A Surprise for Astra

"What proof have you?" she asked.

"None at all," the Dragon admitted. "As I said, it is merely my belief. But they were so advanced in their knowledge of all things occult and magical, that it would be surprising if they did not. Furthermore the legends say that it was they who carved the Stone into its present form, long long ago. Of course, whether their knowledge has survived to this day is another matter, but I am hopeful. The Elder Race would surely have ensured that their most important books of lore would be protected from harm so that they would survive through the centuries."

"Excuse me," Fred said. "But what is this Stone of Destiny?"

Astra answered him. "In the heart of the tropical rain forest that lies to the south of Aqualaria is an ancient temple. In the temple, guarded by a large number of priestesses, is an item reputed to be of great power: a giant emerald as large as your head which is known as the Stone of Destiny. But the Stone has a visible crack in it, which first appeared a decade or so ago. And that is bad news, as an ancient legend has it that the fate of Aqualaria is bound up with the fate of the Stone. It is said that our current problems - including the raids by the Dragon - are the result of the crack. The crack is gradually widening. In not too many years time, the Stone could well split into two. If that happens, the supersitious believe that Aqualaria would fall. And there are enough of the superstitious that it could well be a self-fulfilling prophecy. It seems that I shall have to go with you after all, in spite of the risk that the knowledge that the Dragon could gain will make him even more powerful and thus more of a threat to our two countries."

"Good," the Dragon said. "I'm glad that's settled."

"Dragon," Fred said, "I have two further questions. You said that Jarlath had been able to enter the ruins of the Elder Race's city, something that no one else has ever been able to do, and he is presumably still there. He said in his letter to this Simon that he was not being maltreated, which presumably means that there must be somone else in the ruins who is keeping him a prisoner there. Do you have any idea who that might be? A remnant of the Elder Race, or someone else? And how was he able to get the letter to Simon? It is not as though there is a postal service in the Carpathians, and if the letter was only written a week ago then it has taken little time to get here. Though, of course, I don't actually know where 'here' is."

1. The Dragon explains some more.
2. The Dragon refuses to divulge any more.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree