The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [180]
“This book was written four hundred years ago by one of my predecessors,” he explains as he opens it and begins turning the pages. On the second page is a picture showing the exact same design as is on the front of the medallion, Ollinearn holds up the medallion next to the picture and compares one to the other. “As I thought,” he says as he hands the medallion back to James. “This design on your medallion is called the Star of Morcyth.”
“Star?” James asks. A cold shiver runs down his spine, ‘With the star, seal your fate’.
“Yes, it was the symbol of the religion, and was embossed on all important artifacts,” explains Ollinearn. “There must be some significance as to why you are carrying it.”
“That’s what I am trying to find out,” he says.
Nodding, he reads a little more and says, “The writer tells of a conflict between two major religions nearly half a millennium before this was written.”
“The church of Morcyth was one and the other was…,” he pauses as he takes a moment to read the passage. “Ah yes, here it is, Dmon-Li. That was the other one.”
“Dmon-Li?” James asks questioningly. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Ollinearn looks up from his book and says, “Not too surprising, unless you come from the south. It’s widely worshiped still in many parts of the Empire. In fact, I believe it has influence with the Emperor as well but do not know for sure.”
“What kind of god is Dmon-Li?” James asks.
“You see, where Morcyth was a god of good whose main tenets taught teaching and learning, Dmon-Li’s followers thrived on chaos and warfare. His priests often were great warriors, given great strength and skill that was used to foment wars and conflict.”
He reads several more passages and then says, “It seems at some point, Dmon-Li set about annihilating Morcyth’s priests. His warrior priests began hunting them down one by one until only a few were left.” He continues to read as he relates the tale. “It says here that there came a time when all had been slaughtered save a few priests who made their way to the High Temple.” He pauses a moment and then looks up at James and adds, “Here in the City of Light.”
“The High Temple was here?” James asks excitedly. “Here in the City of Light?”
“Apparently so,” Ollinearn affirms. “It seems that the last of the priests of Morcyth gathered together at the Temple while the High Priest began a period of fasting and prayer.” He looks up from the book, “Most likely to find a resolution to the problem of Dmon-Li, the book doesn’t give the exact reason.”
“Did anything come of it?” James asks.
Referring back to the book, he says, “There are no specifics, just that when the period of fasting ended, the priests all left the High Temple and as far as the author of this book knew, were never seen again. He goes on to say that they left everything behind, taking very little with them.”
“That’s it?” James asks. “It doesn’t say where they went?”
Ollinearn flips through a couple more pages, scanning the writing, “No, it doesn’t. It does say that over time the temple was looted and was finally destroyed during a great quake that brought down most of the city in the year 2322, two hundred years prior to the writing of this book.”
“Does it say where the temple had been located?” James asks.
“No, it doesn’t,” Ollinearn replies as he continues examining the pages. “Here may be something,” he says, making eye contact with James. “It says that the last High Priest was born in the city of Saragon, maybe he returned home.”
“Possibly,” agrees James. “But the Empire now controls it and from what I hear to venture there would be very unwise right now.”
“True, true,” nods Ollinearn. He reads a little bit further and then says, “That is all there is about Morcyth and your medallion.” Closing the book he comes to his feet. “I hope I have been able to help you further your quest.”
“Yes, thank you,” replies James. “You have been most helpful.”
Ollinearn takes the candelabrum and motions for James to precede him out the door.