Fiction: The Seller of Stars

Beneath the hang of every rainbow there is the fairy market. Here there is every thing for sale, both pottage and signets, silver and blood, and for any price there is something to be had.


A man came into the market once, and his eyes came to fall upon a lovely figure of gold, whose likeness was unto a mirror and a young king both. And the name of the thing was called Ka-Mutef. And he went straightway unto the thing and said in his heart, "I must surely have this thing. But where is its owner to be found?"

And it came to pass that there came unto him a creature, whose visage was scarred with chains, and his mouth caked with dust. And the creature said unto him, "I am the owner of this thing; yea, I have a right to all things that are, from the waters that were cursed to the winds and valley of my kingdom, which is a shadow. Therefore I may sell Ka-Mutef unto you: Have you any money with which to buy?"

And the man replied unto the creature, "Behold, I have not wherewith to buy." And the creature said unto him, "Sell me this day thy eyes, and then all shall be well between us."

And the man plucked out his eyes, and held the thing of his love with his hands, and held it to himself. And it came to pass that he heard laughter, and a wind, and the gnashing of teeth, and at once he found himself away from the market, but at his own estate. And it came to pass that the field where he placed the figure became barren, and its gold remained but its innards cankered. And the man saw to esteem it as nought, and despaired.

And there was heard a man who spoke of a tree of exceeding whiteness, and the man desired the fruit thereof that he should taste it. For it was said to cure all ills, and all heaviness of the heart. And the man set out for it but could not see, for his eyes were gone from him, and there was rot where they had been. And he saw not the man in white who gestured on, but instead wandered into mists of darkness, and was lost. And there he shall remain, until there comes one that is able to redeem for him his eyes, and pay what is demanded, for Ka-Mutef is cankered and the man has not wherewith to pay.