ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Ten - The Library

Library

Brother Jarron sat in intense concentration behind a large wooden desk in the library of archives. A multitude of scrolls, books and scrying crystals lay scattered, along with a half cup of cider long forgotten. On the stone floor beside where he worked, piles of reference books sat in disarray, evidence of long hours of research. The only light within the massive library came from a palm-size crystal orb hovering above the scholar priest's desk. Activated by his presence, it emphasised Jarron's solitude among the rows of empty desks.

Engrossed in his studies, Jarron was unaware of Eren, the young healing priestess dressed in green trimmed white robes who entered the library. She silently crossed the stone floor, taking in the gloomy atmosphere of the library. She shivered at the long shadows that danced across the shelves filled with centuries of accumulated priceless knowledge. Never had there been a time Eren could recall the library being so empty and lonely. Usually, it was brightly lit and busy at all hours with monks, priests and priestesses accessing the wealth kept within its multi-tiered chambers and winding corridors, yet now it felt more like a tomb. The sight of a lone figure hunched over a table laden with books only heightened the reality that every available monk and priest was busy about their specialised task aiding the citadel's security against the coming threat. Glancing around the library, Lady Eren wondered what would become of all this precious knowledge if the enemy won past the citadel walls.

Jarron smelt the sweet fragrance of lavender and greeted his visitor. 'Ah, Lady Eren, always a pleasure to feel the Prince's shield and my dearest friend nearby.'

The priestess smiled warmly and replied using the mind link the two friends had shared since childhood. 'As you are the sword, Jarron, and I am the Prince's shield, we must never stray far from one another. You have been down here for the last two days, and by the exhaustion I see, you have still not found what you have been searching for?'

Jarron looked up to see the healing priestess's fatigue shadowed beneath her eyes. He closed the mind link.

"No, unfortunately. I have searched every inch of the library for answers to Prince Darric's location," he replied, shaking his head. The effect caused his golden hair to flicker beneath the light of the floating crystal.

"I'm sure what you seek is not far away."

Jarron nodded. "Thomas believes in the prophecy and the Prince's sword and the shield being with Darric upon his awakening. So it shall be, but only once I discover his whereabouts. As such, I need his counsel in these important matters."

"Has not the High Priest returned from the pass yet?"

"No, he and Arc are out there helping Josh and his unit of First Guard. I am worried about him, though."

"Why? The High Priest is mighty, and with the wizard, they can easily take care of themselves and more."

"That is not what I fear, Eren. Thomas has initiated the ancient wards over the citadel, something that has never happened, in my lifetime anyway. And by dawn tomorrow it will be at full strength. Which means, anyone wanting to come into or leave the citadel will not be able to via magical means, and once the gates are sealed, which War Master, Van plans to do at midnight, we will be trapped. If Thomas does not return by then, he too will be stranded."

"I have felt the gentle vibrations of powerful magic within the citadel and heard the warnings against leaving the citadel. But what will happen to the citizens from the outlying towns hoping to find safety in the citadel?"

"They have until midnight to get through the gates before they are locked. Please, let us not talk further on these matters. I had a heated discussion with the War Master about that, and he is adamant in his decision to close the gates, a decision which does not sit well with my conscience while people are still out there."