The Sorceress of Moonlight: A New Dawn in Baldur's Gate

Chapter 8: Shadows of Authority

The formidable stone facade of the library loomed before Talin and Shadowheart as they approached, its ancient architecture disfigured yet majestic, with signs of recent repair work along the weathered walls. The muffled sounds of the city faded behind them as they stepped through the heavy wooden doors into the dimly lit interior. The air was heavy and smelled of old paper.

"Alright, we're here. Now what?" Talin asked, looking around at the rows of shelves that stretched towards the high, vaulted ceiling, some still bearing the scars of damage.

Shadowheart surveyed the towering shelves, their contents a seemingly endless labyrinth of records. Discouragement laced her voice as she muttered, "Now we... search."

"This would take ages," Talin sighed. "I don't even know where to begin, or what we're looking for exactly."

A glint appeared in Shadowheart's eyes. "Let's ask that woman over there," she suggested, gesturing towards the lone figure perched atop a ladder amidst the stacks.

"Good morning." Talin greeted the woman as they approached, but she was engrossed in arranging the leather-bound tomes and didn't initially notice their presence. Talin delicately cleared her throat to get her attention.

The sound startled the woman, a surprised yelp escaping her lips. The ladder wobbled precariously, but with surprising agility, she righted herself.

"Oh, hello ladies!" She exclaimed, a wide smile crinkling the corners of her eyes. Relief and a hint of excitement washed over her features, "It's been so quiet in here, I almost forgot people still used these dusty archives," she said as she carefully climbed down the ladder. It was an elderly woman with white hair pulled back in a tight bun.

Talin, ever graceful, dipped her head in apology. "Forgive us for startling you," she said, her voice clear and melodic, "we are in dire need of assistance, and by the looks of it, we've found the right person. We seek an old record, perhaps centuries old, if such a thing exists within these walls."

The woman's smile widened. "Centuries old, you say? This library holds whispers of times long past, dearie. Most of it it's been restored, thanks to the tireless scribes, but a few things were lost in the attack." Her voice, though raspy, held a spark of pride. "Tell me, what kind of record are you searching for?"

Taking a cue from Talin's politeness, Shadowheart offered a curt nod. "Records on magistrates and judges." She confirmed, her eyes narrowed with focus.

The woman's gaze flickered to Shadowheart, then back to Talin. A knowing glint entered her eyes. "Magistrates and judges, eh? Those records go back a good long way. Hundreds of years, at least. Come with me." The woman announced, her voice surprisingly spry. She led Talin and Shadowheart through the labyrinthine stacks. The woman navigated the maze with such confidence and practiced ease that left Talin both impressed and a little unnerved. Reaching a specific section, the woman stopped and turned to them, "What names do you seek within those dusty pages?" she inquired, her gaze flickering between the two women.

Talin hesitated for a moment. A glance at Shadowheart confirmed a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes too. "Ancunín," she finally said, the name tasting unfamiliar on her tongue. "Astarion Ancunín."

The woman's brow furrowed slightly as she processed the name. "Ancunín, huh? Not a common one these days. Give me a moment, dearies."

She moved with surprising agility for her age, her hands flitting over the aged spines of leather-bound tomes. Finally, she pulled out three particularly large volumes, their covers worn smooth with time. Blowing the dust off the top, she presented them one by one to Talin.

"There you are, sweeting," she said, "Ancunín's a rare name, but have no doubt you'll find what you're looking for in these volumes. We keep every single record the city's ever had, notes of lives long gone. There's a lot of history in here, so take your time. Just be careful, these old pages are a bit delicate." With a lively step, the woman tucked the ladder under her arm and turned back to her previous duties.