by J C Gilbert
"Not that I saw," I said. And it was true, the hall of Munrath was pretty well lit, and I think I would have noticed if he had been there. Kuyr had the sort of presence which was hard to mistake. "That's strange, isn't it?"
"It is," said the Librarian.
"Why? What did I miss?" asked Lilly. "Maybe he was just snacking on some dude somewhere. I mean, he is terrifying, but could be lazy too?"
"You would think that if he were to make an assault on the Ram messiah, then he would want to be there."
"That's true," said Lilly.
"It's a mystery," I said, "but I'm tired and tense and need to go to sleep. School is in the morning."
The Librarian looked grave. "It might be better for everyone if you give school a miss," she said.
I laughed, "I can't believe I'm arguing with you, Librarian, but leaving school is not on the cards. I'm only fifteen."
"Why? When do people usually leave school where you are from?"
"Seventeen, eighteen. Then there is college."
"More education?" asked the Librarian, incredulously.
"Yes, more education. Got to be productive citizens," said Lilly, "which basically usually means helping to sell things to people that they will regret buying."
"Seems excessive," said the Librarian, "but then again, I learned everything I know here."
***
Friday at school was a drag. Mrs. Taylor was off sick, and we had a substitute teacher for English. For most kids, this was a good thing because substitute teachers rarely knew where we were up to in the class content and happily guided the students in the subtle art of doing nothing at all productive. For me, these occasions were always dreadful as they almost always involved an attempt on the part of the substitute teacher to 'connect with the quieter students.' It was OK when Mrs. Taylor did this because I knew her and knew she at least kind of got me.
Mr. Fisher, on the other hand, I did not know, nor did I much like the idea of introducing myself to people willy-nilly. Hank may not be in charge, but my goodness he can kick up a fuss. During this class, I got a text from Mom and took the opportunity to go and hide in the bathroom. Not my proudest moment, to be sure, but there you go.
Working late. Hang out with Jonny, K?
I sighed heavily within my cubical.
Sure
I skipped out on my last class of the day, vaguely feeling that Mom had sorta-kinda given me permission. Jonny usually got home around three thirty when he was walking home, so I made sure I would be there waiting with some afternoon tea of hummus and crackers.
Three thirty came and went, and Jonny didn't show. I got out my tablet to do some doodling while I waited. I needed to get some drawing time in. It kinda grounds me, but lately I was having difficulty finding a time to draw at all. I thought about drawing the flaming rams, but that only made me think of how people expected me to be the fame shepherd or whatever. I thought of drawing the gargoyles, or the Nadre water temple, or even Mary's houseboat, but no matter what I decided on somehow I continued to draw Elaine standing on the ocean rocks.
It wasn't until Five O'Clock that I realized how much time had passed. Jonny was still not home. Hank grabbed at my lungs and started waving them about like wings. I raced downstairs and looked out the window. It was raining now, and the sky was grey.
My mind spun with all the possibilities of what it meant when a nine-year-old boy did not come home from school. I thought about texting Mom, but she would only panic. I ran back upstairs and checked Jonny's room in case he had come home and was really quiet about it. He wasn't there either.
I grabbed for my coat and got ready to go out to find him. Just then, the front door burst open. In ran Jonny, soaked, and breathing hard.
"Jonny!" I said, coming down the stairs, "what on earth is the matter?"
He looked up at me, eyes wide. "Alex," he said. He was still trying to catch his breath. "I thought -"
"I've been worried sick!" I said. It probably sounded like I was angry, but really, my dominant emotion was guilt.
"Sorry. I was just - I was just out walking."
"You need to let people know, Jonny." He looked like a drowned rat and had mud up one arm. "Are you sure you are OK?" I asked, leveling out my tone.
"Yeah," he said, though not at all convincingly. "Is it OK if you don't tell Mom about this?" he asked.
I went to him and wrapped my arms around his head. "Yeah," I said. "Just be careful, OK? You aren't big like your big sister yet."
Jonny looked at me with his deep eyes. He seemed distantly sad. "I love you, sis," he said
***
After dinner, Lilly came around, and we shut ourselves in my room. Mom was still not home, and Dad didn't pay much attention to what we were doing most of the time. We wasted no time in making our way to Kanboor.
We landed in the middle of the market and were once more assaulted with a thousand requests to purchase various things. Now that we had denar, we might have been interested in buying something, but we were invariably chased away by the enthusiasm of the sellers.
Mary stood to one side, gazing out over the harbor. In the mess of all that was happening, it was easy to forget the individual tragedies. I didn't want to be one of those people who forgot.
"Hi," I said as we approached. Mary turned to look at us with a faraway expression in her eyes. She didn't say anything.
"How are you holding up?" asked Lilly.
Mary shrugged. "People are fighting, and people are dying, but the ocean remains the same."
"Dialing up on the spooky again," muttered Lilly, leaning against a wall and gazing out toward the market.
"It's rough in this place. You are very strong to be still going with such a loss."
"Strength?" she laughed, "what do you know about strength." she hesitated, "sorry, she said. "I didn't mean that. I'm not myself lately."
"That's understandable," I said.
She looked at me with eyes that said that there was no way I could understand what she was going through. She was right too. I haven't really lost anyone in my life. There had been Grandpa, but that was when I was very young, and I didn't understand.
"They are now saying that a Raven killed him," said Mary.
"Are they? Who is saying that?"
Mary shrugged. "Just heard stories. I don't know if I believe them though."
"What do they say?"
"They say that on the night he was murdered there was a raven in the streets. They say that he picked up my father and lifted him high into the sky. They say that he screamed as he plummeted towards the earth."
My blood went cold. I had seen her father die. My stomach turned, and I looked away.
"What is it?" she asked.
I looked into her searching eyes. Tears welled up in my own eyes, and I could feel my face contort. I took a sharp breath and tried to compose myself. I pictured the man, sick in his bed, I pictured him and then heard his screams. I heard the crunch as he hit the cobbled path. I winced.
"Tell me!" Mary insisted.
I couldn't keep it from her. "It's true. I saw the man lifted into the air. But I don't think he was a Raven. He was a monster, Mary. You mustn't blame the Ravens."
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Of course he is a monster. He killed the only person in the world that I cared about. I thought it was the Rams and, oh god. No. it makes sense now."
"I didn't know that person was your father," I said.
"How else could he have drifted so far from our houseboat? He was carried over to the city." Mary looked furious.
A wave of guilt ran through me. I wasn't sure, but maybe I shouldn't have said anything. She was clearly having trouble grieving, and I don't think I did anything to make it any easier for her.
"Hey, handsome," said Lilly.
I turned to see that Trist was approaching. When I turned back, Mary was gone.
"What happened to you two?" asked Trist, "Chyron is pretty angry with you, you especially, Alex."
My stomach lurched. I hated it when people relied on me. It kind of ruins things. "We had to go."
"You never did tell me that you were the shepherd of legend, " said Trist, "I mean, I didn't know that there was a shepherd of legend, but I think it would have been fair for you to tell me."
I shrugged.
"Well, you have created quite a stir among the Rams. They are such a curious lot! You see, even though their god is legitimately a god of war, half of them are convinced that war is just a metaphor for peace."
"And the other half?" asked Lilly.
"They are preparing for the great battle at the end of time."
"And you?"
Trist shrugged. "I just work here." he clapped his hands together. "So, are we going to look for it today?"
Lilly and I exchanged glances. "I didn't say anything," said Lilly.
"Don't worry, she didn't give it away. It's been pretty obvious that you are looking for something. You want to tell me what it is? Might help in us finding it."
"Why would you help us?" I asked.
He shot a look at Lilly and smiled shyly. I wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. Lilly seemed to think it was. She screwed up her face and smiled. "Oh you," she said with a wave of her hand.
"Because I'm bored," he said, recovering, "plus it seems adventure follows you guys around."
"Well as much as I'd love to tell you what we are looking for, I'm afraid that I do not know."
"Is this some sort of proverb?" he asked.
"Its an object of power," said Lilly, taking more liberties than I would have liked.
"No shortage of them around the place," said Trist.
"This one is different," I said. "It belongs to a god."
"Sure it does," said Trist. "So do I now, apparently," he said glancing at his armor.
"You don't have to help," I said. I wasn't so sure it was a good idea to rely on him. He seemed variable at best.
"I didn't say I wouldn't help. It's just everyone is talking about gods in this city, but have you seen one?"
I looked at him, blankly.
"You have seen one!" he said.
"And as much as we would love not to see him ever again, we need to find the object that binds him," said Lilly.
"Then what?"
"Cast it into the fires of Mount Doom," said Lilly.
Trist frowned, "I don't know where that is."
"In New Zealand somewhere," said Lilly.
"Anyway, we think he may be leading the Ravens," I said.
"And today we are breaking and entering," said Lilly.
"Sounds like my kind of gig," said Trist.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Trist ditched his armor and changed into the clothes that passed for normal in this town. Lilly and I thought it best that we keep our faces hidden for now. We didn't know how many of the Ravens may have spotted us in the Hall of Munrath.
We walked haltingly through the Raven's quarter, taking cover and becoming very interested in the scenery whenever anyone armed walked by. We tried to stick to the back alleys but inevitably had to cross the main street. Here were people with their carts of wares taking them to or from their point of sale. It was almost as busy here as it was in the market. We elected to cross one at a time to avoid drawing attention to ourselves. Trist crossed first for safety. When he gave the all clear Lilly followed. I waited for the signal, but it didn't come. They looked distracted by something coming down the street.
I heard a noise behind me, spun around, but it was only an alley cat. When I turned back, they seemed to be looking my way, but I couldn't tell why. Was that a signal? I waited a moment and then stepped out into the street. I immediately realized my mistake as their faces dropped, and they signaled for me to go back.
Then I saw them. Dozens of little gargoyles were wandering down the street. They seemed to be inspecting everyone they passed and created commotion wherever they went.
I looked back toward the alley I had come from. There seemed to be more movement in the shadows behind me. Were we being followed?
The gargoyles were close now. I considered crossing all the way and joining the others, but what use would it be if the gargoyles saw them too?
One of the little stone creatures pointed a graphite finger my way and nattered something to his companion. I turned to walk with the traffic. There was a scuffle and a crash behind me. I picked up my pace. I could hear their chattering close now. I looked over my shoulder to see more and more of them looking my way. I began to run.
"Alex!" I heard from behind me, I looked back to see the gargoyles all in pursuit now. I tripped on the uneven cobblestones and tried to get up, but it was too late. There was a thud as one gargoyle landed on my shoulder, pinning me to the ground. Something solid careered into the back of my head, and I blacked out.
When I came to, I found that I was in a sparse cell. The walls were solid gray blocks. A grotesque smell hung over the cold floor. My head throbbed painfully. I was disorientated, confused, unsure where I was. I saw that there was a window and tried to get up. I immediately fell to the ground. Was I still too dizzy? Then I noticed the shackles around my legs. How did I not notice them before?
I tried to remember what happened, but everything was a blur. I had come to Kanboor to -to what? Find something? Lilly! Where was Lilly?!
My heart leaped into panic as I tried to remember what had happened to Lilly. It was coming back, but slowly. I had to find her so we can go home.
Home... through the book... the book!
"Where is my bag!" I shouted. The sound of my own voice was loud and caused me considerable pain, but I didn't care. My book was gone. Images flashed before my eyes of thousands of gargoyles pouring into the Library. I imagined Kuyr commanding them to throw Lilly into The Library's Heart. I shook my head. No, I had to stay calm. I had to think. No one here knew about The Library. They probably just thought it was a book. No one would even think to take it to Kuyr.
Then why do they have me?
I had never been so afraid. I was trapped, helpless, and alone. There was no escape. I closed my eyes and tried to will the pain away.
***
I don't know how long I lay there in my private universe of torment. I decided that they were probably just going to leave me here to die. It didn't make any sense to me why you would kidnap someone from the street and then leave them for hours in a cell. What does that accomplish?
There was a knock on the door. I listened for a moment. "Who is it?" I asked in a ridiculously casual way.
"Good, you are awake," said a voice. The door swung open, and two of the Ravens stepped in. One of them rushed to my shackles and unlocked them
"Thank you," I said.
The man gave me a puzzled look and then grabbed for each of my wrists, shackling them in turn.
"Oh," I said.
Once I was on my feet, I stole a glance out of the window. It seemed that I was high up. I must be in Raven Keep, I thought. I vaguely thought that was a good thing, but then remembered that they were under the command of the God of Death. So there's that.
They led me down a series of corridors and then up some stairs. The passage opened up into an office. Two more guards were standing in the doorway. My escort handed me off to one of them. The guard winked.
I drew in breath. Was that Trist? It was impossible to know for sure under that helmet, but why else would a guard wink at me? Who else but Trist? I tried not to trust to hope. Behind the desk sat a woman. Her hair was black with streaks of gray. She was wearing a more elaborate form of the Raven armor.
Oh yeah, and she had wings.
She looked up from her desk and put aside her quill. It struck me as kind of gross to write with a feather. "Why are you here?" she asked.
I frowned, "I was taken in the streets. Do you know where I am?"
The woman looked at me with disbelief. "You know where you are, shepherd. I want to know why you are in the city. Why now? I can see that you are not from arou
nd here."
"I, well I, I'm just here," I said, feeling ridiculous.
"I can see that. Tensions are high enough in the city without people coming in and claiming that they are part of some prophecy."
"I didn't claim anything," I insisted.
"Then I will ask you again, why are you here?"
Just then there was a scream from outside. The woman looked up and then went to the window. The window crashed open. Two hideous claws smashed through, grabbed the woman, and pulled her out. There was a scream and then a thud as she careered into the flagstones below.
One of the guards went for the window, the other for his pistol. The latter took off his helmet. "Come on!" said Trist. He pulled me towards the door.
"My bag!" I said.
"Leave it," commanded Trist.
"I can't. We have to find it!"
Giving in, Trist trained his pistol on the other guard, "don't move a muscle buddy," he said. "Go on then, look for it."
Frantically, I searched the draws and cabinets of the office. The whole time Trist and the other guard locked eyes.
"Where is Lilly?" I asked as I searched.
"She is in one of the other guard towers. We didn't know where they took you."
I imagined Lilly dressed in the Raven armor. She could totally pull it off.
Then I saw it, my bag. I grabbed it, slung it over my shoulder and made for the door. "You did well today, soldier," said Trist. The other soldier nodded, thankfully.
There was commotion all through the keep as the Ravens fought off Kuyr. It had to be Kuyr. No one else had talons like that. But why was he fighting the Ravens? None of it made any sense.
"This way!" yelled Trist and we darted into the ramparts.
"There," I said, pointing to a shadowy figure in the sky. It seemed Kuyr had one of the Ravens and was pretending to dance with him. "Now you have seen a god."
"Nice," said Trist.
"Nice?"
"Well, what else are you supposed to say? I mean he is terrifying, obviously, but now I can tell the grandkids that I was there the night the god of death assaulted the Raven Keep."