The Magi frowned and canted his head to the right as Teyva went into a brief explanation of Teyva Rani and their unwilling bond. He quickly grabbed a pen and some paper and began to take notes, pressing her for questions about the Labyrinthians and what she’d seen in the tomb. In this case, she spared no detail, though when he asked to see what Labyrinthian writing looked like she refused. “I don’t trust myself to write it. I feel like I know how but I have a bad feeling about what it might do to someone. It’s already messed with my head once, I’m not about to let it mess with someone else’s.”

He frowned, “I’m certain I can handle it, especially with your warning.”

“Maybe, but can it wait? What about my problem?”

He set aside his notes, “Right, of course, I had almost forgotten why we were here.”

She narrowed her eyes and Nephral let out a small growl of annoyance. He raised his hands in his defense, “Now now! Sorry about that! All of this is so fascinating! An ancestor race? It changes everything we know about our history. You have to understand my need to learn more. I may even send a team to investigate your tomb!”

She sighed and nodded, “I get it, but I’ve got a real problem here.”

“Yes, you do,” He said, “One does not simply destroy a soul. Souls are immutable. Not to mention that based on what you have told me, you share a body that once belonged to this Teyva Rani. She has more claim than you do and it sounds like she’s well aware of that fact. Though I do admit I have some responsibility to take in this matter, after all, it was I who lead the ritual to transfer you to this world. King Thrake informed me of your identity.”

“Then what can I do? Can you separate us at least? Put her somewhere?” She insisted.

“We could try to deposit her into something but that runs the risk of her attempting to possess someone else who comes in contact with that object. I must wonder though, why don’t you try to work things out with Rani? She must have a great deal of knowledge to offer you,” He asked, genuinely curious.

“She played with my mind like it was a toy,” Teyva growled, “I still have her verbal tics.”

“Perhaps help her accept that her time is over? You are the future of her people, not her. I could give you two a chance to talk, safely of course. I know magic that could let you slip into our soulscape and confront that which is hidden within,” Barin said, rubbing his chin. “Though I would need something of hers to ensure that you don’t get lost.”

Teyva frowned, “So anything but playing nice is too risky?”

“I am afraid so,” He said, “You must come to terms with the fact that this body was her’s to begin with. She has just as much say as you do.”

Teyva slumped in her chair and Nephral hopped off into her lap, he peered up at her with those big feline eyes, “If anyone can conquer Teyva Rani, it is you, mother. You have a powerful will and have endured much. I am certain that the wisdom you draw from my presence will help you win the day,” He insisted, pawing at her leg.

She chuckled and ran a thumb over his ears, “You’re a prideful little snot,” She hissed, but kissed the top of his head anyway and took a breath, “Okay, so no cure, just gotta beat her at her own game. Guess that leads me to the trinkets I picked up from her tomb.”

She opened up her inventory and drew out the [Heart Stone of the Labyrinth] and the [Masque of the Fallen Queen]. She held the two of them out and Barin examined them one at a time. He gingerly took the heart stone in his hand and turned it over. She explained briefly what she knew about it, what she’d learned from the prompts when she’d taken control of the Underfield stone. He eyed her briefly before peering down at it again.

“Well obviously it is used to create a new locus like the Underfield, though how it is activated I have not the foggiest idea,” he said rather bluntly, “Such knowledge was likely lost to the ages with the Labyrinthians. Though there might be somewhere you could look,” He pondered, “You’d have to get permission from the King first.”

“Where?” She asked.

“There is a vault-like library beneath the city, an old place that my Magi and I dare not tread. There are likely secrets down there but some knowledge is better left sealed away. We aren’t so obsessed with our pursuit for progress that we’d risk our very souls. The King also decreed that the place be left untouched,” He shuddered, “The dead walk those halls.”

Teyva swallowed, “And the Mask?”

“Now this,” He said thoughtfully, “Would be a perfect bridge between you and Teyva Rani, more importantly, it appears to have had a power all its own. I may be able to restore it for you, given a little time. Would you mind leaving it with me while you think over what you want to do?”

Teyva considered it, it was possible there was some knowledge beneath the city that might help her separate herself from Rani, but that meant convincing the King to open up a vault that he had purposefully sealed. Not to mention the dangers that were probably down there. She rubbed her arms and took a breath before looking down to Nephral.

“Thoughts?”

“I believe seeking out this vaulted library is the best course of action, mother. If anything we can find a clue down there to help you,” He insisted. “More importantly other discoveries down in such a place could be invaluable in your glorious future,”

“Then that’s that. I’ll ask the King when he has time to talk to me,” Teyva said. “Guess that leaves my book.”

“Book?”

Teyva pulled out the [Spell Tome of Basic Sorcery] from her inventory and held it out to him. He opened it and read the first few pages before laughing to himself and handing it back to her, “A tutorial of sorcery, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a book. So what is the problem?”

“I’ve read through it,” Teyva explained, “I get what it’s telling me and I comprehend the logistics of it all.”

She sighed, “But when I try to put the information to practical use, it’s like it suddenly doesn’t make any sense anymore.”

He frowned and hopped off the desk, reaching for her face, “May I?” He asked her.

She shrugged and held out her chin before adding; “Pretty sure Nephral would mind more than I would.”

He shifted his attention toward Nephral, “May I?” he asked a second time. Teyva rolled her eyes. The feline frowned at him but curled up in Teyva’s lap. He turned his attention back to Teyva and raised his eyebrows at her and she smiled. He took her face in his hands and she felt a jolt from the touch, a current that went from the point of contact and directly into her brain. She shuddered as he muttered something under his breath before pulling his hands away.

“Now that, is a curse,” He said, “Or rather, a very intentional mental block.”

“Excuse me?”

“It doesn’t make sense because your Teyva Rani does not want it to make sense to you. Fascinating that she could do such a thing to you,” He mused, moving back to his seat. “You’ll have to work that out with her, though. Her machinations are beyond my pedigree. A different kind of magic, I am afraid.”

“Damn,” Teyva cursed, “Just another reason to beat her ass when I finally get my hands on her.”

“May I suggest taking a little time to unwind?” Barin Kot said, “I find it difficult to think when all I consider are problems. Osan is a beautiful place, you should explore it some. Besides, it will take some time for me to restore this Mask. You should give yourself some time to rest and recover in the meantime.”

“I am afraid I have to agree, mother,” Nephral added, “You need some time for yourself.”

Teyva looked between the two of them. There were still so many things she had to do before she felt like she could move on with her new life. With Rani hanging over her head and interfering with her growth even while locked away it was beginning to feel like the wicked woman was going to position herself in the way of every step Teyva wanted to take. Ultimately, she was going to have to face her. There was nothing she could do now, though, and she didn’t know when she’d have her next opportunity to speak with the king. She was certain he was a busy man but she could at least ask for an audience next time she was up in the Pinnacle. That and the idea of blowing off some steam sounded pretty good.

“Fine, you win,” She sighed, “Let’s go see the sights, Nephral.”