Bardess of Rhulon

by Verna McKinnon

  “I haven’t had time to explore the White Thorn library,” Rose replied. “I’m happy to help, though I wish it were a fun outing instead of demon hunting. I love libraries.”

  “Slaying evil is always a satisfactory pastime,” Culain replied lightly.

  They reached her room and Culain opened her door. “Until that monster is caught, you will never be alone, Rose.”

  Inside her room, Sally was there waiting, along with another maid. A wave of relief calmed her nerves. She recognized Sally, and was comfortable with her.

  “Culain charged us to stay in your room tonight for protection,” Sally curtsied. “This is Agnes. She’ll also be staying with us tonight.”

  “Please to help Miss Rose,” Agnes nodded.

  Agnes was an older woman with a florid complexion and a no nonsense demeanor. Rose liked her immediately.

  Culain bowed with a great flourish, the courtly fop again. “Until your friend Meg arrives, they will sleep in your room for protection tonight, plus four guards will be posted outside your room.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He sauntered away, waving to her as he went to his chambers, Robert wheezing along at his heels.

  The events had left Rose spent, though she might be too stressed to sleep. She scratched her hand again. I must be allergic to demon blood, she thought grimly. Culain said it could cause a rash. She just wished it would stop itching!

  * * *

  Nashim Tully was in a foul mood when he returned to the inn. He went to his room and removed his cloak. Mathias was there, morose as ever, looking over some papers.

  Mathias looked up from his reading. “You’re back early. Did you see him?”

  “Meeting has been delayed. They would not say why. There were a lot of guards patrollingmore than usual. I use to be a palace guard and have an eye for these things. Something bad must have happened.”

  “What makes you say that?’

  Nashim held up his pinky finger. “They insisted they prick me before I left.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Who knows? But I smell demon trouble when things like that happen. In the east I’ve heard about a changeling causing mayhem and death. Killed some general and tried to take his place. They executed the creature, but never found the body of the general. The bloody things are like cockroaches lately. Damn. All this way to White Thorn for an audience to meet with the Emperor. I even wore my best shirt. You knowthe one without the patches? It burns me that the meeting was cancelled.”

  “So that’s it? He will not see us now?”

  “I’m supposed to return this afternoon.” Nashim shrugged. “But that does not guarantee I will be heard. You should come with me. A solemn vicar in his black hat will help our petition.”

  “I will go. There’s still a chance. Royalty is often distracted. As long as we get the money we need. I arranged meetings with two other nobles as well. Something will bear fruit.”

  “It’s tricky, Mathias. Aristide may not want to get involved in our troubles. Juraca is a bad subject for folks. No one likes what goes on there, yet few want to help. Civil war is also a very touchy subject for kings.”

  “Juraca is ruled by two madmen. A king and a cleric who thinks he is a prophet. None of the other countries support Josiah or the faith that ruined our country. We will get aid. It doesn’t matter if it is money, grain, or weapons, as long as we can use it for the cause.”

  Nashim dropped in a chair and pulled off his boots. He grabbed the wine bottle, yanked the cork out and took a long drink. “Your jaw looks badly bruised. I take it your former wife was not happy to be reunited.”

  “It was my own fault. Perhaps I should have written first when I learned where she was.”

  “She would have burned your letters in irony.”

  “I know you think I am a fool.”

  “Have you considered that you might be doing more harm than good? You cannot change the past. Let it go. She started a new life in a new country. Good for her. You need to do the same. If you’re expecting forgiveness, you need to give that up. Some mistakes stay with us forever. Accept that cruel fact and move on.”

  “I have a life. It is devoted to overthrowing Josiah and Bel Urgasa.”

  “Well, at least that’s a start.”

  “I wanted to ask her to join us.”

  “Well, that’s just stupid.”

  “Why?”

  “After what she went through, she will never go back. They tried to immolate her, boy! You should be ecstatic and thank the gods daily that she escaped. Many did not.”

  “Juraca was her home. We had a life there once.”

  “Not anymore. Why would she want to go back to you or Juraca? If she had any feelings about revenge or freeing Juraca, she would have returned long ago. She suffered too much. I do not blame her. Many folk resettled in other lands after the Brethren of Ursas took over.” Nashim spit and grimaced. “I despise that the stinking brethren use the name of a good god like Ursas for their obscene religion. Does Meg even know Levina and her father threatened your parents with a heresy charge if you even spoke to Meg after she was arrested?”

  “No. It doesn’t matter anyway. Even if Meg doesn’t want to fight with us, I understand. I still want to ask her for forgiveness.”

  “You’re a fool, Mathias. And you know nothing of women.”

  “And you do?”

  “More than you do, boy. I have a wife who adores me and five beautiful daughters who miss their papa. A lot of people have suffered these past ten years. Me included, though I was luckier than most. I got my family out of Juraca. I hate these damn secretive trips, begging for money and arms like a beggar to depose a pair of crazed fanatics. Living in these rat holes and acting like paupers. Well, that last part is true. We are paupers.”

  “We must try, Nashim. Those fanatics are planning to invade other kingdoms to spread their poisonous creed. If that happens, the pockets of powerful people will empty for us. Right now, we need to convince other kingdoms to help us before that happens.”

  “Then focus on that, Mathias. You say you became a vicar to help people. In truth, you joined the clergy because you’re filled with remorse about your ex-wife. Forgive yourself. And leave Meg Sparrow alone. She does not deserve fresh pain. Let it go.”

  Mathias did not answer, but fingered the charred silver wedding ring he wore around his neck.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The majestic size of the White Thorn library astonished Rose. Even the exterior was an impressive feat of architecture by itself. Built in the center of the city, elevated above the din of human traffic with a few dozen steps leading up to the six massive pillars and the two stone griffins that guarded the entrance. The library in Stone Haven was a modest white-washed building with a few paltry shelves of books. It was a hovel compared to this book palace! Still, Rose loved that place growing up. It was a refuge where she often enjoyed tranquil hours wrapped in book bliss away from her nagging home life.

  Rose stepped inside this great building as though entering a church. There were four whole floors of books to joyously wander in! Gazing up at the painted domed ceiling with awe, she felt like a little girl. She examined the exquisite artwork of gods and heroes rendered in vibrant artistry.

  “Catch up, Rose,” Culain muttered, quickly pulling her along to match his brisk pace, “and be careful or your poor neck will lock like that.”

  She followed Culain, giddy in her chosen templethe worship of books. She noticed the librarians wore matching robes of deep grey with badges of different colors with symbols stitched in on the front of their robes, which must indicate some kind of rank. These book keepers, as they were called, busily worked in silence within a broad circular table that was the heart of the main floor that serviced the public.

  “There must be thousands of books and scrolls here,” Rose whispered.

  A hooded man in a shabby cloak walked up beside her, his face hidden in a dark green. “Hello, Rose
,” a familiar voice whispered.

  Craning her neck upward as she needed to do among the tall folk. Rose recognized him and relaxed. “Prince Darius? Is that you hiding in that old cloak?”

  “Yes he is,” Culain confirmed. “I included him in our secret mission.”

  Darius shrugged and tugged at his hood with a mischievous smile. “Father was not very receptive to my offer to work with him, as you know. So here I am. I didn’t want to attract attention, so I wore a disguise. Do you like it?”

  “Very common man, Darius. You blend in quite well. Speaking of disguises though, let’s examine if there are any other disguises.”

  Darius pricked his own finger with his dagger. He exposed his finger to show his blood was red. He wrapped it in a kerchief. “We better find the creature soon. If this keeps up, we will all be drained of blood and too weak to fight.”

  “What about your good mother, the Empress?” Culain inquired.

  “I made all the arrangements he demanded. My mother is the safest woman in the kingdom. I tripled the Imperial Guards. I commanded that no one, not even Father, should be alone with her at any time until further notice. I did the same thing for him as well, and I am sure he will be vexed, but he assigned me to ensure protection at the palace. So, I am free to help with the research.” Darius looked around and asked, “Where’s poor old Robert?”

  “Robert is negotiating with the Master Librarian,” Culain chuckled as he flipped through a book catalog. “He’s sequestered in the private office to secure special permission to take any book off the library premises, even those of historical import that could be useful in our investigation. I’m quite sure Robert is pontificating and waiving the royal seal with great solemnity.”

  “How are you feeling, Rose?” Darius asked. “You went through a devastating experience.”

  “Fine. Just a little flustered. Culain assured me the rash should wear off soon. I may also need to sleep with a lit candle by my bed for the rest of my life.”

  “Changelings can have that effect,” Darius agreed in a low voice. “In truth, I’d only ever read about them in legends or fairy tales. I never saw one before. What did it look like?”

  Rose casually looked down, though inwardly she shivered. “Hideous. Like a nightmare made flesh.” Rose tried to focus on the fact a handsome prince was being attentive, but she was miserable as the ointment no longer calmed her irritated skin.

  Culain flipped through small cards and scribbled on his notepad. “Ah, my list is complete! Now, let’s requisition one of those book trolleys,” Culain announced and marched off to his book hunt.

  Darius claimed an empty trolley. They followed Culain deep into the stacks, away from the prying eyes of those sitting about with their books at the long reading tables to prevent them from being too curious or annoyed with them. They ended up in a bleak, abandoned corner of the library, and many of the items looked ancient, decaying and crumbling on the lonely shelves.

  Walking with purpose toward a one of several tall wooden scroll cases packed with special tubular shelves that rose almost to the ceiling, Culain thumbed through his list of catalog numbers until he found the right row. Each section was equipped with foot stools and wheeled ladders to reach the higher shelves. Culain deftly rolled a ladder over and climbed up to the top.

  “I saw Belenus Aylecross perform when I was a boy,” Darius said. “The old Bard was very impressive and intimidating. His voice could boom across a room like rolling thunder. Culain knew him quite well because he lived at his court. We had wonderful bards here of course, but Belenus was one of my favorites.”

  “He’s larger than life at times,” Rose agreed. “Folks in Stone Haven hardly ever talk to him, mostly because I think they are a little afraid of him. My village is quite tiny, so when Belenus moved there it caused much excitement. People whispered rumors for weeks about him and wondered a thousand things. Was he married? Did the King banish him for loving a forbidden princess or was he was a spy for the realm? Despite their questions about Belenus, which he never answered, they still lined up their sons at his door for tutoring in bardic studies. He turned them all away.”

  “But he chose you?” Darius said, grinning.

  “Yes, he did.” Rose tried to hold back her pride at Belenus picking her over everyone else. “I was very lucky to have him as my Bard Master.” Rose lightened her grip and the ladder wobbled.

  Culain glowered down on them. “Hold the ladder steady, please. I don’t want my epitaph to be ‘Prince Culain Ironheart perished in a library.’”

  “Sorry!” Rose shouted.

  An elderly female Keeper, iron-grey hair neatly pinned in a bun and walking with petal soft steps in flowing robes paused before them. She scowled and loudly shushed them before walking away on soundless feet.

  Rose pursed her lips and secured the ladder with Darius’ help as Culain climbed up to a higher shelf populated with scrolls wrapped in faded blue paper and tied with paper tags with information written on them.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that last night,” Darius whispered, not looking at her.

  Rose sensed it was about the argument Darius and the Emperor had. She carefully put her hand on his arm. “It’s all right, Darius. Believe me! I understand the difficulties of a parent you can never please. On that topic, my mother was the queen. What you’re going through is rougher. You’ve been away from home for so long. Three years away, even from a parent, can make you strangers. Perhaps you and your father just need to get to know each other. As you are the Prince, I’ll humbly relinquish being top champion of parental disappointment to you, though I reserve second place.”

  Darius laughed. He leaned in and whispered, “It’s true. My father and I cannot seem to find common ground. Justin was his favorite and I accepted that. I was relieved even. Now my poor brother is dead and I must step up and be the Crown Prince. I just wish he would let me try.”

  “He will, Darius. Be patient.” Another book keeper walked by, pushing a cart of books for shelving. “What do the different color badges mean on the book keepers?” Rose whispered.

  “Ah, most of the librarians are attached to White Thorn’s University,” Darius replied softly. “All teachers, students, and even the Master Scholars are required to spend some time in the library as part of their duties, and the students are assigned the more menial jobs. The badge colors and the symbols indicate their discipline—blue for literature, green for history, purple for art, red for medicine, gold for mathematics, silver for science, and so on.”

  Culain shuffled through the stacks, reading labels and sliding out choice scrolls from the tubes. He finally descended with a hefty armload of scrolls balanced in one arm.

  “These are some of the oldest scrolls on ancient species of monster or demon designation,” Culain whispered. He passed bundles to Darius who arranged them in the trolley.

  Rose sniffed and wrinkled her nose. “They smell like old socks.”

  “Thankfully, wisdom has no odor prejudice,” Culain replied.

  Rose fought the urge to scratch her hands. Instead, she chewed her lips as Culain led them on to more discoveries within the library. She finally relented and scratched quickly, which was made it worse. She lathered her hands with the cream the court physician prescribed this morning, but the rash is still a torment.

  “I loved this place as a boy,” Darius said softly when Culain paused to check his notes. “I spent many happy days here, with royal bodyguards of course, reading about all kinds of things.”

  “You enjoy study,” Rose smiled.

  “Yes. I was good at it too. I’m not very athletic nor did I enjoy hunting or sports. My brother Justin was grand at those things. He was dashing, brave, and tall. I was small and scholarly.”

  Rose glanced up and whispered, “From my angle, you’re a giant.”

  Darius beamed a smile at her and she knew she blushed. She looked down at the trolley again, suddenly tongue-tied.

  Culain sent a selection of r
esearch down with an assistant keeper to Robert Silverberry and walked up to the fourth floor and acquired a fresh trolley. This floor housed the biology, science and natural history section. Darius was sent to the natural history section with a list of books to acquire and Culain searched through the biology section with the determination of a stubborn bloodhound.

  “This next text should be in the general biology section for monsters and creatures,” Culain said briskly, taking down a voluminous book from a shelf. He blew on it, creating a cloud of dust. “Ah, here it is.”

  “What is it?” Rose asked, a little hesitant.

  “I’ve located an old but decrepit copy of Encyclopedia of Mythical Beasts by Marcus Sage. I will check the Imperial Library for a better one later, but we will take this one now. But, ah yes! They have The Biology and Anatomy of Monsters and Demons by Professor Willem Krancid. It’s a ponderous but very detailed tome. Darius mentioned it when we talked this morning. It was penned over two centuries ago by a tall folk physician who actually performed necropsies on various demons and monsters. The sketches alone are quite disturbing but teeming with numerous facts and particulars, so it should be quite useful.”

  Culain handed her the massive text. It was quite weighty and even smelled timeworn and moldy. “That sounds both disgusting and fascinating.” She opened it and glanced through a few pages and grimaced at the gruesome drawings, “Let’s just make sure I haven’t eaten before studying it.” She closed it and dropped it in the book trolley as though it were contaminated by plague.

  “Is there a time when you’re not hungry?” Culain teased.

  “Now you sound like my mother?” Then she frowned and fell silent.

  “What’s wrong?” Culain asked. “I was only joking.”

  “Oh, I know that. It’s nothing. I was just wondering if my parents received my letter. I wrote to them, but I haven’t any word from them yet.”

  “I’m sure everything is fine,” Culain assured her. “Give it time. The mail going north from here always goes by ship first. It’s faster and cheaper that way.”