Chapter 1
Secrets revealed.
Varian rubbed his arms nervously. His new creation was almost complete. Save for testing. That was always where it went wrong. This current machine was to play music from a spinning disc. At least he knew the worst-case scenario was it simply didn’t work. Not that it would blow up in his face.
Hopefully.
But to his joy and relief, it worked. The little pin read the disc and sent the music through the horn. He grinned widely.
“Varian?”
He turned at the door to his workshop opening. Standing there was now queen Rapunzel. Her hair had grown out, ending just below her shoulders. She smiled. “There you are…” She trailed off, hearing the music. “Wow…is this your new invention?”
“Uh yeah. It needs a few tweaks but-”
“Are you kidding this is amazing!”
Varian smiled and hugged Rapunzel. She hugged back tight, then pulled away. “So, your nineteenth birthday party is tomorrow. I just needed your go-aheads on a couple of things.”
The two ran down the list. His nineteenth birthday party was going to be huge. Outside, the whole kingdom would be celebrating, but inside the royal ballroom, it would be him, Rapunzel, Eugene, Lance, the former king and queen, his dad and the other members of the order, Red, and Angry, both of whom had real names, but everyone still called them Angry and Red. He wished Cassandra could be there, but she was still gone on some adventure. Had been for years now. The letters never stopped though.
“I cant wait. Oh this is going to be the best party of the year!”
Varian chuckled. “You said that about Eugene’s birthday party a couple months ago.”
“Yes but this will be too!” She grinned. “Ooh why don’t you use your music machine tomorrow? Itll be great to unveil it at the party!”
Varian nodded softly. “Sounds good.”
Rapunzel smiled and nodded. “Ill let you get back to your work but before that I have something for you. Wait here.” She turned and went to the door. Varian waited with a small, confused frown.
A minute later, she came back in with a box, wrapped in blue wrapping paper.
“Rapunzel, shouldn’t you wait until tomorrow?”
“Actually, this is from King Edmund. He said that its traditional in the moon kingdom for boys turning 19 to receive this the day before their birthday. And you were born there so, he thought it was appropriate.”
He blinked, then smiled and unwrapped it. As he did, he saw a compass, beautifully crafted. He opened it up, and inside, indeed the signs for all the directions, there was small painting of him, his father and…his mom. He stared at it.
“How did he…”
“Do you like it?”
“My mother…how did he know what she looked like?”
Rapunzel looked at the compass, then closer at the picture, frowning. “That’s her?”
“Mhm.”
“Shes beautiful…maybe Edmund knew her. He’ll be here tomorrow so you can ask.”
Varian nodded with a small smile. “My dad probably knows too. I can ask him!”
“Yeah. Ill let you get to it. Lots to plan!” She winked and walked out, heading over to Maximus and riding off without another word.
Varian chuckled, then looked at the picture again.
Inside the house, Quirin was sitting drinking some freshly brewed tea as Varian came in. “Hey dad?”
“Hey. I thought you were going to be in your workshop all day?”
“Well, I was going to be until Rapunzel dropped off this.” He handed the compass over to his father, who stared at it for a moment. “Where did she…”
“Said King Edmund dropped it off. Some sort of tradition. Did he know her?”
“Sit.”
Varian nodded and sat in the seat across from him. “As you know I was part of the brotherhood. Your mother, Ulla, was the royal alchemist.”
“Just like me!”
Quran nodded with a small smile. “Her and work partner made so many amazing things before the black rocks came…” He stood, went to the fireplace, then pressed a compartment on the wall. It opened up and from it, he pulled a green book. “This belonged to her…I wasn’t sure when I should give to you but…now seems like a good time.”
Varian took it and his father sat back down. The room was quiet for a moment as Varian looked at the cover. “the seven trials?”
“It was what your mother and her partner were working on.”
Varian opened it. It detailed seven trials corresponding with each surrounding kingdom including their own. Corona: Sun kingdom, Elio: Fire Kingdom, Dion: Water kingdom, Malik: Earth kingdom, Thora: Air kingdom, Estelle, Star kingdom, And The Dark Kingdom: the moon kingdom. All leading up to the eternal library, where all knowledge was kept.
“….why… why would you hide this from me?”
Quirin chuckled. “you think that I didn’t know that as soon as I did, you’d go searching?”
Varian paused. The thought had already crosses his mind as soon as he finished reading. He looked down.
“But, you’re a grown man now. You can make your own choices…I just want you to know the dangers.”
“Dangers?”
“Your mother disappeared looking for that place. I don’t know what happened to her. I can’t bear to loose you in the same way.”
Varian looked at his father. He looked so sad.
“I wont go.”
Quirin chuckled. “You will…and I won’t stop you.” He put his hands on his sons shoulders. “it’s time you have your own adventure.”
Varian smiled lightly, then looked at The book. “but…I don’t have to leave right away. I can start here! Get some information, you know… I don’t have to say goodbye just yet.”
Quirin nodded. “Yeah…I’ll help you start searching in the morning. You should get some rest. You have a busy day tomorrow.”
Varian nodded, holding the book and the picture close to his chest as he ran upstairs.
Quirin sighed softly to himself, and looked out at the fire. “Gods…guide my son. Keep him safe where I can’t protect him.”
~
Hugo sat in his tent, half asleep, when Cyrus came in. “Donella wants to see you.”
He groaned, but stood up, heading over to Donellas tent which was lit with laterns, and adorned with maps and books on the outside. He entered the tent.
“Ma’am?”
“Hugo.” She turned. “I have a job for you.” She handed a flyer to him. A birthday party for the royal alchemist. Hugo raised an eyebrow.
“…This is some random guy.”
She rolled her eyes. “This.” She pointed to the picture. “is the son of Ulla. You watch him, make sure he knows nothing about what we’re trying to do. Understood?”
“Yes but…why does it have to be me?” Hugo almost whined.
A side eye from Donella made Hugo wince. “O-Okay. I’ll go….just don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
She huffed and turned away. “If on the off chance he does know about Ulla’s book, find where it is. Take it. And bring it back to me.”
~
When the morning came, Varian was up early. He had to pack for his trip after all, and get started on searching for the totem before his party at midday. He hummed softly as Ruddinger jumped up on his shoulders.
“hey buddy.” He gave the raccoon a little head scratch. “Today’s the day.”
He finished packing and smiled, heading downstairs. His dad was already up, humming as he made breakfast.
“Dad!”
Quirin smiled at him. “Varian! I’m just making some birthday breakfast! You hungry?”
Varian nodded and sat at the table as his dad served his favorites. Bacon, eggs sunny side up, and some French toast. Quirin ruffled his sons hair before continuing cooking.
“I was going to start with Xavier to get some information on the relics.” Varian said, stuffing his mouth.
“That’s a great idea. You could also ask Ariana and Fredrick. They might have some books.”
“That’s a great idea! Thanks dad!”
“after your party, I want you to come here and pack okay?”
“Yeah dad.”
“And don’t forget your camping supplies.”
“I know dad.”
“And your alchemy supplies. You’ll need them.”
“dad.”
“Oh and yo-“
“dad!”
Quirin paused, looking at his son who was smiling. “Heh, just…be safe.”
“I will, dad. Promise.”
The two headed out to the kingdom proper not long after. The whole city was bustling with excitement. Kids kept pointing at him. Truthfully, Varian didn’t love the attention.
“I’m going to find Xavier before we meet everyone.”
Quirin nodded. “I’ll meet you inside.”
It was a quick walk to Xaviers smithery. As always it was full of soot and heat. He could hear Xavier humming a tune to himself.
“Xavier?”
“Well if it isnt the man himself?” Xavier grinned, coming out to see Varian. “your right on time. I just finished your birthday gift.”
“you should save it for the party.” Varian grinned.
“Yes, yes. But you seem to have a question.”
Varian reached into his bag, and pulled out his mothers book. “…Do you know anything about the seven trials?”
Xavier seemed a bit surprised, but nodded. “Yes. How do you know about them?”
“This was my mothers.” He pushed the book to the blacksmith who gently fingered through the pages, then nodded.
“So you intend to complete her work.”
“Yeah. I…I just need to know where to start.”
Xavier nodded. “Alright. The seven trials, created by the keepers of the eternal library and aided by Demanitus…each totem has a scientific puzzle to access them…but be aware, young man. These trials are dangerous and cannot be faced alone.”
“but the eternal library…it’s real?”
“In a sense, yes. It isn’t for the faint of soul. Legends say it will suck you in and keep you forever if it wills it.”
Varian wondered if that’s what happened to his mom.
“Very few have completed the trial. Even less have come back to tell the story. So be careful, Varian. Or you could be facing the end of your life.”
Varian nodded. “thank you, Xavier.”
As Varian walked out he felt as if he was being watched. He looked around, seeing no one looking at him. He frowned, sitting with the information that he could be going in to get himself killed.
Then he thought to himself. If he could find the library, he could find his mom. He could save her. Maybe, just maybe, he could do it. He’d have to be the smartest and most cunning he’d ever been. So he steeled himself.
He'd have to be ready for anything.
He headed into the party, seeing everyone made his heart soar. He came up to Adira. Over the years she’d softened just a bit to Varian. Now she was the only one who was allowed to touch her. But only for very limited amounts of time and always with a warning. She was who he saw first, along with Edmund, and his dad.
“hey guys.” He opened his arms to hug Adira, who accepted with a very quick squeeze.
“hey kid. You dad says you’re going to go on a trip.” She said, smiling.
“Uh, yeah…I’m going to complete my moms work.”
“Any chance you’d let me come with you? It would be good to have a body guard.”
Varian chuckled. “Thanks but…this is something I have to do by myself.”
“A boys first quest.” Edmund said. “That should be cherished.”
“Yeah…Dad said you knew my mom?”
“Yes…why I don’t tell you over dinner when you make it to my kingdom? Do you think you can wait that long?”
Varian thought it over, then nodded. “yeah…yeah I can.”
“good! I can’t wait!”
Varian chuckled, then walked further into the ballroom where everyone else was waiting. Rapunzel smiled and waved. “Varian!” She came forward with a grin, pulling him into a tight hug. “Your dad just told me you’re leaving!”
“Uh, yeah…I um-“
Rapunzel looked sad but excited for him. “Where are you going?”
“All the kingdoms. I’m on a quest, as Edmund put it.”
“really?” Eugene came up from the side, wrapping an arm around his wife. “I didn’t take you as the questing type.”
Varian blushed.
“Oh leave him alone!” Rapunzel chided.
Varian chuckled softly. “I’m planning on leaving tomorrow morning. I just wanted to stay for the party so I could say goodbye.”
Rapunzel sighed softly, then pulled Varian into an embrace. “Promise you’ll come home, Varian?”
He returned the hug. “…I promise.”
The party went off without a hitch. He ate his favorite cake, got some amazing presents which he could take on the road with him, and he said goodbye to everyone.
Late that night, Quirin and him reached the entrance to their home.
“Before you leave tomorrow…I want you to have Prometheus. He’ll be a good traveling companion for you on the road.”
Prometheus was their donkey. One who they’ve had since he could remember.
“…Don’t you need him?”
“Don’t worry about me. You’ll be better off with him. And I know you’ll take good care of him.”
Varian hugged his father again, tightly. “Thanks dad”
The morning came early and Varian ran and grabbed everything, rushing out. Only to find his dad beat him to it.
In the light of the rising sun, he saw his dad hitching up a caravan to Prometheus.
“Woah…” Varian mumbled.
Quirin looked to him and smiled. “I thought this would be useful.”
“wow dad! Thanks! This is amazing!”
He ran and hugged his dad. He smiled at his son. “You look just like her….when you find her…you let her know just how proud I am of you.”
Tears welled up in both their eyes and after a long, tearful goodbye, Varian set off in the light of the morning sun.
First stop, Elio.
>
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