Part 1
“Thank you all for attending at such short notice.” The Headmaster said as he started the faculty meeting. “As I’m sure you’re aware, I’m holding this meeting to discuss the titanic surge of power we felt from the Dragontail Mountains 2 days ago.”
“Do we have any leads yet, Demeter?” a woman in gardening clothes asked.
“I’m afraid not, Taenya.” the Headmaster replied. “Lord Xilro went to investigate the night it happened and should be due back any minute.”
As Headmaster Demeter finished speaking, the door to the meeting room burst open and Xilro strode in, a look of grave concern on his face.
“Big problem coming.” he spoke in his usual brusque speech, taking a seat. “Perhaps biggest problem.”
“You have something to share with us?” a woman in priestly robes asked sarcastically. “Surely even the great Xilro can deal with whatever happened.”
Xilro laughed his sharp laugh. “Hah! Problem is Goddess.” Xilro pointed at the woman. “Your Goddess, Neptis.”
The room erupted into an explosion of shouting. This lasted for several minutes before Demeter amplified his voice enough.
“ENOUGH!”
The table quieted and looked toward Demeter.
“Xilro, I know you don’t care much for human speech, but please, what exactly happened?” Demeter asked after a moment’s silence. “What do you mean by the problem is a God?”
Xilro, for the first time since he came to the university centuries ago, looked thoughtful. “Know Hissing Lobster Inn, yes?” he asked. Seeing nods around the table, he continued. “Liminal barrier around Inn, which always thin? Broken.”
“What do you mean, broken?” Taenya demanded. “It can’t break! That’s why it’s a barrier!”
“Saw magic circle. 100 metre across. Orenmir centre of circle.” Xilro replied.
Murmurs broke out around the table at the revelation of the legendary claymore of Vordea being at the centre of a huge magical circle.
“What was the circle for, Xilro? Did you read the runes?” Demeter asked.
“Yes, studied circle well.” Xilro said, leaning forward. “It was legendary ‘Words of Return’ spell. Surprised myth is true. Vordea has returned to mortal plane.”
“The Words of Return?” another staff member asked.
“I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it.” Neptis replied, her expression serious. “Xilro, you are certain it was The Words of Return?” she asked. Seeing a nod from Xilro, she continued. “It’s a spell the Vordean Church and the dragons have kept hidden for millennia, as we’re not entirely sure it actually works. Evidently, it does.”
“What does it do?” Demeter asked.
“It’s the unbinding spell.” Neptis responded. “According to myth, Vordea voluntarily chained herself at the dawn of time after the death of Agbus, shackling her power so that tragedy would never be repeated. This spell was created by the other Gods, so that if it was ever needed, Vordea could be unbound and access her full power. You’ve all seen the black clouds gathering over the mountains. The world itself is reacting to Vordea’s presence on the mortal plane. I had been hoping I was mistaken.”
“She’s here in all her power?” Taenya asked, shocked.
Neptis shook her head. “No. If my Goddess was fully on the mortal plane, every mage on the continent would have already died or gone mad from being in proximity to her. Enough of her is here though.”
“So what do we do?” Demeter asked after a short silence.
“Nothing.” Xilro replied. Seeing everyone turn to look at him, he elaborated. “Know who draw magical circle. Her hoarfrost everywhere.”
“Hoarfrost?” Taenya asked, then her eyes widened. “Lady Eigengrau!”
“Exactly.” Xilro said, nodding. “Gods unbound Vordea. No mortal to hunt. Neptis, your turn.”
Neptis sighed. “Yes, I suppose we have to. I’ll attempt to commune with her immediately. Please clear the table.”