On Aelaephixes
(This
book is bound in ancient brittle leather that somehow is not cracked. The pages are skin of some sort, stiff with
age but sturdy. There are four parts to
the book. A short first section, with each of the following lines to one page,
and a blank page between each section, follows.)
Let this tome be forgotten forever.
Let it be struck from the rolls of history.
Let it never be spoken of by man or mer.
Let its very name be lost to the ages.
Ye who read here, know:
This book was written at great price.
Honor those who perished in its compliation
Close it now, and leave them to their rest.
Or if you must read on, know this
Aelaephixes
Will find you
Will bless you with (trauma / torture /
struggles)
Aelaephixes requires only your honor
Only your death
Only your Worship
(The
next section of the book is much longer.
Each line is repeated in what appears to be different hands at the top
of the left page and bottom of the right.
On each page is an illustration; an abstract figure on the left, and a
faded sketch which could, you suppose, represent the scenario described on each
page. Where there are breaks below are
two pages with an asterisk as the only writing – a large asterisk, covering
most of the page.)
A spirit of the wilds, mercurial in form,
sister to gazelles.
A practitioner of law, with her several
secretaries.
The seventh wife of a tyrant king, carrying
his chief huntsman's child.
The death of the primary heir of a local
noblewoman.
A wandering spirit, visible at will, an
inflamer of human passions.
A band of goat herders, armed, outraged by an
injustice visited upon their clan.
A happy girl, promised in marriage to a
gentleman, naive to the danger he represents.
The deathbed curse of a betrayed queen.
A war-sorceress, slender but commanding, with
golden hair.
An altar to devils of the waste, stinking with
gore.
The human servant of a mighty and unspeakable
demiurge.
A great army's marching orders, passwords, and
signals, and the unfortunate aide who lost them.
A small room under the foundation, its doorway
bricked shut, the prison of a dreadful and malicious spirit.
An ancient stone way marker, indicating an
overgrown road, and the ghost of a man buried there.
A market on the crossroads, full of sound and
color.
An unsavory treasure-seeker, with an honest
map.
The capture of a bandit carrying ancient
treasures looted from a previously unknown tomb.
A fishing village with an inn of good quality.
A noble house's signatory ring, left behind in
a street brawl.
A practitioner of law, with her several
secretaries.
A corrupt guard, turning a blind eye to the
illegal businesses that have paid him off.
(The
third section of the book contains what appears to be several pages of
fictional constellations and anatomical diagrams. None of the star maps match any part of the
sky; none of the animals or structures dissected match creatures in the world.)
(The
final section of the book is in a different style from the rest – perhaps a
different language all together. It is
the final two pages of the book.)
Look upon the face of Aelaephixes and wonder.
Raise your arms that Aelaephixes may look on
them and bestow a blessing.
Know that battle is a blessing.
Know that death is an eventuality.
Know that you are dust in the eyes of Aelaephixes.
Long is the arm of Aelaephixes, and swift is
the blade.
Deep is the cut, and subtle is the poison.
Worship, o faithful. Pray your death is short.
Worship, o faithful. Pray your death is quiet.
Worship, o faithful. Worship the glory that is
Aelaephixes.
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