I see. What of Set?
VRAMINHe is gone away. None knows where.
HORUSThis likes me. More than a little. Yes, I suppose I’ll return.
MADRAK (dropping to one knee beside Megra of Kalgan.)
What child is this?
HORUSMy son.
MADRAKThe son of Horus. Have you a name for him?
HORUSNot yet.
MADRAKCongratulations.
GENERALYes.
VRAMINMany.
HORUSThank you.
VRAMINI give him the pendant of Isis, which is a thing of power. I know she would like her grandson to have it.
HORUSThank you.
GENERALI give him a ring that is a piece of my first body, which served me well. It has always reminded me of humanity, in times of need.
HORUSThank you.
MADRAKI give him my staff, that it may comfort him. For there is an ancient tradition that staves have a way of doing that. I don’t know why.
HORUSThank you.
MADRAKI must depart now and begin my pilgrimage of repentance. Hail, Angel of the House of Life!
HORUSA good journey to you, Madrak.
(Madrak departs)
GENERALThere is a revolution I must encourage. I go to find my horse. Hail, Angel of the House of Life!
HORUSA good revolution to you, General.
(The General departs.)
VRAMIN
And I go to the House of the Dead, where I now rule. Hail, Angel of the House of Life! The Prince will contact you one day from Marachek. And the other Angels of the other Stations will assemble to pay you honor.
HORUSA fine poetry and a good madness to you, Vramin.
VRAMINThank you, and I guess that’s about all there is to be said.
HORUSSo it would seem.
(Vramin raises his cane and a poem falls and blazes upon the floor.
Horus lowers his eyes to read it, and when he looks up again the green man is gone.
As the poem fades, the Angel of the House of Life knows that it was true but forgets the words, which is as it should be.)