"Beyond the Phoenix" by Henry Kuttner (July 1938) Originally appeared in Weird Tales, October 1938 Plot: Lycon and Elak have moved onto Sarhaddon, a minor city inland from the coast. They rise through the ranks to become part of King Phrygior's personal guard. The duo are sent on a fool's errand before rushing back to the King. They find him in battle with traitors lead by the priest Xander. The door is protected by a minor spell but Elak crashs through and kills many of the traitors. Xander escapes by using magic but not before Elak wounds him. They find the King dying from his wounds. he wants his daughter Esarra but dies before she can come. The king places a magical bracelet on Elak's wrist instead. Xander has taken the city and drawn an evil god, Baal-Yagoth from the shadows where Assurah, the Phoenix, put him long ago. Elak and Lycon take the princess and the dead king to the funeral barge that will take King Phrygior to his resting place beyond the Gates of the Phoenix. Xander's men harry them as they launch the barge and Elak must jump desperately onto the ship. The barge goes through the gates and then plunges into darkness. Elak has a vision of another place where weird, evil flower-like monsters are pressing to get into our universe. He sees two people, Tyrala and Ithron, rulers of Nyrvana, the city beyond the gates. When Elak awakens he finds himself locked in a chamber with Lycon. Their prison is in Nyrvana. They are taken to meet the rulers (the people from the vision). Esarra is reunited with them. The rulers are to judge the newcomers but Tyrala reveals she helped Xander take over Sarhadden and release Baal-Yagoth. She rejoices and calls to the dark god. Ithron and Elak's party go behind the Phoenix altar, into a dark chamber containing the dead King Phrygior. Ithron goes to fight Tyrala but has his life sucked out of him. Elak is filled with the power of the Phoenix, through the enchanted bracelet. Assurah speaks to him and gives him a sword of flame. He strikes down Tyrala, causing the evil flowers to wither and die. The three of them are transported back to Sarhadden to face Xander. The evil wizard summons Baal-Yagoth, who appears as a giant head. Elak strikes the demon then cuts the priest in half with his flame sword. The sword is taken from Elak when his job is done. The bracelet he gives to Esarra. The Princess is placed on the throne and becomes queen. She hopes Elak will stay with her in Sarhaddon. He plans to (for a while) while Lycon plans to get drunk. Monsters: Evil Flowers From Beyond - very A. Merritt-like creatures that aren't explained much though they are outsde our universe trying to get in. The Phoenix - Assurah is the fire diety that rules Sarhaddon and Nyrvana. Baal-Yagoth - a Mythos-type great old one with a masive serpentine head. History: Another Lovecraftian intersection in this tale. The villainous god is named Baal-Yagoth and there is also a mention of Iod, one of Kuttner's Mythos dieties. The barge in this story most likely inspired John Jakes' "The Barge of Souls" in Brak the Barbarian as Baal-Yagoth may have inspired Jakes' Yob-Haggoth.
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