All five started out late morning checking the circle that Shuran had mapped out as the Abzu Mu, or deep water, encircling a portion of the ruins. Focusing their search here paid off as Moona shouted for help with some stone slabs.
The group surrounded the slabs and began clearing away overgrowth and rubble. Across the surface of the stone was a broken layer of plaster that partially revealed the remnants of ancient text on the slab. As they carefully cleared away the plaster they could make out forms of writing chiseled into the stone.
Most of the writing was far too damaged or worn to read but there was a center section that had been partially protected by a layer of the plaster. Once they cleared the plaster they could make out a portion.
“Salamu Turzu!” Shuran whispered in awe. Only Andra and Codger seemed to understand the significance of Shuran’s words.
“You can read that scribble!” Moona grumbled.
“I can but I’m not sure how. What it means is something like gathering place for safe keeping knowledge,” Shuran said.
“I agree,” Andra said as Codger nodded as well.
“If that is so, how can this have been from the Telukukal? It is not exactly hidden,” Mallick said doubtfully.
“Hidden in full view, check the surrounding retaining wall. This was the basin for a fountain or pond.” Shuran pointed out the area, and the others agreed with his assumption.
“With the plaster covering the markings, whomever built this castle likely overlooked the placement and incorporated the stones into a garden or other structure rather than try to move them,” Andra finished the observation.
Shuran asked the others to stand back while he inspected the area deeper.
“There is a void in the ground!” Shuran said. “It is a deliberate block from my probing the elements. Something is preventing me from seeing anything but a circular chamber of some sort deep below this stone. There is a slant to the ground leading to the deep chamber north of our position.”
Shuran motioned for them all to stand back as he realized how to open the slab. “I cannot lift this stone out of the way even with the aid of an Abnu Emuq. I think I know another way.” Shuran breathed deep and began coaxing power to flow from the surrounding earth and into the slab. He found that the stone was resisting his attempt to overload it with Essence to the point where it would burst. “I am unable to burst the stone!” Shuran shrugged.
“What are you trying to do?” Andra asked.
After Shuran explained what he had discovered the night before, causing stones to burst apart, Andra realized what the problem was.
“This is not ordinary stone Shuran. If it resists your efforts then it must be Gug.”
The others all looked confused so Andra continued.
“Gug is a special stone that has odd properties of attraction. The dwarves call it lodestone,” Andra said to Codger’s looks of realization and tossed a coin into the air and watched as the others gasped when the coin arched toward the stone on its way down.
“This stone has power alignment to the earth and is a natural shield. That is why you see it as a void as well Shuran.”
Shuran moved closer to the slab and upon removing the coin he felt the force in the stone. “Now I think I understand,” Shuran said and placed his hands upon the stone. Electricity began bouncing between Shuran’s hands and the stone but it would not move. On the verge of giving up, Shuran let out one more frustrated burst of electricity from his hands and shouted. “PETA!” The stone slab slid effortlessly open in and upward motion until it stood at a steep angle allowing entrance to the enormous opening down into the earth.
Shuran explained to the others how he opened the vault, as they now referred to it as. It took the use of electric force element into the stone. The seal was kept all this time by the foundation lodestone being electrically charge opposite of the covering slab. Shuran had forced electricity into the stone but explained that all he was doing was reinforcing the seal until he shouted ‘PETA’ out of frustration.
“Peta is ancient for ‘open for me’ and must have triggered a spell that reversed the polarity in the slab forcing it apart,” Shuran said as they worked their way down the steep slanting tunnel. Every five paces there was a quarter pace drop in the tunnel floor making this a long slanted stairway.
“I believe that it required the word and the electricity to open. I will create a crystal key for the rest of you to use since I do not think it wise to leave the vault open when not in use.” Shuran finished this last thought as he reached a solid wall.
Andra stepped forward and sent a globe of illuminated energy into the space above them.
“This is a large door, nearly the size of the tunnel entrance!” Mallick wondered as he ran a hand over what appeared to be seems in the wall.
Shuran stepped forward and placed a hand on the wall and almost instantly the wall moved inward and slide to the side revealing a wondrously large chamber on the other side.
Shuran and the others felt small within the enormous chamber. The Vault was easily two hundred paces from one side to the other if it were possible to walk directly down the center.
The middle of the room appeared to be an oversized pillar surrounded by seven pedestals. Each pedestal had a recess in the top and an unknown symbol. There did not appear to be any way into the center space. Shuran soon lost interest in favor of less puzzling items to explore.
The treasures of knowledge and history enclosed mesmerized each of the five, even Moona could feel the ancient spells and power that emanated from everything with preserving magic.
Shuran moved over to a statue he noticed against a far wall. When he approached the statue he felt a spark of energy move between himself the sculpture.
In a sudden flash the statue began to glow and others evenly spaced around the chamber began to glow as well. Nearly two score of these statues surrounded the room standing silent vigil for untold eons, now lighting the room and enveloping the occupants with a warm comfortable feeling.
“I could get lost down here for several life spans!” Codger exclaimed.
“We could follow the stench to find you!” Moona cracked back with a puckered grin. “Now let’s see what we got here!” She cackled and started exploring the shelves of books and scrolls.
“I do not recognize this material that most of these books pages are made of.” Codger explained.
“It is a pulp from wood!” Shuran said. “I can feel the faint signature of some sort of tree left behind, but I do not know what kind. The weavings used to preserve this chamber and its contents are likely the only reason the pages are Un-aged.”
Mallick had found a book of ancient spells and runes.
Moona found preserved samples of plants and notes on their uses.
Codger was rummaging through diagrams and models of the strangest yet amazing devices and gadgets.
Shuran found many things but was focusing his thoughts on a loosely bound tome about living things. The large book was an examination of every creature and plant living now and in the past from what he could understand, but the language appeared older than the ancient tongue. Shuran placed the book down hoping to find a translated version.
He found what appeared to be a start to a translation and now he would have to finish it, perhaps with time and the started translation to help.
Andra was focused on one thing only, the layout and features of this room struck a familiar chord but Andra could not speak on it until certain.
The others all gathered their favorite finds and met in a section of the room that held a large wooden table with high backed cushioned chairs.
“Oh! An old fanny such as I got could get use’ to these chairs!” Moona said with a sign of relief. As Moona began to pull out her pipe, Codger grabbed it from her with a look of shock!
“Evalria! What are you thinkin’ you can’ be smokin’ in around these books!” Codger yelled.
Shuran and Mallick turned to each other with goofy smiles on th
eir faces each mouthing ‘EVALRIA’ silently.
“Sorry, habit!” She responded retrieving her pipe and putting it back within the folds of her garments. “And you two, it is still MOONA! GOT IT!”
The boys just nodded with a snigger.
“I think that although these items are spelled, that removing them from here is not wise,” Andra started.
”I have found blank paper and writing charcoal so we can copy things we wish to learn more about,” Shuran said. “We should only take our notes from the chamber but nothing else until we have learned more.”
The others agreed and since this place was found by him the others began to further refer to it as Shuran’s Vault.
The various writings they found were of similar but not exact same languages. Shuran could decipher them as could Codger and Andra, but it was slow going so they decided to create a translation key of sorts that would reference the basics of each the four unique languages they found written.
Once finished, the translations of each book they came across became easier. As the days past into moons, they all made their way through various tomes within the ancient chamber of knowledge, history, and magic.
Shuran was able to create what he called a ‘Nabad’ or keystone, for the use of others to open and close the door and slab of the entrances to what Shuran referred to now as the simply ‘The Vault’.
Shuran made great strides with understanding the anatomy book of life he had been translating. He discovered the differences in the various pages were because each page was written on the pulp of the plant or skin of the creature that it described. Shuran was repulsed at the skins of what were once people, being used as a medium for written word. He only hoped it was taken after natural death.
The advantage of being able to place his hand upon the page and feel everything described on the pages, outweighed his repulsion of the vellum. He also learned about the bodily makeup of all the seven races. He was uncertain as to how and why this information was in a book that has been sealed away in a hidden chamber longer then these races supposedly existed. That would be a mystery to solve another time.
Chapter Ten
In the council chambers of Chaos Keep, Assinnu Isten was meeting with the Order members.
“How is it that this information has not reached us before now!” Shouted one of the elders. “How long have you known of this and chose not to tell us?” He asked accusingly.
“I only found out myself recently and even then it was only information from a vision and had to be verified,” Isten replied with every bit of venom in his voice he could muster without outwardly insulting the other elder.
Isten may be first of the order but it was an appointed position so he did not yet want to jeopardize his status until his plans came to fruition. “The kashshaptu shared information which we checked. It is yet to become proven but looks as though the mother somehow hid a third child in the womb and her Moon Mother secreted it away,” Isten finished.
“How, I wonder, did all that transpire under the watchful eye of our exalted leader? You were there Isten, and yet you failed to sense the deception.” This time the questions came from another elder. He was much older and at his side was a small red-eyed imp wearing a smug and toothy smile. Isten thought he recognized something about the little demon but brushed it off.
“I am certain, Nagutan, that there was some casting at play. The mother was not without talent.” Isten started. “I am further certain, that with the Essence at play that night it was unfortunate, but not surprising that this happened. We were all of us present, filled with awe of the chaotic forces flowing during the ceremony.”
Isten turned from Nagutan to look at other elders gathered. “It is of little consequence, the boy has no place in our plans and based on reports will be no threat to Salmetu.” Isten thought he had set the matter to rest.
“You of all should know the threat family bonds could be to goals such as ours Isten. I should not discount this boy if I were you,” Nagutan said as he got up to leave. Of all those present Nagutan was the only one Isten would not reprimand for his actions or exiting without leave.
“It is already being taken care of Nagutan, old friend and mentor. We have insurance against the boy’s interference,” Isten finished almost meekly to his mentor’s back as he left.
“The boy’s name is Shuran, I suggest you learn it. Much power can be found in a name, especially that name.” Nagutan exited with a flourish and smoke but the echoes of his laughter remained and hung on the air for several moments after his departure.
Shuran was a name of protection and power Isten was visibly shaken.
***
Fallon sat within his dining hall enjoying breakfast with his daughter on any other morning, but today he needing subjecting to the infernal blathering of the Order of Chaos. To make his morning worse he was to be questioned directly by the Assinnu Isten.
“Your Drakk Elite Guards were there when this boy Shuran and his crew of dissidents escaped. What do you have to say for their actions?” Isten shouted from the chair opposite the Baron of Drakk.
The baron looked across the table at the cult leader, seeing him for what he felt he was. This Assinnu Isten is a fear monger and insecure in his position. Fallon also knew exactly what Isten was all about. “You may be important among your order, but to me you are a guest of my land. The Order for that matter has enjoyed the protection of my boarders as guests. You step over the line of hospitality with your tone Assinnu Isten to accuse me openly of some transgression!” Fallon spoke smoothly and evenly.
Isten became visibly red in the face but held his tongue.
“My men did as I instructed and nothing more.”
“And what pray tell were your instructions?” Isten asked only slightly calmer.
“My men were told the boy was preferred alive. They were told to follow the lead of the Inquisitors. And they were told not to engage the boy if they could not subdue him. They followed these orders to the letter.” Fallon smiled mockingly back to Isten who became expressionless.
“He speaks truth plainly.” Salmetu slinked from the shadows beyond the main room.
Suddenly calmer, Isten motioned for Salmetu to join him. “Baron this is-”
“I am aware of who the Priestess is. I am pleased to make your acquaintance Priestess.” Fallon interrupted.
“Pleasure is not what I would call being out at this bright hour of the day. I only come at the behest of my lord Annissu Isten,” Salmetu said without emotion. “May we leave now?” she asked.
“Momentarily my dear, Salmetu,” Isten whispered her real name. “Has the Baron left anything out?” Isten asked Salmetu.
She closed her eyes and paused while reaching her mind out to the Baron. She flinched slightly then opened her eyes in shock, recovering too quickly for Isten to notice as he turned to face her. “Nothing of consequence was left out of his testimony.” Salmetu shared a final knowing glance with Fallon who only nodded as his morning guests left his council chambers.
“Perhaps I shall regain my appetite by dinner.” Fallon muttered to himself as he exited the chamber. He gathered himself after the brief encounter and decided a visit to his secret guest was in order.
***
Shuran sat at the large table in the vault reading through his translations of the anatomy book he became obsessed with. He had already exercised running through each of his foster family’s bodies with his mind and was able to match what the book referred to as genetics, to sections of the book. He could see why each was able to perform certain Essence weaving or wielding.
It was built into their genes. What he could not understand is why the same genes were somehow damaged in Moona. Moona had been elusive in her reasons for not submitting to Shuran’s tests and at first he excused it as Moona being… well, Moona. His curiosity got the better of him and he finally learned to do a probe by having just a piece of her hair. What he found was nowhere in the book. He found similarities to genes sha
red of all the races but where markers should have allowed wielding or weaving the Essence, he found corruption of the cells. He finally worked up the courage to confront her.
“Moona, I have a transgression to admit,” Shuran said when he could get her alone at her workstation in the vault.
The vault was separated into areas of subject and Moona had secluded herself in the area dedicated to the knowledge of plants.
“Before I whack you for probing me without permission is there something else you wish to admit!” Moona did not look up from her work.
“You Knew?” Shuran asked with surprise.
“Just because I no longer have the abilities I once had, does not leave me without certain strengths. Never underestimate the power of observation, young wielder.” Moona looked up and gave Shuran a smug look.
“Yes, I was once a wielder and weaver. I have the blood of dwarf and human both of my parents were powerful in their own right, and I inherited it.” Moona took out her pipe and stuffed it with a sample of something she found in a jar. “This is some really good herb.” Moona said taking a drag and after slowly exhaling continued her story.
“Growing up a mix blood is not as difficult as it was in the first centuries of the Sikil Mah, but we all still had to hide. We became adept at blendin’ in and stuck to our own. Codger was a fortunate marriage you see. Not that I didn’ love ‘im mind ya. It’s just well we stuck to our own and I had little choices. Just happens we met by chance. Dwarf men get to be a thorn in your arse after a hundred harvests or so.” Moona caught herself drifting off subject and continued.
“We had a baby Codge and me. Our beautiful baby boy was the center of our world but soon we realized he was different somehow.” She paused briefly before continuing. “Most of the gifted don’ develop until after their first ten to fifteen harvests, but Vardoran showed nothing of a spark until he was nearly twenty harvests and even then it was not normal. He became so obsessed with making us proud that he got mixed up with some bad dingir cult, Xul followers.”
Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance Page 12
