"His soul?"
"His eye. The Wading God is Rhynn."
Corum's vision was even more blurred. But through a pink mist he saw Kwll come, a grin upon his jeweled face.
"Your Chaos gods are gone," said Kwll. "With my brother's help I slew them all and all their minions."
"I thank you," Corum said thickly. "And Lord Arkyn will thank you, too."
Kwll chuckled. "I think not."
"Why-why so?"
"For good measure we slew the Lords of Law as well. Now you mortals are free of gods on these planes."
"But Arkyn-Arkyn was good…"
"Find the same good in yourselves if that is what you respect. It is the time of the Conjunction of the Million Spheres and that means change-profound alterations in the nature of existence. Perhaps that was our function-to rid the Fifteen Planes of its silly gods and their silly schemes."
"But the Balance…?"
"Let it swing up and down with a will. It has nothing to weigh now. You are on your own, mortal-you and your kind. Farewell."
Corum tried to speak again, but the pain in his thigh swamped all thought At last he fainted.
Once more Kwll's many-toned voice sounded in his skull before his senses were engulfed completely.
"Now you can make your own destiny."
EPILOGUE
Again the land had healed and again mortals went about their business, repairing what had been destroyed. A new king was found for Lywm-an-Esh, and the Vadhagh who had escaped death returned to their castles.
At Castle Erorn by the sea Corum Jhaelen Irsei, the Prince in the Scarlet Robe, recovered his health, thanks to the potions of Jhary-a-Conel and the nursing of the Lady Rhalina and he found a new hobby for himself, remembering what he had seen at the doctor's house when trapped upon -the plane of Lady Jane Pentallyon, which was the manufacture of artificial hands. He had yet to make one that satisfied him.
One day came Jhary-a-Conel in his hat with his bag on his back and his cat on his shoulder and he said good-bye to them with some reluctance. They begged him to stay, to enjoy the peace they had earned.
"For a world without gods is a world without much to fear," said Corum.
"That is true," Jhary agreed.
"Then stay," said the Lady Rhalina.
"But," said Jhary, "I go to seek worlds where gods still rule, for I am not suited to any other. And," he added, "I would hate it if I came to blame myself for my misfortunes. That would not do at all! Gods-a sense of an omniscience not far away-demons-destinies which cannot be denied-absolute evil-absolute good-I need it all."
Corum smiled. "Then go if you will and remember that we love you. But do not despair entirely of this world, Jhary. New gods can always be created."
This ends the third and final Book of Corum