They called it a library but it often felt like a strange warehouse. The size of the room mixed with the variety and sheer number of items pertaining to knowledge was enough to stagger most people. The shelves stood taller than most city walls housing countless precious records. In some areas the library shelves were set in an organized manner such as rows or columns and the floors would be clear. In other places the shelves seemed as if they were thrown up randomly forming a chaotic labyrinth as things continued to enter but no one could keep up or cared to. Sometimes books would simply pile up at the sides of shelves when no home could be found for them.

  The library's grand size and complicated interior made it impossible to locate the exact center but there were many central sitting areas in the library as long as one could find them. One of these sitting areas laid hidden deep in a chaotic grouping of shelves like a clearing in a maze. Most people wouldn't even know it's there let alone be able to find it. Isaac had no such issue.

  To Isaac the library and all its chaos felt like an extension of himself. It was organized and structured at times and at other times a dysfunctional mess. He considered it almost a perfect metaphor for his own mind. Maybe the library was to blame because he spent most of his childhood raised in its confines but he didn't mind. He preferred the library and himself this way despite others' opposition.

  Four tables sat arranged in a square in the clearing. One of them was almost completely covered by a mountain of books but Isaac sat at the table diagonal of that one. The state of his table wasn't much better though. Several books laid open on the table with several papers covering what surface of the table could still be seen. Each paper was covered in notes and sketches that he had either made or he was studying. Chandeliers provided a dim constant light from above but a personal lantern or a few candles always helped with navigating or providing reading light. A couple tall candlesticks of wax sat in their holsters on the table. They burned slowly casting light over his temporary workstation. Isaac shifted between writing and reading several different things. He would occasionally stand up and move to another chair rather than open or close anything.

  He preferred to move between everything he was working on fluidly. His studies on histories and cultures could inspire a new thought in his arcane research and that might in turn make him reconsider his thoughts on his studies of the divine. It was a vicious cycle that he encouraged so he preferred to leave everything accessible so as to not interrupt his flow. Isaac often suspected that he seemed chaotic and disorganized as a scholar but to him he was an artist drawing connections across time and space.

  He stood what might have been the 100th time to stretch and peer across the table. Orbiting for a moment he settled into the chair that sat facing the rest of the room and the other tables. Just as his eyes began to settle into the book in front of him the light on the pages began to gently shift. A new source of light had begun to meddle with his own reading light that casted over his book. Isaac knew it was more than likely the lantern of someone approaching through the gap in the bookshelves behind him. Before long he heard quiet footsteps approaching. He only knew of one person who'd be able to navigate to this hidden study and find him here.

  “Some things never change do they?” The man behind Isaac spoke with an old but sure voice. “Some hiding spots certainly don't.”

  Isaac had to resist rolling his eyes and accidentally interrupting his reading at that comment. “It’s not a hiding spot. It's simply secluded” he replied without looking at him.

  The man continued his approach until standing next to Isaac's chair. Isaac could see him in his peripheral studying the table. The man reached down and began to occasionally turn the pages of random books on the table. He'd sometimes move things around to view them better from his vantage point as he towered over Isaac's shoulder. He did all this with no regard for how Isaac had set everything up. Most people might do this simply not understanding how Isaac works but Isaac suspected he did it to simply annoy him. This wouldn't be the first time he’d done something like this and it wouldn't be the last. “I think any spot can qualify as a hiding spot really.” He said “All you need is a spot and something hidden in it. I don't think that necessarily means it's hiding.”

  Isaac tensed his eyebrows and clenched his eyes shut for a moment in frustration. Isaac wanted to ignore him but between his visitor’s chaotic rambling and fidgeting with everything on the table it simply wasn't possible. He always knew how to do this to Isaac.

  Isaac sighed and sat back in his chair and relaxed himself. Opening his eyes Isaac turned his head calmly to the man who had interrupted his peace. He was confronted by a large amused smile tucked deep into a grey beard. He stared back at Isaac clearly entertained.

  “Not exactly hidden if you found me” Isaac said feeling quite wise as he felt a smile crack on his face.

  “Not exactly I suppose but it depends on the perspective.” he replied as he grabbed two books without looking and swapped their positions. Isaac could tell he was having lots of fun. “From my perspective you're absolutely right. You're a terrible hider. But alas I'm not the one looking for you so my perspective is obsolete. Now from their perspective you are quite hidden.”

  “By the gods can I never get a moment of silence. What is it now?”

  “Well… as you know… you tend to lose track of time my son.”

  Isaac’s heart sank. Not again. He did have a tendency to do that and quite often. “It's only been a couple hours.” He tried to sound confident but in all honesty he had no idea.

  The old man tightened and pursed his lips in amusement holding back his smile “a couple,” he said pretending to imitate Isaac. “Just a few… Maybe several.”

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  Isaac looked back at the table astounded. Several hours? Time just seemed to slip through his fingers. Suddenly it's as if his awareness of time came rushing back. He felt his stomach growl and his eyes felt heavy and irritated from too much reading. “How long have you been looking for me, Aldric?”

  “As I said. I wasn't the one looking for you. I told them you'd show up eventually but your stewards kept saying that they needed you and they were on a tight schedule. They insisted I knew where to find you.”

  Isaac contorted his face in confusion and looked at Aldric. “Stewards? As in plural? I thought I only came with one.”

  “They seem to multiply in your absence.” Aldric said with a light laugh. “The second one arrived around sunrise this morning. Since that time they've been scouring Fae Mora top to bottom for you-”

  “This morning!?” I really lost track this time. Isaac stood up quickly and began to gather his things. “What time is it?”

  ***

  Stairs, stairs, stairs, and more stairs. He climbed the stairs two at a time as his legs ached. Walking up them was never as easy as walking down. Especially after sitting for countless hours before both. He hated all these stairs since childhood. He wouldn't even find out that this many stairs in a city was uncommon until he became an adult. They were just a symptom of this city. Still if the library was his home then this vertical labyrinth was his city.

  Fae Mora was no ordinary city. It was an old large metropolis and over the three centuries it grew, its edges barely crept outward. Instead Fae Mora stood artificially taller than every other city and still reached higher. Decade by decade as architecture, science, and culture changed a new layer of city would be built atop the old one representing these changes. Each layer represented a different era in history. Even its name would change to represent the changing times. Fae Mora had only been its name since the integration of the elves into imperial society.

  It was founded in the early days of the Alden Empire to be its center for culture, science, magic and worship. Even with the collapse of the empire nearly three decades ago it remained that in the north. To Isaac this was all just history for his studies. The fall of the empire happened five years before he was born.

  Right before his legs could give out he finally emerged from the depths of Fae Mora. He took the shortest route he knew to where everyone had been waiting for him. He stepped into a final long corridor of stone leading to the courtyard. As he approached the opening the light from outside appeared to grow as did the sound of irritated voices.

  “About time!” Shouted the steward who arrived this morning as Isaac stepped into the light. “It's already several hours past noon and we should have left hours ago.”

  Isaac shielded his face from the sun as his eyes adjusted “I’m sorry I—”.

  “It's fine. I had your steward gather your things for you. If you'll follow me Master Isaac we can proceed.” The steward turned around and walked with a sense of purpose to lead Isaac out of the city.

  Isaac's vision finally cleared up and he proceeded with taking in his surroundings. He breathed in the cool fresh mountain air and felt the wind tussle his hair as it rushed through the tight city streets. Isaac turned his head to see Aldric standing a few feet to the side of him. They exchanged glances before they fell in line behind the steward and walked shoulder to shoulder.

  “Seems urgent.” Aldric said casually.

  “It always is.” Isaac replied with a sigh. “I never considered how time consuming it'd be serving a nation. Every moment I find for myself is interrupted by something. I barely have time to work on my own projects anymore.” They both walked silent for a moment. “I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you this visit.”

  “I’m just happy to have you home whenever you can afford it. This city wasn't complete for me until the day you arrived, son.” Aldric reached around Isaac and rested his hand on his opposite shoulder pulling him close as they continued to walk.

  “I'll visit again soon. I promise.” Isaac wrapped his arm around his adopted father and they both walked in their mutual embrace side by side.

  “I know you will. If not me for other reasons.”

  The winding city streets continued to unravel before them. As they neared the edge of the city the skyline became less and less dominated by tall spires of competing architectural styles. It was replaced by an infinite blue sky with the occasional cloud. No earth was visible on the horizon. The only bit of ground visible to them was the peak of the mountain that stood as a constant backdrop to the city and towered behind them as they walked. Soon Isaac would be heading northeast and he'd watch it shrink into the distance with the rest of the mountain range that runs south starting from here.

  Aldric broke the short silence between them. “Speaking of visits. How's Cassandra? I'm assuming that's the thing you had to check on before leaving.”

  Isaac watched his feet shuffle beneath him and sighed. “I'm not sure. I couldn't find her in any of her usual spots but it's a maze down there. She could be anywhere. I just hope she's okay. She seems unwell lately. She's been saying strange things lately and I mean more strange than the things she already says. Last time I saw her she told me her friend had finally called upon her and that large things were in motion.”

  “Isaac. She's been unwell. I'm happy to see your concern for others but I worry you follow her down her path.” Aldric squeezed Isaac with his arm wrapped around him. “She let her pursuit become her and knowledge consume her. I need to know you won't do the same.”

  Isaac reached around and pulled Aldric’s arm from around him and looked up at him. “I assure you I'm fine. She looked out for me when I was younger and it's the least I can do. Plus she provides insight into my research without me necessarily following in her footsteps. I need you to trust me. I know what I'm doing.”

  The group paused at an opening just before a large gate that began to open at their arrival. The ground was a mesh of cobblestone surrounded by buildings that were anything from two to four stories tall. The first story of each building was occupied with workshops, stores, and the rare occasional restaurant that were nonexistent in most places. Above them were lofts, apartments, and other private establishments. Outside Merchant stands lined the edges of this opening in front of buildings. Each stand marketed strange goods to crowds of individuals of different creeds and cultures.

  At the center of everything Isaac’s personal steward was putting the finishing touches on the luggage that straddled the sides of the horse drawn carriage. It was a simple one designed with no roof or extra comfort in mind but it would serve the purpose of getting him back to Syagon to the Northwest. He just hoped it wouldn't rain during the trip.

  The second steward quickly joined the first and they made their final preparations. Isaac and Aldric came to a stop beside the carriage and turned to face each other.

  “Duty calls, my son.” Aldric said as he opened the side of the carriage for Isaac to step into. “I hope to hear more about your adventures when you return.”

  Isaac laughed as he hugged him before stepping up into the carriage and speaking with sarcasm. “Yes. The adventures of the court advisor. I'll let you know all the invigorating details of politics when I get back.”

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