Melanie Rawn: Exiles: The Ladder Song

Exiles: The Official Melanie Rawn Website

Long or short, short or long
This is called the Ladder Song

Near or far, far or near
Takes you there or brings you here
Far or near, near or far
Doesn't matter where you are

Twice Twenty-two the Ladder's girt
All Lenfell shirs the bards assert
But one is lost mage, stay alert
The broken circle's spell avert

Six Ladders each the shirs possess
though some have more, and others less
When rungs are paired , the sum assess:
Twice twenty-two, mage can you guess?

Conundrum numbers; think them through
To sum them in a total true:
Six times fifteen, twice twenty-two
Halve the greatest. The last is due

The new struck coin of Captal's woe
In payment to the timeless foe

Down or up, up or down
Climb the Ladder round and round
Up or down, down or up
Ladder in a rocky cup

Well or sick, sick or well
Ladder in a shepherd's dell
Sick or well, well or sick
Ladder built with fingers quick

Big or little, little or big
Ladder of the happy pig
Little or big, big or little
Ladder made of acorn brittle

Spring or summer, summer or spring
Ladder in the copper ring
Fall or winter, winter or fall
Ladder near the waterfall

First you see me then I'm gone
Ladder on a clover lawn
Wet or dry, dry or wet
Ladder caught inside a net

Night or day, day or night
Ladder's blackest inside white
Mage or lord, lord or mage
Ladder of the scattered page

Under over, over under
Ladder rungs are made of thunder

The Ladder Song (Updated, with Locations)

Long or short, short or long
This is called the Ladder Song

Down or up, up or down
Climb the ladder round & round
(Octagon Court spiral staircase at Ambrai)
Up or down, down or up
Ladder in a rocky cup
(Dry well in Bleynbradden)

Sick or well, well or sick
Ladder built with fingers quick
Well or sick, sick or well
Ladder in the shepherd's dell
(unknown ladder pair)

Big or little, little or big
Ladder of the happy pig
(Pink Piglet toy shop in Domburron)
Little or big, big or little
Ladder made of acorn brittle
(Ostinhold(?))

North or south, south or north
Ladder shines the lightning forth
(Roke Castle lighthouse)
(next two lines missing)
(next two lines missing)
(unknown)

(line missing)
Ladder in a lion's lair
(Garvedian house bathroom)
Clear and fine, or rainy weather
Ladder of the silver feather
(Dovecote in Shellinkroth)

Spring or summer, summer or spring
Ladder in the copper ring
(All Saints' Shrine in Shellinkroth)
Fall or winter, winter or fall
Ladder near the waterfall
(Waterfall near Malerris Castle)

West or east, east or west
Ladder at Viranka's Breast
(Waterfall near Malerris Castle)
Back and forth, forth and back
Stony ladder shining black
(Caitirin Bekke's tower at Mage Academy in Ambrai)

First you see me, then I'm gone
Ladder on a clover lawn
(Ambrai)
Wet or dry, dry or wet
Ladder caught inside a net
(St. Ilsevet's Shrine in Shellinkroth)

Truth or lie, lie or truth
Ladder made in Maidil's youth
(Bower of the Mask in Combel in the Waste)
(next two lines missing)
(next two lines missing)
(Drainpipe in Neele)

In or out, out or in
Ladder steps of shiny tin
(Well halfway between Neele & Bekke Farm)
(next two lines missing)
(next two lines missing)
(Pantry of the Knife & Fork Inn in Dinn)

Under over, over under
Ladder rungs are made of thunder
(Opera house in Peyres, Sheve)
(next two lines missing)
(next two lines missing)
(Ice room @ Mage Academy, Ambrai)

Night or day, day or night
Ladder's blackest inside white
(Eskanto Shrine at Wyte Lynn Castle)
Mage or Lord, Lord or Mage
Ladder of the scattered page
(Print shop at Ryka Court)

Ladder Song compiled by Amy
and updated by Irena Pereira.
Updated version compiled by Meg. (c) 1995 Melanie Rawn & DAW Books