Letter to Versi (#2)
My darling Versi,
What do you know about basilisks? A far sight more than me I imagine. Or, at least, more than I can remember knowing. It seems they are what Sydon is using to collect his sacrifices in Estoria. And we need to do something about them, though Fate knows what.
I went back to the Dragon Shrine today with Helikaon. Aesop told us a little more about the Dragonlords, and about the logistics of it all; at least as it was 500 years ago. He said that Xander, Rizon, and Damon used to oversee the bonding. I wonder if it will even be possible without them? Although, Damon is still, ah, around, for lack of a better word; so perhaps he can help.
Oh. I wonder if I knew him? I guess I really should have asked Aesop. I’ll try and remember to if I get to see him again. A little context might make things less awkward when we eventually make it to the Necropolis, and it would be nice to not bumble into meeting, or re-meeting, Damon completely clueless.
Although, it might take a while to get there as we uncovered even more problems today. There is some kind of beast in the Mithral Forge and, according to Theo, some local teenagers have gone missing. He thinks they might have gone to the Old Woods, and could be connected to the missing horn in some way. They have been gone for a number of days now. I would have suggested we go and look for them, but with the full moon just around the corner, we really can’t leave the city. I just hope they are okay, and stay that way, until we can do something about the sacrifice...
But what in Thylea we going to do about it? I’m honestly uneasy with the idea of just killing the basilisks. I’m worried that the Order of Sydon, or even the titan himself, could find out what we have done and ‘take’ their sacrifice another way. Alke suggested that one of us could disguise ourselves as Anora: it would certainly keep her safe, but I don’t think it would fulfil the Order’s demands. When they found out it was not her, they would just use it as an excuse to attack.
There was talk yesterday of offering one of us to the Order as a substitute. I don’t know how likely they would be to accept it, but if we can get them to agree, and to not choose Anora at a later date, then at least we have somewhat of a fallback if things go wrong and killing the basilisks doesn’t work. None of us are exactly princess-level important: but you’d think they might jump at the chance of getting rid of one of the heroes prophesied to bring the titans down. It is just a question of who?
I think, perhaps, it should be me. I am not the best fighter, if the worst comes to the worst, but I do think I am one of the most likely candidates the Order would accept. After all, your father has already proved that he wants to get to you; and I suppose my death would do that.
I can already hear you telling me not to do it. But what else can we do? We can’t let Anora go through with it, and we can’t not do the sacrifice because I really don’t think Estoria would make it. And what is the point of us saving Thylea if we let everyone die in the process?
Maybe someone will have a better idea in the morning.
With all my heart hoping that this isn’t the last time,
Calliope
P.S. I think I confused Alke today. I got the wrong end of the stick about a rumour that was circulating the taverns when I was looking for her. I really thought you and her were related! I probably should have asked you first rather than jumping to conclusions. I wonder if that means the other part of the story about her, ah, adventures with gygans is untrue too? It seems a little rude to ask...
Although, Hippofilius let us know that HE is in fact related to you. That is rather exciting! I hope this means there is at least one other person here who trusts you as I do, or at least is inclined to.