Rose had been to the library many times both in the quest of knowledge for her studies and in more enjoyable pursuits. Usually an apprentice just brought her the exact book she requested, so it was strange that the librarian was leading her through the shelves and all the different rooms.
Usually no one but the scholars was allowed past a certain point, but they had breached that barrier long before. 'How big is this place?' the princess wondered. It seemed impossibly large, but as it was one of the few places where human knowledge had been preserved, it made some sense that it would be massive. Books were not pocket size, after all, and the library had thousands of large tomes within it.
Cole, having not ever been in this part of the castle, followed behind marveling at the extensive knowledge held within the library's walls. He was only a rudimentary reader, but he could well guess that many lifetimes had been spent to amass so much wisdom. Centuries...perhaps longer.
The trio entered a large room at the back of the library. It was clear these books were seldom used, and the dust here was thick in many places. Bits of particles floated, caught in the streams of light from the high, glazed windows.
"Where are we?" Rose asked.
"In the records room. These three cases contain fifteen to twenty years ago, and the next three are from ten to fifteen years ago."
"What about the past ten years?"
"More current records are kept in the king's personal library for ease of use. Would you like me to request them for your perusal?"
"No, that's quite alright, Mistress. Thank you for your assistance."
Seeing that she had been dismissed, the librarian gave her ceremonial curtsy-bow once more, dipping her head deeply. "If you need anything more, my apprentices and I are at your disposal."
"Yes, Mistress. I will." Rose nodded and turned toward the shelves. 'I will never get through all this. What was I thinking?' "Can you read?" she asked Cole.
His eyes widened as he was taken back by the question. Other than their brief interaction before, Cole had not expected Rose to speak to him at all. Most of the people he guarded ignored him, or on rare occasion, spoke at him condescendingly. To be asked a question and expected to respond was something new.
"Me? Read? Only a little, Your highness," he answered humbly. Once soldiers rose to a certain rank, they were expected to be able to read reports. Cole had worked hard to gain the skills required to keep his post.
Grabbing a couple of the closest records and heading for a small table in the corner, the princess motioned for her escort to follow. "A little is enough. I need your help."
Brushing the dust away with a fantastic whoosh, Rose sat in one of the stout wooden chairs at the table and motioned for Cole to be seated next to her. He resisted. A smile touched the princess's lips.
"Until my lady-in-waiting is well or they send me someone else, I'm afraid you are my help, Cole. Now please, sit." The words themselves were gentle but the command to sit brooked no argument.
Cole only hoped this level or familiarity would not get him dismissed in the end. He sat down meekly, looking around to make sure no one was watching. He could almost feel judgmental eyes peeking from behind every shelf.
Ignoring his reticence, Rose handed him one of the books in her pile with a grunt. Taking the massive volume into his hand, the space between the soldier's eyebrows creased.
"What exactly am I looking for, Your Highness?"
"I'm not exactly sure. Look for unsolved murders, or ones where the culprit was not caught. Or any events very out of the ordinary, like the destruction of a village. If Commander Borit is mentioned in the report, make note of that too."
Cole shifted, and Rose could sense his discomfort. "I promise not to get you in trouble. I will make sure Captain Rabert rewards you for your loyalty and service to the crown."
"Yes, Your Highness." Cole obediently opened a record from twenty years prior and began his search. It was laborious work. After an hour, the two researchers had only covered about a year's worth of time. A few unexplained incidents came up, but nothing involving a man and a woman in the same place.
'He never said Borit killed his parents at the same time, did he?'
Rose made note of these events and where she could find them on a paper provided by a willing apprentice. The pair was getting quicker. The next hour had them through nearly two and half more years. The princess shut her book decidedly and stood to get another. Cole stood as well. Every time she rose to get another tome, he had risen to match. It was not acceptable to sit in the presence of a standing royal.
Rose waved him off. "You don't have to do that every time I move."
"Believe me, Your Highness, I do." His brow was wet with sweat bot from anxiety and concentration. The princess felt a pang of guilt.
"Very well," she conceded. "I will be right back." When his eyes pleaded to go with her, she added. "I am sure the dozen guards at every possible exit have my safety well in hand. I will return in one piece." She smiled reassuringly and turned to go.
The soldier bowed his head, sat, and wondered to himself what he had done to deserve such a punishment. Had he done something to his beloved Captain? He struggled to think....
Looking at the never ending line of books on the shelf, the princess sighed. 'This may take weeks,' she thought bitterly. 'I am not sure I have weeks to spare before someone get suspicious.'
Unconsciously she touched the fairy necklace around her neck. It was warm and already felt familiar. "I wish I knew where to look," she said to no one in particular.
Beneath her fingers, something moved. Her hand shot away from the necklace as she gasped. What was happening?
Rose felt the pendant pull away from her chest and detach itself from the chain. Before her face a silver fairy flew, her wings thrumming the air noiselessly.
Her infinitesimally small index finger pointed at the princess and then curled twice. The message was clear: follow me. Rose blinked a few times.
'I am more tired than I realized,' she thought as she rubbed her eyes to clear them. Yet when she looked again, the tiny fairy was still staring at her looking...impatient?
Curiosity getting the better of her, Rose reached out her finger to stroke the pixie. The silver beauty slapped the princess's fingers, clearly not wanting to be poked. "Sorry!" the lady found herself apologizing.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Cole called. She heard his chair scrap the floor as he stood.
"Yes!" She answered him quickly. "I got held up, but I'll be there in a moment." Rose heard the soldier sigh, but the second scraping sound indicated he was seated once more. "That was close."
The fairy raised and curled her delicate digit once more, and this time the princess complied. They moved quickly out of the records room and into the main library, down four rows and to a bookcase labeled "Linguistics".
The small sprite stopped over a book and touched it so that a dim light encircled it. She raised her eyebrows and grinned expectantly at the princess.
"Am I supposed to take it?" Rose asked, confused.
The fairy inclined her head several times, and small silver teeth peeked out in a radiant smile. The princess took the book and looked at the cover. 'The Usage of Names.'
"What am I supposed to do with this?" she queried, her cheeks flush with excitement. Alas, the fairy was unable—or unwilling—to answer, and in the blink of an eye, it was back on the chain around her neck. The blonde's gaze flicked between the book and the necklace, trying to discern exactly what had just transpired.
She was startled by a voice, "Your Highness?" It was Cole, staring at her from the end of the row with a furrowed brow. He had clearly not expected her to stray so far from the records room.
Flustered, Rose nearly dropped the book in her hands. "Cole, forgive me! I was distracted and wandered off. It was impolite of me. I will ask Mistress if I can borrow this book for a while." She motioned to the pages in her hands. "I am very interested in etymology." She smiled unconvincingly.
Having no idea what etymology might be, Cole only nodded. His next word made her heart race, "Your Highness," he repeated, "I think I found something."