The Girl who Vanished

Chapter 32

Coast, southeast of Hogwarts

When Lara finds Sebastian he explains how he recently met with Anne, apparently their uncle wants to leave Feldcroft soon. He told her he needs more time, the relic they found can indeed reverse the curse but it will only work inside the catacombs. Just like Anne, Lara is very concerned when Sebastian mentions needing to conduct a sacrifice in order for the relic to work. After a few more minutes they decide to change the conversation to why they are here.

James and Lily groan, hearing her friend say they need to conduct a sacrifice should immediately raise red flags, but Lara is too damn naive. 

Sebastian: "I spotted droves of Ranrok's Loyalists coming up from the coast. Overheard one of them say they're headed to another cavern, like the one we found. How are they still one step ahead of us? They can't know about the triptych."

Lara: "I don't know. I did see another memory. This time it was a Keeper named Niamh Fitzgerald. She was unnerved by Isidora's use of ancient magic. But I still can't be sure how any of it connects to Ranrok."

Sebastian: "These 'Keepers' are playing games with you. You need to press them for more information."

Lara: "It doesn't work like that. To access each of these memories, I have to complete a trial. It's not as easy as you think. They're showing me the memories in a particular order. They -"

Sebastian: "Ugh. Either they don't trust you or you don't care enough about Anne to ask the difficult questions!"

"Not everything is about Anne!" Alice snaps, annoyed by how Sebastian acts like his sister's health is the only thing that matters.

Dumbledore sighs, power is dangerous if you don't fully understand it.

Lara: "I do care about Anne, but I'm tired of explaining myself. Perhaps we should part ways." She is starting to lose patience.

Sebastian: "That's - that's not what I meant. I - we're just not getting answers. I need answers. For Anne."

Lara: "I know. Now, shall we see why the triptych led us here?"

Sebastian leads her up the mountain path, they try to make small talk but it's clear to her that Sebastian is struggling to contain his frustration; this is proven correct when they hear the voices of a group of Loyalists up ahead. Instead of waiting to make a plan he charges down the path much to Lara's annoyance.

"Damn it Sebastian!"

When she catches up to him the Loyalists are already dead.

Lara: "What were you thinking?"

Sebastian: "I was thinking about dead goblins."

Lara: "You could have got us killed."

Sebastian: "But I didn't."

She continues to follow him but is visibly angry. Several minutes and several goblins later they come upon an entrance to a tunnel in the side of the mountain.

Sebastian: "This must be it."

Lara: "Sebastian - wait"

Sebastian: "Wait? For what? Ugh. Why are you suddenly so cautious?"

Lara: "Listen to me. I know you're angry and frustrated. But charging ahead now could undo all the progress we've made. Lodgok said -"

Sebastian: "Oh, your goblin friend?" He sneers.