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Pegasus, v. 2, issue 1, Summer 1943
Page 10
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Pegasus And he did; and anon and anon as the time passed he made circuit of the tower, watching against any that might come. And it came to pass that as he walked thus by the side of the tower a drop of water fell upon his had. And looking up he beheld dimly by the light of the high-hanging moon the form of one who stood on the narrow ledge without the doorway. And marvelling how this one had come there he lifted up his voice and called unto this form demanding the name and purpose thereof. Wherefore Kadu, drawing his sword, began to mount the tower. And the soldiers, wakened by his shout, stood beneath watching for they remembered what was told concerning the tower and were afraid. And anon the one that stood by the doorway turned, and entering the tower vanished from their sight. And Kadu came to the doorway, and raised his sword and went in. Long the soldiers waited, but heard no sound. And the moon was higher, and the ghostly light of dawn came; but none came forth from the tower. And the sun rose, and day was come; but the tower stood silent. And the soldiers spake with one another, saying, "Lo, the people come from the city. What will they say of us, seeing us standing here without knowledge of our captain? Come now, it were well to go up into the tower and see what is come to pass." And slowly they went into the tower: and no one was there. And there was a wetness about the rim of the well, but naught to tell them of the presence of Kadu. Now the people came bearing their vessels. And when they heard what was befallen they were troubled, and stood in doubt whether to enter the tower. But the desert wind blew on them and the sun smote them, and they felt thirst. And they argued among themselves; and one arose and said: "Behold, it is day, and no thing now remaineth in the tower: what then can harm us? Lo, the heat of the day warmeth and the sun is like a flame: an we have not water we perish. Come then, let us fill our vessels." And the people hearkened unto this one, and did his counsel; and naught befell them. Now when the King heard how Kadu was gone from the night of man, his spirit was heavy within him and he mourned; for he had loved Kadu, who had served him faithfully had had saved his life in battle. And in his sorrow he bethought him of those four men who had perished in hewing the bottom of the well; and he summoned unto him those who were best beloved of them who had perished. And when they were before him he said unto them: "Lo, your grief is mine and your sorrow my sorrow; for ye have lost those who dwelt in your hearts, and I have lost Kadu whom I loved; and they are devoured by the tower of the Hill of Duorm. Verily it is a place of calamity and ill-fortune; yet is it a source of blessing, for the people have water. It may be that the gods require sacrifice for this that they have given unto us; and these have died, but the people live. Now
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Pegasus And he did; and anon and anon as the time passed he made circuit of the tower, watching against any that might come. And it came to pass that as he walked thus by the side of the tower a drop of water fell upon his had. And looking up he beheld dimly by the light of the high-hanging moon the form of one who stood on the narrow ledge without the doorway. And marvelling how this one had come there he lifted up his voice and called unto this form demanding the name and purpose thereof. Wherefore Kadu, drawing his sword, began to mount the tower. And the soldiers, wakened by his shout, stood beneath watching for they remembered what was told concerning the tower and were afraid. And anon the one that stood by the doorway turned, and entering the tower vanished from their sight. And Kadu came to the doorway, and raised his sword and went in. Long the soldiers waited, but heard no sound. And the moon was higher, and the ghostly light of dawn came; but none came forth from the tower. And the sun rose, and day was come; but the tower stood silent. And the soldiers spake with one another, saying, "Lo, the people come from the city. What will they say of us, seeing us standing here without knowledge of our captain? Come now, it were well to go up into the tower and see what is come to pass." And slowly they went into the tower: and no one was there. And there was a wetness about the rim of the well, but naught to tell them of the presence of Kadu. Now the people came bearing their vessels. And when they heard what was befallen they were troubled, and stood in doubt whether to enter the tower. But the desert wind blew on them and the sun smote them, and they felt thirst. And they argued among themselves; and one arose and said: "Behold, it is day, and no thing now remaineth in the tower: what then can harm us? Lo, the heat of the day warmeth and the sun is like a flame: an we have not water we perish. Come then, let us fill our vessels." And the people hearkened unto this one, and did his counsel; and naught befell them. Now when the King heard how Kadu was gone from the night of man, his spirit was heavy within him and he mourned; for he had loved Kadu, who had served him faithfully had had saved his life in battle. And in his sorrow he bethought him of those four men who had perished in hewing the bottom of the well; and he summoned unto him those who were best beloved of them who had perished. And when they were before him he said unto them: "Lo, your grief is mine and your sorrow my sorrow; for ye have lost those who dwelt in your hearts, and I have lost Kadu whom I loved; and they are devoured by the tower of the Hill of Duorm. Verily it is a place of calamity and ill-fortune; yet is it a source of blessing, for the people have water. It may be that the gods require sacrifice for this that they have given unto us; and these have died, but the people live. Now
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