> > One day, as Humakt sought the pieces of Death but he fully
> understood
> > Fear and Delight.
>
> Looks like we lost a line here? I see where you're going, but it
> would be nice to have the text in full.
For some reason a few lines of text were transposed. Here (I hope) is a corrected copy:
Part I
As everyone knows, after Orlanth used Death against the Evil Emperor, the trickster Eurmal stole it and left a copy behind. Eurmal then traded Death to one god after another. In each case he stole back Death, and left another copy behind. What he didn�t know, because he didn�t understand Death, was that he was leaving a piece of True Death in each of the copies he formed. In this way, Death became scattered through the world. Since everyone had a small piece of Death, but no one had all of it, it could affect anyone, but no one really could control it.
When Humakt first took Death from the palsied hands of Eurmal and then used it on the Grandfather Mortal, he had come to understand the awesome power he held. He severed himself from kin to master this power alone and held himself oathbound to do so. The scattering of Death had loosened Humakt�s control of it, and left him with only Honor. He swore to recover Death as his Right and his Duty.
Eurmal might not have understood Death, but he understood Fear and Delight. He was fully enjoying the spectacle and confusion he had loosed upon the world, and he was afraid of what would happen as Humakt�s Honor exposed his dealings and deceit. Thus, Eurmal set himself to try to distract Grim Humakt from his quest for the pieces of Death.
One day, as Humakt sought the pieces of Death that had scattered through the world, he journeyed along the Road of Illusions. Eurmal knew this road well and traveled it often. He spied Humakt and assumed the form of the Lady of Masks. As Humakt approached the Lady called to him.
�Noble Warrior,� she said as she assumed the Mask of Winsome Helplessness �I find myself alone on this road and I am afraid of the specters that surround us. Can you help me?�
Grim Humakt was unable to see the specters on the Road of Illusions because of his Truth, and was unable to understand Fear, at least at that time. �Woman, I am oathbound to find the pieces of Death and cannot turn aside for anything less,� he replied.
Assuming the Mask of Earnest Helpfulness, she replied �The pieces of Death? I know where such a piece could be found. If you will swear to guard me to the end of this road I will tell you where it lies.�
Humakt responded, �Then I so swear. Where does it lie?�
�Ah,� the Lady laughed, �but if I tell you now, how can I be sure you will fulfill your oath to me?�
Humakt didn�t understand the idea of not fulfilling an oath, but neither was he impatient. Even then, Death would wait its time. The two set off down the Road of Illusions.
As they journeyed further and further along, Eurmal was very pleased with himself. He knew that there is no end to Illusions, so there was no end to the Road. The more he laughed though, the less like the Lady of Masks he became. Eventually, Humakt�s Truth showed him that the Lady of Masks was indeed Eurmal.
He wasn�t pleased.
�Sniveling worm!� Humakt hissed, �I have no idea why my former kin has allowed you a place in his hall; but we aren�t there and I have made no promises about your safety! Tell me what you know or end here!�
Eurmal sought to ease the grip Humakt had on his throat and said �Don�t you recall? You swore to see me to the end of the road! And I only promised to tell you about one piece of Death.�
Humakt set Eurmal down and considered what the trickster had said. He had sworn, and if he gave up Honor he would have nothing left. Then he drew The Sword, turned suddenly, and struck.
Humakt turned back to the cowering Eurmal and said, �Now, worm, my oath is fulfilled! We are at the end of the road. Where can I find the piece of Death you mentioned?�
Eurmal stood gaping at the severed End of the Road of Illusions. Ever since then, all Illusions have ended with Death.
Powered by hypermail