Interview with an Oracle
CH: Hi, folks. First off, this is me, the author, setting up the interview. To interview the Pythian, one has to descend a long passage beneath the Palace of Rast to the underground chamber where the Oracle resides. Another thing to mention is that the Pythian is given to breaking out into riddles in blank verse. To give the setting, I’ll quote a passage from a chapter in Rast where the Prince goes down to consult him.
Step after step wound away before him. His feet followed them down and down, around and around, as if the way would hypnotize him. The bronze studs of his boots clacked on the hard stone until there were steps no more, merely a steep sloping tunnel to slip and scuff down into the depths. He descended in a flickering bubble of light that seemed as a globe, drawing him down into a darkened, petrified ocean. And then, all at once, he was at the bottom.
His light became a glimmer in a wide chamber. At the far end two green orbs appeared as from an empty void. “Egon,” came a resonant voice. “What a pleasant meeting
CH: Here we are in the pitch black chamber ... don’t become bogged in the thick dust ... it’s a bit creepy. Can’t see a thing. Whoops, there are the eyes in the distance, like two green moons.
“Oh, hello. Have I met you before, dear boy?”
CH: Boy? That’s a good one, I’m seventy-one.
“Pshaw. I’m at least a hundred times that. But should I know you from somewhere?”
CH: I did write the book.
“Mere triviality. We are the creatures who inhabit it --.
Empty pages only blow in wind when no spirits reside therein”
CH: I guess you’re right about that.
“I generally am. Did you come for some advice, or a foretelling of your future?”
CH: You might let me know how many copies of Rast will sell.
“Your pecuniary question is moot since your task is done
and other eyes and minds will do as they will.”
CH: Thanks, I believe I already knew that.
“Oh, think a lot of ourselves, do we?
Is that the right you claim as writer of the book?”
CH: Hmm. Should we get back to this oracle business? What would be the best avenue of book promotion?
“Does a poor magic creature reside in the dark, bereft?
Offer words of value for so little consideration?”
CH: Oh, you mean I didn’t bring you your honey toasted roaches?
“Aha, not so dull after all.
Visit the palace kitchen.
Catch the morsels (plenty reside therein) and tender them to me.
I may answer your question then ... or not.
You see – the future is easy not to learn.
Goodbye.”
CH: Drat. Here I am on the way back up the passage. Sorry I wasn’t able to find out more about the Pythian and his origins. Magic creatures are not easy to handle.
Christopher, you sly devil you! Tempt us with your elegant fare, so rare. Buy your book, I will; and read it too.
ReplyDeleteHide behind your characters if you choose, but the shrouds of secrecy you soon will lose.
Good luck with your book!
Pat Dale
Those passages were pure delight for me to read. What an exceptional way to showcase your writer's voice and unique sense of 'interview' method. Loved it, Chris.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll ditto Pat's comment...you sly devil. Where have you been hiding?
Thanks for your comments. Actually it's all a function of these magic creatures -- they have an otherworldly presence.
ReplyDeleteWhat magic forces guided your rhyming comment, Pat? Take care, the magic could be escaping its bounds, as it did in the novel. No one knows what might happen then.
Chris H.
Very interesting! Love this. :)
ReplyDeleteChris, Love this! The Pythian is my most favorite character in your book. Great job on the interview, make a note to self to catch and honey coat roaches before your next descent into his lair.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Chris, love this post! The Pythian is one of my favorites from your book. (Lucky me, as his editor I already got to read Rast) Make a note to self- Gather roaches and toast them sweetly with lots of honey.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Thanks again for your comments everyone, and big thanks to Ginger for letting Pythian and I to visit.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I didn't have a recipe for honey toasted roaches, Nancy. I picked the name for its sound. I guess the roaches would be dipped in honey and then toasted under the oven grill. Not sure how the Rast palace cooks would prepare them, maybe something like a quick singe in a wok.
Yum yum.
Chris H.