Chapter 4
Rowan’s heart pounded as he and Sam crouched in the dark, using only the soft moonlight to see their way. Their eyes constantly scan for any sign of movement.
It was easy to get lost at the library, it was one of the biggest rooms within the Eidolon, with a high ceiling that seemed to almost disappear into the shadows above, and towering bookshelves filled with the knowledge that has been collected for centuries.
Rowan seemed to like the smell of the old paper that filled the room, mixed with the faint scent of incense that perpetually clung to the temple’s halls.
They moved silently between the bookshelves, only making soft creaks from the wooden floor beneath their feet. The Eidolon’s small, human-like creatures, the Nimblings, patrolled the library with their lanterns, casting eerie, dancing shadows on the walls. Their long noses and yellowish skin gave them an otherworldly appearance that had always unsettled Rowan.
Sam led the way towards the restricted section, his movements fluid and purposeful. The restricted area was cordoned off by a sturdy iron gate, its vertical bars decorated with intricate scrollwork painted a matte black. A weathered sign hung from the gate, its faded letters reading ‘No entrance. Authorized operatives only’.
As they approached the gate, a familiar figure emerged from behind a nearby shelf, causing Rowan’s heart to leap into his throat. But his fear quickly turned to relief as he recognized Einar, a fellow Eidolon member and friend.
Einar was a tall, lanky man with kind eyes and a perpetual air of distraction about him. His robes were always slightly askew, and he had a habit of running his hands through his unruly mop of brown hair when deep in thought. Despite his disheveled appearance, Einar was known throughout the Eidolon for his brilliant mind and gentle nature.
“Rowan, Sam,”
Einar whispered, his eyes wide with surprise. “What are you doing here so late?”
Rowan exchanged a quick glance with Sam before responding. “Just some late-night research, Einar. What about you?”
Einar’s face lit up with enthusiasm, seemingly oblivious to the tension in Rowan’s voice. “Oh, I’ve been working on translating an ancient text on the properties of Mytholite. It’s fascinating stuff, really. Did you know that under certain conditions, Mytholite can—”
Sam cut him off gently. “That sounds incredible, Einar, but we really should be going. Lots of work to do, you know.”
Einar nodded, a bit crestfallen but understanding. “Of course, of course. Don’t let me keep you. But Rowan, when you have a moment, I’d love to discuss some of these findings with you. Perhaps over tea tomorrow?”
Rowan forced a smile, guilt gnawing at him. “Sounds great, Einar. I’ll find you tomorrow.”
As Einar wandered off, muttering to himself about alchemical reactions, Rowan felt a pang of affection for his friend. Einar’s passion for knowledge and his kind heart made him a rarity within the often cold and calculated Eidolon.
Once Einar was out of sight, Sam pulled out a brown leather pouch containing lockpicking tools. “I need you to stay here and watch my back,”
he whispered, beginning to work on the lock. “If one of the Nimblings approaches, let me know. We can’t afford to be discovered.”
Rowan nodded, his eyes scanning the dimly lit library. The Nimbling’s lanterns cast dancing shadows on the vaulted ceiling, their movements hypnotic and unsettling. Minutes stretched like hours as Sam worked on the lock, each small click seeming to echo through the cavernous space.
Finally, with a soft snick, the lock gave way. Sam pushed the gate open, its hinges protesting with a low groan that set Rowan’s teeth on edge. As Sam slipped into the restricted section, Rowan remained vigilant, every nerve on high alert, watching the Nimbling’s lanterns casting light on the ceiling among the bookshelves, trying to follow the path and see if anyone was getting close.
Only minutes had passed but it seemed to Rowan like ages, He noticed that one of the Nimbling’s lantern lights was going in his direction, He looked back, “Sam”, he nervously whispered. But no answer. Trying to think quickly, Rowan picked one of the books and threw it as hard as he could above the shelves, until a muffled sound was heard. A ragged “ugh”? Sound was heard and the Nimbling that was approaching changed direction to check on the noise. With a sigh of relief, he heard Sam’s footsteps coming on his way.
“Come, I got the journal,”
Sam whispered with excitement. They both rushed out of the library towards the exit. As they got closer to the exit, something grabbed Rowan’s cloak and pulled him back, Sam stopped and turned to check on the event.
Two Nimblings looked up at them with their arms crossed, their wrinkly faces made their expression always seem upset.
“What are you two doing here this late?”
They asked, raising their tone. Rowan got up from the floor and said, “Just some research work for the coming ascension, right Sam”? he looked back at him.
Sam quickly hid Garron’s journal inside his cloak and replied with a smile, “Yes, no need to make a fuss about it.”
Sam reached into his pocket and pulled up two gold coins, Rowan had no idea where he got them from, they were not allowed to have possessions. But he was relieved that Sam had these.
Nimblings were known to have a weakness for shiny objects and would do almost anything for them. Sam handed each Nimbling one gold coin and said, “If anyone asks we weren’t here. Understood?”
The Nimblings explored the gold coins greedily and drove them into their pocket. “I appreciate the gesture kid, but I still can’t let you go. Not since you have a book from the restricted section in your possession,”
“I think you missaw”. Sam replied. “So you won’t mind coming with me and checking the restricted section? It appears to be that I know all the books there by heart.”
The Nimbling demanded. Rowan and Sam exchanged glances, Rowan saw a look of determination in Sam’s eyes that he saw only rarely and knew what needed to be done. They both pulled out their daggers in a split second and slashed the Nimblings’s throats. Dark red blood splashed out all over the wooden floor. The Nimblings both collapse and the lantern of one of them falls into the puddle of blood. The light of it immediately changes to bright blue, releasing a screeching siren sound so loud that Rowan and Sam had to cover their ears.
“We need to run”, Rowan yelled. They both dashed through the corridors, trying to get out of sight as they heard more Nimblings rushing to check on the siren.
“Check the doors, we can hide in one of the rooms”, Rowan suggested. They nervously tried to open every door they saw, but one after the other they were all locked.
“Come here”, Sam beckoned Rowan to get into one of the rooms. They rushed in and closed the door behind them, hearing the Nimblings passing by, trying to find the intruders.
Exhausted they both sat on the floor and laid back against the cold stone wall. “Feels good to finally take action”, Rowan said, “I always thought that I didn’t have it in me. We both began as the most loyal initiates, I thought we would never end up like this”.
“I thought the same”, Sam replied, “But we’re growing as people, we’re better, smarter, and stronger than what we used to be. We can actually make a difference”
Sam laid a hand on Rowan’s shoulder, “One day we’ll leave this place, I promise you that”.