Chapter 24: Lessons of the Past
Nathan strolled over to the sheer rock wall, inspecting the gate that blocked access to the tunnel that spiraled up to the peak of the mountain. Out of habit he checked the lock. It was enchanted, but beyond that it was three inches of solid steel. It wouldn’t be impossible for him to break, but it would be loud, painful and slow.
But unlike past locks, this time I can just ask.
The guards on the front of the council chambers were openly watching him, and stiffened unconsciously when he turned towards them and jerked his thumb at the gate. “Can you let me through?”
The older guard had an answer ready. “We need orders to unlock the gate from a Guildmaster or an Elite Adventurer.”
The other guard rolled her eyes. “Sil, you know who this is. He may not officially be an elite yet, but he killed the Endings-damned Academy. He was just alone with the council. Let him through the blasphemous gate.”
The first guard was unconvinced, and Nathan sighed. “I can fly up if I need to. It’s just tiring.” He started walking straight up into the air.
The older guard relented. “Harpy’s tits, fine. Don’t be burned by your own fire, and don’t break the seal. I've heard about what you can do.”
Nathan watched as the guard walked over to unlock the gate with a large key. “I won’t. But do you know why? What would happen if somebody does break the Seal? Why do the Adventurers defend it every Solstice?”
The guard shrugged, yanking open the heavy gate with the whine of unlubricated hinges. “It’s a rule of the Guilds. Defend the seal over all else. Cantila, do youknow?”