The "she" referred to by the monks could only be
the goddess Ratri herself, worshiped by the order that
had given sanctuary to the followers of Great-Souled
Sam, the Enlightened One. Now, Ratri, too, was to be
numbered among those fallen from the Celestial City
and wearing the skin of a mortal. She had every reason
to be bitter over the whole affair; and Tak realized the
LORD OF LIGHT 13
chance she was taking in granting sanctuary, let alone
being physically present during this undertaking. It
could jeopardize any possibility of her future reinstate-
ment if word of it got out and reached the proper ears.
Tak recalled her as the dark-haired beauty with silver
eyes, passing in her moon chariot of ebony and chromi-
um, drawn by stallions black and white, tended by her
guard, also black and white, passing up the Avenue of
Heaven, rivaling even Sarasvati in her glory. His heart
leapt within bis hairy breast. He had to see her again.
One night, long ago, in happier times and better form,
he had danced with her, on a balcony under the stars.
It had been for only a few moments. But he remem-
bered; and it is a difficult thing to be an ape and to
have such memories.
He climbed down from the rafter.
There was a tower, a high tower rising from the
northeast comer of the monastery. Within that tower
was a chamber. It was said to contain the indwelling
presence of (he goddess. It was cleaned daily, the linens
changed, fresh License burnt and a votive offering laid
just within the door. That door was normally kept
locked.
There were, of course, windows. The question as to
whether a man could have entered by means of any of
these windows must remain academic. Tak proved that
an ape could.
Mounting the monastery roof, he proceeded to scale
the tower, moving from brick to slippery brick, from
projection to irregularity, the heavens growling doglike
above him, until finally he clung to the wall just below
the outer sill. A steady rain fell upon him. He heard a
bird singing within. He saw the edge of a wet, blue
scarf hanging over the sill.
He caught hold of the ledge and raised himself until
