The Believer

Chapter Twelve: Glissandra

"What a show off."

Helewis and Casey walked through the front garden of the Queeran Library of Magic, which was beautifully decorated with seasonal flowers, benches, and a dainty cobbled path that was less stumble-assuring than the roads in most of the city. The Library, though associated with Queeran, was located just outside the city limits, and it became clear that this was because it wasn't just a library, but a grand mansion.

"Are you sure we're even in the right place?" Helewis challenged, eyebrows stuck in a quizzical (and due to the size of his eyebrows, rather cartoonish) expression, that conveyed his disapproval of the supposed library. "This looks more like some rich person's house than a public library. And rich people are all-"

"Don't be so rude," Casey scolded. "Really, you need to work on that."

"Tiffin' make me!" Helewis shot back.

"Language," Casey reminded him patiently. "Now, be polite. These people are most likely all scholars of magic, and would not hesitate to turn you into something unpleasant."

Helewis's lips clamped shut. If there was one thing he feared, it was people who held more power than he did. Magicians and sorcerers were definitely up there on the list of people whose paths he should stay out of. Draegon had been a rare exception, and see where it had led him! Custody of this blundering fool, Casey, and now a Library of Magic, sure to be filled with magic doing experts of the same sort! This was a lesson, Helewis knew. No matter how desperate he was, he would never do business with a sorcerer- or a wizard- or a witch- or anything of the like- ever again.

Oh, how wrong he was.

Casey swept up to the overly grand front doors, and pounded the knocker three times.

"Is that some kind of code?" Helewis snickered, eyebrows still expertly positioned.

"It's called common courtesy," Casey corrected him, tapping him lightly on the head. Helewis flinched, then frowned.

"Pardon me for asking, you magic folks are pretty crifting strange."

"Best behavior now, Bronsky boy." Casey said, as he straightened his clothes and rearranged his cloak.

"Stop calling me that!" Helewis growled through gritted teeth.

The doors swung open, and standing in the doorway was a stunning ginger girl, dressed in a dazzlingly fashionable combination of leather and lace. A satchel rested across her chest, and her belt had vials with variously colored liquids strapped to it. A charmingly mischievous smile was carved onto her pale face.

"This is the Library of Magic?" Casey questioned, as Helewis was distracted by the appearance of this gorgeous girl who, unfortunately, appeared to be a bit too young for him. Not to mention the fact that pretty girls were never interested in wanted mercenaries.

"Absolutely," The girl replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "What brings you two here?"

"Just looking for some things," Casey said, confused. "Um, do you run this place?"

"No, my father does. But he's busy at the moment. I can show you around, if you'd like."

"What are you two saying?" Helewis demanded. "You're talking that wizard gibberish."

"It's not gibberish," The girl declared, speaking Kownian now. "It's the language of magic, and it's beautiful. Who's the quipnork over here anyway?" she asked Casey.

"He- ah, Heloran," Casey lied quickly. "My cousin. And my name is Casey Caster."

Helewis internally questioned Casey's identification of him, but didn't say anything aloud. He understood that the name Helewis could be connected with the wanted criminal, but Heloran? His cousin? The name sounded distinctly Sardish; he had the feeling Casey was trying to make him look like a fool.