Analindë (The Chronicles of Lóresse) (45 page)

She eventually put the book down and thought through the information she had learned, linking it together, searching for the pattern or logic that made the different concepts work as one.

They were all pieces of a puzzle that made up a whole, each piece equally as important as another. She’d been stupid last night. No wonder she’d gotten lost and almost died. With a firm foundation to search from and the clearness of thought to define herself, she’d been able to cast herself out into the void, but she’d been susceptible to drifting.

If she linked a tendril of Energy to the spot where she was grounded, anchoring herself to the earth energies, she wouldn’t drift no matter how scattered she became. Analindë sat for a long time staring out at nothing in particular, thinking through the process over and over again, looking for flaws that would trip her up. In the end, she was amazed at how simple it was and how the parts fit together. She rose from her chair and returned to hunt the shelves one last time; she had enough time to search out a book about spell stones.

Analindë searched the area she’d been reading from twice over before she went to the next section. By the time she had meticulously gone through the four most likely areas the book should be in, a throbbing headache had formed behind her eyes, resulting from working constantly to shut out the clamor of the books she’d touched. Her knees ached from crawling along the stone floor and dust was embedded into her hands and clothing. So much for her rose colored gown; she looked down at the smudged spots and hoped no one would notice.

She had one last section to search before she headed downstairs to the Earth Energy floor. Analindë turned and strode toward the restricted section.

The books she’d encountered so far hadn’t mentioned or even hinted that using stones to store power or spells was possible. So the best chance she had of finding information about it on this floor would be in the advanced section.

She neared the end of a long row of bookshelves and covertly searched to see if anyone would stop her. The advanced section was off limits to junior apprentices and she would be in serious trouble if she were found there. It was off limits for good reason; using Energy was very dangerous to the untrained mage. She could kill herself or others by even
thinking
the wrong combination of words, or so the rumors said.

Analindë peered around the shelves; seeing no one about, she took a deep breath and darted across the open space into the sheltered rows across from her. Glancing around to scan book titles as she went, she strode forward. She made her way back and forth along the many shelves fairly quickly. She found book sections about weaving spells and shields, offensive weaves, fire, water, and finally, she found the books dealing with earth energies. An entire row along the bottom of one of the shelves was dedicated to rocks and stones. It looked promising.

Kneeling, she scanned the books one by one. These books were more well behaved than the others. They murmured quietly beneath her touch, but for the most part, left her alone. She searched their pages for any mention about actually storing Energy or spell work in stones and found nothing. Book after book she searched . . . large tomes, small skinny ones, and books that looked like they were made out of rock themselves and were just as heavy. Books dedicated to one type of rock; first granite, then slate, sandstone, limestone, and marble. They went on and on. Finally she found a book that sparkled like the sun. It was a fiery red and had been enchanted to glitter like the many faceted stones that were placed in sword hilts or in jewelry.

If any type of stone was used to hold Energy it would be these. Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and quartz . . . the list was endless. A chapter dedicated to each type outlining their many properties and how they could be used to enhance Energy, be formed, or be found. She searched, but there was no mention about holding energies. Disappointment filled her with each page she turned until she reached the last one. She closed the book and placed it back on the shelf in front of her.

There was one more section she could search; it was on the floor that dealt strictly with earth energies. The section she had in mind was located in the restricted section a few rows away from the books that had once yanked her across the library. She made her way back through the third floor restricted section and crouched at the entry, peering around the corner for any sign of movement.

Hearing approaching footsteps but seeing nothing, she darted for the nearest set of shelves in the unrestricted section, hoping that she wouldn’t be caught. She scanned the shelves as she tried valiantly to slow her breathing, trying to appear as if she had a purpose for being where she was. Plucking a book off the shelf at random, she opened it, pretending to read.
“The Tale of Idhrenion and How He Saved the Ornëlassë.”

Botany. The Ornëlassë were the tall trees in the Southern Forest where the Woodland Elves built their homes. Analindë scanned the page intently; the footsteps drew near, then stopped directly in front of her.

“Analindë, the afternoon meal is almost past. Go and eat; the books will still be here tomorrow.” She looked up at the elderly librarian; he smiled at her. “Idhrenion, he was a great mage of his time; you would learn much from him. My mother knew him; they studied together in school.” He broke off from his reverie, “Now go and eat; tomorrow will come soon enough.”

Analindë nodded her head meekly, put the book back on the shelf and thanked the librarian for reminding her of the time. As she passed the second floor, Analindë gazed longingly toward the restricted section of the earth energies; a main reference desk faced the section. This floor was a lot busier than the third, she sighed. She never would have made it in unnoticed, let alone have enough time to search the shelves. She sighed again and continued down the stairs.

Bracing herself for the frigid winds outside, Analindë ran across the courtyard taking the outdoor shortcut to the dining hall where the students ate. She scanned the room for any of her friends. They must have already eaten. She settled down at the empty table.

Still chilled from her dash across the courtyard, she ladled steaming soup into a bowl, then picked it up, letting the bowl warm her hands. The soup was one of her favorites. It was a slightly tart cheese soup filled with chunks of broccoli. She inhaled its fragrance, smiled, and then turned her thoughts to figuring out a plan of attack for the afternoon.

“Analindë,” someone called out. Her train of thought came to a screeching halt as ideas unraveled, flitting away. She looked up. Pedar and Maliel sat two tables over. “Come join us; we’ll make room, and we have news.”

She hurried over to their table, slightly annoyed but pleased to see her friends. As she settled down at the table, Analindë studied Pedar. He’d fully recovered from his adventure with the broomstick as, bruises had faded, bandages were gone. He also seemed to be in good humor; things must be going along better for his family.

“We missed you in class,” Maliel began.

Stars! Analindë fidgeted with the ring on her finger and cleared her throat. “There was work I needed to do in the library.”

“Oh, that’s horrible! All morning?”

Pedar cut in, “You’ll never guess what we found out today!” He looked happy; she was grateful for the reprieve.

At his expectant silence Analindë asked, “You aren’t really going to make me guess, are you?”

He grinned, “Well, I suppose I can just tell you, but where is the fun in that? Are you sure you don’t want to–”

“Yes.”

“Well, we heard it ourselves. A scout was speaking with High Lord Mallhawion in the hallway just outside of potions.”

“You won’t believe it,” Maliel spoke up and Pedar elbowed her.

This was the Pedar she was used to. The one that teased and joked. She smiled at her longtime friend, now Ally, and relaxed.

“A secret delegation was sent to make contact with the humans living in the Southlands.” He paused dramatically, allowing her time to absorb the impact and meaning. “Since no official envoy had contacted them for at least two hundred and fifty years, the humans were quite surprised when we showed up. It turns out all of the old rulers had died and their great-great-grandchildren governed in their place.”

“They thought we didn’t exist!” Maliel blurted out. “Can you imagine? Us, imaginary stuff of legends? Who would’ve thought?”

Pedar exchanged a knowing glance with Maliel then said, “Anyway, after class, reports were being bantered all over the school.”

“Everyone seems to be gossiping about how humans have rounded ears?” Maliel rolled her eyes. “You knew they had rounded ears, right Analindë? Were you shocked when you saw them?”

“I . . . I really can’t quite remember what I thought. I did notice their ears, but I was a ways off and didn’t see them very closely. I was mostly noticing other things at the time.” Analindë took another bite of soup, wondering where this odd conversation was going to lead them next.

Pedar leaned forward to interject. “Our library at home has an extensive collection of pictures and books on humans. You’re welcome to stop by any–”

“And they didn’t know that humans had attacked us!” Maliel interrupted.

Pedar shrugged and settled back with a grin.

Maliel continued, “Also, just so you’re aware, everyone seems to be in a tizzy over the humans. If you don’t want to answer questions and talk about how humans sleep twice as long as elves do, and have to travel slowly so they don’t get too tired, then I recommend you stay in the library as long as possible. People have been pestering Pedar all afternoon. I can only imagine it would be worse with you since you’ve seen them more recently than he.”

“I don’t suppose the talk will die down anytime soon, will it?” Analindë mused.

Maliel frowned, “No, probably not.”

When Maliel didn’t immediately say anything else, Pedar sat forward and spoke directly to Analindë, “You’ll be happy to hear that the humans said they would help ferret out any who had aligned with the Traitors, for their legends tell of the desolation that always comes upon their people when the elves go to war. They’ve sworn their aid since they are reluctant to have an elven war happen again.” He cast a sideways glance at Maliel and said, “Even if we are just legends.” The two of them grinned at each other and Analindë found herself wondering what had happened to the two of them. Had they gone on a covert trip of their own to Human lands? Become legends themselves? She smiled.

“That is good news to hear. Thank you, Pedar.” Analindë toyed with the last few bites of her soup and then puzzled over what he had said. Could the Humans conducting the inquiry be trusted? If so, she wondered how many Humans would turn out to be involved with the Traitors.

“Did you know,” Maliel began again, “That the humans can be read like books?”

Analindë looked at her, puzzled. “What?” Having decided she wasn’t hungry anymore, she stacked her dishes together.

“Like books.” Her voice, sure and matter of fact, continued. “Their emotions blatantly flash across their faces . . . nothing remains hidden. It’s as if you were reading a book with everything right in front of you to see and interpret.” She nodded knowingly. “And they twitch and fidget.” Analindë stilled her hand from twisting the ring about her finger.

“They fidget?” Analindë asked.

“Yes, they fidget. Their actions betray their every thought, almost the same as their faces. They move about this way and that whenever they feel some strong emotion.”

Pedar’s face brightened once more; a mischievous twinkle swirled in his eyes. “An amusing side note, they say the guards all jumped when our delegation appeared out of the forest seeking the human king. The humans have kings. You knew that, right? Anyway, guards jumped and villagers crouched in fear. Others, you could tell they believed in the legends, they came forward asking for miracles and healings. I guess they don’t have many wizards in the Southlands. Anyway, when the representatives from the High Lady’s Court arrived at the human court, it is said that the courtiers shook in their boots and the King fell off his throne.”

“Oh, Pedar! It wasn’t as extreme as that. Well, perhaps that’s what it looked like to us since we read each other so well. The humans, I’m sure, were quite polished. Anyway, the important thing is that both Southern Kingdoms have aligned themselves with us and have sworn to search out any rogues who would ally themselves with the traitors.”

The stars in Pedar’s eyes still made merry, but then they turned serious. He leaned forward to say, “You do know that the humans are sending a delegation to us.”

Surprised, Maliel gasped, “No!”

“Yes, you hadn’t heard? I’ll tell you what I know.” And so he did. Halfway through his tale Analindë excused herself, thanking them for telling her the latest news, and then she headed for the tower. Andulmaion was expecting her for afternoon shielding practice.

Her mind, filled to the brim, jumped from one topic to the next. From the Humans rounded ears and the alliance they brought, to the scrawled handwriting in the back of the scrying book, she dismissed it all in favor of planning how and when she would next enter the void.