day 21

Athions nodded. “That sounds fine love. There is nothing wrong with being considerate in orders. It is the lack of them all together. I take it the shoulder is feeling all right this morning if we are going to the gym?”

Kell nodded. “It is fine just needed some rest.” They got dressed and moved out to the study. Kell went over and looked at the books  they had brought in last night and nodded to her self. “Now this is a surprise. I didn't think either of you would find Ocean interesting. They are a complex people, being more of the water than of land. This book gives a fair idea.”

Rick said. “All I have heard was rumors of most of the empire and Anth even less. We thought it might be best to learn more. After all we don't want to unintentionally offer insult. We asked Aran where we should start. He gave us that book, and said to come back when we had read it. We might not have known exactly, but there was enough to tell us that you were a bit more than a mere princess.”

Kell shook her head. “I am not worthy of you to. Thank you. After all I hid, after all the secrets you only half understand.”

Athions said. “We love you, that is enough. The rest is window dressing. So what if you are the first female of a royal line to all so be a sword master in a hundred years? “ At her look he said. “I asked Robert just what the designs on your blades meant, and learned more than I intended to. He was a bit drunk, through I didn't realize it.”

Kell shook her head. “Sword master is just a fancy way of saying that we passed the weapons program at Derhord, or a couple of others. Those who go through the finale exams for that program get a sword, each one is a bit different. But yes I am, but more so I am the only female to graduate from Derhold in ten years. But of course there where only eight who have, and no Robert is not one.  But there are others in the family who are. Sounds like breakfast is here, do see that they remembered the kalea.”

Athions nodded. “Yes Love.” He trued to the servants and took over. Once it was set and they were leaving he said. “The meal is ready Mistress.”

Kell glared at him and moved to the table, waiting tell the door was closed to say. “You just had to didn't you. Just for that I should have you drink with me. Only I am to selfish to share. Perhaps when I have gotten used to having it at hand again.” She did pour a cup for Rick, but just gave Athions some juice.

Athions laughed. “I am sure you will, in time. But for now I am glad that you still see it as a treat. I do not know how you can drink it.”

Rick said. “It takes time to get used to it. But grows well in the plains.” They set to and soon were full.

Kell stood up. “Rick give the cord two fast pulls, and then we can be on our way. Anth fix that red cord to the outside handle. It grants the place servants permission to enter when we are gone. No doubt we will have reason to regret doing so. But so be it.” With that she lead them down a different set of hall, pointing out markers as they went. She stopped out side a door. “So what dose this door tell you?”

Athions said. “This is area is restricted to certain persons, but I am not clear on who.”

Rick said. “I think that is the word fighter? Anyway it would be person who wear that emblem?”

Kell nodded. “That is good.  Now you are going to get accesses to these passages. However I expect you to limit your use. I am doing this so you can use the gym, but all so should there ever be need you can get to the rest. Someone running these halls will have all under arms and ready to move.” With that she opened the door. “The gym is at the end of the hall. That side is living quarters, the other a weapons room. As I said, should the day ever come you will have accesses after this.” She lead them down to the gym and entered. She smiled at the faces, remembering when she had first been brought here. The first sight was amazing, but they would soon be to busy to care.

It didn't take long untell they were seen. A man strode across the floor at them. “This is a closed wing. Visitors are not welcome. I will get a student. Krellyis? Is that you? Your have grown imp. And who is this with you?”

Kell smiled and half bowed. “Master Relgan. It has been to long since my ears have heard you. It is good to see you well. These are my companions, my guards if you must. They have chosen to bind their-selves to me. We will be staying a bit and need a place to exercise. I hope that our presence will not prove to be disruptive. I see you have some students to shape.”

The man looked the guys over. “Hum we will see if there is anything we can do with them. Not who I would have with you. But you were all ways an odd duck.” He looked over his shoulder. “Wilt, Damve take these to and see if you can do anything with them.”

Kell looked at them and nodded. “Go on and have fun, don't worry they wont do any permanent damage.” They went and were soon put to work. “I am recovering and have to take it easy.”

He nodded. “Let me see. Come on then I will get you someone else. Who treated you?”

Kell said. “I am running with the dragons, and they keep good healers. Then I after I met with Paul, Rent was called to look at me. Yelled at me for understating my injures, but agreed that they were healing and he could do little more than had been done for the shoulder.”

Master Relgan nodded. “Rent would know. Lets see where you are at.” He started her working and kept a close eye on what she did. She stopped before the others. He came over to her. “Try in come by each morning for this length and we can get you set right. I know your time is going to get shorter as the others come, but if He can take an hour so can you. As for them. I want them here two hours a morning. What ever brings you hear can spare that. They are good, but to guard the Dragon they need more, and they are going to get it.”

Kell shook her head. Her ears had to be playing tricks on her. He couldn’t have referred to her as the Dragon. Choosing to ignore it she went with the training.  “They can give two, we are here for the library and it won't be free tell then. I can for now, and will make it for at least an hour in the mornings no matter what I have the right to that. I fear through that peace is ending.”

Relagn nodded. “Your news is not unexpected.  We have being seeing signs, and are make ready child.”

“I would expect nothing less. I fear that little is clear yet. But there is evil out there. Mages that do not die as they should, only when head has left body, or when turned to ash.” She shuddered. “The things I have seen are matched only in the tales of Sleaim. We have a drawing of the symbol and are hunting for more. Once we have a sold lead I will let you know. But now, well students for the most are not good at hunting shadows. Ah are you ready to go then boys?”

Athions said. “I think so, before they decide that we are still alive.”

Kell laughed. “You are expected to be here each morning after breakfast. I will be coming, but won’t all ways be able to stay. Master Relagn is there any candy needed, or should they give full answers to questions?”

He said. “During the time they will be here they will be learning to live by the sword.”

Kell nodded. “Then you are to treat everyone out there, no matter their age, as anther merc, and answer any questions as such. We will see you in the morning then. Now lets go find a bath.” She let them lead her back to the room, trying to convince her self that she had not heard right. By the time they had reached the room she had all most managed it.  Rick opened the door and stepped back to let her and Athions to enter. Kell shook her head.

He grinned. “Best to start before it is needed, so I am doing it right when it is.”

Kell said. “In that case, Anth you need to enter first then give a small nod, indicating that it is safe. Rick you need to be looking at the hall, not me.” Athions swept into the room, scanned it and made a small move of his head. “A little yes jerk more bob. Yes that is better.” Kell entered the room and Rick moved smoothly in giving a last look down the hall. Kell nodded laughing. “Very good. Now one of you clowns go get the bath going, the other can get clothes. Because I of course simply can not enter a clod shower, or be bothered to walk to the closet.”

Athions smiled and Rick warped his arms around her. “I hope we aren’t making it that bad on you.”

Kell said. “It isn’t you it is just being here. Go on I was serious about the bath.”

Athions went to get the bath and Rick headed to the room, but turned. “If it gets to the point you feel we are smoothing you, you will say so right, Love?”

Kell nodded. “Don’t worry you will know. I am not going to play Princess around you two. I might not be able to be me out there all the time. But I damn well will be when it is just us. And I expect you to call me on it if I am not.” As Rick was getting the clothes, Kell slipped the spelled books in her bag then headed to the bath.

Not to long latter they were in the library again. “We are not working official yet, so if you want to look for something else for a few.” They were shaking their heads. “Well then I figure that the other parties are going to take up the threads they were working on in Ariby. So those areas will be covered, and they are the most likely. I have a wild hair I want to fallow, but you don’t have to.”

Rick said. “We go where you do. Even if that means I am not doing more than fetching paper and copying notes.”

Kell smiled. “Well then we are going to move back a hundred years and further north. That is we will be looking at the area around Sunhallow There has to be a reason that mark was there to be seen, and the other map it pointing that way. So it is the books here I would like you to start with. Or is there anther place you feel more moved to look?”

Athions said. “Since we found the map I have wanted to look there and Elfdome, though I don’t know why. Having never heard of either before.”

Kell said. “I was instructed to listen to the voices. Elfdome is over here. Just browse and pull any book that looks good and head to the table. We can worry about being organized anther day. I am going to get a few others from anther section. ” They nodded and she left them.

Take a short walk down a hall and pressing her hand to a glowing spot, causing the wall to slid. She walked though the opening frowning a bit at the tingle of the wards. First she went and signed out two of the four family records she wanted a closer look at. Two at a time being the limit she could take. She picked up a book that had fascinated her for years, even though she couldn’t read it. She was certain that Athions could though. But for some reason it was not allowed out. She moved to put it back then saw the marks on the cover. It was the same as the other book. “Hanlder, can this book be copied? That is I know it is not to be taken out, but could a copy?”

An older man hobbled over and looked. “That one again eh?

Yes a copy could. I can have one made for you soon, Shall I deliver it to you room?”

She shook her head. “I will see to the coping, thank you.”

He looked at her. “You? This I have to see. You couldn’t copy a slate less by hand. Yu’ know how long it take.”

Kell reached in her bag and let her fingers pick the copy book. She pulled it out. “I have learned a few things.”

He grunted and pointed. “Spells done over there” She smiled and joined the students at the table. Waiting in tell he was there and waiting to set up her spell. It was not one he used, which could be why she could get it to work. It was slower, but that didn’t matter. The spells on the books were such that even the cover took the form of the first book. With a second grunt he picked up her copy and thumbed though it. “Not bad. But flashy spell.”

Kell took the book from him and put in her bag. “Thank you.” She put the other one back and left, hading further down the hall and though anther ward. There was just one book in this room. She did not open it just took and copied it, then headed back to the library.  Once there she took the two record books out and set them on the table leaving the others in her bag. “As I went buy I saw they were setting out lunch, and I don’t know about you but I am more than ready.”

Athions stretched. “Sounds good. But first is there some way to make this book readable? The light just doesn’t wok. But I think it important.” See the design in the corner of this page. It looks like it could be a version of the other. But it is either in some strange langue or uses an odd ink.”

Kell took the book. “I see what you mean, and there is something you should have done on finding it. I will help this time, but next time you are on your on.” Louder she said. “Aran do you have a minuet?” She then handed the book back to Athions.

Aran came over. “I was just heading to lunch, but that can wait a bit what can I do?”

Athions said. “I was wondering if there is away to make this book readable, or is it perhaps in a different langue not in the Arinth as it appears from the cover?” He hand him the book.

Aran opened it and blinked. “I thought we had gotten all of theses off the floor. Kell you could have just told him, after all I am sure you haven’t forgotten. I remember something about a cramp that would never leave your hand.”

Kell said. “True, but then he wouldn’t know what to do next time he finds a book he can’t read, but feels he should be able to.”

Aran said. “This ink needs a colored light to be able to read it. I can get a lamp out of storage after lunch.”

Kell said. “Is there a rule about mage in the library again, if not a mage light will work and save you the dust?”

Aran said. “That will be fine, I just forget that you are not under student rules anymore.”

Kell laughed. “Anth do you know how to make a bright blue light?” He nodded. “That will make this one readable. There are other inks keyed to other colors, so the best thing is to ask. Now lets go see about lunch.” After lunch they went back to the library and then to the room for supper.

After supper was out of the way Kell reached for her bag. “There was a book I loved looking at when ever I was here. The pitchers in it are just lovely, but I could never learn what langue it was writing in. Only know I know. Anth I think you might find this interesting. It is just a copy, but it is a good copy.” She pulled the book out opened it randomly and set it on the table.

“Where? I mean how, the other is amazing, but two?”

Kell nodded. “I was right then. You must translate this one as well. And look at the cover, I think it might be by the same person as the other.” He closed the book and traced the mark. “I knew I had seen it someplace, but it wasn’t until I saw the book that I knew where.” She then took the other book out. “This book is to remain locked in the trunk when not being read, but I want bouth of you to try and read a bit each night. It will not be the same, and what I see will diferant yet.” She sat the book on the table and they bouth gasp.

“trhat is a myth.”

“but there is no copies on this side.”

Kell nodded. “There are now five copies know. Anth your people are said to have one. There is anther here, one in the hands of the Beditcins, and the last is buried in the ruins that were Sleaim’s seat. Anyway we think it is there, it used to be and as far as we know nothing made it out.”

Athions said. “You know of my people?”

Kell said. “Just that there are people of dark skin and with a musicale langue that live far to the south. This book actually came from there, but just how is unclear.” They spent that night doing more talking than reading, though there was some that got done. The next morning they headed to the gym, and so the routine was set for the next few days. Soon it was the day before they were to meet the others, who should all be in town.