Page 48 of Legends and Librarians
“Is every magical library alive?” I asked.
My question hung in the air, heavy and full of implications. If every library was alive, we had to rethink the whole concept of magical libraries and their librarians. We should be more like caretakers than anything else, making sure they were happy and healthy and loved. Definitely loved.
Lisa lifted her shoulder in a half shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t think a library has ever been able to communicate before, not like this one. So if they are sentient, nobody knew about it.” She sipped her tea, frowning at it like she just realized it was cold. “The wild magic storm changed everything here by allowing the library to summon us. Through us, it found new ways of communicating. It’s grown bold and intelligent.”
The library was learning.
Excitement danced through my body. I wished Oren was here to hear all this so he could get to researching right away.
This library had taken care of me as a child, welcomed me into its shelves, and showed me wonderful books. I’d felt its soul even then, but when I grew older, I’d brushed it off as a childhood fantasy.
But now?
Now I would do everything I could to protect it. To repay it for all the years it had taken care of me.
“What do you need me to do?” I asked.
Lisa smiled. “Prepare for the Tales and Tomes festival. We need it to be the most amazing festival anyone’s seen in years to ensure we get the gods’ blessing. Your passion has inspired us all, so we’ll help as much as we can.” She gazed up at the great book tree, wonder filling her eyes. “If this library hadn’t gotten lonely, I wouldn’t even be here. I owe it everything and more. It gave me life. Itchoseme.”
It felt like it had chosen me too. Like I’d been working toward this my entire life.
“Then we’ll start preparing for a festival,” I said confidently.
The Tales and Tomes festival was the biggest story festival of the year. Celebrations lasted for an entire month, filled with new writers penning stories and wonderful readers sharing their favorites. Passion for books was the heart of the festival and magical libraries were at its core.
Every library around the world could participate, but people expected them to go all out if they did. The popular libraries were full to the brim every year for the final celebration, but smaller libraries often struggled to have enough people to make it worth it.
We’d have to outshine every library around if we were going to get enough patrons to make this festival a success. With all of us working as a team, we’d make this festival one that nobody would ever forget.
Because the Misty Mountain Library was counting on us.
Chapter 17
Roan
The stars shone brightly, glittering in the night sky like diamonds as I laid on the grass watching them. I’d wanted to give Nyssa some privacy to talk with the story spirits and the library, plus, it really was a beautiful night out. Owls hooted hellos to each other while the thrum of insects created a melody in the background.
Stargazing was always so calming. I did it as often as possible, enjoying the familiar sight no matter where I traveled. The constellations might change, but the vibes were the same. Peaceful and quiet, as if this view was just for me and nature.
It was especially helpful when I had some tough thoughts to work out. I’d been all set to leave, to start a new adventure, when Jade showed up and made herself a problem. How could I leave now when I had no idea what she was planning?
The library deserved better than her sniffing around, even if she meant well. She was too focused on being the best that she often missed what was right in front of her. I guess we all missed this one though.
I couldn’t believe the library was alive. How many magical libraries had I visited over the years? How many times had I felt that comforting aura and just assumed it was because the building was full of good books and good people?
After all this time as an adventurer, the world was still full of surprises.
The library’s warm glow spilled out as the door opened and Nyssa walked outside with a fluffy blanket in her arms.
“Thought you might be getting cold out here,” she said, unfurling the blanket on the grass next to me. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not,” I said, shifting onto the blanket. It offered a warm barrier against the increasingly damp grass.
Nyssa settled on the blanket beside me, her shoulder brushing against mine. I felt myself drawn to the way her skin glowed softly in the moonlight and the way she studied the sky with a little smile on her face. Suddenly, I had something even more beautiful than the stars to look at and that scared me.
“So about Jade,” I said, “she’s not going to give up easily.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I figured. We need a plan.”
