Arriving at the monastery, Anoi looks up at the large sandstone building, slightly surprised that it did not fall during that night.
The sandstone building sits on top of a large stone platform with a staircase allowing access to the building. Large pane windows sit just below the golden dome roof that gleams in the sunlight. Monks enter and exit by several iron doors.
Glancing up at the sky, the first prince can see the sky is still a bright blue color with no other color hint. 'I have maybe two or three hours before I need to head back for dinner.' Anoi says to himself as he begins to climb the stairs along with other monks arriving at the library.
Reaching the top, he takes in the view, impressed by the height, and besides the monastery building itself, it is one of Drover's tallest buildings. He can see almost the complete layout of the city, the market still bustling with people; he slightly hopes he can get a glimpse of the crimson hair woman in the crowd. He can see the district where his father's summer manor is and the other sections with the crumbling homes and shops. 'This place must have been beautiful eighteen years ago.' Turning to the iron door, he's a bit surprised to see the metal cool under his warm hand. But his question has been answered as he pushes the door open; cool air that smells of incense and old musty books cress any of his exposed skin. Anoi enters the low light building closing the door behind him. With his back to the closed door, the second prince stands still, waiting for his amber eyes to adjust to the change of light.
The library is a large circular room with two levels above the first-floor warp around the room filled with bookshelves four in the row touching the floor above. Expect for the top floor since the ceiling is a dome shape. The first floor has a larger number of bookshelves side by side circling the room in six rows deep towards the center of the room, with a break in the circle allows a long red rug to lead to the middle of the circular room. Lights spill in through the windows.
Monks weave through the shelves taking and putting books and scrolls on the shelves. So, the only sound of soft footsteps, the swishing of their robes as they walk, and the shuffling sound of materials.
The second prince begins to make his way through the room. The rug muffles his footsteps. His eyes look at the small signs mounted on the end of each bookshelf; each brass sign shows what subject the shelves hold. Reaching the middle of the room, he can see they kept it as a study area. Serval tables are scattered around on the crimson red carpet; the polish wood gleam in the candlelight of the two candle candelabras. A few monks sit at the table, some reading, some are writing into journals making notes.
'Where should I start?' He looks at the shelves. 'I could go through the shelves myself, but I don't think I will be able to find them in time before I must go.' He looks over to the monks as they work. 'Should I ask one of the monks to find them? No, how would I know if they give me the right materials or they could lie to me about not having it? If I am going to use a monk, then it must be one that wouldn't dare try to trick or lie to me.' As he tries to figure out who to approach as one of the monks bumps into him.
The books in the monk's arms fell to the ground with a light thump. "Oh! I am so sorry!" Brother Matthew apologies as he quickly drops to his knees and gathers the books. "I wasn't paying attention. I was busy trying to find where to put these books away." He explains, praying he didn't run into one of the senior monks. Brown leather boots step into view, making Matthew raise his head to see who he bumps in. His brown eyes go wide, seeing it's the second prince of Tralon. "My lord!" The young monk cries out, bowing his head. "My apologize! If I had known the second prince of Tralon was going to be here today, then I would have been more careful."
Anoi looks around and sees some of the monks look up at the two. 'Not good if he brings more attention to me. Then someone will bring Father Lanney over here, and I know he won't allow that information to be released.' "It's fine; you don't need to apologize." He assures the young monk, calmly watching as the other monks went back to their work. The young prince watches the nervous monk gather his books and gets to his feet. 'He could work.' Putting on a kind smile, the second prince approaches the monk. "Do you have a moment?" he asks calmly.
Brother Matthew looks up from his bundle of books and at the prince before lowering his eyes out of respect. "Of course, my lord, how may I help you?"
"Well, you see, I came here to look for books or scrolls about a certain event in history." The red hair prince explains to the monk.
"Of course," Matthew says, excited to help one of the princes of Tralon. "What event in history were you looking for?"
"The night when Drover fell to the Rabid Banshee." The prince tells the dark-skinned monk as his smile broadens.
"That night, my lord? You want books and materials on that night?" His eyes go wide in shock, hearing this. "I'm, I'm sorry, but may I ask why you need that information on that night?"
"Well, for research, of course."
"Research?" Matthew has a quizzical look on his face.
"Yes, research, my father was there that night, and he would like to tell me stories about that night, so I'm inspired to read other accounts of that night. I figure what wonderful place to start, then the monastery's library. I'm also hoping to interview some of the survivors of that night."
"For the accounts, I'm afraid many of our citizens parish that night there are not any accounts written that night. and as for survivors, I'm afraid the only ones were the respective royal families like your father." The young monk explains.
"That's a shame, but what about Father Lanney? My father told me he was there that night with him. I'm sure he has his accounts written down."
"He does, but he is swamped this week because he will be mediating for the treaty tomorrow."
"I don't doubt that he is busy, but couldn't you go and retrieve them for me."
"I could, sir, but the problem is Father doesn't allow anyone besides himself to have access to those materials."
The prince's smiles turn into a frown, and he crosses his arms over his chest. "So, you are telling me you are unable to retrieve them, correct?" His tone turns to disappointment.
Brother, Matthew slowly nods. "I'm afraid so, my lord." The monk shifts his books into his other arm, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the prince's gaze.
The bronze tan prince shakes his head and lets out a sigh. "Well, that's a shame."
"I am deeply sorry, my lord, is there any other information I can help you with? We have many other books on various topics." Matthew offers Anoi.
"No, that's the only information I was looking for. Since you are unable to retrieve them from Father Lanney, I might as well get them myself. If you could tell me where I can find him."
The ebony monk raises his head quickly. "Find him, my lord? Do you mean Father Lanney?"
"Who else? You just told me he is the only one that has access to the information." Waiting for the answer from the shocked prince, the prince begins to lose his patience. "Never mind, I will find himself." Anoi turns around and begins to leave. But he suddenly turns back around to the monk. "Oh, I almost forget. I would like to have your name."
"M...my name? Why do you need my name, my lord?"
"Well, once I found him and ask for his records, I am sure he would like to know which monk was unable to help me and send me to bother him since he is terribly busy. After all, he says to my family that his brothers are at our disposal if we need anything. So, he must know who told me no." Anoi watch as the monk gives a loud and audible gulp. But getting no response, the prince sighs and turns around. "Ah, never mind; I am sure if I describe you to Father Lanney, he will know who I am speaking about."
The ebony monk steps closer to him, about to reach out for him but stops himself. "Wait!"
The prince pauses as a sly smile form on his lips. But when he turns around, it replaces with a curious look.
"Y....you don't have to bother the father for this." Brother Matthew tries to assure him.
The second prince raises a brow. "I don't? But didn't you say you couldn't get them?"
"I did but, I just remember that he gave one of the other brothers' permission to have access to the materials. Let, let me just find him and ask them for you. But it will take me some time since he is in the monastery, and Father Lanney's office is a bit far as well."
"Alright," Anoi says reluctantly and holds up two fingers. "But you have two hours to get them and bring them to me. If it's any longer, I will go to father Lanney myself." His amber eyes scan the room, and he sees an empty table. "I will be waiting over there while I wait." The princes said, pointing at the open table.
Matthew nods a few times, putting books from his arms on the table. "Of...of course. I promise you I will not take that long, my lord." He assures the prince giving him a quick bow, and hurries away.
Watching the monk scurry away, Anoi glance over towards the pile of books on the table the dark-skin man held. "Hm." Shifting through them, he found one title a little interesting. 'The art and techniques of creating items to suppress one's gift.' He picks it up and begins the flip through the pages. 'Interesting, this is what I needed.' He looks around. 'I wonder what else they have access to the public.' He begins to explore and shelves.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Let me through!" Nox demands, trying to push his way through the two monks. "I have to see her; you have to let me see her!" The white hair monk yells, his voice echoing in the white marble stairwell.
The two older monk shoves Nox away as they guard the stairwell that leads to Dismas' room. "You know we can't." The taller of the two answers. "It's father Lanney's orders." He crosses his arms as a deep frown form on his face.
"You know this is stupid, Alex; I've been caring for her for years. The least you guys can do and to let me see her before I leave." The young monk pleads.
"Father Lanney said no one could enter beside him." Chimes in the older and short grey hair monk.
Nox steps away from the two in disbelief. "Are you two serious? You both are not going to follow his orders without wondering why he wants to keep her locked away so badly?"
"Nox, not all of us distrust the father. We don't understand why you are always so determined to disobey him. A lot of us are thankful for taking us in after we lost everything due to that night. You should be, too, since he kept you here. He could of send you away like the other children. "
"Thankful? Why should I be thankful for a man that wants to lock Dismas away until she rots? She's not dangerous like father says; she's just lonely." Nox tries to plead with them.
The older man narrows his eyes. "See, this is why Father Lanney has us here, to prevent you or anyone else from trying to help her escape."
The young monk sneers, taking another step back. "I can't believe it. You both are just going to follow orders without thinking about it. You must think it's wrong to lock her away for something she didn't do."
"Something she didn't do?" Alex growls and approaches Nox. "Now you listen here, you brat. I've seen how Father Lanney goes easy on you. You haven't been there when she releases those damn birds.
Nox continues to step away for Alex as the taller man growls and sneers towards the shorter monk.
"Have you witness your love ones, your friends get touch by those damn things and turn mad, have you seen them kill your other friends and family?"
"I witness, I witness my father go mad and kill my family." The young monk gathers himself again and begins to stare him down. "I lost my family and friends too, and I was just a child when this happens. But I don't blame her for that. That woman was just a child back then and shouldn't be blamed for something that happen when she has no control over."
"And you want her to run out in public with no control of her powers. You young men these days have been reading too much of those fantasy books were having a heart of gold that can save the world." The taller monks turn around and join the older monk. "The real world is harsh and not as kind towards people who don't know it. Let's not forget that thing." He jabs his thumb towards the stairway. "Embodies our goddess, if you have asked me, Father Lanney should have been sealed her away right after we succeed in the ritual."
"Nox," The older man speaks up. "Maybe now is not the appropriate time to see you. Perhaps ask Father Lanney after dinner."
Alex smirks, placing his hand on his hips. "Why bother? He'll be leaving tomorrow; I really doubt Father will allow him to see it before he leaves."
"Dismas is not it!" Nox yells.
"Alright, alright, Nox, just go find Father Lanney and ask for permission." The older man says, trying to calm down the two, not wishing for a fight.
Both Alex and Nox give each other the stare down. But realizing there is no way he could get past him, he turns around, clenching his teeth. The young monk storm backs down the hall until finding himself alone. Looking at his left-hand relief to see the black spot hasn't spread. But this makes him confuse as well. Why isn't it spreading as it did with the thief? Is it because I'm not in much of a panic and terror like the thief? He asks himself as he hides his left hand in his sleeve. Father must have information after this. But how can I get it without him finding out I'm infected. No. Nox shakes his head. He keeps that information in his office. I just need to get in there. Nox stops suddenly as someone came running down the connecting hallway. Almost colliding with him. "Woah!"
"Oh! I am so sorry!" Matthew says, skidding to a stop and turning to the brother he almost runs into just a few moments ago. Relief washes over him, seeing it's his roommate. "Oh, Nox, thank the goddess, it's you."
"Is everything okay, Matthew?" The white hair monk asks his friend seeing him in a panic.
"Yes, yes everything is," Matthew shakes his head. "Oh, goddess Nox, everything is not okay."
"What is it? Did father Lanney send you on another errand? You know you don't need to be in such a panic for doing them." The green hazel eye monk assures him.
"It... it's not an errand for Father."
Nox arch a brow. "It's not? Then what is it?"
"The second prince of Tralon is in the library," Matthews tells him.
"He is? Why is he doing in there should he be in one of those manors that we clean top to bottom for them? Besides that, why are you so worried about him being in there?"
"He said he's looking for materials about the night when Drover fell. But all that information is in Father Lanney's office. He asks me to go and asks him for them." The ebony hair monk explains to his friend.
Not impress, Nox crosses his arms. "Well, good luck on asking him, I've seen him turn away the prince's father, and he only wanted to know if there was a cure. Why don't you tell him Father decline your request?"
"But he said if I cannot retrieve them, he will approach Father and tell him I wasn't able to serve him."
"So? You did tell him where they are and how they aren't available to the public. You serve him enough then. Nothing to worry about it." He watches Matthew slowly nods, agreeing with him. "I don't see the problem; he will go to Father, and he will decline the prince's request as he did for the king." Nox continues to watch his friend fidgets as he panics. Matthew is always worried about angering Father Lanney and getting a kick out of the monastery, unlike him. "Matt, do you want me to retrieve them for you?" He offers.
The ebony skin monk looks at his friend with a mixture of relief and surprise. "You will?" But Matt furrows his brow. "Wait, if father catches you, wouldn't he kick you out or banish you?"
The white hair monk gives a half shrug. "I'm being sent away already, so what else can he do to me?" 'Besides, this is a chance I can get in there and get the information I needed.'
"But I don't want you to get into any more trouble with Father."
"What other options do you have? Besides, as I said, he is sending me away; what else can he do to me?"
Matthew thinks about any trouble that can happen. "But what if he notices the books gone and he starts asking questions?"
"By the time he notices them missing, I will be gone. So, if he asks who took them, you can blame it on me. He's not going to banish me if he thinks I have them. At worse, he will be demanding me to come back with them."
"But what if he does and you come back and doesn't have them."
"Just let me worry about that. Look, Matt, do you want my help, or would you rather try your luck with Father?"
"No, no, I do want your help." The ebony monk assures him.
"Alright." Nox approached him and slung his right arm over his shoulder, leading him to Father Lanney's office. "So, the plan in you go ahead and see if he is in his office. If he is, then make up an excuse to get him away from the office."
His brown eyes go wide. "Lying? To the father? I don't know about that Nox. I'm not great at lying to him as you are."
"Lying is easy; the key is to keep it simple to tell him that Brother Maller is looking for him, which is always true. All else fails, just tell him I told him I was going to see Dismas. I already did, so if he does go there and ask the bothers about it, they can confirm that I did."
Matthew nods and feels relieved. "Thank you, Nox. Thank you for helping me.
Nox nods giving a reassuring smile. "No problem Matt. Now let's go get those books for that prince."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Matthew looks over to where Nox is hiding around the corner for a moment, then turning back around, taking a deep breath, before knocking on the office door three times. "Father?" He calls out and waits for an answer. When he didn't get a response, he looks back towards Nox. "Nox!" He calls out, but he tries to keep his voice down.
The white hair monk pokes his head around the corner and looks at his friend. "What?" He whispers back.
"There's no answer; I think he's not here."
Nox smiles and joins Matthew. "Even better. All right, so change of plans. I'm going to go in there, and you stay out of here and keep watch. If Father shows up, knock on the door two times and act like you are looking for him. Then lead him away from the office so I can slip out."
"But how will you get in? Doesn't he keep it a clock?"
The pale young monk cracks a smile. "This isn't the first time getting into his office." He looks at the door and begins to run his fingers along with the frame.
"What are you doing?"
"Father Lanney leaves a hidden key here for Brother Maller. It's somewhere around here." Reaching the top of the doorframe, his fingertips brush against the cool metal. "There it is." He says, brings down a small brass key. He quickly unlocks the door and begins to slip in when Matthew grabs him.
"Nox, I'm having second thoughts about this."
"Well," The white hair monk shrugs out of his friend's hand. "It's too late now; keep a lookout. I won't belong." He promises and slips in, leaving Matt in the hallway by himself.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The office is dark and quiet; the monk can feel a chill in the air. The floorboards give out a soft creak as he approaches the desk. "Where would he put those books?" He asks himself as he looked through the bookshelves. His hazel-green eyes scan the titles, but he found nothing, not even a clue to which book might have the information he's trying to find.
"Alright, maybe somewhere on the desk?" He approached Father Lanney's desk but can see it's neat and organized. With a few books stack in one corner and the scrolls with orders, he hasn't sent out yet. Trying not to make too much noise, Nox begins to open and search the desk drawers. But he didn't find anything, he begins to look for hope until the monk tries to pull the last drawer out, but it wouldn't budge. "Yes." He quietly cheers.
"Now, I just need the key to this thing." His eyes scan the desk again, but no sign of the key. "Damn, it's too dark to see over here." He looks at the two-candle stick holder. "I'll have to light them." He sighs, feeling around the desk for the box of matches. Finding them, he strikes one of the matches and lights the two white candlesticks,
As soon as the soft candlelight begins to glow, the small sliver key starts to gleam, getting his attention. "Yes," He hisses as he grabs it and quickly unlocks the drawer, knowing very well that he is running out of time. Pulling the draw open, his heart sink as he sees it's empty. "What Vulpane? If it were empty, why would he bother having it lock?!" He slams the drawer shut in frustration.
Nox can hear a soft click from behind him. Spinning around, he quickly scans the bookshelves behind him to see if anything is out of place. He notices a small blue leather-bound book has been push out just a little bit. Tugging at the book, the entire shelf of books pulls out to show it's a hidden drawer. Not to get his hopes up, he investigates the drawer and sees a pile of journals and scrolls sitting neatly. "Finally!" He reaches in and grabs four books and a handful of scrolls.
But before he has a moment to read them, he hears two hard knocks on the door. In a furry, he closes the hidden drawer pushing the small book back in its place, locks the drawer, places the key back where he found it, blows out the candles, and puts the materials in his robe. As he reaches the door, he skidded to a halt once he hears the voices of Brother Matthew and Father Lanney on the other side.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Father Lanney, I have been looking for you," Matthew says, trying to control his stammers.
But Father Lanney can still hear the nervousness in his voice. But use to this young man to be nervous around him all the time, he dismisses it. "You have? What is that you need me? If you are not aware, I am remarkably busy today."
"Y....yes, I know, father." The dark-skinned monk swallows, trying to stay calm as his pounding heart threatens to just out of his chest. "But Brother Maller has been looking for you." He stemmers.
"He has, has he?" The father asks, raising a brow, not convince. "I just left him a few moments ago in the main hall."
"O...oh." The young monk tries to hide his panic. "S...so he already asks you about Dismas?"
"What about Dismas?" Father's tone begins to turn cold as his eyes narrow a bit. Just mentioning the young woman is making him guarded.
Matthew sees the sudden change and wishes he didn't bring her up, but he's already dug his grave. "I... I am not sure, Father; he only said he wishes to talk to you about her. Could it be because Nox will be leaving that he would like to know who will be replacing him?"
"Now, why would he be worried about that since I'm in charge of her care."
Matthew takes a step back as his chest begins to tighten, knowing this was never a promising idea.
"Very well, tell him to come to my office. I have some work to finish here." The older monk says, waving Matthew to move aside as he approaches his office, fishing out his key from his robes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Listening to the conversation, he facepalms after realizing how bad he is at lying. Then his heart skips a beat as he hears footsteps approach the door. He looks around in a panic to try to find a place to hind. "Shit, shit."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Father Lanney, wait!" Matthew yells in panic.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, he lowers his head as he turns back to the young; he can feel his patience run thin. "What is it now, Brother Maller?"
"I... I shouldn't be saying this but... but,"
Father Lanney lifts his head and rubs the bridge of her nose. "Oh, for goddess sake out with-it man!" He snaps.
"I run into Nox, and he told me that he was going to see Dismas; he seems very upset."
"What?! Why didn't you tell me this first, you fool!" Father yell, turning back around and runs down the hall.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hearing footsteps fade away down the hall, Nox reaches for the handle as it begins to jiggle. His heart jumps into his throat as the door opens. He feels relieved seeing Matthew's head poking inside the room.
Matthew looks around the room; his brown eyes lock on the white hair monk that's trying to hide in a corner. He gives a relief smile to his friends. "He's gone."
"Good." The hazel green eyes nod, approaching the door, opening it wider so he can exit. "You did pretty well in lying, you stumble a bit in the beginning, but you stick the landing at the end. Anyway, here." Nox pulls out three books and hands them to him. "I couldn't take them all, or he will notice right away." He explains as they exit the room and lock the door, putting the key back.
"Thank you, Nox," Matthew says as relief washes over him. But then, a worrying thought comes across his mind as his face becomes crestfallen. "What if he does notice the books missing, and the princes don't bring them back? He has seen me by his office. What do I do if he accuses me?"
The green hazel eye monk places a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder, careful not to touch him with his infected hand. "Just tell him I force you to stand guard while I was in the office, and I've taken them. You can even tell the prince your name is Nox. Now hurry up; you don't want the second prince to lose his patience. I'll see you at dinner time." Nox turns around and heads down the hall. Leaving Matthew alone in the hall.
The ebony monk turns around and heads back to the library to meet the prince.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Brother Matthew enters the large, quiet building again and looks around for the prince. He found him sitting where he indicated before he. The second prince has three stacks of books before him as he read a book.
Hearing someone approaching, Anoi looks up from his book and watching the timid monk hurry over. He closes the book and stands up to address him. "Were you able to retrieve them?"
Matthew nods and places the three books on the table. "Yes, Prince Anoi. I was able to obtain at least three of them.:
The second prince smiles, pick up the top book, and quickly scan the first few pages. "Thank you; this will be an immense help for my research."
Brother Matthew gives a short bow. "It's an honor to be able to asset the second prince of Tralon."
Anoi gives a curt nod and turn to piles of books on the desk and select two from the right pile and one from the left pile. He gathers the other two books that belong to Father Lanney. "Put these away for me, will you?"
"Of course, Prince Anoi, leave this to me."
Anoi collects his things with a final nod and begins to leave the cool building and back into the city's warm dusty air. Putting the books under his arm, he begins to make his way back to his father's summer home.