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Last of The Fae Chapter 5: Knowledge, Power, Prestige
🕑 Added 2024-08-02 14:37:18 +0000 UTC“What was that?” Thane asked as Balor lowered his hands and folded them together on the table top.
“That was a binding vow, if I break the terms I set my magic will be taken from me in quite the painful manner.” Balor explained, “But that is neither here nor there, the matter at hand is far more important.”
“You said something about the Fae Courts, is that a known magical family?” Thane guessed as he recalled what Professor McGonagall had said about bloodlines and wizarding families.
Balor grunted with disdain, “Not even close, that pretentious lot wished they had a fraction of the prestige and power that the Fae Courts ruled. Not that they even know of its existence.”
“Well if they were so powerful how come no one knows about them?” Thane hesitantly asked, not wanting to offend Balor.
“You’ll find that as a whole Wizards have a very short term memory for anything that makes them seem flawed or doesn’t subscribe to their idea of supremacy.” Bolar grumbled sourly.
“But aren’t I a wizard?” Thane asked, trying to piece together the puzzle that was slowly being revealed.
Balor slowly shook his head, “No my boy you are something much more. You are the last living descendant of the Fae race.”
“Oh…is that a good thing?”
“Yes it is a very good thing,” Balor answered with a slight chuckle, “The Fae were considered to be the connecting link between the three kinds of magical entities Beings, Beasts and Spirits. Their magical power was so potent that they had to seal themselves away in order not to disturb the natural flow of mana.”
“Wow,” Thane responded wistfully with a gleam in his eyes, “But if they were so powerful how did they die, and if they all died out how could I be related to them.”
Balor shrugged, “That is the mystery at hand, however I believe the items left in the vault may shine some light on the situation.”
The goblin then snapped his fingers causing a large silver tray to appear on the table in front of Thane. Leaning forward to get a better look Thane stared at the three items laid out before him stunned by their quality and craftsmanship.
The largest item on display was an ancient looking tome, its tattered and worn pages were bound between two thin wooden covers decorated with silver and emeralds, masterfully crafted to resemble twisting vines and leaves.
The next item was an ornate silver dagger similarly engraved with images of trees and plant life. The knife didn’t have a hilt meaning the needle thin blade was directly connected to the leather wrapped handle. The final object on the tray was a silver signet ring shaped to be a wreath of vines inlaid with emerald leaves surrounding a massive tree.
“What are they?” Thane asked as he reached out and ran his fingers along the book’s cover tracing the delicate vines.
“These are keys to your ancestry,” Balor replied as he gestured at the items, “From the little I have read about the Fae they valued three things above all else. Knowledge, Power, and Prestige. I believe these items correlate with each of those aspects.”
“Knowledge Power and Prestige,” Thane muttered, as he went to pick up the book only to find it was stuck fast to the silver plate.
Seeing Thane’s plight Balor reached into his jacket and pulled out a silver needle, “Most artifacts of this quality are warded and require the right key to unlock.”
Taking the offered needle Thane couldn’t help but frown, “And that key is blood?”
“Blood signatures are nearly impossible to fool and easily implemented. I doubt this will be the last time you will have to provide some of your blood.” Balor answered as Thane went ahead and pricked his finger.
Squeezing his fingertip Thane stained each item with a drop of his blood, only for the magical artifacts to eagerly absorb the red droplets before glowing with a soft silver light.
Staring into the glowing halo Thane felt a connection form between him and the three artifacts as the sound of a lone flute echoed through his ears and Thane could tell the song was calling him home.
As if excited by his presence the silver light intensified as the book, dagger and ring floated off the table and into the air. Reaching out Thane took the ring first and slid it onto his left ring finger and while at first it was a bit loose the piece of metal shrunk to fit snugly around Thane’s digit.
Thane then reached out and grabbed the tome and dagger holding the book in his left hand and the knife in his right. Now in possession of all three artifacts Thane felt an almost painful tingling sensation wash over his body as the silver light from the artifacts spread up Thane’s arms.
Gritting his teeth Thane felt his muscles lock up meaning he could only watch as the silver light reached his shoulders before coming alive, writhing and shifting to form an intricate pattern down Thane’s arms. Then with a piercing cold Thane felt the pattern being branded onto his skin as the silver light faded away revealing what had been left behind.
Holding his arms up to the light Thane stared at the network silver vines etched onto his skin. They were nearly invisible if not directly in the light, but at the right angle the vines practically shone.
“Incredible,” Balor muttered in a barely audible whisper, muted by shock and wonder, “I’ve never seen that kind of magic before.”
Thane lowered his arms back to the table as he let go of the tome and dagger only to have the two artifacts float into the air and hover at Thane’s side waiting to be used, “What am I supposed to do now?”
Balor could only shake his head, “That I do not know, there were no instructions left behind. Grigotts was only charged with the protection of the artifacts, and seeing them delivered if an heir one day appeared.”
“Oh,” Thane responded lamely as he fidgeted with his new ring.”
“With that I must unfortunately conclude our business today, I wish you well Sir Carter and hope you discover the mysteries of your people.” Balor said with a polite bow of his head as he stood up and left the room.
Comments
kiddeath1998
The goblin mention a vault when he didn't take him to it
