Chapter Text
“Here, sir; Mistress Krile sent these a few days ago for your research.” The thump of heavy leather broke him from his stupor as much as the shaking of the table itself did. The roegadyn quickly stilled the rickety wood, nodding a thanks to the messenger, before picking up the paper tucked between the covers of one of the books.
Rammbroes, I hope this letter finds you in good health and in good spirits;
The Students and I have been hard at work in an attempt to stifle the devastation surrounding the Calamity but have yielded little results thus far. Yet, for all the destruction and chaos, we seek to remain level headed to find a rational course of action towards the future.
That being said, I did not foresee you of all people interested in chasing down a rumor simply because of a sentence in a book. Yet, at the same time, the historical implications behind it are a bait too irresistible for any self-proclaimed historian and researcher to ignore.
Thus, I place all the blame squarely on your shoulders for getting me involved as well.
(He chuckled a bit at that, almost hearing her sigh and shake her head but smiling nonetheless.)
As stated in your previous report, here are tomes and journals we found in the Library based in that time period. I do urge caution however, so do not become frustrated if nothing is to be found.
I will check in again in a few days time via linkpearl. Pray rest and refresh yourself so you do not fall asleep mid-call again.
Always;
Krile Baldesion
Ah Krile, an amazing person and fellow researcher but, by the twelve, did that woman have a sense of sarcasm that could out-wit the world. Placing the letter aside, he carefully picked up one of the leather-bound books; the scent and sound was a familiar, welcome thing as his eyes scanned the written pages.
They spoke of the known history of Allag, of its wondrous technologies and far reaches of its empire. Tales of the First Emperor plus his bloodline onwards shifted between fact and myth, blurred as it was to his tired vision-
“Yet the Will of the Exarch is just, for his Hand is a touch of peace, not war. He would have us look to those who came Before so we may safeguard the Future for those who come after.”
Wait.
Rammbroes blinked at the sentence that seemingly jumped out of its own accord from the time-worn pages. A handful of words buried between the praises of two Emperors and their war-like conquests, one of whom was well known in the annals of history.
But to find something like this, a complete shift from the normal knowledge-
He glanced back down again only to feel his eyes grow wider in shock.
Words that once sang of Emperor Xande’s virtue and valor as a mighty warrior seemed to shift and sink on the page...Changing into another handful of words that spoke of the same being as before:
“Let it be known that He is the rising sun that embraces the people in his protection and His Heart is the star which guides the people to the light.”
What?
He blinked to make sure he truly was not seeing an illusion-
Only to find the words gone from sight, the words twisted back into their original statements of known knowledge. Yet what he had seen could not be unseen...nor did he attempt to stop himself as several theories sprang forth in his mind. Some were a bit more outrageous than others but, given the almost mythical phenomenon of Allag itself, nothing really seemed...unreasonable. Mind set on seeing if the strange interaction would occur again, he carefully placed the book aside in favor of the second of the pile. Yet, while this one went more in-depth of the technology that was frequently used in the 3rd Astral Era, it gave no hint on the strange encounter from the previous book. (In fact, Rammbroes was inclined to think it had been naught more than a fluke or a trick of exhausted eyes as the pile of passed over volumes grew.)
Nor did it appear in the third selection, instead a written series of notes on the biology of several creatures that existed during that time.
When the fourth and fifth books failed to reveal more secrets beyond their intended bindings, the elder Roegahdyn was ready to fling all novels across his tent and outside, lantern and table included. (Yet he would do no such thing for there was nothing more dangerous than an angry Lalafell.) Instead, he chose to slouch over the table whilst passing a hand over his head in thought, several open volumes scattered this way and that.
‘I did not foresee you of all people interested in chasing down a rumor simply because of a sentence in a book’
A sentence in a book, indeed...It was inscribed upon a grimoire his colleagues had dug up several weeks ago; blood splattered and crumbling at the touch, it was, but something about those scribbled words just seemed to stick in his mind:
I pray that this final wish reaches them as they slumber. My Lord Exarch...My Lord Consort, please, forgive us of our sins against you.
Who was it that so fervently wished forgiveness of a fallen lord that they would write it in a journal? He and his fellow researchers had attempted to go back through the pages to find more clues, only to fail when bloodstained pages and faded ink refused to give up their secrets beyond the simple knowledge of a guards timetable.
It was equal amounts intriguing and frustrating! From the tone of the words, it was clear whoever this person was held their liege in high favor at one time...so what could have made them turn against them yet ultimately regret doing so at a later time?
Had they gone mad, as powerful rulers are wont to do in history?
Or was it something else?
Well, he certainly wasn’t going to find anything staring at the wood grain. Heaving a small sigh, he stood up (pausing for a moment to collect himself) to let out a curse and kneel when the table shifted to send several papers floating to the ground. As he attempted to get them back into some form of organized order-
-lands of Meracydia are strange and unknown to us-
What the- He blinked and pulled out the page from the pile while setting the rest aside. Had papers from another report got mixed in the information Krile sent over? And who had decided Meracydia was a prime travel location? That ancient land was a wasteland of hostile entities, long since torn apart at the seams from an age long past.
Why would-
A glance at the page caused him to suck in breath in shock;
I hope this letter finds you whole and well;
Your travels beyond our borders will bring our people much knowledge of the land beyond and my heart swells with joy at the thought of the stories you will tell when you return. Oh how I wish I could be at your side but, alas, I must remain here as my duty as Exarch demands.
Please be cautious; the lands of Meracydia are strange and unknown to us. There have been rumors of beast-men who look akin to walking trees and of tribes who lash out at unwanted beings. There is even a tale amongst the court nobles that you will wander foolishly into the domain of the Great Wyverns themselves. Each story and tale more astounding then the last...some more frightening than others but the delight does little to stop the spread.
My heart trembles as the images of the worst possess my dreams at night because of this; even now, as I write these words within our chambers, I stop and gaze out towards the open skies...hoping for the sight of your ship coming home over the horizon. You would laugh at me and tell me off for being so overly cautious but I have no doubts you would do the same should we have switched roles.
Alas, my love, I must leave you with nothing but ink on paper for now. But know you hold my world in your hands always.
Lord Dogi and Lady Unei have asked me to send you their warm regards and well wishes too; I have no doubts that, once you are safely back in the realm of the Empire, our friends will corner you for a night of tale trading.
Pray, stay safe and stay well, my summoner.
May the Tower’s Light guide you home.
Rammbroes re-read the words several times over to make sure that his eyes were not playing tricks on him. The age of the fragile paper, the faded ink, the elegant style of writing; these and a faded spot on the bottom associated with a wax seal of sorts gave testament that this was no prank. He would need several expert eyes to verify this...and the hope that prickled in his chest.
~My Lord Exarch~
~My duty as Exarch~
It seemed almost surreal to even imagine but the possibility that both people mentioned were one in the same? It was extremely slim without diving further but the link was there.
There were also the two other names mentioned: Dogi and Unei.
Two of the Allag name style and, from the implications of this letter, members of the nobility or court. He tucked the information into the back of his mind for later research; perhaps if he found more about them…
Finally, his eyes dropped down the end of the letter-
~Pray, stay safe and stay well, my summoner~
‘My summoner…’
Was it possible for a summoner to be so close to a ruler? For what little information Y’mhitra was able to unearth about these ancient magus, they were both held in high regard as well as feared for all their power. Most would believe that these people were seen as Allag’s main weapon against the Eikons during that period of time. To see one spoken of in such loving terms however....There was the possibility that this person may have been-
No. Not without fact.
He would make note of this in his own research but, for now-
A ping went off in his ear at that moment.
Ah, speak of the devil herself; smiling, Rammbroes lifted his hand to open the call.
“Krile? Yes, I am well....Would you believe me if I said yes? No?”
He chuckled at the angry exclamation on the other end.
“My apologies, I will make sure to do so once I get off the line with you. ...Yes, Yes I will. But listen, I believe I may have found something of interest to you just now.”