It took the Melainë of Zorthin a long time to find Ingos. After his revels with the Pereikatíri, Ingos had turned aside to a place he specially loved to visit for quiet reflection. Its name was Glasni Glavanko; it was a low green hill deep in the woods, from whose side a spring of sweet water trickled down and away towards the river Spelrush.
A Melainen named Rákarei Zorthinen came to Ingos as he stood meditating upon Glasni Glavanko. Rákarei had been to the people of Peréikatî to ask them if they knew where Ingos might be, and they, though greatly fearful of the Melainë, had just wit enough to tell him. Rákarei glided down to the small hill, alighted on the ground at its foot, and inclined his head in respect to Ingos, Father of the Hyúvandri, saying:
Rákarei greets Father Ingos
After long searching. Sad news I bear.
The great Kerorkîn rests in Zorthin
Wounded foully by a fell creature,
A flying monster of former times
Or so it seemed. We saved Kerorkîn:
He sleeps soundly. He spoke only
The name Ingos. Negobith, sure,
Made this mischief to mar Midworld.
But Kerorkîn came to call Ingos,
Why, we know not. Now need drives us!
Hearing this, Ingos did not delay. After thanking the Melainen he sent him back to Zorthin, desiring him to return to him with news of Kerorkîn as soon as he had recovered from his wounds.
I must hasten eastward ~ on the east road you will find me.
I’ll seek out Negobith ~ for if this creature’s from him
Then the Deep One is back again ~ from his bonds in Ombros
And I must stop his meddling ~ with folk who live peacefully!
Then he placed a broad straw hat, wreathed with corn stalks, on his head, and set off. He met with nothing untoward upon the road. It was wet and muddy with the onset of winter, but such conditions gave no grief to Ingos, for he delighted in every season. After many days’ travelling, he came in sight of Mar Ratholmen, the great carved rock that marks the place where the ancient east-west road is crossed by the Giants’ road that runs from the southern sea to Kapgar Kûm and onward to Zôyeglummi. The ancient Gangri hollowed the vast stone outcrop and made the road-meeting right in the heart of the rock, under a high domed ceiling, pierced by shafts to let in light. Here the western road climbed through woods, now bare of leaves, up to the rocky arch. And through the eastern arch a small party of walkers could be seen approaching. These were the four Entelláka maidens and their unlikely companion Slungandi.
Ingos, Father of Hyûvandri, took his stand in the middle of the crossroads beneath the dome of Mar Ratholmen, facing east towards the others. He held his arms wide, north and south. A great beam of wintry sunlight shone upon him through an opening far up in the great dome. All four Entellári went down on one knee before him, crossing their arms over their chests; but Slungandi hung back. Ingos called out, his voice echoing around the dome:
Mirutháli, Polanelya ~ Entelláka maidens!
Safataiwë, Ventikiltis ~ here’s a joyful meeting!
Whither is your errand now? ~ Are you faring homewards?
Then Mirutháli said:
To you our errand is ~ did you get our message?
We sent Kerorkîn forth ~ ahead of us to warn you,
That Negobith has come again ~ sending out his servants:
Hawk-headed messengers ~ journey in the Eastlands,
Win Kabadri to him ~ and your poor Hyûvandri.
Ingos said:
Kerorkîn fought a battle ~ with a monster out of Ombros
Flying beast from Negobith ~ and now lies sorely wounded.
He could not bring me word ∼ but Rákarei came to me,
And sent me hastening: ~ I must speak to Negobith!
Then he turned to Slungandi.
And you, Slungandi Drumster ~ you belong to Onskabâ:
Whither will you go now ~ if Negobith is master?
Then Slungandi said:
Giant Dreygan was dealt cold-death
By Fúdrofûr. His fell weapon
Gyûgri gathered. I Gantzor gained,
For Dreygan’s heir in Underlands,
The new Master, by name Negobith.
Then he swung Gantzor the Coldsword from behind his back and thrust it into a stone in the pathway, declaring:
Behold Gantzor the great Coldsword!
Then immediately he pulled the sword out and held it up before them. Ingos took off his straw hat, inclined his head, and put the hat back on.
Slungandi smiled slyly and continued:
Another errand he asked of me:
Father Ingos, in friendly wise,
To bid you come to Kapgar Kûm
To join handclasp with joyous words.
And behold! I find you thither bent.
And Ingos said:
Once we went as fellows ~ at Astagant’s persuasion,
To rescue bound Hyûvandri ~ the subjects of Melyúnas,
And ventured down Awérung ~ to tear the web of Ombros.
But now we go together, friend ∼ you to yield your new lord
That bright blade Gantzor ∼ and I to ask his business
In placing the Ombros-yoke ∼ on the necks of my people.
But Mirutháli said:
Father Ingos, do not go ∼ all alone to Negobith.
Only harm will come of it. ∼ Gather first a company,
Hyûvandri, Kabadri, ∼ and trusty Entellári
Olvarúno’s warriors ∼ and Tithiánë’s servants!
Ingos said:
I go to him in peace ∼ not with a war-band,
And such a league, I fear ∼ now could not be gathered:
Poor Hyûvandri have no power ∼ Kabadri are fearful
Entellári sundered still ∼ Êlestia from Ailindâl.
Mirutháli said:
Then we will go with you ∼ and be your witnesses;
Carry you from conflict ∼ or bodies lay beside you.
By this time they were all walking slowly along the great Giants’ road to the North. And Slungandi said to Father Ingos, with a sidelong look:
The Sword of Dreygan at your service stands
For your guardianship: to give to his hands
If he bears friendship; or bring down on him
Should he deal foully. If afar I depart,
These can bear witness that you beat Slungandi
And took Gantzor as a gift for Ombros.
Ingos replied:
Nay, master Slungandi ~ I’m not for stratagems.
I’ll invent no stories ~ and nor will Entellári.
You can bring the sword in ~ and the humble visitor,
So you’ll be rewarded ~ by your master Negobith.
Slungandi regarded him with a mixture of astonishment and vexation. They walked on for some time, while Slungandi wrestled with his thoughts. Finally he drew the wandkey Sporni from the wallet at his side, saying:
Then, fearless master, lest fate decrees
That the Lord of Ombros lifts that weapon,
Gantzor the great, against Ingos,
Let Slungandi lend you this blade:
Small though he be, Sporni hinders
Gantzor’s touching, the Talyoran’s offspring.
Ingos replied:
A third time Ingos ~ thanks all his fellows
For cheer and counsel ~ to help and support him.
But I will go as I am ~ and let fate follow as it will.
Then all were silent, and journeyed onwards towards Kapgar Kûm.
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