The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the lush, verdant landscape of the Vay Islands. Aslter, Talik, and you hurried along the ancient, winding path through the city that lead to the Temple of Vay, the air buzzing with anticipation. The streets were replete with two and four legged griffons, perching on stones provided to give them a place in the city that is theirs and watch the daily goings on. An occasional screech catches your ear and you turn to see yet another griffon flapping its wings or taking flight. The temple was magnificent structure of white stone and intricate carvings, stood atop a hill overlooking the entire city, its curved spires reaching towards the heavens and the whole structure was an obvious dedication to the air and griffons.
Upon your arrival, you found Soera, the Warden of Vay, standing outside the temple. She impressed you every time you say her. She was a figure of serene strength, her autumn-coloured hair glinting in the fading light, her green eyes calm yet piercing. She wore her traditional Warden robes, practical yet adorned with beautiful embroidery of griffons in flight.
“Soera,” Talik panted, catching his breath. “We—”
“Soera, we need—” Aslter began, but Soera raised a hand, silencing him with a gentle yet commanding gesture.
“I was expecting you,” she said, her voice soft but carrying an undeniable authority. “You were spotted on your way here. I heard you were walking—a rare thing for the Voek of Vay, especially over such distances. Your urgency suggested you were in need of griffons and riders.” She gestured to a group of majestic griffons waiting nearby, their feathers shimmering in the twilight.
You stepped forward, clutching the scroll tightly. “Soera, we have a serious problem. The teleportation from the woman of light was hijacked, and now we’re sure someone is working against us, she divided our group and sent us to many different places.”
Soera’s expression remained serene, but her eyes narrowed slightly in thought. “I received word from a rider and heard from Garrow. He found himself back on Morian Island, just as confused as you were. He mentioned something odd about your meeting in the temple.”
Aslter’s brows furrowed. “What did he say?”
“Garrow said that when you met with the woman of light, Elder Tharah, and Head Mage Maeka, there was another person present. Someone he assumed was with one of you. But now he’s concerned. Whoever stood innocently among you might have been there to ensure your failure.”
The gravity of her words hung in the air. Talik’s eyes widened. “You mean... she was the one the sibling was warning us about, she was the intruder?”
“It’s possible,” Soera said. “Someone who blended in, unnoticed, but whose presence was meant to disrupt your mission.”
“We were meant to give this scroll to Tharah but now that is not possible. The sibling suggested we needed to take it to the Central Island? Talik explained.
"That makes sense," Soera replied. I am not sure what the Dark Library is but the Central Island is definitely your next port of call.'
"But how do you know the central islands is where we have to take the scroll?” Aslter asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Soera turned and pointed towards the horizon, where the last rays of light form the towers were converging. “Because that is where all the light from every tower in Solea can intersect. The Central Islands. I assume that the scroll must be delivered there.”
Understanding dawned upon you. The towers of Solea, each a beacon of hope and power, can converge their light at a single point—the heart of the Central Islands. The path was clear, but the journey was fraught with unseen dangers.
“Soera,” you said, your voice steady despite the turmoil within. “Will you guide us?”
She smiled, a reassuring and powerful presence. “I will. And with the griffons, we will reach our destination swiftly. But we must remain vigilant. The one who sabotaged your teleportation may strike again, if it is the Witch of Water then we are in trouble. Was she robed in royal clothes embossed in red? You think back to try and remember. Was the mystery woman dressed in red? Answer this in Thy Quests to move on.
Next: E7Q3 Down Is Up