Welcome back to The Violet Riddle. Last time, we got our set up. A group of Guardians, presumably the newest ones, were setting up some kind of ritual, when a mysterious cloaked figure entered the scene and killed them all, but not before their apparent leader, Magmera, was able to magically remove the glowing gems each of the nine dragons were wearing and transport them to... well we don't know where. But the information is apparently contained in the glowing orb their incomplete ritual created, only accessible to the person this cloaked figure "pretends to be". But who is that? And how does Robert Langdon get involved? Read on to discover...
(Our scene opens in a place that couldn't be farther from where we just were, a rainy day in Massachusetts, where a man resembling Harrison Ford in a Harris tweed jacket and turtleneck is seated at a desk, working on what looks like a stack of papers, more specifically grading them. This man is clearly a teacher of some sort, when all of a sudden there's a knock on his door.)
?: Come in.
(At this request, the door opens, revealing a younger man with a cart behind him, laden with packages, and carrying a clipboard)
?: Delivery for Professor Langdon.
(Upon hearing this, a smile crosses Langdon's face, as he eagerly takes the clipboard from his guest, and signs it before the other figure gives him the packages off the cart)
?: (Taking the clipboard back) This is probably more mail than I've ever seen you get, Professor Langdon.
Langdon: Working on my next book, Jared.
Jared: What's it on?
Langdon: Dragon Symbology.
Jared: Dragon Symbology?
Langdon: More specifically how their culture compares to the rest of the world, through their symbols and interactions with humans.
Jared: So... things like St. George and the Dragon?
Langdon: That was something I was going to prominently feature.
Jared: Sounds like it'd be... interesting.
Langdon: It's probably not going to be out for a few years. And something tells me the Vatican is going to straight up ban me from the city for this one.
Jared: That tells me it's probably going to be a HUGE success, based on your last book.
Langdon: Thanks for the encouragement.
Jared: (Remembers something) Oh yeah, there's also this. Found it in the mail room.
(With that, Jared removes an envelope from his pocket and hands it to Langdon, who takes it and opens it up, revealing an airline ticket.)
Jared: Another part of your research?
Langdon: Yeah. It's always better to study the culture at the source when possible. Less translation issues to deal with.
Jared: So you're actually going to the Dragon Realms?
Langdon: Leaving tomorrow. Professor Simmons will be filling in for my classes while I'm gone.
Jared: Good to know. Well, you have a good day, Professor Langdon.
Langdon: Thanks Jared.
(And with that, Jared leaves the room. Ultimately this scenario presents Langdon with a choice, does he dig into the new data he's just gotten in the mail, or go back to grading papers. But just as he is about to make a decision, the phone on his desk rings, prompting him to pick it up)
Langdon: Hello?
?: Is this Robert Langdon?
Langdon: This is he.
?: Good. There is a matter of grave importance I have to discuss with you. Can we meet up sometime in the next 24 hours?
Langdon: I wish we could, but I'm due for a flight to the Dragon Realms tomorrow.
?: Excellent. That's where I am. Where will you be staying? You will hear further from me when you get checked in.
Langdon: Okay, who is this?
?: My identity is unimportant at this point, but I will have a message sent to wherever you're staying.
Langdon: Look, I've been through enough of these scenarios to know I need more information before I take a quest from a mysterious voice on the phone.
?: All will be revealed in time, Professor Langdon. You will see once you arrive.
(And with that, the caller hangs up, leaving Langdon confused)
Langdon: Please tell me this isn't going to turn into another religious order trying to kill me. I've had enough of that in the last few years.
(As he says that, Langdon looks over toward a series of display cases in his office, revealing several sort of "trophies" from his adventures, the Illuminati Diamond from his encounter with what appeared to be said group in Vatican City, the note from within the Cryptex of the Priory of Sion, amongst others unclear in the glass of the cases from this distance.)
Langdon: Let's hope things end well this time.
(At this point, Langdon looks down at his famous Mickey Mouse watch and realizes what time it is.)
Langdon: Better get packing, I've got to be up early to make this flight.
(With that, Langdon files his packages over to the side and leaves his office for the day, the papers still ungraded, as our tale ends for today)
I'd say that looks like a good place to wrap up for today. So, now we see what Robert Langdon is up to. Apparently he's looking to make a seventh book, this time with dragon culture under his lens. And it looks like, if that mysterious voice on the phone is anything to go by. Well, now we know how Robert Langdon is getting to the Dragon Realms, but we still don't know how he's getting involved in the murder that ended the last chapter. I will say this, the next chapter will explain everything. So what's going to happen? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!