The Curious Case of Jacob's Hallow

by Patrick Walsh

  “Yes...and one more thing. Be sure to treat that injury, wouldn’t want to end up like Gregory.”

  Aza tensed, unsure if the spindly man was sincere or mocking him. It was always difficult to tell with Arthur. Wouldn’t matter anyhow, as soon enough the librarian ascended out of sight and disappeared up to the second level. Aza relaxed his sore body, but was soon back on the move, ducking back into the store room. With the night having gone, the bulb at the top of the ceiling was now alight, illuminating more of the area in a grey haze. Aza knelt down next to his sleeping guest and began to shake his shoulder.

  Han slowly stirred to consciousness, jumping back upon seeing his ghostly ally. Like Aza before him, he wondered if the previous night had been nothing more than a bad dream, only to be hit with a cold wave of reality. “What time is it?”

  “Somewhere around seven I believe.”

  Han hopped up and brushed himself off, cringing when he remembered his coat had been against that disgusting fungus. “Shall we find this Agnis then?”

  “I’m afraid it’ll be awhile; I have some work to do.”

  “What? Well how long will that take?” There was clear irritation in his voice.

  “A little over an hour. There are a few desks in the back...plenty of books to read.”

  Han looked as if he were about to say something rather nasty, but then his expression softened to curiosity. “What books?”

  Aza shrugged. “Books…um...all kinds, this is a library. To make his point, he pulled open the door and revealed the labyrinth of winding shelves.

  Han recoiled a bit at the sudden burst of light, but his eyes quickly refocused as his interest was piqued. “Heh, I guess in the heat of the moment it never occurred to me where we had run off to.” He picked up the smaller of his two bags and walked out. The other one he crammed onto one of the bottom shelves, some papers and junk toppling down to cover it.

  Aza circled back as Han gazed around the miserable yet beautiful building. While called the back room, what they hid out in was actually at the heart of the library. It sat at the bottom of one central structure ascending through the three floors above and up to the ceiling. Part of each level was able to be seen from below, with the rooms above them forming a ring around the dark outer walls. Between them being countless more shelves, and walkways connecting the upper floors over their gaps. The two made their way over to the far back of the building where, hidden in a wide spiral of shelves, were three desks. Dullahan quickly set down his bag and turned back to Aza.

  “Are these...organized in any way or is it a free for all?”

  By the tone of his voice, Aza wasn’t sure if he was being cynical or sarcastic. “We use the Qilue System.”

  Han was confused for a moment, then curious again. “What was that name?”

  “Qilue. I assume he was a librarian from somewhere.” Aza wasn’t sure why it mattered

  “That’s an...out of date way of organizing things. Where might I find books about this town?”

  Aza thought for a moment, tracing a spiral in the air. “Should be here actually.” He looked to the towering shelves surrounding them.

  “Splendid! Inform me when you have completed your tasks.” He smiled and spun back around, more important thoughts on his mind.

  Aza nodded and began to walk off. “One thing before I go.”

  “Yes?” Han was already gazing over the spines surrounding him.

  “You said you might know what I am.”

  Han slowed his pace and turned back to Aza, as if he had forgotten. As the memory pulled itself to the front of his mind, he began to heighten his guard. “Perhaps later...when...” In almost an instant, his thoughts flowed from dismissal to how he could use this to his advantage. “When...when we finish speaking with this Agnis woman, I would like to know more about you and your gifts.

  Aza’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

  Han nodded and went back to digging through his bag as Aza hastily returned to his post. The next hour ticked by at the pace of a fat sea slug. The papers were sorted and buried in the back room, the book returns placed back on their shelves, and the basic cleaning hurried through as fast as possible. Yet despite his manic pace, the thought of Han and Aggie, on top of his normal worries, made the short wait beyond unbearable. The thought of all that lie ahead once he was out of this stuffy building...all it could mean for him and his friends. Maybe Han would help them, give them some insight into the horrors of this town...maybe even help them with the Nightwatch. His skittering thoughts were interrupted by the echoing clang of the front door slamming against the wall. He dropped the rag he was holding and ran over to the front desk in an attempt to greet the rare but welcomed customer. To his surprise, five men in black uniforms came storming up to the desk. They each had blades at their sides and a cold authority in their eyes.

  “May I help you gentlemen with something?” Aza spoke calmly and softly, a few of his words winding around them.

  The lead constable walked straight up to the desk and spoke first, his eyes looking right past Aza as if they could not suffer the indignity of meeting his own. “Is Mr. Lore here?”

  “In his office.” Aza nodded to the spiral staircase.

  The constable didn’t respond, instead taking off up the stairs in search of the librarian. Two officers followed behind while two stayed behind; each of one the remainers parting ways. One stepped back and leaned against one of the old shelves, clearly disinterested in guarding an empty library. The other had a very different attitude. Instead of hanging back he strode forward, pacing around the desk. He had the face and whiskers of a sea weasel, with the tall, hunched body of something that lurked in the night. Aza watched him coldly and tensely, unsure as to what he wanted.

  “So, you would be Aza Tessior?” His voice struck out like a slimy eel, hungry for anything to stick its crooked fangs into.

  “Yes...and who would you be?” His voice was calm but a bit agitated.

  The man pushed aside his black cloak to show off a sheathed blade. “That hostility I hear? And some still mock Tobias.”

  Aza cringed at that name, anger creeping up his body like a spider on its web.

  “I have half a mind to run you in right now. The town square attacked after so many years of peace.” His voice changed, theatrically playing up every line. “I know what you did to Tom and his poor friends. Scarin them half to death an insulting one of the few men in this town talkin scense.”

  “They attacked a child.” He crossed his arms. “It isn’t Tom’s job to try and keep this place safe. Right now it's yours and it sounds like you’ve done a pretty poor job.”

  His eyes narrowed. “They were defending this town from the likes of you.” He spat the words, hand still at his side as if looking to start a fight, to goad Aza into using his gifts. “I bet after using your curses on them, you ran off to the caves to consort with those...things...to plan the attack.”

  Fear began creeping off of him, but Aza took a deep, calming breath. “Words farther than the eye can see, yet your proof is nowhere to be seen.”

  “He….hhahahahaha!!! I forget you pal around with the old hag. Actions is the word, not proof. Trust me boy I have plenty.” He faced Aza, their cold eyes meeting, each ready to draw their weapons. “Just use that fear of yours and make my day. I don’t suppose a pathetic loner like yourself has an alibi for where you were last evening?”

  “He was with me actually.” Luke popped out from behind one of the shelves, sliding on one of his feet.

  The officer spun around and leered at this unwanted pest. “I don’t recall hearing you come in.”

  Luke shrugged. “Where I come from it’s impolite to slam the doors.”

  Before the officer could retort, the bickering constable and librarian began descending down the spiral, the rattling metal alerting all four of their arrival.

  The scowling man turned back to Aza as a sour grin crept over his face. “It doesn’t matter if I arrest you here, soon the whol
e town will be after ya…mark my words.”

  Aza didn’t reply, instead turning his eyes to his boss and the constable. The pair tore by everyone like a wave up the shoreline. All four of the officers were quickly swept up with them, leaving Aza and Luke alone. As the door slammed shut they felt safe talking again.

  “Don’t pay him no mind.” Luke kept his casual tone, but deep down he was worried for his friend. The concern only worsened when he saw the horrible red mark ringing his neck. “What happened to ya?”

  Aza looked around only to realize that Luke was pointing at him. His hand quickly went to his throat. “I had a long night.”

  “Did I keep ya too late?” There was guilt ringing his voice

  “No!” He trailed off and then looked around. “There was someone being chased...by the Nightman.”

  “Exc..excuse me?” Luke was astonished by what he heard. “Did he do that to ya?”

  “No! No, if he got me, I wouldn’t be here…” I can explain in a bit, but I need you to meet someone first.”

  Aza quickly pulled away from the desk and weaved his way down the maze of shelves, Luke following close behind. The two soon found themselves in the secluded spiral where Han sat reading a particularly old ledger. All the tables around him were now scattered with books, papers, and odd trinkets from deep within his bag. The busy scholar didn't even seem to notice them, instead focused on the words in front of him. He now wore an extra pair of glasses perched delicately on his thin nose as he poured over ancient knowledge.

  “Luke, I want you to meet Dullahan. He works for a group called the Paladins.”

  This was enough to get Han’s attention and he slowly looked up at them. “This farmer an acquaintance of yours?”

  “My oldest friend.”

  Luke was still stunned by the strange boy in front of him. “Are you from...the outside?”

  Han smiled, clearly loving the attention. “Indeed I am. Have you by chance heard of the Paladins?”

  Luke shrugged. “Can’t say I has.”

  “I still cannot believe that…” He trailed off but snapped back into focus and closed his book. “Is he here to bring me to Agnis?”

  Luke looked to Aza. “You’re takin him to Aggie?”

  “He wanted to see the mayor, but I wasn’t sure that was such a good idea.” Aza got a tad defensive, guilt from his deception bubbling up.

  Luke seemed not to notice. “Prolly for the best.”

  “Excellent, then are we ready to take our leave?” He was already cramming papers and books back into his bag, some of which belonged to the library.

  Aza noticed this theft but let it go for the time being, more interested in placating this mysterious

  traveler then Arthur. “I.. I suppose everything is clean enough…”

  Han finished packing while Luke just marveled at him. The trio soon unwound from the spiral and out the door, leaving the dreary place behind. Aza locked up the great doors, leaving them free to travel wherever they pleased.

  Now outside, in the dim light of day, Aza was able to see what the others had spoken of. The once bustling marketplace had been reduced to a few scattered vendors well off enough to bribe their way past the officers swarming the area. While the ever looming clock tower of city hall ticked on without falter, the offices and homes surrounding the square had been ravaged. The immediate buildings had broken windows and scratched up storefronts, some with doors having been torn down. This on its own would have been bad, yet the destruction did not stop there. The path of death snaked its way through the dark alleys and into homes far from view. Rooms ripped apart, hiding places discovered, blood staining the floors. Aza had never seen anything like it, the sheer amount of damage...of lives that must have been lost. His eyes were soon drawn to the white sheets on the far side of the market...there were so many of them. Each one stained with crimson...what lie underneath ripped apart and left to rot. He turned to the other two boys as they somberly made their way down the steps. Luke just gave a simple nod while Han kept his eyes on the ground, seemingly trying to ignore the grizzly sight.

  The group received glares of anger or suspicion from not only the officers searching for remains but also the grieving towns folk that had taken to the streets. Some wondered who the strange boy in silver was, but most were concerned with Aza. Tobius’ words ringing in so many ears as the trio slid down a narrow alleyway. The trip out of the square was tense, Luke waiting for someone overtaken by their emotions to charge them. Yet none came, each person having better things to do, or too scared that attacking Aza would result in more death. The three traveled down as many narrow paths and unused roads as they could until finally reaching Dusk Alley. Luckily it was far enough out to have not been attacked, and they were able to enter with a familiar ding of the bell.

  “Eye! I’ll be with ya shortly!” The voice seemed to come from nowhere, but Aza and Luke knew its owner.

  Aza looked back to Han, who was peering over the register. The Paladin seemed fascinated by it, as if having never seen one. He even reached out and began touching it.

  “Hey!” Luke swatted his hand away. “You some kinda thief.”

  Han seemed stunned for a moment but quickly regained composure. “No and how dare you accuse me farmer! I simply am not familiar with this device.”

  The floorboards began rapidly creaking. “Luke, what’s this about a thief?”

  The three all turned to the far aisle to see a tired looking old woman hobble out. She looked about ready to scold someone, but then her worried eyes fell on Aza. She threw her arms out and ran towards him. He in turn walked forwards and hugged her. Despite her age, she clung to him like an octopus.

  “I’m sorry if... ahhh!” Aza received a smack on the head as Aggie pulled away.

  “What in the Abyss were you thinking ya daft bastard!?” She was furious. “Runnin off inta the starm like that! Gretel was worried sick about you...we thought ye were dead!”

  “No... I’m sorry. I saw someone outside and I had to help them.”

  “An risk yer own life? Did ya even find anyone?” The scolding nature of her voice seemed only to heighten.

  “Yes.” Aza turned to Han, who was already studying the frenzied woman with curiosity.

  Aggie was stunned for a moment, her mind having tuned this stranger out at the sight of Aza safe and sound.

  Luke threw up his arm, trying to smooth things out. “Aza saved him from the Nightman, he went toe to toe with the fiend and survived!”

  Aggie looked back to Aza, still unable to process it all. “What about the Nightman?”

  “No...I didn’t take him. He walked past me.” Aza trailed off as Aggie stumbled over to her desk.

  She plopped down on her stool and rubbed her weary eyes. “Ey want ye to tell me exactly what happened after ye left the house.”

  The next few minutes were filled with Aza trying to recount all that had happened as Aggie relentlessly bombarded him with question upon question. Why had he thought risking his life was a good idea? What if Gretel had gone after him? Was he sure it was even the Nightman? Why did he let his guard down with a complete stranger? The interrogation only paused when Aggie stopped to give Aza a blue jar of cream for his neck. It had taken getting that far into his tale for her to even notice despite looking right at him for so long. After that, the story and questions continued on, all the way up to when they arrived at the old woman’s doorstep. When Aza had finished, Aggie leaned back, nearly falling off her stool. Han opened his mouth to speak, but Luke gave him a look. The three just waited in silence as she absorbed and processed all this new, bizarre information.

  “First things first I suppose.” She began reaching for the shelves in her side of the counter. “Boy, tell me exactly why yer here.”

  Han straightened his back and cleared his throat. “The name is Dullahan McGavin of Dellathorn. I am a scholar in training for the Paladin order, sent to survey this town for strange activities.” He quickly lost his composure. “What
is that!?”

  Aggie had pulled up a grey, bulbus creature about the size of an apple from its bowl of water below her counter. The horror resembled a fungal octopus, with many small, fat tentacles filling up the entirety of its bottom side. “One moment dearie.” Agnis put the tentacled side of the vile looking creature to her mouth and spoke into it. “Gretel, it’s mom. Aza is here.”

  The tendrils slowly twisted and squirmed until an overjoyed voice came through. “Really? Thank the loa!”

  “We’ll thank em when this is all sorted out. I need you to stay there for the time being, do you understand?”

  “Yeah, I’ll wait for Aza to get back.”

  “Good, I’ll be reportin in soon enough.” She dropped the thing back into its small home and turned back to the three boys. Aza and Luke looked fine, but Dullahan appeared as if he were going to retch. “Ya never seen a transponder before?”

  “N…. no...I am afraid I am not acquainted with them…” His hands were twitching at the thought of touching that thing, let alone putting it next to his face.

  “Bah, no matter. So ya said yeh be a Paladin agent from Dellathorn?”

  “Indeed, I am!” He straightened up again, regaining his confidence. “I do not suppose you have heard of them.”

  “Oh, as a matter of fact I have.”

  The color seemed to drain from his already pale face. “You...you’ve heard of Dellathorn…”

  “Oh but of course. Most people here wouldn’t know a map from the pile of dung they just dropped it in, but my mam made sure to keep me and my brothers educated of the wider world. In fact, I be only one of a handful of people who could tell you what the Paladins even are.” The old woman was smiling at him, clearly enjoying how nervous he was. Yet she was also studying him, putting the pieces together.

  “That...is wonderful!” He was picking at the sides of his jacket, quickly planning and replanning.

  Aza and Luke looked to one another, unsure what exactly was going on.

  “Yeah. The two did the right thin sendin ya to me. If yeh had gone straight to ol Barnabee...oh it be better not to think about that…”