The Stained Glass Window of the Hall of the Great Khun Gebal.

I finally came to the ancient capital of Yevnis (now, modern day Trûn). A thousand years ago, this was the heart of a mighty empire, built by the nomads of the steppes of Yentabilus. Here, the great Khun Gebal conquered this city of a mighty civilization and set up his throne of power upon it's glorious foundations to sweep the world and conquer it from all the four winds. It is said his lands were so wide that traveling from one end to the other would require two men: a man and his son...to finish the journey.

Here, he built many great buildings and public structures. He found many large and beautiful works created by the people before his coming. One of these was the Great Dome of the Fallahi. This beautiful structure is immense and a marvel of ancient architecture. The story is told that when the Great Khun Gebal led his triumphant troops into the city, he made for the Great Dome. There, he was stunned. He stopped his quake-causing boots in mid-stride and his army fell silent. And then, overcome with emotion, the Great Khun knelt and wept for he realized how much his people had yet to learn.

Thereupon, he declared the building would be open to all, to gaze at the splendor that had come before him, for he dared not defile this wonder of the world by closing it and keeping it's beauty a secret. However, he believed that he had to set upon it some token of his own splendor and achievements. And so, he commission a great stained glass window to be made by the finest artisans in the world. From far and wide they came to win the prize of working on this new idol of wonder. It took many years because the making of the glass had to be advanced considerably before it could be put to practical use in making such a gargantuan creation. And then, when it was done, he had it set at the foot of the pool, in front of the window to the west, whereupon his magnanimous light would shine forth and illuminate the huge structure of Cambrani marble with it's gold flecks and orange veins. And four great lamps were fashioned out of gold and purest crystal to hang by mighty chains - each link exactly the height of the Great Khun Gebal himself to symbolize his uplifting of the temple of beauty - and catch the light and reflect it in a spectacular display.

The Great Khun bathed here every evening, enjoying the splendor of the light that shone from above and also from the new window, and he settled down from his nomadic life for he could no longer be parted with it's glorious beauty.

And here, my friends, is a crude photograph of this amazing building with a rich history that has survived many more conquests. Untouched by time, it stands as a mark of the greatness of the best that civilizations have to offer. The scale is hard to imagine for there were no people here at sunset - I was given permission to photograph it alone without being disturbed. It was an honor I will never forget.

- Traveling Uncle Nat. :)

01/25/00

Click here for a large 1024 x 768 version reissued almost a year after I made this one. :)