Seekers of the Stone Maker

It was evening on the eighteenth of Redfall. Though the snowfall had been immense in Berkton only a few days ago, it was clear that the city officials spared no amount of labor or coin to ensure safe conditions for all who lived and visited the city. Besides the sparkling roofs, the snow was gone, leaving only dry ground. The large pearlescent dome started only a few streets away, leading into Berkton Academy. In this alley, he watched a young eladrin girl walk with a human woman.

“Ana, are you sure you’re ready?”

“I am. Please, Mikella, take me home to my parents. I need to know who my father is and why I was never told.”

The woman named Mikella waved her hand against the wall, causing an archway to appear. On the other side, he could see a small cliff with a massive tree overlooking an expanse of water. He watched as they made their way through the archway and were greeted by hugs from an older man and woman. The archway closed slowly, and the wall was stone again after a moment.

He looked back at Volundr, who had his cloak up. Seeing his face in the shadow wasn’t easy, but he could still see his hands. Instead of the fair-skinned person he knew, Volundr’s digits moved back and forth between corporeal fingers to black smoke that kept a rough shape of the physical body part it was previously.

“It’s getting worse, Humboldt.”

“The Runesmith is nearby. I will receive the heart of the white dragon and bring it to you. What will you do from there?”

“I think…” Volundr gasped as if unable to speak for a moment. He wrapped his arms around his stomach tightly. After a moment, he spoke again.

“I think I’ll travel South. The construction is done in Fairhaven, and I plan on staying there while I work on a cure.”

“I have connections. If this doesn’t work, write to me, and I’ll speak to her.”

“Who would have the magical knowledge for this?” Volundr asked as he looked up at Humboldt.

The sun shone onto his face for only a moment, but he could see the wisp of smoke that had already started taking over. His eyes had not changed, but much of his body had transmuted. Humboldt knew that Volundr could hold his corporeal form for a time, but it took great strain and tired him quickly.

“There is a woman I’ve been speaking to. She’s the one who helped me find the eye and hand that I needed. Her name is Helena.”