The Forbidden Library

by David Alastair Hayden

  “I am not merely anger,” Hannya whispered into his mind. “You must draw on something else. You know that I am more than that. Remember the cold emptiness I felt? That is the place of my calm, in the darkest cavern where all is quiet and empty deep within the earth.”

  Turesobei released the anger and thought of the dark emptiness Hannya always had retreated to in the deep caves when she had felt alone and rejected. Then a strange calm flowed into him, bringing a different character of kenja. It was warm but not inviting. It wasn’t ideal, not for him, but he could work with it. He could have done the spell of summer healing for a change, too, but because of the burn on his chest he decided to stick with the spell of winter healing.

  He cast the spell. The searing mark the Keeper of Scrolls had burned onto his chest remained unchanged. It still burned like a thousand beestings. But the pain it had caused beyond the burn mark faded. His headache and dizziness went away and some strength returned to him. Enough for him to get by.

  “Thank you, Lady Hannya. Now, are you ready to face the world again?”

  “I am.”

  “And the Nexus … and the Blood King?”

  She stared into his eyes. It was hard to meet them they were so intense, but he did. Like with a cat, he didn’t want to look away and let her think she was dominant over him.

  “I am ready for that, too. I put him there. I can handle it.”

  “Good, now we just need to reach the Nexus. And to do that I need to figure out a way to get out of the Forbidden Library without having to fight the eighty yomon waiting for me outside. I feel certain the Keepers won’t help me escape them.”

  “It is not in their nature to do anything more than what is foretold,” Hannya replied. “The Eirsenda are alien to even the Kaiaru. And these last of the Eirsenda with their mission of destiny … they are fanatics. And like me, they have probably lived far too long. But do not worry about bypassing the yomon. I can get you out of here using powers unique to me. I can take you through the Shadowland.”

  “I am not taking my physical body through the Shadowland, nor the bodies of my companions.”

  “It is the only way,” she replied. “I can guide you. I can safeguard you. You need only do it long enough to get past the yomon. Then you can try to outrace them.”

  “How long can we travel safely through the Shadowland?” Turesobei asked. “Maximum safety.”

  “I can get you two leagues from here. That should be far enough that you will be out of their sight, if you are careful.”

  “But Awasa, the one you met in the Shadowland, she can sense me now and track me. She will know we are leaving.”

  “You know, though young you have already led an interesting life, Chonda Turesobei. And I do not envy you being in love with three women, two of them dangerous.”

  Turesobei shook his head. “I care about all of them, deeply. But I only love Iniru.”

  “If that is what you would like to tell yourself, then by all means do so. But what do I know? I have only lived for twenty thousand years.” Hannya chuckled. “Now, if you wish to escape Ninefold Awasa’s notice as we travel through the Shadowland, I suggest the ritual of the simulacrum.”

  “That’s a great idea.”

  The ritual would form a mirror for his energy signature, and he could leave that mirror behind in the Forbidden Library. The ritual was difficult, but if he maintained it long enough, he could get a good lead on Awasa.

  “Can you give me the strength I need to do the ritual and maintain it from the Shadowland?”

  “I can help you some, but it will take most of my energy to get you through the Shadowland with your companions and mounts. We dragons may be godlike with power to rival a half-dozen Kaiaru combined, but we are not limitless deities. Especially when we are old and no longer feared.”

  Turesobei nodded in understanding. “Now I just have one final problem: Lu Bei.”

  “Rescuing your fetch won’t be difficult, as long as you can manipulate Ooloolarra properly and get the timing right.”

  Chapter 55

  Turesobei threw open the door and strolled defiantly back into the Forbidden Library, Fangthorn in hand. “It’s done.”

  Lu Bei pumped a fist into the air and spiraled up through the air. “Master, you did it!”

  The rest of his companions were waiting with smiles of relief, though they didn’t seem nearly as relieved as he had expected. Turesobei eyed Lu Bei and chuckled.

  “You all knew I was okay before I got back up here, didn’t you?”

  Lu Bei chewed on his lip and looked away. “I might have kept them informed, master.”

  “Well, I didn’t tell you not to.”

  Shoma took his hand. “We were so worried. Lu Bei kept us updated as best as he could until the shadow engulfed you. Then we didn’t know what was happening for a long time. Lu Bei couldn’t tell. And then Lu Bei became a little dragon and thunder shook the entire library. The Keepers didn’t like that much and —”

  “Take a breath,” he said. “Relax. I’m all right.”

  “Of course you are,” she said, seriously. “I never doubted.”

  He grinned. “Liar.”

  Iniru gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I really didn’t think you’d make it back from being a dragon.”

  “Did Lu Bei tell you how I did it?”

  “I did, master. I did. And I told them all about your deal with Lady Hannya.”

  “Good, because I don’t want to have to explain it all right now.”

  Zaiporo patted him on the back and congratulated him, as did Narbenu and Kemsu. Motekeru gave him a single, declarative nod. Turesobei looked to Kurine, lying there peacefully in stasis. He wished he could share his success with her, too. A motion caught his eye. High above, Ooloolarra was leaning over a gallery rail. He met her eyes and she bowed to him.

  “So you have succeeded,” said the Keeper of Scrolls, stating the obvious. “Congratulations.”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  The Keeper reached out and touched the burned spot on Turesobei’s chest. The wound faded away, along with the pain it caused, leaving no sign that it had been there at all. Turesobei sighed with relief. He wasn’t sure how he had blocked it out for so long. Must be getting used to pain.

  “You must leave no later than two hours after dawn tomorrow,” the Keeper of Scrolls said, turning away.

  “Wait a second!” Turesobei said. “I could use some rest. A few days at least.”

  “You and your companions have already rested here, and you obviously healed yourself down in the stacks. It is time for you to go. You have what you came here for.”

  Turesobei stepped deliberately in front of the Keeper of Scrolls to block his way. The Keeper scowled at him.

  Turesobei clutched Fangthorn tight. “You could have warned us of that beforehand. This is unacceptable. I demand you let us stay another day.”

  “You demand?” the Keeper of Scrolls said. “Do you really wish to demand anything of me?”

  Turesobei sighed with frustration. “I’m not trying to insult you. I’m just asking for a little more time.”

  “Our rules are our rules. You were granted a tremendous boon in being allowed to stay here at all. You should feel honored. And you are getting to stay one more night. I think that is exceedingly generous. Too generous in my opinion.”

  Turesobei looked to Narbenu and Kemsu. “Please, at least let my two goronku companions stay after we leave. Just until the yomon pursue the rest of us. Then they can go back to their people.”

  “No, I allowed them inside only because they accompanied you. The goronku must leave with you tomorrow morning or their lives are forfeit.”

  “I’m sorry,” Turesobei said to Narbenu and Kemsu. “But maybe we could buy you passage on a ship leaving the port.”

  “No ships are here right now,” said the Keeper of Scrolls. The next one won’t arrive for two weeks. They cannot wait in the village.”

  “Why?” Turesobei demanded.


  “Because they cannot!” the Keeper of Scrolls almost shouted.

  Turesobei shrugged helplessly. “Sorry.”

  Kemsu glanced furtively at Iniru. “I’m enjoying the adventure. I’d like to continue on.”

  “We agreed to see you on your way,” Narbenu said, “and that’s what we’ll keep on doing. You may still need our help.”

  “I was really hoping they’d let you stay, though. That way I’d know for certain you could make it back to your people … alive.”

  “There’s no guarantee in that,” Narbenu replied. “You saw how dangerous it was for all of us to get here.”

  “You realize, though,” said Iniru, “that seeing us to the end will likely mean leaving your world and, hopefully, coming to ours.”

  “Sounds exciting,” Kemsu replied.

  Iniru rubbed the grayish fur his shoulder. “You might be a bit overdressed.”

  Narbenu sighed. “I’d miss my home, but how many people get to go to another world, especially one that’s better than this one?”

  “Well, it’s not perfect,” Zaiporo cautioned, “not to those who don’t look like Turesobei. But it is a lot warmer.”

  “And we have tea,” Lu Bei said.

  “And if the two of them come along, Kurine wouldn’t be the only one of her kind,” Enashoma said.

  “Tea,” Lu Bei said wistfully, “something I shall never again experience for I shall be trapped here … forever. Woe is me.” He winked at Turesobei who had a hard time restraining a laugh.

  “Sobei,” Enashoma said, frowning toward Lu Bei. “What are you going to —”

  Turesobei shook his head. “Nothing I can do. I made a deal. I will honor it. I have no other choice.”

  *****

  While the others slept after eating dinner, Turesobei worked on his simulacrum ritual. Lady Hannya gave him advice and a little power throughout. He was absolutely exhausted, but he had no choice. He’d always heard that there was no rest for the wicked, but he was discovering that reality was quite the opposite. After midnight he finished. Having placed the magic on the amulet, he stepped outside and spoke with the Keeper of the Hearth.

  “Could you give this to the Keeper of Destiny … the next time someone goes to him?”

  “You can keep the amulet,” the Keeper of the Hearth replied. “Returning it is not necessary. It is powerless now.”

  “I insist.”

  The Keeper eyed it carefully. “There is a spell on this. A powerful one.”

  “It will have faded long before you give it back. And it won’t harm anyone. I promise.”

  The Keeper continued to study the amulet. “A simulacrum spell?”

  “A spirit mirror so Awasa and the yomon will still think I’m here. Should give us a few days head start on them.”

  “You cannot leave such an item with such magic on it here.”

  “It won’t harm anyone.”

  The Keeper of the Hearth sighed. “I will take it up with the Keeper of Scrolls, but he will not allow it, I can assure you of that.”

  “Then don’t tell him. Just hold onto this for a few days. Hide it if you must. Please. Otherwise Inatiasharra’s sacrifice was all for nothing.”

  “Inatiasharra … how do you know that name?”

  “He told me before he died.”

  The Keeper of the Hearth studied him contemplatively. Turesobei had learned to wait them out. Minutes passed. At last he said, “I shall do this in honor of my friend who represented you bravely.”

  Turesobei handed him the amulet. “Thank you.”

  “Is there anything else you require?”

  “Can you have our mounts prepared and ready to go in the morning, but without taking them out of the stables. Just line them up inside and have them ready.”

  “It is a good plan,” the Keeper of the Hearth said. “A risky one, but clever.”

  “I didn’t tell you what my plan was.”

  “It is obvious, is it not, given who your new ally is? The simulacrum does no good if they see you leave. I will see that the arrangements are made. And I will hide the amulet for as long as I can.”

  Chapter 56

  Bundled once again in their many layers of sonoke fur, Turesobei and his companions left the Forbidden Library. The Keeper of the Hearth and Ooloolarra, who was now dressed in a silk robes and sandals, escorted them out. None of the other Keepers saw them off, not even the Keeper of Scrolls. Once outside, the Keeper of the Hearth turned them over to the Keeper of the Shores who bowed his head in greeting.

  “I am glad that you succeeded, Chonda Turesobei. I did not think that you would.”

  “Thank you for letting us in and giving me the chance,” Turesobei said.

  “You are welcome. Now, follow me. Everything has been made ready for your departure, exactly to your specifications.”

  When they reached the steep, ice-covered stairs, Turesobei cringed and groaned.

  “Oh gods, I’d forgotten the steps,” Enashoma said.

  Ooloolarra cast a spell and waved a hand. The ice on the stairs melted and the water poured off to the sides where it refroze, leaving the steps dry and ice-free.

  “You melted it without using fire kenja,” Turesobei said with surprise.

  Ooloolarra winked. “You don’t live for millennia in a world coated by ice without learning a trick or two.”

  Once they reached the stable in the tiny village, the Keeper of the Shores said a curt goodbye and departed. Their mounts awaited them, saddled and loaded with gear, and lined up inside the main hallway. They strapped Kurine into the saddle behind Motekeru, and then everyone else mounted up.

  “It was my pleasure to represent you,” Ooloolarra said to Turesobei. “I have not had the company of a Kaiaru in so long.” Turesobei let the Kaiaru comment slide. “And goodbye to you as well, Lady Hannya. I wish you well on your journey.”

  Lu Bei gave Turesobei a hug. “Goodbye, master. Take care. Eat your vegetables. Do well with your magic. Get everyone home safe and sound, please. Do it for me! And drink lots of warm tea … in my name.”

  Turesobei worked hard to keep a straight face. “I will, Lu Bei. I promise. And I will never forget you.”

  “Can’t you please change your mind about Lu Bei,” Enashoma begged Ooloolarra.

  “The fetch comes with me,” Ooloolarra said. “That was the deal. It was a fair one. And I have agreed to leave the library for the first time in seven centuries so that Lu Bei may see you off. I think that is exceedingly kind.”

  Lu Bei flew into Enashoma’s arms, faking huge sobs. Turesobei was worried the ridiculous dramatics would give their plan away. “Oh, do not cry, dear Lady Shoma, my most cherished friend. You will know many happy years, even without me, and I shall survive, though I shall think ever upon you.”

  Turesobei spoke the command phrase for his simulacrum ritual. The energies activated. A wave of dizziness swamped him. He stumbled a few steps but recovered.

  Ooloolarra cocked a silvery eyebrow. “That was an impressive piece of magic you just did.”

  “Thank you for sponsoring me,” Turesobei said, bowing. “I will be forever thankful to you.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Ooloolarra replied. “Come to me, fetch.”

  Lu Bei drifted over to her. “Of course, my new together-forever friend.”

  “Now for another piece of impressive magic.” Turesobei drew Fangthorn from a sheathe the Keeper of the Hearth had brought him and which he had strapped onto his back. “Lady Hannya, if you would please.” He spoke another activation command. “Everyone, remain calm.”

  The world around them darkened, as if a veil had fallen over them. Ooloolarra screamed and lunged toward Lu Bei. The fetch zipped away from her, waved, and landed in Turesobei’s lap.

  “Bye bye, usually-naked, crazy book lady! Sorry I lied about the together-forever thing. In a few hundred years, you’ll recover from this jilting. I promise.”

  Ooloolarra reached out again and her hand passed thro
ugh Lu Bei. Then she faded away from their view. Along with her, the stable, the village, and the library all faded away. The sun overhead was so dim its light could barely penetrate the clouds. The ground was not ice anymore but dust and rock. The terrain around them was barren and hugged by eerie drifts of mist.

  “That was perfect, master.” Lu Bei laughed. “Can’t believe she fell for it.”

  “Do you really think you fooled her?” said Hannya, her deep voice vibrating from the sword and surprising them all.

  “You think she was just playing along?” Turesobei asked.

  “She was giving you a chance to best her and knew you had a plan,” Hannya replied. “Otherwise, why not demand you leave Lu Bei with her in the library? She could have done so.”

  “You’re probably right,” Turesobei said.

  “I know I am right,” Lady Hannya replied. “Kaiaru such as her love to play these games.”

  Lu Bei nodded as he flew over to Enashoma. “Her and Master use to do these sorts of things all the time with one another. A sign of respect, I think.”

  Enashoma planted a big kiss on Lu Bei’s cheek. “I don’t care why or how, I’m just glad he’s sticking with us. Though you could’ve said something.”

  “I didn’t want her to find out by accident,” Turesobei said. “Thought it best to keep it just between Lady Hannya, Lu Bei, and myself.”

  “Too bad she didn’t find out,” Iniru replied with an over-the-top, fake scowl. “I’d rather we have left the little jerk.”

  Lu Bei stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at her.

  “Is it just me,” Zaiporo said, shivering, “or is it actually colder here?”

  “It’s a mystical cold,” Turesobei said. “Caused by the absence of life and love. No amount of clothing can shield you from it.”

  Lu Bei popped up in front of everyone. “My lords and ladies, and you two.” He pointed at Iniru and Kemsu. “Welcome to the Shadowland. Do not stray, or you will become lost and die. Do not panic. We will be here for only a short while. Because otherwise, we would die.”