[Quiet Man Cometh]

“What is he?”

“He is a remnant of the ancient times…a fragment mixed with some divine essence to make him whole and give him form.” Mallin fluttered around the library, grabbing books and pieces of paper from the cramped shelves. Sir Roderick put a hand over his nose and mouth as another cloud of dust erupted under the pile of books Mallin heaved onto the table. Gathered dust and grime from years of storage billowed through the air and agitated his nostrils. His eyes itched and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

“Don’t come in here much do you?” he coughed in a dry voice.

Mallin yanked open the cover of another book, running his fingers down the page. “You shouldn’t speak lightly,” he chided the knight. He pushed the book aside and grabbed another, its worn cover splitting in half with a crack like dry wood. “Could hardly read it anyway…” he muttered, tossing the old tome onto the floor in another puff of dust. He cleared his throat. “A being like that does not appear without a purpose.”

“So why is he here?” Roderick asked, tugging at the wall drapes in search of a window and take his eyes off the dizzying wizard.

“He has acquired Aldur.”

“Aldur?”

“The Prison Blade: a horrid weapon that absorbs the spirit of anyone slain by it.”

“What would he need that for?”

“The divine world is never static. The ancient gods still exist on another plane. Aldur is the key. If he confines enough spirits their essence will break the seal.” Mallin looked up from his book, “And there will be a godswar the likes of which have not been seen since the overthrow.”

The dust settled lightly between the wizard’s gaze and the knight’s.
Finally, Mallin slammed the book closed and threw up his hands, “I can find nothing that will help you. You will have to find your own clues in this. Pray that Valorus guides you well.”

Mallin continued to voice his warnings as Sir Roderick left the tower. He reached a hand to his chest and examined the pendant that hung there, laying it flat on his palm. Why would anyone want to do such a thing? Bringing the world into chaos again? The notion was overwhelming. ‘How do I find him?’ he had asked. The wizard’s reply rang through his head: Just follow the bodies.