Revisiting the Vault

Late that evening, Devrim and Aurora met at the appointed spot in the hidden tunnels. Since the night five years prior, they hadn't tried to re-enter the mysterious vault.

"Do you think it's still there?" Devrim wondered aloud.

"Where else would it be?"

"I don't know, but we've been by the Council's room a few times since that day, and the tunnel wasn't there."

"Then I suppose we'll have to make it appear." Aurora was confident. She ran her fingers against her golden necklace at her collar bone. "And I am pretty sure this is the key."

They made their way through the secret passages to the Council's meeting chamber. Under Chief Zan no secret council meetings had been held, so they had not come this way often. As Devrim suspected only a smooth glow stone wall could be seen. "It's right here somewhere." Aurora recalled.

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Devrim had second thoughts. "The vault didn't seem to like me being there last time."

"I've been thinking about that. It didn't react until you touched something. So look only with your eyes, and I think we should be fine."

The grey-eyed boy shook his head. He didn't agree with her reasoning, but he wasn't about to let her go in alone either, so he held his tongue. Aurora felt along the wall. It was rough and solid against her fingers. Suddenly, the wall felt like shifting sand beneath her touch. Her first impulse was to pull away, but something in her kept her hand in place. The wall melted away and the strange dark passage appeared. Taking Devrim's hand, Aurora smiled reassuringly. "Everything will be ok as long as you are with me."

They walked deep into the ground, Aurora's necklace glowing to show the way. As they entered the vault, the firefly lights burst from the chain and lit the sconces around the walls in an ethereal light.

Aurora scanned the shelves, but was unsure where to begin. "Look!" Devrim called. He was pointing at the podium toward the center of the room. The podium was empty. "Remember that strange map? It is gone! Do you think someone else has been here?"

The Empress remembered the strange map very well. The symbol to the far north above the ice barrier was etched in her memory. Earlier that same day Nanny had sung a song about going beyond the ice and snow. She had actually been thinking about Nanny's song when the map appeared. It was strange coincidence. Or was it? Aurora had an idea.

She walked over to the table and touched it. A strange energy thrummed through her fingers. "I don't think anyone has been here. I think this table is magic."

"This whole place is magic," Devrim countered.

"I know. That's not what I mean. Let me try something." When Devrim took a step back, Aurora breathed deeply and said, "Could I please see a book on…magical creatures?" Nothing happened for a moment, then a cold wind filled the room. The pair closed their eyes. Just as quickly as the wind swept in, it was gone.

"What was that?"

"I think vault answered me. Look!" Aurora pointed. A book had appeared on the podium. Afraid to remove the book from its spot, the Empress pulled back the cover. Inside were pictures of all sorts of creatures, most looking more or less human. The writing, however was in the strange runes of circles and squares. Aurora laughed. "Could I possibly get a book on magical creatures in a language I can understand?" She asked.

A bright flash of light caused both Devrim and Aurora to shut their eyes again, and a new book sat in place of the old. "Now it's just showing off," Devrim complained as he rubbed his eyes.

The cover of the new book had a strange symbol on the front and at first Aurora believed that the vault had made a mistake. But when she opened it, the Empress discovered that this was exactly what she needed. "This lists all sorts of creatures and their magical abilities. It's like an encyclopedia!"

"Great! Can we go? I don't think the vault likes me." Since entering the room, Devrim had felt the air was heavy around him. He was not welcome, only tolerated.

"You are imagining things," his friend insisted. She looked up at the vault. "May I please take this? I promise to return it." The room groaned, and the girl smiled. She picked up the book and tucked it eagerly under one arm, bowing with respect toward the podium. Aurora headed for the exit. Obediently the fireflies attached themselves back to her necklace, leaving their perches along the walls.

Not wanting to be left behind, Devrim was quick on her heels. As he came to threshold, he turned around and bowed deeply. "Thank you for your assistance," he said, feeling a little silly talking to a room. The air lightened around him, and he relaxed. Devrim followed after the Empress down the hall, happy that they were able to exit peacefully for once.

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Aurora met Zan and Devrim outside the Council's room before the official meeting. The Empress had been up all night studying the book in order to give a more accurate account of what happened to her. She had notified Chief Zan that she needed to speak with him before the meeting, and he had happily obliged. Devrim had known about the meeting and chose to join them.

"How are you, Your Majesty?" Zan asked. His silver eyes were filled with concern. He had not seen her since the incident with Sir Iowerth, but her ladies-in-waiting had sent word of her safety.

"I am well, thank you. Though the events of last night have broadened my views on what is possible."

Zan was intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. I need your support no matter how crazy I sound in this meeting." Aurora braced herself.

The Chief's brow furrowed. "I don't understand."

"Let me ask you this: how do you feel about magic?" Aurora pulled the vault's book from a satchel at her side.

Zan's eyes flashed silver, "Tell me everything."