Buried Deep

Part 2: Departure

"Before I met your mother," he began with a sorrowful, far-away look in his eyes. "I lived in the great city of Doovijor. I studied as a Restorer, someone who took it upon him or herself to bring the ancient wonders of the past back into the world. My focus was the Magic Library, the place in the maps. These maps, scrolls, and records are my life's work. Anyway, the Prophecy mentions that The Library can only be found in great natural turmoil. And the only way to find it to find the map, which was divided into three parts by the last of the Mages. I have two parts, and news of where I might the third piece. So assuming someone has found the third part of a map that can bring you to a place full of objects which have to power to make you practically a god, they would most likely go."

"Essentially," I started, "once someone has completed the map, some natural disaster will hit out of nowhere, and they won't be able to make it to The Library. Or they will prove themselves worthy of these powers by going through great suffering."

"Exactly! Now that you understand that, you can look at the rest of the Prophecy. You won't get very far, it's all in runes, but it's pretty fascinating. I translated the parts I just told you, and some other lines. Stuff like girls turning to 'living light', a man with a hidden identity, and a "diamond shattered by a soldier's sword". Nothing too obvious and straightforward, but nothing is in prophecies. Anyway, tonight I'm going back to where the last piece of the map could possibly be held. I will most definitely will be dangerous, and no, you cannot come."

"Can I come?" I asked hopefully, wishing to be part the adventure.

"No," my father replied quickly. "You must stay here and guard the maps with your life. I can't afford to lose any piece." I dejectedly agreed, knowing that these maps were very, very important. I still wanted to experience adventure, and get away from the confines of the small town we lived in. My past self wished for an adventure, and I definitely got one. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The rest of the day was preparations. I went to catch some fish for the trading post, while father went to pack his bag for his journey. By the time I had a nice basket full of fish, he was done with his bag, and went to collect some materials that, hopefully wouldn't be needed. A hunting knife, dagger, and small sized vial of of poison were on that list. By the time early afternoon rolled around, I had gotten all the meat and fruit my father and I would need for the next week, and still had some spare. Usually I spend the extra fish or two on parchment and ink, but now that I knew of Father's secret study, I had no need for parchment, since there were stacks and stacks of high-grade parchment down in the study. Instead I bought myself an old compass necklace, and a pocket dagger. If I am to be traveling to the Library, I thought, I'm going to need something to help me find my way, and defend myself if I really need to. With my new dagger hidden in my pocket, and the compass around my neck, I ran back home to see my father leave to find the last part of the map.

"Cassi, you be good. Stay in the study, even though it far away from home. If I... don't make it," he said, and for the first time I realized how dangerous this journey might be. "I'll send someone to the study. You might want to bring a blanket and some food. The forest ground keeps the heat in well, so don't worry about bringing an extra jacket. Don't follow me, and be good." My father ran over to me to give me a quick farewell hug. "Oh, and Cassi, I love you." He closed the door quickly, as if he didn't want me to notice the tears snaking down his cheeks. But I had.