signingbooks Episode Two Hundred and Forty-Four: So close, yet so far…
Episode Two Hundred and Forty-Four: So close, yet so far…
A person behind a desk glanced sharply up at us as we entered. She spoke a few words, then tried again, staring at us.Cerulean said, “Hello.”
She shook her head before messing with something I couldn’t see. “Can you understand me now?”
“Yes, I can,” I said, taking a step closer, eyes on the doorway. I needed to go through that door. “Is this the Library of Lady Twilight, from the Clan of Knowledge?”
This had to work.
Cerulean jerked at my hand, trying to get me to stop, but I kept going until I was right in front of her desk. The room didn’t contain anything else but her desk, and the archway behind her.
“This is a doorway to the place of learning of our high Lady, but the entrance is closed today,” she smiled sadly. “Can I get your name? I can let you know once our portal system is back up and running.”
“Lady Sable–” The words were barely out of my mouth as the dark archway shimmered with a black and purple light.
Seconds later, a small streak darted through the opening and slammed into my chest, chirping frantically.
“Hey, hey… It’s all okay,” I said as I wrapped my arms around my little charge. I didn’t really pay attention to anything else as she nudged my chin with her nose.
Indigo stared up at me with tears covering her face. “Scared! When stuff showed up. Couldn’t find you.”
“I’m fine. Things just went a little sideways. I promised,” I said, letting her snuggle closer.
A slight cough came from my brother, who now stood awkwardly surrounded by three dragons in their humanoid form.
I didn’t recognize any of them.
“Lady Sable, can you come with us?” said one of the young men, with a look all around. “The Lady and Lord have been searching for you, and will want to make sure you are okay.”
“Yes, that’s fine. That's my brother, he should probably join us,” I said with a smile.
Cerulean just glanced at me, and the dragon in my arms. “Some story, huh?”
They dragons escorted us through the archway and into the biggest library I had ever seen. I didn’t get to look around much, as they hurried us down the stacks and through several more doors.
“My stuff from my hideaway showed up in my nest here. It just poofed here,” rambled Indigo. “Grandpa and Lady Twilight went looking for the shop, but they said they couldn’t reach it like they normally did…”
“That makes sense. The Cat did something really dumb,” I added with a frown. If they couldn’t make it back to the shop, that meant the Cat was in trouble. A lot of trouble.
Unlawfully taken from NovelFire, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“We will leave you here,” said one of the escorts, but his voice cut off as Lady Twilight literally appeared next to him.
“Sable, thank the fates you’re okay!” she rushed in my direction, searching my face. Then, she noticed my brother. “Ah, the Wanderer…”
“Wait, you know?” I asked, before I could stop myself.
Lady Twilight’s eyes glowed for a second, then Lord Bennit appeared. The guards vanished from view, clearly aware they weren’t necessary anymore.
“Of course I know. We dug a little into your family when Indigo decided she didn’t want to break apart her family. He is sometimes a little thick, but loves his family deeply,” she said.
Cerulean’s cheeks blazed bright red as he scratched the back of his head. He said nothing.
“The secrets he holds are his own, as are yours,” she continued.
Indigo jumped out of my arms and circled around him. “If you're my aunt, is he an uncle then?”
“Sure, if you want that,” I said, as I inched closer to him. His face went a little pale.
“You didn’t mention adopting a dragon niece, or becoming a Lady,” he said with a wobbly look.
“Sable is amazing,” said Indigo, in her excited voice, as she circled him a little tighter.
“I am glad you are safe,” said Lord Bennit with a soft smile.
I moved closer to him and wrapped him in a hug. “Don’t worry, you're going to be stuck with me for a long time.”
He hugged me tightly. “I need to get back to a meeting with Clan Chromaflame.”
“Good luck,” I said with a smile.
He literally vanished.
I wanted that ability.
Indigo’s eyes went wide. “Oh, no, Azura…”
“Did you leave your friend hanging?” I asked, trying not to chuckle.
“She was sleeping, but I felt you get close to the portal, and had to go find you…” She glanced at Lady Twilight with a guilty look. Then she flew away from my brother. “I needed to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m pretty sure I told you the moment I found her I’d let you know,” said Lady Twilight, without a grin.
“I’m fine, now I just need to make sure the Cat’s okay, along with Betty. But, that’s a me-thing that probably won’t be fun for you.” I hoped as much. Now that I knew she was safe, and occupied, I didn’t want her to get involved in this. More importantly, I didn’t want her to know the Cat had fired me.
Lady Twilight made a soft noise, and Indigo circled closer to me.
“I’m going to head back to Azura,” said Indigo at the noise. She flew right by me, letting the tip of her wing brush my shoulder before heading out a small opening near the high ceiling.
“That was magic,” I said with a smile. I didn’t think she'd just go off.
“She knows she’s in trouble for going through a portal without telling anyone, the guards notwithstanding.” Lady Twilight's voice came out nice and smooth. “It sounds like you have something you need to finish.”
“I needed to know that Indigo was safe,” I held up my hand before she could say anything. “I knew she was safe, but I worried about her feeling abandoned. I promised her, and this was not exactly… planned.”
Lady Twilight nodded.
“I need to speak to Liluth, if that is possible,” I said to Lady Twilight.
She studied my face for a moment, then nodded again before leaving the room. Once she left, Ceralan turned to me.
“You’ve changed,” he said with a giant grin. “You are more you, now.”
“I mean, I hope so.” I swallowed hard, thinking of my magic, and all that’d changed. All that I’d become. Now, I just needed to get part of me back. An important part.
My job. I was the Shopkeeper.