Page 31 of Legends and Librarians
“Listen up everyone,” I said, trying to cast my voice loud enough for them to hear, but not loud enough to draw unwanted attention. “The contractors are here a little early to fix the windows and the roof, but we need to get out of their way so they can work. Follow me to the special collection exhibit.”
For some reason, I half expected them to actually follow my lead. But that was a big fail. The golem pulled down the last remaining patch Nyssa had been working on while the dragons swooped over the shelves in a race. The Demon Lord was thankfully nowhere to be seen, but that still left the knights who were currently scaling the stacks to shoot arrows at the dragons, and the three-headed dog.
The contractors would definitely run away screaming if they walked in here.
“Nyssa really needs your help,” I said. “They’re going to put in all new windows and make it so the rain doesn’t come in anymore. Isn’t that what you want too?”
A dragon shot by my face doing a barrel roll. Great. Just great.
Lisa covered a laugh behind her teacup. “Do you possibly need some assistance?”
This whole day was trying my nerves. I was supposed to getridof wild magic, but here I was, hiding these creatures away instead. If this were any other mission, I’d have dispelled them and called it a day.
So why wasn’t I doing that now? Because of Nyssa? No, it was something else, something needling the back of my mind. This library wasn’t normal and neither was the wild magic inside it. If wild magic was doing something new, the guild deserved to understand it better and I was the best suited to learn.
“Yes, I’d appreciate your help, Lisa,” I ground out to her amusement. “Can’t you just go back inside your books or something?”
She shook her head. “No, dear, a few of us always need to be awake to guard the library. Do you really think we’d leave that all up to you? We have a duty.”
I stared at her for a moment, wondering just what kind of duty they thought they had and who had told them that. But before I could think on that more,the red panda leapt off his chair and raced across the room, running straight up the golem’s arm. Mochi shot up to its shoulder, chittering and squawking louder than I’d ever heard it. Everyone in the room stood with rapt attention, hanging on every noise the panda made. I didn’t know what it was saying, but even I felt the power in it.
Mochi wanted them to help me.
These creatures really didn’t seem that bad. They didn’t act like they were made from wild magic; they weren’t hurting anyone or causing chaos. It was like the wild magic had brought them to life, but lost its edge after their creation.
The story spirits ambled into the special collection exhibit, quietly letting me close the doors without incident. My back itched though, knowing they weren’t going to stay this cooperative all day. The longer we were cooped up, the more likely they’d try to do something to the contractors. I’d have to be ready for anything.
There wouldn’t be another mission posted to the guild on my watch. Not about haunted libraries at least.
I pulled a chair in front of the sliding doors and sat down, guarding the exit from the inside. Just in time too, as the sounds of people clamoring around filled the library.
The creatures huddled in the small room, the golem squished in a corner with dragons using it as a roost. Lisa pulled out a book and started reading, an amused smile on her face like she was waiting for this all to fail miserably. Or maybe that was me.
Minutes ticked by as hammers pounded away outside. Mochi shuffled over, offering me a cookie.
“No thanks,” I said, too focused on keeping an eye on everyone to eat.
The knights had already given up on being quiet and were wrestling on the table while the dragons leaned down, eyes full of playful curiosity. As long as the golem didn’t join in, I could handle them.
The three-headed dog trotted over, dropping a ball in my lap.
“Sorry, I’m in the middle of something,” I said, setting the ball down carefully so he wouldn’t chase it. “Maybe later.”
He whined, his heads drooping as he curled up in the corner. My heart ached seeing him like that, especially when Lisa clicked her tongue and went over to pet him, whispering soothing things to him. The dog perked up, wagging his tail, but one head still stared at me with puppy dog eyes.
Was I the monster here because I wouldn’t interact with these creatures? No, I would not let a wild magic animal make me feel guilty. No matter how much it mightlooklike an adorable dog.
Two knights ran over, fired up about something. Okay, they were definitely about to escape, now was my time.
“Sir Roan, settle a bet for us,” one of them said. “Which is better: a broadsword or a rapier?”
I slumped back in my chair. “That’s what you’re asking about?”
“It’s important!” he shouted. “This fool thinks a rapier makes him look dashing, but a broadsword always gets the job done.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. “They each have their own merits. A rapier is best when you need agility against an unarmed foe and the broadsword is best when you need power against an armed opponent. Now please, try to keep it down.”
“Ohhh, he could be onto something,” one of the knights said with a bow. “Thank you, Sir Roan.”
