Challenge #04463-L079: Sacrifice For Knowledge

And you can add the rest of the Gekk mantra if you like. Eye opener, heart starter, friend in Long nights assignments. Have fun. -- She Who Knits

[AN: Reminder that the titles of prompt posts do not count for the prompt. I have to use what you put inside the post]

"It is said that the Gekk knew a mantra that could restart hearts and open eyes. Friend of the long night. Alas, what is meant by that saying is lost. Just like the Gekk civilisation," said the Keeper of Tomes. "All we have are fragments. Hints. If we could recover the ancient magics... If we could learn again what they knew but we lost in the wars... I'm sure you can imagine the good that could be done."

The Adventurers looked at the paltry fragments that had once been an entire stela. Arranged into what the archeologists supposed was its original shape, based entirely on art fragments and the lines featured on them. "That's some big guesses," said the Wizard. "Temporal magics require a lot of effort. Even if we appealed to Nanogh, there's a chance we won't make it back. The destruction of history as its known is a huge risk."

"Lucky there's not a lot of history about the Gekk," offered the Rogue. "It won't wreck much if there's no records to wreck."

"I do propose something a lot less impactful," said the Keeper of Tomes. "We know the location of one Gekk town. We have some Faekindred who can send you to the time in which it was last inhabited. All you need to do is obtain or make any copies of writing that you can find in one hour. "We can provide items that will help. All that's necessary are your eyes and ears. Take only copies. Leave everything else alone."

"You do know you're talking to Adventurers, right?" said their Cleric. "No plan ever survives the first encounter."

"This is also why we request that you leave all weaponry in the present day," said the Keeper of Tomes. "You will be under a geas of peace for the duration. And we'll instill some insect repulsion charms on your footwear and clothing. Just to be certain that little interference occurs. History, despite what you may think of it, must be preserved."

They thought they had thought of everything. But with time travel, that assumption was never certain. The Adventurers went, all five of them.

Three came back alive. The other two had perished. Now there was an extra piece in the stela, and a translation.

Trespassers will be executed.

[Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash]

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