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Book 1, Chapter Six: The Wonder Stone, Pages 125 and 126

She surrenders the map to our travellers, and walks to the other end of the room,
sticks her strong fingers into the ceramic mouth
of a painted fish.

Alexander protests,
“But I am not just any great man!
I am Alexander!”

The Lady smiles,
“You are, indeed.
And because the gods view you favourably, they have brought you to my house.
I have the very thing you need for your quest.”

She gifts to Alexander from the belly of the fish, a stone —
palm-sized, smooth, and blue
with swirls and a dark colour centre, like a whirlpool.
A lone, still stone,
gleaming under Alexander’s gaze.

“What’s this?” asks Alexander.

The Lady answers, “This is the Wonder Stone. Carry this amulet with you always.

Once you enter the place where no light touches,
you will need its guidance
to unveil the immortality you desire.”

Alexander holds it between his fingers. “Wonderful. Thank you, maia.”

“Though be warned, my child.
You may have trouble with the stone,
for it maintains within itself a dual nature:
it is both lighter than a feather
and heavier than a mountain.”