he had heard the housekeeper mention a city once , a concept he could not quite comprehend , but he was not sure he wanted to venture thither , for she had spoken of it in hushed tones one night with the guardsman as they sat before the kitchen fire , certain the lad was abed and not hiding in the doorway , listening in horrified fascination as she described the demon-worshippers that dwelt therein and the horrid practices with which they maintained their uncanny powers .