I tossed the pencil I was holding and slammed my hands on the desk, and pushed myself up to look at Sky, who reeled back and flinched. “I know where to find some!”
He blinked and tilted his head. “Where?”
“The mage’s apprentice!” My eyes met those of the people behind Sky, and I realized I’d been shouting and drawing stares again. My face grew warm, and we continued the conversation in hushed tones. “Aquila mentioned the mage took extensive notes when making the chimeras. He had to, for his apprentice to pick right where he’d left off.”
Sky leaned forward, a frown crossing his face. “And how do you plan to get your hands on those books and scrolls?”
“I already know exactly where to find the scroll I’m looking for. I saw it in my dream. The only issue would be getting there, but I can manage.”
His eyes narrowed. As expected, the other reader was quick on the uptake, “You’re planning to be captured or something, aren’t you?”
My lips twisted into a smirk that never failed to irritate my sister on sight. “Or something.”
He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I might know of a way to get you out. But how does this help us? We already have your other plan, and there’s no guarantee the mage will have anything on your magic.”
Smug, I reclined back on my chair. “It helps because I can permanently solve our problems, knocking out two phoenixes with one stone.” I raised a finger. “Specifically, one green gemstone.”
He pressed his hands against his head, groaning. “I’ll support you,” he finally agreed, “But you have to be the one to convince the others.” He gathered his scrolls and moved to return them to the counter.
I gathered the books, helping stack them in his arms so he could return everything to the desk in one go. “See if you can find any books on the Sea Serpent kingdom while you’re up there.”
“I was planning on it.”
He returned a short time later, and we waited a good hour before our next set of books arrived. In the meantime, I sketched out the castle from my dream as best I could. Once we had the books, we diligently divvied up the scrolls and books on our subject and began reading, scanning for information and depictions of the castles. Neither of us expected to find blueprints, but we could do more once we knew where the mage was stationed.
For the first time, we succeeded in our mission at the library. An article had been written on Servius’ work with the chimeras, and they had helpfully included a sketch of him inside the very office I had seen in my dreams. A caption beneath the image stated it was of his office in the castle Mare. Now that we knew what to look for, our day passed quickly, and we soon discovered its location along with a detailed map of the accompanying city.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
The next time I looked at the clock, it was nearly time for Aeolus and Azure to pick us up. Mindful of the people around me, I softly whispered for Sky to look at the time, and we packed our things carefully, returning the scrolls and books to the counter.
Aeolus’ navy blue carriage pulled up right on schedule, rolling to a stop in front of our waiting place. Azure skipped a greeting, grimacing and saying, “Hope yer day went better than ours.”
Hesitantly, Sky said, “...we had a little luck this time.”
“Good.” Azure stepped down from the driver’s seat, opening the door for us to enter. Sitting on the far side of the carriage, Aeolus hardly acknowledged us, and the bright and productive day suddenly seemed far less cheerful. He slumped, his shoulders tense as he rested his elbow on the window to look out into the down, his lips turned down into a scowl and his eyes fierce.
Sky scanned his friend in concern. “Did something happen?”
Aeolus was silent, and I thought he wouldn’t answer. Finally, he said, “Sera will tell you.”
Upon arriving at the castle, Azure handed off the reins to some stablehands, then ushered us through the massive red double doors decorated with a raised golden phoenix. He led the way through the twisting hallways, his footsteps sure and his pace steady. The inside of Sera’s castle was as stunning and magnificent as the outside had been, with massive rooms and elaborate decorations. Red and gold, the kingdom’s colors, were a common theme in the hallways, carpet, and gilded doors. We passed golden-framed portraits of past and present members of the royal family, signified by their brilliant red hair.
We came to a stop in front of a red double-doored entrance, Aeolus rapping on it three times in quick succession. The doors cracked open, Helia’s face appearing in the gap. After confirming it was us, she opened them fully, letting us in.
Sera was seated at the head of a long dark wood table in the center of the room, her head bent over a scroll, quill in hand. Behind her was a massive ‘u’ shaped desk covered in opened and scattered books and scrolls. The walls were lined with bookshelves,and a patterned red carpet covered nearly the entire floor. Murals and molding decorated the ceiling and wrapped themselves around doors.
There were empty chairs next to Helia and Azure, leaving me in an awkward position as Sky sat next to Azure. I swung around the table behind Sera to take the empty seat next to Helia, setting my scroll bag on the empty chair next to me.
Sera continued scratching on the parchment, and we waited silently for her to finish. She scribbled her final words, then set the pen down, sifting the scroll a ways in front of her so it could dry without being disturbed. “Once that is finished drying, I want copies of it made and sent to each lord.”
Helia nodded. “It will be done, m’lady.”
Sera turned her attention to the table, lacing her fingers on the table. She licked her lips nervously, then said, “It appears my father has been ‘collecting’ chimeras to use in the military.”
She paused for a moment to let her words sink in. Aeolus and Azure didn’t react to the news, clearly already briefed. Sky gave a tiny grimace before steeling his face. Gauging our reactions, she continued, “He outright refused to inform me where they were, much less anything else. All attempts to convince him failed.” Her lips twitch upwards in a facsimile of a smile. “So, of course, once we finished speaking, I went to our dear captain of the guard who told me everything.”
She leaned forward. “My father ordered every military member to capture any chimera on sight, if possible. If not possible, or if the chimera escaped, they’re to be exterminated. Captured chimeras are forced to a camp at the heart of the Silva forest, where they’re ‘trained’ to fight for us.
“He also informed me these orders are in retaliation to rumors that the Sea Serpent King is building a chimera army of his own.” She moved her laced hands to rest her chin. “My father’s actions are not only immoral, but foolish so long as the Sea Serpent king can use the gem to control them. The chimeras will all turn on us, willingly or not.”
I shot Sky a glance from across the table, and he nodded. Now was as good a time as any.
I cleared my throat, turning everyone’s gaze to me, “About that….I can solve nearly all those problems in one move.”