by Za1d3
Danachs were common enough outside of Ferrent, but their coloration changes depending on the amount of sunlight and nutrients they get prior to the opening of the flower bud. Pure white Danachs like these meant that someone had worked extremely hard growing and caring for them. As if in comparison, another cluster of light yellow Danachs sprouted just a short distance away.
“Cerulean Vacadils, violet Gerinnis, white Dafilins, even the coveted silver and red Tasiens… this is remarkable.” He complimented the different varieties.
Flowers he’d only read about in books were here in tight communities, blooming sporadically together.
“Mrs. Hulens, our gardener planted and grew all these.” Sylvia spoke, coming to stand next to him.
“She has quite the gift, being able to cultivate such a stunning collection.”
“Y-yea.”
“Kai, look! Thish ish my flower.” Anise came over and touched a Vacadil flower on the edge of the garden.
“Your flower? You planted that?” He asked.
“Uhn! I ashk Shylvia, and she let me.” Anise grinned happily.
“Have you and mom been coming here?” He knew they’ve visited the Varath house a few times, but he didn’t know it was a regular occurrence.
“We come with daddy shometime.” she replied happily.
He could see the sense of accomplishment in his little sister. “Good job.” Kaidus smiled and complimented the endearing little girl. “So this is why you wanted to come outside.” He smiled, understanding why she was so excited to come out here.
“Uh huh! And look, thish ish Shylvia’sh.” Anise pointed at the light yellow Danachs.
“Sylvia’s? You grew these?” He asked the girl beside him.
“Y-yea. I was not able to get them to turn out like Mrs. Hulens’ though.” She replied, sounding disappointed and looking at the pure white danachs.
“You did great. From their coloration, you just barely missed it. It looks like you took very good care of them all the way up to when they bloomed.”
“Thank you…”
“With all these different types, why you picked the Danach flowers? They’re easy to grow, but quite hard to if you’re trying to get them to blossom with white petals.” Kaidus inquired.
“A-Adalina said you like danach flowers.” Sylvia replied, fidgeting with her fingers and turning her head to look at something else.
‘Mom…’ he could see it in his head; a scenario where his mother is telling Sylvia about him.
Seeing her fidgeting, with their close proximity, he noticed that Sylvia’s fingers were marred with scratches and cuts.
“Are your hands okay?”
“Huh? Yea, they’re fine.” self-conscious, Sylvia quickly hid them behind her back.
“Look Kai, red flowersh like Anish hair.” Anise happily called out, pointing to a cluster of low rising red flowers.
He looked and gave Anise a smile, seeing the little girl putting her hair down to compare with the flower. He turned around to face Sylvia with a more solemn face. “I know quite well your parents still have something planned for us, but if it means forcing you to hurt yourself for my sake then you-”
“It’s not that!” Sylvia cried out with a red face. Anise looked towards them quizzically. “I-I wanted to do this… Mommy and daddy are not forcing me to…” As if realizing what she just said, Sylvia quickly turned around to face the opposite direction from him.
“I see… That’s very admirable.” He paused, thinking of something easier to talk about. “Are you also planting vegetables over there on the other side?” He asked, indicating the other garden, trying not to undermine her previous words and her effort.
“Y-yea… Jill and I both, with help from-.”
“You three!” A different voice came from behind. Walking towards them was the older sister Jillian in a different and less formal dress from before. “I came to call you all for lunch. Table’s already being set up.”
“You changed out of your dress?” Sylvia was the first one to respond.
“I’m not the one being displayed. I shouldn’t have worn one in the first place.” Jillian replied with a smile.
“Jill!” Sylvia shouted back. Her face was flushed.
“What? It’s the truth.” Jillian replied. “Mother said if you don’t want to keep wearing that, you can change it before lunch. Go ahead and do so. I’ll show Kaidus and Anise back.”
Sylvia turned and made a curt bow to Kaidus. “I will be going ahead, sorry.” and promptly rushed back into the manor.
“Come on Anise, we’re going back inside.” He beckoned his sister and she ran back to him, grasping his hand.
Making their way back to the great hall where they would be lunching, Jillian walked beside him.
“Kaidus, do you know Naleen from the Ravon house?” Jillian questioned.
“I’ve met her once. Why?”
“Did you know that Sylvia and I are very close with Naleen?”
He looked up at the older girl who was staring down at him. A glint of something could be seen in her aqua blue eyes. “I did not.” He answered back with a hint of intrigue.
“I talked to her a few turns ago about you.” The older girl’s mouth curved into a smirk.
“I see no reason why two ladies such as yourselves would be nattering about someone like me.” He responded affably.
“My parents think too much of you, my sister is enamored, and my brother is too frivolous to care. I needed to make sure.” The older girl replied.
“Make sure of what?”
“The kind of person you are. It may not look like it, but I am very protective of my sister.”
“I see.” He gave an understanding reply.
“Frankly, I don’t trust you. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something off about you from what I’ve seen and heard. I’ll be watching, so behave yourself.” She warned him.
“Well, I apologize if I may have offended you in some way, and your words are duly noted.” He replied indifferently to the older girl.
“See? That’s what I mean. You’re just a brat. Act more like one. At least then it’ll be more believable. Trying to get close to my family; just what exactly are you planning?” Jillian exclaimed, pointing at his conduct.
“I am not planning anything, and it was not me or my parents who brought up the idea of marriage into yours. As for my conduct, this is who I am. I implore that you don’t misconstrue my behavior for anything nefarious.” He replied, seeing the fact of her objections.
“What is your aim?” She inquired again. Her eyes were just like her parents: very sharp and looking to pick out any subtle nuances belying the truths.
“Kai ish Anish’sh big brother!” Anise cried out from beside them, stepping in between to defend him. He could see that she had no idea what Jillian was talking about, only that it was unpleasant.
“I can assure you that I have no ulterior motives.” He took a step forward and walked ahead, moving to the great hall. “Come on Anise, mom and dad are waiting.”
—————————-
A large table was brought into the great hall, and an exquisite feast laid out on it.
Lord Varath stood up from his seat, holding his earthen cup filled with wine.
“Four years. That’s how long we’ve known each other now,” Lord Varath spoke loudly and eloquently. “And yet this is the first time both our families have all gathered together for a meal. I wish to thank you for everything you’ve done Troyle, and propose a toast to our continued friendship, and that of our children.”
The lord held up his cup to Troyle, and Troyle held up his. They each took a long drink.
“There isn’t much, but everyone please help yourselves to lunch.” Lord Varath added before sitting back down.
“Mommy I want that, and that.” Anise pointed to some of the dishes.
Placing a plate of food in front of Anise, “Remember to use your fork. You’re going to get Sylvia’s dress
all dirty if you don’t.” Adalina cautioned her daughter.
Anise did not want to take off the pretty red dress even after seeing that Jillian and Sylvia had changed out of theirs.
“Don’t worry about it Adalina. That dress no longer fits Sylvia anyways. If Anise likes it, she can have it.” Reanne spoke up from the other side of the table.
“I can’t allow something like that.” Adalina replied.
“And why not?”
“I wouldn’t know how to wash such costly fabrics if she got it dirty.” Adalina’s mouth twisted into a mischievous smile.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Reanne returned a grin. “It would just sit in the dresser anyways. Please let her keep it.”
“Well, if you insist.”
“I insist.”
“You hear that Anise? Say thank you for the wonderful dress.” Adalina told her daughter.
Anise got off her chair and quickly ran around the table.
“Thank You!” giving Reanne and Sylvia each a hug before returning to her seat, avoiding Jillian; her face beaming with joy.
“Don’t get your dress dirty, you hear me?” Adalina cautioned once more.
“Uhn!” The little girl took a fork and began eating properly, making sure not to drip anything onto her new dress.
“So? What did you think of my book collection?” Lord Varath spoke up after the little display, looking at Kaidus.
“Sorry daddy, we didn’t get to the Library.” Sylvia answered from two seats beside her father.
“Oh. Well, that’s fine. There is plenty of time left. You can take a look at it before you and Larant head back to the Academy.”
“Thank you for the privilege.” Kaidus replied graciously.
The lunch went by extremely well. The topic he dreaded never came up, and conversations revolved around Troyle and Lord Varath reminiscing about the past couple years, working together or just telling stories.
With lunch over with, Larant was showing him to the Varath manor library.
“We saw the courtyard earlier. A few of the guards were training, do you join them from time to time?” Kaidus asked Larant.
“Not really…” Larant gave a shifty answer.
“Is it because of school?”
“No. I’m ashamed to say this, but I’ve just been holing myself in my room, just tinkering around, trying to build contraptions.”
“Is it for artificing class?”
“Yea. Well some of them are. Others are- Oh, here we are. This is the library where father’s collection of books are stored.”
Opening a large wooden double sided door, the majesty of the interior came into full view.
It was a high circular room lined with books from top to bottom with four comfortable looking reading chairs in the middle of the room.
“This really is a library…” He gaped at the thousands of books within the room.
To the right of the entrance were stairs that lead up to a platform which circled the room, allowing for easy access to the books in the top shelves.
“This room is the cumulative collection of my father, his father, and his forefathers. Four generations of Varath household heads have gather all these.” Larant proudly stated his ancestor’s undertakings.
“That is quite the collection. I’m guessing there are a few ancient tomes in there?” He joked.
“Not likely. Most are just stories, recordings of past events, or informational books.”
“Would it be alright if I went through some of these?” Kaidus asked.
“Help yourself. I’ll go get us something to snack on.” Larant left the library.
Kaidus walked about the room, looking at the different books. They ranged from small pocket ledgers to extensive tomes spanning upwards of 20 volumes. He was already familiar with many of the books, but a great number of them were fresh to him. There were many foreign books written in different languages that he couldn’t read, ciphers jot down with ticks and scratches that were mysteries to him, even notebooks that recorded earnings and expenses.
Many of the books were quite unique, but as he circled the room, a small book on one of the upper shelves stood out to him: the book was emitting a very weak mana signature.
With a thought, the small book flew out of its place in the shelf and into his hand.
“Guides to an Intrinsic Lifestyle, written by L.F.” he read the title out loud. The author did not write their name, opting for initials instead.
Opening the book, the pages were discolored with age. It looked to be an original hand written book.
He skimmed through the pages. It was literally a guide on how to live one’s life naturally, and with the elements. The book looked to have been written at least three hundred years ago, seeing the odd suggestions and the condition of the book.
‘There must be something hidden in here.’ he thought to himself.
Kaidus touched the book, channeling a bit of his mana into it. A sharp pain assaulted where his fingers touched the page. There was an enchantment on the book, concealing its true essence.
He poured more mana into the book. With a thought, he broke the enchantment.
The words on the book began distorting, changing into something else. The pages changed their hues and discoloration, reverting back to almost new.
“Malpaars’ Forgotten Subterranean City, written by Lize D. Fotbusen.”
Even the title had changed.
Chapter 46 – Sealed Book
“Lize D. Fotbusen… where have I heard that name before?” Kaidus asked himself.
Sitting down in one of the reading chairs, he flipped the cover.
Underneath was another title page: Exploration Diary – L.D.F.
Kaidus quickly skimmed through the pages, glancing at various words and passages. The words formed what looks to be a continuous string of recorded events. Other than the cover, the small book looked to be a journal of sort.
‘Why would someone need to conceal this?’ he wondered.
Intrigued, Kaidus turned back to the beginning and started reading.
‘…took two days to scale the mountain. From the information we gathered, it flew in this direction before vanishing…
We found a small magical distortion at the mountain top. It seems to be getting weaker as night approaches…’
His eyes lit up at the contents of the book.
The author was chasing an abnormally large drakall. He/she was stayed in a remote village in southern Malpaars when they saw it flying overhead. Along with a friend, they investigated it then gave chase.
The author even noted what the villagers were calling it. ‘Shakara Krauuga’
The name may have changed, but there was no doubt that the person who wrote this journal was witness to something he’s been searching for: a Karuga.
‘Xerit and I both combined our magic, ripping apart the distortion and revealing an entrance into the mountain… The exit vanished behind us. Try as we might, we could not pry it open again. It looks like the only way to proceed is forward…
We took turns illuminating the darkness. The tunnel ran for days, exhausting us of what meager rations we both packed. The smell of rot and death permeates through the tunnel as we ventured forth…
The tunnel-’
Larant walked into the room with a small tray of leftovers from lunch along with a jug and two cups.
“We just had lunch.” Kaidus stated, seeing the older boy placing it on the table between the chairs.
“It looked like you’ll be here for a while.” Larant answered with a grin.
“Was it that obvious?”
“Your eyes were on fire when I opened the door,” Larant replied. “There’s no need to rush. We have until evening before we set off.” The older boy went towards the walls to look for a book of his own.
Sitting back down to the small journal in front of him, Kaidus continued reading.
‘The tunnel ended, and we came upon a massive opening inside the m
ountain. Lighting up the opening, a magnificent city stood dazzling beneath us…
We spent the whole day scouring about looking for food and any signs of life, but the whole city is empty…
Long slender creatures about the size of a grown man’s arm. They attacked us on our first night in the ruins, but scattered into the darkness as soon as we invoked light magic. Not as empty as we thought. Xerit and I took turns resting…
Xerit killed one of the creatures today. Too hungry to care, we roasted it and ate it. The thing tasted quite delicious even though it was all lean meat. Maybe we can stay here a little longer and look around before trying to find a way out…
The exit is still sealed. No matter what we do, it doesn’t budge. Xerit has brought up that it even feels as if the entrance is absorbing our magic. I don’t know if it’s just the mountain or something is going on here, but it looks like we will have to make a trek back to the ruins for more food…
Twenty-six days in here, and we’re solely subsiding on these creatures. There is no other source of food and it doesn’t look like there is any other exit. Earth magic also doesn’t work, and the distortion that opened for us to get in here is nowhere to be seen…
Xerit is going mad. Says he hears a voice. I don’t blame him. We’ve been here for at least forty days anyone would…
Xerit is dead. I don’t know what happened to him, but he suddenly tried to kill me. I did the only thing I could…
He wasn’t lying. I am hearing the voice now… a grinding voice.’
The journal abruptly stopped.
The majority of what was recorded involves the exploration of the ruins and the author’s thoughts.
What interested him the most, was the beginning of the book and the ending. The author’s investigation, the Karuga’s sudden disappearance which led them to the otherworldly discovery, and the voice at the end.
Even the location in the journal coincides with what little information he’s gathered about the sightings in Malpaars. A grin crept onto his face, seeing the hard recorded truth in his hands.
“Well, what do you think of my library?” A voice asked from the doorway. Lord Varath and Troyle walked into the library.