I’m an archeologist

Priestess, Private, and Spell Weaver Amara, along with Corporal Yasin, hustled through the stacks of Andlkang’s largest archive and library. They were each led by hand by a young rider girl who frequented the library with the dream of becoming an archivist herself one day. She worked as Archivist Kovek’s assistant. Essentially fetching him items of importance or running them to those who need aid when he’s not present.

“This way, we’re almost there.” She said, flashing them an eager grin. Erin wasn’t over 14 years old.

The trio emerged into a clearing and happened upon a table with heaps of dusty tomes, knowledge crystals and scales all scattered and piled up, topped with half rolled scrolls. A man in a brown leather dusty sat reclined on a hover couch with a tome in hand. A beige hat covered obscured the top of his face until he glanced up to face the oncoming commotion. A wry smile crept across his stubble flecked jaw. Blue eyes twinkled with genuine joy, set against sun kissed skin.

“Well, if it isn’t the young librarian again. And you’ve got friends this time?”

“Friends for you Dr. Ford. They’re looking for something and asked if I knew anyone who could help them find it.”

A wry smile creased the man’s brown, and blonde stubble lined jaw. He had a rugged look to him. Amara felt like, based on appearances, he could handle himself.

“And you came to me? I’m honored. So, what have ya got for me, kid?”

“This is Amara, and this is Yasiin. They’re looking for it.” The young rider said with a glance around.

“It?”

The little gestures to the piled stacks of books and knowledge crystals insistently. Realization dawned on Nathan’s expression and his brows shot up.

“Oh! It. I see. Thank you Nira. Please friends, come sit, preferably within my tables’ privacy wards.”

Amara and Yasiin both passed through a ward that tingled as they entered. Amara could see the runes and magical aspects composing it even before stepping through, so she knew full well in advance what she was getting into. That was one of Erlaut’s first lessons. Never subject yourself to unknown spells. It makes you ill equipped to counter spell.

“We’re looking for a spell ship, and we believe they might store it below the surface. Kovek explained there is a series of underground caves and little Nira said you knew them best, having ventured into them to map them out.”

Nathan processed Amara’s words for a moment. Nodding silently and making sure she knew she had his attention. When the spell weaver stopped, he played at the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. She didn’t say specifically which spell ship, even though they both knew of only one that would have any reason to be kept beneath the surface. Especially beneath Anazi herself.

“I’ve been down to those caves and I’ve mapped a good share of them, yes.”

He began by agreeing with her. It established a positive rapport. It also verified what she knew of him. But it was also time to temper expectations.

“They get pretty rough down there and I haven’t fully explored the area. There are some areas I avoid entirely because of their hostile nature. There are also places that aren’t too bad and can actually be quite hospitable if you know how to keep your wits about you. If you want to go diving there, you better bring someone who knows their stuff. Someone like myself. I don’t recommend going down there alone.”

“How far of a distance from here?”

Nathan chuckled softly to himself. “You’re asking me to give you a straight answer right off the bat? Well… it’s thousands of meters down. Easily days of hiking, if not weeks. If we’re going to make sure you’re well packed.”

Amara and Yasiin exchanged easy glances and the two spell soldiers nodded, nonplussed. Nathan smirked. Not bad, he thought to himself.

“Alright then. Let’s get going.”

“What’s your rate?” Amara asked, fishing for a couch pouch. Nathan pushed it away. “No thanks. I’m not in this for money. Call it a personal interest.”

Amara shrugged, dropping the pouch within her a void portal just large enough to swallow it. Nathan watched with a small grain of regret as the money disappeared. He sighed, mentally chiding himself for having too many principles and not enough greed. Still, if they could find the spell ship, the fame would be plenty good enough to sustain his research.

As the group prepared to depart, Nathan turned back to Nira.

“Also, Nira? A word?”

She grinned and followed Nathan over to a nearby table. As soon as they reached it, she leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

“Did you hear anything I told him?”

“Hear what?”

“About us.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I did. What of it?”

“Nothing. Just curious if you heard anything I said.”

Nathan chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep our little secret between us. You’re the first person to ever see me without my hat, and I’d hate to spoil your fun.”

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Nira smiled and gave a wink. Then she exited the library and waved goodbye to Amara and Yasiin before heading out to help with their preparations for their journey.

#

A few hours later, the three travelers found themselves in a field of tall grasses with the ruins of an ancient city emerging from the plains. The remains of a long abandoned settlement lay hidden behind the hills and plains. A stone wall encircled the site, but most of it had crumbled away. The stones were old and cracked. Many were still standing, but many others lay in piles and rubble. The ground itself was littered with fragments of broken pottery and bits of rock that appeared to have been picked clean.

After a quick survey of the area, Yasiin and Amara walked past Nathan and took several steps forward towards the nearest hill. Both looked to be excited about their mission. Neither of them cared much for fighting. Sure, they were combat trained but preferred to avoid conflict. But they knew how to fight. They had to.

"So, you two think you know where we're headed?" Nathan asked as he scanned the horizon. The sky was clear. No clouds marred the star filled night.

Yasiin nodded, motioning for Amara to follow. "There's a pattern to these ruins. They cluster together. This place is an obvious choice, but there are others further west. We'll take the ones closer to us first and work our way farther into the mountains. It should be safe enough to camp here tonight, so we can begin early tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good. Let's get to it."

As they resumed, Amara whispered to Yasiin. "I didn't know you were so well versed in dragon rider ruins."

Yasiin shrugged. "I'm a nomad. My peoples visited this world often. We probably know the world better than they do on the surface, at least. As for what's below? Well, that's up to Dr. Ford."

Amara bit her lip and nodded. Nathan cleared his throat politely and then continued walking.

When they reached the closest hill, the trio paused for a moment as Nathan and Amara watched Yasiin scan the horizon. A look of concentration passed over the young man's features before he lowered himself to kneel beside a shattered chunk of granite. He placed his hand on it and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a strange aura enveloped him and the stone piece. His fingers glowed brightly, casting a soft light over the surrounding terrain.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, an image formed in Yasiin's mind. He gasped audibly and immediately opened his eyes to stare blankly ahead. Amara and Nathan both rushed over and kneeled down next to him.

"What did you see?" Amara asked.

"Terrifying. I saw what remained of a battle. Thousands of warriors engaged in combat. Hundreds of them died. Some were killed by sword blows, others by arrows. I saw a dragon kill dozens, but I couldn't tell if it was the enemy or a friend. One thing I know for certain is that the dragon was huge. Greater than any I've seen before. Its scales shone like diamonds in the sunlight."

"Dragons?" Nathan asked. "I've heard rumors of magic carrying memories. But that's usually in some association with a wellspring. Something about the magic being the blood of a god. But how is it the land has a memory? And why could I sense it?"

Amara channeled her Maetrayopts. She could see the swirling echoes of magic all around the area. "Because it saturated this area with god’s blood. Not enough to create a pool, but something inflicted here a great wound."

Yasiin frowned, still trying to make out the phantom memory's images. "The question is, who was wounded and how?"

Nathan studied the landscape, "Well, this is the wyrm mother of air world right? Maybe this is where they had a last stand? It's said she went into hibernation because of heartbreak at her mother's death, but what if that's just a lie to cover up that she went into hibernation to heal her own injuries? Something greivous that would take eons to recover from without expending immense amounts of magic?"

"You sound like you've given this a lot of thought." Amara noticed.

Nathan shrugged, clapping the dirt and grass free of his hands as he rose. "I've been here studying this world for a while. I guess I am a bit of an expert on bits."

"Well, what do you think? Do you think this is where we need to go?" Yasiin asked.

Nathan blinked and stared at Yasiin. For a moment, he forgot what he was doing. He only remembered when Yasiin spoke again.

"If there's a dragon down there, maybe it's the same one. The one responsible for the attack."

"I doubt it," Nathan disagreed. "Anazi may not have been the best wrym mother, but she was better than the Sauridius or other gods. But if she's below the surface...." Nathan trailed off as the gears turned in his head. A beat later, his expression brightened with realization. "Oh! That....that's brilliant. What if they hid the spell ship under Anazi herself?"

Amara chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Like a magic smokescreen. Her proximity would make it impossible to sense or scry unless you knew where and when to look."

Nathan snapped his fingers, pointing to Amara. "Five points to the priestess. Exactly."

"It sounds like we have a rough idea of where we need to go then." Yasiin said, referencing a map that Nathan shared. "Lead the way Doctor."

With Nathan in the lead, they made their trek across the plains. The terrain grew rocky and treacherous. Large rocks jutted out of the ground, making the footing precarious. Cliffs and sheer drops were visible at any angle. In the distance, at the mouth of a massive mountain, an opening of a cave that would lead them below. A cave marked on Nathan's map.

They approached the entrance to the cave cautiously. Nathan surveyed the area and then turned to Yasiin.

“Are you ready?”

“I’m a spell soldier. Readiness is part of my training.” Yasiin replied.

Amara smiled. “Yeah, well, I’m a spell soldier, too. I’ve trained in casting and hiding skills.”

Nathan eyed the two, unsure of which one was more dangerous.

“I’ll take point,” Amara offered. “You two follow closely.”

Nathan nodded. “Good luck.”

“You too.”

The three entered the cave cautiously. After a few minutes, Nathan led them deeper into the darkness. Excitement warred with caution as the chance of realizing a life’s dream was just within grasp. If only they can make it to the depths beneath the sleeping air goddess.

‎