The Enchantments: Book 3 - The Key of Sorcen

Chapter 3: Tweedle's Tune

A warm breeze wafted over the trees bringing the soft mountain air from the west, as streams of birds flew casually over the many buildings in the campus. The University of Aspen Pines lay nestled in the foothills of the great mountains surrounded on all sides by huge lush trees and babbling brooks. It was like something out of a postcard where the scenery took the air out of your lungs, and you had to remember to breathe.

The small car pulled through the main gates of the campus and turned towards the large science building where it slowly pulled to a stop at the curb of the dark looking structure.

"This campus is incredible, and the landscape is breathtaking," Simeneon said in awe. She stepped from the car to let Fin who was seated beside her catch the beauty of the area as well.

"You're telling me. I can't believe you and the professor get to live here year-round Shawn." Fin marveled.

"I told you guys it'll be incredible. Just wait, you haven't seen the insides yet. The whole building is one large museum of ancient artifacts." Shawn looked over at Simeneon and smiled, "You'll find this place fascinating being that your parents were archeologists in all."

"Take me to your leader." Simeneon joked.

So Simeneon, Fin, Marlanda, and Shawn walked forth from the car and pulled open the huge double doors into the science building. As they strode into the old building it was the smell that hit them first. The stale scent of age filled their heads and told them that they were now entering a different world. A world of the past and in some instances the future.

They soon found themselves separated and taking in the antiquities in the great room. Simeneon had wandered over to a display case where she found certain objects that seemed to come from her past.

Shawn had slowly made his way over to Simeneon's side as she stared into the glass cabinet. "Do you see anything in their familiar?"

"Should I?" She asked curiously.

"Take a look at the bottom shelf."

Simeneon followed the contour of the shelving until she reached a few of the objects that seemed to stand out. One of them was an ancient key that glittered bright gold and besides it a rather decrepit looking box that looked very similar to the Orb of Malistof except much smaller.

"What's that?" Simeneon asked pointing to the small rusty artifact.

"The professor says it part of a bigger piece that hasn't been found yet. Something to do with the Malistof dynasty I think."

"It's exquisite!" She stared at the artifact in pure fascination.

Fin had come up from behind and stood close. "What about the key, don't you like it better?"

"Not really. You see this is the real history, something that has been used for years. That key looks like it hasn't been touched. The rusty box is for the common man, you know the people that really built the world. The rulers had their trinkets, but the common folks had these objects, they were useful. Think about it, these people lived life, the rulers were only pampered by it."

"I can just imagine the number of people that touched this artifact?" Fin added.

"Now you're getting it. There's more life in that rusty can, then there ever will be in that gold key." She slapped him on the back and walked off to join the others.

Fin stood back for a minute staring in more detail at the artifacts and soon found himself staring at a small plaque on the bottom left most part of the shelves. He bent over to get a closer look and after he wiped the dust from the front of the small inscription he gasped.