The Monsters

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Cordovir and Hum stood on the rocky mountain-top, watching the new thing happen. Both felt rather good about it. It was undoubtedly the newest thing that had happened for some time.

'By the way the sunlight glints from it,' Hum said, 'I'd say it is made of metal.' 'I'll accept that,' Cordovir said, 'but what holds it up in the air?' They both stared intently down to the valley where the new thing was happening. A pointed object was hovering over the ground. From one end of it poured a substance resembling fire.

'It's balancing on the fire,' Hum said. 'That should be apparent even to your old eyes.' Cordovir lifted himself higher on his thick tail, to get a better look. The object settled to the ground and the fire stopped.

'Shall we go down and have a closer look ?' Hum asked.

'All right. I think we have time - wait! What day is this ?' Hum calculated silently, then said, 'The fifth day of Luggat.' 'Damn!' Cordovir said. 'I have to go home and kill my wife.' 'It's a few hours before sunset,' Hum said. 'I think you have time to do both.' Cordovir wasn't sure. 'I'd hate to be late.' 'Well, then, you know how fast I am,' Hum said. 'If it gets late, I'll hurry back and kill her myself. How about that ?' 'That's very decent of you.' Cordovir thanked the younger man and together they slithered down the steep mountainside. In front of the metal object both men halted and stood on their tails.

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