Page 10 of Eggsactly the Right Gargoyle

I reach into my satchel and carefully place the egg on the counter, explaining the situation. “And this egg was the last one we found after the others resorbed into the tree. They seem to be leading us on some kind of magical treasure hunt.”

Hemlock leans forward and picks it up, turning it over in his long, elegant fingers. “Extraordinary craftsmanship. Not a natural object, despite its appearance. This one, and I’d venture all of them, were created with powerful, old magic.” He closes his eyes, holding the egg near his ear. “And it’s singing. Can you hear it?”

“Yes,” Dorian and I say in unison.

“We were the only ones who could until now,” I add.

“Same melodies for both of you, I’d wager.” Hemlock places the egg back on the counter. “This a resonance egg. Extremely rare magical artifacts. They respond to specific magical signatures and guide those individuals toward... Well, that depends on who created them and why.”

“Someone made these specifically for us?” I ask, picking up the final egg. It hums contentedly in my palm.

“Seems like.”

Dorian asks, “What are they guiding us toward?”

“That, my stone friend, is the question.” Hemlock moves around the counter, his long robes sweeping the floor. “Resonance eggs are typically used in rituals of awakening or renewal. They gather magical energy from their carriers and, when brought together in the right location, can channel that energy toward a specific purpose.”

“Like what?” I ask, suddenly less certain about the fun of our scavenger hunt.

“Awakening dormant magic, breaking curses, or sealing pacts between magical beings.” Hemlock shrugs. “Or they could simply be leading you to buried treasure. Without knowing who created them, it’s impossible to say for certain.”

Dorian’s expression darkens further. “I’ve had enough of this game. We should destroy this before it can be used for whatever purpose they were created.”

“No.” I step between Dorian and the egg. “We can’t just destroy it. What if it’s meant to help us? Or help the town?”

“Or trap us in some ancient magical binding?” His wings flare slightly. “We know nothing about their origin or purpose.”

“Which is why we should follow where this one leads. At least then we’ll know what we’re dealing with.”

“I agree with Talia,” says Hemlock while moving back behind his counter. “Destroying magical artifacts without understanding their purpose can have unpleasant consequences. Better to follow the path and remain vigilant.”

Dorian’s jaw tightens with a rock-grinding sound. “Fine. This better be the last egg, because after this, I’m done with this wild goose chase.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re such a grump. Would it kill you to embrace a little mystery and adventure?”

“Possibly,” he says flatly.

Hemlock chuckles, and the sound is like dry leaves rustling. “You two make an interesting pair. Sun and stone, warmth and endurance. Perhaps that’s why the eggs chose you.”

Before either of us can respond, the remaining eggs glows brightly, its humming growing louder and more insistent.

“It’s responding to something,” I say, watching as the egg rises a few inches off the counter, hovering in the air.

“Or someone,” says Hemlock, stepping back from the counter.

The egg begins to spin, its glow intensifying until it’s almost painful to look at directly. Then, with a sound like a thousand wind chimes, the egg bursts into a shower of golden flower petals.

“Oh.” I gasp, reaching out to catch some of the petals as they fall. They’re warm to the touch and smell like sunlight and honey.

The petals swirl in the air, dancing around Dorian and me before arranging themselves into words that hover between us:

“Awaken what was left to rest, by balance found and hearts confessed.”

“What does that mean?” I ask, watching as the words shimmer in the air.

“It means I was right,” says Dorian grimly. “This is some kind of ritual, and we’re being manipulated into performing it.”

Hemlock studies the floating message, his expression thoughtful. “The Glimmergrove,” he says finally. “That’s what this refers to.”

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