The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [178]
When James tells him of the package they are delivering and shows it to him, they are waved on through into the city.
They make their way carefully from the gate, forging their way through the throng of people who are trying to make it out of the city. After inquiring as to the whereabouts of the Great Library, they forge their way further into the city. Following the directions given to them, they arrive at the Library in little time.
The impressive structure which is the Library is at least four stories tall and a hundred yards wide. Outside the entrance sit many wagons being loaded with books and manuscripts brought from within the Library.
A man is supervising the distribution and packing of the books and manuscripts. “Easy there!” he yells at one man who tosses several books haphazardly into a wagon. “Those are hundreds of years old, you must treat them with care.” The man mumbles an apology then returns inside the library for more.
James dismounts and walks over to the supervisor and says, “Excuse me.”
The man directs two men carrying a chest to place it in the last wagon, then turns to James and says, “Yes?” Then to another man he yells, “Not in there, take it to the front wagon!”
“I was wondering if you could direct me to Ollinearn?” he asks.
“He is very busy,” the man says to James. “He does not have time to see anyone today.” Spying a man walking out of the Library with books stacked on top of delicately rolled scrolls, he rushes over and berates the man, taking the books off the scrolls that were being crushed.
James follows him and says, “But this is important, I have a delivery from Ellinwyrd in Cardri.”
“Ellinwyrd you say?” the man asks as he pauses and actually looks at James for the first time.
“Yes, Ellinwyrd,” James acknowledges. “He asked us to deliver a book for him.” He reaches inside his backpack and brings out the package, showing it to the man.
The man takes it, sees Ellinwyrd’s seal and then hands it back to James. “Very well,” he says, “go on inside. You will find him in the back preparing the last of the books for travel.” Seeing another man not treating ‘his books’ properly, he leaves James standing there and rushes over to the miscreant where he begins berating him and instructing him on the proper way to handle these aged books.
James signals for Miko to remain by the horse as he enters the Library.
Inside he finds shelf after empty shelf where books until recently had sat. If the number of empty shelves is any indication, they must have already transported a staggering amount of books and other related items.
From a door in the back of the central area another man emerges carrying a box filled with books. Figuring this to be where Ollinearn would be, James walks over and passes through the doorway.
Within the room he finds a wizened old man directing three helpers in the packing of books and manuscripts.
“Carefully now, Yorn,” the old man says kindly. “They must be packed just right if they are to survive the journey.” He pats the young man on the back and turns to see James walk in through the doorway. “Yes?” the old man asks. “Can I help you?”
“Are you Ollinearn?” James asks.
“Yes, I am he,” the old man replies.
James brings out the book and offers it to him, “Ellinwyrd sent me here to give this to you.”
Ollinearn takes the package and glances at the seal upon it, then removes the wrapping. He looks at the book a moment then glances questioningly at James, “He sent you here to deliver this book?”
“Yes, sir,” James replies.
He motions for him to follow and says, “Come with me.” To his helpers he says, “Continue with these, then we shall finish with the histories.”
“Yes, sir,” one of the helpers says.
Ollinearn exits the room through a small door in the back and walks down a small hallway. Near the end he opens a door on the right and enters.
As James follows him inside he sees it’s a small study with but a desk and three chairs. Ollinearn goes around the desk and sits down. He gestures to a chair across from him and says, “Please, sit and be