Of Beasts and Bells

by J E Mueller

  Nadia shook her head. "Go on, ask if they want help."

  The pitcher of water jumping from the kitchen paused and turned my way. "No, we do not want help." It continued its way to the table.

  "See?" Nadia pointed out.

  Luce jumped into the room from behind me. "No, no miss! We don't need help. It is all we have to do!"

  I tried to say something in reply but ended up shutting my mouth and taking a seat at the farthest end from Nadia. Everything was weird here and I just had to accept it.

  I watched the different staff turned objects bring things out. They seemed to have everything down to a science now, something I didn’t notice last night. The way all of them moved and knowingly went about helping one another carry out tasks told me a lot about things. It wasn't exact answers, but it set the stage well.

  "How long has this spell been active for?" I finally asked, not entirely sure anyone could answer it.

  Nadia gave me a tired look before replying. "Eighteen months, almost to the day."

  A year and a half of this nonsense. Interesting. So, I was right on this being purposefully done. There was no way the elites in the magic community didn't know this was going on.

  "Why?" I just asked simply, motioning towards all of this.

  Nadia raised a brow before glaring. "It's too complicated for you to understand."

  "That's a fancy way of saying you don't understand," I replied calmly.

  She glared fiercely and all the objects moved about very carefully. I wondered how her temper impacted them.

  "I do understand," she replied coolly. "According to the powers that be, my parents were destructive and needed to go away. I wasn't fit for power, and any family that would have been good help did not want to help. They didn't know what to do about the situation and called in someone... I believe they called her a Daeum, a being from between the realms. She declared there was a way to easily solve it, but required time to do so. Since Daeums rarely respond to humans, magical or not, they gave her full control of the situation. This was somehow part of her solution." The last few words came out as a curse.

  "I've heard of them before." It was usually only in fiction and mythology though. "How did they even get hold of one? How do they even know for sure it was one?"

  Nadia laughed without humor her face quickly turning into a sneer. "If you had seen her you would know. She did all of this with just a wave of her hand. As if it was nothing."

  "Truly?" I let my surprise show. When Nadia just nodded, I bowed my head back. No one individual could pull this off. A Daeum was all it could be.

  "I'm surprised you're familiar with the term," Nadia stated as a plate was brought to her. The pancakes looked perfect, as did the fruit.

  I wondered how they even had food but ignored the minor magic for the bigger. "I don't know why you’re surprised. It's not like it's difficult to be well read."

  Nadia paused, fork halfway to her mouth. "That's not a well read term. It is a very niche subject." She took a bite of pancakes not seeming to enjoy them.

  "Mythology and fiction books? Hardly a niche subject. Well, maybe for here. The library system is too small and the schools are near the bottom for this part of the county." I shrugged and was happy to see a plate finally reach me.

  "You're not from here?" Nadia asked confused.

  "No?" I replied equally confused back. Why was that surprising? "I originally come from Coppertin, lived in Waterfall Glen for a bit before moving to Winsville, then Orangegrove, then Jewelrose, and finally here."

  Nadia looked thoughtful, likely trying to place all the locations before she commented. "Why here then?"

  "Work brought us this way. It's just a stop before we continue on elsewhere." I shrugged, not invested in any of those locations, or even here really.

  Nadia looked confused as she took a bite. "Why would anyone move that much?"

  "Why not? Why stay in one place forever?" I replied back as if it was that simple and not a lamely tragic backstory.

  Nadia thought for a moment. "There's not always an option to move wherever you want."

  "Who said I wanted to move here?" I shook my head and concentrated on my food instead.

  We ate in silence, both lost in our own thoughts. There were so many complicated layers here and fixing things was not my specialty. That was all Marcus. Researching random drabbles, knowing pointless trivia, and reading enough books a year to make people question my sanity was my specialty. I didn't feel a particular calling to anything. I just wanted to read and know things. Not that enough people considered that a reasonable enough adventure. Everyone wanted me to settle and pursue something.

  I didn't think it was in my destiny to settle. My magic wasn't even settled and preferred the rogue way of doing things. It was almost fitting for me to stumble upon this adventure. Strange magic that only made sense because an other worldly being dabbled with things was exactly what my soul called for. Though, more in book form and less in real life, “what the heck do I even do now,” form.

  As I finished my food, I looked around the room and tried to take it in. Truly take it in. All the artwork, the paneling, and decorations looked old fashioned, maybe even ancient. Was this all how Nadia's family had it set up? What exactly had happened to them?

  I found the words slipping from my lips quietly, surprised I was even considering asking them. "What happened to your parents?"

  Nadia looked up from the last bit of food on her plate. "The short story of it is my mother is dead, and my father had all his magic removed. It's not a pretty story, and certainly not one meant for the table." Her firm stop on it was reasonable enough.

  It spoke volumes too, those few little words said enough without needing more. It was a punishment seen as something more terrible than execution. People couldn't just lose magic. It had to be stripped layer, by layer, by layer. It took the better part of several dozen top mages to even complete it. In the end, the person was little more than a vegetable. While they could regain some form of movement and speech, they were never close to the same. It was a punishment meant for only someone truly horrendous.

  What crime did her family commit? Was she party to these misdeeds or just a bystander? What had happened? Now wasn't the time to ask. I wasn't sure if there was ever was a right time for that question. I did know enough for now though and sealed the thoughts away for another time.

  Nadia cleared her throat after a few moments. "I'm sure you've never seen the Daeum scrolls."

  I tilted my head. "No, I haven't. What are they?" I asked curiously, letting the topic take over my thoughts in an instant.

  Nadia stood, set her napkin aside and headed for the door. "I'll show you."

  Curiosity got the better of me, so I followed silently. I had no idea if there was any way to learn her full story. If there was any way to break this weird spell, this scroll thing sounded like the right path.

  Chapter 6

  Nadia led the way down a few halls and up to the second floor. After a few turns she opened a large set of double doors with intricate carvings. The sight in front of me was as if my dreams had come true. The library had two levels with a vaulted ceiling painted to look like scenes out of a mythology book. The images were mildly enchanted and had small movements around them. Long arched windows let sunlight stream in, giving no need for lights during the daytime. All around me were shelves, tables, and displays full of so many books and scrolls I wanted to cry in pure joy. The town library wasn't even this big and she had this in her home. My life goals were complete. Even if I didn't technically live here I could say for a moment I did.

  Nadia paused a few steps in surprise by my reaction. I wasn’t sure what look I was giving her, or rather the room around me, but it seemed to completely perplex her.

  "I thought you liked libraries?" she asked, confused after a moment.

  "I do!" I laughed. "This is just... next level. It looks so amazing. And it's all yours? That’s fantastic. Such life goals right there and
you're acting as if it's nothing. Not a big deal at all." I prattled on before realizing that I was gushing a bit too much.

  Nadia tilted her head and nodded after a moment. "I guess it would be. It's been the family’s for, well, ever really. I guess I just got used to it." Nadia looked around and seemed to take things in with a smile. "Come, the scrolls are this way."

  I followed behind her slowly, taking in the rows and walls full of books of all types. Some looked ancient and weathered, others were very modern with glossy covers reflecting the sunlight. I couldn’t see any signs indicating what sections were what and hoped this library, old as it may be, was still organized.

  At the back of the room were long desks wide enough to hold several unrolled scrolls at once. Paperweights and bendable lamps were ready to aid any who brought out things to look at. Behind them were locked cabinets filled with what had to be hundreds of scrolls. I could see the magic shining on the outside, warning those without permission to leave it be.

  Nadia walked up to the doors and put a paw on them, the magic shimmered at her touch as a small click echoed in the empty library. Carefully she opened it and scanned the shelves. They all looked the same to me, but I trusted she knew where things were. The third row from the bottom, Nadia pulled the fourth scroll and slowly unfurled it.

  “Here we are.” She carefully took it over to the closest desk and started to open it, setting a paper weight on either side so it wouldn’t curl back up on her.

  I walked over and saw the scroll was in a magical tongue. The symbols on the page changed slowly, as if they contained several things to say all at once.

  I watched Nadia look over it for a moment as the words moved slowly around the paper. “The Daeums are an ancient race, living between the realms but not trapped there. They respond to whomever they hear calling the loudest.”

  “No, but close.” I corrected her, feeling in my gut that wasn’t exactly it.

  Nadia raised an eyebrow at me. “And you read Kliptonics?”

  My magic happily came to the surface and I slowly waved my hand over the paper. The words stopping and converting themselves into our common tongue. “Not exactly. It’s the only thing I can ever convince my magic to do.” I moved my hand over to the section she was reading and pointed out the message. “They respond to those who call upon their nature the clearest.” I gave her a small smirk. “I’m sure the loudest is often the easiest to hear, but their words don’t always have the clearest message.” I was grateful my magic often shared the love of books and language I had.

  Nadia looked from me to the scroll and pulled up a chair. Without comment, she looked to the beginning and started reading aloud for the both of us. I grabbed a chair as well and was surprised with how easily she read the words aloud. Not many were good or even decent at reading things to others and yet she had an easy confidence as well as a captivating voice. I listened to her and read along on the scroll, letting the words sink in both ways.

  The end result was much the same. The Daeum magic line wasn’t one mortals could just go up against. The ways out of spells and enchantments were hoping they’d hear your words, your pleas for forgiveness, to go the route they set before you, or well, wait until the bitter end claimed you.

  “Everything points to you knowing how to break this,” I stated bluntly. “So, how?” I pushed my chair back some, as if being some physical distance from the scroll could solve things.

  Nadia sighed. “I do, but as with everyone else, I cannot say it.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t sound right. There’s no fairness to it.” I thought for a moment. “Actually, there sort of is. Only you can complete the task and that way no one is just accidentally guilted into it.”

  “Like anyone feels guilt or remorse towards a heinous beast,” Nadia grumbled, crossing her arms.

  “Not with that attitude. Ever heard the saying you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?”

  She scoffed. “Who would want to catch flies!” The outrage in her voice was a bit too dramatic.

  I stared blankly at her. “No one, you’re entirely missing the point.”

  “It’s a terrible point, whatever it is you’re trying to make,” she tossed back.

  “Imagine you’re in the kitchen, making a meal,” I stated and waited for her to nod before continuing. “There’s flies invading thanks to your awesome cooking, but if they land on the food, the meal is ruined. You can try and spray them with vinegar to kill them, but the smell keeps them just far enough away from you so you can’t get rid of them. Now, if you put some honey out instead, the flies will land. They’ll go for the sweet treat instead of the sour spray. You’ve won them over and you can choose if and how you want to get rid of them.”

  “Still a stupid saying,” she grumbled, but at least I could tell she understood my words.

  “All sayings really are, so pull yourself up by the bootstraps and stop being vinegar. Your attitude is getting nothing done.”

  “Like you have a fix to anything.” She got up and paced behind the desk.

  “Of course not. I don't even get to know the problem, so I can’t even guess a solution. You do though, and if you give me some clue, maybe I can at least point you in the right direction. Though, it sounds like you need more of a shove.”

  “Rude much?” She glared at me.

  “Honest much?” I smirked and batted my eyelashes innocently before laughing. “What other texts are there? Maybe there is a way around that particular stipulation. You can’t say it, probably can’t write it either. Is there a book with a similar problem?”

  Nadia looked thoughtful for a moment before getting up. Quickly, she went back to the cabinet and retrieved two more scrolls before setting off into the aisles of books. I took her silence as a possible yes and unfurled the scroll closest to me.

  After an hour Nadia returned empty handed, slumping down into the chair beside me. “The librarian is an immovable statue and can’t exactly help me find what I’m looking for.”

  “How are the books organized?” I asked. “If you remember the title or genre I might be able to help.”

  Nadia shrugged. “I’ve no idea. It doesn’t make sense. They used to be organized.”

  I sighed. “Well, at least you know there’s a chance somewhere in here. Better than no chance.”

  “How are you so positive? It’s annoying.” She gave me a frustrated look.

  “Good.” I gave a smile before shaking my head at her. “I’m not, but that doesn’t make my words less true. Might as well not give up until all the chances are actually gone. It’s not going to do you any good.”

  She was silent for a moment. “‘Suppose not…”

  I went back to reading but after a few minutes I noticed Nadia was staring. “What?” I asked her confused.

  “Why help?”

  “You’ve got something better to do?” I asked.

  “No, but that doesn’t expl-”

  “Neither do I,” I replied honestly. “We’ll get this mess solved, not likely overnight, but it’s not impossible.”

  “Feels impossible.”

  “It’s supposed to. It’s not like punishments are meant to be fun and games.” I shook my head. “Now, why not go look for those books?”

  She sat there for a moment longer before getting up and vanishing into the books once more. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Nadia returned with nothing again.

  “No luck?” I asked unsurprised this time.

  “Not exactly. I think I remember some, but if I’m correct, they’re in my mother's study and I can’t get into her cabinet. There’s a spell on it.”

  Curious, I got up. “Well, let’s go check it out.”

  “You’re not going to be able to break it.” Nadia gave me a ‘this is useless’ look.

  “Well, what kind of spell is it then?” I asked reasonably enough. After a moment she shrugged. I crossed my arms and smirked. “Well, then let’s go look. There’s a variety of spells it c
ould be, and once the castor is gone it’s easier to break. Even if the castor of the spell is alive, with the current enchanted situation, it’s likely their hold on the cabinet is next to nothing.”

  “I’m not sure how you can just break it, but I suppose you can see for yourself.” Nadia shrugged, trying to hide a curious look as she led the way out.

  “What about the scrolls?” I asked Nadia. These seemed too important to leave out.

  She shrugged and kept walking. “They’ll be fine.”

  I frowned but followed along. “Are you sure?”

  “Part of this terrible spell is that aside from anything destroyed the first night, everything reverts back to normal in the morning. It’s an endless loop of the same old same. If we leave them there, the scrolls will just be in the cabinet come morning. Even if you tried to keep hold of one, once the clock strikes midnight, it will vanish and go back where it belongs. It’s annoying, inconvenient, but predictable.”

  “Everything?” I asked, wanting to make sure I heard her correctly. “Even food? Clothes? Books?”

  Nadia paused. “Clothes unworn, yes.” She continued walking.

  “That doesn’t make any sense.” I frowned but followed behind.

  “Who are we mortals to understand Daeum magic?” She shrugged.

  I couldn’t think of a response so I stayed silent.

  Nadia quickly led the way from the library to her mother's study. The room had an antique looking aesthetic with a large wooden desk, a small chandelier, and lights along the walls that had a gas lantern look but were very clearly powered by magic. Nadia motioned toward the display of books behind the desk. The center part of it was barred, and while I couldn't see the flow of magic, it's power was obvious even from the doorway. The magic radiating off of it wasn't old at all.

  "When did your mother pass?" I asked curiously. "This magic feels much newer."

  Nadia shrugged. "When I was almost fourteen. The cabinet was locked before then."

  I nodded. It likely was. I had no reason to doubt that. I made my way over and noticed that while I could easily see into the cabinet, the spines themselves could not be read. The magic blurred out the words.