The outside of the city looked like a fortress. There were stone walls and watchtowers. There was one, huge, rusted gate at the center of the wall. Shouts were given and the gate opened and the Riders rode in without a word.

There were two massive cannons on each side of the gate, pointed towards the sky. Past that, the Riders trekked a path that ran the outskirts of the town. A castle made out of sleek, silver metal stood at the center of the town. There were houses and shops that filled in the spaces from the castle to the wall. The town generated a lot of a noise as townspeople negotiated prices, animals pulled carts, and children laughed and played.

The Riders rode on the outskirts until they were led to a tunnel near the castle. They rode through the tunnels and descended below the ground. The path eventually opened up and to a wide room. The large room was an underground stable. There were many stalls for the horses and hay lay in piles around the room. The horses slowed and the Riders tied each of their mounts to their respective stalls.

The Lady led the Pluto up a set of stairs that were set in a recess on the far wall. The stairs twisted upwards. The other Riders entered a door along the stairs, but the Lady continued to ascend. After climbing about three stories, the stairs ended at a wooden door. Etched into the wood was the symbol of a bird, the same as the banner that the Riders carried. There was a golden ring that hung from the door. The Lady knocked on the door a particular tune and it soon opened. A guard, clad in silver armor, waved them through when he had a look at whom was requesting entrance.

The room was wide open and decorated with a rainbow of colors. There were four metallic posts throughout the room that had water flowing from them like a vertical fountain. A long, white and gold carpet ran the length of the room to a throne. There were birds that flew freely through the room, making a bit of a racket.

Upon the throne was a large, stately man. He was looked intimidating and compassionate all at the same time. There was no question that he was the king. He had slicked back blonde hair and a long, but well-kept, dirty blond beard. He wore a purple robe underneath armor that covered his chest, shoulders, and legs. He perked up when he saw the duo approaching him.

“Ah, Lady Themina. How were the patrols?” The King asked.

Lady Themina quickly bowed and Pluto followed suit.

“There is nothing major to report, your highness.” Lady Themina said.

“Although we did pick up a wanderer in the Avian Fields.”

She gestured to Pluto, who never rose from bowing, and elbowed him to stand.

“What is your name, young man?” The King asked.

“My name is Pluto and I am from Nix Berdra, your highness.”

The King’s eyes widened with surprise.

“Nix Berda, you say! What business to you have down here?”

Pluto thought it was unwise to tell the king about the stones, so he made up a story about how his father sent him to the planet because of the looming pirate threat. He told them how he was looking for the library, but was lost in the fields when his guide abandoned him.

“That is quite the tale!” The king exclaimed. “Those blasted pirates have been more and more of a nuisance these days. Luckily, you were picked up by the best person you could’ve.”

He flashed Lady Themina an affectionate smile and continued.

“The Library isn’t far from here. I would be honored to make sure you find your way and will even spare the Princess to guide you there.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The King whispered to one of his guards and he went to find the Princess. Soon the guard returned with the Princess in tow. She was elegant in her white dress and had her blue hair in an intricately weaved bun that accentuated her pointed ears. Pluto’s eyes flashed with recognition, but a quick look into hers made sure he didn’t reveal any kind of familiarity. She politely curtsied and turned to her father.

“Princess Erxa, this is our guest, Pluto.” The King addressed his daughter.

Pluto bowed and she curtsied again.

“I would like you to escort him to the library until he finds what he is looking for. Then perhaps we can find him some lodging for the night.”

“Yes, father.” She said.

Pluto thanked the king, bowed, and then followed the princess out the main chamber. He followed her through a few rooms on their way out of the castle. Every time that Pluto was going to question her, she silenced him with a fierce gaze.

Outside of the castle, they made their way past a few shops then to a grassy park. There were families out having picnics and playing various games Pluto had never seen before. Erxa looked around and when she was sure no one was too close to listen, she spoke quietly in Pluto’s ear.

“Sorry for all the secrecy.” Erxa started off. “It’s very important that no one finds out that I spend my days outside the city.”

“How do you do it?” Pluto wondered. “The king doesn’t realize that his daughter is missing from time to time?”

“That was tricky when I first started. I tired myself out sneaking in and out around certain times. Luckily, a friend I have is studying to be a part of a theater group. She plays the part of sweet Princess Erxa while I get to go explore the outside world as Xera.”

“Xera? Is that your name with the letters flipped around?”

She laughed.

“Yes. I know it’s not the most clever, but it has worked so far.”

They carried on their conversations until they reached a long, two-story building with white marble steps. They walked in and were greeted by a thin man wearing a black pin-stripe suit.

“Princess Erxa! This is a surprise; welcome!” The man said then bowed. “What brings you to our humble library today?”

“Thank you, Mortimer. I’m looking for the book about the myth of the stones.”

“Ah, yes. I know the one.”

He led them past many rows of books. He appeared to glide rather than walk. He brought them to an arched doorway labeled “Myths”. They walked through a short tunnel and arrived in a circular room where books lined the wall from ceiling to floor. In the center of the room was a console with a screen.

Mortimer typed something on the screen and certain sections of the books rotated for a moment then stopped. There were green lights that glowed from three books.

“These three books all have something to do with the myth about the stones.” Mortimer said. “I hope they will prove to be useful. Is there anything else I can assist you with?”

“Thank you again, Mortimer. That will be all.” Erxa said.

Mortimer bowed again and glided away through the tunnel.

Pluto and the princess looked through two of the books and all they found were things that Pluto had know from the tale he was told before his escape. The third book however, proved to be more useful. The author described how their ancestor told tales that each guardian housed a temple to which the stones belonged to.

“It says there’s a temple here in Nevus!” Erxa proclaimed. “I haven’t heard of it before.”

Erxa put the other two books back, went to the console, and typed something on it. The room rotated again and only one book lit up. It was a giant, dusty tome marked ATLAS OF ROSILIR.

She opened it and turned to a page of Nevus in an era before the city was fully built. She scanned the map and placed her finger on a spot and said “Aha!”

“The temple is here; right where the library is...” Her voice trailed. “How is that possible?”

“Did they tear down the temple to build the library?”

“That’s possible...or the temple is somewhere inside.”

The pair took the atlas with them and left the hall of myths. They wandered around the library, following the map to see if there were any clues about the missing temple. When they neared an elevator, Pluto’s pocket began to vibrate. He took the stone out and had Erxa feel it. They entered the elevator and rode it down to another floor.

On the lower level, the vibration of the stone became vehement. Thankful that there was no one around to see it, Pluto held his hand out and used the stone like a compass. The stone led him to a shelf sparse with books. They removed the books and when the neared the wall behind, the stone emitted a faint light, the wall split in two, and opened like a door.

Beyond the wall was a set of stairs leading downwards. They approached stealthily and came into a small, round room. The walls were ancient and crumbling. Cobwebs carpeted the corners; it was apparent that no one had been there in a long, long time. Pluto and Erxa could tell at some point there was beautiful etchings on the walls, but that was no longer the case.

When they came to the center of the room, the stone flew from Pluto’s hand and into a tiny recess on the wall they were facing. The room seemed to sputter to life, like starting a vehicle that’s been sitting idle for too long. Then, appearing before them was a woman bathed in a pink-hued light.