Mason was a fool to be caught on that dead-end road. Why hadn’t he returned to the red road like I had? Salama had been so blind not to cross the chasm. I’d seen the truth and eagerly crossed. How could anyone fail to see it? And how had David gotten so distracted? And what about that fool Alec? And all those people on the road who didn’t help Cliff?

What was wrong with them all?

I’d never be so selfish and stupid.

I’d never turn my back on the King.

20

THE BRIGHT CITY spread out across a great broad mountainside above the foggy mist. But my thoughts were less on Charis than on the tasks at hand and taking my proper role with the other travelers.

What was that?

For a moment I thought I saw troops assembling, preparing for battle on the plain between us and Charis. No. There was nothing. I’d seen so much of other worlds I was beginning to imagine things in the mist.

Just that moment Marcus appeared, as if beamed down from the starship Enterprise. Frodo greeted him warmly this time, nuzzling his feet, proving a dog could get used to almost anything. Marcus looked at me, and I saw in his eyes a consuming fire.

“We must speak of the other worlds,” he said urgently.

“Do you mind if we talk about something more immediate?” I asked. “I’d like to discuss the King’s plans for me. I feel like he’s preparing me for something, maybe to be a leader. What do you think?”

“Today you will be given sixty minutes to see beyond, instead of sixty seconds. I have much to teach you, and you must pay close attention.” He seemed anxious, almost nervous, as if I were embarking on a dangerous mission and he must give me a full briefing.

“Behold, Charis and Erebus.”

I looked into the other realms, one on my right, the other my left. I saw faces of joy and grimaces of misery, heard cries of delight and moans of regret, smelled pleasant fragrances from one, foul odors from the other.

“Erebus is the imploding pinpoint of death, Charis the exploding universe of life. Both are retroactive to Earth so that Earth is the suburb of each. Men without the King live their lives on the outskirts of Erebus even before they enter its doors. Men with the King catch glimpses of Charis before they ever arrive. The King has put eternity in your hearts.” He spoke so rapidly his words ran together.

“Wait, hold it, slow down, Marcus. What’s the hurry? I’ve got more on my mind today than other worlds. Right now my concerns relate to this world. How about we take it one world at a time?”