"That is a teleportation circle that leads to another circle to undercroft of Arbor Haven. The undercroft is the oldest part of the capital. Only those who study the old lore know of its existence and the royal family knows of it as well." Arlhenwe explained it to the Shield Maiden, "I believe the scroll has the spoken incantation on it, the journal you found, my lady will be of great help with the trials of reaching the central palatir. We have been given time to what is necessary to stop the Horde once and for all, Serna. Remember, you're not alone in this, child."

"Okay?" The Shield Maiden replied uncertainly, "But what part do I have to play in all of this? I was told to remain here and guard the princess. Then I was told to retrieve the scroll. What else must I do?"

Arlhenwe gestured to the large runic glowing pillar in the center of the ancient library, "When we are able to awaken the main ward in the undercroft of the capital, this one will 'shield' Westfall also. So in a sense you will be fulfilling what Prince Willow asked of you."

"Oh-kay?" Serna asked warily, "But what EXACTLY is my role here? Do you want me to watch you back while you activate the shield? Or am I expected to do something more than that? What are you NOT telling me?"

Caliaphy fluttered up and around the shield maiden, "Serna, Willow asked you to guard the princess and you are. The scroll, the notebook, and your charm bracelet are all part of the task that we need to do to help the others. It's not gonna be easy getting to the Palantir, the old places have traps and puzzles to thwart people from reaching it as a safety thing. So, that's what we're gonna do and its how we're gonna help the others against the horde."

"Okay, so there are going to be some traps and puzzles that we're going to have to solve," Serna relaxed a little, "Well, why didn't you say that in the first place? I like puzzles though I have little experience with traps. So when do we get going?"

"We are going now, Serna," Arhlenwe motioned for her and the kurori join her in the teleportation circle. Raising her arms slightly she spoke ancient elven words unfamiliar to the shield maiden except for Caliaphy, who hadn't heard it outside of her homeland. The runes and glyphs around the circle started to glow bright blue and in a flash of light, the three of them vanished from the library in Westfall and reappeared beneath the capital of Arbor Haven.

Serna moved into the teleportation circle and "ooooo" and "aaaahhh" as the glowing lights began to build around her.

The undercroft was made up of a mix of old wood and stone built by the ancestors of the elves and hill dwarves of a time long past. "There is only one path to the palantir, Serna, however, sometimes the way forward is the way back."

"What is that supposed to mean?" The Shield Maiden scratched her head, "You know, you're beginning to sound a lot like Dungeon Master. Are all Lore Masters so cryptic or is this just an Elven thing?"

Arlhenwe and Caliaphy looked at each other for a moment, "It's an elven saying, young one."

"Oh!" Serna responded simply.

"The scroll contains the words to awaken the palantir where I specialize in, Serna." The loremaster said.

"I will handle the traps according to the notes in the journal, and any puzzles we encounter Serna, you can help with, okay?" The kurori winked with confidence.

"Okay!" The Shield Maiden replied as she took her position, "I'll be right next to you, Caliaphy, to protect you should you spring a trap by accident."

Caliaphy winked again and allowed the loremaster to take the lead down the long stone hallway leading to the palantir. All seemed normal at first but as the three of them progressed, a female laughter unknown to them echoed throughout the old halls. The voice taunted them, "Three little mice, three little little fools come to thwart me? You shall never reach the palantir. Arbor Haven is MINE!!"

The kurori huffed, "Never say never...you baddie-person-you!"

Arlhenwe didn't utter a word as they walked and kept an eye out for danger. The voice was hard to discern due to the echoing yet seemed familiar.