Garris loved the way the library smelled. He stood in the entryway and saw the polished tables with their small mage-light lamps. Librarians pushed carts and put books in their proper place. It wasn’t as quiet as his old Academy; he winced at the whispers of students and a giggle from one of the tables. It would have to do. This Academy was now his home and he was determined to make the best of it.
One of the librarians, an older one, tutted at Garris. “No sloppy lines here.” She brushed past him to get to her next row, but he blocked her way, handing her his list.
She looked at him and then the paper and back at him.
“Yes?” Garris said.
“What exactly is this?” the librarian asked.
“That.” Garris tapped the paper. “That is a list of the books I'm needing. I’ll be at that table, over there.”
She looked over at the empty table and back at him. “I am confused.”
Garris tilted his head and thought for a second.
“Since you are a librarian, I’m going to need you to fetch those books and bring them to me over there. I will most likely have another list ready for you. It’s fine if you bring them one by one. They are listed by importance.”
“By importance?” The librarian squinted at Garris.
“I know, they are rudimentary. But my sages want me to ‘catch up,’ so here we are.”
The librarian was silent.
Garris scratched his head. He decided to speak slower.
“So I’m going to go sit down now. And then when should I expect those books, the ones on the list, by importance? Or should I ask someone else? I think I’m making myself perfectly clear.”
The librarian held the list out. Garris could feel her start to cast a spell, stifling the air with magic. The outline of a cage appeared around the list and Garris watched as it hung in the air and then disappeared. The librarian flicked her hand and a new list appeared with three books written in stiff penmanship.
Her voice changed, too loud for a librarian. “These three you shall read. A report you shall give. Each important by their own right.”
“But—”
“The first is how the Simillians refused to eat the candy offered by King Fa. And how he and his people in response, wiped out seven of their nine islands. I will ask you the recipe for said candy and you will recite it . The second is about the foundation of this Academy and I will task you to name the nine great sigils on the floor. The last is a seven page book clearly illustrated and read to most children in these parts. It’s called the Mystical Manners. You will demonstrate each spell to my satisfaction. All eleven.”
“I’m sorry—I’m just—”
“That is one of the spells. Very good.”
“Please, I’m just trying—”
“That is two. You are on your way. I will have those books to you. Please go sit. And when the work is completed, you will have access to the library once again.”
“Access?” Garris looked up from the list and the librarian was gone, along with every book in the entire library. The students were nowhere to be found and the only thing he could see was one lamp and three books sitting on one lone table.
If someone shared this with you, I publish a weekly(ish) newsletter where you can get my fiction, recommendations and just commentary on the writing world. You can sign up for it at the link above.