Page 15 of Legends and Librarians

Chapter 15 Nyssa

Four adventurers sauntered into the courtyard, three men and a woman. They were joking and laughing about something I couldn’t quite hear, but their gazes were taking everything in, like they expected to be ambushed at any time. The woman’s eyes hardened as she spotted Roan.

Roan.

I hadn’t even had time to process what he’d said about leaving before this group showed up, but now wasn’t the time to ask him about his feelings.

“That woman seems like she knows you...?”

“Unfortunately.” Roan sighed. “Jade’s the guild master’s daughter. She’s got a terrible attitude and resents that I’m higher ranked than her, so she likes to show off when I’m around.” He glanced at me apologetically. “I’ll explain everything and get rid of her.”

Great. So not only was Roan leaving, but the library was in the middle of their battle of egos. A few minutes ago, it had felt like everything was going right for us. We’d been having a nice meal and the tree was healing, all good things.

But now? I’d just be grateful if the story spirits could stay hidden long enough for Roan to send the guild away.

“Come on,” I said, dragging the Demon Lord inside while Roan walked into the courtyard to greet the adventurers. “Didn’t Lisa mention you guys usually hide from adventurers?”

He scowled. “Just because a little knight got captured one time she expects us to be cowards.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “A knight got captured?”

“In a jar like a bug, yeah.” He shrugged. “The library handled it, don’t worry. It just sent him back to his book.”

The library handled it? Wait...

“Does that mean the library controls you? And knows what’s going on?”

He gave me one of his classic are-you-an-idiot looks before staring out the window. Right. Of course the library didn’t control them. It was magical, sure, but it was still just a building. If magical libraries could do something like that, every librarian would know about it.

The adventurers stopped in the courtyard where Roan stood waiting. Jadelooked at the library with such disdain that I wanted to send her away myself, but one of the other adventurers smiled warmly and waved at Roan. So at least some of them were on good terms then. Two others followed behind, but they seemed like extra muscle more than anything else.

“Sorry, but we’re not open yet,” Roan said. “You should come back later.”

The nice adventurer’s smile widened. “Come on, you know that’s not why we’re here. Show us this haunted library of yours.”

“Yes,” Jade said, “please show us the incredibly dangerous spirits you’ve let roam the mountain without a care for anyone’s safety.”

Since when did being scary equal being incredibly dangerous? And why did it sound like Jade was blaming that all on Roan?

Oren joined me, raising an eyebrow at the group of people outside. “Who’s she?”

I held a finger to my lips, not wanting to miss anything outside as Roan started talking again.

“I didn’t —”

“Didn’t what?” Jade cut in before Roan could finish. “Didn’t do your damn job like everyone expected you to? You’re supposed to be some kind of hero, an S-rank adventurer who can solve anything.” Her voice was overly dramatic. “I can’t believe my father thinks you’d make a better guild master than me.”

Oh, so that’s what this was really about. The way she glared at him was full of anger, but also something else. Something that looked a lot like pain. There was more going on here than I knew, but I still didn’t like her tone. How dare she march up here with her muscle and talk to him like that? He was just trying to help us.

“Whoa now,” the Demon Lord teased, “I thought you wanted us to stay hidden.”

Without realizing it, I’d moved closer to the door, as if I’d wanted to go defend Roan’s honor or something. My cheeks flushed. Roan was perfectly capable of defending himself, he didn’t need me interrupting them. But it just wasn’t right.

“You’re looking a little red,” the Demon Lord mocked. “Want me to teach them all a lesson?”

“Quiet,” I whispered back.

Oren paced in front of the window, then stopped and gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, but I’m going out there. They’re too emotional to deal with this.”

“Oren!” I reached out for his arm, but he was too quick and already out the door. He strode up to the woman with a wave, apparently not caring how her eyes narrowed or how she reached for her sword.

“Hello, my name’s Oren and I’m a researcher here.” He held out his hand.

She ignored it and glared at Roan. “So, you brought more innocent people here, huh? Figures.”

Oh this was not going to end well. I almost joined them, but I felt the other story spirits gathering around us. If I left them alone, they might do something drastic themselves. For now, I’d stay inside and trust Roan and Oren to handle this.

“Look, this is all a big misunderstanding,” Oren said calmly, “the books come to life. They’re story spirits, not ghosts.”

Roan nodded. “He’s right. If there was wild magic here, it’s stable now. There’s nothing to dispel.”

Jade stared at Oren like he’d grown another head. “Books? You really think books came to life and scared people away? The townsfolk aren’t that stupid and neither am I. You have no idea how frightened each person was after fleeing the mountain. No idea what they experienced. They attacked children, Roan. Children.”

Children? I glanced at the Demon Lord, but he just shrugged again. “We just scared them, that’s all.”

That somehow didn’t feel as reassuring coming from him than when Lisa said it. That didn’t matter right now though because if we couldn’t convince these adventurers that they weren’t ghosts, then we’d have a real problem on our hands.

As Jade and Roan glared at each other silently, neither willing to budge an inch, shadows swirled around me. The Demon Lordlooked like he was about to go give Jade a piece of his mind.

“Oh no.” I pushed him back. “We’re supposed to be proving this isn’t a haunted library, so no adding fuel to the fire.”

He glared at me, shadows curling around him like a cloak. “I’ll do what needs to be done to protect this library. Just because you think that means inviting people in doesn’t mean I do.”

I sighed. If he really wanted to go out there and fight, I couldn’t stop him. I had no idea how the library had put him or anyone else back in their books in the past, but the better question was why wasn’t it doing it now? He’d said the story spirits usually hid inside their books, but that hadn’t happened when the contractors came or now.

“Why are you here instead of hiding?” I asked the Demon Lord. “Why confront them at all?”

“Because you gave the library hope,” he said, “and now it wants people back, even if that means rotten adventurers at its doors. This is your fault, so don’t even try and stop me.”

Wait, what did he mean by the library wanted people back? Was the library....no, I didn’t have time for crazy thoughts like that. Libraries didn’t have feelings, no matter how magical they were. I had to do something about these adventurers right now.

If we were going to reopen, we needed people to feel safe. To be excited about the story spirits instead of fearful. Which meant we had to prove that the story spirits weren’t ghosts.

“Wait!” I grabbed the Demon Lord’s arm before he could storm outside just like Oren had. “We need a plan. Whatever the adventurers are here to do, we have to prove them wrong.”

As we stood there, staring at each other, the other story spirits peeked out from behind the stacks. Mochi wandered over, patting the Demon Lord’s leg. He looked down, having a silent conversation with the panda, before ripping his arm away from me.

“Fine, what do you have in mind?” he asked.

I glanced outside as Roan and Jade started yelling at each other about something, with Roan standing between her and the library. It looked like they were about to come to blows. Cerbie raced over from wherever he’d been playing outside, growling and snapping at the adventurers. I’d never seen him look so fierce before, defending Roan.

Apparently, the adventurers thought so too as they all drew their swords. I had to do something before this got out of hand. Something that would give everyone what they wanted...

“What would happen if those adventurers tried to dispel you like a ghost?” I asked. “Like if you let them burn sage or chant or whatever they’re planning on doing?”

“Absolutely nothing,” the Demon Lord said. “We aren’t ghosts.”

“Then let’s get out there and prove that.” I grinned, looking around the library at all the story spirits. “If none of their techniques work, then they’ll have to accept you’re not ghosts. Are you with me?”

Mochi chittered, his fluffy tail swooshing back and forth. The dragons raced outside without a second thought as the knights charged after them. That just left...

“Demon Lord?”

“I really can’t scare them away?” he asked, sighing when I shook my head. “You’re really annoying, you know that right?”

“I know,” I said, barely containing my laughter. “But you’ll come outside anyway, right?”

I didn’t wait for him to answer, assuming he would. We were running out of time. The adventurers had formed a circle, their backs to each other and swords out, as the dragons flew overhead, thankfully not breathing fire. Yet.

“Hello,” I said, interrupting everyone. “I’m Nyssa, the Misty Mountain Librarian. Mind telling me what you’re doing here?”

Jade barely looked at me, her gaze locked on the story spirits. “I’m Jade. We’re here to help with your haunted library problem.”

“As Oren already explained, these creatures are story spirits, not ghosts.” I smiled warmly as a dragon landed on my shoulder and Cerbie came over to stand between me and Roan. “They’re made with library magic so they’re part of the library. You cannot dispel them.”

“I can’t, huh?” Jade scoffed. “Just watch me, lady. They might have fooled you, but I know they’re dangerous and I’m going to dispel them.”

Exactly what I’d been hoping she’d say. She could try her heart out for all I cared as long as she admitted they weren’t ghosts in the end.

“Be my guest,” I said, shaking my head at Oren who looked like he wanted to protest. I pulled Roan aside to whisper. “We’ve got a plan, just play along.”

His gaze met mine, holding it for a moment. Then he nodded. “I trust you.”

My stomach fluttered at that look, like he fully believed I could handle this situation without even telling him my plan. After this was over, I’d find a way to talk to him about leaving. See if it was what he really wanted or if something else was going on.

The adventurers lined up candles in a large circle, lighting them as they chanted ominously. As Jade bent to light her candle, one of the dragons flew over and beat her to it. She gaped as the dragon’s flames melted the candle in half, making one of the other adventurers laugh.

“Focus,” Jade said. “Don’t let the spirits distract you.”

“Good luck with that.” Oren laughed as he knelt to replace the candle. “Distractions aren’t always bad, you know.”

She glared at him. “When I want advice, I’ll ask for it.”

“Oh calm down, Jade,” Roan said. “You’re always so quick to judge.”

That set them off arguing again like children. Roan hadn’t really told me much about his past, but I’d bet she was related somehow. Only relatives argued like that.

While they bickered, Mochi curled up next to the candles as if sitting by a fireplace, handing out mini marshmallows to the little knights. They gathered sticks, spearing them with vigor as they proceeded to roast the marshmallows over the candles. The sweet scent of toasted sugar filled the air, making my stomach growl.

“You can’t do that!” Jade said, trying to shoo them off. “Those are sacred candles, not some backwoods campfire.”

I knelt down by Mochi and the others, ignoring her entirely.

“Do you have any chocolate or graham crackers?” I asked Mochi, who chittered and pulled them out of thin air. “Ohhh, thank you!”

The panda munched on a marshmallow, getting white fluff all over its fur. I laughed softly as two knights solemnly handed me a normal-sized marshmallow that came up to their shoulders and a sharpened stick.

“Your spear, my lady,” the knight said with a bow.

“I said you can’t do that!” Jade’s eyes widened, complete bewilderment on her face.

Apparently she wasn’t used to people doing the opposite of what she said, so I probably shouldn’t push her too far.

“Sorry, you can keep trying to dispel them,” I said, turning my marshmallow over once it was golden on one side. “We’re not stopping you.”

The knights completely ignored her too, daring to offer one of the roasted marshmallows to a dragon flying by. My heart swelled. It was the first time I’d seen them getting along, even if it was just to tick off these adventurers.

Roan laughed. “You heard her, keep trying. I dare you.”

Jade’s face reddened. “Get the salt.”

The two bulky adventurers behind her pulled salt out of their packs, using it to draw a large circle around us. When the circle was complete, it glowed bright white for a moment. Was it actually going to contain the story spirits?

I glanced around nervously, but then the Demon Lord bent down to pick up some salt, sprinkling it on my marshmallow before taking a big bite. Jade’s mouth dropped open as Mochi followed suit, salting everyone’s marshmallows with the spelled salt. The panda handed me another marshmallow too since mine had been so rudely devoured.

Jade blinked, apparently at a loss for words, but Oren just laughed as he finished toasting his own marshmallow.

“They’re pretty tasty,” he said, holding the sweet treat out to her. “Wanna try one?”

Roan burst out laughing, but tried to stop when Jade cuffed the back of his head. “Sorry, but you should see the look on your face right now. Nyssa, Oren, and the story spirits make this library a wonderful place. If you’d stop hating me for a second, maybe you’d see that.

“You’re part of the library too, you know.” I stood up, shoulder bumping against his. “An important part.”

His eyes widened, but Jade cursed loudly before Roan could say anything.

“Get the damn sealing books,” she shouted, “we’ll bind them to the pages.”

Okay, that one sounded less fun and a lot more dangerous. The story spirits came from books, so binding them might actually work. The Demon Lord’s shadows swirled again and the knights had completely forgotten about their marshmallows, letting them burn to a crisp over the candles.

“Wait a minute,” I started, but Jade grinned.

“Scared?” she asked. “I knew I’d find something that worked. I should have tried the books right away.”

Roan stepped forward. “Come on, you know they’re not ghosts. They passed your tests already. Ghosts wouldn’t be able to eat salt or hang out having fun inside a protective barrier. Let it go already, because honestly,we both know why you’re really here.”

I frowned. Was this because of what Roan said earlier, about how Jade always tried to outdo him? Or maybe about the whole guild master thing?

“Maybe he’s right,” one of the other adventurers said. “Let’s just head back. There’s nothing dangerous here.”

Jade shook her head. “No way. These spirits might have tricked Roan and all of you, but I won’t let them trick me. I’m better than that.”

Roan snorted. “Right, of course you are.”

“Roan,” I said, “maybe we should—”

“Just get out of here, Jade,” Roan snapped. “Your issue is with me, not them. If you leave, so will I. Then you won’t have any reason to show off, right? You can just let the library live in peace.”

No! What was he doing? Was he really that eager to leave...or was he trying to protect us?

Jade shook her head. “Oh Roan, you never know when to quit, do you?”

Then she took one of the books from the adventurers behind her and started chanting, holding it in front of the dragons. Their bodies flickered just enough for fear to clamp around my heart as they flapped their wings harder than usual, as if something was trying to drag them back.

Jade was really going to seal the story spirits.

One of the dragons cried out, a horrible sound that tugged at my heart. I had to help them, but I didn’t know how. I tried to knock the book out of her hand, but the two muscle-bound adventurers moved to stand between us.

The Demon Lord growled. “Enough.”

His shadows latched onto the shadows of the adventurers. They couldn’t move, couldn’t run, couldn’t finish their ridiculous chant that was absorbing the dragons into that book. I let out a breath. Good.

Jade struggled to move, frozen by her own shadow. Sweat dripped down her face as fury and betrayal distorted her features. We were supposed to be making peace, not deepening their hatred.

This had to stop. It wouldn’t help anyone.

“Stop!” I shouted. “Just stop. This isn’t the way to solve anything.”

But both sides were too upset to listen. I glanced at Roan, who was also pinned in place by his shadow. Really? The Demon Lord didn’t trust him either? What was I supposed to do now?

I turned frantically toward the library, not knowing what I expected to see, but I was at a loss. Help us. Somebody had to help us. Maybe Lisa could deal with them. Nobody ever said no to her.

“Please,” I pleaded softly. With who, I wasn’t sure. “Save them. Don’t let them get captured like the knight did.”

After a long moment of silence, the story spirits glowed and disappeared. Jade and her group almost fell over, free from the Demon Lord’s shadow binding.

I blinked. Did the library do that? Or did...I do that?

“What just happened?” Jade asked.

Roan glanced at me, but when I shrugged, he turned back to her. “That was us saving your ungrateful ass. Now leave and don’t come back.”

“Where did they all go?” Oren asked, rolling his shoulders as if making sure he had full control. “They’re okay, right?”

I nodded, trying to think of anything rational to say that wouldn’t make them even more scared of the library. I didn’t have the power to return story spirits to their books and if it wasn’t me, then it had been something else. Something these adventurers would probably deem too dangerous to survive.

For now, I had to cover it up and act like everything was normal so they’d leave. Then I could figure out the truth.

“They’re back in their own books,” I said with more confidence than I felt. “No way was I going to let you steal them from the library. They’re not ghosts, they’re the souls of precious stories. You have to at least believe that, right?”

The adventurers looked unconvinced.

“We’ll be back,” Jade said, glancing at Roan. “I won’t ignore a mission and let the town down. And we’re bringing that one with us.” She nodded at Oren. “He can explain everything to the guild master.”

Oren’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? I’m just a researcher, not the librarian here. Why don’t you ask Nyssa?”

Jade raised an eyebrow at him. “Are you saying you don’t want to come with me? Pity. Here I thought we might have some fun.”

He gulped, looking at me with frantic eyes like I should save him. But I had something else on my mind right now, something we needed to look into right away.

“Sorry, Oren, but could you handle this?” I asked. “I’ll make it up to you.”

He sighed. “Fine, I’ll do what I can.”

Jade smiled, slapping him on the back. “Good, now we can go.”

That was going to bite us in the ass later, but right now, all I could think about was the library.

I’d asked for help and that’s what I got.

My mind reeled as I looked back at the library. The big main entrance, door slightly ajar. The windows, open wide as if the entirety of the building was listening in.

I knew that didn’t make any sense, but it felt right as that warm feeling I’d had ever since I stepped foot inside finally clicked.

The library had heard me. And it reacted.

Was the library...sentient?