The second the weapon is removed from play, she relaxes โ shoulders sinking down with a sigh through her nose.
Many times has Helene been asked a question like this โ BC to AD, yet for once she holds herself at an impasse.
Merlin pleads for a halfโtruth, and a halfโtruth
โ>
<โ
is (more or less) given.
"Helene Gascoigne. I recover artefacts from... well. Everywhere. Tombs, ancient Vatican hollows, Arthurian Mausoleums, caves and mountain hovels โ I find the descendents of the artefact and place it in their hands.
What they do with what
โ>
I wouldn't know โ I don't think I've chipped past the outer layer. The steel cracked for a second and fused back and eugh โ the dread.
"There'll be no discussion on the subject. I know what this is, and what it leads to. I assume you're eager to know, also, what it leads to."
Her thumb brushes over the stone slow, and it shimmers a pale red. A nearโexact copy of the Philosopher's Stone, forged at the exact
โ>
<โ
same time, yet likely used for something else entirely.
"I..."
Her right hand lifts, free, and she holds it up in surrender.
"Will offer you an accord. Come with me, listen to me talk and see the purpose for which this is used โ and if you remain thoroughly
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