Put back together

11. The Library

The Library of Natica was a big elegant building built with white marble colums and onyx ornaments.
It had been built on the highest place in the world centuries ago and over the years filled to the brim with books, parchments and papers, written by scientists, philosophers, poets and occasionally just people who kept journals about glorious adventures or even simply everyday life.
They were treasures of knowledge, stored in high wooden shelves, cared for by the small society living in the spaces in between and protected by thick stone walls, traps and a heavy gate.
On top of the gate, like a guardian, was the statue of an owl, looking down at whoever came here with the hopes of entering.

The first time Patton saw it, it took his breath away. For a few moments all he could do was stare and marvel at the beautiful iron flowers, which had been worked into the gate, and the bird, which looked so real, that for a moment he was convinced it would fly down from it's place and chase them of the Island.

"Wow," he heared Roman breathe.

"Yeah," he whispered back. There wasn't much else he could say and he didn't have too. Everything had been said that could be put into words.

Roman stepped closer and pulled at a long rope, attached to a bell at the top of the wall.
It's chime sounded over the summit.

They waited only for a moment before a small rose moved to the side revealing the face of an old man.

"Who are you and what is your request?"

Patton and Roman shared a look.

"I'm Prince Roman of Sallerow and this is my friend Patton Baker. We-"

"No," the man interrupted and was about to move the rose back into it's place.

"You didn't even hear me out!", protested Roman.

"I don't care. The answer is no. Now go away!"

"Why?", Patton spoke up.

The man hesitated: "What do you mean 'why'?"

"Why is the answer no? We're not here for power or to steal anything form you or whatever it is you are afraid we might do."

"Then what do you want?"

"We are here because of a prophecy-"

The window was closed before Roman could finish.

"Hey!", he exclaimed then added under his breath: "Stupid old asshole."

The the gate opened.

It didn't make a sound as Patton had half expected. Behind it stood an old woman in a simple tunic, leaning on an elegant cane and the man who had spoken to them who was now rubbing the back of his head.

"I apologize for my husband's rudeness. We've been expecting you," she smiled and the wrinkles around her eyes deepened.

"You have?", Roman asked surprised.

"Of course. Now come in so we can close the gate again."

The men pulled a lever as soon as they stepped through the gateway and it closed behind them.

"You must be exhausted. It's a long journey," the woman said leading them towards the entrance of the library. "It's almost time for dinner, too. Would you like to join us?"

"Uh- Yeah, thank you," Roman answered, stumped by the sudden politeness.

Patton was too distracted by the rows upon rows of colourful flowers and herbs growing in front of the building and the few people busying themselves between them.
There were honey bees, bumblebees and butterflies filling the air with buzzing.

It was beautiful.

The woman lead them inside and into a labyrinth of book shelfs. They stood close to eachother and were filled to the point were they were as thick as walls with so many corners and niches that Patton was sure that if he were to wander off alone, he'd never find his way back.
Following an impulse, he grabbed hold of Roman's gloved hand.

Finally they reached a small corridor with stone walls and multiple doors.

"This," the woman pointed at one of the doors, "is the dinning room. Over here are the guest rooms. There is only one free currently, but it's one with two beds, so I hope that won't be a problem. You'll hear when dinner is ready."

Then she left them alone.

Patton entered the room she had showed them.
It was relatively small with barely any space between the two beds, a small table and the closet.
On the table was a bowl of water and a small towel.

Both of them took the opportunity to wash themselves and without the sweat from the past two days clinging to him, Patton already felt a lot better.

With a sigh he let himself fall onto the nearest bed. It was soft and after just a few minutes he found himself drifting off to sleep.

Patton found himself standing knee-deep in snow.
Somewhere to his left someone was yelling.
He looked over and noticed that that someone was holding his hand.
They were looking at someone else.
Roman?
Yeah, that was Roman.
For some reason he couldn't understand what either of them were saying.
Roman looked up at some thing and Patton was pretty sure that he was shouting something. He looked distressed.
Then the person holding his hand nodded and started running down hill, pulling him along.
Patton wanted to stop and ask who they were and what was going on but found that he couldn't.
All he could do was run and try not to slip and fall.
The thick fog made it impossible to see how far the hill went down but he had a feeling that they were high up.

Patton woke up to aloud banging noise. Confused and startled he shot up.

"I'm just guessing here," Roman said rubbing his temple, "but I think that's what the woman ment by 'You'll hear when dinner is ready'. Just a guess."

"That... would make sense", part of him wanted to just lie back down and keep sleeping. The other part was hungry.
With a yawn he stumbled to his feet.

Outside, in the hallway, the air was filled with chatter.
More people than Patton could count were here, all of them trying to get into the dinning room.
Some were talking and joking while others had their noses buried in books.

Nobody seemed to even notice the two of them.

Inside of the dinning room were five long tables with benches at which the librarians sat down.
Roman took the lead and found a free space for the two of them.
A few men gave out steaming bowls of soup.
It smelled like rosemary and meat.

Yay, the boys get a little break. (For now *evil laughter*)
And (I know that I said that before but this time for real) soon I'll get to introduce the next main character!

Feels free to comment or ask questions or roast me!

Have a nice (gay) day!