The Long Road of Adventure- Blue Storms and Black Sand
Page 26
Gaelin gawped at her in disbelief.
“You’re joking, right?”
She shook her head, a smirk on her lips. “Not at all. I have no idea how ‘Lord Blade’ got the map, but it is, or rather was, encoded in ancient dwarven runes. I’ve spent the days we’ve been here verifying the validity of the runes. And they’re genuine. Of course, only a Runemaster or a noble from an ancient house would be able to translate them. So that’s why we’re calling in a favor.”
Lily removed the token Rongold had given her before they’d escaped the fortress, and looked at it fondly.
“Apparently master smith Rongold was from a fairly old and well-established clan in the Clan-Holds. And, they live in Arv Prith. So, that’s where we’re going next.”
“What about Vala? And Bigg Guy?” Gaelin inquired.
“Don’t worry, the big lug will recover completely,” Lily said. “In fact, he’s already moving about. As for Vala, as soon as Bigg Guy has his strength back, the two of them will travel by foot to Brune so she can complete her pilgrimage and become a full-fledged Druid.”
“After that, we’ll all meet up in Arv Prith for the greatest treasure hunt in history!” Lily declared. “With this discovery, I will be one step closer to achieving my goal. I might have been injured, but I will succeed. I refuse to let this stop me. Not when I’ve come so far, and have so many people supporting me.”
She pressed her right hand against her hip, smiling defiantly at her wound. Gaelin could see the fear in her eyes, though, and reached out to press his left hand above her right hand.
“Yeah. Sounds like a plan. After all, I promised, didn’t I? I will help you, and be by your side.”
She smiled, and he returned it.
Silver quaked and stirred within his soul. Fate was moving. Events were closing in. And as if in response to the ripples its new master would make in the world, the Shapeless Raiment trembled, silken waves dancing across the artifact.