Free The Artifacts Of Elios (Book 1) by R N Skye Page A

Infin.  Not to mention that my father sits on the commerce advisory committee to the Luion Premiere.  Meaning that if we aren’t careful this could lead to an international incident if not outright war”
    “I have never been much for politics,” Shane countered thoughtfully.  “I am however all about knowledge and I am definitely against withholding it from those that seek it.  I never really sought after magetech and glyph-magery to be rich; I just wanted to solve the puzzles to make discoveries and maybe improve the world a little.  Ok maybe get rich a little bit,” he laughed, “If what you say is correct then you can count me in.”
    “But it is true, Shane,” said Ava.  “Allion the Third is systematically destroying the magetech trade - becoming more and more a dictator and less a monarch every day.”
    “Well,” said Shane, “In for a copper in for a crown as they say.”
    “Now I have a secret for you,” Shane said mischievously.
    “What…” she started to say.
    Shane put his finger to her lips hushing her.  “My turn,” he laughed.  “Mine isn’t as adventurous as yours but it certainly has its merits.”  Shane paused dramatically and whispered into her ear.  “I may have figured out a way to create our own artifacts.”
    “Shane!  That’s amazing,” she barely kept from shouting.  Then she started giggling.
    “What’s so funny,” asked Shane with a puzzled look.
    “ Your lips tickled my ear when you were whispering to me just now,” She giggled again.  “And here we are discussing such a serious topic and everything seems suddenly so romantic. Come on whisper some more.” She coyly looked at him with sparkling eyes and then grinned.
    Suddenly aware of his surroundings Shane blushed and looked around.  “Ava, there are people here.
    Taking pity she freed him from his embarrassment, “Come on let’s eat and then get to the lab and you can show me what you’ve found.”
    That evening at the lab Ava and Shane had to hold off on discussing Shane’s discoveries as they were forced to plod their way through several newly arrived artifacts that had been delivered that day.  Shane was aching to get to work on the instructor but there seemed to be more of the group present this particular evening and the Professor was working late as well.
    The rumor for the increase in artifacts was due to a recent grant from the crown to use the collegiums resources to analyze and catalog several dozen never before encountered artifacts.  The professor had told the class that the word on the grapevine was that an island had been discovered that had an entire city unscathed that may be dated back to the time of the vanishing of the Elios.
    Finally after all of the artifact group had eventually trickled away only the professor, Shane and Ava remained in the lab.
    “Shane, Ava,” the professor said, shattering the silence as both of his prize students were intently documenting a large cylindrical artifact.
    They looked up. “Yes.” they asked.
    “If you have a moment I have some good news for the both of you.”   Seeing that he had both of their attention he continued.  “As you can tell the IDAD has happened on to some new and very mysterious artifacts,” he pointed at the table filled with the new artifacts along the back wall of the lab.  “They have provided the university with a small sample of artifacts for us to research; as you have seen by the many that were delivered today.  They have also requested that if I have any last year students that are interested and capable that I share an opportunity to attend a semester on expedition at a crown discovery for the next semester. 
    The discovery is on an island.  The exact location is very secret and those that go will not be told where; they will be put on a crown naval vessel and transported to an unspecified location for the duration of the expedition.  I would like to submit your names.
    You are two of my top students