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Michael paused his recital there, fearing it might anger Bat-El to hear those words. But the ascent was not complete, and Bat-El commanded Michael to continue reciting the Litany of Creation.

So Michael said, "Bat-El it was who created angels and nephilim and men. But he could not prevent some of his malice from passing into the creatures which he made, which is why they strive against one another to this day.

"And Bat-El did not take great care with his creation. From he beginning they were beset with many ailments. So Chemah taught the healing arts to the angels. Also Elchemah created cattle and fowl and swine, and she taught the angels how to grow and harvest greens and rice and wheat. And the children of Adamu and Chava were greatly multiplied in Kemen." But Michael could say no more, as the weight had grown so great that he could scarcely draw a breath. More minutes passed.

"Enough!" said Bat-El. The invisible weight suddenly lifted from Michael. He felt blessedly free, as though he were swimming in the air. The avatar of God turned until the white bulk of Kemen could be seen through the windows. Michael saw the sky was no longer purple but black.

Michael saw that Kemen was really a ball, and the suns did not tunnel under the ice. "I had thought it to be a ring, Lord,' said Michael after a time. "We hear tales that men have crossed the West Lands to arrive in the East Lands."

Bat-El said, "That much is true, Michael. The unfrozen part of Kemen does forms a ring, do you see?" Michael affirmed this.

The avatar turned put Kemen and the two suns out of sight. Michael saw countless stars. Bat-El said, "Know this, Michael, for it is of a truth: All the stars are but faraway suns."

After a short span of time the avatar fell to Kemen once more. Michael began to feel his weight again but his mouth remained wide open in wonder. And he knew Elyon, who had commanded angels to memorize the Litany of Creation, was exposed as a liar.

Precipitation is greatest at the poles of Kemen, where the two world-glaciers, north and south, are miles thick. And the glaciers move very slowly, grinding the surface and underlying bedrock flat. Only at the equator are temperatures warm enough to melt the ice. There at the foot of long terminal moraines large chunks of ice shear away and melt, the source of water for many streams and freshwater lakes.