anyway. The subsequent formalities were only a matter of time.’ He took a sip of tea. ‘Of course, the official files from the Dragon Academy... were lost. Solvein’s documentation contains what I myself have confirmed.’
‘Thank you.’ Bleist was grateful from the bottom of his heart. Previously, he hadn't really thought about what was in the official documents, which had to be exchanged between Dagos and Atlantis, and now that he thought about it, he didn't even want to guess how many falsehoods they contained. ‘In light of all this, Gizel and I thought we should express our gratitude in some way.’ He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a thin, oblong box. He carefully handed it to the duke, who accepted the gift without a word. ‘I am well aware of your passion for the history of lost civilisations.’
The rector opened the box and carefully removed a thin, glass dagger covered with intricate decorations, which refracted the rays of light falling on it. It was a small, very intricate weapon, astonishing in its precision of workmanship.
‘A dagger from Al'Arad is a rarity.’ Von Konlah looked at the weapon with almost childlike fascination. He turned the small blade, watching the multicoloured light fall on the tabletop.
It was clear that the rector liked the gift. This was exactly what Darius had hoped for when he chose one of the trophies brought back by his father from his military campaign in Africa. This type of weapon came from the city of Al'Arad, located in the Tulkon enclave near the Eye of Africa. More precisely, from the Shehed ruins stretching along long underground corridors. Historians had different theories about the destruction of the original fortified settlement, but they agreed on the time of its demise, comparing it to the disappearance of Arayse. In any case, artefacts made with the magic of sand and heat lost centuries ago were sometimes discovered in the ruins. Among the specimens found, glass objects imbued with lost magic were extremely valuable.
The Duke smacked his lips with satisfaction and put
