Bane Five - Initiate

Bane Five - Initiate

Bane Five - Initiate

Esme woke up with a deep intake of breath.

She was alive!

She was alive?

Her eyes fluttered open, then squeezed shut. It was too bright. The ceiling above was made of some white stone that practically glowed in the sunlight pouring in from a floor-to-ceiling window to one side of the room.

The glimpse shed gotten did reveal some things. Esme was in a bedroom, a very nice one. It took her a moment to place it. This was the guest bedroom that Valeria had given her.

She was alive, and not home.

Home.

She missed home. With Gertrude who was a bit scary. With her little room, much smaller and tighter than this palatial one, but which had all of her favourite books. The library... well, okay, the library here was pretty nice too.

So, youre awake, someone said from nearby. A feminine someone. Not one of her friends though, the voice was too old.

Esme didnt move, she didnt want her disappointment (and maybe a tiny bit of fear) to show. She didnt like the Dark Goddess. The woman was creepy. All tall and beautiful and lithe and so, so powerful. Esme could feel the power coming off of Luciana, like an old old scary thing.

She brought her head up a little and looked at the woman in the room with her.

Tall, but not as tall as the dark goddess, and with brown hair instead of black. A bit more of a rounded face, but with a strong brow. Not the Dark Goddess. The Goddess of Contempt. The Lady of Libraries.

Esme squeaked and pulled the blankets up over her head.

The goddess sniffed. Now whats that supposed to mean? She walked closer to the side of Esmes bed. Esme could tell that she was looking down on her. You know, I speak seventeen languages fluently. Admittedly, some arent used anymore, but the point stands. And in none of them is the sound you just made a word.

Esme gulped and lowered the blanket.

A little.

Just enough for her eyes to peek out. H-hi, she said.

Yes, hello, Semper replied. She was smiling now. My dear Luciana said that you were something of a... I believe the term she used was fan. Little Valeria had to explain that one. Interesting etymology there.

Esme nodded. Im one of your, ah, worshippers?

You dont sound so sure.

I am! Esme said. I read all of your diatribes, I studied... most of the texts. I even went to one of your schools! Thats where I learned a lot. Well, Miss Gertrude ran it, so we didnt really have a choice in the matter, it was learn or, ah... Im rambling. Im rambling in front of Semper. Up the blankets went again.

Esmes head swam for a moment. Uh.

Rest a little. Faintings never a good sign. Though you should be in relatively good health.

Thank you, Esme said. Thank you a lot.

Semper smiled. It was, quite literally, nothing. Impress me, and maybe next time I come over Ill even give you a mission.

A mission? Esme asked.

The goddess nodded. Indeed. Didnt you know? As a final part of their training to become Archivists, a candidate is given a mission, something to accomplish that will help one of the Grand Libraries.

Esme held back a gasp. Her hair was tingly in the way it always got when she was bottling in surprise. Youd give me one.

Maybe a small one, Semper said. She started towards the door, clearly intent on leaving. Sleep well.

Wait! Esme said.

She couldnt believe shed ordered the goddess. She couldnt believe that the goddess actually stopped. Yes?

Ah... will you be here for long? Esme asked. It came out as something of a squeak.

Semper shrugged. A day or two, certainly. Then Ill be off on my way to take care of whatever fires started in my absence.

Oh, okay, Esme said. M-maybe well see each other again, while youre here, I mean.

Im certain we will, Semper said. She snapped her fingers, and the door thumped open, two gangly figures dropping to the floor like potato sacks. Hello, Valeria. Hello... Felix, was it?

Ow, Valeria said from the floor.

You were spying on us? Esme asked.

Valeria jumped to her feet. It wasnt spying! We were just listening through the keyhole.

Esme felt the blood returning to her face. Anger, this time. You cant do that!

Sure I can. I just did. Hi, Semper! Are you staying for tea with Mom?

I am, yes. You three have fun now, Semper said as she left. And Esme, do try not to kill your friends. Youre... sparking there.

Esme waited until the goddess was gone before she started flinging pillows and lightning.

***