Chapter 12 #2
Interesting doesn’t exactly cover it, but it’s better than disastrous, which is probably the word I would use.
True to her word, Brida immediately passes us off to Hesta when we reach the library. Given that the chaperone is waiting in the foyer and there is no sign of Caz, I assume she’s fairly relaxed about her task, but she knows exactly where the scribe is and guides us across to a winding staircase.
By the time I reach the second floor, I’m struck by how comfortable the temperature is compared to the rest of the city, although that’s not the only comforting feature of the space.
Between the shelves of books on each floor are various seating options, from low cushions on the floor to deep chairs to far harder-looking options.
There are also tables in a variety of sizes, all well-lit, and several nooks carved into corners.
In one, I spot children crammed together as they read.
It’s as though the space has been designed for all.
‘They are on the fifth floor,’ Hesta tells me as we continue our ascent.
‘Rose!’ Caz jumps up from her seat the moment she sees me, her dark skin flushed with excitement.
‘This place is phenomenal. The books, the shelves, the resources… The knowledge they hold here, it’s crazy!
They have records of the Retterheld that go back even further than any I’ve found in the High Hold. ’
‘Really?’
‘And details on the Sannings. Unbelievable.’ She’s practically vibrating with excitement, but she makes an effort to lower her volume slightly as she carries on.
‘I’ve not found anything on the Myrkr yet or the three blades of Vindrun, but I’m going to.
I’ve also asked for some books on the Veil.
The librarians were a little hesitant to find them for me – you know, given that it’s incredibly sacred to their people and I’m zero quarters Issen and everything – but I’m winning them over. I can feel it.’
‘I did not realise Caroline liked books so much,’ Thessa says softly with an affectionate glance at the blonde. ‘She is very … enthusiastic.’
The Sanning is wearing her fox stole again, though it’s far better brushed than it was on our journey. Clearly, she’s made good use of Magnus’s gift. Her eyes, too, are clearer than they were.
‘Have you seen the others?’ I ask. ‘Benny or Ruben?’
‘Yes, but not together.’ The sigh in Caz’s voice tells me she’s also hoping for the pair to get together.
‘Ruben was staying with Loch. They’re taking it in turns.
I was hoping Benny would help me with the reading so I could get through it a bit quicker, but all he wanted to do was gush about Ruben, so I told him to pull himself together and go get the guy.
You know, if Llin were here, she’d kick him up the backside, grab him by the ear, and then probably lock the two of them in a room together.
’ Her smile is bittersweet, a light lifting her eyes.
‘Nobody could handle Benny as well as Llin could.’
‘What about you, The Rose?’ The Sanning’s voice is notably tight as she speaks. She shifts uncomfortably, changing the subject away from Caz’s lost love. ‘Did your training benefit you?’
‘Well, Stefan didn’t kill her. Today,’ Kyor mutters darkly.
‘Why would he have killed her?’ Caz asks incredulously. ‘Magnus hand-picked him for the task.’
It’s my turn to sigh. ‘Kyor is convinced that Stefan wants me dead because he’s supposed to be the successor to the throne.
My beloved prince here seems to be forgetting that it’s a throne I have no desire for.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s all Stefan’s.
’ Unless, of course, Kay or William want it, and then, suddenly, it’s a whole different situation. The thought gives me pause.
Caz presses her thumb to her lips, like she’s deciding whose side of the argument she’s going to fall on.
‘But what about your magic?’ she says eventually, skirting the topic entirely. ‘How did training your magic go?’
‘I’m useless. We know that much.’
‘What?’ She frowns immediately. ‘No, you’re not. Don’t say that.’
‘You have great power,’ Thessa agrees.
‘Sure, but I can’t control it. In fact, I apparently have less control over my powers than the average Issen child.’
Caz shrugs as if that isn’t totally catastrophic.
‘Like Thessa said, you’ve got more power to handle than most. It’s to be expected.
Cut yourself some slack. You’ll get there.
’ Her eyes slip to my arms. To the patterns on them.
There’s a place next to my index finger where the whirls look decidedly like a rose. I’m surprised how much I like it.
‘I wish I knew why they’re black,’ Caz says, releasing a hiss of annoyance. ‘They’ve got books on it. I know they have. I just need to get my hands on them.’
Her nonchalance towards my failed training session is surprisingly reassuring.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe having three types of magic in you means it does take longer to master each one.
Though I had no problem with my Morathkian powers coming through, unlike Kay.
I still don’t know if her magic’s showing, and unless I have a vision of Wrohelm at a very precise moment, that won’t change.
Thinking about my slips into the visions reminds me that I want to tell Caz and Thessa about the tunnels and the Rottings moving underground.
I look around anxiously. Stefan may have told me Issen power is about control, about removing energy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions and people with different abilities.
Perhaps ones like Loch’s. After all, Magnus seemed to know all about his powers…
The last thing I want is someone listening in while I tell Caz and Thessa about a shambling undead army on the move, so I will have to speak obliquely.
‘I saw the ones who took Stide from us,’ I breathe. ‘They’re on the move now.’
‘To where?’ Caz leans in, eyes wide.
I shake my head. ‘I don’t know, but it can’t be good.’
I’m about to ask her if she’s looked into the Rottings at all, but before I can, I spot a figure walking up the stairs. Toren. The group all pull back sharply. We may as well have started whistling loudly for all the nonchalance that we show.
‘So,’ I say loudly, ‘why don’t I give you a hand with the reading? I take it you’ve got a pile you want to get through?’
Toren is dressed in a warrior’s garb. A white leather cuirass is fitted tightly to his torso, bright white chain mail hangs across his shoulders and chest, and his black boots are studded with what look like spurs, though they protrude all the way from heel to calf.
But for all his weaponry, he is still a friendly face among the Issen. At least compared to Brida.
Then again, those unbound dire wolves who wanted to devour us in the forest were friendlier than her.
‘Princess Rose,’ he greets me. ‘The king would like to speak with you now, if you are available.’
Part of me wonders what would happen if I said no.
I long to bury myself in the piles of books and parchments Caz has gathered that might hold precious answers to help William, but then, talking directly to a source of knowledge – like Magnus or Toren – might be a far quicker way to get my solutions.
Besides, there’s no point in delaying the inevitable.
I knew at some point I would have to speak to the king again.
He is my grandfather, a piece of my heritage I never believed I would get to know.
Once I have the answers I need – and control over my powers – it seems unlikely that I will come back here for a great many years, given the perilousness of the journey, and he’s surely not got many years left.
I should spend the time I do have getting to know him, not to mention learning more about my mother and grandmother. It may be the only chance I ever get.
‘Of course,’ I say, glancing at Kyor.
I don’t need to ask him to accompany me as he’s already on his feet, ready to guard me at all times.
We head downstairs together, but as we go to leave the building, I notice an Issen woman moving between the aisles of books. There’s something about the purposefulness of her step that tells me she knows her way around these spines and quite possibly works here.
‘I’ll be just a moment,’ I say to Toren before crossing between the tables to reach her.
‘Excuse me?’ I say politely, clearing my throat.
The woman spins around to face me, only to jump on the spot. Her white eyes are so wide they barely seem to fit in their sockets.
‘Pr— Princess. Princess Rose,’ she stutters before bending her knees as if to bow.
‘No, no, there’s no need for that,’ I say, catching her arm before she drops to the ground. I have to admit I’m relieved that she seems to fall into the fifty percent of Issen that don’t automatically despise me.
‘H-how can I help you, Princess?’ she asks, once again dipping her head at the title I don’t want.
‘I was wondering if you could help me find some books?’
‘Books! Yes, absolutely! Of course.’
I can’t help but smile at the glee she displays at the single word. It reminds me more than a little of Caz.
‘I’m not exactly sure what I’m after,’ I tell her. ‘Although anything you have on the Veil would be helpful. If you have anything like that, I’d be grateful if you could give them to my friend upstairs, and then I’ll collect the books from her later.’
‘Of course. Yes, absolutely,’ she replies. ‘I’ll fetch them for you now.’
‘Great, thank you. And if there’s anything else she tells you I might need, would you be able to get her those as well?’
‘Yes, yes, Princess. Whatever you – she – needs.’
‘Thank you. I really appreciate that,’ I say before turning on the ball of my foot and heading back to Kyor and Toren.
The prince, the king, and I may have more than a couple of awkward matters that need to be discussed, but at least I know that Caz is going to be happy.
Someone should be.