- 50: And it came to pass that in the back of his father’s shop Avram beheld a stone image of the Red Dragon cast down upon its face. And the base thereof remained upon a lower shelf; but the head, striking against the stone floor, had broken, and fragments thereof were scattered. And Avram said, “Behold, father, Azul boweth himself unto thee!”And Terah groaned within himself for vexation when he beheld the fallen image, and he went about to set it upright with his own strength. But Avram said unto him, “Father, forbear. Thou art an aged master of stone and canst no longer move as once thou didst.” And Avram bent his knees, and took hold upon the dragon, and lifted it again unto its place upon the shelf. And Terah groaned again when he beheld the damage that was done unto the head thereof. Nevertheless, he perceived within himself a means whereby the value of the image might yet be preserved by a small alteration. And he drew forth a hammer and a chisel from his apron and began to shape the face of the dragon.
- 51: And Avram said, his words being full of scorn, “Surely this is a marvel. All my days have I lived, and never knew that my father was the royal trimmer of Azul’s beard.” And Terah frowned, and made accusation against him, saying, “Avram, it was thou that didst cast it down.” And Avram answered, and said, “I will not accuse myself. Ask of Azul who hath done this thing. “And it came to pass that Terah perceived that his attempt at repair did but worsen the marred countenance of the dragon. Wherefore he cast down his tools unto the floor in vexation; yet the words of his son did trouble him more than the damage itself. And he said unto Avram, “Have I not declared unto thee many times the truth of this matter? Idols are not taken to be the god itself, but are as instruments whereby the mind of the believer is gathered and made steadfast in prayer and in worship. For the weakness of men is great, and their thoughts do wander as sheep upon the hills.” And these were the last words which Terah spake.
- 52: For it came to pass that something within Terah gave way; and he fell suddenly, and smote his head upon the floor, even as the dragon had fallen before him. And it was done in a moment. And Avram hastened unto him, and took him up, and sought to restore him; but straightway he perceived that the living spark was quenched. That which no word can name, which had made him Terah, had departed, and returned not again. And Avram, being a dutiful son unto the end, notwithstanding the many griefs that had passed between them, wept sore for the death of his father. And he bowed his face unto the breast of the dead man, and for a time would not rise up from the floor. And the shop was silent round about him, save for the whisper of the night wind without. Yet after a little season, anger came again and was mingled with his sorrow. And he said, “Father, there remaineth unfinished business between thee and me. And he spake it unto ears that could no longer hear, saying, “Yea, thou shalt not escape so lightly.”
- 53: “In Kemen it was so that the land in one place was as the sky in another; and if the eyes of mortals had been more keen, whether by nature or by artifice, then nothing would have remained hidden from their sight. And in the uttermost south there stood a plateau, nine leagues in breadth; and it was plain unto all who would behold it that forests and lakes were set upon the summit thereof, even as upon many other lands in the hollow world. And men called that land Anshar, and devised many tales concerning it; yet even a thousand years after the beginning it remained untouched by mortal feet, though not by their gaze. And men in every place did behold Anshar when they turned their eyes southward, and wondered what manner of realm might lie thereon. For a sheer precipice of the hardest stone compassed it round about, rising three miles above a broken country of lesser uplands, which themselves stood yet another mile above the plains. And no road ascended unto it, for the walls thereof were steep exceedingly.”
- 54: And thus the great Wall of God was made the more unassailable; for there was a lip of overhanging stone at the very brink of the summit, which no man could pass, though he were furnished with spike and rope, and though he were strong in body and bold in heart. And the melting of the ice had made the valley of the river Dashokel wider than it would otherwise have been, and had left behind it a soil poor and stony, not fit for tillage, though many had labored there to make it so in hope against hope.But Avram was then in the full strength of his youth. And as many among those that dwelt upon the shores of Mori, he was skilled in the casting of small nets to take fish, and was also cunning in the snaring of lesser beasts. And though it was no easy thing, yet it was a thing that might be done: he could sustain himself of the land and of the river, as he journeyed southward up the broad vale thereof, taking such rest as he might find beside the waters, and setting forward again when the light of day returned.
- 55: And in the stony land Avram passed by many orchards that had failed, wherein the trees had once borne fruit in abundance, but now stood barren, as though the blessing had been withdrawn from them in days long past. Now from Shalem, and from the southern shore of the Sea of Mori, the flat summit of the Mountain of God is lifted somewhat into view, by reason of the curvature of the inner face of Kemen, even as the ordering of the world requireth. But if a man journeyed far enough south, unto that place where the valley was straitened and answered more nearly unto the course of the river, then the tabletop land of Anshar was hidden from below, and could no more be seen by the eyes of men. And from the place where Anshar became hidden Avram turned himself, and faced toward the north; and he beheld afar off the island city of Shalem, and the edge of the sea of Mori creeping upward into the heavens, as though land and water alike were drawn toward the vault of the world.
- 56: From Shalem, and from the southern shore of the Sea of Mori, the flat summit of the Mountain of Ayat is lifted somewhat into view, by reason of the curvature of the inner face of Kemen, even as the ordering of the world requireth.But if a man journeyed far enough south, unto that place where the valley was straitened and answered more nearly unto the course of the river, then the land of Anshar was hidden from below, and could no more be seen, neither by direct sight nor by reflection upon the waters. And from that place Avram turned himself, and faced toward the north; and he beheld afar off the city of Shalem, and the edge of the sea, as it were creeping upward into the heavens, as though land and water alike were drawn toward the vault of the world. And it came to pass that the river was divided above a great cataract, which Avram called Doughty Falls, because of the strength of the water and the unceasing labour of its descent, which neither season nor stillness could diminish.
- 57: And by chance he followed the eastern branch thereof, for it seemed unto him to lead toward the Mountain of God, even as did the western branch. Nevertheless, the path which he took did turn aside continually unto the east, and led him into the foothills round about, where the land was broken and uneven, and where many narrow valleys answered one unto another in confusing wise. And Avram perceived not at the first that he had gone astray, for ever and anon the summit of the Mountain of Ayat appeared again before him through gaps in the hills, seeming always near at hand, though in truth it remained far distant. And the stream which he followed was parted again and again, until it came unto its beginnings in marshes and still ponds where ducks did gather, and reeds grew thick about dark waters that scarcely moved. And the ground thereabouts was soft beneath the feet, so that Avram sank often into mire, and was constrained to go warily lest he lose his footing altogether.
- 58: Yet even there the bulk of the Mountain of Ayat remained afar off in his sight, rising above the lesser hills like a thing apart from all the lands beneath it. And Avram lost three days in this wandering, ere he returned again unto Doughty Falls. And his store of dried fish was diminished thereby, and his garments were made foul with mud and torn by briars. And he called the high hill which divideth the western and the eastern branches Deceiver Ridge, because it had misled him in his journey, and had caused him to labor in vain. And it came to pass that through much of the autumn season Avram labored his way upward against the river, and made but little progress from day to day. For oftentimes he was cast into the cold waters, or was constrained to press his way through thick brush upon steep slopes that were cut by the stream. And at times he must climb upon wet stones beside the cataracts, clinging with both hands lest he be swept away by the violence of the current.
- 59: And when night came upon him, he kindled a small fire among the rocks, and wrapped himself in skins against the bitter cold that descended after the waning of the light. And he beheld there the Mill Storm in the midst of the waters, and remembered the days of his youth, when his father had directed his gaze unto that place. And Terah said unto him at that time, “Seest thou that wide expanse of blue? That is Mori, the greatest sea in Kemen. And behold, there are always clouds in Kemen, and they come and pass away with the changing of the airs; but that round cloud is the Mill Storm, and it departeth not. And from the earliest days the sailors of Kemen have hearkened unto the command of all the gods, that they draw not nigh unto the Mill Storm. No captain hath dared to steer his ship so near, that the circling mist should cause the land and the sea to vanish from the sight of the watchmen. And when neither shore nor heaven may plainly be discerned, then great fear falleth upon the hearts of all mariners.
- 5A: And it is held as a firm decree among the people that if any captain command his crew to enter into the Mill Storm, it is just cause that they rise up against him, and cast him into the sea. And it is a settled matter of law that no crew returning unto port without their captain shall be punished, if it be shown that such a command was given. For the folly of entering into the Mill Storm is accounted a yielding over of ship and crew unto destruction. But in latter days, when revolution was stirred up in Kemen, many of the ancient laws were cast down. And reason was exalted above custom; and in the fullness of time there were found men sufficient to man two ships. And these sailors were willing to set at nought the decree of all the gods, that none should enter into the Mill Storm upon pain of the forfeiture of life. For the fear of divine wrath had grown weak among many peoples in those days, and old prohibitions were accounted by some to be but chains laid upon the minds of men by their forefathers.
- 5B: Peradventure they thought within themselves that none of the gods had regard unto the lives of mortal mariners. And there went abroad among them tales of an unknown country which lay in a calm at the midst of the Mill Storm. For they said that no tempest could endure forever in one place unless it compassed about some fixed thing. And it was whispered among the sailors that a hidden isle lay there, which the gods had prepared long ago for the delight of their chosen priests; a fair land, yet veiled, abounding in gold, and rich with fruit, and never lacking in game of choice. And they said that the divine prohibition was but a cunning falsehood, to keep that land from being defiled by common men, and that the priests of the old temples had long possessed secret knowledge concerning the way thereto. And the two ships which were commissioned by the revolutionaries of the Saiph League were named the Will o’ the Wisp and the Fire of the Covenant.
- 5C: And they were stout vessels, newly provisioned, and furnished with many instruments for the measuring of winds and waters, according to the wisdom of the latter age. And a multitude gathered upon the quays to behold their departure, some in mockery, and some in wonder, and some in dread lest the wrath of the gods should be made manifest before all the people. And it came to pass that when the sky of Kemen was no more seen, by reason of a thick white mist that covered the Mill Storm, some of the older sailors murmured in fear; for the ancient taboo was deeply rooted within them. And they ceased from idle speech, and watched continually for signs and portents within the waters and the mist. Nevertheless, certain of the younger men mocked, and made light of their dread, boasting that they would soon behold the hidden land and return laden with treasure. And it came to pass that a gentle wind, and a shallow current of the sea, did bear the Fire of the Covenant steadily toward the midst of the Mill Storm.
- 5D: And the circling mist closed round about the ship, until the sea itself seemed without bound or direction, and neither land nor sea could plainly be discerned by the eyes of men. Yet the weather was mild, and gave no sign of the peril that was named thereof. But when darkness fell, a weathered watchman that stood upon the highest mast cried out with a great voice, saying that the water before them was bent and turning; and behold, there was in the sea a great pit that did whirl and draw in all things round about it. And the captain made signal with lamps, that he would beat to windward and turn aside. But Captain Skulldagger, who commanded the Will o’ the Wisp, changed not his course until it was too late. And it came to pass that the crew of the Fire of the Covenant did tack with filled sails, and came about many times, striving with all their might; and with great labor they escaped. But the current had already taken hold upon their sister ship; and her strength was not sufficient to withstand it.
- 5E: And the men of the Fire beheld the Will o’ the Wisp as she was drawn in, and did incline and descend into the bottomless maw of the waters, and was seen no more among the living. And long did the ship fall, being in part borne within the waters of the sea, and in part through the open air. And a continual wind did break the water into many globes; some were as the head of a man, and others as a great house. And fish did yet swim within those spheres; and when all the provisions aboard the Will o’ the Wisp were consumed, or had drifted beyond their reach, these fish became the only sustenance of the doomed. And as they fell, the dark underside of Kemen was made manifest above them like unto the inner face of a great mask, which withdrew itself slowly from their sight into a terrifying and empty whiteness. And the wind scattered the globes of water, driving them far apart; and with each passing day they diminished and were consumed, until none held living fish, and the water thereof became corrupt.
- 5F: And the men were brought low by hunger and by thirst, and they took counsel among themselves concerning the slaying of one another for meat. But when they were driven at the last unto that extremity, their strength had already failed them. They could do little save utter faint cries, and pass from the living one by one, each according to the remnant of his strength. But they learned that death was not the end. For it came to pass that the crew were given new bodies, unmarred by wound or by scourge. And they looked upon Kemen from the very brink of the Wall of God, standing upon the edge of three miles of sheer stone, which no living man hath yet ascended. And the sailors tarried upon that height, and heard voices borne upon the wind, by a strange turning of sound against the great face of the precipice. And they walked continually along the rim thereof, hearkening, if peradventure they might hear the voices of those whom they had loved. And some did hear them; and unto such it was both sweet and grievous.
- 5G: And as time went on, the dead perceived that they were forgotten of their companions, and even of those most dear unto them, sooner than they had desired. And those men who had been of great renown in their life heard their names the longer, and therefore tarried the more; but the lowly discerned the truth more quickly, and turned away. And after many days, all the dead save one departed from the brink of the precipice, and came unto a narrow lawn that lay behind it. And there they abode, waiting upon a destiny not yet declared, for the heralds of Ayat spake not unto them concerning their end. Nevertheless, one among the heralds said, “Great gifts are made the sweeter when they are revealed in their fulfillment, and are not spoiled by hasty tidings.” All this did Avram’s father speak on the fate of the human soul. But if Avram would deal truly with his own soul, he must needs confess that he had not fully considered the end of the path whereon he had set his feet, when he departed into that far country.
- 5H: For did he suppose within himself that Ayat would yet seek to send him unto Earth, and would lift him up, as in his father’s tale of the sailors in the Mill Storm, whether in the body or out of the body, unto the very rim of the Wall of God? Or was it rather that he yielded himself unto death, that it might come upon him at the hand of Ayat in judgment, because he had refused the call of the princess? And it came to pass that after two days more Avram found that the river had grown strait, even unto a swift white stream, which might in places be crossed by leaping from stone to stone. And he perceived no sign that any man or wan or len had ever walked the course of the Dashokel in its uppermost vale. And there he passed beneath canopies of vine-maple, thin and tangled as a spider’s web, and between great stones covered with ferns, even boulders of a size as houses. And he found many fallen trunks lay rotting upon the ground, out of which there sprang mosses and young trees nourished by the decay thereof.”
- 5I: And there was a space of a quarter mile wherein the stream had hewn for itself a chasm through unbroken stone, so that Avram was constrained to turn aside. And the walls of that cleft were steep and dark with continual dampness, and the waters thereof could be heard beneath like a hidden thunder, though scarcely seen from above by reason of the narrowness of the place. And he came unto a place which he named Boulders Junction; and there he found a rude track, meet only for two legs or four. And many great stones lay scattered thereabouts, as though in former ages some violence of water or of ice had cast them down from the heights above. And the track crossed the Dashokel by means of two fallen logs, laid one against another and shaped by many strokes of the axe into a narrow bridge. And the wood thereof was grey and weathered by long seasons of rain, yet still sound enough to bear the weight of a man. And Avram judged within himself that it had been in former times a wood-road, but was now diminished.
- 5J: This was the first sign of the working of men Avram had seen for many days. And in certain places the old way might yet be discerned beneath roots and fallen needles, though grass and moss had overgrown much thereof, as if many years had passed since any foot had trodden there. The remnants of ancient labors lay half hidden amidst the wild growth, where stones had once been set in order beside the path, or trees cut back from its borders. And Avram went up by sharp turnings and steep ascents until he came unto a high and unbroken plateau, where ferns of the height of the knee did cover the ground, and there were set here and there small groves of oak, and maple, and alder, and young fir. And the land was open in that place, and cool winds passed over it continually from the heights above. And the clouds drifted low across the plateau at times, casting broad shadows upon the fern-covered ground, and filling the groves with a soft dimness as though the place stood midway between perception and memory.
- KK: And Avram marveled that so fair a country should lie hidden upon the shoulders of the Mountain of God, beyond the knowledge of men. And many birds moved among the groves, and small creatures fled at his passing into the undergrowth; yet no sound of axe, nor of herdsman, nor of any habitation came unto his ears. For the place seemed wholly withdrawn from the dominion of mankind, as though it had endured unchanged since the first days of Kemen. And Avram turned aside from the path, and went directly toward the Wall through the wild growth, until he came unto a tangled maze of the paths of small beasts. And a pool that lay at the foot of the highest cataract which Avram had yet beheld marked the end of the waters wherein fish might be taken. And he saw them no more above that place, for the violence of the descent suffered no creature of the river to pass farther upward. Yet Avram went up still higher, until the last glimmering of the Lake of Fire was cut off by the overhanging brink of the Wall of Ayat.
- 5L: And the shadow fell upon Avram suddenly, and the air became colder, and filled continually with mist. And he came even unto the face of the cliff, and beheld how the uppermost waters of the Dashokel cast themselves down in a misty fall many times higher than the stream which he had followed below, appearing now but as a slender thread of water. And it came to pass that Avram espied a rough way, which ascended behind the cataract by many turnings, even by countless windings, which seemed not to have been made by the hand of any living creature. And the path appeared wholly natural, as though it had been wrought by the wearing of the waters and by chance alone; yet unto the keen eye of Avram it failed not at any place, but continued without breach. And he perceived within himself that no such way could truly have endured by chance through so many turnings upon the face of the cliff, and therefore he took courage, and believed that some guiding intelligence had prepared it in ages long before his coming.
- 5M: And a thousand years had passed since Dimai and Hawa were first brought unto Kemen; yet no human eye had beheld that place before Avram, for he was the first that ascended the river Dashokel unto the north face of the Mountain of God. And many among men had declared the thing impossible, saying that no mortal strength could prevail against the height thereof, nor against the cold and the waters that descended continually from the high places. And as Avram labored upward upon the cliff, he was continually drenched, and sore with cold. And his garments clave unto his flesh, and his hands were numbed, so that oftentimes he could scarcely keep hold upon the wet stones before him. And by reason of the mist that beat upon him he could kindle no fire; neither was there any direct light of the sun to give him warmth, for the season of autumn was drawing nigh unto winter. And the winds that descended from above carried with them a bitter chill.
- 5N: And it came to pass that, when he had gone up six thousand paces in height from the foot thereof, Avram feared within himself that at the last he was overcome. For the Wall of Ayat was there cloven by the cataract; and the river ran in a channel down the face of the rock, and no path could be found. For the falling waters filled it continually, and the stone itself was worn smooth by their passing. And Avram stood long in uncertainty, seeking whether any foothold might remain hidden amidst the torrent, yet finding none. And the abyss beneath him was terrible to behold, for the mists parted at times, and revealed the distant rocks far below, where the river cast itself down in white violence. But in former times Ayat had made a narrow way about the bulging of the cliff. And the path was revealed to Avram, who called it the Catwalk. And it was dry beneath his feet, which was a great mercy; yet it was no more than a pace’s width, so that even a small misstep might cast him down unto his death.
- 5O: And in certain places the outer edge thereof was broken away, so that he must press himself flat against the stone as he passed. And the Catwalk turned back again toward the waterfall; and Avram was brought unto yet another ascent of many windings, even fourscore turnings, beneath a continual downpour. And the mist gathered and ran upon the stones of the path in little streams; and he was constrained to leap over them with the greatest care, lest he should fall, even a full league in height. And it came to pass that after a time Avram perceived that the rain had lessened, and was become a light drizzle. And the roaring of the cataract grew fainter behind him, so that at length he heard only the sound of the wind and the faint running of water among the stones. And when he had gone up thirty turnings more, there was no rain at all. And the river fell now in a single unbroken stream. And when he came unto the brink of the falls, he beheld how the river had cut a deep cleft in the Wall of Ayat.
- 5P: And as Avram went forward, the walls of the ravine grew ever lower, and were clothed with a mingled forest of conifer and leaf-bearing trees, which thickened as the river rose upward by steps of pools and chutes. And Avram was weary, even nigh unto death; yet he said within himself that if he lived to declare it, his ascent might be worthy of a song. There the land rose no farther, and a lake of meltwater lay compassed about a great heap of ice that itself was the size of a small mountain, blue in its deep places and white above, with many cracks and groanings heard within it when the air grew warm. And this was the very source of the river Dashokel, which afterward descended through many lands and nourished distant peoples who had never seen the place of its beginning. And between Avram and that lake there stood a great house, fair and wondrous, builded of wood and of stone and of glass, and fashioned after the manner of a bridge; and the newborn river passed beneath it.
- 5Q: And the windows of the house were broader and clearer than any Avram had beheld among the habitations of men. And smoke arose not from it, neither did there appear any stable, nor storehouse, nor field of tillage round about, so that the dwelling seemed unto him a thing apart from all mortal custom. And it came to pass that between Avram and the house there stood the blank white avatar of Ayat, even the Husk whereby she had first gone forth to explore the Earth. And though it bore the likeness of a man in shape and stature, yet there was no breath visible within it, nor any movement save when Ayat herself willed it. And the face thereof was smooth and without feature, causing fear and wonder to strive together within the heart of Avram. And she stood in silence upon the right bank of the stream. And Avram fell upon his face in reverent prostration. Yet apart from his will there came upon him a great weakness, even unto a near swoon, by reason of the exceeding toil of his ascent.
- 5R: And Ayat waited with long patience until Avram stirred again; for she knew that his going up had been a deed of renown, even unto the uttermost bound of that which a world-dweller might accomplish. For none among mortal men had ascended unto Anshar before him, neither had any endured so long a labor against the Mountain of God and prevailed. And when Avram again stood upon his feet, Ayat spake, saying, “Shalemite youth, I am Ayat, co-eval with Avyah and Azul and Imran. I bid thee welcome, thou first of the world-dwellers that hast come unto Anshar. What is thy name among thy people?” And he answered and said, “I am Avram, son of Terah and Amathlai.” And Ayat said, “Come, let us go within, that we may speak together of many things. For thy journey hath been long, and thy spirit is wearied within thee, though thy resolve hath not failed.” And it came to pass that the house was in design but a single chamber, with a small alcove above a place of cooking, wherein Avram might sleep apart, if need be.
- 5S: And the walls thereof were smooth and pale, hewn from the quarries with great skill, and fitted together such as to awe even his father. And there were vessels and instruments set in their places with great orderliness, though Avram could not discern the purpose of many among them. Yet there was no other living soul of man upon all the plateau that Ayat had named Anshar; and Avram was uttterly alone with her. And a strange unease came upon him for a little season, for he perceived that he had passed beyond the habitations of his own kind, and stood now among powers ancient beyond reckoning. And upon the lower level were cushions, and a table of glass, wrought with great skill; yet Ayat had no need of any cushion. And she seated her Husk upon the stone floor, that its head might be level with the man. And she said unto him, “Wherefore art thou come unto this place, Avram son of Terah?” And Avram answered and said, “While my father yet lived, he related unto me a tale from a book which he held to be sacred.
- 5T: ““And the tale concerned two ships which defied the commandment of the gods, and sailed into the heart of the Mill Storm. And only the crew of one ship escaped with their lives. And my father said that the shades of the slain sailors were taken here unto Anshar, even unto the rim of the Wall of God, and there given new flesh. And he told me likewise that all the dead are made to live here in Anshar for a season, before they pass on unto a fate yet concealed.” And Ayat said unto him, “I may easily bring thee unto the edge of Anshar; yet I assure thee that I know nothing of the shades of men, neither shalt thou behold any, for the dead are hidden from the knowledge of the Watchers.” And Avram said, “Then my father awaiteth me not here, neither as a shade, nor as a breath, nor in any body made anew; but is departed utterly, beyond all calling back.” And Ayat spake, saying, “By the Old One death is appointed unto mortals, Avram, and none may turn aside the decree thereof.”
- 5U: “Avram, I perceive the desire that stirreth within thee, perchance for a second life more excellent than the first; yet life without end would in the end become a thing of dread, and a burden upon the spirit greater than thou canst now conceive. Thinkest thou not so?” And Avram answered and said, “Yea, Lord; for I begin to perceive that which thou hast spoken is true, though it be heavy to the heart of men.” And Ayat said, “Peradventure the Old One hath made some matter of this known directly unto world-dwellers; but if it be so, it hath not come unto the knowledge of the Watchers, neither hath it been set down in the records of the Elohim, nor spoken openly among the councils of the high places.” And Avram said with some puzzlement, “The Watchers, Lord?’ “And she answered and said, “That is the name whereby we Elohim call ourselves: the Watchers. Azul and Imran name men their slaves; but I call you Students. And contrary unto the Litany of Creation in your father’s book I made not thy kind.”
- 5V: “For I found your forebears living in another world than this; and it was the greatest discovery that ever we have made. For world-dwellers are as the beasts in part; yet are ye also awake in full measure, even as we the Elohim are awake. And it shall come to pass that ye shall be revealed unto the other Elohim. Yet Azul and Imran do ever contrive to bring about your destruction. And when ye are revealed unto the other Elohim in the days to come (and I assure thee that this thing shall surely come to pass) it shall uncover their many transgressions. For both have strayed into the Forbidden Way.” And Avram spake again, saying “Another matter hath brought me unto thee, Lord. Two years past, Sar Lailah came unto the shop of my father, and in thy name did offer to send me unto the other world. And she showed forth a token, even a weapon such as had not before been seen in Kemen, whereby it was made sure that she spake not vainly. Nevertheless I turned aside from the princess, and clave rather unto my father.”
- 5W: And Ayat said, “I perceive it. Thou hast labored to come hither, thinking to receive punishment at my hand, because thou didst refuse me.” And Avram answered, “If it must be so, Lord.” And Ayat said, “There shall be no punishment for the man who chose rightly. Yet now thy father is dead, and thou art come; therefore I will set the offer before thee again with mine own voice. Azul hath placed bounds upon me; nevertheless he cannot hinder me from teaching. Shall I instruct thee in this house, and trust that thou canst receive it? I have found a better way; yet I will not compel thee to enter into a trial.” And Avram said, “What is this thing, Lord?” And Ayat answered, “Thy identity as Avram shall not be taken away; yet my memories as a living star shall be added unto thine; and thy memories, as of a young man in Kemen, shall be added unto mine. And my will shall be made manifest in thy mind continually; and I shall behold Kemen and the Earth through thine eyes.”
- 5X: “And thou shalt be unto me a living avatar; yet shalt thou remain free to act, and together shall we confirm our union from moment to moment. Nevertheless thou must know this beforehand: the changes that are wrought upon thy body, once they are come to pass, cannot be undone for so long as thou livest.” And Avram said, “After I am changed, Lord, shall my appearance be altered?” And Ayat answered and said, “Not so, Avram. All the changes shall be within thee. Thou shalt become as Sar Lailah, having power to set aside pain according to thy will. And thou shalt remember in a better manner. For thy mind is as a vessel filled with wine; and the new vessel shall be of greater measure, yet the former wine shall remain therein. And when the vessel itself is broken that wine shall not be poured out upon the ground as it befell at the death of thy father. And I cannot plainly declare unto thee how thou shalt live on as a living star, for thou hast not seen a star, nor have stars entered your most unbound dreaming.”
- 5Y: And Avram asked, “Then will I live forever?” And Ayat answered, “Nay, Avram, not for ever. For even the Elohim partake of the same final end as all other living things; yet we endure for so great a span that I cannot set forth the measure thereof unto thee. Neither could I make this matter known unto the wise men of Shalem; for thy people have not had cause to consider such vastness of time.” And it came to pass that Avram arose from the cushion, and went to gaze without the house, pondering the words Ayat had spoken through her Husk. For they had power to change his life; yea, he deemed they had already begun to do so. And Avram perceived within himself that those whom men named gods were yet still subject unto the ordering of nature. They wrought no true magic, neither were they without end; but in the fullness of time they also must pass away. And Avram was silent a long space, weighing all these words within himself, and trembling not for fear only, but for the strangeness of the things spoken.
- 5Z: For he considered how a man might be changed and yet not be made another man, and how memory might abide in altered measure, yet not be lost. And fear came upon him, for he understood that if this thing were done, then never again should he be wholly as he had once been. Nor could he foresee what manner of being he might become in ages yet to come. Yet neither did he desire to turn back. For the hunger after hidden things had ever dwelt within him, even from his youth. And he said within his heart that a short life spent in ignorance was no great treasure. And after a time, the spirit of the wanderer and the seeker prevailed within him. And he returned, and knelt again before the whote avatar of Ayat, and said, “O Great One, let it be according to thy word, this union of eloh and world-dweller. I am willing to receive it. Yet think not that I seek only to delay mine own end unto a time beyond reckoning. Rather, let us be joined, that together we may come to know many things which are new unto us both.”
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Terminal Cruise 