A Walk Amongst Shadows (Book 2)

I left the apothecary in high spirits. The idea of studying healing from a magical perspective was exciting and full of potential. Perhaps I had a future here after all. Aris and I chatted merrily as we continued walking through the city. Rounding a corner, we came across another large stone building that much resembled the apothecary, bearing the same marble pillars and crested door plates.

“This,” Aris explained, extending his arm towards the building, “is the royal library.” My heart skipped a beat as I gazed up at the larger-than-life structure before me. I wasted no time walking up the stairs to the building and pushing open the large double doors. I gasped as I laid my eyes on the sea of books before me. Aris just grinned at me.

“I knew you’d like it.”

“It’s incredible,” I mused as I took my first steps onto the smooth marble floor. I saw rows and rows of books stacked higher than any person could reach. The familiar musky scent of aged texts filled me with nostalgia for my meager book collection back in the village. I dared not close my eyes, for fear of being transported home once again. There were ladders on wheels poised at the front of each row that reached to the top shelves. I saw signs indicating where different kinds of books were located. Aris gave me a brief explanation of how everything worked. Unlike Wren’s Glen, there were no off-limits sections. Anyone could come in and access whatever books they pleased. Scattered throughout the building were areas dedicated for study. I saw individuals with books sprawled out in front of them scribbling notes as they read. I instantly wanted to join them. I quickly set about finding my bearings. I located a section dedicated to the healing arts and skimmed through the collection. I would definitely be returning to this place. Moving down the aisles, I noticed there was an entire section devoted to gods and goddesses. I read the spines of each volume. Aris was right, there were more gods than I would have ever realized. I noticed a few books on the god of the underworld and paused. Aris took notice.

“Ah, you found father.”

I nodded. “It looks like there’s a whole bunch of books on him,” I observed, scanning the row of books as I walked.

“Yeah, each of those authors think their book contains the absolute truth about him.”

“Are any of them right?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Eh, there are bits and pieces of truth in all of them. But no mortal has ever been able to truly know any god or goddess.”

“Not for lack of trying, it would seem,” I remarked as I continued moving across the shelf. I noticed a small subsection of books about demons and entities of the underworld. I wondered briefly if Aris was in any of these. Not wanting to make things awkward, I pretended not to notice them. Aris, however, was quicker.

“Suppose I’m in any of those?” he asked, gesturing to the books in front of me.

“I was just wondering that very same thing.” I confessed. Aris was far too good at reading me. I doubt I could lie to him if I wanted to. A small part of me still wondered whether shadow walkers could read minds or not.

“I suppose it wouldn’t surprise me one way or another.”

“You mean you haven’t even checked?” I’d have to look if I thought for a moment I was the subject of a book.

Aris just rolled his eyes and shook his head messing up his hair slightly.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because I already know what they’re going to say. All shadow walkers are evil and not to be trusted. Although, there is a book somewhere in here that details how to summon different shadow walkers and spends no time debating on our alleged morality.” He sounded annoyed as he spoke, so I decided to continue moving on throughout the library.

“Why is there such a big section dedicated to books of fantasy?” I asked. We had several books in the library in Wren’s Glen dedicated to children’s stories and a few that held all of the village legends. But an entire wing just for such books seemed excessive.

“Because people find them entertaining,” Aris explained. “Believe it or not, there are a lot of people in the city who like to read for leisure and not just study.”

I rolled my eyes. I could’ve assumed as much was true. Walking through this section I noticed the books were arranged by theme. Myths and legends, fairy tales, poetry, even scary stories had their own section.

“So? What do you think?” Aris asked as we made our way back to the entrance.

“I think I want to live here,” I responded.

Aris laughed. “I thought you might.” He scanned the row of books in front of him. “Ah yes,” he smiled pulling a small blue book from the shelf, “This was one of my favorites as a child.” He handed the book to me. I saw a fox, a few deer, and a rabbit staring happily up at me. Above them emblazoned in gold letters read:

Mr. Fox’s Great Adventure

I smiled and thumbed through the elaborately illustrated pages. “These pages are beautiful.”

“Precisely why I liked it. I never cared much for reading as a child, but I always loved the pictures.”

I laughed. “Do you still prefer books this way?” I teased.

“I’d like to think my tastes have matured a little since then,” he feigned a bragging tone. We spent an hour or so perusing the many sections and subsections of the library. I could’ve stayed there all night. Aris told me that there was a system in place that allowed one to borrow texts if you knew who to ask. I decided to make a mental note of it and revisit the idea another day.

Aris and I spent the rest of the day wandering through the city. I walked in and out of a few shops and even stopped for some food before going home. At no point in the day were we free from the dissenting stares of onlookers, but I hardly cared. The royal city was full of excitement and opportunity. It was everything I had hoped it would be and then some. I wasn’t about to let a few strangers ruin that for me.