“She seems ok to me,” Rone answered, trying to sound uninterested.
“I think we should watch her; you can’t trust her kind.”
Rone tensed up at her words.
“I didn’t mean you, of course,” she added quickly.
“I like her,” Rone said, sounding irritated.
“She has done nothing to me, and I can relate to being an outcast.” Trisha wanted to apologize but instead nodded and rode the rest of the way to the Library of History in silence.
She had only visited Dusk Haven a few times, but it never ceased to amaze her. Its ivory-colored buildings gleamed in the sun like the purest pearls. There were carvings of the moon in every phase placed upon doors, walls, and even in the stones of the streets.
Because of the thick forest canopy that surrounded the city, even in the daytime, it appeared in a state of eternal dusk. While at night, the magic of mage lights placed inside large globes of colored glass kept the appearance going all the time.
Moon elves revered the time of dusk, considering it to be the time of transition between the world of light and that of darkness. A time when the veils of people’s fate are at its thinnest. When it’s possible to peer into the void and read those fates among the stars. LunaFae they are called, readers of the stars and children of the moon.
As they came close to the Library of History, Rone took in a deep breath and steadied his nerves. This is where he would find the answers he needed. Here he would learn where to find the Dragons Heart.
As he slid from the saddle and helped Trisha down, she could see the burning look of determination showing in his eyes. For the first time since she met him, he was showing the seriousness of his quest.
“Do you really think they can tell me what I need to know?” He asked Trisha as they started up the steps towards the entrance.
“The Arch-Mage said they could, and I’ve never known him to be wrong before.” She replied confidently.
As they pulled on the brass handle that opened the door, there were greeted by the smell of dusty tomes and aged parchment. The walls were lined with more books and scrolls’ than either had ever seen before. Even the vast library of the Crimson Tower failed in comparison.
An unknown enchantment allowed the interior of the building to be much more massive than a structure this size should allow. Books hovered in the air above them, switching themselves from shelf to shelf, making sure they were always where they should be if needed.
At the back of the room sat a desk made of elegant ivory and shaped like a crescent moon. A kindly looking old elf sat there engrossed in the book lying open on the desk before her. She had long white hair, and the robe she wore was long and golden brown. The only accessory was the black leather belt that wrapped her thin waist and held a magnifying glass on one side with a host of different size writing quills on the other.
As Rone and Trisha approached, the woman closed the book and rested her hands together on the cover.
“Ah, new visitors. Have you come to hear the histories of the LunaFae? Or perhaps to have your fates read by the oracles?”
“No, I’m sorry that’s not why we are here,” Rone said with a bow of respect.
“My name is Rone, and this is Trisha SunStorm. We are on a quest to save both my mentor and the forest of Agnar, your grace. The Arch-Historian of the Crimson Tower said this is where I should come.
“So, Casandra is still kicking, is she?” The old sage said, shaking her head.
“You know the Arch-Historian?” Trisha asked, looking astonished.
“Of course, Casandra and I studied magic together when she was just a child. Even then, she showed much love for history, wishing to learn not only the ways of magic but the lore behind it as well.
And stop calling me grace, I’m no priest I’m a history keeper, my name is Lunarie Stargazer. Now, what’s this about saving someone?”
“My mentor and my home are in trouble. Someone poisoned them with Chimera venom.
I was told you could tell me where to find the means to save them. An ancient artifact called The Dragons Heart.”
His words made Lunarie gasp as if he had said something horrible. Lunarie stood and whispered a word of magic, and the doors to the Library locked as a mystical barrier flared over it to ensure no one could enter.
“Who sent you, boy? Answer me quick while you can.” Magic flared around the woman’s hands as flames ignited in her palms.
Trisha immediately brought hers up in defense only to realize her magic failed to come forth.
“In this hall, only I have any power, girl. Now, who sent you HoloFae?”
Rone thought about reaching for his swords, but the look on Lunarie’s face was not one of anger but fear.
“The Arch-Mage sent me here, but Maximillian Forestwhisper is why I’ve come. I’m a Thorn Caller, and Max is dying.”
Lunarie lowered her hands slowly and eyed Rone as if trying to judge his honesty.
“Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in over a decade. What happened?” Lunarie asked, letting the magic around her hands fade as she sat down again at her desk.
Relieved things settled down, Rone began to explain all that had happened and led to his being here.
“I’m sorry to hear about Max and your home, but I’m not sure if giving you the location to such a dangerous artifact is the best course of action.”
Her words made Rone flush with anger, but he held his composure.
“Without the heart, Max and Agnar will die. I care nothing for the power of that gem. I only wish to see them saved.”
That’s the problem I’m afraid, something as powerful as the Dragons Heart tends to corrupt those who use it. Your intentions may be noble now, but what happens when that part is done, and you wield the power to control the SkyFae?” Lunarie leaned forward, anxious to hear Rones answer.
“That’s why the Arch-Mage sent me, Trisha said, sitting up straighter in her chair.
“Rone has agreed to turn the Heart over to the Crimson Tower once his quest is done. There it will be placed in the vaults for safekeeping.”
“Is that so?” Lunarie said, stroking her hair in thought. After a long silence, the Historian stood and grinned at Rone.
“Fine, I will help you, boy, but know this. If that gem falls into the wrong hands, it’s your head that will be hanging on a pike somewhere. The destruction that gem could bring to Earthera is beyond measure.
The SkyFae are among some of the most powerful beings on our planet, the treaty we have with them must not be broken.”
“I seek only to help Max and the forest,” Rone said again.
Lunarie nodded and waved her hand above her head in a circular motion. From a shelf next to the ceiling, a large leather-bound book floated gently down and came to rest on the desk in front of them.
Its leather cover was masterfully embroidered with gold and crimson thread, making up the image of a dragon holding a large gem.
After a few moments of turning pages, Lunarie came to the one she was looking for. The page she landed on displayed half of an empty page. Rone quickly withdrew the half he carried and handed it to Lunarie, who lay it gently next to the one in the book.
With a word of power from Trisha, a shimmering light ran down the length of the tear that separated the pages and infused the two together. The page no longer appeared blank, either. Instead, it now showed a large area of Earthera. Particularly an area to the north called Void spine.
It’s a desolate region well beyond even the DokalFae kingdom, which encompasses most of the lands in the North. While their underground cities may be vast bastions of rich and powerful families, the areas above ground are all but lawless. Occupied mostly by roving bands of raiders, or clans of Hobspawn goblins’ that have come to some sort of agreement with the dark elves.