Research, and Lynne back from her walk
Jason comes back from escorting Lynne to the door, and heard Karen on the phone having a fairly lengthy conversation, aparently with Nathaniel. He was not sure how long it would take, but till it was over at the least, he had time to himself.
Jason retired to the study and...studied. He intended going to look into the thorn and see if he could figure out what it was, where it came from, how it was used, etc. Lynne and Karen should be able to deal with Nathaniel, Karlial and Ethereal Skies he reasoned. For the next few hours at least.
He resolved that if he had time, before his six hours were up, he would research everything he could find on Azazel as well.
First things first, Jason looked up a few books he recalled mentioning things about Novalis and objects she had contributed in the making of. This thorn struck a few unusual chords, because of Novalis' pacifism, and this obviously being a weapon or having weapon applications, there were only a few possibilities.
He found one useful reference in a book of herbology, written by Darwin in his early years.
"... most effecatious plant toxins are extracted from fruits or leaves or stems of the plants themselves... it seems that plants rarely require toxins strong enough to kill in their distancing defence mechanisms, such as thorns. But, to discourage being eaten, they will go to any lengths. The noteworthy exceptions include the Nodens Agripia (the lavender jungle creeper) and the Majestix Conculer (the crown of thorns vine)..."
And another in a text written in the 900s by a little known Armenian monk and martyr. Roughly translated it went something like;
"... though nary a once have I been mistreated so bad save to when I was scourged as Christ was upon the tree and hung by my ankles, and pressed against it. The blood flowed in never ending rivulets till I had thought I could have no blood left in me. But a miracle came upon me by the grace of the angels and though I bled as though it would never end, never did I die on the tree. Still I bear the stigmata on my back, and the pain never ends..."
And yet another, this time by Brialphan, a Seraphim of Destiny, writing prophesy in England in the 1500s. Jason recalled that Brialphan was working in New Zealand the last time he knew, about twenty years ago.
"She who is Flowers gave the ill plant her full attention, but cursed it was by the action it had been used for. That which even unwittingly drew the blood of the Most Holy would never fully be bent towards peace. The flowers that bloomed there upon the vine were red. Then it was stolen from the Garden by one of the most audacious of the Theives, Kleft was its name, once of the choir of the Wheels. Whence it was taken, can only be guessed, but my fears are that War saught it, to bend it once more to violence."
Jason noted the time. An hour or so had passed. Karen seemed lost on the internet, and Lynne was waiting patiently for them to finish before interrupting.
Jason pondered what angle to research next... There was the possibility of theological references from any of the names or words that had come up in his studies, or more herbology with those names in hand... or looking up writings of Novalis' people on the subject of weapons they have made.
The current thought he had was that the thorn was created (possibly) to keep Jesus alive. Potentially it had the power to hurt or heal... at least to some extent. He decided look up Majestix Conculer, and anything that can be found about the 'Crown of Thorns' Jesus wore.
But first, he wanted to see if Lynne needed anything, wanted anything, knew anything.
Jason looked up from a small, leather-bound book with gold leaf. The book was beautifully preserved although obviously several hundred years old. Looking at Orli he said "I found some references that indicate that the 'thorn in Karen's side'" he flashed a smile "may be related to the ones in the Crown of Thorns that Jesus wore. They seem to have been created by Novalis and someone else, but their purpose and manufacture are still a bit of a mystery. Did I miss anything in the last..." he checked his watch "hour?"
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