Page 43 of Legends and Librarians
Mochi chittered, his fluffy tail swooshing back and forth. The dragons raced outside without a second thought as the knights charged after them. That just left...
“Demon Lord?”
“I really can’t scare them away?” he asked, sighing when I shook my head. “You’re really annoying, you know that right?”
“I know,” I said, barely containing my laughter. “But you’ll come outside anyway, right?”
I didn’t wait for him to answer, assuming he would. We were running out of time. The adventurers had formed a circle, their backs to each other and swords out, as the dragons flew overhead, thankfully not breathing fire. Yet.
“Hello,” I said, interrupting everyone. “I’m Nyssa, the Misty Mountain Librarian. Mind telling me what you’re doing here?”
Jade barely looked at me, her gaze locked on the story spirits. “I’m Jade. We’re here to help with your haunted library problem.”
“As Oren already explained, these creatures are story spirits, not ghosts.” I smiled warmly as a dragon landed on my shoulder and Cerbie came over to stand between me and Roan. “They’re made with library magic so they’re part of the library. You cannot dispel them.”
“I can’t, huh?” Jade scoffed. “Just watch me, lady. Theymight have fooled you, but I know they’re dangerous and I’m going to dispel them.”
Exactly what I’d been hoping she’d say. She could try her heart out for all I cared as long as she admitted they weren’t ghosts in the end.
“Be my guest,” I said, shaking my head at Oren who looked like he wanted to protest. I pulled Roan aside to whisper. “We’ve got a plan, just play along.”
His gaze met mine, holding it for a moment. Then he nodded. “I trust you.”
My stomach fluttered at that look, like he fully believed I could handle this situation without even telling him my plan. After this was over, I’d find a way to talk to him about leaving. See if it was what he really wanted or if something else was going on.
The adventurers lined up candles in a large circle, lighting them as they chanted ominously. As Jade bent to light her candle, one of the dragons flew over and beat her to it. She gaped as the dragon’s flames melted the candle in half, making one of the other adventurers laugh.
“Focus,” Jade said. “Don’t let the spirits distract you.”
“Good luck with that.” Oren laughed as he knelt to replace the candle. “Distractions aren’t always bad, you know.”
She glared at him. “When I want advice, I’ll ask for it.”
“Oh calm down, Jade,” Roan said. “You’re always so quick to judge.”
That set them off arguing again like children. Roan hadn’t really told me much about his past, but I’d bet she was related somehow. Only relatives argued like that.
While they bickered, Mochi curled up next to the candles as if sitting by a fireplace, handing out mini marshmallows to the little knights. They gathered sticks, spearing them with vigor as they proceeded to roast the marshmallows over the candles. Thesweet scent of toasted sugar filled the air, making my stomach growl.
“You can’t do that!” Jade said, trying to shoo them off. “Those are sacred candles, not some backwoods campfire.”
I knelt down by Mochi and the others, ignoring her entirely.
“Do you have any chocolate or graham crackers?” I asked Mochi, who chittered and pulled them out of thin air. “Ohhh, thank you!”
The panda munched on a marshmallow, getting white fluff all over its fur. I laughed softly as two knights solemnly handed me a normal-sized marshmallow that came up to their shoulders and a sharpened stick.
“Your spear, my lady,” the knight said with a bow.
“I said you can’t do that!” Jade’s eyes widened, complete bewilderment on her face.
Apparently she wasn’t used to people doing the opposite of what she said, so I probably shouldn’t push her too far.
“Sorry, you can keep trying to dispel them,” I said, turning my marshmallow over once it was golden on one side. “We’re not stopping you.”
The knights completely ignored her too, daring to offer one of the roasted marshmallows to a dragon flying by. My heart swelled. It was the first time I’d seen them getting along, even if it was just to tick off these adventurers.
Roan laughed. “You heard her, keep trying. I dare you.”
