,*APT] #e 
,NOVEMB] ,SA9TS1 ,A,D #afd 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,AU?OR 3 ,NEIL ,RI*>D ,MAC,K9NON ,GAIMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,NOVEMB] ,SA9TS1 ,A,D #afd 

,) AGE1 ! ACT ( WAK+ HAS BECOME A GREAT CONFUSION4 ,I NO LONG] KN[ UPON :I* DECADE ( ?IS LIFE MY EYES WILL OP53 LAME & FRO/-BURN$ BY ! OLD *UR* GATE OR 9 MY CONV5T CELL H]E1 MORN+'S FIR/ SICK BLU5ESS ON ! WALL2 BLUE ( ! DEAD4 

,MY COT IS H>D1 ?AT ,I MAY FEEL ! BONES ?AT >E 9SIDE ME1 RE/LESS & IMPATI5T TO GET \T4 ,NOT LONG1 !Y ?9K4 ,%E'S OLD4 ,NOT LONG4 ,B5EA? ! R\< DUSK %EET A *ILL A*ES 9 MY BAD LEG'S />V+ M>R[ & ,I KN[ IT IS ,NOVEMB]4 ,LA/ NI<T1 ON ,ALL ,HALL['S ,EVE1 ,I DREAM$ ,I WAS A MAN4 

,RA9-BL9D1 HE RODE ! FI]CE NI<T ?R\< UPON A FEV]-HORSE T[>DS ,NOR?AMPTON H]E1 ?\< 9 MY DREAM ,I ?\<T ( IT AS ,HAM ,T[N & ,I KN[ NOT :Y4 ,! DRIZZLE /UNG MY FACE & COLD DRAFTS RATTL$ 9 MY E>S1 & AS ,I RODE IT SEEM$ ?AT ALL ! T]RORS ( ,NOVEMB] W]E UPON ME1 RUDE JAWS SNAPP+ AT ! /EAM+ FETLOCKS ( MY HORSE SO ?AT ,I WEPT 9 FRI<T1 & :5 ,I WOKE ,I DID NOT KN[ AT FIR/ :AT YE> IT WAS1 & PLAC$ A H& UPON MY LEA!R$ SEX = FE> ?AT ,I %\LD F9D 9/EAD HIS 9/RUM5T1 MEA CULPA1 MEA CULPA1 ,BLESS$ ,VIRG9 =GIVE ME4 

,CREAK+ 9SIDE MY *E/ ,I RISE FROM (F MY COT1 ! S\R %EET FLUNG ASIDE1 MY BURLAP HABIT PULL$ ON 9 A S+LE1 %IV]+ MOVEM5T2 CO>SE FOLDS1 GRAY AGA9/ GRAY DAWN4 ,I F9I% DRESS+ 9 ! HALF-LI<T & ,I LIMP ! DAMP /ONE PASSAGES TO ,MAT9S :]E ,I (F] UP ALL ?ANKS TO ,GOD ?AT ,I MAY LIMP AT ALL & DWELL 9/EAD UPON ! PASSION ( ,\R ,LORD4 ,I WORK ! DAYS1 ,I C\NT ! BEADS & SAY ! NAMES4 

,:5 !Y >E M9DFUL ( MY HALT5 FOOT !Y SET ME TO A TASK :]E ,I MAY NOT WALK F>1 AS :5 ,I T5D ! G>D5S H]E AT ,AB+DON4 ,MY BONE FI/S TUG AMONG ! WE$S & (T5 WILL MY ?\<TS TURN N[ TO ,IVALDE1 :5 HE KEPT ! GRAVES & G>D5S 9 ! OLD *UR* & ,I LAY AGA9/ ITS GATE-PO/1 BEGG+4 ,SOMETIMES HE W\LD TALK ) ME1 HIS IDIOT TALK ?AT HAD NO REASON S9CE A C>T-HORSE KICK$ HIS HEAD :ILE HE WAS BUT A MITE4 ,N[ ,I RECALL HIS PALE GRE5 EYES1 HIS ,NORSE-R$ HAIR4 ,HE WAS NOT MORE ?AN SIXTE5 W9T]S OLD1 )\T A JOT ( H>M 9 HIM4 

',ALFGIVA1' HE W\LD SAY TO ME1 'ONE DAY ,I %ALL SET \T & MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO ,ROME1 ALL = ! HONOR ( ! ,DROT9UM4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K ( ?AT8' ,DROT9UM WAS A WORD BY :I* HE MEANT ,/ ,PET]1 BLESS$ BE HIS NAME4 ,! WORD MEANS ',LORD'4 ,HE W\LD GO ON & ON ) ,ROME & ALL ! PLACES HE W\LD GO & ,I W\LD LIE AGA9/ ! GATE-PO/ ) ITS B>E /ONES DIGG+ 9 MY BACK &1 MAY ! ,LORD =GIVE ME1 ,I W\LD HATE HIM4 ,HATE HIM = ! ?+S ?AT HE MI<T LIVE TO SEE :ILE ,I SAW NO?+ BUT ?AT GRAY /ONE PO/2 ! SAME GREAT :EEL ( TREE & FIELD ?AT SPUN AB\T IT EV]Y DAY1 ! SL[ & %ALL[ RIV] D[NHILL FROM ?AT *UR*1 ! BRIDGE ( BLACK5$ TIMB] ?AT HAD SURELY SPANN$ IT S9CE ! WORLD WAS SMALL4 

,HE'D KN[ ! SMELL ( =EIGN PORTS & CITIES ALL ( GOLD1 & ,I W\LD LIE & C\NT ! FIGURES & ! FACES1 RAIS$ UP FROM ! /ONE1 ?AT CAP]$ 9 ! *UR*'S EAVES1 & ,I W\LD WOND]1 AS ,I DID EA* DAY1 AB\T ! FIGURES & ! FACES ON ! F> SIDE ( ! *UR*1 ?AT ,I HAD NEV] SE5 AL?\< !Y W]E SO NE>4 ,= !SE REASONS W\LD ,I HATE HIM1 MAY ! ,LORD =GIVE ME4 ,9 ! W9T]S ,I W\LD FREEZE & 9 ! SUMM]S DID NOT HAVE ! /R5G? TO BRU% ! FLIES FROM (F MY FACE OR BOSOM4 

,IVALDE NEV] W5T TO ,ROME4 ,A HUMOR CAME UPON HIS LUNGS ! DAY ?AT HE & NOBLE ,BRUN+ LIFT$ UP ! FLAG/ONES ( ! *UR* TO DIG ! WORM-LAC$ E>? B5EA? & ,I WAS ) !M !RE4 ,HIS *E/ WAS NEV] BETT] FROM ?AT DAY1 & HE WAS PUT BEL[ ! GR\ND BE=E ! MON? WAS DONE4 ,I TOOK MY V[S NOT LONG !REAFT]1 9 ! YE> ( ,\R ,LORD ONE ?\S& & FIFTY4 ,IT IS F\RTE5 YE>S N[ S9CE ,I LA/ SAW ,IVALDE'S FACE1 OR HE>D HIS S5SELESS TALK4 ,MAY ,GOD HAVE M]CY ON \R S\LS1 BO? HIS & M9E4 

,I DID NOT HATE HIM ALL ! TIME1 EXCEPT :5 ,I WAS BITT]1 :I* WAS (T51 BUT UPON MY FAIR DAYS ,I W\LD TALK ) HIM1 & LAU<1 & WI% HIM WELL UPON HIS VOYAGES4 ,I NEV] ONCE SAW ,BRUN+ LAU< ) HIM OR HE>D HIM SAY A K9D WORD TO ! BOY1 ?\< ,BRUN+ WAS ! P>I% PRIE/ & WAS RESPONSIBLE = ,IVALDE'S KEEP :ILE ,IVALDE T5D$ TO ! C>ROT CROP & KEPT ! GRAVES4 ,NOR1 = ?AT MATT]1 DID ! NOBLE ,BRUN+ EV] ?R[ A CO9 TO ME = ALL HIS WEAL?2 = ALL HE PASS$ ME EV]Y DAY !RE RAGG$ BY HIS GATE4 ,/ILL1 ?AT IS 9 ! PA/ & ,BRUNIGUS HIMSELF IS DEAD !SE F\R YE>S GONE4 ,I AM ! LA/ ALIVE :O /OOD !RE 9 ?AT *UR* & SAW3 ,ALFGIVA1 :O LAY BROK5 9 ITS %AD[ ALL H] LIFE1 !N FL$ TO SEE ITS LI<T UNE>!D1 !RE NE> ! CROSSROADS1 BY ! RIV]-BRIDGE4 

,NOVEMB] GR[S LONG 9 ITS ICICLE TOO? & ,I SCRUB ! WORN FLAGS TILL ! WET & ! %9E ON !M CA/ BY ! R>E %AFTS ( SUNLI<T W\LD BL9D Y\4 ,I PRAY & ,I C\NT (F ! BEADS4 ,ON ! TW5TIE? DAY ( ?IS MON? IS ! FEA/ ( ! ,BLESS$ ,/ ,$MUND1 & WE >E %[N PICTURES DEPICT+ HIS PASSION ?AT WE !N MAY KN[ HIM MORE NE>LY4 ,WE SEE HIM FIR/ SC\RG$ & !N %OT ?R\< ) >R[S1 HIS FAI? YET UN%AK51 HIS ,GOD UNR5\NC$4 ,AT ! LA/ IS ! HEAD ( HIM /RUCK FROM HIS %\LD]S TO ROLL AT HIS FEET1 :]E A BEA/ ON ALL F\RS /&S TO GU>D IT4 ,! ,REV]5D ,MO!R W\LD HAVE IT ! BEA/ IS A WOLF1 ?\< ITS IMAGE LOOKS MORE LIKE A DOG1 & YET MON/R\SLY BIG IS IT MADE SO ?AT ,I GR[ AFRAID ( ?IS PICTURE & ?9K ( IT EV5 :5 IT IS NO LONG] 9 SI<T4 ,WE CAN NONE ( US KN[1 :AT IT IS ?AT WALKS UND] ! GR\ND4 

,SO ! DAYS PASS4 ,A WOMAN ( ,GLAS/HORPEHILL OV] ! ,NOBOTTLE ,WOODS IS POSSESS$ ( A SPIRIT1 & VOMITS UP ANIMAL BE+S LIKE LITTLE :ITE FROGS4 ,?IS IS TOLD ME BY ,SI/] ,EADGY?1 ?\< ,I DID NOT WAIT 9 H] COMPANY LONG 5\< ?AT ,I MI<T COME TO KN[ MORE4 ,%E 5DURES CON/IPATIONS ?AT MAKE H] BREA? F\L1 & H] HUMOR ALIKE1 BUT %E IS A GOOD ,*RI/IAN & H>D AT H] WORK4 

,I DID NOT WALK AT ALL1 FROM ! TIME ( MY BIR? TO MY ?IRTIE? YE>1 :5 ,I LIV$ 9 ! Y>D BY ! *ALK-M]*ANT'S H\SE ?AT WAS OV] ! WAY FROM ! *UR*4 ,9 A LEAN-TO ( SAIL-CLO? & OLD1 PA9T$ BO>DS ,I ABID$ ALONE1 = MY FA!R HAD TAK5 HIS LEAVE :ILE ,I WAS YET UNBORN & MY MO!R HAD GONE TO ! COLIC BE=E ,I WAS T54 ,) ! RISE ( ! SUN EV]Y MORN ,I W\LD CRAWL FROM MY %ACK LIKE A BEETLE & DRAG MY WEI<T OV] ! /ONES ( ! LANE TO MY PLACE AT ! GATE BY MY ELB[S1 :]E UNTIL ?IS DAY IS ! SK9 DEAD & WORN1 )\T FEEL+1 & MAY BE P9*$ UP 9 GRAY FOLDS ?AT >E LIKE TO DRI$ CLAY4 

,ON ! BO>DS ( MY LEAN-TO W]E PICTURES ( ANGELS1 BUT HALF UNMADE2 DRAWN ) AN UNPRACTIC$ FI/4 ,IT WAS SOMETIMES MY FANCY ?AT !Y W]E ! WORK ( MY FA!R & LEFT 9COMPLETE BY HIS LEAVE-TAK+1 AL?\< ,I KNEW !M MORE LIKELY ! M>K ( A /RANG]'S H&1 SOMEONE LONG DEAD1 OR PASS$ OV] ! RIV] FROM ,SPELHOE TO ,CLEYLEY4 ,I HAD !SE BO>DS TURN$ ) ! PICTURES FAC$ 9W>D &1 LAID BY MY C&LE AT NI<T1 ,I'D IMAG9E ! CLUMSY EMBRACE ( !IR >MS )\T H&S1 !SE OMITT$ = WANT ( PICTORIAL SKILL4 ,I W\LD ?9K MYSELF FANN$ BY !IR UNF9I%$ W+S4 

,N[ ! NE>-W9T] SKIES HAVE A BURNI%$ & >G5T LI<T TO !M1 HUNG OV] ! CONV5T AT ,AB+DON H]E 9 ! F> FIELDS NOR?-EA/ ( ! OLD *UR* :]E SO LONG ,I LAY4 ,AS ! FEA/ ( ,/ ,$MUND APPROA*ES1 SO TOO DOES MY SLEEP GR[ MORE FITFUL & RE/LESS2 FRAU<T ) ! MO/ WRET*$ ( DREAMS1 :]E ,I RIDE ?R\< ! HURRICANE NI<T AS A MAN ) MY ?\<TS 9 A BITT] CONFUSION & 5EMIES HOT AT MY HEEL OR1 WORSE YET1 ,I WILL WAKE & CRY \T 9 DESPAIR AT ! DEA? ( MY BRO!R1 ?\< BRO!R 9 TRU? ,I HAVE NONE1 NOR HAVE ,I EV] WANT$ = SU*4 

,ON ! DAY ( ! FEA/ ,I AWAKE ) SU* WORDS 9 MY M\? AS TO FRI<T5 ! WITS FROM MY POOR SI/] ,AE!LFLA$1 !RE 9 H] CELL NEXT TO M9E4 ,) ! VOICE ( A BE> ,I AM GR[L+ ( MURD]3 ',9 ,HEL'S ,T[N WAS MY BRO!R ,$MUND FLAY$ FIR/ FROM HIS NECK TO HIS LO9S1 :5CE HE WEPT & COMPLA9$1 LY+ SPREAD AS IF G>B$ 9 A BLOOD-%IRT ?AT ,+W>'S M5 FOLD$ BACK1 %EW+ ! R$1 /9K+ H>P !RE B5EA?4' 

,I CONSOLE ,SI/] ,AE!LFLA$1 CALM+ H]1 EV5 ?\< TRULY ,I AM MORE AFRAID = MYSELF4 ,I HAVE SU* ?\<TS 9SIDE ME ?AT MAKE ME A%AM$ BE=E ,GOD2 O!R VOICES & LIVES SPEAK+ 9 ME1 NOT ONLY 9 DREAMS BUT ?R\<\T ! DAY'S LABORS4 ,I SIT BY ! WELL 9 ! Y>D ) MY BETT] LEG FOLD$ B5EA? ME & BUSY MYSELF ) ! WA%+ ( SMOCKS1 :5 ,I F9D MYSELF ?9K+ H[ FOOLI% WAS MY BRO!R ,$MUND TO HOLD ) HIS FAI? ?R\< ! E>LI] TORTUR+S1 ONLY TO %RIEK \T ITS R5UNCIATION 9 HIS MORTAL PA9 AS HE BEGG$ !M = DEA?4 

,N[ MY H&S BECOME /ILL 9 ! WELL'S FREEZ+ WAT]S1 ! F+]S GR[N NUMB ?AT ! SMOCK ,I AM R9S+ FALLS FROM !M & FLOATS 9 A ?9 SCUM ( ,NOVEMB] LEAVES4 ,I AM ?9K+ ?AT %\LD ,I BE CAPTUR$ !N GLADLY WILL ,I (F] PRAISE UNTO ,WOTAN1 = ALL HIS ONE EYE & ! PALE %YTE ( RAV5S 5CRU/+ HIS %\LD]S1 IF HE WILL DELIV] ME FROM ?IS DEMISE2 ?IS BLOOD-EAGLE1 ?AT IT MAY NOT UNFOLD ITS BLOODY-RIBB$ W+S & MAKE NAK$ MY HE>T 444 

,I MAY NOT SAY H[ LONG ,I AM SITT+ !RE UNTIL ,I COME TO MYSELF1 & RISE UP ) A CRY AT ! HORRORS ?AT VISIT$ ) ME :ILE ,I SAT 9 REV]IE4 ,%AK+ & PALE1 ) MY BAD LEG DRAGG$ USELESS BEH9D ME1 ,I GO TO ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R & TELL H] ?AT ,I AM AFFLICT$ BY DREAMS SU* AS MAY BE ! WORK ( AN 9CUBUS1 ASK+ P]MISSION ?AT ,I MI<T BE SC\RG$ = TO RID ME ( !SE NOXI\S ?\<TS4 ,H]E %E VOICES CONC]N ) RESPECT TO MY FRAILTY & AGE1 BIDD+ ME RECONSID] & SUFF] SOME P5ANCE LESS /RICT & EXACT+4 ,I TELL H] ( MY IMPRECATIONS1 ALONE 9 MY CELL2 ALL ! ROS>IES SAID BUT UNANSW]$4 ,I BEG ?AT %E LET ME BE SC\RG$1 ?AT ! FLAIL DRIVE AWAY :AT ! BEADS CANNOT HALT1 LE/ MY IMMORTAL S\L %\LD ITSELF BE IMP]IL$4 ,AT LA/ %E CONS5TS1 ) ! P5ANCE TO BE UND]TAK5 ! FOLL[+ DAY1 ?AT ,I MI<T YET HAVE TIME TO MORE FULLY CONSID] ! RIGOR\S PA? ,I HAVE *OS5 ) ALL ( MY HE>T TO PURSUE4 ,I MU/ NOT %R9K FROM ?IS1 = ,I FE> = MY FAI? 9 ! FACE ( !SE 9FIDEL VISIONS & FLUKES ( ! NI<T2 ,BLESS$ ,VIRG9 =GIVE ME1 DELIV] ME4 

,LAT]1 ALONE 9 MY CELL ) ! C&LE-SKET*$ DEVILS ( %AD[ ?AT LEAP & CAVORT ON ITS WALLS :5 ,I MOVE1 ,I AM ?9K+ ( ,IVALDE1 SO MANY YE>S DEAD N[4 ,HE CAME & HE SAT BY ME !RE AT ! GATE :]E ,I LAY ON A COLD MORN+ JU/ BE=E SPR+4 ,9 HIS SL[1 SIMPLE-M9D$ 9FLECTION HE TOLD ME ( H[ HE'D SET =? ON HIS PILGRIMAGE ?AT V]Y DAY4 ,HE WAS GO+1 HE TOLD ME1 TO ,ROME1 AL?\< ,BRUN+ HAD SCOLD$ & RAIL$ AT HIM1 SAY+ ?AT ,GOD & ! ,BLESS$ ,/ ,PET] HAD BETT] TO DO ?AN PAY HE$ TO A HALF-WITT$ G>D5-BOY4 

,?\< ,I'D NO LIK+ = ,BRUN+1 IT SUIT$ ME ON ?AT P>TICUL> DAY TO AGREE ) HIM & ?US GIVE V5T TO MY SPITE1 = ,I HAD NOT SLEPT WELL & WAS WE>Y ( ,IVALDE & ALL ( HIS UNCEAS+ *ATT] ( ,ROME4 ',Y\ %\LD LI/5 TO ,BRUN+1' ,I TOLD HIM4 ',IT'S ONLY ! RI* & ! HOLY LIKE HIM AS %\LD ?9K !MSELVES WOR?Y ( GO+ TO ,ROME6 ,:Y1 Y\'RE NO?+ BUT ONLY A SIMPLETON4 ,Y\ MAY BE SURE ?AT ,/ ,PET] W\LD C>E NOT A BIT MORE = Y\ ?AN HE W\LD A POOR CRIPPLE LIKE ME4' ,HE LOOK$ HURT AT MY WORDS1 LIKE A BABY1 & FELL TO A /UTT] :ILE MAK+ ATTEMPTS AT PR(ESS+ HIS FAI? 9 ! ,DROT9UM4 ,I TURN$ AWAY FROM HIM !N1 & W\LD SPEAK NO MORE TO HIM TILL HE W5T AWAY1 SEEM+ WOEFUL & FILL$ UP ) PUZZLEM5T4 

,9SIDE MY HE>T ,I WAS SURE ?AT ?IS FRE% TALK ( PILGRIMAGE W\LD COME TO NO?+2 ?AT ON ! NEXT MORN ,I'D SEE ,IVALDE /OOP$1 T5D+ HIS CROPS ) HIS IDLE DREAMS YET AGA9 PUT TO ONE SIDE1 AS HAD (T5-TIMES HAPP5$ BE=E1 BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE4 ,HE HAD GONE1 ,BRUN+ SAID1 9 ! NI<T2 ON A WAGON ?AT MADE = ! COA/ 9 ! HOPE ?AT HE W\LD F9D A %IP :]EUPON HE MI<T !N WORK HIS PASSAGE TO ,NORM&Y1 !REAFT] ,ROME4 

,IVALDE'S LEAV+ ?REW GOOD ,BRUN+ 9TO A TEMP] SO FI]CE AS TO LA/ = SOME DAYS1 & IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ! PRIE/ KNEW A GREAT SCORN = POOR ,IVALDE'S PRESUMPTIONS4 ,NO D\BT ,BRUN+ FELT ?AT IF ANYONE W]E TO PETITION ,/ ,PET] !N HE1 ,BRUN+1 %\LD BE BY RI<T & BY RANK AT ! HEAD ( ! L9E4 ,I W\LD SEE ?AT /\T PRIE/ R$ ( FACE1 CURS+ UND] HIS BREA? AS HE /OOP$ TO PULL WE$S FROM BETWE5 P>SNIP R[S 9 ! UNT5D$ G>D51 & KNEW IT WAS ,IVALDE HE CURS$4 ,SO ! DAYS TURN$ TO WEEKS & NOT UNTIL ! FEA/ ( ! ,PASSION WAS ,IVALDE RETURN$ TO US4 

,?AT AFT]NOON ,I WAS SAT BY ! GATE ) ! GRAY CL\D HUNG HEAVY & L[1 FIT TO SNAG ON ! *UR*'S L[ SPIRE1 & A SAD1 SAGG+ HEAT 9 ! AIR4 ,ALL MY CLO?+ WAS DAMP$ 9 ?IS MIS]ABLE W>M? SO ?AT ,I WAS = EV] UNPEEL+ MY SKIRT :]E IT /UCK TO ! TOPS ( MY LEGS4 ,I DID NOT NOTICE ,IVALDE UNTIL HE HAD BREA/$ ! HUMP ( ! RIV]-BRIDGE1 D[NHILL & OV] ! CROSSROADS FROM :]E ,I SAT RAGG$ & SLUMP$ BY ! GATE4 ,EV5 !N1 :5 ,I NOT$ ! /RANGE1 %AMBL+ FIGURE'S APPROA*1 ,I AT FIR/ DID NOT KN[ IT = ,IVALDE1 SO *ANG$ WAS ! BOY 9 ! WAKE ( HIS TRAVELS4 ,NOT TILL HE HAD COME BY ! CROSSROADS & ,I SAW ! R$ ( HIS HAIR DID ,I KN[ :O IT WAS1 & CONFESS A MEAN GLADNESS TO SEE ?AT HE C\LD NOT HAVE VISIT$ ,ROME4 

,AS HE WALK$ UP ! HILL ) ?AT %UFFL+ GAIT ?AT HE HAD NOT BE5 M>K$ ) BE=E !RE WAS SOME?+ AB\T HIM ?AT ,I CANNOT EASILY FIT 9TO WORDS1 AS IF H]E W]E A PICTURE ?AT ,I KNEW ( OLD & HAD SE5 MANY TIMES 9 ! PA/1 ?\< ,I CANNOT ?9K :]E3 ?IS WAN FOOL ) ! YELL[+ D>TS ( GRASS CAU<T 9 HIS HAIR1 /UMBL+ OV] ! BRIDGE TO ! CROSSROADS LIKE ONE FRE% RETURN$ FROM A BATTLE2 A LOOK 9 HIS EYES AS IF HE KN[S NOT :]E HE MU/ BE1 ONLY ?AT HE MU/ BE !RE4 ,HE WALK$ UP ! LANE ) ! SKY BL9D+ :ITE AT HIS BACK1 & ,I ?\<T ',?IS HAS HAPP5$ BE=E'1 & ,I WAT*$ HIM COME NE>1 AT ONCE /RANGE & FAMILI> 9 ASPECT LIKE ONE ( ! QUE] PA9T$ FIGURES ?AT GRACE A C>TOMANC]'S DECK4 

',I HAVE COME BACK1 ,ALFGIVA1' HE SAID :5 HE NE>$ ME4 ,HIS VOICE S\ND$ HOLL[1 ) NONE ( ! LIFE IT ONCE HAD4 ,ALL ! NONS5SE WAS GONE FROM HIM N[1 ?\< ,I C>$ LITTLE MORE = ! F>AWAY ODDNESS IT LEFT 9 ITS /EAD4 ,HE /OOD BY ME1 & YET DID NOT SUFF] HIMSELF TO KNEEL D[N BY MY SIDE :5 HE SPOKE1 NOR DID HE LOOK T[>DS ME BUT ALL ! :ILE />$ AT ! *UR*1 & HIS FACE WAS )\T ANY FEEL+ AT ALL2 )\T EV5 A BL9K 9 HIS EYE4 

,) MY NECK ALL CRAN$ BACK LIKE A BIRD ,I SPOKE UP TO HIM AS HE /OOD D>K !RE ) BRI<T SILV] SKY OV]HEAD4 ',IVALDE8 ,:]E HAVE Y\ BE58 ,Y\ DID NOT GO TO ,ROME8' 

,HE GLANC$ D[N AT ME !N1 & A CL\D9ESS CAME 9 HIS EYES AS IF HE DID NOT KN[ ME4 ,! SMALL BIRDS FELL QUIET 9 ! YEW & :AT AFT]NOON %AD[S !RE W]E SEEM$ TO PAUSE 9 !IR CRAWL TO ! EA/1 & AT L5G? ,IVALDE SPOKE ) HIS VOICE SMALL & WOND]+1 ALMO/ AS IF HE REC\NT$ ! TALE ( ANO!R BOY1 SOMEONE HE'D MET LONG AGO & REMEMB]$ BUT DIMLY4 

',NOT ,ROME4 ,I DID NOT GO TO ,ROME4 ,?RICE ,I BO>D$ ! BOAT1 BUT HE CAME TO ME SO ?AT ,I FELL 9 A FIT1 & HE TOLD ME ?AT ,I MU/ RETURN4' ,HIS EYES DRIFT$ AWAY FROM ME1 BACK TO ! *UR*1 & ,I TUGG$ AT ! LEG ( HIS BREEKS AS ,I SPOKE TO HIM4 

',:O S5T Y\ BACK8 ,IS IT ,BRUN+ Y\ SPEAK (8 ,HE'S BE5 AT ?IS *UR* S9CE Y\ LEFT4' ,SL[LY1 & )\T LOOK+ AWAY FROM ! *UR* AS HE DID SO1 ,IVALDE %OOK HIS GREAT COPP] HEAD SO ?AT %>P /ALKS ( GRASS W]E DISLODG$ FROM HIS HAIR4 ,I FOLL[$ !IR FALL ) MY EYES TO HIS FEET1 :I* ,I SAW ) AL>M TO BE BLOODY1 ! BOOTS HUNG 9 RAGS4 

',NO4 ,NOT ,BRUN+4 ,! ,DROT9UM4 ,HE S5T ME BACK4 ,HIM OR ONE ( HIS ANGELS4' ,IVALDE LOOK$ ONCE MORE TO ME & ,I C\LD SEE ?AT HIS GRE5 EYES W]E BRIMM+ ) TE>S4 ',OH1 ,ALFGIVA1' HE SAID4 ',OH ,ALFGIVA1 :ATEV] HAS HAPP5$ TO ME8' 

,AS HIS FACE GREW FIR/ P9K & !N CRUMPL$ ITSELF AS HE WEPT1 ,I C\LD BUT />E AT HIM4 ,QUITE UNABLE TO ANSW] HIS QUE/ION1 ,I V5TUR$ ONE ( MY [N3 ',IVALDE1 :AT >E Y\ SAY+1 ! ,DROT9UM S5T Y\ BACK H]E8 ,Y\ DO NOT MEAN ,/ ,PET]8' 

,HE />T$ TO NOD1 !N 9/EAD DEIGN$ TO %AKE HIS HEAD VIOL5TLY1 EYES CL5*$ & /REAM+4 ',I DON'T KN[4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE AN ANGEL1 ) FOLD$ GRE5 W+S & IT /OOD TWICE AS TALL AS A MAN4 ,IT SAID ,I %\LD COME BACK4' ,H]E HE OP5$ HIS EYES & HE />$ AT ME FI]CELY4 ',ALFGIVA1 IT SPOKE D[N A FLUTE1 & IT WALK$ ?R\< ! WALL UPON GREAT SP9DL$ LEGS LIKE A BIRD4' ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT ! *UR*1 & ,I SAW HE WAS %AK+4 ',! ROOM WAS TOO SMALL TO CONTA9 IT1 & YET IT /OOD TALL & ! CEIL+ WAS MELT$ LIKE SMOKE SO ?AT ,I MI<T LOOK UP ?R\< IT TO :]E ! ,DROT9UM /OOD !RE ABOVE ME1 ) EYES FULL ( C>E4' ,HE FELL SIL5T4 ,A P5NANT ( BLACK CL\D WAS SL[LY UNROLL$1 HUNG UP OV] ! *UR* ) ITS %AD[ FELL ON TO ! G>D5 & GRAVES1 ! TURF$ HUMPS ( !M1 PREGNANT ) SKELETONS4 

,?IS WAS NOT ,IVALDE1 HIS NONS5SE ( OLD TO BE LI<TLY WAV$ (F1 = ,I SAW ?AT A *ANGE WAS 9 HIM1 & ,I %IV]$ & KNEW ,I BELIEV$ :AT HE SAID1 ?\< ,I DID NOT FEEL GLAD4 ,= A MOM5T ,I SAT ) HIM1 %>+ HIS SIL5CE1 BUT C\LD NOT LONG KEEP FROM MY QUE/IONS & ASK$ IF ?IS ANGEL1 ?IS ,DROT9UM HAD COME TO ,IVALDE ON MORE TIMES ?AN ONE4 ,HE LOOK$ FULL ( SU* MIS]Y !N AS HE NODD$1 ,I KNEW ?AT IF ,IVALDE HAD EV] 9 9NOC5CE CRAV$ = A SIGN FROM ABOVE1 !N HE'D SURELY REP5T$ & N[ WI%$ HIS VISIONS BEH9D HIM4 

',! FIR/ TIME IT CAME TO ME1 ,I DID NOT SEE IT1 BUT FELT AS ,I WALK$ UP ! BO>DS TO ! %IP AS IF SOME?+ MORE BIG ?AN A HORSE W]E /OOD BLOCK+ MY PA?1 & MY FACE & MY F+]S W\LD CREEP IF ,I MADE BUT TO TAKE A /EP =W>D4 ,AT ?IS1 ,I GREW FRI<T5$ & W\LD NOT SET FOOT ON ! BOAT SO ?AT IT SAIL$ )\T ME & LEFT ME TO WAIT ON ANO!R %IP B\ND = ! ,NORM&Y COA/4 ,I GREW VEX$ ) MYSELF AS ,I WAIT$ &1 CURS+ MYSELF = A C[>D1 ,I V[$ ,I W\LD BO>D ! NEXT VESSEL TO DOCK4' 

,SEEM+ N[ TO REGA9 HIS COMPOSURE1 HE GAZ$ AT ! *UR*4 ,SQUATT+ OV] ITS DOOR1 C>V$ 9 /ONE1 WAS ! TOK5 ( ,LU/ ) H] LEGS SET AP>T & ! COLD1 MOSSY LIPS ( H] SEX GAP+ WIDE1 H] SIX FELL[S BESIDE H] ) ?REE TO EA* SIDE4 

,IVALDE'S FACE SEEM$ TO SLACK5 & SETTLE4 ,! VAGUE FOGS ( DI/ANCE W]E RIS5 AFRE% 9 HIS EYES AS HE SPOKE4 ',:5 IT CAME1 IT WAS DUE TO SET SAIL ) ! DAWN1 & ,I SAID ,I W\LD SLEEP UNTIL !N 9 SOME FI%]MAN'S %$S ,I HAD F\ND ON ! $GE ( ! S&1 UP ABOVE ! %>P GRASS4 ,I AWOKE 9 ! NI<T ) MY FEET TANGL$ UP 9 ! SLIPP]Y FI%-NETS1 TO F9D ?AT ! ANGEL WAS /&+ ABOVE ME4 ,ITS SORRY GRE5 FEA!RS W]E DRIPP+ ) WET & ?\< ,I D>E NOT LOOK ,I WAS FILL$ ) A QUE] UND]/&+ ?AT SMALL] ?+S1 HAIRLESS & BL9D1 /RUGGL$ D[N BY ! /UMPS ( ITS AWFUL ?9 LEGS4 ,IT HAD EYES LIKE AN UNHAPPY MAN1 BUT IT SPOKE ?R\< A BEAK LIKE A FLUTE1 & IT TOLD ME ?AT ,I MU/ RETURN4 ,I WOKE UP ) ! PISS ON MY LEGS & D>E NOT LEAVE ! HUT ! NEXT DAY TILL ,I KNEW ?AT MY %IP HAD PUT =?4' 
',! ?IRD TIME1 ,I BO>D$ ! %IP & WAS S5T BEL[ ?AT WAS ! TIME ?AT ,I SPOKE ( BE=E1 :5 IT CAME ?R\< ! WALL :ILE ,I SAT !RE AWAKE & 9/RUCT$ ME1 SO ?AT ,I RAN FROM ! %IP 9 MY FE> & SO TOO DID ,I RUN FROM ?AT T[N ON ! COA/4 ,I HAVE RUN1 & :5 ,I RAN NO MORE !N ,I WALK$1 TILL ,I CAME H]E4 ,I CAME BY ! BR[ ( ! HILL TO ! WE/ ( ! T[N4 ,IT WAS !RE ?AT ,I SAW HIM AGA91 & LESS TIME AGO ?AN IT W\LD TAKE = A C&LE TO BURN HALF ITS L5G?4' 

,FROM ! DOORS ( ! *UR*1 AS IF BIR!D FROM ! *ILL CUNT ?AT GAP$ 9 ! /ONEWORK ABOVE HIM1 FAT ,BRUN+ CAME /RID+ \T OV] ! WET GRASS1 ?R\< :I* TRAIL$ ! HEM ( HIS D>K ROB+S SO ?AT HE SEEM$ MORE TO GLIDE1 )\T FEET4 ,HE WAS %\T+ AT ,IVALDE1 HIS M\?+S TOO ANGRY TO =GE ANY S5SE FROM1 YET ,IVALDE IGNOR$ HIS APPROA* & CONT9U$ TO SPEAK ) ME1 GAZ+ ABOVE ,BRUN+'S HEAD TO ! T[] ( ! *UR*4 

',IT WAS WAIT+ :5 ,I REA*$ ! CRE/ ( ! HILL & C\LD SEE ! T[N SPREAD \T BE=E ME4 ,IT /OOD F> AWAY FROM ME ?IS TIME1 ALONE 9 A SCOR*$ PAT* ( GRASS1 (F ACROSS A GREAT R+ :]E ! TREES HAD BE5 CLE>$4 ,TALL & GRE51 ,I MI/OOK IT AT FIR/ = A SAPL+ & !N WAS /RUCK /ILL AS /ONE1 COLD ) A T]RIBLE FE> :5 IT WAV$ TO ME4 ,?\< IT WAS TOO F> AWAY TO BE HE>D1 & ,I CANNOT RECALL ANY S\ND BE+ MADE1 YET IT SEEM$ ?AT ,I HE>D ITS FLUTE VOICE JU/ AS IF IT W]E /OOD BY MY %\LD]4 ,IT SAID ! REMA9S ( A FRI5D UNTO ,GOD W]E HID UND] ! *UR*1 & ?AT ,I MU/ TELL ,BRUN+4 ,I HURRI$ ON4 ,:5 ,I LOOK$ BACK ALL ,I SAW W]E TWO SAPL+S1 !IR TRUNKS CLOSE TOGE!R & LIKE UNTO LEGS4' 

,PUFF+ MI<TILY1 ,BRUN+ HIMSELF WAS UPON US N[1 BULLY+ ,IVALDE & JE]+ AT HIM = HIS FAILURE 9 VISIT+ ,ROME4 ',SO ! ,LORD DID NOT SEE FIT TO FAVOR Y\R PILGRIMAGE AFT] ALL8 ,:AT DID ,I SAY6 ,Y\ HAVE COME CRAWL+ BACK 9 HOPE1 VA9 HOPE ,I SAY1 ?AT ,I MAY YET HAVE SAV$ Y\ SOME TASK4 ,WELL 444' ,H]E1 ,BRUN+ TRAIL$ (F1 MADE UNCOM=TABLE BO? BY ,IVALDE'S REMOTE UNCONC]N & HIS SIL5CE4 ,A LOOK ( UNC]TA9TY CL\D$ ! FACE ( ! PRIE/1 & IT WAS 9 ?AT MOM5T AS IF HE FIR/ KNEW HIMSELF \TDONE2 C\LD TELL BY SOME M]E ?READ ( MEAN+1 SOME CLEW 9 ! G>D5-BOY'S /ANCE ?AT ,IVALDE HAD PASS$ NE>] ! WORLD ( ! SPIRIT ?AN ,BRUN+ HIMSELF EV] HAD4 

,:5 ! PRIE/ HAD GR[N SIL5T & %AK5 !N ,IVALDE RELAT$ ! TALE ( HIS TRAVELS TO ,BRUN+ AS HE HAD REVEAL$ !M TO ME1 ?US COM+ AT LA/ TO ! SPECT]'S 9/RUCTION TO DIG NEA? ! FLOOR ( ! *UR*1 :]E A FRI5D UNTO ,GOD W\LD BE F\ND4 

,BRUN+ />$ AT ! LAD :ILE HE SPOKE1 BUT DID NOT ONCE BREAK 9 ) A JIBE OR REM>K1 & :5 ,IVALDE HAD F9I%$ ! PRIE/ WAS GR[N PALE1 & C\LD NOT SEEM TO SPEAK = A :ILE4 ,:5 HE DID1 !RE WAS NO?+ ( RANCOR NOR SUP]IORITY ?AT MI<T BE READ 9 HIS VOICE1 :I* WAS FA9T & UN/EADY4 ',COME1 ,IVALDE1' HE :ISP]$4 ',I'LL F9D = US SPADES4' 

,!Y SET (F UP ! PA? TO ! DOOR ( ! *UR*1 LEAV+ ME QUITE =GOTT5 BEH9D1 ?\< ,I CALL$ !M4 ,I WAT*$ !M A :ILE1 & !N MADE UP MY M9D ,I W\LD FOLL[ !M1 ?\< IT W]E FUR!R ?AN ,I WAS ACCU/OM$ TO CRAWL4 ,) MY COLD ELB[S SOAK$ BY ! DEW ,I DRAGG$ OV] ! GRASS1 MY EYES FIX$ ON ! DOOR & ! CRAT]-EY$ VICE ?AT CR\*$ LE]+ ABOVE IT4 ,I FEEL TO ?IS DAY ! DANK SLI!R ( GRASS ON MY BELLY1 ! A*E 9 MY >MS AS ,I FELT IT !N4 ,IT WAS ! LA/ TIME ?AT ,I EV] CRAWL$4 

,SI/] ,AE!LFLA$ SNORES 9 ! NEXT CELL TO M9E & MY C&LE IS GUTT]+4 ,N[ ,I RECALL ?AT TOMORR[ ,I AM TO BE SC\RG$ & A FE> WELLS 9 ME ?AT ,I SWIFTLY FI<T D[N2 TURN 9/EAD MY ATT5TION TO PRAY]S1 SUPPLICATIONS ?AT ,I MAY = ONCE BE SP>$ T]RIBLE DREAMS 9 ! H\RS BE=E LI<T COMES AGA94 ,) MY R\< %EETS DRAWN FA/ ALL AB\T MY COLD BACK ,I TURN ON TO MY SIDE ) MY E> FLAT AGA9/ ! H>D WOOD ( MY COT4 ,! PAT* UND] MY *EEK1 :]E ! TIMB] IS DULL$ & MADE S(T BY ! DRIBBL+S ( HUNDR$S ( WOM51 ASLEEP 444 

,I AM LEAD+ MY HORSE D[N A HILL 9 ! D>K ) ! WILD CRIES ( ,+W>'S M5 OV] ! CRE/ F> BEH9D ME1 TOO F> TO MAKE \T :AT !Y SAY4 ,NE> ! BASE ( ! HILL IS A TREA*]\S MIRE :]E MY /E$ LOSES FOOT+S & S9KS TO ITS HAUN*ES1 EYES MAD-:ITE & ROLL+ & ALL ! TIME :9NY+ FE>FULLY4 ,I GR[ AFRAID ?AT ! 5EMIES GA9+ UPON ME WILL HE> IT & SO 9 MY PANIC AB&ON IT1 MAK+ (F OV] ! FIELDS1 MY FEET HEAVY1 GIGANTIC ) MUD4 ,VIK+ CURSES HANG BRUTI% & BLUNT ON ! NI<T 9 MY WAKE4 ,! BLAN*$ RU%ES RE> UP 9 ! MOONLI<T BE=E ME1 & !RE FROM !IR MID/ LOOMS A GREAT M\ND ( E>? LIKE ! SKULL ( AN ICE GIANT1 LONG DEAD1 TOPPL$ FACE FIR/ 9 RIV]-WE$S4 ,AT MY BACK1 CLOS] N[1 R\< M5 >E CALL+ A WORD ?AT GR[S GRADUALLY CLE>]1 BECOM+ A NAME1 & WAI/-DEEP 9 ! RU%ES ,I KN[ ?AT ! NAME IS MY [N4 ,AS !IR HEAVY FUR BOOTS TREAD ! RE$S FLAT BEH9D ME ,I KN[ :O ,I AM1 & ?IS COLD RECOGNITION HAS %OCK$ ME FROM \T ( MY SLEEP TO ! D>K ( MY CELL ) ! DREAM-NAME /ILL ?ICK ON MY TONGUE4 

,RAG5]4 ,BLESS$ ,RAG5]1 BRO!R ( ,$MUND & MURD]$ LIKE ,$MUND BE=E BY ! ,NOR?-MAN 9VAD]S :5 HE W\LD NOT HONOR !IR GODS4 ,SA9T$ ,RAG5]1 WE>+ LIKE ,$MUND ! CR[N ( ! M>TYRS1 HIS FEA/ DAY A S+LE DAY AFT] ! FEA/ ?AT'S AF=D$ HIS BRO!R4 ,H[ C\LD ,I1 ( ALL M5 & WOM5 ?AT LIVE1 HAVE =GOTT58 

,I LIE 9 ! BLACKNESS ALONE ) ! BL9D HAMM]-BEAT ( MY BLOOD1 FEEL ! SPRAY SMA%$ UP OV] ! %E] CLIFFS ( BLASPHEMY COLD ON MY BR[4 ,9 \R LESSONS WE >E TAU<T H[ ! BRO!R SA9TS W\LD NOT SUBMIT TO ! ,VIK+ USURP]S1 NOR W\LD !Y R5\NCE ! TRUE ,GOD1 & = ?IS W]E !Y SC\RG$ & !N %OT ?R\< ) >R[S1 BEHEAD$ AT LA/ BUT ) S\LS YET 9TACT4 ,9 MY DREAM1 ?+S WORK DIFF]5TLY4 ,$MUND IS DEAD ) HIS LUNGS ALL BUT TORN FROM HIS BREA/1 HIS LA/ AGONIZ$ WORDS A D5IAL ( ,GOD :ILE HIS BRO!R FLEES T]RIFI$ 9TO ! NI<T :]E HE PLANS HIS CONV]SION TO ,WOTAN ?AT ,RAG5] MAY ?US AVOID ALL ! TORM5TS ?AT ,$MUND HAS SUFF]$4 ,I CANNOT BELIEVE ?AT !SE DREAMS COME FROM ,GOD ?AT SO CONTRAV5E ALL ?AT IS TAU<T BY HIS M9I/]S4 ,WOND]+1 ILL AT EASE AS TO ! S\RCE ( MY DREAMS IF NOT ,GOD1 ,I LIE WIDE AWAKE H]E 9 MY CELL UNTIL MORN+ IS COME ON ?IS TW5TY-FIR/ DAY ( ,NOVEMB]1 ! FEA/ DAY ( ,BLESS$ ,/ ,RAG5]1 :5 ,I %ALL AT LA/ BE SC\RG$ ( !SE VISIONS ?AT N[ >E SO HATEFUL TO ME4 

,HAV+ NOT$ ! LACK ( MY PRES5CE AT ,MAT9S1 ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R IS BR\<T TO MY CELL :]E ,I ASK ?AT ,I MI<T BE EXCUS$ ALL MY DUTIES ?AT DAY1 SO TO BETT] PREP>E = ! SC\RG+ ?AT ,I MU/ 5DURE :5 ! EV5+ IS COME4 ,H]E ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R EXPRESSES AGA9 BO? H] D\BTS ) REG>D TO ! ORDEAL ITSELF & H] E/IMATES AS TO MY *ANCE ( SURVIV+ ! FLAIL1 ) MY LATE YE>S & LAM5ESS CONSID]$4 ,AT LA/1 HAV+ SE5 MY CONVICTION1 ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R AGREES ,I MAY /AY 9 MY CELL ! DAY LONG1 ?AT ,I MAY COME TO PEACE ) MYSELF & ) ,GOD4 

,I SIT !RE ON MY COT1 ONE KNEE DRAWN TO MY BREA/1 ) ! H\RS DRIFT+ BY ?R\< A DULL$ GAUZE YET FRAU<T ) UNEAS9ESS4 ,:5 AT LA/ ,SI/] ,EADGY? IS S5T TO MY CELL ?AT ,I MAY ?US BE BR\<T TO ! SC\RGE1 ,I DISCOV] MY GOOD LEG HAS FALL5 ASLEEP :ILE IMMOBILE !SE H\RS1 SO ?AT ,SI/] ,EADGY? MU/ C>RY ME CLUNG ON H] >M TO ! PLACE ( MY PUNI%M5T1 HEAD CLOSE TO M9E ) H] MIDD5-BREA? FULL ON MY *EEK4 ,?US UNABLE TO WALK1 ,I CANNOT BUT RECALL :5 MY LEGS FAIL$ ME LA/1 AS ,I SLI!R$ ON ELB[S & BELLY ACROSS ! COLD /ONE ( ! PORTAL & 9TO ! NAVE ( ! *UR* :]E BO? ,IVALDE & ,BRUN+ W]E ALREADY /RIPP$ ( !IR %IRTS1 PRIZ+ UP ! GREAT FLAGS ( ! FLOOR ) !IR SPADES1 ! FLAT SLABS LEV]$ UP ON ONE $GE !N ALL[$ TO FALL BACK1 ?US EXPOS+ ! D>K PLOT ( BLOODWORM-CRAZ$ E>? UND]NEA?4 

,AS ,EADGY? HALF LIFTS & HALF DRAGS ME ! L5G? ( ! PASSAGEWAY1 ,I AM UNABLE TO SAY :]E ,I AM1 OR :AT YE> IT MI<T BE2 AM AS NAMELESS AS ONE FRE%LY WOK54 ,I CRAWL ?R\< ! NAVE ( ! *UR* TO :]E ,BRUN+ & ,IVALDE >E DIGG+1 GREAT %OVELS ( E>? FLUNG UP C>ELESS & HI< TO COME RATTL+ D[N ON ! FLAGS :]E ,I DRAG MY WEI<T OV] ! DIRT TO ! $GE ( !IR HOLE4 ,N[1 FACE D[N 9 ! E>?1 ,I AM ,RAG5]1 WEEP+ & PLEAD+ AS /RONG ,VIK+ H&S SEIZE ME H>D UND]NEA? MY >MS1 WR5*+ ME UPW>D TO /UMBLE BESIDE !M T[>DS ! PALE M\ND HULK+ UP FROM ! RU%ES4 ,!IR H&S >E BECOME ?OSE ( ,SI/] ,EADGY?1 N[ HELP+ ME 9TO ! LITTLE /ONE ROOM :]E ! LEA!R-BACK$ HORSE MADE FROM WOOD IS PREP>$ & ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R IS WAIT+4 

,H] VOICE S\NDS SO F> AWAY4 ,SI/] ,EADGY? IS /RIPP+ ME B>E TO MY WAI/ & >RANG+ ME FACE D[N ! L5G? ( ! HORSE ) MY FLAT NIPPLES TI<T5+1 PRESS$ TO ! *ILL ( ! HIDE1 & ! COLD 9 MY *E/ IS LIKE ?AT :5 ,I LAY ON ! FLOOR ( ! *UR*1 ) MY F+]S HOOK$ OV] ! $GE ( ! FLAGS ?AT N[ BORD]$ ! HOLE :]E BO? ,IVALDE & ,BRUN+ W]E DIGG+1 ) ,BRUN+ /OOD !RE ON ! SLABS TO ONE SIDE ( ! PIT MOPP+ SWEAT FROM HIS P5DUL\S BOSOM1 :ILE ,IVALDE1 ! RIBS %[+ ?R\< AT HIS SIDES1 /OOD WAI/ DEEP ) ! E>? RA9+ UP FROM ! BLADE ( HIS %OVEL4 ,I'D ONLY JU/ PULL$ MYSELF UP TO ! $GE TO PE] D[N :5 ! DIRT-FLOOR COLLAPS$ B5EA? ,IVALDE TO WIDE YAWN+ D>K & ! RATTLE ( LOOSE SOIL BEL[4 

,%[]S ( DIRT TRICKLE D[N FROM ! B>E KNOLL TO FALL 9 ! RU%ES 5CIRCL+ ITS BASE4 ,+W>'S BRIG&S >E HAUL+ ME UP TO ! FLAT ROCK ON TOP ( ! M\ND1 :]E !Y LAU< AT MY TE>S & PA!TIC ATTEMPTS TO BEFRI5D !M :ILE DRAGG+ ! CLO!S FROM MY BODY1 & :5 ,I AM NAK$ !Y LAU< AT MY MANHOOD & ?R[ ME D[N H>D ON MY FACE ) ONE ( ! M5 KNEEL+ BE=E ME & P9N+ ME D[N BY MY =E>MS4 ,I GAZE AT HIM ) ! BLOOD GUMM+ MY EYES4 ,IT HAS LEAK$ FROM MY SCALP :]E !Y CUFF$ ME1 & ?R\< IT HIS FACE IS MORE T]RIBLE ?AN ,I HAD E'] HOP$ TO SEE 9 ?IS LIFE1 ) ! PLAIT$ BE>D DY$ 9TO /RIPES ( ALL COLORS & MADD5+ DRUGS ON HIS BREA? 9 ?IS YE> ( ,\R ,LORD ,*RI/ EI<T HUNDR$ & SEV5TY4 

,/OOD AT ! TOP ( ! LEA!R HORSE HOLD+ MY WRI/S1 ,SI/] ,EADGY? BREA!S RANCID & HOT 9 MY FACE & ! YE> IS ONE ?\S& & SIXTY-F\R4 ,SOME:]E BEH9D ME ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R IS RAIS+ ! FLAIL ( RAW HIDE PA/ H] %\LD]4 ,= :AT SEEMS AN UN5D+ :ILE ,I CAN HE> ! UNCUR$ ?ONGS AS !Y :I/LE D[N ?R\< ! *AMB]'S COLD AIR & A BL9D1 SE>+ PA9 RIPS FROM %\LD]S & BACK TO 5GULF MY :OLE BE+ 9 T]RIBLE LI<T4 

,9 ! ,LORD'S YE> ONE ?\S& & FIFTY ,IVALDE SCREAMS TO ,BRUN+ = HELP AS HIS LEGS *URN ?R\< WAT]FALL DIRT 9 ATTEMPT+ TO RUN UP ! SIDES ( ! HOLE :ILE ITS FLOOR FALLS AWAY 9TO D>K D[N BEL[4 ,! FAT PRIE/ LUR*ES =W>D TO PULL ! BOY CLE> AS ,I LIE PE]+ OV] ! RIM ( ! PIT1 FLAG/ONES *ILL+ MY BELLY4 ,B5EA? ME1 ,I SEE ?AT ! BASE ( ! HOLE HAS COLLAPS$ 9TO CAV]NS OR TUNNELS EXI/+ BEL[4 ,= A MOM5T IT SEEMS ?AT ,I MAKE \T ! 9DI/9CT BULK ( ! TOMB ?AT IS LAT] REVEAL$ TO BE HIDD5 !RE9 & CONTA9+ ! BONES ( ! M>TYR$ ,/ ,RAG5]1 BRO!R ( ,$MUND4 ,AT MO/1 SQU9T+ 9TO ! BLACK1 ,I P]CEIVE ITS VAGUE \TL9E = ONLY A MOM5T BE=E MY ATT5TION IS CALL$ TO ! S5SE ( ANO!R L>GE %APE 9 ! D>KNESS B5EA? ME1 ?IS ONE ) A S\ND ?AT SUGGE/S A HUGE1 %UFFL+ MOTION4 ,I HAVE BUT AN 9/ANT TO M>VEL BE=E ! UNCANNY ?+ HAPP5S4 ,GOOD ,BRUN+1 :5 HE HAS RECOV]$1 WILL LAT] DESCRIBE :AT WE SAW AS ! ,HOLY ,<O/ MADE MANIFE/ 9 ITS T]RIBLE RADIANCE1 BUT ,I AM FLAT ON MY FACE ) MY HEAD HUNG \T OV] ! M\? ( ! PIT & ,I SEE4 ,:5 IT OP5S ITS MON/R\S EYES ,I AM />+ /RAI<T 9TO !M4 ,SMO!R+ BRILLIANCE IS EV]Y:]E4 ,(F 9 ! EMPTY :ITE NO?+NESS ,BRUN+ MAKES S\NDS LIKE A WOMAN4 

,I SCREAM AS ! FIR/ ( ! ,VIK+ M5 PLUNGES HIS H>DNESS 9SIDE ME1 BUT AFT] ! ?IRD ,I SOB ONLY A LITTLE & !N TO MYSELF AT ! ?\<T ( MY LIFE & ?IS T]RIBLE 5D4 ,AS ! LA/ ( ! M5 TAKES HIS WEAPON FROM 9 ME ,I'M TURN$ ON MY BACK1 :]EUPON ,I />T PLEAD+ AGA9 & PR(ESS MY ALLEGIANCE TO ,WOTAN4 ,! S\ND ( MY T]RIFI$ VOICE IS A CURSE 9 MY E>S UNTIL ONE ( MY CAPTORS BR+S SIL5CE BY RAP+ MY M\? TO ! JE]S ( HIS FELL[S4 ,I TRY TO TAKE 9 ! IMM5SITY ( :AT IS HAPP5+ TO ME4 ,! SMALLE/ AMONG MY TORM5TORS N[ BR+S \T A KNIFE1 & BE=E HE HAS T\*$ IT TO ME ,I AM SCREAM+4 

,! SC\RGE CUTS MY BACK & ,I WRI!4 ,SI/] ,EADGY? HOLDS TI<T TO MY WRI/S :ILE AWAY 9 ! DI/ANCE ! ,REV]5D ,MO!R IS PRAY+ & !RE IS A HI< NOISE ?AT GOES ON & ON4 

,BRUN+ SCREAMS1 ,IVALDE SCREAMS & ! :ITE LI<T IS EV]Y:]E4 ,SOME?+ ( HIDE\S SIZE FLUTT]S OV] MY HEAD AS ,I LIE ON ! FLOOR ( ! *UR*4 ,LAT] ON1 :5 ! LI<T HAS GONE & ,I GO BACK TO F9D ,BRUN+ & ,IVALDE BO? SAT BY ! WALL />+ BLANK 9TO SPACE ) ! FLOOR GAP+ OP5 BE=E !M1 ! FAT PRIE/ WILL CLAIM ?AT ! W+S BRU%+ OV] MY NECK >E ! W+S ( ! ,HEAV5LY ,SPIRIT2 ! DEW ?AT IT SCATT]S TO FALL 9 MY HAIR HE WILL CALL HOLY WAT]1 YET :Y IS IT SLIPP]Y & ?ICK LIKE ! SE$ ( A MAN1 OR ! SLIME ( OLD RIV]S8 ,& :Y IS ! ,HEAV5LY ,SPIRIT NOT MANIFE/ H]E AS A BIRD BUT A T]RIBLE FLUTT]+ FAN ( PALE GRE5 LUM9ESC5CE ?AT TREMBLES & :IRLS 9 ! DAZZLE ( :ITE1 SC>CELY SOLID1 SO ?AT P>TS ( IT WILL APPE> TO PASS ?R\< O!R P>TS )\T H>M1 OR TO SLICE ?R\< ! GREAT WOOD5 PILL>S SUPPORT+ ! *UR* JU/ AS IF !Y W]E AIR8 ,!RE'S A T]RIBLE CLATT]+1 CLATT]+4 ,BL9D$ & FRANTIC ) T]ROR1 ,I LEAP TO MY FEET & RUN \T FROM ! *UR*4 ,NOT UNTIL ,I AM HALFWAY D[N HILL & APPROA*+ ! CROSSROADS DO ,I UND]/& :AT ,I'VE DONE4 

,9 EI<T HUNDR$ & SEV5TY !Y HAVE CUT OP5 MY *E/4 ,I HAD NOT BELIEV$ ANY PLI<T SUFF]$ BY MAN C\LD BE EQUAL 9 HORROR TO ?IS1 ?AT IS HAPP5+ N[1 9 ?IS MOM5T1 TO ME4 ,!Y REA* 9TO ! CAVITY1 SEIZ+ ! RIBS TO PULL UPW>DS & \T1 & ,I PASS BEYOND PA94 ,I AM /RADDL+ A C>P5T]'S HORSE 9 A COLD ROOM & KN[ ?AT ,I AM AN OLD WOMAN4 ,MY BACK HANGS 9 RIBBONS4 ,I CALL \T TO ,WOTAN = SUCCOR & AT ?IS ! WOMAN :O FLOGS ME FLOGS H>D]4 ,I LIE ON A SMOLD]+ PYRE ) MY ?ROAT CUT1 & COOK1 9 A GREAT SKULL ( IRON OR B\ND TO A PO/1 & ,I ROT AS ! HEAD ( A TRAITOR HUNG HI< ON ! GATES ( ?IS T[N4 ,I AM *ILD4 ,I AM MURD]]1 POET & SA9T4 ,I AM ,RAG5]4 ,I AM ,ALFGIVA1 & GONE BEYOND HURT TO A FLAGELLANT RAPTURE ?AT ONLY ! M>TYRS MAY KN[1 COM+ BLOODY TO ,P>ADISE1 H&S BURN$ TO /UMPS OR ALL BRI/L+ ) >R[S1 \R BREA/S R5D]$ OP5 :5CE SPILLS ! GREAT LI<T ( \R HE>TS4 

,I AM LIFT$ ABOVE1 ) ! NOISE ( ! WORLD A GREAT RO> 9 MY E>S1 & IF ,I AM 9 ,HEAV5 !N :]E COME !RE SO MANY FIRES8 

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