-last edited on Feb 22, 2019 20:13:31 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Feb 22, 2019 20:12:47 GMT
Chapter 63
One by one, Skirj walked to the top of each hill, dug through the grass, and walked down again to move on to the next. Each one he checked he left marked with a little glowing ball of orange light. He was not surprised to find that the effort of holding together so many at once did not fatigue him as it would have only a few days before. The power that Septimus’s gemstone lent him was immense, if not quite as much as he had had with the Crown. Surely, with all that power, he couldn’t fail to save Skrag. There were an awful lot of hills, though, and no way to tell beforehand which one was right.
At last, a few hours into the search, Skirj came to a hill with a shallow impression at the top. It looked as if someone had begun to dig a large hole but had never finished. The spot was mostly covered by grass now, but it was patchier than the rest of the hill. Sticking out of the middle of the pile was a leather wrapped hilt attached to a rusty sword blade. But that was not what interested Skirj. There was another hilt as well, of dark green wood, mostly covered by dirt and grass. Brushing some of that aside, he grabbed onto the hilt and yanked it free. With a grunt of effort, he pulled loose a sword, slightly curved, with a green blade, one that seemed to have undergone none of the weathering the other sword had. “This is it.”
Good. Reach into it with your mind.
“How do I do that?” Skirj stared at the sword, almost expecting the spirit of his brother to come leaping out of it at any minute.
I will guide you. Close your eyes. Open your mind. Allow it to slide free of your body, and into the sword. Use the power of the gemstone.
Skirj squeezed the red stone in his hand, and he felt its power sinking into him, separating the connections between his mind and his body. And then he felt himself fall out of it. For a moment, he was nothingness, lost in an endless void, and then he was in the sword. He felt the magic that had made it, and the magic it still held. He searched it any signs of life, for something other than the magic, but there was nothing. He let go again, and then, with a gasp of air, he was back in his body. “He’s not there.”
-last edited on Feb 24, 2019 20:11:35 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Feb 24, 2019 20:10:11 GMT
Chapter 64
Hithrol watched from a hill just outside Paladeen as a tiny black speck appeared in the sky, far away. It grew closer and larger, revealing ribbed wings and a snakelike body. Still it grew, until he could at last make out Olifin’s face. Soon, the dragon was almost on top of him, and he almost took a step back as Olifin landed. Hithrol smiled. “Welcome back. How was your trip? Is everything all right in the mountains?”
Olifin nodded, his enormous, scaly head bobbing up and down. “My siblings are well.” There was an odd distance to his tone as he bent down for Hithrol to climb on his back.
As he mounted up, trying to sound casual, Hithrol asked, “So, when am I going to get to meet them? Your family, I mean.”
Olifin gave a shake of his head. “I don’t know, Hithrol. They don’t like humans very much. Next time I’m there, I’ll ask if they’d like to meet you.” Olifin had known his siblings for over four years now, and he visited about once a month. Every time he did, Hithrol asked that question, and every time he received the same response. He understood that Olifin wanted to keep his two lives separate – at least, he tried to – but why could they not meet just once? Sometimes, Hithrol wondered if the dragon he had raised really didn’t trust him.
Soon, though, Hithrol was forced to turn his mind to other things. They were meeting with Tinunclus and the other Falkrion leaders today, to plan for the war, and he needed to concentrate on that. He had already drawn up a few ideas, with help from the other Riders and the dragons, but he knew the Falkrions would have some of their own. With any luck, they would be able to arrive at a final plan quickly, so they could finish the war, and everything could go back to normal. All they had to do was defeat the Dragon Knights and the dwarves so the Falkrions could move into the castle, and then everything would be as it was. He was sure of it. That had been in his dreams lately, alongside the nightmares of their failure. All he needed to do was ensure their success.
The ground came up to meet Olifin’s feet, and Hithrol realized they had arrived. It was time to begin.
-last edited on Feb 25, 2019 21:19:20 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Feb 25, 2019 21:18:59 GMT
Chapter 65
Olifin was met at the edge of the dragons’ territory by a familiar scarred dragon with gray-streaked dark orange scales. He nodded his head in greeting and then added quickly, before Jarrum could respond, “I need to speak with Darkaraz. It’s important. Do you know if he’s around?”
Sensing his urgency, Jarrum nodded and waved his tail for Olifin to follow as he took off toward the caves. The flight took a few minutes, and Jarrum didn’t speak during it. That made Olifin glad he hadn’t been met by Lyzara, or Nalira, or someone else who would ask questions. He would have preferred someone who hadn’t really known Zargan at all, but Jarrum was better than many of the alternatives.
As they landed, Olifin saw Jarrum turn to head back to his post, and he stopped him with a claw. “You should go find Lyzara, and Yvetha, and Nalira. I want to talk to all of you when I’m done here.” Jarrum, once again seeming to sense how serious Olifin was, took off in a different direction as Olifin slowly entered the cave.
It was dark inside, but Olifin could make out a large, winged shape toward the back. As he walked in, his claws scraped on the stone and dark eyelids flickered open to expose a pair of golden, glowing eyes. Olifin stopped and waited for Darkaraz to acknowledge him.
At last, Zargan’s father did. “I remember you. You are a friend of my son’s.”
Olifin nodded. “I was his friend. I am afraid I bring sad news concerning him, and Marrzak as well.”
And so Olifin recounted the discovery, a few days prior, of Zargan’s body, and the bandit Harrox’s, and the Dragonsbane. When he was finished with that, he told the rest of the story – the hunt for the Well, the encounter with Marrzak, and how he had smashed the red dragon himself.
“I am sad to hear this,” said Darkaraz, when Olifin’s tale had finished, “I loved my sons, though even I knew something was wrong with Marrzak after what happened to Kurukin. You say you believe the person responsible for Zargan’s smashing has been punished?”
“Yes, we think it was a man named Harrox. If it was someone else, though, I have no doubt that Skrag will take care of him.”
-last edited on Feb 26, 2019 19:08:58 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Feb 26, 2019 19:07:41 GMT
Chapter 66
Darkaraz nodded, and Olifin braced himself for questions about Marrzak next. If punishment was to be exacted, well, he had known the risks and he had chosen to come here anyway. He was surprised to hear something entirely different. “I can’t believe I never saw it before. In this light . . . yes, you look just like him. Come closer, young one. I won’t hurt you. I believe what you have told me about Marrzak, and it sounds to me like you did no more than what needed to be done. Come closer.”
Olifin did as he was told, taking cautious steps until Darkaraz told him to stop, only a few feet away. “Remarkable,” said Zargan’s father, “The resemblance really is uncanny. Tell me again how you came to be with these so-called Dragon Riders.”
Confused, Olifin hesitantly began the story of how he had been found by Hithrol. Darkaraz stopped him when he reached the part where Hithrol met Korin and Cloventail. “Olifin,” said Darkaraz, “I believe I knew your father.”
Of everything Olifin had anticipated might happen in this conversation, never had this crossed his mind. “My father?”
“Yes, your father. His name was Anhaj. He was a distant cousin of mine, sadly smashed in the battle against Kelrin Dragonsblood’s armies. And your brood mother was named Leafreil. There were five eggs in her clutch. Do you have any idea what happened to the other four?”
Olifin shook his head, still trying to process what was happening. “Hithrol says there were no other eggs there.”
Darkaraz sighed. “A question for another day. For now, I think, it is enough to know that you survived.” He stood up and began walking toward the mouth of the cave. “Come with me. I think there are some people you should meet.”
As they reached the mouth of the cave, Olifin asked, “How do you know? How can you tell who my father is?”
“Anhaj had dark scales, not quite as dark as yours, but they had a way of twinkling in the light that I just saw in you. And your snout and brow remind me of his, too. You are his son, Olifin. The more I think on it, the more I know it must be true.”
-last edited on Feb 27, 2019 21:08:26 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Feb 27, 2019 21:06:38 GMT
Chapter 67
Jarrum, Lyzara, Nalira, and Yvetha met them not far from the cave, all eager to hear the news that Olifin carried. But before anyone else could speak, Darkaraz told them sternly, “Olifin has something important to see to. If you wish, you may follow us. When I have finished bringing him there, I will relay his news to you.” Obviously curious, the four trailed them the rest of the way to a cave halfway across the territory. Darkaraz motioned for them to wait outside as he brought Olifin in.
At the back of the cave was a female dragon with dark purple scales. “Darkaraz. It has been a long time.”
Darkaraz nodded. “It has, Gravlaene. I have brought someone who needs to talk to you. You should go find Shakskal and Zoniak.”
Olifin and Darkaraz waited in the cave for Gravlaene to return. Lyzara and the others tried once more to get Olifin to talk to them, but Darkaraz shooed them off. At last, Gravlaene returned, followed by a male dragon with dark red scales and a female with slate gray scales. When all were gathered inside the cave, Darkaraz led Olifin over to them. “Gravlaene, Shakskal, Zoniak, about eight years ago, your father produced an egg that was given to the brood mother Leafreil. Sadly, she was attacked and smashed. All five of the eggs she protected were believed to be lost. Until today.” He moved aside for Olifin to step forward. “This is Olifin. He is your brother. Olifin, these are your siblings.”
For a moment, everything was still, as Olifin tried to grasp what had just happened. He had a family. One that was actually related to him. And they were standing right in front of him. It seemed his siblings were just as shocked by the revelation, as they too had not yet reacted. Zoniak, the gray-scaled female was the first to speak. “It is good to meet you, Olifin. I am Zoniak. This is my brother, Shakskal, and my sister, Gravlaene.” She gestured to each of them with her tail. “Let us talk.” Olifin nodded numbly, and followed, along with the other two, as she led the way to the back of the cave. At some point, Darkaraz had left to go talk to the others. Olifin was glad to be relieved of that duty. He was gladder to have a family.
-last edited on Mar 1, 2019 19:24:43 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 1, 2019 19:24:01 GMT
Chapter 68
Hithrol and Olifin were the last to arrive at the war council. The seven representing the Falkrions were already there, as were Axomius, Neceire, Sky, Terra and Raini, and Zariana, who Hithrol had invited to join them after he had revealed his plans to the other Riders.
As they entered, Terra noticed Hyplaeuse opening her mouth, likely to make some disparaging comment about their punctuality, and silenced her friend with a shake of her head. It wouldn’t do to start arguments among themselves now. They had to hold together until they won the battle. After that, they wouldn’t have to have any contact with one another, so it didn’t matter.
Fortunately, the other Falkrions seemed to have learned to tolerate such grievances, and Hithrol managed to take his seat without being confronted.
With everyone now present, Tinunclus called the meeting to order. “It is time to finalize our plans for the siege on the castle. What have the scouts to report about the status of the enemy?”
Sky spoke up. He, Hyplaeuse, and another of the Falkrions had overseen scouting out the Dragon Knights and the dwarves. “The Dragon Knights are now firmly entrenched in the castle. The improvements to the fortifications that we observed them making during our last visit are now finished, and they have begun to settle in to the castle.”
“Good,” said Tinunclus, “Then they will be soft and unprepared when we launch our attack.” That was the plan. The Falkrions needed time to prepare for the war, so they couldn’t have struck earlier, and it had been determined that a long-term siege would drain their resources more quickly than it would the Dragon Knights’, so they had to hit them when they were least expecting it and take everything in one blow. “What of the dwarves?”
“They seem to be staying put,” Sky replied, “They have made contact with the Dragon Knights, but they do not appear to have any plans to join them in the castle.”
That worried Terra. Sure, having them inside the castle would mean more troops defending the wall, but if the dwarves were able to flank them during the siege and pin them up against the wall, they would be trapped. Resources would have to be diverted to prevent that.
-last edited on Mar 2, 2019 20:10:05 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 2, 2019 20:09:44 GMT
Chapter 69
Of course, Tinunclus and the rest knew the dangers presented by the dwarves as well as Terra. The Falkrions’ leader turned to Axomius, who was writing up the plans. “We’ll have to settle with option B. Zariana will lead harrying attacks on the dwarves to keep them busy while we assault the castle.” Axomius nodded, and flipped through some pages, circling and crossing out as he went. Tinunclus turned back to Sky. “And the other matter?”
Sky nodded. “Hithrol’s intel was good. There does indeed seem to be a secret entrance to the castle, located in the forest. We didn’t see any guards, but we couldn’t get very close, or we may have been discovered.”
Tinunclus smiled. “That is good. You and Hyplaeuse will lead a small, elite group to the tunnel, as we discussed.” He turned to face Hithrol. “This leaves just the matter of the siege itself. Are you sure your Riders can handle the others?”
Hithrol looked him in his golden eyes, unflinching. “Olifin, Emma, Storm, Akars, and Haru can keep Alis, Therin, Korin, and Cloventail busy for as long as you need, provided Terra, Raini, Neceire, and your Falkrions can keep the other defenders off our backs.”
“They have it under control.” Next, Tinunclus turned his attention to Briagorn, another of the ranking Falkrions. “What news do you have?”
Briagorn cleared his throat and said, “Our preparations are going well. We have completed many of the weighted nets that were described and many of the other weapons as well. We believe we will be able to adequately distract the soldiers on the wall.”
“Then there just remains the question of timing. Briagorn, when will everything be ready?”
Briagorn again cleared his throat. “I would estimate five days.”
Tinunclus nodded. “One week, then. In one week, we will march for war.”
Terra should have been excited. After all, she had been one of those most adamant about pursuing this war. How could they not, after Belarius’s betrayal and the attack in the forest that smashed Rimil? But for some reason she felt uneasy, as if something was not quite right. She dismissed the feeling. This war had to happen. If it didn’t, they would all be destroyed – she had seen it in her dreams.
-last edited on Mar 3, 2019 19:40:32 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 3, 2019 19:40:16 GMT
Chapter 70
Skirj sat on the hill, staring at the sword in his hand. He had been so sure this would work. How could it not have? Perhaps Skrag needed to have the sword with him when he was smashed? But Septimus had said nothing about that. He had spent so long convinced he could save his brother. He had put everything he had into achieving that goal. He had made so many sacrifices for it. What if he failed? What would become of him then? Dimly, still preoccupied with his worries, he became aware of a voice in his mind. Skirj. Skirj, listen. I have an idea. Skirj.
“What is it?” He couldn’t muster the energy to put any enthusiasm into his words.
There is a Temple of the Ancients that I know of, one that might tell us what we need to know.
“I’ve been there. I told you. If there’s anything there, it will take too long to find it.”
Not that one. There is another, far to the south, on another continent, surrounded by jungle. That is where I found information about the Keeper of Souls. If the information we need exists, it will be there.
“Another temple?” Hope began to stir in Skirj once again. “They built more than one?”
I believe they built many, though I only was ever able to learn the existence of three. This temple is not like the other, though. It was built with special wards that disable magic. When you enter it, all your spells will vanish, and you won’t be able to use magic again until you leave. I know you are a warrior as well as a sorcerer, but you will need to be careful in this place.
Skirj barely heard him over his own thoughts. Another temple. They would be able to save Skrag. “You said it was far away, on another continent? How can we get there?”
The journey would take months by ship and then land, if we can even find a ship heading there, but perhaps there is another way. If I describe it to you, do you think you could teleport us there?
Skirj grinned. “Teleportation is my specialty, Septimus. With your stone, I can take us anywhere.”
-last edited on Mar 6, 2019 21:17:23 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 6, 2019 21:16:59 GMT
Chapter 71
“– And the dwarven troops are all in position, your majesty. We are ready to attack or come to aid the defense.” The red-bearded dwarven messenger bowed low, holding on to his bronze-plated helmet to keep it from falling off.
“Thank you, Gildor,” replied Queen Virida, “Tell them we will send for them when we have need. They can stay where they are for now.”
The messenger bowed again, took a hesitant step, and then stopped, looking back at Virida. She barely repressed a long sigh. “You may go now, Gildor.”
As the man left, Virida took a long look around the room, what once had been the throne room of the Falcon castle and was now her own throne room while she occupied the kingdom. The room was much longer than it was wide, to allow petitioners to line up before the throne, or perhaps so that anyone approaching the throne would have a long way to walk and think about what they were doing. It was stark – little of value had survived the war – but the Dragon Kingdom’s banners now decorated the wall, and some of the colorful windows had survived. And though it was not in perfect shape, her servants had managed to restore it to passable condition. Virida’s throne, brought with from her castle, was the only furniture in the room. The dozen or so advisors, lords, and generals that accompanied her had to stand, but they were used to that. Glancing around at their faces, all at least twice, and some as much as four times, her age, she wondered, and not for the first time, why she was their queen. Every one of them at times seemed more capable than she would ever be. So why her? Because her uncle had beaten Kelrin Dragonsblood in a duel?
She didn’t realize she had spoken her thoughts aloud until Gyr said softly, “Are you alright, your majesty?” Virida gave a start and looked around the room. All around her, faces bore concerned looks –roughly dressed Ragen Capua, Heather Aulus in her spiked skirt, graying Adson Karle, and all the others.
Suddenly fighting a dry mouth, she forced out the words. “I am fine, Sir Taluk.”
“Are you certain, your majesty? Is it your dreams again? I’m sure Magister Centauri could take another look.”
-last edited on Mar 7, 2019 19:44:26 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 7, 2019 19:44:12 GMT
Chapter 72
A wiry, balding man stepped forward. “Of course, your majesty. I could –.”
“I said, I am fine, Sir Taluk.” Both men hastily stepped away, bowing almost in unison.
There was a long silence. Then, Adson Karle said, “You were the only candidate that we all found acceptable. You held no prior allegiances, no ties to anyone besides a man who all acknowledge as a hero and the only one of us who stayed when all hope seemed lost. If I may say so, your majesty, none of us expected you to be the great leader that you are. In a short time, you have done many great things for our kingdom. None of us at all regrets the decision that was made.”
Silence fell once again as Virida struggled to find an appropriate response. She was saved by the opening of the wide throne room doors as a scowling young woman strode in. Alis looked defiantly over Virida’s advisors, as if daring them to challenge her, and then said, “We need to attack, Virida! We’re giving them time to build up their strength and form a plan.”
Virida took a deep breath before answering. “While I wear this crown, you will address me as your majesty. We have been over this, Alis. There is no need to destroy them outright, only to end their attempts to take this castle. When they attack, we will pin them against the walls and wear them down until they surrender. I am not changing my mind, Alis. If that is all you came to say, then go.”
Stomping angrily, Alis stalked back out the doors. When she was gone, Virida said, “Dame Aulus, keep her under watch. I won’t have her going off and doing something foolish.” Watching Heather go, she caught Gyr giving her an odd look. “Do you have something to say, Sir Taluk?”
Gyr quickly shook his head. “No, your majesty, only . . .. Forgive me, but it seems to me that not so long ago you would have said much the same as she.”
Virida opened her mouth to reply but shut it again sharply. He was right. When all this had started, she had been just as reckless as Alis. Now that Kaltar Centauri had cured her nightmares, though, she thought much more clearly. She was no less committed to the cause, but she saw now that Alis’s approach was not the way to succeed.
-last edited on Mar 8, 2019 19:36:20 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 8, 2019 19:35:33 GMT
Chapter 73
Skirj stepped through the portal and into a sea of greenery. All around him were tall, moss-covered trees dripping with hairy vines. Shrubs and ferns carpeted the ground. The air was filled with the scent of fresh rain and the sounds of animals he had never seen before – hoots and calls and cries all unfamiliar. It felt heavy, thicker, and seemed to hang on him like a second skin. A two-foot-long blur of crimson and aquamarine sped past his head. He could have sworn it looked almost like a tiny dragon, but it could have just been a trick of the light. Though Septimus had said it would be about the same time as home, it was darker, much of the sunlight blocked by branches overhead, though several patches of golden illumination peppered the vegetation. “Where are we?”
It is called a jungle. You will need to be careful here. Its beauty belies great danger. There are creatures here that could smash you before you could raise a hand to stop them. Now, head to your right and you should see the temple just through those trees.
Short sword in hand, Skirj did as he was told, stepping carefully through the leafy under growth, testing the way with his blade. And very soon he was standing in a wide clearing, occupied mostly by a tall stepped pyramid, worn with age and wreathed in vines. Unfortunately, that was not all that occupied the space. Taking up most of the rest as well as much of the surface of the pyramid itself were tall, furred creatures with humanoid torsos and arms and the heads of cats. Some had fur of such a dark brown as to almost be black, and others bore golden fur covered in dark spots, but all turned when they heard him coming and hissed loudly, raising spears and odd, thin tubes. Several raised the tubes to their mouths. Duck!
Skirj did so just in time, as sharp, feathered projectiles flew over his head and embedded themselves in trees. Without giving them time to launch another volley, he picked himself up and ran as fast as he could back the way they had come. When it seemed that they had reached a safe distance, he stopped, crouching behind a mossy boulder for cover. “You didn’t tell me there was an army of guards!”
-last edited on Mar 10, 2019 20:40:17 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 10, 2019 20:39:24 GMT
Chapter 74
Septimus’s reply was calm and unapologetic. I didn’t know. The last time I was here, the Black and the Gold were at war. They were too busy fighting each other to guard the temple.
Now hushing his voice in case the guards were still following, Skirj asked, “And how long ago was that?”
A few hundred years. This time, there was a tinge of sheepishness to Septimus’s voice.
“Great. In those few hundred years, did you happen to think of anything that might get me past them?”
Actually, I do have one idea. How convincing an illusion could you make with the power of the stone?
And that was how, several minutes later, Skirj found himself walking back to the temple in the guise of a ten-foot-tall female Gold Pantherian – as Septimus had told him they were called – in shining armor. “Is this really the best you could come up with? Disguising myself as one of the Ancients who created them? I should have just made myself invisible.”
From what I have read, the Pantherians seem to be awaiting the return of the Sisters. Seeing one of those they worship may just buy us the time we need to get past them. Besides, it’s too late to change now.
It was indeed too late, for Skirj had just stepped into the clearing. The Pantherians turned to him and stared. “What now, Septimus?” he hissed under his breath.
Roar.
And roar Skirj did, an auditory illusion enhanced by the power of the stone, which echoed through the clearing and beyond, sending colorful birds and other strange creatures flapping up out of the canopy to escape the disturbance. For a moment, there was silence, and then the Pantherians began to bow. It was just the Gold at first, but soon many of the Black joined in. Skirj began to walk to the temple, and the Pantherians moved quickly to clear a path.
Soon, he reached the worn stone of the pyramid itself and began to walk up it. At about halfway, one of the Black Pantherians leapt at him, but was quickly set upon by a group of Gold Pantherians. None of the others bothered him until he reached the top and stepped through the square archway.
-last edited on Mar 13, 2019 17:44:05 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 13, 2019 17:43:32 GMT
Chapter 75
The air beneath the archway seemed more viscous than it should have been, and he almost had to push his way through. As he stepped inside, he felt a coolness wash over him – the temple’s warding against magic. Suddenly, behind him, there arose a great roar, and a few darts zipped by his shoulder. It appears the Pantherians aren’t pleased to see their god transforming into, well, you.
“Thanks. I couldn’t have guessed that,” replied Skirj, dashing deeper inside the temple. He could hear the pounding of paws on the stone behind him. A few more darts struck the wall ahead of him, but it appeared the Pantherians couldn’t find much use for their blowguns in this winding staircase.
If we get to the heart of the temple, we should be safe. It is warded against the Ancient-born and the magically inert. During the wars between the Ancients, those were sometimes used as assassins.
With Septimus guiding him, Skirj slowly began to pull ahead of the Pantherians. Luckily, it appeared they did not spend much time in the temple. Slowing slightly to catch his breath, Skirj noticed that the halls of the temple were littered with bones, some enormous, some strange-looking, and some all-too-humanoid. “What happened here?”
The greatest part by far of the wars was fought in what is now the desert near where we are from, but there was considerable conflict down here as well. From what I have read, it was brutal inside these passageways. Several Ancients and their armies battled here, but none of the Ancients survived and of the armies only a handful of Pantherians made it out.
Skirj ran for what felt like hours, sprinting through narrow corridors, barreling down twisting flights of stairs, and dodging the occasional attack from the Pantherians that by now were out of sight more often than not. At last, dripping with sweat and gasping for breath, he reached a wide, circular room with a second circle set in the middle. Seven rounded archways led into the inner circle, and the air beneath them seemed to shimmer in the glow of the ever-lit torches.
-last edited on Mar 14, 2019 17:30:01 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 14, 2019 17:28:57 GMT
Chapter 76
Errica sat on a small rise in the ground, staring at the heel of bread and wizened apple in her hands. A few feet away, Hayteleck was kneeling in the grass, muttering the locator spell. It was the eleventh time that morning he had done so. Halfheartedly, Errica called out to him. “Why don’t you take a break and eat something? It’s almost noon.”
Hayteleck looked up at her as if surprised she had spoken. His eyes flickered to the food in her hands. “You haven’t eaten.”
Errica felt herself blushing. “Well, I’m about to.” To prove it, she took a small bite of the bread. It was dry and tasteless. “Come join me.”
Hayteleck shook his head, turning back to the spell. “I’m busy.”
With a sigh, Errica took another bite of the bread. It tasted like sand, and not only because it was just as dry.
Hoping to find the apple a little more appetizing, Errica brought that hand up to her mouth. But before she could, a shout to her left startled her so badly that she dropped it. “I got it!”
Picking up the apple, Errica looked at Hayteleck. “What did you get?”
“The spell, Errica! What else? He isn’t warded anymore.”
Errica rushed over to the elf’s side. “So, where is he?”
Hayteleck sighed. “Well, that’s less good news. He’s not warded anymore, but there’s a barrier fighting against the spell. I can’t get an exact location, just that he’s very far away, so the southwest.”
“How far is very far?”
“I would guess months by any normal means of travel. And too far to teleport.”
Errica growled in frustration. “So we can’t get to him, then?”
“I’m afraid not. But on the bright side, I don’t think the Board can get to him either. He’s out of anyone’s grasp now.”
Errica could see the worry on Hayteleck’s face. “I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, Hayteleck. He’s read a lot of books and he knows how to take care of himself. He’ll be fine.”
Hayteleck only nodded, clearly not persuaded. Errica wished she was a certain as she had said. I hope you know what you’re doing, Skirj. For his sake.
-last edited on Mar 15, 2019 19:51:51 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on Mar 15, 2019 19:51:29 GMT
Chapter 77
Not wasting a moment for fear of the Pantherians behind him, Skirj stepped into the heart of the temple. The same odd sensation that he had felt entering the temple passed over him again and he almost stumbled with fatigue. “Now what?”
Now we head down those stairs before the Pantherians arrive and pepper you with darts. Just because they can’t pass through the barrier doesn’t mean they can’t attack.
Sighing wearily, Skirj walked to the staircase at the center of the room and began to descend.
This was the longest staircase yet, and Skirj had begun to despair that he would never reach the bottom when, suddenly, he turned a corner and it was there before him, a wide-open room with walls covered in tall bookshelves. Many of the shelves and their contents appeared to have rotted over the years – apparently the jungle was not as good for preserving paper as the desert – but most were intact. All of a sudden, the hopelessness of Skirj’s quest began to settle on him again. There weren’t quite as many books and scrolls as in the desert, but there were still more than enough that any possibility of finding what he needed among them seemed hopelessly slim. Despair audible in his voice, Skirj asked, “Any idea where to start?”
Actually, I do have one book in mind. I read it long ago, when I first came here. Though it did not touch on the subject of the Keeper of Souls, it came very close. I can’t help but imagine that the author knew more than he said. In any case, it certainly has a great deal of information on souls and returning them to bodies. If we can find it, we will have what we need.
Skirj’s anguish turned to elation. Finally, something real, something that seemed sure to have the answers he sought. If Septimus, could be believed, of course, but why should he not be? Quickly, not wanting to waste any time, Skirj followed Septimus’s directions to the place where he believed the book to be.
It’s at the back of this shelf. You’ll have to shift a few things over to get to it.
