Despite how desperate the Crims chasing him were, Eclipse lost them near a blacksmith's forage. The damage they did to the market had left many stalls buried under sand. He was anxious to reach the Temple, his only solace and safe haven. The angel statues greeted him as the building came into view. Their serene faces drew a sigh of relief from his lips. But his stomach churned as he saw the scarlet robes at the base of the stone steps. They are incorrigible.

He stepped slowly, keeping close to the bases of statues and columns. Hugging the afternoon shadows as he made his approach. He cursed himself for bringing them to Tahel's doorstep. The Enforcers huddled together studying something in the sand. Perhaps the distraction was what he needed to slip into the Temple unseen. He tried to remember the location of an old escape route when Tahel’s voice drifted over the stairs. She ran down them, shouting at the Crims at the base.

“How dare you commit violence at the steps of the Holy Altar!”

A loud groan drew his attention to the Crim’s feet. There, in a heap of clothes and sand, was a man curled on his side. Blood gushed from his broken nose as he rocked himself back and forth. One Crim held his staff at the man’s chest. While the second ordered Tahel to back away.

“We have orders to arrest this man. Like it or not he’s coming with us,”

“You can’t, he’s under the protection of the Temple. Your actions are an affront to the Gods.”

“This man is a criminal. If he didn’t want to get caught, he should’ve picked a better hiding place.”

“Since when did being a librarian become a crime?”

“Stay back woman!” Threatened the third man. He held his staff to her and she stopped obediently on the step. “Get back inside and let us handle the ways of the kingdom.”

His body tensed, ready to pounce. The insult to threaten the Oracle’s Maiden was too much to ignore. He moved from his hiding place, ready to take them out one by one. But before anyone knew he was there, another young man stormed over the steps. He had sandy brown hair and reading glasses. He wore brown pants and a white light weight tunic.

“Heretic!”

Eclipse changed course and ducked behind a fountain. He caught Tahel’s eye ensuring she knew he was close if the situation escalated. All that mattered was that she was safe.

“You dare threaten the Oracle’s Maiden! Now that truly is an affront to the Gods.”

“Baron Belmont? What are you doing here?”

“My business at the Temple is mine. It seems like you have completed your own, now leave. Or I’ll report this insult to your captain.”

The gargled screams as they drag the injured man away, haunt him as he watches them leave. Tahel moved to stop him, but Belmont motioned her to abandon her plan. Her sadden expression lingered as she followed him inside the temple. He slipped through the small group of people who gathered to watch, taking the steps two at a time until he reached the doors. Inside Belmont was whispering to Tahel in the entrance way.

“Lord Orbit!” Her lips trembled. She darted to him wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Tahel, are you safe? What was all that about?”

“I don’t know, one minute everything was fine, and then they stormed in here and took Fergus, the library keeper.”

“They came inside?” Eclipse didn’t want to believe it.

Only the Oracle’s protectors could enforce the law on the holy grounds. The tapping of a cane signalled Sinna’s presence. Despite her frail appearance she walked with a steady gait. And the two men with spears flanking her side, made her appear to be an unstoppable force. Her escorts, two of the many temple protectors, were tall and lean. They wore a ceremonial head dress and jewelry marking their station. Their toned muscles were ready to use their weapons at a moment's notice.

“I am afraid this sets a dangerous precedence.” The old woman announced. “Victor, how did the Crims know Fergus was here?”

“It's unclear Sinna, his directions were clear. Specifically, never to leave the Temple, and to tell no one he was here."

“Who is Fergus and why would the Crims use force to obtain a librarian?”

“Unfortunately, that is not for me to know. Come Tahel, you are trembling, let’s get some tea in you. Eclipse, my pet, perhaps, you can acquaint yourself with the Baron. He is a fortunate soul to talk to in these situations.”

“Forgive me Lord Orbit, I know all of this must seem unusual to you. But if you grant me a moment of your time, I may have some answers.”

Eclipse allowed the man to lead him past the main space down a corridor prohibit to the public. He never met the man before, but he looked more like a scholar than a wayward Baron. Belmont carried himself like a politician, straight, rigid and aware of every eye in the room. Not that he looked many in the eye, they passed servants and priests, and unless they were an acceptable rank he ignored them.

There was a whiff of soil on his shoes, from the garden inside the Citadel. Such rare plants were only found in the southern tropics but we’re imported for the amusement of the kingdom’s richest members. The soil was imported with them, and that fragrant earthy scent followed him down the hall.

They walked past the mosaics depicting previous miracles throughout the lives of the Oracles. But Eclipse focused on the stairwell he was leading him toward. Down the winding stairs and deeper into the canyon base. He wondered how a nobleman was granted access to the secluded parts of the Temple.

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Especially knowing Sinna’s distrust for Godfrey and his followers. His steps were precise, despite the dwindling darkness swallowing their path. The lanterns burned as they descended deeper. Further from the surface, and anyone who could hear their cries.

If it was his intent to put the panther on edge, his plan failed. Eclipse was familiar with that path. Having spent sometime in the rooms below on several occasions. But he was still surprised that Baron Belmont, knew of the existence of the relic rooms. The stairs led to a long hallway, with less light than the upper floors. The space wasn’t as decorated as above, and the hallway was roughly cut out of the rock

Belmont turned the corner drawing his attention to a dark cramped space under the stairs. His fingers instinctively pushed a pattern of rough stones. Behind the wall a mechanism clinked and a door too short for Belmont revealed itself. The smell of ink and damp floated into the hallway as he crouched through the passage.

There was no enchanted ceiling, only a lantern with a metal shade acting as a dimmer. The room was a decent size, although the ceiling was slanted and the Baron was only able to stand at his full height at one side of the space. He glanced at the lopsided desks stacked with parchment and tomes. There were various hand glasses used to help read small handwriting. Candles and their wax coated holders melted over stone shelves.

“Forgive the mess, I did not plan on entertaining anyone.” He shuffled a bundle of blankets from a chair and offered him the seat.

“This entire situation is getting more unorthodox the longer it continues. Tell me what your purpose of being here is. Or at least mine.”

“I require your expertise. My research is… controversial to say the least. Which meant I am segregated here instead of at the Citadel.”

“You work for the Council?”

“My work depends on their funding, but I am free to choose my pursuits.”

“Considering you are hiding in the basement; I am beginning to doubt your assessment of your situation.”

“They told me you were observant.” He chuckled as he adjusted his glasses. He turned to a ceramic water jug and poured himself a drink into a matching bowl. “I have a peculiar interest in mythology. Did you know there are several accounts of magical relics appearing on Umara? As if just dropped from the Stars? My predecessors believe that the Gods abandoned their precious relics all over Umara. And I made it my life’s mission to find them.”

“So, you are a treasure hunter?”

“A treasure hunter, must at some point find a treasure. The only thing I have managed to find is myself in a predicament.”

“Does this involve the librarian?”

“Possibly but not intentional. Fergus over saw the Academy’s archives. When the Headmistress began removing tomes from his collection he grew suspicious. He came to me, expressing concern. He thought it was me who requested them for my collection at the Citadel. But I didn’t and I admit I lost sleep over the entire situation. To preserve the historical accounts, we planned to move them here. In secret of course.”

“Does Sinna know of this?”

“It’s difficult to determine what Sinna actually knows and what she pretends to know. But she allowed the scribes to accept our ‘donations’ and never asked anything of it.”

“And Tahel? She seemed very protective of Fergus.”

“She doesn’t ask any questions, but she is more observant than others realise. Verena was suspicious when Fergus couldn’t account for the missing items. Then she threatened to call for his arrest. Tahel graciously offered the protection of the Temple, as long as he kept himself hidden.”

“But the Crims forced their way inside, despite the laws. Sinna is right, this is concerning.”

“Unfortunately, there is more. You see, Fergus’s arrest may draw attention to my work and that will have a larger impact on the kingdom. Recently I became aware of certain information, which upon reflection is rather…dangerous. Sinna has told me in no uncertain terms that she must remain impartial to this knowledge. However, I cannot sweep this under the rug. After speaking to her of your character, I am certain you are the person to help me with this issue.”

“You place a lot of faith in a stranger. An ostracised one at that.”

He motioned to a table in the back, drawing his attention to something draped with a dark blanket. Belmont cleared his throat before revealing the object. A part of it sparkled in the lantern light. His mind refused to face the reality before him. He left his chair to get a closer look.

“Is that?” He placed his front paws on the table, sniffing the walnut handle. Fresh polish, new carved wood; and at the top was a glistening Opal the size of a human fist.

“Yes, an Opal staff. Made with in the last month.”

“Impossible. They Council banned these, then destroyed anyone they could find.”

“Your Mage still carries one.” Belmont added. “You have firsthand knowledge of this staff’s potential.”

“Unfortunately, yes. It has caused many issues with Moira and also a blessing in disguise. But how did you acquire it.”

“From a rather terrified staff maker who was recently moved from his shop to a secret room in the Citadel. I would not say more, I already risked his life by taking this specimen. What you see before you, Lord Orbit is what the Council is keeping from you and us.”

“The Opal is the only gem that can be used to manipulate all five elements at once. It allows for extraordinary flexibility. Any Mage can use it and master multiple elements alongside the others. The only reason to mass produce these is to create an army…”

“Now you see my concern. Mages are to Protect. Not engage. The Oath is clear.”

“What do you wish me to do about this? I have no sway with the Council. And I am incapable of persuading Sinna if it was my only chance to enter Paradise.”

“Godfrey has an iron fist over the information that wanders out of the kingdom. The people below, never learn anything unless Godfrey wills it so. But unlike me, you are not bound by him. Like you said, you are an outsider. With the ear of a powerful monarch in your capable paws.”

“You expect me to take this staff to King Avalon without drawing attention?"

“No, this remains here. My fate is sealed with it. But I will provide you with something King Avalon will not ignore. In return I will guarantee what you desperately need.”

“And that is?”

“A meeting with Godfrey.”

Eclipse stepped away from the staff on the table. His feet could not stay still, and he paced the narrow space. Worry gnawed at him with each step. Belmont stood aside, waiting for him as he sipped from his bowl. Could he trust the would-be treasure hunter? His tactics to speak with Godfrey up until now had failed. However, a representative speaking on his behalf might be more productive.

“Very well, I will do as you ask. But the king would need something convincing to sway him to interfere.”

“I believe you will find what you require at Eyden's Passage.”

“The mines are active again?”

Belmont nodded, causing his stomach to churn. A consideration he had but wished wasn’t real. But there was the evidence, staring at him from the wobbling table. An Opal staff, a potential for good or worse. Every concern that bubbled in him, the ones he tried to reason away were valid. And worse yet he sent Saule to investigate it.

What have I done?