The Enchantments: Book 4 - The Key of Mulastef

Chapter 35: Absolution

Although Dr. Miller insisted that Simeneon recovers her physical health, she forced the Brothers of the Light and the rest of them that it was imperative she place the key in its final resting place before she gives in to the doctor's regimen for her health. Weak was not the best way to describe how she felt. If she looked for one word it'd be exhausted, but she knew she had to persevere.

She had taken only a few hours to shower, eat (large amounts) and drink enough water to make her feel like she was going to explode. Standing in front of the mirror and staring at the emaciated view before her she was glad this ordeal was almost near to completion. She looked over at the garbage and the dirty clothes she had worn for so long and had the urge to both burn them and save them at the same time, but there was still work to do.

Simeneon felt lucky that the poem she had to solve the first time she'd walked up to the gates before her.

"To find the gates one must know

The secrets that it hides.

Just step towards the Dirtua tall

Upon the midday sides.

The entrance there will be shown

The place the desert bides."

It was an hour before twelve, and they had just arrived on the outskirts of the excavation of the great town of Malistof. The heat was almost unbearable but the last few days she had traveled through the heart of the Alaskan frontier had allowed her to embrace the heat in all its glory fully. She watched the others and saw that many of them felt the same way she did.

"Stop!" One of the brothers said harshly, as they had about to enter the open area of the town square.

"What is it?" Liza asked as she maneuvered around the man to see beyond the wall.

"Ah, crap." She said under her breath. The others waited for her to respond before moving forward.

Liza turned, and the expression on her face was palatable to look of frustration on the others guard's faces. "The minions have taken a position in front of the Dirtua statue. They are not alone either, and if you look in the distance, you can see the outlines of the elite shadows in the shadows of the buildings.

"What the hell?" Fin groaned under his breath.

"We'll be fine if we just follow the plan Mogat laid out," Simeneon said patting Fin softly on the back.

"I still have a problem with that plan," the doctor said looking at Simeneon. "What kind of plan puts that much uncertainty in your life?"

"You know why?" Simeneon sighed. "I am the only one who can wield the book now. The one who owns it is the only one able to read from it. I don't like it either, but I will not put anyone in harm's way for this anymore, no matter how many of you say you're willing."

"Will the spell work?" Fin asked, but he was too late as Simeneon limping on unsteady legs walked out into the open square under the chagrin of those around her.

The minions turned upon her at the same time, it was almost comical in a sense, and Simeneon held back a giggle at the absurd display. She held the dusty volume beside her nestled in the crook of her arm as she moved to within ten yards of the great horde before her.

Roudem stepped forward his face hidden in the shadows of his hood yet she still could see the malicious smile spread across his mutilated face.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the whelp herself? He spat maliciously.