Andra returned the look with a slight nod and then all sat to eat dinner.
The next morning Shuran was up early gathering water from the well to place in a large rock lined basin he had created for watering the animals. He was curious as to where the water spring was coming from so he reached out with his shi to touch the water’s Essence so me might know it.
As he followed the path of the water he was amazed at what he found. The water here had been forced into an underground circle surrounding the area before folding back upon itself at a deeper level and flowing underground far to the South. The source of the underground river was far to the Frozen North.
Over the years the flow had diverted leaving this trickling spring but when Shuran lost his cool the previous day, he had inadvertently closed off the diversion leading the river back to the circle around the ruins. Shuran mapped the deliberate circle in his mind and discovered that this was created in ancient times since it only encircled a portion of the ruins and was very deep in the earth. He now had a reference point for them to focus searching for lost artifacts or more.
All five started out late morning checking the circle that Shuran had mapped out as the Abzu Mu, or deep water, encircling a portion of the ruins. Focusing their search here paid off as Moona shouted for help with some stone slabs.
The group surrounded the slabs and began clearing away overgrowth and rubble. Across the surface of the stone was a broken layer of plaster that partially revealed the remnants of ancient text on the slab. As they carefully cleared away the plaster they could make out forms of writing chiseled into the stone.
Most of the writing was far too damaged or worn to read but there was a center section that had been partially protected by a layer of the plaster. Once they cleared the plaster they could make out a portion.
“Salamu Turzu!” Shuran whispered in awe. Only Andra and Codger seemed to understand the significance of Shuran’s words.
“You can read that scribble!” Moona grumbled.
“I can but I’m not sure how. What it means is something like gathering place for safe keeping knowledge,” Shuran said.
“I agree,” Andra said as Codger nodded as well.
“If that is so, how can this have been from the Telukukal? It is not exactly hidden,” Mallick said doubtfully.
“Hidden in full view, check the surrounding retaining wall. This was the basin for a fountain or pond.” Shuran pointed out the area, and the others agreed with his assumption.
“With the plaster covering the markings, whomever built this castle likely overlooked the placement and incorporated the stones into a garden or other structure rather than try to move them,” Andra finished the observation.
Shuran asked the others to stand back while he inspected the area deeper.
“There is a void in the ground!” Shuran said. “It is a deliberate block from my probing the elements. Something is preventing me from seeing anything but a circular chamber of some sort deep below this stone. There is a slant to the ground leading to the deep chamber north of our position.”
Shuran motioned for them all to stand back as he realized how to open the slab. “I cannot lift this stone out of the way even with the aid of an Abnu Emuq. I think I know another way.” Shuran breathed deep and began coaxing power to flow from the surrounding earth and into the slab. He found that the stone was resisting his attempt to overload it with Essence to the point where it would burst. “I am unable to burst the stone!” Shuran shrugged.
“What are you trying to do?” Andra asked.
After Shuran explained what he had discovered the night before, causing stones to burst apart, Andra realized what the problem was.
“This is not ordinary stone Shuran. If it resists your efforts then it must be Gug.”
The others all looked confused so Andra continued.
“Gug is a special stone that has odd properties of attraction. The dwarves call it lodestone,” Andra said to Codger’s looks of realization and tossed a coin into the air and watched as the others gasped when the coin arched toward the stone on its way down.
“This stone has power alignment to the earth and is a natural shield. That is why you see it as a void as well Shuran.”
Shuran moved closer to the slab and upon removing the coin he felt the force in the stone. “Now I think I understand,” Shuran said and placed his hands upon the stone. Electricity began bouncing between Shuran’s hands and the stone but it would not move. On the verge of giving up, Shuran let out one more frustrated burst of electricity from his hands and shouted. “PETA!” The stone slab slid effortlessly open in and upward motion until it stood at a steep angle allowing entrance to the enormous opening down into the earth.
Shuran explained to the others how he opened the vault, as they now referred to it as. It took the use of electric force element into the stone. The seal was kept all this time by the foundation lodestone being electrically charge opposite of the covering slab. Shuran had forced electricity into the stone but explained that all he was doing was reinforcing the seal until he shouted ‘PETA’ out of frustration.
“Peta is ancient for ‘open for me’ and must have triggered a spell that reversed the polarity in the slab forcing it apart,” Shuran said as they worked their way down the steep slanting tunnel. Every five paces there was a quarter pace drop in the tunnel floor making this a long slanted stairway.
“I believe that it required the word and the electricity to open. I will create a crystal key for the rest of you to use since I do not think it wise to leave the vault open when not in use.” Shuran finished this last thought as he reached a solid wall.
Andra stepped forward and sent a globe of illuminated energy into the space above them.
“This is a large door, nearly the size of the tunnel entrance!” Mallick wondered as he ran a hand over what appeared to be seems in the wall.
Shuran stepped forward and placed a hand on the wall and almost instantly the wall moved inward and slide to the side revealing a wondrously large chamber on the other side.
Shuran and the others felt small within the enormous chamber. The Vault was easily two hundred paces from one side to the other if it were possible to walk directly down the center.
The middle of the room appeared to be an oversized pillar surrounded by seven pedestals. Each pedestal had a recess in the top and an unknown symbol. There did not appear to be any way into the center space. Shuran soon lost interest in favor of less puzzling items to explore.
The treasures of knowledge and history enclosed mesmerized each of the five, even Moona could feel the ancient spells and power that emanated from everything with preserving magic.
Shuran moved over to a statue he noticed against a far wall. When he approached the statue he felt a spark of energy move between himself the sculpture.
In a sudden flash the statue began to glow and others evenly spaced around the chamber began to glow as well. Nearly two score of these statues surrounded the room standing silent vigil for untold eons, now lighting the room and enveloping the occupants with a warm comfortable feeling.
“I could get lost down here for several life spans!” Codger exclaimed.
“We could follow the stench to find you!” Moona cracked back with a puckered grin. “Now let’s see what we got here!” She cackled and started exploring the shelves of books and scrolls.
“I do not recognize this material that most of these books pages are made of.” Codger explained.
“It is a pulp from wood!” Shuran said. “I can feel the faint signature of some sort of tree left behind, but I do not know what kind. The weavings used to preserve this chamber and its contents are likely the only reason the pages are Un-aged.”
Mallick had found a book of ancient spells and runes.
Moona found preserved samples of plants and notes on their uses.
Codger was rummaging through diagrams and models of the strangest yet amazing devices and gadgets.
Shuran found many things but was focusing his thoughts on a loosely bound tome about living things. The large book was an examination of every creature and plant living now and in the past from what he could understand, but the language appeared older than the ancient tongue. Shuran placed the book down hoping to find a translated version.
He found what appeared to be a start to a translation and now he would have to finish it, perhaps with time and the started translation to help.
Andra was focused on one thing only, the layout and features of this room struck a familiar chord but Andra could not speak on it until certain.
The others all gathered their favorite finds and met in a section of the room that held a large wooden table with high backed cushioned chairs.
“Oh! An old fanny such as I got could get use’ to these chairs!” Moona said with a sign of relief. As Moona began to pull out her pipe, Codger grabbed it from her with a look of shock!
“Evalria! What are you thinkin’ you can’ be smokin’ in around these books!” Codger yelled.
Shuran and Mallick turned to each other with goofy smiles on their faces each mouthing ‘EVALRIA’ silently.
“Sorry, habit!” She responded retrieving her pipe and putting it back within the folds of her garments. “And you two, it is still MOONA! GOT IT!”
The boys just nodded with a snigger.
“I think that although these items are spelled, that removing them from here is not wise,” Andra started.
”I have found blank paper and writing charcoal so we can copy things we wish to learn more about,” Shuran said. “We should only take our notes from the chamber but nothing else until we have learned more.”
The others agreed and since this place was found by him the others began to further refer to it as Shuran’s Vault.
The various writings they found were of similar but not exact same languages. Shuran could decipher them as could Codger and Andra, but it was slow going so they decided to create a translation key of sorts that would reference the basics of each the four unique languages they found written.
Once finished, the translations of each book they came across became easier. As the days past into moons, they all made their way through various tomes within the ancient chamber of knowledge, history, and magic.
Shuran was able to create what he called a ‘Nabad’ or keystone, for the use of others to open and close the door and slab of the entrances to what Shuran referred to now as the simply ‘The Vault’.
Shuran made great strides with understanding the anatomy book of life he had been translating. He discovered the differences in the various pages were because each page was written on the pulp of the plant or skin of the creature that it described. Shuran was repulsed at the skins of what were once people, being used as a medium for written word. He only hoped it was taken after natural death.
The advantage of being able to place his hand upon the page and feel everything described on the pages, outweighed his repulsion of the vellum. He also learned about the bodily makeup of all the seven races. He was uncertain as to how and why this information was in a book that has been sealed away in a hidden chamber longer then these races supposedly existed. That would be a mystery to solve another time.
In the council chambers of Chaos Keep, Assinnu Isten was meeting with the Order members.
“How is it that this information has not reached us before now!” Shouted one of the elders. “How long have you known of this and chose not to tell us?” He asked accusingly.
“I only found out myself recently and even then it was only information from a vision and had to be verified,” Isten replied with every bit of venom in his voice he could muster without outwardly insulting the other elder.
Isten may be first of the order but it was an appointed position so he did not yet want to jeopardize his status until his plans came to fruition. “The kashshaptu shared information which we checked. It is yet to become proven but looks as though the mother somehow hid a third child in the womb and her Moon Mother secreted it away,” Isten finished.
“How, I wonder, did all that transpire under the watchful eye of our exalted leader? You were there Isten, and yet you failed to sense the deception.” This time the questions came from another elder. He was much older and at his side was a small red-eyed imp wearing a smug and toothy smile. Isten thought he recognized something about the little demon but brushed it off.
“I am certain, Nagutan, that there was some casting at play. The mother was not without talent.” Isten started. “I am further certain, that with the Essence at play that night it was unfortunate, but not surprising that this happened. We were all of us present, filled with awe of the chaotic forces flowing during the ceremony.”
Isten turned from Nagutan to look at other elders gathered. “It is of little consequence, the boy has no place in our plans and based on reports will be no threat to Salmetu.” Isten thought he had set the matter to rest.
“You of all should know the threat family bonds could be to goals such as ours Isten. I should not discount this boy if I were you,” Nagutan said as he got up to leave. Of all those present Nagutan was the only one Isten would not reprimand for his actions or exiting without leave.