People

The Goat Men

The keepers of the gate of the Mountain of Being.

Those who keep the gate of the Mountain of Being. They did not give me their name; they said they were the guardians of the mountain.

Appearance

Mountain goat below the waist, human above. They carry spears. About them is a white, seamless cloth — like a pilgrim’s ihram. — Record 1

White stones hang from their horns. The number differed on each; I did not dare ask what it marked. — Record 1

Their eyes are not human eyes. Their look is neither hostile nor welcoming — more like a border itself. — Record 1

Leave to enter

No one passes the gate without leave. The only sentence they said to me was: “You cannot enter without Adem’s leave.”

I asked who Adem is. They did not answer. — Record 1