Tales of the Lorekeepers 01 - Rise of the Red Dragon

would appear so, although I cannot say why. Maybe his ancestors were versed in the art of divination, giving him a certain perspective on the world that most men don’t possess.”
    Ambrosius looked at Samuel. The young man silently thanked Myrddin for keeping his secret safe and refraining from mentioning that he was not from this world.
    “I knew there was something more to you, my young friend,” said Ambrosius. He turned back to the youngest. “If you say some forces are working with us, it implies that others are conspiring against us. Am I right?”
    “You are, my lord. It would appear they are trying to eliminate us.”
    “And your invisible friends are able to help us?”
    “I’m not invisible!” yelled Angeline. “I am fully visible, but only to those worthy,” she added, lifting her nose at the rightful king of Britain.
    “Don’t be like that,” said Samuel. “Now is not the time to pout, Angeline.”
    “Fine!”
    “Please, what can you tell us about these symbols?”
    “Well, I don’t understand all of them. I can only read a few of the runes. However, combined with the design of the cross, I would say this is not an altar used to sacrifice humans, or any animals, for that matter.”
    “All right, then what is it?”
    The fairy flew a little lower, almost landing on the table, but careful not to touch the foul parchment. She hovered above it, flitting back and forth, trying to read the entire inscription.
    “Here it describes how to store magical power,” she said. “Over there it indicates how to use the runes to concentrate this power on a focal point. Finally, the angled cross looks to be some sort of magnifying glass for magic.”
    Myrddin listened carefully to Angeline’s description of the device.
    “I know what this is,” he said. “It’s a weapon. From what you are saying, I think you can store energy in the circular base, concentrate this power to form a beam of energy and then point it at someone. Then, the upper part of the cross releases this power, destroying everything in its path.”
    Ambrosius quickly figured out what they were saying.
    “This is a strange and frightening weapon,” he said. “And a very powerful one, I might add. But it begs the question: why go through all this trouble simply to eliminate someone? Whether I am the target or you are, brave Myrddin, wouldn’t it be easier to use a simple blade? If you ask me, using this device is a little much for the desired effect.”
    Samuel was still studying the plans, going over every detail he had learned in the last few hours, and reminiscing over all the information he had gathered since he had set foot on Metverold.
    “The Yfel’s man gave the advisor those plans, did he not?” he asked.
    “It would be the only way for the advisor to get his hands on a document like this,” answered Angeline.
    Samuel looked at the fairy, then at Ambrosius and finally at Myrddin. “I know what the enemy wants to do with this,” he said “His target isn’t any of us. It’s not Ambrosius, Myrddin or anyone else. It’s not even a man.”
    “Then what is it?” asked Ambrosius.
    “I believe the Yfel’s envoy wants to use this device to kill the red dragon.”
    For a moment, everyone, including the voluble fata, stared at Samuel without saying a word. It took a few seconds for the idea to sink in.
    “Are you sure about this?” asked Angeline. “Why would the Yfel want to kill the red dragon?”
    “Think about it for a second,” replied Samuel. “We know the Yfel’s purpose is to change the course of history.”
    Ambrosius was staring at Samuel, very confused.
    “My king,” said Samuel, “I beg your pardon, but some of the things I say may sound strange to you. Unfortunately, I do not know how to go about explaining my theory without revealing things that may impact your judgment for future actions. I know I cannot ask you to forget this conversation, or even this night, but I must beg you to keep what you hear to yourself, and not mention it to anyone, not even to your brother or any other member of your family. You are right about me, I am more than I seem, but my identity must be kept secret, or the consequences could be disastrous. Can I trust that you will accept my request and keep what you hear a secret until the end of time?
    “This is a strange request, Sam, but I accept. Maybe when this is all over, you and I can sit down and you can explain to me exactly what is happening on this