Before long, we’d arrived at the room the volume had directed us to. He double-checked the book before snapping it closed with confidence. He directed me to a long table with benches on either side. Although less comfortable in appearance than the atrium, it also was more practical for research and I sat down at the table, folding my hands in my lap as I waited for direction.
"This is where we are to start. Now, please, before you or your manservant take anything off the shelves, run it by me. I’ll be happy to hand you anything you require."
He shot a warning look at Sel, who’d been a silent shadow until now, but he merely moved to stand behind my seat at the table quietly, in his usual attendant fashion. To my surprise, Jarid assumed an almost matching position on my other side. I blinked, not sure what to do with my unexpected foot soldiers.
"What I would like to look at first are some volumes I’d found mention of in my library, about the Dark War. Can you find those for me?"
I smiled slightly when he jerked his head at Sel. As their eyes met above my head, Sel dipped his chin slightly before they walked together to a large bookshelf on the back wall of the room. It stretched at least two stories tall but had an end, unlike the ones in the hallway. From somewhere behind me, Jarid procured a rolling staircase which he moved into position and climbed quickly.
He began passing books down to Sel, then once he’d passed a half dozen or so, he climbed down and took half. They returned together, placing them on the table in front of me.
"This should be enough for today. Please, respect the age of the texts and be gentle, and above all else, do not write in them."
"I would never deface a book in such a crass manner." I huffed with indignation, unable to believe anyone would suggest such a thing. I was sure it was a standard warning, but the idea of defacing such old and valuable sources of information felt like a personal insult.
I pulled one volume toward me, and quickly forgot any irritation as I fell into research mode. Within a few pages there was nothing else in the world except the book I was reading. The next time I looked up, it was because my back was sore, and I needed to crack it. Sighing once that had been accomplished, my stomach rumbled and I was stunned to see how much I’d already read. We’d likely already been in the room for several hours. When I looked up at Jarid, he bowed and came over.
"You have a question?"
"How long have we been here?"
A ghost of a smile passed over his face. "It is, in fact, nearing full dark. So perhaps it would be best to return to the books tomorrow? I'm sure your friend will be expecting you soon."
I blinked, not realizing he was aware there was another member of our party. He smiled again, the same mischievous smile from earlier.
"I was waiting nearby when Luban told your friends they weren't welcome. As much as he’s a good teacher and Librarian, he is rather old and set in his ways, which unfortunately includes prejudice against others who are not up to his standards."
"I wanted to protest, but she felt it wouldn't be worth it."
"Your friend was correct. He’s not the most demonstrative of elves, but he would have caused problems had your friend entered, which your friend likely surmised would have impacted your welcome here as well."
"No matter. This way, Gwen was hopefully able to procure lodgings for tonight. I doubt the Library is her favorite place to be, anyway. She's much more of an outdoors kind of girl."
"I assume from the presence of the wolves you’re correct in this case. Come, let me get you back to her. You must leave all of the books here, but this room can be set aside for you so you can leave them on the table."
"That would be much appreciated, thank you.” I stood up, my muscles confused and protesting the change from activity to being sedentary again.
He tucked the small book under his arm he’d used to lead us there and walked a few feet ahead.
As we traveled the same hallways in the direction we’d come, the same ornate door I’d almost touched earlier was there, but this time to my left. Once again, my hand went toward the handle against my will and turned the knob, as if controlled by an external force.
I was plunged into night. I rubbed my eyes, bewildered at the change. Where only a moment earlier I’d been in the Library, now I was deep inside a rocky chamber, lit by only the dimmest flickering blue lamplight. I panicked, stepping back a few times before whirling around to find Jarid standing in the doorway which had been invisible a moment earlier.
He held out a hand and I grabbed on to it like a lifeline. He pulled me back into the hallway before shutting the door with a snap and shaking his head, a look of fear on his face which he hid almost immediately.
"I told you to stick with me. The Library can be tricky, remember? That’s not the right door.”
He gave a weak laugh as he shooed me to walk in front of him. "I'm going to have to watch you more carefully, or you’ll end up lost. Now, this time stay with me." He cast a warning look at Sel as I walked past. "Keep an eye on her."
He turned his gaze back to me. "I never would've thought of you as someone who’d break the rules, but it seems curiosity may be your driving force."
I shrugged, unable to disagree with his statement but perplexed by the strange motivation which had caused me to turn the handle. It hadn’t been my curiosity in control. I wasn’t sure I could accept responsibility for my actions for once, and looked at the doors in the hall uneasily after that moment, worried it would happen again.
After we’d traveled through the same twisting and turning hallways, he brought me back to the first doorway we'd taken.
"From now on, make sure you only use this one and next time, stay close. The other doorways are not ones you're supposed to be using. If you do chance them, only Suun knows where you'll end up."
I meekly looked down at my scuffed and dirty shoes as I bobbed my head without replying. My pulse was still racing from my brief foray into the darkness I’d plunged into unexpectedly. I had no idea where it was, but I was certain I hadn’t been in the Library, or even Sunglen. If I hadn't known better, I would've thought we were in the Deep Fell.
But surely, that was impossible.
Chapter 10
Jarid steered us through the door and to my surprise, we entered the accepting hall at the entryway. I’m sure I looked confused because Jarid chuckled.
"Surprised? Don't be. Remember this place has a magic of its own. Doorways don't always work the way you think they should when you’re in the Library. No matter, we’ve arrived at the beginning, as it were. Did you need help finding anything? Your friend perhaps, and her wolves?"
I raised my chin slightly, trying to hide my insecurity. I may not know where to go, but Sel was still with me. My gaze flicked to him. Throughout everything I’d experienced since arriving at the Library, he’d been silent, watching with an impassive face. His eyes would widen at times, but overall he was doing extremely well for his age. I couldn’t help feeling a niggle of self-consciousness telling me he was doing better than I was.
"Thank you. But I have my manservant, and I'm sure Gwen is close by. She was heading to secure lodgings when we came in. How long have we been here, anyway?"
Jarid shrugged. "A few hours." He looked around the Library, squinting at the arched roof that had been lit by the suns when we’d arrived. "I'd say it's close to suppertime. You should go find your friend. The light will be gone soon." He gave me an uneasy smile, adding, "As beautiful as it is here in Sunglen, it’s best not to be out after dark. There are unsavory people in the neighborhood near the Library once the other businesses shut down for the night."
I remembered the creepy man who’d stared at us earlier when we’d gotten turned around in a back alley. If it hadn't been for Gwen and her wolves, I was sure he would've done more than just stare. I forced a smile to my face.
"Thank you for your assistance today. I want to come back tomorrow. Shall I look for you again, or will I be assigned another apprentice?"
Jarid pointed to a small room behind a shelf of books near the entrance.
I hadn’t noticed it before, neatly tucked away behind the ostentatious statues and away from the ceiling which had captured me earlier. Inside the room were several young men and women, dressed in dull grey or brown robes similar to what Jarid wore. Their heads were bent studiously, over books I assumed, even though I couldn’t see them from behind the window. A young woman lifted her head and met my eyes. I blinked and looked back at Jarid.
"What’s in there?"
"It's a waiting room, of sorts," Jarid shrugged. I noticed his face remained carefully blank. For the second time, it made me wonder how harsh a taskmaster Luban was. "We do most of our work in rooms such as that. There are several scattered throughout the Library. This is where we look for information for the richer and more prestigious guests who do not wish to waste their time in the actual Library themselves."
His eyes widened and he looked at me with horror. I bit back a smile as redness spread across his face. "I mean you … I mean, you aren’t less than prestigious, I mean…"
He appeared panicked as he rushed to explain, and I realized despite his gangly and scholarly appearance, he was relatively attractive. Too bad he was human, and I’d likely never see him again once I left the Library. I took pity on his discomfort and changed the subject.
"In that case, I shall look for you in the morning." My eyes searched the room for Luban and when I didn't see him, I leaned closer and whispered barely loud enough for Jarid to hear. "Is Gwen allowed in tomorrow if she doesn't bring her wolves?"
Jarid paused for a moment. "I believe so. It's just the Head Librarian feels animals would ruin the books and the atmosphere." He gave me another apologetic look. "Unfortunately for the older Librarians such as Luban, centaurs and other hybrids also count as animals. While I may not agree, I have very little say. I would love it if centaurs were allowed in the Library, as they are the wisest creatures I’ve ever encountered."
I’d been missing Loglan's wisdom since he’d returned home. "I agree. Unfortunately, as much as I wish I could change minds and hearts everywhere I went, I'm old enough to know just from my own dealings at home such a thing is almost always impossible without an open mind."
I pressed my lips together, allowing the disappointment of the failure I wasn't even sure was mine to leak out. As I shared a look with both of them, I hoped that regardless of what they may think of elves, they could see I harbored no ill will toward them and with time, Jarid would see that I viewed humans as equal to elves, as individuals, even if we may have different abilities.
I turned to Sel. "We should find Gwen before it gets much later."
He bowed to Jarid before opening the front door to allow me to go first, just as the girl who I’d noticed look at me rushed over, whispered something in Jarid’s ear, and departed. I paused, curious and perplexed on the steps outside. Jarid surreptitiously glanced around then joined us outside, emanating worry as he shifted his weight from side to side.
“That was a message for you, Rhiniya.”
“Rhin,” I corrected.
“Rhin.” Jarid winced.
I'd been encouraging him to call me by the name Gwen and Sel did, but I could see he was having a tough time with the informality.
“What is it?” I prompted when he paused.
“Oh! Sorry. Gwen is waiting one block down the street, to the right at a tavern run by Marthe Wentir.”
“Thank you, Jarid. That’s helpful.”
Jarid waved an awkward goodbye and jogged back inside.
I took one last look at the beauty around me. In the sunset, the marble stairs were darker than they’d been earlier, while the fading sunlight made the veins of light sparkle. Inside the Library, more golden light spilled down the stairs to meet the fading sun until the massive wood doors swung shut behind us. I sighed, beginning the long journey down the stairs.
We hadn't gone a full block when the sound of a commotion erupted outside a large building to our right. Sel assumed a defensive posture in front of me which made it difficult to see past him. For the first time I realized he was slight but quite a bit taller than I was. Had he grown since we'd left the castle?
A shout from the heart of the crowd brought me back to the matter at hand. I pushed Sel to the side and peered around him. The woman in the center was furious, and the wolves beside her had their teeth bared as they stood protectively around her. Swift stood in front, crouched with his head over his front legs. Each wolf was ready to spring at something in front of her.
"Gwen!"
Sel cast a warning look at me as I shouted, but I brushed him aside and pushed my way through the crowd.
"Is everything okay?"
I surveyed the group of about twenty people who were milling around, forming a loose circle around them. Most seemed average, men and women carrying food or other articles, watching with curious expressions. One man stood out in stark contrast from what could have been a normal market scene.
He leaned carelessly against the wall as if unaware of anyone around him with the exception of Gwen and her wolves, who he watched with a glowering intensity. He was human from what I could tell, but massive. He was easily double my size, making Gwen seem positively diminutive in comparison. His face was pockmarked with old scars, one which dragged the corner of his eye down to meet his lip, giving him an evil sneer as he watched her with a glittering intensity which she seemed to be ignoring. His arms crossed across his chest were the size of my head. I was scared enough for the both of us.
She looked at me, raising her chin in acknowledgement. "Guys. I was just returning from taking the wolves for fresh air after exploring the neighborhood. Did you get my message?"
Clearing my throat, I uneasily looked at the crowd around us. “Um, yes. You gave it to the girl at the Library?” I was rambling, but I couldn’t think of anything smarter to say, feeling the demonic man still staring at us.
She pointed at the large three-story building behind her. “Got a room for all of us. Are you hungry?”
At her continued nonchalance, the crowd seemed to lose interest and began to disperse. I didn’t relax though, because the one observer who terrified me didn’t move.
"Oh, good." I was certain I sounded stilted, knowing there was far more than a simple walk in the fresh air going on at the moment. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were flushed with a tinge of pink as she looked everywhere but directly at the man beside the wall. I wasn't sure if I felt better or worse at her alertness.
I did feel worse when the crowd’s dispersal left the stranger a clear path to watch us. I straightened to my full height and threw my shoulders back while I glared at him. Without thinking out my actions, I began to walk forward. I felt the startled eyes of Gwen and Sel on my back as I left them, but before I could take more than a few steps, a hand gripped my arm.
I looked down, prepared to tell Sel to let me go, but the hand on my arm wasn't his. It wasn't even hers. My eyes followed the broad hand up a dark blue arm. It was a uniform, I realized, when I saw patches on the shoulder and a sword in a hilt around the waist. I looked up to see a young man about my age, with a sweep of dirty blond hair that carelessly flopped over one dark blue eye, hiding half of his face. For a moment I panicked, thinking I was about to be arrested, until I recognized the look on his face was one of caution.
"Don't." He’d spoken so quietly that his words were almost inaudible.
I blinked, and he added a second, stronger warning.
"That man is dangerous." He flicked his eyes to the man I’d been about to approach.
My bravado instantly deflated. What had I been thinking? My shoulders slumped under the weight of my stupid attempt to be the hero and protect Gwen. How could I have thought for even a second I was a match for that gigantic man?
"I don't like the way he's watching my friend. He looks like he wants to steal her, or worse."
The young man pressed his lips together, shaking hi
s head. "No, he doesn't want your friend. I'm almost certain he wants her wolves."
"What?" I pulled my arm away, rubbing it absently as I tried to process his words. "Why would anybody want the wolves? They're beautiful, but without her they aren’t able to communicate with anyone."
He looked at her, then at the wolves. "He’s a slaver. Wolves like the ones your friend has are rare, but if they can be trained to have a connection with a human or elf, that connection can also be broken if you know how. In that case, they can be made to re-bond with someone else, which is highly prized in some circles, and makes them extremely valuable."
I looked at Gwen and her wolves again, my fear changing its focus. "But how and why?"
"I'm not up on the details of how it works. But I know it does, and I know him by reputation. It's best to stay as far away from him as you can. Believe me when I say he's done it before, and he’ll try to do it again. There’s a lot of money to be made with those animals.” He spoke calmly, but his brows were still knit together in concern.
"So, what should we do?"
"Best bet? Take your friend and her animals inside. Let her know he's dangerous. Oh, by the way, my name's Will."
I smiled absently in acknowledgement. I turned my gaze toward Gwen. She was staring unflinchingly at the remaining crowd, arms loose at her sides. If I hadn’t known her, I would have thought she was completely indifferent to their regard. But her eyes gave her away. Tight lines beside her eyes and a clenched jaw in a face a shade paler than normal showed me she was faking her lack of concern. I touched her arm and she turned stubborn eyes toward me.
"Gwen, let's go inside. I was just given a warning, but I want to talk somewhere quieter.” I tugged gently on her arm and she looked at the wolves before heading toward the hotel door.
"Okay. I'll show you where we’re staying.”
She looked for Sel, but he was already at my side. We followed her inside and I shot one last uncertain glance at the dangerous slaver Will had warned me away from.
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