Charlinorite

The young herald's boots clamped the entire way down the hallway. He passed room after room. Each was filled with books and study tables. Some had fireplaces and couches. Finally, he found Junuh lying on the floor by a fireplace with books and scrolls spread out around him.

The magic weaved into the bracelet teleported the message to Gorn, Junuh's guardian, who waited for the boys outside the Avast Library

Seer's Office by iStockPhoto.com\

The books and scrolls Junuh carried were about Geology. One of the Master Sages was working on a compilation of all the types of rock and stone in the Anhult Woodlands. It would eventually be a Primer for the scribes' training at the Library. As a senior scribe, Junuh was responsible for a research project. He wanted to know more about the Korumkak Bricks found in ruins all over the woodlands. Progress was slow, but Stephen's grandmother had some knowledge of the ecology and geology of the region. Perhaps she could provide a boost.

So far, he had worked out that the majority of the brick was composed of an alkali feldspar mineral. The tetrahedral structure of the rock formed what could be described as crankshaft chains. Those chains were used to mix in basalt and bloodstone to form a dense and magical brick. When the bricks were made, transmutation magic must have been used to turn the chains and make a homogenous mix of the minerals. He had made some other notes:

When the walls of a room were built with the bricks, the space became warm and inviting. A comfortable light spread to every corner. Junuh had even seen illusions coaxed out of the wall if enough Moonstone was present. However, he was interested in finding out if the presence of basalt would allow for the creation of doors from a solid wall or, even better, could a portal be created.

Feldspar by Anna Urbanek

Bloodstone by Anna Urbanek

Basalt Specimens by Anna Urbanek

Witch's Laboratory by iStockPhoto.com\Shaiith

The boys and Gorn walked down the street to Stephen's Grandmother's shop. A sign above the door read "Miss Maggie's Herbs: For Healing and Living." The buildings in this section of Etonia were all built at the same time and in the same style. Miss Maggie's shop stood out on the street. A warm light always extended out her windows. Plants grew in every space on the walls and open space outside the building.

Inside the air was a heavy mix of floral and earthy smells. Makeshift shelves and displays made from crates filled the front room. Every flat surface exploded with dried bunches of plants and jars filled with different kinds of rocks, seeds, and bones. Gorn waited outside, he was a large man, and there was not enough room for him to walk in the space without knocking something to the floor.

A few customers milled around the room and looked up at the boys as they entered. Singing could be heard in the next room. The boys slipped back to the house's kitchen to find Miss Maggie stirring a large pot in the hearth.

Grandma Willow paid Miss Maggie for the dried flowers she was purchasing, and while they were busy absorbing what had happened, she went out the front door. Outside, she paused for a moment to look up at Gorn. She put a hand on his arm. "You are doing a good job with the boy."

Gorn smiled as the pleasant old lady walked around the corner of the house.