Chapter 84

They had decided to go back to the Guild for lunch as Jay wanted to check in with Glenda the Librarian afterwards to see if she knew anything about the book. They'd arrived too early to get in line for lunch so the group had walked over to Jay's room to hang out.

Aiden had pulled over an extra chair from his room so everyone would have a place to sit. Although that made for only three chairs total, M'redith almost always perched on the edge of Jay's chair when they hung out in his room.

Aiden and Norri were talking quietly about something that Jay couldn't make out. He shrugged and went to his bedroom and took out his newly purchased picture frames. M'redith followed him in and watched him as he set each of his pictures in to a frame.

There were frames for the three small photos he had gotten of him and M'redith at a photo booth. There were larger frames for the pictures he had gotten of him and M'redith all dressed up at the play she had taken him to. He had more pictures than he thought.

M'redith watched as Jay took the now filled frames and turned them about in his hands as he tried to figure out how they attached to the walls.

M'redith chuckled and took one from him with a kind smile. Jay watched as she took the one of her and him all dressed up from the play and held it up against the wall next to his bed. When she removed her hand it stuck fast to the wall exactly as she had placed it.

Jay raised an eyebrow. “Magic?”

M'redith nodded. “Magic.”

“Hey guys you done in there yet or what?” Aiden called to them from the adjoining room.

“Coming!” M'redith called back. She gave Jay a quick kiss on the cheek with a teasing grin and quickly left him alone in the room as she rejoined their friends.

Jay hung up the rest of his pictures and smiled. It was starting to feel almost like a home.

“Come on Jay or we'll miss lunch!” Aiden called out from the adjoining room.

“I'm coming! We still have plenty of time Aiden, don't worry,” Jay half shouted as he walked back in to the front room.

They had left the room with Jay locking it behind him. He walked a few paces before he forgot if he had locked the door and he had returned to the door to check it one more time as M'redith rolled her eyes at him. While they were waiting for him Aiden raced M'redith to the end of the road and lost.

M'redith was fast.

Finally they got in to line for lunch at the dining hall. Carly and Chenowith were ahead of them and waved back in greeting. They all waved back politely.

“Do we like them? I can't keep track sometimes.” Jay asked.

M'redith laughed, “I think we have all agreed to be polite and leave it at that.”

Jay laughed. “Ok. Fair enough.”

The line moved ahead and Jay picked up a tray and slid it along the counter to the next station. Lunch was foot long meatball subs covered in melted provolone cheese served with fresh hand made french fries that had just been pulled out of the fryer. Jay took a small cup of vinegar to dip his fries in. A side bowl of sliced carrots and cucumbers made sure that Jay would eat at least some vegetables that day.

As they ate they talked about the little things. Aiden had a small tear in his favorite shirt. M'redith needed a new pair of boots. Norri groused about having to go to classes.

“Can't we just do dungeon runs every few days? I mean we'd learn plenty that way.” Norri said with a sigh.

Jay shrugged, “Class isn't so bad. We're still learning.”

M'redith nodded, “Besides, not every dungeon will be as easy as the one we just did.”

Aiden shrugged, “I'm happy learning whatever they'll teach us. I'd rather figure it out in class than in a real dungeon, know what I mean?”

Norri sighed. “Dungeon runs are just more fun. The danger, the tension, the loot!”

M'redith laughed, “That's right, the LOOT!”

Jay looked over at her, “We never talked about what everyone got from the second dungeon reward. I got a Starburst Pouch, what about you guys?”

Aiden pursed his lips. “Er..what does that do again?”

Jay laughed, “Don't worry about it. Here, I'll share it so you can see it.”

A notification popped up in front of the group.

Starburst Pouch – Rare – A small pouch containing fine black sand. When a pinch of sand is thrown on the ground a blinding white flash is produced along with heavy smoke, concealing the user. The pouch carries enough sand for three pinches after which it will require 24 hours to recharge. This item must be bound before use.

M'redith smiled, “Well that could come in handy someday.”

Jay grinned, “That's what I thought too! So what about you guys, what did you all get?”

Aiden looked guilty. “I got a magic sandwich maker.”

Norri laughed, “Right, the Fromage Pouch.

Aiden shrugged, “It's a good item!” he insisted. “Why, what did you get?”

Norri grinned, “I got a sticker!”

Jay looked at her oddly, “A what now?”

M'redith looked at Jay, “You don't have stickers on Earth?”

Jay grinned, “We do! I'm guessing they work different than yours though if everything else on Eden is anything to go by.”

Norri smiled, “I can't share it the way you can, I tried. I'll read it to you though.”

Raimi's Sticker of the Well-Spoken – Rare – A thin circular sticker two inches across covered in rainbows. This sticker when applied to a weapon will grant a moderate bonus to attempts to communicate with wildlife. If the user does not possess the ability to communicate with wildlife then this item provides no benefit. Once applied the sticker may not be removed. The sticker must be bound before use. Only the bound user may be affected by the sticker.

M'redith grinned, “Congratulations! That's fantastic! Does that affect your Control Creature ability?”

Norri nodded, “I think so! I'm saving the sticker for a better weapon though. This starter staff would be wasted on a sticker like that. You know what I'd really love? That shillelagh from class, the fake one when we did Dungeon Room that I won. Now that would be perfect for the sticker. Too bad it was all fake.”

The friends were quiet for a moment before Aiden broke the silence. “Ok, well that is still a great reward. I like how it's almost tailored to you like the way my sandwich maker was tailored to me.”

“What did you get M'redith?” Norri asked.

M'redith grinned widely, “I got a Pouch of Pillars.”

“Er.. why?” Aiden asked. Norri laughed but M'redith didn't seem offended.

“I'll read it to you and see if you can figure out why.” M'redith replied with a smile.

Pouch of Pillars – uncommon – A small gray leather pouch held closed by a drawstring this pouch contains four square stones shaped like six sided dice. When a stone is thrown and touches the ground a six foot pillar will grow from that spot. The pillar will be two feet across and made out of a deep black reflective rock that is resistant to damage. The pillar will remain for a period of fifteen minutes before disappearing. Once used the pouch will regenerate one stone every 24 hours. This item must be bound before use.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“That's amazing!” Jay said.

“It is?” Norri asked confused.

“Yes! She could use them to block an entrance, or throw one in front of a charging monster, or in front of a monster that is about to attack her. Or in front of someone else too far to get to! There's a ton she can do with those.” Jay insisted.

M'redith grinned, she was pretty satisfied with her choice and was happy to see that Jay understood immediately the implications of its use.

Norri clapped, “I'm so happy for you!”

M'redith nodded in thanks.

“Well now we all know what we got for a reward. Anyone disappointed?” Jay asked.

Everyone shook their heads. Each item had been a good match for the person it had been awarded to. Although Jay had little use for a grilled cheese maker for Aiden it was as if the Goddess had read his mind.

Norri suddenly hopped down from her chair and began to collect trays as everyone had finished eating by then. She walked up to the counter with them as the rest of the group chatted.

“I think it was supposed to be my turn this time.” Jay said a little guiltily.

“No worries. I think she likes bringing the trays up for some reason to be honest with you.” Aiden said with a grin right as she returned to the table.

“Ready to go?” Norri asked with a pleased looking expression.

“Thanks for bringing up the trays Norri.” Jay said as everyone agreed in thanks. The group filed outside and headed towards the library.

“Why'd you buy that old book anyway? It looks like a piece of junk.” Aiden asked as they walked along a tree lined pathway.

Jay thought for a moment before he spoke, “Well, the writing looked odd, it wasn't like anything I've seen before, not that I'm a scholar or anything. I liked the cover with all the keys and books carved in to it. I guess I got it because it gave me a good feeling to be honest. It was just weird, out of place, you know?”

Aiden stared at him for a moment, “No.” he said.

Norri laughed, “Oh leave him alone! So he liked some strange book, so what?”

M'redith grinned, “I think the book looks interesting too. I wouldn't have wasted my money on it but it isn't like Jay couldn't afford to buy the book. What was it, a few coppers?”

Jay thought back, “It was maybe ten or fifteen coppers I think, tops.”

“That could buy a lot of meat sticks.” Aiden mumbled under his breath but Jay heard him and laughed.

“Don't you get enough meat on a stick as it is?” Jay asked.

“Nope.” Aiden insisted as he held the library door open for the group.

Inside of the library the air was cooler and the group slouched a little as their bodies relaxed in the cool air. They walked to the front desk where a Librarian Jay didn't recognize was working.

“Hi!” Jay said brightly, “Is Glenda working?”

The Librarian nodded. The Librarian was seven feet tall, just like all of the other Librarians. They were an imposing group but with a kind and helpful attitude unless you damaged a book. Then they could become quite..cross.

“She is at lunch.” the Librarian replied.

“Oh, ok. Well we're going to go down to a study room. The one with the star on the door. If you could have her stop by when she gets back? I'd like to talk with her about a book I found.” Jay asked.

The Librarian nodded but didn't say anything else.

Jay stood there for a moment before he realized the conversation was over and he walked away from the desk. Jay and his friends walked to the rear of the library and down a few flights of stairs until they came to the right floor. Jay put his palm against a door with a star on it and the door opened letting the group inside.

The room was brightly lit and smelled of old books and a clean scent almost like fresh linen which Jay couldn't identify.

Closing the door behind them the group spread out in the room as Jay began to organize the books. They were almost all on spellcasters, especially spirit mantles. Now that they each had one they wouldn't be needing those books anymore so Jay was putting all the books on to the return cart.

Finally finished Jay sat down and took out his bag and retrieved the large book bound in a hard almost wooden like leather. The material had a number of keys and books carved in to it giving the book a patterned appearance.

A knock on the door was followed by Glenda's head popping through the doorway as she opened it. “Hi hi!” she said as her massive frame entered the room. “You have new book? Glenda loves new books.” she said cheerfully as she stood next to Jay towering over him.

She sat precariously on one tiny chair at the table next to Jay. He pointed at the book he had set on to the table.

Glenda's eyes narrowed and she leaned closer to the cover but did not touch it.

That was Jay's first inkling that something wasn't quite right.

Glenda loved books. She lived for books. For her to find a book but then not touch it was rather odd behavior for her.

Glenda inspected the cover closely before nudging Jay. “Open? Please?” she asked.

Jay opened the front cover and she stopped him as one massive hand closed over his shoulder. “Stop here.” she said. Jay could tell she was being careful not to hurt him as she grasped his shoulder carefully.

The book lay with only the front cover open. On the inside of the cover was a bookplate traced in silver ink. Flowing script announced 'This book belongs to' followed by a boldfaced name inscribed in to the plate in bright red. Ashagi.

Jay looked up, “What's Ashagi?”

Glenda looked troubled but answered him. “Close book.”

Jay closed the book but continued to stare at her waiting for an answer.

Glenda took a deep breath. “Ashagi bad. Living library. Library named Ashagi. Filled with monsters. Almost impossible to kill monsters. Many scholars and Librarians fight and die. Try to get books. Instead find death.”

Glenda looked at Jay as if he didn't understand, which he didn't. She tried again, “Taking book out of Ashagi very bad. Ashagi follow. Ashagi wants book to stay in library.”

Glenda looked at Jay and poked him with one thick finger, twice, “When you find?”

Jay shrugged, it wasn't a secret. Besides, this was the longest conversation he'd yet to have with her. “Today. This morning actually. I put it in my bag and then took it out and put it on the table when we got here. Should I not touch it?”

Glenda shook her head emphatically. “NO! You touch book you touch Ashagi. Ashagi know where book is. Every time book touched Ashagi know. Ashagi know book here!”

She looked thoughtful for a moment, “Much worse if Librarian touch book. Ashagi very jealous over other libraries. Treats Librarians very badly if they touch taken book.”

She riffled around in a pocket and took out a sheet of cloth and handed it to Jay. “Wrap book. Don't touch book!”

Jay nodded and wrapped the book being careful not to make contact with the book himself. Once the book was wrapped Glenda seemed to relax a bit.

“What do I do with it now?” Jay asked as he rubbed his forehead with one hand.

“Return.” Glenda said simply.

The rest of the group had been quiet up until that point but Aiden couldn't be quiet any longer.

“You want us to go to the death library with all the monsters?!” Aiden asked.

Glenda nodded her huge head before shrugging. “Or monster come here. Then another.”

M'redith chuckled wryly, “Well with a choice like that gee what should we do?”

Glenda shook her head. “I go. Talk with boss. Keep book safe. No show anyone!” she said with a glare at Jay and oddly enough, Aiden.

Aiden looked confused, “It's not even my book, why would I show it to anyone?”

Glenda stared at him but shrugged, “Keep book secret, ok?”

They all nodded and Glenda got up and left without another word.

“And here I thought we could start looking for the second item we need. What was it?” Jay said with a sigh.

“Rod of Siphoning.” M'redith replied without thinking.

Aiden chuckled, “You just had to get that book, huh?”

Jay groaned, “I just thought it looked cool!”

“Well if we're going to be just sitting here we might as well ask for any books on that rod. We can get started on them while we wait for Glenda to tell us what to do next?” Norri suggested helpfully.

“Great idea, anyone want to go ask a Librarian?” Jay asked.

“I don't mind,” Norri said as she hopped down off of her chair and left the room to go back to the front desk.