Codex text
A page torn out of a journal:
We found it. A complete circle.
It wasn't in Arlathan. It was in the Deep Roads, of all places.
Someone heard what sounded like halla coming from a fissure. Taeryn and l, as the Keeper's Second and First, were asked to take a look and see if any of our animals had gone missing.
We went down into the Deep Roads and followed the sound. Could tell by the echoes that they were some ways in, so we got ready for a journey.
Eventually we found them in a chamber farther in, just as we'd expected. It was dark. I mean, it's dark nearly everywhere in the Deep Roads, but even the light spell that Taeryn had cast started to sputter out when we entered the room.
The air felt greasy, almost like we were pushing through it. But we made it to where the halla were cowering, and I saw it: a complete circle.
I took it. It was strangely cold to the touch. Even now, next to the fire, it stays cold.
And there's a marking. White lines and black triangles. I wonder what it means.
—Saeris, First of Clan Ersallae