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Lazarus, Cindy, the Professor and Della rode a carriage to the Magical archive. Royce and Grace wanted to stay in their rooms. Lazarus didn't want to speculate about them but he knew Royce and Grace relationships was blooming and they needed time to be together alone.
The carriage stopped at the archive’s building. The Princess had sent word to Reginald to help them and he was waiting for them at the front steps. The tall elf nodded to them as the gilded carriage stopped. The door opened, and they were let out.
Reginald said, “The Princess told me you want to know about Merlin’s Amulet.”
Lazarus nodded. “Yes, we wanted to know more about the stone’s magic.”
Reginald pointed for them to enter. “We have several books setup for you to look over. We have a vast array of information on this subject.”
“Thanks,” Lazarus said.
Inside the building, they walked toward a different area then they came before. Yet, it all looked all the same. He saw a vast library of books, scrolls and tables with other Elves reading quietly.
Reginald directed them to a corridor off to the side of this section. They walked into a small room with one large oak table stationed in the middle. Several large leather-bound books were scattered on its surface.
Reginald said, “We had more books, but we had you start with these tomes.”
Lazarus and his friends sat and started reading. He forgot Professor Jacobs was not a magic-user and shouldn't be able to read the words. But he saw the Professor was reading the books like normal. He wore round spectacles around his eyes.
Lazarus said, “Professor, you can read the books?”
“Yes,” Professor Jacobs said, “Reginald helped me when you were not here. He gave me and Della magical glasses.”
Della was reading next to him.
“Great,” Lazarus said, “tell me, if you find something useful.”
Lazarus read vast passages about the history of the elves. He was surprised that he didn't find anything about the Amulet. He placed the book back on the table.
Lazarus shook his head. Taking the next one, he skimmed over the chapters. This book was a history about the elves and the beginning of the magical races traveling to Middle Earth. He realized Princess Gwyneth first came to Middle Earth, not to escape the Vvong Creatures but to set up a new kingdom. The Elf Queen gave them permission to leave.
Lazarus wondered why the Princess left her kingdom on upper Earth and came here. It didn’t make sense to him. The book only mentioned Merlin’s Amulet when the great wizard transported the whole expedition, the Princess and her subjects to Middle Earth.
Lazarus shook his head, “This is going to take too long. We need a way to narrow our search.”
Professor Jacobs nodded. “You’re right I read mostly about the histories of Middle Earth.”
The Professor stood and walked out the room. He was gone for several minutes. Lazarus continued reading his book. He skimmed through the chapters. The book mentioned Merlin’s Amulet could be used to keep create portals and to transmute vast power.
Professor Jacob came back and flying next to him was a small faerie. It was a woman faerie and her wings made a soft flapping sound. She wore an emerald green dress and small black boots. She was thin almost a wisp.
“My name is Val. I can help you Alpha Lazarus,” she said and bowed her head in reverence.
“Thank you. Can you find books that mentions how to use Merlin’s Amulet?” He said.
Val looked away from them and contemplated his quest. “Yes, there is a book. But I need to talk to Reginald about it.”
Lazarus nodded. “Thank you.”
Val flew away on her faerie wings. She was graceful as she moved away from them. Reginald left with her out of the room.
Cindy said, “I wonder if these faeries also clean homes.”
“Cindy, I don’t think so,” he said.
Reginald came back to them with Val flying next to him. He held a leather tome in his hands. Lazarus instantly saw magic sprouting from its cover. Cindy gasped.
Reginald placed the book gently on the table. The leather tome could only be opened by a key.
Reginald said, “This is a powerful book. And we never loan this tome to anybody, but if you need to read it, I will have to stay with you.”
Lazarus wondered what harm could a book pose to them. Then he thought about the magical book, the Grimoire. It was a book Morgana had spoken to Merlin about in the vision he saw a few weeks ago.
Lazarus said, “Yes Reginald, please stay. We have never encountered a magical book and we don’t know what to prepare for.”
“What's this?” Professor Jacobs said. His hand moved closer to the leather red cover.
Reginald said, “Be careful Professor.”
Professor Jacobs instantly moved his hand away from it as if the book was a nest of venomous snakes.
“When I open it, you might hear voices. Don’t worry about those voices. Just don’t touch the paper. I will do it,” Reginald said.
“Is this the same type book as the Grimoire?” Lazarus said.
Reginald said, “Don’t mention that vile book. This book doesn’t have a name. This book was created by a powerful warlock. Some of his life essence lives in its contents. But it's not like the Grimoire.”
“Wow,” Lazarus said, “how would this warlock know anything about Merlin’s Amulet?”
“This warlock used to be Merlin’s student before he started to use the dark arts to further his own power,” Reginald said.
This was the first time Lazarus heard Merlin had other students, but it made sense. Merlin had, off course, taught Morgana. So, it made sense if Merlin had other students.
Reginald said, “Are you ready?”
