Author Note: This chapter is chronologically the first to take place.
"Are you sure about this?"
The Amulet of Daylight sat on the table before Vendal. His hands rested close to it, waiting.
"You will not be able to reassemble it on your own. If you chance to encounter an enemy…"
"Do it," Kanjigar said. "I know the risks."
The elder sighed. They had been arguing about this for months now. In truth, from the time when Kanjigar had first come to him with the book containing a map to Merlin's tomb, he had known there would be no dissuading him.
That didn't mean he wasn't going to try.
"If you are sure…"
"I am." The Trollhunter's voice was firm. He would not back down from this. His eyes narrowed as he looked back at the door that lead out from the Heartstone into Trollmarket. "I am tired of waiting as changelings freely roam the surface doing as they please."
"And you believe that Merlin will help you with this?... Assuming that he is even still alive."
Kanjigar gave him a level stare.
Vendal sighed again.
"Very well."
He picked up his tools and began the careful work of dismantling the amulet.
When he was done Vendal carefully laid the metal parts and glowing blue stone into a padded box. He shut it and handed it to Kanjigar.
"Do not lose a single piece," He warned. "If you do, the amulet may never work again."
Privately Vendal wondered if that would be such a bad thing. He had seen far too many good trolls go to their deaths in Merlin's name. It was not something he would ever voice aloud but sometimes he thought they might be better off without it.
"I will be careful."
Kanjigar placed the box in one of the pouches on his belt, alongside the non-magical sword that he was carrying for this venture. It was strange to see him without the Daylight armor. He wore it so constantly that he seemed another person without it.
"See that you are," Vendal murmured as his longtime friend turned and left his chamber.
The elder of Trollmarket couldn't help the shudder of foreboding that swept through him. For all of their sakes he hoped that he was wrong and that seeking the help of a wizard did not prove a mistake.
Author Notes:
This chapter was going to be longer and include Kanjigar waking Merlin but it didn't fit the tone that I was going for. Therefore after a lot of back and forth I decided it was better to cut it off here.
The name of the chapter, like the last two, is a reference to a tarot card. It can represent beginnings but also reversed can represent recklessness and risk-taking. It seemed fitting.
Kanjigar's intentions are good but he has opened Pandora's box. I am really looking forward to writing from his perspective.