Tad awoke to find the sun's rays were just starting to fill the crystal in the ceiling. He could see the giant jewel slowly grow brighter as it projected sun rays around the temple. He hadn't noticed before, but the ceiling had carvings in it denoting planets and stars. He thought it might be a view of the sky above at night. His back hurt, and the side he had been sleeping on felt a bit numb from the stone floor. He stood up and stretched his limbs and did a few limbering exercises he had learned from the Kimbriel long ago. Most of the ache receded from his muscles after his blood started flowing.

"Tad, you should see above," said Zanna, who had been sitting on one of the benches near the top of the stairs leading out of the amphitheater.

Tad looked again at the room. It might seat a thousand people, he thought, if all the benches were filled.

Tad could sense the statues had stopped digging in the stairway. It must be cleared or completely collapsed.

"Are the stairs open then? " asked Tad.

"Yes, and there is a larger temple above this. You can see the whole valley from the top," said Zanna standing up.

Tad grabbed a chunk of tack bread and some half-dried mushroom chunks from his pack, then followed her as the two made their way up the newly cleared stairs. At the bottom, the statues had all lined up in a row holding their weapons again. Tad gave them all orders to return to their niches in the walls after he passed. Tad wondered why there was no sand on the stairs, but as he reached the top, he saw a slight magical wind blowing it up along the grooves and out the stairwell opening at the top. Some magic was clearly still working here.

Tad reached the top of the stairs to find they exited behind what looked like a broken stone alter that sat above an ample space that might have once contained wooden seating; now, just small bits of dried wood remained. The space was much larger than the temple below, and the structure was easily three times larger than the chamber underneath it. It was square and reminded him of a cathedral he had once visited but instead of large squat lower walls holding it all up. Long graceful light grey granite pillars spanned into the area above. The ceiling was far above them, and the columns ran along both walls for the entirety of the building. Tad looked at the raised alter. Half of it had been crushed into rubble.

"The steps up are over here. You will want to see this," said Zanna as she turned left and entered another set of stone stairs leading upward.

Tad followed. They went around several dozen times as it circled up. Tad stopped counting stairs after he hit five hundred. There were windows on the inside of the cathedral, but the openings had stopped appearing until they reached the top of the winding stairwell. The light was provided by small gaps in the wall that slanted upward with only a view of the sky. He had already eaten his food and drunk half his remaining water by the time they reached the lit stairs above. The top of the tower had a large area with windows wrapped around an octagon-shaped room with several ornate stone supports holding the ceiling and walls in place, all anchored to the center column the stairs had wrapped around. Outside there was a small roofless balcony that wrapped the level. Tad could see that some of the railings outside were crumbling in places.

From here, Tad could see the entire lower valley. The two stepped pools the waterfall to the north created before it fell into the main portion of the lake. He could see across the lake at large trees that grew near the water and what might be fallow fields beyond. He could see the ruins of several small buildings on the far side. He looked back towards the temple below and saw a primarily intact stone bridge that ran from the temple's island back to the shore near the city ruins. He even saw a giant construct walking one of its streets.

In front of the temple, a large area had dozens of stone benches running along the bare ground. It looked like dried weeds and a couple of bushes from here and a large park gallery, perhaps. There were paths on both sides leading from the temple to the bridge, wrapping around a mostly bare patch of dirt.

Tad moved closer to the window and looked up as far as he could see. The walls of sand and the magical shield were still there, the clouds of debris still blocking most of the sun. It appeared that the valley only received full sunlight for a few hours a day as the dust clouds would block it at lower angles.

"This is quite the view, " said Tad. "Where are Nico and Lamruil? "

"Exploring the valley. Lamruil is looking for wood to make arrows, and Nico said there was a treasure to be found, " said Zanna.

Tad had told Nico about the artificers pocket dimension, and he had been there for the discussion with the Librarians.

"Did Nico tell you about the assistance from the Great Library? " asked Tad as he looked out across the lake.

"Yes, we discussed it while you slept. You must have been very tired to get any sleep last night. Those constructs were banging and digging rock all night. " said Zanna as she toed a few of the pieces of stone that had fallen at some point from the structure above.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't think of that," said Tad. He had been well past tired after his mental battle with the cursed spirit in the Torque, and there were many tasks he had to address today.

Tad felt different somehow. He didn't know why, but before, he had felt as if he was just riding on events of such magnitude that he couldn't stop or control them. Today he felt as if he would be working to take control of those events and guide himself. He had a plan, and that plan involved many people.

"Is there anything else I should know? " asked Tad.

"There are plenty of things I suspect. The biggest one is the light in the temple crystal below comes in above and shines down the center of that column. There is a matching crystal above this roof. Nico actually climbed up there for some reason. He thinks that crystal is valuable. " said Zanna.

Tad nodded. He wondered how many things that had value remained in the ruined city. The structures themselves had value to him, but he hadn't seen any bronze, metal, gold, or silver items. The wood had all dry rotted. The place looked like it had been looted long ago by whatever forces had defeated the previous peoples of this valley. He knew that most civilizations ran on gold. He didn't think this new colony or city or whatever it was would be much different. It would need an income of gold to flourish. Everything in the Carnival ran on gold or silver, this would be no different.

He looked again around the valley. It was huge, and he wondered what they would find as they explored. Well thinking of that, Tad reached into his pouch and pulled out the coin again from Libby. He walked over and took Zanna's hand.

He smiled at her, "You will be able to hear this way." Then he willed connection to Libby.

"Hello, Tad, " said Libby. She was standing in front of many Metalic people whom Tad was now just calling Librarians. They were all watching Libby, who was up near a large table, and Tad thought he must be looking down from their side.

"Good morning Libby. Do you happen to have anyone that can map or survey this valley? I think this would be a good place to start if so. " said Tad. He waited as Libby turned to the crowd of beings sitting and watching. He couldn't hear what she said, but he didn't see any responses from the crowd there watching him through this coin.

Libby walked away for a few moments and returned with a short metallic-looking man. He had a small satchel with him, and she turned back to Tad.

"Tad, this is Herman. He is one of the many librarians in the architecture wing of the Library. He also spent some time in the archelogy section. He is willing to help you for Twenty gold a month local time. He has field time experience and should be able to assist with cataloging and evaluation of the valley, temple, and city. " said Libby as she tapped Herman on the shoulder.

Tad felt a sudden puff of air, and Herman was now standing next to them in the tower. The metallic man was much shorter than Tad had initially thought, and he wore a grey jacket with a matching grey barret pulled to one side.

The man spoke with a heavy accent, even with Tad's Charm helping him understand the language, "Hello, Thaddius. It is a pleasure to do business with you. I have come prepared and ready to help you. I am a professor of masonry and architecture for the Library, and I will be helping you for a minimum of two months, payable at the end of each month. I will get to work on an evaluation of this building immediately and should have full drawings and an understanding of the structure and its foundation in a couple of days. Would you like me to include, " Herman looked over the side of the balcony, " the bridge and gardens also? "

Tad looked at Zanna, then back at Herman, "Yes, that will do. There is a stairwell leading down from the building. Please do not venture down those stairs, as there are constructs guarding the way. I'll let you know when that changes. Thank you, " said Tad nodding to the metallic man.

"As you wish. Are there any accommodations for the evenings, or should I find something appropriate on my own? " asked Herman.

Tad thought about that for a few moments. He hadn't considered everyone would need somewhere to work and stay. The Carnival wagons were always moving, and Tad never thought about staying in one spot more than a few months.

"I'll tell the constructs to let you pass, and you should be able to stay below in the temple with us. We have no beds and limited food. Hopefully, that will not be an issue for you. " said Tad. He will have to improve that problem immediately, he thought. He can't have people coming to help or live here if they do not have basic accommodations for them. Most people won't tolerate sleeping on stone floors for very long.

"That is fine, Master Rockgrip. I have brought most of what I need in this bag. I will update you tonight when we talk again. " With that said, Herman reached into his bag, took out a board with a clipped piece of paper and a stick of coal partially wrapped in paper, and started examining the stonework and small buttresses above holding the ceiling in place.

Tad turned back to Libby's image floating in the air, "I'll contact you again once I'm ready to show Maximilianus that artificers workshop. Thank you, " then Tad put the coin in his pouch, letting go of Zanna's hand. He gave her a brief smile and went down the stairs

As Tad made his way down the many many steps again, "Kettle, How is the trip going? "

"Tad, we have been moving since before the sun came up. The dwarves are complaining about the heat of the day now, so we will be stopping near the cliffs in the shade soon. I think they plan on moving through the rest of the night once the sunsets. Straight across the desert. Beothorn wants to see the valley. " said Kettle.

"Did you make sure everything was brought as I asked? " said Tad.

"Yes, it should all be there tomorrow night at some point. They are really driving the lizards. Few breaks, double feedings, and water for them. " said, Kettle.

"Good, keep me updated if anything changes," said Tad.

"Sure, Tad, Oh, I've had more time to look at the inside of the World Egg. These big tubes near the door in here. They are growth chambers. At least, that is what I think it says. Used to grow things. I've even managed to open up some of the other cabinets. One had a puzzle lock on it. I haven't been able to open that one yet. Do you think that one contains the things to be grown or something else?" asked Kettle.

"I don't know. Keep at it, Kettle and be careful, please," said Tad. He wondered if he was ever going to be able to remove his friend from that artifact.

Tad and Zanna didn't talk much until they saw the windows inside the cathedrals appear, "I think Nico and Lamruil are back. " she pointed down at two tiny figures crossing the bridge seen through the large open doorways at the other end of the cathedrals.

Tad reached out to Lamruil. He could reach him at this range. He thought perhaps that's just under a half-mile.

"Anything interesting out there? " asked Tad.

"There are some small crocodiles in the water, lots of fish, over a dozen berry and fruit trees. A grove of olive trees that is at least a thousand years old. I didn't see anything aggressive on the shore. There are plenty of tracks of those Gretchics, though. They must be night creatures. The constructs didn't bother me as long as I stayed out of the city. I think Nico is a bit disappointed at the lack of treasure. " projected Lamruil while sending a feeling of good cheer at Tad.

"Do you think there is enough gatherable food with the fish to feed everyone? " asked Tad.

"Easily, I'd think this could feed several dozen people if we fish. I haven't even seen the other side of the lake or what's up near the waterfall. Food will not be an immediate issue. We will need to find a safe place for everyone to set up camp and some way to make doors if we plan on using any of these buildings and rooms. " said Lamruil.

"Once the wagons get here, we should be able to lumber a few trees," said Tad. The Carnival's quartermaster wagon would have saws, axes, and wood planers. The wagon had carried most of the support supplies for a carnival with over a hundred wagons. Wood is going to be hard to get here, maybe stone doors if he could hire some dwarven masons.

The four companions met in front of the temple in the area that appeared to be the garden or walking area. Tad looked at the temple from the outside. There was a lack of doors and windows which would need to be repaired. The temple was sitting on a stone foundation, but this pathed area was not stone. Tad thought it might be twenty feet down to the water's surface.

"Tad, I didn't find anything in the city. There are some old brass hinges and other pieces in some of the buildings. But nothing valuable as far as I could see. Most of the buildings are just foundations and walls now. Also, those constructs do not appear to want to chase me if I'm up on the walls. Or if I'm in my cat form. " said Nico.

Tad nodded, "The place seems looted or picked clean. I wonder how they got past the barrier if it has been here all this time."

Tad looked up again. He didn't see a barrier above them. Did they come in that way? What kind of creatures could do that?

Lamruil was holding a bundle of branches. Most of which didn't look straight at all. Tad wondered what he was going to do with those.

Lamruil saw Tad looking at the bundle and spoke first, "I can straighten these with some heat applied, and hopefully, I can get a handful of usable shafts from this. "

"Ahh. Good to know." Tad paused, thinking, "Everyone, place your hand on mine once I pull this coin out. " he said, as he took the coin from his pouch and closed his hand over it. He held out his arm. The other three touched his arm and hand while he willed a message to Libby.

"Libby, I am ready to let Maximilianus talk to Leana," said Tad as the group of Mechanical beings came into view.

Maximilianus was already standing there with a satchel slung over one shoulder. He had a wide-brimmed hat this time, and it looked made from some cloth with a leather band around the brim.

"Excellent, " said Maximilianus. Another puff of air, and the creature was standing next to Tad.

The companions moved back a step as Tad put the coin away.

Maximilianus looked around at the curtain of sand and the valley. "This is a fine place indeed. " said the metallic creature.

"Well, I'm hoping it will be. There are a lot of unknowns yet, but if that magic curtain holds and there are no other issues with dangerous creatures, this might do well," said Tad.

Maximilianus nodded while looking up at the protective wall billowing sand into the sky. "I am ready to go to the artificer's workshop when you are.

"Yea, about that, first I need some answers from you about Bubbles. You can talk while we walk. I need to see if I can control those city guardians before something bad happens, " said Tad.

"Oh certainly. Would you like me to start? " asked Maximilianus.

"Yes, please, explain why we need these items and people you spoke of first, though, " said Tad as he started walking across the bridge towards the ruined city.

"Certainly, there have been several documented occasions of this happening in the past. Usually, after a war or natural catastrophe, a god's followers can be decimated or give up worshiping them when this happens. The god will then have a limited time to find more followers, or they will go into a coma and lose their spirit. Do you understand souls and spirits? Let me cover that first, " said Maximilianus.

"Sentient creatures are defined as having a soul and a spirit. The soul is the true indicator. Many creatures are just spirits such as animals and magical creatures such as elementals. These creatures do not have souls. Souls are the difference. The soul is the sum of all sentient creatures. Everything they have ever done or accomplished is held in their souls. It's not just what they can remember. Even the simplest creatures can remember and learn things. Souls are special, and some people like yourself can even use them to control certain types of magic and energia. This soul is what a god uses to evaluate their followers when they die. It gets very complicated, but simply the soul is the sum of who you were. The gods measure this against their given standards and then reward or punish based on those standards. It is more complicated than this, but it's the easiest way to visualize it. Even a god can not destroy a soul, but if you're a follower of a god, they can greatly influence where and how long it takes a soul to reach its final destination. Destinations can vary. Some are reborn. Some drift in the astral. Nobody truly knows or hasn't said where they all go. The universe is still a mystery about where they finally will end up. The goddess Niucrelath has lost all her followers, and the spirit energia needed to stay alive. But she must have at least one somewhere, or she would have passed on. This happens sometimes. She is stuck or was stuck. Now your friend Bubbles was the great spirit of a primal tree. She never had a soul, but her spirit would be very old and very powerful. She entered the goddess, probably hoping to find the answer to where you had been taken when attacked. She triggered something while digging, though, and now she is bound to the soul of the goddess. Understand gods do not have souls like mortal creatures. They are members of a small group of beings that also pay homage to their foci god. In this case, the foci god of Life. I call it a soul, but it is much more and less," said Maximilianus.

"You mean Samphire, " stated Tad waiting for a response. This Metalic creature had to know who the foci god of Life was.

"Ah, you know about that then, well yes, in her case, it would be Samphire. She was a goddess of Life. This relationship between the gods or hierarchy was established when the four brothers fought over the universe long ago. This was when demons, celestials, elementals, and devourers were created. One for each of the foci domains. None of them can be truly destroyed as these creatures are the foot soldiers of the foci gods. Now all of this means something. It means that when that war happened, rules were established in the cosmos. It was an agreement of sorts between the four brothers, even if some of them didn't want it. These rules also guide magic and even time itself. If you'd like more in-depth information, you can find several books I wrote on the subject in the Library. " said Maximilianus while puffing up his chest in pride.

"Yea, well, my reading time seems to be an issue. Can you cover why then I need all these items or people? " Tad asked.

"Yes, well, you see, these rules also apply to gods. They all require several things minimum to qualify as a god. One is at least two followers, preferably enough just to keep them alive. Two followers are needed, a champion and a high priest who are granted power through the god. These people are willing to put their god ahead of themselves, which is why you need all these things. This doesn't apply to beast gods or gods of creatures. They feed off spirit energy and care not for souls, " said Maximilianus.

"I think I understand then. I'll have everything we need once the wagons arrive. Except for the high priest. I can fill the other role of the champion, but I will need to find a second person that would be willing to fill the high priest role. " said Tad. Tad had thought about his friends and other carnival workers. He had no idea who would be willing to serve a lifetime role of high priest for a goddess none of them knew.

"Yes, sadly, those two roles are the most important. The more followers you can gather beforehand would also help. I suspect you still have a couple of days, all though the goddess will be forming inside the cacoon, and things will start acting oddly around her. Be cautious. During this time, things that are sensitive to powers like this will feel her new awakening and might move to destroy and devour her." He looked around again at the valley and the magic curtain of sand.

"You have a formidable defense. Let us hope it is enough," said Maximilianus.

"How do you know all of this?" asked Tad.

Maximilianus stopped for a moment looking at Tad, "In the past, something like this has happened seven times that we have documents for or eyewitness accounts of. Each time the rebirthed god chose those things around them they thought were appropriate. The roles were filled when the divine force asked each person near the god being rebirthed until one said yes to each role. The items were in some cases chosen at random from the land around, but usually, it was the things closest to the waking god. " said Maximilianus.

"And when there were not appropriate choices? " asked Tad.

"Well, one we know went insane and demolished half a city before dying on its own. Others ceased to exist within a few minutes after forming, and two turned into monsters that became legends." said Maximilianus.

Tad nodded, "We will have everything and hope for the best then. Because it sounds like there is a lot of hope involved here, tell me about what comes after. What will she be like? "

"Well, there is a period of time that the religion is formed around the god. What shape that takes is entirely based on the people involved. This hasn't happened often. I suggest you all keep on your best behavior and do things that make yourselves happy while the god solidifies. " said Maximilianus.

"And how do I worship her? I'm not religious, and I've never prayed to anything," said Tad.

"Oh, I'm sure you will figure it out, Thaddius. You are not the first person to have ever had this issue. I'd say do what you are comfortable with and makes you happy. " said Maximilianus.

The group had arrived at the edge of the ruined city. Tad was looking more closely at the structures and road leading into the city center now. He didn't see any walls around the city, just the buildings, and streets.

He stood there a few moments, then reached out, searching for the constructs he knew were patrolling nearby. He felt them then, the Torque's magic making it a simple task to command them to come to him. There were six of them. They came to him then. They were just a bit smaller than the one in the temple chamber. But they were still huge. These were different than the ones there, though. These had a purpose. He could feel it. Protect the City. It was that simple. Tad instructed them that the beings coming, dwarves, humans, cats, his friends were not to be harmed and given free access to the city. They just stood there like lumps. Then he told them to continue on, and they turned and made their way back to the city center to resume their patrols.

Well, those could be helpful or perhaps not, thought Tad. He wondered if he could just command them to stand like statues till needed. Suppose those things stepped on something or attacked someone. That would not be good.

"All right then, those shouldn't chase anyone now. Do you all want to see the workshop? " asked Tad of his friends as he held his hand out again as he had with the coin. They all placed theirs atop his, and Tad willed the Torque to take them to the Artificers workshop. Tad felt the magic build up in the Torque, and several seconds later, they ported. Tad noted it wasn't as fast as when it had attacked him.

***