ROBERT E. HOWARD
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Weird Tales September 1929.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
There comes, even to kings, the time of great weariness. Then the goldof the throne is brass, the silk of the palace becomes drab. The gemsin the diadem and upon the fingers of the women sparkle drearily likethe ice of the white seas; the speech of men is as the empty rattle ofa jester's bell and the feel comes of things unreal; even the sun iscopper in the sky and the breath of the green ocean is no longer fresh.
Kull sat upon the throne of Valusia and the hour of weariness was uponhim. They moved before him in an endless, meaningless panorama, men,women, priests, events and shadows of events; things seen and thingsto be attained. But like shadows they came and went, leaving no traceupon his consciousness, save that of a great mental fatigue. Yet Kullwas not tired. There was a longing in him for things beyond himselfand beyond the Valusian court. An unrest stirred in him and strange,luminous dreams roamed his soul. At his bidding there came to him Brulethe Spear-slayer, warrior of Pictland, from the islands beyond the West.
"Lord king, you are tired of the life of the court. Come with me uponmy galley and let us roam the tides for a space."
"Nay." Kull rested his chin moodily upon his mighty hand. "I am wearybeyond all these things. The cities hold no lure for me—and theborders are quiet. I hear no more the sea-songs I heard when I lay asa boy on the booming crags of Atlantis, and the night was alive withblazing stars. No more do the green woodlands beckon me as of old.There is a strangeness upon me and a longing beyond life's longings.Go!"
Brule went forth in a doubtful mood, leaving the king brooding upon histhrone. Then to Kull stole a girl of the court and whispered:
"Great king, seek Tuzun Thune, the wizard. The secrets of life anddeath are his, and the stars in the sky and the lands beneath the seas."
Kull looked at the girl. Fine gold was her hair and her violet eyeswere slanted strangely; she was beautiful, but her beauty meant littleto Kull.
"Tuzun Thune," he repeated. "Who is he?"
"A wizard of the Elder Race. He lives here, in Valusia, by the Lake ofVisions in the House of a Thousand Mirrors. All things are known tohim, lord king; he speaks with the dead and holds converse with thedemons of the Lost Lands."
Kull arose.
"I will seek out this mummer; but no word of my going, do you hear?"
"I am your slave, my lord." And she sank to her knees meekly, but thesmile of her scarlet mouth was cunning behind Kull's back and the gleamof her narrow eyes was crafty.
Kull came to the house of Tuzun Thune, beside the Lake of Visions. Wideand blue stretched the waters of the lake and many a fine palace roseupon its banks; many swan-winged pleasure boats drifted lazily upon itshazy surface and evermore there came the sound of soft music.
Tall and spacious, but unpretentious, rose the House of a ThousandMirrors. The great doors stood open and Kull ascended the broad stairand entered, unannounced. There in a great chamber, whose walls were ofmirrors, he came upon Tuzun Thune, the wizard. The man was ancient asthe hills of Zalgara;