Arka's Return 3: The Reckoning

[Arka]

Dear Reader,

After a long absence from this board I have decided to pick up my quill again. It's time to lay this particular story to rest.

For those of you too young to remember, or those of you too old not to have forgotten, you may wish to visit the previous volumes in this Trilogy (Yes this really is the final episode). They can be found at

 Arka's Return
and
Arka's Return 2: The Tower

For those of you of just the right age to remember or too curious to spend time revising, here is a taster. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I have enjoyed living it.

Arka

The Reckoning

Part 1: Prologue
Many months have passed since Arka’s encounter with the evil Dermorian, Sudisir. Nothing more was seen of him since his fall from the Tower and in time he slipped from memory. But Arka still had an uneasy feeling; he was never far from her thoughts, and this tormented her secretly. She could not explain it but she knew he would be back one day and that she had her greatest challenge ahead of her.

Not long after the tower-top battle, Drahlian had led the Dwarvesbane against Hammerwielders and Stonebreakers alike, in what had become to be known as the ‘Dwarven Wars’. Because of her position at the University, Arka had played no part in the wars, although she itched to fight alongside her Dwarven brothers and grieved to see so many of them fall. One by one, her students left the University to join the Dwarven Star and fight against Drahlian’s evil hordes. Many of them did not return.

Eventually, the Dwarvesbane were defeated and Dwarven Star was disbanded. Peace reigned again, but the episode had left Arka deeply troubled. She was sure that the wars had been stirred up by Sudisir and that he had intended to use the slaughter of her brethren to draw Arka into another direct confrontation. She had resisted, but not without deep feelings of guilt and responsibility. She was convinced that this was Sudisir’s revenge for being almost destroyed by her.

After the wars, nothing more was heard of Dwarvesbane, nor Sudisir. Arka became more and more involved in her teaching duties at the University, spreading knowledge of the Stonebreaker language and culture to anyone who was interested. She spent her evenings poring over her mother’s notebooks, gradually piecing together the history of the Stonebreakers, as related by the elders of her clan.

Then the day came when Lordbug retired as Director of the University, and Arka took his place. She continued to teach Stonebreaker, but more and more of her time was taken up with University business. As time went by she felt more confident with her position at the University and to her students and colleagues appeared calm and relaxed. But hardly a week went by without the dreams that had tortured her since that day on the Tower top, each one ending with the disappearance of Sudisir’s body. And each time, Arka woke, sweating and afraid. Very afraid…

[Arka]

Part2. Dreaming
Arka lay between satin sheets in a sumptuously decorated room. Light filtered in through high windows, hung with gauze curtains. Familiar voices drifted up from the street below. She felt sick and disorientated; this was not her room. She tried to lift her head from the sweat-soaked pillow but blue lights flashed behind her eyes and she sank back into a delirious dream.

It was the day Lordbug had decided to retire. Arka stood in his office at the University, hardly believing what he was saying. She had only been in charge of the Faculty for a year and he was asking her to take responsibility for the whole University. She was torn between pride and fear, unsure of her abilities, but immensely pleased that Lordbug had asked her to stand in his place. It was agreed that Lordbug would stay on as Vice Chancellor, but that the day to day running of the University and Guild would fall to her, in the new role of Praesidior.

There followed a period of intense activity for Arka. Nikoren had gone travelling and showed no signs of returning; fortunately Professor Hius Mius returned around the same time and she wasted no time in appointing him Dean of Great Sciences and Craftings. A young reporter, Erelenga Karal had proven himself very able at cartography and Arka instinctively knew he could lead the Faculty of Stalactite Studies. She kept Languages, Arts and Culture for herself, leaving the Dean for Ylianities vacant for now.

Gradually the University’s once empty lecture halls began to fill as more students enrolled. Scenes flashed through Arka’s mind; her group of Stonebreaker students sitting expectantly at theoir desks; Andoryn Thaakor taking her first practical examination in Magickal Ways and feeling guilty about using an aggressive spell to kill a rat; the talented Tuathanach beating out a perfect knife blade at the forge and the beautiful Fenki, Aerianna Kzin, her first student in Creative Writing, ink spots all over her fur.

Seeing her students again soothed the pounding in her head and Arka fell once more into a deep, mercifully dreamless sleep.

[Suvok]

Great start to the new sequel, Arka!. Can't wait till the next installment. 

Keep it up!

[Arka]

Part 3. Missing
Arka stirred and rolled over, the springs of the bed groaning softly beneath her. Had she been able to see herself she would not have recognised her frail frame, ravaged with fever. Dark circles ringed her eyes, her cheeks were sunken and her once blonde hair was now thin and grey. Despite the potions and infusions of herbs and fruit, she failed to make any progress against the illness that raged though her body.

The next scene to flash through her mind was a familiar one. Arka was sat at her desk in the University, an opened letter before her. The words were clearly visible and Arka re-read it. It was a letter to one of her greatest students, Einnol Feldorm.

Keranet Einnol,

I cannot begin to express the debt of gratitude and honour that I and indeed all my dwarven brothers and sisters owe to you and the other brave members of the elite Dwarven Star.

We are all relieved that the War has ended and gladdened that Good has prevailed. Never again must we allow the cancer of hatred against any race to spread again.

For my part I am sad and not a little guilty that I was not able to swell the ranks of the glorious Dwarven Star, however I hope you will understand that the duties of my position would not allow such a thing. But my heart and soul was with the brave brothers defending our honour on the battlefield.

I think I am correct is asserting that more than the precious lives of our brothers were at stake here but the very culture and way of life of the Dverm. Your actions have helped to secure our rights to live in peace and free from attack. Long may it last!

This has been an historic victory and will live for generation in the tales and songs of the Perrakithor. I look forward to hearing your accounts when you are settled back in your position as leader of your guild.

Hail Einnol, Hero of the Great War of liberation!

A Felim!

Arka Garam

Arka saw herself dust the letter with silver sand, fold it carefully and seal it with a blob of red sealing wax.

She remembered how concerned she had been when Einnol had left his studies, his guild and his wife to join the fight against the Dwarvesbane. And she also remembered the guilt and shame she felt at not having put herself in the front line against this scourge. It had been a great victory, yes, but at the loss of so many.

There had been many rumours, but no one knew for certain what had led to the rise of Dwarvesbane, intent on the eradication of the Dwarf race. Arka shuddered as she remembered the last letter she had received from her mother. A whole village wiped out by Ulbernauts. And Arka thought she knew who had goaded them to attack the Dwarfs. Was the same hand behind Dwarvesbane?

*****

A change of scene. Arka was standing in the library in the University. A familiar figure sat hunched over a huge book, lit by a single candle. It was Einnol. But what was he doing in the section for  Magic and Potions? He was a language student. Suddenly, seeing Arka, he ripped the page he was reading from the book, and jumped up. With a clatter, the chair and book fell to the floor and Einnol ran towards her, knocking her over in his haste to reach the door.

The book was important; she strained to remember its title. There was something about a glyph. Einnol was captivated by it. Arka remembered searching for him, but he was far away. The book was later stolen, but that had been dealt with. But the page? That had never been recovered, except for a small scrap.

****

Another scene change. Now, she was with Hius. He had the mugs with him and was working some strange magic. Something whirled inside her head; she had the sensation of floating; a strange dizzy, empty feeling. She could feel her thoughts slipping away. Then a voice spoke to her, a familiar high pitched whine. The words were unclear, but the voice made her shiver. Time began to turn in on itself; she was alone, walking the streets of Hydlaa, except this didn’t seem like Hydlaa, but a distorted mirror image. All the time the voice whined in her head.

Then the old familiar dream; the last fight with Sudisir on the Tower top, the spell flying over her head and hitting him full in the chest. Although in reality, Arka had not seen him fall, in her dreams, she always saw it clearly. She was holding on to him, trying to pull him back up to safety. But each time, his hand slipped from hers as he began the long silent fall to the bottom. She saw his twisted frame lying on the ground and woke again in a sweat.

[Leama]

Arka,

You are simply amazing. I cannot wait for more.

Leama

[Arka]

Thanks Suvok and Leama.

I am glad you are with me on this journey. As usual, I have to say there is much more to come - and most of it as yet unwritten. You will have gathered that this one is a little different as most of the action is going on in Arka's head. I still haven't quite worked out how it will end, but I can promise another nail-biter.

I'll be posting twice a week, I guess.

Arka

[Arka]

Part 4. The dark glyph

Arka moaned quietly as the wet cloth was wiped gently across her forehead. Distant voices sounded, soothing, gentle voices. Then her lips were gently parted and the potion burned her throat as it slipped over her tongue. A few moments of flashing lights, then blackness.

What had happened to her? Briefly she revisited the scene in  her mind. Her and Hius working together in the vaults. And the mugs. They had needed to test whether the glyph could be contained by the mug. Something had gone wrong, clearly. Slowly it came back to her. Hius had another glyph. A small black stone that radiated black light. The Nightmare Glyph, he had called it. He meant to test the mug with this glyph.

There was a long story about how he came by it and Arka could only remember fragments. Hius related that as a young Menki, he had discovered the glyph in the cellar of Tkaan’s house. He had been entranced by it and wanted it for his own. Tkaan was very old and sick. Hius’ mother was helping her. That was why Hius was at her house. But the moment he touched the glyph, the old Fenki died.

Hius had used the glyph to revenge himself on some of the other young Fenkis who had been bullying him. But the more he used it, the more the glyph took control of him, much as the Compulsion Glyph had controlled Einnol. Eventually, his mother took the glyph from him and he never saw it again. Until, searching in his office in the University, he found it once again, hidden in a chest of the previous Dean’s belongings. Hius had assumed his mother had brought this to the University, after she had taken it from him. Arka pondered this. It was possible that Hius’ mother had indeed taken the glyph to show the old Dean, but would she really have taken the trouble to do this? Hius had told Arka that she was a powerful priestess in the Crystal Way. Why not simply use her powers to deal with the glyph? She would not want to part company with a glyph that had seemingly killed its previous owner if to do so, would put her own son in danger…

Arka stirred again and a soft hand caressed her brow. Gradually, she slipped back into her dream

She was on the road to Ojaveda but the scene was distorted and frightening. Shapes loomed out of the darkness; strange beasts reared up in her path only to disappear again as suddenly as they had appeared. All around was the sound of mocking laughter, and above it all the high pitched whine, taunting her and goading her along the road. She knew she had to get to Akkaio; she knew she had to find Einnol, but she did not know why. Her feet ached and her head was full of voices. If such a place as Hell existed, then this was surely what it would be like. She stumbled on, repeating to herself, "Einnol... must find Einnol."

A familiar sound reached her ears; the sound of metal ringing on living rock. Arka shook her head to see if the sound would go, but it continued, a sense of reality in her twisted, demonic imaginings. She followed the sound now, with a sense on renewed urgency.

Turning the corner, she came across a group of miners, hacking rich red ore from the hillside. Seeing Arka approach they put down their picks and stared. Arka wondered what was wrong; she had no idea that having been wandering the streets of Hydlaa for so long, she had taken on the appearance of a vagabond. Her once plaited hair was waving wildly around her face. Her clothes were grubby and torn, and had the wind been in the wrong direction, the miners would have smelled her before they had seen her.

One of them a Stonebreaker walked up to her. “Are you alright?’ he began, but all Arka could do was to mumble, “Einnol… Find Einnol.”

The young Dwarf looked at her uncertainly. “He was here a while ago. He took a load of ore to Trasok – you might catch him there.”

“Trasok?”

“The blacksmith – you surely know Trasok?”

Arka shook her head.

“Go into Dsar Akkaio and ask there.” He pointed in the direction of the road and Arka wandered off, still dazed and fighting the voices in her head.

[Lolitra, Celorrim Purrty Twins]

[a most beautiful story - well told - well versed, and delightully narrated] Lolitra

[Suvok]

So what's your real name? I'll look out for it next time I go to the bookshop. 

Seriously, if you haven't already, I recommend you write a novel and get it published.

My eyes are all bloodshot from staring at the screen reading those prequels.

[Arka]

[OOC The next three parts are taken from a live role play - with thanks and acknowledgement to Einnol, Marqsaynt and Bam (and the others who took part) I have tidied up the dialogue a little - mainly to fix out of context remarks, but this is pretty much how it happened. This sequence also draws the line under 'A student disappears' which you might want to refresh your memory about. It can be found here.

Anyway - on with the tale!]

Part 5. The Blacksmith Shop
Arka entered the gates of Akkaio in complete confusion. She had simply no idea where she was, and the unfamiliar architecture and palm trees added to her bewilderment. She stopped a young Menki. He was startled by her appearance, but polite enough to respond to her request for directions.

The blacksmith’s shop was busy. Trasok had received a fresh load of iron ore, and everywhere people were smelting the red minerals and pouring the molten metal into moulds to make ingots. The air was heavy with acrid smell of molten iron. The heat was almost unbearable and the noise of the smelters shouting to each other above the roar of the flames almost drowned out the voices in her head. She wandered around dazed, before slumping into a corner at the foot of the stairs, her head in her hands. How would she find Einnol in this crowd?

People tutted as they had to step over her prone figure. Clearly, they thought she was drunk or worse. By and by, a middle-aged dwarf appeared on the stairs. He looked at Arka, huddled in the corner and an expression of deep concern crossed his face.

“Noskirt?” he ventured, hardly believing that this dishevelled figure could be his professor. As Arka looked up at his face, he knelt down beside her, “Kelei, Amart?”

Arka looked into the dwarf’s eyes. They were twinkling in spite of their worried look. “Kelei Amart?” she repeated, mechanically.

A group of workers began to gather around, sensing that something was not right.

“Arka? Are you feeling well?” asked the dwarf.

Again, she repeated, “Arka?”

She reached into her satchel to pull out a sheet of paper and handed it to him, “I need to find this dwarf.”

He studied the paper. On it was written one word: Einnol. “You have found him,” he said, shaking his head.

“Where?” She looked around in desperation.

The blacksmith shop fell silent as people put down their tools and strained to see what was happening.

The dwarf pointed a stubby finger towards himself, “You do not remember me?”

“Are YOU Einnol?” Arka shook her head sadly.

Einnol scratched his beard, now completely confused, “Aye, I am.”

Arka looked intently at the dwarf. “I am s-sorry sir,” she stammered, “I just know I needed to find you. I have s-something important to ask you.” She was searching in his eyes for a clue, but found none.

“Continue.” Einnol smiled gently, wondering what could have happened to his teacher and dear friend.

But all Arka could do was to mutter, “Mugs… mugs.”

“Beer mug? Are you thirsty?” Some people started to snigger, but Einnol waved them to be quiet.

“It was Hius… He tried to use the Mug... The Greater Mug of Darkness.”

Einnol’s eyes narrowed.

Arka continued, “You spoke to me in a strange language. What did it mean?”

Einnol took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He shook his head sadly, “It was Pel Perrakithor. You have been studying it for years, continuing your mother’s work. Something very bad has happened to you Arka, something very bad indeed.”

“No! Something bad has happened to Einnol. I have to help him!” Arka tried to get up, clearly agitated.

“I am Einnol. And I am fine.”

Arka managed a weak smile, “You are Einnol?”

He nodded.

“And you are well?”

Einnol answered slowly and deliberately, “Aye”

Arka slumped back against the wall. “…Pel Perrakithor?”

“I think we need to get you somewhere to rest, Arka.”

“My Mother? She is here?”

Einnol looked down, “We need to find you some help…preferably someone who might… understand what has happened better than I.”

“You know my mother?”

“Nay, I did not.”

“Did not? Why ‘did’ not?”

Einnol looked into her eyes. They were starting to fill with tears. “Your mother died some time ago, Arka,” he said gently.

Arka’s face crumpled and she began to sob uncontrollably.

“She is stirring!” said an unfamiliar voice, close by.

“No, it is the fever – she is delirious. Get some wet towels – she needs cooling down.”

Soft hands gently wiped Arka’s brow while one of the maids adjusted the pillows and straightened the satin sheet on her bed.

“Poor dear,” said the voice again, "If only we could find out what is causing this. Any news from Printh?”

“No? Then we can only hope she makes it through another night.”

[Lolitra, Celorrim Purrty Twins]

[can't wait for the next installment - ps, your quotation marks on the penultimate paragraph are in the wrong place...]

[Arka]

[Thank you Lolitra - fixed]

Arka

[Leama]

Arka,

I am your number one fan. You are just extraordinary!!

Leama

(I will bow to you the next time I see you in game, no one deserves it more.)

[Arka]

Part 6. Returning

Einnol looked around the Blacksmith’s shop in desperation. There must be something he could do. He left Arka to speak to a tall Diaboli, leaning against the wall. Arka heard him say, “There's only one blasted healer I trust... but unless I miss my guess, this doesn't exactly seem to be your typical, uh, aliment." His eyes strayed to the door.

Einnol turned round, to see a young Menki walking towards him. He pushed his way through the crowd.

“Arka! At last I have found you!” he announced.

All eyes were on the newcomer.

“Do you know me?” asked Arka.

“Of course I do, Arka.”

Einnol studied him carefully. “And you are…”

He held out a hand, but Einnol didn’t take it. “Bam. That’s what they call me.”

“You know my name,” said Arka.

Bam smiled uncomfortably, “What’s going on?”

“Arka means ‘pretty’ you know,” Arka said, dreamlike, “My mother told me that…”

Einnol’s face broke into a broad grin. "Aye. You do remember something."

“Tell me some more Pel, Einnol.”

Einnol shifted uncomfortably. " Ummm ... like what? I am but a student. You are the teacher.”

Arka looked up, puzzled, “I am a teacher? …No, my mother is a teacher. I am a weapon smith.”

“Aye. You are. But, also a teacher as well.”

“I am? What do I teach? Smithing?”

“Hmmm ... not quite. Ancient languages and cultures.”

Arka giggled, and Einnol nodded again before giving Bam a lost look.

“Did I… teach you?”

Einnol turned back to Arka. “Aye.”

Arka’s eyes widened. “Languages?”

Bam looked quizzically at Einnol then turned to look again at Arka.

Einnol said gently, “Stonebreaker. …Pel Perrakithor.”

“Pel… Perrakithor.” Repeated Arka, staring into space. Then, as if she were reading the words from the wall in front of her, started to recite, “Pelo… Pelor… Pel…”

Einnol started, a gleam of hope in his eyes, “Go on...”

“Peloth, Pelorth…Pelith.”

“Rodgara! Very Good!”

“Garamdor” replied Arka a look of glee and surprise on her face.

Einnol smiled widely. “I think it is coming back to you.”

“Aven” said Arka, “Eh! Aven.”

Arka put her hand to her head, as if expecting to find something there. The voices were starting to quieten.

She slowly rose to her feet. “Yo Noskirt!”

“Aye,” Ennol responded, “You are wise.”

Arka rubbed her eyes as if seeing for the very first time. “Einnol! The glyph! What happened to the glyph? We wanted to contain it... in the Mugs.”

“’Tis all right. It is no longer…”

A look of alarm crossed her face, “How? Who? …What?”

Einnol chuckled. “Slow down,” he said.

“I tried to find you, I really did. But Hius wanted me to help him with the Mugs. Bam! What are you doing here?”

Bam looked uncomfortable. Einnol quizzed him, “And how do you know Arka?”

“I… She is my guild leader.”

“So… You are a Knowledge Seeker as well?”

Bam nodded.

Arka was frantically searching in her bag. She pulled out a tiny scrap of parchment.

“Then ‘tis good to meet you, Bam. I am Einnol Feldorm, son of Konor. And this ... is Marqsaynt,” said Einnol, waving towards the Diaboli.

Arka held the scrap of paper towards Einnol, “I remembered the question!” She turned towards the Diaboli, “Oh! Good day Marqsaynt.”

Einnol took the paper.

Marqsaynt nodded to Arka. "A pleasure... how are you feeling?"

Arka looked puzzled for a moment, but continued, “This scrap I found under the table in the library. I believe it came from the book you were looking at when I disturbed you.”

Marqsaynt grinned, "Gods, if that is from the page everyone wanted from that blasted book..."

“Did you tear the book, Einnol? I need to know.” She looked at him kindly.

Einnol studied the scrap briefly and handed it back. He hung his head, ashamed. "I know not for sure. I have been told that I did. And ... perhaps it was me. I remember only pieces of those last few weeks.”

Arka sighed.

“Tis possible ... Aye,” he mumbled.

Marqsaynt looked at Einnol.”I heard it was missing a page... wasn't exactly from a reliable source though.”

Einnol was staring at his hands.

Arka went on, “But you can't remember what happened to the page?”

Einnol shook his head slowly without looking up.

“Thank you, Einnol - I needed to know that.”

Arka frowned for an instant, then smiled broadly, although her eyes betrayed her concern.

Einnol continued. “I remember vaguely being in the library and running into someone ..I think it was you.”

“It was - but don't worry - no harm done.”

Marqsaynt was still staring at the scrap in Arka’s hands. “So... what's that little piece of insignificant paper say?”

“There is only one word on the paper, Marqsaynt. A very little, but entirely significant word, I fear.”

Marqsaynt raised an eyebrow "...and what word is that?"

Arka held up the parchment and showed the word 'not'. Marqsaynt squinted to read it.

“If this is from the right page, losing the word 'not' would make quite a difference.”

Marqsaynt nodded slowly then grinned. "I can imagine."

She went on, “If you had used this page, Einnol, to try to control the glyph, I would not be speaking to you now. The glyph is gone you say?”

Einnol finally raised his head slightly, "Aye. ‘Tis different now ... changed.”

Arka thought about this, “I believe it was the last of it's kind...I hope so.”

Marqsaynt raised an eyebrow at Einnol, "...maybe it was a good thing we never tested it out, Pal."

Einnol nodded to Marqsaynt "Aye. But, ... I did."

Marqsaynt blinked and Einnol nodded slowly.

Arka’s eyes widened, “Not with the instructions from the book?”

“Nay. Not from the book. The voice.”

Arka looked thoughtful, “Ah, the voice.”

Marqsaynt shifted uncomfortably. “Who'd you test it on, Pal? ...Hyuken?”

Einnol nodded sadly. "And Netrhys as well. Hyuken was not affected. I fear that I gave Netrhys a bad headache.”

Arka closed her eyes as she heard again the voice of the Greater Mug resonating in her head.

Marqsaynt shrugged. "Could have been worse."

Arka smiled. “If that was all, she was lucky.”

Einnol nodded. “Aye. I still did not fully understand how to use it. ‘Tis a good thing that I am not good with magic.”

Arka looked squarely at Einnol. “No more dabbling then?”

Marqsaynt chuckled "...Yeah Pal, not even to learn how to pull a groffel out of a hat."

Arka ignored this. “But I'll see you back in my language classes, I hope?”

Einnol grinned slightly in spite of himself. “Aye, Arka. .... If ... if you will have me.” He looked down shamefully.

“Of course I'll have you back Einnol!”

Einnol’s face broke into a smile once more. "Garamdor."

Arka helped Einnol to his feet and gave him a big hug. She drew back suddenly. ”Oooh - sorry - I think that smell is me!”

Einnol chuckled and hugged Arka again.

She blushed. “I need a bath.”

“Eh.” He laughed, and Arka joined in.

[Arka]

Part 7. A Peaceful night

The herbalist summoned from Printh by Queen Lolitra put the back of her hand against Arka’s forehead and smiled.

“The fever seems under control, your highness.”

“But is she improving?”

“I can’t say. At least she is holding her own.”

“Very well, I shall leave her in your capable hands.”

With that, Lolitra turned and swept out of the room, with her maid in attendance.

The herbalist was a young Xacha, and intensely proud of her work. She returned the phial she was holding to her leather case and admired the array of glass jars, each neatly labelled and arranged in order. These contained the essential oils, the dried leaves and roots she used in her work.

A small notebook lay on the table. In it, she wrote her entry in small neat handwriting. She took another look at the sleeping dwarf and frowned slightly. The physick had said this was a worm in the brain, but she was not so sure. Arka had been ill for many days; by now the worm would have done its damage. But there had been no fits, and her eyes showed no sign of the tell-tale streaks of blood. She hoped he did not ask her to move to the next stage of the cure. If there was a worm she would need to administer doses of the most poisonous herbs she had; if there was no worm, this could kill the patient. For now, it was enough to treat the symptoms. She would talk to the physick in the morning.

Arka drifted into another dream...

A hot bath and a change of clothes had lifted her spirits. Her hair was neatly braided again and she smelt of rose hips and lavender. A mug of her favourite brew was ready waiting for her when she descended into the Brado’s bar.

Einnol rose to his feet. “Are ... are you going to be alright?

“I think so - I will need to talk to Hius about what happened. And that page... well there is a little problem with what was written on the OTHER side, but we'll cross that bridge when we find it.”

Einnol nodded. “Very well.

Arka sat down at the table, delighted to find a fresh mug of ole fallin’ down in front of her. “Let's just hope it stays lost eh?”

Einnol replied, enigmatically, “Tis Jagk's burden now.”

Marqsaynt looked quizzically at Arka. “So, that book is still valuable even with the glyph changed?”

“The book? Why ? Do you know where it is?”

Einnol shot a look at Marqsaynt "It does have much information on the ancient glyphs."

Marqsaynt shrugged. "I heard some two-tria thief had it..."

Arka frowned. “That rogue. I wish I could remember his name...”

Marqsaynt stroked his chin. "Yeah."

Arka turned to him. “He won't know how to use it though.”

Marqsaynt wasn’t sure if this was a question or a statement. “He was offering it to the highest bidder.”

Einnol leant forward. “He may know quite a bit, Arka.”

Marqsaynt shook his head. “He doesn't care... just wants to make a profit.”

Einnol turned to Arka. “He ... helped us encase it.”

“Really?”

Einnol nodded.

Arka thought about this. “And he still has the book.”

Marqsaynt smirked. "Unless Sangwa bought it."

Einnol shook his head. “I know not. I never saw the book after that night in the library. Except for when Coneitic flaunted it.”

“Coneitic! Ah yes.” She shrugged. “Ah well, it's a shame but I'll have to destroy it.  Of course we can do it remotely.”

Marqsaynt grinned. "You can destroy it?"

“All our books are enchanted. I only needed it back to contain the glyph.”

Marqsaynt’s eyes lit up. “I just wish I could see that blasted Menki's face when it happens...”

Now it was Einnol’s turn to grin. "If he still has it, so would I, Marqsaynt."

“Now you are safe I can ask Hius to turn the book to ashes. It's a shame, but it's only a book, after all,” Arka continued, “I just hope it's hidden under his bed.”

Marqsaynt laughed. "I hope it's under his pillow."

Einnol nodded to Marqsaynt in agreement and chuckled. “I would pay to see that.”

“First thing tomorrow, I'll get Dean Mius onto it.”

Einnol took a draught of ale and nodded slowly "I am sorry about this loss to the library, Arka."

“Like I say, it's only a book - and it taught us a valuable lesson. We keep the library locked now!”

Marqsaynt laughed again.

The company fell silent, each lost in their thoughts.

Arka’s thoughts were the darkest. Of course they could destroy the book. All except the missing page. That was what bothered her. Without the compulsion glyph, the charm would be useless. But on the reverse side of the page, she knew there was a much more powerful charm. One that didn’t need the glyph. And in the wrong hands…