Beneath

In another recent expedition, we visited some of the homes in the City Proper. In one building which had been damaged by fire, we found a badly-singed volume which appears to be D’ni poetry. Though much of the book is unreadable, there are a few pages of text near the middle which are mostly understandable.

We asked you to translate these pages, and received a submission, which is displayed below. Please enjoy it here, and join us in the hope that one day it will be on display in the Cavern for all to enjoy!

Submitted by Erik:

The Shomat Story

This tale speaks of King Shomat and his brothers.
He was the worst king D’ni has ever had.
It all started when the King went to the Writers,
and told the Grand Master over there that,
it was unheard of that the Eders contained
such beauty compared to a Palace of a King.
For the Cavern was cold he complained,
so he demanded a new Age for himself, having
roaring water and colours beyond imagination.
And so the Guild of Writers the task was given
to create a Garden Age with enough variation
to satisfy the King’s desires that had risen.

After eight long months the Age was done
and Shomat linked in to inspect for flaws
of which the King – to his joy – found none.
Though one day, strange creatures with claws
approached the King, while he was enjoying
all of the sights in his beautiful new Garden Age.
And afraid he called his servants ordering
the killing of this race, while he was in rage.
But his servants knew the laws of Yahvo
and knew that they should leave this new place.
And so they just told the King to go,
reluctant to meet the King’s penetrating gaze.

When the servants could not be moved by the King
It was then that he found his brothers a new use.
For King Shomat hated them more than anything
and so Shomat had never doubted to refuse
them entry to any Garden Age or dwelling.
But now the King asked his brothers to come
and he promised them riches and expensive clothing,
if they would kill the beasts of which he’d seen some.
They accepted this task, but a plan they devised:
to kill their brother, the King, instead of a creature.
They pretended that they’d killed the beasts he despised.
As a gift, King Shomat gave them a real treasure:
a Linking Book to which they swiftly went.
Though Shomat was the most evil of the three,
for it was a Death Age to which they were sent.
And so ends King Shomat’s sinful history.

Thank you for contributing to our restoration work!