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Maskull's self-control broke down and he dashed at the boy, choking with red fury his beard wagged and his face was crimson. When he realised with whom he had to deal, Crimtyphon left off smiling, slipped off the couch, and threw a terrible and malignant glare into his sorb. Maskull staggered. He gathered together all the brute force of his will, and by sheer weight continued his advance.
Maskull frowned, but said nothing. "Well?" demanded Oceaxe, with a half smile. "I'll come with you, and I'll see Crimtyphon if only to warn him." Oceaxe broke into a cascade of rich, feminine laughter, but whether at the image conjured up by Maskull's last words, or from some other cause, he did not know. The conversation dropped.
Never forget however fresh and charming these plants appear to you now, in the future they will be your deadliest rivals and enemies. Now you may go." The man limped painfully away, across the isthmus, out of sight. Oceaxe yawned. Maskull pushed his way forward, as if against a wall. "Are you joking, or are you a devil?" "I am Crimtyphon. I never joke.
For that epithet of yours, I will devise a new punishment for you." The duel of wills commenced without ceremony. Oceaxe got up, stretched her beautiful limbs, smiled, and prepared herself to witness the struggle between her old lover and her new. Crimtyphon smiled too; he reached out his hand for more fruit, but did not eat it.
"Hadn't I cause?" she asked, standing with downcast eyes. "Was it pure fiendishness?" "It was for Crimtyphon's sake." "She had nothing to do with that death. I told you so." "You are loyal to her, and I'm loyal to him." "Loyal? You've made a terrible blunder. She wasn't my mistress. I killed Crimtyphon for quite another reason. She had absolutely no part in it."
"Either you or I must kill him." He eyed her for a full minute. "Now we are passing from folly to insanity." "Not at all," replied Oceaxe. "It is the too-sad truth. And when you have seen Crimtyphon, you will realise it." "I'm aware I am on a strange planet," said Maskull slowly, "where all sorts of unheard of things may happen, and where the very laws of morality may be different.
However hot it is now, we will both be cool by evening. We must start at once." "Without doubt, you are the master, Maskull.... May I not carry Crimtyphon?" Maskull looked at her strangely. "I grudge no man his funeral." She painfully hoisted the body on her narrow shoulders, and they stepped out into the sunlight. The heat struck them like a blow on the head.
The boy shrieked and ran behind the couch, trying to get away.... His opposition suddenly collapsed. Maskull stumbled forward, recovered himself, and then vaulted clear over the high pile of mosses, to get at his antagonist. He fell on top of him with all his bulk. Grasping his throat, he pulled his little head completely around, so that the neck was broken. Crimtyphon immediately died.
Oceaxe threw a subtle smile. "So you have no special destination in the Marest?" "No, and if you'll permit me, I will come home with you." "Singular man!" she said, with a short, thrilling laugh. "That's what I have been offering all the time. Of course you will come home with me. As for Crimtyphon..." "You mentioned that name before. Who is he?" "Oh! My lover, or, as you would say, my husband."
"I fail to comprehend." "Listen, then. I wish to start a new existence in your body. I wish to be a male. I see it isn't worth while being a woman. I mean to dedicate my own body to Crimtyphon. I shall tie his body and mine together, and give them a common funeral in the burning lake. That's the sacrifice I offer you. As I said, it's a hard one." "So you do ask me to die.
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