Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 178

       Cedric and Eris were the first to return to the inn. Then, Ara' Sei and Zerai returned. Another hour passed where the two were in their rooms. Ara' Sei began getting worried.

       On her way back to the inn, Ella drank some water. When she got back well past midnight, she asked Cedric to make some mint. She chewed it to get the smell of alcohol out of her mouth before finally going to bed.

       About two hours after sunrise, everyone was awake and ready. They were all gathered in Ara' Sei and Ella's room.

       "So, today we're going to find an arcane institution." Ara' Sei said.

       "We already have a lead on someone who'll help." Eris said.

       "Really?" Zerai asked. Eris nodded.

       "We went shopping yesterday and someone knew an arcanist by the name of Brie Evertempest. We have her address, and we have an idea of how to talk to her." Cedric said. Everyone glanced at one another.

       "In that case, after we eat breakfast, we have a lead." Ara' Sei said.

       Everyone headed downstairs to have bacon and eggs for breakfast. Ella asked for several cups of water and downed them quickly.

       "Is something wrong, Ella?" Ara' Sei asked.

       "Just a bit hungover, but I'll be alright." She replied. Then, the group left.

       Eris held the small piece of paper in their hand that had Brie's address written on it. Following the address, the group found themselves in the part of town with scaled down buildings. Despite being three stories tall, the buildings were shorter than most other two story buildings.

       Finally, everything matched. The group looked before them at a tiny house that had three stories. The house itself was painted a bright blue color, and many of the other houses nearby sported similar colors. A small, rocky path led to the tiny door. Ara' Sei ducked down to knock on the door.

       "When talking to her, we were advised to cut to the point, and we were told she loves spells and magical items." Eris said. They pulled out the three tomes they had stolen from Aaron's study, as well as the strange books they had gotten from the first necromancer they had fought.

       Then, Ara' Sei knocked on the door three times with her knuckles. A few seconds passed by before the group heard movement from inside. Then, the door opened.

       On the other side was a halfling woman who was just barely over three feet tall. She had short dark hair, bright blue eyes, and cobalt blue clothing.

       "What do you all want?" Brie asked.

       "We needed some help identifying some magical items. We have a few spellbooks." Ara' Sei said.

       "Naiyra sent us." Eris added.

       "Oh, alright! Do your best to come in!" She said. Everyone had to kneel down to get through the door. The ceiling was five feet high, so everyone was crouched inside of a scaled down kitchen. There was a circular table that everyone had sat around.

       "Sorry it's a bit cramped. Put the items in question on the table." Brie instructed. Ara' Sei put her tablet on the table and Zerai put his strange blade on the table.

       "Okay, let me get my components. I'm sure Naiyra told you all I'm an arcanist. I'll need a bit over twenty minutes in order to get this done, so bear with me.

       Brie opened her spellbook and began muttering an incantation. After about ten minutes, she drew a glowing, pale blue glyph into the air. The glyph disappeared, and she opened her eyes, in her hands was the blade.

       "When you use this blade, it has a chance of hurting more. Spend an hour with it connecting to it, and you'll be able to use it." Brie explained. Then, she looked at the tablet.

       "Hmm, what do you need help with?" Brie asked, pointing at the tablet.

       "I want to know if there's any other magic going on there." Ara' Sei said. Brie nodded and began the process again. After finishing it, she shook her head.

       "It's just an ominous tablet. "Upon the sea to the South, you shall find the greatest key. Deep within death's mouth, you shall find the melody. If you will accept its call, then the truth is what you'll see. If you fully heed this message, you will be the lord of all. Not sure what it means. Where did you find it?" Brie asked.

       "We found it in the lair of a green dragon." Eris said. Brie's eyes widened.

       "Oh! Hmm, then this prophecy or whatever may have some merit. Well, the only sea to the South I can think of is the Boiling Ocean, and you don't want to go there." Brie said.

       "Why?" Ella asked.

       "It's called the Boiling Ocean because large sections of it are boiling hot. This boiling water creates massive steam clouds hot enough to kill you in a few hours. And there's no way to navigate out. The only way to have a chance in there is with a lot of magic." Brie said.

       "We have a lot of magic." Ara' Sei said.

       "Hmm, then you all might have a chance." Brie said.

       "Here are all of the tomes. We got some from a necromancer and some from a tyrannical mage in Oarshear." Eris explained. Brie's eyes lit up.

       "Hold on, hold on! You've got the good stuff!" Brie said, grabbing the books. She flipped through the pages excitedly, her smile growing wider and wider as she looked through Aaron's tomes.

       "Okay, are you all planning on following the prophecy to the boiling ocean?" Brie asked. The group nodded at one another. It was a ridiculous prospect, but they knew they were up for it.