And so, talking with the Messenger, Ingos passed the days in the shadow of the golden tree. And the Messenger instructed the Lord of Aphelos in many things. And on a day he asked him if he had declared his friendship for the fowls and beasts and fishes of the land. Ingos replied that he had not done so. And so the Messenger set aside three days for this.
The first day they went to a part of the plain which had no trees but was flat and grassy. The Messenger sat on a hummock at the top of the meadow and reached into the folds of his white robe. He brought out a small horn which hung by a cord from his neck. He handed it to Ingos with the words: ‘blow a long, loud note on this.’
Ingos put the horn to his lips and blew. The note was low, haunting, and very clear. Then the Messenger took the horn back. After a few minutes the Beasts of Aphelos began to arrive — not every animal, but the chief of each species.
‘Go to the Golden Tree and bring fruit for your subjects,’ said the Messenger. Twelve apples will suffice. The Beasts and Birds and Fishes will not gain undying life, but they will lose their fear of you and become your friends. I will speak with the Beasts while you are away. Mind that with your staff you cause new fruits to grow.’
When Ingos returned the plain was full of animals of every kind. They sat still and silent, waiting for him to speak.
He said: ‘Beasts of Aphelos, let us share our meal and afterwards we will be able to converse. Here are the apples from the Golden Tree.’
Then he and the Beasts ate together, and afterwards they acknowledged him as their lord, frisking and frolicking and fawning all round him. And there was love between the Beasts and Ingos. But the wondrous beasts called the Tídhari did not come to that meeting, for they were too shy.
The next day the Messenger sat under the Golden Tree and brought out a small reed pipe and told Ingos to pipe on it. The high, clear notes echoed around the forest and summoned the Birds of Aphelos, who sat on the branches of the great Golden Tree. Then Ingos ate with the Fowls of the Air, and they called him master with their songs and calls. And there was love between the Birds and Ingos.
On the third day Ingos and the Messenger went to the lake that was nearby, and to the rivers, and the streams, and to the sea shore, and by each Ingos played on a harp that the Messenger gave him, and summoned the fishes of the waters and of the Sea. He cast the flesh of four of the Golden Apples on the water and shared his meal with the fish. And the Fish recognized him as master, and there was love between the Fish and Ingos.
One day Ingos said to the Messenger: ‘Now I am at one with everything in this Realm. Always the beasts play around me or birds perch on my shoulders, and even the fish look out of the water to greet me. Yet one thing is lacking, I have no people. I have no friends, no companions, no counsellors. You, master, are the only one.’
‘And I shall leave you when the hour comes, Lord Ingos,’ replied the Messenger. ‘Yet put your mind at rest. What you say is true, is foreseen, and is provided for.’
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