The festive party proceeded exactly as Finikis had hoped. All his guests attended and he took enormous gratification in displaying the Sword and Shield of Bergmane, reunited. It was the centrepiece on his dining hall wall. Oliver enjoyed the evening as one could. He knew only one of the guests that attended and he spent most of the night avoiding those he didn't; who kept trying to talk to him about the troubles back home. Oliver was in no mood to talk about the Dark Lord, the Ministry or whether he felt anyone could stop his homeland turning to darkness.
The familiar face at the party was that of Henry Rashmore, his Auror colleague from back in the day. Henry was still on assignment in the Baltic States. His mission was working on behalf of the Ministry, shoring up support and seeing backing from every other magical institution. Most Ministries, Departments and Bodies all offered their support in words, in statements, but there was little to no actual resources provided. Henry believed that was down to fear, he knew as everyone in that room did, the Dark Lord's reach extended far and wide and he was certainly one for punishing those that stood against him. Very few people outside of Britain and Ireland were brave enough to join a fight that they could simply avoid. Why join a dangerous war if it wasn't going to directly affect you.
Henry didn't have the luxury of avoiding the conversations about what was happening back in Britain. He had to take every opportunity he could to make inroads with powerful foreign nobility. He didn't waste any opportunities about sharing the message and trying to bring anyone into the fold. It was exhausting and he was glad to get some free time with Oliver. The pair shared a large bottle of wine and reminisced about their early careers. Oliver introduced Henry to Finikis, who was eager to enquire about the Archduke's family heritage, particularly the Bergmane Sword and Shield. He even enquired about the stories behind the Domantas Bracelet. Finikis didn't reply in any great detail to those questions, he simply directed a smile to Oliver. The ex-Auror had to explain to his former colleague about his assignment to locate the Sword and that is why he decided to stay in Latvia. The discussion touched on why Oliver was still there, which resulted in him confiding slightly. A story of how he was now looking for the Domantas bracelet at the request of Finikis, left his lips. A lie underpinned by a semblance of truth.
The party ended and December soon raced by. Oliver enjoyed spending the festive period in the large castle and with Finikis and Jynx. The three had spent many nights talking and drinking and just enjoying conversation. However, as they entered the New Year, Oliver knew his entire focus needed to be on the hunt for the bracelet. He was soon back to spending every waking hour in the library, looking through books, and when no one was around taking out Radoslav's journal.
Late one evening in the first week of January, when everyone in the castle was asleep, he took out the book and read one of the chapters that he was most transfixed by.
The spell has worked. I believe. I followed the ritual that I deciphered as recorded, but one thing remains. The charm doesn't work as fully intended; I am not impervious to all spells. Although I do not feel the full intensity of the hexes and curses cast upon me. I still feel enough. Instead of fire spells scorching my skin, I am left with a burning sensation, sometimes to the point it is too painful and debilitating. Instead of being stunned by a stunning spell, I am hit like being punched. From all the accounts that I have read, I should feel nothing.
It is clear I will need to return to the Draconis caves and confront the vessel. I am confident they will have answers to this mystery. Why does it not work properly for me? It does not work as it did for Domantas.
The short entry was enough to get Oliver's interest peaked. He had read it at least thirty times. He had searched so many books in the library looking for reference to the Draconis cave. He even searched for records of it in the local muggle libraries and local maps. There was nothing. He had no idea what was meant by the Draconis cave nor where to find it. It was the strongest clue in all the entries in the diary, but despite his efforts, it was becoming a dead end.
Oliver was also interested in the confirmation that Radoslav referred to the fact he had enchanted the gem. Even if it appeared he had not enchanted it correctly. It was reassuring that he stated that he had done it. It made the bracelet feel more tangible, closer. It was one of the last entries in the diary, and it was clear that Radoslav had wrote it, day's maybe a week before he disappeared forever. It was well known, that Radoslav went missing in his later years. No body was ever found. It was like he vanished from the face of the earth. He was assumed and certified dead after a couple years from his disappearance.
The only other reference to confirm that the spell had been completed was in the famed letter. Oliver placed the book into his bag and took out a replica copy of the letter that Radoslav had wrote to the wizard prince of Riga. It was a copy that was within the file that Kingsley Shacklebolt had supplied at Dumbledore's request, when Oliver first arrived at Riga.
I write to you all today, to confirm that I have the bracelet of Domantas. That it is enchanted like my famed ancestor. I possess its power and this coming Saturday I shall demonstrate to the world my achievement.
Yours gracefully
Radoslav the 2nd, Archduke of Bergmane.
Oliver reasoned that Radoslav never made his appearance, he didn't demonstrate to the world his achievement. There was no record of anything, no event ever took place where Finikis' ancestor showed off the power of the bracelet. It was a mystery to many as to why that never took place, and soon after he vanished from the face of the earth. Many believed he had lied in the letter, and with the shame and guilt of his failure, he ran away. No one really knew the truth. No one apart from Oliver. For now, the ex-Auror was most likely the only person alive to know that Radoslav had achieved the spell, to a degree, in that it hadn't worked fully for some reason. And it was most likely that, why the event never took place.
Over the last six to seven weeks, every time he read the book, he had a pang of guilt that he had not shared it yet with Finikis. He knew he would one day share it, but he needed unfettered access for the moment. As exhaustion set in, he retired to bed. His thoughts dwelled on what exactly the Draconis cave was and where it could possibly be.
*
January raced by without further success. And Oliver was growing tired of rereading the same pages, the same letter, hoping that other clues would reveal themselves. However, despite all his wishes and prayers, nothing came up. He was now to a point where he could share the journal and ask Finikis and Jynx if they had ever heard of the Draconis Cave.
Oliver was sat in the dining hall, at the large table, completely alone. He was drinking a cup of tea with a bone China set. It was late in the evening and he was considering going to bed. He hadn't really seen Finikis or Jynx the entire day, they had both been out to Split shopping. They had returned a few hours ago, but after a brief discussion on what they had bought, he didn't see them after.
The doors swung open as Jynx boldly walked in. She was hungry. Since returning she had spent the evening clearing the estate of wild gnomes that had encroached on the land and set up several gnome warrens. Jynx's hands were covered in dirt, she still had her wand in her right.
'You're still up and not in the library. That's unusual isn't?' She asked as she paced towards him.
'Just taking a break. A cup of tea before bed.' He replied, as he drank the last sip.
'Wont that keep you up?' Asked Jynx.
'No. Tea is my friend. Coffee is my vigilance.' Replied Oliver.
Jynx continued into the kitchen and cleaned herself up. Oliver soon entered the kitchen space to clean up his cup.
'Bloody gnomes.' Said Jynx, as she scrubbed dirt from her fingernails.
'Not wanting to teach you to suck eggs. But to make sure you get rid of gnomes fully; you should use a carbonator.' Said Oliver, as he dried his cup and placed it away.
'Yeah, been using one. Cumbersome thing. I think I got them all.'
'Good. They can be a nuisance if left to establish. I've seen houses collapse before, due to their tunnelling.'
Jynx heard Oliver's recount as she picked up a cloth and dried her hands. The pair started their way back into the dining hall.
'So, any further forward then?' Asked Jynx.
'Not really. I keep reading the same books. No real leads. Starting to think I may need to change tack.'
'Well, it's been good having you around. Even though I haven't seen much of you of late. Can't stop thinking about you and Finikis at school. Taking those big birds, you told me about.'
'Giant Storm Petrels.' Replied Oliver.
'Yeah. They do sound fantastic. I mentioned them to Finikis and he told me that on the last day of school you were tasked with destroying some eggs.' As Jynx spoke she pulled out a chair and sat down. Oliver, on hearing her statement took a seat as well.
'He told you about that?'
'Yes. He said that you were asked to use the killing curse. You refused. That's what he said.'
Oliver smiled thinking back to that day and wondered on how well Finikis remembered it.
'Well, as I told you. When I first met Finikis, it was the first day I had ever seen anyone use the killing curse. And although I do agree with the philosophy that using a spell in itself did not make someone evil. It was about intention. And on that day, I had no intention to terminate an unborn egg. Finikis felt very differently as he probably told you.'
'Yeah. He said he killed all the eggs you two were assigned to dispose of.'
'Is that what he said?' Asked Oliver, more rhetorical than anything. 'He was okay with using the spell. And he believes he fulfilled that task that day. Finikis would always repeat the words of his farther, who no doubt was told about it from his father and his father before him. Some family motto or saying. Something like, The killing curse is just that. It makes what is alive, dead.' Replied Oliver.
'Ha. He said the exact phrase to me when he recounted the memory.' Said Jynx. Her mind wondered on the unforgivable curses, and there was a niggling question that she had unresolved in nearly two months. Ever since that day when Oliver and herself visited Armands' mother, and she witnessed him using the Imperious curse.
'I would say it's different using an unforgivable curse on an animal as opposed to using one a person.' Her words were less of a statement and more of question, one that Oliver instantly picked up on.
'Are you still holding on to that? I did what I needed. It got the sword back didn't it?' Said Oliver, bluntly.
'Yes. Sorry, I'm not disputing that. It just shocked me is all. It just takes a certain kind of person to use them like that.'
'Like that...' said Oliver, musingly. 'I used the spell as a means to an end. That end being to retrieve the sword. Which I had achieved. Remember you spent months getting nowhere. I sorted it in less than a month. Not blowing my own trumpet. But I won't be criticised for doing what I needed.' Said Oliver as he stood up. He wasn't wanting the conversation to continue. The line of questioning was making him feel uneasy. The reason for his uneasiness, came about by something a mentor had once said to him. The words of Alastor Moody played out in his mind.
Always remember there are three types of wizards. There are those that can use the unforgivable curses for the greater good and once the dust has settled can live a normal life. Those, I call the noble ones. Then there are wizards who use such curses for the greater good, but end up being corrupted by it. Those are the dark wizards. And finally, there are wizards who use such spells, and lose their minds. I call them, people.
Oliver had used the spells before. He was confident that he wasn't want Moody called people. However, he couldn't rule it out, whether he was just one of those wizards that used such spells, for a good cause. Doing bad deeds, for what he believed were good ends. Had he simply convinced himself it was for a greater good. He was well aware of the crimes of great wizards in the past, done in the name of the greater good.
'Sorry I didn't mean to snap. I'm just tired and frustrated. I think I might retire to bed.' Said Oliver, with genuine remorse.
'It's okay. I didn't mean to offend, I was just shocked. It was just a shock is all.' Said Jynx. 'I should go and put the Carbonator back in the Holding anyway.'
'Good night.' Said Oliver as he left and returned to his bedroom.
He heated the room with another ball of fire and sat on his bed. He pulled his rucksack near and took out a book he had taken from the library. It was called Ancient spells, long forgotten. He had taken it out, following reading about it in Radoslav's journal. He had started to read through the book a couple days before and there was nothing that interesting within. Most of the spells, were useless or not used nowadays due to being surpassed by a better and more efficient one. The only spell that stood out so far, was a spell called, Ra'oumous. And the only reason it was remarkable or had a hint of intrigue, was that the titled was circled with a note written on the page.
'The secret to outdo my ancestor.' Said Oliver, reading aloud the written comment. He then continued to read in his mind.
Ra'oumous – the light of the sun without its heat.
To use the spell, you simply use the incantation, Ra'oumous and focus on the need for the light.
The production of light was useful in the early ages of magic. However, the spell has long been surpassed by the use of the more efficient and appropriate Lumos spell. The Ra'oumous spell produced a light that was bright orange in colour and was so intense it was blinding and therefore, mostly useless. It was counterproductive. For any proficient wielder of magic, the spell was redundant. If you ever needed light, the Lumos spell was the one to use. For that reason, the Ra'oumous spell has fallen out of favour and has not been used in common circles for over two thousand years.
Oliver suspected that the spell might simply be circled due to its name, containing the word Ra. He couldn't think on any other reason as to why it would have such significance. There was a large clanking noise coming from outside and Oliver placed the book down and peered out the window to see what was happening. He could see Jynx using her wand to move a large grinder looking machine. She was taking it back to the holding, he remembered. Then it hit him. The Holding!
*
'Voran!' Commanded Oliver. And within a few seconds the elf appeared in his room, looking sleepy.
'Yes sir.' Said the elf, rubbing his eyes.
'What's the Holding, where Jynx is taking the Carbonator?'
'It's the old original house, sir. The old stone building on the edge of the land. We use it to store the outdoor things.'
'Can you take me to it?' Asked Oliver.
'Yes sir.' Replied Voran. He then realised that Oliver meant that very moment. 'Now sir?'
'Yes please.'
'Oh. Of course, sir.' Said the elf, taken aback by Oliver's tone and kind words. He outstretched his hand and Oliver took it, they both disappeared.
Appearing at the edge of the estate, just in front of a slightly shabby and unloved stone building. It was single story and it reminded Oliver of the house of the shrieking shack back at Hogwarts. There was a rickety wooden door that Oliver opened. He was thankful that he had timed it well, Jynx had returned the Carbonator and gone back to the main house. The inside of the Holding was not a massive space, probably the size of the castles dining room. There were no separate rooms, just one long space with a high roof.
'You can go back now. Thank you Voran.'
'Welcome sir. Are you sure?'
'Yes.' Said Oliver and with that the elf disapparated.
Examining the room under the light of a Lumos spell, he started to pace close to the walls. He threw a ball of light high to illuminate the room as he brought the wand to his side. The tip of the wand now glowed white and he reached deep into his senses, searching for any residue spell energy. There was something in the air, but he couldn't make it out. He moved his wand in front of him and swiped the air.
'Revelio.'
A blue flash lit the room and a strange wave distorted the air. Oliver blinked his vision clear and looked around the room. Nothing had changed. Nothing appeared to have been revealed. He was convinced that something was concealed within the room. He started to meticulously scrutinise the walls; he couldn't make anything out. The room was bitterly cold, and it gave form to his breath. Moving past the clutter he looked at every inch of the walls, in the corners, and there was nothing. He now turned his attention to the floor. It was made up of large square stone slabs, each one the same as the next. Oliver was on all fours, assessing every crack.
Almost giving up, his eyes glimpsed something in the corner of one of the slabs. He moved in for a closer look. There was a symbol of an eye. He had seen the symbol before and knew it to be the Eye of Ra. Butterflies swarmed in his stomach, which surged so much it almost turned to nausea. For the stone to bear such a symbol, must be more the coincidence. He stood up; his wand pointed at the floor. His leg trembled slightly. He tapped it hard with his hand to cease the tremor. As he gained control of his leg he side stepped, to clear himself from the stone that bore the Eye of Ra symbol. Using his wand, he raised the stone from the ground and moved it to one side, revealing a small hidden cavity.
Lowering to his knees so he could look down and inside, he was amazed to see a tiny metallic chest. He waved his wand over it to check for protective charms, there were no spells upon it. Taking it out of the ground, for the first time in over a hundred years, Oliver couldn't contain his excitement. The box had a simple latch keeping it closed. Oliver lifted it and opened the container. Inside were several old parchments with quill written letters on them. Glancing over them it was clear to him that they belonged to the original Domantas, the so-called son of Domantas. It was the letters that Radoslav referred to in his journal.
It was a wondrous find. However, it was not complete. A feeling of frustration surged through him. He believed from his studies that the hidden stash of letters in the Holding would contain the bracelet. But he was mistaken. The bracelet was not within the small chest. It only contained the letters. Radoslav might have found the letters and the bracelet within this very tin, but Oliver did not. It was evident, that Radoslav had not retuned the bracelet with the letters. Oliver pushed that disappointment to one side and appreciated the find. He knew the importance of examining every detail. Within each bit of evidence there was a clue to the next. He was angry at himself that he hadn't realised when Jynx mentioned the Holding earlier. He reminded himself how fortunate it was that he overheard her moving the large machinery and drawing him to that window. If not for that moment, this stash of hopefully illuminating information would never have been found.
Oliver used apparation to move from that small stone outhouse back to his room. Even though this distance was small, it left him with a headache, as he had forgotten about the protection charm around the castle itself, and he had to push through the barrier. He had taken the newly found chest with its contents with him. He placed it onto his bed and opened it again. Taking out all the letters he began to read through them. He had to use another translation charm, a more complex one as the dialect that they were written in, was even more cryptic than Latvian to English. It was because of the linguistic changes over time, he told himself.
It didn't take him long to find the writings, much like the journal entries described, one was a step-by-step guide on how to enchant the Tear of Ra. There was another parchment that detailed how Domantas came by the Tear and how he placed it within the bracelet to make the magic easier to utilise. There were several letters to a witch, who in some of the earlier letters was called Lady Aja of Hesse and in the later letters was called Lady Bergmane. It was clear that Domantas had won her heart over the years and secured her hand in marriage.
There was another letter in the collection that didn't belong to Domantas but was written by Radoslav. Oliver could tell after spending over two months reading his journal, night after night. The letter was written from Radoslav to a wizard called Lenark the shadow dweller. This letter drew Oliver in and he was compelled to read it.
To Lenark the shadow dweller,
I have been told of your fame. Your wisdom on such matters. I seek an audience with you to establish the whereabouts of something that is vital to my plan. I know you have knowledge in this area. And I will reward you handsomely. Please reply to this letter, the owl who brings it to you can return with it.
I will be forever indebted to you if you assist me on my quest - to become invincible.
Radoslav
Who was Lenark? Oliver asked himself. The thought of this strange wizard and the request by Radoslav was clearly one of interest. Could Radoslav have parted with the bracelet to this wizard? Could this wizard be behind his Radoslav's disappearance all those years ago? Did he take the bracelet? The questions raced through Oliver's mind. He put the letter back in the tin.
'Right, one down. Twelve to go.' Said Oliver, as he picked up the next letter to read.