- 70: In the public square at the center of the island city of Shalem there stood about Sar Malphas a ring of eleven priests of the city, would-be Eyes of Azul to a man, armed alike and clad in cloaks of scarlet and black. And above him there was lifted a black banner embroidered with the device of the city of Adan, which moved to and fro upon the sea-scented wind. And a great multitude was gathered in the square, both merchants and sailors, and laborers from the quays, and women bearing children in their arms; and many stood upon the roofs and balconies round about, desiring not so much to hear the proclamation of the prince as to witness the spectacle of him daring to make it. And Sar Malphas lifted up his voice and said, “Hear now, ye dwellers of Shalem, the utterances of the Red Dragon. For Lord Azul speaketh against the upstart prophet, falsely so called, even Avram son of Terah the stoneworker, this worker of petty wonders, whom the people in their blasphemy have newly named Uriel the Father of Light.”
- 71: “And thou, Uriel, lowly shepherd of the fields nigh unto the city, thou humble man sprung from mortal stock, hast declared before the people that thou art joined unto the deathless god Ayat in body and in spirit. And thou deniest the station appointed unto thee from thy birth, which is the estate of mortal men whose blood hath no portion with the holy kindred of the gods. Therefore doth Azul pronounce upon thee the uttermost penalty: thy life is forfeit unto any willing hand that shall take it from thee, O son of Terah. For thou hast caused the people of Shalem to believe a great falsehood, even that the strength and might and craft of immortal beings may be distributed unto the death-afflicted sons of men!” And this also did Lord Azul speak against his own son: “Ayat! For thy inheritance was all Kemen created. Yet this false prophet Uriel dareth to proclaim before men that he is joined unto thee in one flesh and one spirit. And unto this very day he yet receiveth no rebuke at thy hand.”
- 72: “Every hour wherein he continueth alive, and spreadeth abroad his dark falsehoods among the people, addeth further unto thy transgression. Behold, Ayat, thou art cast out from the assembly of the gods, and cut off from among the Watchers. Thou shalt die as any mortal among the world-dwellers of Kemen, and thy name shall become a reproach. Even the vilest among the Made, dwelling in the scattered Ringhouses of Elendal, shall gnash their teeth for bitterness when they hear thy name spoken. And thy great tower within this city of Shalem is declared forfeit unto the priests of Azul.” And when these words had been spoken, there arose a great tumult among the people. Some cried out in fear, and others in anger, and many were astonished that such accusations should be proclaimed openly against one numbered among the Elohim. And a company of wen styled the Fallen Angels pressed their way unto the forefront of the multitude, clothed in travel-stained garments of leather, and bearing staves in their hands.
- 73: And the voice of one among them was heard to cry: “The king hath given thee no leave to utter such things in the heart of his city! How darest thou arrogate unto thyself the authority to pronounce doom upon a subject of His Majesty Kar Melchizedek? By what decree dost thou claim our Great Pillar in the name of a god strange unto Shalem?” And many among the gathered crowd murmured in agreement, for the Great Pillar of Ayat had stood long above the harbor of Shalem. And Sar Malphas answered and said, “I dare more than this, overweening maid; for I come in the name of my father, even Emperor Rimmon himself, and I utter the words spoken unto him by the mouth of the Red Dragon. Therefore take heed how thou contendest against me.” And the Fallen Angel answered and said, “Thou camest not in deputation before Kar Melchizedek, according unto the custom of kings and cities. Neither art thou known unto any in Shalem by sight, save only unto this gathering of self-exalting priests that compass thee about.”
- 74: “And nothing testifieth that thou art a prince indeed of Adan, save this weather-worn banner which any pretender might have had wrought in secret by his mother’s hand!” And the people that stood near gave ear unto these words, and certain among them laughed openly, for the speech of the wan was bold. Then Sar Malphas was greatly angered, and answered sharply, saying, ““And all the while thou and thy companions stand there, clad as concubines among brigands of the hills. What sayest thou concerning thine own warrant, O wan of Shalem?” And the Fallen Angel replied, saying, “What I say of myself mattereth little. Yet this I say unto thee: I shall bring thee into the house of my father, the silver-shod and gold-crowned sovereign ruler of this city, as thou shouldest have done from the beginning, before thou didst utter such proclamations in the public square.”” And indeed it came to pass that after no great while Sar Malphas was brought into the presence of Kar Melchizedek within his inner hall.
- 75: And there attended the king only his daughter, the princess Lailah, and certain silent servants who stood afar off beside the walls. And the chamber itself was modest in adornment, neither filled with singers and harpers, nor crowded with courtiers according unto the manner of great kings. And the lack of ceremony escaped not the notice of Malphas son of Rimmon. And he perceived within himself that Melchizedek desired not to contend openly in the sight of his own subjects, lest shame or discord should arise within the city by reason of the words of Azul. And Lailah, who, it was said, delighteth in tumults, wore no garment befitting a princess, but remained clad in leather after the manner of the soldiers of Shalem, with a short blade at her side, and Shahar ha-Ruach lashed upon her back. And Sar Malphas regarded this as a deliberate insult offered in the court of her father. And the prince said within himself: Very well; if they cast such barbs, then shall barbs be returned unto them in equal measure.
- 76: And Sar Lailah came forward to the appointed distance from Kar Melchizedek, and bowed herself upon one knee in accordance with the custom of the city. Yet Sar Malphas remained standing, and would not abase himself before the king. And many among the king’s servants perceived that insolence came easily to the prince, though none spake openly thereof. And when the king bade Lailah speak, she answered and said, “My father and liege-lord, this young man, Malphas by name, declareth himself to be a prince of the Imperial City. And he uttered calumnies this day in the Plaza of the Great Catch, whereof Hash Bodea hath doubtless already spoken in thine hearing. Yet no heralds attend him, neither any company of imperial couriers, but only certain priests of our own city, men whose loyalty inclineth more toward Adan than toward Shalem and thy throne.” And Kar Melchizedek gave ear unto her words in silence. Yet he chose not to rebuke Malphas for the breach of custom wherein he had refused to kneel before the throne.
- 77: And after a little while the king answered and said, “I know of one young son of the Emperor who beareth that name. Yet such a one hath never journeyed abroad from Adan, neither was leave granted unto him to make proclamation within Shalem. Nevertheless, that leave I now grant. Therefore speak plainly, Sar Malphas, and declare the cause of thy coming.” And Sar Malphas answered and said, “Sire, were I but the son of a lowly stonemason, like this Uriel who maketh mischief among men and troubleth the peace of the realm of Lord Azul, even then should I possess warrant to make proclamation within Shalem.” And the king said unto him, “How so?” And Malphas answered, saying, “Sire, I am made the very voice of the Red Dragon before men. The Emperor himself hath sent me hither, and I bear the utterances delivered unto him from the very mouth of Azul, for the telling of things that shall be. And this city yet lieth, though uneasily, within the wide-pathed inheritance of the House of Dimai, Father of Multitudes.”
- 78: And Melchizedek regarded him steadfastly, and answered, saying, “My daughter preserved thy life by bringing thee hither with haste; knowest thou this? Or did the priests whom thou hast suborned persuade thee that the people of Shalem would stand idle whilst a foreign prince uttered blasphemies against Ayat in the hearing of the multitude? And had thy father, even Emperor Rimmon himself, come unto Shalem in thy stead, yet would he possess no authority to pronounce death within my city, neither against shepherd nor mason nor any son of the common people. Neither could he reconsecrate the Pillar of Ayat according unto his own pleasure. For these things pertain unto the authority of the throne of Shalem alone. The giving of the scepter is without repentance, save only by defeat in war. And no king ruleth here by sufferance of the Dragon, but by ancient right and covenant.” And Sar Malphas said, “Then, sire, at the least I counsel thee that this Uriel be restrained with fetters, if not condemned to death.”
- 79: But Kar Melchizedek answered him calmly, saying, “Not in haste, O Voice of Azul. My daughter Lailah holdeth this teacher in honour, and moreover she putteth many of his teachings into practice, which thing gladdeneth my heart in a manner which I cannot easily declare unto thee.” And Malphas was troubled by the words of the king, and replied, “Sire, the doctrines favoured by thy daughter that are sown among the people tend toward rebellion against the divine order. Verily, they multiply throughout the land as corruption spreadeth through an open wound. Even now the river of pilgrims flowing unto Shalem, seeking absolution from ritual impurity, is said to diminish greatly. The priests of this very city have confessed unto me that they are constrained to demand twice the former offering for their services, because the multitude of supplicants faileth from season unto season.” And when he had spoken thus, the king regarded him with a countenance wherein pity and cold amusement were mingled together.
- 7A: And suddenly Sar Malphas perceived the purpose for which Melchizedek had ordained this audience to be held in private, apart from courtiers and captains and the hearing of the multitude. For no applause could be won there, neither could any stirring of the crowd lend strength unto his speech. And the words which had seemed mighty in the public square aforetime sounded hollow when uttered in the stillness of the chamber. And Kar Melchizedek said, “I shall hear Uriel with mine own ears, and afterward judge for myself whether his teachings truly disturb the peace of Lord Azul.” And Malphas answered quickly, saying, “Have a care, Melchizedek! For I assure thee that my father will not delay even five heartbeats to bring this city, thus set in disorder, into subjection!” And the princess was astonished; yet not by the rash and threatening words of Sar Malphas, but rather by the deadly calmness that still rested upon the countenance of her father after so grievous an indignity had been spoken in his hearing.
- 7B: But Kar Melchizedek arose from his seat with great composure, and there was neither haste nor anger in his movements. And he said unto his daughter, “I commit the remainder of this matter wholly unto thee. Remember always that in the days to come thou shalt rule Shalem in my stead.” And Lailah bowed her head, and sank again upon one knee before the king, saying, “As thou commandest, my father.” And when the king had departed from the chamber, Lailah regarded the prince for a moment in disdainful silence. Then she drew forth Shahar ha-Ruach, and smote with it against the corner of a great stone table that stood within the chamber. And the weapon uttered a dreadful hissing, and passed through the stone as though it had been but soft bread set beneath a knife. And the severed portion of the table fell heavily unto the floor, and brake apart where it landed. And Sar Malphas cried aloud above the noise thereof, saying, “Cursed be thy weapon! In the name of Azul let it never again be noised in all Kemen!”
- 7C: And in that instant Shahar ha-Ruach became but a lifeless black staff in the hand of Lailah. And she stood speechless in bewilderment, her lips parted in astonishment at the thing which had come to pass. And Malphas laughed bitterly, and said, “Thinkest thou that Uriel alone worketh signs and wonders among men? This weapon was the gift of one with authority over matter, fashioned by the very hand of Ayat in ages past. Yet never was it suffered that thy father should place so terrible a thing into the grasp of his wilful child.” But Lailah recovered more swiftly than Malphas had supposed. And the astonishment faded from her countenance, and she answered him in a steady voice, saying, “A horse shall be given unto thee, together with comestables sufficient for thy journey unto the king’s garrison, which standeth thirty leagues northward upon the road to Adan. Thou knowest the place of which I speak?” And Malphas answered, “Yea.” And Lailah said, “I shall send orders unto the commander thereof by thy hand.”
- 7D: “Abide thou there, Sar Malphas, until such time as my father hath heard Uriel preach with his own ears. Thereafter shall a messenger be sent concerning the will of the king. Yet hearken well unto me, son of Emperor Rimmon. Shouldst thou ever again return unto this city, take heed that thou do so at the head of a mighty host.” And Malphas answered, “Princess, in this matter thy counsel is sound. Thy father is foolish enough to give ear unto this common keeper of livestock, and thereby bring the sore affliction of war down upon his own city and people.” And straightaway Lailah sought out her lieutenant, the hashmal named Bodea, whom she had commanded to seek diligently after Uriel, and to follow him whithersoever he might go within the bounds of Shalem. And at the time of her last report, the man was teaching among the winding habitations of the city, in those narrow quarters where the streets crossed one another in confusing wise, and where multitudes of the common people dwelt nigh unto the harbor.
- 7E: When Uriel perceived the princess drawing near, he stretched forth his arms in greeting and said, “Your Highness, thou seest that I accepted at the last the calling laid upon me by Ayat, though in mine own appointed season.” And Lailah answered, “In what manner was this received by Ayat?” And Uriel said, “She honoreth the House of thy father for the faithfulness shown in carrying out the errand entrusted unto him, and moreover voweth to render recompense in due time.” And Lailah answered him gently, saying, “I desire not to intrude upon thy griefs; yet from the manner of thy words I can only suppose, to my sorrow, that thy father hath passed from among the living.” And Uriel said, “Indeed he is dead, Your Highness. More than a year hath passed since the day of his death.” And Lailah bowed her head in token of sorrow, and after a time she said unto him, “Teacher, I pray thee accept the hospitality of the servants at the house of Bodea within this city, for it standeth not far from this place.”
- 7F: And Uriel went with Lailah through the winding streets of Shalem. Yet his adversaries were not far distant behind him, for many desired continually to hear his words, whether for belief or for accusation. And when they had entered into the house, Bodea permitted even those who opposed Uriel to come within also. And certain among them entered gladly, if only that they might listen further unto the speech of the teacher, and seek occasion against him. But the priests of the Adanite faction were offended that Uriel ate and drank freely in the company of the Fallen Angels, who were accounted petty thieves. And the Eyes took no thought for the digestion of those who supped within the house, but continued sternly in their questioning. And one among them said unto Uriel, “How is it that thou holdest thyself forth as a prophet of Ayat, and yet art seen eating and drinking with lawless wen?” And Uriel turned himself slightly toward Lailah, saying, “Your Highness, perceivest thou here any wen that are lawless?”
- 7G: And Lailah answered at once, “Not so, Teacher. When these priests speak of lawless wen, one at least is not a wan, but a jan.” And as she did once before in the shop of Uriel’s father, Lailah showed forth her black-feathered wings, which emerged from concealment through slits in her leather raiment. She went on to say, “And Master, hast thou not taught that by doing good in the present moment, we are good? In this house I behold only eager students desirous to learn from thee concerning the will of the Holy Ones of Kemen.” And the Eye of Azul answered, “Yet thou, Princess, jan or no, and the wen that follow after thee, go about clad in the raiment of warriors, contrary unto the will of Ayat.” But Lailah replied, saying, “From my youth upward I have been instructed by the finest tutors within the palace of my father, and I recall no commandment within the Code of Ayat concerning the garments that men or wen should wear. Moreover, Uriel himself declareth that in truth there existeth no Code of Ayat.”
- 7H: And Uriel said unto the princess, “Indeed. And this also hath Ayat made known unto me: that throughout all the history of Kemen she hath spoken unto but one dweller of the world before these latter days, and that man was thy father, Melchizedek, in the days when her Husk came to this very city.” But the circling priest pounced upon Uriel’s description of Ayat as female rather than the Lord of Shalem, saying, “She hath spoken? Her Husk? Hast thou made a slip of the tongue, young Uriel?” And he said, “Not at all. I speak in all truth when I tell you Ayat is female among the Elohim, even as her mother Avyah. She is not the son of Azul as your Litany of Creation would have us believe.” A murmur spread through the listening crowd. Hash Bodea nodded and said, “Thus hath Uriel spoken openly before.” And Sar Lailah said, “Then it is plain the whole Code of Ayat must be a forgery, the empty tradition of men who desire to preserve unto themselves an order of warriors and priests from which wen should be excluded.”
- 7I: And the priest made one final attempt against Uriel, demanding from him some undeniable sign whereby it might be shown that he possessed authority from any god to forgive faults in ritual observance. And Uriel answered and said, “Ayat forgiveth the unrighteous in the very hour wherein they desire truly to make amends. Yet ye seek after signs, not because ye desire truth, but because ye would stop up the breaches in your own belief.” And the Eyes of Azul disputed among themselves in low voices, and they departed from the house of Bodea, finding no further accusation that they were willing to press openly before the people gathered there. And when they had gone out, Lailah turned unto Uriel and said, “Ser Uriel, I bring unto thee an invitation from my father the king. It is no royal decree laid upon thee by authority, yet His Majesty Kar Melchizedek desireth that thou shouldest teach freely within the palace whatsoever things thou wilt. For long hath the king yearned to hear thy speech with his own ears.”
- 7J: And Uriel answered and said, “Your Highness, I greatly desire to speak before the king; yet let it be only in an open place within the city, where any among the people may freely behold and hear. For I would not give occasion unto the priests to say, ‘Behold, he conspireth in secret with the throne against Ayat and against the holy order of Kemen.’” And the princess replied, saying, “My father hath committed wholly unto me the authority concerning these matters, though it seemeth that Ayat herself would no longer retain me as her envoy. For the Windgate hath become unto me no more than a staff for walking, ever since Sar Malphas pronounced his curse upon it.” But Uriel answered her at once, saying, “The son of Rimmon wrought only a simple deception when he cursed the thing, and it failed. For Shahar ha-Ruach is a weapon wrought by more than one will. Thou indeed wieldest it with thy hand; yet both Ayat and Azul are required to give unto it its dreadful voice, for it is indeed a kind of gate, or bridge.”
- 7K: And Uriel went on to say unto Lailah, “Think not that this is magic, for in truth there existeth no such thing as magic in all the world, though there be many mysteries which the peoples of Kemen falsely account as such.” And Lailah said unto him, “Teacher, the people should hear thy words concerning these things. Therefore I consent unto thy conditions concerning the audience with my father. And when all things are made ready, I shall send the Hashmal Bodea unto thee.” And afterward Lailah commanded the servants of the palace that the great throne room of the king should be prepared, that it might receive as many among the people of Shalem as desired to come and hear the words of Uriel. And it came to pass that for the first time in many years Sar Lailah arrayed herself according unto the dignity of a Shalemite princess, laying aside the leather and brass garb of the warrior wherein she commonly went about. And this thing alone greatly astonished Kar Melchizedek her father when he beheld it.
- 7L: And in the years that followed, the sermon which Uriel delivered before Kar Melchizedek and the people of Shalem in the great hall of the king was called among many the Evenide Discourse, for it began in the latter part of the day when the light of the Lake of Fire was already failing. The teachings of the Father of Light were attended by luminous visions, which appeared more plainly as the brightness within the hall was diminished, yet the people knew not whence they had come into being. And the first vision shown forth before the multitude was that of a bison. And the image thereof was bright and solid in appearance, though in truth it had no substance, being no more than the semblance of a dream. The beast stood in the place where Uriel himself had been. And after a little while it began slowly to fade, as though the air itself had been seared by brightness, leaving behind an afterimage within the sight of all who beheld it. And the people gathered in the throne room gasped aloud as wonder took hold.
- 7M: Many who looked on believed that some mighty magic had been wrought before their eyes. And the vision of the animal itself remained motionless, yet nevertheless it could be seen clearly from every side by all who stood about, whether near or far. And Ser Uriel stepped forth from the midst thereof, and paced around the image as he said unto the people in a clear and powerful voice, “The thralls of Azul are said to be superior unto the beasts of the field, because they possess the power to order and control the world around them. Yet she who embraceth the way of Ayat is greater still, because she learneth to order and govern her own spirit and conduct.” And before the image of the bison had wholly faded from sight, there appeared suddenly the likeness of a company of priests, even the Eyes of Azul, standing together in a close band. And Uriel, arrayed even as he had been from the beginning, stood in the midst of them, as though he were a fellow priest of their order.
- 7N: Ser Uriel walked forth from the midst of their image unhindered, and the vision of the priests was not disturbed by his passing. And many among the onlookers marveled at this thing, and wondered within themselves whether the air itself had truly been altered by the light, or whether the emptiness wherein the air was contained had in some wise been made to bear the image from some primeval light. And Uriel spake again, saying, “The thralls of Azul are said to be famous among men, and to seek honor continually before the eyes of the multitude. Yet she who embraceth Ayat seeketh rather to set forth an example through her deeds, and thereby attaineth influence.” And by the time Uriel finished speaking these words, the first image of the bison had become faint, and the likenesses of the band of priests seemed no more substantial than mist at evenfall. Then abruptly Uriel caused yet another vision to appear before the assembly, even the image of a storehouse being cast down and plundered by thieves.
- 7O: And Uriel said unto the people, “The thralls of Azul gather unto themselves many riches, yet are they unable to preserve all that they possess from loss and theft. But she who embraceth Ayat desireth little, and therefore counteth nothing taken from her save that which she truly needeth.” And the vision of the bison had by then become indistinct, and the likenesses of the Eyes of Azul wavered like a mirage. Then Ser Uriel passed beyond the fading image of the storehouse unto an empty place within the hall, and there he vanished within the fierce image of a fire consuming a small house. And Uriel spake again, saying, “The thralls of Azul continually ascribe the cause of tragedy unto some defect of morality within those who suffer. Yet she who embraceth Ayat is too greatly occupied with the immediate needs of the afflicted to sit in judgment over the supposed mischief of men.” And the first image of the bison had steadily dwindled unto a mere trembling shimmer of dying light.
- 7P: And Ser Uriel walked among the growing multitude of silent visions that surrounded him within the throne room, and afterward caused yet another image to appear before the people. And behold, there appeared orphaned children gleaning desperately among the remnants of a field already stripped bare by harvest. And Uriel said, “The thralls of Azul may choose what deeds they shall perform, yet in the end they do not choose the desires that govern them. But she who embraceth Ayat maketh her own awareness of injustice the guide of her actions. She lesseneth the abundance of the corrupt, that the needs of the impoverished might be fulfilled.” And the next image which Uriel caused to stand forth before them was a small mountain of gold, bright and gleaming in the dimness of the hall. And Uriel said, “The thralls of Azul delight to display their riches openly before the eyes of men. Yet she who embraceth Ayat proclaimeth not all that she possesseth, neither boasteth of all that she hath power to accomplish.”
- 7Q: And after this Ser Uriel caused there to appear the likeness of a priest with a heart of flint, pointing an accusing finger toward a wan who stood bowed before him. And Uriel spake again, saying, “The thralls of Azul confess no error, not even unto themselves, and labor continually to justify their every deed, yet the spirit within them remaineth as pitiless as bronze. Yet she who embraceth Ayat regardeth those who reveal her faults as benefactors, and as teachers acting for her greater good.” And when this image also had begun to fade, there appeared another vision, the blood of a slain beast being cast upon the base of a sacred pillar in ritual sacrifice. And Uriel said, “The thralls of Azul exalt the dead and empty traditions of their fathers, and by compulsion labor to preserve them among the people. Yet she who embraceth Ayat cultivateth the new, and counteth change itself as treasure whereby a better way may be purchased.”
- 7R: And afterward there appeared the likeness of a corpulent priest seated before a table laden with more food than any living creature might consume. And Uriel said unto the assembly, “The thralls of Azul live only to quiet for a short season the endless hunger of their own appetites. But she who embraceth Ayat ordereth her desires rightly, and thereby becometh joyful in spirit.” And the next vision which Uriel brought forth was fashioned with Lailah and Bodea and the other Fallen Angels in mind. For in the midst of the great circle of fading images there appeared a hill, and upon the summit thereof stood the newly-reformed Fallen Angels with swords drawn in their hands, steadfast and unafraid. And Uriel said unto the people, “The thralls of Azul judge the worth of a wan according unto the things she possesseth, even goods which diminish when they are shared. Yet she who embraceth Ayat looketh rather unto what that wan doeth for others, and whom she defendeth from harm. For therein lieth her true worth.”
- 7S: Then Ser Uriel moved into the center of the fading circle of images he had created and caused a final vision to appear within the darkened hall of the king unlike anything that had ever before been seen in all Kemen. And behold, there appeared the stars of the night sky as they are seen upon the Earth, the other world, innumerable and glorious, shining in terrible beauty across an endless darkness untouched by city lights or the fires of men. And when the people beheld this wonder, wherein the entire region of the sky was adorned, they gasped aloud in awe, for never before had any among the world-dwellers conceived that such a host of light existed beyond the vault of their world. For in Kemen the land in one place was the sky for another place, and Kemen itself lay not in the heavens wherein Earth was set, but in a hidden corner of the Pleroma, within a mere bubble held in uncertain existence by Avyah and Imran.
- 7T: And Ser Uriel spake once more, saying: “‘When a thrall of Azul suffereth indignity, he seeketh revenge by committing yet another indignity in return. Yet she who embraceth Ayat understandeth that the greatest vengeance is this: that she herself should refuse to become like unto the one who first wrought the injury. For the greatest conqueror is she who hath conquered herself.’” And Uriel fell silent, for his teaching was complete, and the people marveled at what they had witnessed. And afterward, at the bidding of Lailah, Uriel drew near unto Kar Melchizedek where the king sat listening among the people. And Lailah said, “My father and liege-lord, this man is called Uriel, son of Terah. Concerning him I spake unto thee in the year before last, as my lord well remembereth, when he was yet known as Avram. For among all mortals in Kemen there is none like unto him. Uriel alone beareth all the signs which Holy Ayat commanded our house to seek diligently.”
- 7U: And the king answered and said, “Daughter, I remember also that thou didst say this very man refused the special charge appointed unto him by Ayat, and that thou returnedst unto me in final disappointment, and I lifted from thee the heavy yoke of the quest. Yet upon me and my house the charge remained, and I could not so easily lay it aside. What sayest thou concerning these matters, Uriel son of Terah?” And Uriel replied, saying, “His Majesty the king hath judged rightly, for Ayat in due season did indeed set me apart to accomplish the purpose which she had declared. And Ayat herself approved the delay thereof, and said unto me there would be no punishment for one who judged rightly. For the delay concerned no less than the well-being of my father Terah; and had Ayat at that time required otherwise, then all that I have spoken this evening touching those who cleave unto Ayat would be no more than the smoke of hypocrisy.”
- 7V: And Kar Melchizedek spake, saying, “When thou gavest thy sermon unto the people, thou didst speak of the followers of Ayat as wen, saying, ‘She who embraceth Ayat,’ and likewise. Doth Ayat then seek only wen as followers?” And Ser Uriel answered and said: “O Majesty, among the Holy Ones, male and female resembleth but little the temperaments of mortal flesh in Kemen. For behold, Azul and Imran do fashion themselves as warrior-kings, and they call unto those who delight in the wielding of power. And in the Litany of Creation is Ayat portrayed as of masculine aspect after the manner of world-dwellers. Nevertheless, how far removed from truth is this saying! For if thou art willing to receive it, Ayat is female among her own kind, notwithstanding that which the Litany of Creation declareth. And the man who embraceth Ayat possesseth a gentle heart within him. For when he beholdeth a wan, he seeth another precious life, and not a vessel appointed for dominion.”
- 7W: “And yet doth he retain the strength which is proper unto a man; yea, and rightly so.” And Kar Melchizedek said, “My daughter likewise possesseth a fierce spirit; nevertheless, in these latter days hath she greatly admired thy teachings. And thou hast given unto her a mind more steady and more balanced, which thing not I alone have perceived.” And it came to pass, while the king yet spake, that Ser Uriel looked upon Lailah, and beheld the rich blue garment wherewith she had arrayed herself upon that evening. And suddenly he realized that never before had he seen her clothed in a gown. And as he looked more intently upon her, he perceived also that she seemed as one lost within her own gaze. And Kar Melchizedek likewise discerned the change which had come over his daughter, and knew with a surety that in some manner she had newly become drawn toward Uriel. And the king said unto him, “Who art thou truly, Uriel? And what manner of being art thou?”
- 7X: But when Uriel delayed to answer him, Lailah spake softly unto her father, saying, “Thou hast already beheld the things which Ser Uriel is able to accomplish. Moreover, he hath spoken words which no mortal man could know, save he were in some manner joined unto Ayat herself.” And the king and Uriel looked one upon another for a long season in silence. And at length Kar Melchizedek said, “Lailah hath made known unto me her desire to become thy foremost student, if thou art willing to receive her.” And Uriel answered and said, “Sire, when I speak concerning Students, I speak of all world-dwellers alike, both in Kemen and upon the Earth beyond. Never did I purpose in mine heart to gather disciples unto myself, neither to establish a formal school among the children of men.” But the king replied, saying, “And yet, Ser Uriel, if thou shouldest instruct Lailah according unto the desire of her heart, I deem thou wouldest return unto me a daughter whom none could deny to be a worthy princess of this city.”
- 7Y: Then Uriel turned unto Lailah and said unto her, “Wouldst thou consent, Princess Lailah, to depart far from thy father for many years? For it may come to pass that thou shalt never again behold him among the living.” And Lailah answered without hesitation, saying, “This thing am I willing to do, Lord Uriel, and even more also. Yea, I would place the Fallen Angels themselves at thy command.” But Uriel said unto her, “Your Highness, do not many among the people esteem the Fallen Angels as little better than thieves?” And Lailah bowed her head somewhat, acknowledging the truth of his words, and answered, “Ser Uriel, such a judgment is not altogether without fairness. My fellowship with them began in my younger days from a foolish desire to provoke my father unto displeasure. Nevertheless, in these latter times have I labored to amend this matter. And thou wouldest be greatly surprised if thou knewest how they have changed, and what deeds they are truly capable of accomplishing.”
- 7Z: And while she yet spake, Ser Uriel perceived that Lailah might become a willing ally in the ancient contention against Azul and Imran. And it seemed unto him that there could be great usefulness in Students who might themselves render a measure of service to Ayat. Nevertheless, never should such become thralls. And Uriel said unto Lailah, “Your Highness, the time may come when I shall lead thee altogether forth from Kemen. And whosoever hath been born beneath the vault thereof would find the Earth exceedingly strange, beyond all expectation. Tell me therefore plainly, doth this prospect cause thy zeal to diminish?” But Lailah answered him quickly, saying, “Nay, my willingness is now greater than before.” And Uriel turned unto her father and said, “So shall it be. Your Majesty, I receive Sar Lailah as the first among my Students.” Then Uriel bowed himself deeply before Kar Melchizedek, insomuch that a god-man rendered true honor unto a mortal king. And after these things, the audience was concluded.
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