WARNING
THE FOLLOWING TEXT WAS WRITTEN AND RECORDED BY ZHI SHUDIN SCRIBING AND IS PROTECTED BY THE 72ND SUNRISE AGREEMENT. IT IS THE PROPERTY OF ITS ORIGINAL CREATOR, THE PROPERTY OF THE DASHOLIN SCHOLARS, AND ITS CONTENTS MAY ONLY BE REVIEWED BY APPROVED INDIVIDUALS.
IMPERIAL LAW STRICTLY PROHIBITS UNAUTHORIZED VIEWING. OFFENDERS WILL BE PUNISHED WITH THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE SENTENCE.
THIS MESSAGE WAS AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED VIA ARCANE SECURITY MEASURES UPON THEFT OF THIS DOCUMENT.
7 Hunqye i1196
“Rhom. You must follow me. We don’t have much time.”
Book Master Meqi rushes me through the library’s main collection faster than her ancient frame should be possible. Her hair is down, not in its usual, tight bun. Her outer robe flows around her as the tie has come loose, displaying the smooth, silken nightgown underneath, which the small gathering of younger library attendants pretends not to notice as they, watching with great concern as we rush past them.
“They have taken him,” she tells me.
“Bookmaster Prashem? Who took him? And where?”
It was a gut impulse of a question that didn’t merit a response. I didn’t need her to describe their lavender robes as I know full well who took him and why. The rumors are all over the city. The Living Autumn Mother is enraged. Her soldiers invaded the Valakarama District, searching for The Shroud’s agents, and found nothing. She thought she could end this easily. She was mistaken.
“Prashem has nothing to hide,” she continues as she guiding me down the hall towards a familiar room. “But if the rumors are true…”
“They are not,” I tell her, “They can’t be. I am certain of it.”
“And I am certain that also matters very little.”
She stops and turns to me. Her eyes soften, and her voice enters my thoughts.
“Examples are being made, Rhom. Everyone is being watched. Everyone but you. They don’t know you have returned.”
“You need to find him,” her thoughts tell me. “We need to know.”
“If they catch me…”
She takes my elbow in response and continues to lead me down the hallway towards our thinang studio. She doesn’t need to explain why. From here, I will be able to see everything.
In front of its doors, Namasha stands. At this time of night, I would expect her in the soft evening robes, but she is not. She wears dark pants and a simple black and dark orange blouse common for Rishean women. Her mop of curly hair pulled back and ready for the road.
I stop in front of her. A thousand questions and half-answers pass between us. Things we can’t say in front of Bookmaster Meqi, or at least that is what we think. She’s leaving. I knew she would, and there is nothing I can do to stop her. She and I...
“There’s no time, Rhom,” she tells me. “I… someday, ok?”
“We’ll give you as much time as we can,” The Bookmaster tells me, opening the door and waiting.
I turn once more to Namasha, not realizing we are now holding hands. She lets go and turns away from me, her cheeks flush.
I enter the thinang like I have so many times. Only this time, it is empty. There are no students. No scholars.
I sit in the middle of the room on my meditation mat already placed for me. Bookmaster Meqi and Namasha take their place in the front of the room on their mats, facing me with softened gazes and hands folded in front of them.
“Sit in stillness,” Meqi instructs me as she has since I first arrived so many years ago. “Quiet your mind.”
“Din shin zhiyo nas, din fianxi wushin nas.” Namasha repeats our mantra softly and consistently, using the ancient tongue of Sheyin Lowan, channeling the arcane energy surrounding us and all things in this world living and inanimate.
I focus my thoughts.
I reach into the folds of my robe and, from the space within space, produce my small arcane stone gifted to me at great cost.
It spins in the air in front of me, floating in the air, pulsating with the rhythm of the world.
I breathe. Slow. Inhale. Exhale.
My gaze softens. I sit in stillness. My body’s pulse, my lin-du, matches the stone. I breathe. My mind is a mountain. My thoughts, clouds...
INVESTIGATOR
I thought you were considered a smart man.
VQ PRASHEM
Some think this of me. I do not correct them.
INVESTIGATOR
Then, you would know that, per the recently signed Imperial Order 13900-A, your rights as a Verushan citizen are granted based on my assessment.
VQ PRASHEM
Is that so? And this was certified by the Royal Families?
INVESTIGATOR
Imperial Orders do not need certification and we are not here to discuss legal procedure.
VQ PRASHEM
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
You have not told me why I was detained, so I have no idea why I am here.
INVESTIGATOR
The interviewee refuses to comply. The investigator shall enter the following biographic information. Name: Valakarma Qutah Prashem. Title: Elder Bookmaster of the Dasholin Scholars and current Director of the Pradita Branch of the Eternal Library.
VQ PRASHEM
It sounds impressive when you say the full title, doesn’t it?
INVESTIGATOR
Age-
VQ PRASHEM
“Current” director. Am I being replaced?
INVESTIGATOR
...That remains to be seen. Age-
VQ PRASHEM
What about your name? Do you not need to include it?
INVESTIGATOR
My name is not important.
VQ PRASHEM
Oh, come now. I know everyone, you know. Your mother, after all-
INVESTIGATOR
AGE...71
VQ PRASHEMYou’re too kind.
INVESTIGATOR
Would you like to correct the record?
VQ PRASHEM
Oh, no. I am happy to allow you to continue to think I’m only 71 cycles young.
INVESTIGATOR
If it’s not true-
VQ PRASHEM
Young man, I believe it is your job to determine what is or is not true.
INVESTIGATOR
...Bookmaster Prashem-
VQ PRASHEM
Elder Bookmaster. Without my name. This is the correct way to address me.
INVESTIGATOR
...Elder Bookmaster. I am here to help you.
VQ PRASHEM
What a relief.
INVESTIGATOR
You, of course, are concerned about the recent theft of classified documents at your Library.
VQ PRASHEM
I was the one who reported them stolen. You kids and these mustaches. You look quite ridiculous, you know. How am I supposed to take you seriously? I’m a little insulted. It’s not your fault, of course. When I was young, the trends was...well, not important. But if armed guards of the Living Autumn Mother come to my Library in the middle of the night and drag me to the darkest hallways of the Lilac Order...I expect someone more serious. More...experienced.
INVESTIGATOR
I am...very experienced.
VQ PRASHEM
Yes, your breaking of the rug weaver strike was very impressive, if for no reason other than its sheer, youthful brutality. Was Master Pintana that easy to intimidate? I know them and I find that hard to believe. It is the sign of a weak mind, you know? Using a big hammer to solve your problem when a simple conversation and a little flexibility is far more effective. There is always a bigger hammer, after all. Always. You should take this advice to heart, it's quite good. This is why the Eternal Library exists, after all. Of course, no one listens. At least not in the imperial government.
INVESTIGATOR
How did you-
VQ PRASHEM
I told you. Do you know anything about the Dasholin Scholars? I thought you were a member of the Lilac Order. I honestly expected more from you, Githna.
INVESTIGATOR
Of course, I do. Everyone does. And I know you, in particular, are prone to telling lies. Lies about the Empress. Lies about the Living Autumn Mother. Lies about-
VQ PRASHEM
An uncomfortable truth is not a lie, young man. You will learn that one day. Hopefully. Otherwise, we are in quite a bit of trouble.
INVESTIGATOR
...Your superiors at the Main Branch of the Eternal Library gave me full access to your records. They believe, as we do, that it could have only been a Dasholin Scholar to have leaked such sensitive information. Someone with high levels of access, someone only of the rank of Elder Bookmaster with access to the secure vaults. Someone who was recently at the outpost on Golau, where the secure vaults are located, and then returned here to Pradita. Only one person fits that description.
VQ PRASHEM
Then why are you questioning me? I haven’t left Mankara in six months.
INVESTIGATOR
You’re body, maybe not.
VQ PRASHEM
Arcane Projection has been outlawed by Empress Verisha. Glory to the Empire, and long live her majesty.
INVESTIGATOR
Indeed, it has. Glory to the Empire.
VQ PRASHEM
I would never dream of defying her directives. Nor would any member of the Scholars in my charge. And I take offense at the implication.
INVESTIGATOR
On the first of Inaten, a massive surge of arcane energy was detected at the Pradita Branch.
VQ PRASHEM
Detected by who?
INVESTIGATOR
The kind of surge only capable by someone of your expertise.
VQ PRASHEM
And the Eternal Library has been given authority to practice our craft unregulated and unmonitored per the 72nd Sunrise Agreement over a thousand years ago. Even the Empress must abide by that agreement, and as such, so must the Living Autumn Mother here in Mankara.
INVESTIGATOR
And yet, the Living Autumn Mother has concerns.
VQ PRASHEM
Seeing as I have sat at her table and spoken directly to the Cheric Court on numerous occasions, I am surprised I am talking to you and not hearing these concerns directly from her.
INVESTIGATOR
You are talking to us both.
VQ PRASHEM
I am quite aware. Three of you, actually.
NANPIA
I should have known you wouldn’t be able to stop him from scrying, Kaluk [“hawk”].
VQ PRASHEM
Give him some credit, Lord Mother. He did quite well.
NANPIAWe have what we need?
KALUK
Yes, Lord Mother.
NANPIA
You have always been clever, Elder Bookmaster, but I knew we would catch you.
VQ PRASHEM
I’ve done nothing wrong.
NANPIA
You’ve caused me quite a problem, I’ll grant you that. I can’t keep, not without causing an international incident. Go ahead.
INVESTIGATOR
Under the authority of the Living Autumn Mother, as granted by Empress Verisha, seventh of her name, 31st Lion of Roaring Throne, ruler of all she sees and all who see her, and in compliance with the 72nd Sunrise Agreement, Elder Bookmaster VQ Prashem is hereby ordered to remain within the confines of Pradita Branch of Eternal Library. In addition, and as confirmed by your superiors within the Dasholin Scholars, the Pradita Branch is also ordered to close immediately. There shall be no public access, and all library staff are forbidden to exercise and practice any and all arcane studies, including but not limited to arcane projections, the use of the arcane science of emoyan to record history, and any use of all arcane stones until such a time as the joint investigation between agents of the Verushan Empire and The Dasholin Scholars has concluded. Any Dasholin Scholar failing to comply with this order is subject to the laws and penalties of the state of Mankara as determined by the Living Autumn Mother Nanpia IV and her agents.
INVESTIGATOR
You will see it is signed and executed by your superiors.
VQ PRASHEMI am sure everything is in order.
INVESTIGATOR
Wait here. You will be escorted out shortly.
NANPIA
Are you surprised to see me?
VQ PRASHEM
Nothing you do could ever surprise me, Lord Mother.
NANPIA
I am no coward hiding in the shadows. I look my enemies in the face.
VQ PRASHEMI am just a humble librarian. One who is vigilant and seeks knowledge. And through this search, I serve.
NANPIA
You’re a terrorist, just like the others. And you always have been. The Dasholin Scholars should have listened to my mother and never let Valakarma trash like you into their ranks. They know this now. I look forward to putting your head on a pike above the Midnight Gate.
Prashem leans back. He sees past her. Through the walls of the Lilac Order’s complex, through the sky, and into the thinang where I sit.
VQ PRASHEMI can stall her and The Order for as long as I can. Go. Prepare. Tell Meqi the Days of Dragons will soon be upon us.
VQ PRASHEM
Well, Nanpia-
NANPIA
How dare you address me with such-
I fall over. The arcane stone drops to the floor in front of me. Sweat pours off my brow.
I grab my stone and rehide it. I hear the door slide open.
“Namasha,” I say, turning to see only Bookmaster Meqi.
“She’s gone,” she tells me. “Did you find him?”
I nod my head.
“We have to get ready," I tell the Bookmaster. "We have to hurry. He told me to tell you that The Days of Dragons-”
“Yes. As we feared,” she doesn’t let me finish. “There is too much, Rhom. Too much. Come. You must follow me. We have no time.
She nods in return and helps me stand. She does not wait for me to follow her. She expects it. And she is correct to do so.
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