day 19 32303

Kell smiled. “Just as much as anywhere for now. The bedroom I use is though there and the bath that one. There are others, you might want to look. This is the side of the rooms I prefer to stay in, but there is a set of formal rooms to use when needed. They are though that door. No reason you should not poke you noise in every room. Never know when it might come in handy. Sides you might just find one you enjoy.”

Rick took picked up a trunk and heading into the one she had said was the bedroom. Athions said. “Rick just leave the door and I will get the trunks in. you needed carry them. There is no taboo on magic here. Kell you know that the one room is all we will use. But if you fell so I will look at the others some time.” He sent the trunks and bags into the room. “Right now I should help unpack, unless there is other you would have me do.”

Kell shook her head. “I don't know what I am going to do with you guys. You get unpacked and then I will show you around a bit. I think first we should see about getting you access to one of the stores. Then I show you the library. Sound good? The faster you are unpacked the faster we can get the others things done, and see how it feels to sleep in bed perhaps.” That helped the unpacking get done before she got to troubled with wanting to help. It was hard to let them do it all. But it was easier on them if she did.

When they were down she led them out the door. “Note the dragon, that will tell you what door to open. It is the only one in this hall.” They nodded and she went down the hall pointing out this painting or that bit of pottery that marked the turnings. Then stopped outside of a huge set of doors. “This is the library we will come back to it in a bit and I will show you where to find the pens and paper you are allowed to use. There are different areas for each group to draw from. This room here will have snacks for you, the one there is for non-residents. Across the hall you have the gusts and student rooms. Just remember the snacks do not enter the library. We are going to take a short side trip. As you might have heard around here the terms used to talk about a mage's strength has to do with stairs. Before you go doing to much I thought you would like to have an answer to the question of how many stairs you are, as you cannot get away with my answer. So this is the testing room, you may see someone, or you may not. If you do listen speak only if asked to. All you need do is count the stairs, where they are doesn’t matter. If you see more than three you have some power, the more you see the stronger you are.” She reached for the door and opened it. “After you.” She stepped back and let them enter. She stood at the door for a bit then forced herself to enter.

As she had thought they were in a trance. She moved to a small alter set in one wall and waited. Ignoring the staircases that surrounded her. Soon a figure was standing next to her. “What would you have?”

Kell said. “I brought them here to see if Athions was strong enough to be allowed accesses to a store. I do not want him to be hampered by choosing to stay with me. For myself I would like to bind with them, that for what they lose by choosing me they might gain a bit. For we know the cost, and even as I try to tell them not to they insist on tie their lives to mine.”

The figure said. “We can do that, but two things we must have. One it will be made official, and second you will answer them truly when asked what you see. In addition the throne is stirring, the force you are seeing are waking it. Soon it will need to be filled. I am sorry but your time us coming.”

Kell said. “I knew when I passed the gates that I was done running. Your prices and more I am prepared to pay.”

“Then though you he will have accesses to all you do, and on his own to the green. That will more than meet his needs.”

She bowed. “Thank you that is more than I hoped. Is there anything you can tell me about the trouble that is walking?”

“Once you copy the book let them both read it. They will be safe. All so listen to the voice, it is telling you right.” The figure disappeared.

Kell picked up a candle and set it on the alter, then placed a knife next to it.  With out turning she said. “I thought that since you and Anth have decided to tie your lives to mine we should make it official.”

Rick said. “Can I help?”

“Not with this. All that we need do is wait for Anth. It won't be much longer. In fact here he comes.” She turned. “As I have told both of you there are costs that you will be called to pay if you insists on joining your life with me. Those cost will come to you no matter what. But if we make it official you will get a share of the benefits. Just what form they will take I can't say. But are you willing? It is nothing much more complex than a mirage. All we do is let a drop of blood from each of us mingle and fall into the flame. Asking the Lords of all to witness our commitment to each other. You have the right to say no.”

Athions said. “Why would I say no when I have been asking for this for years? Yes I will do this, yes I want this of my own free will.”

Rick nodded. “I am agreeing to this of my own free will. It is what I want.”

She nodded and turned to the alter and murmuring some words she picked up the knife. “Hold your right wrist over the candle.” They did so and she pulled the knife across them, then her own. She then turned them so that there blood mingled. The candlelight and a a drop fell onto the flame.

A chime rang and a voice was heard. “Your years are as one. You will always be able to find each other. Welcome my Sons, you have chosen well. Your life will not be easy, but love will sustain you.” The voice withdrew, the candle went out.

Kell healed the cuts and said. “That dose not guaranty that one of us will not die before the other. It just means that your years have been lengthened to match mine. And mine are long even for my people and mine live for twice of yours. The rest you will work out in time. Now then you have a question for me before we go to the library.”

Rick said. “I saw four stairs, but I thought I had nothing. So what dose it mean?”

Kell said. “You have a touch, and with practice you will be able to use it, if you want to. But not so much that you have to learn.”

Athions said. “I saw eight.”

Kell nodded. “I thought so, but say you saw six when asked, the most known is nine so eight would get you more attention then you want. Six is the medium, four is most common.”

“How many do you see?”

She took a deep breath. “The answer I give is enough to turn you to ashes. But in truth I lost track around twelve, finding it hard to know what I had counted and what I had yet to. Close your eyes and give me your hands.” They did so. “I am going to show you how the room looks to me.” She shared with them the sight before her eyes, turning slowly around the room. Then let their hands fall. “Now you have your answer. Oh and with experience we will not need to be touching top send images along the bound, it was just easier. Yes Rick, the bond doesn’t need magic only thought. So anything else before we head out?”

Athions said softly. “Just what are we facing? How could that guy stand before this?”

Kell bit her lip. “I was just using what was at hand. I could have called more, but didn't realize I should until it was to late. But you are right to ask. In truth I have only a fear. I will give you a book, but in short there was a time when all had access to such power, but most storehouses were destroyed. Some we are not certain of. I think they have one of the unaccounted for. And if so, we have seen nothing. But more needs to be know before an alarm can be sounded.”

“So we keep the specifics to our selves and ask only where general areas are, as Bree said.”

Kell nodded. “And I have a tangent I will be working on. My family has kept though records, and there are a few years that are lacking in illustration that the others have. I never thought to ask why, but the dates fit with map. So I will be looking into them. But we won't start that tonight. I will get that book on storehouses and then I must leave you to you own devise. But I think you will have plenty to occupy you.  I am going to go get those passes, and see if I can't get some other things as well.”

She lead them back to the library and this time opened the door and entered they followed her and stopped she smiled. “See I think you will find enough to do. Now then those tables fill up fast so I use theses over here. You know me and corners.” She led them along the wall to a few tables tucked away. “They have an advantage. That door is where you get the paper and pins. Don't worry it is the back of the cupboard, most don't come this way. Leave books you want to work on more on the table, set ones to go back on that bench and the students will file them back. It helps them learn where things are.” She moved along the selves then pulled to books off. “These will tell you more about the storehouses. If you want more details let me know and I will pull them for you.” She looked around and spotted a man. “Aran I thought you would be lurking someplace. These two are mine, so no guff. They know how to care for books. But I need to jet so can you get someone to give them the second tour and then let the browse?”

The man chucked. “Like I would give 'em guff when I saw you take to your table child. Ya I will see they get the tour. But I want to know why you are here.”

Kell said. “Fair enough, but I want to catch Paul, and I should tell him first. So When I get back?”

He looked at her and nodded. “I will be in the back, away from the ears then.”

Kell nodded. “This is the one who knows where everything is. He is going to set you up with guide who can help you get a rough layout of the open library. I will try not to be to long.” With that she left to find the man in charge.

Leavening the library she headed the other way and a few turns later she was in the heaver-decorated areas of the places. Finally she found Paul just where she expected to, standing outside the gym. She walked up to him. “Are you lost? This is not an open. Krellyis is that you? My it is how have you bee? What are you doing?”

Kell said. “You are luck I was not looking to kill you, you are slipping. I need a few minutes of his time. I have a request to make. Can he see me?”

“You know he always has time for family. He would be disappointed if you didn’t come see him. I just hope you have the time to bout with him.”

She said. “I might be able to.”

He opened the door and there was and indistinct shout Paul called out. “Princess Krellis is out here and wonders if you have time to talk, my King?”

A voice called out. “Krelly you rat get you butt in here.”  Pual smiled at her and held the door open. Kell shook her head and went in