The heart of Mayana seemed to tear itself from Elak's hand. Like a plummet it dropped, and fell upon the breast of the horror below.
A shuddering, wormlike motion shook Karkora. The monstrous body writhed and jerked.
From the bleeding heart blood crept out like a stain. It spread over the deformed horror. In a moment Karkora was no longer flesh-colored, but red as the molten sunset.
And, abruptly, there was nothing in the pit but a slowly widening pool of scarlet. The Pallid One had vanished.
Simultaneously the ground shook beneath Elak; he felt himself swept back. For a second he seemed to view the crag and tower from a distance, against the background of snow-tipped peaks.
The pinnacle swayed; the crag rocked. They crashed down in thunderous ruin.
Only a glimpse did Elak get; then the dark curtain blotted out his consciousness. He saw, dimly, a pale oval. It grew more distinct. And it was the face of Lycon bending above Elak, holding a brimming cup to the latter's lips.
"Drink!" he urged. "Drink deep!"
Elak obeyed, and then thrust the liquor away. He stood up weakly.