The Mark of Aether

The Lands of the Olds~Part II

Remnants of a hoary history were dispersed in front of us, my eyes feasting on the antiquity of the monuments.

The daedal temples were a marvel to see, their numerousness a clear sign of the strong love the faes had for their gods.

We were standing on the highest point of all Ardoria, overlooking endless lands and oceans. We were so high that we touched the clouds; the sky lying within arm’s reach.

Many temples were scattered on the white mountain, some larger than others. Statues were placed occasionally in some corners, while a rounded dais of ice stood proudly in the middle of this stupefying maze.

Siltheres had told us to seek these lands, the home of the reposing key. But the question remained:

Where was it?

"Where do we start?'' I asked, turning to look at the others.

As if on cue, light emerged from my bag.

I urgently pulled the golden scroll from the leathery duffle and opened it. Black lines appeared on the rusty paper, slowly inscribing a cornucopia of ancient words. The letters moved like when we were in the Shimderian Forest before they settled, forming a riddle.

''Underneath the eyes and where the frost lines,

Where the souls lie in the hands of the might,

Hidden is the key of time.

Behind the horizons is dressed a household

Built from light and orisons, sanctuary of the defied lords.

The arrows are the leads, the heads covered in beads, the crossing shall forever reveal.''

I pondered on the meaning of those words, my mind skyrocketing to divulge the contents of this mystery. But I came out with zero conclusions.

I looked at the others, hoping to find the smallest of idea brewing in their mind. Unfortunately, they were as clueless as I was.

"I don't get it,'' said Mayra, swooshing her hands in the air. ''What will be revealed?''

We just kept silent, for no one knew the answer. I turned and eyed the snow fairy, who was leaning against a rock, a suggestive look lining his face.

"Luthian?''

''I might have solved a part of the riddle. But I am not entirely sure if my deduction is correct.'' He came and stood next to me, pointing at the scroll.

''In the old language tamesera lenoredes represents a temple—a worshipping place. Hence, the literal translation defines two words: house and power. If, and only if, I am correct, the household of the defied lords is the equal of tamesera lenoredes.''

"So, you are suggesting that we search inside the temples?'' asked Carter.

Luthian only nodded.

"At least we have something to start with,'' I said, trying to sound as cheerful as I could.

We were encircled by a labyrinth of temples, searching all of them would take us a lifetime.

"Let's start. Every second is pivotal.''

We all turned towards a direction and started our hunt for the treasure.

*****