On the Death of Yun-Is

Many winters ago, Death took the old and the young, the rich and the poor alike. No man could be sure whether his next step would not cast him down the abyss of time, where one is blind and deaf and dumb, forever.

Once, when Yun-Is prayed to Death in his temple, Death appeared before him and looked at him with a piercing gaze that sees not wall nor veil, flesh nor skin, but only what Man believes to be hidden. Yun-Is did not look away and spake: "I am old, and know what must come to pass. But before, let me ask: why don't you take Yun-Ilara, who curses you every dawn and every dusk? why don't you take King Hammadi, who believes himself immortal and scorns your hallowed name? why instead do you want to take me, who has worshipped you every day since a boy?"

Death looked at him with eyes that see neither flesh nor skin, took out a die and the prophet saw. Then Death cast the die. Before the sound could echo through the vast temple, Yun-Is was no more, and Death went on to carry out his business.

After that, Death still took the old and the young, the rich and the poor alike, and no man could be sure whether his next step would not cast him down the abyss of time, where one is blind and deaf and dumb, forever.