182

To the delighted cheers of the Elessin, the statue of the Screaming God is carried from the palace and away from the Singing City.¹⁸ It is taken to the grove of trees where your flying machine is hidden and loaded aboard. Many thanks, Grey Star, says the Guardian. Today you give us our freedom. Is there some way we can repay you?

‘I seek the Moonstone of the Shianti,’ you say. ‘Long ago they hid it somewhere on the plane of the Daziarn, our name for the realms gathered here. Can you tell me exactly where it is hidden?’

The Elessi shakes his head. I have never heard of such a thing but there is one who surely might. In the Realm of Paradox lives one called Oz-na-Mun, he of the mighty hand. He is wise and knowledgeable; perhaps he will know.

‘How may I find this Realm of Paradox? My only guide is this.’ You show the Guardian the Gyronome. ‘And it can only guide me between here and the Neverness.’

Give this thing to me, he says. He closes his eyes, places the Gyronome close to his mouth, and begins to sing into it very softly. Now the Gyronome will guide you, he says, though you may never return to the Singing City. I have changed the power of the device so that it will seek the Realm of Paradox instead of our own; it will still return you to the place you call the Neverness while it is silent.

‘I thank you,’ you say, boarding the Ethetron. ‘Farewell.’ To a chorus of joyful singing and the blessing of the Elessin you carefully rise into the air with your perilous cargo. Once more you feel a strange tingling sensation as you leave the realm of the Elessin forever.

Turn to 278.