Drakonika (Book 1) (22 page)

Darius immediately stopped pretending he was choosing a book.

“
Let's burn stuff,” he said in a bored voice. It appeared that his words made the Black Squad beam with life again.

“
Good idea,” answered Rodrick. All five of them stuffed a random book into their backpacks. With Darius in the lead they bolted into the dark hallway and from there, up the stairs and into the unknown.

Several children watched the Black Squad leaving. Serena looked at the five boys as they vanished from the library, a deep longing reflected in her eyes. Raking through books like a nerd with these boring infants? That was definitely not for her. But when she looked back, there was something else that got her attention — Magnus and Maren were gone.

Magnus had no idea that someone noticed their absence. He dashed through the narrow corridors of bookshelves, Maren right behind him. The farther they went, the darker the library was. Windows were very scarce here, but there would have been at least a bit of light coming through them if not for the dark clouds outside.

Magnus led Maren into a faraway corner and looking somewhere at the upper shelves, he stopped.

“There it is,” he said swiftly, pointing at a huge tome bound in black leather. But as much as it seemed unbelievable to Maren that he knew where he was going, it still wasn't certain that he had found the book from the vision.

“
You'll need a ladder to get that book, don't you think?” she said quietly, although there was no one around.

“
Right. There's one in the left aisle,” said Magnus with great certainty.

“
How do you know that?”

“
I saw it in the vision,” Magnus answered. He rushed into the left aisle and when he returned, he was holding a long wooden ladder under his armpit. Maren no longer wondered how he could move around with something so heavy.

Magnus leaned the ladder against the shelf completely in the back. He carefully climbed to the top and with just one hand he pulled the mysterious tome out. He remained silent for a while, just poring over its cover. He couldn't believe he had found it. But what exactly did he find?

“Couldn't you speed up? We don't have much time,” said Maren's impatient voice from below.

BAM!

Maren jumped in horror. That sounded like a window swinging open on its own!

An unfriendly cool breeze crept inside. Magnus didn't bother climbing — he slid down from the ladder like an acrobat and quickly tucked the tome away into his backpack.

Maren had only barely recovered from the strange noise. She gave him a long, unbelieving gaze.

“
You're mad! You want to steal it?” she said in a scandalised tone.

“
Borrow it,” Magnus corrected her calmly. “Understand, Maren, I need to know what's inside. I might find some important information here. Important for me.”

“
Or information that nobody should ever see. Not even you,” she said stoutly, but she didn't elaborate.

“
Let's go,” said Magnus swiftly and followed by Maren, he rushed through the aisles of bookshelves back into the front study room. But there was an unpleasant surprise awaiting them. Everyone was gone.

Maren approached the table with books, looking scared and confused.

“This way!” Magnus cried and bolted out into the hallway, but Maren caught up with him a little later. As he asked what she was doing, she held up two books in her hands.

“
Our quest, remember?” Maren said in a smart tone. With the words “That's yours” she pushed one of the books against his chest.

Magnus grasped the book and looked at its title.

“Watermen?” he said blankly.

Maren shook from disgust, “Brrr, who would want to read
that
?”

“
Did you pick this for me on purpose?” Magnus said in a slightly annoyed tone, but there was no time for quarrels. They both stuffed the books into their backpacks and quickly made their way down the dark stairs lit with the dim light of torches. As they reached the ground floor they almost bumped into Solas who emerged from behind the corner without any warning.

“
Finally!” Solas barked. “I thought you would make me climb those stairs again. As if I did not have to run up and down enough already.”

“
Where is Aedan? Shouldn't he be waiting for us here?” Maren said carefully.

“
As you can see,
I
am waiting for you. It is not safe outside at the present time,” Solas said curtly as he turned into the left hallway. “Follow me,” he mumbled under his nose.

Magnus and Maren had no other choice but to do as he said. Solas led them to a large chamber with a long table in its midst, illuminated with a line of lit candles and a big hearth at the end. There were small tables and benches by the walls which were used by mages for playing board games during long winter evenings. All the novices were already waiting there, even Darius with his comrades.

“Everyone sit down, I hate crowds,” Solas said bossily as he took a seat in the most comfortable armchair at the head of the table.

With a quick rustle, all of the novices sat down immediately, taking the farthest seats first. Magnus and Maren were forced to sit at the only available ones — right in front of the grumpy old mage.

When they settled down, Solas' train of thought was interrupted by Maren's gentle voice.

“
Excuse me, Mister Solas. I just wanted to show you that we have borrowed these two books
–
” she said bashfully, but she was cut off with her book halfway pulled from her backpack.

“
Please, do not bother me with books now. Even if you stole them it would not be important now,” Solas snarled, looking around nervously.

Magnus leaned to Maren.

“See? I told you it wouldn't be a problem,” he whispered. As soon as he said that, Solas' grim gaze landed on them immediately, as though he had radar in his ears.

“
What? Someone has stolen something?!” he said sharply. Maren and Magnus were unable to hide the surprise in their faces, but something happened then that made Solas forget about this whole matter completely.

A blunt drumming sound shook the floors of the entire Mages Guild. The novices froze like statues and didn't dare to make the slightest move.

A chilly breeze crept around them and Magnus surely wasn't the only one who felt it. Suddenly, the candle flames on the table were blown out, one by one.

There were several frightened screams and all girls trembled from head to toe.

“That's okay, I'm sure it was just another window,” Magnus whispered. He seemed to be the only novice who wasn't scared, but then he twitched too. The fire in the hearth had simply vanished and the entire chamber was left in complete darkness.

That was a reason good enough for a total panic. There was an outbreak of shrieks and cries as the novices ran across the room in terror. The effect was multiplied by a sound of heavy thunderclaps that rumbled over the town.

“Enouuuugh!” Solas yelled, making all of the children hush and turn to him. Then he raised his arm. A glowing ball of white light appeared above his palm, lighting his white thick eyebrows, his blue hat and a few terrified faces around him. “Everyone just relax. They can not get inside.”

“
They
? Who are
they
?” demanded a boy from one of the dark corners, but Solas did not answer. He kept quietly repeating “They can not get inside, they can not get inside” under his nose, as if he was trying to convince himself that he was right.

“
What do we do?” Maren whispered desperately.

“
First, let us all just calm down, shall we?” Solas said in a highly relaxed voice which seemed to calm the novices as well. It appeared there was nothing to worry about — they had a powerful mage to protect them and keep things in order. After a short moment of silence, Solas spoke again.

“
And then... we all run for our lives!” he cried abruptly as he leaped to his feet and immediately bolted in the door's direction. He didn't intend to die in a dark room full of such good-for-nothings! But his plan encountered a serious problem.

He bumped into the door. Actually, it wasn't the door, so it must have been “one of those things”. He thought this would be his end, when he spotted Aedan's face as he raised the glowing magick ball higher. Even though there was nothing to fear, Solas gaped at him as if he could not believe that he was still alive.

Aedan didn't say a word. He surveyed the room lit with Solas' white dim light to make sure none of them were missing.

As soon as Solas understood that he wasn't in danger, his pointy tongue loosened. “How caring you are suddenly. Do you also count them?” he said tartly as he let out a hoarse sound which was probably supposed to be a chuckle. “How did you get here? The door was locked!”

Aedan was still looking into the room. “But the windows were not,” he said blankly. He was pretty strict at times, and the novices were often scared of him, but now they felt much calmer with him around. If he hadn't returned, Solas would have surely left them for the monsters to eat!

“
Aedan, can we go now?” a few novices begged.

“
No,” Aedan refused resolutely. “We're staying in Ragna tonight. We can't risk traveling under such circumstances.”

As a reaction to his words, Solas let out another husky snigger.

“I hope you are just joking, Aedan. We cannot keep you here overnight. This is not a hostel,” he grunted.

“
Don't worry, Solas,” Aedan retorted bitterly. “I certainly wouldn't count on your hospitality. We'll stay in a tavern,” he decided, turning away from the unfriendly librarian. “Take your stuff, kids. We're leaving.”

The novices were scared of anything they could possibly meet outside, but staying around Solas was even worse. They did as they were told. Without any objections, everyone took their things and marched out into the hallway to follow the druid. Their exceptional obedience was highly unusual.

Solas shuffled behind them. When they all reached the entrance, he unlocked the door and let them out, saying, “You are a fool, you know that?”

Aedan shot him a brief look.

“And you're an even bigger one,” he said curtly as he stepped forwards to catch up with his novices. There was no time to lose — he had to quickly get them to a safe place.

Solas shook his pointy hat topped head and then disappeared into the dark hallway, locking the heavy door with the sound of several bars clacking.

XI. The Street Crime

The Mages Guild had refused to help them that day. To be more specific — Solas had refused to help them, but they were lucky enough not to run into the Ragnan monsters outside. The good thing was, at least according to Aedan, that the spooky shadows of the dark clouds above kept the novices in good behaviour for a while. He strode briskly across the small square in front of the Mages Guild and the children were barely able to keep up with him. Usually they shuffled in the back, not rushing anywhere, even if they got scolded ten times. But now they were following their tall teacher hastily, like a line of scared ducklings.

Aedan led them safely through the square to a nearby inn. It seemed, upon looking, that the whole square was devoted to mages and people who supported magick, although most of them were not allowed
to use it. For instance, this inn was called “The Mage's Sanctuary”. At least that's what was written on the wooden banner hanging over the door that creaked ghastly. It was the only sound they could hear in the entire square.

The druid bashed on the door with an iron knocker. Shortly, a small window slid open, a terrified eye emerging behind it. It surveyed Aedan as much as space allowed. It seemed that he wasn't considered a monster, because just as soon as the window closed, they could hear opening of several locks and bars. It was quite clear what the man behind the door was thinking — “One poor pilgrim, we can't make him stay outside in such a perilous time!”

The door creaked and in the next second it swung open as the herd of shrieking children bolted inside, slamming the door against the inn-keeper's nose. His groaning was lost in the shrill screams and jarring chairs. Before Aedan could even step into the tavern, the novices were already sitting at tables all over the room. They were now impatiently waiting for their meal, as though they had completely forgotten that just seconds ago they were in grave danger.

Aedan closed the door and gave the moaning man a compassionate look.

“I have this every day,” he said with a faint smile.

There was a woman standing behind the front desk. She was holding a cloth and a large mug that she had been polishing before the children bounded in, but now she was staring at them wordlessly. At this time, they were the most unexpected guests.

Aedan didn't let them wonder for long. He ordered lunch for all of his novices so the inn-keepers and cooks in the kitchen had to start working immediately. He caught them a little unprepared — from peaceful chatter and sitting around, the inn turned into a busy workplace.

When the novices adjusted to the environment a little, Magnus had finally noticed that this inn was completely different from the one he slept in when he first came to Ragna. The atmosphere of this place was very serene and it was obvious that not everyone could afford a meal here. The ceiling was coffered and the walls were painted with ornaments of blue and gold, covered with carved wood at their lower half.

There were a few musicians sitting in the back of the room, talking in low voices. Soon after the children settled down, they picked up their instruments and started playing a slow, soothing melody. The guests felt as though they had been transported to a completely different world by merely swishing a magick wand. It was a world of serenity, peace and safety. After all, the name of this tavern spoke for itself.

It was all very lovely, but even now, Aedan wasn
't fully satisfied. He didn't want the children to sit all over the place. He asked the inn-keepers if he could move a few tables into one row, so that his novices could sit together with him at one of them. None of the novices were pleased by this as they wanted to use the size of this place for splitting into groups, but they all forgot about it when the bartender started serving meals of an irresistible scent right under their noses. Finally something tasty and filling!

As they were eating, the only sounds in the whole inn were those of a flute, a harp, bells and silver-ware chinking against the plates
. As soon as the novices finished their meals and the bartender started taking away empty dishes, the peaceful moment was over.

“
What caused that earthquake? That was something unnatural, wasn't it?” Serena asked curiously, swinging her legs under the desk so much that she was kicking Lars' feet.

“
There was an attack at the police station,” Aedan said grimly, a serious expression on his face. “It seems that they have something the Ragnan monsters want. You were lucky it turned all their attention away from the Mages Guild. Since Solas had completely forgotten to lock the windows, you could have been roasted chicken by now,” he said simply and went on with his tea.

For a while, none of the novices spoke. They certainly didn't expect to hear something like this.

Then Maren's voice broke the silence, “Is there a chance it would settle down today? My mum lives near the police station and I'd like to make sure she's okay
–
”

“
No one will go outside today,” Aedan interrupted her, “We can't risk anything. We'll stay here till the evening and then you'll all go to sleep in the rooms upstairs. Is that clear?”

“
But what are we supposed to do here? It's a long time until tomorrow morning,” Magnus said.

For a while, Aedan remained in thought. Then he looked up finally, speaking out his verdict.

“That's correct, Magnus. You can take out your books and study.”

There was an outbreak of muttering at this.

“What?! Study again? All we do is study!” some shrieked. There was also a less audible, “Oh man, give us a break!” And they didn't forget to thank the one who brought this doom upon them, “Thanks Magnus, that was just awesome.” They were now shooting him hateful looks as if he was their worst enemy.

Suddenly, Aedan's face had brightened.

“Come on, I was just kidding! Go play everyone, have some fun. But no fights!” he said, a joyful grin breaking across his face.

At these words, a few scarves and gloves flew into the air, accompanied with a victorious cry. Everyone had left the table in less than five seconds. Everyone except Aedan and two of his novices.

“You don't want to play?” Aedan said curiously, gazing at Fjalldís who was sitting on the other side of the table.

For a moment, Fjalldís looked up from her book about horses.

“I... I think I'll just study some more,” she said bashfully, but that was just a half-truth. Aedan knew that she had no friends among the novices.

He decided not to interfere and pulled out a small book of druid poetry that he carried in his robes at all times. He then gently opened it and started reading with a peaceful smile.

Somewhere on his right, the Black Squad was still loitering.

“
Let's play cards,” Rodrick said resolutely. Everyone was ready to go, but Darius didn't move.

“
Darius, wake up! We are going to play cards,” repeated Viktor, snickering.

“
Not this time. Go play without me,” Darius said shortly.

“
What?” Viktor said, an unbelieving expression on his face. There were a few more attempts to convince their leader to leave the table, but they were all unsuccessful.

“
Come on, what are you going to do here?” said Henry.

“
I'm going to read,” replied Darius, pulling his books out of his backpack.

“
What? Are you crazy? Come play with us, don't be such a bore!” said Viktor in a booming voice.

“
Did you hear what I said?” snarled Darius impatiently, “I want to study.” Upon these words, he opened his book and placed it right in front of him in such a way that its cover was displayed to anyone who was sitting opposite him. It was a book tied in dark brown leather and on the front cover there was a bold title that read: “Ravens — their mysteries, legends and communication”
.
So, maybe
his book choice wasn't random at all.

As his disgruntled friends left to play cards, he noticed that Fjalldís was looking at the cover of his book, but as soon as their eyes met, she lowered her gaze. It seemed that after the morning yelling, she was afraid of him again.

“Hey,” Darius spoke to her quietly, as though she was so fragile that a louder voice could break her into pieces. When Fjalldís looked up, he closed his book and slid it slowly on the table towards her. “You like ravens, right? Do you want to exchange books?”

It took a moment for Fjalldís to realise what he had said, but she could not deny that she would love to read about ravens. She closed her book and wordlessly pushed it towards Darius, carefully reaching for his, as though she was afraid that it was some kind of a trap. But as it seemed, it wasn
't.

Darius reached for the book about horses and acting like a passionate reader, he covertly watched her expression as she carefully browsed the brownish pages. It appeared that this was the book she wanted to find in the library, but someone was faster. And that someone took it because he wanted to give it to her himself.

Aedan smiled warmly, without looking away from his poetry.

“
I am so glad there are at least two pious students here,” he said delightedly, almost shedding a tear.

The whole inn was filled with genuine joy. Given the danger outside, there was no one else in the tavern at this time. Some of the novices decided to use the divine music and the empty dance floor, like Serena who didn't want to sit around. She was a wild spirit
— she cast herself into the crowd on the dance floor, stealing partners from the girls. Magnus was chatting with Maren and his housemates — Elmar and Lars, but there was no mention of the black tome that was hidden in his backpack. For now, it would be wiser to keep it a secret.

They were having great fun, but Aedan didn't let them stay up too late. As soon as the evening hours came, he sent them to their bedrooms, saying that at least they would sleep longer. Of course, he didn't allow girls to mix with boys, so Maren and Magnus had to part. But not for long.

Everyone departed to their rooms, leaving the inn in complete silence. The Black Squad, just like many others, didn't feel like sleeping yet. The five of them were sitting on the floor and playing an exciting game that required a special card deck, when suddenly they were interrupted by gentle knocking on the door.

They froze as if they had been petrified. Could it be that Aedan heard them? It was long after the lights-out and they shuddered thinking what would happen if it really was their teacher behind that door. But what to do now? Should they open or just play dead?

Well, it was too late to act like obedient sleeping boys. Whoever was outside their room, they must have heard them talking. That was obviously the reason why they knocked on the door. Darius leaped to his feet to open the it a bit, letting the visitor see nothing but himself, but he couldn't hide the surprise reflected in his face when he saw who was standing there. It was Serena.

Darius gaped at her wordlessly, but she started asking him questions before he could even recover.

“What are you doing up so late? How come you're not sleeping yet?” she said bravely. Combing her fiery hair with her fingers, she fixed her green eyes on him.

“
Well, we... we're playing Magiker,” Darius said blankly, but when he caught himself answering questions that were none of her concern, he scowled. “And what's your excuse?”

“
Me? I came to play with you!” she said joyfully.

“
What?” Darius breathed incredulously, “Sorry, there's no room for girls here.” And it was the truth. Their gang had various rules and this was one of them — from the very beginning.

Serena innocently poked at the floor with the tip of her shoe.

“What a pity. That means I won't be able to share with you what I saw last night...”

“
What could you possibly know that we might be interested in?” Darius said in a reserved voice.

Serena looked up again, her expression clearing.

“It's about Magnus, the Lord of Ravens,” she said teasingly.

Darius took a deep breath as he heard Magnus' name and the “
title”
.

“
I don't care about Magnus,” he said curtly, and although it wasn't the truth, he tried his best to use these words to get rid of her.

Somewhere behind him, one of his friends said, “But I do.” Darius looked around his shoulder to see who said it. When he realised it was Viktor, Serena pushed him aside, slipped into the room and took a seat among his friends
— and precisely at his place.

While Darius was standing by the door for quite a while with his mouth hanging open, Rodrick smiled from ear to ear as he collected the cards from the floor.

“
All right, let's start a new game with six players,” he said calmly, shuffling the Magiker cards. The others didn't seem to have any objections. They contentedly waited for the game to start.

Darius quietly closed the door, but he wished he could have slammed it with all his strength.