Valley of the Ancients: Book Three of the Restoration Series

by Williams, Christopher

  Dagan yanked his hand away in surprise and then he turned a glare towards Enton. "What?"

  "Shouldn't you check it for wards?" Enton asked, a slight hint of humor in his tone.

  Heather suddenly remembered Dagan hollering at Enton when Enton had made to open the door to the treasure room.

  Dagan sucked in air and swelled up like he was about to explode.

  "That's an excellent idea," Heather said loudly before Dagan could say anything. The old sorcerer had taken quiet a few liberties and in Heather's opinion exceeded his authority. Perhaps it was time to put him back in his place.

  "That is an excellent idea." Dagan agreed in a cool voice. "It happens to be the first thing I did when I reached this table."

  Trying not to smile, Enton motioned over at Cassandra. "How about her?"

  "Another excellent idea," Heather agreed again. For the first time she saw what sat on the table; a collection of loosely bound pages. The parchment was old and faded but she could easily make out the writing scrawled across the paper.

  Cassandra stepped past Dagan, who looked like he was chewing his tongue, and began her low mumbling again.

  In Heather's opinion, it was a perfect chance to have another look at that necklace.

  Heather was still admiring that egg sized ruby when Cassandra spoke.

  "There was a spell protecting the prophecy."

  Both Dagan and Enton's eyes went wide and Heather smiled to herself. Enton had just been getting even with the old man and hadn't really thought there would be any wards or spells.

  "There was?" Dagan asked, having gone very pale.

  "Yes. It wasn't as complex as the gallery spells and it only took a moment to remove it, but it was there." Cassandra answered. "It's a good thing you didn't touch it or you would be dead right now."

  "I assumed that since the gallery had sorcery wards on top of magic spells, that it would be the same here." Dagan said quietly. His eyes were fixed on the papers he had nearly touched.

  "Perhaps that's what you were supposed to believe." Heather said causing Dagan to look away from the prophecy and at her. "Perhaps that's part of the trap for any would be thieves."

  Dagan nodded, "Makes sense." He sighed, "Let me check for any wards." It was kind of clever actually. The entrance in the gallery had magic spells hidden by sorcery wards. The prophecy had sorcery wards hidden by magic spells.

  As it turned out, there was a ward on the prophecy but like the magic spell was a simple ward and easily removed. As soon as he had disabled it, Dagan reached down and removed the collection of old faded papers. He held them gingerly, like they might break at any moment. He was smiling as he turned, "I think it's time we left."

  Cassandra hurried forward and deposited the fake prophecy on the table.

  Enton had just noticed several chests against the wall and under the shelves, and he was taking a long look at them. "Should we at least see what else is here?" he asked, still watching the chests closely. "Some of it may be useful."

  "No," Dagan said quickly, before anyone else could answer. "We're not thieves," he cut off abruptly, glancing down at the papers in his hands. "Well, except by necessity."

  They headed back up the stairs, much to the relief of Aaron who had remained in the gallery to stand guard. "Did you get it?" he asked eagerly. His eyes sought out the bundle that Dagan carried as gingerly as a newborn.

  "Oh yes," Heather answered, moving away from the stairs and stopping next to Aaron. She spoke quietly, just in case any of the guards outside were passing the main entrance. "Everything okay up here?"

  "Quiet as can be. Haven't heard or seen anything."

  "Good." Heather turned back just as the last of the Guardians stepped off of the stairs. "Okay Dagan. How do we close this thing back up?" she asked as she motioned to the giant stone relief. She was pleased that Aaron had cleaned up all signs of Cassandra's magic spells. The powders had been cleaned up and even the writing on the walls beside the relief was gone.

  "Closing it is easy," Cassandra answered. "The question is to do we try and put the spells and wards back on it?"

  fCas

  "Can you do that?" Heather asked.

  "I can put the spells back in place, but it might take an hour or two."

  "Doesn't matter." Dagan answered. "Even if I put the wards back identically to the originals, the other sorcerer would be able to tell that they were not his."

  Heather's forehead creased in confusion, "So how do we keep them from knowing we took the prophecy?"

  "The treasure room is visited very infrequently. As long as we can get away from here without the guards spotting us, then we shouldn't have any problems going undetected. It could be months before the theft is discovered."

  Not exactly thrilled with this plan, Heather nevertheless gave the order to seal up the secret entrance. Five minutes later, they had passed through the main part of the library and were standing near a side exit in the back right rear of the library. Enton and Atock were preparing to open the door. Aaron was right behind them, his hand resting on the hilt of his belt knife.

  "Remember," Heather said quietly, "we don't want to be seen and we surely do not want to kill anyone."

  The three men shared a look and Heather would have given anything to know what it meant.

  Enton opened the door and Atock stuck his head out and looked around. This exit was near the rear of the library and opened onto the street that separated this main library building from the other smaller buildings. It was dark out and the clouds hid the moon, making the street even darker than normal.

  Looking first left and then right Atock pulled his head back inside. "Street's empty," he said in a whisper. "I don't see anyone at all."

  Heather nodded, "Lead the way."

  Atock ducked out the door and was followed closely by Enton. Then came Mikela, Cassandra, Dagan, Heather, and the rear guard was Aaron. They paused just outside the door as Atock and Enton crossed the small alley that separated the library building from the small cluster of supply buildings and warehouses. Once past the warehouses, they only had to cross the street and get lost in the shops and inns.

  Kneeling in the shadows, they watched Atock and Enton sprint across the alley and then begin to move amongst the buildings.

  Heather was holding her breath, fearful the two warriors might get attacked at any time. The attack never came though, and after several minutes Atock reappeared and waved them over.

  Moving in the same order in which they had exited the library, the group ran across the alley and stopped in the shadow of the first warehouse.

  "Anything?" Heather asked as quietly as she could.

  "Nothing. It's quiet." Atock continued to look around as he spoke.

  There was something in Atock's tone that made Heather tense up. "So what's wrong?"

  "I've been watching this place for a week and it has never been this unguarded."

  Heather swallowed hard. Her first thought was that it must be a trap of some kind but that didn't make any sense. If this was a trap, why not just have a regiment of troo f Evee buildips waiting for them in the treasure room? Why let them get the prophecy and then get out of the library with it? "You think it's a trap?" she asked.

  Atock shrugged, still scanning the shadows. "Not much of a trap," he said, his words echoing her thoughts.

  "Okay," Heather said leaning closer, "let's get moving."

  Atock turned back and sprinted off into the darkness.

  Heather moved back over and joined the small group. "Listen up. Something doesn't seem right. We're going to follow Atock and Enton. If anything happens, split up and run like your life depends on it. Make sure you're not followed back to the inn."

  "Heather. What is it?" Mikela asked, looking concerned.

  "We don't have time," Heather said and then she turned and sprinted into the darkness the same way that Atock had gone.

  Heather ran silently. She wished she could say the same for those coming behind her. The Guard
ians ran quieter than most, but Dagan and Cassandra were not used to sneaking around and they made enough noise to raise the dead. Strangely though, no guards jumped out of the shadows to challenge them.

  Atock and Enton waited in the shadow of the last warehouse. It was an old stone building that looked like a decent puff of wind would blow it over.

  Heather stopped next to them and looked around. "Seen anything? Any guards?"

  "I can see one now." Enton said. He stared hard off into the distance.

  Tensing up, Heather followed the direction of his gaze but it still took a moment or two for her to locate the guard in the shadows of one of the other library buildings.

  "What's he doing?" Heather asked, squinting hard to make the man out. He appeared to be sitting down with his back against the wall. His legs stretched out in front of him and his head rested against a wooden barrel. "Is he asleep?" she asked surprised. From everything she had been told, the security around this library was supposed to be the best. So far she had not been impressed.

  Before they answered, Atock and Enton shared another look.

  "Something is definitely not right," Atock answered. "This place has always been overrun with guards and I've never seen one of them asleep."

  Heather considered for a moment and then sighed. "Doesn't matter. Lead on. If something happens, Atock I want you to guard Dagan with your life. Enton, you watch Cassandra." Atock scowled but Enton broke out in a grin.

  "With pleasure," Enton said, still smiling.

  Men! Heather thought. Here they were perhaps about to walk into a trap and Enton was thinking with his little head. "Go on," she said with a shake of her head.

  The two men trotted off across the street and Heather led the rest after them. All the while they expected a shout to stop, the sound of running soldiers, or even the sounds of arrows flying around them, but they ran unchallenged.

  They crossed the street and moved into the shops and inns of the city. They traveled for nearl fard.her ledy twenty minutes just to make sure no one was following them, and finally they headed back to their rooms.

  They arrived just as the sun was coming up and they silently entered the inn. They really didn't want the other guests to know when they arrived.

  Heather collapsed to her bed, sure that she wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Within moments of closing her eyes, she was sound asleep.

  Heather woke the next morning to a soft but incessant knocking on the door. Mikela sat up quickly and rubbed her eyes. It hadn't taken long for Heather to kick Enton across the hall to share a bedroom with Aaron.

  Pausing only long enough to remove her belt knife from its sheath, Heather quietly approached the door. Gripping the knife with her left hand, she unlatched the door and opened it a crack. Her whole body slumped as Atock peered through the opening.

  "Everything okay?" Heather asked, fearful that something may have gone wrong.

  "Not sure," Atock answered. "Dagan ordered me to gather everyone up." He grimaced at the words and Heather knew how he felt. None of them liked taking orders from the old man.

  "He didn't say what it was about?" Heather asked.

  Atock shook his head. "Not the first hint."

  Heather nodded, "All right. Give us a few minutes and we'll meet you in Cassandra's room." Atock nodded and started to step away but Heather caught him. "What time is it, anyway?"

  "Almost mid-day," Atock replied and then he was gone.

  Less than ten minutes later Heather and Mikela knocked on Cassandra's door, opened it, and slipped in.

  The room was large, one of the largest at the small inn. It was normally reserved for wealthy merchants but both Dagan and Cassandra had insisted on having one of the rooms. Heather hoped their carefree manner with money wouldn't draw too many eyes.

  The room had two chairs and a small table near the door. A fireplace was set into the wall and was currently unlit. Two windows looked out over the inn's small courtyard and then farther out into the city. It was not a grandiose room by any means, but for this small inn it was rather nice.

  Dagan sat in one of the chairs next to the table with the stolen prophecy resting in front of him. He was strumming his fingers on the edge of the table in a most impatient manner. Enton sat in the other chair next to one of the windows and Atock was standing next to the second window watching the courtyard beneath. Cassandra sat on the edge of the bed and she too looked impatient. The only one missing was Aaron.

  "Where's Aaron?" Heather asked before she was even completely in the room.

  "He's visiting some of the shops near the library," Atock said, momentarily turning from the window. "Just making sure they haven't discovered the theft yet."

  "Good thinking," Heather said. It was a good idea and probably something that she should have arranged. This being in charge thing was rather overwhelming. She didn't know how Flare handled it as well as he did. Thinking of Flare brought up feelings fes, ants butof sadness and worry. She missed him but there was something new as well; fear. She had thought that she had known Flare but now she wasn't so sure.

  "Well, come in and close the door." Dagan said, his grumpiness showing through.

  Heather ground her teeth. She was tired and still feeling the affects of last night's thieving. It was very possible that she might explode on the old man at any moment. Saying nothing, Heather closed the door behind her and then moved over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Mikela and Cassandra. "All right," she said in her most calm voice. "What is it?"

  Dagan sighed, suddenly looking awfully weary. "I have spent the whole night reading this prophecy," he tapped the folded up papers as he spoke. "In some areas, it agrees with the standard Kelcer prophecy that we all know." There were several sharp intakes of breath, but Dagan continued as if he hadn't heard them. "But in other areas it does not."

  They stared at him blankly, not sure if this was a good thing or not.

  "The common tongue Kelcer says many things about the prophesied one. But one of the first things is that he will wield Ossendar. Do you remember what comes after that?" Dagan asked, looking at each of them in turn.

  After a brief pause Cassandra answered, "Yes, but it never really made any sense to me. Something about being covered in darkness but glowing like the sun."

  Heather gave the magician a respectful glance. She had heard the prophecy before but she didn't remember any of this.

  "Not exactly," Dagan said shaking his head. "The common tongue translation says that the one to come will have a halo of fire."

  "And what does that mean?" Cassandra asked.

  "Nothing. It's a horrible translation." Dagan answered calmly. "The original Kelcer prophecy says the one to come will be helmeted with Golden Fire."

  "Okay," Heather said slowly. "Still sounds like rubbish to me."

  Dagan gave her a sorrowful smile. "In antiquity, the golden helmet called Ashteroth was also known as Golden Fire. It was last worn by a prince of the faerum in the Third War of the Races." He sighed, "It was in that war that helmets made of bronze or gold got a nasty reputation. People have had a rather superstitious view of them ever since."

  Enton, Atock, and Mikela all looked confused by this pronouncement and Cassandra looked sick. Heather was also confused, she knew that she had heard that name before. "I think I've heard of Ashteroth before but I can't remember where."

  "You heard about it from me, on the day I arrived in Eled Aminor." Dagan paused and sighed deeply, "And furthermore, you saw it in the treasure room last night."

  The silence only lasted for several moments and then everyone started talking at once. Even though they were in one of the nicer rooms, it still wasn't all that big and the sound was deafening. Heather put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. The whistle was piercing and everyone stopped talking.

  "Quiet!" Heather commanded into the sudden silence. She turned towards Dagan farou0">, the only one who had not been talking. "So are you telling me that one of the signs of Kelcer's destroyer is that he wi
ll wear that helmet in the treasure room?"

  Dagan nodded, "And we have to steal it."

  Heather's mouth dropped open, "What? We just stole the prophecy last night and now you want us to go right back in there?"

  "We have to," Dagan answered calmly. "It's one of the signs."

  No one answered him for several moments.

  "Dagan," Heather finally said, "what happens if the helmet just stays there? Will Kelcer's prophecy be fulfilled or is it a requirement?"

  Dagan smiled. "Prophecies are strange things and few can decipher them. Kelcer was quite insane but he seems to have been given a vision of something. His vision did not say that a person who carries Ossendar and wears the helmet would restore the Dragon Order. What he said was the person who restores the Dragon Order will carry Ossendar and wear the helmet." Blank looks greeted him and he sighed deeply again. "Kelcer did not say that the Dragon Order might be restored, but that it would be restored."

  Heather opened her mouth to respond, but cut off as someone knocked on the door.

  Atock and Enton moved quickly and quietly across the room and waited on either side of the door while Heather opened the door wide.

  Aaron stood alone in the hallway.

  "We're in serious trouble," he said quietly and then slipped in the doorway.

  Heather glanced left and right down the empty hallway and then closed the door. "Explain," she said simply.

  "Well, I was headed to the library," Aaron began, "I didn't plan on entering it but I wanted to make sure everything was normal."

  "And?" Heather prompted when he paused.

  "I couldn't get near the library. The buildings are surrounded by soldiers and they are searching everyone that gets near the place. I was stopped and searched twice in less than half an hour."

  Heather turned her stare to Dagan, "Could they know we stole the prophecy?"

  Dagan didn't answer her. He was staring at the far wall, his eyes had gone wide.