The cavern route through the mountains exited via a small cave. The last two horses barely squeezed through and that only by coaxing. The trio found themselves deep in forest on a mountain slope well below the snow line. Aeronwyn took some stones and marked the cave entrance then cut some boughs and covered it from casual view.
It was an awkward few hours down the mountain. "Do you know where we are?" asked Keri.
"Yes, actually, I do!" replied Bron. "A few miles that way we should find the path that leads to the mountain pass!"
"You mean we still have to go through that?" Keri asked.
"No. We are in Forsyth! Those caverns must run more or less parallel to the route. That's why I marked it. If we ever need a way into the Western Kingdom without being watched, we now have it." Aeronwyn said.
"As long as you can prove you are a mage and as long as you don't get too close to running water, it's a lovely stroll!" Bron said sarcastically.
Within days they had made their way to the capital city of Forsyth and settled into an inn. Thugard had told them he would check in occasionally until they arrived, a measure of his stubbornness and his faith in Bron and Aeronwyn's skills. Aeronwyn had decided to wait until they could be securely on the Nereus before opening the Book of Souls. She wasn't sure what it was or what it contained so she wanted to be sure she was safe before chancing it.
Their timing was good as less than a week passed before a large black man walked into the inn, swaggering as only those do who have spent their life at sea. He slammed his fist on a table and demanded the best ale in a rough Sessailaine accent. Then he turned, saw Bron and winked.
"Thugard, you old pirate. What brings a slug like you to this backwater port?" Bron jested.
"Picking up some strays who can't seem to find their way without my help! What's it to you old man?" Thugard thundered. Nearby patrons backed up, thinking a fight was about to happen. Instead the two men grabbed each other in a bear hug and laughed.
"Make that two of your best ales, innkeeper," Bron said.
"So. All is well?" Thugard asked.
"All is well," Bron smiled.
As soon as Aeronwyn and Keri were ready they made their way to the Nereus. Once on board, Thugard ordered Toreal, his new first mate, to ready for depart on the next tide. He then led the three others to his cabin. Inside, he had the cook bring some stew and bread, then sat them down to hear the tale of their travels.
Sessailaine told stories as great sagas, no matter how trivial the tale. This tale was not trivial, but unlike Jerrill, Bron was no bard, so Thugard interrupted him a few times. When it was done, he sat back and looked at the three with something bordering on jealousy.
"I would have liked to have tried my hand against those reptile things. Swallowed a horse almost whole! And those Stone Folk, or what is left of them? Kill anyone who isn't a mage? No wonder no one has ever found that passage before!, " Thugard sighed. "Best of all you have what you went for and escaped those cursed Examiners to boot. I would have enjoyed this journey, I think!"
Aeronwyn smiled, "Yes, Thugard you would have. Now I have something to do." She brought out the Book of Souls. Clearing the table before her, she laid the manuscript on the table and opened it. As she did, the others crowded around to see what it said.
As Aeronwyn rolled it open the manuscript appeared blank. She chewed her lower lip in thought then placed her hand on it. Nothing happened. Shaking her head slightly, Aeronwyn considered the manuscript, then said, "Rhiannon." As she spoke her name, the paper came alive with words. They seemed to come into existence a few inches above the paper, glowing briefly, then settling onto the paper itself.
"So what is it? What does it say?" Bron, who had never learned to read, stared at the symbols with confusion.
"It is a spell, sort of. Not of any magic I yet know. I know the patterns of fire, water, air and stone. I have tested the patterns of iron and wood, which are harder. This is more complicated than any of the others. It is..." Aeronwyn paused they looked up at them with surprise. "I don't know. It's like it sits on the edge of my understanding but I can't grasp it! What use is it if I can't understand it?"
Aeronwyn's hand that had been holding the scroll touched one of the letters. As it did, the words lifted from the page and appeared to run onto her skin. She felt pin pricks up her arm and across her chest. "Look!" said Thugard.
Aeronwyn looked down and where her blouse was open and her cleavage visible, she could see some of the letters etched across her skin like a tattoo. Pulling on her blouse, she could see that the scroll seemed to be written across her chest, then disappeared under her arm. She pulled her blouse up on the back. "Is it there?"
"Yes," said Bron. "Like a circle around you."
The manuscript, which was now empty, burst into flames and disintegrated. Thugard put it out with some water but there was nothing left.
"Well, whatever it is, it seems intended for you alone. Perhaps the spell will wait until you need it?" Keri offered.
"Or until it needs you, I think." Thugard said. Aeronwyn looked at him sharply.
"The Old Gods. This is their magic and once again, I am their tool. Damn them. Why won't they just tell me what to do?" Aeronwyn complained.
"Perhaps they don't know?" Keri suggested. Aeronwyn grinned at her and nodded.
"So they provide help that I might need but they don't know what I must do? I like that. At least I have free will, if that is so." Aeronwyn smiled. "Well, Captain Thugard, now that you have seen me half naked and we are in your cabin...."
Thugard, that giant Sessailaine sailor who could kill a man with one hand, blushed! Aeronwyn laughed as he sputtered at her and marched out of his cabin. Bron grinned and followed him. Keri, once they had left, looked pointedly at Aeronwyn.
"Isn't it time you told me about sex so I can get in on these jokes?" she said pointedly.
