--Legend of the Twin Swords--
By: Kratos the Judgment
Chapter 11: In Search of Truth
As it turned out, much had happened in Ostia since I left. Serra and Farina were quick to fill me
in however. That is, after the short, pink-haired cleric finished her incessant squealing about how
long it had been and how glad she was to see me again. I would be glad if I never heard
anything that high pitched ever again in my life.
After talking for a while, the women took me to see Oswin who, thankfully, greeted me in a way
much easier on my eardrums. My spine, however, was another story, thanks to the powerful slap
on the back he gave me. He then went to see Hector about something. We then stopped briefly
at the Pegasus Knight barracks so Farina could hand out orders.
Following that brief intermission, my guide felt the need to introduce me to the strategists and
tacticians behind the Ostian army, which bored Serra into returning to her chambers. To most of
them, I was some sort of legend, even though they were, on average, twice my age. Each had to
shake my hand and ask a myriad of questions about my opinions on a ridiculous number of
battles. To many of these, I found my self responding, "My friends, much of battle is based on the
actual experience. I wasn't there, so I can't honestly tell you what I would have done."
Eventually, Farina saw how exhausted I was getting and told my fans that she needed me for
urgent business. Upon hearing this, the questions immediately changed to offers to eat meals
together sometime, but I was too tired to make any replies.
In the hall, I asked, "You must have a library or two around here somewhere, could you please
show methere? I wish to do some research."
"You are fatigued. It would not do you any good to stay up much longer." Farina looked at me
with worry evident on her face. "Besides, I was hoping you would join my husband and me for
dinner."
There was truth in her words. Reluctantly, I accepted. I would have to search for the library after
I ate.
Over a sumptuous feast, I recounted the events of my many travels to two pairs of fascinated
ears. They seemed especially enthralled when I spoke of my actions during the Etruria/Bern war,
which I found out, had been started on account of me. They loved how I told them of a few times
when I popped in during a battle and gave a few pieces of advice to one of the generals, typically
on the Etrurian side, and then left, giving them just enough time to figure out who I was. All in all,
I had sharpened both my skills with an army as well as with the sword, which was another point of
interest for the two. Hector insisted that I spar with him so he could see just how much I had
learned in so short a time.
At last, the meal was over and I was shown to my room. The children, as I found out, had been
put up in the room next to mine. Inside, I found a spacious chamber with the largest bed I had
ever seen. All my belongings had been placed in or on the trunk at the foot of the bed, and many
fresh clothes were hanging in the dressers and armoires that lined one wall. Beyond, I also found
a luxurious washroom with what appeared to be running water. I had rarely seen such a feat of
engineering in my life. My friends must have pulled out all the stops on this room. It made me
feel honored, and a little bit embarrassed at what I was about to do. I went through my things,
and put on my cloak before turning to the door.
"Going somewhere?"
Matthew, as usual, had appeared in the room out of nowhere.
"Matthew, you scared me." I calmed down a bit and answered his question. "I'm not leaving the
city if that's what you mean. I just want to find…"
"… the library." It was more of a statement than a question.
I sighed, exasperated. "Yes, and stop spying on me."
"If I hadn't been spying, I wouldn't be here to help you, provided I like your reason of course."
"Fine, Matthew. I wish to know more about the history of this Shadow Sword"
"Thought as much. You can really be single minded sometimes, you know."
"Will you show me the way?"
"That would be going against the wishes of her highness, would it not?"
"Indeed, but you never officially heard those wishes, am I correct?"
"You're quicker than I gave you credit for. Just for that, I'll take you there. Come, follow me."
Stealthily, the two of us moved through the shadows.
As we walked, I asked Matthew a question. "If you know where so many of our old companions
are, why don't you just send out someone to get Lyn and bring her here?"
I received no answer until we were at the library doors. "This sounds kind of silly, but I haven't
been tracking her ever since she returned to Sacae. It's out of respect really. Some people it's
just best to leave alone. For that matter, I didn't track you either, unless you were in Lycia."
I had no clue what to say. Fortunately, Matthew didn't dwell on the subject.
"Now remember," he said, "I have nothing to do with this little escapade of yours. If you can't
remember the way back, follow that path," his finger indicating the one of which he spoke, "and
take all the left turns. It's the long way around, but you will reach your room."
"You're incredible, Matthew. Thank you," I said, but he had already disappeared. Slowly I
opened the doors, but they didn'tso much as creak. The inside of the Ostian Library of History
was beyond massive. Tomes of information on the development of the continent of Elibe rested
in bookcases which filled nearly every square inch of the three story building. "Perhaps this is a
mistake," the rational side of me thought. Remorselessly, however, its trepidation was squashed
by the part of me that demanded answers.
Thankfully this building was well organized, so finding the appropriate section was a simple task.
Determining which of the hundreds of history books in said section held my answers was not.
Hours later, and nowhere closer to finding anything of use to me, I returned to my room and went
to sleep.
Reviewers will be welcomed – Flamers will be spammed.
Kratos