My very first try of a LS fic. It's short, mostly because it feels very new and unfamiliar yet. I hope that I can write a short sequel of this later. If I find the inspiration.
The eerie blue light of the moving globe always caught Asthar's eye when he entered Castle Lazulis' library. When the globe was not activated, the light was hidden in its base, but every now and then the turning rings would happen to let a blink of light peek over the edge. Asthar frowned at it thoughtfully every time. Something about this light made his stomach clench. There was something strange about it; it was warm and cold at the same time. It was not right. Not... natural. Crinkling his nose, Asthar shook his head to dispel his frown.
He rounded the curious apparatus and threw a passing glance over the occupants of the two tables on his left. One of the white-haired young mages was sitting there, bent low over a book as thick as his arm. Opposite of the boy was sitting a black-haired woman wearing fine glasses. Asthar hesitated for a second.
Isn't that one of the mercenaries? What was her name again? Turning his eyes away and upwards, he pondered about that until he reached the ladder. He swiftly climbed up and threw another glance back. The Lady Mercenary was sitting very straight, her hands carefully folded with the tips of her fingers lying on the edge of her book. Asthar shook his head. What curious thoughts he had today.
He passed the twin mages and smiled amused at the snippet of banter he managed to hear. His gaze skimmed over the spines of the books. He slowed as he detected the first history book. Tilting his head, he carefully read every title now. Slowly, Asthar checked the whole shelf. He was frowning when he stepped back. There were several gaps so the book he was looking for was being read.
Asthar looked around the room. Only three persons were reading or holding books. There were more gaps, but maybe someone knew who had taken the book. Smiling again, he walked over to the first reading mage. After a short, stuttering exchange of words, Asthar found out that the boy didn't have the book and didn't know about it. The same – apart from less stuttering – happened with the young mage girl sitting partially hidden between two shelves.
Asthar climbed down the ladder and walked over to the table with the boy and the Lady Mercenary. The boy had already left, Asthar noted, and his book was gone. Asthar shrugged inwardly and stepped next to the black-haired woman.
"My apologies for disturbing you." The woman looked up; she seemed surprised and confused.
"General Asthar," she said in a very quiet voice. Asthar nodded and widened his smile.
"I am looking for a book, but cannot find it. May I inquire what you are reading?" The woman blinked slowly, then nodded.
"Of course." She placed her left hand on the pages and shut the book so that Asthar could read the title. "It's about the origin of the Arganan family." Asthar nodded as he read the title.
"Thank you, Lady Mercenary. Would you be so kind and let a servant bring that book to me when you are done?" She threw him a curious look – a mixture of confusion, suspicion and something else that was gone too quickly to interpret it. She nodded.
Asthar grinned, inclined his head in a short bow and left the library, wondering why the Lady Mercenary would read such an obscure and old book instead one of the more recent.