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" The seven lakes of Recolletine were named for gods, who by the time Madragore’s name had first been spoken in the land were already no more than dim memories in the minds of its people. As they made the final approach, in a carriage lent to them by Almorante, Tayven recited the sacred names. Anterity, god of war; Oolarn, god of knowledge; Nintala, the sun king; Upselter, goddess of love; Malarena, jealous goddess of the night; Rubezal, the hag of madness and inspiration; and finally, Pancanara; the celestial lady, goddess of the cycle of the universe. "
― Storm Constantine , The Crown of Silence (The Chronicles of Magravandias, #2)
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" What pretty creatures. Are they for the serpent?”
“We are all here to seek knowledge,” Taropat said.
“Oh,” answered Goodgog in some disappointment. “Better drowned. More pretty then.”
“The serpent is the spirit of this place?” Taropat said. “What shall we offer it?”
“Not your place to decide,” answered the guardian. “It takes what it wants, your life or your soul or your sanity. I like to watch.”
“Hmm,” said Taropat. “We intend to pass on from this place with all those attributes intact.”
“Then you must fight him,” said Goodgog. “But when you do he’ll take the form most likely to squash you flat. That is the way.”
“If we vanquish the serpent, may we pass to Pancanara?” Taropat asked.
The mad creature laughed. “If you vanquish the serpent, I’ll take you there myself, otherwise I’ll feast on your bones. It’s all one to me. "
― Storm Constantine , The Crown of Silence (The Chronicles of Magravandias, #2)