A Meeting in the Hills

Dear Diary,

Today was another intense day. With the help of Marrie, I drove her car, Zippy, to the Næglingræd Hills. As we landed over the hills near the court, I saw Mr. Winstanley looking up and noticing our arrival. Marrie’s mother, Mrs. Rosiegen, was there too. When she saw Zippy shining like new, she knew something bad had happened.

As soon as we landed, she eagerly came close to us and hugged Marrie tightly. Marrie explained to her that she was fine. Together, we entered the Æthelþing court. Mr. Winstanley informed us that the master was busy with students and asked the reason for our arrival. He said it was quite risky to travel the hills, which could lead to danger for the people there.

To answer him, the professor informed him that the master wanted to meet me and had himself invited us here.

Marrie’s mother left when Master arrived at the court. Professor and I greeted him, and Master smiled at me. He waved his hand for everyone to leave us alone in the courtroom. Once everyone was gone, the room got very quiet and a bit spooky. Master asked me to sit at the dinner table. The table was on one side of the courtroom and was quite large. I sat across from him on the long side.

The table was decorated with so many dishes: Dragesta Stew, Mystic Meadow Salad, Flameheart Roast, Featherfire Broth, Moonberry Medley, and more. Moonberry Medley is my grandma’s favorite dessert. She used to make it herself whenever guests came to our house. Taking one bite made memories flood my mind. I remembered how lovingly she made it for me and how Adam and I ate it with so much enjoyment.

Master noticed and said, “Gene loved this, right?” I looked at him and nodded. “Master, how do you know my grandma?” I asked. He said, “When you are in the battleground, you just know the other person. When, where, why, and how doesn’t matter.” His words were too cryptic to understand, but his eyes seemed to say more.

I continued eating Mystic Meadow Salad. Master asked, “Did you read the letter?” I nodded and quickly said, “She said she trusts you and she chose you as my guardian.” He nodded and kept eating but with a hint of a smile.

Suddenly, I remembered Dr. Hani’s words and felt a jolt of urgency. “Master,” I asked hesitantly, “what do you think about Fairy Hani Heirloomberg?”

Instead of answering my question, he looked at me intently and asked, “Did you meet her?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I did. She said she believes in you, too. She also wanted me to tell you that Aurora Vara is about to die. She’s in a bad condition and doesn’t have the Veinguard Diamond.”

Master’s expression changed to one of deep contemplation. “Zoe,” he began softly, “Dr. Hani is one of your grandma’s dearest friends. She stood by Gene when she was all alone, offering her support and friendship.”

I nodded, thinking of the fairy’s sad eyes and the strength in her song. Master continued, “If Fairy Hani is saying that Aurora Vara is about to die, it means something very serious. It also means Aurora no longer has the Veinguard Diamond.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I felt a chill run down my spine as I grasped the significance of what he was saying. It seems the Veinguard Diamond was an artifact of immense power and importance. If Aurora Vara no longer had it, it could mean trouble for our world.

The room felt even quieter now, the gravity of the situation settling in. Master’s face was serious, his eyes filled with concern. I realized that our journey was becoming more dangerous and complicated than I had ever imagined. We were entangled in a web of ancient secrets, powerful magic, and looming threats.

“What is that diamond? What is special about it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. “As far as I understand, the Magus Meet this time was also organized because of it. Schools, kings, and the Ministry — they all want that diamond from Aurora Vara. Am I right, Master?”

Master put down his spoon, his expression growing serious. “There is not sufficient information about the Veinguard Diamond,” he began. “It is believed that Aurora Vara had connections with the royals. Since then, the search for her began, but no one knows where she truly lives. Many obliterators lost their lives trying to find her. Until one day, Karlos Shaggy Rosiegen, the only person who ever came out of that tunnel, her home, provided some insight.”

My eyes widened as I listened intently. Master continued, “According to Karlos, Aurora Vara lives in a dark tunnel. He later wrote about his experience in a bundle of pages, binding them together and giving it the title ‘The Veinguard Diamond.’ Though the book was never published, its original copy was read by many professors and authors. His thoughts were portrayed as a diamond entrusted to Aurora, a diamond she kept hidden at all costs, even at the expense of her own well-being.”

The weight of Master’s words sank in. The Veinguard Diamond was not just any gem; it was a symbol of immense power and mystery, something that had caused countless to risk their lives in pursuit of it. “I do trust Karlos,” Master said, “but there is still so much we don’t understand.”

I felt a knot in my stomach as I remembered my dream, the one where Aurora Vara had given me something that seemed to melt or vanish into my veins. It was just a dream, I told myself, a horrific dream that couldn’t possibly be real. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it meant something more.

“Master,” I said hesitantly, “can dreams be a matter of concern?”

Master looked at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. “Dreams can be powerful, Zoe,” he said gently. “Sometimes, they reveal truths we are not ready to see. Hold onto that dream, but be careful who you share it with. They holds many secrets, and not all of them are meant to be uncovered easily.”

Dear diary, I couldn’t find the right words to discuss Monta Morra and meeting with Aurora Vara. The wand she gave me is lost, and what I received from Aurora Vara melted into my veins. I didn’t know how to tell Master Wigweard, so I kept silent.

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