Master Silas's room soon filled with the presence of the most experienced and trusted members of the Silk Fingers Guild. Besides Kael and Grok, there were the agile and silent Lyra, a specialist in disguises and infiltration; the old and wise Finn, a master at deciphering codes and ancient languages; and the pragmatic and observant Elara, responsible for the logistics and planning of the most complex heists.
The Soul Gem rested in the center of the table, its soft blue light casting dancing reflections on the tense faces of those present. The air was charged with expectation and a hint of apprehension.
— So, Silas, — Grok began, breaking the silence with his husky voice, — what are we going to do with this little beauty? We could sell it for a fortune! Just imagine what we could buy with that...
— Calm down, Grok, — Elara interrupted, her voice firm yet thoughtful. — Things aren't that simple. A gem like this doesn't go unnoticed. If we try to sell it openly, we'll attract the attention of all collectors, and worse, the Council.
— Elara is right, — Finn agreed, as he examined the gem with a magnocle in his right eye. — Soul Gems are more than mere objects of value; they possess a singular... energy. The Council has a great interest in them.
— And what is their interest? — Rix asked, feeling a little intimidated by the conversation, but curious to understand the importance of what he had found.
Silas looked at Rix, an enigmatic glint in his eyes. — The Council of Shadows, my young friend, is an organization that controls much more than you imagine. They manipulate the flow of wealth, settle disputes among the great guilds, and, above all, maintain balance... as they see fit. Soul Gems, they say, can amplify magical powers or even grant new abilities. The Council collects them, likely for their own obscure purposes.
— So, selling it is out of the question? — Grok asked, frowning.
— A direct sale would be suicide, — Silas replied. — But that doesn't mean we can't use it to our advantage.
Lyra, who had remained silent until then, spoke in a voice as soft as a husky whisper: — We could trade it. For information, for favors... perhaps even for protection.
— That's an interesting idea, Lyra, — Silas pondered. — But we need to know exactly what we have on our hands. Finn, can you sense anything from the gem? Any kind of resonance?
Finn extended a hesitant hand towards the gem, his thin fingers hovering over it without touching. He closed his left eye, adjusted the monocle as if focusing with his right eye, and furrowed his brow in concentration. After a few moments, he uncovered his right eye and opened both eyes, which gleamed with a strange light.
— There is... something here. An ancient, powerful energy. I feel echoes of emotions, of memories... as if the gem has absorbed something over the centuries.
— Memories? — Rix frowned. — Whose?
— It's hard to say, — Finn replied. — But it seems connected to a distant past, perhaps even to one of the founders of Setharis.
The revelation cast new significance upon the gem. It wasn't just a valuable object, but perhaps an artifact with a deep and mysterious history.
Silas stood up and began to pace the room, deep in thought. — We need to be cautious. This gem could be the key to something much larger than we imagine. Rix, you found it. That means you have a role in this.
Rix felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He, a mere Shadow Novice, was now at the center of something so important.
— What do you want me to do, Master? — he asked, his voice firm despite his lack of experience.
Silas stopped and looked at Rix with his piercing eyes. — I want you to learn about it. Finn will guide you in studying the history of Soul Gems, their possible uses, and the dangers they can represent. Lyra will teach you to be even more discreet and to move in the shadows without being noticed. Grok will help you defend yourself, should this gem attract the wrong kind of attention. And Elara will keep you informed of any rumors or unusual movements in the city.
Rix was surprised. He expected to be dismissed or perhaps receive a small reward. But being tasked with learning about the gem and being trained by the best in the guild was something he had never imagined.
— Thank you, Master, — he said, hiding his excitement and happiness. — I won't disappoint you.
— I know you won't, Rix, — Silas replied, a slight smile on his thin lips. — You showed courage and skill by bringing us this gem. Now, it's time to discover its true potential.
From that night on, Rix's life changed drastically. He spent hours with Finn, immersed in ancient books and dusty parchments, learning about the history of Soul Gems and the legends surrounding them. He discovered they were coveted not just for their value, but also for legends about their supposed powers: healing, strength, even the ability to manipulate time.
Lyra took him to the dark alleys and rooftops of the city, teaching him to move like a shadow, to disappear in broad daylight, and to use disguises to infiltrate anywhere. Grok subjected him to exhaustive exercises, strengthening his body and teaching him to fight with knives and other rogue's weapons. And Elara kept him updated on the latest happenings in the city, the movements of the Thieves' Guard, and the rumors circulating in the clandestine markets.
Rix absorbed all the knowledge like a sponge, his ambition growing each day, and he was no longer just a Shadow Novice. He was the bearer of a Soul Gem, and this placed him on a dangerous path, but also one full of possibilities. He knew that many in Setharis would give anything to have that gem in their hands, and he was determined to learn how to protect it and, who knows, to use its power to achieve his own goals. The taste of the soul was sweet and tempting, and Rix needed to be ready to taste it if necessary.