Often have I (who was Garin Featherstone in the world beyond the Mist Barrier, and am now Garan of the Flame, mate to that Royal Lady, Thrala, Daughter of the Ancient Ones) listened to the half-forgotten tales of that regal race who fled from a dying planet across the void of space to land upon the antarctic continent of our young world and blast out there the great crater of Tav for their future dwelling place.

From time to time, we are told, they renewed the vigor of their line by calling certain men from the world outside the barriers they had erected.  I had been one of those so called.  But I came in a later age and in a dark time.  For evil had come into the crater and conflict riven apart the dwellers therein.  And now at present, since that crushing defeat we wreaked with the help of outraged nature upon Kepta, Lord of the Black Flame, and those who followed him, but two of the Ancient Race remain, my lady wife and her brother Dandtan.

At the moment of his overthrow Kepta had made certain dark promises concerning our uncertain future and also some gibing reference to the far past which had caught my interest.  For he said that the three of us, Thrala, Kepta, and I, were bound together.  We had lived and fought before, even as we would live and fight again.

There is a Garan who lies in the Cavern of the Sleepers and whose story Thrala has told me.  But before him - long before - there were others.

For when I questioned the Daughter about Kepta's words, she took me into one of the curious bubble-like rooms where are mirrors of seeing embedded in tables.  And there she seated herself on a cushioned bench, drawing me down beside her.

"Far and long have we come, beloved," she said softly, "but not so far or not so long that I cannot recall the beginning.  And you remember?"

"Nothing," I answered, my eyes on the mirror.

She sighed.  "Perhaps that is but just - mine was the fault - so mine the burden of memory.  What we did, we two, in the great city of Yu-Lac on the vanished world of Krand, has lain between us for long - long.  It being gone at last, I half fear to summon it again."

I arose abruptly.

"Let it be then."

"Nay!" she caught my hand.  "We have paid the price, three times over have we paid it.  Once in Yu-Lac and twice in the Caverns.  Our unhappiness is gone, and now it pleases me to look again upon the most splendid act I have ever witnessed.  Behold, my Lord."