Untitled story (The Seeker thrust . . .)

Introduction

UNTITLED STORY (The Seeker thrust . . .). This piece from a letter (#357) to Tevis Clyde Smith by Robert E. Howard is a vivid and eerie narrative that delves into the realms of cosmic horror and ancient, unfathomable evils. It presents a tale that is both mystical and terrifying, showcasing Howard’s ability to explore themes of existential dread and the supernatural:

The Seeker thrust warily at a door. It opened with a mutter of iron hinges, and he stepped through. Behind him the door closed with a jar of grim finality which sent shivers through the Seeker’s soul. He stood looking up a monstrously high stair case which went up and up until it seemed to mingle with the stars. The Seeker mounted, until after what seemed an age, he came out upon a sort of roof, where a great black iron idol brooded and incense smoke drifted up from a red stained altar.
The Seeker fixed his eyes upon this smoke and soon it began to take shadowy form. A face gleamed vaguely and then before him stood a tall smooth limbed man, of blond hair, clad in the garments of a cavalier.

Summary

The narrative follows the Seeker, a character who, driven by an unnamed quest or purpose, ventures into a place of dark and ancient power. The setting is one of grandiose and ominous atmosphere, beginning with a daunting staircase that ascends into the heavens and leading to a roof where a great black iron idol and a blood-stained altar await.

Upon the roof, the Seeker encounters three mysterious figures, each emerging from the incense smoke of the altar and representing different eras and archetypes of warriors: a Cavalier, a Roman soldier, and an Atlantean gladiator. These figures speak cryptically of the night and a triangle that is not yet complete, hinting at a ritual or convergence of forces beyond the Seeker’s understanding.

The narrative is steeped in a sense of ancient and nameless evil, with the environment itself—a night sky with a sinister red star, the appearance and disappearance of a panther, and the moon turning a blood red—contributing to the mounting dread. The three figures, who claim to be older than the world and to have witnessed the making and breaking of gods, embody this eternal and unfathomable evil. They are neither alive nor dead, existing beyond the confines of time and morality.

The Seeker, overwhelmed by fear and the realization of the true nature of these beings—as the Eon’s Eternal Rebels, accursed of God and man—reacts with horror and defiance. The narrative concludes with his frenzied laughter, a response to the overwhelming revelation of his encounters, echoing across the land.

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Characters

  • The Seeker: The protagonist, whose quest leads him to encounter ancient evils.
  • Cavalier: A smooth-limbed man with blond hair, dressed in the attire of a cavalier, representing one corner of the mystical triangle.
  • Roman Soldier: A tall, broad-shouldered figure with black hair and cold eyes, clad in Roman armor, another corner of the triangle.
  • Atlantean Gladiator: A heavily-built man of medium height, dressed like a gladiator from Atlantis, completing the triangle.

These characters, especially the latter three, serve as conduits to Howard’s exploration of themes common in his work: ancient history, the supernatural, and the thin veil between past and present.