The End is Near

Chapter 15

16 July 2045 – Banff

I replaced the scroll on the shelf and took another. My eyes burned from staring at page after page of narrative and illustration. After the 'big reveal' about the motives of the leaders I didn't have much to say and we both agreed that research was the next logical step. The Seventh explained the system of organisation of the library and showed me the stack where all scrolls and books relating to magickal talismans, real and imagined, were stored.

"Real and imagined?" I'd asked.

"Yes, you know that human saying about 'if you can imagine it, it is possible'? Well, this is like that. There are many conceptual talismans and things of magick alongside those that currently exist and those that have been lost to legend."

That was a daunting thought. Even more so when I saw how much material we had to go through. Time was running through the hourglass and our enemies drew ever closer. What if the thing I sought was not yet real? What if it was something that we were supposed to create for ourselves? I had no idea how to start that process. The Cave had given me no direction. Just need.

"It's been 24 hours of straight searching," he said, "you haven't stopped to sleep or even eat properly."

"We don't have time," I said dully. What did I just read? Why are the words on this scroll moving around?

"I have an idea," he said, "one that might help us get through this faster. We're only about a quarter of the way through and we know time is running out. A short break now to try out my idea may save us days of searching."

Now he had my attention. "Why didn't you mention this other option before?"

He grimaced, "I didn't really want to admit we might need help, but this is too important for my little ego to get in the way."

Guess I can't say anything if he's already admitting his ego was in the way, huh?

"Okay, lead on then," I said.

He looked doubtful now. "Umm...no offense meant...but you can't go looking like that."

I looked down at my perfectly serviceable top, trousers and boots. "And what's the problem with what I'm wearing?"

"Well, it's a bit fragrant for one. I don't know when last you showered. Also, there is the matter of blending in. You look too human to blend in with what you have on now."

"I see..."

All this time I've been sitting here and he only now tells me I smell!

"...but since I left all my pretty Rae clothes back home." He rolled his eyes and I assumed it was at the sarcasm.

Should someone who counts his age in centuries be rolling their eyes at me?

We didn't go far, only to the nearest wall before he gestured and one of those magickal doorways opened up. "Don't be too long primping okay?"

"Primping?" I spluttered, "This isn't even my idea! I'll scrub enough that I don't smell anymore."

He'd already turned his back and was walking away. Through the doorway I went into a large vaulted chamber with almost an entire wall of windows that stood open. A big canopied bed stood in the middle of the room with clothes laid out on it. A bath with steam rising stood to one side.

I immediately went to the windows, ignoring the need to hurry for a moment. With all the doors he kept opening into random places and rooms, I was full of curiosity as to what the view would be. A panoramic vista of green and white met my eyes. The white was soft cloud that floated over the tops of the dark green of trees and lighter green of grass, giving the impression that I floated amongst the clouds. Tiny pinpricks of color could have been flowers but I was too high up to see clearly.