Corpang gave a wry smile. "During your long sleep you appear to have
picked up wisdom."

"Yes, Corpang, I have met many men, and explored many minds."

As they moved off, Maskull remembered Haunte.

"Can we not bury that poor fellow?"

"By this time tomorrow we shall need burial ourselves. But I do not
include Corpang."

"We have no tools, so you must have your way. You killed him, but I
am the real murderer. I stole his protecting light."

"Surely that death is balanced by the life you have given me." They
left the spot in the direction opposite to that by which the three
men had arrived. After a few steps, they came to green snow again.
At the same time the flat ground ended, and they started to traverse
a steep, pathless mountain slope. The snow and rocks glimmered,
their own bodies shone; otherwise everything was dark. The mists
swirled around them, but Maskull had no more nightmares. The breeze
was cold, pure, and steady. They walked in file, Sullenbode leading;
her movements were slow and fascinating. Corpang came last. His
stern eyes saw nothing ahead but an alluring girl and a half-
infatuated man.

For a long time they continued crossing the rough and rocky slope,
maintaining a slightly upward course. The angle was so steep that a