Chapter 43

“How dare you bring a filthy monster into this bastion of knowledge!” were the first words out of the woman’s mouth when she reached me.

My anger peaked immediately. This bitch! Coa was not a filthy monster! “Excuse me? Would you care to repeat that?” My voice was dripping with malice and I let my psi radiate a certain amount of pressure around me.

She took a step back in sudden fear before finding her courage again. “I shall have you arrested and thrown in the cells for this transgression! I have already signalled the guards, so don’t even attempt running away!”

The guards were the ones that let me in, you idiot! Obviously they hadn’t had a problem with Coa! She’s gotten too big to be hidden while hanging around my neck after all. Fuck, this bitch is going to create problems. I can’t afford to lose access to this library. Am I going to get a chance to plead my case at least?

The guard that had cleared me to enter had just walked into the hall. He scanned the room quickly looking for something or someone. Upon seeing the bitch he made his way over to us. He saluted and performed a slight bow. “Lady Gless, you called?”

The bitch smiled and pointed at me. “Captain, I demand you clamp this girl in irons and take her away!”

The captain gave me a once over before turning back to the bitch. “I apologize, Lady Gless, but what crime has the young miss committed? I cannot arrest her merely on your word with no further explanation.”

The bitch looked taken aback at being questioned instead of her orders being followed right away. She pointed at Coa around my neck. “She brought that disgusting creature into these hallowed halls. Now take her away at once!”

I was about to speak up in my and Coa’s defense when I caught the eye of the captain as he gave me another brief glance. There was something about that look. Checking his thoughts, He was focused more on the bitch than myself and he was hoping I wouldn’t cause any fuss for some reason. I picked up something about an important order.

“Lady Gless, all I can see is a well trained pet. A serpent dragon would require extensive training to rest so peacefully on its owner’s body.” Huh? Extensive training? “As such, it is perfectly allowable per the guidelines my superior gave me regarding admittance to the library.” The captain stated.

A flash of fury ran across the bitch’s face. “I am the Keeper of the Imperial Library and I say this girl must be removed. I do not care what orders you were given, captain. Take her away this instant!”

The captain nodded. “I understand perfectly, Lady Gless.” He brought out a pair of manacles that were hanging from his belt and then took a few steps toward me.

Well, shit. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. I guess I was mistaken to keep quiet, though I don’t think I could have defended myself against this bitch anyway. She seems pretty biased against monsters. I can probably scramble their senses and short term memory to make this affair blurry and then escape. I don’t like doing that, since it is really a brute force method and can have a range of odd aftereffects. They would remember this kind of scene but with a person somewhat similar to how I look now without any clear details. As long as I don’t come back with the exact same appearance, I should be fine. It won’t trigger the memories becoming clear if I come back in Noble Lady mode or some other persona.

Of course, I’ve never tried this on the people of this world, so there might be some highly negative side effects on them due to their zero psi resistance. If I have to do it to keep access to the library, then it’s a tiny price to pay. I don’t know where I’ll find another potential treasure trove of information. I’m quite sure they’ll survive.

Pretty sure they’ll survive.

I started preparing my psi when the captain stopped barely a step away from me and turned back to the bitch. “Ahh, but Lady Gless, I will notify my superior that there was an issue with my directions. I’m positive that he will schedule an appointment with you to discuss them. Marquis Sornan is very keen regarding the library’s affairs after all.”

“Marquis Sornan!?” The bitch squeaked. “I thought Earl Vilis was handling this task?”

The captain had a brief look of surprise. “Were you not aware, Lady Gless? Earl Vilis was called back to his earldom due to urgent business. Marquis Sornan graciously offered to take over the duty in his stead.” The captain explained.

The bitch was mutely opening and closing her mouth as if unable to respond. Checking her thoughts, all I could get was a feeble ‘oh no, oh no, oh no’ over and over. Whoever this Marquis Sornan is, she definitely doesn’t want to cross him.

“Lady Gless? Shall I inform the Marquis regarding this matter, so that he may consult with you?” The captain inquired politely.

“No!” The bitch responded urgently. “I mean, no, that is quite alright, Captain. I was just mistaken. Your instructions were undoubtedly correct in this instance.” She shot a glare in my direction. “I will be returning to my other manifold responsibilities. Good day.”

She strode off very quickly. I caught the brief glimmer of a smirk on the captain’s face as he watched the retreating figure. In his thoughts, he was ecstatic that he got a chance to fulfill his orders on the very first day. No idea for sure what the orders were, but it obviously had something to do with making that bitch look bad in some way. Some kind of politics. It seems to me like I was just used in some political game and while the captain still doesn’t care about me one iota, he’s sure to at least mention me to his boss. Should I wipe him? No, because I’d have to track down and wipe the bitch too, or it would cause complications.

The captain returned his attention to me. “Miss, I fear that my actions have ruined any chance you had of getting assistance in our Imperial Library.”

“No, I’m just grateful that I wasn’t arrested or thrown out.” I replied honestly.

“Do you require help locating any particular item? I am in possession of a fair knowledge of these shelves.” He inquired.

“I’m very interested in history and the Spirits and their exploits. I was also looking for information on magic, such as books about enchanting.” I stated.

The captain nodded. “The volumes on history are this way.” He led me past some shelves and into a side room. “This room is dedicated to history. Both related to our Empire and other countries and what we know of the world. Books chronicling the Spirits’ and their time here are back in the main hall.” He directed me back the way we had come. “They are up on the second floor at that large balcony right there.” He pointed out a section of the upper floor. “As for books related to magic, regrettably there I cannot assist you. I only know that subject is somewhere around the main hall.”

“That was quite helpful. Thank you.” I said.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“My duty is to serve the public. It was no trouble at all. Before I go, allow me to compliment you on your pet. My uncle was a Beastmaster that trained beasts in order to sell them, and serpent dragons are quite difficult to raise properly. It must have cost you a fortune or taken a lot of effort to get one so well behaved.” The captain did a slight bow. “Now I must return to my post. Enjoy your stay in our library, miss.”

The captain strode off, back towards the entrance. I glanced down at Coa sleeping, hanging off my neck. Well trained and behaved? I guess she behaves most of the time, but hanging on the body requires special training? She’s been doing that since the first minute I tamed her. It was probably just the circumstances that I tamed her in. I did just save her life, and her family had just been killed.

The more important current matter is which to research first? History or Spirits? I feel like the Spirits would be pretty well tied into history with their actions, so let’s focus on them first. The history section can fill in the gaps afterwards.

As I made my way over to the second floor where the captain had indicated the books to be. I saw a few other individuals wearing white robes and they gave me glares or turned away from me as soon as they saw me. That bitch didn’t waste any time did she. Let her play her petty games. As long as she doesn’t try to get me kicked out again or sabotage my researching, she can do whatever the hell she wants.

There was an ornate spiral staircase that I had to use to get up there. I pulled a book from the nearest shelf, checked the title, ‘Spirit Korzan’s Adventures’. Sounds silly but I suppose I am indeed in the correct place. I opened the book and then pointed at the first page.

“I’m ready, Mistress.” Lynn answered. “Go ahead and browse through the books. I’ll be scanning and compiling the information as you do.”

I probably should actually work out some signals for Lynn and I to communicate with. I’m not used to having her actually seeing everything I do. At least it’s been useful so far, even if it has come with some extra annoyances.

I started leafing through the book. Never spending more than a second on a set of pages before turning to the next. After I finished with one book, I would slip it back into its slot and remove another. I gave each title a quick glance as I did. I had repeated the process probably close to a hundred times. I had managed to work my way across the shelf and onto another. I was being a bit picky on the books I took out. I didn’t want to grab too many with the same subject material. I knew that two different writers could have very different  perspectives on an event, but I didn’t need or want an in depth overview of every Spirit. At least for now.

I felt movement around my neck. Coa had woken up and was now giving me pleading eyes while softly crooning. She was positively radiating hunger. It was a little after lunchtime, so I suppose I’ll take a break and get something for us to eat. I think I’ll go back to the inn for that. The lodging fee covers three meals a day. I might as well take advantage of it.

I placed the last book back onto the shelf. Based on the title, it had been about some Spirit founding the Adventurer’s Guild a millenia ago. I should have guessed that that idea hadn’t sprung up naturally. The white robed librarians were still giving me the snub as I made my way out. I don’t expect that to change.

The guard captain was still stationed outside as I exited the building. He gave me a polite nod and I was going to pass him by when I realized that I didn’t know how long the library was open for on a daily basis. “Excuse me, but how long will the library be open til?” I asked.

“It will be open the entire month of the festival, but I feel that is not what you are asking. The library is usually accessible from the tenth hour until the nineteenth hour. That is subject to change though. The library is also closed on the fifteenth and thirtieth day of each month.” He explained.

“Thank you again for the help.” I responded.

“Anytime Miss.” He said, giving me another nod.

I started down the stairs and then onto the road. Judging by what he said, the library should still be open a few more hours after I get food. I think so anyway. I’m still unclear on how they keep time. It’s not really information that comes up much since it’s something that everyone just picks up as they grow up. Oh, what if I try to find a shop that makes clocks or watches? That should at least help giving me the local time. There might be even one that tells the day of the month too. It’s at least possible anyway.

Coa was beginning to grumble and shake side to side. “Relax. It won’t be a long wait. You can be a good girl for a little while longer, right?” I stroked her head reassuringly.

I reached the area where I had detected that observer from earlier. Once again they watched me, but this time it was only for a few moments, before they moved and disappeared. There was a feeling of warning and the need to make haste. What an interesting reaction. Obviously something has occurred. Should I try to follow? No. I don’t know the signature of that observer well enough to attempt that. Yet.

I passed through the gate back to the commoner tier and wow was this area busy compared to earlier. That feeling of fear had faded away in the hustle and bustle of the city going into full blown celebration mode. I had to stop for a moment to do a quick psi exercise to protect myself from the sensory overload. There were just too many thoughts and feelings coming from all directions.

I really had been slacking off when it came to my psi. That exercise would have been part of my daily routine before I came to this planet. Though, it’s not like it was always necessary. More of a leftover habit from when I was younger. A lot of the worlds and stations I had visited had long since moved past the idea of crowding everyone into tighter and tighter spaces. Space had a lot of space after all.

The observer that had been close to my inn was not there at this time. I wonder if that has anything to do with that other one that ran off? I stopped for a moment and shook my head. Of course it does. Seeing me leaving the library was a signal or something. I strode into the inn. The eating area was packed and the inn lady was looking harried. Her tension jumped when she saw me coming to the counter. There was a tinge of guilt present too. Intriguing.

“Hello. I’m back for lunch. It’s pretty busy down here, so I think I’ll eat in my room.” I said.

At the mention of my room, her anxiety skyrocketed. None of it showed on her face or in her speech as she took my order. I wonder what was up with my room? I tried to scan up there but there didn’t seem to be anything amiss. I’d need to get closer for a more accurate reading. I was sure at least of the fact that there was no one upstairs.

As I waited for my food ready, I scanned through the customers’ conversations. Apparently, the tournaments had already started, but it had just been the preliminary rounds before the main event. I wasn’t really interested in those so I tuned those conversations out. One group was talking about some merchant ship that had gone missing. They were laughing over the misfortune of their colleague that owned the ship. Another was talking about how the Empire might levy new taxes to expand the military. Pretty normal gossip all around.

The inn lady finally returned with my lunch of seafood. I’ve grown to really like this type of fish. It tastes a lot like salmon. Very delectable. Of course I also got the required extra plate heaped with tidbits for Coa. It was a difficult challenge to stop her from immediately pouncing on the food. Maybe I should actually train her a bit? I kind of enjoy her antics though.

I started up to my room holding the tray, while keeping Coa on my neck. I was passing her small pieces of meat to keep her calm. When I reached the same floor my room was on, I could finally get a reading. I frowned. My web I had established last night had given me a very detailed mental map of my room and I could see additional magic sources placed around. They were very small and well hidden.

What action to take? It’s unsure if I’m even detecting all of them. My experience with magic is still lacking. I could get rid of these and miss one or even more because I just didn’t know it was there. I don’t even know what use these have. I haven’t felt this particular type of magic before. I can be sure of the fact that I can no longer rely on the privacy of my room to discuss things with Lynn. At least not yet. I’ll need to have a private chat with her somewhere tonight about setting up a different way of communicating. Using a different language to chat might work, but if they are listening in, it would probably still be clear that I’m conversing with someone.

I became aware of my psi swirling around my body. I took a breath and calmed down. I was getting irritated and losing control. I should be better than that. Damn idiots playing games with me. The inn lady was aware this had happened, but she felt guilt about it. Does that mean she’s not actually a part of anything that happened, but that she can’t actually go against whoever it is? That seems more likely.

There’s an idea. Could I change rooms if another was available? I think that would just postpone the inevitable though. They’d bug my new room tomorrow or later today while I was at the library again. For now, I’ll just eat out here in the hallway. No one is coming upstairs anyway.

I’ve got all afternoon and evening to think up a new plan.