Codex - Book of Ice

Section 1
Translated from Verduban by Fasium, a survivor.

The Book of Ice

"Verse 1 The parable of the bandit and the peddler."

"At the foot of the gulch in summer, a peddler comes by with oils and cloth from over the sea. A bandit is waiting in ambush. The bandit sticks the peddler with his sword, and steals his saddle and wares. He takes the sword, given unto him by the master of his House, House of Bile, and cleans it in the long grass. Summer passes, and the autumn rain softens into snow, covering the high-road. A second peddler comes by, with oils and cloth from over the sea. The bandit is waiting in ambush. The bandit rushes out to the high-road with his sword raised, but as he brings it down on the peddler's back, his legs gave way on the ice beneath him. He thrusts the blade into his own belly, and so bleeds to death."

"House of Verduba, greatest of the Houses, what do we see beneath the Ice?"

"Take not the same tool to every task. Learn to flex like the green bough of spring."

Section 2
"Verse 2 The parable of the chiropractor and the little blind girl."

"Outside the House of the Spine, the unwise chiropractor holds court. He stands beside a plinth, decorated with painted vertebrae, and teaches that there is nought to life but the science of the spine. The heathens dub him 'worship' and 'lord' in the hope he will cure their ills."

"One day, a young blind girl arrives. She asks for a cure, and seeing his chance to impress, the chiropractor invites her up to his slab. 'Witness my power,' the fool declares, and begins to knead her backbone. When the treatment is finished the audience are stuck in amazement, since the little girl screams 'l can see, I can see!'"

"Even the chiropractor himself is taken aback by such an affirmation of his method. But moments later the girl exclaims, 'But that's because I have never been blind!' and proceeds, along with the gathered crowd, to laugh uproariously at her joke."

"Naturally, as he had shown himself to be simple, the chiropractor never drew an audience again."

"House of Verduba, greatest of the Houses, what do we see beneath the Ice?"

"Proof is the better of belief. Trust not the spine doctor."

Section 3
"Verse 3 The parable of Adolinth. first daughter of ice"

"Long ago the House of Verduba was frail, and the ice Mother said to Young Adolinth, 'go out into the day and bring us help.' So Adolint travelled many miles to the great city Muskdog. She asked the king of Muskdog, for they answered to royalty there, for advice. 'Who can l ask to join my house?” 'Only your blood and kin,' the king said proudly. 'But i consider all men and women kinfolk, for are we not equals, having all been born to woman, sharing senses in all things, and then destined one day to die?” 'Absolutely not!' exclaimed the king. But it was too late. Adolinth's ideas spread like ice through the House of the Kings. and his power was burned away to nothing. Many of his courtiers remained, and so Adolinth began to order them, though she was careful to grant them their freedom, and never to sit upon the king's throne. Thus. the house ot Verduba in Muskdog was born, and the Ice Mother was pleased."

"House of Verduba. greatest of the Houses. what do we see beneath the Ice?"

"Equality is hard to swallow, but nothing less than true."

Section 5
"Verse 5 The parable of the wild forager."

"The bees and flies do not deter the wild forager. He owns nothing, and his talent brings little reward, but still he goes a it every day. One day, he finds a crop of strange berries. When he returns to town, all gather around him, and offer him great sums for the strange berries."

"House of Verduba, greatest of the Houses, what do we see through the Ice?"

"A singular habit can become a beautiful talent, if you work at it."

Section 6
"Verse 6 The parable of the fire held in ice."

"Once there was an acolyte of Nem Chi, who called herself a Pyrite. She shaped the flame in her hands, the heathen, and would commit arson on the houses of the living. When the Ice Priest of the House of Ice confronted her, she threatened him."

"'See in my hand, this fire. which burns the houses of those who deny the Pyrites. The ones who live for fire, who cook with fire, who use fire. Priest of Ice, you shall suffer, for I know you do not obey master Nem Chi.'"

"'Acolyte of fire, you shall no longer be allowed to burn the houses at the village of Gautine, no matter how cold your heart. Return below Foundation, where you came up with the beetles and the Rajas. Nem Chi, your master, is a fool.”"

"'Who are you to say it? Fire vanquishes ice! Do you deny the power of fire?' and with that threw her flame upon a stick. which she held to the holy House at Ice, ready to burn it down. 'Fire has power.' said the Priest of Ice, 'but ice has the greater.' With that he gave her a push so hard that she fell into the icy lake. Her flame was extinguished, and she struggled for her life."

"'Save me. heathen!' she cried to him. But the priest knew there was no help for her, and so let her drown."

"House of Verduba, greatest of the Houses, what do we see through the Ice?"

"Through ice is more ice. Ice may melt, but it shall burn long after the last fire is extinguished."