19 A Trip to the Library (2/2)

She finished her own meal and then cleaned up the plate from Ilun, please to see it all in one piece.

Did they do this on their own, she thought as she replaced the covers on the tray and walked out into her own sitting room.

The few activities she had waited for her. She flipped through the book quickly, all the stories in them read twice from boredom. Maybe I should have taken something from Arren's room, would he have minded, she wondered sighing turning away from the table.

These must have come from somewhere though, maybe there's a library, she thought even as she turned to the door to leave.

”Ilun,” she called.

The beast came from the bedroom, stretching his long body and followed her out of the door.

She and Ilun padded down the hall. The necklace pulsed at her breast, urging her down another path but she ignored it, picking her way through the rooms, assuming that she would know it when she saw it.

As they walked she peeked into the doors through the key holes, looking for rows of books. She dismissed anything that met her with couches or desks. ”Where can this library be,” she finally asked out loud to the still air.

She turned the corner and came to stairs. She had never seen stairs in the palace before, it was as if everything existed on the same floor.

She took them, following them downward, the halls they lead to wider and more open. She peeked into the first keyhole she found on a set of double doors and there, in front of her were rows of books.

She clapped, jumping a little before she pushed the door open.

Inside there room was lined with false lamps. She looked around at the high shelves, unsure of where to start. Bookcases soared over her head as she walked. Ilun sniffed the air and barked softly.

”Ah, the Lord of All Shadows' new wife,” an old gravelly voice said.

She turned to the sound an old man, frail and bent with age, stood before her. Hair, long, white, and thin like spider webs covered his head. Milky white eyes stared out of his pale thin face. His heavy navy robes hung on him as if they had been made for a much larger man.

”The Princess who can't speak, the dreamweaver. My name is Mattin and I am humbly in your service,” he said. Despite his appearance there was a kind smile on his face.

She nodded slowly and he continued, ”How can I serve you today, your majesty?”

Reaching into her pocket, she removed the book. Before she could write anything the old man waved it off. ”Not needed, dear Princess, these eyes are old but they can read hands well enough.

She clapped and smiled widely pushing the book back into her pocket.

I didn't think anyone here knew how to speak like this, she signed quickly and he smiled.

”Here and maybe where you are from, it is a language of thieves and assassins. Not to be trusted,” he explained.

True enough, she had learned how to speak in such a way from the street people of her city, many of whom had likely been thieves. When she met her sisters, other dreamweavers who lived in the palace their whole lives, none of them could use their hands in such a way. They all carried boards and chalk and so she did too. Then why do you know it, she asked.

”I am a man of knowledge,” he replied playfully and Isilla relaxed.

I'm looking for something to read, I don't have much to do with my days, she explained.

He nodded, ”What do you like to read? We have many books here. Quite a few are dreadfully boring I'm afraid but there are some worthy of a read.” The man ambled deeper into the library, Isilla following him.

”Ah, here we are,” he said reaching a shelf. The covers of the books seemed to be less in quality than the ones in the front, some of them just bound pages. ”I keep a collection of popular novels, printed by commoners in the city. The writing can be, at times, a bit rough but some of their stories are fascinating.”

He selected a three books from the shelf and handed her the stack, smiling.

Clapping, she took them from him and held them under her arm. Thank you, she signed, these will be much better than the children's books my maids gave me.

”Hmm, yes, they likely believe, for whatever reasons, that you can't read our language very well but your letters show that you have a strong grasp of it,” he said.

Shock flashed through her core. How do you know about my letters, she signed frantically.

His eyes widened for a moment, ”Princess, excuse me! It is nothing scandalous. As they were part of the official treaty and engagement process, they're kept here in our records. I assure you, they are not widely read, nor were the ones sent to you. Only myself, members of the council and of course the prince read what was written.”

She blushed remembering some of the more intimate secrets that had been shared between them.

”There's no need to worry,” Mattin soothed. ”Many of them came to me sealed and were stored just as they were.”

Do you know who wrote them, the letters to me, she asked sheepishly.

Mattin smiled, ”The prince you were meant to marry. Who else would?”

She nodded, the answer as she expected. Thank you. Can you tell me about something else?

The man nodded, ”Anything it is in my power to tell.”

Can you tell me about Arren? I don't understand him.

The old man smiled, ”I'm sorry, my Lady. He keeps his own council and there is likely not much at all to tell.”

I only know the stories they tell of him in my lands.

”That he swept the souls out of thousands, trapped them in a world of nightmares?”

She nodded.

”That is very true.”

She frowned, her heart beating hard. So he is a monster, she thought.

”But,” the old man said, ”The full story is much more complicated. If you ask him, he will tell you. It is one thing that he does not keep hidden.”

The clock went off, signaling the hour. ”Hmm, it's near time for dinner. Shouldn't you be getting back to your rooms? Your maids will be missing you soon.”

She glanced away, a shy smile on her face. I'm not sure how to get back. You won't tell anyone that I slipped away will you?

He shook his head, ”Come back anytime. I suppose no one has told you the trick of this place. When you leave the library, just focus on where you want to go. The castle will lead you back.”

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. The old man's face turned bright red.

Waving, she left the library, books in hand. Alone with Ilun, she focused on her own bedroom and began to walk.