THREE BROTHERS ⋅ A NEW GOD ⋅ CITY OF SALT ⋅ LAKE OF DREAMS ⋅ SUSPENDED! ⋅ THE TWO STREETS ⋅ ON THE EDGE OF THE MARSHS ⋅ BLACKSUN ⋅ DEMON ⋅ GAZELLE ⋅ THE HARDRIIM ⋅ RIDER ⋅ THE FLYER ⋅ ARABIAN NIGHTS ⋅ THE EMPTY MIRROR ⋅ THE SOLDIER ⋅ THE BICYCLE ⋅ THE CROCODILE ⋅ THE THREE TRAVELERS ⋅ OCEANSONG ⋅ THE FLUTE ⋅ THE TREE ⋅ THE TOWER

Once so cocksure and ready to lord it over us all, these foreigners now cry out like frightened children, their last gasps escaping trembling lips as they flail in the clasp of my jaws. I would laugh at their folly, would it not loosen my grip on their fattened limbs! When I first met them, they approached the marsh bringing gifts of tender creatures from the grasslands some distance away: hares and partridges such as I had never before eaten. Misunderstanding the local language and customs, they were under the impression I was a regional deity. It is true I was, and am, feared by many; some go miles out of their way to avoid crossing my path, and others will tie a young goat on the banks downstream some distance from the place they wish to cross with the rest of their herd. These men sought to supplicate me once, and that was the wisest they ever were in their conduct. Even so, it was soon evident that the reasons these men had for courting my favor were foolish and ignoble: they seemed to think that if they were seen to be in my good graces, their enemies would fear them as much as they feared me. After some time passed, they realized I could not grant them what was not mine, nor anyone’s, to confer. They did not blame themselves for their own error of judgment, or try to learn from it, as would any wise man or clever beast. Instead, among themselves, they decided they would try another approach altogether to achieve their means. They had other strategies, modern methods, and many resources at their disposal. They even began to say I was not anything much to fear. They began to trample through the marshes as they pleased. Can they truly be surprised at where they find themselves now? Have these men perhaps been brought to their senses at last by virtue of their present discomfort? -home-