|
Qwyfyx was becoming more and more perplexed. Everybody seemed to have a different idea about the Philosopher's Stone and he felt that he was no closer to finding it now than he had been at the beginning. "Perhaps I can help you?" The voice of Cecilia the Musician was as sweet and melodic as her playing. Qwyfyx could hardly believe his eyes. He hadn't noticed her until now. "Oh! I wish you could help me," he said plaintively. Cecilia stopped playing and stood. "Don't listen to Andrea, he only understands painting. Of more spiritual matters he is totally ignorant." |
|
|
Qwyfyx had the strange sensation that he had seen her before. As she approached, his heart began to pound, his ears reddened and he was rendered totally speechless. Her fine perfume filled the air and he began to think that he may well have drowned after all, that surely this must be heaven. |
|
"I have heard that the Philosopher's Stone is to be found in the depths of the earth," she said. "They say that it is in the muck and mire and is of such common appearance that one might simply overlook it. Perhaps if you had a map?" "A map, w-well I have this," stammered Qwyfyx, taking the scroll from his bag. "But I can't seem to unroll it." Again he tried. This time the scroll did give a little and two sheets of paper fell from it, fluttering to the floor. 
|
|
 |
"This is a manuscript," Cecilia said as she took the papers back to the harpsichord and sat down. "I shall play the music for you." Awestruck, Qwyfyx listened as once again the huge room was filled with a sweet melody. But what was this trembling feeling in his hand? He looked at the scroll, which was behaving most oddly. It was discharging blue sparks and making little rustling sounds. Then, just as Cecilia played the last note of the manuscript, the scroll flew open. There was a great flash of white light and the room and everything in it vanished.
|
|
