In the morning, Mahon woke up as early as the rest of the merchants and went to eat his breakfast with Siraye and Jorik. It was the second day of their market in Stonewell, and although they expected a bit less traffic than the day before, it would still be a long day with very good opportunities.

“We thought a bit with Jorik, yesterday.” Mahon started as he spoke to Siraye. “We would like to visit the library tonight. Could you guide us here?”

“Hmm… That’ll be problematic.” Siraye mused out loud.

“There is no library in Stonewell?”

“No, no, there is, but it’s only open during the day. I’m afraid it will be already closed when we leave the market…”

“Oh…”

“Then can Mahon go there on his own? Even if today is ten times worse than yesterday regarding thieves, I’d be able to handle it on my own without any problem.” Jorik intervened.

“Right.” Siraye acquiesced. “I guess it’s a bit selfish and overkill to keep you both around my stall, anyway. Let’s switch the deal then. As long as one of you stays by my cart, I’ll gladly guide you in the evening. Unfortunately, I can’t really help you with the library. I’m not even sure where it is exactly. I believe it’s somewhere near the historical center….”

“It’s not an issue.” Mahon waved it off. “I’ll ask around and find it on my own. With some luck, I’ll be back for lunch and we can either swap, or I’ll stay with you as well.”

“That might be smart.” Jorik nodded. “With what happened last night, there is a risk that some angry noble will show itself at our doors and demand reparations. And if that happens it might be better to be two.”

“Reparations?” Siraye sneered. “We’re an independent caravan. Whatever happens within our market falls under our own jurisdiction. There is no need to worry about it, otherwise I wouldn’t have been so decisive. Stay as long as you want in the library, there are also plenty of food street vendors in Stonewell, that could be a good opportunity to try something different as well. Don’t worry about us and do what you need to do.” Siraye concluded with a wink.

“Thanks.” Mahon bowed his head slightly.

The trio finished their breakfast, and Mahon helped with the setup of Siraye’s cart. It was still early in the morning, and the library wouldn’t open before some time, so he made sure there was no problem before he left.

When the time came, the market doors opened, and a surge of customers rushed between the carts. In less than five minutes, Siraye was already explaining her seven-star sword to an enthusiastic crowd under Jorik’s attentive eye.

Seeing that everything was perfectly in control, Mahon gestured to Jorik that he left and walked to the city for the second time. He passed the massive doors and continued in the main street full of bars, hostels and shops. It was the same situation as the day before, except for the light being very different and fewer people walking in the streets.

Mahon found the city even more beautiful at that time of the day. The sun was right at his back, lighting the street through the city doors. As the sun was still low, it cast long shadows for each person walking along the street, and the play of light and shade emphasized the width of the street and its architecture.

Walking leisurely, but without wasting too much time, Mahon advanced towards the historical center. Even though he only came once, it was very easy to find. He only had to follow the main street until he could see it.

As he advanced, he observed the city wake up as merchants opened their shops and citizens wandered around to buy their groceries. A few guard patrols with tired looks walked past him, probably to end their watch at their barrack and switch with freshly woke up soldiers.

Everyone seemed to have a purpose of their own, and only Mahon enjoyed his idle stroll while people rushed to accomplish their duties. Mahon took the time to reassess his goals in coming to the library. His first mission was to sort out this age thing.

Being able to determine if they really had different lifespans than the humans in Finem was a huge step forward. It would be a foundational stone for their theory that they might not be humans after all. Learning a bit more about Fada and Ratho was his secondary mission. Although they might learn much more by talking with a mathemagician, they simply weren’t as accessible as a library.

Mahon moved his hand to the purse at his waist, making sure it was still there. Siraye had explained the access to the library wasn’t free, and so Mahon had left with the money they had earned with Jorik by killing the goblins. And if he spent too much time at the library, he would also have to pay for his own lunch.

Finally arriving at the Great Fresco, Mahon took a look around, but as he had expected, there was nothing like a library in the vicinity. At least visible. Mahon walked to a nearby bench and sat down.

Inhale.

Exhale.

The world around him suddenly changed. His perceptions grew as he took in the rhythm of the city. The passerby going about their daily business with mild precipitation. The few trees and plants singing their slow growth melody. The buildings setting in stone their immovable presence.

As his Flow grew stronger, his vision expanded, and he grasped more and more rhythms. When his Flow reached the Great Fresco, however, a sudden change occurred. The personages started moving on their own in a mute theater show. At first they all disappeared. Then the twelve slowly emerged, one by one from the depicted island of Ratho/Nightmare.

On the other side of the paintings, wars raged, and cities burned. When the Fada reached the human however, the kings and emperors went to meet them and they bowed. The scene froze for a few seconds, identical to the static painting Mahon had observed the day just before, before going back in a loop to the twelve slowly exiting their island.

How is this possible?

Mahon was flabbergasted. It was the first time he witnessed such a scene. He would have never imagined that the Flow would have such an effect.

Is this a side effect of time magic?

He watched a few more loops going on before. It seemed to be just an ornamental effect. That also means time magic was known and mastered when the Fada created the Great Fresco. I wonder if…

Mahon dropped his Flow and focused on the ground beneath his feet. A few seconds later, some earth started to stockpile ever so slowly. Mahon didn’t pay any attention to it, however. Instead, he observed the Great Fresco attentively for a long time, but nothing happened.

It seems only the Flow has an impact. Another mystery to add to the list.

Ignoring his new discovery, as there was nothing more he could do with it, Mahon dived deep into the Flow once again and observed his surroundings. At maximum capacity, he could grasp everything a hundred and fifty meters away from him. He was sitting completely still, focused on the multitude of rhythms that were coming to him from the different areas of the city.

After ten minutes observing thoroughly each of them, he failed to detect anything related to a library. I guess it’s further than that then. Back to the old way.

He left the Flow and reached to the person sitting next to him on the bench.

“Excuse me. Do you have any idea where the library is?”

Fifteen minutes and half a dozen interrogated persons later, Mahon finally stood in front of the library. If not for the indications of the passerby or his Flow, he would have never guessed that the inconspicuous building he was facing held one of the greatest libraries of Finem.

Although not that far to the historical center, the library hadn’t been built with the same white stones. It showed it was a more recent building, erected by human’s hands. The building wasn’t that tall or large. In fact, it looked very akin to the few houses that bordered his walls. The only sign that would indicate it was a public structure was the open doors with a guard standing on duty.

Not wasting any more time, Mahon walked directly to the guard.

“Hello. Is this the library?”

“Yes. Entry fee is one silver per head. You can stay as long as you want, but once you’re out, you will have to pay again to re-enter.” The guard declared with a monotonous voice.

Mahon nodded, and without hesitation, he retrieved one silver from his purse and handed it to the guard. The man grabbed the coin and pocketed it with expertise before he stepped to the side to let Mahon in.

Once inside, Mahon couldn’t mistake the library for anything else. Rows upon rows of shelves full of books occupied the entirety of the first floor, and there were stairs that led both upstairs and downstairs. A small counter with two librarians stood to the side, but it was doubtful whether the small desk held fewer books than its shelves counterpart.

Given the mountain of books, Mahon didn’t even dare search it by himself. Instead, he walked to the desk and directly asked the librarians for help.

“I’ll gladly help you.” A young man answered with a smile. “What are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for references on people living for a very long time.”

“Hmm… Let me think. We have a record of the age at which people died in and around Stonewell for a few centuries already…”

“That’s not really what I’m looking for.” Mahon corrected. “I was more looking for records of people living really, really old. Like a millennium or something?”

“Oh.” A look of understanding dawned on the young man. “I see. I see. Like legends or stuff? It’s not my strongest area, but give me a moment…”

“The Immortal Kings.” The second librarian intervened in the conversation. She was an old lady with glasses laying just at the edge of her nose, and she beamed a kind smile. “You’re looking for the Immortal Kings.”

“Immortal Kings?” The young asked. “Isn’t that a northern legend?”

“No.” The woman shook her head. “It’s Finem very old history. Kings Dragomir, Skender, Emilian and the like.”

“Oh! Thanks. Finem history’s row then?”

“Yes. I think there is a good introductory book, bottom shelf, far on the left.” She added.

“Perfect.” The young man politely thanked the old woman, before he turned to Mahon. “Follow me then, please.”

The librarian led Mahon to the second basement, two floors underneath, and then to the corresponding shelf.

“It should be around… Here!” With an ease that could only come with hours of practice, the librarian retrieved the book in a swift motion and handed it to Mahon. “Let me check if there is something else… Hmm… No that one… not here… This is too early already. What about the other side?” The librarian mused out loud while he slid his fingers on the books’ cover.

In the end, he handed Mahon three other books that might have interesting information, although he wasn’t completely sure. Once Mahon had the four books in hand, the librarian led him to a small table with a single, heavily protected candle.

“You can read the books here. Please respect the signs and don’t bring your books too close to the flame otherwise you’ll have to pay if you damage it. And these books are really, really precious.”

After making sure Mahon had understood, he left him alone. Mahon immediately opened the first book the old lady had recommended.

Immortal King, eh? I hope you don’t disappoint.

It was already amazing he had a lead on the subject, but Mahon didn’t want to raise his hope too high in case it led to nothing. Without further ado, he started to read.