Why am I in a library, last thing that I remember was falling asleep on the boat. None of that ice material from the boat is anywhere to be seen. The book case tower over me and there are layers on layers of different floors.
"What the hell is this place. I was just a simple guy doing normal things and wham wake up on a strange boat now this. I can't take it any more."
"Hahaha well then I guess you probably hadn't noticed me yet. Hahaha" the voice laughed some what nervously.
As I turn around, my hart nearly stops. A dragon, a freaking dragon, you have got to be kidding me. I hadnt noticed him because he was wrap around the layers of library like an ornate guard rail. His scales like leathery book bindings but shown with energy flowing through them.
He continued to chuckle but said " I am Book Wyrm and also the librarian of this branch. For now your access will be limited but in time more will be available to you. Let's start with the basics here is a book on the history and fundamentals of rune casting. Books may not leave the library, but you can always access them."
I read for hours on all the peoples before me who had worked this craft. The librarian told me that understanding what had driven others could help shine a light on how they manifested the power. By learning that it could help me to assert my own powers in the way that I wanted when needed. It also told of the dangers that this particular magic had to go along with it. For instance if I was to forge a rune and not craft it perfectly then the effect could be something different entirely. Fumble around and make a rune for healing but fumble and make an explosion, yeah that type of thing. Probably best to study up and not be to careless.
After I had enough of the history lesson, it was time to learn a few runes, and how to summon there power. The first one that was recommended was the one for speed. When carved into the boots it increased the user's agility, making them harder to hit, lighter on there feet, and just genuinely faster. How to use my power to place these was a big question.
Then I heard a voice over my shoulder, "you want to draw out your power."I turn and a young women was standing beside me. Sensing my confusion, or perhaps to add to it she shifts into a big burley man. "My dragon form is not suited for this part. I can take which ever form is less threatening" he said as he shifted back to the female form. "My kind isn't so hung up on gender we seek to experience all life has to offer. That is a conversation for another day our time is short. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing, feel the energy inside you. Once you have a feel for it will it to well up, building in intensity until you feel like you could explode. Then guide that energy to your hand, now open your eyes."
As she spoke, envisioning every step one at a time,I counld feel a jolt of pure ecstacy as the power was building. It was like connecting with the flow of the universe, and it was coursing through me. When it had hit the peak of what I could build, it was forced to my right hand. I opened my eyes to see and etching tool forming out of my hand. I had read something about this it was called a blood scribe. I knew what to do I drew the symbols on each boot. With a flash of light, I knew it was done. Obviously testing it out came next. Running like an idiot, bobbing and weaving through book shelves. Good thing it was just me and the dragon others would have thought I'd gone mad.
The next one I learned was the rune for strength. This one seemed straightforward an increase to physical power. One side effect I had not considered was with both runes on the power increased my speed further. After having tested the extent to which my new abilities could go. I looked at one more rune but before I could test it the library faded away, some was shaking me awake.
"We are here, we are here, get up." A voice was calling."