Work Text:
In what we call the kingdom of Alwa is a place called To’u, which lieth on no map and seemeth alike to its surroundings, save that it marketh the point where the deserts meet the marsh and the rivers crash from the cliffs, and appeareth to no-one except in the dawn fog when the heavens descend to earth. For it is the seam which bindeth together the worlds of gods and spirits and men, and must lie hidden from mortal eyes, lest through misfortune or malice, the worlds come undone.
Now there was a bricklayer called Nusperen [1], son of Nebamen, who was favored by the kings of old; and he was given command of all the laborers and construction gangs in the land. He caused many statues to be raised and many temples to be built in honor of the gods and the king, and also created many wonders for the people of Alwa, which they loved and admired him for.
But one year, a pestilence swept through the kingdom, and the air hung heavy with the ghosts of the dead; and although Nusperen was spared, his wife and daughter were not. Greatly did he mourn, though the king lavished him with all comforts and decreed that his family be buried in the royal tombs; greatly did he wail and weep. For so plenteous was Nusperen’s love for them, that no earthly pastime could offer him respite. Thus did the king seek counsel from his wise men, and in their wisdom, they advised that Nusperen pass the grieving period in the places of his treasured memories.
So Nusperen made way to his village, bringing only a donkey and donning a widower’s garb. He would camp in the evenings, when night shrouded the land, and alight at dawn, before the sun was strongest. In this manner he soon arrived in the place called To’u, which never cometh to two people in the same places, and here he found a riverside hamlet engulfed by the sands. Wearied and not knowing its true name or nature, Nusperen made camp and rested for the night.
But a spirit of the crossroads who dwelt nigh espied his garb of bereavement, and, taking pity, came to him in his sleep, saying: “Go to, and I will shew thee a sight - for this is the place called To’u, where one may pass into the world between worlds, and thence observe what ensueth in the dealings of gods and spirits and men, without that they become aware of one’s presence.”
And Nusperen responded: “Of gods and men I would gladly learn, but my heart would most fain know what hath become of my wife and daughter, whom illness hath taken unto death before their time; for they were dear to me, and my life is naught without them.”
The spirit replied: “Verily, in this manner shalt thou behold them and hearken them as if they were by thy side. But they cannot do likewise, unless thou too beest in the world of the dead.”
Nusperen said: “Fairly hast thou spoken. Let us go then, spirit, and thou shewest me, how I may enter this realm.”
So Nusperen arose in his dream and followed the spirit to a certain point nigh to them, where the river poured from the cliffs above and the dunes encroached upon the reeds. Then the spirit bade Nusperen make a door-frame using the charred wood or building-stones from the ruins of the village, and when he awoke, lo: there stood the door-frame wreathed in the dawn-fog, just as he had built it in his dream.
Thus did Nusperen pass from the sight of men and gods.
But the gods, dwelling on their mountain [2], were disturbed by a thing they knew not; and they said: “Some oddness is afoot in the land - let us investigate, lest a tragedy befall us without our knowing.”
Then they went into all the kingdoms from Saba to Mazaka, and inspected every hair and every coin, but found naught amiss. Then they inquired in their temples and walked in their markets and loosened their scribes’ tongues with wine, yet still found naught amiss. At last they traveled all the lands from the oases of Sammach to the lush hills of Axum, counting every pebble and every blade of grass, and all appeared yet to be in order.
Then the gods were stymied and returned to the place called To’u, where the earth floweth into the heavens. And as they were about to ascend to their godly abode, they espied the door-frame which Nusperen had built upon the slopes. And the gods said:
“What trinket is this and what purpose doth it serve?” And the gods said:
“Perhaps a hole for mice that whetten their teeth on our house.” And the gods said:
“Let us amend it at once and go, for we have traveled far and wish now to dine and dream.”
But Nusperen did not hear this, for happy was he, espying finally upon his family who were in the land of the blessed dead.
It is said that a mighty rage filled Nusperen when he could not return to To’u, and that he attempted all manner of stratagems, but none found purchase in his realm. Then dread weariness gripped his soul, for there was no other that he could talk to in that place and no activity to pass the time, so he wandered the three lands wishing for death. But death could not find him either, for he had passed out of the sight and the reach of gods and men.
So he went back to the home of the gods and watched their dealings and their comings and goings, that he might learn how he might leave the place between places. And although he found no such answer, he gained much knowledge which the gods had withheld from mankind; and he learned also how to impart these wisdoms to the land of men, without the need to be in the same realm.
And so it is known that one who receiveth sudden clarity which cleaveth all intellective knots hath been visited by Nusperen, and one who is born with faculties of thought beyond mortal ken hath been blessed by him from birth. For this is how Nusperen bringeth the secrets of the gods to us, and it is because of this that we call him both the secret god and the god of secrets. And those newly bereaved who seek solace with Nusperen are given his in-sight into the land of the dead, for the pain he suffered as a mortal remaineth still, and he desireth that no person be burdened by the same torment.
Runao’s Commentary:
Divine inspiration strikes us from above and imbues us with clearness of thought, just as the lightning-struck sand becomes brightest glass. Yet beware of seeking too far above your station, for the gods despise hubris, and glass shatters easily when flung too high.