Page 111 of Of Empires and Dust

Calen’s jaw wasn’t the only one that opened wide.

“Ilnaen is a city once lost, connected to the Blood Moon, and set in aseaof sand.”

“That actually makes sense.” Dann looked a little irritated. “You’re not as stupid as you look.”

Erik glared at Dann.

“Don’t mind him,” Tarmon said, patting Erik on the back. “I think you’re just as stupid as you look.”

Calen ignored them and leaned forwards. He grabbed Erik by the shoulders. “I think I know the last part.”

The doorto Calen’s chambers smacked against the wall with a resoundingcrack. He rushed into the room, searching frantically for his satchel, tossing aside sheets and old clothes.

“By Elyara,” Dann said as he walked into the room behind Calen. “You haven’t cleaned in a while then?”

Calen just ignored him, tossing aside a pile of linen towels that had been sitting there for far too long.

Rushed footsteps sounded as Erik, Vaeril, and Tarmon stumbled into the room behind him.

“Here.” Calen snatched up the satchel from beneath a pile of clothes and upended the contents on his bed.

The metal disc Rokka had given him sank into the mess of sheets, the pendant he’d found in Vindakur falling next to it, followed by Alvira’s letter.

“What is all this?” Dann picked up the metal disc, turning it over in his hand.

“I don’t have a clue what that is.” Calen held out the letter. “But this is a letter written by Alvira Serris that we found in Vindakur beneath the Lodhar Mountains.”

Dann was about to ask more questions, but Calen started reading.

My dearest Eluna,

I have left more.The pendant is the key.

Always remember,even in the shadow of what was lost, we can find light anew.

Your Archon,and your friend.

Alvira Serris

“The pendant is the key…”Erik whispered.

“The pendant is thekey.” Calen grabbed the pendant from the bed, its brass back cool against his palm. The symbol of The Order was marked in white against the obsidian glass.

“All right.” Dann held out his hands. “I’m completely fucking lost.”

“The riddle,” Erik said, taking the pendant from Calen and staring at the black glass front. “‘A gem, a jewel, a trinket of sorts, but truly more akey.’” He looked up at Calen, a broad smile on his lips, more excitement seeping into his voice with each word. “‘Not a door that it unlocks, a secret to be revealed. A trick, a mask, a painting over truth, thought forever sealed.’ Calen, you’re a genius.”

“I’m… I’m still completely lost.”

“It’s a glamour key.” Vaeril’s eyes opened wide, his jaw slackening. “How did I not realise it before?” Vaeril took the pendant from Erik, who handed it over reluctantly, then explained to Dann, “Do you remember when we brought you to Belduar?”

Dann nodded, his mouth scrunched in thought. “The passage in the rock – the glamour. The old magic Therin talked about, the same thing that kept Aravell hidden.”

“Precisely. This isn’t a key to a door. It’s the key to unlocking secrets, unlocking truth…” Vaeril’s expression shifted, and he gestured for Calen to hand him Alvira’s letter. He held the pendant over the page. “The pendant is the key.”

Calen felt Vaeril drawing from the Spark, pulling threads of each element into himself and weaving them through thependant. His threads of Spirit were the thickest, but he probed with thin slivers of Fire, Earth, and Water, as though trying to pick a lock. Barely a few heartbeats had passed when the obsidian glass glowed, veins of white light rippling through. The symbol of The Order pulsed – once, twice, three times – and then the words on the letter faded, slowly replaced by blurry black ink that reformed into new letters and words.

Vaeril handed the letter to Calen.

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