Nidian filtered through the pages as he sat next to the water. The sun had begun to set and he still wasn't sure what to do. The stress of having someone look over his shoulder his whole life vanished out in these parts. Torrel and Ae offered him something he'd never see living behind the walls. The freedom to study the lost civilizations that their land teeming with. The forgotten civilizations that he was infatuated with. And this time the forbidden history potentially hid answers to what had befallen Daemora. It was almost as if fate was laying the road for him in gold.

  He let out an exasperated breath that cut short as something on the tattered paper caught his eye. An unnerving depiction in a deep black ink that saturated the page. The center piece a prism that a dozen crude figures appeared to bow before. Worshipping it, or perhaps groveling before it. There was writing but it was beyond his list of known languages. Neiraan always had the second half of the puzzle, which often came as an old dictionary or text that was translatable. Without some other reference he was at a dead end.

  "It says something about "The Heart" or something synonymous." Malles whispered as he read it over Nidian's shoulder.

  The stress of being watched was back without missing a beat. Nidian just about threw the journal in the water, only catching himself last minute and choosing instead to slam it shut. "Malles what the hell! Say something next time!"

  "But I did say something." Malles shrank as Nidian shouted.

  Nidian deeply inhaled and pressed his hands together at his lips. "I meant say something before you walk up behind me like that!" He paused momentarily, "Wait did you just read what that said? In the journal?"

  Malles nodded, "Yeah. Remember how I said I was supposed to be a record keeper? I know a lot of languages. That's Mudariik. Really odd language to see here. Their kind were way westward. Like- past Brutennia. Ancient world for sure."

  Nidian took in the drawings again, carefully studying each darkly drawn line. The depicted image resembled nothing close to a heart. His fingers gripped the book firmly as he nosed into the pages skeptically. "You sure, sure? Looks awful geometric for a heart. Looks like a diamond or something. It also appears to be rather large compared to the depicted figures. Though I suppose that could be symbolic of importance."

  "Well I can't double check with your head wedged between the pages, let me see it." Malles stepped around front and gently tugged at the journal, eager to dust off his old skills. Nidian's reluctant hands slowly loosened their grip. Malles took another brief glance at the strange glyphs in the book ensuring his original translation held true.

  "Yeah. The Heart of Ios. Strange.. Very similar to the heart of Navi."

  Nidian slowly rose form his seat and peaked over the corner of the paper, "Like- the wind goddess herself?" Nidian balked.

  Malles shrugged as he turned the page, "That's what I'm assuming. It seems to be their own name for it. But their language predates any Kordish history. Why they would know anything about it is beyond me."

  Nidian shook his head and held up a hand, "Wait, wait, wait. What's the heart of Navi?"

  Malles seemed to be confused but came to his own conclusions, "Right, I forget I was let in on more privileged information. It is a relic the Kordhan family has had for centuries bestowed upon them by Navi herself to protect us from the darkness that befell the world in ancient times. It's supposedly led us to prosperity after the great war."

  Nidian put his hands on the book, forcing Malles to flip it back to the previous drawing. "So that is the heart of Navi? The Kordhan have that?"

  Nidian was eager to hear him confirm it. If their king had access to a relic they might have a clear shot at defending Daemora from the dragons. "Where is it?" He ardently pressed.

  Malles perked a brow and inched away. "Hold on Nidian. I know dragons attacked Hoharo, I know you're trying to help the other cities. But I still just met you. Where did you even get this journal? This has like, decades of information. Stuff only Kordish elders should have. Who are you, really?"

  Nidian tensed, discontent with the questions hurdling toward him. He reached for the book hastily but Malles pulled back defensively. "Answer me Nidian. I might be a Maverick now but I still take my oath to protect our land very seriously. How did you get this?" Malles usual sporadic and childish demeanor crumbled; leaving a responsible and focused figure behind.

  Nidian grit his teeth. Neiraan's warning echoing through his head. He ultimately pushed it aside against his better judgement and drew a heavy sigh. "My friend Neiraan and I studied the lost kingdom together. We just found the history of Daemora fascinating. We wanted answers to questions the Kordhan would not hear. Harmless personal endeavors. He came to me with that journal the day the dragons attacked. I didn't look inside it until today. He asked me to get it to the king."

  Malles dropped his guard a little, "Well did you? Did king Maronath see it?"

  Nidian shook heavily, "No... I stalled due to the fear of criminal charges. It never reached his court. But Neiiran seemed to think it had to do with some cult and maybe the dragons."

  Malles crossed his arms, an aporetic glance, "Cult? How do you figure that?"

  Nidian reached for the book cautiously, Malles' openly allowing him to take it back. "Well for one dragons burned the city down the same day. I suppose a crazy coincidence could be involved but Neiraan said he found the book with a man murdered by said cult. I saw them chase him out of town minutes before hell broke loose. They had masks that looked like the face of star stalker. All black and crimson. It seems safe to assume they want the journal."

  The two shared a silence as they deliberated. Standing up straight, arms to his side Malles reached his conclusion. "If dragons and a cult are on Daemora and after this book it very well could mean they are after the Heart of Navi. You need to get this to the high council. If you'll let me I can translate the rest of the section you showed me tomorrow. Might give some insight on who wrote this. Cause whoever did knows far more than any Kordhan monk."

  Nidian stared at Malles' hand that awaited the journal. It leaving his sight was never in the cards. But a translation was needed now more than ever. Any clue as to what its purpose was, why it was all written and what it had to do with the chaos erupting across the land was crucial. His arms fought against him as he tried to drop the dusty collective of scribbles in to the waiting palm.

  Malles just gave a reassuring nod and a smile that told Nidian he could be trusted. The moment custody was exchanged Malles's smile faltered. "I have to ask though Nidian. You aren't being pursued are you? By this cult?"

  Nidian looked over his shoulder, just the idea gave him goosebumps. "I don't think so... I don't think anyone knows I have it. Why do you ask?"

  Malles expression stayed hardened, "Because if you drag trouble here. If anything happens to Nomad's Haven...Ae will probably kill you."

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