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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4483188" data-attributes="member: 3285">To Walk in Carcosa: Part 7 – Lake HaliThe journey to the lakeshore ran downhill through residential streets.  Lake Hali was as still as stone.  On its far shore was the bright Palace beneath the suns, looking a world away.A path followed the water’s edge and promised to lead towards the Palace, but it soon cut back into the city.  Fortunately, there were dozens of boats tied at the quay.  The boards were uniformly built from a polished hardwood, narrow in the beam with high bows and sterns, and with a single tall mast carrying a furled sail of white or pale yellow canvas.  Each had further provision for two pairs of oars that were shipped on board. They clambered in and launched two of the boats.  “The lake seems much bigger now that we’re out on it,” said Ilmarė.“That’s because it was all ice last time,” said Kham.  “This is where we discovered Hastur the first time.  All along I thought it was the King in Yellow.  But now I know what we really saw.  We saw Hastur.”“Thar be something beneath the surface,” said Prolk. About a hundred yards away, something big slipped gently beneath the water’s surface.  Long tentacles broke the surface, frothing the water in front of a smooth domed mass.  It was heading towards them.Forty yardsThirty yards.Twenty yards.“Hold on!” shouted Kham.The thing came straight on, submerging, and its long shape passed directly under the hull.  The boat was caught and rocked violently from side to side, only just staying up right.The thing rose up about thirty yards beyond the boat; the tentacles flicked down and the slick body came into full view for a moment before it dove vertically with hardly a splash.  They continued on.  Lucius was calm, watching the sky.There were hundreds, even thousands, of the dreadful byakhee just visible, black on black, falling down from the region of Carcosa’s twin suns onto the Palace, onto the terrace.  They swarmed so thickly together that it was like a river in the sky.Ilmarė covered her ears.  “They make a horrible din.”As the boat neared landing, Lucius, who had been deep in thought, turned to stare up at the byakhee.  “I see what’s happening: Edwards is using Carcosa to speak to Hastur.  He thinks it’s just like the play—the Stranger is in the Palace and so he can call the King in Yellow.  He’s wrong—he’ll bring Hastur himself! And Hastur won’t bargain with him.  He won’t even notice him.”“Umor’s wrath will be terrible indeed.” Ilmarė shook her head. “After all he has done to your race, you still seek his favor.”They docked the boats. Steps led up to one of the wings of the Palace.“What will Hastur do with Carcosa?” asked Lucius.</blockquote>

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