Jacob Stone sat uncomfortably across from Katherine Bullum and Rory Roget. He knew that Librarians were not able to solve all the worlds problems. They were keepers of the knowledge and sometimes they battled curses and demons, but all the magic in the world could do nothing to stop a global economy from decimating small countries like Lilliput, nor could it stop the likes of greed and avarice.
"Where we goin' anyway?" Jake asked
"Were on our way to Lord Basil Samaritus' Manor House, its on the other side Blefuscu." Roget answered simply. "He'll be very pleased you're with us Dr Stone." Roget said smiling thinly. "I should think he'll want to get to the bottom of this nasty business as much as you and your companions."
"Well I hope so too." Jacob said returning an equally insincere smile. "Tell me, what can I expect from Lord Samaritus?" He looked out the window as they passed bordered up buildings, closed schools and slums from the inner city of Mildendo. Jacob watched with sad eyes as homeless pushed carts falloff their worldly possessions and children who picked through garbage piles in the filthy streets.
Katherine looked up at this. "The Lord wants whats best for his people, the same as everyone, and he's…" She glanced at Roget. "Fond of knowledge keepers." She watched Jacob for a moment. "Liluput used to be a thriving and prosperous country, but war has torn us apart. Lord Samaritus believes that we can rebuild if we unite our people into one nation. He was supposed to be at the Summit to purpose just that, but The King refused his offer beforehand and bared him from attending the Summit."
"Yeah…I heard your late King didn't do much to help matters." Jacob countered with meaning.
Katherine sighed. "I wish I could tell you thats not true, but we have lived under his rule for a long time. He promised us security against the Irish, he promised to bring jobs back, he promised to keep us well fed, and he never delivered. We gave up our freedoms piece by piece and in the end, all we got was violence, ignorance, poverty and misery." Katherine spoke with dignity and with quiet power that came form a lifetime of public service.
"My people have lived under the yolk of a tyrant for a very long time Dr Stone. Its difficult to pursued them that a better option is possible. Many live in horrible situations. Some know nothing else. As Library Keeper, Ive done my best to educate the pubic, but the King always stood in my way. Perhaps now we can find a easier path to helping everyone."
Jacob leaned closer to her. His bright blue eyes sparkled when he thought about her as a leader, there was something about her. She was strong, yet delicate like a flower. Jacob could tell she had a long past that she hadn't disclosed.
"So tell me, what is Lord Samaritus' plan for achieving these goals?"
"Well for one thing he will try to give back to the people. The Library of Liliput is the greatest collection of knowledge of ancient text, lore and legend, second only to your own Professor Stone. I should very much think Samaritus will bring it back to its former glory."
"Well, why cant you do that as Library Keeper?"
"Hopefully my position will not be effected by these accords."
"Whatdymean?"
"Well, if I am indeed entitled to the throne, Im afraid there are very few of whom I can trust to care for the Library, and even fewer still who understand how to properly allow it to thrive."
Stone shook his head. Yet another problem to deal with and nothing to be negotiated.
Roget nodded in the affirmative. "Hopefully the Peace accords will hold." He adjusted his tie. "I do hope your Mr Jenkins can give some semblance of sanity to this. Im afraid there are many who will lay claim, and many more will use this as an opportunity to grab power."
Jacob regarded him. "So who do you think should rule?"
Rory's eyebrows popped up at such a question. He looked at Katherine and smiled. "My allegiance is to my King, … or Queen whomever that may be…"
Jacob snorted. A true politician.
Katherine leaned forward looking out the window as they pulled up to the Grand Manor House of Samaritus. Marble fountains sprinkled cool clean water, and manicured flows and lawns opened up to a an enormous sprawling palatial mansion. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, and large tall towers peeked out from tendril vines which grew along side the outside. Jacob recognized that if he were at his normal size, he would think it was a rather expensive and handsome dolls house.
Many other limos and toy replica luxury vehicles were outside, with flags Jacob recognized as Irish, Fae, Shireling and British.
As they entered the cavernous hall, they could hear shouting from across the hall to their left where negations were being held. Several guards, and handlers were outside looking exhausted and in no mood to return inside.
"Hopefully well be able to find Jenkins and Cassandra and sort this out." Stone muttered not wanting to sit one minute at the negotiating table. The last thing he wanted was to get swept up in the political quagmire of claiming rights.
"My lady, perhaps you would like to retire, you've had quite an ordeal, and I would hate for you to undergo any more stress in these beastly negotiations" He kissed her hand gently.
Katherine smiled in appreciation. "Thank You Rory, you are a true servant of the crown."
Rory motioned for an usher. "Herian, please escort Lady Bullum to more private quarters, perhaps the west drawing room." He turned to her and bowed his head. "He will attend to your every need." Herian was a very large man, with bulging shoulders and heavily armed. He placed his fist over his heart and lowered to one knee. "None shall harm you under my protection my lady."
Jacob watched Lady Bullum and the Herian make their way up the winding marble stair case to the second floor, and he was reminded of the Metropolitan Library's grand staircase. A part of him wanted to go after her and stand to protect her as well. He turned to Rory. "Id like a word with your Master." He said meaningfully.
"Of course, Dr Stone, he shall be very glad to speak to you as well. This way please."
Rory brought Stone into a large french doored mahogany inlaid grand office, lined ceiling to floor with thick volumes of law books of every type one could imagine.
Sitting in a high backed leather chair, in front of a polished partners ball and claw desk, sat Lord Basil Samaritus of Blefuscu. His soft silver hair was receding into a thin strapped beard that ran along his jaw line, failing to hide a double chin. He looked up at them from the top of his spectacles, and put his fountain pen down.
"Ahh…Rory." He stood up and strode over to Jacob and Rory jovially. "I trust you've gotten business sorted then?" His frame was ample, yet strong.
"I have 'mlord." Rory bowed humbly turning to Jacob. "May I present Professor Jacob Stone, of the New York Metropolitan Library."
Basil shook Jacob's hand firmly and with purpose. "Very very pleased to meet a man of the libris." He said. "I do apologize again for Dr Carsen's upsetting news." He said in humbled tones. "Terrible business that." He shook his head.
Jacob supposed it was the Lord who gave orders to Roget in the first place, so he didn't ask how he knew about Flynn or why he wasn't present.
"Well shall we?" He said clapping Rory around the shoulder, and motioning for them to sit in the comfortable leather seats. " As you've no doubt overheard, theres much to untangle in this silly mess." He thumbed over his shoulder at the muffled yelling across the hall.
"Ive allowed negotiation in the Manor house away from the formality of the Summit. Perhaps we can actually get something done today eh?"
"Prof. Stone, I wonder if I could speak to you about any thoughts you may have on the subject of a one free Lilliput. Perhaps people would listen more if it came from you."
Jacob was surprised and somewhat flattered. He'd never been given the opportunity to give his option without having to hide behind someone else name before.
"I..uh…Id be honored." He said a slight smile curling his lips.
"Now, if I were Prof. Stone, Id want to keep you where I could see you, given that you've just gotten his Librarian to try to lure a known fugitive to justice against his better judgement."
Jacob was taken aback at Lord Basil's astuteness.
Rory's winced as his hand fell off the door knob, and he reluctantly turned to sit with them.
Lord Basil grinned. "This all must seem very cloak and dagger to you Prof. Stone, but I assure you all I really want for my people is for them to be united and still all the silly fighting. We've been at war with the Leprechauns for centuries and for what? So our resources can be deleted fighting a war that cannot be won? For our people to live in poverty?" He locked his hands together. "Brian wants the Library for himself, but if that is what it will take to unite our people he can have it as far as Im concerned."
Rory's face shifted. This didn't go unnoticed by Basil.
"Please excuse my Regent, he, like most of my countrymen have a preconceived notion that the Irish are somehow beneath us or that we somehow have more to loose than they in these matters."
"And you don't have a claim to the throne?" He said with an eye
"Me? No nothing of the sort…Im a just a simple legislative official Im afraid." He said chuckling.
"There are not many as enlightened in their beliefs that the Irish could do a damn better job of running our country than we can." He turned his eyes to Roget. "Lady Bullum?"
"Upstairs resting M'Lord" Rory answered. "Ive Herian with her."
Basil nodded. "Good."
"How much of a claim does she have?" Jacob asked
Stone remembered what Jenkins had told him of Lilliputian deliberation, and knew enough to tread carefully as he worded things.
The Lord sighed. "Well, that the rub. Depends on who makes that decision."
"And a Librarian has to make that decision?"
"Only if Mr Carsen returns with Lord Kelly." Rory muttered
"But if She becomes your ruler…" Stone flicked his chin towards the upstairs
"She could be the rightful ruler, or she may have no more claim than I." He said sadly. "When those accords were written, Lilliput was country that prided themselves on our magnificent Library, and it was a source of national pride. Then Geldoff came along and ruined any chance of that. When he came to power, he dismissed it as a cavern of trinkets, even going far as sell off parts, for his personal gain." Basil shook his head in shame. "Geldoff was a cruel and vengeful man, and he rose to power using the fear and hate that we had pent up over the years promising all manner of ridicules things only to strip us clean. He closed schools, decimated our natural resources, making himself unbelievable wealthy in the process. It was he would decided that the rightful heir to the throne should be the last living relative, maintaining power was his only concern."
Jacob considered the Lord. While he didn't exactly quite trust either of them, it was clear that the main concern was to the people, and that was at least something.
"I understand its an unpopular opinion, given our history, but dash it all — something has to give. We cant keep going on like we have just killing each other over something as idiotic as our skin and background."
"So you don't believe it was Kelly who murdered the king." Jacob cocked his head.
Basil looked affronted. "Many of my countrymen believe it was a plot to overthrow the king by the Irish. Im hopeful that Dr. Carsen can sort it out." He sighed heavily. "I thought it would go a long way toward preserving peace, if Kelly were apprehended by a Librarian."
Jacob frowned. "So whether or not he's guilty or innocent means nothing?"
"My dear Librarian, you've no idea the kind of blind hate that Lilliputians and Leprechauns have for each other, you cant imagine the kind of backlash if it turns out it was a Lilliputian."
Jacob stood up. "You're right I am a Librarian. A protector of Knowledge. Of Truth." He growled. "You'd let a innocent man go to the hangman noose just because he's a Leprechaun?!
"To keep my countrymen form spilling more blood? Yes!" He pounded his fist on the wrist desk.
Jacob glared. "So much for enlightenment." Stone said narrowing his eyes. "This is nothing but politics." He spat. "I thought you upheld the keepers of knowledge in high regard."
"What would you have me do?" The Lord countered angrily. "My country is hanging by a thread, and were this close to full on war." He pinched his fingers together. "If anyone can fix this, its Carsen." He stepped towards Stone aggressively. Jacob's fists clenched and there was a very long moment where he considered punching the Lord in the face, but he knew that wouldn't help anyone. He had to think like a Librarian not a bar brawler.
Lord Basil matched his stance. "Professor Stone, with all due respect, you are a guest here, and Ive given you nothing except my sincere hospitably. I would beg you not to act rashly." He looked at Rory, who reached for something inside his jacket. "And if you've noticed, I given nothing but my utmost trust and respect to the Librarian. We are allies Stone. I would hate for that to desist." He said very clearly. "Its eggs or omelets sir."
"Forgive me." Stone cleared his throat relenting. "Emotions are eh…" He looked about the room. "Running a bit high." He finished. He inwardly despised all the double dealing political manipulation, but knew there was little he could do about it.
Lord Basil sighed and waved his hand dismissively at Rory, who stood down. "Not at all." He said giving himself a long moment as well. "Nothing wrong with passionate beliefs."
"Speaking of,…I believe your Custodian and one of your colleagues are in the negations across the hall." Rory motioned with his hand. "Hopefully cooler heads will prevail."
Basil straitened his tie and gave Rory a look. "Perhaps Professor, you would care to view our Library. I would very much like to hear your inspection critique."
At this, Stone's eyebrows popped up in interest. "Yes. Absolutely." He said at once. "However, I think your Library Keeper should be present as well."
"Of course." Basil answered, turning to Rory, silently. In one moment, the regent had gone to fetch Lady Bellum.
In the few moments of their intimate silence, Basil turned to Stone and looked him straight un the eye solemnly. "If I could change the world Prof. Stone, I would. But Im afraid all the power in the universe wont change the stubbornness of some, the cruelty of others and the sad truth that men like ourselves are stuck in the middle of such things. We do the best we can with what we are given, and sometimes that means making undesirable choices, for the greater good." He said pouring Stone a drink of extremely expensive amber liquid.
Stone's shouldered untensed. "To fighting the good fight." He smiled sincerely. Basil nodded in agreement. Both men drank and savored the scotch with looks of utter peace on their faces, gave each other a look of trust, extended their hands and shook.