Book One Chapter Forty Six: Library_Load

Book One Chapter Forty Six: Library_Load

Qube looked at the Mage Advisor and sanitation-dwelling performer. Sewer Bard, she said, feeling a thrill as he turned to look at her. She was actually in charge! Do you maybe want to go check on your friends in the sewers?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Sewer Bard looked extremely puzzled.

Maybe they can help you figure out why you couldnt pick that lock in Construct Crossroads? she offered.

I-that is-you realise they were holding me prisoner? Sewer Bard said. For stealing in their territory.

Oh. Qube digested this. Do you have any friends or family youd like to go see?

Sewer Bard gave her a blank look, before suddenly becoming extremely excited.

For years I have heard tell of an ancient epic saga, the pinnacle of any bards achievement! There are rumours that

Qube wondered what would happen if she said skip. She never would, of course, she was far too polite, but what would happen if she did

only the Bardic Archiver of Songs and Stories has any kind of hint as to where the manuscript could be found. Why, if we were to find this scroll, I would become the most famous Bard in all the lands!

Oh, thats amazing! Qube said, If you want to go find them, maybe you can chat about where to find your song?

They will most likely be at their post, in the library, Sewer Bard said. I believe that is where you were heading, kind Healer. Shall I accompany you?

I scarcely think she would need your company while in such a sacred place, Definitely Bad Guy sneered at Sewer Bard. He glanced at Qube. I would be a much better companion. There are many tomes that only I have access to, due to my privileged position.

Sewer Bard squared off against Definitely Bad Guy.

Your sick experimentations have no place within a realm of oh, shes gone.

What drivel are you oh.

Qube sped up her extremely casual, nothing to see here power walk away from the two arguing men.

Its not that she didnt appreciate their care, she just really, really wanted the chance to do some research before the Chosen One had finished consuming everything in the Royal kitchen. Given the speed with which shed seen him eat an entire jam jar, she estimated she would have an hour max before hed stripped the place bare.

Maybe two hours, if he managed to break into an additional wing of the castle. Or if he decided to start arguing with someone. Three hours tops if Sexy Screamy Spider Lady got stuck again.

She was practically running by the time she reached the Royal library. It was gorgeous, with large, fluted columns made of marble. It was very fancy marble, deep green with splotches of white in it, like someone had thrown white into a can of green paint and then swirled it around a bit. Sphinx statues guarded large double wooden doors that swung open to reveal more books than Qube had thought the world could possibly contain. Giant portcullises shone beams of light from the ceiling, with flying buttresses supporting a truly absurd amount of arched windows.

As she dashed into the library she nearly ran into the front desk. Behind it sat a young librarian wearing a severely uncomfortable looking outfit.

Hello, can you - oops, Im invisible. Qube suddenly realised the flaw in her ditch the others, study alone plan. The librarian didnt bat an eye. Qube reached out and tried to examine the map of the library etched onto the table. There were several different sections, with the largest section labeled RESTRICTED in red.

Qube looked at the label. Then at the librarian, who couldnt see her. Then back at the label.

Qube took off running to the restricted section.

You cannot even see her, why do you insist on calling her fair? Definitely Bad Guy sneered.

I can see her just fine! Sewer Bard snapped back.

Since when? Qube asked from inside the restricted section.

Sewer Bard looked directly at her. He smiled brilliantly and bowed, his giant hat feather scraping the ground as the two librarian guards looked on disapprovingly.

Ssssh, the guards hissed in sync. This is a library.

My delicate flower, your dulcet tones have long tickled my ears, but it is not until recently that I have been able to fully gaze upon your visage.

Qube pondered this deeply. She hadnt [heal]ed Sewer Bard. Both Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and him had been in the Forbidden Forest temple for the initial discovery of the curse. But it had taken her [heal]ing Sexy Screamy Spider Lady for the arachnid to sight her.

Why, then, could Sewer Bard see her?

She watched as Sewer Bard leaned against the wall, giving one of the librarian guards a smouldering glance.

I can be as quiet as you want, my hard working librarian. If youre interested, I can help you with some book binding later. Sewer Bard whispered.

Youve been talking to Sexy Screamy Spider Lady again, havent you? Qube asked flatly. Sewer Bard shot her a sheepish smile.

The librarian guard he was talking to looked at him disapprovingly.

Sssh, they both hissed again. This is a library.

Given the severe, oddly lumpy-looking clothing they were wearing and their tightly pulled back hair, the two guards resembled nothing more than bespeckled gargoyles. And yet Sewer Bard was acting like the guard he was talking to was the most alluring creature hed ever laid eyes on.

Could it be that his inner beauty sight was growing stronger? It certainly seemed like Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and him had been swapping various pick up lines, and hitting on each other in what Qube could only assume was some kind of romance training. Quite how that would help them save the world she wasnt sure, but, given the importance of at least some of the visible party members having basic diplomacy skills to help soothe any feathers ruffled by the Chosen One, she wasnt about to tell them to stop their social schooling.

If Sewer Bard and Definitely Bad Guy hadnt been so openly antagonistic, she may have suspected theyd been collaborating to help Sewer Bard see through her curse, but as it was it must have been something Sewer Bard had been developing on his own. ...Unless the two men were hiding a deeply passionate love affair under their sniping comments.

Qube narrowed her eyes at Definitely Bad Guy, who was snorting derisively at Sewer Bards attempts to chat up the guards. It could be a ploy to make Definitely Bad Guy jealous. She would have to ask Sexy Screamy Spider Lady about this possibility. Preferably after shed discovered who the Hunter was in love with. And then shed need to find a way to delicately let Sewer Bard know that Definitely Bad Guy was hopelessly in love with her.

But, given she was far too busy saving the world to have any time for romance, maybe maybe the kindest thing she could do would be to make sure Definitely Bad Guy focused his attention elsewhere?

I am always available to whisper sweet nothings to one as enticing as yourself, Sewer Bard loudly whispered at the very unimpressed guard.

SSSH, ITS A LIBRARY! the two guards yelled.

On the other hand, maybe Definitely Bad Guy could do without that particular kindness.

Sewer Bard, please leave the guards alone, Qube sighed, stepping out of the restricted section. And can we please ask the librarian at the front desk where the books dealing with the biology of all the creatures we are likely to come across are? Also, she mentally pulled up her to do list, anything about a place known as Grease, any books they have on the Golden Prophecy, any in-depth essays on the Evil Emperors coup, any research on temples, breakdowns on pocket magic, and how to learn [curses].

She paused for breath. Sewer Bard and Definitely Bad Guy were looking at her with the same blank expression.

Also, do I need a library card to borrow out books?