Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon

old times. There was no Bible, but there were many small books that contained stories about Christianity and the messiah. Samuel flipped through a few of them, while Ambrosius went to the tent’s flap to peek outside. A moment later, he was back at the table, mumbling something to himself.
    Samuel put back the book he was holding, a story about the Persian Empire, bound in worn leather. He went to another bookcase, to look at more titles. Here, the top shelves were occupied by miscellaneous objects: a glass jar containing some unidentified liquid, and a little red stone with an inscription on it. The next couple of shelves were occupied by books, and the bottom shelves held a few ancient scrolls.
    He was about to go back to the table when he noticed that one of the scrolls stood out from the others. The parchment did not look the same and it was much larger than the others. It was leaning on the shelves, rather than properly stored with the other scrolls, as if someone had recently consulted it. Out of curiosity, Samuel picked it up.
    “This is an interesting find,” said Myrddin, who had been watching the older boy. “May I see it?”
    Samuel walked back to the table and set the scroll on top of it. He unrolled the document, using stones to hold it.
    “What is it?” asked Ambrosius, who was also back at the table and leaning over the parchment.
    “I have no idea,” answered Samuel.
    The young man looked at the sketches and tried to read the inscriptions on the parchment. It depicted a kind of cross with a circle around it, and what looked like a pedestal to set it on. Characters and sigils he could not recognize were written all over the drawing.
    “It looks like a sort of plan or directions to build something,” he said.
    “I would guess it describes how to assemble the cross depicted here,” said Ambrosius. “I must admit I have never seen anything like this before.”
    “It looks like an altar,” announced Myrddin. “Probably used to perform sacrifices.”
    No one spoke for a few seconds. They knew very well who was intended to take his place on this device.
    “However, the markings on it are strange,” continued the younger boy, “They are unlike anything I have ever seen before. I don’t think even Master Blaise could tell you what they mean. He is old, but these look much more ancient.”
    “They are older than the current gods, much more ancient than humanity itself,” said the voice of Angeline, from above them.
    Samuel and Myrddin raised their heads to look at the little fairy. Ambrosius followed their gaze, but could not see anything. He was not even aware that someone had spoken. He looked back at the two boys.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    Samuel looked at the rightful heir to the throne, his eyes wide, his heart stricken with panic. He was unable to move, unable to breathe, unable to think. The older man looked back at him, puzzled by the reaction of the Lorekeeper. How could he explain the existence of Angeline to this man, without sounding completely insane?
    “What do you mean, older than humanity?” Myrddin asked, completely oblivious to the fact that Ambrosius could not see the fairy.
    “What?” asked Ambrosius.
    “I mean,” answered Angeline, “that these inscriptions are part of a very old ritual. Only beings such as myself and other magical creatures know of their existence. These rituals date back to a time before most of our deities even existed.”
    “Do you know what they refer to?” asked Myrddin.
    “Who is he talking to?” Ambrosius asked Samuel.
    “It’s … complicated, sir,” answered Samuel uneasily.
    “It’s not that complicated,” intervened Myrddin. He turned to Ambrosius. “Do you trust me, my lord?”
    “Of course I do, Myrddin.”
    Samuel was suddenly afraid Myrddin would reveal too much about him to the king and risk changing the course of the legend. For some time now, he had feared this moment, the instant where he would officially become a character in the story and a part of it. Unfortunately, it seemed to be inevitable now.
    “Then believe me when I say this,” continued Myrddin. “There are forces at play here; powerful beings you cannot see, or even comprehend. All you need to know for now is that some of these forces are acting on your behalf, protecting your future ascension to the throne and keeping the Britons safe. I can see and hear these beings, but you cannot.”
    “And what about Samuel? Can he see them too?”
    “It