“How were you able to read it last time, then?” Arik asked.

“I don’t know, it was just there.”

“Well that’s great, looks like a dead end.”

“Maybe someone else can read it? Or maybe it can only be read inside the cave?” Amaro said.

They passed it around to one another. Each one confirming that the pages were blank.

“There’s got to be some sort of trick to it, right?” Anitus said, “Assuming Raktus’s ears work properly, and you weren’t lying, that is.”

“Distrustful as usual, brother,” Amaro said.

“I’m merely considering all the possibilities here. The most simple answer is often the correct one.”

“But not always.”

“Then how do we explain this? How were you able to read it last night?”

“Maybe it has something to do with the antimagic field in that cave?” Arik said.

“Yeah, but then I would’ve been able to read it too, and I couldn’t,” Kaara said.

“That’s true, so maybe we can eliminate any ideas about the location being a reason?”

“Let’s go over what we know first,” Anitus started, “Last night there was a new moon, it was the middle of the night later than it is now, only Amaro could read it and not any of us. When Amaro read the text, he fainted. The scrolls are clearly enchanted in some way, and perhaps the scrolls are only meant to reveal messages when a certain set of conditions are met. I’ve heard of human artifacts being capable of such things.”

“But then what would the conditions be?” Rorik asked, “Maybe something like ‘This must be read on a new moon by someone of Xirxus blood’?”

“Not quite, but you might be on the right track. If we changed it to something like ‘This can only be read on a new moon by someone with lightning magic’ then it would fit. However, why would someone make a condition so specific only to hide it away in a cave? We also need to understand the place these scrolls were discovered in.”

“Maybe it also has something to do with my dream? But if the scrolls couldn’t be read by me, then why would a ghost lead me to it?” Kaara said.

Amaro thought for a moment, “I also remember something strange about the crystals in that cave. They were arranged to spell out the word ‘Loktiir’ do any of you know what that means?”

Kaara perked up, “Where have I heard that name before…” She muttered.

“Do you know something, Kar-Kar?” Arik said.

“Sorta? That name sounds familiar, but I don’t remember where I heard it.”

“If you remember, then tell us. For now, I think we’ve hit a wall. Let’s just hide the scrolls and try again later,” Amaro said.

“That is probably for the best, I’m sure we’re all tired,” Anitus admitted.

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Rorik packed up the scrolls and handed the case to Raktus, “You remember where to hide it right?”

“Of course! What do you take me for?”

“Just making sure. I doubt they’ll bother you like they did to me, big guy. If a Tibur stops you out there just say Rorik told them to let you pass.”

“My thanks, although I think I may accept a challenge just the same.”

“Just make sure you don’t let anyone see the scrolls.”

The group exited the tent to find Deka and a couple of his goons standing outside.

Amaro raised an eyebrow, “Fancy seeing you here.” he glanced at Arik seeing the shock on her face. Looks like Deka had evaded her detection, “How can we help you, prince?”

“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, and I found it rather interesting. What’s this about Loktiir’s scrolls?”

“How did you-” Arik grit her teeth, “They shouldn’t have been able to hear anything, I soundproofed the tent!”

“Oh that silly trick? Yes, I suppose you would be surprised if you were living in squalor all your life.” He tapped a metal coil hooked to his ear, “Did you know that electricity can carry sound? Or that it can travel through a vacuum? What am I saying? Of course you didn’t.”

“What do you want, Deka?” Amaro said, glaring.

“I couldn’t help but notice how secretive you lot were. I thought it would be best to do a bit of espionage on my potential enemies, but I think this can be beneficial for all of us. I can help you read the scrolls, and the six of you can join my faction to bring Tadios to his knees.”

“As if we’d betray our own for something silly like that. We can figure it out by ourselves. Thanks, but no thanks,” Arik said, “Although that offer tells me that even the prince is afraid of losing to someone like Tadios without some sort of betrayal. It’s real cute.”

“Oh, I know I can win regardless, I simply wanted to extend an offer to be on the winning team. But… well I was always taught to act like a lamb if I’m a wolf.”

Amaro picked up on the presence too late, “Raktus!”

A figure slammed into his younger brother, swiping the scroll case from him. Raktus slumped to the ground as Amaro moved to retaliate.

Deka got in his way, putting a black blade to his neck, “Stand down or I will start cutting, and this will leave more than a simple scar behind, I assure you. That means you too, Arika Tibur.” He said as Arik had locked blades with the one who assaulted Raktus.

The cloaked figure kicked her in the ribs and broke away to rejoin the other two goons at Deka’s back.

“Bastard,” Arik spat.

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Anitus said, having not moved an inch in the entire altercation, “And why go this far to secure our help if you don’t need us to win?”

“Listen closely to my heart, then,” Deka said, “I, Deka Alveridan, give my word as the Prince of Itaro that I can read these scrolls. Additionally, I know who Loktiir is, and I also possess knowledge which will help you put this mystery together before the Siren Ceremony occurs in two weeks. I will read it for you, and I will even teach you all how to read it yourselves, but in exchange I demand loyalty.”

Everyone looked to Raktus.

“He’s not lying.”

“Loyalty? For how long and to what extent?” Anitus said as if he were haggling the price of a ring.

“Until the end of the Siren Ceremony should be sufficient. And loyalty with the exception that it endangers your life. Is that agreeable?”

“And even if you have the scrolls, why do you think we would need to know what’s on them aside from our own curiosity? It’s not like any of us have any business knowing at the end of the day,” Amaro said.

“Oh believe me, heir, you’ll want to know the knowledge contained within these scrolls if they are genuine scrolls of Loktiir. The information in these texts could be the difference between death and survival during the Siren Ceremony.”

“And how do you know that? These are just some ancient texts, how could they possibly help us with the Siren Ceremony?”

Deka wagged his finger, “Tut tut, no fishing for information. Your brother has not heard me lie yet, has he?”

“I loathe to admit it, but he’s correct.” Raktus said.

“So then, Amaro, Kaara, and everyone else, do we have a deal?”