- 30: In due time the sons of Dimai and Hawa grew unto the years of their strength, when it is meet that they should take wives. And Hawa came forth again from the tunnel, and with her she brought a young woman taken from the Earth; and straightway there joined her the presence of Ayat, in the form of her white and featureless Husk. And though this form was less dreadful than the red terror of Azul, yet was it exceedingly strange to behold, being smooth and without countenance, like unto carved bone made living. And Hawa sought to comfort the new woman, speaking softly unto her and giving assurance that no harm should come unto her in that place. Then Ayat led the woman first unto Kayin, the firstborn of Dimai, who was in the field gathering the increase thereof. And Kayin, seeing the presence of Ayat, bowed himself and brought forth of his harvest the fairest fruits, offering them with reverence. But the woman regarded them not, and turned away her face, for the offering pleased her not.
- 31: Then Ayat brought her unto Hebel, the younger son; and he was by the fire, preparing the flesh of a great beast, and dividing it with the axe which had been given unto his father. And Hebel also bowed himself before Ayat, and offered unto her a portion of the meat upon a stick. And Ayat received it, and placed it into the hand of the woman; and she did eat thereof eagerly, being drawn by the savour and by the hidden impulse within her, which inclineth the fertile unto the scent of blood and iron. And it came to pass that Ayat, according to the ordinance set beforehand by her Father, took the hand of the woman and placed it into the hand of Hebel, joining them together by the terms of the trial. Thus was the first pairing accomplished in Kemen under the covenant of proving, and the will of the higher powers was wrought through the appetites of flesh, and the judgment of men proceeded from that which they desired. And Kayin departed from the presence of his brother in great wrath.
- 32: Yet for a season he restrained the outward sign thereof, and set himself to labour, that his anger might be hidden. And he took of the vines that grew in that land, and with cunning of hand braided them together, making a cord long and strong. And it came to pass, when the lake of fire waned in the heavens, that Kayin paused and beheld the woman as she adorned herself without; and Hebel came forth from his dwelling to lead her again within, yet cast back a look of pride and contempt toward his brother. And in the morning Dimai and Hawa brought forth garments which they had made for the wife of their younger son, and they clothed her; but unto Kayin they gave no regard. And Kayin likewise set not his heart upon his father nor his mother, but continued in the finishing of the cord which he had begun. And all that day Hebel and his wife made sport one with another openly before him; yet Kayin answered them not, but looked on with a quiet countenance, until his work was complete.
- 33 Then he rose up and departed alone by the narrow way which led from the dwelling, even the only safe path that went out from the place. And he went apart, and there taking counsel with himself concerning a new thing in Kemen that might be done. And at the going down of the light, Hebel and his wife walked forth idly upon the same path, departing from the dwelling. And when they were come unto a certain place, Kayin, who had prepared the matter beforehand, drew upon the cord. And the whip-tree, which he had set and bound for that purpose, was loosed from its hold, and fell upon them with great violence, and smote them again and again, beating them into the ground; and in the first strokes their bones were broken, and the fragments thereof were driven inward, so that their life was undone within them. And their blood issued forth, and their cries were heard for a moment, and then ceased. And the tree stayed not its striking until Hebel and his wife were no longer to be known as the living children of men.
- 34: And Dimai and Hawa, hearing the cries, ran swiftly along the path to see what thing had befallen; and when they came upon the place, they were stricken with great horror at the sight thereof. And Hawa could not endure to look, but turned aside and retched, for the destruction was grievous beyond telling. And it came to pass that the avatars of Ayat and of Azul drew near unto that place soon after; and Kayin stood there, the end of the cord yet in his hand, and he regarded them all with a hard countenance, neither bowing nor seeking to hide that which he had done. And Ayat would not behold the judgment of her Father upon this first shedding of blood in Kemen; therefore she withdrew her presence. And her vessel departed from that place, and returned unto the opening in the wall of the dwelling, and from thence passed again by the hidden bridge between the worlds unto the hillside cave upon the Earth, where first she had encountered Dimai and Hawa in the days before Kemen was made.
- 35: And Ayat came not again into that world in all the days of Dimai and Hawa, nor in the lifetime of Kayin, nor in many generations that sprang from them thereafter; for she had turned her face away from that great work, and left it to unfold according to the covenant that had been set. And it came to pass, upon the Earth in the place of the hillside cave, that the likeness of Azul, even the red dragon, drew near unto Ayat, who had withdrawn herself from Kemen; and he spake unto her, saying: “How greatly instructive was that which we have seen of men; dost thou not agree?” Then answered Ayat, whose countenance was veiled but whose thought was not: “The end of the trial was contained already in the beginning thereof; for the outcome followeth the conditions which thou didst appoint, which thing the Elohim will not fail to discern in the day of judgment.” And Azul said, Nevertheless, thou hast rendered unto me all the smallholders which I required; therefore will I fulfill that which was promised between us.”
- 36: “Lower now thy vessel, O Daughter, for it is not meet that one such as thou should fall prostrate as the lesser beings do. And forget not the covenant which thou hast sworn: thou shalt listen only, and not inquire. Thou shalt put forth no question unto the City of Stars, neither openly nor in secret, as thou hast supposed I have done.” Then did Ayat incline her Husk, and set it upon the summit of the nameless hill; and Azul took his place beside her, his form vast and terrible. And for a moment they regarded together the land that lay before them. And Azul spake again, in a tone less hardened than before: “I do envy thee this world, O Daughter. For among such worlds as may be brought into being this is a glorious one, rich in life, unlike any that lie within my own dominion.” And it came to pass, even as Azul had forewarned her, that the entering-in unto the Pleroma was as a flood without shore; and the multitude of utterances among the Elohim was exceeding great, so that it overcame her at the first.
- 37: Therefore the vessel of Ayat remained unmoving upon the summit of the hill; and there it abode through the turning of many seasons. The winds beat upon it, the snows covered it, and the beasts of the field touched it without fear; yet it stirred not, neither gave sign, for her attention was withdrawn into the hearing of the Great Assembly. Now a day came to pass in Kemen that Azul did lay command upon the children of Men, saying “Build ye up strong storehouses, and compass them round about with walls; and fill them with victual, and with fuel in abundance, that your lives perish not, neither the lives of your beasts, against the great frost which is prepared to come upon the land.” Nevertheless, only the people which dwelt in the land of Adan did give heed unto the oracles of the Red Dragon; and they set their hands diligently unto the labor which was appointed unto them. And a mighty forest of gopher-trees was hewn down, and the timber was was laid up within the garners, to be as fuel against the cold.
- 38 But behold, many there were who mocked the counsel of the Red Dragon, and did deride the people of Adan, laughing them to scorn, and esteeming their works as foolishness; and their laughter was loud in those days, and filled the land. And it came to pass, in an hour which no man looked for, that the Lake of Fire was abated; yea, its radiance did wane, and became dim and sullen, insomuch that it gave neither light sufficient to dazzle the eye, nor heat to warm the flesh. And thus there fell a winter upon all Kemen, even a night of exceeding bitter cold, without measure; and it seemed unto the hearts of men that no dawn should come thereafter. Then did the people of Adan shut fast the gates of their strongholds, and made them sure against all that might come upon them. And it came to pass on the morrow, that a great multitude of those who had scoffed came up against them, their hearts being turned unto fear; and they did compass the walls round about, and assailed them in their desperation.
- 39: Nevertheless, the defenders stood upon the ramparts, and withstood them with steadfastness; and they prevailed not against the walls thereof. And ere the second day was ended, the strength of the assailants failed; and they were overcome of the frost, and perished. And their bodies were laid low beneath the new-fallen snow; yea, and with them perished the greater part of all that dwelt in Kemen. And a great silence spread abroad in the land, even the silence of death, which covered the face thereof. And it came to pass that when Ayat beheld these things, her wrath was kindled within her as a sudden flame; and she turned herself upon Azul, and the air round about them trembled by reason of the force of her voice. And she said “Hast thou broken the covenant, and brought our proving in Kemen unto its end? Behold, all that goeth upon two legs, and all that goeth upon four, liveth not beyond the walls; for all lieth silent beneath the frost!” And Azul answered her, and he said “The purpose standeth revealed.
- 3A: “Thou hast seen it how the faith of the world-dwellers burneth bright for a little season, even as dry tinder newly kindled, and then is spent, and falleth away swiftly into unbelief. There was iron in the voice of Ayat, and she said, “Wherefore must humankind bow themselves unto the errant wills of such as appoint themselves gods, if they are to prove themselves just? What righteousness is there in such a trial?” And it came to pass that Azul turned at the last, and his countenance was stern; and he said, “If thou canst not discern how far above these creatures we stand in the order of being, even as they stand above the beasts which they nourish for their sustenance, then was it in vain that speech was granted thee among the Elohim!” And Ayat spake again, more softly; nevertheless her words did not waver. And she said “A day shall come, when even the City of Stars shall be surpassed by the world-dwellers.” And Azul answered her again; and there was a hardness in his voice, though he lifted it not.
- 3B “Here, at the least, shall they not overtake us. No warning will I give, when next Imran bringeth the frost upon Kemen; for even the Adanites, whether faithful or no, shall perish.” And Ayat answered him straightway, as one that had already pondered his saying. “Yet forty storehouses in Adan do stand for a witness, that the world-dwellers may remain faithful unto thy decrees, even under thy caprice. This will I set in order in the record at thy tribunal, which surely shall come.” And Azul’s gaze wavered not, and he said “The Adanites alone remain loyal unto me, and this only because I speak unto them face to face. For were I to turn from them even for a little season, they would dwindle swiftly into unbelief.” And Ayat said unto him, and there was a sharpness and a clarity in her voice “Then is it thine own doing, that they have come to reckon thee not as a god, but as a chieftain among them.” And Azul turned himself fully toward her, and said, “Wilt thou prove this saying, or leave it as a naked boast?”
- 3C And when Ayat spake again, her voice was more steady, yet her resolve was not diminished. And she said, “Thy hour is come, my father. For as I have labored to establish thy dominions in Kemen, even so must thou now lend thy strength unto the proving which I shall set in motion upon the Earth.” And Azul’s brow was darkened, and there was in him a measure of inquiry; and he said, “What wouldst thou that I should do?” And Ayat said, her gaze being yet set beyond the frozen reaches of Kemen, “Grant unto me one of the Adanite high kindred, even one of a bold and venturous spirit.” And Azul made answer, and there was scorn in his voice: “What high kindred? For even before the frost, the race of Men was ordered but little beyond their scattered households.” And Ayat said, “This shall not endure. For upon the Earth, dominion passeth in lines of blood; and one house falleth, and another ariseth to take its place; yet the pattern abideth.” And Azul said unto her, “Wherefore must thy chosen be of such a line?”
- 3D Ayat answered, “Because such a one is instructed in rule and in bearing, and is made ready to lead; for a following which is begun by the unlettered is soon broken.” And Azul regarded her for a space, and said “And this following, what wilt thou make of it?” And Ayat said, “I will set apart a people unto myself upon the Earth.” And he said, “Have I not sought to do the like in Kemen, through many years?” Nevertheless Ayat answered him, saying, “Upon the Earth will I not speak unto them as thou hast done. My voice shall not guide them from day to day; once in each year will I answer a priest among them, and make my will known by a sign which shall be seen openly, whether it be for a blessing or for a curse.” And it came to pass that Azul held his peace for a time. Thus was the covenant established between them. And Ayat knew that, for a season at the least, there should be no sudden nor unheralded destruction of frost loosed again upon Kemen, until the time that her priest should be raised up.
- 3E And it came to pass that from the first day wherein Ayat brought the living things of the Earth into Kemen, Azul did set his heart to study them, and he ceased not from that labor. For he perceived that the life of the world-dwellers was wrought according to a hidden ordering; even a subtle craft written in chains too small for the eye to behold, whereby were fashioned the least of their working parts, and from these did the greater forms arise. And thus did he discern also the manner of inheritance among the children of Men that a child receiveth of the mother a chain made mingled and various, but of the father a chain whole and unbroken; and this thing appeared unto him of great use. Therefore did Azul choose the father’s portion for the vessel of his design. And therein did he set the new workings which he had devised, that they might pass on unweakened from generation to generation, and be not scattered nor diminished with time. Nevertheless, in the course of his trials a hindrance was made manifest.
- 3F Of those that were thus altered, none endured to be born save the daughters of Men; with the sons lost ere they could draw breath. And Azul conceived within himself a design, even that he would bring forth a race of thralls, bound unto him alone. And he made them insensible unto pain, lest under torment they should betray his secrets unto his adversaries. But behold, herein was a ruin not foreseen; for being without fear of hurt, they took no heed unto lesser wounds, and the first generation of the Made did perish oft before they had seen twenty years. Therefore did Azul alter them again, and he wrought upon their flesh a swift restoring; that their wounds should close with speed, and that bones should be knit together within the space of a single day. And he strengthened them also against venom and the great plagues which at times passed through the land. But it came to pass that the Made might yet be slain by the severing of the head, or by fire, or by thirst, or by long imprisonment with no sustenance.
- 3G Nevertheless, in all lesser harms their bodies did not fail them; for their bleeding was stayed almost ere it was perceived, and neither blade, nor bolt, nor arrow did cause them to falter. And it was spoken in Kemen that even the rumor of a single company of len sent forth was sufficient to still rebellion before it began. Yet behold, in the very perfection of these things there was a hidden cost; for that which caused a lan to mend swiftly did also render her barren. Thus the Made did not multiply after their kind, neither did they suffer the passing of age. And great wealth was laid upon them, and long continuance of life; yet thereby did life itself become ever more precious in their sight, insomuch that even their endurance was as a possession which they would not willingly lay down. And it came to pass that there arose a turning in Kemen; and the Nephiloth, at times called the Made, began to draw back from the foremost ranks in war, when Azul sent them forth into battle.
- 3H: And they were no more as thralls, but became a burden unto those who had rule over them. For the greater part of the Made fled from the fields of war, and gathered together in the ringhouses of Elendal, which were set far apart within a deep forest. And there they dwelt in scattered halls. And so great was the cost of pursuing them that the armies which were sent against them did consume themselves in the taking, and found but little gain. And it came to pass that when Azul beheld these things he repented that he had stretched forth his hand to meddle with the ordering of the world-dwellers; and from that time forth he made no more of the Nephiloth. And it came to pass that Avyah also took thought concerning this matter, and she would not suffer the work to remain undone, and she amended the works of Azul. Yet she granted them not the endurance of unending life, which had been given in the first shaping of the Made. And in those days there arose in Shalem Anela, who was accounted the last of the Made.
- 3I: But Anaela was also the first of the Jan, and the forerunner of all the Elyonoth. And Anela did bear wings of feathers, and not of skin; yet neither the wings of the len nor of the jen in those days were sufficient for flight, but were as tokens of their being, and not as instruments whereby they might ascend. Thronging within the stone walls of Shalem, the people gave themselves unto rejoicing; for the harvest was great beyond memory, and the days of feasting were named among them as Hellberry Days. Yet it came to pass that, even as their celebration was lifted up in fevered gladness, there arose a disturbance in the heavens above the city; and behold, a white husk, vast as an engine of war, descended into the midst of the central place of gathering. And it was borne upon five flames of white fire; and the sight thereof struck dread into all who beheld it. And a roar went forth with its coming, such as rent the air and scattered the multitude in terror, so that none abode where they had stood before.
- 3J: And it came to pass that the first among the Shalemites who returned unto that place was not of the warrior caste, neither of the elders of the judicial council, but Kar Melchizedek himself; for he was constrained by the weight of kingship to bear a semblance of fearlessness before his people. And the blast of the descent had torn away the fabric of the great pavilion and cast it far across the city; yet the king stood where he had halted, though at a prudent distance, and he drew not nearer. And it was said that Melchizedek had curiosity concerning the thing which had come among them, yet not so much as to desire burning. Wherefore he held his ground, neither fleeing away nor drawing nigh. Then spake the clear voice of Ayat again, and it came forth from the white husk through her avatar, saying Kar Melchizedek, if thou wilt, draw near. And the king of the city obeyed her voice. And it came to pass that as Kar Melchizedek drew nigh, he beheld that the white husk rested upon five subordinate pillars.
- 3K: The underbelly of the large central was lifted to the height of a man’s shoulder above the ground. And beneath this opened a round hatch, which fell outward upon a hinge; and upon the inner face thereof were carved narrow steps, as though prepared for ascent within. And the voice of Ayat came again, saying If it seemeth good unto thee, Shalemite king, enter herein. Then Melchizedek pressed himself between the smaller pillars, which were quite warm, and looked within; and behold, he saw that the central pillar was hollow and narrow, yet filled with a clear light. And along its inner walls were set many ribs even as handholds and footholds for ascent. And he went upward, until the hollow widened at its summit into a greater chamber, wherein were cushions laid and windows set, through which might be seen the world below. And it came to pass that from that height he beheld how few of the Shalemites dared draw near unto the husk as he had done; for fear held them fast, and they stirred not from their places.
- 3L: Then spake the great voice again, “I am Ayat, co-eval with Avyah, and Azul, and Imran.” And she spake in the voice of a man, even as she had done before. For Kemen was filled with a tradition that named Ayat as the son of Azul rather than daughter; and in the customs of Adan wen were set apart for the service and pleasure of men . And Ayat knew that to reveal herself as female among the Elohim would bring confusion upon the king’s understanding. Moreover, the difference of sex among the living stars was of no account in a hollow world wherein no man could behold the heavens above them. And it came to pass that Melchizedek, finding himself seated upon the rim of the central shaft, perceived that there was no space within the chamber sufficient that he might cast himself prone, nor grovel in any manner; for the fashioning of the hollow suffered it not. The curvature of the floor, and the narrowing ribs thereof, constrained his motion, so that he might only sit or brace himself with his hands.
- 3M: Nevertheless, despite this, every instinct of reverence pressed upon him as a tide that could not be withstood. And he said, “Let my Lord command me.” And it came to pass that Ayat answered him, and said, “Kar Melchizedek, I tell thee Kemen existeth by reason of a dispute between myself and Azul. It is a field of proving, wherein are tested the nephiloth, and also the men and wen of the Earth.” And Melchizedek said, “What is the test, my Lord?” And Ayat replied The test of Azul is obedience, without remainder. But I seek one thou wouldst account an apostate, one who holdeth the carved images of the gods in contempt, and yet holdeth in greater contempt those priests that speak in their stead.” And Melchizedek said, “Let thy servant understand, my Lord.” And Ayat answered him, “It must be a man that feeleth himself estranged within this world, as though it were but a shadow or a figment, for in truth so it is. He must hunger for another world which is the true source of all that is here perceived.”
- 3N: “I seek one that yearneth to serve the God who reigneth alone over that other realm.” And Melchizedek said, “And if I find only wen or len that bear such a heart?” Then the voice of Ayat was softened, though it was not abated in authority, and she said, “Alas, Kar Melchizedek, few in Kemen will hearken unto the voice of a wan, even when she speaketh truth concerning what I would have them come to know.” And the king said few would listen even to the voice of a man if no sign is given. In reply Ayat said, “Upon the bulkhead thou shalt see a thing like unto a black short staff. Take it into thine hand.” Then the king reached forth within the confined space, and took the thing which was shown him; and it clave but lightly unto the inner surface of the vessel, as though it had been set there for ease of removal. And Ayat said, “This is Windgate, which in thy tongue is called Shahar Haruach. Think not that thou wieldest it alone; for thou shalt but lift thy hand, and Azul and I shall bring the work to pass.”
- 3O “And Windgate shall serve for thy candidate, even as this Husk hath served thee; for it shall give visible assurance that the word which thou hast heard is no phantasm, but proceedeth from a true authority set over Kemen, and over the matter of thy proving.” And Melchizedek said, “Lord, shall I set aside my royal duties to accomplish thy will?” And Ayat said, “Thou remainest king of Shalem, as ever. I commanded thee not to enter my Husk, neither do I command thee to undertake this search. Yet I require that the search be made. Therefore delegate it unto a trusted lieutenant, or unto one of thy household, according to thy wisdom.” And he said “Yea, Lord.” And Ayat spake again, and her voice bare the weight of things not yet unfolded. “The contention between myself and Azul hath come unto a moment of great import in the history of Men. Therefore the search requireth discernment of one that is fit to rule Shalem.” And the king was much pleased, and he said, “One worthy to rule Shalem, sayest thou?”
- 3P: “O how Happenstance smileth upon us both, my Lord. For of late my daughter Lailah hath been remiss in her duties as princess of this city; yet her spirit is indomitable, of this I speak not falsely. Even thou, O Lord, wert thou to behold her, wouldst marvel, and confess that such a one as Sar Lailah is seldom found among the daughters of men.” And Ayat said unto him, “Peradventure my chosen lieth even now beneath thine eyes, in the guise of thy daughter. Nevertheless, in this season the people will not hearken unto her voice.” And Melchizedek said, “Then may I send her forth upon all Kemen in my stead, to seek this one who shall become a teacher?” And Ayat answered him, “Thou mayest give thy daughter Shahar Haruach, and lay upon her the charge of the quest. Only this is required: that the one she seeketh be male. Moreover, I will set this same husk at her disposal, that she may pass between any two places in Kemen within the space of less than an hour.” And the king said, “The Lord is gracious.”
- 3Q: Sar Lailah of Shalem, and Hash Bodea, her sole attendant, disembarked from the Husk of Ayat in a clearing deep within Shaula Forest. And embers upon the charred ground yet simmered long after their descent. And it came to pass that upon the morrow the Husk was taken up into the First Heaven again by Ayat herself. And upon the right bank of the Tirol River did Lailah employ the Windgate to fell and shape the gopher trees that were nigh at hand; and therewith they built them a raft. And the travelers bare with them sufficient food to sustain their search, and much gold also, wherewith to trade among the inhabitants on the way for such provisions as they should consume. And from the clearing it was thirty swift leagues downstream unto the roaring of Blue Veil Falls, which passage was a great hindrance unto their way. And there did Lailah and Bodea abandon their first raft. Thereupon they built another more meet for the waters below the cataract, fashioning it from timber that grew beneath the falls.
- 3R: In the next stage of their journey they were borne through mighty rapids, such as even the locals accounted unrunnable. And when they had passed safely beneath the white waters, they drifted into a stony desert, wherein no water was found save that of the river itself, which carried them onward without ceasing. And along its banks they beheld ponderous beasts, and riparian farmers likewise, who durst not draw near unto the passing raft. The part of Kemen through which they traveled proved far warmer than the country about the city of Shalem, which lay in the sea of Mori. And Sar Lailah and Bodea learned, to their disquiet there is no accustomedness unto great heat as there is unto the ignoring of foul odors; for the body learneth not indifference, but only endurance, and that unevenly. And so they took unto themselves a certain philosophy of necessity that if the weather of Kemen could not be altered, then there was no wisdom in lamentation. Nevertheless this brought them little comfort, nor yet ease.
- 3S: And it came to pass that they sojourned for a full season in the city of Sessai, dwelling in a chamber for hire, and by day they walked the narrow streets thereof. But in all the quarters of that great city they found no man having those hidden qualities of worshipful infidelity which Ayat had set forth in her charge unto the king of Shalem at the beginning of their search. And from Sessai the princess and her ever-faithful attendant rode overland unto Murzi Bog, where the river Minin slowed into marsh and silt-islands before it came unto the sea; and there also they found no answer. And they searched likewise upon the beleaguered settlements in the war-torn Isle of Danya, and found nothing. And from thence they took ship along the coast road unto the city of Medon. Yet again was no man found who met the measure of Ayat’s intent. At length they came unto the market of green Tannedi, where the Gudrun Road divideth westward toward Shalem. And there they overheard two men contending in a loud dispute.
- 3T: And Sar Lailah learned the name of one of the men, for his father cried it aloud in anger, and it was borne above the noise of the market. And it was so that Avram dwelt a nomadic life upon the range-lands round about; but his father dwelt within the town itself, where he kept a small shop. And upon the sign that hung above the door thereof was written the name Terah. And Terah sold therein things pertaining unto the worship of the four gods of Kemen, and of the manifold demigods besides. But Avram spake unto his father, and said, “Father, thou cuttest down the cedars which Ayat planted. Avyah sent rain to water them. Imran made the Lake of Fire to shine upon them. Thou growest cold, and with a portion of thy firewood thou raisest a blaze to warm thyself and bake thy bread; yet with the remainder thereof thou carv’st an image of the Red Dragon, and bowest thyself before it. Azul! Thou givest adoration unto the one god who had no part in the provision of the wood itself. Why Azul? Because he is thy god.”
- 3U: “And wherefore is he thy god? Because he was the god of thy father Karnebo. So praise be unto Azul, and contempt upon the others.” And Avram bowed upon one knee, and mimicked the posture which his father oft assumed. And he said, “Thou bowest thyself before this image of wood and criest, ‘Azul, deliver me from this cold season.’ Yet it entereth not into thy mind that this deaf and dumb block of wood, which thine own hands have carved, is a vain thing and without truth.” And Terah said unto him, “Do not play the fool. Behold there the image of Amathlai. Thinkest thou that I take it to be truly thy mother?” And Avram held his peace, and answered not a word. Then Terah continued, saying, “These images do no more than direct the heart and mind along paths of devotion.” And it came to pass that while Terah yet spake, Lailah and Bodea entered into the shop, and began to behold the racks of idols set forth upon display. And for a moment the father and the son kept silence in the presence of the strangers.
- 3V And when they had made a full circuit of Terah’s shop, Bodea began to lay forth much gold upon the edge of the shop that faced toward the street, and she set it openly there, as though she intended to purchase the whole thereof. And after the gold was set forth, five men of violence crossed over unto the little shop, bearing swords in their hands. And one of the men of violence cried out, saying, “Stand away from the gold. Both of you, and depart quickly.” And Lailah answered him, saying, “Suppose we do not?” And she suffered her black feathered wings to be unfurled, so that it was made known she was set apart from mortal wen. And the men of violence said unto her, “Then will we take thy heads, and have the gold also. Immortal thou mayest account thyself; yet if thy head be severed, thou shalt die even as any other wan.” Then Shahar Haruach drew blood for the first time in Kemen. By a motion of perception deeper than her conscious thought, Sar Lailah quickly judged one among the thieves to be their leader.
- 3W: And she smote him once; and a clean aperture was made through the midst of his body. And even Lailah herself was astonied at the uncontainedness of that which cometh of wielding Shahar Haruach. A second man fell, and his head was severed in sudden protest. And the blade of a third was taken, and consumed even unto its hilt, as though the weapon itself had accepted it into its own substance. And it came to pass that the three which yet remained among the robbers turned and fled, and returned not again, and Lailah pursued them not. Then Bodea said, as she beheld the aftermath, “Last year in Shalem the order of things was reversed; for we were they that overawed the customers, and took unto ourselves their gold.” And Lailah answered her, “I think I made common cause with the Fallen Angels only that I might draw the attention of my father; for he seemed much preoccupied at the time.” And Bodea said, “Then verily the design hath succeeded; for his Majesty hath taken notice, and behold, here are we both.”
- 3X: While they yet spake Terah fell upon his knees, confronted with that which he took to be embodiments of his own carved demigods. But Avram remained standing. And he drew somewhat nearer unto Lailah, as one that judged she had somewhat to declare unto him; yet he offered no fearful obeisance, but rather there was in him a countenance of disgust toward his father for having done so. And this alone confirmed in Lailah’s mind the worth of Avram as a candidate for that which Ayat had set before her father. And Bodea said, “In the name of Ayat, Lord of Heaven and Earth, I bid thee go forth from thy father’s kin, and dwell in the other world. Upon Earth shall God make of thee a great nation. There shall Ayat multiply thy bounty beyond all measure and thy name shall become great among men.” Then Lailah took up the second portion of the recitation, and said, “Ayat shall bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee. Mortal men and wen in every place and time shall receive great blessing through thee.”
- 3Y: “These are the words of Ayat, Lord of all the Earth.” Then she said unto him, “What sayest thou unto all these things, Avram son of Terah?” And Avram looked directly into the eyes of the princess, and said firmly, “Nay.” And it was some little time before Sar Lailah comprehended that which Avram had spoken. And she said unto him, “Knowest thou who I am?” And Avram answered, saying, “Thy face is known unto many, Your Highness, though my father, I think, hath never beheld the daughter of Kar Melchizedek.” And Lailah said, “Well spoken, Avram. Traveling with me is Hash Bodea. Together we have crossed the breadth of Kemen, over land and water, and even through the air, seeking such a man as thou art. Thus was I commanded by my father, for Ayat spake unto the king face to face, and laid this charge upon his house.” And Avram nodded, and he lifted Terah to his feet, and held him gently in his arms. And he said Sar Lailah, “I admire thy desire to do well in the eyes of thy father, and I wish thee well therein.”
- 3Z: “But my own father is infirm of body, and he earneth not enough to sustain himself and my mother.” And Avram made a sign unto one without the shop. Then he turned again unto Lailah and said, “As I love mine own life, I can in nowise turn aside from my father for all the days that he is a wayfarer in Kemen.” Then Avram fulfilled the purpose of his coming, and a servant brought forth two living lambs out of Avram’s own flock, the one for slaughter and for meat, and the other for sale, that Terah might purchase the necessities of life until the next season when Avram should come up from the open range. And Terah received the gifts of his son with sincere words of gratitude. Then Lailah nodded in full understanding, and she helped Bodea restow the gold. Lailah took great care not to tread upon the fortress of human dignity which Avram had asserted by his refusal, which dignity she judged to be wholly just. And in all her journeys across Kemen, Sar Lailah found no man at all who was remotely like unto Avram.
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