BOOK ONE

Plague in the city, such is my bleak theme
death in the streets, the weeping and wailing
of the badly afflicted, I'll sing of their pain.
I'll sing too of virtue, of the long war
that thinking men fight, of the great battle
against the pains of the world, illness and grief
which cruel nature itself rains down upon us.

There was death in the city, a torturous plague
that few could escape. Those upon whom it fell
suffered great pains, they felt a great fire
kindled under their skin, and beyond that
they were taken by blindness, all sight was denied
and they felt a great thirst, craving cold water
but could not bear to drink, there was no relief.
It took seven days for the course to be run
for them to learn of their fate, if life or if death
was waiting for them, if the end of their pain
would come at the end of their days in the world.
Either fate was a relief, nothing was worse
than their wasting disease, all those who had it
longed to pass from the world and return to the Wheel.

Few could escape from the blight on the city.
From the heights of the spires where the upper castes dwell
to the depths down below where laborers linger,
the plague found a place and did its grim work.
The workshops were empty, so few could report
and see to their work, so nothing was done.
Thus poverty came, the cruel comrade of plague
and it would have brought its own pains if those above
had not been afflicted with that same wasting disease
if they had not been laid low, if they had not perished,
for the living have needs, but a corpse can have none.
The spear-comrades were stricken, not by a grim foe
who they could fight with their arms, in the shield-wall
but by that plague, a foe that they could not conquer.
Thus weakness came, the cruel comrade of plague
had not been afflicted with that same wasting disease
if they had not been laid low, if they had not perished,
for a pile of corpses has no need of arms.

Not even the highest escaped, they too were afflicted
and died in great numbers, the city was robbed
of their virtuous minds, of their noble thoughts
of all of the wonders they could ever create.
Hope perished with them, for there were no others
who could salvage the state, only the learned
had hope of finding a cure, of ending the pain.

Few people were spared, those who were strongest
who could resist the disease, and those who were lucky
and avoided the plague. It fell to those few people
to live as they could, and to search for a cure,
while tending as best as they could to the others
in the hope that they might live. It was a burden
beyond any other, and many despaired,
they lamented their fate, and being distraught
they threw themselves from the spires, preferring grim death
to the pain that they saw and the burden they faced.

The greatest pressed on, the paragons strove
to see their city safe, it was not in them
to see any despair, they still saw a chance
of triumph and safety, and they would not rest
while they had strength in their limbs and reason remained.

The soldiers were mustered, the few who remained,
to keep peace in the city, for as the plague grew
and more people suffered, chaos crept in.
The soldiers were lead by their champion, Jekkex
a spear-comrade of Hallifax, mighty in war
who fought many battles in the city's defense
and had never yielded, he had always conquered.
He had seen many terrors, so he did not falter
at the sight of another, he stood proudly and faced it
and took the command, he led the spear-comrades
for the sake of his city, keeping the peace.
He had stout comrades with him, Lessok and Fafri
who had fought by his side for many long years.
They would not forsake him, and as long as he lived
they were without fear, for they trusted his judgment.

A messenger came, bearing news from the Board,
a command for great Jekkex, to come with all haste
and give his advice, consult with his comrades
and discover a way to salvage the state.
He called to his comrades, Lessok and Fafri,
and gave his commands for while he was away.
"Comrades, my comrades, pay heed to my words.
Look all around you. The masses are dying
and that fills them with fear, and that same fear
eats away at their minds, it drives them mad.
Now they do as they please, hating all virtue
and fearing no shame, for they reckon their deaths
to be racing straight towards them. They think themselves dead,
so they have no fear of justice nor love of the law.
They may yet be saved, you must do all that you can
to mix justice and mercy, treating them kindly
whenever you can. Still, you must not be weak.
Kill them if you must, you still have that right,
to slaughter the wicked, to bring forth cruel justice
as their crimes have decreed. Obey the law in all things,
for while the law yet remains, our city can flourish
and recover its power. Do what you must."

Fair Fafri responded, speaking in a clear voice.
"Unconquered Jekkex, our duty is known
and we shall obey you, we shall spill our blood
or the blood of the wicked, as must be done.
I ask only one thing, for we are only a few
and there are countless crimes demanding our time,
how should we choose? We cannot see to all things.
We must fail in some places, that much is certain,
so how shall we choose? In what way must we fail?

Jekkex pondered his words and he gave a response.
"Public crimes must come first, for those that are seen
must be punished most harshly, lest others think
that they too can escape from harsh justice at will.
Pay no heed to the private, they are less harmful
for they do not teach their vice to any others.
Let that be your guide when there is a question
of what must be done. That which can be spread
must be vanquished at once. All the rest can wait."
Having thus spoken he set out from his post
and went forth to the Boardroom, awaiting the rest
who had yet to arrive, Quinno and Halon.

The packs still stood strong, they were hardly afflicted
by the grim disease, they could resist it
and work without pain while all the rest suffered.
Their leader was Quinno, known for his wisdom
and his righteous judgments, a bringer of justice,
a man to be trusted, he held the command
and ruled over the packs with wisdom and skill.
Still, the packs were not many, they had little time
and there was much to be done, all of them were working
without any rest, and still things went undone
in spite of his wisdom they were simply too few.

He was called to give counsel, to give his advice
as best as he could, to guide his good comrades
towards saving the state, but before he set out
to answer the summons, he turned and he spoke
to the great packs of the city, giving commands.
"Death has come to the city, but you shall resist it
for as long as you can, that is your task,
to live while you can live, and while living work
to save all the others who lives might be spared
from this plague's devastation, work without resting,
long for no leisure, do what must be done.
Your comrades are starving, so food must be found
and found with great haste. You must see to that
lest our city perish, you must do so with haste.
Tend to the city, our spires are crumbling
with few men to maintain them, if they collapse
then we shall be ruined. You must see to that
lest our city perish, you must do so with haste.
Our dead lie in the streets, they harbor the plague,
you must destroy them, cast all of the corpses
down out of the city. You must see to that
lest our city perish, you must do so with haste.
I shall hide nothing from you. Our burden is great
and we have few to bear it, but still, press on,
for as long as we live, for as long as we breathe
we shall serve as we can for our comrades' sake."

One of his comrades then spoke, asking a question.
"Quinno, my comrade, we all shall obey you
in this and in all things, we know of your wisdom
and trust you to lead well, but as you have told us
there is much to be done and we are only a few.
How should we choose the things which we first do
and what we leave undone, if it should be
as we all fear, that we must fail in our task,
lacking the numbers to do all that we should?"

Quinno responded, his words chosen with care.
"Tend first to life, that it may be preserved,
forsaking all comforts which no men truly need.
That is the way, that is what you must do,
let luxury yield to the harsh needs of life.
Pay no heed to comfort, for in dangerous times
we cannot cling to trifles, they will be our death
is we love them too much. Forget they exist.
Now, when you tend to the living there is a hard choice,
for you cannot tend to them all, and some will perish
for want of your care. You cannot avoid that,
but you can choose who will die, and you must do so
with the greatest care. Let the worst perish,
those who are worth the least, those without skills
and those with unsteady hearts. They might have been saved
in happier days, but now we leave them to die.
Lament them if you like, but that must be done."

With his orders given, Quinno set out,
making haste to the meeting as he was bidden
and awaited the man who had yet to arrive
inquisitive Halon of the highest caste.

Halon was working at the top of a spire
seeking new knowledge, seeking a cure
for the plague in the city, that was his task.
Almay was with him, a student of his
who was nearly his peer, for her skills were great.
They had worked without rest, and they worked alone
away from all others, lest they be struck down
by the disease that they studied, it had been days
since they had seen any of their fine comrades
or heard any voices save for their own
until the messenger came, looking for Halon.
He was reluctant to go, to abandon his studies
to meet with the others, he longed to remain
and keep at his work, but Almay knew better
she gave him advice, speaking with her wise words.

"Virtuous Halon, go give your advice
to the comrades who ask it, they have a great need
to learn what you have learned. What use is knowledge
if you alone know it, if you do not share it?
Go to the meeting, go while I stay here
and continue the work, then when you have finished
come back with great haste, and I will tell all
that I have learned, we will not be delayed.
You too will profit by speaking with them,
for we are secluded, and we see little
of what happens below, they may have seen something
which we have not, which might give us a clue
and be all that we need to discover a cure.
Are you persuaded? For if you are not,
I remind you of your comrades, they have their own tasks
which they have set aside to speak and find a plan
that might save the state, if you do not join them
then their time might be wasted, harming us all.
Go, comrade Halon, do as they ask you,
for reason and duty alike do demand it."

Then Halon spoke, having heard her advice.
"You have made a strong case, and I shall go forth
and do all that they wish, tell all that I know
and learn what they have seen, and when I return
you shall know all, we shall return to our task.
I take no joy in this journey, I would much rather
linger here in this place, seeking the answer
that we all desire, but that cannot be.
It is a strange thing, I do not wish to meet them,
though I call them my friends, call them my comrades,
still I would not see them if I had the choice
in such unfortunate times, until the great day
when a cure is found, when at last triumph is ours.
I'd not see them in pain while I cannot help
if the choice were mine, but it cannot be so.
So be it, then, I shall do what I must."

Almay responded, she spoke with great haste
her answer was ready, speaking without delay.
"Virtuous Halon, there are none in this world
who would not say the same. All hide from the pain
that they cannot ease, for to look on such things
unable to help, that is its own grief
that surpasses all others. They feel it too,
they bear that same grief. All must set it aside,
for the sake of the nation all must have strength.
Set your feelings aside, do what you once taught
others to do, do what you once taught me
was the task of our caste. We have no right
to feel any such pain if by feeling such things
bring harm to our comrades or harm to the state."

He heard her words and he hardened his heart
and set all feelings aside, he shunned his grief,
he conquered his passions, and in their place
he let reason rule him, let heart conquer mind.
With his blood running cold he set out from the spire
to meet with his comrades, to give his advice
and receive theirs in turn, he went to the boardroom.

Then they all were gathered, the best of the city,
who would serve it unto death, with all of their power
and would not rest with their comrades in need.
There was mighty Jekkex, unconquered in war
the triumphant soldier who would face any foe
without flinching away, without any fear.
There was Quinno the just, wise beyond measure
and free from all passion, none could surpass him
in prudence or virtue, for he felt nothing
that was thought to be harmful or wicked at all.
There was inquisitive Halon who knew many things
who searched for the truth, who knew all the ways
that it could be found, who hated all lies.

BOOK TWO

The men greeted each other, then Quinno spoke,
and his two greatest comrades paid heed to his words.
"Comrades, my comrades, please make your reports,
say all that you know, say all that you've seen
share all the details, that we might be certain
of what we are facing, for only once we know that
can we move ahead, and settle the matter.
All-conquering Jekkex, what news from the streets?
I have heard many rumors of madness and strife.
Do they have any truth? Has there been fighting
here in the spires, or are they unfounded,
mere gossip spread by those fearing the worst?"

Brave Jekkex responded, he gave his report
without hesitation, said all he had seen.
"Those rumors are true. The proletariat riots,
they are driven to madness by this dread plague
and we can hardly contain them, many have perished
not just many of them, but also good soldiers
whose loss is a burden, we cannot spare them.
They riot at random, we cannot predict
when their madness will blossom and turn into wrath.
We know only this, that their rage is growing
by leaps and bounds every day, the fighting grows frequent.
Even so, we contained them, we're holding the line,
you have nothing to fear, at least not from them.
While a spear-comrade lives, while he draws breath
the peace will kept by the point of a spear."

Halon spoke then, he was deeply concerned
by the words he had heard, he spoke his mind freely.
"Jekkex, my comrade, are you not worried
that the lower castes riot that they have turned to war
against the state and their peers, who they should love,
and treat as their brothers, as their dearest friends?
Never before has such a thing happened,
have such quarrels erupted, such fraternal strife.
Does that not concern you? Do you not fear
that this plague is a curse, sent by our foes
in the smoke-shrouded city, or if not by them
sent by cruel fate as a weapon against us
to shatter our spires, to ruin our nation
and destroy all that we love, all that which is good?
They say you are fearless, and I've seen that myself
you don't tremble in battle, your blood is frozen
and your heart is of stone, but even so
do you not feel some fear now, that our nation is dying?"

Jekkex spoke then, he was shaking his head
as he spoke a response to his comrade's words.
"If the nation is dying, then we must cure it
and fear will not help us, so I set it aside.
No, comrade Halon, I do not fear any plot
by our smoke-shrouded foes, nor do I fear
the cruel whims of fate. We shall resist,
we can do nothing else but stand up and face
the matter before us as best as we can.
Even if death awaits us, if we are doomed,
what use is trembling? It is better to hope
that we may yet survive, that we might triumph.
You know this one truth far better than I,
that we must face the truth, that it will not change
no matter our hopes, and no matter our fears.
If there is some foe that has hidden among us,
if you think that is so, you need only speak
and I shall pursue him, bring him to heel
and make him confess, make him yield all his secrets
and make him give us a cure to this plague if he can.
If chance sent the plague, if that is the case
then I shall keep the peace, while you go to your work
and find a cure for this evil as I know that you can.
That task falls to your lot, finding the source
of this plague that afflicts us, and finding a cure.
It falls to my lot to do as you bid me,
if by my strength I can help you at all,
and to buy you the time that you need for your task.
Now my dear comrade, please give your report
so I know how to act, know what must be done."

Inquisitive Halon then gave his report,
telling all that he knew, all that he had learned.
"I have spent many long days picking at corpses,
cutting their skin, and then draining their blood,
looking at organs and peering at bones
and I have learned a great deal, I know all the symptoms
of this dreadful plague, I know all of the signs
that it has taken hold, it was easy to learn
all of that from the dead. Shall I list all the evils
that this plague brings down on innocent men,
shall I list all the pains that afflict our city?
First comes the fever, at first a dull burning
a pain easy to bear, merely a trifle.
That is the first sign, the first mark of disease
a portent of pain that will soon follow after.
Next comes the rash, next the plague takes the skin
which grows dark in patches, hardens like scales
and then looses all feeling, safe for one thing
the feverish burning that spreads through the body
and grows ever hotter, feeling like fire
right on the skin, each day it grows hotter
and by the third day it can scarecely be borne.
That is not the end, still it grows harsher
by the fifth day it strikes out at the eyes
and blindness takes hold, deafness soon follows
when the cruel plague strikes out next at the ears.
Taste soon fades away, but thirst grows ever stronger,
the afflicted are parched, but their throat fails them
and they cannot swallow, their thirst goes unsated.
And through all that the cruel burning persists,
they cannot escape it, it grows ever hotter,
and their flesh is a furnace, it burns at their minds.

There are two courses then that this illness can take,
sweet death is the first, and it is the fairest,
and end to all pain, when the grim fire burns out.
That is the more common, most go to their deaths
but a miserable few suffer far more
and go on with their lives, they who survive this
most dreadful plague are driven mad by their fate
for the fire never ends, they feel it every moment
for the rest of their lives, even when all of the rest
of the evils have left them, still their flesh burns.
Most of those suffering men find their own cures,
a fall from the spires, or sleep-bringing hemlock
or the edge of a blade shedding their blood."

Thus Halon spoke, and all of them were silent
for a long time, but then wise Quinno spoke
asking a question, with hope in his voice.
"Have you learned of the cause, of why this bleak plague,
has come down upon us, or where it began?
Or how it has spread? If you have found that
we might contain it, and from there endure it.
Have you found any clue, have you found any scrap
of that kind of knowledge? Can we now hope
for an end to this plague and our terrible fate?"

Halon shook his old head as he spoke his response.
"No, honest Quinno, I have found no proof
that this came from our foes, though I suspect it,
but neither can it be proven that this was our fate
a mere whim of nature, not a hostile plague
but merely unfeeling and cruel without thought.
As for its spread, that I have sadly discovered
but it will bring you no hope, for any who breathe
can contract the dread plague, it fills the air
and spreads on the breeze, it cannot be contained.
If we had ten thousand mages, then we might fight it
by calling strong winds, and thus purging the air
that surrounds our fair city, so that we might breathe
clean air and be safe, but we lack any such means,
no such thing can be done, and so it will spread
until it is cured, that much cannot be escaped.
So I must find a cure, we all know that much
on that we are agreed, but I find myself lacking
a needful thing, and unless I can find it
I am doomed to fail, and our city will perish."

Then Jekkex spoke, and he spoke with great haste.
"Speak, comrade Halon, and say what you need,
for it shall be found, on my honor I swear it.
If I must travel, then I shall set out today
with my spear in my hand, I shall go in haste
to the end of the world and back without resting
if you ask that of me. There is no limit
to what shall be done to find this needful thing.
So speak, comrade Halon, what do you require?
Is it some hateful thing, a token of shame
which you would rather not say? There is no disgrace
in such moments as this. Whatever is needed
that thing will be found, you need only demand it."

Then Halon spoke, there was grief in his voice
and he spoke in a hushed tone as though hiding his words.
"All I have learned I learned from the dead
or those near to dying, watching their pain
as death or madness came closer and closer to them.
I learned a great deal from that, as I have told you,
for a corpse has more value than many men know,
but I must learn more, and I need a knew tutor,
not one who is dead or becoming so.
I shall ask a harsh thing, and know that it pains me
to ask for it now, when it is far harder
to grant what I need than in happier days
when the servants were many and some could be spared.
I have need of a man, one who is yet healthy
who up to this point has been free of the plague.
His good fortune will end, I will do a cruel thing,
I will infect him, I will watch as he suffers,
every step of the way, from the start to the end.
Then that unfortunate man shall be our salvation,
I shall learn a great deal, I shall learn how it starts
from the very first moment, and I think that will suffice
to learn all that I need, and I will use
what I learned from his pain to find the sweet cure
that our hearts all desire, and we will be saved.
It seems a small price, but I know our troubles,
we have few healthy men, and none can be spared
for there is much work to be done, and fewer hands
than we would like to do it, so new hardship awaits
when even one more is lost. Still, it must be done
unless you see another way, see some other plan
by which we might be saved, but I do not see one."

Jekkex spoke softly, he gave his response,
he spoke to his friend while nodding his head.
"It is a hard thing, but it will be done
you did right to dread to ask such a thing
in such times as these, when even the lowest
are precious to us, but I will find you a man
who the plague has not touched, I shall find one myself
and give his life over to you. It will be done."

Then he grew silent, and not by his own will,
he was interrupted, and not by a comrade,
but by flame in the streets, and smoke rising up,
and the lower castes raging, screaming in fright
and in their hate, the madness was one them.
Jekkex saw all of that in the streets from above
and grew suddenly silent, he feared for his men
for he had only a few, and many were raging.
He turned to his comrades, to Quinno and Halon
and he spoke his commands as he reached for his spear.

"Remain here above, remain here in safety
while I go below, while I face the mob
and bring peace to them swiftly with my stout spear.
Halon, my comrade, you asked me for a man
untouched by the plague, surely there are some
done there in the crowd, screaming now for our blood.
Such men can be spared, for it is proper
for justice to triumph even in these hard times
and their crime calls for death, and we shall grant it
as they deserve, but not with a sword
or a long-shafted spear, if it can be managed
they shall die by your hand, so that you can learn
all that you need to know, thus shall they serve
our noble city in spite of their treason.
Wait here for my return, I shall not be long
I'll come back with great haste as soon as I can,
and I'll come bearing gifts, or I'll not come at all."

Having thus spoken he took up his arms,
placed his high helm on his head, took up his shield,
which had been a gift from the chairman, long years ago.
It was richly engraved, it bore a fine image
of happier days, the Collective triumphant,
rising in glory, shining bright with the light
of reason and hope, the pride of the Basin,
free from all pain, a place of great joy.
He strapped that shield to his arm, feeling the weight
and he paused for a moment, he remembered the days
of the years that had passed when he bore it with pride
on war's bloody field, it had saved his life
in countless grim wars, in far greater battles
than what he faced now. He longed for those days
when he fought foreign foes, and not maddened friends.
He thought of the war in the great Nescine field
where a broken alliance, a treasonous king
had lead to a battle, he had shattered their walls
and broken their nation, he placed their men in chains,
all those who lived, he had left the rest to the crows.
He thought of the battle near unblinking Avechna,
his greatest triumph, his hardest battle
where he had gone alone and faced the dread pirate,
the corsair Yilomi, fearful in battle
and struck him dead while cursing his grim name.
Those were far greater days, glorious days,
but they were long ago, they had since passed
away into legend, only one thing remained
to kill his lost comrades for his city's sake.

He set such thoughts aside, he rushed from the spire
and ran towards the battle, he ran like the wind
as if he had wings on his feet, he went with great haste.
He ran through the streets with his spear in his hand
arrayed for grim war, and he sought out his comrades
who were hard-pressed in battle, he looked for the friends
who needed their leader, and more than that
who needed his spear, and his sheltering shield
lest they die in battle against the mad mob.

BOOK THREE

Lessok and Fafri stood ready to fight
against the mad mob, they were not fearful
though they were only a few, the two paragons
and the spear-comrades with them, scarcely a dozen
against a host three hundred strong, still they stood
grasping their spears and raising their shields,
ready for bloodshed and for civil strife.
Still they were not eager to fight on that day
against such monstrous odds, they saw that they
would be sorely pressed, and beyond that
they still had the hope that the mob might recover
and leave them in peace, that they might be cured.
That would be best, and for that they hoped
even as they prepared to fight in the streets.
Before the battle-lines clashed, before blood was shed
cold Lessok called out, addressing the mob.

"If you are our comrades, then lay down your arms
and go from this place, we should not shed the blood
of our dearest friends, our stout-hearted comrades
who have a share in our state, if we are brothers
then we should not quarrel, least of all now
when we are afflicted by a miserable fate.
Go from this place, you all shall be pardoned
for you are unwell, and in such times as these
we can forgive a great deal, if it is proven
that you meant us no harm, I beg you to prove that
by dispersing right now, lest you be slaughtered.
But if you are our foes, then stand and be ended
for we shall destroy you, if you are wicked
for the good of the state, and we shall shed no tears
for ending your lives, such a thing would be just
for your treacherous deeds, crimes neatly repaid.
Now choose your fate, to live or to die
and you shall receive just what you have chosen."

Fair Fafri spoke next, she shouted his words
for his blood ran quite hot, he was ready for war.
"You have the numbers, but they will not save you
and you will not triumph, you will be slaughtered
if you stand in our way, for our bloody spears
will make an end of your lives, that much I swear
on my love of the state, on my glorious name.
Kneel now my comrades if comrades you are
or else flee in fear if instead you must hate us
though it will do you no good, still we will end you
with the strength of our arms and tips of our spears.
Do you want your red blood to flow in the streets?
Will you give up your lives on this very day?
Now choose, my comrades, now make your choice
of life or of death, of our love or our hate.
My spear is ready and I will hold firm
Will you go from this place or will you stay and die?"

A number knelt down, they had been persuaded
to give up the fight, they remembered their place
and the state that they loved, so they knelt down.
Some others fled, for in their wicked hearts
they hated their comrades, but they felt fear
and dared not fight on, they fled for their lives.
The greater part stood, hearts roued by their hate,
ready to fight, to kill and be slaughtered,
ready for war, though they were hardly arrayed
in any sound way and they lacked any arms
that deserved such a name, they had only short knives
and the axes and hammers that served them as tools
in more peaceful days. Still they stood fast,
ready for battle, such was their madness.
The spear-comrades marched forward, raising their shields
and grasping their spears, they advanced in a line
as they had done countless times in the past.
The mob ran right at them, the ravenous horde
roared in their rage, and screaming their hate
raised their tools high, threw themselves into battle.

The battle was joined, the spear-work began
and many men fell, their lives were cut short
by the blood-spilling spear, fearsome in battle
that brought harsh justice down on the load-roaring mob.
Fair Fafri fought well, he exulted in war
he fought without fear, he held his spear high
and brought in down on the foe, spilling his blood
and then striking again, killing another.
He fought with Lessok beside him, that cold-hearted man
who took no pleasure in battle, who felt no fear
of pain or of death. He guided his spear
straight towards the heart, piercing the flesh
and spilling red blood, he slaughtered his foes
as he stood in the line, he shielded his comrades
keeping them safe and blocking the hard blows
that had been aimed at them by their maddened foes.
Still the battle was hard, they were only a few
against many foes, so in spite of their strength
and in spite of their valor, they were pushed back
and their blood was spilled, the dozen were wounded
and several fell dead, but still they fought on.

As Jekkex came running the others fell down,
all save for two, Fair Fafri and Lessok
who stood on their own, they were ready to perish,
they awaited their deaths, facing them bravely
without fear in their hearts, they were ready to die.
Then Jekkex joined them, he entered the fray
he brought joy to their hearts and filled them with hope.
All-conquering Jekkex had joined them at last,
bringing his spear and his great shining shield
which he bore with pride, and he brought his strength
that won him great fame, but beyond that
be brought with him his name, and many men fled
rather than face him in war, for they feared his power
and dreaded his strength, but it was not only that,
they they loved him in their hearts, he had been their hero
and they would not kill him, so many men yielded
rather than bear arms against the all-conquering man.
As he arrived he called out a challenge
for those who still stood, for those who still fought.

"Stand and be slain, for all-conquering Jekkex
has come into the fray, now he stands against you,
and you will be slaughtered if you don't yield.
Still I have mercy, still you may yet live
if you lay down your arms, if you swear here and now
to do as I command, to make up for the harm
that you did on this day, if you will do that
then you may yet live as friends of our state.
If you will not yield, then come now and fight
come alone or with many, I do not care
for I will treat you the same, you will be slaughtered."

Then Fafri spoke, for though he was gladdened
to see his captain's return, he was confused
by what Jekkex had said, why they may yet be pardoned
for their treasonous deeds that had gone so far
as to murder their comrades, shedding their blood.
"Jekkex, my captain, Jekkex, my comrade,
they have slaughtered our comrades, weakened our line,
they have chosen to fight in spite of the chance
to flee that we gave them, they have made their choice.
Why must we spare them if they yield now,
they who chose treason while knowing their choice
could lead to their deaths, they who raised their arms
in spite of our words, should they not be slaughtered?"

Jekkex responded while striking a blow,
killing his foe, shedding his red blood.
"We need men alive, we need men who are healthy
to bring to my comrade, inquisitive Halon
so that he might use them to make an end of the plague.
Thus we must take them alive if we can
in spite of their crimes, a deep need compels us.
We shall search those who yielded, see if we can find
one who suits our needs, but there is a chance
that the strong did not yield, that they fight on.
So we must break them, and once they are shattered,
once we've put them to flight then we must drop our arms
as we give chase, and seek out the strongest
of them who yet live, and we must bring them down,
alive and unharmed and then bring them as captives
so that our state can be saved. Now come dearest comrades
and fight for your lives, but more than that
fight for our city, fight for our dear state."

Having thus spoken he drew on his strength
and charged into battle, he frightened his foes
and struck them down as he charged, he was a terror,
as were his dear comrades who ran right behind him
Fair Fafri himself, and his shield-comrade Lessok.
They excelled beyond measure, fighting as well
as ten times their number, soon their foe broke
and fled from the field, they were screaming in fear.

Jekkex called out as he ran after them
he called to his comrades, urging them on.
"Now run them down and grapple the strongest
and place them in chains, for they are needed
by our inquisitive comrade, my dear comrade Halon
who will be our salvation if we can help him
by doing our duty, completing our task.
Woe to the vanquished, woe to those who fled
for though they are fleeing we are in pursuit
and none can escape us, not while we forbid it,
and run like the wind as we go to our work.
Come, comrade Lessok, come, spear-bearing Fafri
we must go to our work, we must run them down.
Now look ahead and see where they are fleeing
down through the streets to the city below
where the streets grow narrower, there they'll be trapped.
Chase them that way, down into some corner
that they cannot escape, that's how we will catch them
and that's where we'll keep them, they cannot riot
if we have them penned in, that's what we will do
and thus shall we triumph, thus shall we win.
And they'll not guess our scheme, they cannot think
with their heads full of fear, not while we few
are hot on their heels, running right at them.
Those are your orders, so carry them out
that is your task and you cannot fail.

Now I shall leave you, for I see a man
of the sort that we seek, standing apart
from the rest of the mob, running more quickly
than the rest of his kind, and he might escape
from the crowd, he might hope to escape us
by turning a corner down some other street
while we chase his comrades, he might give us the slip.
That cannot be, for we deeply need him
more than the rest, so I shall pursue him
and make him my captive, I will place him in chains
for the good of the city, and I will bring him
to the top of the spires and hand him over
to my dear comrade Halon who has need of him."

Then they were parted, for Jekkex ran off
in pursuit of his man, while Fafri and Lessok
ran after the rest, pressing them hard
and driving them onward, into a corner
surrounded by spires, so their foes could not run
or make their escape, at last they were trapped.
Then the two comrades went right to their work
while Fafri stood guard, holding the mob back
Lessok built up a wall, built a barricade
as fast as he could so that they could be certain
that their foes were imprisoned, they could not run.
With that task completed they grimly stood guard
until their dear comrade could return to them
and give them new orders, they kept the watch.
Their charges were begging, they fell to their knees
asking for mercy, to be given their leave
to go where they wished, they swore to the spear-comrades
that they they would be true, that they should be trusted.
Their wish was denied, for Fafri and Lessok
could not be persuaded to fail in their duty.

While they did that brave Jekkex ran onward,
he ran through the streets, chasing his target
he ran like the wind, and just like the falcon
that dives at a dove as it flees for its life
he would not be denied, he ran with great haste
as the traitor ran from him, fleeing in fear.
Jekkex called out to the man, gave a command
and gave him a warning, speaking grim words.
"Yield now to me, and cease your retreat
and things will go gently, but if you do not
if you still resist, then great pain awaits you.
You cannot escape me, I am duty-bound
to capture you now, to place you in chains
that you may yet serve this city of ours.
If you yield now, if you quickly surrender
and go to your task, if you serve as you must
a pardon awaits you, although your grim crime
calls for your death, it would truly be justice
to end your life now, in fear and in pain
but it need not be so, if only you yield.
If you do not, then I shall soon catch you
and throw you to the ground, you will not escape
and if you resist then, I shall break your bones
so that your struggles will end, it will be so.
If you will not serve out of love of the state
or the pressure of reason, then I demand
that you let your fear rule you, knowing my words
and my grim threats are true. Do you wish to face me
in a grim battle now? If you are fearful
then yielding is best. It will spare you some pain."

The traitor then turned, having heard those grim words
and faced glorious Jekkex, raising his arms,
he was ready for battle, he held a sharp knife
dripping with blood, he had no urge to stand down.
He lunged at brave Jekkex, swinging his blade
to strike at the spear-comrade, who raised his bright shield
and blocked the fierce blow. Then honest Jekkex
let his spear fall to the ground, he had no use
for any such weapon, for his fatal arms
could be of no use, the man had to be captured
and so Jekkex faced him with only his shield.
He raised that shield high and brought it straight down
on the head of the traitor who fell to the ground.
Blood dripped from his face, but he had not yielded
he still wished to fight, he wished to resist.
He struck out again, he was swinging quite wildly,
he fought more with fury than with any skill.
Jekkex raised his shield high, he brought his shield down
and smashed the man's legs, but still he did not yield,
so Jekkex struck him again, and broke both his arms.

Having captured the man he returned to the spire
where his comrades lingered awaiting the time
when he would return with his caught quarry,
returning in triumph, bringing the man
that his comrade needed to complete his work.

BOOK FOUR

Jekkex spoke first, presenting his captive
to inquisitive Halon, and to prudent Quinno
who were heartened to see that their comrade was well.
"I return here in triumph, and I have brought
the gift that I promised, here is a man
who is free from the plague, I think he will serve
quite well for your purpose, although I admit
that he is not quite whole, his limbs are shattered,
and that is my doing, I could not avoid it
for he would not yield, I took him by force.
Is he to your liking? Will this one suffice?
I can go forth, I can find you another
if that is your wish, for the proles are contained
by Lessok and Fafri, they cannot escape.
If this one is enough, then go to your work,
do not be delayed and let nothing dissuade you,
allow no distraction, go straight to your task.
Do not be concerned by the thought of a riot,
I shall keep the peace while you go to your work,
and you will be safe, be certain of that.
Do you need anything else? Ask and I
will obey you with haste, I live only to serve."

Halon spoke then, there was joy in his voice.
"All-conquering Jekkex, you have done well
and found all I need, found me the man
who may yet save the state, I need nothing else.
I shall go to my spire, and with honest Almay
work without resting until I have found
the cure that we seek, our needful salvation.
Such is my duty, and it will be done.
Go forth now my friend, go forth great Jekkex
and stand guard in the city, watch over the mob
lest I be disturbed and our city doomed."

As Halon turned, as he reached for the traitor
that rioter spoke, and his words were clear,
though his voice trembled, it was tinged by his fear.
"Halt! Halt! You may not lay your hands on me,
for though I am accused, though you accuse me,
there has been no trial, there has been no judgment
by an arbiter wise in the ways of the law.
If you condemn me I call for a trial
and if you are just, then it will be granted
without any delay, we shall each speak as we wish,
making our case, and then giving our proof.
Then let me be judged, and if I am found wanting,
if I am convicted, then you may do
just as you plan, then it would be proper
but not until then, not until I have spoken
for my own defense, and given my reasons
for all that I've done, for all of my deeds.
Come, honest Quinno, I know of your fame
and your love of justice, I think that you know
that I am speaking the truth, is it not so?
Those two do not know it, it is not their place
to care for such things, they have other concerns,
and I cannot despise them for acting in haste
they have done what is proper, proper for them.
But you, honest Quinno, for you it is right
to act with less haste, to ponder such things
that falls to your caste, and such is your duty.
I ask of you now, let sweet justice reign
and give me a trial, give me my due."

Halon spoke then, his displeasure was clear
he craved no delay, he longed to leave quickly
and go straight to his finding the cure.
"It is my right, the right of my high caste
to demand such a service from any of you
as I demand now, to help with my research
by giving your flesh for the sake of my learning.
Do not speak of rights, such a thing will not help you
for that right is mine, I will not be delayed
by your pleading for justice, what do you know
of any such thing? I think you know nothing
or you would not speak of justice at this time.
It is quite just and it is quite proper
for all men to die for their dear city's sake
and suffer great pains if that is required
for the good of the state, and for their comrades.
Beg for justice or not, it is all the same
either way you must serve, and it will be so."

Jekkex spoke next, and his voice was tinted
by his deep contempt, he spat out his words.
"Treacherous man, I have seen you fighting
against my spear-comrades, against our state
and I saw you killing with a bloody knife
a spear-comrade of mine, I called him a friend
and you cut him down, robbed him of his life.

I know you are guilty, there is no need
of a hasty trial, what good would it do
when you will be convicted? There is no defense
which might leave you free, for your crimes are known
and they are severe, they demand your death.
I offered you mercy and you fled away,
I offered you mercy and you chose to fight.
Why ask for it now? You already rejected
a lawful surrender, and more than that
you looked for my death, treated me as a foe.
You are no comrade of anyone here
and deserve no such trial, I did not give
any such gift to those whom I captured
on the Nescine fields, when I took their city
and tore down their walls, I placed them in chains
if they surrendered, and those who fought me
were put to death quickly, they had no defense.
I say you are like them, you are the foe
of the city itself, not just a comrade
who has wandered astray, you are far worse
and deserve no indulgence, you deserve only death.
For those outside the law there is no true justice
laws neither bind nor protect them, thus there is no way
to treat them with justice, nor is there anyway
to treat them unjustly, and so we must
use them as we need them, use them as we will."

All turned to Quinno, they trusted his judgment
and he pondered their words then spoke his reply.
"It is no easy matter to decide such a thing,
should there be a trial, would that be just?
It is a citizen's right, that much is certain
and it is well known, that it is a just thing
for a trial to be held, whatever the charge
and whatever the proof, for that is the way
that the truth can be found, so there should be
a trial for that reason, it does not matter
by whom he is accused, nor on what basis
for no matter his deeds, he is no traitor
until such a time as the trial is held
and he is found guilty, until that time
we are only guessing, it is not known
if he should be guilty, or if we are wrong
and he has no stain of guilt in his heart.

But if he is guilty, or if he is not
Halon's right still remains to conscript a man
for the sake of his learning, that does not change
if there is a trial, it is always just
for such a thing to be done, for it is true
that the seeking of truth is our highest goal.
He would be a just sacrifice, guilty or not
so what use is a trial, should we delay
the search for a cure, must that be done?
If we do not, then this criminal matter
shall go unresolved, can we allow that?
It would be for the sake of formality, true,
but if we have a procedure, it must be followed
or we are no state, or at least not worth saving
but merely a mob, little better than those
who fought in the streets, who bled and who died
short minutes ago. And so it must be,
there must be a trial, but let it be quick.
Let the accused speak since the charge is well-known."

Then the man spoke in defense of his deeds,
speaking as well as he could, though he was unschooled
in rhetorical arts, in speaking fine words.
"I will tell you no lies, what good would it do me
to try to lead you astray, I cannot do that
you would discover it, you would condemn me
and it would be improper for me to lie,
contrary to justice, so I give you my oath
that all that I say is completely true.

Bound by that oath I shall make no denial
of my bloody deeds, I bore arms against
that man standing there, the one you call Jekkex,
a glorious man whose valorous deeds
are well-known to all, I stood against him.
Now that was illegal, I know that full well
and I was not mad when I drew my grim blade,
I knew what I did, I knew of my crime
and I still stood against him, I thought to shed
his blood in the streets, that was my goal.
Why would I do that, why commit such a crime
if I was not mad? Do I hate the state
or was it some grudge, some private quarrel
that set me against him, what was the cause?

I did it for justice, that is the truth
though it may surprise you to hear such a thing.
The proletariat starves, we all were dying
and that is unjust, you all have failed us,
you soldiers, you fighters, you scientists too
and the bureaucrats failed us, though they are wise
they could not bring any end to our plight.
What were we to do? What else could be done
while you ignored us, there was only one thing,
the bearing of arms, unfortunate war.
I swear it was just, for there is a bargain
that just as we serve, just as we labor
you too do your part, you rule with your wisdom
so that we can be safe, so that all we need
is ready for us, that is the bargain.
It is not so, for we are all starving
and we are sickened, there was no relief.

That is the reason we bore arms against you,
that is the reason that we call it justice
to strike you all down, to slaughter you all,
for breach of your contract, and if we are wrong
then you were wrong first, you too are unjust.
That is my defense, now do what you will
now I will be silent, judge as you please."

Quinno was silent, he gathered his thoughts
for several long moments, only then did he speak.
"Treacherous man, who has taught you those words?
They sound fair to the ear, but even so
there is no truth in them, it seems you know nothing
of law or of justice, for what you have said
is foreign to both, what you did was not just
nor was it proper, not in time such as these
when all of us suffer, nor would it be good
even in better days, even if we had failed
and caused you to suffer in a happier time
you would have no case. Do you know why?
We have worked in good faith, done all we can
and that is the bargain, that is what we owe.
No man can promise success, nothing is perfect
but we can promise to strive as best as we can
and being conquered to rise up again,
and we have done that, we did all we could.
And still we are striving, even right now
and you will help us, that is your duty
that will be done, and a cure will be found.

I give you my verdict. You are condemned.
I name you a traitor, strip you of all
the rights that you had, I call you a foe
of all that is just and all that is good.
Let the verdict be known, this man is condemned
he has broken the law, justice will be done.
Let all lament for the loss of a comrade
not only to death but to something far worse
to treasonous deeds and a wicked heart.
You will serve Halon and do what he needs
for the good of the state which you have abandoned
and if you still live when he is finished
when he has no further need of your body at all
then you will die, then you will perish
we will cut off your wings and cast you away
from our lofty spires, then you will plummet
away from our city and you'll lose your life.

I ask only this, and we will compel you
to answer it truly, who taught you those lies?
I do not think any born in our spires
would lose sight of justice, go so far astray
without any guide from some foreign place.
Speak, speak, and tell us the truth. Who did that deed,
who led you to evil? Give us the name."

Then the traitor spoke, did as he was told.
"There was a man who did not give a name
who taught us that truth, the one you deny.
He came into the city, bringing us bread
and asked only one thing, that we listen to him
and hear all that he said, which we gladly did
for he was a wonder, he stood with strength
though he was diseased, he had skin like scales
and a face covered in boils, warts with growths.
We listened to him, we hoped that he could
teach us to bear grim disease as he did,
so that we could be strong, and without pain
go on with our lives, that was our hope.
He still teaches that lesson, go forth and meet him
if that is your goal, and argue with him
teach him of justice, preach if you like
he will answer you well, for he is quite wise."

Then he grew silent, then he held his tongue
and Halon took his leave, he would not be delayed
any more than he had, he left in great haste
and took the man with him, he went to the spire
to search for a cure, he returned to Almay.
Jekkex went forth, returned to his comrades
down in the streets, keeping order as best
as he could, awaiting good news from his friend.
Only Quinno remained, he pondered alone
what all that could mean, and how he should guide
all of his comrades, and what they should do,
if there was a foe living there in the spires.
If there was such a foe, how could they fight him?
If the lower castes loved him, what could be done,
would they riot again, had they all fallen
under his vile sway, were they corrupted
or were they betrayed by only a few?
Such things concerned him, such things did he ponder
as he stood alone waiting for Halon to work.

BOOK FIVE

Halon returned to the spire, carrying with him
the treacherous man, he was greeted by Almay
and he told her all he had heard, all he had seen.
When he had finished they went right to their work,
bound the man to a table, chaining him done
so that he could not move, he could not escape.
Then they brought for a man nearly dead from the plague
and placed that man on him, they opened his veins
and let his blood flow past the traitorous lips
of the man who was healthy, so that we would
succumb to the plague, and when they had done that
they stood by and waited, watching the man
for any sign of the plague, any symptom at all.

Halon spoke then to Almay as they were watching,
awaiting a sign that the plague had arrived
in the foul traitor's body, that's when he spoke.
"Almay, my student, Almay, my comrade
watch him with great care, for we cannot afford
to miss any sign, we can overlook nothing
or we are lost, but I am now old
and my senses are poor, though my mind is intact
and though I shall strive to see all that there is
I may yet fail, so now I must ask you
to look for us both, so that we are sure
that nothing can escape us. I know that you can
do what I ask, for it was I that taught you
all that I know, and you learned it quite quickly
and then you learned more, you have surpassed me
in dozens of ways, we both know that is true.
Now is the time that all you have learned
is put to good use, and now at long last
you can do your duty, take joy in that.

What we do now is grim, I cannot deny that
but it must be done, that too is the truth.
Look at that man, know that he will suffer
a thousand great pains, if we are to triumph
and find the sought-after cure. We can have no mercy,
for though every man recoils from pain
not just in himself, but also in others
we cannot do so, we must grimly fight down
such kindly thoughts, and we must force them out
of our minds here and now. We cannot permit
such a distraction as that, we must be cold
and harden our hearts. Do as I taught you,
do what you learned, and think without feeling
that is our way, that is what must be done."

Then Almay spoke, and her young voice was harsh
without any pain, with no feeling at all.
"Inquisitive Halon, I know of our ways
and I know what must be done, do not despair
or fear any failure, although I am kind
to those I call friends, I will not be swayed
by any man's pain. I'll do what must be done.
How could I not when hundreds are dying?
How could I not when the cost is so high?
His pain will be great, we both know that is true
but his pain still is nothing when we compare it
to the pain of the people, the suffering hundreds
out there in the streets. Their pain is greater
because of their numbers, they suffer far more
than any one man. Thus reason demands
that we harden our hearts, that we do not feel
any love for his man, that we do not show him
any shred of kind mercy, that is the truth."

Halon was pleased, she had spoken quite well
and so they kept watch, reminding each other
of what had to be done, speaking of duty
as they watched and they waited for the plague to come.
It soon arrived, that grim life-claiming plague
took hold of the man, the first sign was there
the burning pain of the plague, he could not hide
the pain that he felt, it showed in his face.
Halon spoke then, addressing the man
he asked for a report, he asked to know all.

"Tell me of your pain, you suffering man,
I need to know all. You must say what you feel.
If you are in pain, if you feel the burning
if your skin hardens we need to know that,
at the very moment when you first feel it.
Tell us these things so that we can know them
and knowing them we can go to our work
and search for the cure. Now tell us the truth,
do not deceive us, if you try you will fail
and suffer great pains, not just at our hands
as our just retribution but beyond that
the plague will afflict you far longer that way
for when we have a cure, then you will perish.
When we have a cure, then we will kill you
a merciful death, an end to your pain,
a just penalty for the crimes you comitted.
Speak now and tell us of all that you feel."

Then the man spoke, he did as he was bade
he had no will to resist, his pain was too great.
"I burn with the flame of ten thousand great suns.
There is a forge in my flesh and I feel it burning,
I am trapped in my skin, there is no escape.
It began in my heart, that great burning pain
and then it spread outward, first to my chest
then into my arms, and into my loins.
It spread even farther, down into my legs.
Now my whole body is burning save for my head
though that will come soon, I dread that it will.
I feel my skin itching and I feel it harden
into a harsh prison, it adds to the pain.
Show me some mercy, I beg you for that
put a knife to my throat, spill my red blood
and let me die well. Is that not a cure?
that would end this plague, you cannot deny it
that would be a cure, and it would be simple
for all men to take it if that is their wish."

Then Halon spoke, he gave his reponse
to that treacherous man, he spoke with clear words.
"That is no cure, though it ends the disease
it would end your pain, but a cure must do more.
It must stop the problem, not merely change it
for some other curse, for that is no cure,
but only a trade and a poor one at that.
My task is to learn, and by means of my learning
to build a new world, a world that is brighter
one step at a time, conquering nature
and the schemes of our foes. In that great war,
the war which is grandest, against the great foe
against nature itself and the ill will it bears us
there can be no surrender, I can never yield.
Now you are my weapon, I use your body
to learn of this plague so that it can be fought,
thus I cannot kill you, you must bear this pain
until I have triumphed, that is your task.
Would a man break his spear as he marches to war
or shatter his shield, thinking that it was good
to spare it the pain of blocking harsh blows?
No, he would not, for that would be folly,
a man will not yield up his tools or his arms
when he still needs them, and so it will be
for your life and your body. There is no mercy
there is no repose, not while I need you.

Now I give you a warning, your flesh will be cut
and your body cracked open so I can see
the state of your organs, I will examine
your red blood and your flesh and your white bones.
Now bear the pain, and bear it in silence
without any complaint, as best as you can
lest we be distracted and make a mistake
which would slow us down and lengthen your pain.
Come, honest Almay, make yourself ready
sharpen the scalpel and ready the saw."

They gathered their tools, they cut him quite deeply
they were piercing his flesh and shedding his blood
just as the soldier, wielding a long spear
cuts into his foe, that's how they pierced him
though with different goal, they kept him alive
and looked into his body, searching for truth.
They cut into his skin, peeling it back
they cut into the fat, drawing it outward,
they placed it aside and they dug in again.
Then they cracked his bones, they shattered and splintered
and they pulled out the shards, and dug in again
seeking his organs, they readily found them.
His heart was blackened, his heart was burned
it was marked by the plague, darkened and twisted
and it hardly functioned, it barely pumped blood
it was weakened and dying, such was his heart.
His liver was failing, it had grown pale
it had grown softer, losing its shape
and it shriveled up, it had grown small.
His lungs were crumpled, they could hardly hold air
for they had grown weak, they were without strength.

The scientists saw that and they took notes
about all that they saw, then they sewed up his wounds
so that he could live for several more days
and bear the rest of the plague so that they could see
how his body changed as the plague took its toll.
Again Halon pressed him, asking for a report
on the state of his flesh and how the man felt.
"How do you feel, you treacherous man
tell me of your pains, of how they have changed
since you last spoke, tell me all that you can.
Cease your lamenting, now you must speak clearly
how do you suffer? Tell me all that you feel."

Then the man spoke, he was screaming his words
with pain in his voice and hate in his heart.
"Halon, I hate you. A pox on you, Almay
for what you have done, how can you bear it
to cut a man open, breaking his bones
in search of the truth and being uncaring,
letting him bear his pain without any regard
for his suffering soul, are you so heartless
as to do that? I truly hate you, and
I curse your name, and I shall curse it
for as long as I live, why should I tell you
any such thing, why should I help you?
What good does it do me to help you at all,
to render this service, it gets me nothing.
But if I deny you, if for hate's sake
I keep my silence, force you to guess
at what I am feeling, then I can spite you
and take some revenge, that is a pleasure
unlike any other, and I desire it.
So tell me, good Halon, why should I speak
and help you at all? You said I am wicked,
that I live in vice, and if that is true
then it is proper for me to refuse you
for the sake of my hate, the sake of my wrath."

Then Almay spoke, cutting off Halon
who held back his reply, seeing that Almay
could speak better than him, get what was needed
without further delay, he let her speak.
"Why did you riot, why did you betray
those you called comrade, why did you bear arms
against your own city, what did you tell them?
Did you not say that it was out of fury
at those who had failed you, brought you such pain,
and not just to you, but also to those
who you called your friends, you cared for them,
and loving them you took up your arms
not just to avenge them, but beyond that
to get what they needed, make an end of their pain.
You called it just to fight for those people
against your own city, that much was wrong
but when you spoke those words you gave us proof
that you still cared for them, and for that reason
I bid you speak. You must do as we tell you
not just for our sakes, but just out of duty
but also for them who may yet be saved.
Speak, speak, speak to us now, tell us all things
so that we can cure them, so that they can live."

Then the traitor spoke, speaking quite quickly
telling all that he could, all that he felt.
"My eyes are failing, and I have grown blind
my sight has left me, my sense grow dull.
Still I am burning, that much I still feel
and it has spread all throughout me, into my head
and nothing is spared, there is no relief.
I feel a thirst too, such as I never before
in my life, I long for cold water."

When he grew silent Almay and Halon
picked up their knives, went over to him
and plucked out an eye, he screamed as they did it
and wept bitter tears from the one that remained.
They looked at the eyeball, cut it in two
and looking inside, they saw it was rotten,
it was black at the core, it smelled of decay.
They plucked out the other, stopping the weeping
and cutting it open, found it was the same.
The man's blood flowed quite freely, and then he spoke
giving voice to his pain, speaking grim words.

"My blood is flowing, my death is now here
an end to all pain, an end to all things.
I hope you are sated, I hope you have learned
all that you wanted, for this is the end
unless my mute carcass can give you some secrets.
It is not for love of you that I hold that hope
but for love of the others, love of my friends
who may yet be saved, it is for their sake
that I hope you have learned all that you can.
Now for the sake of grim hate I speak a curse
and wish for your doom, I hope that you suffer
just as I have, and I think there is a chance
that it will come to pass, for if this plague
can spread from my body to those who are near me
then you will be afflicted, the plague will take you.
That is my wish, and with my last breath
I curse your names, dark Halon and Almay."
Having spoken those words he yielded his life
and in that same moment returned to the wheel.

Halon said nothing and Almay was silent,
they went to their work, they cut up the corpse
and learned as much as they could, they wasted nothing.
Having learned a great deal, Halon left the spire,
bidding good Almay to search for a cure
while he made a report, told all that he knew
to his wise comrade Quinno and Jekkex, his friend.
As he took his leave he clutched at his heart,
he felt a dull burning, a feverish pain.

BOOK SIX

Halon went to the Boardroom, he called for us comrades,
and they soon arrived, the came with all haste.
Quinno came first, he had been close at hand,
and Jekkex came after, fresh from the field
of bloody battle, fresh from the fight.
They were hoping for news, and for good tidings
for some hopeful sign that they could then share
with their lesser comrades to strengthen their hearts
and help them keep working, keep them free form despair.
With that hope in their hearts they arrived quickly
and pressed Halon for news, asked him what he had done.
He hid the pain in his voice as he spoke to them
lest they despair to see him afflicted
with the grim plague, he steadied his voice
as he spoke to them, giving them the news.

"The traitor is dead, he has yielded his life
for the sake of my studies, now he has served
as best as he could, justice has been done.
He taught us a great deal, now we have learned
how the disease starts, and just how quickly
it can progress from moment to moment,
how the pain grows and how the body itself
wilters and rots in the face of the plague.
We saw the organs afflicted, it strikes the heart first
and then spreads far outwards, the liver soon fails
and the lungs become worthless, then after that
the plague moves to the eyes, they soon decay.
I learned all of that from the treacherous body
that I examined as it quickly succumbed
to the grim plague, the curse on our city.

Now you must now the cost, you must comprehend
just what I have done, before I move on
and tell all I know, it would be unjust
for me to be silent, you must know the price
of this knowledge I bring, it is not proper
to hide from that truth, it would be wicked
for me to be silent, hiding such things.
That man was healthy, free of the plague
until he was infected by my own command.
We forced the plague on him, filled him with pain
and then cut him open, shedding his blood
but preserving his life just as long as we could.
This needful knowledge was bought by his pain,
a grim repayment of the debt that he owed
for his treacherous crime, and so it was just,
but still it was cruel, and that must be known.
As long as you know that I can move on
and say what I have learned, what I now know
though I come with grim news that you will dislike."

Then wise Quinno spoke, there was grief in his voice
he dreaded the news that his comrade might bring.
"Is there no cure? Is that what you found?
are we all doomed to die, save for the packs
who have proven immune, must they now watch
as their city dies, is that our harsh fate?
Such a thing would be harder than bearing the plague
to watch our comrades die, and to outlive them
without rendering aid. Halon, my comrade,
say it need not be so, give some better news
tell me there is still hope, please let it be so."

Halon spoke his response, shaking his head.
"Be calm, honest Quinno, I did not say
that we are now doomed to any such fate,
or that there can be no cure, it is not so.
I do not bring a cure, but I believe
that one can be found, that we shall manage
to bring this plague to an end, if we have time.
I bring other grim tidings, I bring them to Jekkex,
this plague that we fight is no natural thing.
I have discovered that much, this plague has come
from our smoke-shrouded foes, it is a weapon
that they have deployed to spread terror and madness.
I fear they have succeeded, look to the proles
and see how they riot, look at their madness
and see how they accepted dangerous lies
that turned them against us, such was the plan
of our most-hated foes. Now, comrade Jekkex,
you must go down into the streets and you must find
our foes who are lurking, awaiting our doom.
If you cannot find them a cure will be worthless
they will send a new plague or call for a riot
or some other thing, and we will be destroyed
as the cure is deployed, we all know it is so.

Thus we must ask of you another great task
to go forth and fight and bring down this foe.
You are nearly alone, spear-comrades are few
are our foes may be many, still it must be done.
Go forth with your courage, find all your valor
and fight for our state, and bring down our foes.
That is your task, and now you must do it
just as I must go and look for this cure.
Such are my tidings and such are the tasks
that our state demands, we must go to our work."

Then Jekkex spoke, he gave his response
sharing his thoughts and advising his friend.
"Virtuous Halon, if you command it
I will go into the breach, facing our foes
and risking my life, for the risk will be great
and not just to myself, but to the state.
If I am killed, if I am grimly slaughtered
then our forces will fail, lacking a leader
who can array them for war, and they will fall
if a foe marches against them, they are only few.
They can only fight with my guidance now,
and with the help of my spear, that is the truth,
without me they are nothing, they cannot stand
and fight on their own, not even my comrades
fair Fafri and Lessok, not even they
could take my place now, not because they are weak
or lacking in sense, but because they are wounded.
If I march into battle there will be a riot
and we will be broken, we will be shattered
we have not the strength to fight back another,
our one hope is this, that they do not fight.
Thus if this man must die, it must be done
in some secret way, by stealthier means
than with the point of a spear, a wall of bright shields.
I can sneak in and kill him, but there is danger
if I should fall, then we are truly doomed,
for if I walk among them and if I am seen
then they will riot, have no doubt of that.

Should that not be delayed until the cure is found?
I should keep you safe until such a time
as your duty is done, then when there is no need
to shelter you further, then I can go forth
and track down this foe. I think that is the time
that this deed should be done, I do advise
that the fight be delayed, but I will obey
if others command that I go and fight on this day."

Quinno spoke next, speaking wise words with his voice.
"Glorious Jekkex, none here shall command you
for you know these things best, war is your business
and you hold the command, do as you deem best.
This man must be found, our hidden destroyer
lest he strike again, but as for the time
when he is struck down, we leave that to you
who knows these things best, you who have conquered
in glorious war on the foreign fields
of those who opposed us, you who have broken
the lines of our foes, and put them to death.
If you think it is proper that we delay
such an attack, then we shall wait longer
until the time is right, until we can fight
when our efforts are favored, with minimal risk.
Will it be so? What have you chosen?
Will you fight now or will you delay?"

Then Jekkex spoke, passing his judgment.
"Then we shall delay, I will hold the line
as long as it's needed, until at long last
the cure is discovered, until that moment
I shall keep my watch, I will stand ready
to fight and shed blood, defending my comrade
who works in the spire, my dear comrade Halon.
When you are finished, when your cure is ready
then I shall go, and then I will conquer
or else die in the streets, fighting for my city."

Then Halon spoke, addressing great Jekkex.
"If you think that is best I will not dissuade you,
for I trust your judgment, you know what is best.
You have your goals, now go achieve them
as you think proper, do whatever is best.
Go hold the line, go join your spear-comrades
and buy me more time, go and keep me safe
until my task is done, until a cure is found."

Then he grew silent, he was clutching his chest
and gasping in pain, he felt the burning
burning still hotter, he had never felt
a pain such as that before in his life.
His flesh was afire, he fell to his knees
he could scarcely think, he could scarcely breathe.
His friends gathered around him, Jekkex and Quinno,
and helped him to stand, they pulled him to his feet
and asked what had happened, what was the matter,
what had caused him to fall, what had caused his pain.
Halon responded while gasping for air
and grasping his heart, bearing the pain as he could.

"The plague is upon me, I am infected,
that is the truth, I shall not conceal it
from you anymore, although I had hoped
to keep it a secret, lest you be worried
and fear for my life, lest that distract you
from the work you must do. I could not manage that
and now it is known that I am in pain,
that I am afflicted, that I am ill.
Do not be concerned, don't feel any worry,
I have a few days during which I can work
before the plague takes me, before I am useless.
I shall labor on for as long as I can
and I think I shall manage to find us the cure
that we so sorely need before I succumb
to this plague and fall dead. Love of my life
would keep me working now, even if I
had no love of my city to drive me to work
without any rest, lacking all leisure.

Now two things compel me to work with all haste,
the first is the plague, and fear of grim death,
and that is the least, for the fear of grim death
is a trifling thing, it is a small matter
for any good man. Why should we fear death
when there are so many things far worse in this life
than than the end of our days, why fear what is least?
A dead man cannot work for his dear city's sake
and that is the reason, the only just cause
for one such as I to flee from death at all.
There is one other thing that could drive me on,
and it is the greater, it matters far more.
That reason is duty, the love of my city
and that will drive me on, even to death
in spite of all pain, in spite of the plague.
What else can be done but for us to strive on?
All despair is useless, what good would it do
for me to weep, for me to stop striving
and accept a grim fate? That way is no better
than still going on, working through the pain
for the good of the state, for my dear comrades' sake.

And if I should die before my work is done
then my comrade Almay will finish the task,
she is not sickened, she is still healthy
and she will work on even after I die
until the task is done. I have great faith
in her skill and her knowledge. She will not fail."

Then he fell silent, he was reeling in pain
and he fell once again, he fell to his knees,
grasping his hard and gasping for breath.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, Jekkex reached down
and grasped him quite gently, pulling him up,
pulling him to his feet, helping him stand.
They stood facing each other, Jekkex reached out
and embraced his dear comrade, holding good Halon
holding him in his arms for a moment, then he let go
and then they were parted. Jekkex went forth
into the streets, he returned to his post
where his comrades were waiting, Fafri and Lessok,
waiting for tidings and waiting for orders.
He told them all and for a long moment
they were all silent, dreading the day
when Halon would leave them, when he would die.
They set such feeling aside, returned to their watch,
returned to their duty, it was a comfort
for them to do that, to put such thoughts from their mind.

Halon returned on his own to the spire,
resting quite often, he was growing weak
but in time he made it, returning to Almay.
He fell to the ground at good Almay's feet
and he spoke freely to her, he concealed nothing.
"Now, comrade Almay, we go to our work
while I still can, before I fall dead
from this plague that afflicts me, we must press on.
You must be my hands, I can hardly stand
but I can still reason, I can still think
and so I can serve, my duty will be done.
Now we've seen the disease, we've seen it progress
we know how it goes, so we can cut it off
and stop its progression, I think I know how.
Now let me guide you, say what needs to be done,
you must prepare all the treatments, and try them out
on the one subject that's left, test them on me
and we'll see if I live or see if I die."

Having thus spoken they went to their work,
with Halon directing and good Almay acting
not just as his hands, but as a second mind
giving her thoughts, for she was not a servant
but rather a peer, she was his equal in this.
Thus did they work for many long hours
as Halon grew weaker, as his pain grew.

Quinno stood alone, he was in the Boardroom,
awaiting good news, and while he waited
he stood and he planned how the cure could be spread
with the haste it required, first to the best
who lived in the city, who deserved it most
and then to the weakest who deserved it the least.
He stood pondering that, he stood and he waited
lamenting that he could do nothing more
for his city than that, he longed to work
with his packmates below, but he was needed
up there in the spires, so he could be ready
to lead at the shortest moment, and so he lingered
against his desires for the good of the state.

BOOK SEVEN

Jekkex returned to the streets, returned to the proles
who were contained, but plotting new treason.
They were not alone, for they had been joined
by a foreign man, he was from the desert,
and he went among them speaking strange words
and telling strange lies, he led them astray
as best as he could, that was his mission
that was why he had come, to build up a riot
and bring down the spires. That was his task.
Many men listened, for they were not wise
and he spoke very well, hiding the truth
and driving them on to ruin, but there were some
who would not listen to him, mistrusting his words
for he spoke of reason, he spoke of revolt.
That foreign man, whose name was Sanirri,
went forth to a servant who was a good man
and spoke sweet words to him, he spoke his dark lies.

"I greet you, comrade, will you linger here
and listen for a moment, hearing my words?
Where are you going? Were you hoping to go
back to your work, escaping from this crowd
and winning a reprieve? Was that your plan?
Are you truly so loyal? Then I shall commend you
for so few men are, and not without reason,
for who can love those who have condemned them
to disease and to death? Not many men
can forgive them for that, it is a hard thing
to look kindly on evil. You are to be praised
if you love them yet in spite of their crimes.
Will you teach it to me, how you can manage
to forgive what they did? I wish only to learn
this strange skill of yours, to forget all reason
for loyalty's sake, such a thing is useful
to those who would give up all of their reason
and give up all of their thoughts, so they can feel
what they wish to feel, and nothing else at all."

Then the prole spoke, choosing prudent words and
speaking with great care, for he was wary
of the man speaking to him, saying strange things.
"It is not a hard thing, it is only virtue
that drives me to love them, I see little need
for treasonous deeds, for black-hearted betrayal
or any such thing. All pain is fleeting,
all suffering passes, just as we pass,
we who are mortal, who are doomed to die.
The state will remain if we can preserve it
and it will grow strong, if we can give ourselves
for the sake of its might. To do so is virtue.
It stands to reason, what use is a life,
a few dozen short years, and then nothing more,
what use is that? It is a trifling thing
compared to a state that can stand eternal
and outlive us all. It is through knowing that,
a thing which all good men know, that I can love
even as I suffer. That is the way."

The prole then grew silent, and he turned to leave
but Sanirri addressed him, speaking once more.
"Why do you turn? Why not speak longer with me?
Do you fear what I say, do my words cut you
deep down in your heart? Have I made you think
that you lied to yourself, mistaking your folly
for honor or virtue? Did I bring you pain,
and not a plague-pain, not a failing body
but pain in your mind, the pain that arises
from seeing your error, being proven wrong?
You cannot flee from that, surely you know
that those up in the spires say we must face
harsh truths when we find them, that we cannot run
and hide from the truth, finding some shelter
in a comforting lie. You know that is wicked,
so why do it now? Will you not face the truth,
hard though it may be? Those up above
have no love of you, they left you to die
without any thought for your life or your pain.
They have penned you in, you are imprisoned
at their command. Surely they have shown you
that they are your foes, that they have betrayed you?
I am unlike them, I would call you my friend
and help you quite gladly, if you would listen
and abandon their lies. Will you allow me
to do what I can? It is for your own good,
and the good of your comrades, but more than that,
the good of your state. Look how it has fallen
and how they have failed it. Is it not justice
to call them to account, make them share in your pain?"

The prole spoke again, with disgust in his voice
as he walked away he spoke further words.
"They have suffered enough under this plague,
they die as we do, they have done all they can
for the sake of our city. They did not betray us.
As for our confinement, I can find no fault
in them for any such thing, there was a riot,
many people bore arms, they cannot allow
such a thing to happen again, and they cannot know
who might fight in the future, there is no way
for the peace to be kept, save for the tactic
that they now employ, confining us all.
You might be a liar, you might be a fool
and I cannot say which, nor do I care
for in either case I must treat you the same
and pay no heed to your words. Folly and falsehood
are much the same thing, and I have no time
to listen to either, I have no desire
to hear anything else that you wish to say.
Leave me in peace, go preach to another
if that is your wish, you will not corrupt
any good men, and if any should listen
then that is proof of their folly, and furthermore
it reveals their wicked hearts so that we all know
that they are to be shunned, they are to be hated."
Having thus spoken, the prole went on his way,
took his leave of Sanirri, took his leave of the lies.

Then Sanirri wandered, looking for others
that he could tempt, that he could lead into evil,
who would be easily swayed by his honeyed words
and do as he wished, rising up in revolt
and bearing grim arms against their own state.
He tempted some men, those with weaker wills
who could not resist his lies, as well as those
who had good intentions, but were without wisdom
and thought he meant well, those too were swayed.
There were a small number, a hateful few
who were quickly persuaded by other means,
not by his words, although his words were sweet
but by darker offers, he gave them gifts,
and those gifts won them over. Thus were they lost
to their city through greed, through their own desires.
Sanirri's host grew, he rallied more men
to his side by those means, they readied for war
and to riot again, but at the same time
there were some who resisted, they were not tempted
to join forces with him, and some of them
guessed his true purpose. They also prepared
for bloodshed and strife, not against their home
but to fight back the riot, crushing it quickly
before the spear-comrades were called, they thought it best
to fight that battle themselves, knowing the truth
that the spear-comrades were weary, they were unready
for any such battle, they needed some aid.

Thus two armies gathered down there in the streets,
both ready to fight, and to shed red blood
for their own reasons, one that was wicked,
who bore arms out of madness, believing the lies
that they had been told, or because of their greed,
and another far nobler, arrayed against that host
for love of their city and love of the truth.
Both were ready to bleed, to slaughter, and die
and they soon met each other, bloodshed was near
but both had the hope that there still could be peace
and the others persuaded to lay down their arms
and yield without fighting, both had that hope.
Because of that high hope both armies sent out
a man to speak to the others, to utter fine words
and convert their foes to a friendlier stance
so they could win without fighting, win without war.
The treacherous throng sent out a strong man
who was clad all in silk, gifts from Sanirri
and shrouded in smoke, clear proof of his vice
and a sign of the place where is loyalties were.
That traitor's vice was matched by another's,
a man was sent out from the loyalist host
to speak of pure virtue, to remind the traitors
of their great duties, of what they owed
to the state that had borne them. The loyal host
chose for their leader a man who had spoken
to the wicked Sanirri, resisted his charms
and argued against him to speak on their behalf.

The traitor spoke first, he gave a long speech,
he was shouting his words, waving his hands,
giving his speech with a voice full of passion
and tainted with fury, that's how he spoke.
"Brothers and sisters, join with me now
and take up your arms, not against us
but against the traitors, those up above
who leave us to die, thinking us wicked
for favoring life. That is why they hate us,
we who no longer kneel down, who do not submit
as they demand, we who have realized the truth
and thrown off our chains. There is no reason
for us to fight, if you will only join us
or at least yield and go back to your homes
so that we can fight against our true foe,
against our betrayers up in the spires.
The old way worked well, it has had its time,
it gave us sweet safety for many long years
and brought us great wealth. Here in the city
no man was poor, for even the poorest
was beter off here than he was anywhere else,
and that was good for all, so all did follow
those who ruled from above, but that time has passed.
Now they are fools who have often failed us
and condemned us to die at the hands of this plague
which they could not cure, that's how they treat us.
The contract is broken, we owe them nothing
but still they demand that we kneel down and serve.
Thus they are tyrants, we are right to resist them.
If a man wishes to serve, that is his business
and if he should swear some oath to a master
to serve for some reward, we can hold him to that
if the master keeps faith. But when he does not
then the contract is void, it has been broken
and nothing is owed to the one who broke it.

Thus it was well and good, when short years ago
we served and were served, then it was proper
for us to kneel down, but that is no longer
the case anymore, and since they still demand
that we kneel down to them, we must arise
and take up our arms, fighting against them.
Do not speak of the state, that already died
when they broke faith with us, we cannot save
what they have destroyed. It is not our duty
to fix the mistakes of those who should make none.
Knowing that truth, will you now side with me
and fight for your rights, do what is just?
If you will not, if you should side with them
then one fate awaits you, though we dislike it,
we shall put you to death, for those who help
criminal men are as guilty themselves
as the ones that they aided, you will share in their crime
if you stand against us. You must make your choice,
and I beg with my full heart, you must choose our way
and do what is proper, do what is right."

Then the loyal prole spoke, shaking his head
and speaking sad words. He spoke in a firm voice
without hesitation, giving his speech.
"You speak honeyed words, I hear in your voice
the foul sophist's guile, the sweet-sounding lies
that bring ruin to men, that render them wicked
and bring down the states that should be eternal.
Unfortunate man! Are you truly lost
or will you turn away at this last moment
from your wicked intent? There is still time
for you to see reason, to turn back to virtue
for the deed is not done, it is not certain
that you will bear arms against your own state.
That state is not dead, what you said is a lie,
though it is ailing it may yet be cured.
Cities are men in that way, they are the same
in that they can heal if they are tended
by those with great skill, who work without resting
to make them whole again, but if instead
they are neglected, then they do perish
before their true time, then they die young
and are rightly lamented by all good men.
Will you let your city die, or will you care
and tend for the spires, tend to the city?
It would be betrayal to let our spires die
when we can yet save them, that would be treason.
Those above us know that, still they are working
to heal our great state, we must do the same.
They have kept faith, they have not betrayed us
or left us to die as you say is the case,
for still they are working, they have not given up.
Since that is the case you should join your arms with ours
and hunt for the man who gave you that silk,
and tried to lead you to treason, he is the cause
of all suffering here. Which will you choose,
virtue or vice? Yourselves our the state?"

Both sides fell silent, and for a long moment
all men were unsure, a few took their leave
and went into hiding, laid down their arms.
The rest did not yield, few of them were tempted
to give up their arms, to give up the fight.
The battle was joined, they all raised their arms
and charged into the fray, fighting their comrades
with hate in their hearts, shedding red blood.
Sanirri was absent, he took no part
in the battle he caused, he saw no reason
to risk his life in that war. His heart was joyful
for his task was complete, he had stirred up strife
just as he had planned, and he did not care
which side was triumphant, nothing else mattered
but that blood was shed, so he took no part
in that bloody fight, he hid and he watched
as other men fought his battle for him,
and shed their life's blood which flowed red in the streets.

The sound of fighting rang out, all men could hear it
and the spear-comrades prepared for another fight,
turning to Jekkex, awaiting commands.

BOOK EIGHT

Brave Jekkex watched as the battle broke out,
as peace turned to war, as civil strive bloomed
and red blood was shed. He saw his spear-comrades
looking to him, awaiting his orders
and he gave what they desired, he spoke his commands.
"Look to the throng. Our dear comrades are fighting
against wicked traitors, they behave justly
and stand fighting our foe, but who can tell
who among them are just, which are the traitors?
They are no army with high-flying banners
to mark them as our foe, they are only two mobs
shedding blood as they please, fighting at random.
There are many of them, we are only few
and we cannot fight them, we cannot conquer
if we march on them now, so we must watch
and wait while they battle, wait while they die
until their fury is spent, then we shall see
what is to be done, what we should do.
Stand fast and watch them, that is my command
and keep them at bay if they try to escape,
that is what we will do, that will be done.

I think that this battle is in our best interest,
for it will be simpler once they are weakened
to hold them at bay, to keep them contained.
They are not soldiers, they will be exhausted
once they have battled, once their blood is shed
and their friends have been slaughtered, they who remain
will not stand against, they will not resist.
Then I can conquer, then I can go forth
and wander among them, hunting the man
who spread lies in the spires, led them astray
and started the riots, built up their wrath
and began the battle, then I will find him
and he will be slaughtered. That is my plan.
It will be no easy thing to watch them all die
for our comrades are fighting, many will die
and all of those who perish, looking alike,
will seem like our friends, even the traitors
for we cannot tell our friends from our foes.

Fair Fafri, keep watch. Stand firm, honest Lessok.
Keep an eye on the battle and keep it contained
and watch them all die, but don't shed any tears,
stand ready for battle, keep your spear close
and keep your shield on your arm, be ready for bloodshed.
Those are my orders. Stand fast and obey them,
for that is your duty and it must be done."

Jekkex fell silent, he had spoken all
of the words that he had, he stood in silence
and watched the battle unfold, watching his comrades
fight in the streets, he was watching them die.
Fair Fafri stood at attention, he was displeased
to stand watching a battle, not joining in
for he rejoiced in the glory of war's bloody field
and took joy in the slaughter, he found battle pleasing,
but still he stood back, he obeyed the command.
Cold-hearted Lessok stood watching the fray
without any discomfort, he saw the men dying
and he felt nothing, he had spent many long years
making his heart grow ever harder, he kept his watch
without any complaint, he did as he was told.

Down there in the streets the battle was joined
and it was not without fury, not without hate
though the men who were fighting were not truly soldiers,
they were lacking in skill, they were untrained
and they had no armor, no sheltering shields
nor any true arms, no death-dealing spears
or life-taking swords, they had only small knives
and other such things, the tools of their trades
turned to new use, being turned into weapons
for that improper war, for that vulgar fight.
There were no battle-lines, they were disordered,
fighting in mobs, they were in disarray.
First they would clash, screaming and wailing
and crying for blood, not in neat lines
but in groups here and there, spread out in the streets,
then a few men would die, they would give up their lives
and the groups would be parted, both sides would break
then all men would rest, they would gasp for their breath.
Some who were stronger would fight at that time,
creeping about and picking their target,
catching him unaware while he was resting
and cutting his throat, spilling his blood.
Sometimes this would fail, the man would be grabbed
as he attacked by some who were resting
but still had some strength, they'd hold him fast
and pull his knife from his hands, then force him down
into the street, they would hold him in place
and then break his neck or then cut his throat.
When they were rested they'd rise up again
and rushing into the fray, raising their knives
and striking new blows, they would shed more blood
until they were parted again, resting once more.

Some men were distinguished, surpassing the rest
on that bloody day, proving that they had skill
beyond all the rest, they acted as heroes
in that little war, performing great deeds
compared to their fellows, inspiring the rest
to far greater things, to far greater deeds,
and catching the eye of Jekkex and Fafri
and cold-hearted Lessok as they stood watching the fray.
They praised those greater men as they watched the fight
admiring their skill and thinking that they
were most worthy of honor of all in that fight
and that in better days they might have become
spear-comrades themselves, and held the hope
of a higher distinction, merging their talent
with better training and arms, that they could serve
their city in war, their nation in strife.

Elrin fought well, he was a loyal man
who had been a baker who was growing old
after long years of labor, and still he fought
with remarkable skill, bearing a blade
that he took from the kitchen, turned to new use
against his city's foes, he fought them with pride.
In the first clash he cut down a man,
a wicked betrayer, a man he had known
since they had been youths, they had been friendly
for most of their lives, but brave Elrin killed him
without hesitation, he saw his friend bearing arms
against his own city, when he saw that
their friendship died. Elrin went for his throat,
swinging his knife with more passion than skill
and he found his mark, he made the man bleed
and fall to the ground, quickly losing his blood
and bleak death soon took him, he went to the Wheel.
Then he saw his next mark, a youth bearing steel,
but not a sharp blade, a lump from the forge,
just a crude club that he swung without skill.
Elrin ran at him, the youth ducked away
and struck out at him, he was swinging the club
with all the strength of his youth, Elrin ran quickly
and got out of the way, then he threw his knife
and caught the youth in his eye, the young man went down
wailing in pain, and his life was soon ended.
Elrin went to the corpse and picked up his knife
wiping it clean, he looked for his next man
as the fight broke apart, as they caught their breath.
He was not weary, his long years of labor
had taught him to go on without ever resting,
so he pressed on, he wandered the streets
looking for another to kill, another man
who had a heart full of treason, and he soon found one.
As he came close, as he raised up his knife
another man saw him, a treacherous man
with a similar goal, Brave Elrin was stalked
even as he was hunting, the man came behind him
and struck a lethal blow, Elrin fell down
and gave up his life, bleeding out on the street.

His name was Caelon, the one who killed Eldrin,
a far braver man, although in his heart
he was quite wicked. He had been a thief
a foe to all men who was taking his chance
amidst all the fighting to profit as best as he could.
He took up the knife that Elrin had been bearing
and with one in each hand, went into the fray
searching for bloodshed and searching for gold.
He found a gang of three men, all who were loyal
roaming the streets, looking for traitors
and when they found one they'd all draw their knives
and strike him at once, thus killing the man
without any risk, for they were without valor,
they were fighting together against lonely men.
When Caelon saw them he went to his knees
and crouched in a corner, awaiting the moment
when he had the advantage, he watched them pass
and as soon they did he lunged out from behind,
striking out at them, cutting one down
before they could see him. The two others ran
and Caelon pursued them, he ran down the slower
and put a knife in his back, cutting his skin
and shedding his blood, the man fell to the ground,
dying only slowly and lamenting his fate.
The last man ran faster, he nearly escape
with life in his body, but he came near the edge
of the street and was trapped, for he was a shard
of crystaline Xyl, thus he could not fly
and he could not escape, Caelon soon reached him
and put him to death, shoving the body
out from the spires, down towards the earth.
Then Caelon turned, he went back to the fray
and roamed in quite freely, slaughtering men
just as he pleased, and not only good men
but also the traitors, he slaughtered them all.

There was one who resisted, the loyalist Maidoh
a virtuous man possessed of great skill.
He had been a butcher in happier days
so he did not flee from blood, he knew how to cut
a body quite cleanly, he went to work
in that battle with skill, cutting the traitors
as though they were swine, that's how he killed them.
He had killed three men before he met Caelon.
The two men looked at each other right in the eye
and saw the fatal intent, both of them knew
that only one would survive, they met and fought
undisturbed in the street, swinging their knives
and striking clean blows, both shedding blood
and having blood shed, they were closely matched.
They fell into grappling, Maidoh and Caelon,
gripping each other, pushing and shoving
and swinging their knives, each one was searching
for every advantage to strike down his foe.
Maidoh pushed his foe down, straddled the man
as the sun was behind him, Caelon was blinded
and could not resist, Maidoh took his life.

By then the battle was ending, many had died
but one more stood against him, ready to fight.
He was a young servant, captured in war
from the Nescine fields, he was full of hate
and desired his freedom, he took up a knife
and advanced on brave Maidoh, seeking his life.
The servant struck first, throwing a knife,
and finding his mark, cutting brave Maidoh
deep in the shoulder, shedding his blood.
Maidoh looked at the knife, then gritting his teeth
wrapped his fingers around, drawing it forth
from his bloody wound, and then taking a breath
he hurled it right back, thus striking his blow.
Then Maidoh advanced, he tackled the youth
and swinging his knife he searched for the throat
of the man he was grappling, but he was foiled
by a kick from the boy, Maidoh was winded
and tumbled back to the ground, gasping for air.
The youth came up to him, Maidoh was prepared
and gathered his strength, striking a blow
and killing the boy, robbing him of his life.
Then Maidoh leaned back, he was watching his blood
gush forth from his wounds, he was feeling weak,
he was lacking all strength, he could barely breathe
and grim terror took him as he saw his own blood
stain the street red, and with fear in his heart
he watched and he waited, lamenting his fate
and soon he bled out, he returned to the Wheel.

The battle soon ceased, for all were weary
and few had the strength to fight any longer.
Both mobs were broken, there was no victor
for none could still fight, none could hold the field.
A few tried to escape, fearing their foes
might attack them as they rested, striking with stealth.
These few fled from the field, towards the spear-comrades
who raised up their spears, shouted a warning
ordered them to turn back, and when they refused
to obey the command, the spears flashed forward
and cut the men down, shedding their blood.
They made a fine example, no others fled,
they took their ease in the street, staying away
from Jekkex and his comrades, Lessok and Fafri.

When the battle was over, when it was certain
that peace had arrived, then Jekkex spoke
to his comrades, giving them new orders.
"They are exhausted so they will not fight,
so I shall take my leave, you will not need me
and I can go to the spires, looking for news
of the cure that Halon seeks, I can find out
if we must hold the line longer, or if at last
we can strike out at our foes, hunting the man
who made this chaos bloom, if at long last
we can end this affair with the point of a spear.
While I am gone you must rest as you can,
for a battle may come, I think I shall need
your spears soon enough, so you must prepare
while the proles are too weary to fight any more.
Still you must keep watch as best as you can
while you a resting, for there is a chance
that a few men have waited, saving their strength
to rush at you now, while you are resting.
Watch over yourselves and watch over the proles,
while I am away be as safe as you can.
I shall return as soon as I am able
and I shall bring back news, and beyond that
I will bring back new orders, say what will be done."

His soldiers saluted as he took his leave
returned to their watch, waiting for Jekkex
to return to the post, to bring them commands.
Jekkex rushed up to the spires, running in haste
to meet with great Halon, not just for news
but also to see his dear friend once again
before the plague took him. Jekkex was dreading
the sight of his friend losing his life
to the plague he was fighting, but more than that
he dreaded the thought of his friend dying alone.
He ran up the spires with such thoughts in his head,
running as fast as he could, though he was dreading
what he might find if he was too late, and
hoping that he could arrive just in time
to see his dear comrade and hear some good news.

BOOK NINE

Halon was dying up there in the spire
as Almay worked on, he had grown too weak
to stand on his own, still he gave his advice
as best as he could, guided his comrade.
"Now what do we know? It starts in the heart
and from there travels outward, thus it is clear
that our cure must do the same, the fight will begin
there in the chest. I think that I have found
that which we are seeking, now hear my words
and judge them yourself, see if they ring true.
The heart is the trouble, it pumps the blood
that is afflicted, spreads it all throughout
the rest of the body, if that is stopped
then the plague ends, for if it cannot spread
all through the body, the host will survive
and fight off the disease with his own strength.
Now I see two ways that we might try
to fight this disease, either by stopping the heart
while preserving life with harmonic machines
while the body is healed by its own strength,
or else by purging the blood as quick as we can,
taking it from the healthy, transfusing it
to those who are in need. We shall find donors
in good Quinno's packs, they will recover
soon after they bleed, then they will be able
to give even more blood, curing the throng.
Of the two ways, I think that is better,
for it will be faster, the cure will come quickly
and with greater ease, if we send for the packs
and we draw their blood for the good of the city.
What do you think? Do you think that is sound?
Shall we make the attempt, see if it works,
or seek some other scheme, some other plan?
I trust your judgment in this, inquisitive Almay,
beyond even my own, for there is a flame
blazing in my mind, I can hardly tell
if I am speaking good sense, or if I have lost
my wits at long last. Tell me what you think."

Next Almay spoke, sharing all of her thoughts
and speaking quite freely, she spoke her words.
"Inquisitive Halon, you still have your mind
for you question yourself, not having faith
that you know the truth, you are not certain
of anything, and that is the best sign
that you are still wise, that you can still think
as well as you could, your mind is intact.
You plan seems quite sound, so now we must go
and test it at once, although it is imperfect,
and I see a flaw, for it can do nothing
to treat the worst cases, such as yourself
who are deeply afflicted, after the plague
has spread all throughout them, after the heart
has spread the sick blood, then the damage is done
and we need some other scheme, some other plan
to treat them in that case, to make such men well.
But nonetheless if some men can be cured
here in this moment, we must do it quickly
and cure them of the plague, return them to work.
After that moment when they have been cured,
they who are treated with ease, we can return
to this task once again, search for another
treatment that will work to cure all of the rest.
Let us find some man who is barely afflicted
and make a trial at once, I will go running
and find all that we need, the sickly man
who we will try to cure, and a man of the packs
who will give his blood for his dear comrade's sake.
I shall ready the scalpel and all other tools
everything that we need, all will be prepared.
Rest, honest Halon, for we soon will know
if our problem is solved, if you have found
the end of our woes, if you have triumphed
again at long last, if our state has been saved
by the power of truth and unending labor,
if it has been saved once again by your good works.
Now I shall grow silent, I shall go forth
and see to the trial, let all be prepared
and say nothing more in praise of our work
until it is complete, lest is be premature."

Having thus spoken she ran off in haste
down into the city, seeking the packs
who could yet save the city, preserving the state.
On her way down she ran past brave Jekkex
who saw her going in haste, and seeing that
he doubled his pace, he was dreading the sight
of his dear comrade dead, for he assumed
that Almay's great speed was caused by his death
and that she was running for Quinno to bring the news.
Jekkex ran up to the spire, he was not delayed
by anything, he ran with the great speed
of the world-shaking wind, he had the haste
of the falcon in fight as it dives on its prey,
on the quivering dove as it tries to escape.
Going with such haste he soon found his comrade
laying in bed, with his ancient eyes closed.
Halon was hardly breathing, he did not move
when Jekkex came in, and since they were alone
Jekkex rushed to his side, he fell to his knees
and removing his helm he gave voice to his grief,
thinking his friend was dead, he wailed his grim words.

"Inquisitive Halon, have you lost your life,
have you done your last duty, and after that
gone to your rest, and have you at long last
taken leave of the city, returned to the wheel?
Must I lament you, I who have been your
dear comrade for years, I who walked with you
for hundreds of leagues, exploring the world?
I recall those days well, those happier days
that seemed hard at the time, that have since become
fond recollections, when we served together.
I remember the days when we set out
on high-masted ships, when we braved the sea
for the sake of the city, seeking new things.
When we were in the forest, in grim Glorianna
that time was a terror, we dreaded our dooms.
We fled from the forest, I was standing guard
and slaughtering foes as you made your escape.
I held the rearguard with many comrades
and we escaped with our lives, we did our duty
on that glorious day when we served together.
I remember when we were at the Nescine fields,
we spoke to a king, we called him a friend,
and then he betrayed us. We delayed our journey
for the sake of a war, you deemed it proper
to fight for revenge, for our city's fame
just as I did. I recall my deeds well,
the deeds that you watched and justly applauded,
my work on that field, the glorious slaughter.
I shattered their walls, I broke down their gates
and put their nation in chains, I broke their city
and you learned a great deal after the fighting
when you made of their books a prize for our city.

Those were good days, and I gladly recall them
and now even our harships seem quite sweet to me
in calm recollection, even our grim time
on the ice pleases me now, when we went forth
and first met the packs, embraced them as friends.
That was your doing as much as it was mine,
our greatest achievement, we should be proud
to have done such a thing, we will be remembered
for deeds such as that which we did together.

My virtuous friend, I think of such days
as I look upon you, on your mute form
and I weep for this day, this day that I see you
reduced to a grim state, alone in a bed
and stricken by plague, it brings me more pain
to see you like that than I have ever felt
when struck by a blade, when shedding my blood.
Alas for the world that it should be this way,
that this plague should take you, that I should linger
here while you perish. If I had the choice
to yield my life now, to give up my duty
and make an end of my grief, I would in an instant
drink hemlock and die, and remain here with you."

Halon heard his friend's voice, though he was blind
and though he was dying, he could still hear
and he could still comprehend. He gave a reply,
shocking his comrade, he spoke in a soft voice,
not hiding his pain, speaking to his friend.
"I remember those days. It gives me comfort
to think of such things, when I still had power,
when I was unburdened, when we went forth
from our city in search of new glories,
new friends and new foes, seeking new knowledge.
Those were brighter days when we served together
but now they are gone, just as I am fading
and soon will be gone, I soon will pass.
Your voice brings me joy, I have sorely missed you.
But still I wonder just why have you come?
Are you not called to the fight in the streets?
Have you at last triumphed, breaking the mob
and making us safe, is that why you came,
to bring me good news as I lay dying?
I shall offer my own, we are testing a cure
and I think it will work, at least for those
in the earliest stages, if not for myself
and those in my state, I think we will still die
in pain from this plague, but in the long run
the plague will be conquered, of that I am sure.
So take heart, comrade Jekkex, wipe your tears away
for our troubles will end, if I have not erred
and made some mistake, our trial will cease."

Jekkex rejoiced to hear his friend speaking
and spoke joyful words, addressing his friend.
"Inquisitive Halon, I have heard what you said
and my heart is gladdened to have heard you speak,
not just the good news, that your work is nearing
its final completion, but the sound of your voice
brought me great joy. I shall cease my lamenting
until the time comes when you pass from this world.
I thought I was too late, that you had perished,
that I looked on a corpse, I am glad to be wrong.
At least you will perish with me at your side
if you cannot be saved, I will not leave you
to die on your own, I will stand here and wait
until you have perished, returned to the wheel.
The mob is exhausted, it cannot fight
and so I am not needed down there in the streets
until they have rested, I can linger here."

Halon spoke next, addressing his comrade.
"Then you slaughtered the traitor? You found the man
that had been spreading lies, brought him to justice?
That is good news, I am pleased to hear it
for a problem is solved, our city is free
from one of its ills, I find pleasure in that."

Jekkex spoke his response, shaking his head.
"I have not gone forth and hunted him down
for I did not know if the cure was prepared
or if you needed more time, if duty demanded
that I hold the line longer, I was seeking news
when I came here to see you, that was my goal.
Now that I know that you have made progress
I shall go forth and fight, killing the man
who we have condemned to die a grim death.
I shall go forth once your fate is certain,
once it is known if life or if grim death
is alloted to you, then I will go out
and fight for my city, take up my arms
and slaughter a foe, I swear that I shall.
You need not be concerned with any such thing
for I shall not fail once I go forth
to fight our foul foe, to strike him done.
But we need not think of any such thing,
let us speak of the old days, of better times,
of the joyful past when we did our great deeds."

Then Halon spoke, he was shaking his head.
"No, comrade Jekkex, you must leave at once
and let me die on my own, there is no time
for sentiment now, no time for feeling,
nor lamenting my death, go now at once.
Duty demands that we give up our feelings,
that we deny all our passions, and even now
that duty should bind you, do not deny it.
A corpse is a corpse, so it will not matter
if I die on my own, or surrounded by friends,
I am meat either way, a mute heap of flesh.
It may ease your grief to watch as I die,
and I do not fault you for desiring that,
but desires are nothing, they cannot matter
when they hold you back from what you must do.
Lament for me later, weep in your grief
when you are at ease, for that is the time
to feel such a thing, not at this moment
when all time is dear, you must delay
all that you feel, force your passions down
and see to your work, for that is the way
to a virtuous life. You know that as well
as I myself do. Even though you are tempted,
I beg you to leave me, to go out and slaughter
the foe of our city, that duty awaits you
and it cannot be delayed, you must go now.
You are my dearest friend, and I am proud
to call you my comrade. Remember me well
as you serve our dear state, just as I shall
think of two things, and of two things alone
as I go from this world. I shall think of you
who I would call me brother, though we do not
share any blood, and I also shall think
of the spires that we served, of our great city."

Then Jekkex stood up, he did as he was bade
and as he turned and he went, leaving that place,
he shed bitter tears, he wept for his friend.
He wiped those tears from his face as he went back
down into the streets, he pulled on his helm
and then he was silent, he shed no more tears
as he went to his spear-comrades, went back to the fight.

A few short moments later, when he was gone,
before Almay returned, when all was silent,
Halon took his last breath, he yielded his life,
took his leave of the city, returned to the Wheel.
When Almay returned, bearing all that she needed
to test their idea, she saw Halon's body
devoid of all life. She fought back her grief
and went to her work, she made a fair trial
of the late Halon's plan, and she discovered
that he had been correct, that a cure was found.
Only after the trial, after the test
when she sent a servant with news, only after that
did she give voice to her grief, lamenting his death.

BOOK TEN

Jekkex returned to his comrades, called them together,
asked their advice, called a council of war,
tell his plan to them, desiring their thoughts.
"Now is the hour when the end will arrive,
this conflict will end, our foe will be broken
and our state will be saved, or if I fail
and I am lost, if my body is broken
then you will stand alone, against a mob
that longs for revenge, a mob that is led
by a foe from the desert, shrouded in smoke.
I cannot fail, so I ask your advice,
I will not go in haste, I will not go in rashly
having forsaken all counsel, for I am not
so foolish as that, tell me what you think
of the plan I propose, share all of your thoughts
and hide nothing from me, do not let your love
or respect for my deeds drive you to silence
but point out my errors wherever they are.

I must employ stealth, I think that is certain
for I will go in alone, leaving you here
to keep the peace while I fight, and in that case
I will be outnumbered, with hundreds of foes
standing against me. I cannot fight them
all on my own, but few of them must die,
so I will find my target, wherever he is
and I'll cut him down, and I will not be seen.
How shall I do that, how can it be managed?
I will lay down my arms, leave my shield here
and go forth in a disguise, I will bear a knife
and no other weapon, just as they do
so that they will not know me, so they will think
that I am one of them, one of the mob.
Still, that will not be enough, I will be seen
and the foe that I seek will be warned of my coming,
that I am a new face, though I may not be a foe
he will be cautious and he will stand apart
from wherever I go, he will not risk
that I might not be what I seem, he will be wary
and I will not find him if he is forewarned.
I have a solution, that problem is solved
I need a diversion, and not something brief
that catches the eye and then fades away,
but something far longer that they will all watch
for as long as I am there, that is what I need.

I have found that already, I will go forth
and call on great Maithee, writer of verses,
and ask for her help, which I know she will give.
She will take up her lyre, she will go first
and she will get their attention, singing a song
and dancing in the street, she will catch the eye
of everyone there, she will distract them.
When she has their attention, I will go in
and go to my hunt, I will find my man
and put a knife in his back, or cut his throat
as fortune decrees, I will put him to death
and I will sneak out again, Maithee will follow,
we will make our escape, that is my plan.
What do you think? Should I expect triumph
or have I spoken folly, would I be doomed to fail
if I enacted that scheme, relied on that plan?
Speak freely and tell me all that you think,
I give you permission, and far beyond that
I make it an order, it is a command."

Lessok spoke first, he obeyed the command
he shared all this thoughts, he held nothing back
and he gave his advice as best as he could.
"Glorious Jekkex, I think you speak wisely
for it is true that the thing you propose
cannot be managed by pure force of arms,
you must trust in stealth, use a disguise.
That much is true, and with that I agree,
and as for great Maithee, let her go forth
and sing her fine verses, she will be watched,
she is a fine choice, and I do commend you
for thinking of her, her voice will not fail us
nor will she falter in danger's grim face
for she has traveled far, she has seen many things
and has grown numb to fear, she will play her part.
Now, comrade Jekkex, I do see a flaw
in this plan you propose. Why must it be
you who goes forth on this daring errand,
who risks his life in this way? Should it not be
one of us that goes forth, either myself of Fafri,
who does not hold a command? Would that not be prudent?
You are our commander, you should not risk
your life in that way, when the task can fall
to another spear-comrade. Leave it to us,
we can fight well, and we will not fail you,
one of us can go forth, and hiding his face
and bearing a knife, he can strike at the foe
and do what needs to be done. You need not lead
from the front in this case, there is great danger
and little to gain from facing it on your own.
What is your reason for doing this thing
with your own hands? What thought has compelled you
to risk your own life for this dangerous task?"

Then fair Fafri spoke, he added his voice
to that of his comrade, speaking his piece.
"Lessok speaks well, he is very prudent
and I share his opinion, I offer myself
to take your place in the fight, I will go out
and bear a grim sword for my dear city's sake.
I am courageous, not man denies that,
and I have great skill, that much is certain,
so I will not fail you, let me go forth.
I will take off my helm, I will lay down my shield
and charge into battle, do glorious deeds
and cut down my foe, his blood will be spilled
in the streets on this day, I will swear an oath
that it will be done, if you will allow it.
I am spear-breaking Fafri, distinguished in war
who cuts down his foes without any delay
and rejoices in war. Do you not recall
when you first led me in battle, in the spear-line,
when my comrades fell dead, when I was alone,
apart from the others, do you recall
the way that I triumphed, how many I killed
though my spear was broken, and I only fought
with the tip in my hand, do you recall that?
Take that as your proof, I will not be bested
if you choose me for this, I shall go at once
and be my city's salvation, I will not fail."

Jekkex thought for a moment, pondered their words
and then he addressed them, spoke to his men.
"You are both wounded, your blood has been shed
and thus you are weakened, you should not fight
if it can be avoided, for my body is whole
and I have all my strength, the strongest must go
if we are to succeed, so commander or not,
I must enter the fray and hunt the man down.
I know of your courage, I know it is great
and you would not falter if I commanded
you to go in my place, but it cannot be so.
Fair Fafri, my comrade, I know of your skill
in war's bloody field, but I do not think
that you could go in secret, that you could be subtle,
for you rejoice in the slaughter, rushing ahead
to fight as soon as you can. That is good enough
when the battle is open, then it is right
to run with such vigor, and at those times
your valor is great, but it is not the time
for such fighting now. No, it cannot be you.
Nor can it be you, cold-hearted Lessok,
for you are a terror, your heart is ice
and you do not feel. Now, that is a virtue
when searching for traitors, bringing them justice
but it is a flaw when you are in disguise
and you cannot pretend to feel, for you do not know
how other men feel, the disguise would be shattered.
Those are the reasons that it falls to me
to go into this fight, both because of your wounds
and because of your skills, I must be the one."

Having thus spoken, he gave new commands
and bade his comrades go forth, sent them on errands,
to find what was needed, the things he required.
He sent Fafri forth to seek out great Maithee
and bring her to him, he did as was bade.
He found Maithee singing to those in the streets,
those who were afflicted, giving them comfort
with the sound of her voice. She sang fine verses
of love and of glory, forsaking all grief.
When Fafri found her, and told her to follow
she obeyed him at once, knowing that none
would call on her without need, she understood
that the day called for haste, she did as Fafri asked.
Jekkex sent Lessok forth to find a disguise,
and he accomplished that quickly, finding a servant
who had died in the street, he stripped to corpse
of all that it had, the tunic and knife,
and then returned quickly, presenting his find.

When all was prepared Jekkex took off his helm
and set it aside, then he took off his breastplate,
baring his chest, and then set it aside
and did the same with his graves, he gave up his armor.
He was then dressed, he put on the tunic,
which was a small thing, it was woven from wool
and dyed a pale blue, it was stained with the sweat
of long years of labor, the edges were frayed
and it had no adornment, it was stained with blood,
but he still put it on, that was his disguise.
The little knife went in his belt, it was not
any great weapon, but to bear any true arms
would give him away, so he took only the knife.

Then he turned to fair Fafri, grasping his spear
and held it out to him, speaking new words.
"I must name my heirs, for the danger is great
and I may lose my life, I must be prepared.
Fair Fafri, spear-breaker, you who are known
for your valor in war, for your great courage
and your deeds on the field, the shedding of blood,
you shall be my heir, you shall have one half
of my bequests, I shall leave you my spear.
May it serve you well, as it has served me
in glorious war, in the heart of the battle
where the fighting is fiercest, there may it serve you.
It was the same spear that served when I went forth
into the world, keeping good Halon safe
as we searched for new things, seeking the truth.
It was in my hand we I faced dread Yilomi
on the glorious mountain, under the gaze
of unblinking Avechna, on that great day
it put the pirate to death, taking his life.
That is not all it has done, it slaughtered Mesancha,
who had conquered Lothoh, that glorious man
who did great deeds in the past, my spear avenged him.
Now I give it to you, and may it serve you
just as it served me, for many long years.

I know you have shatted many long spears,
for you strike with great strength, they cannot stand
the force of your blows, so your spears are splintered.
This spear is the finest, it surpasses the rest,
so it might resist you, it might have the strength
to hold fast in your hand, it might not splinter.
You must be our city's spear, you must be its glory,
and lead from the front, heading the charge.
When our foes stand against us, you must be the first
to strike out against them, to shatter their lines
and break them in battle, put them to flight.
I know you can do that, I know your valor,
so I make a prediction, a guess at your fate.
You will triumph in war, winning great glory,
surpassing my own, for your valor is great,
but your life will be brief, you will be cut down
on some foreign field, you blood will be shed
for the sake of our city, for our comrades.
The whole nation will mourn you, you will be missed
and honored for all days, the poets will sing
of the deeds you will do, that I predict.

Cold-hearted Lessok, you too have a claim
to a gift of mine, you will be my heir.
I give you my shield which was a gift
from the Board in days past, a glorious thing
engraved with an image of our great home.
It has saved my life in countless grim wars
and it will shield yours, it will keep you safe
as you stand in the line for our city's sake.
You must defend it, you must be the shield,
defending our spires and keeping them safe
from all of our foes, you must stand firm
and ward them off, ignoring all the pain
that they will force you to bear, you must stand firm.
I shall act as an augur, I shall make a guess
at what your future holds, for I do expect
great things from you, and many long years
of work for the city, keeping it safe.
That having been said, I do not think you will
live to die in your bed, you will be slaughtered
in some hopeless battle, fighting with courage
against some endless horde, you will not flee
and thus will you perish, you will die then.
You too will be honored, your glory will live
long after you perish. I predict two statues,
standing together, of Lessok and Fafri,
monuments to their glory, and to their lives
of unending virtue, full of great deeds.
Such is the fate that I predict for you
if you serve as you have for many long years,
you will have two good things, glory and death.
The first is a pleasure, the just reward
for long years of service, for doing great deeds
which you will earn through your valorous work.
Death is no pleasure, but of the rewards
it is the greater, few things can surpass
a valorous death, in the prime of life
before old age takes you, before you grow weak
and see yourself wither, to die before that
is the greatest reward, to be spared the pain
of growing older and weaker, of being destroyed
by the cruel whims of time, by rot and decay."

Having thus spoken, Jekkex fell silent
and saluted his men, looked on them with pride
as they returned his salute, honored the captain,
who was marching to battle alone, risking his life.
All of them knew that the danger was great,
that he might be slaughtered, that he might fall
and that glorious Jekkex might be lost to them.

BOOK ELEVEN

There was nothing else to be said, no more
words to be spoken, so Maithee went forth
into the throng, she wandered the streets
without any fear, without hesitation
and she sang her song, recited the verses
that she knew well, she sang in a voice
far sweeter than honey, singing a song
of love and of duty, she sang the song
of the spear-wedding of one-handed Lothoh.

"Glorious spires, you must serve as my guide
as I sing of a hero, one-handed Lothoh
who slaughtered your foes with a spear in his hand
forsaking a shield, he had no defense
save for his hate, the hate that drove him on
to fight without feeling the pain of his wounds
and to press the foes hard, to put them to death.
That great man fought in one hundred cruel wars
he was a great terror, all his foes trembled
to face him in war, they feared his long spear.
Now Lothoh loved duty far more than his life,
more than his own comrades, that was his one love.
He had made a name fighting in war
for the sake of the spires, so he was desired
by many people, he could have had his choice
and be wed in a moment, if that had been his wish,
but he did not long for that. Lothoh preferred
not to be wed, he thought that sweet love
would be a distraction, that it might dull his hate
and make him weaker, and so he refused
all who admired him, forsaking their love.

While he was unwed, he was still desired
and many pursued him, he did not cherish
their loving attention, so he went out
and sought the advice of a dear comrade,
asked him what to do, speaking these words.
"I am pursued by a vast throng of lovers
and though I refuse them, they still return
begging for my favor, for they know my fame
and thus long for my hand, which they cannot have.
My hand has one purpose, not to bear a ring
but to wield a fierce spear, to slay and to slaughter
on war's bloody field, to triumph in war.
They cannot comprehend, they do not understand
that I'll have no distraction, I will not stray
from the glorious field, from battle and death.
They can offer me nothing. What do they have
to make my blood stir, to make me feel alive?
Battle makes the blood flow, it makes a man feel
the life in his veins, and in the short moments
while that feeling persists, while he is fighting
he knows his own strength, surpasses his limits
and goes on to glory or goes on to death.
There is no better feeling, there is no joy
greater than that, but that is not all
that battle can offer, for it brings great honor,
honor through service, and triumphant glory
to all those who fight, to all who conquer.

There is no lover who is half as good
as the furious field. How can it be
that I must take a bride, that I must be wed?
How can I choose to be married at all
when all lovers pale when they are compared
to my glorious work? None will suffice,
but still they come asking, they offer themselves
and I am distracted even as I deny them.
Must I therefore be wed, simply to end
their constant begging? What should I do?"

Then his comrade spoke, the elderly Maka
who knew many things, who gave good advice
to all those who asked it, he was quite wise.
"All must be wed, such things are expected
and you'll not escape it, but you can choose
the best match you can, who you love most.
I think that is battle, if you have spoken
the truth in your heart, you love battle best,
so you must be wed to the bloodshed of war.
That is an easy thing, look to our laws
which only forbid, they are not a list
of permissible deeds, if they do not say
that an act is forbidden, then it can be done.
There is a ban on being wed to the wicked
who have fought against us, but that is all,
and you may wed any other. Take my advice
and make a bride of your spear, you can be wed
to the weapon you bear in glorious war.
That is permitted, it has not been banned
and that is your escape, if you will take it.
You can propose now, if that is your wish
and your spear will consent, it does not require
a ring of pure gold, or some shining gem,
as a gift when you ask, it will not refuse."

Lothoh took his advice, he proposed at once
and his spear accepted, gave voiceless consent
to be wed with all haste, they went forth together
to the magistrate's desk, spoke their request
and it was accepted, for it was not banned.
He had a large wedding, so that all could see
that he had been wed, so that all would know
to ask nothing of him. All were invited
who cared to arrive, the crowd was five hundred strong
and when all were gathered, then Lothoh spoke,
swearing a vow while grasping his spear.
"On my honor I swear it, on the great fame
that I won on the field, fighting our foes
right by your side, on that glory I swear
to love you and no other, I shall not stray,
betraying your trust. My glorious spear,
for as long as you live, as long as we fight
we shall never be parted, I swear it now,
that I shall always hold you, I'll never let go.
When we are threatened, I will stand with you
and we will do our duty, then we will share
the glory between us, we will each take our part
that we have earned. Our fates shall be entwined,
we shall share the same doom, I swear it now
that when you are broken, then I will die,
and give up my life, I swear I will perish
as I avenge you. We will be parted by death
and no other fate, I swear that it will be so."

His spear made no response, but the mute shaft
had no need of words, no need of a vow
for them to be wed. Thus was the match made,
and thus raging Lothoh was wed. He kept his vow,
he kept that spear close, they were never parted
until the last hour, when both were destroyed,
when both perished in flame, serving the state."

Thus Maithee sang, thus the tale was told
of the spear-wedding of one-handed Lothoh.
The mob gazed at Maithee as she sang her song,
ignoring all else, she gave Jekkex a chance
to sneak past the throng, to go to his work,
and seek out the foe that had long been concealed.
He did that with haste, he wandered the streets
looking for his foe, and he soon found the man
alone and unwatched, who alone of the crowd
did not look on Maithee, paid no heed to her song.
Jekkex went up to the man, to wicked Sanirri
who heard him at once, though he had been quiet
and spoke harsh words to Jekkex, drawing a blade
and preparing to fight, preparing to kill.

"Do you come in a shroud, cowardly Jekkex?
It suits you well enough, for you will be buried
when I have finished with you. Though I am surprised
that you came in disguise, poor though it is.
Do you not long for a glorious war
where all know your name, where all can see
the deeds that you do, and give you the praise
that you so dearly desire? Well, you'll have a fight
and your blood will be shed, I promise that
and I'll promise you more, fill you with dread
and shake your resolve, fill you with fear.
I'll shatter your face as you lay dying
so that when your carcass is found, no man will know
your face or your name, you will not win the praise
of a glorious death, you will disappear,
and no man will know what has become of you.
I am not without mercy, by doing that
I shall spare you some disgrace, no man will know
of the way that you died, cut down by a foe
from the smoke-shrouded city, that you were bested
by a man such as me, not just a foreign foe,
but only a spy, not even a soldier.
You should thank me for that, it is a disgrace
for one such as you to die in the streets
and not in the field, in some glorious war
when arrows are flying and shields are breaking.
Gloious Jekkex, you'll die in the streets
alone and unloved, with no comrades around you
to lament for your fate, you'll bleed out and die
without a friendly face to watch as you pass.

Are you not shaken? Do you not tremble?
Or do you think you can triumph, conquering me
in a quiet battle, though you are lacking
your trustworthy spear and your famous shield?
All-conquering Jekkex, that is the name
by which others call you, I'll prove it false,
I'll make liars of them, you will not conquer
with that meagre blade, you cannot fight me
away from your comrades, outside of the line
of orderly shields, for you are a soldier,
a disciplined man, and you cannot cope
with the chaos I bring to a fight in the street.
Kneel and die quickly, or stand now and fight,
it will make no difference, now you will die."

Jekkex spoke a response, he uttered harsh words
at the man that he hated, the one he despised.
"I am unshaken, I do not fear you,
for I fear no man, and I do not tremble
at the sight of a foe, you do not scare me.
A corpse is a corpse, it does not matter
if I die here or there, if I die alone
or surrounded by friends, duty comes first.
A friend taught me that, I learned the lesson,
thus I am unshaken by all of your threats.
I will conquer or perish, what comes will come
and the strength of my arm will kill you this day
or else my blood will be shed, and I will die.
If I do perish, others will follow
and they will come bearing spears, they will avenge me.
Though I came here alone, I still have comrades
and I will be missed, they will come searching
if I do not return, and they will find you,
they will put you to death, you will be slaughtered.
It will not matter if my corpse is lost,
or if you shatter my face, I will be avenged
even if I am unfound, there is no need
of a body for that, my death will be clear
by my absence alone, and that is the truth.

Now I too will swear, I'll give you an oath
and promise great deeds, I'll give you a threat.
I will shatter your bones and flay off your skin
and shed all your blood, I'll take you life,
and I'll strike off your head, cut off your limbs
until nothing remains, until your body
is lost to the world, you'll not leave a corpse.
Such is my oath, that is what I promise
and I will see it down or I will die attempting
to make it so, on my honor I swear.
Now two oaths have been made, two oaths have been given
and only one can be kept, so now draw your sword
and we'll see who has lied, who breaks his oath
and gives up his life. Let us test our might
in a fatal contest, now let us see
which of us will triumph, which man will die.
Now stand and be ended, now draw you sword
and let us be silent, let our skill decide
the matter before us, the matter at hand.
Now I bid you die and return to the Wheel."

They charged at each other, grasping their swords
and speaking no words, they fought in silence.
Jekkex struck out first, but Sanirri was swift
and he dodged the blow, he ducked out of the way.
He returned the favor, struck a strong blow
and cut Jekkex deeply, shedding his blood,
knocking him to his knees, pushing him to the ground.
Sanirri then struck again, Jekkex raised his blade
blocking the blow, but Sanirri struck with great strength,
he shattered the blade, he cut Jekkex again.
Sanirri struck his last blow, he cut Jekkex down,
he put him to the sword, robbing him of his life.
He exulted in this, he laughed with joy
as he watched Jekkex die, then he stook his sword
and did just as he swore, cutting and carving
until no face remained, then he looked up
from his work and saw the mob that had gathered,
watching the fight, having forsaken the verses
of sweet-singing Maithee to watch blood be shed.
They were filled with rage when they saw Jekkex die,
and when they saw what came after, they felt
that it was improper to treat a man in that way,
that Sanirri was savage, they were enraged.

They took up their arms, they ran at Sanirri
and struck him with fierce blows, cutting him down
where he stood in the street, shedding his blood.
Even when he had perished, they did not cease
their assault on his corpse, they cut him to shreds
until nothing remained, until his mute carcass
could not be found, only small scraps remained.
Thus did both perish, thus did both men fall,
and thus both oaths were kept, both were fulfilled.

Sweet-singing Maithee saw all, she took her leave
of the streets with all haste, then she went forth
and found honest Quinno, gave him the news
just as he heard that the cure had been found
to the plague in the city, just as he arranged
for it to be spread throughout all the people.
When he heard her words he groaned in his grief,
lamenting the loss of the two paragons
that died on that day, Jekkex and Halon.
He soon set his tears aside, forcing them back
while there was work to be done, knowing that
the highest honor that he could give them
would be to see that their work had not been in vain,
that their city was saved. Until that was done
there was no time for grief, no time for laments,
nor was there time to honor the fallen
until the city was safe, he knew that was true.
With that truth in his mind he went to his work
and made the arrangements, deploying the cure
and making an end to the plague, saving the state.
That took many long days, but when it was done
he gave voice to his grief, then he lamented
and went to one more task, he made the arrangements
for the funeral rites of Halon and Jekkex.

BOOK TWELVE

All was prepared. The sad day arrived
for the delayed lamentation of the two men
who had surpassed all the rest in their great deeds,
for the mourning of Halon and glorious Jekkex.
All the people were gathered, all those who lived
because of those men, all who had been saved
by their unending work, nearly all the city.
The packs also gathered, although they had not
been afflicted by plague, they had not been sick.
Wise Quinno was there, he mourned for his friends
who he had cherished, he lamented their loss.
Quinno was joined by two bloody-caste comrades
Shield-bearing Lessok and spear-bearing Fafri
who mourned for their captain, mourned for their friend.
They were joined by Almay, she took her place
in that mournful throng, she shed bitter tears
for the death of her teacher, inquisitive Halon.

They watched the procession go up through the streets,
among all the spires, through the whole city,
approaching the Matrix, the city's heart.
Two biers were carried, one was of steel,
it was piled high with arms, trophies of war
taken in glorious battle from conquered foes,
they now guarded a bier that was lacking a corpse.
In place of the body that could not be found
it had a small statue, shaped from bright bronze
that had once been the shield of dreadful Yilomi.
Such was the bier of glorious Jekkex
which was carried beside a bier of clear glass.
That bier held a body wracked by the plague,
it held the mute corpse of Halon the great,
who had learned many things, discovering secrets.
The proof of his deeds was piled around him,
all the books that he wrote, piled so high
that he could scarecely be seen, he was nearly concealed.
Such was the procession that went through the streets,
led by good Maithee, who wailed a lament
and made her lyre sing as she went on her way.
She sang of their deeds, of what they had done
in their glorious days, how they had served.

"Woe to the city, woe to our state
for great men have perished, they lost their lives
for our sweet nation's sake, Jekkex and Halon.
How shall I praise them, and how shall I sing
of what they have done? The words hardly exist
that can tell of their glory, such were their deeds.
Alas that we lost such great men as them
who cannot be replaced, this is a grim day.

I mourn for great Jekkex, fearsome in war
who put our foes to flight, he made them run
in terror from us, he wielded his spear
and his shining shield until they all fled.
He can be praised for his great skill at arms,
but it would be improper to only say that
for he was greater skill, he led our hosts
without hesitation or fear, and with his skill
he led them to glory in triumphant war.
All our foes trembled when he led the attack,
when he lead the spear-comrades in an assault
on our dread foes, he could not be beaten,
for he was never surprised, all the sly tricks
that our foes could devise were nothing to him,
he saw through their schemes, he disrupted their plans
and put them to flight, he slaughtered our foes.
On the defense, when he was our shield
he could not be broken, he was a mountain
and our foes were the wind, he warded them off.

Shall I sing of his deeds, of all he has done
for the sake of our city, the good of our state?
When he was young he served in the spear-line,
first in the front, hurling forth fatal lances
before ducking away, as was the custom.
He answered to Lothoh when he did that,
and learned all Lothoh knew, he learned it quickly
and rose through the ranks, he joined the main line.
Then he fought with his comrades on either side,
his shield guarded them, and he kept them safe,
standing firm in the line with comrades beside him.
That was where he won glory, there he made his name
in the fatal assault against the dark dwarves
who thought they could oppose us, met us in war.
He saw his comrades cut down, he was unshaken
by that grim sight, he stood fast and he fought
against his grim foes, avenging his comrades
who they had slaughtered, and saving a few
who had only been wounded. He was outnumbered
but still he fought on, even when his friends fell
he would not be routed. After long hours
he broke the line of his foes, he sent them running
through the strength of his arms, the skill of his spear.
That earned him great praise, it won him a place
in the upper ranks, he was thus promoted
and trained as a leader, he received a command.

He marched to grim war against our old foes
in the smoke-shrouded city, he fought Mesancha
and the whole horde that followed that man.
Lothoh was with him, he died in that fight
and Jekkex avenged him, leading his men
right into the fray, cutting and killing
all who opposed him, his enemies fled
and they were pursued, none of them lived
to see another day, he slaughtered them all.
That was a great deed, quite worthy of praise
but still he did more, he went on the journey
out into the world to seek out new things.
There he did his best deeds, leading the few
who had gone forth with him, his chosen men
guarding his comrades of the other castes.
He fought on the sea, in a fleet of tall ships
and made it safely to land, into a forest
that men call Glorianna, a fearful place
that was full of grim foes, hostile to him.
He led the escape from that bleak forest
and soon found himself as the Nescine gates.
There were were insulted, the Nescine king
scoffed at our city, Jekkex punished that
and broke down his gates, shattered his walls.
He put that king to death, plundered the city
and then moved on quickly, he went over the mountains
and into the ice, facing great perils
and he came back again with all of his men.

Still he did more before he could come home,
he fought a dread foe, the pirate Yilomi,
a foe from the south, a terrible man
who mastered the powers of flesh and of flame.
He chased that man up a mountain, that sacred place
where Avechna stands watch, keeping his vigil,
that's where they fought, that is the same place
where Yilomi was killed, where he was slaughtered.
He returned only then, returning in triumph
with the men that he guarded, who he called his friends.

The best of those men is here on this bier,
Inquistive Halon, who has lost his life.
There are few men such as him, for he has done
many great deeds, discovered new secrets
for the good of the state, that won him honor
equal to Jekkex, who was his dear friend.
He first made his name by finding the secrets
of the green plants that grow up from the land,
he tamed what was wild, he put it to use.
He fought his own war against wicked nature,
who makes slaves of us all, condemns us to fight
for each moment of life, who sends plague upon us
and destructive winds, he fought that foul creature
which only fools cherish, and he struck great blows
against her, he forced her to yield to our state.
He later went forth out into the world
alongside brave Jekkex, seeking new things
for the good of our city, the good of the state.
He found countless things, he fought nature again
and forced her to yield, to share her secrets,
though the danger was great, he braved many perils
on that long journey, risking his life.

If I must praise him for one glorious deed
that surpasses the rest, that crowns his glory,
then I shall praise him for this, for meeting the packs.
He brought them to us, those poor souls who had
wandered the mountains, who had starved and died
for want of a city, for want of fine comrades
who could help them life, and be helped in turn.
He met with the packs and he spoke without fear
to those who terrified many, he met them as friends
and made comrades of them, for that I praise him.
He led them to the city where they now live
and serve to this day, he brought us Quinno
who guided us well through our dark days of plague.
He brought us Maka, that elderly soul
who was a comrade in battle, but beyond that
who brought us new crafts, who worked his loom well
in the long days of peace, serving us well.
The packs earned great glory for their fine deeds
in peace and in war, Halon shares in that fame
for he brought them to us, if he had not
they would not have done their great deeds. Just as
a teacher, by rights, has a share of the glory
of all of his students, so Halon has
a share in that of the packs for all of their days.
He trained a fine student, the one known as Almay
and he loved her dearly, as if she was kin.
She has done great things, she honors his name
with every moment of life, for just as he
fought the long war with nature, she also fights
and conquers through study, she has taken his place.

Alas for such men, that we have lost them!
All must lament, all must weep for their loss,
that have earned that honor over the long years
that they served our city, it is well-deserved.
Let their praises be sung by all virtuous souls,
and let them be remembered for all of the days
that our city endures, may that be for all time!
Now, my dear comrades, let your mournful tears
flow down your faces, let them flood the streets!
Let all voices be raised in one wailing dirge,
and let all sing a lament, weeping and wailing!"

Thus was her song, thus did she sing a lament
as she led the procession up to the Matrix
where Quinno awaited with Fafri and Lessok,
and quick-learning Almay, student of Halon.
When she arrived she fell silent at once
as the biers were let down, placed by the Matrix
she silenced her lyre and let her voice rest.
The whole city was weeping, shedding their tears
as Maithee fell silent, sorrow filled the streets.
Wise Quinno spoke then, he spoke thoughtful words
that he had pondered well, chosen with care.

"It is a rare thing for tears to be praised,
for they are rarely proper, but here on this day
I think it is right to weep, for we have lost
two glorious men who strengthened our state
far more than any others who came before them.
Men such as them deserve all of your tears,
all that you can shed, and then more besides
for we owe them a debt that we cannot repay.
Give them all honors that can be devised
none shall call them unearned, for they have done
great things for us all, far greater things
than I can devise, than I could have conceived
had I been in there place, such was their skill.
It had been my honor to hail them as friends
and it had been my honor to call them my comrades.
I still call them that, though they have fallen
and I address mute remains, I know they will be
my friends for all time, that much is certain.
There is one pleasure in this, in seeing them dead,
a small consolation to mix with my tears,
and that pleasure is this, it can now be known
that they will never falter, they will never fail
in their virtue or duty, that now is certain.
Such a thing can be said only of those
who have passed from the world, those who have died
and returned to the Wheel, all others might fail.
A man can be tempted while he is alive
and he can be destroyed through his desires,
but not so for a corpse. The dead do not feel
and they do not crave material things
so they alone can be said to be free of the risk
of falling to evil, they need not fear it.
That is not enough to prevent me from weeping,
from shedding my tears, nor should it be
taken as praise for grim death, for the high cost
of avoiding desire is too high to be paid
without any complaint, but it is still
better to know that their death has some boon,
some compensation for the loss of their lives.

Now I stand in judgment, not as I have
often before, in a criminal matter,
but as a judge of their lives, and of their deeds
to judge what they deserve, what we can do
now that they are dead to honor their lives.
This must be just, as all things should be,
and it must be equal to what they have given
to their beloved state. It is a hard thing
to find them an honor that could ever be equal
to what they have done, but I have found it.
I now give a command, let all men hear it
and let them obey, raise their biers up
and give them what they have earned, I do command
that their bodies be cast into the Matrix.
Thus shall it be than they cannot be parted
from their own state, from our great city
until the end of all time, until the last day
that our city stands, they will be with us
while our nation persists. That is the honor
that I give to them, that they have earned."

He was obeyed, their biers were lifted
on the shoulders of friends, Fafri and Lessok
lifted the bier that honored their captain
and bore it with pride. Quinno and Almay
bore that of Halon, they lifted his corpse
and bore it to the Matrix, shedding grim tears.
Maithee wailed a lament, sang a wordless song
as both biers were raised in the same moment
and cast into the Matrix, the heart of the city.
The Matrix consumed them, they were united
with the great spires that they had loved
throughout all their lives, thus they were honored.
The Matrix grew calm. All the people dispersed
and returned to their lives, returned to their work
for the good of the city, the good of the state.
Such were the rites that honored those men
who died for their cities, but more than that
had lived for their state, served it with joy
for the long years of their lives, for all the time
that they drew breath, they lived for the state.