Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
16: reporting in
Luna, Alice, and I exited the grate tree in Deepwood and made our way back to Farhaven. Realizing I never informed Lord Adrianus about what happened in the graveyard I decide to go and report everything that has happened so far.
Entering Farhaven through the north gate we start heading south. After a short walk, we turn west and walk up to the door of the manor. Walking through the door we head west. Upon reaching the wall we turn north. Reaching the corner we turn west again. After a short walk, we can see Adrianus's study door on our left. Turning south we enter the study.
Walking into the study I walk over to Lord Adrianus.
Adrianus looks up. "Well, I must admit, I'm surprised to see you still alive. How goes your quest?"
I nod to Adrianus. "I've discovered the source of the attacks from Deepwood Forest."
For just a second I think I see something flicker across Adrianus's face. However, it is gone too quickly for me to be sure. "Really? That's... that's very good news. What have you discovered?"
I decide to think about what I may have or have not seen later. "Something's wrong with the Heart of Deepwood. I think it's been poisoned."
Adrianus blinks. "Poisoned? I'm afraid I don't understand."
I shrug. "Neither do I. But I brought you a sample of the poisoned wood."
Adrianus shakes his head distractedly. "Poisoned... How very strange. Well, I suppose I'll take that wood sample. Maybe it can shed some light on the situation. Now, if there wasn't anything else, I really must see to some other matters."
As Adrianus turns away Alice speaks up. "I suggest we return to the tavern. We need to discuss what we've discovered, and plan our next move."
I nod in agreement. "Good idea. Let's go."
Alice, Luna, and I return to our rented room in the tavern. Each of us sits around the fire, discussing the latest developments. Luna and Ginny sit on either side of me, while Alice sits across from us.
Alice looks down. "What manner of monster would poison the very heart of Deepwood? The forest will feel this wound for years to come."
I look over at Alice. "Any idea who could be responsible?"
Alice shakes her head. "No. But if Lord Adrianus lives up to his reputation, he'll learn something from that sample."
Ginny looks up. "He'll find something. Father's the best alchemist I've ever known. Well, one of the best. If Cedric was still here, we'd probably have our answer already."
I nod at Ginny's words. "We still need to report what we learned in the graveyard. Come on."
Alice gets a dark look on her face. "When we unravel this mystery, I have an arrow for the one responsible. I hope it is soon."
As I rise from where I was sitting words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, Getting at the Heart, completed. I've delivered a sample of the poisoned wood to Lord Adrianus. With his extensive knowledge of alchemy, he may be able to learn something about the poison, and the person who created it."
As we leave the room I decide to bring Ginny and Luna along with me. Stepping out of the room we turn south and walk out to the main room of the tavern. We walk south until we can see the tavern door on our right. Turning west we exit the tavern and turning north start walking toward Adrianus Manor. After a long walk, we find ourselves near Wilhelm and Freida's House. Turning left we head a few steps west. Walking past the gardener we step up to the manor door and enter it.
Just like before we walk west until we reach a wall. Turning north we continue walking until we reach a corner. Turning west we walk forward until we can see the study door on our left. Turning south we enter the study.
As we walk up to Lord Adrianus he scowls at Ginny. "While I appreciate what you're doing for our city, I must tell you, I do not approve of your dragging my daughter into it."
Ginny's eyes flash. "Nobody dragged me into this, Father. I want to help."
Adrianus gives Ginny a stern look. "You have no idea what you're getting into. I don't want to see you hurt."
Ginny's eyes don't waver. "No, you just can't bring yourself to admit that I might actually be able to help. That I'm stronger than you pretend I am."
Adrianus's eyes darken for a second. "That's enough! I can't force you to stay here, where it's safe, though by all rights I should. But I will not entertain this discussion any longer." He looks over at me with a glare. "Now, if you had something to report, I suggest you get on with it."
I shrug off his look. To me, Adrianus has nothing on Voldemort. "I've discovered the source of the unrest in the graveyard."
Adrianus looks raddled for a second. "Really? I must confess, I'm surprised. What have you learned?"
I keep my eyes on Adrianus. "We've learned that we're dealing with a necromancer. We had to fight Alastaire Ulcano in the Ulcano mausoleum."
Adrianus gives me a strange look. "Ludicrous. Such a thing isn't possible."
Ginny tilts her head in confusion. "But father, I remember you and Cedric arguing about the side effects of resurrection. If it wasn't possible, why would you-"
Adrianus backpedals slightly. "Well, of course, it's possible, anything's possible, theoretically. But you're talking about incredibly advanced necromancy. Very few mages have that sort of power. I need time to consider this news. If you don't need anything else, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me to my thoughts."
As Adrianus turns away Luna looks ous over. "We should return to the inn; there is much to discuss, and we're all weary."
Ginny gets an impish look. "Or you can all stay here. We have beds enough, and warm food in the dining hall."
I sigh. I don't really feel comfortable sleeping under the same roof as Adrianus but it is a good idea. "Staying here sounds nice. Let's get some food and rest. Luna, will you go and get Alice? We should all be together."
Luna nods before skipping out of the room. Ginny guides me to the Dining hall.
As we are all sitting around the fire in the guest room Luna speaks up. "I hope we're able to identify our enemy soon. Alastaire Ulcano nearly toppled Farhaven in his day; anyone able to command him must be powerful indeed."
Alice has a shadowed look on her face. "Ulcano, and Deepwood...death follows this foe like a shadow. They must be stopped."
I nod in agreement. "They will. Together, we'll save Farhaven."
Luna looks over to Ginny who hasn't said much for a while. "Ginny, is everything alright? You're very quiet."
Ginny jumps in surprise. "I'm not sure. Something just came to me... but I'm not sure why I didn't remember it before."
I look over to Ginny myself. "What is it? Anything that could help?"
Ginny frowns. "It was a conversation between Cedric and my father. Something about the possible side effects of resurrection magic. I think it got rather heated."
I nod to her. "Well, at least we know he has some experience with this sort of thing. Now let's do our job, while he does his."
As we rest from dinner words flash in gold over my head. "The quest, No Rest for the Wicked, completed. I've made my report to Lord Adrianus. He seemed reluctant to believe it, but hopefully the information will prove useful."
As the words faded I noticed my level-up icon flashing. Tapping it I saw I had leveled up to 17. I placed my attribute point into my intelligence bringing it up to 19. I had not learned any new fire spells so I kept my skill points in reserve.
– Separator –
An: and that is the end of this chapter. I apologize that this 1 is shorter than I usually write. I had to rewrite this chapter and I am not sure if I forgot anything. Next chapter we will finally be entering the western gate, and seeing what can be found in the mines.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all /next time.