Sarah chanted a prayer to Agni and braced herself for the surge of power that was to come, but it never did. She looked at the four White Cloaks in front of her in confusion. One of them had to be casting a counterspell, or had she lost Agni’s favour at last?
Behind her, someone cleared her throat. Sarah glanced at the librarian's table and to her surprise, the older halfling was floating in the air, lifted by swirling currents of wind. She glared at Sarah and cocked her head at the signs.
“Absolutely no fire magic allowed in the library.”
The old halfling was wearing a dark blue robe and hat with red trim and turned her baleful gaze slowly from Hicham and his bodyguards to Sarah and her companions.
“If you are going to fight, I am going to have to insist you do it outside,” she said imperiously as she floated over the desk and placed herself between the two sides.
“It’s fine, Lucy,” Udoriol said, speaking for the first time, “they mean us no harm.”
The halfling froze, stunned at the sight of the elf. Udoriol then shifted his gaze to Hicham. “Do you mind if we take this somewhere private?”
Hicham nodded and Sarah noted the hostility in his bodyguard’s eyes. They were spoiling for a fight.
“Lucy, can you lend us a private room? We’re also here regarding another matter.”
“Yes,” the halfling nodded. She paused and her upper lip quivered. She took a deep breath to compose herself before continuing, “Cheval told me to expect visitors, which is why I stationed myself at the front desk… but he didn’t say you would be coming.”
She smirked and shook her head. “That old racoon. He’ll pay for this.”
Suddenly, Lucy’s voice was imperious again. “Follow me,” she ordered as she floated over towards the library proper. She paused at the desk and glared at the other librarian. “If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I’ll wipe your memory and you’ll spend the rest of your life thinking you’re a chicken.”
The younger halfling turned pale. “Oh no, ma’am, not a whisper will escape my lips.”
Lucy let her gaze linger to make her point and Sarah thought the poor thing would faint from fear. The old halfling then led them into a large atrium that was covered by the green domed roof. Skylights built into the dome permitted natural light in, of which there was not much of at this time of the year. The bulk of the light came from a shimmering orb that was suspended from the top of the dome like a miniature sun.
A grand staircase led to the upper levels. Balconies on the upper levels looked down on the atrium and Sarah spotted dwarves, halflings and humans alike moving among the rows and rows of shelves on the upper levels, seeking knowledge.
Sarah looked up at the countless books in wonder. The library had to contain every scrap of knowledge ever recorded by man, dwarf, halfling, elf, and orc. She could spend a year here just reading.
To her disappointment, Lucy led them along the edge of the atrium to a door with a “No Admittance” sign hanging from it.
The Head Librarian used a key to unlock the door and floated inside.
“Could the last one in please close the door behind them?” she called as she floated into the corridor beyond.
Conrad did so and muttered something to his colleagues that Sarah couldn’t catch. Orbs of light winked into being as they proceeded down the windowless corridor. Lucy was silent as she led them down a long spiral staircase and into a large room that was being used as a warehouse. This one was filled with boxes that were stacked to the ceiling. Sarah bristled as she spotted an orc who was moving boxes around. He stopped what he was doing and bowed politely to Lucy as she floated past, receiving a cool nod in reply.
They followed her through the maze of boxes to the far side of the room. She looked around to ensure no one else was looking and took a deep breath before raising a hand. She closed her eyes and chanted a short prayer and her hand glowed blue. She placed it on the wall which silently slid back into a recess before moving to the side to reveal a hidden room.
She looked at the others and cocked her head for them to enter. Udoriol entered the dark room first without hesitating, followed by Grimald, then Sarah and John. Hicham and his henchmen entered next. Lucy was the last one in, and the door slid shut noiselessly behind her.
“Illumination,” she called out.
Small orbs began to glow and they found themselves in a small room that was bare except for a table and one chair.
“Udoriol the Lightbringer,” Lucy said as she lowered herself into the only chair, “how many years has it been since you’ve been here?”
Sarah saw Hicham’s companions bristle at the title, and the elf smiled ruefully. “I’m afraid I’ve lost the right to that name as well, Lucy.”
The old halfling arched an eyebrow. “Yes, I’ve heard about that. Udoriol the Excommunicated is what you are called now. What have you done young ma-“
She paused and broke into a crooked grin. “No, I suppose you’re the only person in the Four Kingdoms I can’t call young.”
Udoriol smiled sadly. “It’s difficult to see what the ravages of time do to the ageing races. Why I believe that you were but an apprentice the last time I was here. You’ve done well for yourself, Lucy.”
The elf frowned pensively. “I do believe that the last time I was here was over five hundred years ago…”
“You have not been here for six hundred and fifty years, Udoriol,” Lucy corrected him.
Udoriol smiled, “Well, I apologize, I do find it difficult to keep track of time.”
Sarah looked confused. “I thought Halflings lived for two hundred years.”
An uneasy silence hung in the air until the halfling laughed. “I still have plenty of years left in me, don’t you worry.”
She paused and arched an eyebrow. “So, what did you do?”
Udoriol looked at Hicham and his companions and shrugged. “Not in front of them. I expect you owe your longevity to something you’d rather keep private as well.”
“Touché,” the halfling said, looking slightly embarrassed. “You may have your conversation here. This is a private space, and you can be assured that there will be no other ears listening in.”
“Thank you, Lucy,” Udoriol said. He looked at the halfling expectantly, waiting for her to excuse herself, but she merely leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest.
Udoriol cracked a smile and looked at the dark skinned young man. “My how you’ve grown, Hicham. How long has it been since we last met?”
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“What are you doing here, Master?” Hicham asked.
“I think I’ve lost the right to be called that too,” Udoriol smiled, noting the dark looks the bodyguards were giving him. The elf took a deep breath. “The strength of Ratri’s servants grows.”
Hicham shrugged, “The Church thinks she is but a minor goddess, beneath contempt.”
Udoriol’s eyes hardened. “I fought one of Her servants just yesterday. A vampire. It took everything I had just to fight her to a standstill.”
Hicham’s eyebrows soared.
“You were just careless,” Alfred growled, “and perhaps Treto has turned His face from you at long last.”
“That’s not it, Brother Alfred,” Udoriol said, shaking his head, “they are up to something here.”
The elf then turned to John. “Show it to them.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Grimald asked.
“We were going to inform them anyway,” Udoriol replied, “who better to tell than Treto’s Chosen himself?”
John glanced at Sarah, who nodded. Hesitantly, he pulled the glowing purple crystal from his pocket and held it up for all to see.
Lucy sucked in her breath. “No…”
“I’m afraid it is,” Udoriol said grimly. “We took it from one of their priests. Each of them seems to be carrying one.”
“What is it?” Hicham asked, examining it closely, “It gives off a foul vibe, whatever it is.”
“That is a soul gem, Eminence,” Conrad said. His voice was hoarse, and his face had turned pale, “If they have those, then they are a larger threat than we have been led to believe.”
Udoriol flicked his eyes to Grimald. “Tell them about the massacre.”
The dwarf rubbed the back of his head awkwardly now that he was in the spotlight. “Well, all I’d heard was that a couple hundred inquisitors died in a town called Shediac.”
“They were caught in an orcish ambush,” Hicham objected, “the town is close to the Southward Expansion, after all.”
“Did you see any of the bodies?” Udoriol asked quietly.
“The orcs are brutal fighters,” Alfred snarled, “they didn’t leave anything identifiable.”
“Ask yourself, does that make sense?” Udoriol pressed.
“What are you implying?” Peter demanded.
“That it was done by the servants of Ratri,” Udoriol replied, “and now they are up to something here. Look at how many of them are gathered at the walls of the city.”
“An army will soon be marching here to deal with them,” Alfred shrugged, “then I suspect they will scatter like cockroaches as they always have.”
“I think their possession of soul gems makes that a dangerous assumption,” Udoriol warned, “the Night Goddess’ servants grow stronger with each passing day. I fear they are planning something terrible. That is why I am here, to search for clues as to what.”
“What do you mean?” Conrad asked, looking confused. Then, he connected the dots and looked at Lucy, aghast, “you have forbidden books here! Specifically those on the ruin of Findendor! That’s why they have come!”
The old man froze mid-sentence as did the other White Cloaks. Sarah looked at them and then noticed Lucy had raised her hand.
The old halfling scowled at Udoriol, “well, you’ve put me in a difficult position.”
Udoriol shrugged. “They had to know.”
He then studied Hicham and let off a quiet laugh. “His body is frozen, but his mind is still in the present.”
Lucy scowled. “I suppose it would be too much to expect that spell to work on a Chosen.”
She sighed, “I’ll have to wipe their minds, but I don’t think that will work on our Chosen friend here either.”
“It’s fine, I know him,” Udoriol said. He lowered the hood of his cloak and stood in front of the dark skinned young man. “Unfreeze him, please.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Lucy warned. She wiggled her fingers and Hicham came to life once more.
“What have you done to them, you witch?” he demanded. His sword was halfway out of its scabbard when Udoriol placed a hand on it.
“Calm down, they’ll be fine,” he said, “we need a heart to heart.”
Hicham jutted his jaw. “First tell me what happened in Parindale.”
“What’s there to tell?” Udoriol sighed, “they came at me, I defended myself. What happened was regrettable, but my hand was forced.”
Hicham studied the elf and at length he let his hand fall away from his sword. “You have taught me much and I can’t bring myself to see you as a traitor…”
“I am a traitor to the Church,” Udoriol admitted, “but not to Treto. At least He has not withdrawn His favour, yet…”
Hicham nodded and turned his gaze to the soul gem. “What is that?”
“Forbidden magic,” Udoriol replied, “powerful and deadly. Ratri is on the rise, that much is for certain, and Her followers are plotting something in this very city using this foul craft. You must alert the Church and have them stand ready.”
“For what?” Hicham asked, “an army is on its way here. The Church is ready to assist them if need be. The Church is leaving the priests unmolested for now… We have lost a few Inquisitor teams trying to apprehend them already, so their orders are the same as the City Guard’s: wait for reinforcements.”
Udoriol raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Is the Church sending an army as well?”
Hicham nodded. “And I plan to be far away from here well before they arrive. They plan to make an example of the heretics here… and we both know what that means.”
“They will put every inhabitant of this city through an Act of Faith,” Udoriol breathed, turning pale.
Hicham nodded and sighed. “For what it’s worth, I’ve spoken against it, but their minds are made up.”
“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” Lucy gasped. Even the old librarian had turned pale.
“We might want to leave sooner than we’d planned as well then,” Grimald remarked.
“I agree,” Hicham declared, “I will pressure my masked colleagues to pick up of their few priests, if they can, and question them… thoroughly.”
“Will you let me know what they find?”
“Where can I find you?”
Udoriol looked at Lucy. “Perhaps you could tell her, and she could pass the message.”
Hicham nodded. Lucy cleared her throat.
“Oh,” Udoriol blinked, “and keep your mouth shut about this library containing forbidden knowledge, eh?”
“Back in Jazari, it is considered a sin to destroy knowledge, no matter how vile we think its contents may be,” Hicham declared, “you need not worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Does that satisfy you?” Udoriol asked the halfling.
“It will have to,” she sighed.
“Before I let you leave,” Lucy continued, as the wind lifted her out of her chair, “there is something I must do.”
She floated over to each of Hicham’s companions and waved her hand in front of their faces. “There,” she said, “they will have no recollection of the day’s events. I will leave it to you to find a creative way to fill in the blanks.”
With a wave of her hand, the door to the room slid open revealing the orc from before. “Bat Zorig will show you out.”
Lucy snapped her fingers, and the three White Cloaks began to sway as they looked blankly straight ahead. “Their minds will be highly suggestible for the next fifteen minutes.
She waved them away with her hand. “Go on, follow your little Chosen.”
Hicham eyed them suspiciously as they formed up behind him before looking at Udoriol. “Will I see you again?”
“If Treto wills it,” the elf replied, “Treto watch over you.”
“And you, Master.” The dark skinned youth then turned to Sarah, “I hope that this is not the last we see of each other either, my lady.”
He bowed formally before leading his men back into the warehouse. Sarah glanced at John who looked like he was about to explode with jealous rage. Grimald noticed it too, and it was all he could do to stop himself from laughing out loud.
Once the door slid shut, Udoriol turned to the halfling. “Say, did you ever cast one of those spells on me?”
A mischievous look crossed her face. “Goodness no,” she said dryly.
She floated over to one of the walls and placed her hand against it. Another hidden door slid aside revealing a dark room beyond.
“Illuminate.”
An orb inside the room began to glow, growing in radiance until it emitted a harsh white light, illuminating the room. It was a large one, though not nearly as large as the warehouse outside. Sarah moved towards one of the many bookshelves that lined the room and read a few of the spines. Her eyes widened in surprise. The titles were similar to the ones they had found in the other hidden library…
She took a deep breath and continued, “This is the repository of forbidden knowledge. I was going to deny its existence, Cheval be damned, until I saw you.”
She shot Udoriol a look. “Are you sure that boy can be trusted with this secret? The Church would burn the entire city down if they knew what was in there.”
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders and knows right from wrong,” Udoriol nodded, “and still doesn’t blindly accept all the Church’s decisions.”
Lucy took a deep breath. “People are using the dark arts again, are they? I suppose that makes sense given what they’re doing.”
She looked Udoriol in the eye and continued, “These forbidden magics call upon Ratri’s power. If she is elevated to the Pantheon, they will become far more potent.”
“They already have,” Udoriol said, “I have seen their effects first-hand outside the walls of this very city.”
“Then there may be a great upheaval soon.” The halfling shook her head. “That I would live to see such times.”
“Will you help our research?” Sarah ventured, as she looked at the shelves and shelves of books, many of which had disturbing sounding titles.
The librarian shook her head. “I’m afraid that being the Head Librarian of this place keeps me very busy. I’ve already been away too long.”
“There is a commode on the far side of the library,” she continued as she floated towards the door, “and I will have refreshments sent down to you. You can ask Bat Zorig if you need anything.”
“How will we open the door?” Sarah asked.
“Udoriol knows how,” the halfling replied, and then she was gone.
Sarah looked at the rows and rows of books and sighed. “Now, where to begin?”