His heart threatened to rip itself out of his chest. She squeaked out a grunt as she tried to hoist herself up using the wall and the window. She clung to the windowsill, and with a sudden burst of strength, she flung herself into the room. Terrin sighed in relief and flopped onto the ground in the dirty alley. He felt like all the energy had been sucked out of him. He lay there for a few minutes, trying to catch his breath.

“Terrin?” His eyes flew open, and he jumped up to find Snow glaring at him. “The back door was unlocked.”

His eyes widened, and his stomach flipped.

“You must be joking. You watched me check it!”

“You were supposed to pull, not push," she growled.

Her icy blue eyes cut into his soul, and he couldn't help but flinch. Without another word, she turned around with a swish of blonde hair and stomped back into the library. Terrin followed impishly.

“I can't believe you almost killed me!” she hissed at him, not even bothering to turn around. Terrin followed.

“That wasn’t my fault. You were being reckless. I’m starting to wonder if you just have suicidal tendencies.”

She spun around and slapped him across the face faster than he had time to react. Her eyes burned like live blue flames, and her cheeks flushed. Terrin's cheek stung.

“The last time was an assassination attempt.”

“Apologies, Your Ladyship! At least I got you in here to get your stupid book. Without me, you would still be wandering around town, looking for the library.”

“I am sure I would have found the front door if I had come alone.”

They glared at each other for a few minutes before the fire left her eyes. “You are right, I am sorry," she said as she lowered her gaze, then bewildered Terrin by giving him a hug. “I need friends, not enemies.”

She pulled away and walked up the stairs as silently. Terrin shook his head, more confused than before.

Can't she ever make sense? Goddess of chaos, please lift your hold on her, he prayed wearily.

He stepped onto the main floor of the library and reverently inhaled the strong smell of paper and ink. He stood for a moment, as he always did, and took in the sight. He knew it wasn't much of a library. In fact, there were only two hundred books at most, all written by the local scholars who ran the establishment. Decades back, the king had declared every town should have a library to keep records of the inhabitants, history, and local animals and plants. King Jeshi wanted the men of Amora to be somewhat educated, so he said those who wished to learn, could. Of course, only those who could write could teach others, and almost no one could read or write in the smaller towns. Those who could became the king's scholars. They were charged with recording whatever the king requested.

Although it was a meager collection, the librarian took good care of what was there and had even acquired and restored works from other kingdoms. The bookshelves were handmade, and the texts were in good condition. Terrin wasn't sure exactly what Snow was looking for, but he doubted she was going to find a map to Garthu Vore. In fact, he’d informed her there was probably nothing more than a mere mention of its existence amongst the volumes. He snapped out of his trance when he realized that he had lost Elurra in the small room.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Terrin, I found it!” Snow's soft voice called. He sprinted forward to find her climbing up the shelves.

“What is it with you and near-death experiences?”

She had already scaled one of the bookshelves and was hanging on with one hand at the very top, reaching for a book. Her fingers grasped the spine, but the neighboring titles were packed tightly together. When she yanked it out, they all came tumbling down. Snow swung to the side and pulled herself against the case to avoid the literary avalanche. Terrin was not so fortunate. He jumped out of the way of a larger falling volume. For a moment, he thought he was safe, until an old book with decorative brass designs scratched his arm on its descent and a monstrous novel landed on his foot. He bit his lip to keep from crying out as his foot throbbed.

“Snow, you do know there’s a stool over there, right?” he asked, pointing.

“Would you be so kind?” she asked, nodding towards it. Terrin rolled his eyes and grumbled as he lifted it, set it under her, and took a sarcastic bow. He could see her arms tremble as she dropped down onto the surface a few inches below her feet. She climbed down carefully, holding the book close to her chest, and looked relieved when her feet touched the ground. She blew off the dust, making Terrin cough.

“The Maps of Amora," She read in a somber tone.

“That’s what you’re looking for? No one is supposed to go near it, so it’s not on a map. Looking for it in that is pointless,” Terrin groused.

“I’m not looking for it, I’m looking for the lack of it. This is a conglomeration of maps from all of Amora’s history. Some of them date back to the beginning of the war. I could tell Garthu Vore was near the border with Lur Alava, so…” She trailed off as she began to flip through the well-preserved maps inside the book.

Terrin was always amazed by the quality of preservation the old scholar managed to achieve despite the aged materials and lack of financial support from the town. Her sharp eyes scanned each map, noting where the towns and roads were in each. Terrin was mesmerized by the development of civilization on each page, illustrating the rise of the kingdom he called home. Small towns in the first map developed into larger cities as the kingdom flourished and years passed, and each map was increasingly accurate as cartography became a more precise study.

“There,” Elurra whispered, her finger landing on a blank area on the most recent map of Amora. It was along the border, west of Glan’ak. “The void I was looking for.”

Before Terrin could question her, a voice interrupted them.

"Hello? Who's there?'' an old man called. Snow and Terrin froze and looked at each other with petrified expressions.

“Hello?” They both looked over at the pile of damaged books sprawled in a heap.

“Run?” Terrin suggested in a whisper.

“Run," she agreed.

She picked up the book of maps, and they stole into the outside aisle of the library as quietly as they could. The old librarian's voice came from the front of the building, so they could go either left and creep around the old man, or right and hope he didn't see them.

“Left," Terrin said.

“Right," she replied.

“Yes. Wait, do you mean I'm right or right, right?”

“Right, right.”

“No, left!”

“Right!”

“Left!”

They reached the end of the bookcases. She dragged him right, and he grumbled between his teeth as he followed her.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” The voice was getting closer. Elurra was moving as fast as her little legs could carry her, and Terrin was stumbling along behind her.

“Oh my!” the old man exclaimed. He must’ve found the pile of injured books. The pair winced. Snow bolted through the basement door, followed by her huffing friend.

How can anyone this small be so blinking fast? he wondered. They made it out into the alley and stopped to catch their breath. Terrin felt adrenaline pumping through his body.

Snow gave him a wide grin.

“Having fun yet?”

He smiled at her, realizing he did like the excitement that trailed in her wake. He nodded with a sheepish smirk. She giggled and took his hand as she pulled him toward his house. The sun was starting to set on the small town, and as the long shadows stretched down the streets, Terrin contemplated how happy he was to have a friend.