“My name is Maskull. My home is on the other side of the universe. As for what I am doing here—I accompanied Leehallfae, that phaen, from Matterplay.” “But a man doesn’t accompany a phaen out of friendship. What do you want in Threal?” “Then this is Threal?” “Yes.” Maskull remained silent. Corpang studied his face with rough, curious eyes. “Are you ignorant, or merely reticent, Maskull?” “I came here to ask questions, and not to answer them.” The stillness of the place was almost oppressive. Not a breeze stirred, and not a sound came through the air. Their voices had been lowered, as though they were in a cathedral. “Then do you want my society, or not?” asked Corpang. “Yes, if you can fit in with my mood, which is—not to talk about myself.” “But you must at least tell me where you want to go to.” “I want to see what is to be seen here, and then go on to Lichstorm.” “I can guide you through, if that’s all you want. Come, let us start.” “First let’s do our duty and bury the dead, if possible.” “Turn around,” directed Corpang. Maskull looked around quickly. Leehallfae’s body had disappeared. “What does this mean—what has happened?” “The body has returned to whence it came. There was nowhere here for it to be, so it has vanished. No burial will be required.” “Was the phaen an illusion, then?” “In no sense.” “Well, explain quickly, then, what has taken place. I seem to be going mad.” “There’s nothing unintelligible in it, if you’ll only listen calmly. The phaen belonged, body and soul, to the outside, visible world—to Faceny. This underworld is not Faceny’s world, but Thire’s, and Faceny’s creatures cannot breathe its atmosphere. As this applies not only to whole bodies, but even to the last particles of bodies, the phaen has dissolved into Nothingness.” “But don’t you and I belong to the outside world too?” “We belong to all three worlds.” “What three worlds—what do you mean?” “There are three worlds,” said Corpang composedly. “The first is Faceny’s, the second is Amfuse’s, the third is Thire’s. From him Threal gets its name.” “But this is mere nomenclature. In what sense are there three worlds?” Corpang passed his hand over his forehead. “All this we can discuss as we go along. It’s a torment to me to be standing still.” Maskull stared again at the spot where Leehallfae’s body had lain, quite bewildered at the extraordinary disappearance. He could scarcely tear himself away from the place, so mysterious was it. Not until Corpang called to him a second time did he make up his mind to follow him.