Editing Journal - The Crown of Wisdom (section)

==Return to Borarla and Tragedy at the Temple==

I knew that it was the Court of Truth as I recognised the trees that I planted when I first returned. The crater was still here with the stub of the obelisk within it, but a throne made from a large tree stump now sat at the edge. As Falcor dumped the treasure into a pile, two yellow diamonds lifted and hovered, moving towards Falcor and Arad but not making contact, vibrating in the air. Arad drew his hammer and one of the stones leapt into it, completing the set of six. There was a lot of gold to sort through, and as Falcor was sorting I knelt next to one of the trees and placed my hand on it. I felt a connection to Cernurros and Karmana, and stayed there enjoying it for probably longer than I had intended. Arad prayed to the Creator as he waited, thanking him for our victory. We were finally interrupted as Arla walked from behind the trees near the throne and approached us. She still seemed frail, but was much healthier than before and clearly able to stand unaided.

She smiled and told us that we had helped the forest; Karmana's power had been extended and was felt in the forest for the first time in many months. The forest was still grievously damaged, but our Lady was with the Elvrabor again. We told her of the defeat of Seledor, and it was clear that the power of the Forge was growing as the Sarn were destroyed. She told us that Sullinassauri was the name of the next Sarn we would need to seek, and we believed that they would be found somewhere within the Saloroc homeland.

Once Queen Arla left us to return to her communion with the forest we healed each other's wounds as best we could and the others started trying to sort out any items of particular interest from the hoard we had brought with us. I took a moment to connect with Karmana, trying to draw her power and focus it on the area around the Court of Truth to invigorate the forest and continue to help it grow. Falcor had started separating some items out, including: two rings with some power; an oak case inscribed wiath runes that read "RETT" (stop) on the front; a hollow metal tube with a tiny hammer; a black case that was cold and smooth and it wasn't obvious whether it was stone or metal; a wand that had looked like ivory but was actually bone... possibly human with blood red gold "BORAMAT" runes (forest death?), and the watering can I had picked up just before we left.

The watering can once belonged to Darillion, and took at least a month to become really effective so I left it with Arla for her people to use it on Borarla. She accepted the gift, but insisted that it was still mine and that they would keep it for me. I acknowledged that, but there was no better place that I knew for it at the time, so I said that I would return if I found a new use for it; otherwise it belonged here in Borarla. She was grateful and said that if it were not for my actions then she would be dead; indeed we had all now helped the forest and power once more flowed through their roots. I am a vessel for greater powers, Karmana, Cernurros and the Creator.

Falcor's armour still hadn't appeared, and he feared some dark magic from the dagger had affected him. Arad called on the Creator to remove any curse that might be on Falcor and at once there was a bright flare of light and a shadow lifted from him before exploding in the air. The explosion sent lighting arcing out around us; Arad found that he was immune due to his new crown (that Arla had insisted belonged to him, or at least the soul within him)... I was not so fortunate! Arad checked with Arla, but the forest was not affected, then healed the nasty burns the explosion had given me. At least Falcor's armour had reappeared, and the yellow diamond found its place within his chest plate. What terrible power did the dagger contain? Falcor used his helm to learn more about it, as well as some of the other items.

It took a night of waiting, but the Red Skull Saloroc sent a boat to the edge of Borarla to meet us and take us back to the temple village. It seemed somehow brighter and safer than before, perhaps another result of Karmana's power returning. As we entered the temple to meet with Gilrad, Falcor saw the tapestry propped up in the corner of the room! Nobody else could see it but he produced a single thread from a box and it snapped taught in his hand, straining to join the tapestry. When he let the thread go, it flew into place within the tapestry and it became visible. There was a note attached to it that was not signed and read: "Lord Guardian, Be careful who you trust. The Hammer was betrayed, the Sword was defeated, and the Eye is easily seduced." It was marked with a symbol of red, blue, black and green diamonds forming a larger diamond.

Once Arad had updated Gilrad on what we had done, I asked about the touch of death that had affected me. He could see that I was drained by it and offered to help... but he warned that it was dangerous and insisted that the others needed to leave us. I didn't want to ask him to risk his life for my sake, but he told me that it wasn't my choice to make; I only had to decide whether I was willing to risk my own, which I was. I kneeled before him and he started chanting, drawing on the Creator's power, and carried on doing so for several minutes before directing the power into me. The power was almost overwhelming, but left me feeling invigorated and back to my normal self. I looked up in joy, only to see Gilrad collapse before me! I ran to aid him, but his spirit was gone - he was dead!