The archaeological diary of Edward Cephas Hargraven

25th September 1891

Nonsense. Sheer nonsense. We need Haynes back. He is the only member of our team who can accurately translate the Kur’hukayian language. I picked up some of the basics from him before he left, but our translation has provided no enlightenment whatsoever. Four words.

“White of bone surpass.”

They are all that is contained on the piece of papyrus rolled up inside the vial. What wisdom could possibly be imparted from that combination of syllables? And why bother sealing it inside a vial that can be opened on only one day of a given month? It makes no logical sense at all. A terrible disappointment, but again, what was I expecting to find? Perhaps one of the other vials will contain something more interesting. Time will tell.

We will leave the day after tomorrow. After spending almost an entire month in this godforsaken city, with such gloom and foreboding smothering our investigations, the shores of England will be a most welcome sight.