"And you seek me to ask aid." There was anger in the soft murmur. "Aid to destroy that which came from my flesh!" Elak said quietly, "Is Karkora's flesh--yours?" "By Father Poseidon, no! I loved the human part of Karkora, and little of that is left now. The Pallid One is--is--he has a thousand frightful powers, through his one strange sense. It has opened for him gateways that should remain always locked. He walks in other worlds, beyond unlit seas, across the nighted voids beyond earth. And I know he seeks to spread his dominion over all. Kiriath fell to him, and I think Cyrena. In time he will take all Atlantis, and more than that." Elak asked, "This Erykion, the wizard--what of him?" "I do not know," Mayana said. "Perhaps he dwells in his citadel yet, with Karkora. Not for years have I seen the sorcerer." "Cannot Karkora be slain?" There was a long pause. Then the whisper said, "I know not. His body, resting in the citadel, is mortal, but that which dwells within it is not. If you could reach the body of Karkora--even so you could not slay him." "Nothing can kill the Pallid One?" Elak asked. "Do not ask me this!" Mayana's voice said with angry urgency. "One thing, one talisman exists--and this I shall not and cannot give you." "I am minded to force your talisman from you," Elak said slowly, "if I can. Yet I do not wish to do this thing." * * * * * From beyond the curtain came a sound that startled the man--a low, hopeless sobbing that had in it all the bleak sadness of the mournful sea. Mayana said brokenly: "It is cold in my kingdom, Elak--cold and lonely. And I have no soul, only my life, while it lasts. My span is long, but when it ends there will be only darkness, for I am of the sea-folk. Elak, I have dwelt for a time on earth, and I would dwell there again, in green fields with the bright cornflowers and daisies gay amid the grass--with the fresh winds of earth caressing me. The hearth-fires, the sound of human voices, and a man's love--my Father Poseidon knows how I long for these again." "The talisman," Elak said. "Aye, the talisman. You may not have it." Elak said very quietly, "What manner of world will this be if Karkora should rule?" There was a shuddering, indrawn breath. Mayana said, "You are right. You shall have the talisman, if you should need it. It may be that you can defeat Karkora without it. I only pray that it may be so. Here is my word, then; in your hour of need, and not until then, I shall send you the talisman. And now go. Karkora has an earthly vessel in Sepher. Slay Sepher. Give me your blade, Elak." Silently Elak unsheathed his rapier and extended it hilt-first. The curtain parted. Through it slipped a hand. A hand--inhuman, strange! Very slender and pale it was, milk-white, with the barest suggestion of scales on the smooth, delicate texture of the skin. The fingers were slim and elongated, seemingly without joints, and filmy webs grew between them.