Secret of the Sunstones, Part 1: The Wanton Kingdom

Chapter XIV : Librem Arcana

Earlmorn of Somnus, First Day of Autumnmoon

Along the south side of Niedam, right at the shore of the Great Ocean, was a white house with green shutters and a pale yellow trim. Inside that house lived an old man who had been Rosa’s first tutor of magic. His name was Jean Vieillechaise, a great man who taught for many years at the world-renowned school of sorcery and advanced medicine in Vineta, known as the Nexus. His exemplary credentials put him at the top of Tom’s list of those suitable to assist his daughter in studying magic.

Rosa wandered down the coquina walkway leading to Jean’s abode. She retraced her steps as a schoolgirl, recalling fond memories of the surf upon the shore and the smell of sea salt air. It was the first time Tom had ever let her leave her home alone, and that tiny bit of freedom meant everything to her. Even more so, because Jean’s tutelage helped her to control her powers and tame the forces that had haunted her throughout childhood.

Just like her mother, Rosa’s body produced vast amounts of blue manna. Jean used to explain in early lessons that blue manna connected the body with the spirit of the planet. It opened the senses, healed injuries, and protected others from harm. Sorcery could be used to ease fatigue, strengthen comrades in battle, detect danger before it happened, and speak into the minds of others.

The red manna inside wizards and witches, on the other hand, was very different. While blue manna drew strength from within, red manna projected strength outward. Angkor often deployed wizards to the front lines of battle, where they channeled their manna into scalding heat, frigid ice, and raging storms. Sorcerers mended wounds, but wizards wreaked havoc. Wizards could also cast curses, which slowed enemy movement, conjured sickness, or disrupted their adversary’s concentration in battle.

On days when Jean did not tutor, he volunteered at the Archives as a low level scribe. It was menial work, but after years of humble service, the Librarian’s Guild finally accepted him for full-time employment. Jean had a thirst for knowledge, and he worked hard, all the way to the eminent position of Head Librarian.

In recent years, he cut back to working only part-time. He still retained Guild privileges, but on Somnus—the end of the week, when the Archives closed its doors—he stayed at home to enjoy the sounds of the ocean, while savoring a fresh glass of herbal tea, chilled over ice-enchanted rocks.

Even after Rosa ended her tutelage to join the school of sorcery full-time, she still visited Jean’s seaside abode to help with housework, cook meals, and fetch supplies from the local market. Her visits continued until she left to fight in The War. She often wondered if Jean was disappointed that she had ended her magical studies. But when she saw him open the door, he showed no sign of it. Instead, he wore a smile so large, it warmed her heart.

She examined the long, white beard that now covered his aged and wrinkled face. He carried a cane with the bust of an eagle on the handle, which he used to hide the limp in his step. But despite his enfeebled appearance, Rosa still sensed his formidable power. None in the kingdom would dare to think that age had dulled his senses. His memory was so sharp, he could recite passages from any of the countless books he had read. He could even remember obscure details from years old conversations.

Still, age had set in. His voice was like a breeze through the last of autumn’s leaves. “Rosa, my dear, how delightful it is to see you.”

She returned the smile and embraced her fragile tutor. “Thank you so much for seeing me today, Professor.”

She felt guilty that she hadn’t come sooner. Worse, that her first visit in years had an ulterior motive. Although steadfast and committed to her promise to Bram, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to catch up with Jean and tell him of her adventures.

So she pulled up a chair, while he made himself comfortable on a couch with a down-feather pillow. With his eyes aglow and his face content, she recounted her wartime experiences with her Gnostic Knight. One moment, they were riding the Heron in a narrow escape through Klay’s Canyon. In another, they skirmished with Kitezhian soldiers on Mount Abakai, only to awaken a tribe of mountain trolls.

She also told of her layman lifestyle, including dinner at the Belle Maison dinner theater, where she had the pleasure of meeting the dancers after the show. She knew Jean well enough to know which stories he’d find most appealing. The twinkle in his eyes couldn’t lie.

“What joy!” he exclaimed. “You’ve certainly lived a fulfilling life. And still so young!”

Rosa chuckled, glad he was living vicariously through her memories.

“Please, tell me if there’s anything I can do for you, since you’ve so selflessly spent your morn keeping me company.”

Rosa was glad he asked, since she was ready to make her segue. “Actually, professor, I was hoping for a small favor.”

His eyes lit up. “Anything, my dear. You only need to ask.”

She had practiced her speech to perfection. But when it came to deceiving her professor, her nerves suddenly frayed. She couldn’t lie, no matter what she had rehearsed earlier. She had to be truthful.

She cleared her throat. “Actually … it has to do with the Archives. I have some research, and … it’s urgent that I do it discreetly. If I could get your spare key before it reopens, I promise to return it before tomorrow morn.”

Rosa didn’t refer to just any key. The Archives was a repository of arcane knowledge, full of powerful wards to protect its contents. She knew that Jean accessed the Archives through runes, magically imprinted inside his body. If he approached the locked doors, they would recognize his credentials and allow him to enter. But others would need a different method. She hadn’t seen it herself, but she knew it had to exist.

Jean let out a nervous sigh. “Rosa, you know it’s forbidden for anyone outside the Guild to enter after hours. There are reasons for these rules, too. Many of the texts on the lower levels pose a national security threat in the wrong hands.”

Rosa looked into Jean’s unyielding face, wondering if she should have stuck to her original plan. Her honesty had made the conversation more difficult. Then again, any attempt to lie would have failed. Her professor knew her too well, and she’d never forgive herself if she lost his trust through deception. Maintaining eye contact was difficult. Even so, she had to press on.

“Professor … I’m keenly aware of the security measures and wouldn’t assume this responsibility unless I was convinced it was necessary. I ask that you trust me.”

Jean frowned, his eyes apologetic. “I won’t demand that you divulge anything that goes against your conscience, but I implore you to consider a sensible alternative. I’ve committed much of Archives’ contents to memory. Why not describe your research to me and save yourself some trouble? Surely, you must realize the penalty is rather severe if you are caught.”

Rosa steeled her nerves. If she couldn’t handle her old tutor, she’d have no hope of standing up against Virgil or anyone else. She only needed to divulge enough details to justify her need, while keeping any mention of the sunstones hidden.

“I understand your concerns, Professor. But … the truth is … I have reason to believe there’s a conspiracy at the highest ranks of King Richard’s kingdom.”

Jean’s eyes widened. Now was her chance to seize the opportunity.

“I would prefer to distance you from the details, because if I’m wrong, then I can drop the matter and nothing will come of it. But, if I’m right, then the results of this research might very well protect our kingdom from serious harm. Please, Professor, I wouldn’t be here if there was a sensible alternative.”

Jean stared back blankly, without emotion. Whatever went through his head, his expression offered no clue. For a moment, Rosa feared he might deny her request altogether. Or worse, he might suddenly demand answers that she didn’t want to give. For her own protection—and his—she couldn’t allow him to know about the sunstones. She held her breath, hoping her eyes would not portray her desperation.

He let out a deep sigh. “Very well. I trust your intuition, Rosa.”

Her heart surged, and it took all her willpower not to show it.

He cracked a smile and rose from the couch. With cane in hand, he hobbled over to a nearby bookshelf.

“You might not remember, but long ago I told you that you were special, my Dear.”

He looked over his shoulder at her fondly, reminding her of something she had wanted so desperately as a child. Her father was always strict, watching her and forbidding any kinds of hobbies or interests. He never praised her, either, thinking it would encourage the wrong behavior. It was difficult to ever feel good in his presence, let alone confident enough to stand behind the Reynolds name.

Jean’s encouragement, on the other hand, made her feel like she could become almost anything. He gave her confidence and opened her world, when it had previously been so small. And when he complimented her skills, she believed it.

“Your body produces unusually high levels of blue manna,” he told her. “Because of this, you might sense or feel things without knowing why. Your intuition has always been good, guided as it is by the spirit of magic. And if you trust in yourself, my Dear, then so do I.”

Her eyes felt misty. Jean was willing to go out on a limb for her, and for that she was grateful.

“What’s this?” she asked when Jean handed her a book that he retrieved from the shelf.

“It’s the ‘key’,” he told her. “Librem Arcana. It’s what the novices from the Librarian’s Guild use to restock the shelves and monitor inventory. And it will also authenticate access in and out of the Archives. Use it wisely.”

Rosa accepted the book, cherishing its soft leather binding and strong spine. The cover was indigo, and the pages were edged with goldleaf. It was beautiful.

“I must have it in my possession before the Archives opens on Primoris.”

Rosa nodded enthusiastically.

“And—” he pointed with an index finger for emphasis, “You must be sure to leave everything exactly as you find it. Only Guild members can add or remove inventory, and they’ll know if even a single volume has been misplaced.”

Rosa was overjoyed. “Yes, Professor, I promise. They’ll never know I was there!”

She beamed with appreciation and gave her favorite tutor another hug. She didn’t know where in the Archives to look, but she had to start somewhere. Once it opened the next morn, the palace would resume security protocols, and she wouldn’t have another chance until the following weekend. By then, it might be too late.

She left Jean’s abode and found a private area under an olive tree to take a peek inside the Librem Arcana. She had never seen one before and was intensely curious about the contents.

To her amazement, it contained a list of records. Each one was seemingly written in ink, but she was certain no quill had ever touched its pages. The words had been formed with magic. She gasped, realizing it had a list of every book and manuscript accessed over the last few weeks, along with timestamps and locations.

She practically shook with excitement. There must have been hundreds of records, but with this information, she could narrow the search substantially. At the very least, it gave her a glimmer of hope that she’d find some answers. With her mission now clear, she raced back to the capital to enter the Archives.