Ethria- the Pioneer

by Aaron Holloway

  “A person with proper access can enter a Library, and read a Magical Book nearly instantly. Having the knowledge transferred directly into their minds via the magic inherent in the book. The difference between reading a Magical Book outside of a Library, and inside one, is the fact that the Magical Book is not destroyed. Indeed it often becomes an even stronger version of itself. The problem is, that it takes an immense amount of money, time, dedication, and energy to not only make a Library but to maintain it.” I nodded along, beginning to see the picture of why access to such a place might be so prized.

  The ambassador took the last bite of her sandwich and Ailsa took up the rest of the explanation. “Magical Books are books not unlike what you have been reading, but that transfer the knowledge via the spells that have been cast on the materials that comprise them. Once they are used, however, there is a high likelihood that the magical matrix and enchantments in the pages of the book overwhelm the materials, and cause them to turn to dust, though sometimes you can get lucky and a Magic Book won’t. A single Magic Book is often more expensive then what the average human farmer makes in a year.”

  “So a place that saves those books, and even improves them, is extremely valuable.” I could see exactly what they were talking about. And such a place could eventually gather together a horde of useful Magical Books that it could rent out at exorbitant fees to imbue spells and knowledge directly into peoples minds. If such things worked here just like they worked in most games, these included skills and abilities, not just individual spells.

  “Exactly,” Ailsa said as she buzzed her wings excitedly.

  “And now you know why your request is beyond me I am afraid. Yes, Lo’sar has a Library.” I grimaced slightly. She seemed amused as to continued. “Perhaps Magical Library is the more appropriate term.” I nodded in agreement. “But to answer your question, this is not my home. I do not have the right to grant unrestricted access to the thousands of magical tombs that these elves have gathered over the lifetime of their colony. Nor if I had such power would I grant it, for the potential damage to the library that would be done for the enrichment of a single mind is not equitable in the big picture.

  “Even a single spell imbued into a mind can cost hundreds of gold worth of materials, hours of mana production by the staff of the Library, and hours of clean up and repair should something go wrong. The more powerful a spell and the less prepared a mind is for that knowledge the greater the cost, and the more damage that can be done.”

  “I understand,” I said as I swallowed the last of my jerky and biscuit. “And you would be wise to do as you say. Thank you for the education, both of you. However, what I was asking was not necessarily access to a Magical Library, not something that would lighten my workload. Instead, I am asking for access to the writing itself so that I may merely read them mundanely, and learn the information contained in them the old fashioned way.” The Ambassador looked at me for a long moment, eyes furrowed in concentration. After a few seconds, I felt a powerful will investigate me, and I realized I was being Analyzed by her.

  With the Sheriff, it had felt like someone was patting me down as if I was being searched, and someone was touching me all over in an invasive but harmless way. This was totally different. I could tell she was attempting to be gentle, but the will behind the force that searched over my body and mind was overwhelming and slightly painful. It grew hard to breathe. For a moment, I thought she was going full Vader, as I felt like I was almost being lifted off the ground.

  After just a moment, it was gone and done. I received another notification that my skill was far too low to know what information she gleaned from her use of Analyse, but I also knew what I was hiding was hidden more powerfully than any mortal. Or at least I hoped so. “Why did you do that!” I choked out as the force released me and I could breathe again.

  “I am sorry, I meant no offense or harm to you.” The ambassador stood as she spoke, using her staff to rise to her feet with grace.

  “Why” I managed to choke out between coughs and wheezes.

  “You are a stranger in a strange land my young friend. You have done the people of Lo’sar and my retinue a service by ensuring the children were safely returned. Particularly in a time where the children of the lesser races are being stolen away.” She looked down at me, and a mix of guilt and fear played across her face.

  “However, you are still a stranger to me, and I needed to know who and what you are.” Guilt now mixed with confusion as she continued “It is why I offered you the gift I did so that I could be sure you where no threat to us or the people here in Lo’sar.”

  “The Kingdoms of Tor are beginning to marshal for conflict, though with what I do not know. The disappearance of children from the horse clans, and from the hollow might explain why the locals marshal additional forces in recent months, but the far southern lords? I do not believe they even know. Though deep within them the Torish leadership sense, something. Like animals sensing a danger yet far off they prepare without even properly knowing what they prepare against. I fear the disappearances are only a shadow of what is to come.” Her voice trailed off slightly, causing the entire clearing to fill with an oppressive silence.

  “And in acting on that blind, primal, instinctual feeling of danger they harm others. It even affects the Lo’sarian’s friends across the river. The...” She paused as if looking for the right word. “... Cutters. Who, I have been informed by Tol’geth, have purchased arms and armor, and seek to gain possession of more. As I've said, the missing children could explain this behavior. However, you were part of that purchase if I understand correctly.” Her manner had gone from one of mild guilt over the discomfort she had caused me, to an air of imperious authority. “Which means the panic that now grips the southern lords, and our close neighbors might be affecting you as well.”

  Unlike the arrogant elf from before, she had justifications and power to back up her claims. She waited for me to fully recover and respond. She wasn’t openly hostile towards me, but she was certainly concerned I might attempt to retaliate in some way, which is why she took a few steps back. Tol’geth appeared, expression a mix of concern and confusion behind her.

  “But…” I said standing, using one hand on my walking stick to steady myself while I used the other to rub my sore neck. “That isn't me.” I let my confusion and hurt at her actions show plainly. “If you needed to Analyse me, all you needed to do was ask and explain why. You have shown nothing but kindness to me up until now, why would I deny you?” She looked struck, but only for a fleeting moment.

  “There are skills and abilities that can hide things from Analyze. The ability is much more effective if the subject is caught off guard. As it is, I am still greatly confused. I have every aspect of yourself and your belongings laid out bear in front of me, yet it is all so mundane, and you are no threat to anyone as of yet. You have but one spell, a bit of wit and wisdom true, and some skill with the written word. But there is nothing here that is worth hiding and concealing from me.” She gestured into the air frustrated. She must have been motioning at the screen with my information on it that was only visible to her.

  “So, why refuse my gift? It was that very thing, and your lack of knowledge about magic despite your seeming alacrity with it from what Tol’geth has told me, that rose my suspicion.” Her hotty, imperious defensiveness was slowly melting away as we talked. I looked around and noticed that every elf in the clearing, both adult and child, was watching the exchange.

  Ailsa for her part, I could tell from her aura’s glow, was hovering just behind me, watching my back. Tol’geth stood to the side of our conversation, but in such a way as to easily interpose himself if the need arose.

  I sighed deeply and leaned on my walking stick for balance. I was emotionally tired. It had been a long day already and it was only a little past noon. I had walked more than I had in years in a single day, through jungle so thick you couldn’t swing a toothpick without hitting some kind of thorny plant.
“Perhaps I was too familiar with you before you knew the reason for my coming here. A proper and healthy suspicion of outsiders and their intentions is the prerogative of all leaders, no matter the race or species of people.

  “I learned that lesson in school long ago, and I should have known to be forthright and open with you about my intentions. I usually am blunt and upfront about such things. Forgive me for taking liberties in your forest.” I lifted my walking stick as an example.

  “Without telling you the reason for me to follow Tol’geth and the children here. After all, a man of decent intentions would have simply left the children with your guardian and the elves at the dock and returned home on the ferry. Not shown up with a rare fae guide, taking from your forest, singing strange songs in strange dialects with seemingly rare abilities, and chatting up your leaders as if everything were normal without giving a good reason.”

  As I spoke I realized just how suspicious the ever-watchful elves must have found my actions. Tacatern and terse Tol’geth was probably very little help in dispelling those suspicions. In fact, he probably made them worse. I’m lucky I'm not dead!

  “No doubt you saw my quest, “A Safe Place...” on my quest log. Yes?” The Ambassador nodded, and the tension in the air began to wane as curiosity waxed among the elves. So much so that Ailsa flew over and landed on my shoulder, and Tol’geth relaxed his stance slightly, which was an endorsement If I've ever seen one. “Well, it has brought me here to seek the wisdom of the elves on the matter. Your aid could prove invaluable.” I bowed deeply at first to the Ambassador, and then to the adult native Green elves.

  “I deeply hope that you can forgive the theatrics and my rudeness thus far. The second reason I have come, is relatively minor. The Sheriff of the human town across the river, Cutters Hollow” I was careful to pronounce it slowly so that the Ambassador could hear it properly from human lips. “Has tasked me with delivering correspondence to a member of the Lo’sar elder council. He did not say it was of any particular urgency, however keep in mind the time tables between our two races are different.

  “When we say a minor issue, it should probably be dealt within a year or so, something that your race might consider a dangerously hasty amount of time. When our respective leaderships are not using the same time table for terminology, things can quickly spiral out of control. Is there a member of the council here I might deliver it too?” I asked looking around at the green elves.

  Three elves stepped forward then, each as youthful as the Ambassador, each with children with them, and each of them was smiling. “Wizard Rayid, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to three of the four members of the Elders Council. Lisander,” The ambassador pointed to the only female, she wore green robes, cut off at the knees, and brown trousers. She had white hair that hung down below her shoulders that seemed silver as the shadows and sun danced together in the shade provided by the forest canopy.

  Two children stood behind her, one physically mature, the other was still slightly pubescent, maybe a nineteen year old. “She is the Librarian of Lo’sar’s Magical...” she said the word carefully emphasizing the vernacular change to Lisander. “Library. I believe you two should speak at some point. Lisander, you might be interested to know that Rayid is a Master, nigh unto Grand Master Literarian.”

  Lisander bowed slightly to me in respect, a gesture I returned slightly deeper. The woman was a city councilwoman and a librarian, two of the most thankless jobs in local government. She deserved some serious props. My esteem for the woman grew again with what she said next. “These are my two siblings,” Lisander said deliberately. “After our sire passed some years ago, their care fell to me. Say hello.” She ordered the two, who both bowed. The older was a boy, the younger a girl with silver blond hair that echoed Lisanders own. “I would love for you to visit me at my work master Literarian.”

  The Ambassador smiled at both of us and took a step moving my attention to introduce the next person. I whispered over to Ailsa “Literarian?”

  “Fancy word for reader, meathead.” She whispered back “Now pay attention, you're being rude.” My attention snapped back to the Ambassador.

  She gestured towards the man in the middle, a tall elf with jet black hair cut short, and oddly colorful tattoos on his arms that shone prismatically. He had a daughter whose age I couldn’t tell just by looking at her who stood beside him. “This is Terr’a’min. High chairmen of the council, and chief judge in Lo’sar.” We bowed to each other and the Ambassador continued.

  “And last but not least, is Sed’min’el, or as he likes to be called, Sed.” The man was short even for an elf, at barely 5’1, he had a slight potbelly, which was extremely surprising, and a smile that seemed to never waver even as he spoke. His son was a rather tall, broad-shouldered and fit elf, even by human standards. The boy was exactly Sed’s contrast. Though, lacking his father's confident demeanor. An early bloomer I suspect.

  “He is Chief of the master brewers of the northernmost glade, and our ambassador to the local region. He speaks for us at all the halls of power who will treat with us. Human, dwarven, and at times goblin, among many others.” The portly man attempted a bow, but it seemed more a standing crunch. I returned the gesture and noticed a whiff of alcohol on him even now. “Oh, and a member of the council.” The high elf ambassador said as if remembering the role her local counterpart was currently undertaking.

  “Yes, and that,” Sed said with a laugh, patting the high elves hand as she put it on his shoulder in apology.

  I looked at all three members again and bowed deeply to the council as a whole out of respect for their stations. “It seems, fortuitous, that you would all be here exactly when I needed you. Perhaps the Gods...” I said the word with a purposeful look at Ailsa who only shrugged. “... Had a hand in guiding this meeting?”

  That elicited a grin from every member of the council, even Terr’a’min who had been stoic until that point, despite the flashing rainbow runes on his arms. The four adult elves looked at each other knowingly before Sed spoke up. “Perhaps your arrival is guided by the Gods of man, as our time here is nearly routine.” I cocked my head quizzically, not realizing until after I had done the gesture how much like a dog it made me look. I straightened and waited for an explanation.

  “You see” Sed continued “this time every two years, we take our children on a circular trek across all of Lo’sar, to teach them about the wild forest, about the parts that we carefully cultivated, and to show them the realm that they will one day inherit, so as to instill in them a love for the land that our fathers and mothers founded.”

  “Ah, I see. And so the three children wandered off when you went to see Cutters Hollow from your side of the river.” I surmised.

  “Just so” The high elf ambassador confirmed. I realized then, I didn’t even know her name.

  “Excuse my rudeness Ambassador,” I said looking directly at the high elf so as to avoid confusion with Sed. “But, I was never properly given your name. May I beg it from you?”

  “You certainly might.” She said, mischief in her eyes and a smile on her lips. I smiled and was about to retort when Sed interrupted.

  “Oh play nice, you already scared the poor lad near to death, Salina. Besides, we don’t have time for much more banter, we must be getting on if we are to make the meetup.” Sed patted her on the arm as he spoke to take even the hint of a sting from his words. He looked at me than “It is there where we will meet with the last member of the council of elders, and we can hear your proposal and give it some serious thought. Now, as to that letter?”

  “Oh right!” I said hitting my forehead with an open palm “I almost forgot. I’d lose my shoes if they weren't on my feet.” I raised my hand to Ailsa expectantly. A half a second later the letter appeared, and I handed it over to the portly elf.

  The small gathering broke up then, and we all went to packing our belongings. Sim’el and his two buddies showed up right before we were ready to depart, and we nodde
d respectfully to each other. I took out a small knife and began whittling on my walking stick several dwarven runes that symbolized the different metals as I waited to leave.

  “Those won’t do much when carved into the wood,” Lisander said as she came up next to me. “Those runes hold more power, as they hold more meaning when carved into stone, and even more so when carved into the substance that they specifically represent in the dwarven native magic system, Rune crafting.” I nodded as I turned my attention back to the one I had just finished carving near the bottom of the walking stick. It was the rune for Steel, circled by the runes for all three Mythic metals, Mersary, Utarsium, and Eithercite.

  “To be honest, I wasn’t sure they had any magical significance at all, but I had a strong feeling that that might be the case.” She nodded, and I stood as the group started walking at a leisurely pace. I motioned for her to go ahead, and she shook her head.

  “I would prefer to speak with you as we journey if that is agreeable to your sensibilities. My siblings are well cared for by the others.” I perked up a little at that.

  “You know, you’re the first elf since we started out from that little wooden dock, who has asked about what I think, or feel. Up till now, it's only been about what I know, or why I was here, or some version of mockery intended to get my hackles up.” Ailsa buzzed over the group doing a fly-by with trails of mana streamers following after to the amusement of the children who laughed, and the adults who clapped as they walked.

  “Well, I am glad I could be a good host. Salina and the others from Varidian proper are worried about the safety of the colony, that is the only reason they treated you so.”