Invisible String - A Sebastian Sallow Story

Chapter XXXII

Sebastian finally stumbled upon the gorge in which the last trial was to take place; he had come to terms with the fact that his love had been taken and may have to carry out her legacy in her honor... almost . Oh who was he kidding, he was not prepared to face the music. But for now, he didn't have time to do so. Right now stopping Ranrok was the most important thing to everyone at large. Despite the nagging feeling he had to abandon Fig, and rush straight to find Poppy Sweeting and the grumpy potions master, he knew that if she was still alive and knew he negated his duty simply to rescue her, he would face her disappointment.

"Ah, Mr. Sallow, I am glad to see you made it. I assume the Keepers agreed to let us proceed without our friend." Fig said, posing his statement as a question and he only found it within him to nod. The light was just about to make its ascent over the horizon any minute now. It felt strange for him to think that less than 12 hours ago he was standing on a piece of land he bought for the two of them, now, not knowing if she was even alive. He shook that off, turning to the professor.

"So what exactly happens during these trials Professor?" he asked, still unsure how they began, only knowing that she often came back beyond exhausted, sporting minor scrapes and bruises, not wishing to speak of them.

"No need for formalities all the way out here Sebastian , please call me Eleazar... as for the trials, they have all been different in orientation. This one however, I am unsure how we will enter. There is no portrait to discuss the steps to be taken. Given our friend is currently not available I reckon I will be allowed to help you more than I would have if she had been here. The only instruction I was given was to scout ahead before allowing any taming of magical creatures to fall completely to her." Fig explained.

"Taming magical creatures? What does that..." Sebastian started, trailing off when he saw the sculpture on the stone behind them. The sight caused him to immediately shake his head before continuing "They can't possibly expect me to-"

Fig interrupted him, confirming his suspicions, "Tame and bring a graphorn to gain access. I do believe that is what we will need to do to get inside." he explained, pondering a moment.

"Aren't they mostly extinct sir? Eradicated on account of their horns?" Sebastian asked, recalling the limited knowledge he had on the creatures.

"That is correct, although I know of one that still lingers nearby. Further down the coast, a famed one still lives within a cave, known as the 'lord of the shore'. However, he is quite aggressive, and they are nearly impossible to subdue...?" he told the boy.

"Wonderful. So I am to fight, but not kill a graphorn. Graphorns of course being considered one of the most dangerous creatures we know of, and what? Bring him here to open the door? He shall magically produce some key we don't know of?" Sebastian said rhetorically as if it was all so simple.

"It appears that way. I would go with you, but I admit I do not move as quickly as I used to. Graphorns are more likely to react aggressively when they feel threatened, and having more than one person nearby is likely to provoke faster." Fig explained with a sigh.

"Alright. I will go track down this 'lord of the shore' then. Merlin's beard " the usually Posh boy resorted to the swear as he shook his head.

"Before you go... and I apologize if I am overstepping my bounds... but you mentioned you were off school grounds yesterday. Might I inquire where you were and what you were doing?" Fig asked and his blood ran cold. He knew that the man wasn't asking to get him in trouble, but to admit to someone where he had been, felt odd. Knowing now it might have all been for nothing he decided why not let her closest aly and mentor be made aware.