by SALSAlys » Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:15 am
Sylavi signed a query for directions at a Myrmian, who nodded, rapidly signing the answer and then pointing to the buildings on the cliff.
Derrik could see pouches, cloths, jewellery, and various food items on display, although nothing in particular caught his eye before Sylavi led the way to the cliff.
The group had to go within the caves, stepping through the entrance. Inside, they found it quite well-lit with torches that were apparently magical, as they didn't consume the wood they were on. Then, the path split into many directions, although the instructions had said to continue straight, which they did, until they reached a stairwell carved into the rock, which had a patch of light shining in from the ceiling— the exit, although it seemed like Eduardo would be unable to take it, except they noticed a platform that seemed expressly for the sick, elderly, or very young; powered by a treadmill, the crew of which were currently inactive until Sylavi stated their need.
With that, Eduardo went onto the crude elevator— Jenni with him, as usual— while the others were climbing the stairs. On the long climb, they made better time than Jenni and Eduardo, although the nurse and doctor were considerably more rested when they reached the top than the others.
At top, the two buildings were much more distinct— the smaller one which had the sedate Myrmians drifting in and out, along with a few Eyallan scholars, was much less small than it had seemed at first glance; not as large as their spaceship, perhaps, but not much smaller. Over it, in lines which appeared to writhe if stared at for too long, were words that Sylavi translated as "Stores of Knowledge"; the library.
The other building attracted Candice's attention though; immense, with the sandy exterior shaped into patterns like waves, with blue jewels sprinkled about the wall, catching the sun and reflected scintillating blue lights across the ground. The threshhold had mats of dried seaweed laid down, and from what they could see of the interior, it had a mosaic of semiprecious stones across the floor; mostly purples, blues, and greens.