Brood of the Witch-Queen · Chapter
XVIII: The Bats explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Cairn, Robert Cairn, and Sime journey to the Pyramid of Méydûm, where they suspect Antony Ferrara is conducting a horrific sorcerous ritual. They discover decapitated bats at the pyramid entrance, confirming their fears. The group enters the pyramid, navigating treacherous passages to reach the King's Chamber, where they find it empty but sense an underlying horror.
Themes in this chapter
Sorcery vs. Science
Dr. Cairn's rational investigation confronts ancient sorcery, as evidenced by the decapitated bats and the suspected ritual in the pyramid.
The Occult and Ancient Egypt
The pyramid is used for unholy purposes after 4,000 years, involving bat oil for incense and anthropomancy, linking ancient Egyptian practices to occult horror.
Good vs. Evil
Dr. Cairn and his companions confront the evil represented by Antony Ferrara, described as a 'man-devil' engaged in a dreadful crime.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Bruce Cairn
Leads the expedition to the pyramid, reveals knowledge of hidden chambers and ancient sorcery, and demonstrates physical agility in climbing the shaft.
- Robert Cairn
Accompanies his father, expresses confusion about the mission, and listens to explanations about Julian the Apostate and anthropomancy.
- Dr. Sime
Accompanies the Cairns, shows bravery and practicality, removes boots for better foothold, and assists Dr. Cairn in climbing the shaft.
- Antony Ferrara
Suspected to be inside the pyramid conducting a sorcerous ritual involving bats; not directly seen but implied to be present.
- Ali Mohammed
Brings up the rear of the expedition with Sime.
Key passages
“The Cynonycteris, or pyramid bat, has a leaf-like appendage beside the nose. A gland in this secretes a rare oil. This oil is one of the ingredients of the incense which is never named in the magical writings.”
Dr. Cairn explains that the pyramid bat's nose gland produces a rare oil used in unnamed magical incense.
Reveals the purpose of the decapitated bats and the occult ritual.
“When he was at Carra in Mesopotamia, he retired to the Temple of the Moon, with a certain sorcerer and some others, and, his nocturnal operations concluded, he left the temple locked, the door sealed, and placed a guard over the gate. He was killed in the war, and never returned to Carra, but when, in the reign of Jovian, the seal was broken and the temple opened, a body was found hanging by its hair—I will spare you the particulars; it was a case of that most awful form of sorcery— anthropomancy !”
Dr. Cairn recounts how Julian the Apostate performed necromancy in a temple, leaving a horrifying scene of anthropomancy discovered later.
Connects ancient sorcery to the suspected activities in the pyramid.