Library

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

V iolet

I was awestruck by the council chambers that lay before us. Gismos, Otia, and Kitris stood aside, watching us gape at the splendor before us. The towering stone pillars flanking the entrance stretched skyward. They were adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes I assumed were from Nocturne's history.

Vines of ivy crawled up the sides, adding an ethereal touch to the solemn structure. The heavy oak doors were embellished with elaborate metalwork. They swung open with a solemn creak, revealing the heart of the council's power. We'd gotten up before dawn, cleaned up, and were greeted by the others when we got downstairs. We'd left right away because none of us wanted to eat first. We were anxious to get to the library before the city got going.

Inside, the chamber was vast and imposing. The ceilings were several stories high and supported by intricately carved beams that seemed to disappear into the shadows above. The walls were blank, allowing the enormous stained-glass windows to cast colorful light patterns onto everything. The entrance had a large desk where someone would act as a liaison for the council and a set of couches in front of it. There were three doors off of that waiting area.

"This is the council chambers," Gismos announced. His voice echoed off the stone walls. "A place of deliberation and decision-making for our people."

The grandeur of the space had a sense of reverence washing over me. "It's incredible," I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away from the awe-inspiring sight before me.

Fiona nodded in agreement. "It's like one of those old government buildings in London," she murmured.

Gismos smiled at our reactions. His expression was tinged with pride. "We take great pride in our traditions and history," he explained. "The council chambers serve as a reminder of our commitment to maintaining order and harmony in our realm."

As we explored the chamber further, Otia joined the conversation. She shared stories of past council meetings and the important decisions made within these walls. Her words painted a vivid picture of the council's role in shaping the destiny of Nocturne. It left me with a newfound appreciation for the gravity of their responsibilities.

Fiona's curiosity got the best of her. "So, what exactly does the council do? It sounds like you make the laws," she noted.

Gismos and Otia exchanged a knowing glance before Gismos stepped forward to answer. "The council plays a crucial role in governing Nocturne and ensuring the welfare of our people," he began. "We're responsible for making decisions on law, diplomacy, and community welfare matters."

Otia nodded in agreement, adding, "We oversee the implementation of policies and regulations. We also mediate disputes between members of our community. And act as guardians of our traditions and customs."

Fiona's brow furrowed in thought as she processed the information. "So, you're like the rulers of Nocturne, then?" she ventured.

Gismos chuckled softly. "Not rulers in the traditional sense," he clarified. "We're more like stewards. We have been entrusted with the task of maintaining order and ensuring the well-being of our people."

Otia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Our duty is to serve the best interests of Nocturne and its inhabitants. We try to guide them with wisdom and compassion."

Fiona nodded. "That makes sense," she admitted. "It sounds like you have quite a lot on your plate."

Gismos smiled with a hint of pride in his eyes. "Indeed, we do," he agreed. "But it's a responsibility we bear with honor and dedication, knowing that our actions shape the future of our realm."

Gismos led us through the door to the right. The library enveloped me like a long, lost friend. I loved books. Always had. It was why I owned a bookstore. I took in the high ceilings. They stretched overhead and were adorned with intricate patterns of glowing runes. Massive shelves lined the walls that were stacked with ancient tomes and scrolls. The spines shimmered with hidden enchantments. And then there were at least half a dozen cubicle-like sections with additional shelving units. The air hummed with magic that pulsated through the room. That, coupled with the smell of old parchment, filled me with awe and wonder.

Gismos, Otia, and Kitris led us to the desk in the middle of the room, where Gismos introduced us to Sterling, the librarian. Sterling guided us with an air of veneration. His long, slender fingers traced the edges of ancient tomes as he spoke of their contents with reverence.

The tranquility of Sterling's tour was shattered by the arrival of Tarae. Her entrance was marked by an aura of dark intensity that seemed to eclipse everything around her. She swept into the library like a tempest. Her eyes were ablaze with an unsettling combination of power and malice.

"Why are you showing them the library?" Tarae's voice cut through the silence like a blade. Her tone was sharp and accusatory.

Gismos remained unfazed. His demeanor was calm and composed in the face of Tarae's hostility. "Relax, Tarae," he replied steadily despite the tension in the air. "There's no harm in sharing the wonders of our realm with fellow demigods."

Tarae's eyes narrowed. An unmistakable predatory glint danced in their depths as she regarded us with undisguised suspicion. "They're outsiders," she spat. Her voice couldn't drip with more disdain if she tried. "They have no business here."

Gismos met her gaze unflinchingly. "They are our guests," he stated firmly. "And they have every right to explore our realm and learn of its treasures. It's not as if they are here to steal anything."

Tarae's lips curled into a sneer. Her gaze flickered with barely contained fury. "You're playing a dangerous game, Gismos," she warned in a voice laced with venom. "Mark my words, this will end in disaster."

Gismos remained stoic. His resolve was unwavering in the face of Tarae's threats. "We'll see about that," he replied coolly. I loved his quiet confidence. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a tour to attend to."

Sterling resumed the tour after Tarae stormed out of there. We'd gone through several sections and had paused in the potion's department. Fiona's eager gaze swept over the shelves of potions. "Gismos, could you perhaps guide me through the potions section?" she asked.

Gismos nodded, gesturing for us to follow as he led the way through the labyrinthine aisles. "Of course, Fiona. The potions section is one of the most fascinating parts of our library," he replied and dismissed Sterling to attend to his duties.

"This place is incredible," Aislinn breathed as she took in the rows of gleaming cauldrons and shelves lined with colorful vials.

Could you make a potion here? That wasn't what I'd expected. "It's like stepping into a whole new world," I added. There was so much to see in there that I could hardly take it all in.

I gasped, and my hand flew to my racing heart when an image materialized before us. "Welcome to the potions section," the magical librarian said. The voice sounded exactly like a person was there talking to us. How may I assist you today?"

Fiona stepped forward with a smile. "We're interested in learning more about potion-making," she explained. "Could you show us how it's done?"

The librarian nodded. A knowing smile played on their lips. "Of course. Potion-making is both an art and a science," she replied. She summoned a vial of shimmering liquid from the shelf. "Allow me to explain."

The magical librarian held the vial of colorful liquid and told us each step in the potion-making process. It was a generic list of instructions, but she cautioned us that we would need to follow each specific recipe precisely. Fiona declined when she asked if we required further instruction.

"This is fascinating," Fiona exclaimed. "I wish I had something like this when my magic was first unblocked. I could have used this back then."

Gismos smiled at her. "Indeed, Fiona. Potion-making is a delicate craft, one that requires both skill and intuition." He added his own insights to the discussion.

We moved on and once we were out of that area, the scent of aged parchment returned. I inhaled it and was transported to my happy place. When we passed the next section, Gismos leaned in. His voice was barely a whisper above the rustle of pages. "We need to access a private section," he murmured. His eyes darted around to ensure no prying ears lurked nearby.

Fiona's brow furrowed in concern as she glanced over her shoulder. She crackled with magical energy. "Should we cloak ourselves?" she asked.

Gismos shook his head. A faint smile quirked the corner of his lips. "No need for that. I'll handle any unwanted attention. It's not the forbidden section, so you can be in there. I just wanted to warn you because what we search will be talked about if anyone should join us."

Aislinn's gaze scanned the shadowy alcoves. "You know Tarae will be sending in her spies. I'd rather avoid a confrontation. The last thing I want to do is destroy your library. We could cast an aversion spell," she suggested. Looking over, she sought reassurance from Fiona and me. We nodded in agreement.

Gismos and Otia exchanged a knowing glance before nodding in agreement. "Very well. Cast the spell," Gismos conceded before turning and walking toward the secluded enclave with purposeful strides.

When he stopped, Fiona and I focused our magic. Taking in the area, we wove an intricate aversion spell around it. Together, we murmured the words, and a surge of energy rippled through the room. It blew our hair back and made the floor tremble beneath our feet. Gismos and Otia shared shocked glances as it sent a cascade of books tumbling from their shelves in protest.

My heart quickened with anxiety as chaos unfolded around us. Thinking on his feet, Gismos swiftly guided us away. His movements were fluid and decisive. Moments later, we regrouped a few aisles away to survey the aftermath. The once pristine aisles were now littered with fallen tomes and scattered scrolls.

Sterling approached with furrowed brows. His expression was a mixture of concern and bewilderment. "What on earth happened here?" His gaze swept anxiously over the disarray with a furrowed brow.

Gismos shook his head and frowned. "I'm not certain. I sensed a disruption in the library's energy flow. And at the worst time. My friends were enjoying the potions section. They were just saying they love what you've created," he explained.

Sterling's gaze shifted to the shelves. "A lot of planning and work went into this. I'll inspect the wards to ensure everything is secure," he promised before turning his attention to reshelving all of the books.

The tension slowly ebbed away as we set about restoring order amidst the chaos. I noted how Sterling and the few others in the library helping us kept away from the private section. At least the aversion spell was working. When we finished, we moved to the area where we'd cast our spell and reshelved those books before entering the restricted part.

Gismos, Otia, and Kitris led our small group through the maze of shelves in the private area. Their figures were outlined by the soft glow of the enchanted lanterns. They hummed with anticipation and unexplored knowledge. My hands shook as we approached the scrolls and tomes. Each one held secrets waiting to be uncovered. This was one reason I loved books so much.

We huddled around a table where Otia and Gismos set scrolls and ancient manuscripts. Their fingers traced the faded ink. Otia's voice filled the air as she read about Nyx's ambition. Her words painted a portrait of the goddess's relentless pursuit of power across realms.

A subtle rustling made her go silent. She and Gismos looked to the side at a seemingly solid wall with narrowed eyes. A second later, Gismos's muttered curse echoed in the chamber. His frustration was palpable as he realized the source of the disturbance.

"Someone is coming in through the secret entrance," he whispered. "And I bet it is Tarae. We need to get out of here."

"We've got this," Fiona replied and looked at me. Without hesitation, Fiona and I cast an invisibility spell, shrouding all of us in a veil of secrecy. And just in time. Tarae entered through the hidden entrance almost the second our spell activated.

Huddling close together, we watched in tense silence as Tarae moved through the area purposefully. She knew exactly where she wanted to go and went directly there. I could feel the anger coming off of Gismos and Otia as Tarae rifled through the shelves. Kitris seemed frightened more than anything.

Tarae's gaze lingered on our concealed location for a fleeting moment, making my heart race. It almost seemed as if she could see us. Luckily, I held my breath, and her gaze skipped right over us and moved over the rest of the area. She didn't look back as she vanished again through the secret passage.

As we lifted the invisibility spell, we discussed Tarae's unexpected appearance. Speculation and conjecture filled the air as we debated the implications of her actions. Each theory was more unsettling than the last. Gismos's voice cut through our conversation as he said, "We should get out of here and discuss this back at my house."

Nodding in agreement, we headed for the exit. When we were on the street, Otia turned to Gismos and said, "We need to stop by the bakery."

It was jarring to go out and have it be night again. We hadn't been in the library that long. Yet, the cool night air enveloped us in its embrace. Before we ever reached the bakery, I smelled the tantalizing scent of freshly baked pastries. The soft glow of lamplight cast ethereal shadows on the cobblestone streets as we made our way with swift steps to our destination.

The bakery stood nestled between two towering buildings. Its quaint exterior was adorned with intricate carvings and colorful displays of sugary delights. A sign above the door proclaimed its name in elegant script and beckoned us closer with promises of warmth and indulgence.

Inside, the air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon and sugar, mingling with the rich scent of freshly brewed tea. Glass display cases showcased an array of pastries, each more tempting than the last. I was happy that laughter and lively chatter didn't stop when we entered.

Eagerly, we made our selections. With our pastries in hand, we continued on our journey to Gismos's house. "I'd weigh a thousand pounds if I lived here," Fiona said.

One of Otia's eyebrows lifted to her hairline. "And why is that?"

Fiona's hand flung behind her. "If I could go there and get whatever I wanted without the need to pay, I'd rarely leave. Everything looked so good."

That made us laugh. She wasn't wrong. I was savoring the anticipation of sinking my teeth into flaky croissants and decadent cinnamon rolls. I didn't know if I could wait to reach our destination. I was about to ask for a croissant when we turned a corner and I saw Gismos's home.

We hurried inside and followed Gismos to the kitchen. It became a hive of activity as we gathered around the table. We each had a cup of freshly brewed tea and a plate of warm pastries. "Any brilliant ideas on how to tackle this little conundrum?" Fiona asked around a mouthful. "We need to find out what Tarae took."

Gismos nodded and set his almond croissant down. "She's heard the basics about the shield, I am sure, so I guarantee they will have some of the answers you seek. We just need to get into her house and look through them."

Aislinn leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "What if we posed as maintenance workers? We could sneak in and look around. No one pays attention to the people who keep things running smoothly."

Otia, Gismos, and Kitris simultaneously choked on their drink or food and gaped at Aislinn. Kitris recovered first. "That's not going to be possible. There are a select few who repair things in Nocturne. We don't have unknown people."

I grimaced and finished off the last bite of my scone. "I was worried you'd say that. We could create a diversion with an impromptu street performance. She could come out to enjoy the show."

Gismos arched an eyebrow. "As entertaining as that would be, I think we should stick to something a bit more... subtle." There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Sticking along those lines, perhaps a diversion near Tarae's residence could buy us the time we need," Otia suggested. "It might distract her long enough for us to slip past her defenses."

"It's worth considering," Gismos acknowledged, "but we must proceed cautiously. Tarae's wards are formidable. Any misstep could alert her to our presence."

Fiona's eyes were bright with excitement as she leaned forward. "Are there any celebrations or council meetings in the next few days? We could slip in while she's out of her house and grab the books."

Gismos nodded thoughtfully. "There is a council meeting tomorrow. That could work, but I don't like the idea of you guys going in without us. We must be prepared for any eventuality. Tarae is not one to underestimate."

Kitris looked between the elders. "What are the potential consequences of our actions? We don't want to escalate tensions unnecessarily."

Otia grimaced and began tapping a finger on the table. "This would cause an uproar. And could force people to side with Tarae on more matters."

Aislinn shook her head. "Then we don't do that. What if we use a bit of reverse psychology?" she suggested. "Instead of trying to sneak in, we make it seem like we're not interested in her secrets at all and bring them out in the open?"

Fiona raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "How would we pull that off?" she asked.

Aislinn lifted a shoulder. "I don't know her, but we could go out to dinner and have Gismos mention the books she took, and we laugh and say something like she thinks we're here for something specific when we're just on holiday."

Gismos stroked his chin thoughtfully, considering the idea. "It's certainly unconventional," he admitted, "but Tarae is nothing if not unpredictable. It might be just the thing to catch her off guard and make her return the items to the library."

Kitris chuckled, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "I must say, Aislinn, you have a knack for thinking outside the box. It's a bold plan but has some risks. We should consider other ways of incapacitating her and breaking into her house before talking about this out in the open because it'll draw a lot of attention to the books in question." Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy. Our luck wasn't that good.

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