The Historian's Tale

Zarkon approached Ignatius with a purposeful stride. "I've found a historian in town, Emma, who might know about the symbols you're looking for. I've arranged a meeting with her at the library."

Ignatius nodded, appreciating Zarkon's diligence. He turned to Luna, seated nearby. "Want to take a drive to Emma's cottage?"

Luna smiled. Her weariness was forgotten, and she closed the book she was reading. "I'd love that."

Her mind replayed the kisses Ignatius had given her that morning. She had to focus on the threat called Clair. Something was inherently wrong with the women. Her gut feeling as a detective warned her that the women had ulterior motives.

They stopped wearing their cloaks as they approached her cottage. Their cloaks protected them from the downpour. The stones under their boots were slick, and the air filled with the fresh scent of rain. They reached the cottage, where Emma awaited them.

The door opened, and an elf beauty with shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes greeted them.

She opened her bag and took out an old, worn book. The pages had turned yellow with age, a testament to its ancient origins.

"You must be Ignatius and Luna, the owners of Silvi's Coffee Shop. Nice to meet you at last."

"Good day to you, Emma. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see us." Ignatius said.

"Do not mention it, and two nobles want my help. I am the very elated one."

Ignatius could tell from her desk that she was a hard-working human woman. She had countless books opened with parchment and pens all over the table. Scribbling on each page.

Emma began reading aloud in Dwarven, her voice steady and clear. She translated the text into Common. Revealing tales of ancient times and hidden secrets. Ignatius listened, his astute mind picking up on a crucial clue buried within the story.

Luna, still exhausted, lay against his shoulder as she fell asleep. She was dead tired from managing Silvi's Coffee shop and stressed from Clair lurking around to capture Ignatius in her trap. She found solace in his presence, and the library's silence calmed her mind.

Ignatius caressed her head softly. He acknowledged her hard work. Her mind had been preoccupied with something. Since they returned from their last adventure, did her father contact her again, promising her a rich noble husband to care for her? He could not think of those problems now.

After about an hour and a half passed, he listened to Emma read and translate. Luna awoke, feeling somewhat revitalised from her brief rest on Ignatius's shoulder. Ignatius took one gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the historian.

Her eyes widened. "I could never accept that much coin." She backed away a step.

Ignatius took her hand, folding her fingers over the coins. "This is a donation towards your research."

Emma blushed. "Thank you. Nobody takes my work seriously."

Ignatius took Luna's hand and turned before closing the ancient library door. "I cannot wait to see what you find."

They could hear Emma crying as they opened the back of the vehicle. Luna wiped her eyes with her sleeve and sniffed. She hit his shoulder with her tiny fist. "Do not look at me like that."

Ignatius pulled a map from his coat. Together, they pinpointed the old mill near Jacob's farm—the location is mentioned in the book.

She took the basket from the back seat as he put the map away. They opened the picnic basket Christie had given them. Their disguises lay on the back seats.

"Time for disguises," Luna said, unbuttoning her blouse.

Ignatius looked at the tree line while dressing in his wizard's disguise.

Ignatius had noticed her tired complexion. 

They discussed the possible entrance to the hidden area. Described in Emma's story while Luna drove.

Upon arriving at the old mill, they began their search, moving in widening circles around the structure. Their diligence paid off when they discovered a small cave, its entrance cleverly disguised. Inside, narrow stairs led down into the depths of the earth.

Luna peered into the darkness. "Be careful there might be dangerous beasts in there,"

"I will be vigilant while I explore. Do not get caught off guard."

Ignatius summoned the orb, its light illuminating the small cave. The eerie glow revealed a book chained to the wall at the back of the cave. Ignatius approached it with cautious curiosity.

He reached out and touched the book. As his fingers brushed the cover, it disintegrated into fine fairy dust floating in the air. The dust swirled around him before being absorbed into his body. A message, written in glowing letters, appeared before Ignatius and Luna.

"Congratulations, you have gained the Aegis of the Ancients and Elven Ward."

Ignatius felt a surge of power and knowledge flood his mind. Luna, standing outside, shared the sensation. They had discovered the hidden cave and its secrets and gained powerful new abilities.

She knew immediately what spell she had gained. As she levelled, she could feel the spells, knowing everything about them. 

Driving home, Luna knew she had made the right choice to follow Ignatius. She loved the coffee shop; it was hard work. She mingled with the patrons, getting to know them and hearing all the gossip of Misty Cove. Her past would eventually disappear from her memories. She had the bad habit of comparing. None of the men she had been with outdid Ignatius. She had a new body; her race had changed.

********

Chief Magnus sat in his dimly lit office, the smoke from his cigar curling up towards the ceiling. The phone rang, its shrill sound piercing the silence. He picked it up, his voice gruff. "Chief Magnus speaking."

The voice on the other end needed to be more coherent, making it challenging to identify the caller. "There's an envelope hidden in the mayor's sofa. Inside, you'll find a letter. It will reveal everything," the voice said before hanging up.

Magnus frowned, his mind racing. He immediately called Elysia, waking her from her slumber. "Elysia, get to the mayor's house. There's something you need to find."

Elysia arrived at the mayor's house. It was early morning, and darkness still shrouded Misty Cove. She moved swiftly, her instincts guiding her. She approached the sofa in the mayor's sitting room and carefully felt around the cushions. Her fingers brushed against something hard.

With a quick pull, she revealed an envelope. Opening it, she found a threatening letter addressed to the mayor, with Thorn's initials and surname at the bottom. Her heart pounded as she bagged the letter for analysis and handed it to a constable to take to Chief Magnus. It was a clear death threat: He wanted gold coins from the mayor. Magnus was right. Ignatius, the lovely man, was clearly a criminal. Something gripped her heart. Why did she feel this sad?

Determined to confront Ignatius. Elysia walked to Silvi's Coffee Shop, the streetlamps illuminating her path. It was four in the morning, and she was ready to drag that beautiful noble out of bed.

She sucked on a blood bag she had taken from her stash at home, feeling the familiar surge of strength. He would not get away from her this time. Poor Luna will be devastated. Would she hate me for arresting her man? "I have a job to do." She said, walking faster. Her sadness increased as she wiped her eyes.

The letter was damning evidence. She felt excitement and dread as she approached the coffee shop. She would make Ignatius answer for his actions, no matter what it took. She could see him sitting at a table.

A young teen with long green hair and Christie stood by his side.

She paused as she reached the door, steeling herself for the confrontation ahead. She kicked the door open, ready to face Ignatius and uncover the truth once and for all.

**********

Ignatius stared at the Fisher boats leaving the docks for the day, the lamp's soft glow casting shadows on the walls. He loved spending his mornings watching the docks and the lighthouse before the sun rose. The coffee shop would open in two hours. Luna should be finished with her training. Anderson would have breakfast ready soon, and the maids would arrive for breakfast.

Christie handed Ignatis a thick book. Ayla poured coffee and stood back. Ignatius winked at the two, still in their silk nighties. The lighthouse would soon lose its light as the sun peeked over the horizon. 

Ignatius picked up a cup of coffee and a book. "Get ready for the day and take a long, warm shower. The sun will soon rise over the water." Ignatius said as they kissed his cheeks.

Christie took Ayla's hand to walk upstairs. The tranquillity shattered when Elysia burst into the shop. The doors banged against the stone, and her eyes blazed with determination. "Ignatius Thorn."

"You're under arrest for the murder of John Silvan," she declared, her voice firm.

Ignatius's eyes widened in shock. "What? This is absurd!"