Seregrían produced a scroll from her robe, bound in red, and laid it on the table before Luminere. “These are my own notes - my analysis of Gilmorwen's effects - I invite you to see them, and comment.”
Luminere picked up the scroll and read it with care. “Your research is sound, admirably so; but there are things about the stones you cannot have known. They are never inert, merely dormant. It is the attunement that unlocks the power to the rune keeper; to any other, it would remain unseen.” She looked up at Seregrían, “It is a fine line, but an important one.”
“So their virtues might not have been revealed, even under my scrutiny or ithildin light?” Seregrían asked. “But if what you say is true, then the stones shall remain dormant forever - the only one attuned to them is dead.”
Luminere shook her head, “Not unless you knew the closely kept runekeepers lore, which makes this mystery even more dangerous. It also means that some... thing... outside the order can acquire and attune rune-stones.”
Aifiolossë added, “So, the possibility exists that some sorcerer has been able to unlock the secrets of the stones.”
“And Gilmorwen could access that lore. Very well,” Seregrían said, “I did not tell Cutch, but I removed the effects from Duillond. They are here, in the Lair – and I have taken steps that, while grim, ensure their concealment.”
Luminere breathed a relived sigh, “Thank you for this.”
“I am guessing you know what to look for - perhaps you can divine what I could not.” Seregrían said as she lurched to her feet. “Everyone, follow me - and bring your wine, you will need it.”
The others followed Seregrían out of the hall, crossing the Gallery and entering the Guest Chamber beneath the tall spire of the manor. Luminere entered the room, looking around in confusion as to why they were here; both Teahesto and Aifiolossë shared a look and a grin, knowing what was coming.
Seregrían faced the massive bookcase on the wall and, rising to her full height, spoke in an imperious voice: “Fennas Seregrían! Edro na beth nin!” The bookcase slid into the wall, revealing a secret passage with a staircase winding upwards to an unguessable height. Seregrían walked into the passage and ascended the stairs as Aifiolossë beckoned to Luminere with a flourish of a hand.
“After you,” she said with a grin, and Luminere climbed the stairs, seeing Seregrían going further up. Teahesto shook his head in amusement as he and Aifiolossë followed. Luminere reached the top of the stairs and silently entered a round chamber, lined with bookshelves on every wall and dominated by an elaborate study in the center, an arch to her right leading off to another chamber. Seregrían stood behind the study, completely in command of the room.
“This, Luminere, is the Sanctum, my private book-hoard,” she said. “Rarely do those outside my House see this chamber.”
Luminere looked around the room, letting out a gasp as her gaze fell upon a wooden cradle holding a staff of wood with a glistening head in the shape of a moth.
Seregrían noted Luminere's gaze and smiled grimly. “Yes. Dondangol, the Deep Magic's Fist – combining the craftsmanship of both the Dwarves and the Elves.”
Luminere turned to Seregrían, “I can see you are very careful... and trusted,” she said finally.
“It was Dondangol that revealed to me the nature of the chisel, and the stones - or so I thought,” Seregrían said, “but perhaps your knowledge might show us the true natures of these artifacts.” She moved to a bookstand and pressed the sides in a rhythmic tapping of her fingers, rewarded by a secret drawer springing open to her hand.
"If any tried to open the drawer without knowing the combination, their hands would be pierced by envenomed needles," Seregrían said grimly. She took from the drawer a wooden case and laid it upon the study, opening it for all to see. “Here they are: stones, chisel, riffler, and tiara.”
Aifiolossë peered over, as she had not beheld the evidence before now. Luminere hesitantly approached the study, her hand hovering near the trove. “May I?”
“Of course,” Seregrían said, her own hand straying toward the staff, “but remember: I am watching...”
Luminere first lifted the tiara, her face sad as she caressed the object fondly. “Oh, Gilmorwen...” she said softly. She set the tiara gently aside and lifted out the tools, examining the markings on them, turning them slowly in the light.
“Only the chisel showed any reaction,” Seregrían explained, “and that merely confirmed its metal, not its gifts.” Luminere frowned, shaking her head slowly, and set them aside, tilting her head curiously at the stones. “Do you have a small clay dish at hand?”
“A moment,” Seregrían said as she disappeared into the next room, reappearing with a small dish. “Here, will this serve?”
Luminere nodded and turned to Teahesto. “Could you bring me my reagents from the cottage?” Teahesto nodded and moved down the stairs.
“Reagents? What is your intention? Seregrían asked.
“I am about to show you something,’ Luminere said, “that is known to few, as far as I know, about rune-stone attunement. The identity of the rune keeper is carved into the runes, using alchemical reagents. Sometimes, when stones are lost and then recovered, we need to use those same reagents to decipher runes marred by time or damage. These stones are rogue, as far as any in the order know.”
“So through this process, you can divine the stones' original owner? And perhaps even their virtues?” Seregrían asked.
Luminere nodded, “As well as who they were attuned for, and perhaps when. And perhaps some other clues about their making.” She arranged the stones flat in the dish, none touching another.
At that moment, Teahesto returned with several small bottles and gave them to Luminere, who set them near the dish. “I have no idea what clues may be uncovered here,” she said, “as these are not sanctioned stones. But I shall do my best. Shall I proceed?” All the others nodded, and craned over Luminere’s shoulders to watch…
