Editing Fawn - Gem of Law (section)

== [[Orodruin]] ==

“Yes, Mariku-hime, it is the Gem of Law, as your late master suspected; each piece was aligned differently when Lastar ended The Balance,” an ancient half-dwarf whispered.

“Thank you Lord Orodruin, my master was right,” the oriental lady said, nodding.  She had taken Fawn on a long journey, keeping him wrapped in silk and pressed close to her breast in a pouch tied to her neck.  He had not seen light since he was handed over on the deathbed of his previous host. “What would your wise council have me do now?”

“There is only one thing to do with such a power – return it to its origins before it destroys us,” Orodruin said sadly, not daring to lift his dark solemn gaze to meet hers.

“And where would that be?”

“Ahh, there is the problem.  It cannot go on its own, as that would create even more imbalance whilst the others remain on the Prime; no, they must be re-forged – here on the Hearth of the Effreet.” The old, wizened, diminutive half-gnome pointed to a large, gently glowing, ornately decorated fire pit, which lay at the end of the long, windowless room in which they stood. Multi-coloured lanterns hung from beautifully carved escutcheons, illuminating a richly decorated, pink-marble hall. Orodruin had the prominent features of a gnome – the bald head, enlarged nose and protruding forehead – and the square, stocky stature of a dwarf.  He was old, that was clear, and Fawn thought him to be older than any living being on the Prime. Not that he was bent and frail, as he stood tall and firm, but because his eyes spoke of ancient wonders and far off lands and he had the calmness and surety of someone who had seen it all before and knew that things would turn out well in the end.

“Then here,” the oriental lady said, holding out Fawn on the palm of her hand, “take it and, when the others come back to Sutur, re-forge the gem.”

“No my Lady, that would not be wise.  You see, well…” the half-gnome paced, “Like all the first peoples, it is not of the Prime and, as it was shattered, each part took additional power according to its alignment.  That one would enslave me in no time…” He paused, trying to divine the words that would offer a more complete explanation, “I would bring such order to the Prime that the very will of all free people would be subjugated to me. I would build an Order, a Dynasty, which would rule over every element of all life on the Prime.  No, no, that would not be…healthy,” he said.

“Then what am I to do?” pleaded the oriental lady.

“Find the others, but be careful not to forge them until you have all pieces.  There is only one way to hold the shards in balance and that is with the Claw of Horus’ -  the talon-clasp that joined Lastar’s Staff to the Gem – which also seems lost.  Lastar told me it came from the God himself.”

“And you believed him?”

“He had never lied to me before and had no reason to start…”