Chapter 212
The communications room at the K'tharkle Portal House was suddenly filled with the deafening sound of a bell ringing. This bell was special though. This bell only rang when there was an emergency.
The portal house served everyone, but it served some people more than it served others. There were more than a few organizations that paid special monthly rates for emergency access to the portal network.
Those that paid these monthly 'just in case' charges were allowed to take full control over the portal houses links for one hour in the case of an emergency. What constituted an emergency? That was up to the customer to decide. It was outrageously expensive when used, as an additional and separate charge would be incurred whenever an organization assumed control of a location. Maybe because of that it was almost never used. This was the first time the employees working there had ever heard the bell ring outside of training.
“I didn't think we had a test scheduled for today?” the first worker in the communications room stated with a confused look as his work slowed to a stop.
The second worker didn't respond. He was already examining the message that had accompanied the ringing bell and was working to authenticate it while his partner talked.
Origination code – correct. Control digits add up to an even number – correct. Time stamp – correct. Access code – correct. Verification response requested – received. Response verified.
“This is no test you idiot – get to work!” the second worker said as the first worker swore under his breath.
The first worker reached out and activated the magical announcement system. “Set condition gold! All mages, prepare to receive incoming traffic!”
The words carried throughout the entire portal building and people immediately went to work. Rooms were shut down. Customers were herded in to auxiliary waiting rooms. Emergency reception areas were set up for customers waiting for return portals.
As the customers were quickly moved out of the portal areas mages were rushing towards the portal rooms and preparing portals. They were snapped open as fast as the mages could move and it wasn't long before their surfaces progressed from a bubbling froth to a calm glassy appearance.
The portal house became quiet for a moment as everyone waited for what would come next. When it did however the portal house employees were still shocked at what stepped through the smooth and shiny portals.
Massive seven foot men and women ran through the portals and into the adjoining rooms and then hallways. Portal house employees stationed outside of the rooms pointed towards the exits. The men and women barely slowed down to take their corners as they ran out of the building.
There were maybe thirty of them at first and they continued to arrive in groups of two and three. They gathered in the courtyard and arranged themselves in to a formation made up of lines of five. As soon as a line was ready they ran out of the courtyard at full speed.
With their massive size and speed the Librarians quickly outpaced the many carts and carriages on the streets around them. People as well as horses frantically moved out of their way as they ran through the city. City guards saw them but wisely did not attempt to interfere. Instead they notified their supervisor, who then notified his supervisor. And on and on, until the Mayor's dinner was interrupted.
The seven foot men and women wore black leather armor which was covered in decorative looking bands of teal. Some carried swords, others thick headed maces, and still others what appeared to be heavy staffs made out of metal. All wore the Librarian's seal over their heart, sewn in teal thread.
They ran as if doing so was effortless and their legs pumped in time with each other as they went through the city. They rapidly approached their destination and filed through one of the Adventurer Guild's pedestrian gates.
The gate only had a single guard posted there as it wasn't often used. The guard made no move to stop the black clad Librarians – why would he? He had no idea what was currently happening at the Library and Librarians were known to leave the grounds and return once in a while. The guard didn't remember any of them ever wearing black and teal however.
Maybe they had gotten new uniforms? He decided to mention it to his supervisor when he saw him next.
The first five Librarians passed on to Guild property and went directly towards the Library. The guard quickly lost sight of them as they turned a corner.
The guard was surprised when another five Librarians ran up to his position and entered Guild grounds. That was a little odd. Ten total Librarians? He hadn't seen that many Librarians in one place even at the library. Something must be up. Maybe there was a library meeting, the guard thought to himself.
Then the third group of five Librarians entered and the guard realized that things had reached the point where he had to let someone know what was going on. He had a little whistle for just such a case. He was supposed to blow the whistle and wait for a supervisor.
He waited until the third group had turned a corner before he reached down and brought the whistle up to his mouth.
He took a sudden breath as a giant hand engulfed his own and squeezed. The guard wore armor but even in his armor he could feel the metal give just the tiniest bit. It was abundantly clear that whoever was doing the squeezing could squeeze a lot harder should they choose to do so. A hot panic bubbled up in the pit of the guard's stomach and his eyes widened.
The guard carefully did not reach for his weapon.
“No.” said a giant Librarian clad in black and teal. The words were thick and deep, almost gravelly and the guard could feel the rumble in his own chest when the Librarian spoke.
The Librarian held the guard's hand in his own and shook his head. Another group of Librarians ran past them as the guard and the Librarian stared at each other.
“Shush!” the Librarian said and the guard swallowed loudly and tried to appear as non-threatening as possible. The Librarian towered over the guard and stared down at him with a very cross look.
Yet another group of Librarians passed the guard and Librarian at the entrance. The guard watched as groups of Librarians crossed on to Guild property, five at a time. He had missed his opportunity to notify his supervisor. The Librarian refused to release the guard's hand as additional groups of Librarians filtered on to the Guild's campus.
-----
UNCLAS/Z
/MSGID/MILSTAR7/386RTG
FLASH: CONFIRMED REPORTS OF K'THARKLE PORTAL HOUSE NETWORK SEIZED VIA EMERGENCY AGREEMENT. FORCE COMPOSITION AND APPEARANCE CLOSELY MATCH THAT OF THE GAIAN ASSOCIATION OF LIBRARIANS. MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS OF COMBAT READY GROUPS IN CITY. GROUPS TRAVELING ON FOOT AT HIGH SPEED. UNKNOWN DESTINATION AS OF THIS TIME. CITY GUARDS CURRENTLY AVOIDING ENGAGEMENT. RECCOMEND ACTIVATION OF QUICK REACTION FORCE PENDING ADDITIONAL INTEL.
-----
The communications room at the manor where King Ferrigualt was staying at suddenly was filled with that of a ringing bell. The bell did not stop until the employee at the desk pressed a button to acknowledge it.
UNCLAS – the worker knew that this was short for unclassified. The Z that followed it was a bit surprising. Z meant FLASH message traffic – a type of message that had a time limit attached to it. The comms room worker knew that he had ten minutes at the most to see that this message reached the King.
“FLASH traffic inbound!” the worker called out as one of his coworkers kicked at the boots of a younger man who was slouched in his chair, asleep. The younger man woke up and finally realized that he was needed.
The comms worker quickly copied down the message and tore the sheet off and handed it to the messenger. “For the King! Time is ticking!”
The messenger grabbed the paper and hurried out of the room. A waiting Royal Guard outside took up a position behind the messenger and followed him as he ran down the corridor outside of the office and towards the King's living quarters.
The two ran through the manor until they were stopped just outside of the room the King was currently eating dinner in. After a brief interaction they were both allowed inside. The Royal Guard stopped at the entrance and took up a position just outside of the doors. The messenger ran inside.
The King was seated at the head of a long table and a handful of nobles were seated along the sides. The messenger waited until the King waved him over before he approached and handed him his message.
The messenger was one of the few people allowed to hand things directly to the King.
The King unfolded the paper and quickly read it before he smiled.
“Well. Someone is about to learn a painful lesson. Not us, but someone. Perfect opportunity for some training though. Notify the QRF to stand-to. Double the guard on the perimeter. I doubt we have anything to fear from the Librarians but better safe than sorry. Thank you,” the King said to a nearby Royal Guard as he handed the paper back to the messenger.
The messenger nodded and left to return to the communications room. The Royal Guard the King had spoken to left as well to see that his orders were issued to the proper people.
Somewhere in the city someone was about to have some major problems. The King was happy it wouldn't be him that would have to clean up the mess. He smiled and turned his attention back to his dinner.
-----
The Librarians had slowed as they reached the Guild library but they did not stop. Those in front of them were given the choice of moving aside or being pushed aside. The black and teal armored Librarians moved forwards regardless.
A crowd of Guild Guards had gathered outside of the library's main entrance and it was there that the now thirty person strong group of Librarians marched towards, in step.
The noise was thunderous and the guards all turned to see what the noise was coming from. What they saw was a wall of black and teal approach them in lockstep. They did not draw their weapons – they didn't have to, their existence alone was intimidating enough as they loomed over the smaller guards.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
The Librarians spread out until they had entirely surrounded the group of guards. Slowly they began to push them back from the entrance. After a short time they had managed to cut off the guard's access to the front door completely.
The guards could have fought – but not a single Librarian outside had yet to draw their weapons, and the guards were all afraid of what would happen should they do so. Best to keep weapons sheathed, especially as the guards quickly became outnumbered.
As the Librarians stepped closer to the library they passed over an invisible boundary that divided Guild land from Library land. As they passed over it a transparent golden shield popped in to existence around them.
Things had taken a turn.
The Librarians formed a wall past which no guard could pass. The guards inside would receive no further back up unless those outside chose to fight their way inside. Even then there was little chance any of the guards would survive the encounter.
Additional Librarians continued to arrive in small groups and the guards present were careful not to interfere with their movements. The new Librarians took up positions with their brothers and sisters and as the group's numbers swelled they began to enter the Library a few at a time.
The Sergeant inside, the one who was responsible for the entire mess, felt a prickling on his neck and he quickly looked over his shoulder.
Standing behind him was a single seven and a half foot Librarian, clad in black armor with teal detail work. The Librarian held no weapon but repeatedly flexed his hands as if he itched to draw his sword.
“You call. We come!” the Librarian said in a deep resounding bass voice that the others in the room could practically feel. The guard looked around to see who he was speaking to.
Glenda nodded in thanks. She and her Librarians had held off the other guards from entering the Library any further until help arrived.
Help had arrived and now the Sergeant couldn't leave.
“You want fight?” the giant Librarian grumbled as he flexed one hand in to a fist. His armor creaked as he adjusted his weight slightly. “We ready. Start any time.”
The room became quiet once again as Jay and his group looked on. They had stayed silent since they had arrived on the main library floor and were just trying to not trigger an all out battle.
“I don't want to fight,” the Sergeant stammered out before he was interrupted by one of the other Librarians.
“Maybe not your choice anymore,” a female Librarian said from off to the side and the Sergeant swallowed loudly. The other Librarians around the room were all nodding at the female Librarian's comment.
“You draw blade, threaten Librarian, threaten guest. What you think happen?” the massive Librarian said from directly behind the Sergeant. The Librarian was close enough that he could reach out and touch the guard at any time he chose.
The Sergeant tried his very best not to look as frightened as he felt. His bluster had quickly given way to terror as he slowly grasped just how badly he had screwed up. The problem was now that the Sergeant had no idea how to get out of the mess he had so quickly and effortlessly created.
Jay could hear a commotion coming from outside of the front door and it sounded like a very polite conversation held at a louder than normal volume. Whoever was outside was amazingly allowed to enter the building.
Jay wasn't terribly surprised when a harried looking Walter entered through the front doors. The Librarians made no move to stop him. Walter looked as if he had been sweating and his forehead was damp.
Walter walked past the assembled Librarians and stopped a few feet away from the Sergeant and the extra tall Librarian who still stood directly behind him.
Jay was surprised however when Walter bowed to the giant Librarian. He didn't bend at the waist so much as his upper body curled over as he bowed his head. His hands he kept at rest along the sides of his legs and he spoke without raising his head.
“There has been a misunderstanding,” Walter started in a confident voice.
The giant Librarian grunted and stared at the Sergeant as he spoke. “We understand. We understand naked blade. We understand loud voice. We understand anger. We understand threats. No misunderstanding,” the man said with a slow shake of his massive head.
The other Librarians all nodded and Walter frowned before he wiped the expression off of his face. It wouldn't help the situation any to apologize with a sour looking expression.
The Sergeant went to speak but Walter looked up for a moment and shook his head. Thankfully, the Sergeant obeyed the unspoken command and stayed silent.
“Our forces will withdraw immediately,” Walter said in a command voice. “Sergeant.”
The Sergeant finally spoke and gave orders to the guards around them. The guards were allowed to leave but the giant Librarian did not move aside for the Sergeant. The Sergeant could either stay put or try to push past the Librarian.
The Sergeant decided to stay put.
Walter continued to speak with a bowed head. “The Guild offers our apology for the drawing of blades as well as the trespass on library land.”
The giant Librarian shook his head. “And?”
Walter drew a deep breath and let it out as he glared at the Sergeant who had put him in the situation in the first place.
“The Guild also apologizes for the attempted attack against a Librarian. These things were not intended and the Sergeant was given no orders to do so. Something that will be addressed,” Walter said with an expression that hinted at the vast ocean of punishment which awaited the Sergeant.
The other Librarians had relaxed a bit once the Guild guards had left the property. Walter let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. That was a very close call.
The Librarian nodded. “Guild forget itself. Library not Guild. Guild hold no authority here. Guild pay penalty.”
Walter remained silent. Speaking now would not help the situation any.
“Guild pay portal seizure fee. Guild pay fine. Library closed to Guild for one week,” the massive seven and a half foot Librarian said in a voice that would not entertain any argument. It wasn't up for discussion apparently.
Walter winced. A week! For one entire week the K'tharkle Adventurer's Guild would be prohibited from accessing the very Library that Guild residents relied upon. A week without access to the storehouse of knowledge was a long time. Students would be without reference materials. Teachers would go without access to books. Full members would be refused entry until the week had passed with no way to perform dungeon research or look up monster abilities.
The portal fee would be astronomical. Not to mention whatever the fine would be. The Sergeant had managed to cost the Guild not only gold, but resources and reputation as well. The gold could be recouped. The resources replenished. The reputation however might never be entirely repaired. From that day forward the K'tharkle Adventurer's Guild would be known for that one time when they had attacked the Librarians.
Walter's body felt hot with shame and he swallowed his anger, no, his fury, and made sure that his face showed nothing but contriteness. He looked apologetic – but he felt homicidal at the situation which the Sergeant had caused.
Not raising his head Walter replied. “The Guild accepts the Library's penalty. The Guild is horrified at the Sergeant's actions today and will see to it that it does not happen again – neither with him nor any other guard. The Guild values our relationship with you and will do whatever is necessary to repair it.”
The black and teal clad giant nodded ponderously as if the movement required extra force to perform. He could still levy additional punishment should he feel that the Guild was unrepentant – or not repentant enough.
Finally the Librarian relented. “You rise. You go. No return. One week. Fees and fine not paid and week turn in to month.”
Walter nodded as he raised his head. For the first time since he had entered the library he looked over at Jay's group. “I would like to take Jay and his group with me if that is acceptable?”
The giant Librarian looked over at Glenda to see what she thought of that. The giant Librarian had not been there for the start of the fight and had no idea what had caused it. Glenda did though and shook her head.
“Sha'li guest,” Glenda said as she stressed the word guest.
Walter nodded. “I welcome your guests and promise to treat them as such,” he said in a formal sounding tone of voice.
Glenda nodded as if satisfied. “No hurt Sha'li. Or Jay and group,” she said as she peered at Walter with one furrowed eyebrow.
Walter smiled for the first time. “I give you my word, Sha'li, Jay, and his group will come to no harm by my hand or any other while on Guild property.
Glenda tilted her head as if unsure. “No trouble?”
Walter shook his head. “Sha'li, Jay, and the others are not in any trouble. The Sergeant however,” he said and trailed off as the Sergeant turned an unattractive shade of white.
Glenda growled in the back of her throat and nodded. “Ok.”
Walter motioned Jay and his friends to follow him but was held up by the larger Librarian – was he their leader? Walter wondered – Librarians were tough to figure out sometimes.
“You have other guards leave first. Then take others. They wait here,” the giant man said and Walter was forced to agree. The Librarian made no mention of allowing the Sergeant to leave.
Walter walked outside and began to issue orders. The Librarians outside were posted up at the entrance and had used their massive bodies to create a shield past which no guard could advance. Walter however was allowed past and slowly managed to disperse the gathered armed men.
It took forever. Many of the guards weren't all that willing to leave at first until Walter snapped and had to be physically restrained from throttling a guard that had made a show of leaving extra slowly.
The guards shied away from the apoplectic Walter who was now grabbing guards by their armor and physically pushing them in the opposite direction of the library. The guards quickly caught on and fled the area. No one wanted to interact with a violently upset Walter whose left eye had started to twitch.
It was some time later when Walter went to walk back inside but was stopped at the threshold by a black and teal armored Librarian. The one week timer had already begun it seemed as he was not allowed in to the Library.
While he waited for Jay and his group to come outside others were streaming out of the Library. They all looked a bit disheveled as if their studying had been abruptly interrupted. They carried bags and sheafs of paper as if they had been given no time to properly store them. Students, teachers, and guild members were all ejected firmly and informed that due to an attack on the library by the Guild the library would be refusing entry to all Guild related persons for one week.
The Librarians didn't quite say that of course. What they said was more like 'You go. Guild attack Librarian. Guild no go library, one week! You go NOW.'
It wasn't long before the Library was emptied of everyone but Librarians. Jay and his group along with Sha'li finally reached the door. They all had wide eyes after what they had just witnessed and no one was quite sure what to say. So they said nothing and followed along behind Walter as he led them to a familiar looking building that Jay knew held meeting rooms.
It seemed that Walter had decided to leave the Sergeant with the Librarians for now. He would find time to speak with him once the Librarians were finished with him. They wouldn't hurt him – but they would scare him witless if he wasn't that scared yet already.
As Walter led them into the building it occurred to Jay that this was probably Sha'li's first trip to the library.
Sweet Gaia, what a mess.