After the fire, the leaders of Thessaloniki intended to raze what remained of the old city. But when workers attempted to begin the demolition, they were immediately swallowed by the earth. A search is underway to find them- or at least their remains.
Some of us had a vision for Thessaloniki… a vision some cthonic powers seem determined to obscure. Which ones?‘
We have found so many enemies, none of them for any good reasons. I’ll go shine a light in that darkness; even in those shadows I am sure that all those dead things can be persuaded that a small twist in time is nothing but an opportunity for them.‘
Dr. Mohammad went to persuade the ‘cthonic powers’ that the work of the Chandler was an opportunity for them, too.
This is bad for them. Not for me. But still I am involved.‘
I need to read about these caves. I have spent a lot of time in caves. If it is old powers stirring, I should likely be there. If it is the work of the Crow, I should likely limit myself.‘
I will go to consult on the rescue. The Beach-Crow is there. I will stop it from stealing more.‘
Petros went to consult on the rescue operation as a way to keep the Beach-Crow away from relics of the Gods-from-Stone.
I have a series on fires. They are a muse of mine. I would like this one to have a subterranean framing.‘
Alexandria, Velletri, Hush House, Celsus… so many fascinating subjects. How ought I depict Thessaloniki?‘
Ah, how hard and how thoroughly the Mare works. I enjoy defying her, so look for Thessaloniki’s forbidden secret tucked among the huddled figures in the caverns.‘
Maruja chose to defy the Mare and depict a forbidden secret of Thessaloniki in her painting of the fire.
I grow restless. I intend to go down after them, but first I need to be prepared.‘
There’s danger even for me down there, I think. What is waiting for me among those roots?‘
When I followed Quilaco into the Wound-Roots, there were then still many Cross-kinds to stymie us and aid us. I don’t expect I’ll find what Quilaco did, but I expect to find the Cross. I’m away now, quick as I came.‘
Jesus set off after the lost workers, expecting to find some form of the Carapace Cross.
There was a Chandler-cult in Thessaloniki. No longer, obviously. But still the earth is angry.‘
It’s all very dramatic! When the earth wakes, how many of us will suffer?‘
There’s a lot of life still teeming down there. Sometimes when one seeks to burn a stump, all the roots catch fire. Too many forces got involved here, and that fire is burning through the roots of the world. We’d best all attend to our own histories.‘
Dr. Chiri came to believe the fires in Thessaloniki have spread all across the world.
The covetous earth! The hungry, hungry, jealous earth. The all-consuming, devouring earth. Should I keep going?‘
All number of things in the earth want to eat. But stuck in the earth’s teeth is all sorts of delectable things. In times we huddled in the earth, you know. We picked clean bits of yolk and slurped up rivulets of blood for centuries till we found chance to get out. And so did the Beachcomber.‘
Before Calyptra, there was no need for the earth to act in ways so subtle. Subtlety has once again been abandoned.‘
There are crimes of the sky, but long ago there were crimes of the earth. Those punishments may once again be enforced, and woe to those who defy those rules.‘
I am almost tempted to venture over there. Imagine what treasures have been unearthed.‘
But sadly my work remains at the Frustum. This is not the first time the Beachcomber has plucked secrets from beneath the earth. Given Thessaloniki’s striations, I expect some burrowing-kinds of the Carapace Cross will soon feel sun on their shells again.‘