now would be to demonstrate he=20 represented no threat, and that, in the end, he might be trusted. = Surprisingly,=20 it was the woman who addressed him first. "How are you called, sir?" she = demanded. He looked at her somewhat askance. With his people the women = were not=20 so bold in their speech, though they were regarded as formidable = fighters on the=20 battlefield, and the equal of any man in that respect. "Garuda", he = replied.=20 "Very well. I'm Erame. That over there is my father, Alaste", and she = pointed in=20 his direction. He could now see the family resemblance clearly, even in = this=20 poor light. Alaste noticed that his daughter was in conversation with = the=20 stranger, and waved her away, as he himself approached. She looked at = him,=20 hesitating for a moment, before complying with his direction. Perhaps it = would=20 not do to show dissent in front of one who might exploit it, she = thought. She=20 had learned much, both from her father and from his trading practices; = in any=20 negotiation let only the principals speak, the rest to remain silent. = "So, sir.=20 Garuda is your name. First, I will thank you for your warning, though = I've no=20 illusion that it served your interest before ours". Garuda smiled at = Alaste's=20 forthright expression. "You're quite right, of course". "I've a few = questions=20 for you, sir; but they'll have to wait awhile. Are you familiar with = this region=20 at all?" Garuda paused, weighing up the advantages, and disadvantages, = of his=20 possible responses. If he replied 'no', then they might regard his = continued=20 presence to be an unnecessary encumbrance, and dispose of him = accordingly. On=20 the other hand, this fellow displayed a preference for straight-talking, = and=20 this might be the better way to advance his prospects; that and the fact = that=20 they did not look like brigands or cut-throats. "No I'm not. I saw it = only as a=20 retreat. I've no idea where this path proceeds, or what might lie at the = end of=20 it. My people don't frequent these ways. There are stories of what lies=20 underground, and none are happy, shall we say". "Good. In that case we = shall=20 just have to find out for ourselves. We'll speak again later. In the = meantime=20 you shall remain bound, that is until we've determined what to do with = you".=20 Garuda merely nodded, concluding that, at least, he was not to be = disposed of=20 forthwith. His hands had been firmly tied, and a rope further served as = a leash=20 by which he was attached to Celarent, for the latter had been assigned = the duty=20 of his keeper. After a short break the party again set off, with Alaste = at their=20 head, his lamp held before him; thus the companions proceeded deeper = into the=20 mountain.

Briefly we might imagine that some casual observer = could survey=20 the events unfolding on this innocuous planet, seeing them in their bare = entirety. For the participants themselves, quite naturally, it is the = trend of=20 their own lives which preoccupies their individual attention most = directly. In=20 the hearts and minds of those varied creatures, which populate these = lands, they=20 are proportionately happy or sad, scared or at peace, angry or calm, = each=20 according to their predisposition and circumstances. Our lofty and = detached=20 witness might also have caught a glimpse of those poor creatures, as = they=20 burrowed through the earth, pursuing who knows what vague notions might = drive=20 their bodies ever forward; but in this great nexus of things they = counted for=20 little. However, even for one so removed from the mundane - or even = banal -=20 anxieties of these solitary fellows, they could not fail to be moved by = that=20 tumultuous schism, which befell the inhabitants of the under lands. The = surface=20 dwellers carried on with their affairs, going to and fro about their own = petty=20 interests, whilst beneath their feet, in a myriad caverns and caves = hidden deep=20 within the earth, a whole race of creatures had erupted into a boiling = mass of=20 terror and despair. Countless Gaki now threw themselves to their deaths, = hurling=20 their broken bodies into the great pits dispersed about their realm, and = in a=20 thousand cities and towns across the deeps, their fellows' cries and = screams=20 echoed so loudly that it seemed that these might reach to the very skies = above.=20 In those vast caves these pathetic creatures ran hither and thither, = high and=20 low, only to retreat again to the depths, seeking some refuge from a = fear, a=20 terror, which compressed their hearts and souls; a futile endeavour = indeed, for=20 no such sanctuary existed. Far beneath even these cities there arose yet = another=20 race of Gaki, yet unknown to their brethren. They hurled forth, as if = from the=20 simmering mouth of a long forgotten and slumbering volcano, from beneath = their=20 cousins' feet, their terrifying aspect bringing fear even to those their = kin,=20 and binding their dreadful weight to the horror, which was detonating = across all=20 the Gaki realms. Vast mobs flooded the heights and depths of their = world, its=20 long and winding stony corridors filled with the despairing crowds, = madly=20 seeking to escape the nightmare that had lain long quiescent within = their=20 hearts. But now the darkness within had risen, to join the great = darkness=20 without, and the Great Hunger was released; it could not be contained = further.=20 The Gaki hordes surged about the great holes buried within the breasts = of the=20 earth, like a boiling torrent seeking some release from the growing = pressures of=20 an awful cauldron. The writhing torment, which had once been so proud = race, now=20 spun and swirled in gathering chaos, waiting to burst upon the lands = above. Even=20 upon the surface there was some premonition, of a dread desolation to be = visited=20 upon them. All across the face of the world there rose within the hearts = of the=20 surface dwellers a growing discord. It was not so powerful that more = than a few=20 might make mention of it; just a feeling of disquiet, a general malaise, = but=20 easily dismissed for all that. But hidden darkly within their essence, = of both=20 men and women, young and old, a slow and dark dread was unfolding, = breaking out=20 from that seed, which had lain so long dormant within their souls. The = very air=20 itself carried within its heated coils a burgeoning and dark = presentiment, of=20 some unvoiced disaster set to fall upon the human race. And yet within = this=20 drama of anguish and dismay, still this bystander might have turned = their=20 attention again to those two insignificant bands, which even now = hastened=20 through the dark ways of the earth, unknowingly racing to an encounter = that had=20 been predestined, even before this planet had been born. No lesser one = than this=20 might pause, before turning his lordly brow upon some other spectacle, = for it is=20 in the actions of the small and insignificant that lie the future of = worlds; it=20 is the ordinary and mundane, which create the futures of men and Gaki = alike -=20 and perhaps even the gods.

The seer maintained a fast pace as he = drifted=20 along the track towards their destination, anxious that there should be = no=20 unnecessary delay or interruption to their arrival. Melaskkoli found = himself=20 walking alongside iDarii, and this seemed an opportune moment to ask the = fellow=20 what the seer had meant when he had referred to the Cave of Light. "Am I = right=20 in thinking that that's the same place where I first encountered = Gorval?" "Yes.=20 But it's not the only such in our world. They are spread out across the = caverns,=20 but ours is one of the most ancient, or so it's said. It's a holy place, = and=20 none would dare desecrate it. Only the seers are allowed to enter them. = But I=20 think that things have changed now". iDarii fell silent. The Gaki did = not seem=20 inclined to continue the conversation. Just ahead he noted that Gorval = marched=20 alone. He increased his pace, and caught up with the fellow. As he drew=20 alongside the Gaki turned to greet him. "How are you, my young friend?" = "Well=20 enough, I suppose. But I was wondering why we might be going to the = Cave. iDarii=20 has told me something of it - that we shall be safe there. But is this = whole=20 reason for our going there?" Gorval studied the young human carefully. = "You're=20 observant indeed". And then he continued. "The Hunger has gone beyond = all=20 control. You've seen for yourself the consequences. There is no longer = what=20 might be called a Gaki society. Our people have simply disintegrated = into=20 something resembling a mindless creature, as it might called; they are = quite=20 crazed with fear, and driven into such disorder under the sickening = influence of=20 this dark disease. The Council of Seers had met to debate what must be = done, and=20 as a result one of their number was sent to find me, and conduct us to = the Cave.=20 I'm not going to pretend that I know what's precisely to occur, but that = it has=20 something to do with the prophecy. It would seem that that small party = of=20 humans, you remember them?" Melaskkoli nodded, although they had quite = slipped=20 his mind, especially with all that was occurring within the caverns. = "Well,=20 they've been forced beneath the surface. Our scouts report that the = humans came=20 into contact with a renegade band of mountain folk, and now take refuge = in the=20 under lands. If they continue by their present course it will bring them = to the=20 very cave by which you arrived in our realm. The chances of that = occurring are=20 quite infinitesimal, for the ways into the surface world are = multitudinous. That=20 they should choose, nay be obliged, to come by this route, heralds a = conformity=20 to some kind of will, which operates quite beyond our comprehension. = Within this=20 party is the woman who was spoken of in the ancient words; all that we = may do is=20 to try and intercept them. Perhaps they hold, wittingly or no, a = solution to our=20 predicament. If nothing comes of this assignation, then all will be = lost. So far=20 the troubles have not truly seeped out in the world above. But if this = should=20 occur then the last war fought between Gaki and men will appear a = trivial=20 matter, that is besides what might happen now. Many died then, but those = numbers=20 will be far exceeded in any imminent conflict. That's all I know". = Melaskkoli=20 listened most attentively to the Gaki's pronouncements. He continued = walking=20 alongside the fellow, but absorbed deeply in his own thoughts. He could = not see=20 how any act would avert this mounting tragedy. What could a few surface = dwellers=20 - and some Gaki - do in the face of the tragedy that threatened to = submerge them=20 beneath its momentum? "Do we have far to travel?" he asked Gorval "No. = It's not=20 a great distance, not by this road at least. We shall arrive there well = before=20 the humans. The question's more whether they'll find us. The ways = through the=20 mountain are many, and there are turnings that they might take which = will lead=20 them away from us. But the seer seems confident, at least, that they'll = come to=20 us. I don't know myself though". Gorval shook his head sorrowfully. = Indeed, his=20 expression suggested that this last hope was laid upon a flimsy = foundation.=20 There arose then, in Melaskkoli, a desire to pursue his enquiry with the = seer=20 himself. Surely this one must be able to throw a greater light upon = these=20 issues. Gorval caught a glimpse of this impulse in the youngster's = expression,=20 and warned him. "I know that there's much that you wish to ask, and I = hope that=20 you'll accept my poor answers. Please believe me when I tell you that = it's best=20 not to address your questions to my master. If he does possess the = information=20 that you seek he'll be unlikely to impart it to you. There are some = things left=20 better unsaid - and some things left better unknown. You must rest = contented for=20 the time being. This may sound strange from one of my race, but a = surfeit of=20 knowledge might sit ill in your belly". Melaskkoli nodded. "I can't say = that I=20 understand, but I would not dream of breaking faith with you. And thank = you for=20 what you've told me". Gorval indicated that he should rejoin his friend. = Melaskkoli fell back a few paces, and matched steps again with iDarii. = "Well?"=20 his friend asked. "More questions than answers I'm afraid", he laughed. = "This is=20 the way of life, isn't it" agreed the Gaki. The company continued on its = tortuous way up through the roots of the mountain, its encounter with = the future=20 of both races drawing closer with each step.

In the farms and = homesteads=20 of the upper world the pace of life seemed to continue on its unvaried = path. Men=20 and women, and children too, went about their customary affairs. On one = part of=20 this world it was night, and all were abed, disporting within their = dream lives,=20 with bodies resting from their daily labours. Within the hearts and = minds of=20 these the drama of that ephemeral world unravelled within their psyches, = and=20 strange tales and portents floated upwards from the depths of their = being.=20 Visions from other worlds, and the stirrings of what lay deep beneath, = danced,=20 and paraded grotesquely their forms in that somnolent half-light. On the = other=20 half of the planet day thrust its eager form upon the attention of their = fellows, announcing itself in a fanfare of brilliant colours, which = blazed=20 fiercely across the horizons; or perhaps its display more mutely = protested=20 beneath heavy rains, which fell across the face of the skies, to flow = finally=20 upon the earth. Man and beast, in all their varied forms, moved = carelessly upon=20 the skin of this world, with only the deepest stirrings of their = consciousness=20 betraying the anguish that swept the depths beneath them. Within the = cities it=20 was the same. Although those who lived here did not experience the tides = and=20 flows of life so forcefully, yet they were of the same stock and, even = within=20 the limits of their dulled sensibilities there dawned the realisation, = that all=20 things were upon the cusp of change. Here, a man would address his wife = most=20 abruptly, with a temper even unsuited to his nature. There, a child = rebuked=20 would withdraw from her mother, eyes wide with shock and hurt, smarting = under=20 the severity of the chastisement. Then, a dog barking loudly, replete = with the=20 pleasure of living, would receive a brutal blow upon its back, and would = cower=20 quivering to the earth, fearful at such treatment from an otherwise = gentle=20 master. Slowly, rising like a dark tide from beneath the even surface of = the=20 sea, the monsters that inhabited those realms drew closer to the = surface, their=20 gaping maws filled with sharp and unforgiving fangs, eager to seize upon = their=20 prey, and draw them into the darkest deeps, their fins breaking the = surface with=20 the touch of the merest feather, giving few clues to the threat that lay = suspended. And so the world waited, its breath anxiously and unknowingly = held,=20 whilst the storms broke within the under land. They were poised upon the = edge,=20 the very brink of the most profound abyss; and with sightless eyes, = about to=20 step into the void.

They had descended some great distance before = Alaste=20 decided to call a halt to their advance. There had been no sign of any = pursuit,=20 and it seemed unlikely that their pursuers might follow them to this = place; that=20 is, if the stranger were to be believed. So far his information had = proved=20 reliable, and he had behaved most docilely throughout their encounter. = This, far=20 from reassuring Alaste on his conduct, had precisely the reverse effect, = for the=20 fellow's whole demeanour portrayed a man ill at ease with a = subordinate's role.=20 Indeed, he gave every sign of one more inclined to give orders than = receive. If=20 he had not been restrained, and securely, he might yet prove to be an = adversary=20 they could ill afford. But he had shown not the slightest inclination to = regain=20 his freedom; and this Alaste had to question. They had arrived in a = small cave,=20 and there was just enough space for all to sit and rest. As a precaution = Alaste=20 had assigned Celarent to stand guard over their guest, despite the = fellow's=20 apparently compliant stance. It might be that Alaste wanted to signal to = the=20 newcomer that they were not to be taken lightly, or careless. Ferioque = and Erame=20 attended to the mules whilst the remainder seated themselves upon the = floor.=20 This seemed to Alaste to be an opportune moment to question the fellow = further.=20 He had observed his daughter had shown an undue, and even unseemly, = interest in=20 the mountain dweller, and he, it would appear, in turn, in her. He was = eager to=20 ensure that a burgeoning friendship be discouraged now, and the fellow = subjected=20 to a thorough scrutiny to determine his precursors. He made his way over = to=20 where the savage was seated, and was quickly joined by both Hesvee and = Ferioque,=20 who also appeared keen to interrogate the fellow. For his part Garuda = observed=20 the approach of his captors with some trepidation, and readied himself = for the=20 inquisition. He sat somewhat awkwardly upon the floor, his hands still = bound=20 behind his back, and with Celarent's leash still wrapped about his arm. = Alaste=20 noticed the man's discomfort. "I don't suppose there might be any chance = that my=20 hands could be untied?" he asked. "You're quite right. For the time = being=20 there's no chance. Or at least not until you've answered a few of our=20 questions", replied Alaste. Garuda nodded. "Very well. Ask away, sirs". = Alaste=20 looked at his companions before proceeding. "Well, firstly, I should = thank you=20 again for your warning. My last comment upon the matter might have been=20 construed as somewhat ungracious". Garuda again nodded, but smiled at = his=20 interrogator's aside. "Well. You were quite right. It did serve my = interests as=20 well as yours. Perhaps there are other ways in which our aims might = coincide".=20 "Perhaps", observed Alaste. "But first you mentioned that you might be = our=20 friend, and then again maybe not. What precisely did you mean by that?" = Garuda=20 paused. From his more extensive observations of Alaste he had not had = cause to=20 revise his original opinion; directness seemed to be the most profitable = route=20 to take. "Well. In that case I should say that - yes - I was tracking = you. In=20 fact, long before you came into the mountains. I saw you as your party=20 approached from the desert. Or rather two parties, though I lost sight = of the=20 second". The three listeners exchanged glances at this, but there seemed = to be=20 little purpose in explaining Erame's presence; at least, not yet. "And = for what=20 purpose did you track, or hunt us?" Alaste corrected himself. Garuda = noticed the=20 amendment but made no comment. "You are plains dwellers and I'm of the=20 mountains. I would've thought that sufficient explanation", was his = brisk=20 response. "Mm. Very well then. You tracked us, but what of these others? = How did=20 they fit into this plan?" Again, it seemed to be best to frank with this = fellow.=20 And so Garuda embarked upon the tale of his encounter with the = renegades, and=20 his subsequent parting. Alaste, Ferioque and Hesvee listened with rising = interest to his account. It had never occurred to them that there might = be=20 something like a moral law operating for a denizen of this region. The = very=20 speech of the fellow betrayed a level of civilisation that they had not=20 anticipated. Garuda sensed their surprise, and took some pleasure in=20 disassembling some of their expectations, or at least those associated = with his=20 people's mode of living. Whilst the conversation proceeded Erame sat = down to one=20 side, to listen attentively, but remaining quiet herself. Her father had = directed her to repack the mules, mostly in an attempt to distract her = from a=20 further encounter. But she had seen through his ploy easily, and had = merely=20 adopted the raiment of attending to her chores. Garuda looked up as she = drew=20 near, and Alaste caught the gesture. He glanced at his daughter, a frown = upon=20 his face. She blithely ignored both his expression and the hint. Alaste = sighed=20 to himself, wondering where he had gained such a wilful woman as his own = progeny. "So. These wild men... you think that they'll have gone by = now?" "I=20 can't see how they could possibly survive upon the mountainside. I = imagine they=20 believe us dead, and hope to return on the morn to recover their = trophies".=20 "Very well. And what are your intentions towards us, fellow, now that = your=20 allies have fled?" "Be assured that they're no allies of mine", rejoined = Garuda,=20 with a hint of annoyance betrayed in his voice. "Fellows of mine they = are not,=20 nor shall ever such be". "Gently, gently. I'm merely trying to determine = whether=20 you remain a threat or no, that's all", replied Alaste soothingly. The = fellow=20 seemed somewhat mollified, but slightly affronted, at the suggested = association=20 between himself and the savages. "I wish merely to return to my home. = But I'm=20 curious as to why such as you are wandering these mountains. You're not=20 warriors. What business could you possibly have here? And to bring a = woman as=20 well. This seems to me foolhardy in the extreme". Alaste could hardly = disagree=20 with the man's assessment of their present condition. There was = something about=20 him, too, that prompted the belief that his word might be trusted. He = could have=20 betrayed them to the savages; but then again they had mostly to rely = upon his=20 avowal as to their intent. However, Alaste had seen for himself the = creature=20 near the cave entrance, and its behaviour had signified a sinister = purpose, he=20 believed. Finally, to keep him thus snared would be a burden upon them = all. It=20 would be difficult to both guard him, and pursue their own ends here. = "Shall we=20 say for, the time being, that we're explorers, and we've come to these = mountains=20 in pursuit of that knowledge". "Well, I hope that whatever you seek is = of great=20 value. It must be so if you are willing to take such risks with your = lives". "We=20 believe so, but for now we've to consider you. We can release you now, = but only=20 upon your word that you'll not try to do us harm. We're more than you, = and=20 though we may not be warriors, nevertheless our strength is sufficient". = They=20 awaited Garuda's response. The man glanced at Erame as if seeking a clue = where=20 he might stand in her estimation. It was an unconscious movement, and he = himself=20 would have been unable to explain why he looked towards her now. = Undoubtedly she=20 was an attractive woman, but that was not the only reason for his = interest.=20 There was a fascination there, which enthralled him, and yet he could = not=20 account for this allure; something in the lineaments of her face = betokened a=20 memory of the past, an ancient past perhaps. He knew beyond doubt that = he had=20 never met her before this day, for it was quite impossible that their = paths=20 would have crossed. But there was something familiar about her, a warm = presence,=20 one to which he easily responded. There was no reason for these to trust = him, or=20 he them; but whatever else came to be, he sensed a bond, a connection = that went=20 back before recollection itself. Alaste again saw the glance, and = regarded his=20 daughter reprovingly. She, however, was quite oblivious to her father's=20 admonition. Despite her natural modesty she was unable to disguise her = own=20 unaccountable fascination with this fellow. Indeed, if she could have = but known=20 what was passing through this fellow's mind she would have been greatly=20 surprised, for precisely that recognition that he experienced was = similarly=20 occurring within her. Alaste looked around at Hesvee and Ferioque before = returning to Garuda. "Well, how say you, sir? Have we your word on = this?" Her=20 look had sealed his decision. "I give you my word, sir. I'll not seek to = cause=20 you or any of your party harm; indeed, I'll bend my efforts towards the = safety=20 of all whilst I remain in your company. I swear it so". Again Alaste = surveyed=20 his friends. They nodded their accord, as did Celarent, who had drawn = closer=20 during the discussion. He, too, had seen those surreptitious glances = exchanged=20 between this fellow and Erame. He felt a stab of annoyance within his = chest, but=20 he was forced to acknowledge it would be most impractical to continue as = they=20 were. He loosened his hold upon the leash, and swiftly cut the bonds = that=20 secured the man's wrists. Garuda brought these before him, and rubbed = the flesh=20 vigorously, to both restore the circulation, and ease the chaffing, = which the=20 rope had seared upon his skin. "Well", said Hesvee. "Now that we've = concluded=20 this business we must decide upon our next course. Do we go forward, or = do we=20 return upon our path, back out into the open?" The party fell silent, = pondering=20 the question. Hesvee continued. "We can go onwards by way of the pass. = Although=20 those fellows may have retreated from the storm by now, nevertheless it = would be=20 quite impossible to venture there until it has abated. We could bide our = time=20 here awhile, and then seek our way forward in the snows. But at least = it's warm=20 hereabouts". Ferioque nodded vigorously at this point, for he had no = desire to=20 return to that freezing world outside; his recollections of that = experience were=20 all too recent. "Or we could press ahead here. After all, we would have = to go=20 underground at some point anyway. That was our intent". Hesvee's last=20 observation was greeted with a sharp look from Alaste; but it was too = late. "So=20 what you seek lies beneath, sirs?" enquired their guest. There seemed to = be=20 little point in further dissimulation. "Yes. The object of our survey = does=20 involve some exploration in these parts. But we'd planned to advance = somewhat=20 further overground before we delved beneath the earth". "I see. Well, to = be=20 frank, whereas above ground I might have been of some use to you, here = I'm quite=20 ignorant of this terrain. But the storms will eventually subside, and = then you=20 can return to your previous course". It was at this juncture that Erame, = even to=20 her surprise, broke in upon the discussion. "I think we should continue = into the=20 mountain". Her voice and manner betrayed an eagerness, which was = difficult to=20 ignore. "Please Erame....". Her father began to speak, his face = displaying a=20 growing impatience. "No father! Hear me. I know what I'm talking about". = She=20 paused, and her voice fell low. "I mean.... what I mean to say is that = Hesvee's=20 right. And if we remain underground at least we won't fall foul of those = brutes.=20 And this fellow has said that certainly none among his people will = venture here.=20 Surely we can navigate our way here. The path back still remains, and if = we make=20 sure to mark our passage from this point forwards then we can find our = way to=20 the outside if need be. I say that we go at least a little further". It = was then=20 that Celarent spoke up. "Surely we have already agreed that once it came = to our=20 adventures underground it was Ferioque who was to be our leader. Should = not his=20 views be considered?" Celarent was delighted to see the warm look of = approval=20 that he received from Erame. He had to concede that he was more than = slightly=20 motivated by his desire to attract her benign regard ; and his strategy = seemed=20 to have worked. All eyes turned now upon the professor. He appeared = somewhat=20 ill-at-ease to be the subject of so much attention, and, moreover, = disinclined=20 to have the responsibility laid upon his own rather sore back. "It's = true that=20 we would have had to make the descent at some stage. I've been observing = our=20 route, and most especially the construction of this particular = corridor".=20 "Construction, you say?" queried the master. "Yes indeed. I believe it = to be=20 man-made, or should I say, fabricated by someone. Certainly the fissure = existed=20 before, but it's my belief that nature's provision has been elaborated = by man's=20 artifice. The floor certainly seems to have been carved to a greater = regularity;=20 or perhaps its smoothness may be attributed to the frequency of use by = others=20 before ourselves. To be concise, this is no accident of geology but a = path made=20 by creatures such as ourselves, and leading to some specific = destination. I=20 believe that we can follow it wherever it might lead. And it cannot be=20 accidental that it exists here. After all, we're not such a great = distance from=20 our objective, although, and if I'm correct, what we seek must be of=20 considerable dimension". His words were guarded for he had guessed from = Alaste's=20 comment - and dark look - that he was still reluctant that the stranger = know any=20 more than was absolutely necessary. However, this stratagem could not = hold much=20 longer, especially if they did locate what they were seeking; then it = would be=20 quite impossible to conceal the matter. "Well. This is something that = concerns=20 us all. The decision must be made in accord, for none has the right to = enforce=20 his will upon the others. But once the die is cast, then we must follow = it=20 through to its conclusion. Are we agreed upon this?" Alaste looked at = each of=20 his comrades in turn as they nodded their assent. And then his glance = fell upon=20 the stranger. "And you, sir? It's fair that you should take your liberty = as you=20 wish. You may leave or stay". Garuda's face remained impassive as he = spoke. "As=20 I said, I'll remain in your company", but now he avoided looking in = Erame's=20 direction. He was well aware that her father was no fool, and he had no=20 intention of drawing further attention to his interest in her. "Good. = It's=20 decided then. We shall proceed. Who shall be responsible for marking our = way?"=20 "I'll do that", replied Ferioque. "I'll simply mark the wall at = intervals,=20 wherever our course should divert from the main passageway. I shall cut = three=20 strikes thus". As he said this he lifted his blade, and carved three = diagonal=20 scores into the rocky surface. Under the lamplight they showed quite = clearly,=20 their regular formation contrasting cleanly with the natural breaks and = narrow=20 cracks that covered the pitted surface. "We've rested enough. I think we = should=20 still mount a guard. I know that you've told us otherwise but I wish to = take no=20 further chances". Alaste nodded at Celarent, and the duty fell to him. = The party=20 arose as one, and without further delay, resumed their march along the=20 passageway.

In another part of the underworld, and at no great = distance=20 from this small group of humans, the few refugees from the Gaki kingdom, = led by=20 the seer, were rapidly approaching their goal. They had climbed steadily = upwards, rising through layer after layer of quite extraordinary rock=20 formations, the like of which certainly Melaskkoli had never before = witnessed.=20 The grey granite, now sparkling with quartz encrustations, had given way = to an=20 stunning rainbow of colours. Never had a human eye encountered such = sights as=20 these; minerals of such rarity and beauty that Melaskkoli would = frequently=20 pause, entirely hypnotised by the ravishing beauty of this subterranean = vision.=20 The path they followed would intermittently emerge from its narrow = confines, and=20 open up into broader grottoes, which more resembled a fantasy of the = most=20 fevered imagination than the harsh aspect exhibited generally in this = region.=20 From the ceilings and floors respectively, would spring spires, either = rising=20 elegantly towards the roof, or falling perilously, like giant spears = hurled=20 earthwards. Even more remarkable were the vast traceries of rock, which = were=20 composed almost entirely of glittering jewels, that flowed over every = surface=20 like a tapestry woven into the living stone. Melaskkoli had quizzed = iDarii, and=20 was incredulous to discover that nothing of this was the craft of Gaki = artisans.=20 He had observed that his friend still seemed somewhat subdued, and = pressed the=20 fellow as to what might be troubling him. The Gaki hesitated before = replying. "I=20 never had time to talk to my parents". With a shock Melaskkoli realised = that his=20 companion was fearful for his family. "I'm sorry. Gorval hasn't = mentioned=20 anything?" he asked. His friend shook his head. "I can only hope that = they got=20 out of the city. But you saw that mob. They were good parents to me, in = this=20 life, and the one before". There was nothing that he could do but remain = silent=20 as the Gaki tried to compose himself. These people were not given to = strong=20 emotion, unless the hunger was about them, of course. But, nevertheless, = it was=20 obvious the depth to which his companion felt his loss. "We don't know = for sure.=20 We don't, do we?" That was all he could say, and to speak further, he = was quite=20 sure, would only make matters worse. And then he reflected briefly on = his own=20 loss. Since he had never met his kin, or at least had no recollection of = them,=20 he was partly grateful for this fact