Professor Drake's research notes recorded that he had collected information from citizens who claimed to have seen the Goddess in the Lake. After excluding those who were clearly making up stories, he combined local legends and folklore to summarize five rules for encountering the "Goddess in the Lake."
First, one had to appear alone by a lake west of Huntington. One could have a mount or pet, but no other humanoid intelligent creatures could accompany them.
Second, when encountering the Goddess in the Lake, the Sun had to still be above the horizon, because none of the sightings had taken place in the pitch-black night.
Third, everyone who claimed to have encountered the "Goddess in the Lake" or entered "Lake of Cherub," including Professor Drake himself, had been male. Even the protagonists of local folk tales were all male.
Fourth, anyone who encountered the Goddess in the Lake needed to carry items proving their "courage" and "Wisdom": namely, a book and a weapon.
Fifth, and most importantly, anyone constantly thinking about wanting to meet the "Goddess in the Lake" would definitely fail to do so. Only by forgetting one's purpose could one perhaps turn around by chance and see that legendary lake.
These rules had all been summarized by Professor Drake himself. Many people had read the materials, and even the local The Church had obtained copies from Professor Drake, yet no one had ever seen the rumored Goddess again.
Still, for Shade, clues were better than none, and the professor's conclusions seemed quite reasonable.
He prepared a notebook, gun, and sword, then entered the city to visit the wheelchair-bound Professor Drake again. After discussing more detailed matters with him and having lunch in the city, he left once more for the west of Huntington.
Unlike the great plains and