Pages Mystery 1
We are lucky to be alive.
Against my better judgement, I will record what happened in the Hills
The Candela Obscura Member who maintains the lighthouse, Nels, was perfectly willing to allow us up to the astrolabe -- benefits of being a Lightkeeper. It took nearly three hours to draw out the complex sigil and accompanying figures. Morgan was helpful, he's much better than I am with the chalk.
(Oldfairen Text, translated by Eddy):
I INSTRUCTED MORGAN TO FIRST STOP THE ASTROLABE, AND THEN BEGIN TO ROTATE IT BACKWARD (THE EFFORT WAS GARGANTUAN ON HIS PART), WHILE I RECITED:
WHEN WEEP THE STARS,
WHEN CRIES THE SUN,
WHEN MAGICK CRESTS, THEN
SHALL THE ASTROLABE SLEEP.
WHEN THE LIMB OF THE SEXTANT HAS RUN
ITS COURSE,
THEN POWER FAILS,
WHEN THE ASTROLABE HAS FEASTED,
THEN CEASE ITS LABORS AND SLEEP.
Almost immediately, a tear appeared in the fabric of reality before us. The world suddenly seemed two-dimensional, as if my familiar world had become a photograph. There was no time to marvel, because almost instantly,
(Oldfairen Text; translated by Eddy)
CREATURES FROM BEYOND THE FLARE BEGAN POURING THROUGH THE RIFT. I COULD HARDLY SEE WHERE ONE ENDED AND THE NEXT BEGAN, THERE WERE SO MANY. THEIR GLIMMERING CARAPACES FLICKERED IN THE WASH OF LIGHT BLOOMING FROM THE RIFT, AND THEY CHITTERED BACK AND FORTH AS THEY RUSHED INTO OUR WORLD.
IT WAS AT THIS MOMENT THAT NELS CAME UP TO SEE THE CAUSE OF THE COMMOTION. THEY SWARMED HIS BODY AND CONSUMED HIS FLESH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.
There was a moment I could have sworn I saw Nel's soul leave his body, though the image grows stronger in my recollection. So, it must be imagined. Morgan released his hold on the astrolabe, hoping to help the poor man, and I was forced to continue shouting over the din, lest the entire effort be lost:
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