20 - Topical Search

"Wait... What do you mean?" Katie asked, "Did you bring a smartphone with you?"

"No," I answered, "Unless we make it again, Google is gone forever. Instead, we can ask those who have done it themselves: the Soulblades in the inner sanctum."

The light of understanding turned on in their eyes.

"Let's make a list of the things we need to know. And I'll go ask them."

"Why do you have to ask?" Juliana asked me.

"It's one of the abilities I get from the Ancient. He can speak to the other Soulblades."

After an hour of discussing needs and research topics, we got the list down to construction, leathermaking, and hunting.

With that, I followed the Ancient's directions into the temple. When I got to the trial rooms, the Ancient assured me that because I carried a Soulblade from the Temple, I could pass through any trial without completing it. With that knowledge, I walked through the intellect trial. It reminded me of a casino in its layout, but much less gaudy. The back door opened for me, without any number of "points" like Juliana had described.

I passed the other hallway, through the still-open inner sanctum doors.

"Let's do this, I guess."

At my statement, I felt the Ancient's cloak wrap around me. Hundreds of voices muttered. One greeted us. "Welcome back, Ancient."

"We are not here for long." he replied, using my mouth. It felt strange to feel my body moving without having given it the command.

"We're here to ask some of you for your expertise." I added, taking command impulsively. I realized what I was doing and backed off again.

*Who do you seek?* Another voice asked.

The Ancient wove our way through the room of swords. We passed all kinds, to arrive at a blocky blade. It was a two-handed weapon that seemed to be made of solid stone, with a blunt edge that seemed to be more akin to a club.

"Builder. If we may, the new mortals would appreciate your wisdom in regards to construction and materials." the Ancient said.

*Well. It seems they aren't all numskulls. What do you have to work with, mortal?*

"We have wood, and rope."

*A beginner's crutch.* The builder's mental voice rumbled. *You must have brick. Do you have a kiln?*

"... Kiln? What is a kiln?" I asked.

*These mortals are hopeless aren't they?* he wasn't asking me, but I didn't let the Ancient answer.

"In the world we came from, the people were so prosperous, that we lost touch with the earth, and many of the skills that came with it." I protested.

The Builder scoffed. *Humph. So be it. You will need clay. You know what that is? Then shape it like this.* He shared an image of a dome, with a hole at the top, and room to light fire underneath. I had seen something like it in my high school history classes, I thought. Then he said, *Once the kiln is prepared, you may return for more instruction.*

"Thank you. We will make that preparation."

He scoffed again, and went silent.

For both of the other topics, the Ancient led me to a curved, dual sword that looked almost more like a bow. The blades were jagged crystal colored a natural green.

"Huntress," the Ancient addressed the blade.

*Ancient. The mortals need my aid?*

"So they do," he answered.

"We were hoping for a number of traps we could use to defend the Temple clearing as well as for hunting." I added.

*So assertive. And handsome - under the hood. If you formed a bond with me, I could easily offer you all the knowledge you need.* Her voice seemed seductive.

*That won't be necessary or possible, Huntress.* the Ancient said, seeming to intentionally choose to use his own voice. *Answer his questions. He is the guardian of the Temple.*

*You're no fun,* the bow-like blade pouted. But seeing that the Ancient wouldn't relent, she sighed. *Try to hold on to as much of it as you can.*

That statement was probably supposed to be a warning. Because immediately, my mind was swallowed with a series of images. Diagrams, put into practice. A sequence, displaying what one trap would look like going off. All so rapid-fire, I could barely retain any of it.

As suddenly as it started, the rush of images ended. The Ancient stuck his blade into the sand to stabilize us as I felt about to topple.

*Too much for the mortal?* the Huntress asked teasingly.

*You know it was. That form of knowledge transfer can make a mortal go mad!* I could tell that the Ancient was furious.

*Oops.* she said unapologetically, *It's been a few centuries.*

My brain gradually stopped spinning.

"Is there another, more cooperative blade we can talk to?" I asked through a grimace.

*The Huntress was the more cooperative blade among those skilled in trapping, hunting, and leatherwork. This childlike behavior occurs every so often.*

"I guess we will just have to wait for Silence and Thomas to get back for that." I turned us away from the Huntress, moving to leave through the one-way passage.

*Come back soon!* she called after us cheerfully.

I ignored her, using the Ancient as a walking stick as we left the sanctum.

It was early evening when I came back out. Katie was weaving ropes by the entrance still, while Juliana was tending a campfire. The rain had apparently stopped.

"Any answers?" Katie asked.

"Some." I replied, "At least a starting point. We should keep an eye out for clay. We'll apparently need it."

"And the traps, and leatherwork?" Juliana asked, looking up from the fire.

I shook my head. "The expert was being difficult. We'll have to try again later."

"I see. Well, dinner is about ready. We could use some berries, if you two would go find them, please."

I nodded, and Katie put down her nearly-finished rope. We left together, and I let her lead the way.