Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 3

A quick teleport landed Emerali and Devaen in Sanctum and soon they had arrived at the Library of the Sages. Throughout their journey, Devaen had remained silent and thoughtful. Emerali occasionally threw him a sideways glance, but he didn't seem to notice; as Thori had said, he seemed very distracted.

Devaen's mood changed quickly, however, when he entered the Library. A spark lit his dark eyes as he approached a tall female Daeva who stood over an enormous tome which lay open on a large table. "Hello, Fuchsia! Arieluma!"

The said Fuchsia lifted her head, but didn't turn around immediately. "Oh, dear. The scholars of Sanctum should fly for safety!" At last she did turn, a small smile playing over her face. "Arieluma, Devaen. Oh, I see you've come with a companion. Arieluma, young Daeva."

Emerali smiled. "Arieluma."

"Devaen, Irgon is a bit difficult today. He's in no mood for jests," Fuchsia warned.

"Heh. Today and every day! But I'm not here to pester Irgon--much-I want him to meet this Songweaver. Her name is Emerali. She's lost her memory, and I know that Irgon can help her find some much needed answers," Devaen explained.

Fuchsia turned her eyes to Emerali once more. She studied her for several moments then nodded. "He can indeed. Especially from a Daeva such as you," she told Emerali. "You have an aura about you, and that means that you have been chosen by Aion for something magnificent. You were right to bring her here, Devaen."

Emerali arched a brow in surprise. "An aura? I've never seen an aura on myself."

"It's not something that can be seen by any but the most sensitive of Daevas. But you bear it, and I must admit that I've not seen in all my years a Daeva with such a bright and glowing aura. Aion bless you, Emerali. Irgon is in one of the back rooms in the History section. I'm sure meeting you will alter his mood considerably," Fuchsia told her.

Devaen led Emerali to the History section where sure enough a broad-bodied Daeva, sat half hidden by a stack of books. Despite his seated position, it was plain to see he was a very tall man indeed. A large book was open before him and beside that was a scroll of parchment upon which he made notes occasionally with a long, white quill.

Before Emerali and Devaen had quite reached the table, Irgon spoke with a deep voice saying, "I might have known you were coming today; my old war wounds were acting up all day."

"Is it so wrong to visit an old friend? How is Sanctum's biggest bookworm, by the way?"

Irgon grunted. "I was feeling well enough. Now the clouds have gathered."

"On the contrary, it's a sun-blessed day, my friend. Really, Irgon, you've got to get out more; too much Library air has got you confused," Devaen said.

Emerali wondered how Devaen had the nerve to speak to this Daeva thus. She gave him an inquiring look, but Devaen only returned it with a wry grin and a wink.

At last Irgon looked up. He glanced at Devaen briefly, but when he turned his eyes to Emerali, they stopped and froze upon her. Instantly he laid down his quill and rose to his feet.

"Ah, by Ariel! What an aura you have, young Daeva!" he exclaimed. "You must be Emerali, the Songweaver, yes, the Daeva of destiny."

"You see the aura, too?" asked Emerali, surprised that Irgon knew everything about her without her even opening her mouth.

"The brightest I've seen in many, many years," Irgon replied.

"If anyone can answer your questions, it's this crusty fellow here," Devaen told Emerali.