Shawn had heard enough of these old men's familiar arguments.
Knowing did not mean he would immediately pick a fight, but he could start laying plans in advance.
Shawn spoke firmly.
"Headmaster, I think you'd be better off telling me. Otherwise, this cooperation hardly seems sincere."
Dumbledore considered his earlier discussion with Gellert about how to guide Shawn.
It seemed Gellert understood Shawn better after all. With little choice, Dumbledore said,
"Who knows how many truths have been buried throughout history, or how many brilliant wizards, dark and otherwise, have left contingency plans behind? All of these affect the stability of this world.
As an old Chinese saying goes, tug one strand and the whole web moves. And Herpo the Foul, evil though he was, may indeed still be alive.
The most recent sign of his presence was the outbreak of the Black Death several centuries ago. Beyond that, I know very little."
Although Shawn was surprised that Herpo the Foul was connected to the outbreak of the Black Death, this was all ancient history. It could be useful, but it might just as easily be of no use at all.
And Dumbledore was still shrouding everything in vague words, unwilling to explain it fully.
Shawn thought for a moment, then said,
"Headmaster, I know more than you might imagine. Perhaps we could even exchange information."
Dumbledore asked with interest,
"What do you know that I don't?"
Shawn weighed his words, then offered a rough deduction.
"For example, Albania was within the territory ruled by Ancient Greece. Herpo the Foul invented Horcruxes, and his temple is hidden there as well. Perhaps it even contains a Horcrux belonging to that Dark Wizard who should have died long ago."
Dumbledore rubbed his crooked nose, then picked up a cup of "Tadpole Abode"