Episode 92 - Precious Powder

## Synopsis

After waking, Serinepth checked up on Phillip one more time before heading to the Abjuration Department. Looking inside, she saw Professor Deeptar’s office was closed, and started to search for Professor Nalder.

Heading up some stairs, she found his office and knocked on the door. Sitting at a desk was the small, gnomish figure of Professor Nalder. He invited her in to sit down, and she waited as he finished his paperwork.

After a moment, he put the papers aside and asked what he could do for her. Serinepth explained their situation: The fires, the pebbles, and the voice telling her about the “*world-snuffer”*.

He opened his desk drawer, taking out a beautifully carved candle snuffer. He explained it was a magic item he had created that absorbed primordial elemental energy and transformed it into a less harmful form. After hearing about the threats made against her family, Nalder gave Serinepth the snuffer, as he had the notes and experience to make another if needed.

As thanks for his help, Serinepth allowed Nalder to use her story for his application as headmaster.

Back at Artis’ Cottage, the students except for Delnys woke to the sound of a storm approaching. Integrity began making a mind map to brainstorm ideas to beat Neska. Winsler told his friends about the dream he’d had, and the group commiserated on having dreams from other entities. He then tried to convince the group that the only way they would ever feel safe again would be to fight Neska, to Mira’s immediate concern. Integrity heard the echos of the Progenitor’s message in her head, and agreed with Winsler.

Seeing her friends set on fighting, Mira reluctantly agreed to go with them, saying she needed to be there to bring them back if something went wrong. Mira had her friends write a note for Delnys, telling her what was happening and that they would talk afterwards. Integrity wrote a letter to her parents, to be opened if she died.

With Yog in tow, they met up with Serinepth and set off for the Cannon Lab. To the left, Yog was looking at a post board covered in Cyndra’s “*End Golem Imprisonment*” posters.

They opened the door, and immediately heard the loud explosions of cannon fire that had been muffled by the soundproofed doors. On one side there were desks with papers strewn across them and several barrels of black powder. On the other a wall separated an extended room, in which stood three cannons, two large and one smaller.

A large tiefling man with glasses and loose shirt stood with the man known to most of SWIM as Cannon Nathan. They looked over and saw the students, and Professor Gonzalez asked how we could help them. Mira said they wanted some of the black powder for a school project, though even with Cannon Nathan vouching for them, Gonzalez refused to give them any as they were not members of the Cannon Lab.

They managed to convince him that Cannon Nathan was also part of the project, and he agreed to give them three barrels, saying he would remember their faces if anything blew up. Cannon Nathan picked up the barrels of powder, and the group left the Lab.

As they left, Winsler noticed Yog looking at the posters again. He asked what was wrong, and Yog said they were learning to read, saying they only knew the words “*yoghurt*”, “*milk*”, and “*golem”*, pointing to where “*golem*” was written on the sign. Winsler held their hand, saying that when they’d finished with Neska, he could teach them to read.