The Life of an Immortal: The Ghost City

## Book Description

#### Chapter One: Just Another Night

Finn is having recurring dreams about the destruction of Valsalt. He assumes it's because he improperly used magic on Blaine to revive him. As he goes to find Silas, he meets Bero who has been staying at their home since they got back from Dynnas. Bero hasn't been able to sleep since they returned and he mentions that Silas has been restless as well. They both go out to search for him.

#### Chapter Two: A Golem's Duty

After searching for a while, Finn thinks to check Silas's stone den. Once there, they hear an odd booming voice coming from deep in the forest. Finn goes to check it out while Bero stays at the den. Finn runs into Silas, who eventually explains that he was checking on Roal's work. Roal has been creating a stone wall to replace the Doliri Shara to protect them from attacks from the Mortals.

Finn argues that Silas has not told him anything more about his duty and Silas says this is because things are not yet in place. He says he needs to leave soon to obtain something for this duty, but refuses to explain what it is. He explains the Bulwark Guild is a group of Immortals that will take his place once he has left.

Finn has the dream again and Bero tells him he needs to talk to Silas about it. Finn doesn't like the sound of this, but agrees to it. Several days later, Silas takes Finn to Roal to show the work he has done. On the way, Finn asks Silas about the dream. Silas does not have any answers.

They meet with Roal and Silas negotiates an earlier date for the wall to be finished. Silas then asks Roal about Finn's dreams and Roal suggests going to see the Oracle. Two days later, Silas sees Finn off to meet the Oracle. Bero has agreed to go with him and Theran was coerced to join, much to Finn's chagrin.

#### Chapter Three: The Death of a Count

Princess Frina is attending the funeral of Count Lushard Bimbleshood, Lord of Calgo, and father of Pippy Bimbleshood. As men are carrying out the casket, one of them loses his grip and causes the casket to fall, revealing the body. He proceeds to run off as the entire building begins to rouse.

At the Sleepy Salamander, Frina is explaining to Gil what had happened when she sees the young man who dropped the casket alone at a table. She joins him and inquires him on what had happened. He says the Count's skin had turned green and ash was leaking out from all of his orifices. Frina considers if the Count could have been a magician, but her mind then worries if the magistrate has returned.

She is caught off guard by Gil laughing - something he never does. She returns to the innkeeper and is introduced to Rophas Thomadall, an old Devisor friend of Gil's. Frina is smitten by the man especially when he says he supports the Immortals - unlike the majority of Dynnas. After he heads to bed, Frina asks Gil if he knew much about the Count. Gil mentions that Sahl practiced under him for a while so Frina decides to pay him a visit the next day.

Frina had been hesitant with visiting Sahl ever since he had been attacked by the magistrate's mutated beast - he has been easy to anger since then - so she brings Marell with her. After discussing it for a bit, they all reckon it's possible a group of magicians exist in Dynnas. Before they can discuss what they should do about it, a depressed Pippy enters with a note from her father. After reading through the letter, it's agreed the Count was murdered. Frina thinks she knows someone who may be able to help.

#### Chapter Four: Remembering the Forgotten

Finn, Bero, and Theran spend their first days bickering back and forth. Theran constantly claims to have a headache. She soon begins to worry Finn and Bero by speaking a strange language and stating knowledge she shouldn't know. Theran claims it's the lack of Hutha Shi, a drink Silas forbade her to take.

Finn is disgruntled that Theran has taken lead of the trip when he was supposed to be the Last Immortal. To get back at her, he plans to prank her by sticking a sap-covered blanket on her while she's sleeping. Before he has the chance, the call of the Leucrota is heard, waking Theran. The creature now has wings and flies down to attack the Immortals. Bero is wounded by the Leucrota before Theran kills it. He begins to go limp so Theran gets the idea to gather some flowers she knows will stiffen the muscles, hoping the two poisons will counter each other. It works and they are able to continue toward the Oracle - Finn bothered by Theran's seeming jealousy and Theran by Finn's ignorance.

#### Chapter Five: The Oracle

They enter the Oracle's house where the mysterious woman greets them. Finn asks why he is having his recurring dream and the Oracle tells him he knows and should admit it to everyone. He tells the tale of healing Blaine, but the Oracle says this is not why he is having the dream, rather it was because of the magistrate's blade that the king stabbed him with and that the dream will end when he wishes it to.

Theran asks what is happening to her and the Oracle answers that the Hutha Shi has drugged her and taken away the memory of who she really was. She tells Theran to rid the Immortals of the cursed drink.

Bero blurts out his question, asking if Valsalt is going to be destroyed. Finn is shocked by this question and wonders why Bero asked it. The Oracle answers with a poem in a language that Finn does not understand.

The Oracle then sends them back to the middle of the forest where they discuss the Oracle's answers. Theran translates the oracle's poem: East to South and South to West, to keep the Silent Woman at rest....

They hurry home when Theran realizes that something the Oracle said worries her about the safety of their home.