The Artifacts Of Elios (Book 1)

by R N Skye

  “I haven’t heard from him in quite a while, but I’ll make sure to tell dad – he seems to run into him more than anyone these days. I haven’t seen him since last “Thanks-day Celebration” a year ago.” It seems that he is always stationed somewhere far away.”

  Ava started smiling. “You know mom always said that you and he should get together and that you would make a good couple.”

  “That will be enough of that young lady. You just worry about your own affairs and leave mine well enough alone,” responded Leslie.

  Ava changed the subject. “Can I tell him about the family business? I think he is someone that could help us in our goals. He is a genius about artifacts and I think we need him. From what you saw what do you think?”

  “I agree,” Leslie answered after a moment’s consideration. “He keeps his own council so I’m sure that you are likely the only one that has made these observations. If what he let slip regarding creating his own artifacts is even remotely possible we need to have him close; for our benefit as well as for his own safety. If he were to actually solve the artifact creation barrier then his naiveté will paint a target on him; warball athlete or not he can’t stop a sword or a crossbow bolt.”

  Noticing that Ava had a conflicted expression, her aunt nudged her, “Hey what’s the matter, I thought you would be happy about this?”

  I’m worried, Aunt Leslie, what if he doesn’t want anything to do with me after I tell him about the family. I think I’m in love with him.”

  The older woman laughed placing an understanding hand on the younger woman’s face and with a caring smile said, “Mon cher cœur, if it is meant to be it is meant to be. I wouldn’t worry very much about it; I saw the way he looked at you. You are very much on his mind. Just be honest with him.” Then with a quick hug and a peck followed by a “ta ta – have to dash” Ava’s aunt hurried off into the afternoon.

  His afternoon classes complete Shane decided that he needed to get busy on the instructor. He hurried across campus and stopped by the campus metal shop where he had had a lab the previous year on the duplication of artifacts. Luckily a past fellow class mate who was now an aid was happy to help him acquire a spare sheet of brass. Unfortunately while it fairly hefty and was a sturdy thickness of almost a quarter of a stan, it was only five by nine stans in size; this would make carving the minute glyphs tedious, although still doable. Also unfortunately he didn’t have a spare set of engraving tools that Shane could borrow and use to do the intricate engravings so Shane was hard pressed to run to a bookstore before it closed and purchase a set.

  By the time he had made it back to the dorms he freshened up, grabbed his notes and stuffed them with the engraving tools and the brass plate into his pack and then headed to a nearby cafeteria were he had planned to meet Ava before they went to the artifact lab for the evening.

  Seeing Ava seated at their favorite table Shane hurried into the cafeteria and sat down.

  “Hi beautiful,” Shane leaned in for a quick peck.

  “Hey you,” she answered back with a smile.

  After a few pleasantries back and forth Shane attempted to launch into his tale about the dream and the scroll work glyphs but was halted before he could start as Ava interrupted him.

  “Before you start,” Ava paused, “I need to know if you trust me.”

  “What,” Shane asked puzzled. “Of course I trust you. “ Not daring to dive into his feelings Shane withheld from sharing with her the deep warmth that he had begun to develop for the pretty Luion and that he felt closer to her than he had felt to anyone and had long since decided to trust her with all his secrets. “I trust you more than anyone. I… I...” he stammered and blushed. “I feel I could tell you anything. Why, what’s on your mind?”

  “I’m glad to know that you do,” she smiled placing her hand over his a look of hope in her eyes. “I want you to know that I trust you too. More than you can understand.” She paused, “I need to tell you a secret, a family secret.” She paused again as if on the verge of a great decision. Taking a deep breath then letting it out she continued. “It wasn’t just a coincidence today that we happened to have lunch with Aunt Leslie. I hope that you feel still feel the same after I’ve told you what I need to tell you”

  She had Shane’s full attention. Drawing in close and in a voice barely above a whisper she began to share her secret.

  Bit by bit she shared with him that in all of Infin and Luion there were three major factors plus the crown that produced and distributed almost all of the artifacts that were used kingdom wide. Of the four the Crown would have the bulk of all the artifact business except for the fact that there was an enormous amount of smuggling that went on. Out of all the smugglers there was one that was the most successful and it was run by a mysterious man known only as Soaris. The reason for the success of Soaris was due to the fact that he sold through a reputable merchant company and that merchant was her father.

  Her father had met Soaris on only a few occasions and then in a manner that he could never identify him.

  But things had changed recently. The crown was cracking down on smugglers and the family felt that it was only a matter of time before they might be uncovered. A number of artifact brokers had turned up missing or dead and it was beginning to become more and more difficult to get unlicensed artifacts to the non-crown artifact producers. The big part was that somehow Ava’s father had arranged through the Soaris to have smuggled piece by piece a copy of one of the four known artifact activators. This would make Ava’s family a competitor of the crown.

  The plan was that they would move the activator out of Infin to Luion where the king had no control. The problem is they had no way of activating the activator. This was one of the reasons that Ava was studying advanced Magetech. To see if there was a way to copy it in miniature so that it could be smuggled back in to Jehhet activated and smuggle it back out.

  Her Aunt Leslie was the families inside agent working for the crown that allowed them to know when it was safe and when it wasn’t to move the smuggled artifacts. The reason for Leslies visit was to get a measure of Shane and to see if he was suitable and interested in joining the family business. Ava had already recommended Shane as one of the sharpest magetechs at the university but the family still wanted him vetted.

  Surprisingly Shane didn’t feel violated, in fact he was excited. The thought of what he could do with an existing distribution channel if he was able to crack the mage glyph conundrum was like a gift. Then the thought of perhaps Ava being a bit like her Aunt Leslie was purported to be and maybe he was being played for his expertise and participation dimmed his enthusiasm a bit. What if Ava really didn’t have feelings for him?

  As he paused, taking in the secret that Ava had just unloaded on to him, she must have seen the brief look of doubt that entered his eyes. And her eyes began to glisten with barely held back tears.

  “Shane, please don’t hate me,” she said with a quavering voice.

  “I am such a chump,” thought Shane. He reached his arm around her and pulled her close. “I could never hate you my chère,” he spoke with a warm smile giving her a comforting kiss and a hug.

  Ava snuggled into Shane’s embrace. “I was so worried,” she sighed.

  “It is a lot to take in,” he replied. “But it sounds fun.”

  “I just wanted you to know in case I disappeared one day or if soldiers came to take me away,” Ava said as she pulled away and looked him in the eyes. “After all I am from Luion not Infin and my family is walking a fine line between commerce and espionage.

  “But why,” asked Shane. “Your family is already prominent and well established. You have everything to lose.”

  “Let me ask you this,” said Ava. “You are from Colline Verte, are you not? “

  “Yes,” answered Shane.

  “How much magetech is there available to everyone as compared to those here in the Capitol,” asked Ava.

  “I couldn’t really say,” he said. “The sa
me as everywhere else I suppose.”

  “That’s where you would be wrong,” Ava replied. “During the last ten years over half the population has been denied access to the most recent and most advanced artifacts that have been discovered. If Colline Verte is current it must be due to the influence of the academy there or someone who is politically affluent with the Crown.”

  “Anyway,” she continued, “Ever since Allion the Second’s death it has gotten worse. The licensing laws came into place and either the Crown or Allion the Third himself seems to be trying to repress artifact possession in the kingdom rather than enhance it like his father and grandfather before him. Long story short – There are some older families from Infin that were close to the old king that are trying to bring artifacts and magetech to the entire kingdom not just an elite few. Even though my family is from Luion my father is part of that group as is my Aunt Leslie; who is from Infin. Not to mention that my father sits on the commerce advisory committee to the Luion Premiere. Meaning that if we aren’t careful this could lead to an international incident if not outright war”

  “I have never been much for politics,” Shane countered thoughtfully. “I am however all about knowledge and I am definitely against withholding it from those that seek it. I never really sought after magetech and glyph-magery to be rich; I just wanted to solve the puzzles to make discoveries and maybe improve the world a little. Ok maybe get rich a little bit,” he laughed, “If what you say is correct then you can count me in.”

  “But it is true, Shane,” said Ava. “Allion the Third is systematically destroying the magetech trade - becoming more and more a dictator and less a monarch every day.”

  “Well,” said Shane, “In for a copper in for a crown as they say.”

  “Now I have a secret for you,” Shane said mischievously.

  “What…” she started to say.

  Shane put his finger to her lips hushing her. “My turn,” he laughed. “Mine isn’t as adventurous as yours but it certainly has its merits.” Shane paused dramatically and whispered into her ear. “I may have figured out a way to create our own artifacts.”

  “Shane! That’s amazing,” she barely kept from shouting. Then she started giggling.

  “What’s so funny,” asked Shane with a puzzled look.

  “Your lips tickled my ear when you were whispering to me just now,” She giggled again. “And here we are discussing such a serious topic and everything seems suddenly so romantic. Come on whisper some more.” She coyly looked at him with sparkling eyes and then grinned.

  Suddenly aware of his surroundings Shane blushed and looked around. “Ava, there are people here.

  Taking pity she freed him from his embarrassment, “Come on let’s eat and then get to the lab and you can show me what you’ve found.”

  That evening at the lab Ava and Shane had to hold off on discussing Shane’s discoveries as they were forced to plod their way through several newly arrived artifacts that had been delivered that day. Shane was aching to get to work on the instructor but there seemed to be more of the group present this particular evening and the Professor was working late as well.

  The rumor for the increase in artifacts was due to a recent grant from the crown to use the collegiums resources to analyze and catalog several dozen never before encountered artifacts. The professor had told the class that the word on the grapevine was that an island had been discovered that had an entire city unscathed that may be dated back to the time of the vanishing of the Elios.

  Finally after all of the artifact group had eventually trickled away only the professor, Shane and Ava remained in the lab.

  “Shane, Ava,” the professor said, shattering the silence as both of his prize students were intently documenting a large cylindrical artifact.

  They looked up. “Yes.” they asked.

  “If you have a moment I have some good news for the both of you.” Seeing that he had both of their attention he continued. “As you can tell the IDAD has happened on to some new and very mysterious artifacts,” he pointed at the table filled with the new artifacts along the back wall of the lab. “They have provided the university with a small sample of artifacts for us to research; as you have seen by the many that were delivered today. They have also requested that if I have any last year students that are interested and capable that I share an opportunity to attend a semester on expedition at a crown discovery for the next semester.

  The discovery is on an island. The exact location is very secret and those that go will not be told where; they will be put on a crown naval vessel and transported to an unspecified location for the duration of the expedition. I would like to submit your names.

  You are two of my top students and I can submit up to four candidates.” He held up his hand as they both opened their mouths to respond. “Don’t give me your answer yet, I would like you to consider it carefully. There are both pros and cons to this opportunity. If you are accepted to join the expedition you will be completely out of contact with your family, friends and the university for four to six months. On the upside you will be provided with room and board and receive a weekly stipend of one hundred and fifty crowns. You will also be eligible for a position with the IDAD research division depending on your contribution to the expedition after graduation. This also will count highly toward any post graduate work you may pursue in the future here at Wonstrowd.

  I will have more information later, come and see me in my office day after tomorrow and let me know your decision.”

  The professor gathered up several papers and placed them carefully in his valise, as he snapped the clasp shut he bid them good evening and departed the lab.

  “Holy Elio!” exclaimed Ava. “We’re talking first hand looks at new artifacts maybe even ancient writings. Do you realize what this means?”

  “Yeah,” responded Shane glumly. “You will be gone for six months and I’ll be stuck here. I still have this semester’s commitment on the warball team and if University of Jehhet can beat the Aggies we’re going to the finals,” he reminded her.

  “Oh,” Ava said abruptly. “I forgot about that.” Her eyes brightened mischievously, “Hey maybe you will get injured.” She smiled.

  “Thanks a lot,” Shane smirked back. “You should go. It would be inline perfect for what you and your family wants for you to become expert in and it will give me time to work on my new theories and build my test artifact to see if I’m on to something.”

  “Speaking of which,” Ava said, standing up and stretching. “We have been dancing around this all night. We are finally alone. What theories and discoveries did you make?”

  Shane pulled out his notes of the exact drawing of the light artifact that he had made the night before. “I copied these down last night with the intent of making a duplicate. I have decided that every device I catalog here I am going to make a book of my own, that way if I ever crack the secret of the artifact glyphs I’ll not have to rely upon the University for my Data Samples.

  But that’s not the good part. Did you ever touch the light that emits from the artifact we were cataloging last night?”

  “No” responded Ava.

  “Well I did,” replied Shane enthusiastically. “I touched the contact and it lit up like it was supposed to. I was interested in the fact that it didn’t require a crystal as an emitter for the light. Out of curiosity I put my hand into the light and it wasn’t hot or cold it was just as if I were waving it through the air. What I did feel was something much unexpected. I felt a tingling sensation in my hand. I held it there for probably thirty seconds or so and there was nothing more, just the tingling. Afterwards I was impressed; kind of like an idea popped into my head, to examine the glyphs more closely which led me to examining the scroll work. It turns out that the scroll work is made of very small inscribed glyphs. One thing led to another and I ended up copying the whole thing down on paper.”

  “So the scroll works are glyphs,” Ava responded rhetorically. “They just look like art
work or designs. I’m going to have to start looking at all designs and glyphs under a magnifier from now on.… I wonder what else we have missed.”

  “That isn’t the big part,” Shane continued. Shane told her about the dream, the pyramid, the valley, the goblet and the voice, and how he had been told to build a similar device but make some changes in two glyphs.

  “I think that my putting my hand in that light did something magical to me and the artifact we were cataloging is more than meets the eye,” Shane concluded.

  “Let me go get it and lets have a look,” Ava said leaping up from her stool and dashing to the storage cabinet were it was kept.

  The Artifact was gone.

  Shane and Ava searched the entire lab but couldn’t find it. Their only conclusion was that it had been sent back to IDAD when the new artifacts had arrived.

  “It’s a good thing you made a copy of those glyphs when you had the chance,” said Ava.

  There were still two hours before Shane’s curfew so while Ava copied the evenings work to their own private catalog and notes, Shane took the brass sheet from his pack and began engraving the glyphs onto it.

  The engraving was slow and tedious as Shane had never engraved before. After the first couple of glyphs he was beginning to get the process down and he continuously improved. Two hours later Shane had finished the actuator line and contact, the circle and the three rows of glyphs that resided within the circle, and he was ready to tackle the scroll work. It was then that he felt someone looking over his shoulder and he looked up from his work.

  “It’s time to go, Big Guy,” said Ava, resting her chin on his shoulder as she examined his work. “That looks pretty good. Like the real thing,” She added.

  “It’s getting there,” Shane nodded. “This was the easy part. I’m dreading the scrollwork glyphs. Those are going to take forever.”

  “Well tomorrow’s another day,” Ava said lifting her chin and giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek from behind.