{Even after two hundred years, I searched in vain.}
….
"It might not help much," Bri'el sighed, shaking her head. "But there's a connection I saw. I think the reason why Kratamarhl was sealed—before it was lost to time and legends—was because it had gained sentience and awakened."
Sharen took a deep breath, connecting the dots in his mind. "You think that the reason Khlatus is spawning the Haklarans is because it has awakned?"
She nodded. "I don't have any proof but that's my view. It only started spawning around 60 to 50 years ago. It makes one wonder why it hadn't acted up in all those centuries."
Sharen nodded, finding her explanation plausible yet flawed. "Do you still have most of the books you speak of?"
She shook her head. "I had to give them away. I couldn't afford offending the Shattered Knights and it has been years since I read those ancient texts."
"I have a question," Narene spoke up, giving Bri'el a straight look. "The Holy Emperor started putting a restriction on magic from the first hundred years of his rule. Back then, Khlatus hadn't spawned the monsters. Why did he try to kill knowledge of magic? Did he see this coming?"
"The Holy Emperor has always wanted power for himself," Sharen said, clenching his fist hard. "He's a coward."
"You should be careful who say that to," Bri'el chuckled. "It might lead to your death."
"The Holy Emperor is dead." Sharen's tone was flat and iced.
Bri'el's expression paled but she quickly recovered, clearing her throat. "I have no words for it."
"Thank you for your help," Sharen said, standing. "It will help us in our quest to find the artefact."
Bri'el stood as well, smiling brightly. "I'm glad I could help. I also want to find this artefact so if you have any information, let me know." She handed the book to Sharen, sighing. "I would've loved to read this."
Taking the book, Sharen put it in his pocket. "I will share what I can."
"I don't trust Goramel," Narene said after they left the library.
"He purposefully misled us here," Sharen agreed, glancing at her but careful to not incite the hidden desires in his heart. "Why would he do it?"
Narene shrugged. "Do you think that he knows about our plans to capture him and is buyig time?"
"No," Sharen shook his head. "Goramel doesn't need to fear us." Sharen knew that for a fact. He actually feared the meeting with the man for the system had shown that he was an anomaly.
"Should we confront him and ask for the book or just capture him, forcing him to give the book over?" she asked. They passed by a group of people arguing with a uniformed soldier. It was a pathetic scene and Sharen had difficulty looking when the soldier brought his club down on the man's head, shattering it.
"That's brutal," Narene sighed, looking away. "Is he dead?"
"No," Sharen glanced at the wincing man on the ground. "But it's not our business. We will go back to Goramel later but first, I need some rest."
The pain in his side had reduced considerably yet it still left him quickly drained. The wound itself hadn't sealed completely but it was better than what Shar had done for him.
"If it's okay," Narene said, a slight smile surfacing on her face. "I'd like to take the afternoon off. I want to meet one of the soldiers and practice my sword fighting skills."
Sharen smiled. "It's fine. You can also find Fryssel in the process if you can. I don't want him getting into trouble here."
"Okay," she said but turned. "You will be fine on your own, right?"
Sharen nodded. "I have been fine on my own for years. I can manage."
She nodded and disappeared at a corner of the street. Sharen sighed, his focus turned to Khlatus and Kratamarhl again.
….
Fryssel walked along the small alleyway. According to the information he received, the magic gathering was just a research club but was kept private and attendance was strictly by invitation.
It was the kind of thing he wanted. A chance to learn about magic and what other normal people thought of it. He realised that he wanted a second opinion, a fresh view on what others thought. If he was able to get any information, he reckoned, then it would help him greatly in his journey of awakening his innate magical talent—just like Master Sharen.
Emerging from the alley, he walked across the street and arrived at the small building. The building belonged to the convener of the gathering. Standing outside, Fryssel felt a sudden anticipation for the gathering yet he feared one thing.
He hadn't received any invitation, only eavesdropping on the conversation of two members. He considered himself an intruder at the gathering yet he had to take the chances. It was worth it. Knowledge of magic was something he would pay for—even with every bit of Lars he had.
He walked around the wall, coming towards the entrance of the building. Two people stood by the door, speaking to everyone that arrived. Fryssel waited, obscured by the pillar that joined the house to the wall, looking for an opportunity to sneak in.
More people arrived though singly. Each one spoke with the two men at the door before they were allowed entry. As he watched, he noticed one man come out of the house again, an apologetic look on his face. Fryssel perked up, finding that as his cue.
When the man left, he emerged, approaching the two men at the door. With a smile, Fryssel nodded. "Sorry for that."
The two men nodded and opened the door for him. "You should have been more careful."
Despite not knowing what they meant, Fryssel still nodded with a calm smile. The man that had just left might have been new and the moment he left, the men would have difficulty recognising his face. Yet, Fryssel felt that the gathering was so easy to infiltrate.
Their security was really lax and if—by chance—someone who was loyal to the Holy Emperor ventured in, they'd all be in trouble. Magic was forbidden except for the Shattered Knight.
It was one of the reasons Fryssel had been apprehensive about studying magic fervently. He didn't want to become a Shattered Knight. He wanted to be a free mage, just like Master Sharen. And he had the confidence that he could awaken magic just like Master Sharen.
He entered the house, taking in the view of the interior. A lot of people sat, surrounding a large circular table.