Brian Lumley's Mythos Omnibus, Vol. 2 by Brian Lumley

Author:Brian Lumley
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780006499381
Publisher: Voyager
Published: 1997-06-28T00:00:00+00:00

3 Kthanid

Crow arrived at the foot of the huge steps up to the dais, paused there and stood straight as a ramrod, his hands, at his sides, his head bowed. It was a measure of his respect; his stance told eloquently of his recognition of Kthanid, that he stood in the presence of a superior Being. Then:

`Yes,' said Kthanid, but directing his thoughts at Crow alone this time. 'Well, we're one and all superior in our way, else we'd not be here in Elysia in the first place. Titus, come up here to me. We need a little privacy.' Crow lifted his head, climbed the steps. Behind him the curtains swept shut and closed the alcove in; but not before Kthanid sent out a final thought in the direction of all those gathered there: 'Please wait. Accept our apology that we exclude you from this, but its nature is such that it involves only the Earthman and myself Only be sure it is a matter of great moment . .

Now he spoke openly (albeit telepathically) to Crow, saying, `Titus, we now stand in a completely private place. Here we two may converse, and none hear us. Wherefore you may answer as you please, without consideration to my position here.'

`You know there's no one I hold in higher esteem,' Crow answered without hesitation. 'What could you ask me that I could refuse, or to which I might answer no?'

`Perceptive, aye!' Kthanid nodded. 'Indeed the seed of Eld runs strong in you. As to what it is I must ask of you -' and he paused.

During that pause, however brief a moment, Crow took the opportunity to look fully upon this great alien scientist, truly a Great Old One, and marvelled at what he saw. There had been a time when such a sight had almost unmanned him, but now he could look at Kthanid and ignore his monstrousness. For indeed beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and knowing what Crow knew, Kthanid was beautiful.

That itself was an incredible thought, for this might well be Cthulhu himself, this mountain of semi-plastic flesh, this pulsing Kraken. But where Cthulhu's eyes were leaden and lustful, Kthanid's were golden and wise beyond wisdom; and where Cthulhu's thoughts were creeping hypnotic poison, Kthanid's were the very breath of life, Beneficence in the fullest meaning of the word. Oh, kin to the Lord of R'lyeh, that blight on universal fife and sanity, this Being most certainly was; close kin at that. The folded-back wings, the great head with its proliferation of face-tentacles, the clawed feet all told of their kinship. But where Cthulhu was mad and corrupt, Kthanid was the very soul of goodness and mercy, and his compassion enveloped all.

His compassion, yes, which even now worked against him like an acid, betraying him in what he must do, filling him with - guilt! Crow felt it flowing out from him, and was astonished. `Kthanid, what is it? Why have you brought me here? What

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