The Atlas of Old
"How could the Atlas of Old be an empty book?” you ask yourself, even though Burt walks next to you.
“I think Mr. Sprinkles gave you a fake,” Burt says, sounding suspicious.
“No, I think this is it. We just have to figure out how to use it.”
“It’s not hard to use a map. This,” Burt says, pointing at the book. “This is not a map.”
You both make your way to the Grand Library of Wisteria in the heart of the city. You begin your search for anything that involves maps and atlases. Then you move to old scrolls involving history, most of which are only about the Western Kingdoms. There is no mention of the Atlas of Old anywhere.
“Momma! Momma! Look! It’s a story about sea creatures!” A young fry comes running out of the mythical section towards his mother.
“Shhh, we must keep our voices down in the library, honey,” the mother replies, picking up her son.
“That’s it,” you say to yourself. You grab Burt and head towards the Mythical/Fiction section of the library. If the legend of the Atlas of Old became a myth passed down by generations, wouldn’t you find it here? You begin scanning the books for hints.
“I don’t think we’ll find it here,” Burt says, looking around. “It’s mostly children's books.”
“Ah-ha!” You spring up with a book in your hand.
“'The Great Pond: From Here to There, A Bit of Everywhere'. Wonderful,” Burt says.
“That didn’t sound sincere,” you say, taking the book over to a reading table.
“It doesn’t look like anything special,” Burt says. “Come on, let’s try our luck playing some cards.”
“No, no, no, it’s not about the book. It’s about the person who wrote it,” I say, pointing at the author's name, Dronato Krake.
“Who’s that?” Burt asks.
“The first and only whisker to sail around the entire Great Pond. He’s seen it all! How do you not know, Dronato Krake?!” you accidentally yell.
In the Library…
Everyone in the library participates in unison.
“Shhhhh.”
You lower your voice.
“If anyone knew how this map worked, it would be him.”
“Well, that was centuries ago, right? So he’s dead. Now what?”
“I’m not sure, but what was that old saying he had?” You look at Burt, pensively. “Something about being great even if you were small?”
“Oh yeah, you’re onto something there,” Burt says sarcastically.
“No, it was something like...oh! 'Greatness from small beginnings,'” you say. Suddenly, the Atlas of Old begins to shake in your pack.
“Uh, Burt, something is happening,” you say as you pull out the atlas.
“We’re onto something here!” Burt exclaims, though you know he hasn't done much to deserve the “we.”
You open the book and look at the pages. They’re still blank, but the book has a slight pulse. You lean in closer and whisper,
“Greatness from small beginnings.”
The Atlas of Old begins to flip through its pages as if there is a strong gust in the library. You look at Burt, nervous about what could happen. It’s working, but the map isn’t on the pages yet. The book settles down, and you remember there was more to what Dronato Krake said. You grab his book and flip through it as quickly as possible but can’t find any more to the phrase. Frustrated, you close the book, leaving it facedown when you notice the words on the back cover:
“Sic Parva Manga, Omnia Mors Aequat. Greatness from small beginnings, death makes all things equal.”
“That’s it, Burt! Ok, keep calm. We can’t let everyone know what we have.” Burt nods. You lean towards the book again and whisper,
“Sic parva manga, omnia mors aequat...”
You and Burt gaze at the mysterious script. Can you solve the riddles?
This quest has been completed! If you’re curious about the answers to the riddles…
Fireball, Tide, Landslide, and Tempest