Curse of Eternity

Chapter Twenty-Three

After Thane had left, Anna told Alys she was going to the library to see what she could learn about Castor before they left. The sun hadn't risen yet but they knew they had to start packing and getting ready. Alys was already preparing all of Maliki's things for the journey.

" I still can't help but laugh at your nickname," Alys stated as she was walking out of the inn. " It's almost like a pet name." She laughed. Anna snorted.

" I can make you one if you'd like." They started laughing hysterically. As if it were the funniest thing in the world. Then Alys stopped and took a serious tone.

" Do you believe Thane's story? About his mother and father? And Desma?" she asked. Anna was halfway through the threshold before she answered. She didn't look back as she said it either.

" Not one bit. He's lying about a lot of things. He knows how to use a weapon. Lots of them. So be careful. Don't let him near our things," she said without looking back.

Alys let out a sigh. " At least i'm not the only one then." With that, Anna walked out the door and set off towards the library, through the sheet of mist that always seemed to surround it.

After navigating through the mist, Anna walked into the library and was greeted with a warmth from a hearth not far from the entrance. She looked around for the librarian that had greeted her before. She found him just behind the hearth looking at a book, his back to her. She walked towards him, clearing her throat as not to startle him and make him think she was up to no good.

" Can I help you?" he said in an age-worn voice as he turned around and took her in, his eyes scanning behind her looking for Alys and Maliki.

" It's just me this time, sir. I'd like to as you about you're helper, Castor. We're going to go looking for him in a few hours. He has someone who knows something about my past and I was hoping to learn something about him before we go so I know as much as possible." The librarian motioned for her to sit down in front of him and she did, making sure she was positioned facing the door and with a back to her wall. She knew well enough not to underestimate people. Even if they were old and nice.

" Well, Castor was left on our doorstep when he was very young and this library was barely known to anyone." He turned and looked into the flames. Like he could see the memories inside. "It wasn't unlike people to leave unwanted children at our doorsteps but as i'm sure you've noticed he isn't quite like every child. The only thing that was left with him was a note stating his name and asking his finder to please take care of him. Since then i raised him as my own and i kept him in the library. He only leaves every so often and not for long because he is scared something will happen to me.". Anna just nodded. She thanked the man and went for the exit when she felt a tug towards the upper levels of the library.

" Excuse me. May I go up there and look around. See if I can find something I wanna bring with me?" The librarian allowed her but only after making her promise that she would be careful with the books up there. She nodded and began her ascent up the stairs.

As she reached the upper levels the ceiling began to open up with the branches of the tree and allow the first bit of sunlight into the library. Anna knew she needed to hurry up and get back to the Inn to help finish packing, but something drew her to the roof. As she ascended the steps she saw something flash in her peripheral. She turned, her hand on her dagger hidden in the folds of her shirt. When she saw it, the grasp on her blade slipped away.

" You again," she said. The grey-furred creature from the beach was there staring back at her. It dipped low into a bow. Anna could not help but smile and offered a slight dip of her head. Tentatively, as the creature came back, Anna held out her hand. Without any hesitation, the beast pressed it's massive head to hand. Anna ran her hand through its fur, finding it surprisingly soft from something that is so terrifying.

" If i'm gonna see you so often I need something to call you." The beast looked down at her with curiosity in its blind eyes. She thought for a minute, trying to find a suitable name for it. Her eyes were glued to it. A beam of light shot down onto its body. Its grey fur changed color, looking more like liquid silver than solid fur.

" Silver," she said. The beast seemed to consider it before it bowing again.

" I'll take that as a yes," she laughed. She looked through the roof to see the brightening sky.

" I have to get going, but i'll see you again friend," and with that Anna descended the steps and walked back to the inn.