The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 30 Advice from a King

I strolled confidently into the public library as Astrid Coften, having stashed Keeper Amica's clothing in an alleyway around the corner. Despite still wanting to shoot Kyle for the mess he'd got me in to, I could get used to the freedom I was getting out of it.

"Miss Coften, lovely to see you again!"
The librarian exclaimed, poking her head around the corner of a bookcase.

Her glasses were askew and her graying hair was a bit frizzy; I wondered idly what she possibly could have been doing in a library to achieve such a disheveled look. She glanced nervously about.

"Is your um, shadow with you?"

"He's waiting outside."
I lied.

She looked immensely relieved and a smile spread across her full lips.

"What can I do for you?"

"Could I look at that religious book again, the Bible?"

She seemed surprised but nodded.

"Of course, it's nice to see someone take an interest in such things. It's incredibly rare to have anyone come here to see the old texts, they look rather forlorn."
She told me as she led the way to the back corner.

"Do many people come here? For other books?"

She sighed heavily.

"There is hardly anyone anymore, most people don't have the time or aren't interested in taking the time, to read dusty old novels."

"I suppose times have changed."
I commented, for lack of anything else to say.

"Yes, and not for the better. If people would read, then their minds would be opened to so many things. Ignorance accomplishes nothing but oppression."

My brow crinkled.

"Isn't reading, well, more for pleasure? Or perhaps occasionally research?"

She glanced at me with a wistful expression.

"Reading my dear is so much more. Those who read are granted the gift of imparted wisdom, whether the tale that is told be truth or fiction. There are lessons to be had in every story, adventures to behold, and knowledge to be gained. It is an escape from reality and yet the key to understanding it."

I suddenly wished I had spent a bit more time at the library in Bel Rea, despite its small size. Perhaps I might have found it to have been worth my time after all.

"Here we are, do you have any questions I can answer for you on this text?"

I gingerly picked up the ancient manuscript, looking first to the table of contents. I fished the note out of my pocket, to be sure I had the book name correct.

"Ecclesiastes."
I murmured.

"What a strange name."

"It's a Greek rendering of the Hebrew word koheleth, which means 'preacher'."
The librarian informed me.

I glanced up at her.

"Greek? Hebrew?"
I questioned.

"Ancient languages long ago lost."
She explained.

"You're like a walking encyclopedia."
I said with admiration.

She chuckled.

"I've read a lot of books. That and my family has passed down detailed records both orally and written so that none of us will forget the past."

"Why is the past so important to you?"
I asked, genuinely curious.

" "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana."
She quoted.