"A little patience
"It's working
Lady Seraphina Valerius adjusted her dark blue senator's robes, the shiny fabric catching the light from the crystal lamps. She stood by the big window in her room, looking out over Aethelgard, the capital city. The Aethel Dor river, usually busy with boats, looked dark and troubled, its water moving in a strange way.
"This is not good," she said quietly, feeling frustrated. "Really not good."
The strange Void Rekra energy in the river was causing problems for the Empire's economy. The river was very important to Aethelgard, bringing special crystals from the Crystal Peaks. These crystals were used to power the city and its transport. But now, the river was dangerous, stopping trade and causing trouble for the Empire.
Seraphina, who was usually calm, was starting to feel worried. The Senate, normally a place of calm discussion, was now full of fear. People talked about someone sabotaging things, about Void Rekra, and about the Empire being weak. And she thought Senator Marius Thorne was behind it all.
Thorne, who always wanted more power, had gone too far this time. He wanted the Empire to control the crystal trade, saying the strange Rekra energy needed someone in charge. But Seraphina thought he was just using the problem to get more power, maybe even working with the people causing the trouble.
She turned away from the window and looked at the reports on her desk. They talked about the strange Void Rekra energy in the river, the boats that were lost, and the people who were worried. There was also talk about bad crystals being sold, crystals that had Void Rekra energy.
"He's using Void Rekra," she said, her voice a little sharp. "He's making the crystals bad to cause trouble for the river."
But how? And why? She needed real proof to show Thorne was doing bad things. She couldn't trust the Imperial Guard, because some of them might be working for Thorne. She needed someone who wasn't part of the government, someone who could find information without being noticed.
Someone knocked on the door. "Come in," she said, trying to sound normal.
Her aide came in. He looked worried. "Lady Valerius, a messenger is here. He says he has news about the strange Rekra energy and Senator Thorne."
Seraphina was interested. "Send him in."
A moment later, a person wearing dark, travel-worn clothes came into the room. His face was hidden in the shadow of his hood. He didn't have any weapons, but he seemed strong and confident.
"Lady Valerius," he said, his voice quiet and steady. "I have news you might find useful."
"Who are you?" Seraphina asked, looking at him closely.
"I am Corvus," he said. "And I have seen what Senator Thorne is doing."
He took a small wooden box out of his clothes. Inside was a shiny crystal piece, glowing with a faint dark light.
"This," Corvus said, his voice soft, "is a piece of a bad crystal. It was found on a lost boat. It has Void Rekra energy, and it shows Senator Thorne is involved."
Seraphina was surprised. This was the proof she needed. But who was Corvus, and why was he helping her?
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice a little suspicious.
Corvus looked at her. "Because, Lady Valerius, the bad things are getting too big. And if we don't stop them, they will hurt everyone."
Corvus paused, his hidden gaze seeming to weigh her words. "He intends to fracture the Empire, Lady Valerius. The instability in the Aethel Dor is not merely a means to control the Resonance Crystal trade. It is a tool, a weapon, to sow discord and weaken the central authority."
"And how does he intend to achieve this 'fracturing'?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
"By exploiting the existing tensions," Corvus replied. "The dwarves of Fer Ael Dor are already restless, their autonomy threatened by increased Imperial demands. The Free Cities of the Azure Coast chafe under Aethelgard's control. And the Shadowed Wastes… well, they are always a breeding ground for discontent."
He gestured towards the crystal shard. "The Void Rekra is the catalyst. It is a poison that seeps into the cracks of the Empire's unity, amplifying existing grievances, turning them into open rebellion."
"And you have seen this?" Seraphina pressed. "You have witnessed Senator Thorne's involvement in these… amplifications?"
"I have seen his agents," Corvus said, his voice low. "I have witnessed the flow of corrupted crystals, the whispered agreements, the clandestine meetings in the shadows of Shadowfen. I have seen the influence of the Void Rekra cultists, their dark rituals, their twisted devotion."
"Shadowfen," Seraphina repeated, her brow furrowed. "That city is a cesspit of smugglers and criminals. But Thorne… to associate with such elements…"
"Desperation breeds strange alliances," Corvus said. "And Senator Thorne is desperate. He believes the Empire is weakening, that the time is ripe for him to seize control."
"And what of the Temporal Compass?" Seraphina asked, her voice suddenly sharp. "Do you know of it?"
Corvus's posture shifted slightly, a subtle sign of surprise. "You are aware of the artifact?"
"Rumors reach even the Senate chambers," she said. "Whispers of time anomalies, of stolen artifacts. And of those who wield them."
"The Temporal Compass," Corvus said, his voice measured, "is a dangerous instrument. In the wrong hands, it could unravel the very fabric of time."
"And you believe Senator Thorne seeks to acquire it?"
"I believe he seeks any tool that will grant him an advantage," Corvus said. "And the Temporal Compass is a powerful tool indeed."
"Then we must find it first," Seraphina said, her voice resolute. "Before he can use it to further his ambitions."
She looked at Corvus, her gaze piercing. "You have provided me with valuable information. But I need more. I need names, dates, locations. I need concrete evidence that will stand before the Senate."
"I can provide that," Corvus said. "But it will require discretion. And trust."
"Trust is a rare commodity in Aethelgard," Seraphina said, her voice dry. "Especially now."
"Then we must build it," Corvus said. "One piece at a time."
He paused, then reached into his robes again. "This," he said, producing a small, sealed scroll, "contains the names of Senator Thorne's agents in Shadowfen. It also details the location of a hidden shipment of corrupted Resonance Crystals."
Seraphina took the scroll, her fingers brushing against Corvus's. "This is a start," she said. "But it is not enough. We will meet again, Corvus. And when we do, I expect more."
Corvus nodded, his form fitting into the shadows. "As you wish, Lady Valerius. The world is watching. And they are waiting."
With a silent bow, he turned and vanished into the darkness of the hallway, leaving Seraphina alone with her thoughts and the weight of the Empire resting on her shoulders.
_______________________
Maja's ship, the Skystrider, landed at the rocky harbor of Fer Ael Dor, the dwarven city built inside the Crystal Peaks. The city, full of stone tunnels and big rooms, made sounds of hammers hitting metal and the low hum of crystal machines. But today, it felt tense.
Maja, wearing her travel cloak, walked through the busy market. She looked at the dwarves. They were strong people, with hard-working faces and bright crystal eyes. But they looked worried and spoke in low voices.
She went to the main square, where people were arguing loudly. Some old dwarves stood in front of a crowd of miners. Facing them were people from the Empire, wearing the simple uniform of Imperial Guards.
"Enough BaaaRaggasth!" one old dwarf shouted, hitting a stone table. "We won't give you everything you want!"
"The Empire needs things," one Imperial Guard said, sounding calm but firm. "The Rekra problems have made things hard. We need your help."
"Help?" another old dwarf said angrily. "You want us to give you more crystals, but you give us nothing! You treat us like slaves Haadrg!"
"The Empire protects you from danger," the Imperial Guard said, getting louder. "Without us, bad Rekra people and monsters would attack!"
While one Imperial Guard spoke, another subtly moved his hands, weaving Intent in the air. Lyra saw a faint, violet shimmer around the air. But the dwarves remained unaffected, their expressions still firm and determined. She remembered the dwarves' unique resistance to Rekra manipulation, a trait tied to their deep connection to the earth and crystals.
Maja saw the faint shimmer from the small pouches the Imperial Guards carried. She knew they were using Resonance Crystals to amplify their Intent Weaving, even if it wasn't working on the dwarves.
"They're using Resonance Crystals to boost their Intent Weaving," she said quietly. "They're trying to control them, but it's not working."
She stepped forward, getting everyone's attention. "What's going on?" she asked.
"This is between the Empire and the dwarves," the speaking Imperial Guard said, looking at her. "It's not your business."
"It is my business when you use Rekra to try and control people's minds," Maja said, looking at the Imperial Guard with the moving hands. "You should stop weaving your lame Rekra before you cause more problems.
The Imperial Guard's face turned red. "How dare you say we're doing that! We're just trying to negotiate!"
"Then you won't mind if I look at those pouches," Lyra said, reaching for the bag.
Before the Imperial Guard could stop her, Maja took the pouch and showed the glowing Resonance Crystals. The dwarves looked at them, then at the guards.
"Resonance Crystals," one old dwarf said, his voice flat. "They try to use our own power against us."
The Imperial Guards looked shocked, their faces pale. The angry dwarves surrounded them.
"We won't let this happen!" the old dwarf shouted. "You've been bad guests and broken our trust. Leave Fer Ael Dor now, and don't come back!"
The Imperial Guards, with too many dwarves around them, had to leave, their plans foiled.
Maja looked at the dwarves, who were relieved but still worried. She knew this was just the start. The Empire's greed and the Silent Weaver's influence were making Fer Ael Dor want to fight. And she was stuck in the middle, not sure if she should trust the Empire.
The retreating Imperial Guards, their faces flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation, disappeared into the winding tunnels leading out of Fer Ael Dor. The dwarves, their voices still buzzing with indignation, began to disperse, returning to their work and their homes. But the air in the plaza remained thick with tension.
Maja approached the elder dwarf who had spoken most forcefully, his long white beard swaying as he turned to face her. "Thank you," he said, his voice gruff but sincere. "Your intervention was… timely."
"I saw what they were trying to do," Maja replied. "It was an abuse of their power."
"They think they can manipulate us," the elder dwarf scoffed. "They do not understand. We dwarves are forged from the very stone of these mountains. We are not easily swayed by their… tricks."
"Still," Maja said, her gaze sweeping over the plaza, "they came with a purpose. What did they want?"
"More crystals," the elder dwarf said, his voice heavy. "Always more crystals. The Empire's demands have grown unbearable. They claim the Rekra disruptions have strained their resources, but we suspect they are simply greedy."
"And you refused?" Maja asked.
"Of course," the elder dwarf said, his eyes glinting with defiance. "We have our own needs. We cannot give away everything we mine. Besides, we have our own suspicions. The crystals they carried… they glowed too brightly. Too perfectly."
"What do you mean?" Maja asked.
"There is a difference between a naturally resonant crystal and one that has been… enhanced," the elder dwarf explained. "These crystals, they felt… artificial. Like they had been forced to resonate. We dwarves know the true song of the crystals. These… these were false notes."
Maja's brow furrowed. "Do you think they were trying to pass off artificially enhanced crystals as naturally mined ones?"
"Perhaps," the elder dwarf said, his gaze distant. "Or perhaps they were trying to destabilize our own crystal network. If they could introduce enough of these false crystals into our workings, they could disrupt the entire city."
"That would be catastrophic," Maja said, her voice grim.
"Indeed," the elder dwarf said. "Which is why we cannot trust them. We have always been loyal to the Empire, but their actions have forced us to reconsider our allegiance."
"What do you mean?" Maja asked.
"There are those among us who believe we should seek alliances elsewhere," the elder dwarf said, his voice low. "The Free Cities of the Azure Coast, for example. They are not beholden to Aethelgard. They value trade and independence. And they are not afraid to stand against the Empire."
"That would be a dangerous path," Maja said. "The Empire is powerful. A war would be devastating."
"We are not afraid of war," the elder dwarf said, his voice firm. "We are dwarves. We are strong. We will defend our home."
He paused, then looked at Maja, his eyes filled with a mixture of suspicion and hope. "You have helped us today. But you are not one of us. Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"
Maja hesitated. She knew she couldn't reveal everything. But she also knew that she needed the dwarves' trust if she was to uncover the truth about the Empire's actions and the Silent Weaver's influence.
"My name is Maja Virrora," she said, her voice steady. "I am a traveler. I have seen the effects of the Rekra disruptions, and I am concerned about the growing instability in Aetherium. I believe the Empire is not being entirely truthful about what is happening."
"And you believe we can help you?" the elder dwarf asked.
"I believe we can help each other," Maja said. "We both seek the truth. And we both seek to protect our homes."
The elder dwarf considered her words, his gaze searching her face. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well. We will speak more of this. But for now, you are welcome in Fer Ael Dor. We have much to discuss."
__________________
"We have spoken of your concerns," Borin Stonebeard said, addressing the other elders. "And we have decided to share with you what we know."
"We have been monitoring the Rekra disruptions," another elder, a stout dwarf with a braided beard named Thorgar Ironfist, began. "We have noticed a pattern. The disruptions are not random. They seem to be focused on areas of strategic importance to the Empire."
"Such as the Aethel Dor river," Maja said, recalling the reports she had heard.
"Exactly," Thorgar nodded. "And now, here, in Fer Ael Dor. The Empire's increased demands for crystals, the introduction of artificially enhanced crystals… it all points to a deliberate attempt to destabilize our city."
"But why?" Maja asked. "Why would the Empire want to destabilize Fer Ael Dor?"
"That is what we are trying to determine," Borin Stonebeard said. "We suspect it is related to the growing influence of the Silent Weaver."
"The Silent Weaver?" One dwarf repeated.
"A shadowy figure, or perhaps a group," Borin Stonebeard explained. "They are said to be manipulating the Rekra, using Void Rekra to corrupt and control. They are the source of the corrupted crystals, the Void Rekra cultists, and the escalating Rekra disruptions."
"And you believe the Empire is working with them?" Maja asked.
"We do not know for certain," Borin Stonebeard said. "But their actions are suspicious. They are exploiting the chaos created by the Silent Weaver, using it as an excuse to consolidate their power."
"There is more," Maja interrupted, her voice serious. "I came to Fer Ael Dor not only because of the general Rekra instability. I came to warn you about the Obsidian Tide."
The dwarves looked at her, their expressions shifting to concern.
"The Obsidian Tide?" asked another dwarf, brow furrowed. "What is this?"
"It is a massive surge of Void Rekra," Maja explained. "It is meant to flood the coastal regions. I witnessed its beginning at the Obsidian Coast. Entire settlements have been wiped out, corrupted by the Void Rekra. It is not a natural disaster, but a weapon, wielded by the Silent Weaver."
"A weapon?" Thorgar Ironfist said, his voice heavy. "This is grave news."
"Indeed," Borin Stonebeard said. "If the Silent Weaver can unleash such a destructive force, then their power is greater than we imagined. This strengthens our suspicion that the Empire is involved. They must know of this, and yet they continue their attempts to weaken us."
"We have also noticed a change in the crystals themselves," Faelin Deepforge added. "They are becoming more… volatile. Their resonance is unstable, unpredictable. We fear they may be becoming corrupted by the Void Rekra."
"That could have devastating consequences," Maja said. "The crystals are the lifeblood of Fer Ael Dor."
"Indeed," Borin Stonebeard said. "Which is why we must act. We cannot allow the Empire or the Silent Weaver to threaten our city. We must find a way to counter their influence, to protect our crystals, to protect our people."
"What do you propose?" Maja asked.
"We need to gather more information," Borin Stonebeard said. "We need to understand the Silent Weaver's plan, the Empire's involvement. We need to find a way to stabilize the crystals, to cleanse them of the Void Rekra. And we must also find a way to warn others about the Obsidian Tide."
"And how do we do that?" She asked.
"We have no idea for now," Thorgar Ironfist said. "But we do have knowledge of the true resonance of the crystals, knowledge of how to manipulate their energy. We believe we can use this knowledge to counteract the Void Rekra's influence."
"But we will need help," Borin Stonebeard said, looking at Maja. "We are dwarves. We are strong, but we are not experts in the ways of the world outside our mountains. We need someone who can travel, who can gather information, who can act as our eyes and ears."
He paused, his gaze searching Maja's face. "We believe you are that person."
___________________________
The sun was setting, as Arel and Barnaby walked away from Glimmerbrook. The air was cool and fresh, a nice scenery after the crazy time hole fugazy.
Arel, still a bit confused from fighting the weird time thieves, asked broke the silence.
"So, what do we do now?"
Barnaby smiled, stopped and turned facing Arel, his wild hair glowing in the last sunlight. "Now, you keep going! You need to find out why your gear is humming like that."
Arel looked at the ticking gear in his hand. "But what about the compass?"
Barnaby reached into his bag and pulled out the Temporal Compass. He handed it to Arel. "You keep this. It's safe with you."
Arel looked at the intricate compass, surprised. "Me? But I'm just a locksmith."
"You're more than that, Arel," Barnaby said, looking rather serious. "You have something special with Rekra, something you don't know about yet. And you're the one who should keep this safe."
"But I don't know where to go," Arel said, feeling a bit lost. "I don't even know what I'm looking for."
"The gear will show you," Barnaby said, sounding sure. "Trust what you feel. And remember, keep the compass safe. But don't use it. Not yet. Only when it's absolutely necessary."
"Why not?" Arel asked.
"It has side effects," Barnaby said, his voice a little worried. "You saw what happened in Glimmerbrook. Time is tricky, and the compass is powerful. Using it without knowing what you're doing could cause a lot of problems, who knows if it might make the one you love turn to a chicken."
He chuckled.
"Rekra?" Arel asked, confused. "I can't use Rekra."
Barnaby laughed a little. "Maybe not yet. But you could. Everyone has the chance to use Rekra, Arel. You just need to find what makes it work for you."
"What do you mean?" Arel asked.
"Something that makes your Rekra come alive," Barnaby said. "Like a spark. For some people, it's a strong feeling, for others, it's a place or an object. You have to find what makes your Rekra spark, Arel. Then you can do amazing things."
Arel looked at his hands, thinking hard. He had never thought he could use Rekra. He was better at fixing things, things he could touch and see. But Barnaby's words made him wonder.
"And what about you?" Arel asked. "What will you do?"
"I'll keep learning about time," Barnaby said, smiling. "There's still so much to find out. And maybe we'll meet again."
He patted Arel on the shoulder. "Go now, Arel Glyndove. Your journey is waiting. And be careful. Things are changing, and there's danger out there."
With a nod, Barnaby walked away, disappearing into the darkness. Arel stood there, the ticking gear humming softly, the Temporal Compass heavy in his hand. He had a place to find, and maybe, just maybe, he had Rekra inside him. But even with Barnaby's words, Arel still didn't really believe he could use it. He was a locksmith, not a Rekra wielder. Still, he knew he had to keep going, and keep the compass safe.