The hollow was patrolled by three teams of two guards, which wasn't aot considering its size. Additionally, they remained near the temple in the middle at all times, so Isara was pretty much free to explore wherever she wanted.
There were five glowing green patches around the large space, which meant the array had asany separate parts.
'I'll start from the left side and go around the wall.'
The first section of the array she saw was a familiar one - it was the part responsible for powering the barrier.
Still, there were a few notable things she could learn about the whole magic circle from just this little piece. For one, the enchament was positively ancient, the runes used here were archaic, and therefore more difficult to interpret than their moder counterparts.
As centuries went by the symbols used in magic got simplified, and no one knows for sure how it happened, but there are two competing theories.
The 'will strengthening' theory postulates that with the humanity's growing understanding of magic, mages could better exert their will, and could therefore utilise simpler runes to achieve the same results. It also explains why some of the older symbols require less power to activate.
An alternative explanation is the 'magic adaptation' theory - according to that version of events the magic itself changed its language to better fit our needs, and be more understandable. It connects well with the fact that the oldest discovered runes don't work anymore.
Isara personally believed that the truth was somewhere in the middle, that it was the collective will of the humans that changed the magic to be more to their liking.
As she quietly mused about various magic theories, she was diligently studying the the runes carved into the wood.
'They're from around the same time as the ones in the temple of the old gods, that checks out with what Baor said on the first day.'
She was done with the first section, it provided her a few clues, but not much else.
'one done, four to go.'
Isara quickly approached the next part of the array, eager to get done with her job.
This one contained a lot of unfamiliar runes, but through the power of context and some expert-level guesswork, she pieced the enchantment together.
This section wasn't what she was looking for either - it was responsible for converting the divine power of nature into food, water and clothing.
She approached the next part and started reading it, but the first string of runes made alarm bells go off in her head.
This wasn't something an array like this should have.
Additionally, the symbols used here were significantly simpler than those before - this wasn't a part of the array originally, it was added much later, and judging by the difference in the shapes it was carved by a few people over a longer period of time.
It was a very weird magic circle to say the least.
Isara was almost certain this was what she was looking for, but she had to check the remaining two sections to be completely sure.
Reading this part was significantly easier due to the modern runes, so she burned it into her memory to study in detail later.
Predictably, the other parts were completely normal - the first one was supposed to restore the trees vitality and power by taking a miniscule amount of lifeforce from every plant and animal in the surrounding forest.
The second one was rather obsolete, as its purpose was to allow druids to commune with their deity.
'Okay, I'm done, time to go.'
She headed towards the gate, and was about to leave, but suddenly-
Isara came to a full stop, in order to avoid running into a pair of people.
Trent just entered the hollow, accompanied by one of the guards that were standing outside. Even though the cloak nullified any sounds she made, Isara still put a hand on her mouth to avoid breathing too loudly.
"Have you learned anything knew about the brats?" The Elder asked in a gruff irritated voice.
"No, Lord Elder, I'm afraid not." The guard answered.
Isara had to make a choice whether to follow them, Trent and his escort were talking quietly, and they were quickly getting out of earshot.
'Damn it, they're talking about us, I have to know.'
She decided to follow.
Isara was always three metres behind them, making sure she doesn't get too close, just in case.
"What about the spies?" Trent queried.
"The wyrm notices them right away, Lord Elder. Sending more is pointless." The guard shook his head.
"Cursed lizard." The Elder spat out.
The pair walked towards the temple in the middle at a fast pace, as Trent continued his interrogation:
"And the ritual?"
"The circle is almost complete Lord Elder, however..."
"Out with it, boy."
"The notes from esteemed master Gareth are damaged, Lord Elder, we're having difficult time piecing together the last few fragments."
Trent scoffed.
"You have until the end of the week to figure it out, and I don't want to hear any more excuses."
The elder turned back, and stormed off.
'I suppose that concludes my quest, time to go.'
***
Tharosk and Kaerith were stumped.
Half a day after leaving the reach of the creeping veil, they encounter a very strange sight. It was one of the old dustling temples, but it wasn't empty and dead like before.
The structure was surrounded by a golden dome, and all around it the filth of this world was growing.
"Should we try to go in?"
"I don't think it's safe, sir, I have a better idea."
The Mindcarver jumped of his mount, and approached a small group of Scratchers was jumping around nearby.
With trained precision and speed he quickly grabbed one of the creatures and squeezed it tightly. The creature squirmed under pressure, and tried to attack him, but he held on.
He brought the rodent to his mouth, bit down on it's head until it started bleeding, and then spat on the wound. When the viscous saliva seeped into the red holes the little beast grew still, and Its eyes became foggy.
Kaerith set the creature down on the ground.
"Go." He whispered.
The Scratcher followed his command and ran towards the barrier, and the moment it came in contact with the golden wall-
It burned.
As it slowly moved inside its body was incinerated, it's paws and snout turning to ash almost instantly.
But it kept going - because it had to.
A few seconds later nothing remained of the critter.
"You could've just chucked it inside." Tharosk commented.
"There are some barriers that stop fast objects but let slow ones in, sir."
"Is that so?" The Ravager scratched his chin. "Eh, no matter. If we can't go in we're going to the log, it's on the way to the reported settlement anyway."
"But sir, the power of this barrier isn't it similar to the one belonging to the... Ashwalker?" Kaerith whispered the last word.
"Bah, don't tell me you believe in that garbage? It's just a fairytale dustlings tell they children."
Kaerith quickly corrected himself.
"No, of course not, sir, it was just an observation." The Mindcarver mounted his steed. "Are we going to do something about this, sir?"
Tharosk shrugged.
"We'll report it to the imperial Pathseeker once we get back - since we can't enter it's not our problem. Now let's go, we have to get to the log before nightfall."
Since his commander declared as such, Kaerith could only follow.
***
Isara was back at her room, sipping herbal tea, and discussing what she discovered with her friends.
"I'll get you something to draw, so you can show me that magic circle." Calen said, and left the room.
He came back two minutes later, holding a piece of paper and a charcoal pencil. Isara took both Items, and started sketching the erratic pattern she saw in the hollow.
When she was done, Calen started studying the enchantment.
"Fuck."
That was all he said.
"Yeah." Isara agreed.
"Um, excuse me, but Cass and I can't read runes, would you care to explain what's so bad about this?" Elira asked in a slightly exasperated voice.
Isara smiled sheepishly.
"Right, sorry. Cal, you're better at explaining stuff, could you...?"
"Sure. What we have here is essentially a two layered magic circle, with the second one being added afterwards to change the function of the entire enchantment."
"What did it do originally?" Cassian asked.
"It was supposed to burn down the Great tree."
Elira and Cassian started at him with wide eyes.
"I know it sounds bad, but there's a very logical explanation if you think about it. It was likely a safeguard in the event that the tree would become corrupted - it's much better to destroy it, than to let Blight take it over."
"What about the newer parts then?"
"Well, that's the concerning part." Calen sighed. "It's supposed to take the remaining lifeforce of the tree, as well as everyone in Greenheart, and funnel it all into one person."
Isara nodded.
"In short, Trent is planning to make himself into a demigod by sacrificing a piece of divine power and three thousand lives."