DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Acolyte, v. 1, issue 4, Summer 1943

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Acolyte, v. 1, issue 4, Summer 1943

Page 24

TALES OF THE ELDER DAYS
by Vil Bryant
*****

I. THE QUEST OF KARITH-ZAN

Beyond the carven walls of Plinth - beyond the river Ai;
In the fabled lands of Homem, where mountains meet the sky;
Where the purple snows of Jagar seep down the slopes of Zel -
Dwells an ancient, evil wizard - so Pharnik tribesmen tell.
In accents hushed and softened - yea, full thousands farls away,
To speak of him in darkened hours is risking fearful things;
His name can bring Shub-Niggurath, or Zhar, on night-black wings.

But Karith-Zan, the goldsmith's son, knew neither fear nor dread,
And in his mind there dwelt one thought; the maid La-Var, to wed.
A fair and comely m aid was she, the daughter of Kal-Ish -
And Karith Zan did wet his lips, and with a natural wish.
But Karith-Zan, a manly youth, and handsomer than most -
Found not the favor of Lal-Var, for Lal-Var loved a ghost.
She loved a soldier, battle-slain, among the tribes of Edd -
And buried not, his spirit stayed to haunt the maiden's bed.
And Karith-Zan did fume and fret, about his rival dead,
And thought and thought 'til fearful scheme took shape within his head.

The goldsmith's son mused thus and so, and knew he could not hope
To find the bones of Anthai-Kath within his lifetime's scope.
The sorcerer of Yem-Dar-Ish, a wise an able man,
Had told him to forget the maid, and not to plot and plan
To win her grace; for if he did, the price would be too dear
For him to pay. (And saying so, had looked quite pale and queer.)
But Karith-Zan did ask the price to have his cherished boon.
And Dilgo-Deg, the sorcerer, composed a magic rune,
And thus protected, wrote the name, and gave it to the youth,
And told him to seek out that one, and said his word was sooth.

And so the youth prepared himself to make that journey far - 
With shield and sword and camel strong---for guide, a brilliant star.
From Yem-Dar-Ish he then went forth, and travelled toward the west,
Through Sarnath and Kadatheron, and rarely stoped to rest.
He crossed the Bnazic desert, where Edds and Pharniks dwell,
And came at last to Homem, and the purple peak of Zel.

He climbed up to the great bronze door, that stood twelve cubits high;
And knocked thereon, and knocked again, before there came reply.
The door swung wide, but naught was there, save darkness so profound
That Karith-Zan cried out in fear, yet uttered not a sound.
A voice then spake in timbre deep, and asked his mission there.
And Karith-Zan explained it, though he spake to empty air.
"Rash mortal, go!" the Voice intoned, "Before I blast your soul!
The Ancient One deals not with men. Go hence to seek thy goal!"

"There is no other sorceror," retorted Karith-Zan,
"Who hath the power which I seek, and also hath a plan
"For me to use, that I may find the bones of Anthai-Kath,
"And bury deep the cursed things, then take my homeward path,
"To wed Lal-Var when she is freed from her dead lover's spell.
"No price thou ask can be too great, O Ancient One of Zel!"

-- 24 --

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TALES OF THE ELDER DAYS by Vil Bryant ***** I. THE QUEST OF KARITH-ZAN Beyond the carven walls of Plinth - beyond the river Ai; In the fabled lands of Homem, where mountains meet the sky; Where the purple snows of Jagar seep down the slopes of Zel - Dwells an ancient, evil wizard - so Pharnik tribesmen tell. In accents hushed and softened - yea, full thousands farls away, To speak of him in darkened hours is risking fearful things; His name can bring Shub-Niggurath, or Zhar, on night-black wings. But Karith-Zan, the goldsmith's son, knew neither fear nor dread, And in his mind there dwelt one thought; the maid La-Var, to wed. A fair and comely m aid was she, the daughter of Kal-Ish - And Karith Zan did wet his lips, and with a natural wish. But Karith-Zan, a manly youth, and handsomer than most - Found not the favor of Lal-Var, for Lal-Var loved a ghost. She loved a soldier, battle-slain, among the tribes of Edd - And buried not, his spirit stayed to haunt the maiden's bed. And Karith-Zan did fume and fret, about his rival dead, And thought and thought 'til fearful scheme took shape within his head. The goldsmith's son mused thus and so, and knew he could not hope To find the bones of Anthai-Kath within his lifetime's scope. The sorcerer of Yem-Dar-Ish, a wise an able man, Had told him to forget the maid, and not to plot and plan To win her grace; for if he did, the price would be too dear For him to pay. (And saying so, had looked quite pale and queer.) But Karith-Zan did ask the price to have his cherished boon. And Dilgo-Deg, the sorcerer, composed a magic rune, And thus protected, wrote the name, and gave it to the youth, And told him to seek out that one, and said his word was sooth. And so the youth prepared himself to make that journey far - With shield and sword and camel strong---for guide, a brilliant star. From Yem-Dar-Ish he then went forth, and travelled toward the west, Through Sarnath and Kadatheron, and rarely stoped to rest. He crossed the Bnazic desert, where Edds and Pharniks dwell, And came at last to Homem, and the purple peak of Zel. He climbed up to the great bronze door, that stood twelve cubits high; And knocked thereon, and knocked again, before there came reply. The door swung wide, but naught was there, save darkness so profound That Karith-Zan cried out in fear, yet uttered not a sound. A voice then spake in timbre deep, and asked his mission there. And Karith-Zan explained it, though he spake to empty air. "Rash mortal, go!" the Voice intoned, "Before I blast your soul! The Ancient One deals not with men. Go hence to seek thy goal!" "There is no other sorceror," retorted Karith-Zan, "Who hath the power which I seek, and also hath a plan "For me to use, that I may find the bones of Anthai-Kath, "And bury deep the cursed things, then take my homeward path, "To wed Lal-Var when she is freed from her dead lover's spell. "No price thou ask can be too great, O Ancient One of Zel!" -- 24 --