Son of Power

rass-thatched village?Cadman discovered a devout man of great learning, who rested on the path of a long pilgrimage. The devout man was approachable and spoke perfect English; so they asked him about the land ahead. "The Grass Jungle, sons? It is the place of secret ways. Only the very innocent of men-things dwell there; those not soiled by the wisdom of evil. To the wise of the world, it is the place of plague and pestilence and fear; and swift death by heat? and the shedding of blood. Past all else?to such? it is the place of the shedding of blood." He stopped a moment, musing, then in softer tones went on: "The days are all still there. The creature-multitude sleeps in hidden lairs?black and gold and brown and grey?all veiled in golden gloom. Thelittle men-things go their ways, on their own man- paths, which they only know; remember this?they only know. "When you go in, they will send boys with you from one village to the next; but only in the early hours, or in the late hours of day. See that you do not persuade them otherwise. The full-day heat is called 'blight' because it robs men of their wits." Skag scarcely breathed, till the Learned spoke again. "At night?I speak who know?at night the earth rises up to the heavens on the voices of the wild and the ears of the gods are offended. Creatures go out on their own paths?-as the men-things go on theirs by day. They rend and contend, they kill and are killed; but they do not cease till dawn....