Raef gave up any pretense of assisting with guild matters. As soon as he woke up in the morning until he dragged his tired body to bed, he spent all his time in the library. Alard's complaints over his dereliction of Apprentice Guildmaster duties became louder and louder. When Alard's frustration approached a breaking point, Raef would do the bare minimum of work.

What Alard didn't understand was that Raef painstakingly went over every book, looking for the secrets that he knew existed. There was a huge amount of information in the library, but, unfortunately, most of it was of little interest to Raef. He didn't want to know how to forge iron or the proper weaving technique for a saddle pad. He wanted to know the secrets of the world he lived in.

In a dark corner, he discovered several large books, and, with the hope that they were full of illustrations and maps, Raef started to gently move them to the large reading table. As he set down the second book, Raef heard Alard's heavy footsteps approaching. Ignoring Alard, Raef walked over to grab another of the books.

As he set the book on the table, Alard cleared his throat. Raef looked up expecting to see anger on Alard's face. To his shock, however, the Deputy Guildmaster seemed serene.

"You have ignored the stables."

Raef didn't bother looking up. He slid into a chair and brushed some dust off the top of a book. "I have decided that I do not have time for the stables."

Alard didn't reply, but instead walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down opposite Raef. "Tell me about these books."

Looking up, Raef pondered Alard's look He seemed curious, but was it out of interest or simply out of a desire to have better ammunition to dismiss Raef's use of time? "You wouldn't understand," Raef replied, returning his attention to the book. He opened the cover, hoping to see a map or an illustration of something extraordinary. The frontispiece said, "Guild Designs and Iconography." An illustration of a single ring sat below the title, its stone was a deep red and it appeared that the illustrations in the book were all hand-painted.

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As much as it was most likely beautiful, it wasn't what Raef wanted. Sighing, he closed the book. He wanted maps. He wanted secrets. Images of guild jewelry were not what he had in mind. He looked up again at Alard, who seemed intent on Raef's studies. "This is not a good example," Raef said self-consciously. "I'm looking for maps and histories. Ness is more than just the current conflict between Larsen and the other guilds."

"How so?" Alard spread his hands on the table.

"Did you know that Ness has a sister city across the mountains and that the mountains are called the Dragon's Teeth?"

Alard frowned. "Raef, I appreciate your interest in the wonderful stories in these books, but fantastical stories are a waste of your time when there is so much work to do."

"These are not stories!" Raef exclaimed, kicking the chair back as he scrambled over to grab the map he discovered. It was on a shelf of books that he considered important. Walking back, he unfolded the map in front of Alard. "See! That is Ness. And what does that say on the other side of the mountain?"

Alard was silent, and then replied, "I'm afraid I can't read." Raef's jaw dropped. Everyone could read. How could Alard not read? As if anticipating Raef's shock, Alard added, "I've been a warrior all my life, Raef. I was born outside the Wall, practically with a sword in my hand. I did not have time to learn to read."

Pointing to the word above Ness, Raef said, "That is how Ness is spelled." He then pointed to the other city. "The letters are identical. It also says, Ness."

"This could be a work of imagination, Raef," Alard said, although he looked closely at the map.

Raef ignored Alard's doubts. "This is a city called Gaotteland. I assume it is how we came up with the name Outlanders."

Alard pushed back into his chair, and as Raef glanced at him, he saw the shock on Alard's face. "Very few in the city know that name, Raef."

Raef shrugged. "There are other cities here on the coast and more over here through the forest. And look here—" Raef pointed to the road between the two cities labeled Ness. "There appears to be a road that leads from our city to the other Ness across the mountain. How could that be?"

Glancing up at Alard, Raef was wondering if Alard could perhaps offer some insight from his years with Pietro, but Alard was staring at the book of guild designs. "Let me see that book."

Raef slid the book toward Alard, wondering what the warrior found interesting in a book of jewelry.

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