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Part 23 - Verge Of Discovery

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Part 22 - Command The Flame

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The two old friends both turned their chairs toward the candle's flame. Both stared at it intently in silence. “When I set this down, the battle will start,” relayed Silgren. He continued, “When the sand runs out, the state of the candle will determine the winner.” Merobaku sipped her tea, having less flavour than before, but seemed slightly more intrigued and watched in silence. “Ready?” asked Silgren to silent nods from both, “go!” The small hour glass hit the table as they both locked their attention on the candle. Mighty flames roared forth from the candle as the old man took a quick lead. Wax diligently dripped down the side of the candle as Orvus caught up with him and soothed the flame's fiery ferocity. Back and forth the flame went as each of them commanded the flame. Orvus soon got the upper hand and the flame died down until the wick was glowing red like a hot ember. The old man pushed back with everything he had, and just as Silgren had done before, both the candle and the fireplace began to roar. Their shadows danced on the wall as the fireplace calmed. Merobaku watched in anticipation of the victor as she sipped her fragrant tea. Beads of sweat rolled down each of their foreheads, pattering the table below. Orvus gave his final push back as he saw the sand dwindle in his periphery. Time was almost up. Suddenly, the old man lost his concentration as salty sweat pricked precariously at his eyes like hot irons. Orvus had seen his chance in that moment and vigilantly commanded the flame away. Not even an ember was present. “Time!” called out Silgren, as white smoke wafted toward the ceiling.

Part 23 - Verge Of Discovery

The old man rubbed the sweat from his eyes and forehead with the sleeve of his blue cloak. “Fascinating. To see you two battle it out over a simple candle flame is like nothing else,” Silgren exclaimed. “Not even two days have passed since we first gained the power of the stone, and I can only ascertain we'll get better at controlling the power from here onward,” chimed the old man as he poured himself a second cup of tea. Orvus frowned suspiciously at the old man, despite the excitement of winning, “Well, looks like I get the bed after all.” “I gave it my all Orvus, but I allowed myself to be distracted by sweat,” the old man reassured Orvus. He continued with more emphasis, “Had it been a real battle your victory would have been a life saving moment!”

Silgren asked for a second cup of tea as Orvus poured his own. “Would you like another one, Merobaku?” asked Orvus over his shoulder. “Perhaps in the morning,” she replied, “Silgren, would you kindly show me to my sleeping quarters? I'm going to get some rest.” Silgren obliged and showed her to a modest second floor room at the top of the staircase. Merobaku ducked into the room which had a comfortable looking bed, a large and small dresser, and various alchemist's trinkets and toys she couldn't identify. Merobaku noticed a few candles about the room and lit each of them without a word. Silgren chuckled with amazement, “I can not wait 'til I get a hang of that.” Silgren retrieved his own blanket and feathered pillow from his bed and then pointed at the small dresser. “Extra blankets are in these drawers here,” Silgren informed her while opening the top drawer and removing several blankets, “extra pillows are in the drawers beneath.” Merobaku selected the crocheted black and red checkered blanket and a pillow from the second drawer, then thanked Silgren. Before he left the room he made sure to grab two extra pillows for Orvus and the old man, then shut the door gently behind him.

“Ah, Silgren, your tea's getting cold. Here,” said Orvus offering him his cup when he returned downstairs. Silgren set down the sleeping items on the table, took his cup then drank a large gulp which he clearly enjoyed. “Here's what I have for the night,” informed Silgren casually pointing at the pile of bedding, “the guest room is upstairs at the end of the hall.” The old man sipped the last of his tea, “Well, I'm exhausted from today's walk. I'm going to retire now, have a good night.” Orvus and Silgren bade the old man a good sleep as he collected a blanket and pillow and carried his tired body to the room. It was a small room, with a three drawer dresser beneath a window and bed against the wall to the right. The old man found a spot on the floor near the foot of the bed beneath a painting of the island that hung on the wall. Laying down to sleep had never felt so damned good, even considering he was on the floor for the nights they were here. His exhausted legs thanked him graciously for the break as he quickly dozed into a deep slumber to the distant drone of chatter from the living room.

“Hahah!” laughed Silgren, “you really think they'd let you back in after you nearly blew up the whole magic practice room?” Orvus chuckled at the distant memory, “It was an accident. I'm sure they'll forgive me when we show them what the stone can do,” smirked Orvus, “I think they'll be begging me to stay.” “I suppose your right, it's been nearly two decades since...” replied Silgren. He continued with greater energy, “Plus, when they meet Merobaku they may just have to rewrite some of their beloved texts to account for her very existence.” Orvus nodded in deep thought while sipping his tea, “That begs the question, now doesn't it?” Silgren raised his eyebrow at Orvus, “You don't mean...” Orvus nodded once heavily, “Yes, the very possibility that she's not the only one still around...”

Silgren finished the last gulp of his tea while considering all the possibilities that lay before them, waiting to be uncovered. “I only wish I could tag along with you to Verlys Valley. It's been some time since I've been there myself, and I think it'd be interesting to see what new techniques they're using in the art of alchemy.” Orvus sipped his tea once more, “What about you Silgren? Have you made any discoveries as of late?” Silgren smirked hard, “Plenty, but they're all meaningless compared to the one I'm on the verge of.” Orvus cocked his head in intrigue, “Such as...?” Silgren stood up from the table and entered a room beneath the staircase and underneath his own room. A drawer was heard shutting from within followed by Silgren returning with a black, hide-bound book in hand. Silgren sat down at the table next to Orvus and opened it to a page marked by a golden ribbon, then shoved the book in front of him. “I've exhausted all my samples thus far, each experiment ending in failure. I just can't get the temperature right.”

Source Image

Orvus examined a page depicting a lizard like critter, with arrows pointing to areas of the body marked 'wound healed' and the number of days it took. Silgren spoke up, “It's a pseudo-warm blooded reptile which can regenerate limbs by self-managing it's body temperature by use of a unique substance in their blood. The best part is, it leaves behind no scar.” Orvus looked up from the page at Silgren, “Are you telling me you're attempting to get this regeneration to work for us?” Silgren smiled, “Wouldn't that be wonderful? My nephew Grayden could regrow his missing finger.” “Oh, I hadn't noticed he was missing a finger,” relayed Orvus thinking back to their first encounter with him playing at the edge of town. “Here's the thing,” started Silgren with a smile, “I believe the gold Ormus you've brought may be the key to the temperature management I've been looking for. It's possible that this lizard uses gold Ormus in it's blood to maintain the temperature needed for this rare substance to kick in the healing factor.” Orvus slid the book back over to Silgren, “Then I guess we'll just have to find you another sample then, won't we?”

Awaken

Part 01 - Message to Orvus
Part 02 - The Lake Beckons
Part 03 - Night of Rest
Part 04 - The Tomb's Secret
Part 05 - The Deep Gouge
Part 06 - Dismay Down Deep
Part 07 - Orvus Restores Order
Part 08 - Magic Sans Scroll
Part 09 - Clear Path Provided
Part 10 - Trace The Key
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Poem 01 - Immortals of the Aegis
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Part 11 - Eigin Rooted Magic
Part 12 - Ancient Koaj'kah Magic
Part 13 - Elemental Wisp Infestation
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Poem 02 - Elemental Call Song
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Part 14 - Kogg's Aerial Ace
Part 15 - Fiendish Fiery Foe
Part 16 - Water Wisp Woe
Part 17 - Home Sweet Home
Part 18 - A Blessed Breakfast
Part 19 - Ships At Sea
Part 20 - Gifts And Favours
Part 21 - Tea By Flame
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Poem 03 - In Verlys Valley
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Part 22 – Command The Flame
Part 23 - CURRENT
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