CHAPTER 98:The Heist

"And what might that be?" Leo asked with crossed arms. Gerald didn't reply for some time and instead kept his eyes fixed on the door, as though someone might suddenly appear.

A heavy sigh from Leo reminded Gerald that someone was still waiting for him.

"Sorry." Gerald scratched his thinning hair. "I was just thinking."

"Fine." Leo sighed. "I'm pressed for time, so I'd appreciate it if you could cut to the chase."

Gerald nodded in understanding, then walked over to a large armchair behind the counter. He fell into it with a heavy plop, wincing at a sharp pain in his back, and began to search a small drawer underneath the table.

Leo couldn't help but tap his foot against the wooden floor — his patience was wearing thin with every moment that passed.

Thankfully, the suspense was soon over.

"Here it is." Gerald began, blowing a thick layer of dust off a weathered, ancient scroll.

Leo followed Gerald's gnarled finger resting over what appeared to be a ruby-colored goblet — its details somewhat obscured by age.

He turned his gaze toward the script underneath. "What language is this?" Leo asked, noting the rune-like formations.

Once again, silence fell, making Leo realize something was profoundly amiss with his teacher.

Crack

"Oops." Leo raised his right foot, noticing the massive crack it had formed in the floorboards. "I guess I still hadn't gotten a handle on my own strength."

The stomp seemed to bring Gerald back from his trance-like state.

"That's ancient elvish." Gerald coughed, covering his mouth with a pale hand.

Leo's keen senses drew in a coppery scent — a familiarity he knew all too well. "You aren't well." His expression grew heavy with concern.

Gerald ignored the observation, wiping his bloodied hand against his sleeve. "A language that's almost gone extinct."

Leo chose to let it rest — for now.

"What does it read?"

That spark of ancient knowledge glimmered back into Gerald's weary eyes, and for a moment it almost felt as if Leo were a young scholar again, eager to learn from his master.

"It reads thus." Gerald's finger slowly traced each rune. "Where the last ancient sleeps, lies the cure for all that reek."

"That's it?" Leo asked in disbelief, wondering why the translation fell so much shorter than the number of words on the scroll.

"Anyways." Gerald coughed once more. "This riddle hides the location of a great elixir."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "An elixir?

"Like the ones fabled to grant eternal life?"

"No." Gerald shook his head. "Eternal life doesn't exist — at least not on the five realms."

He paused. "This elixir… was prepared by an Ancient to cure a loved one suffering from a curse."

"Again, you mention these Ancients." Leo raised an eyebrow. "Who were they?"

"All I can tell you." Gerald whispered. "Is that they're a race that was forgotten for a reason."

"Huntrans?" Leo asked, inwardly hoping for a lead to aid him in the questions that had been gnawing at him.

"No." Gerald smiled. "Think of them as something akin to demigods."

"I thought the Huntrans were what people called demigods."

Gerald seemed taken aback by the question. "I see you have been reading."

Leo chuckled quietly, thinking back to the ancient diary in his possession.

"Then as your teacher, allow me to give you a piece of advice." Gerald coughed, turning away the hand Leo offered to aid him.

"End it."

"End what?" Leo couldn't quite follow.

"The quest for knowledge about the past." Gerald's expression grew suddenly solemn — a side of him Leo hadn't previously noticed.

"Why do you think I need you to get that elixir?"

Leo couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. "So, you're telling me you got cursed because of your insatiable thirst for knowledge."

"You could say that." Gerald sighed. "A curse that even the best mages couldn't break or comprehend."

"I'm guessing you won't tell me how you got cursed?" Leo pressed, leaning against the wall.

"I really did teach you well." Gerald let out a short laugh. "You're right — I can't tell you." His neck tightened as he turned to view the windows. "But as your teacher, I must warn you: some things are better left unearthed."

"That shouldn't be your concern." Leo smirked. "What do you want me to do?"

"And remember, this is a bargain." Leo raised a claw-like finger. "I will get you your elixir and you will..."

"No — you must." Leo corrected with a mischievous grin. "...give me access to the 'History of the Forever Realm' — Volume One."

"Wow." Gerald exclaimed quietly. "You even know its title."

He sighed. "Anyways." His grip tightened on the scroll. "The elixir is located in Elyria's Royal Catacombs."

"Great." Sarcasm oozed from Leo's voice. "You want me to rob one of the most secured places in Elyria."

"I thought you were interested in the realm's history." Gerald challenged.

Leo drew in a deep, shaky breath. "Where?"

"Elhyr's final resting place." A fresh trail of blood fell from Gerald's lips, staining the wooden counter.

Leo paused, reluctantly making his decision. "How many people know about this elixir?"

"Two." Gerald grinned, his teeth glimmering faintly through the blood. "Me and you."

"And this is the price you pay for such knowledge?" Leo couldn't help but ask.

"Ha! ha! ha!" Gerald's laugh filled the small shop, although Leo found not a shred of humor in it.

"This"—Gerald pressed a finger against the bloody countertop—"is from a pursuit of a far more forbidden kind of knowledge."

Leo only shook his head. "So, instead of focusing on the reconnaissance task assigned to you by the Night, you decided to wander the Forever Realms in search of something prohibited."

Gerald shrugged. "You, of all people, should understand me by now."

"Whatever." Leo drew in a deep breath. "Where's the map?"

Gerald couldn't help but clap his hands quietly. "Sometimes I wonder whether you studied telepathy."

"Thank you." He beamed, handing Leo another ancient scroll.

"Like I said." Leo slipped the withered scroll into his cloak. "This is a bargain — nothing more."

Gerald waved weakly as Leo turned to leave the shop, closing the door quietly behind him with a heavy heart.

"I pray you will be enough." Gerald whispered as he fell back into his seat.

…

"State your business!" The elven guard's voice boomed. The elderly lady stood quietly in front of him, tugging at her shawl. "Forgive me, young sir, but I am actually here on behalf of the Sun."

"I doubt that." The two guards crossed their spears in alarm.

"What are you waiting for, numbskulls?" An even louder voice thundered from behind them. "An invitation?"

Glandhyr shoved his way through the two confused soldiers before dropping to a knee. "On behalf of the Queen, we welcome you to our humble castle."

"It is my pleasure." The elderly woman smiled, extending a withered hand that Glandhyr pressed to his lips.

"Forgive these guards, my lady." Glandhyr began, turning back briefly to glare at the two soldiers. "It seems they have been eating far too well."

"Please, for my sake, do no such thing." The elderly mage raised her hand. "They were only doing their job."

"I shall honor your wish." Glandhyr nodded, dismissing the two with a brief gesture.

"Allow me to escort you, Lady…?" Glandhyr scratched his head in embarrassment, realizing he hadn't yet gotten her name.

"Hilda." The woman's silver locks swayed gracefully in the breeze.

"Very well, Lady Hilda." Glandhyr beamed. "You are once again welcome."

"Thank you." Hilda nodded, following the young captain into the elegant castle.