What Lies Within

The following morning, Ursala awoke before dawn, made tea, and sat at her table, staring at the wrapped object she had retrieved the previous day.

“Maybe I should open it. It could be nothing at all, or then again, it could be a great deal. Oh, bother, what to do?” asked the wise woman to herself. After breakfast, Ursala stood staring at the object when suddenly she had an idea. “I shall go to the twins. They understand this mystical hocus pocus far better than I,” said the wise woman.

Picking up the wrapping, she made her way first to Hedgewitch Franny’s, then headed directly to Marsh Wizard Fern’s home with Franny in tow.

“What brings my sister and the wise woman to my door this early morning,” asked Fern.

“I am afraid I don’t know. I was ordered to follow without questioning,” said Franny.

Ursala opened her clutched hand to reveal the leather-wrapped object. “I retrieved this yesterday from an ancient ruin near the forgotten stairway,” said the wise woman.

“You talked to Griselda, didn’t you?” asked Fern.

“Yes, and I believe you are correct about many things regarding the Old Ones and the Shadow Puppets,” said Ursala.

“You saw them, the Shadow Puppets, I mean,” asked Franny

“Yes, and I even talked to them and pleaded that they join the Old Ones again and help us defeat the Dark One, but they did not reply,” said Ursala.

“Well, I guess we should open it and see if it is the hoped-for key that lay east of the moon and west of the sun,” said Franny.

“Agreed,” replied the wise woman.

Carefully, Ursala opened the leather wrapping.

“A ring,” gasped Franny.

“A ring and much more. The pattern on the ring matches that on the Palantilith. What you have found, Ursala, is the key to opening the gateway to the Old Ones,” said Fern.

Ursala felt frightened for the first time in years.

“Who shall do the deed?” asked Franny.

“I will. I was the one who found it, so the deed falls on my shoulders, but if you wouldn’t mind, could you be there with me?” asked the wise woman.

“I think we can fit it into our busy schedule, don’t you think, Fern,” said Franny with a big grin.