دانلود رمان انگلیسی “یک خیال ماه رنگ پریده” – جلد 2

Long ago, in the realm of an ancient nation, a titanic blue snake awoke from its slumber beneath the earth. Such was the length of its body that it could have coiled around the land itself, and when it slithered aboveground, it sought to devour the very sun blazing brightly in the heavens. The people were dismayed. Though they attempted to stop the snake, they were not its match. So, at last, the ancient nation’s king beseeched the gods for their aid. It is said that the sole god who answered the plea demanded fair compensation for cutting the snake to pieces. The god’s desires were three: fine drink, to delight her tongue; music, to excite her heart; and human touch, to warm her being. Thus, the king had a town built and devoted to her, and soon, the realm of man knew peace once more. So was born Irede, the pleasure town of myth, and so has it flourished for these past thousand years. Even now, this town dedicated to a god stands unchanged, its fine drink, masterful performing arts, and holy courtesans as famed as they were the day of its founding. And yet, among the people of this illustrious town is secreted yet another marvel. From the age of myth hence, a god has resided there, her being kept incarnate along a bloodline of beautiful women. In accordance with the old contract, each of these manifestations one day welcome a guest into their beds, and give birth to a child who will become the god’s next successor. This line of succession between mother and daughter does not dilute the god’s presence, for she is the god of the moon, herself one of the constants of creation. Such is the path these women have chosen throughout the ages, and so have they lived their lives beside humanity. What this line of unbroken choices may one day invite is, as of yet, still unknown. Today, as the girl who is a god once again awaits the guest whom she will choose, she once again dozes in a reverie.