The Story

"The knowledge in the books scatters below is of incalculable value, I beg you to do what you can to retrieve them. I know all of your personal stories. I know you all have your own trials and destinies, and this must seem like a pointless errand, but I don't ask this of you unmindfully. After you have completed this task I will assist you all in your own quests with the considerable powers and knowledge at my disposal.
Stacius stepped forward "Tell me again, how I came to be here. How does this book come to bear my name? I don't care in the slightest about your books, but you will tell me about this one." Stacius held up the book he carried.

"Ah, indeed and this is why you must help me, it is why my books are so important. I manifested you from the book you hold. The books I've lost also hold the links to other worlds and people; they have already been affected by my magic, the potential to open is imbued in their being. Should they open in the wrong circumstances terrible things could escape into this world or even creatures from this word break into the worlds in the books."

"Worlds in books? What if the books were fiction?" Stacius spat the final word like an insult.

"My magic links to events at any time or place, there would be nothing to link to in a fiction book. A fiction book would not react. The book you hold is suspended, the events frozen, awaiting your return."

"If I should die on this mission, what would happen to my world?"

"The magic would unlock and your world resumes, but without you. Think though Stacius of the things I can do for your world and of the help you require, this adventure gains you more than the task you were about when I brought you here." Stacius stood starting at the tomb on his hands.

Now dressed in a trailing garment of black velvet more befitting of her status, Raisa listened with interest to the librarian’s words. She was not convinced by what she heard. Apart from the magic that Tegraine had used to bring her here, and she only had his word for that, she had not seen any sign so far of his ‘powers’ and as for what he could do to help her back on Sastre, that was highly doubtful. But her parents had trusted this strange humanoid of books. For that reason only, Raisa decided that she would give him the benefit of the doubt.

“So, what is your plan? How are you going to utilise your reluctant warriors,” she looked to Dulin and Stacius, “to gather up your valuable books?” Tegraine’s expression changed from one of confidence to uncertainty as he placed down the golden apple he was about to bite into.

“Ah! There’s the rub,” he said, quoting from an early seventeenth century play of the planet earth that he had very much enjoyed reading. “I was rather hoping that you, Raisa, with your legendary organisational skills, renowned throughout Sastre, might assist me there.” Tegraine knew that the best way to get Raisa on side was to appeal to her sense of vanity. At the very least, he hoped his words had piqued her interest.

Raisa knew that she was being flattered, but Tegraine was correct. How he had known about her planning skills she couldn’t imagine, and then she remembered, it was all in the Book of Goth. Of course! The librarian would have studied it precisely before bringing her out of it. Now, according to what he had told the dwarf, because of him, her people’s history was on hold. She had to help him. There was no choice. Raisa held up her thin left arm in the air.

“Let’s see just how technologically advanced this ship really is,” she said, before she clicked her long fingers. “Map!” Instantly as the words sprang from her lips, a three-dimensional image of Khula appeared before them, hovering in mid air. As Raisa moved her arm, the map moved with her, giving them at once a detailed panoramic view of north to south and east to west. Raisa placed one long black nail against her chin as she surveyed the topography of the alien planet.

“Librarian, you say that the books are scattered over the entire continent. From the scale of this map, I would estimate the land area to be approximately 2,700 metras. If we were to proceed on foot, each taking a different direction and allowing for the variation in pace, that would take us around five centimoons.” Stacius spat on the floor.

“My hair will be grizzled by then!” he interjected.

“Travelling on foot for the entire journey may not be necessary,” Tegraine reassured the three assembled creatures. “The conclave have promised to assist us in any way they can and this, I hope, would also include transportation when required.” Stacius grumbled but it was clear from his demeanour that he was not entirely convinced. Dulin was still and said nothing, intent on assessing the large map before her. Raisa continued.

“Looking at the terrain in the north…” she opened her fingers, zooming in to reveal a large mountain range, “…compared to the south,” she waved her hand in the air and Khula’s flatter southern region appeared before them, “I think it would be advisable for us to tackle areas best suited to our stature and abilities. I propose that I begin in the south. The terrain is flat and the area has many forests. Amongst us, I am the one best able to proceed through this environment. I can hide easily amongst the large foliage if in danger and I can assume the form of any one of the forest creatures, should the need arise for me to blend in with my surroundings. It is not something I do lightly, but it is a skill I have and can use when necessary.” Raisa’s thoughts went immediately to her pet Lemur Primavero. She felt a pang of yearning and wondered who would be caring for him in her absence, whether he was missing her much as she was him. She swallowed down the lump in her throat. “If we look now at the west, you will see it is largely desert, perhaps where many of the unspent magic traps might still exist and now to the east, that is Khula’s most populous region. Who knows what help or hostility we might encounter there? We have already met some of the renegades of this planet. Stacius made light work of them, but who knows how many more there might be? So,” said Raisa, with the tone of one concluding a well-argued case, “I have staked my claim on the south, you three must decide amongst you which of the regions you will choose.”

The door to the guest sector slid open. Raisa snapped her fingers again and the map disappeared. The four members of the conclave slid into the room with the fluidity of oil.

“I hope that you are refreshed and I see, Raisa, that you are now properly attired. It is time to resume your seats in the panorama cabin. The transparent walls will allow you to see Khula’s main city as you descend. We find it an impressive sight. We hope that you will too. Come. Follow us.” Tegraine led the way. Reluctantly, the dwarf, elf and pixie followed behind.

‘The book you hold is suspended, the events frozen, awaiting your return.- If I should die on this mission, what would happen to my world? - The magic would unlock and your world resumes, but without you.’ The words ran through Dulins head again and again. She knew beyond a doubt that if she failed to get home her people were doomed and her master would win. The frustrated demeanor of the dwarf read along similar lines. ‘That just means he’d be willing to do anything, double cross anyone to get home. This librarian, this magician requires us to find these books… the events are suspended in time… fine the quicker we get this done the better and if that dwarf gets in my way I’ll deal with him.’

Her mind made up, Dulin began to focus on the map that Raisa had brought to life in front of her. Her eyes flickered to each area the pixie described (in an annoyingly accurate fashion) and grudgingly (but silently) agreed with her deductions on the landscapes. Then as Raisa staked a claim to the south her eyes turned willingly to the other areas – if they were working alone then the job would be much easier. Alone is how Dulin worked best, but something in the look on Tegraines face suggested that he didn’t all together agree with Raisa’s decision.

The conclaves reappearance stopped all thoughts and plans. Tegraine followed them from the cabin with no comments and Raisa followed in his wake her head held high like some royal, the velvet cloth of her outfit flowing with her movements like the fluid of the conclave, whether due to some magic in the cloth or some skill in the walk of the pixie Dulin did not know.

Staicus made no move to follow, his eyes watching Dulin with a silent menace. Pulling up the hood on her travelling cloak Dulin once again turned her back on him and followed the others out of the room. She did not need to keep an eye on him when she could hear every step his heavy boots made on the ground behind her. Slow and bumbling in her eyes, a threat to others maybe but most certainly not to herself.

As they walked the Conclave was again talking about the Calamita and the historic day when the main mast was stood by the will, magic and skill of all species combined. Dulin stopped listening, moving away from the conclave she headed towards the side of the ship. No one stopped her, no one paid any heed as she walked with a determined step by all the workers busy with the ships many workings. Reaching the side she placed her dark hands on the root that acted as a safety guard. In front of her the view took her breath away.

Metras of land flowed out below her, thinking back to the map they had been studying she realised she was looking North to the mountains. Many of them reared so high the tops were hidden by clouds. Grey and lonely the tops she could see looked from this distance, then the purple of rock rolled into green hues of moss and grass with glints of silver from the odd Watercourse making its way to the feet of the mountainistic splendor.

“Madam Elf? The view is better from the Panorama, please follow me.”

'Madam elf?!' Dulin turned to the conclave member with as dark a look as she could muster but he had already turned away and was smoothly re-joining the others. Swallowing the angry retort that was bubbling in the back of her throat, and resisting the urge to make use of the throwing knife hidden in her gauntlet, Dulin moved swiftly to catch up with the group at the panorama entrance.

This next bit might need some discussion as I'm going to suggest we stick together both for the interactions and I guess it will read better but I'm happy to re write or I guess the plan outlined here could go wrong resulting in us splitting up. I'm afraid I'm on my phone again.

Stacius fixed his eyes on the gold face of a conclave member trying to ignore the vertigo that the view was causing him.
"Reisa, your plan makes send but I'm afraid I cannot countenance it. I am ashamed of the danger I'm adding you to put yourselves into on my behalf and the thought of any of you facing it alone id more than I can bear. Unfortunately the conclave is unable to supply soldiers fit this expedition. The peace treaty specifies that soldiers can only act in defence of a citizen of the planet and I'm afraid none of you fit that bill. The conclave have however agreed that this shop will

To replace it we present you with a suit of albourg riders plate. The albourg riders used such suits when breaking young albourg to the saddle, it is the most resilient armour that exists on the planet. We have chosen a suit which we believe will fit you."
Stacius moved forward to look in the chest but as he did the announcement continued.
"madam elf, your skills at stealth and concealment are unsurpassed, but some times we all need to be found. I present you with a spice prospectors candle. These were carried by the intrepid explorers who ventured deep into the wilderness in search of expensive and rare plants. If times grew desperate they would light the candle and it would act as a beacon to bring rescuers. Of course the prospectors died in the final stages of the war in the galmite ambush."
with a now the golden creator turned to the pixie.
"and what would we give to you? This is a bracelet of piercing alarm. Young nobles wear them when theyventure out, breaking the bracelet from your wrist will unleash a piercing nose which will deafen an attacker but not yourself. We hope it it's only useful for it's decorative effect."

I'm fine with the idea of sticking together. It will give Raisa more reason to be sulky because the conclave would not allow them to separate. She's not going to be happy, I suspect! The fact that we all have something to help us is another great idea. I like Raisa's 'nose piercing' bracelet!   I would like to see that in action! I know what you meant though. I will put up the next section soon. Lots to think about for where it could go next!

My phone hates me!