"Why it's the ..." began Geo.
"You're darn right it is," said Iimmi.
HYMN TO THE GODDESS ARGO
Forked in the eye of the bright ash
there the heart of Argo broke
and the hand of the goddess would dash
through the head of flame, and the smoke.
Burn the grain speck in the hand
and batter the stars with singing.
Hail the height of a man,
and also the height of a woman.
The eyes have imprisoned a vision,
the ash-tree dribbles with blood.
Thrust from the gates of the prison,
smear the yew-tree with mud.
"That must be the full version of the poem I found the missing stanza to back in the library at Leptar."
"As I was saying," said Iimmi, "Question number two: what is the relation between the rituals of Hama and the old rituals of Argo. Apparently this particular branch of the religion of the Goddess underwent no purge. And no one at Olcse Olwnh was supposed to know about them."
"I wonder why?" Geo asked.
"That is question number three."