The gift of ash

[Nephrite]

"Please give Lord Raziel and Lord Sealtiel my personal apologies." He says. "You can tell them Moore did it, they'll probably understand." A smile and a bow. "Please, if you ever have time, come to Hope's Landing - I'm sure Grias would be more than happy to see another lantern archon with as much pep as you."

[Anastasia]

A gasp, "How did you know!?" he blurts out, "O-okay! I'll be honored to!"

[Nephrite]

Moore smiles and offers a bow. "I'm an ally of Celestia, I suppose is the basest reason. Thank you for your service to us." He says before he starts to continue on.

[Anastasia]

As you go, "Good moral lessons don't involve sinking into platinum," Kaja remarks, still smiling. "Lesson learned, Moore?"

[Nephrite]

"I was thinking so outside the box I left the box entirely and went to another plane of existence." Moore says as they go.

[Anastasia]

A loud laugh as you go, Kaja's mirth like the crackle of a hearthfire in winter. Ahead is another little recess with another book, if you care to read it.

[Nephrite]

It would be rude not to!

[Anastasia]

It reads as follows:

No one can walk the Holy Mountain for you.

No one walks the Holy Mountain alone.

From there, it's an image of a man, a traveler. He reaches up above, to which a shining, glorious hand reaches down to clasp his own.

[Nephrite]

"I see why you interpreted it your way." Moore says. "I was too esoteric, and you were too literal." He says with a hearty laugh. "I guess we both have more wisdom to learn, as we do every day."

Onward they go!

[Anastasia]

As you go you, "It may be best that this story does not reach the others." Cresiel agrees.

[Nephrite]

Moore snorts as a broad grin crosses his face. "Why, Cresiel, I've never known you to be so prideful." He says as he flies along. "We'll tell them if we finish all the trials."

[Anastasia]

Cresiel endures that with great fortitude.

Ahead is a sharp rise up a tunnel. It's very steep, you'd have to walk very carefully to ascend. On the wall nearby is an old, pitted and burnt metal tower shield.

[Nephrite]

"Well, the last time I guessed I got it completely wrong." Moore admits. "But my thinking is you use the shield and hold it forward as you go up."

[Anastasia]

"This one seems simple," Kaja says as Cresiel takes the shield. "Deception isn't the normal style of Celestia, but they'll let you try and fail until you grasp a lesson."

[Nephrite]

"It wouldn't feel right to pretty the shield up, though it's within our power." Moore says. "The humblest of things find a way to impress you."