CHAPTER 25: THE PUZZLE ROOM
Hurriedly, they left Voithós’ hut and strolled over to the vitreous Lake of Secrets, its glamorous depths really did give of a cryptic kind of intrigue. Staring out over the lake was Tóxo and Vélos who were speaking in rushed whispers. They sensed the presence of the eager Magikós bloods behind them. Turning around, the centaurs wondered what on earth they could be here for.
“Ahh moíra and moíra’s filos, if you are looking for Ericarni, I’m afraid we’ll have to disappoint you” Vélos sneered.
“We’re not here for Ericarni” Robbie started
“Quite the opposite” Emma mused “We’re here for you”
“And what could you possibly want from us” he jeered
“We need you to take us somewhere” told Athena
“Why?”
“We need to do something for Hades or else we’ll be dragged to the underworld by the Soulless.”
“And what has that got to do with me?”
“We have to go to the Forgotten, to the Puzzle Room and we need you to guide us there”
“Ha-ha no.”
“Urgh! Please! We need you!”
“What do I gain from it?”
“Well, I don’t know, but lives are at stake here!”
“Not my problem”
“Don’t you care?”
“Magikós bloods have never cared for me”
“What is wrong with you? Why won’t you help? We’ve never done anything to you, Vélos, don’t make me beg. You’re the only one who can help and we have very little time left!”
“Vélos” Tóxo cooed “Moíra, the hero of the Mainland is asking for your help, it is an honour to help a hero. I strongly advise that you help Moíra and Moíra’s filos on their quest.”
Vélos would do anything in the name of honour and for his wife.
“When do you set off on your journey?” demanded Vélos
“Twelve o’ clock tonight” answered Emma and Vélos gave a husky, low laugh of humoured mockery.
“It may be close to us but it will take a few hours by foot, especially at the rate you human bodied beings travel.”
“Well then what time do you suggest?” said a completely not humoured and serious Emma.
“Now would be good.”
“Fine by me”
Vélos gave another throaty laugh before leading the five out of his lair and on to the road to the Forgotten.
***
After waiting around for most of the day in another centaur’s lair, watching Vélos run errands, or have people run errands for him, they finally set off for the Forgotten at 9 0’ clock that evening. Thankfully, after a disappointingly silent three hour journey, they arrived safe and sound to the bottom of a dubious hill. It was exactly 12 o’ clock.
“There, we’re at the Puzzle Room, it may appear to be a cave at first glance, but it is quite the opposite, good luck” with that he galloped off.
