Shades of time

Four

Adrina's POV

It took me awhile to finally get the guts and start ruffling through the package Arie left off. The soft hits of heavy breathing could be heard throughout the room. I quickly grabbed the object as if it would run away. What could be so important?  I mentally realize  that my time is limited and I started to rip through.

Enclosed  was a compass shaped slate and a coded note. Inside the letter a necklace fell out.  the hand writing so painstakingly familiar.

Dear Carrot 

Oh how there is so much to tell you and so little time. I wish everyday I could see your inquisitive face trying to track down the mysteries books bring. The determination in you eyes to march forward a solve your hidden treasures.

Your dreams must be progressing, for that is what Sarth perceived.

Take this note

hold it dear 

solve the riddle

then all will be clear

trust no one, for we are the family that was shun   

Love Grandpapa Albert 

"Rina? Darling , the nurses say that we can probably discharge you today. The results showed that your blood pressure is low and you are a bit dehydrated. These could be the reasons why you passed out. Some rest and food is basically what they recommended." That was my mama. Papa strolled in right behind her watching her as she starts talking up a storm.

Alpert and Quisen met in cafe down in Spain. He was studying abroad from the UTEP and her a small town girl from New Hope. It was not necessarily love at first sight though. He dropped a shovel on her foot. But somehow they fell in love, kept in touch and got married. 

"Ok, lets just get me out of here."  I said before this could become an hour long lecture from mama.

After dumping my purse next to the comfiest chair in existence I maneuvered into a reading position. The current book of interest is a Victorian novel by a woman named drake. Somehow women were always losing their shoes.

It honestly was not until Midi our tortoise knocked over my purse until I remembered the note. The first thing I did was hold it up to the lamp, it was a ciphered note. Leave it to Grandpapa for never making it easy. With an somewhat annoyed sigh I got to work.

Nz efbs dfopsjb. Uif xbmmt ibwf fbst boe uif xjtq ibwf fzft. Lopx zpv bsf pg uif uxfmwf boe uif cvsefo xjmm cf ibse. Lffq zpvs tfdsfu tbgf boe gjoe uif tibeft. qpxfst bsf opx bu qmbz.

Three hours later, I am still without the key. Mama stopped by to give me dinner at some point and papa stuck his head in. My excuse was my entrance paper for college for my immediate antisocial actions. I was ready to throw the items in the garbage. it was when the door open for the sixth time when I snapped. With my back still turned my voice raised. 

"Why can't I-You really should answer you phone more." Arie's voice boomed. He walks in with a stride of confided with some new guy. My eyebrow raised the a 'this will be detrimental to your health if you don't explain look.'

"This is an old friend of the family he might know something about the package." Was his explanation. There was pause, another, then another. 

"Hello my name is Adrina, its a pleasure to meet you and your are? " my hand extended waiting for an answer.

"My name is Richard and it is a pleasure to meet such a close friend of a Gravito." He said with a speech I have not heard in sometime. My eyebrow raised yet again wonder comprehending his words. 

"Friend???" then a pause," I see, I do not have to answer phone calls of ex boyfriends within a prompt manner" I told Arie. "But since you have so graciously arrived. Can you?" , I asked. Both lead with a look of confusion on their handsome faces. 

"We can finish bickering about said subject later. Can we what? Arie answered his face turning sour. 

"Can you help with this puzzle ? My Grandpapa left a code at most I would say this key is in this room. But no clue which era he decided." I handed the paper over then walked towards the bookcase again.  The case was organized by subject with in its country origin. 

"What day did the package arrive?" responded Richard. I turned to Arie trying to figure Richards thought process. Fun how he never did mention such friend. 

"The twelfth of October. It required specifically my signature. But the weird thing was it came from Rome ?" was the response. 

"Twelve does not work as the key I tried that al- My mind raced  "Rome would indicate Caesar Cipher the letters are still the apart of the West Germanic English.... how many words besides  Love Grandpapa Albert?

"Twenty five" Arie's replied and that, that was the number. Caesar Cipher would replace the fixed position of the letters in the alphabet. Without the numbers position it would look like gibberish. 

My dear cenoria. The walls have ears and the wisp have eyes. Know you are of the twelve and the burden will be hard. Keep your secret safe and find the shades. powers are now at play.

I stared still confused at the message. Why was the number twelve so important? What shades? Did my parents know about this ? 

"Arie do you- What is your last name ? The boomed voice was Richard this time. Slowly turning, I took a step back, feeling a little threaten. 

"So rude, are you not a friend of Arie's? " I threw on the necklace. "I pretty sure he would have mentioned my last name? I am Adrina Noctis." I finished stating.  Then there was a long pause. For the second time in my knowing of Arie he made that startled face. The one back in the days of art class like I was some rare creature. 

"Rina there something we need to talk about." he said softly.