The Book of Moons

The Book of Moons

[Greek.]

Brass tacks, so to speak.

Nine are the items that must be collected from creatures yet living. 1. Hair of the unicorn, 2. eye of the dragon turtle, 3. feather of the phoenix, 4. paw of the rakipsasas rekas, 5. tooth of the cynocephalus, 6. membrane of the full-powered draconian gryphon, 7. skin of the amphisbaena, 8. eggshell of the rokas, and 9. scales of the naga.

Mix them in the following ratio by weight:

  1. 1
  2. 12
  3. 3
  4. 5
  5. 2
  6. 6
  7. 6
  8. 9
  9. 7

Thicken with two handfulls, in ratio of 19 and 25 parts respectively, soil from the land that has never known a dragon and from the land that has never known a deer. (Of the latter I was unable to find more than the tiniest of islands, and I fear that soil from a larger mass may be required. But this is the best I could find, and there may still be time to look further afield, in search of more.) Blend in a ratio of 5 parts Styx water. Do not let anyone use the Styx water for any crazy plans or sidequests.

It will be difficult to find a vessel strong enough to hold the concoction. Even as ass’s hoof will only work for a few moments.

[Lengthy and precise description of the somatic passes required.]

Over this mixture speak five of those sacred names I have not yet found. Assemble the names in alphabetical order and speak over the concoction the first, second, third, fifth, and eight names. [This stands in for a numerological calculation I have balked on reproducing, since transliterating all the names into Hebrew has proved too daunting a task]. Then “bind” [the Greek is obscure] it. Only in the heart of the enemy can the formula be prepared, or rather utilized; the other names will be of use to hold them at bay, destroy their champions, etc. Of course, where the enemy is plotting and what the names of power are—are known unknowns.

Into the blood of my daughter swims the only thing strong enough to “bind” this concoction: the parasite psamiros. Such is she that she can resist its awesome power. The location of her tomb is deliberately not here recorded; the way to its dark heart is known by the priests of the Petrogenon.

(Although the wise may be able to intuit or deduce it,) only she knows the final step; and she will only cooperate with one who can answer her question. The question is a nonsense one and the answer, while accurate and true (as riddle answers must be), is phrased in an arbitrary way (as passphrase should be).

To prevent any of the enemy from locating and beguiling my daughter, her location, and the pacificatory passphrase, have been enriddled, such that only the most exacting knowledge of human language and culture could unravel their clews. The first riddle I have arranged to be buried beneath the earth in a secret tomb. The second riddle I have stashed in that place in all the earth least likely to change, fade, be plundered, or disappear from memory, I mean the soi-disant omphalos where the pythoness raves, stashed it on six sheets of gold inside their he-goat (εβροσ), their ox-team (εξαµπροσ), their ewer (εαρον),scab (εϕελκισ), their piece cut from sacrifice (εξαργµατα)—you know where I mean. For some customs, at least, are immutable. And while I have seen or heard of older buildings, the pyramids north and south, the tower at the Mesopotamian conflux, the volcano of Cain, they are subject to despoliation in a way that a universally respected site will not be. And the son of Iapetos himself recommended it as a good place to preserve things inviolate.

The second riddle explicitly and deliberately has two answers, one a double check on the other. YOU WANT TO ANSWER WITH THE LONGER ONE. It will not be wise to give an incorrect answer.

[Editor’s note: This riddle, unlike others, has been “transposed” into modern English, so all English puns (there are many), anachronisms (there are many), etc., stand in for ancient Greek ones. In this way we can avoid having to learn ancient Greek or proto-Finnish but still employ a relatively advanced vocabulary.]

There is every chance that she will ask two or three questions of her own devising that reflect upon her life, to make sure any visitors are allies and congnoscenti.

The important thing to remember is that although one of my daughters died long, long ago, the other one will live for millennia. I certainly didn’t screw up royally. No one died recently. We still have time to work everything out. I think it’s going to be great.

[Inserted scrap of paper, in Norse runes]

That end of the book all Greek to me but I write this now. Char marks on end of book, like someone want to burn it. Also, weird wrapping what is that like bandage! stuck in like bookmark or ripped off slamming on something. I saw it!