Chapter 59: Book Smarts

Chapter 59: Book Smarts

My expectations of hefty magic tomes full of spells were quickly dashed. Laneys idea of books was limited to fairy tales about princesses and knights and, of course, magic. Not exactly what I had in mind. As far as she was concerned, if it didnt interest her, it didnt exist.

This ones really good, she informed me, holding up a thin novel called Loved By Two Dragons. Hes a dragon, but hes also a handsome boy. But his brothers even more handsome, and hes an even bigger dragon!

Apparently teenage girls liked shitty books no matter in every world.

The library wasnt particularly big, about the size of a large living room, but the walls were covered in shelves, and each shelf was full of books. I skimmed the spines looking for any interesting titles.

When I said books about magic, I meant books that teach you how to do magic, not silly stories for little girls.

You want to learn magic? said Laney. She was sitting cross-legged on top of the table in the middle of the roomthere were plenty of chairs, but for some reason she ignored them. Next to her was a plate that used to have a pile of sandwiches on it, most of which had migrated into my stomach.

Yes, I want to learn magic. Are there any books that tell you how? So far I hadnt found anything other than bad novels and some out of date almanacs. Something along the lines of Magic For Dummies would have been ideal, but I hadnt come across anything even close to that.

No, of course there arent, she said. How would a book be able to teach you something like that? You either can do magic or you cant.

I flicked through a book called Out In The Field, which turned out to be a guide to planting crops at different times of the year, and placed it back on the shelf.

Do you know anyone who can do magic? I asked her.

My uncles supposed to be able to, but I havent seen him in a few years. He locked himself away in one of the spires, working on his research, whatever that is.

There were seven spires around the city, each vastly taller than any of the other buildings, and with no doors or windows.

I continued browsing the shelves. What are the spires for?

I dont know. Daddy says they protect the city, but I dont see how. They never do anything.

My finger stopped on a worn out book. The faded writing on the spine said Beasts Of The Wild. I pulled it out and flipped it open in the middle. There was a drawing of a yeti-looking creature called a yowg. The description gave details of height, size and hair colour. Dietary information and habitats were also included. I flicked through more pages and found more creatures, some of which I was familiar with. The names, at least.

She looked disappointed. I know how to keep a secret. Even a boring one. Are you sure you arent secretly super strong or anything?

Yes, Im sure. Another book caught my eye, this one on swordfighting.

I flicked through the book. There were lots of diagrams of a man with a big moustache in various poses with a sword. There were a lot of complicated arrows and directions. I closed my eyes and tried to visualise the steps in the book. I hoped the moustache wasnt compulsory.

What are you thinking about? whispered a voice uncomfortably close to my ear. Are you imagining what you would like do to me if we were alone?

I opened my eyes and looked around the empty room. Laney, we are alone. And the only thing Id like is to read this book, and maybe a few more sandwiches.

The seductive leerwhich more closely resembled a baby about to pass windfell from Laneys face, to be replaced by a more age appropriate pout. She snatched the book from my hands.

I suppose you think you can learn how to use a sword from a book, too, she said.

Yep.

Idiot. You dont learn by reading, you learn by doing. Trust me, Ive been trained in the art of swordsmanship since I was three. Theres no substitute for the real thing.

Then teach me, I said. Yes, she was only thirteen, but I only needed to learn the basics. And I was a lot less likely to get hurt practicing with her than some huge warrior. Or so I thought.

Why should I? Do you think I have nothing better to do?

Because Im making it my second request.

She put the book back on the shelf and made a pa-pa-pa noise with her lips as she thought about it. So you want to be in the same room as me when I have a sword in my hand?

Im relying on you wanting your horse to stay alive more than you want to see me dead.

She nodded contemplatively. I just have to make sure you dont die, right? Then she smiled, which was terrifying.