In A Time Of Darkness
Page 65
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Though Kalinies had spent most of his life staring at books, he was growing weary; and the King was growing impatient. “Nothing?” Idimus asked, a slight sting in his voice.
Since Kalinies knew not where to start, he had even less than that. But he would never tell the King. “Little my Lord, most of what I’ve found is regarding Highlace.”
The King sneered, bored and wishing to leave him here until he found something. But that could take days, even weeks. He considered helping or sending in others, but such a task was beneath him and he didn’t trust anyone else with such information.
Kalinies moved from shelf to shelf removing books of all sizes—leather bound, hard cover, journals—anything he thought would be of use. But none were. He would thumb through them and find nothing and then place them back upon the shelf before moving on to the next. Unfortunately, Idimus cared little for the archives so he made no attempt to maintain or even organize them. Books were simply placed where they would fit. It may take a lifetime to find what they were looking for. Idimus’ lack of culture and appreciation were now haunting him in the form of a cluttered, disorganized library. Yet he blamed Kalinies for not being smart enough. And if he didn’t find something soon, a punishment may arise, “Tell me something. Anything.”
The Wizard sighed and tucked another book back on the shelf. “Nothing.” He could feel Idimus’ cold, hard eyes on the back of his head. So he stumbled and tried to regain at least a bit of hope back from the King. “Regarding Valaira or the plague she’s named after…but I have discovered a great deal more about Grahamas.”
He heard no words, only a slight growl that came from Idimus and then the creak of the door. Kalinies thought nothing of it, it was a welcome sound—perhaps he would not have peace in his search without having someone looking over his shoulder. “Find it…” Idimus finally said, the door slamming shut. Then, Kalinies heard the thud of the barricade falling into place on the other side.
The Wizard stared for a moment, part of him fearful and part of him angry; but Idimus was his King and though his methods were unusual—even cruel—Kalinies would obey him and find what he was looking for. Without consideration, he moved on to a new shelf, this one covered in scrolls and parchment. Had it been Idimus he would have torn through them, but the Wizard was different. He appreciated the knowledge held within these papers. Most had the seal of Highlace, some broken and others not. Some decrees of law. One was even signed by Grahamas himself—unfortunately it was nothing but his vow to protect Highlace—so Kalinies placed it to the side.
Though he started to lose hope, he continued to dig, knowing this was only the beginning.