By J. L. Ender
The portal closed with a whumpf and the briny scent of the sea. And maybe a hint of giant sea turtle. I gazed up at the heights of the mossy stone castle. A few cold stars shone above like chips of diamond.
Once inside, the halls were dark. Good. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I wanted to turn in the book I’d hunted and go straight to bed.
Double doors groaned as I stepped into the Infinite Library. The scent of old books filled my quaint human nostrils.
Familiar stacks of ancient books stretched to the skylights. A worn wooden railing guarded the drop to the many levels below. I’d fallen in love with this place. Stewarding the precious books here had come to fulfill me in ways the life of a spy, warrior, and dragon could not.
I put the book on the battered metal cart so it could be returned in the morning, and then sat in my chair behind the front desk. My exhaustion from days of long travel caught up suddenly. I fell deeply, dreamlessly asleep to the tick of an old grandfather clock.
A throat cleared.
I startled awake to an owlish woman with round glasses studying me. I checked my arms to make sure I hadn’t gone dragon in my sleep.
I’d run into the woman on a prior mission. And sworn her to secrecy about my… secret. Irritation and… something else warred within me.
“Morning, bookworm.” She directed a pointed stare at my arms herself. Arms she’d seen covered in scales.
I yawned. “I thought you lived in the Western Wilds.”
She smirked. “You know what they say, all arteries lead to the heart.”
I shook my head. “That’s veins. Arteries lead away.”
“Well, whatever. It’s hard to avoid the Infinite Library. Speaking of, I need your help. Track down a certain volume for your new friend Alicen, and I’ll forget all about your secret.”
I frowned. “We had a deal.”
Alicen grinned wickedly. “I paid my late fee.”
“That wasn’t all we agreed to. You attacked me!”
She shrugged. “Hmm, don’t remember that. Maybe I’ll find another librarian… there’s an awful lot we could… discuss.”
I glared for several ticks of the clock.
She stared back, nonplussed, and casually adjusted her glasses.
I sighed my best, most long-suffering sigh, wishing a little fire could accompany it. “What’s the title of the book?”
“The Tower of a Thousand Doors.”
“Never heard of it.”
Alicen tapped her chin. “Who do you think has? Maybe the Keymaster, or the Archlibrarian? Love to chat with your bosses…”
“Keylord.”
“Whatever, stop correcting me.”
“All right, I’ll see what I can do. Give me some time to look, okay?”
She nodded and wandered off to ruin someone else’s morning. I stepped out from behind my desk and glanced up at the skylight. Barely pink skies. Good. It would still be quiet.
I put my hand on the railing and stared down at ten levels packed with millions of books, centuries of collected wisdom and history. Which aren’t always the same thing. I should have turned her into a potato. I was surprised to find something else buried beneath my usual veneer of irritation.
Fear.
If she exposed my secret, she could take this place from me.
Finding one book here could be like searching for an ember in an inferno. But as an Enforcer, I had means. I returned to my desk and placed my marble-sized tracking sphere atop a small device, then Imparted will into a small plate. Runes lit up.
“The Tower of a Thousand Doors.”
The little marble glowed briefly, then floated up. I nudged it out into the main atrium and followed it into the stacks. It led me down the stairs, descending deeper and deeper, past level after level of books.
Finally, we reached the bottom. Which was all offices. Specifically, the offices of important people like the Keylord and the Archlibrarian, masters of the library.
Great. I’m going to get turned into a turtle. I hate salad.
The marble bumped lightly against the Keylord’s door. I used my skeleton key to open the door and enter. I hope they give me something besides lettuce.
Neat and dust free, the Keylord’s office was lined with locked bookshelves. Those forbidden volumes I wouldn’t be able to access, but…
A book sat on his otherwise empty desk, a red volume with gold trim and title work.
The Tower of a Thousand Doors.
I flipped it open and started reading as I walked back upstairs. “We discovered that the Tower contained fixed portals to a thousand locations in the multiverse, some of them beyond our reckoning…”
Seriously, multiverse travel? “I’m not giving her this!” Though it might be an easy way to get rid of her.
No. I needed a new plan.
The next morning, I waited at my desk. The grandfather clock ticked behind me, first rays of sunlight streaming in through the windows above.
Alicen showed up at the same time as before. “Well, did you find my book? I’m looking forward to discussing its contents with the Keymaker over tea…”
“Keylord.” Feeling pretty smug, I handed her a hefty green volume with sky-blue titling.
She took it and read the title aloud. “Never Threaten the Dragon? That’s not what I…” Her cheeks paled. She gazed down at her fingertips, which now resembled talons. She dropped the book as if burned. As the book thumped back to the counter, her hands returned to normal. I’d spent all night crafting the illusion enchantment.
I grinned, revealing shark-like teeth stretching from human gums. “Remember two can play at this game,” I hissed. “Without evidence, it’s your word against mine. Now go away.”
“This isn’t over,” Alicen muttered, glowering. She stormed out.
I popped open The Tower of a Thousand Doors. Maybe not, but I might be on another planet by the time she figured out her next move.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
What a clever solution to this blackmailing scheme! Let’s hope she doesn’t come back…
I love this series! Serves her right for messing with a wizard/spy/warrior/dragon!
such a competent librarian… great way to lead to the weekend.
Nice! Great situation, and unexpected twist.