faded into obscurity over time, but one of the oldest legends states that if the five Soulstones are discovered and brought together, the wielder will possess the very power of the Presence Himself.”
“The power of a god?” asked Zarim.
“Wait, I don’t get it,” said Ekala with her arms akimbo. “If these things have been around since the beginning of time, how come no one’s snatched them up before now? An’ why exactly do you want ‘em?”
Master Quand smiled at her. “Very good points, Ms. Cosari. Centuries ago, the world was engulfed in endless wars, with different factions trying to obtain all five stones. But a wise man, a very powerful wizard, poured all his power into plunging the Soulstones into obscurity, leaving them masked in a deep slumber for what he hoped would be forever. As time passed, the Soulstones became something of myth and legend, and eventually became clouded in obscurity.”
“So what happened?” asked Ekala.
“Guess they woke up,” said Swul.
“An apt description,” said Quand. “The spell weakened over the centuries and now it has faded completely. The Soulstones must be gathered before other, more dangerous forces are alerted to their presence. And for that, I need your help.”
Ekala laughed. All faced turned to her. “Is something amusing?”
“Yeah, you might say that,” she said. “These magic rocks, they give whoever has them the power of a god, right? An’ you want us to just hand ‘em over to you ? Call me crazy, but isn’t that kinda like lightin’ a cigarette over an oil spill?”
“Ekala!” Zarim’s voice was firm, but hushed, his glare fixed on his lover.
“What?” She held her hands out defensively. “It’s a legit question! If these things are so dangerous, why don’t we just find ‘em an’ destroy ‘em before they can do any damage?”
“Master Quand isn’t going to use them himself, he—”
“Please, Zarim, I can explain myself.” Master Quand stepped closer to Ekala. “You are right to be suspicious. The power contained within the Soulstones, especially when brought together, can be apocalyptic. And if they could be destroyed, I would encourage you to do just that. Unfortunately, they can only be hidden. I can repair the spell, return the Soulstones to their slumber, but I need all six in order to do it. To do that, I need your help. You and your crew.”
“So we find these things, you do yer hocus-pocus thing, an’ we get what in return?” asked Swul.
Zarim groaned and placed his hand over his face.
“Shouldn’t we do this just so the world doesn’t...y’know... end? ”
“It’s a big risk, why should it fall on our heads?” asked Swul.
“We are not very wealthy, but we’ll provide you with whatever compensation we can. And of course, anything you discover on your journey will be yours to keep, so long as the Soulstones are brought here.” Master Quand took a breath before continuing. “Of course, I understand how dangerous this is. And that it may limit your current...activities. So I understand if you decline.”
“If we say no, what will you do?” asked Zarim.
“We will send messengers out into the world, try and find others to complete this task,” said Master Quand. “Although, if we do not have your aid in this situation, you will also no longer have ours.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You will not be welcome in Xanadar again,” said Master Quand. “We have harbored you many times over the years following your heists. It is a risk we take and one we will cease to accept, unless you help us.”
Zarim studied the faces of his crew. “Could you give us a few minutes, sir?”
Master Quand nodded. “Take your time. I will be upstairs.”
Zarim escorted him to the door and once he stepped out, Zarim closed and locked it behind the old guru. He exhaled deeply as he leaned against the doors, looking at his first mate.
“Don’t look at me like that. This is nuts,” said
“The power of a god?” asked Zarim.
“Wait, I don’t get it,” said Ekala with her arms akimbo. “If these things have been around since the beginning of time, how come no one’s snatched them up before now? An’ why exactly do you want ‘em?”
Master Quand smiled at her. “Very good points, Ms. Cosari. Centuries ago, the world was engulfed in endless wars, with different factions trying to obtain all five stones. But a wise man, a very powerful wizard, poured all his power into plunging the Soulstones into obscurity, leaving them masked in a deep slumber for what he hoped would be forever. As time passed, the Soulstones became something of myth and legend, and eventually became clouded in obscurity.”
“So what happened?” asked Ekala.
“Guess they woke up,” said Swul.
“An apt description,” said Quand. “The spell weakened over the centuries and now it has faded completely. The Soulstones must be gathered before other, more dangerous forces are alerted to their presence. And for that, I need your help.”
Ekala laughed. All faced turned to her. “Is something amusing?”
“Yeah, you might say that,” she said. “These magic rocks, they give whoever has them the power of a god, right? An’ you want us to just hand ‘em over to you ? Call me crazy, but isn’t that kinda like lightin’ a cigarette over an oil spill?”
“Ekala!” Zarim’s voice was firm, but hushed, his glare fixed on his lover.
“What?” She held her hands out defensively. “It’s a legit question! If these things are so dangerous, why don’t we just find ‘em an’ destroy ‘em before they can do any damage?”
“Master Quand isn’t going to use them himself, he—”
“Please, Zarim, I can explain myself.” Master Quand stepped closer to Ekala. “You are right to be suspicious. The power contained within the Soulstones, especially when brought together, can be apocalyptic. And if they could be destroyed, I would encourage you to do just that. Unfortunately, they can only be hidden. I can repair the spell, return the Soulstones to their slumber, but I need all six in order to do it. To do that, I need your help. You and your crew.”
“So we find these things, you do yer hocus-pocus thing, an’ we get what in return?” asked Swul.
Zarim groaned and placed his hand over his face.
“Shouldn’t we do this just so the world doesn’t...y’know... end? ”
“It’s a big risk, why should it fall on our heads?” asked Swul.
“We are not very wealthy, but we’ll provide you with whatever compensation we can. And of course, anything you discover on your journey will be yours to keep, so long as the Soulstones are brought here.” Master Quand took a breath before continuing. “Of course, I understand how dangerous this is. And that it may limit your current...activities. So I understand if you decline.”
“If we say no, what will you do?” asked Zarim.
“We will send messengers out into the world, try and find others to complete this task,” said Master Quand. “Although, if we do not have your aid in this situation, you will also no longer have ours.”
“What’s that mean?”
“You will not be welcome in Xanadar again,” said Master Quand. “We have harbored you many times over the years following your heists. It is a risk we take and one we will cease to accept, unless you help us.”
Zarim studied the faces of his crew. “Could you give us a few minutes, sir?”
Master Quand nodded. “Take your time. I will be upstairs.”
Zarim escorted him to the door and once he stepped out, Zarim closed and locked it behind the old guru. He exhaled deeply as he leaned against the doors, looking at his first mate.
“Don’t look at me like that. This is nuts,” said
Similar Books
