The library had closed for public in the afternoon. Only scholars, healers, and members of the local council had permitted access to enter freely. Lucas had to finished his job a little longer since he had to give access to one of the scholar whose name he didn't bother to remember.
Lucas rolled the parchment in his hand when the scholar walked in hurry with many books and parchment in his arms to his table. "Did you find what you looking for, sir?" He asked, then he stood up to reach the book and the parchment.
"I do, thank you for your time." He said. "I see you looking for someone." He pointed at the parchment that Lucas had rolled earlier.
Lucas looked at the object that his finger pointing at. "I do, sir. I still working on the spell though."
"I think whatever spell that you will put into that Gilliant map works better in the outside." He said absentmindedly, like he was thinking of something and then added "The forest would do." He suggested.
Lucas processed the books out and kept the parchments, since parchments could not be borrowed. He heard that once, and never thought to give it a try. Maybe he should. He was nodding at the scholar's suggestion. He was willing to try anything as long as he can find her.
"Here you go, sir." Pushing the book forward, he added "I appreciate your suggestion sir. Thank you." Noticing the struggle, he said "Do you need help with that?"
"It's okay, I'm fine." He turned to walk out.
Lucas saw his figure getting closer to the door and out until he couldn't see him anymore. He sighed hardly, giving a look to the parchment of the Gilliant map, he unrolled it once again. He still saw the same image of stars and dots, and still no sign of the moon or the sun. He watched his star self, stay still in the enlarged image of the library and the purple-star of the scholar moving away from the library. He casted a spell once again, and the whole town can be seen. The dots represented non witches, and there were many of them. The amount of blue-star's healer were very little, not even reach ten.
He sighed again, he was hoping that something would show up when he unrolled the map. Seemed like it was just his wishful thinking. At the same time he was blaming himself for underestimating the task. Maybe that's why his father reluctantly letting him go, he knew his son's capability. He's been here for almost a month and no progress seemed to be made so far. But he believed he can find her, the moon lady.
With that thought, he sighed for the third time. He rolled the map and went out the library. Casting a spell to seal the door, he then walked down the road going back to his rented room. The place was located on the other side of the town. Reaching his place, he grabbed his spell book and put it inside his shoulder bag along with the map, he was not staying as he headed out again.
Lucas headed to the nearest forest. With the woods that can cover him casting and perform as many spells as possible without fear of getting noticed by others. He thought about different approach so the map would give him the information he needs, as he walked pass the edge of the neighborhood. He recognized a familiar figure from this morning in the library.
"Irina." He whispered her name. "What is she doing here?" He frowned. His eyes followed her.
He knew there were few houses, one or two of them were house like shack in a very poor condition. He knew the poor old man who live there, since Mrs. Letty sometimes visited him to treat his health even though she was not a healer, it was better.
Forgetting his initial plan as curiosity took over. He followed her from afar. The thin layer of trees surrounded the neighborhood, he leaned his back on one of them. His eyes fixed on Irina.
He saw a little girl around ten years old walked out from the house. The little girl was smiling to Irina.
"Miss Irina, you're here." He heard the little girl's enthusiastic voice. She was half jumping hugging Irina's waist. Her dress was a little short, seems like she wore the smaller size dress.
Irina laughed while patting her right hand on the little girl's back since her left hand was holding something covered by cloth. "So.. she could laugh." Thought Lucas, still watching.
"Hey sweety, I brought food from Mr. Nieal." She said.
The little girl's eyes widened and sparkled, "Mr. Nieal is back?" She asked.
"Yes, he is. And he said sorry that he can't come here because he still has important meeting."
"I know he's busy." Said the little girl. "I always pray for him, so he could come back home safely."
"I know you would." She smilingly said. "Where is your brother?"
"Ohh.. He has a job now. He is working for Mr. Eli." The little girl happily told her.
"That's good to hear."
Lucas saw a middle-aged man came out from the old man's shack house, he walked towards Irina and the little girl. He wore a smile in his face as he patted the little girl's head gently.
He heard the little girl greet him. "Mr. Roman." Her face turned concern. "Is Mr. Juan okay?"
Lucas never seen someone wear a smile so beautiful like she did. So bright. Like the night with its full moon that shines beautifully. The moon thought Lucas unconsciously.
The moon. It felt something crucial about it. What was it? "Oh, shit!" He cursed. By the time he realized that he was going to the forest, he saw Irina and the middle-aged man walking towards him, her hand was in his arm and they happened to see him.
He straightened his back, resuming his previous plan and pretending he didn't see anything. He strode his way to the forest and met them half way. He assumed that Irina recognizes him from her grim look on her face. He didn't understand why she hates him.
"Good afternoon Miss Irina." Lucas greeted her, instead he earned a confuse look by the middle-aged man.
"How do know my name?" Came her harsh question. Really? Thought Lucas inside, what was her problem. He pushed the urge to shook his head.
"You know him?" The middle-aged man asked her. Lucas saw she shook her head.
"Pardon my poor manner sir. My name is Lucas, I'm the new librarian. I met Miss Irina this morning at the library."
A laughter had escaped from him, that made Lucas more and more at lost. What had just happened? Did I just say something funny?
"I'm sorry, I'm Roman. Irina's father." Lucas took his hand and shook it. "So.. you're the thief."
"Pardon?" This thief thing again. What did she tell her father?
"It's better you than her, though." He said, make Lucas speechless. What better?
"Papa!" She glared at her father.
"I don't understand, sir."
"You don't have to!" She used her harsh tone again. He watched her pull her father's arm and urge him to continue walking.
They walked pass him, her father gave him a smile. Lucas shook his head for real this time. He wondered what an odd girl she was.
Lucas resumed his strode. His mind wandered around.