Ember's Sails

The Book

        A flame-haired woman stood in an empty aisle of books. Books filled with stories waiting to burst from the pages. Stories of unimportant people becoming extraordinary, stories of budding romances, and stories full of facts about the Earth and its inhabitants. The pale white skin stretched over muscle and bone drifted over colorful spines and wooden shelves. Then a haggard old woman appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

 

        “Can I help you, dear?” came the old woman's soft-spoken words.

 

        Not many came to the old library anymore as a new one was being built. Yet, the character of dusty hardbacks was a hard match to meet. Just the scent of old books seemed to fill the air with ancient lore.

 

        “Oh, hello. I’m looking for a book in medieval or ancient times. One stuffed with adventure, iced with action, and sprinkled with a touch of romance.”

 

        The fiery figure spoke in reply quite startled by the woman's sudden appearance. 

 

        Her face was kind while covered in wrinkles, yet her eyes seemed to dance with youth and mirth as if she were stuck in the wrong time period. The old woman's gentle mouth curved in a kind smile.

 

        “I know just what you want. The perfect book. Well as I say, everyone has one book that connects to them above all others and just…fits. I’m assuming that is what you are looking for?”

 

        As her sentence finished the old woman's voice became higher as if asking a question. The younger girl’s pleasant face clearly showed her shock at the librarian’s knowledge of her plight. 

 

        “Why yes, you are indeed correct,” came the reply of someone who obviously had just experienced surprise.

 

        The old woman whose name was Megan turned a corner, back even further, behind all of the shelves. The fiery headed woman, known as Ember, followed silently though she itched to ask questions. Megan removed a huge picture from the wall and revealed an indent in the cream colored paint. 

 

        Ember who was still silent even as the old woman pulled on the indent which slid as a panel into a hollow space within the wall. A pocket door, blended perfectly in with the wall and the only evidence of its existence was hidden by a portrait of Shakespeare.

 

       Ember's ivy eyes widened in amazement as her companion motioned for her to step through the door. She cautiously did as told and walked over the threshold. 

 

        “Where are we?” Ember’s voice clearly tinged with wonder.

 

        “We are in a special place where few may wander.” The old woman seemed to transform into a female Gandalf from The Lord Of The Rings. Full of wisdom and sound advice. 

 

        “This is where a large hardback book lies. It can sense its reader emotions and feelings but fear not, it can not and will not judge or tell others. The book rewrites itself every time a new person picks it up. It either tells a story of what your life may be, is, or just a story that fits your tastes and teaches you something. Not many come looking for it though it has great power. People do not tend to chase dusty books when gold and money lay about.”