Arianna's Lotus [http://i.imgur.com/oOhwKDZ.png]

Chapter Three

Lari'xan's Interference

I looked around the subterranean temple and sighed, keeping my arms crossed under my chest. Even after centuries of dust, the bloodstains throughout the massive structure and plaza were obvious. Dozens of stone homes were built in a semi-circle around the main plaza, with the temple towering over everything at the far end. According to our findings so far, the complex had once served as housing for X’shmir’s mages. The temple and its grounds were used for training as well as worship.

“So much blood…” Eyrian murmured, frowning. I glanced up at him and then followed his gaze toward the plaza. “I can’t fathom what they were attempting to achieve. You got any ideas?”

“Well, the stories say that the king and queen of the time foresaw humanity losing their access to magic,” I offered. “It’s not clear why they lost their abilities, but we do know that the X’shmiran Royal Family is said to have taken drastic measures to prevent it—or to strike back at their rivals. There’s so many versions of the story, I don’t know which is accurate.”

“Rivals?” Eyrian frowned deeper.

“Devillians,” I stated.

“Tch.” Eyrian scowled, his thick tail twitching. “So, you think whatever they did was with the intention of saving their magic—or lashing out at our species. Can’t say I’m fond of either option.”

‘Fraelfnir?’ I probed, watching as the fae-dragon soon appeared by my side. ‘You sense it too, right? I’m not imagining things?’

‘There is something off here, yes—and you cannot get involved.’ Fraelfnir glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze toward the temple complex. ‘Until Nalithor returns, you must leave such matters to me or the Lari’xan. I will contact Sihix and Yiltanys while you collect information from the Dauthrmiran scholars.’

With that, Fraelfnir flitted off and perched on a nearby boulder before closing his eyes. I released a heavy sigh, earning a questioning look from both Eyrian and Azhar.

“I’m not supposed to get involved,” I stated dryly. “Not until Nalithor is back…which means…”

“Balance issues.” Eyrian’s brow furrowed. “Are our people in danger? Should we have the scholars withdraw?”

“I’m not sure yet. Whatever it is feels faint—whether it’s due to distance, age, or something else, I can’t tell. Fraelfnir is contacting the Lari’xan.” I shook my head at the Draekin and then looked over at Azhar. “Do you sense anything wrong with the fire crystal deposit or the soil nearby?”

“The crystals don’t seem damaged.” Azhar shook his head, but his expression was still tense. “Even after purification…the soil here still remembers the tragedy. Thousands of lives snuffed out. It will take much more work to purify the aether here.”

“We’ll start by getting the remains buried.” Eyrian grimaced. “X’shmiran or not, the poor bastards deserve a proper burial. Cleaning up the complex should help with purification too. We can get some of the Oracles in here afterward to perform rites for the dead. Few centuries late, sure, but better than nothing.”

I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh. The corruption wasn’t strong enough to make me want to tear into the temple in search of it, but it was definitely there. When I sensed the shadows shifting to my left, I opened my eyes again and watched as Sihix stepped out of them. His usually playful expression was gone, replaced by a lethal one.

“You are almost done with your visit?” Sihix asked, shifting his dangerous gaze to me. “Your scholars may remain at the temple by our domains until we have finished our work here. Once you guards have finished, return to Dauthrmir.

“Lucifer needs to have a word with you.”

Sihix gave me a pointed look before striding away and down the nearest pathway. Yiltanys materialized out of the air alongside him, joining him on the way to the plaza. I watched as Fraelfnir flitted over to perch on Yiltanys’ shoulder. Pursing my lips, I glanced between Eyrian and Azhar, but they seemed just as puzzled by Sihix’s behavior as I was.

“Think that’s the first time I’ve seen him wholly serious.” Eyrian half-shrugged. “I won’t complain about returning to the empire quicker. Have to wonder why Sihix took that tone about Lucifer needing to talk to you, though…”

“No use debating it.” I shook my head and scowled. “If Sihix is being serious, it’s probably for the best that we make this quick. I’d rather not see what he’s like when he’s pissed off—and Fraelfnir has a point about the extent of my ability to help right now. I shouldn’t push it.”

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‘We will keep you informed.’ Yiltanys glanced over his shoulder at me, giving me a brief nod. ‘For now, there are other matters for you to worry about. Allow us to deal with this place and its lingering corruption.’

‘Hadn’t you two cleansed the region?’ I pointed out.

‘We believe we have missed something—either a prison, or some manner of artifact,’ Yiltanys replied, turning his gaze forward once more. ‘If it is another prison, we will destroy it and your scholars can help take care of the prisoners. If an artifact, we will make certain it won’t harm your people before handing it over to them for study.

‘We need you and Nalithor to return to each other’s side quickly. Doing your work for you is troublesome.’

‘Well, I’ll try to convince Father to let me go to Nalithor, now that the X’shmirans are dead,’ I remarked dryly. ‘No guarantees.’

‘Of course.’ Yiltanys nodded subtly before his presence withdrew.

“Anything useful?” Azhar crossed his arms.

“Not quite.” I pivoted to search for our other companions. “We should collect Reu and Kabos, then return to our airship. Let’s not overstay our welcome.”

“You’re learning caution—good.” Azhar nodded.

“I’m not. It’s just that my options for feeding are…unsavory, at best.” I grimaced and began walking along the rim of the cavern. “Azhar, go get the others and help them gather whatever else they need—pick up whatever information you want as well. Eyrian and I are going to return to the surface.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Azhar nodded to me before sinking into the stone.

“Something wrong?” Eyrian frowned.

“The corrupted aura is…annoying.” I shook my head in reply. “In the same way that an insect buzzing near your ear is agitating. Unlike an insect, it won’t follow. As such, putting some distance between us and it seems like a good idea.”

“Want to take a look at your temple?” Eyrian suggested, earning a brief glance from me. He grinned. “Well, we’re going to be here a little longer. May as well take a peek, right?”

“We will be leaving immediately,” Azhar stated, stepping out of the cave wall in front of us. He dragged Reulidru and Kabos out of it by their robes, dumping them unceremoniously on the floor. “The Lari’xan are cranky. Had Fraelfnir teleport the rest of our people to the temple—looks like he’ll be staying here.”

“We’ll have to take extra precautions to protect Arianna.” Eyrian’s demeanor immediately shifted. “On the way back, we’ll take turns guarding her quarters on the airship. When we arrive, we’ll set up a rotating shift of guards to keep anyone from intruding in her wing of the palace. I want guards set up outside too.”

“I suppose I should be thankful you’re so thorough.” I shot Eyrian a mildly irritated look.

“It’s my job to make sure you can sleep without being woken up by a knife in your back or a slit in your throat,” Eyrian pointed out, narrowing his eyes at me. “I take my job very seriously, Arianna. Just as you do with yours.”

“Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I can’t complain.” I laughed. “It still seems so surreal, you know. Having my own guards. Perhaps if we give it another few months I will eventually grow used to it.”

“With you? It will take decades.” Eyrian snorted.

‘The temple is pretty…’ I kept the thought to myself when we exited the tunnels. The gargantuan building rose up half the height of the forests flanking it. Its black and white exterior sparkled in the morning sunlight, as did the platinum and crystal ornaments covering its surface. I wanted to explore it, but clearly it would have to wait. ‘Nalithor and I will have to come back here another time.’

“Leaving already, Your Highness?” The guards we’d left at the ship frowned when they spotted us approaching.

“Lari’xan’s orders.” I shook my head and let out a sigh. “We’re to return to Dauthrmir at once. Yiltanys said that they will keep me informed regarding the situation here. Until then, all we can do is wait and tend to our business in the capital.”

“Lucifer wants a word with his daughter—so let’s not keep him waiting,” Eyrian added, causing the soldiers to swallow hard. They quickly fled to make their preparations, leaving the rest of us to make our way to one of the many lounges within the ship.

“Well, did you get what you came here for?” I looked between Reulidru and Kabos as I sat down. “We may as well start going through what information we have. It’s a long flight back to Dauthrmir.”

“The scholars haven’t yet discovered the name of the being the X’shmirans were worshiping,” Reulidru began, summoning a stack of parchment from his shrizar. “However, the temple library is well-stocked with literature and diagrams. It is all written in an old form of the common tongue, so it will take some effort to translate, but we believe much of the information we seek is included in these documents.

“It appears that there may be detailed instructions regarding Blood Magic.”

“Which we will have to make a point of guarding closely,” I stated, giving the Rylthra man a pointed look. He nodded his agreement. “Eyrian, Azhar, I want the two of you to help make certain no one can get their hands on any of this information.”

“Of course.” They both nodded.

“Now then, regarding the crystals in the cavern,” Kabos spoke up, a frown on his lips. “While I didn’t sense any strong degree of corruption, there appears to be a lingering maliciousness within them. I believe the ritual the Humans performed must have left an impression in the area’s aether.

“I will have more for you once we’ve returned to Dauthrmir and I have the appropriate equipment, but for now we should advise our scholars to be more cautious.”

“An impression, huh?” I made a sour face. “Alright then. Until we’ve returned, and you have better equipment to work with, we’ll all help Reulidru—”

“I would rather translate the documents myself, Your Highness,” Reulidru interrupted, his expression apologetic. “After I have translated them, I will edit them for clarity. It will hasten our work in the long-run.”

“Then what do you suggest I do for the remainder of our flight?” I sighed irritably.

“Rest?” Azhar shot me a sideways look. “You are still recovering, are you not?”

“I didn’t bring anything to read.” I pursed my lips.

“Write another letter to Nalithor?” Eyrian suggested.

“I’m not going to convince any of you to spar with me, am I?”

“No.”

“Fine.”

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