Piecing it together - story eight
On L'Abre de Vie the team connect all the items together and learn more about the key.
I’m so sorry that I missed the Tuesday posting deadline. I have started a new job this week, I had visitors and I was juggling a lot. So here is the next episode, a little late, but here nonetheless.
So, a warm (if delayed) welcome to our armchair road trip on board our uncrewed airborne people carrier (UAPC) affectionately known as Drewp. Get settled in your preferred seat on Drewp, relax and let the real world fade away. Meet me in The Comments Lounge at the end of the story so we can gossip about this leg of the trip.
In the last episode: the team discover a curious connection between one of the Hexton widgets and an artefact on L'Abre de Vie.
In this episode: they connect all the items together and learn more about the key.
Kriliah, Jalisse and Crox need to be focussed for their mission here, so they’ve left The Trekkers in an open space on L’Abre de Vie. Earlier, Kriliah was able to visualise the layout of Building 6 where the artefact is stored. Together the three of them have formulated a rough plan to see if the artefact will indeed help them with their quest.
As they approach Building 6, Crox approaches the Gatekeeper with details of his booking and lots of questions about the new Arboreal Bole Archives. Jalisse uses a cloaking charm so that she and Kriliah can slip inside. Kriliah leads Jalisse confidently to the glowing green artefact.
“Wow, it's breathtaking. It's no wonder Crox felt uneasy about this piece. It’s a similar shape to the amulet we got from Angle-Sea.” Kriliah draws the amulet out of a coat pocket, wrapped in the soft, mossy green scrap of fabric. The single link of a green metal chain in another pocket sends out the now familiar heat, and Kriliah brings that out too. “Ok, Jalisse, how do these three things connect?”
“Let me think before we actually touch the artefact. Once we touch it we will need to move quickly to stay undetected.”
Kriliah paces in the small space whilst Jalisse inspects the artefact as closely as possible without disturbing the tendrils protecting it. She notices one large green pearl embedded into each of the three branches.
“I’ve got it. Put the amulet and the chain here.” Jalisse indicates a small ledge around the casing. “I’m going to talk you through each step. You need to be precise and deft, so no slip ups. Ready?”
Kriliah takes a steadying breath and nods.
“Pick up the artefact and the amulet at the same time… good. Turn the amulet 180° towards you and place the two pieces together … I said towards you, K, not away! … Hold those two pieces together .... Lay the chain link over the front of the pieces lengthways and hold tight …”
Kriliah almost drops the items as a burst of green light shoots out of the link and encircles the two pieces, binding them together.
“Steady, K … we need to do something with the pearls …”
Both can hear a commotion coming from the door of the building - time is running out. “OK, you need your powers of visualisation here, K. Imagine pressing down on each pearl at exactly the same time.”
Jalisse sees sweat on their brow. For the first time, they must intentionally use their powers. Which is why she hadn’t warned them in advance. Kriliah hesitatingly does as requested. A hologram fills the room and Kriliah recognises the being as an ancestor.
“Well done for getting this far, team. I’m going to tell you about the key. There is no time for questions, so stay sharp. When I’m done, everything will revert to the way it was before, and you can get out of here.”
Decide what happens next - vote for where they go next
The Company know about the key and where to find it. What could happen in the next episode? Vote in the poll to let me know which map of the two maps you’d like to see in the next story.
If you fancy, leave me a comment for suggestions for a title to map one below ⬇️
Option One - Somewhere (currently untitled)
Option Two - The Flower Island of the Emerald Sea
Vote ⬇️
There is no update to the map this week. Where is L’Abre de Vie? Have a look at the map below and update your own version of the free map.
What do you notice about the map this week? I’d love to know what you spot - leave me a comment.
Story eight is complete. Just 2 more to go. How will this story end? Set a date for next Tuesday for another trip on Dwerp for episode eight.
Other stories in this series
Head to the Index Page for all the stories so far. The stories are micro fiction, so I’ll be attempting to keep them under 500 words if I can. This one is 492 words.
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The stories behind the story
Want to find out more about the history of L’Abre de Vie and the artefacts? About Kriliah’s and Jalisse’s skills and powers?
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