Chapter Two: Hidden In The Pages

Dogshead library was an old building, it had been in use since the founding of the village, and the ruins it was built on had existed long before that. The library took the form of a gothic tower, that was probably the best way to describe it, its windows were arched as were its doors, all reinforced with steel bars. The stone was old but had a warm colour, while a number of gargoyles sat atop looking down from the spire, mounting the building more comical than frightening. In Gorren’s opinion they left a far more comfortable impression than their real-life counter parts.

He never had managed to convince the gargoyles to join his cause.

He paused for a moment, he couldn’t let himself drift off track, not when so much was at stake– first he needed to confirm that he was in the world he knew, that was where the library came in; if the history recorded there matched the one he knew then he could proceed as expected. He’d perform research on monsters, just a preliminary, but he needed an argument to denounce the classification of the races called monsters and their legalised slaughter, if he had failed both to make peace and war, then this was the only avenue left unexplored. Of course some species did deserve the rank of monster, though foul magic often came into play in the creation such cases.

Gorren closed his eyes and steadied his breathing; he couldn’t afford to be a child now. All the strange sensations that had been welling up within him recently he had to put aside – he would find a way to make everything right, to reverse the suffering he’d caused. That was his resolve.

He marched forwards his hands shaking ever so slightly as he forced the doors to part throwing them aside and pushing his way into the library. It was one of the few places in the village he had not been, or at least he hadn’t been often enough to remember it.

Dust hung gently in the air along with the smell of old paper, there were four floors, each slightly smaller than the one below. The basement served as storage and the living quarters for the librarian he believed, while the top floor was a belfry, Dogshead church lacked a bell so when the time came for congregation it was the library bell that they rung. And the middle two floors those were the library proper, hundreds of books, possibly thousands, they came in forms no thicker than his finger to those broader than his chest. The centre of the building held a single support column that doubled as a flight of stairs spiralling upwards towards the roof, and the walkways of the second floor. But before Goren could gain access to any of that he would first have to face the guardian of Dogshead library; Luciel Barron. She was tall, lanky and thin, her eyes were set deep in her face giving her the appearance of a corpse, while thin lips were pressed up in a sneer. She had taken over the library a year ago after the old man that had run it prior passed away. Gorren believed she had only done so to boost her own ego and because it involved a lot of sitting around. It really was a shame, Gorren had liked Old man Nemuth. Although he always had been a bit senile, could never get his name right, still even in his age his eyes shone bright

“What do you want?” The question was pointed, snide and full of acerbic mock. Luciel hadn’t changed, she was just as he remembered her; high pony tail, thin smile bent into a permanent smirk. An aura of poison about her that warded off even the thought of human kindness, sitting by her desk placed just before the entrance.

“I want to look something up.” The woman turned her nose up at his reply,

“can you even read?” in all honesty he couldn’t remember, of course in his current state he could read, but when he was four? Livita had been trying to teach him ( as preparation for school) but he didn’t think he could read, well maybe a few words and letters, but the books he was looking for were a completely different story.

But with current circumstances being what they were, did it even matter?

Right now, he supposed not and just gave a curt nod of his head, looking the young woman in the eye. Luciel snorted pushing back her chair and dragging a book down from the shelf. She pointed the spine towards him a sickly grin quickly establishing its dominance across her face. “Read this” she slammed the book down on her desk in front of him before dropping back down into her chair adopting her classical smug expression.

Gorren sighed grabbing the book and looking over the name written on the spine, of course she chose something needlessly complicated, he paused for a moment – it would probably seem more normal if he struggled.

“Professor Gedan’s natural history... of primitive biology” He spoke reading from the script printed in miniscule writing along the leather spine before pushing the book back to her. Luciel shot him a glare grabbing the book and looking over the spine, as she slowly began to grind her teeth. Gorren took it as her permission to enter and began to wander along the rows of shelves. It would be easier finding what he was looking for if he were to ask Luciel but there was likely no point in that endeavour they never had gotten along.

Gorren sighed and began skimming over the bookshelves arrayed before him; chances were it was going to be a long day.

Nothing, the library was a complete mess; as far as he could tell everything was just put back at random. Some shelves were near empty while others were packed tight – it was as if someone had done it on purpose.

So far he had come across everything from a catalogue of local flora to a guide for fending off monster invasions. Actually now that he thought about it most of the books he had seen could be deemed as practical knowledge for everyday life, there were instructions on simple crafts and hobbies collected next to immense guides on the basics of every trade imaginable. Still there was nothing close to what he was looking for, not a single academic subject seemed present, but he specifically remembered there being a large collection of books on magic when Nemuth had run the library. So he had to be looking in the wrong, place; it was time to check the second floor

Gorren left the ground floor ascending up the staircase in the centre of the library emerging out onto the walkways above. The second floor, held a considerably smaller number of books than the floor below. They were placed on well made shelves that ran along the back of the wall, while the banisters of each platform were lined with desks. The room was divided into eight platforms one in each of the cardinal directions, each was interconnected by a stone walkway that ran alongside the wall, a banister of twisted iron periodically mounted with enchanted lamps providing light that mingled with the thin arch windows above. And it was clear within a glance this was what he had been looking for.

Compared to the books down stairs, most of which were simple leather covers and parchment sheets bound by twine, the tomes in the upper section were professionally crafted with actual paper. Most of them were likely replications of actual books rather than the guides, notes and diaries located below.

A grin slowly crept across his face, he had always felt remarkably comfortable in libraries; well after he turned twenty-five at least. He took a deep breath and prepared to throw himself into his work, a sharp glint catching out of the corner of his view

That was when he noticed her, a pair of bright green eyes fixing him in place from across the room. For some reason he couldn’t recall having seen her before – She was older than him, probably by a year or more (at least going by appearance). She was short and quiet, a meek person; you could tell that just by looking at her. She was dressed reasonably well, in a white dress draped in a light red shawl that contrasted hair of faint blue a shade of lightning, all settling down across a gentle face with lightly tanned skin. But something about her just seemed to throw him off, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

No matter, he had something he needed to do; there was no time to waste dithering on inconsequential ‘feelings’, it wasn’t like her presence changed anything.

He moved without reservation removing books from the shelves to check their names before returning them to their former positions. It seemed each row on each shelf had its own designated topic, which would hopefully cut down the time it would take him to find a suitable book. Any history book would work, if it matched with the version of history he knew he would confidently say he remained in the same world as he had been born in, otherwise he had been brought to another with world much like the heroes that had once been sent to fight him. Still no matter the answer his goal wouldn’t change, even so he had to know

Gorren moved along each shelf, he movements were methodical, he would pull several books down to confirm the topic of the shelf and failing to find what he was looking for returned the books to their places and moved on. Near an hour passed like this, and still nothing – not a single article on the history of the Ulgon kingdom or the Elliene federation. This was starting to frustrate him.

He grumbled to himself moving on towards the next shelf. There was no point in stopping now, he’d go around all the shelves if he had to. If he couldn’t find anything then perhaps he should give up, but not before. Gorren sighed side stepping and reaching up to touch the highest row of books, his hands reaching nothing but thin air, the books had been removed.

“What are you looking for?” Gorren froze a soft voice blowing against the nape of his neck, an almost ethereal presence resting behind him, going unnoticed until it was far too late. Gorren leapt aside releasing a small scream facing the young girl who had been sitting at one of the desks all day...

She was staring at him, with doll like eyes.

“What book are you looking for?” She repeated the question, tilting her head slightly to the side, and at last she blinked.

“Uh, a book on the history of Ulgon,” Gorren gave a hesitant response the young girl nodding and gesturing for him to follow.

She led him towards the desk she had claimed as her own, the little corner of the library falling directly under a beam of golden light from one of the arched windows above, while a pile of books lay on the floor beneath her table. The girl took a seat withdrawing a book from the middle of the pile, looked over its spine to confirm the title then handed it over to him. “Sorry, today’s history . Please bring it back when you’re done.” She gave him a little nod before going back to her work. Gorren gave her a short glance, she was strange – her personality seemed dull but fell short of monochrome. No it was more like she was detached, someone focused on a goal not because it was what they desired but because it was what they knew.

Gorren looked down at the book that had just been pushed into his hands and took a seat on the next desk over from the girl and began to read. The Abridged History of Ulgon from 348 NC, it looked promising, well there was no reason to stop now

Well it seemed like all of the facts matched up, the dates as well; chances were he was in the same world he had grown up in. That was good, that was really good – it meant it was possible; he could see her again, and this time he would protect her, whatever it took. A small smile won its way across his face as he closed the book and moved to return it to its former proprietor. The sun had started to sink low now, but it was probably best to go home. He turned on his heels, his hands shoved deep in his pockets and made to leave, but as he did a sharp tug came from the back of his neck.

He started again leaping away from the girl that had just yanked on his collar. This was weird; she was weird, that was not the way you got someone’s attention, what was he a dog? She really was strange, you don’t do that kind of thing to a stranger, oh that was it...

He had no idea who she was.

He knew everyone in Dogshead, down to the last child. There were perhaps five people in the town his own age, six if you included the outlying farms, but he’d never seen her. Maybe she was in town for the festival?

“You’re the boy who pushed Marcus in the well.” The girl declared locking her eyes with his. Well it seemed that theory went up in smoke, she obviously knew him, but he had no idea who she or ‘Marcus’ was. Had he pushed anyone into a well? He might have, that was the kind of thing he’d done when he was four. Oh yeah, it was the blacksmith; the old man had kept calling him a runt so Gorren and pushed him over (he never actual fell in the well but he did trip over it and came out of the whole ordeal with a fist sized lump on the back of his head), he’d gotten scolded for that one, even his mother had joined in. He remembered that clearly.

“So you mean the blacksmith?” The girl nodded

“father came home yelling about it.”

For a long moment Gorren’s brain blanked the girl just staring up at him in complete silence. She called her father by his first name... Her father was the blacksmith... Her father was that jackass! Gorren stood stock still, when it became apparent he wasn’t going anywhere soon she reached down and grabbed another book shoving it towards him. “I’m Eitta Calga” she gave a diplomatic nod and returned her attention towards her own book. “I’m studying to gain entrance to the Elliene academy – I plan on studying a magic course. Why are you here?” she laid out the question perfectly, it didn’t even feel like he was talking to a child, although that was probably for the best.

“I just wanted to check something.” Gorren smiled deflecting the question and looking down at the book in his hand, maybe she wanted him to stay? He really didn’t get what was going on.

“I’m surprised you can read, you didn’t seem like the type.” The girl laughed smiling up at him Gorren meeting her gaze, she really did look cute when she was smiling...

Did she just call him dumb?

“Thanks Jean, it’s a big help.” Livita grinned patting the empty stall set up just off of the main event square. Members of the merchant guild from the capital had already set up their own stalls claiming most of the best spots by virtue of having the best merchandise or attractions leaving the entrepreneurs of Doghead to scrape by. No one really complained about it, it was the only chance they got to buy goods not made and sold within the village. Maybe it was a little pricier than what most were used to, but both the quality and variety were worth it.

“It’s no problem.” The young man laughed eyeing over the arrayed merchandise, “your mother really is something, the embroidery on these things is incredible.” He held up a hair ribbon, a long-dragon embroidered across the red silk.

“She got that design from an adventurer friend of our fathers, she has a whole outfit to go with it; but she hasn’t worn it since Go was born.” Livita sighed thinking back to her mother lying at home, it was probably painful being alone. “Speaking off the little creeper’s been acting really weird lately.” Livita leaned against the stall looking upwards towards the setting sun.

“Weird how, he’s always been a bit off?”

Livita crossed her arms, her brow knitting tight, “It’s kind of like he just got depressed, he’s been acting a little dull for the past few days, like some old man.”

“He’s probably just going through a phase, thinks it makes him look cool. Or who knows maybe he was a girlfriend.” Jean poked a jab towards her, Livita smirking at the thought.

“He doesn’t even have any real friends, too busy running wild in the woods.”

They grinned to one another before a brief shout rose above the crowd. “Sounds like the mayors calling us in.” Livita rocked forwards marching towards the direction of the shouting, Jean following in tow.

Dogshead was a village that consisted of around sixty families, it was a large village; but without any form of industry or more than basic education it couldn’t quite be called a town. Still with the better portion of the village gathered, in one place, it provided a smothering feeling as everyone clambered to get a better view the mayor standing atop a small stall waving what appeared to be a letter in his hand. Dereich Heada, one of the descendents of Doug Heada founder of Dogshead was a plump man, he was stocky and short, with a ruddy face; his cheeks shaved clean in attempt to hide his dwarven heritage (although everyone in town already knew). “Hey, we’ve got big news!” The man laughed shouting over the low mumble of the crowd.

“This year the royal knights will not be performing the talent on our village.” The mayor paused a grin on his face. The news silencing the crowd a sense of unease and confusion working among their ranks. “Instead the party of the former hero Taiva Orwich will be arriving tomorrow!” The mayor slammed his fists down laughter rolling from his deep gut

Silence reigned over the quiet little town, the sun set far to the west and a once pale moon grew clear in the sky, as a chill wind blew in from the north. And following this silence a storm swept in. Laughter broke out among the crowd moving in ripples of sounds and clapping. The previous hero had been called in by the king of Elliene; pulled from another world, and with his help the warring kingdoms were united in order to fight against the threat posed by the growing number of monsters and the ever encroaching empire. Then rather than returning home to his own land the Hero chose to remain. The fact he was visiting a town so far out in the sticks was nothing short of a miracle.

“Ha, can you believe this?” Jean laughed looking to Livita, she shook her head grinning.

“Who knows maybe this will lift Go out of his funk.” And at the point her stomach dropped.

“Crap, it’s way too late for him to be out alone! I’ll see you tomorrow Jean”

What followed was a raucous chase through the streets of Dogshead. She checked the usual locations where the runt should have been hiding to no avail. He wasn’t under the bridge, by the well or in the woods. He wasn’t hanging around the guard station or near any of the recently set up stalls. At last a tip came in from Marcus the town blacksmith that the kid had run off to the library which made near to no sense. Gorren could barely read and write his own name, he hated learning and he hated sitting still, the only reason he’d go to the library was to cause trouble, at least since Nemuth died, still it was the only lead she had.

What she found in the library was in no uncertain terms disturbing.

He was sitting there, he was just sitting there reading a book; as if it were natural! And besides him was a young girl maybe a little older than him if she had to guess. Ha, he really did have a girl friend...