Solo if Books Could Speak

[John Amber]

John Amber, the pudgy whimsical man that he was, was not without his serious side. He spent much of his free time, when not drinking tea, in the hallowed halls of Bharani Library. Like many in Lhavit, it was his favorite pastime. He took great pleasure in the times his family would allow him to come here to continue his studies. Admittedly not the best student, it didn’t stop his love of reading (or at least his love of the smell of old books). John was on a mission, today, however. He was determined to learn as much as he could.

Before he entered the sacred space, John gazed upon the beauty of the ornate building and the gorgeous view of the peaks. The library, of course, situated on Tenten Peak offered a truly breathtaking view of Lhavit, perhaps John’s favorite view in all of the city. Contentment filled the lone figure as he once again started into the great halls of knowledge.

Once inside, John quickly made his way past several citizens that were blocking the way. They weren’t being rude, just happened to be in what seemed to be deep conversation about one topic or another. John wasn’t one to eavesdrop so he politely side stepped them and when into the main atrium of the library. Every time he stepped into this area it became disorienting to the short man. Everything seemed so tall and aloft while he was stuck close to the ground.

It didn’t take long for a white-robed Seeker to find the stout visitor dazed and confused just staring, almost as if to absorb the scene itself. “May I help you?” the man asked politely with almost infinite patience.

Even though he had been to the library many times in his life, he never once got tired of its splendor. He was stirred from his admiration by the Seeker. “Yes. In fact, I need help to know where to find books about the history of Mizahar and the city.” John answered after he could scramble for as much composure as possible.

“Ah, yes. I know exactly what you will need!” the Seeker flashed a smile and away he went, appearing to glide across the polished floors with experience. John followed as best as his short little legs could carry him. Sometimes he felt he might be lost, but as if reading his mind, his helper would slow the pace just long enough for John to catch up.

With determination, John continued to follow the Seeker until finally they stopped; John, of course, so intense on the chase that he almost ran right into the Seeker. “You will find the books you seek in rows 3-5 on these shelves,” the seeker made a sweeping jester toward a long row of shelves. That, John thought, was a lot of books.

After a few more questions, the Seeker left him in silence to his own devices. John looked through some of the books. Some were far too complicated for him to understand; others too simple, he had read them in his schooling. John picked two books that seemed his speed: A Modern History of Valterrian I and A Modern History of Valterrian II.

He sat them at a table and studied the covers intently. They weren’t very old books, the bindings seemed new and neither showed signs of much wear. Upon opening the first book, his suspicions were confirmed the date of the writing was only several years old. He started reading.