We eventually went to the tomb of Daedalus, to recover the Tome of Daedalus, grateful once again to a call from Nimloth, in which she told us where to go. She also told us to be careful, because "Daedalus had a tendency to be paranoid and mechanically inclined, so he often built traps to defend his lairs." With that warning, and the location in our minds, Saironellotoron, Aranellevanima, and I all set out for the tomb, intent on recovering his tome. We had to travel north past Meneltarma, so when Aranellevanima and Saironellotoron asked if they could stop and see their masters, I was glad to oblige. However, I was still banished from the city, so I arranged that we would stay the night, but that I would camp out, outside the walls of the city. For the sake of saving time, I will not transcribe the events of that night, because, in all honesty, nothing particularly eventful happened. When we set out the next day, I asked Aranellevanima to help me sort the supplies, so that they were evenly distributed, because I felt that I should help carry the load. However, both Aranellevanima and Saironellotoron refused to let me, with Aranellevanima saying "No, it is unnecessary for you to assist Saironellotoron and Myself, for we can easily carry the rations."

When I tried to insist, Saironellotoron grinned and said with finality, "No matter how hard you try, you will not change our will in this. " Upon my recognition of the tone he used, I surrendered with the realization that I had lost the argument, and we continued to The Cemetery of "Hauralehroa" or "store the body ", where Daedalus was entombed. As we walked into the Cemetery, it was fascinating to see how many men had made significant contributions to the world. These were major deeds, as a man was not buried here for doing something for himself, such as killing a dragon for its loot, but instead for deeds that were for the good of the many. In fact, so many men had sacrificed themselves, that many of the tombs had no bodies in them, because the bodies were unable to be recovered. I walked up the door and began to read

Adventurers beware

You're in for a scare

If you enter my lair

For it holds much to share

It does not come free

And soon you will see

It will be filled with danger

So if you're a stranger

My inventions will attack

And the odds will soon stack

So unless you're wise and bold

Don't enter my abode.

I looked back at Saironellotoron and Aranellevanima, who were looking at each other warily, and said "Wait here, it would be unwise to risk all of our lives at once. "

Aranellevanima began to refute, but Saironellotoron held up a hand to silence her, and stated: "If you need help, shout for us, and we will be there." With that, they began to pitch camp, and I entered the tomb.

Upon my entry, I was positioned in a room with a staircase going down, and a sign on the back that explained

I have oft answered the pondering thought

And answered tough questions though with pain they were wrought

Now you will answer my thoughts of my mind

If correct you will continue to seek until you find

These riddles though difficult are not without purpose

And answering them shall not prove to be worthless

If gold you doth seek then none you shall reap

For knowledge is golden if it comes not cheap

I swallowed, and continued down the staircase. As I reached the bottom, I was in a 5'7" room, and l had to duck to avoid hitting my head.

Also in the room, were a clock, a chair, a table, and a skeleton. Upon the table was a note. I picked it up and read.

Activate one of these four

As an answer to the riddle

You must increase your score,

Or be trapped in the middle

"I have legs but walk not

A strong back but work not

Two good arms but reach not

A seat but sit and tarry not."

I thought about it before deciding the answer had to be the chair. The table had legs and a strong back, but it did not have arms, so it couldn't be that. The clock had arms, and legs, but it did not have a strong back or seat, so it couldn't be that. The skeleton had arms, legs, and a back, but it did not have a seat. That meant that it had to be the chair, because it was the only one that met all four descriptions, so I walked over and investigated the chair, unsure what to do to activate it, I sat down in it to think, when the chair tipped backwards, and loaded me headfirst into a just opened chute, where I had no control of my motion, and just had to ride it out. I landed in a heap, and then stood up to look around. I was in a room, almost identical in property to the first one, except the hole in the roof, that I had fallen through, and different contents. Instead of a Chair, there was a table with a mace, a battle-axe, a morning star and a sword, and slots for each on the back wall. Carved into the surface of the table was another message. I moved the weapons onto the floor, and began to read

You have done well to answer the primary question,

But can you conquer this riddle of selection?

The weapon selected must go in the slot,

If it is wrong, advance you will not.

"A dragon's tooth in a mortal's hand,

I kill, I maim, I divide the land"

I looked at the weapons, and only contemplated a short while, because the answer had to be a sword. It was the only weapon that looked like a Dragon's tooth, because it was the only one with a long sharp blade. I put it into the slot, and heard a click. I glanced around nervously, waiting for a trap, and then looked down sharply, because the floor had fallen out underneath me. I thought "at least this one is a slide," as I slid into the next room. I was in a hallway, with a note right in front of me. The note said

Congratulations, you're on riddle three

If correct you move on with finality

But beware there are more trials than games

So if you continue you'll never be the same

Pick your path wisely, and you will succeed

Choose it and then you may proceed,

A rope, or a ladder,

Will you choose the latter?

Or maybe the previous

will not be as devious

The choice is now yours

Behind the next doors

Lies the value at hand

All the knowledge in that land

The treasure that you seek,

If your heart is not meek.

No more hints I will give

Now choose to die or live.

I looked to my left and saw a ladder, then I looked to my right, and saw the rope. According to the riddle, I had to pick one or the other to descend into the abyss. I tried to look down and see where they went, but the architect of this room had made it so pitch black that I couldn't see the bottom on either side. I looked closer to identify any conclusions that would assist me in deducing the answer to this decision. First, I looked at their material substance. Both were made of a fibrous tissue that appeared to be durable, but both looked rather old as well. Then I remembered something. I have the ability to create light, as a wizard. I laughed and cast "menelcala" meaning "Heaven Light," and a beam of pure light shined down into each hole. The side with the rope only went around three-quarters of the way down, before it cut off, and led to a thirty unit drop, while the ladder was resting on the bottom. I once again realized I could have just looked at where they were fastened, as the rope was tied at the top, and the ladder was not attached at any point. I cut the rope and coiled it around my shoulder for future use, then clambered down the ladder. At the bottom, I saw a casket, marked with words and carvings, I advanced towards it, then tripped embarrassingly on a trip wire, and watched six arrows soar over my head. Exhaling in relief, I stood and meandered over to the casket, and began to read.

Inside you will find the knowledge you need,

Having proven yourself to be the wiser breed,

It isn't all knowledge, just a plantable seed,

but if you use it wisely, you will succeed.

The Knowledge of Daedalus, is here to see,

it comes without purchase, but it is not free.

No matter your wants it will be as it will be,

and knowledge will grow from these roots like a tree.

Onward, and forward, you continue your quest,

for now, with this triumph, you have passed the test,

you thought through my riddles, and did your best,

attempted to succeed, and now you know the rest.

Open your mind and you will find the key,

but open it up, and you'll break the levee,

heed my words, answer to my decree,

or this knowledge will end, which would be a pity.

I carefully opened the casket, and saw the dead Daedalus lay, with a book in his hands, and his body in a state of decay. Gathering the book, I turned to leave, but suddenly the platform I was on, with the casket, shot up at a rate of speed, so fast, that I was at the surface before I could perceive what had happened. I hollered out the names of Saironellotoron, and Aranellevanima, and they came running around the hill, so I stepped forward to meet them.

"How did you get out?" Aranellevanima said, at the same time that Saironellotoron said: "Where to next?"

I laughed and replied, "I grabbed the tome, and it brought me up to the surface on a strange moving platform, and we go to the Lake of Nennal, which is thirty miles east and eleven miles North from here."

After I told them the location that Nimloth had disclosed to me, we began to travel north, traveling for 6 miles, then went east for ten miles, before we found an inn and stayed the night. Upon my waking of Saironellotoron and Aranellevanima, we continued north for the last five, then went east eleven, and set camp for the night, tired and exhausted. I volunteered to take the first watch, and they fell asleep almost immediately, which wouldn't have been a problem, but so did I. I was awakened shortly after by someone shaking me, with a feeling of guilt and embarrassment, expecting it to be Saironellotoron or Aranellevanima, but instead, I was shocked to see the Lady from the Woods who hurt Aranellevanima. Upon recognizing her, I drew my sword and attempted to stab her, but she easily dodged my tired, slow blow. She whispered in a strangely soothing voice "Relax, Saironelloistya, I mean you no harm."

"Just like you meant Aranellevanima no harm?" I seethed, still barely containing my rage at the fact that she had willingly and remorselessly injured one of my friends.

"No" she replied calmly, as I tried to remember her name. "I am one who merely seeks progression, for the fates and lives of Men, Elves, and Dwarves, to progress from each mediocre morning, to each inconsequential sunset."

"Look, I don't even know your name, and already you are confusing me. Why do you seek progression in such a determined manner, if it does not affect you?"

"We all have duties to attend to, Saironelloistya, and we must do them diligently. Even you have not questioned why you are on this quest, but you do it because it needs to be done." She stated with cold certainty that made me shiver.

"I wish I had another choice," I said mournfully, "but some of us were born to help others, and I believe this task will."

She nodded. "This task is necessary to the progression of the world, which is why I follow it so diligently. This is the last time I can physically assist you."

"Saironelloistya?" We heard a voice from behind me ask, confused. It was Aranellevanima, I realized as I turned towards her to respond, frightened.

"I am here Aranellevanima, what do you need?" I asked with concern, watching as she rubbed her eyes, and sat up.

"Nothing," she said with a tremble "It was just a nightmare." She glanced at the now rising sun," and you have overstayed your watch."

"Yeah... About that, I fell asleep." I muttered sheepishly, feeling ashamed and guilty all over again.

She gave me a curious look, then got up and walked over. "Clearly you did not let your guard down much, as you drew your sword in your sleep."

I laughed, "Actually, I tried to stab the one who woke me up." I turned back towards the Lady from the Woods, only to discover she was gone.

Aranellevanima gave me another curious look, then sat down and gestured for me to do the same. I sat, and she asked, "Was it Martamo?"

I recognized her by name now, and immediately confirmed it. Aranellevanima nodded, and pulled out a pipe made of stone, and stained glass. She filled it up, lit it, then took a deep draught of it, obviously deep in thought, and then offered it to me. I declined, and asked, "What is she?"

"She is an ideological paradox," Aranellevanima muttered in response. "A perfect conundrum, for she is and isn't. She disclosed that she went by many names, yet she had only one name. She said she was once Missing, and yet has no need to be found. She was an exile, a prisoner, a free woman and an explorer, but only in times, she said. She was a god, and a mortal, the rise of a new day, but not the potential brought with it. In all honesty, Saironelloistya, I am uncertain, as she is a riddle I am not wise enough to solve, so instead, I will rely on you."

I looked at her, going through hidden emotional reactions of curiosity, anger, then humility. I replied carefully, thinking through each phrase. "Unfortunately, I am uncertain I am skilled enough either, but I believe that if anyone could solve her Existence it will be you."

We arrived in The Water Vale, and it was a breathtaking sight. The tips of hills, poking out of a deep, water basin, which at the time of our arrival, made an orange reflection across the surface, showing the sunset, but with a large approximately twenty-six purplish triangular shapes reflected on the surface of the water. The view was beautiful, but we had no time to admire it, as the sun set rapidly, and we set up camp to wait until morning when it would be bright enough to look for the herb. I slept through the entire night, and woke up irritated because Aranellevanima and Saironellotoron had not awakened me for my watch. I said, "I could have taken my watch."

Saironellotoron looked at me without remorse. "How is this any different than all the nights that you decided we needed the sleep, and didn't awaken us for our fair turn."

I flinched at his words, and realized I was being hypocritical. "Let's go" I mumbled, walking towards the shores of the Water Vale. They followed without a word, and we reached the shore. The water was crystal clear, and had a low salinity. I removed my outer cloak and staff, and dove into the lake. As I came back up for a breath, I signaled them to join me. We had talked about the plan around the fire the night before, and we all knew what we had to do. We were all to swim to the bottom of the pool, and look for the herb. The sunlight shining through the crystal clear water, made looking for the underwater plants much easier. However, there were two problems. One, there were multiple plants, and there were carnivorous fish swimming in the plants. I signaled the Saironellotoron and Aranellevanima, and we all swam back to the shore.

I said, "What are we going to do about the fish?" At the same time, Aranellevanima said: "Which herb is it?" We smiled at each other and, Saironellotoron said: "I have no idea, why are you asking me?"

"I would rather not exterminate all of the fish, but they will harbor no such reservation against us." I thought aloud, warranting another state from Saironellotoron.

"Are you serious, Saironelloistya? How else are we going to get the herbs?" He conjured, and we both heard Aranellevanima mutter something meekly.

"What was that, Aranellevanima?" I asked, and she looked up, with a look of pure determination and concentration apparent on her face.

"I said 'what if Saironellotoron put the fish to sleep?' He has the power as a transmuter, and then we could safely get the herb that we need."

Saironellotoron nodded, "I could do that, but we still are unsure to which herb we need, and I have no way of finding out."

"I have a way of finding out." I realized, and immediately pulled out the box of Nimloth's hair, lighting a single strand.

Nimloth's voice echoed across the quiet area, as She said: "Hello Saironelloistya, Saironellotoron, and Aranellevanima, what do you require?"

"We are unable to deduce which plant is the Herb of Nennal, and were wondering if you did," Aranellevanima stated, taking charge of the conversation.

"I do, but I cannot project from this distance, so I will have to describe it. You must look for a plant with a short stem, and long roots, with four leaves going up each side, and it will be near the bottom of the pond, but it should be visible from the surface." As she described it, I crafted it in the air using an illusion ability. She finished describing it, and the piece of hair flared and went out.

Saironellotoron held his hands out over the water, and cast "fúmë" meaning "sleep" I then cast "nenrond" meaning "waterdome," and Aranellevanima and I walked into the lake. All of the fish were drifting aimlessly throughout the water, and we began to look for the plant, which I found by a stroke of luck, because it was the only one we could find after searching for twenty more minutes. Finally, I ventured "Shall we go?"

Aranellevanima nodded and replied "We found that quickly enough. I wonder what Saironellotoron is doing."

I walked out of the lake and went to reply "Probably sleeping?" But I was caught off guard because Saironellotoron was awake and talking, to someone wearing the worn out cloak of an enchanter.

"Who goes there?" I shouted, awaiting a response.