Daubutim kept a calm look on his face, staring at the man he'd heard and read legends about his entire life. The glistening eyes widened minutely.

"Master Librarian, this is Daubutim, the young apprentice I've told you about," Purntou said calmly. "He has read through the requested books."

So he requested I read them? Daubutim pondered as he inclined his head.

"It's an honor to meet you, Master Librarian," he said.

Why did he ask me to come here? He has to know where I'm from…

He felt his mind spinning, and it took all of his efforts to remain focused on the here and now.

"Librarian Purntou, why don't you leave me and our young apprentice alone for a while? I'll take him on a walk through the inner library before bringing him back."

Daubutim turned to Librarian Purntou just in time to see a look of surprise fade.

"As you wish, Master Librarian," Purntou said as he bowed his head. Then he turned to Daubutim, who saw a flicker in the Librarian's eyes, nodded, and left.

As soon as the door closed, Daubutim focused his complete attention on the ancient sorcerer. The sparkling eyes were gazing back at him, then the bearded man pushed himself upright.

"Follow me," he said with a half smile.

Then he walked towards a small door at the back of the room, moving more spry than Daubutim would have expected from him.

Keeping quiet, Daubutim followed him to the door. As soon as it opened, a narrow book-lined hallway appeared, and Daubutim blinked. This was the inner library already? He sorted his new knowledge, then stepped across the doorframe, making sure not to touch it anywhere. As he stepped through, an odd tingling spread through him, as the book had warned, leaving just as fast.

That felt… familiar, Daubutim thought. It took him only a moment to figure out why. They had gone through a portal.

Gelwin moved ahead of him, leading him through the narrow hallway, and Daubutim focused on not touching any of the books as he quickly followed him.

"Librarian Purntou told me that he was very impressed by your memorization skill," the old Librarian said as he continued walking through the maze. "Based on what you have seen of the library and the building, can you guess where we are right now?"

"Not on Fiverio," Daubutim said. It was mostly a guess, something he usually didn't do, but based on all that he read, it was the only thing he could come up with.

"Correct. The inner library, only freely accessible by the Master Librarians, is hidden away," Gelwin said.

They continued down the narrow hallways until they reached a more spacious one, where Gelwin stopped.

Daubutim didn't look around, keeping his eyes on the ground or the bottom rows of books.

"Now then, young Daubutim," Gelwin said as he stopped before Daubutim. "Why don't you tell me where Uxin'tar is hiding?"

Daubutim barely stopped himself from looking up, focusing on Gelwin's boots.

"You can look up. We are inside a safe area," Gelwin said.

Daubutim hesitated, then raised his head. He made sure to keep his gaze on the ancient sorcerer, who was calmly looking back at him. Daubutim hesitated only for a moment.

"I don't know. He keeps swooping down from above on his birds and has captured one of my friends to do his talking," Daubutim said honestly.

"And what did you discuss with him yesterday?" Gelwin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Daubutim stared back in shock. How did Gelwin know all this? The shock caused him to lose his hold on himself, and he blinked as he felt the world around him turn dull. He struggled to keep awake. He had to-

He dully gazed at the man before him, his mind a chaotic mess.

--

"Interesting," Gelwin muttered. "You have some kind of affliction… is this Uxin'tar's handy work?

He inspected the towering warrior before him. His eyes were glazed over, and the sharp look from before was completely gone. Instead, he gave off the feeling of a dumb brute.

"Can you still speak?" he asked.

"Yes," came a dull answer.

"Alright, follow me for a while. As soon as you are back to normal, let me know," Gelwin said as he turned and began wandering the hallways. "Don't worry too much. In here, we have a lot of time."

"Okay."

Gelwin grimaced at the dull reply.

"I hope this doesn't happen a lot, young one. Because if it does, I'm not sure you can help me as much as I had hoped."

There was no response, and Gelwin continued ahead, leading Daubutim along.

--

Daubutim woke, staring at a towering wall of books, while Gelwin was softly speaking.

"-wall is known as the wall of language. We add the language of each new portal world we find here. Well, I should say dialect. For some reason, nearly every human-speaking world we have encountered seems to speak the same or a similar language. There are a half dozen variations, but even then- Ah! You are back?"

Daubutim nodded, turning his attention to the sorcerer. The memories of the last three hours and fifteen minutes replayed in his mind, and he felt a sense of gratitude. Gelwin hadn't rushed him, pushed him, or pressured him but merely walked around, talking about many interesting little things.

Because he wants something from me, Daubutim thought, clamping down on his mind.

"Yes. Thank you for your patience," Daubutim said.

"Such a massive change," Gelwin said as he looked back. "Now. Do you remember what I asked you before?"

Daubutim looked back. "I remember everything," he said calmly.

Gelwin's bushy brows rose slightly, then he cocked his head.

"I see. Also, what I spoke about while we walked?"

"Everything," Daubutim said calmly.

"Now that might come in handy," Gelwin said as he nodded. "So. What did you speak about with Uxin'tar?"

Daubutim suppressed his desire to know how Gelwin knew and instead calmly recounted the entire conversation word by word. When he finished, Gelwin was looking at him.

"Have you found a limit to what you can remember?"

Daubutim shook his head, looking back at the man he'd never thought he'd meet.

"How can you be here?" he asked.

"So. You know who I am?" Gelwin asked.

"You are Gelwin, savior of Giard, and you should be hundreds of years old."

"Hundreds, huh? Yes, that too," Gelwin said as he stroked his beard. "If I ask you to try and analyze the situation and think of a reason for me to have come here, will you break down again?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Daubutim frowned as he carefully prodded what he knew. It wasn't an unreasonable question, but he quickly found his mind bogging down. There were too many potential possibilities.

"Ah, sorry young one. I guess we all have our own strengths and weaknesses," Gelwin said before looking around. "I am here to try and find a way to save the last of my family and friends. Even though many don't even remember me or where they come from."

"You mean the people of Giard?" Daubutim asked.

"Yes, those few that remain on Clour peninsula," Gelwin said, staring at him calmly.

"So the little we could find about the world beyond the wall is right then?" Daubutim asked. "None remain?"

"Just a few tiny towns, hidden away in remote areas," Gelwin said. "Well… that was before I left."

"Why did you leave?" Daubutim asked.

"Young one, I think we need to establish some rules here," Gelwin said. "First of all, I had not anticipated you recognizing me. I'd have rather our first meeting had been less burdened by expectations and confusion. However, now that we are here let me make something clear. I don't know if I can trust you yet. Uxin'tar is a young, weak fool, but he has also proven dangerously tenacious over the years. So, before I answer any of your questions, we are going to do something else. You will tell me everything, in detail, of what has happened since I left. History, stories, legends. Anything. Then I want you to explain why you are here and why Uxin'tar is here."

Daubutim took a deep breath and nodded. He didn't fully understand what was going on, but he did know that between Uxin'tar and Gelwin, he trusted the latter more. Although, just marginally.

I'll just keep a few things to myself, he decided.

"Don't attempt to lie or withhold anything," Gelwin said, a mock smile barely visibly through his thick gray beard. "I'll know when you do."

Daubutim looked back, wondering if that was a lie or the truth. Gelwin quietly looked at him, and he had the feeling the sparkling eyes were staring straight through him.

Sorting his thoughts, he began recounting any and everything he recalled from the era of Gelwin and what happened shortly after he left.

Gelwin listened, asked a few questions, and at some point guided him to another area with a table, two chairs, and a flask with fruit juice.

By the time Daubutim reached the point where he, Irwin, and the others moved into their first training portal, his throat was slightly sore.

"So, one of my plans worked," Gelwin said. "I had hoped someone with enough skill would enter that world and draw that foulmouthed thing's attention."

"So, you did put it there?" Daubutim asked, hoping Gelwin would take over talking so his voice could rest.

"Yes. Ambraz was one of the things I planted in the hopes of giving my people a fighting chance for what is to come."

Daubutim frowned. "The shattering?"

Gelwin looked at him quietly, and Daubutim suppressed a sigh. Ignoring his sore throat, he continued telling everything that had happened. He tried to gloss over some things, but Gelwin seemed to have a sixth sense for it and kept asking for details. Still, he showed no more than the reasonable reactions until-

"A Bablibon!?" Gelwin snapped as he leaned forward. "Are you sure?"

Daubutim nodded immediately as he quickly explained what had happened. "It was killed by the leader of the Galubs in that world, someone called Doomblade," he said in the end.

Gelwin shook his head. "Unlikely. It might have been seriously wounded, but I seriously doubt it. Bablibons are born with a soulskill, and by the time they are the size you described, they usually have three or four. Not even a five-horned Galub could handle that."

Daubutim frowned. "Why does this matter? It was left behind in that worldshard, and the portal will have long since closed."

"Bablibons are incredibly spiteful, never forgetting any slight or hurt. Based on what you told me, it will likely try to kill your friend for hurting it. Now, tell me more about that rather intelligent Galub called Ulrop."

"I waited for it, but in the end, it never came through. I presumed it was captured by another Galub or perhaps feared going through in the end."

"Plausible," Gelwin said after a while. "Or it waited for as long as it could before going through to make sure none of you were still there. Now, continue your story."

Daubutim continued this time without any interruptions, all the way till he spoke about reaching Esterdon.

"Esterdon," Gelwin said, his voice deep and distant. "Once, it was known as the most beautiful city in the new kingdom. Until they found us again…"

The ancient sorcerer's voice trailed off, and after a deep breath, he turned his attention back to Daubutim.

"So, I presume this is where you met Uxin'tar?"

"He was working or posing as the advisor to my cousin," Daubutim said.

"Right, the one called Indoutor," Gelwin said. "Very well, finish your story and continue until the moment you stepped into this building to attempt the apprenticeship."

Daubutim did as asked, and when he finally finished, he took a few deep drinks, hoping the next few days would allow him to refrain from speaking.

Gelwin was quiet for a long time, and when he finally spoke, his voice was tired.

"So, a cardsmith appeared amongst my people, but now is gone again. I'll have to find out who failed to advise me of this information. Well, at least you are here, so that is something. Now then, I'll allow you a few questions before I return you to Librarian Purntou."

Elated, Daubutim asked the question that had been on his mind since he saw Gelwin.

"Are you here to help save Giard or its people?"

"It's people, yes. Giard itself is doomed," Gelwin said.

Daubutim felt a wave of sadness but suppressed it. As his father said, one should only grieve when the act wouldn't cause more later on.

"Why hasn't Giard shattered yet?"

"Good questions," Gelwin said. "Because I'm holding it together."

Daubutim frowned, opening his mouth to ask how only to be interrupted.

"I won't explain how. Not yet."

Daubutim nodded.

"How can we save the people there?"

"By finding another portal, the old-fashioned way," Gelwin said.

Daubutim blinked. "The old-fashioned way?"

"I'll get you a book on that, but suffice to say, it involves setting out across the Portal Gallery, far beyond the outer branches, and searching for a world."

If that's the old-fashioned way, what is the regular way? Daubutim thought, confused.

"Have the explorers guild find one," Gelwin said as if he had read his mind.

Can you read my mind? Daubutim thought, staring at the sorcerer.

A dry, rough laugh echoed through the room. "No, just your confusion. The rest is simply centuries of experience observing people."

Daubutim's frown deepened, but he decided not to delve deeper into that topic. Instead, he let his mind run through the new information. He almost heard his father's voice, snapping the questions he should be asking.

"How long do we have?"

"As long as I stay here, the world will not shatter. However, portals will continue to run rampant, and there will be a time when the people won't be able to survive. Based on what you've told me, that time is even nearer than I had feared."

Daubutim felt something pull, an idea that was trying to form. He hesitated, then pushed it down. If he tried to find out what it was, his mind might lock up again. He had too many more important questions first.

"What do I need to do?" he asked.

"And that is the most important question, isn't it," Gelwin said. "Three things. Find and take care of Uxin'tar before the idiot does something disastrous like drawing attention to this little speck of nowhere."

Daubutim couldn't help but swallow at the idea of having to take care of the monstrous sorcerer.

"Sorry, young one. I know this is difficult, and I'm afraid the second thing might be even more difficult," Gelwin said. "To keep Giard stable, even with the thousands of portals ravaging most of it, I can't leave here. Not until the people are safe."

"You want me to search for a new world?" Daubutim said.

"I have a few others searching, but so far, none have found one. And even if they did, none are native to Giard… meaning I can't really trust them."

"You said you don't trust me either," Daubutim said.

"Indeed, which is why this task is so awful," Gelwin said.

"Say, hypothetically, that I find a world… how do I get the people there?" Daubutim asked.

"I would give you a one-time use card that can create a special teleportation circle," Gelwin said as he leaned back, staring at him. "Of which only two exist that I know of. After you set it up, I would move all our people through."

"All… How?" Daubutim asked, shaking his head.

"I have been preparing for this for hundreds of years," Gelwin said.

Hundreds? Daubutim stared at him, shaking his head. How old was Gelwin? The portals had only appeared-

"You had cards before the portals appeared," Daubutim stated.

"Yes. Now… One more question, and then it's time you head back and think about what I have told you."

"What? But you said there were three things I had to do," Daubutim said, not believing the old sorcerer had forgotten about it.

"Yes. I need you to prepare your cousin and the other people from Giard to return there. They need more power there to deal with the increase in portals that are appearing because it won't be long till the first diamond rank will appear."

Daubutim blinked, then cocked his head. "But the others are imprisoned."

"Not for long. Now, one final question?"

Daubutim hesitated. He had more than one left, but he could see that Gelwin's patience was wearing thin.

"Who are you?" he asked, looking intently at the sorcerer. There was no way he was a simple hand-carded sorcerer from Giard. Even if he had a diamond rank card, or even four, it wouldn't account for anything. Besides, if he had cards before the portals appeared, he couldn't have been from Giard.

"This is not something I can answer right now. But suffice to say, I'm the one called Gelwin… at least, most of him," Gelwin said with a wry smile.

Most of him?

Gelwin pushed himself up, staring intently at Daubutim, who quickly did the same.

"I'll bring you back now and ensure that you get some of the books you will need. Besides that, I would suggest you explore the map section of the library and begin getting acquainted with the Portal Gallery."

"You are assuming I will do as you say?" Daubutim asked, surprised.

"You've already made up your mind," Gelwin said as he led him away. "So I think you should begin thinking of a way to take care of Uxin'tar. It will take me a few days to arrange for the others from Giard to be gathered close together and have an assortment of cards ready."

Daubutim nodded but kept quiet, his mind ablaze with information. A few things had popped up, holes in the information that he knew his father would have asked questions about if he'd gotten this briefing. He forced the questions down, afraid Gelwin was lying and did have some type of mind-reading card. Although he had the feeling most of what the sorcerer had said was right, he didn't get the feeling he was being lied to… there was one thing that didn't make sense.

They eventually returned to Gelwin's room and, from there, an area close to Librarian Purntou's area.

"You can find your way from here," Gelwin said as he looked up at him. "I'll have Librarian Purntou bring you to me again in two days' time. I'll also ensure that you are allowed to leave, but make sure you don't overuse that right. It's… uncommon here."

"Thank you, Master Librarian," Daubutim said, bowing his head.

Gelwin nodded appreciatively as he turned and walked away. Daubutim waited until he was far away before turning and finally letting the question he had been suppressing bubble up in his mind.

Why didn't you just send someone inside to bring us cards or to get information?