It was early yet, but I could see him standing behind the glass. He looked up at that exact moment and startled, then closed the text he’d been looking at and came toward me, the same nondescript reference book I remembered from the day before under his arm. I waited as he walked across the plush carpeting that muffled the sound of footsteps and stopped before me.
"Ready for another day?” The thin volume almost blended into the plain brown robes, like an extension of his body.
"Yes, and I was hoping we could start where we left off yesterday."
"Absolutely. If you would kindly follow me." He turned around, hesitating, before giving me a warning look. "Please ensure you stay closer than yesterday. We don't want you having any more unpleasant experiences."
"Of course."
A faint idea had begun to stir in my mind. The door I’d accidentally gone through yesterday had been enlightening. It had been frightening to end up in a strange place when I wasn’t expecting to, but it had led me to thinking about just how big the Library was and what other secrets it held. As a scholar, I found it nigh impossible to let the thought go.
This time, I paid close attention to the winding path I was led down. From the main entrance with its thick carpets and grand appearance, the hall quickly narrowed down, branching out into several smaller spokes. The carpet thinned out, then became a dark hardwood. Our steps echoed now and the contrast raised goosebumps on my skin. If I did get separated from Jarid, I wanted to be able to find my way back.
We took the second spoke to the right, which I noted was marked by a sad statue of a unicorn looking into the distance. Each hall had a different statue, which I carefully examined in as much detail as I could before I saw I was falling behind. As I jogged to catch up, I was happy to see the hallway we’d taken was familiar. It seemed much more likely I’d be able to find my way if I did become separated from Jarid.
The hall continued on quite some distance, descending as it looped around, the large shelves I remembered from the day before the same. I counted the turns in my head, marking certain shelves with unique ornamentation as guideposts. It was time to use my memory for more than just recalling the things I’d read in a book.
Once we were in the room, I sat with my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my templed fingers, bouncing it up and down slightly. How could I best word my request to get the information I needed from the reference book?
Sel took up his familiar position at the doorway and I bit my lip, letting my eyes rest on the book in question. By now, I was certain the thin reference volume Jarid was cradling had magic of a sort I’d never seen before. I looked at it, a longing to have something so magnificent in my own library at home filling me before I pushed the thought aside.
"Do you have the volume written by Geōrgios of the Dragon Dominion?"
Jarid's eyes widened as I stopped. I had no idea where my request had come from, as I hadn’t even thought of that book in years. Wait—had I read about him yesterday? For some reason, it seemed important now.
"Geōrgios? Isn’t that one of the lost texts?"
“I'm not sure. But I think I read something about it yesterday. Wasn't he one of the famous dragon scholars from—"
"The time when Onen Suun disappeared."
“Yeah, him.”
No one knew exactly what had happened, but the more I read, the more the pieces seemed to be forming a whole picture for me. "Yes, several High Dragons went missing at the same time as Onen Suun and Dag’draath. I know there was some sort of ritual, but not what it encompassed. If I can find accounts of what others thought happened during the time it happened, I might be able to fit together a timeline of events. And if I can do that…"
I allowed my words to trail off when Jarid leaned toward me with his eyes wide.
"You might be able to discover how he did it?" he blurted.
"Exactly. If I can find out how or when Suun trapped Dag’draath, maybe I can figure out how to put him away for good."
Jarid exhaled, his breath leaving on a low whistle. "That's a pretty big task. I'm not sure the Library will give you the answers you seek."
He looked around, shifting his eyes from side to side as if afraid someone was watching us. I had the sense not only that he wasn't sure how much he could say, but also that he was looking to the walls for permission to speak. After a long moment of this odd, silent communion with the room while we waited, Jarid gave one sharp nod and seemed to shake himself.
"The answers are here, somewhere, but I may not be the best guide for you after all."
I searched his face, looking for any sign he knew something. He seemed to believe what he was saying, but I sensed there was more to his words than what was on the surface. I could see Jarid wanted to help, but now I was suspicious he may not be able to bring me anything I desired, unlike Luban had led me to believe. Interesting.
"Well, are you allowed to bring me the book written by Geōrgios?" I returned to the matter at hand. Surely his reaction would tell me something.
Now that he’d shown hesitation, this particular volume was even more important than it had been when I’d unexpectedly mentioned it the first time. Why had I mentioned it? I narrowed my eyes and looked at the walls, waiting for them to talk to me the way they seemed to talk to Jarid, but only silence met my attempts. I brushed the ridiculous idea aside as he returned a moment later, setting the book down as he touched it almost reverently.
He pressed his lips together and gave me a look full of caution.
"The reference book showed me where it was, but I'm not sure I’m supposed to let you read it. So please, read quickly. Assistants have been removed from their duties for less."
I narrowed my eyes at the word removed. From what I understood so far, that could literally mean they were removed from the Library—or worse. Could they lose their lives as well as their livelihood?
"I'll be careful and as fast as possible."
My hands caressed the elegantly bound volume. It was the deep purple reserved only for royalty, but the material was unlike any I’d seen—thick yet soft, luminous, with words inscribed in ornate gold leafing and jewels adorning the front. It was completely different in nature from the black volumes I’d found in my own library, but something about it reminded me of those texts and my excitement rose. There were answers in here.
I dove into it, a fluttery feeling in my stomach with the certainty this book would be important pushing me on. Every now and then I glanced over at Jarid because of the noise he made. Otherwise the room was silent.
He was squirming in his chair and startled frequently, which in turn caused me to look up. Sel wore a smirk as he stood ready, likely at the skittish apprentice, but I was less amused. The Library was his domain. If he was nervous about my access to this book, chances were there was something to be nervous about.
As I flipped through the pages, I quickly discovered everything was written from the perspective of the dragons. Three chapters in, I discovered a small, almost imperceptible figure on the corner of one of the pages. I was scouring the book for every little detail I could find, and I still had to squint before I could make out the small trident for what it was. Interesting. Why would a trident be in a book about dragon history? I read further, coming to a passage in the book where Geōrgios went from speculation to fact. My eyes widened.
Mermaids? Why were mermaids mentioned? To the best of my knowledge, mermaids and dragons had little in common and even less to do with each other. Mermaids inhabited the deep oceans, while the dragons lived completely different lives on the highest mountain islands, in a completely different region of our world.
By now, I’d completely forgotten Jarid and Sel were there as I devoured the book. It soon became apparent the mermaid-dragon connection was important, even though the specifics were vague. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, allowing what I’d read to settle into my mind.
When I opened my eyes, feeling none the wiser, my gaze fell upon the door l
intel of the room. My vision sharpened as my brain connected what I was seeing with and what I had just read. Pressed into the wood, in such a subtle way it almost appeared to be part of the grain, was a small trident, no bigger than my thumb.
Casting my mind back to the winding route we’d followed from the lobby to the reference room, I began to connect the dots. I’d seen other tridents in the Library. In fact, there was one just outside our reading room. Was it possible they led somewhere important? To another room or book that could explain what had happened on the long-ago day when Dag’draath had been locked away? If it was the case, then maybe I could put Dag’draath away forever by recreating the spell.
Even as my excitement grew, I glanced at Jarid from beneath half-lowered eyelids. His head was bent over a book as he sat across the table, some of his earlier anxiety diminished by the sheer monotony of waiting. I didn’t want to involve him in what I was considering. I was certain he wouldn't be able to play a part in the next leg of my journey.
Luban struck me as a strict master with crystal-clear rules for the apprentices at the Library. Jarid’s reaction to my request for the book in the first place had told me everything I needed to know. Luban would certainly punish Jarid if he helped with anything I discovered from this forbidden text.
I stretched, faking a yawn which quickly became real. I wasn't sure how long we’d been sitting there, only that I'd managed to read almost the entire book in front of me. I stood from the table, startling both of them.
"May I help you with something?" Jarid cocked his head. My conscience read suspicion in his eyes and I smiled, trying my best not to look as guilty as I felt.
"I need to use the facilities. To relieve myself," I added, causing Jarid to flush and Sel to roll his eyes.
Jarid cleared his throat as he pointed at the door. "There is a chamber just across the hall from here." He looked at me, hesitating before adding, “Make sure you stay close by, and only take the door labeled for such things. Please come right back, or I will have to ensure you are safe."
I filed the information away for later. The more I learned about the Library, the more mysterious it became. Doorways that led to other worlds, perhaps? Was there real danger awaiting, other than losing my way if I took a different door? I didn't pause long though, too eager to test my theory about the small symbol from the book. When Sel moved, I held up a hand.
"I'll be back in a minute. Stay here. I won't require any help."
I raised my eyebrows and he looked away, but not quickly enough to hide an embarrassed flush of his own. I held back a smirk, their reactions confirming the little I knew about men, both human and elf. According to my younger sister, the best way to escape boring conversation or unwanted attention was to excuse yourself by mentioning the ladies’ room.
I walked out, gently closing the door behind me to avoid any extra attention. I made note of the door across the hall, clearly labeled with the figure of a female. Instead of opening it, I turned right and walked down the hall and further into the Library.
Chapter 12
The hallways were winding but well lit, and it was easy to see where I was going. It was less ornate on this level compared to the first hallway, but it was still decorated with sturdy, practical materials I approved of. The shelves were sturdier, made out of rock instead of wood, and the doorways were a dark oak which reflected the light, making them seem almost alive. This odd luminescence allowed me to spot the symbol I’d thought I’d seen earlier. A trident. Smiling with satisfaction, I headed closer to get a better look. It was a trident for sure, but to my surprise, there was the figure of a small dragon on the other end of the lintel, as if they were bookending the door. The trident seemed to be angled to the left, almost like an arrow, so I continued in that direction.
Walking faster, almost jogging with the certainty I was on the right track, I glanced over my shoulder. Exhaling with relief I hadn’t been followed, I turned my attention to the top of the doors I passed by. With nothing other than a gut feeling to go on, I expected the symbols would all be at or above eye level.
When I spotted another one around the corner and several doors down, my hunch was vindicated. I moved toward it. Now I could see a trident, a dragon, and a sword on the lintel. Three symbols! I was definitely on to something, even if I wasn't yet sure what. But this time, the symbol wasn't on the door, but in the hall near the same height. This time I was sure it was acting as an arrow, so I kept moving. The sword seemed to be pointing around a corner.
I had almost given up hope when I hadn’t seen another symbol after passing several doorways, thinking I’d missed my turn when I abruptly came to a dead end. A large, black archway surrounded a door far grander than any of the others I had passed, and more ornate than anything I’d seen on this level.
Was this the right door? Looking down the hall, I first ensured I was still alone. When I turned back to the door, my eyes shot right to the top of the archway, where I again noted the symbols I’d been following, except this time there were four.
I had already seen the dragon, the trident, and the sword, but in addition, this door had one more—a sun. I exhaled shakily, holding my hand out. I was sure if I stood on my toes, I would be able to touch it, if I just stretched a little farther…
My heart raced as the bubble of adrenaline coursed through my body. The door was gorgeous, dark, and mysterious. How could this not be an answer to what I sought? Everything about it screamed mystery and answers, wrapped in one onyx frame. I noticed with some surprise my hand was shaking as it reached for the door handle, and then I faltered, my hand curling in on itself, capturing my fingers as reality intruded.
What if it was another door like the one I'd felt compelled to open yesterday? What if the door I was attracted to for its dark and mysterious appearance was just dark and dangerous? What if whatever was behind this door led to my doom, not the answers and solution to Dag’draath I wanted? As my heart rate kicked up, I narrowed my eyes, berating myself.
Stop being such a child. You’ve already come this far. You’ve fought ur’gels, killed a deer, and carried it back to a campfire you built yourself. You're tougher than this. I gritted my teeth, and this time my hand reached for the handle, as firm and steady as my resolve.
Once again, my hand was stopped. But this time by an external force. My eyes widened at the touch of a pale white hand gently pushing mine down and away. With a sinking heart I spun around to see Jarid with Sel standing just behind him. Both watched me with reproving and disappointed expressions.
"What?" I did my best to keep my voice innocent. "I got distracted after I went to the bathroom," I mumbled. Regardless of my weak explanation, I could tell immediately neither believed me based on their crossed arms and raised eyebrows. "Fine." I sighed, closing my eyes as I searched for a way to explain myself. Maybe I could emulate my sister. Whenever she got caught, she deflected. It seemed to work well for her, so maybe it would work for me.
"There was a symbol in the book I was reading. I didn't want to get you in trouble, Jarid, so I decided to try to find it without you." I shot an apologetic glance to Sel. "And you know I would've taken you, except…"
Sel's face smoothed out immediately. "Of course, it's not like you owe me an explanation. I just can't do my job and protect you if I don't know where you are."
Heat stained my cheeks. There was nothing accusatory about his words, yet I still felt as if I had betrayed him in some way. Jarid, I’d expected to feel less guilt over, because I really had slipped away in order to protect him, but his dejected frown hurt nearly as much.
"That door isn't one I've seen before." Jarid spoke, his voice tentative as he changed the subject. It sounded as though he was making a peace offering. While grateful for the chance to talk about something else, I was also perplexed.
"What do you mean? It wasn't there before?"
Jarid crossed his left arm over his chest and tapped his right index finger thoughtfully on his chin. "I was down this hallwa
y a week ago, and I don't recall seeing this door. The ones on either side leading here were there. But this one is not a door I’m familiar with, and it’s hard to miss."
He narrowed his eyes, causing me to turn back to the door, trying to see if I’d missed something on my initial survey, but it looked the same.
"If you’ve never seen it before, how can it be here now?"
For moment, Jarid looked uncomfortable. He wore the same conflicted expression he’d had earlier when he’d appeared to be trying to decide what to tell me. Finally, his shoulders slumped as he bit the inside of his cheek and responded. "The Library is not a normal building. I know I warned you with the barest of details I could give about the doors. But, for lack of a better way of explaining it, well, it may be almost like a living entity." He flinched, as though he expected me to burst out laughing, but it made sense to me.
"So, the door was here before."
From behind me, I could hear Sel groan quietly. And knew he was already regretting following Jarid to find me.
My interest was piqued, and I wasn't about to leave until I figured out what was behind the onyx door, especially after Jarid had given me such a fascinating bit of news. All my earlier apprehension forgotten, now only the mystery remained. I turned to Jarid and his eyes widened at the look on my face. I wasn't even trying to hide my excitement.
"I found a symbol in the book and something told me I should follow it. The symbol kept repeating in the hallway, except every now and then, another symbol would be added to it. First, it was a trident, exactly like the symbol in the book I was reading by Geōrgios. The next symbol was a dragon next to the trident, followed by a sword. Now this door has the symbol of the sun as well."
Soul Goblet Page 13
