shall be known."
26 "You see," explained the Blind Man, "once this was all one kingdom,
but when the great King Nevermore was dying and had no heir, he thrust
his great Spear into the stone, but no King could pull it out, and
claim its throne. So they began to fight amongst themselves, all claiming the rights of Nevermore.'
27 Now Groam saw The King, and The King was doubtful of his words.
'Can anything so ugly be trustworthy?' But he agreed that peace and
trade between their peoples WOULD be of benefit.
28 So he agreed that Groam could build a cottage near the city, and
that once a month some of his people could bring items to the square to
trade.
29 Now, The Plentifuls, after a time, got used to Groam and his people,
and they were grateful for the fine goods they brought, and eager to
trade. Slowly their differences were forgotten, and they began to look
upon them as neighbors.
30 Then, one day, a beautiful caravan passed by Groam's hut, and
sitting atop their fine beasts of burden were men more beautiful than
any he had ever seen. Their leader was Prince Speaktruth, and they came
from The Land of Wondrous Things. They, too sought trade and friendship.
31 Groam followed them into the city, but they shunned him. 'Never
would we deal with anyone so ugly! ' they announced. 'We will trade
with the people of this land, not these ugly things that crawl beneath
rocks.'
32 Now, these Wonderful Ones, as they called themselves, bewitched The
Plentifuls. Their beauty so captured them, that they closed their eyes
to their bad treatment of Groam and listened only to their flattery.
But Groam had suspicions, and when The Wonderful Ones left the city he
sent his people to follow them.