# The Drug of Our Lady the Moon explained — The Lost Continent

> Chapter companion for The Lost Continent by C. J. Cutcliffe Hyne.

## What happens

Deucalion navigates the pyramid's secret passages to reach the temple of the Moon, aided by Ylga, while reflecting on his mission to save Nais from total sacrifice. He recalls a recent outing with Phorenice where she engineered a fight to test his skills, contrasting her ruthlessness with Nais's compassion. He receives an omen from the High Gods through a wave that clears their boat of reefs, interpreting it as a sign to continue his course. Later, he visits Nais in her entombment shaft, giving her a drug to induce suspended animation, and they exchange a tender farewell, agreeing to sacrifice personal desires for Atlantis.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Deucalion and Nais sacrifice personal happiness for the good of Atlantis, exchanging a tender farewell.

### Fate and Free Will

Deucalion interprets the wave as an omen from the Gods, guiding his actions while he exercises free will in his schemes.

### Gender and Authority

Phorenice's manipulation and combat test challenge traditional gender roles, while Nais's passive sacrifice contrasts with active female power.

## Character check-ins

### Deucalion

Protagonist and priest of the Seven, navigating the pyramid and executing a plan to save Nais.

### Nais

Beloved of Deucalion, entombed and given a drug to induce suspended animation.

### Phorenice

Empress who tests Deucalion's combat skills and plans to marry him.

### Ylga

Woman who lost her place and agrees to help Deucalion, meeting him in his chamber.

### The Gods

High Gods who send an omen via a wave to guide Deucalion.

## Key lines

> I had taken the plan of the pyramid out of the archives before the banquet and learned it thoroughly, and so was able to thread my way through its angular mazes without pause or blunder.

Before the banquet, I studied the pyramid's layout from the archives, allowing me to navigate its complex corridors without hesitation.

_Deucalion's preparation enables his secret movements._

> A great wave rose in the lagoon behind us, a wave such as could have only been caused by an earth tremor, and on its sleek back we were hurled forward and thrown clear of the reefs...

A massive wave, likely from an earthquake, lifted our boat over the dangerous reefs, carrying us to safety.

_The omen from the Gods guides Deucalion's path._

> Sleep will take you, my darling, then, and the High Gods will watch over you, even though centuries pass before you are roused.

The drug will put you to sleep, and the High Gods will protect you, even if it takes centuries for you to awaken.

_Deucalion explains the drug's effect to Nais._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_continent_se/chapters/xii-the-drug-of-our-lady-the-moon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_continent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_continent_se/chapters