Fleas - Songs of the Gnolls I

SHATTERED TIES 6.9

"So?"

The librarian left a large dusty book open and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"So what? Oh, right," he disappeared behind a veil and returned with the shell in his hand. "It is indeed a fascinating object. You say you got it from a naiad? Powerful creatures, I believe."

"That is correct. I was lucky enough to find it on land. What is it, then?"

"Let's see, I wrote down the symbols here. It's hard to tell their order because of the way they're arranged. They also seem to move depending on the direction I point. Look," he pointed to the east, so the symbols moved accordingly. "I thought it was like a compass, but it isn't. Since it's a sea spirit, I imagine it's related to water."

"Does it do anything? Does it have a function?"

"I checked the symbols in different orders, but they don't belong to any language I know. They look a bit like some Lea Beranta's bas-reliefs and scripts, maybe they share the same root. There is nothing else I can tell you."

"All right."

Dannke took the shell.

"The only thing I can add is: be careful. Magic is a dangerous thing. Just in case, keep it dry. If it belonged to a water spirit, the water might activate it."

Dannke nodded and retreated. On the way, he reinforced a thought he had: if it was true that the naiad had taken an interest in Fleas, then it could be that this object had been given to him to protect him in some way. Maybe it was what had allowed him to breathe underwater. Or it might be something else. If so, did he know? Had he lied to him? It was also possible that he had forgotten. Fleas was, after all, somewhat absent-minded. There was only one way to test the power of the object, but he would leave that for later.

The little one was in the room, lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

"I thought you were staying with Bekwin."

"Yes, but I don't know what to paint. Bekwin showed me the meadow of the Luminescent Flowers and told me that art is based on reality. But I don't want to paint that, I want to paint something more real."

"What could be more real than reality?"

"I don't know, that's why I'm like this," he suddenly stared at him. "Did you manage to free my friend, the gnome?"

"No. I could barely free you," he lied, he hadn't tried. "I have your shell here. Could you lend it to me once in a while? I like the way it looks."

Fleas hesitated for a moment, he would have his reasons for not wanting to, but to refuse would be to admit that he knew something he was hiding.

"Perfect. I'll keep it in my bag. If you want, you can take it," Dannke put it away and left the bag on the bed, then went to the door. "The Empress has summoned us to a meeting. You stay here to think of new ideas for the painting."

"Are you all going?"

"Yes, it is a matter of utmost importance, all the high-ranking knights, advisors, nobles, and others will attend. That's why I want you to stay, with so many nobles it would be difficult for me to defend you if the empress attacks you again."

Fleas nodded.

Dannke ran at the sound of the bells that signaled the beginning of the council. It would not be held in the throne room, but in a theater behind the Imperial Gardens. He joined the stream of men and found a seat near the front row. The Empress entered to the shrill sound of trumpets. She looked at everyone with a raised eyebrow and sat down on the stage.