The next morning, they packed up their camp began discussing next steps. They decided not to go to the Supreme Republic as there was really no need. The army of Gionegrast was undoubtedly already there and the Supreme Republic’s Military was more than a match for Gionegrast’s. As they walked on, Ulceaon made it a point to stay by Laucian’s side, not wanting to have to endure the awkwardness that now existed between him and Galdore. Soon enough, the group reached the Western Sea. They would have to sail across the ocean to reach the Isle of the Gods, where all the Draconian Religions were headquartered. From there, they would have to journey to the Southern tip of the island to get to the Grand Temple of Thoth. Unfortunately, they could not simply take a ship to the Southern end as there were only two suitable harbors on the island; one on the Eastern side and the other a few miles from the Grand Temple of Anubis. They had to use the Eastern harbor as the other one was owned by the Grand Temple of Anubis and only available to dock funeral vessels. In the harbor town, they found the Harbor Master and booked passage on a ship that was bound for the Island. The ship left first thing in the morning, so the group next found an inn to spend the night. Ulceaon was quick to volunteer to share with Laucian. Aya insisted upon having her own room; as much as she wanted to be treated equally, she was still a woman and needed her privacy. This left Galdore in his own room, which Ulceaon was fine with.
Ulceaon looked over at Laucian lying next to him, fast asleep. He didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t fair that Galdore should come into his life after he’d met Laucian. He still didn’t know what to make of Galdore’s advances. He needed to speak with Galdore, to set the record straight. Ulceaon knew who he loved: Laucian. He had made up his mind. He got out of bed and left the room. He walked to Galdore’s room and knocked. It opened to reveal Galdore standing there, shirtless. Ulceaon was momentarily stunned. Galdore wasn’t as muscular as Laucian but was still plenty attractive. No, Ulceaon thought, I mustn’t think that way. It’s Laucian; not Galdore.
Galdore said, “What’s up?”
Before Ulceaon knew what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed Galdore. The feeling was one of pure adrenaline. Galdore embraced Ulceaon, fully returning the kiss. Wrapped in each other’s arms, Ulceaon pushed his way into the room and kicked the door closed. He wanted to see how Galdore measured up to his half-brother.
The journey to the Island of the Gods passed without event. Ulceaon seemed to become even more clingy with Laucian, but Aya thought this was all the better. She had decided that she couldn’t tell Laucian what she had seen; it wasn’t her place to ruin her brother’s happiness.
Upon reaching the Island, the four of them made their way to the Grand Temple of Thoth. The Island of the Gods was unique in that it was one of only two locations in the world that enjoyed the protection of an international armistice. The Island was the headquarters for most of the Draconian religions but there was also a large dwarven nation there as well. The dwarves on the Island benefited from the armistice as well. The Grand Temple of Thoth was divided into two sections: the Temple Proper and the University. The Temple Proper was the center of worship for the followers of Thoth and housed the High Priestess’s residence. The University was the finest institute of learning in Draconia. The High Priestess served as the University’s President and while the monks and priests acted as part of the professorial staff, the University also had independent professors. One of the crowning features of the University was its Library. The University Library was truly one of a kind. At one point, it was estimated that over half the world’s knowledge was collected at this one place. This made a lot of scholars nervous and so the collections were somewhat disbursed to the auxiliary Universities connected with other Temples of Thoth. Together, these libraries formed a network of information that could provide an answer to almost any question.
The group walked across the University’s campus to the library. Everywhere they looked there were students of all ages, some lounging in shaded areas, some playing games with friends, enjoying the fresh air; others sat at tables placed outside, clearly studying alone or in groups. Aya looked around, taking it all in. She had always dreamed about coming to this place, as a student. Unfortunately, the King was unlikely to grant such a request for one of his daughters; Laucian was the only one whom the King would allow to attend. Laucian had never thought much about this but as he looked around the idea of being there, surrounded by fellow intellectuals, was exhilarating. And even if Ulceaon did not want to attend, the Grand Temple of Horus was not too far away; Ulceaon could put in for a transfer and they could still be close.
Entering the University Library was another sight to behold. The Directory said that the library was divided into 16 floors, each floor dedicated to a specific subject. Each floor was divided into sections, subcategories that fit into each floor’s main category. The ground floor and the extra 17th floor were dedicated to study space. There was even a rooftop garden with more study space. A floor dedicated to the dark and chaotic arts was in the basement and access was apparently restricted. A sub-basement housed the Library’s Special Collections and Archives; access here was even more restrictive than the floor above it.
Laucian walked over to the desk marked Information and said, “Hello, my friends and I are looking for information regarding the Draconic Artifacts.” He said this last part in a hushed tone. The young man behind the desk, who was apparently a student, said quickly “Floor 14: History. You’ll want Section 47: History of the Dragons. Unless you want information about the Staff, specifically, in which case you’ll want Floor 12, Magic, Section 12, Arcana, and there’s a whole subsection dedicated to the Fusion of the Divine and Arcane Arts. Most of it is about deification and the nature of the deities but I seem to remember something about the Staff of Divine-Arcana being in there.” Laucian thanked the young man and the group walked over to a set of elevators, just like the ones in the Headquarters of the Draconic Confederacy. Laucian wanted to divide up into groups, but this proved difficult for some reason; neither Ulceaon nor Aya wanted to be with Galdore and when Laucian volunteered to go with Galdore, Ulceaon had a problem. Laucian finally got tired of trying to figure out a way around the problem and decided that they would all stay together. They went to the 14th floor first, as this would provide them with the broadest knowledge and would most likely yield information about present and past whereabouts of the artifacts whereas the information on floor 12 would most likely be about the powers of the Staff and not its location.
For three days the group spent their time buried in books and scrolls, searching for anything relevant to the location of the Staff. Finally, on day four, Laucian decided to alone to the twelfth floor and search that collection. The young man had been right about this collection; most of the books and scrolls here were about the nature of the deities. At last, Laucian found what he was looking for. Not in the section the young man had pointed out, but in another section. He had stumbled upon another section that had to do with sites of magical power in Draconia and there was a book that detailed certain druid ritual sites. One was interesting; the book mentioned a ring of stones that had always been significant to the druids but was made more powerful when there suddenly appeared a large wooden rod right in the middle of the ring, stuck solidly in the stone alter in the middle. It was said that the site had the power of all magical energies. One need only look at it, for instance, and they were healed of any infirmity or injury. The site was at an intersection of two Ley Lines and was the safest intersection to begin Ley Walking from. Laucian didn’t know quite what this meant but kept reading. As he did, he came across another term he didn’t know. The book said that on certain nights of the year, the Weave was visible. Laucian didn’t know what the Weave was. He thought he might have heard of it before. He decided he’d better ask someone. Returning the books, he had found to their designated cart – so they could be sorted by a Librarian – Laucian returned to the ground floor and asked where the Hall of Magic was. The Hall of Magic was simply the name for the building that housed the College of Magic. He made his way to that building and found the offices of the professors. He first found the Professor of Druid Studies. The sign on the door said that this was the office of Professor Ogald Fracot. The door was open, but Laucian knocked anyway. Professor Fracot looked up from his work and said, “I’m sorry, but office hours are over.”
“Professor Fracot,” Laucian said. “Sorry to disturb you but I’m not a student. I’m Laucian Xiloscient.” Professor Fracot recognized the name and replied “Ah, young sir. Forgive me. I have not yet posted my office hours with the University Administration so you couldn’t have known. Though, I am frightfully busy.”
“I’m sure you are Professor,” Laucian replied. “But I must discuss something with you as a matter of urgency. It is regarding an assignment I was given by the Draconic Confederacy.” Laucian decided not to mention that the quest was given by Horus, and the Supreme Dragon did say Laucian had the support of the Confederacy.
Professor Fracot’s attitude changed immediately, and he gestured for Laucian to have a seat. Laucian began with, “I was just doing some research in the library, and I found something that I don’t know. I wondered if you could tell me about Ley Lines and Ley Walking.”
Professor Fracot smiled and said, “But of course. Ley Lines are a fundamental part of Druidic Magic. Draconia was created when the gods, Ra in particular, blended the elemental planes. Draconia exists as a separate plane from the elemental planes but coexists with all the elements. That is how reality is created. There were left after the creation, little streaks of elements that didn’t blend so well, places where one element is stronger than another. These streaks are called Ley Lines. At first, this was a problem, because most of Draconia was uninhabitable because of the effects of the Ley Lines and, in particular, the places where the Ley Lines intersect. When two concentrations of different elemental energies meet on the Material or Ethereal Plane, the plane that exists right below our reality, they clash, sometimes violently. Ra was at a loss for what to do and then Thoth, for reasons of his own, created the Weave, an organized form of Arcane magic that inadvertently acted a shield for the Material Plane. The Ethereal Plane is still dangerous because the Weave doesn’t protect it. Anyway, the Druids learned how to channel magic through the Ley Lines and eventually learned that a person could ‘walk’ along a Ley Line and travel, instantaneously, between two intersections. This art was called Ley Walking. However, Ley Walking is also very dangerous and is therefore heavily controlled by Statutory provisions of the Draconic Confederacy. They even have a department within the Ministry of Travel dedicated to policing Ley Line intersections.”
“Thank you. That was very thorough.” Laucian said. “You mentioned the Weave. That was another question I had. What is the Weave?”
Professor Fracot smiled: “That would be a question better suited to Professor Peton, our Professor of Arcana. My knowledge of the Weave extends only so far as it concerns Ley Lines. I’ll take you to see her now.” Professor Fracot led the way out of his office and down the hall. He stopped outside a door that was closed. “Damn,” Professor Fracot said. “I forgot she has to oversee dissertations all this week. She’s the Dean of the College of Magic.” Just then, a young woman came around the corner and stopped. “Oh,” she said. “Hello Professor Fracot. Are dissertation reviews out already.”
“No Jane. I’m not on the committee this year. Say Jane, I have here with me a young elf who is looking for information about the Weave. I was taking him to see Professor Peton, but I just remembered she’s in committee all this week. Would you mind helping him?” Professor Fracot turned to Laucian and explained, “Jane is one of Professor Peton’s post-graduate students. She’s about to graduate top of her class.”
“I’d be happy to help,” Jane responded. “We’ll have to walk and talk I’m afraid. I have to be across campus soon.” Laucian and Jane left Professor Fracot and continued down the hall. Laucian asked simply, “What is the Weave?”
“I take it you’re not a magician.” Jane said inquisitorially.
“As a matter of fact,” Laucian responded. “I am a sorcerer.”
“You can’t be a very good one if you don’t know about the Weave.” Jane replied.
Laucian was finding it very difficult to like this girl. She seemed to be of the type of person who values her education too much. Laucian said, “And why is that?”
“Well,” Jane said, simply. “Because the Weave is fundamental to your magic. Then again, I guess Sorcerer’s do not need to work as hard as Wizards.” Laucian wanted to correct her but thought better of it. Jane continued, “the Weave is Arcane magic organized. When Draconia was first created, it was impossible for mortals to practice magic unless they devoted themselves to the service of a deity. Thoth wanted to change that. He created the Weave, organizing the Arcane magic that held Draconia together, making it easier to control. He shared the power over the Weave with particular people; these are said to be the ancestors of all Sorcerers. Many children descended from one of these first Sorcerers find they also have the Sorcerer’s Art. They have a connection to the Weave that is innate. If you are a Sorcerer than you must be from one of the ancient lines. A Sorcerer can practice magic even without knowing about the Weave because their power is innate. The Wizard’s path is a harder one. Wizards must learn about the Weave and study it before they are able to even forge a connection with the Weave. The Weave is also very sensitive, susceptible to chaotic magic. Luckily, the Weave is mostly self-repairing but if exposed to powerful chaotic magic, the Weave can tear apart in that location, rendering all Arcane spellcasters powerless, as none but the most skilled can use the Arcane energies in an unorganized form.”
“If the Weave is damaged, is there no way to repair it?” Laucian asked.
“Only Thoth knows how to repair the Weave. The High Priest or Priestess of Thoth knows a ritual to summon the deity so that he may mend the Weave.” Jane replied.
“Thank you,” Laucian said as the two of them passed the library. “This has been most informative. I must get back to my friends now.” The two shook hands and parted ways. Laucian reentered the library and made his way back up to the 14th floor. He found Ulceaon, Galdore, and Aya still buried in books and scrolls. He announced that he believed he had found the location of the Staff. He didn’t want to say much in such a public place but did recount all that Professor Fracot and Jane had said, he figured that was safe. They all agreed that they would set off in the morning for the Staff. All were excited at the prospect of a successful quest. That excitement was not to last long, however.
That night, Ulceaon had crept out of the room he was again sharing with Laucian at the University Inn and made his way to Galdore’s room. He knew he shouldn’t be there but couldn’t seem to help himself. Little did he know that Aya had taken it upon herself to stake out Galdore’s room just in case Ulceaon slipped up again. She awoke with a start just in time to see Galdore open the door to let Ulceaon in. Neither saw her as she had picked a good hiding place for herself. That’s it, Aya thought. This isn’t fair to Laucian. He needs to know the truth.
Despite his wrestle earlier, Ulceaon was enjoying himself immensely. Galdore knew what he was doing. Amidst wild throws of passion, Ulceaon heard the door burst open. He and Galdore looked up. Laucian stood in the doorway, his face frozen in shock. That one word immediately came back to Ulceaon’s mind, still in the voice of King Lucian: “whore.” Ulceaon pushed Galdore off him, but the damage had already been done. Galdore, who had urgently wrapped a sheet around himself, tried to back into a corner but Laucian’s eyes, which were full of anger, seemed to freeze Galdore in place. Not wearing any gauntlets, Laucian pulled of his glove he had hastily put on when Aya awoke him and threw it at Galdore’s feet. Galdore didn’t pick it up; he was still frozen in place. Laucian summoned a ball of flame into his palm and was about to lob it at Galdore when Ulceaon suddenly sprang from the bed and placed himself between the other two, not caring that he was naked. Aya quickly looked away, watching the action from the corner of her eye.
Ulceaon was the first to break the silence. He said, “No Laucian. Don’t do it. It wasn’t his fault.”
Laucian’s eyes were full of tears, but it was impossible to tell if they were tears of anger or sadness. He said, “You both betrayed my trust. How am I supposed to respond when I find my best friend in bed with the love of my life?”
“Please Laucian,” Ulceaon begged. “Don’t let me be responsible for this. I couldn’t bear it if you killed your brother.” The shock of what was said stunned everyone for a moment: the flame in Laucian’s hand died and even Aya looked around, amazed.
“What did you say?” Laucian asked.
Galdore jumped in: “It’s true Laucian. I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while. I’m your half-brother. We share the same father.”
Laucian couldn’t help the look of disbelief that showed on his face. He said, “If that’s true, it makes tonight even worse.”
“Please Lau…” Ulceaon tried to say, but Laucian cut him off with, “Don’t call me that.” He didn’t want to hear his nickname from anybody except Aya, the one person whom he felt he could still trust. “In fact,” Laucian continued. “Don’t talk to me ever again: either of you.” He left the room just as he couldn’t hold back the flood of tears any longer. With one last angry glance at Ulceaon and Galdore, Aya ran after her brother.
Aya caught up to Laucian only after Laucian couldn’t run anymore. She stopped next to him and held out her arms; Laucian fell into his sister’s embrace. She began patting his head gently. They were on campus standing in the quad, so Aya led Laucian to a nearby bench. Large, hot tears ran down Laucian’s face as Aya slowly lowered him onto the bench. She continued to pat Laucian’s head just as he remembered his mother did when he was younger and had had a nightmare. Aya began to sing softly; it was the song that his mother would sing to him to calm him down. As he listened, he thought about his mother; she had always been there for him. His father was always very critical of him, but his mother was always proud of her only son. His mother would understand his homosexuality; he would be able to talk with her about the heartbreak he now felt. But she was not here; her life had ended tragically, leaving Laucian in the care of a parent who thought him a failure. Now, sitting on this bench listening to Aya sing, he was struck with a sense of how much his sister had taken on herself the role his mother had once played in his life. It was Aya who now sought to protect Laucian from all the pain and anguish of life. He was grateful to his sister that he still had someone who cared about him and would never stop caring. Just as he reached these conclusions, Aya stopped singing and Laucian pulled away from her.
“Thank you,” Laucian said, dabbing at the tears on his face with his sleeve.
“I’m sorry, Laucian,” Aya said. “I know how much he meant to you.”
“You know the hardest part?” asked Laucian, rhetorically. “It’s not just the betrayal. I loved him so much; I couldn’t imagine my life without him. A few nights ago, there was a dwarven merchant passing through the area and he was selling jewelry. By then, I’d decided. I actually bought a ring from the dwarf.”
“Are you saying…” asked Aya.
“Yes, Aya. I was going to ask Ulceaon to marry me. I wanted to do it after the quest was complete. Sort of a final celebration.” He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Now I have nothing. I have no one.” He threw the box as hard as he could. Aya made a mental note of where it landed. She turned back to Laucian and said, “That’s not true. You still have me.”
“Thanks sis,” Laucian replied. “But it’s not the same. You’re my sister and I’ll always love you, but I also thought I’d found my soulmate in Ulceaon.”
“If you truly believe that, then why don’t you go find Ulceaon and forgive him?” Aya asked.
“How can I forgive that?!” Laucian asked back, getting worked up. “What he did was something that cannot be forgiven. There isn’t enough mercy for him.”
“Now you’re sounding like our father,” Aya said matter-of-factly. “Remember what mother always said…”
“No,” Laucian replied. “I don’t remember what mother always said. I barely remember what mother looked like. I was so young when she died.”
“Do you want to see her again? Would you like to talk to her about this?” Aya asked, tenderly.
“I would like that more than anything else in the world. But it’s impossible; she’s dead.”
“It might not be impossible. Lau, we are on the Island of the Gods. The Gods, Laucian! If there is someone who could let you talk to mother, it’s Anubis. He is the God of Death after all. His High Priest might be able to let you talk to mother.”
Laucian perked up at this. “Really?” he said hopefully. “I would love that. Before we do anything else, let’s go to the Grand Temple of Anubis.”
Aya was so happy to see her brother had perked up that she didn’t object to this. The quest could wait; this was more important.
