Chapter 19

The Great Library, Timbuktu, Mali, Africa

"Y-Y-You're Genevieve Beaufont?" Paul, the Great Librarian stuttered, his eyes wide and his face suddenly pale, like he was seeing a ghost. He probably thought that he was.

Gen sighed, realizing it was never going to get easier, explaining the truth to those who deserved to know who she truly was. "I am. I'm the real Genevieve Beaufont, but not the one you probably know from the history books. You should call me Gen."

"I know my history books better than anyone." He blinked at her in obvious confusion. "So you're not William Beaufont's daughter, the first warrior for the House of Fourteen and a Founder?"

Gen chuckled at this, amused by the confusion her story created when explained to those in the modern world. "Oh, I definitely am. I'm just not the one you know from the history books."

"I'm going to need you to start from the beginning and explain where the evident gaps are in the history books," Paul said, combing his hand over his long beard.

When Gen had explained about her following Liv and Rose through the time gate and getting stuck in the twenty-first century, Paul's confusion seemed to grow into worry. Then she continued to explain how her identical twin sister, Elizabeth took her place without anyone knowing, comprehension dawned on him.

"So you see, this is actually my timeframe," she concluded. "I can't go back because there's no place for me. Elizabeth and my father are the Elders who watch over the House of Fourteen with the other Founders and make appointments."

Paul glanced up at the heavens, probably where he pictured the old magicians were stationed. "That's really amazing and beautiful. And you're quite the incredible resource. I have to admit, I have a lot of questions for you."

She smirked. "I can see why King Rudolf thought I'd be a payment to you for his mistakes."

Paul shook his head. "That man is so in debt to me for all the trouble that he's caused that he'll never pay up entirely. But meeting you is a good start. I'm glad he thought to bring you to me and the Great Library."

"It's really magnificent," Gen gushed, looking around at the enormous building full of books. "I never imagined that there could be such a place, but it makes sense now that I think about it. What an incredible use of magic."

"It really is," Paul said proudly, looking around with an amazement like he was seeing the place for the first time.

Gen awoke from her stupor, remembering that she didn't have a lot of time to revel in this new find. "However, King Rudolf didn't just bring me here as a way to pay up for the problems he's caused. I need some books on moral philosophy and he said this was the place to get everything on my list." Gen decided to leave out the part where King Rudolf called this the "boringest place" on Earth, although she suspected that Paul had heard that from the fae in the past.

"Oh, you're definitely in the right place," Paul said with delight, clapping his hands together. "I'm sure to have every book that you'll need since I have every book and every edition of every book in existence. You are never limited when in the Great Library—only by the amount of time that you have to read."

Gen smiled, nodding. "That's always the case, isn't it? I fall asleep most nights before I'm ready, wishing I could spend more time reading."

He chuckled. "An age-old problem. I'm working on a potion that replaces the need to sleep with reading."

"That's a fantastic idea," Gen marveled. "So you read a book overnight and then you feel completely replenished and ready for the activities of the day as the sun rises, huh?"

He nodded, his eyes twinkling. "That's the idea, but I'm far off from a prototype, which I think I'll test on King Rudolf. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't work, it might zap some brain cells."

Gen laughed. "Yeah, I'm not sure any of us would notice the difference."

"Exactly," Paul said, rubbing his hands together. "So let's see this list of books you need. I'll have my assistant retrieve them while you hopefully will keep me company while I complete a security measure for the Great Library."

"Of course." Gen pulled the list of moral philosophy books from her pocket and handed it over.

Excitement sprang to Paul's face. "Oh, what a treat. You have some of my favorites here. I can explain some of the more complex concepts to you while we get the books, like the Trolley Problem."

"That would be great," Gen replied. "I'll admit that I'm finding understanding the complex ideas to be difficult, probably because of my gap in knowledge in the last six hundred years and also because the medieval era dealt with ethics in a whole different way, with a lower threshold for right and wrong."

"That makes sense." Paul snapped his fingers, holding the list up into the air.

Gen wasn't sure what was happening but then there was a squawk, followed by the flapping of wings. She looked up just as a bird dove down from the second story. Then she realized that it wasn't a bird, but rather a combination of animals. The creature flying in their direction was a beautiful brown owl-like bird, but with a tail like a cat and front legs.

"Whoa, what is that?" Gen asked in amazement, watching the incredibly graceful creature.

"That's Beatrix, my assistant," he answered as the creature plucked the list from his hands and then flew on, soaring through the Great Library, on a mission.