IC 1: The Island of Rangi Motu
Turaga Zuhras turned and relaxed his posture, letting his hands slip from the flat stone into a gesture of greeting. "It is no trouble," he replied to Lutorian. "My body grows tired, but my mind does not."
The Turaga of Earth took the tablets when Tameku offered them, and read each line carefully while listening to the Bo-Matoran's words. His expression grew concerned. "I will need to confer with my fellow Turaga about this," Zuhras said, frowning. "Perhaps we must bring the artifacts together after all, if the situation grows any more dire. With the threat of Dark Hunters our shrines are no longer safe. We must search for their ship. Hopefully the Hunters will feel confident enough to stay on the island, and not send away the artifact they have already taken..."
"You are right about the shrines," the Turaga continued: "The artifacts harness power, and the shrines direct it so as to not disrupt the natural order. It is not the entire truth, however - a Toa of the right element could fulfill the purpose of both a shrine and an artifact, and control their power safely. Alas, we have none."
He stroked his chin, deep in thought. "Perhaps Turaga Tiowaka - up on the glacier - would know a safe method to carry and store them; the Ko-Matoran are well stocked with science equipment, and Tiowaka was always interested in studying the artifacts. I should think such research would require safety first and foremost. He's had some... lapses in judgement, but he's never been reckless."
Zuhras shifted one tablet behind the other and glanced quickly at the text for a second time. A humored smirk suddenly appeared in his face. "The Dark Hunters fear Turaga Ponolu, it seems. Rightfully so! Inside the walls of his fortress is the safest place you can be, and the Fe-Matoran will endure any hardship. Even the Skakdi are reluctant to harass them. Go there if you ever need shelter from evil."
He grew concerned once more. "If the Dark Hunters aim for the easiest marks first, they will take the mountain path. The Ko-Matoran possess two artifacts, and few warriors. Luckily the Hunters fled west, and will have to take a long round-trip if they wish to go this route."
"I will send messengers to warn the other villagers of the Dark Hunters, and ask to convene with their Turaga. Wherever you choose to go, please do the same."
Suggestions for places to go next:
* Follow the Dark Hunters west, to the desert, and perhaps seek out the fortress there.
* Look for the Dark Hunter ship along the coastline.
* Find Tiowaka in the glacier village and ask about how to transport artifacts.
* Try to find any of the lost Matoran who may know more.
* Go back into the abandoned mine before Zuhras has the tunnel sealed off.
* Check out one of the other locations on the list.