QUEST FOR THE SEALS, PART II

The High One spoke, the Holy Elijah:
"Not for seeking is the second Seal.
That Seal was lost through long ages,
its substance faded in the fabric of Valorn."

"To call it forth, created anew,
of rainbow light reborn it must be:
red and orange, rich and glowing,
Sunrifter's yellow, springtime green,
blue as the sky, brown as the earth,
royal purple and precious gold,
and moonbright silver, shining and pure."

"With the strength of all we summon this Seal,
the young and willing, the wise in battle.
At eighteen marcs, to Milltown's shrine,
by godly mist guarded from evil,
bring of your bounty, your battle-prizes,
newly gathered, gained by striving.
Of many levels, mighty and lesser,
of many hues, from the heart's gifts,
to regain the Seal, by the gods' will."

They heard his words, the heroes of Valorn;
but evil listened, learning their plans,
and lurked in shadows, leaping from darkness
to rip a ratskin from a rogue's head.
Fine jewels were lost, limpid water gems
snatched and stolen by snarling demons.
Glowing soul stones, silken garments,
by demon talons were torn away.

Still the adventurers, valiant hunters,
made haste to Milltown with many gifts,
won by hard fight from foes and danger.
By sacred mist safely defended,
they heeded the words of the High One of Valorn.

T'yandra Stallheart stood beside him,
at his right hand, holy and powerful
hammer-bearer, battle-cleric.
She swore an oath, stern defender,
to die at the door ere demons entered.
But the mist held, the holy protection;
no evil thing entered that shrine.

Clear-sighted Elijah called to the people,
"Watch and wait for my word and sign,
to bring to the altar your best offerings
of Valorn's colors, in careful order."

First he summoned Sunrifter's yellow:
fine silk clothing, fruit of korunga,
soul stones shining from the sinister Wall:
the bright color covered the altar.

Orange he named the next brought forward:
from the fierce depths of fiery caverns,
burning demon hearts, bright and heavy,
and glowing lava rocks gleamed on the altar.

Red was the color called in its turn:
fresh bos meat, a fireworm cloak,
silks like blood, sunset-colored,
dazzled the eye, adorned the altar.

Purple was next, proud and royal:
simple fabrics, fine bunnyfuz,
and silk well-dyed, deeply hued:
beautiful garments graced the altar.

The next was blue, bright sky-color:
crystals of ice from cold caverns,
clear water-gems from western forests,
cerulean glory glowed on the altar.

Green was the last, with generous gifts:
rare fine jewels, jellies hardened,
tree moss tea, thistles of Verthedge,
a glowing short sword shone on the altar.

Elijah spoke. "Still we require
a base for the Seal, a strong foundation."
To build that base, brown was the color:
hats of ratskin, hides of war moose
and raging bears were brought to the altar.

"To finish the Seal, the final stroke,
precious gold, purest of metals,
and mirror-bright silver make all complete."

Thus spake Elijah, with T'yandra beside him.
Treasures in hand, the heroes of Valorn
brought to the altar amulets of gold
and golden rings, round and shining,
bands of silver, beautiful bracelets,
and solid amulets shimmered on the altar.

The holy Elijah his hands upraised,
praying to Ben, Builder of Worlds,
and the World Mover, mighty Cory.

Above the altar the air grew bright
as skies after rain; a radiant warmth
and a band of color burst into light,
forming a crystal, a flawless gem,
a perfect prism of Cory's Protection.

Now in the shrine, the second Seal
was made complete, prism of light,
fair-hued rainbow, risen in triumph
by the gods' blessing and the bravery of Valorn.