Between the Veil and Crown

Kylin 13

The library was located in the cliff part of the base, deep within so that the light of the windows did not find it. Instead, it was lit by candles, fireplaces, and balls of light previous Rangers had left behind, opening themselves up to chastisement for their carelessness. In the meantime, the balls were used as means of safe moving light among the shelves carved out of rock and occupying idle hands during intensive study.

While a portion of the books were properly printed, either donated by Harlofelp or Elven citizens or found among ruins, the majority of the library consisted of journals written by generations of Rangers. They were organized in how they related to each other, as later Rangers would correct findings or reports of past Rangers. Sometimes such corrections -so the author would presume- would be so scathing that they were given over to another section entirely, where it was used as entertainment instead of education.

Kylin, Marta, and Favel had agreed the best way to tackle the matter was to split who researched what. Kylin took on the task of scouring through journals pertaining when the evil first walked the forest, and Marta volunteered to go through every journal about flora- a task she was all too enthusiastic about as the mountain of journals next to her attested to.

Favel double checked points of interest, and tracked down journals that had the potential of shedding more light on it.

Unfortunately, despite the efficiency of their system, the research was so far turning up nothing.

Kylin was working through the fifth journal, reading for the umpteenth time about the kind of monsters the evil summoned, none of which matched what they were facing. Beside him on the bench Favel was stretched out. Kylin was certain he had fallen asleep, but he had no care to see or to wake him up until he actualy had something to give him. Marta had a handful of different journals open as she frowned in concentration, the ugly flower in one hand while the other used a finger to search sentences and images.

Kylin turned a page and saw the word "trees." Excitement built up, only to be quickly dashed as he saw it had nothing to do with the trees acting oddly. Not an uncommon occurrence, but hope sprung eternal every time he saw the word.

Marta slammed one of her books closed, causing Favel to jolt up and Kyin drop the one he was holding. She ignored the looks the two men gave her and grabbed another book from the top of Mount Flora Journals. She flipped to a page, and resumed her search.

Kylin and Favel exchanged looks, then Favel laid back down on the bench. Instead of picking up the book he was perusing, Kylin rested his chin on the table.

Harn was probably right. There really wasn't anything here for them to find regarding their current situation. They were in completely new territory.

"Don't stop now," Marta chided, not looking up from her intense inspection of the newly opened book.

"Just taking a break," Kylin responded.

Marta didn't appear to be listening. She aggressively turned the page and went back to running her finger down the page. Kylin was quite certain her brow gained a few more lines.

He heard someone approaching them and straightened, grabbing his book out of habit from his days as an apprentice, making sure to look like he had always been studying when his mentor came to check on him.

Ivelios arrived at their section of the long table, glancing down at Favel with a raised eyebrow.

"That does not give me hope," he remarked to Marta and Kylin.