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Chapter 25 |  |
At the Spring Equinox this year, the magi had discovered that their central Regio linked to four surrounding regiones, and that each of the four regiones was tied to a Zodiacal sign, an Element, and a Metal. Elaboratus Criamonis ad Mummolide had been with them on that occasion and had used his Enigmatic Wisdom to guide the juniors through the mystery. Unfortunately, he brushed too close to Twilight, and passed beyond the world not long after.
At the Normandy Tribunal gathering at Petrusca, Maga Speranda was representing Saxum Caribetum and found that Glomerulus Criamonis, also ad Mummolide, had been following up on the Visions of his sodalis, and was keen to help the Magi Saxo Caribeto. During the Tribunal session Glomerulus was overcome with a Vision, and as a result, was invited back to Saxum Caribetum to witness the Equinox.
[Speranda recorded Glomerulus' account of Elaboratus' Vision, and Glomerulus' own Vision in her diary, and also how she invited the Criamoni to visit.]
Marpesius is more comprehensible than his older Sodalis Glomerulus, so we turn to his account of the day:
Although the Magi successfully explored the connected regiones, they have lost Joachus, who ventured down what appears to be a "broken path", and is thought to have reappeared far off in Normandy. The rest of the Coveant anxiously await his return, or better word from him.
Called by a vision of Glomerulus Criamonis ad Mummolides, guided by a vision of Elaboratus Criamonis ex Mummolides, invited by a young Bonisagus maga from the new Covenant of Saxum Caribetum, the Enigma brought me to a clearing in the depths of the Foret de Lorge.
Welcomed by a man with skin grey as stone and a cough that shook his aged frame. Known from Mummolides and long assumed dead, yet here he lived still, or seemed to for a little while more.
An eager host was Magus Speculor, generous with his time to discuss the visions, though he has little understanding of their meaning and knows even less of the great Enigma, being a disciple of Bonisagus.
Commencing at the dead of the night before the day of the Equinox, I began a vigil. Standing close beside Speculor, our backs against the cold of the Menhir, we watched and waited within the confines of the Regio. By our feet, a basin of fresh spring water stood since Glomerulus and I, after studying the visions, agreed that water would play a significant place in the events of the day ahead. Marking them out with water on my finger, I covered the stone with important symbols.
We stood as still as corpses, and as cold, for several hours. There had been death here, and no doubt it would come again. I knew of a skeleton propped against the stone, all that remained of a man trapped within the Regio, except for his ghost which had haunted the clearing. Would that I could meet that ghost, but the newcomers had settled the spirit.
With dawn came the wonders we wished to explore. From but one pace across, the Regio grew to cover the clearing in the time it took for the sun the clear the horizon.
Just as seen by Glomerulus, the Menhir now had a Face upon it. Greetings in Latin and Breton were ignored - could some older tongue be needed here? Recalling Speculor's description of the Menhir at the Summer Solstice, carefully I washed the face with the spring water. Glomerulus entered the Regio as I did so but there was no other discernible effect.
Walking back towards us from the far side of the clearing, Speculor talked of withered leaves. His use of Intellego Aquam had shown him nothing. The young magus will soon discover the beginnings of wisdom if he uses magic so freely in a Regio with an aura so strong.
At length spoke Glomerulus concerning the elements, metals and zodiac. Long association with the Enigma has made him even less comprehensible than many of our House. I attempted to convey the essence of his lecture. Walking as he spoke, Glomerulus went between the Menhir and each Cardinal point, and we who listened did so too.
In answer to my request, a young grog was sent for, one who had seen the body of the wretch caught within the Regio Bidding him assume the exact position and attitude of the corpse, I studied this while the other magi talked of constellations.
Are the stars still there above us in the bright light of day?
A connection was called for, to link us to the paths which Glomerulus believed were around us but hidden. I cast water into the air as Speculor, ever the risk-taker in this investigation, cast InAq and pointed south. Dipping my finger into the last of the water, I traced the appropriate rune on the south side of the Menhir
Iuris Perita, a maga of this new covenant, had entered the Regio Refusal met my request of her that we use the metal symbols obtained here in Spring. How protective these youngsters are of a few pawns of Vis! How obstructive to my research!
My proposal rejected, we were obliged to try one of theirs and sat around the standing stone, one at each of four sides. Urged by Speculor, Iuris Perita cast spell yet found no mind behind the stone face. Did she too pay the risk no heed or was that a spell she knew by heart? My belief is that she used a formula well-known to her.
The resident magi lack caution and insight. Further spell-casting within their Regio will soon bring them closer to the Enigma and thus will they advance in Wisdom. Meanwhile, it was for the visitors to point the way. In support of my request Glomerulus asked for the metal symbols to be brought out.
Having placed it in the bottom of a pail of water, I carried the silver symbol of Luna immersed. To the south side of the clearing we went, Speculor showing neither sense nor caution as he sought the path by magic rather than with his eyes. Clearly before us was a muddy trail. Eager were our footsteps: Glomerulus, Iuris Perita, Joach, Speculor and myself.
A pool choked with decaying leaves, fed by a stream clogged with dead vegetation and, in a worn and muddy rock, the rough shape of the symbol of the moon was what we found. Strong the scent of rotting and stagnation.
Swift discussion between the local magi followed. Speculor took up the silver Vis and waded to the rock. Might this bring about the union of water and silver? Placed within the cleaned-out carving, the silver symbol glowed a moment. Again more magic, as Speculor established the silver moon was now no more nor less rich in Vis than it was when in their store.
Announcing first intention to return with the other symbols, Joach and Speculor set off. Just minutes later, confused, they stepped again into the clearing, asserting that the path had led them round. Without their precious symbol, the route to the Menhir was blocked by distortions of the Regio's pathways.
Another flash as they removed the silver crescent from its depression in the rock. Can this flash teach us anything, I wonder? All but I strode off along the path by which we came. With them, the silver symbol, key to the paths. Their aim, to bring more silver.
Mindful of the Roman Temple promised by Glomerulus' vision, I began a thorough search of the area. The pool seemed confined closely by a Regio boundary where trees faded into grey mist. A persistent force hindered my efforts to push through the bushes.
A muddy disc embedded in the ground caught my eye. Rinsed and rubbed, it was a silvery coin (now known to be a denarius). I put it safe way for later study.
The others had left and then returned; they had now all their metal symbols. I showed the coin and whence it came. Iuris Perita found another close by - how could I have missed it?
Leaving their precious Vis within the rock, our hosts led us along a new-found path. Broad, straight and partly paved with cobbles, it seemed to me it might be Roman. Eagerly I walked the route.
Roman altar stone amidst a small clearing, as reported from this place in Spring, was what we found. A sure pointer to the temple, was my hope. Again I searched but nothing came to view except another path. Leaving their pawn of Vis, the iron symbol, upon the altar, as if an offering for our success, and before I had completed my investigation, the group set off again.
Over mud, under trees and to a tunnel came the magi. Once so rash and free with casting spells, suddenly our hosts are overcome by caution and long runs the debate over who will make a light. Exasperated by this delay when our feet are on the path that may go to the temple, I cast a light upon my own hat. Long it glowed.
Within the tunnel lay a few fragments of bone, human bone. Perhaps some unfortunate had wandered in so far and been trapped; a curious and lonely place to die. Examination of these remains to see if anything may be learned of the person they once were is my desire.
Wandering a little more, with all the metal symbols left in place, the paths were twisted around. Eagerness gave way to gloom. Paths wound round, linked up and nowhere new was found. All the metal keys were left behind. Despair of finding any further sign of the temple descended upon me.
Available to aid us was only that most recently positioned. Taking once again from its rock the symbol of lead, we were able to return to the Menhir Three pawns of Vis had now been lost, or rather, left behind. Little to me but much to the newcomers.
So free were the young magi with their Intellego magics that Glomerulus felt moved to urge caution upon them as they tried to see the paths that they might retrieve their precious Vis Myself, I would have enjoyed seeing them slip into Twilight for their rashness.
Weakening a moment under pressure from our hosts, Glomerulus cast to seek the southward path. Stepping forward, he vanished then reappeared some two or three diameters later, somewhat bemused and grasping the silver moon.
Seeing that Intellego Vim, when combined with the Form linked to the path, could open the way, Speculor cast to find the other paths. Reward for his incautious casting: retrieval of the metal keys. Food was brought, the grey-skinned ancient anticipating our need.
Glomerulus wished to revisit all the clearings and map all the paths. Speculor and Iuris Perita explored every route and noted all. I followed, watched and hoped - both for a discovery of anything pertaining to the visions and for our rash hosts to be caught by Twilight.
Sitting on a rock while the local Magi incautiously used magical means to scale a cliff and capture a breeze, once more my impatience overcame my better judgement. Any danger was avoided as my offer to use magic for them was turned down on account of my price for assistance. Given the dangerous risk, I feel it only just that I should have been allowed to retain anything of value obtained as a result of my own spell.
Reality of danger soon was proven. Speculor, overconfident as ever, tried to control the breeze whilst floating high up on the cliff face. Had he fallen to his death, I could have enjoyed conversing with his ghost. A sharp pain in the head was the only punishment suffered; Speculor had learnt a little caution for a while.
Hope of the temple rose again when, once again standing near the altar, Iuris Perita found ash and learnt, through magic, that this was the residue of a sacrificial burnt offering. Enthusiasm renewed, trace of another path was found.
Through the trees, our feet were on stone pavement, a hopeful sign of Roman association. Close by, the trees looked grey and unclear; the boundary of the Regio was near. I dared not walk this path.
Caution was unknown to Speculor. Had he not been called back by Iuris Perita, I believe he would have walked away with all the metal symbols, possibly trapping us to take our chance with death or twilight as the only escapes.
Speculor, seeing some sense at last, would not set foot beyond the Regio without at least one symbol as he believed they were keys without which he could have no hope of re-entering the Regio. Iuris Perita, also showing sense, would not let him take one away lest it be lost for good.
Joach left some hair as a connection to himself and walked the path. He vanished. Once the agreed period of time had passed and he had returned, those remaining walked back to the Menhir and thence to the covenant but found him not.
Speculor, by magic, heard Joach pushing through bushes somewhere in Normandy. A few grogs were sent with food and cash along the path to join Joach and assist him home. I know not yet if he or any of the missing grogs have returned. Perhaps all have perished; I hope at least one. If so, I may be able to communicate with them which might prove instructive.
Those of us who could continued with the exploration, attempting to discover all the linkages within the Regio and those paths that led out of it. No-one attempted to use any of the paths that might lead out.
Once sure we had explored all the safer options, we went back to the covenant. Returning next year with better preparation was the proposal of Iuris Perita and Speculor, though if they mean in spring or autumn I cannot tell. Glomerulus thinks the paths leading outwards went somewhere once but now are broken and in need of mending.
Pondering on this, I came back to the tower and wrote these notes.
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