Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. III (76 page)

The Gryphon nodded agreement, but added, “I can’t see how he could have gotten into the libraries, but then he did get into the Manor. There may be danger in the libraries. Perhaps you should stay here after all, Benjin.”

The scholar looked disappointed but understanding. “If you think I should.”

“If nothing’s wrong, then we’ll immediately return for you. Now, if you could please step back ten paces?” He waited for Traske to obey. Then, placing his finger directly on the symbol, the Gryphon began to rub it. As he did, Cabe moved next to him.

The golems, the chamber, and Benjin Traske began to fade away. Only the tapestry remained the same. It was as if a great fog were building up, a fog that somehow did not affect the duo or the artifact.

The Gryphon continued to rub. Quickly the chamber and all in it vanished, only to be immediately replaced by the dim image of a corridor and countless shelves. Within seconds, the image became distinct. The last vestiges of blurriness faded away before a full minute had elapsed since the transfer had begun.

Cabe and his companion stared down both directions of the corridor. All the great books were in place and everything was as neat as was possible. Yet, once before a drake, the fatalistic Ice Dragon, had somehow obtained entrance to this magical place. The warlock wondered if that intrusion had at last been repeated.

“That’s odd,” commented the Gryphon.

“Seems quiet to me.”

“Yes. Absolutely quiet.
Where
is the librarian?”

The hairless little gnome was nowhere to be seen. Always he, or perhaps another exactly like him, appeared to those arriving in the libraries. This time, however, it was as if the vast structure had just been abandoned.

“Maybe he was too far away for once.” Even Cabe doubted his suggestion. The gnome should have been awaiting them.

The Gryphon continued to scan both ends of the corridor. “I think that perhaps we’d—”

Cabe glanced at his companion. The lionbird was staring past him at something far down the passage. The warlock turned and saw that the gnome had at last made an appearance.

The crooked little figure stood no higher than Cabe’s waist. Somehow, despite his size, he had always impressed the mage as a creature not to be trifled with. The notion had always lingered despite the fact that the gnome had never made any hostile gesture toward any of them.

“I am afraid that the libraries must be closed to you for a time, former lord of Penacles.”

“Closed? That’s ridiculous! They’ve never been—”

The sudden silence filled Cabe Bedlam with fear for his companion. He tore his gaze from the gnome and looked at the Gryphon . . . but found
no one
beside him. Immediately, he turned his attention back to the ominous little figure. “What have you done with him?”

“He is back in the chamber, as you will be, too, Bedlam.” The creature sighed. “Your family will insist on disrupting my existence for all eternity. I have never seen such a consistent streak for falling into trouble as your tree bears.”

“What does that mean?” The gnome had known some of his ancestors? Cabe doubted somehow that the librarian was speaking of Azran or Nathan. He suddenly had the suspicion that this gnome was incredibly old.

“Your line will probably be the death of me yet . . . or rather
again.
By laws that I myself put into effect, fool that I was, I can tell you nothing more save that the face of your terror is before you often.”

It was a warning as twisted in riddle as any other answer given by the tomes of the libraries. Cabe wanted to demand a better answer, but before he was able to say anything—

—he was back in the Gryphon’s old chambers.

“Cabe!” The lionbird grabbed him by the arms as if to assure himself that the robed warlock was real. “What happened? Where were you?”

“Being told puzzles by the gnome. I do know one thing; not only has he existed for as long as the libraries, but he seems to have met a few of my ancestors over that time.”

“Did he explain what he meant by that nonsense about the libraries being closed?”

“I
think
he did.” Cabe repeated his short conversation with the crooked little figure. When he was finished, the Gryphon and Benjin Traske both looked as confused as he felt.

“It suggests something about Toma, I would think, but with so much else going on, there could be other meanings. How typical of the libraries.”

“Whatever the meaning, he indicated that there would be no more information or aid. I gathered that he
couldn’t.
”

“We shall see.” Returning to the tapestry, the Gryphon raised a clawed hand with the intention of rubbing the libraries’ symbol and returning to the hidden edifice. However, midway to the ancient artifact, the lionbird halted his hand.

“What’s wrong?”

“The symbol . . . it’s
disappeared
!”

The warlock could scarcely believe that. Trailed by Benjin Traske, he joined the Gryphon in his search. The dragon symbol had not only disappeared, but there was no new symbol to replace it. Even if Cabe had somehow missed it, he knew that the sharp eyes of his companion would not have. The Gryphon knew every detail of the tapestry and every nuance of its function.

“I didn’t think that was possible!” muttered the former monarch. “It
shouldn’t
be! He has to obey! The libraries serve the lord of Penacles or whomever he permits access to it. The libraries know that Toos has given me leave!”

Cabe considered that. “Perhaps that’s why we can’t enter now. Perhaps the libraries are somehow serving Toos or you by doing this.” He suddenly thought about the visions that had appeared in the Manor. Was it, too, trying to warn or protect those who lived within? “Is that a possibility?”

“A very peculiar possibility, but, yes, one that might be worth contemplating.” Still bristling, the Gryphon glanced at the third member of their party. “I apologize, Benjin. This was hardly expected. Perhaps next time that you are here we will be able to make the journey.”

“I am patient, my lord.” Although his face was bland, the scholar’s eyes again revealed his disappointment.

“Then let us return to the others and see how the game is progressing.” Despite his attempts to be cheerful, the Gryphon was clearly still upset about this development. Never had the libraries defied him so.

By the time they returned to the arena, the game was almost in its climax. Cabe and the others joined Toos, who stepped away for a moment to speak with them.

“It’s Grath’s turn. He’s trying to find a way out of his predicament, but I think it’ll be checkmate in a few moves. He was threatening to beat the young emperor-to-be, but then his luck turned. Made some bad moves. Misjudged his champions’ opponents. There’s no way the king can fight his way out if he’s cornered, which he will be soon enough.” He glanced back to make certain that Grath had not yet moved. “Lord Kyl will hardly need my help now.”

“How well do they play?” asked the Gryphon.

“Early in the game, I would have said that Grath could have given either of us trouble, but now I’d have to say that both of them are good players who still have to learn. Lord Kyl looks to be the better of the two.”

A warrior on the field moved. The general excused himself and returned to the game, but Kyl was already commanding his knight forward. Toos remained next to the dragon heir just long enough to discuss the move, then left the young drake to his own efforts.

“Not the move that I would’ve made, but it’ll bring the battle to an end soon enough. The Gryphon informed me earlier that he might bring you to the libraries. Is that where you were? Did you enjoy them, Scholar Traske? I don’t believe that you’ve ever been to them.”

The Gryphon answered for them. “We were
forbidden
entrance, Toos. The gnome said that the libraries were closed to us!”

It was evident that the regent did not believe what he was hearing. “That’s
preposterous!
”

“True, but it happened.”

“Tell me everything.”

They did. Toos listened in disbelief, shaking his head when they were finished.

“Madness!” he snarled. “I’m inclined to take this as a sign that we should cancel this entire affair, but that’s out of the question. Perhaps it’s so many drakes nearby. There’s not been this many dragons in the land since the siege led by Kyrg.”

The others had not considered that fact . . . or, at least, the warlock had not. He eyed the Gryphon who was nodding thoughtfully. “That, too, is a possibility, but I think that there’s no doubt that Toma is somehow involved. Cabe’s conversation with the librarian was a murky one at best, but I feel that that’s what it concerned.”

“Well, I think that I’ll try to see if they’ll let me enter, though I doubt it. In the meantime, you can rest assured that measures will be taken in this matter.”

“We know that we can trust you to do that. Toma may try to get near to our young emperor-to-be, so perhaps you might want your people to keep a special watch on him.”

“Oh, believe me; they are.”

An exclamation of triumph informed them that the game was at an end. As expected, Kyl had emerged the victor. Grath waved his congratulations from where he sat. Behind the younger brother, the Dragon King put a consoling hand on Grath’s shoulder.

“We should inform Lord Green,” Cabe suggested.

Toos studied the drake lord. “Yes, I’d thought of that. I’ll do so this evening, when we discuss the final details of this visit. You all know that there’s the required reception so the aristocrats and merchants and such can feel impressive. I’d also planned a ride out to where two of our best units are having their field exercises, but it might be best to postpone that. I’ll have to see what the lord of Dagora thinks about it.”

Kyl chose to join them then, which ended the conversation. The young drake was elated with his victory. “Did you all sssee? What a fassscinating game! I shall have to devissse sssomething akin to it once I asssume the throne! What a marvelousss passstime!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it so much,” returned Toos, pretending that nothing was amiss. “There will be opportunity to play again, of course, but I’m sorry to say that for now matters of state must take my time. If you will excuse me, I think the Lord Gryphon will be happy to show you the armory. Penacles might be called the City of Knowledge, but we have amassed quite an interesting array of armaments, too.”

Kyl’s eyes were bright with eagerness. He had not yet calmed down after his victory. “Yesss! I would be delighted!”

“Excellent! There are also some last arrangements to be made for the events of the next few days, arrangements that will be passed on for your approval later this evening. I hope you’ll find your time here well spent.”

The regent bid them all farewell, including Grath and the Dragon King, who had just rejoined the party. Grath, too, looked exhausted from the game, but he seemed slightly less enthusiastic. Considering the outcome, Cabe did not think the younger drake’s attitude at all surprising.

“An excellent game, Your Majesty,” the Dragon King commented.

“Yesss, it wasss! Lord Green, when I am emperor, I would like your help in creating a version of thisss tournament for our own kind.”

“I will be happy to be of ssservice, although I fear our warriors might be a little more inclined to blood than these humans were.”

That did not seem to bother the heir at all. In fact, the warlock thought that he looked much too hopeful.

“If Your Majesty is ready to depart,” the Gryphon interrupted, “the royal armory requires a short ride.”

“Armory?” questioned the Dragon King.

“It isss sssupposssed to be fassscinating, Lord Green!”

The drake lord acknowledged Kyl’s words. “You will certainly enjoy it, my liege, but I must request you permit me to stay behind. I mussst really see how things are progressing with the rest of our caravan. We want no incidents such as happened with the artisan Osseuss. I would like to make certain that everyone knows what they are and are not permitted to do.”

Kyl was not about to miss the armory. He waved away the Dragon King. “Of course, you have my permission. You will report to me later?”

The Green Dragon’s tone was neutral. “Of course, my emperor.”

Once again, it amazed Cabe to see how willingly the Dragon King bent before the young heir. Green truly had to want this peace to work, for there could be no other reason for his willingness to suffer Kyl’s bouts of lordliness. The warlock sincerely doubted that he could be so understanding.

The matter dismissed from his thoughts, the eager young heir turned back to the Gryphon. “We may depart whenever you wish, Lord Gryphon.”

“Thank you.” Kyl did not notice the slight touch of humor in the lionbird’s tone, but it was all Cabe could do to keep from smiling. “Lord Green, if you’ll join us for a short time, I will find you a proper escort to lead you to your chambers.”

“That would be sssuitable, thank you.” Even under present circumstances, any drake who walked alone in Penacles risked danger. Not as great a danger as in Talak, but enough that such a risk was not to be taken.

They had only just begun walking when Cabe felt someone touch him on the shoulder. He turned to find Grath behind him, which startled the sorcerer a bit, since the younger drake always seemed either at the side of his brother or next to the Dragon King.

“What is it, Grath?”

“Master Bedlam, is Darkhorse coming? I think Kyl was expecting him to be here. He will not disappoint us, will he?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him since we returned from Talak.” Realizing that, the mage’s earlier worries came back multiplied. It
had
been quite some time since he or anyone had seen the eternal. Had something happened?

The young drake’s thoughts apparently mirrored his own. “Do you think he’s all right?”

“He should be. Darkhorse has a tendency to turn up at the most unexpected times. He’ll likely materialize in the midst of the reception, just like he did in Talak.”

That brought a brief smile to Grath’s handsome face, but then the smile slipped as he said, “I hope nothing’s wrong.”