Ephaltus opened the scroll. “Sometimes I think you believe this is your treasure to hoard.”
“Most of it is.”
“Well, I didn’t bring you any gold or whatnot. This time it is knowledge, knowledge of the past on this scroll.”
“Oh, and what have you discovered?”
Ephaltus read the scroll for a few moments. “I was right, Shelayla. This scroll is a piece torn from scrolls of creation. It tells of a seventh god! Behold the great god Cryonias whose frozen core chills the world. Behold and harken to the Tale of Winter’s Chill. It’s a story related to the seventh god.”
“It sounds like a made up children’s story.” Shelayla said. “What makes you think it’s anything but an old tale?”
“That’s what I intend to find out. This is not the only reference to the seventh god. I do need more evidence if I intend to prove another god exists or existed.” He grinned dreamily, “Wouldn’t it be something if I could locate the seventh god? I would be known for more than simply an old Tourney Master. If I did discover the seventh god and expose the other six gods, that would show those pompous deities.”
“Oh, so, that is what the other gods will think of this endeavor? That you bested them somehow?”
“I hope so.”
“Perhaps they will welcome your discovery. Maybe they had nothing to do with the disappearance of the seventh god and will thank you for his return.”
Ephaltus furrowed his brow, “I had not thought about that. I just assumed they all were up to something nefarious. I suppose I don’t really care what they think.”
“Okay, so let us explore the opposite. What if they killed or exiled the seventh god, as you assume? Won’t they be upset with you for digging up the evidence and try to stop or destroy you?”
“Are you asking if one of them might interfere with my investigation or threaten me in some way?”
“I suppose I am.”
“I say that would have to be some seriously strong evidence.”
“Does it tell you where to look?”
Ephaltus studied the scroll, “I think it does, but it’s in a riddle, of course. I suppose the starting location to begin finding an exiled god would not be obvious. I’ll have to figure it all out while I’m in this hidden chamber. There are too many eyes on the Arsenal of the Way and the Earth Chamber.” He cleared spot on his desk and laid out the scroll. He sat and began to decode the cryptic text. Shelayla, knowing not to disturb him when he was working, resumed her task of protecting the hidden treasures of the Arsenal of the Way.
“Hmm, this is partially written in the language of the ancient Southlanders. Maybe the place I need to find the next clue is in one of the ruins of the Broken Lands.” He said. He looked up and Shelayla was gone. “Hmm, when did she leave?” He shrugged to himself and returned to his task.
A few moments later, Shelayla returned. “I may have something for you. When I was searching for food in the Broken Lands, I found something in the ruins of Jenti on the north island.” She placed a small statue of a bird on his desk.
“What’s this?” Ephaltus asked.
“Use arcane magic on it.”
Ephaltus willed his arcane magic on the statue. It began to animate and speak. “Seek out the Raven for the breath of winter and to hear the Tale of Winter’s Chill. Beware the Raven if your intentions are insincere.” It kept repeating the same message until Ephaltus stopped it.
“Did you hear me say I thought the clue to this mystery was in the Broken Lands? I thought you had wondered off.”
“I did not hear you say anything about the Broken Lands, but I did notice the upper right-hand corner of your scroll.” Ephaltus glanced back at the scroll in the upper right-hand corner. There was a small image of a raven in the exact likeness of the small statue.
“Ah, ha, So, I was right. The next clue is in the Broken lands. Thank you, Shelayla, you have given me conformation of where I need to go next. As usual you are invaluable too me.”
Shelayla grinned, “I live to find treasure; it’s in my blood.”
“Indeed, Now I must make preparations to travel. I wonder if Marlee is ready to handle things here on her own for a time?”
“The mages are training at the moment, right?”
“They have only barely begun. Most of them are still unaware of their power.”
“Perfect! Marlee really has nothing to do but watch over them. It is the perfect time for you to travel to the Broken lands.”
Ephaltus cupped his chin and tapped absently with his forefinger, “Yes, you’re right. As long as I can get her to remember to calibrate the Ocularius Magnus on a regular basis, I think she will be fine here on her own for a mere couple of weeks.”
“She will be fine.”
Ephaltus was amused at the dragon’s enthusiasm. “You are just as curious as I am, aren’t you?”
“Well, yes. A seventh god few have ever heard of before! A monumental mystery, as timely as the world itself. It is very exciting. I want to see you succeed and find out what happened.”
“I will find out, Shelayla, I will. I promise you!”
Chapter 10: The Young Man in the Market
Thessa kept to the shadows most of the time until she realized her disguised face made her blend in with the locals quite nicely. She was no longer the gaunt, pasty-faced girl with sunken eyes. She no longer had the appearance of a reformed blood feeder. She was surprised each and every time a lady or gentleman acknowledged her with a grin, smile, or tip of the hat. She was so used to passers-by going
