Half an hour later, Tantalum came into the hall of Dwurin and stood before him. “The other children are ready to depart.”
“And you? What shall you do?”
“I was planning to go with Osmium, as far as the great library of Sith Varnal, to learn what I can there. I’ve heard rumors that there is a secret brotherhood in that city.”
“In Sith Varnal? That surprises me much. But tell me, why don’t you stay here? We would be glad to have you. I myself could train you.”
Tantalum bowed low, for this was indeed an honor… one that he had every intention of refusing. Treading carefully, he spoke. “Sir, I am honored by your offer, but due to the rare nature of my stone, I find myself in need of vast libraries of lore to answer my questions.”
Dwurin furrowed his brow. “But I thought you had the same stone as me, for you wielded my staff long ago. Is yours not blue?”
Tantalum shook his head slowly. “No, it is not a caerulean rime.”
“Caerulean rime? You know the ancient names? What is it, then?”
Tantalum was hesitant to answer. He spoke at last. “I do not know.”
“What color is it?”
“It is… it was amethyst purple.”
“Was? What is that supposed to mean?” Dwurin raised an eyebrow.
Instead of answering, Tantalum strode to the door and retrieved his staff from where it lay against the wall. He brought it to the warden and gave it to him. In the light, the staff was plain to see. The stone was dark, and the color was indiscernible. As Dwurin examined it, Tantalum began to pace back and forth.
Dwurin looked up. “Perhaps you were confused by the light. I’ve seen the like, though I am hesitant to give it the same name. It is a mauve stone, I believe. A rare gift, but not unheard-of. A powerful stone, I’m told.”
Tantalum shook his head slowly. “It is not a mauve stone. Mauve stones remain dark while this one was bright once.” He was quiet for a moment, and nothing was heard, save his footsteps. “Not a mauve stone,” He repeated, shaking his head again. “But something stronger.”
“According to tradition, the mauve stone is the strongest stone. There is not another more powerful. I’m sure you know that.”
“There is one.” Tantalum murmured. Then, he chanted this,
Against the staff, the wicked will come to an end soon,
With it, all of the righteous will hold fast,
Wicked, beware of the staff that bears the rune,
For the time of Reckoning has come at last.
At the last word, Dwurin started, for the stone on the staff began to pulse with a fiery red light.
“I came upon this ancient rhyme, last time I was here, in a book in the library of Pioel. The book explained that the power of the stone was twofold.”
The twofold power of the stone,
Is known to the bearer alone,
Until all that shall be is revealed,
And doors once closed are now unsealed.
“Unfortunately, I was interrupted. However, I doubt that anymore was written on the matter.”
“There is no rune on the staff, though.” Dwurin reasoned, still watching the staff on his knees. The light was now yellow.
“Yet.” Countered Tantalum. “But as it is written in the prophecies,”
On a markless staff shall the bearer lean,
Until a needful time and the rune shall be seen.
“In fact, there is only one thing that bothers me. It is said that once the bearer recognizes the stone, it will begin to flash, and the owner whisked away to--”
The staff began to throb violently with a bright white light. There was a blinding flash, and Dwurin was alone in the room, for the staff and the bearer were gone.
“Well, I guess that settles it.” Dwurin put his head in his hands.
"The only thing that anybody really knows about this author is that he is a real nutcase."
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