1Creator's note---.
If you haven't already guessed, I love writing. I love writing for two reasons: I love psychological profiling, and I adore language. These things become very palpable to me in this next chapter.
In chapter two, the story revealed it's tone and pace to me. It also set up it's parameters for any narrative shifts and eccentricities. The story has become it's own living thing and it is allowing me to write it. And at this point, the story wants to be a mystery. Zelgadis needs it to be a mystery, or else he'd lose interest. This is closely tied to his personal quest, but also the reason he could leave it to take up with Lina and the others in the original series. His thirst for knowledge is powered by the same psychological mechanisms that drove his thirst for power. That's the profile, anyhow.
This chapter is about Place. Zelgadis needs to get a sense of his surroundings before he can solve this thing. You readers at home can do this by Googling Bourges Cathedral in France for the Library, and Hagia Sophia in Constantinople for the Palace.
This is also when I introduce the parallel meta-narrative interventions.
Also, the name Eu'Faalda is a play on the name of the wise and faithful horse from the "Goose Girl" fairy tale. The three quotes in this installment are attributed to Ralph Ellison, Machiavelli (both of these have been slightly altered) and G.K. Chesterson, respectively.
"Once upon a time, there was a princess. She had a father, a mother, and a sister who she loved very much, and they were very happy in their beautiful kingdom. But all was not happy in the kingdom. One day, the mother was killed by dissidents, and the sister ran away. Her father, the prince, could not stop these things from happening, but he did keep the princess from going after her sister. When the princess asked him why they did not follow her, her father said it was because they needed to stay in the kingdom and bring justice to the people who caused the loss of her mother and sister. The princess agreed to stay, because she loved her father and wanted to help him bring justice to the kingdom, too. These things were very true, but I think the princess had begun to wish she were a prince so she could fight for justice just like her father. Her father had told her she could fight for justice as a princess, not as a prince, and she agreed because princes needed swords and she was afraid of them because that was how her mother died. Then her father told her, that because they loved each other they wouldn't keep any secrets between them, and because she loved her father, the princess agreed to keep this promise as well.. ."
Zelgadis rose early the next day, as he had been accustomed to doing for the past twenty-three years. He hadn't been comfortable with the idea of sleeping in the palace, and this paired with anticipation of seeing the Library the next day made for a prolonged sleepless night before. It wasn't that he expected much from this collection of tomes; in fact he expected the opposite. It was just that it had all been so cloak and dagger from the start. Besides, the sooner he could assess whether or not the Library was worth his time, the sooner he could leave the palace and get a decent night's sleep.
He took stock of his surrounds in the early morning light. He had been quartered in a sizable suite of good upkeep and furnishings; an open balcony facing east (within a peripheral view of the grand terrace, actually), and the bedchamber even joined a separate room for his own private study. He knew this wasn't the best room---it was not that large, nor was it close to the northern wing, where the greater halls were located. He did not waste any time to feel slighted. Even if there had been one of the other rooms vacant (and Zelgadis was beginning to doubt that Amelia would have evicted one of the visiting dignitaries to make room for him), it wouldn't have suited his solitary habits or the nature of his business here. All things considered, this was probably the best room he could have been given.
It was very early in the morning. Indeed, the first light of day had only recently begun to intensify. Zelgadis looked out his windows---they were very large and from his vantage point he could see that it would be much to early for any business that would be going on around the main halls of the palace, much less in his out of the way nook. This reasoning was directly responsible for the hysterical palace employee now running down the corridors who had narrowly escaped being killed by Zelgadis when the unfortunate lackey made the mistake of entering his room unannounced.
Zelgadis cursed his combination of his gross misjudgment of the palace's work-schedule and his own paranoia. He hastily dressed and chased after the disturbed page. If anyone had not been awake at this hour, they soon would be and his business would suddenly become theirs.
Still cursing, he eventually caught up with the screaming boy (he was quite young and he probably had not been on the palace staff for very long---perhaps not for much longer after this morning). The boy had finally stopped, hyperventilating in front of a group of previously engaged chancellors, one of them Zelgadis recognized from the evening before.
Fortunately for him, the chamberlain also recognized Zelgadis, and being quite a different creature from this agitated page, he had deduced what had happened and had already foreseen the potentially bad situation that might now commence. These thoughts took only moments for the chamberlain to process, and in no time he had dismissed the page with a reproachful glance, apologized most humbly to his colleagues, and escorted Zelgadis away before any of them had the chance to speculate charges against this suspicious stranger that had so violently appeared in their midst.
"This way, sir," said the chamberlain, walking briskly while Zelgadis followed suit, relieved, but still a little miffed by the speed at which the situation had been put under control.
"Hansa should have been the one to attend to you this morning," he continued in agitation, which Zelgadis realized hadn't been directed towards him, nor at Hansa, who he assumed was the servant accompanying the chamberlain the previous evening. He almost felt sorry for the other page, who would probably be dealt with by the chamberlain himself later that day. Almost.
The chamberlain sighed and it was possible that he too was thinking about the fate of the inept page. "Unfortunately, Hansa had other duties to attend to. You must forgive me," he said turning to Zelgadis, "but you did choose a most inconvenient time to come by the palace."
"I had not realized," he said, lying a little, but added sincerely, "If I had known how busy everyone would be, I would've waited until another time."
"You're not a fool like that idiot page, so don't act like one. You are a guest of the royal family and as their employees it is our job to serve you, regardless. It's our business to be busy---ah, here we are."
They had stopped in front of a large door that would have been otherwise inconspicuous except for the large sword hung over the doorframe. Zelgadis took a moment to reorient himself before understanding that they were in the western wing of the palace, a little closer to the main halls.
The chamberlain did not enter the chambers beyond it, but rapped against the frame sharply. He then took a step back, the door creaked open, and Amelia stepped out from behind it. Zelgadis saw a strange glow surround her, an effect of the lighting from the room beyond, which appeared to be some sort of study. He didn't give the light a second thought.
"Forgive me, Highness," the chamberlain said while bowing, "the King requests your attendance at breakfast, then there's the brunch at noon, and the chancellors have some documents for your perusal, then a visiting entourage---the one from Baylor, I believe---had requested a riding tour of the city. . ."
Amelia sighed un-emphatically. "I will tell my father that if he wants me at breakfast, then brunch is out of the question, and I will see to the paperwork there, when I join him this morning. As for the afternoon ride, please offer my sincerest apologies to the Baylor emissary, but that would be quite impossible today, perhaps some other time. If Baylor finds this insufficient, I suppose I will find the time to grant their request." She looked at Zelgadis then, and the chamberlain took this as a cue.
"There's also the matter of. . ." But the princess interrupted him with a polite cough.
"It's quite alright. I see exactly what must have happened. Daddy would forget that Hansa had been reassigned today, and indefinitely for the following days. He will be at the breakfast with my father. I will send Hansa to you immediately, when I meet with him. Please draft a memo reminding the King to be more attentive when it comes to dealing with the staff. I will sign it later," she turned to Zelgadis, "There will be a prepared meal waiting for you, so you can start your work in the Library as soon as you like at eat at your convenience. I assume that after this morning's unpleasantries, you will want to see the Library as soon as possible, without any more of these hindrances. I would show you the Library personally, but you'll have to forgive me; I have other business occupying me in the Library and would be of little help to you."
"There is no need. You have already been quite thorough," he said, a little awed at the efficient way with which matters were addressed by the princess and her staff at the palace. He suspected that this was the usual way of things here, and that the situation had been compounded by the presence of all the guests. He was far from insulted, perhaps a little curious about the affairs of Seyruun outside of the Library , but the Library still was at the forefront of his thoughts.
Amelia excused herself and the chamberlain bowed to her retreating figure before ushering Zelgadis in the opposite direction.
"That wasn't the Library ?" he asked the older man.
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course it isn't," the chamberlain gently chided. Zelgadis was relieved and not insulted---he didn't really think that was the Library , but he was a creature predisposed to misgivings. After much walking, they stopped in front of another set of doors, and to the surprise of Zelgadis (but evidently not to the chamberlain) the page, Hansa, was already waiting for them there. Unnecessary apologies were made, and the chamberlain left Zelgadis in the capable management of the quiet servant.
The Library was located outside of the palace, but connected to it via an arched concourse. When Hansa led him to an abbey, Zelgadis had to swallow his disappointment. Hansa saw this and allowed an amused grin to spread across his face.
"It's not what you would think, sir," he said wryly. He bobbed his head toward the abbey. "This is one of our healing halls. We also use this site as a hospice for refugees and the poor. A lot of our welfare and charity work is done here." He then led Zelgadis, not to the main entrance, but to a smaller door located to the side.
"My instructions were to show you the least tedious ways into the Library . This leads directly into it. You will want to pay heed to the locking system here." He laid his hand on a carved doorknob, turning it so the runes aligned in a specific arrangement, which he took great pains to make sure Zelgadis had enough time to commit to memory. The latch caught, and they were soon descending a columned incline that led to a larger underground chamber, also connected to other corridors. Zelgadis could tell this was a vast undertaking. But Hansa did not stop here; he continued to walk down one of the connecting halls. He turned to clarify the reason for continuing onward.
"This section is devoted to the healing magics. I do not know what it is you seek, but it might be found in one of the other sections of the Library ."
The Library was, in fact, a network of public buildings and their corresponding subterranean vaults interconnected by a system of underground tunnels. The passage between vaults was wide enough to accommodate heavy traffic, lit by the glowing orbs regularly placed along the walls. Zelgadis had the distinct impression that the lights were aware of their passing.
"Mage lights," said Hansa, "they are placed throughout the lower levels of the Library and at each entrance to monitor the activity within them."
Even with the frequent detours, built out of necessity to circumnavigate pre-existing sewer-works, catacombs, and to preserve the structural integrity of the city above, the passage was easy to travel by. Zelgadis looked down some of the adjoining paths and he saw that many of them remained unfinished. Hansa explained that the Library was, as it had been intended to be, an ever-expanding project. Most of what had been finished housed information instead of merely serving as a means to get from vault to vault. The page would describe, in meticulous detail, the role and content of these chambers as they passed. Zelgadis noticed that, not only were there tables and benches set up for anyone who wished to study any of the text, but there was also ample space set aside to practice casting a given spell.
Finally, they came to a much larger chamber, and the page stopped. The vaulted ceilings were dizzying here, and the space was approximately the same size as the palace's throne room, but that was where the similarities ended. The pillars here were bare of most ornamentation, but in a darker way, the architectural emphasis was as aesthetic as any of the palace's gilded halls. This was the same throughout the Library , but this vault was singular even among its fellow chambers. Hansa waited silently as Zelgadis took all of this in.
"What is this place?" he asked the page, who responded with a grin.
"This is the last section of the Library ---these corridors you see radiating out from the main vault lead to others containing the higher magics. Above us is Seyruun's largest monastic institution, and it is now dedicated to research. With the Library mostly complete, the monks and priests there spend most of their day that is not committed to their ecclesiastic duties curating and re-assimilating all of the works that are here in this Library . The other half runs the educational facilities here. The princess had mandated that Seyruun should provide a school for anyone who wanted to learn. This school provides all levels of education on any subject as part of the mission of this Library . Should I show you how to get into one of the vaults now?"
Zelgadis nodded in assent and silently followed Hansa to a towering set of rune-covered double doors. The page put his hand on the central-most rune and muttered a spell. The marks began to glow, and the light spread to all the engravings scrawled across the doors' surfaces. The doors then opened, and Hansa stood back to make room for Zelgadis to enter.
"Any sorcerer can dispel the locks on any of these doors by placing his hand upon the runes. The enchantments are set to identify the locking spells and counter-spells immediately through physical contact. Feel free to enter this room."
"You will not be accompanying me?" asked Zelgadis.
"I am not authorized to step beyond this point." Zelgadis had forgotten about the recognition spell cast on him the day before, and that even though Hansa was well familiarized with all aspects of the Library , only Lina, Amelia, and Zelgadis had the ability to access all of the Library freely. The significance of Amelia's complete trust had begun to sink in.
"What should I expect when I come in contact with whatever barrier has been placed on this room?" he asked.
"Nothing, I suspect, but I wouldn't know. I have never been compelled to pass through it. I do know that any unauthorized person attempting entry will not be able to. I am under the impression they would experience some particularly nasty effects."
"What kind of 'nasty effects'?" Zelgadis's curiosity was piqued. The page arched his brow, wryly.
"It is different for some of these rooms. Some barriers issue the intruder an electric shock of variable intensities. This was the sorceress, Lina Inverse's doing, as I understand it. But most barriers would have the same effect as one would have running into a stone wall. The princess insisted upon a more. . .humane. . .deterrent, but I'm sure it would be just as unpleasant an experience."
Zelgadis chuckled at this; it would be characteristic of Lina to resort to such tactics in order to dissuade any stupidly ambitious sorcerer. He imagined that she would get a laugh any time someone egregiously underestimated her forethought.
He could sense the presence of very strong magic pervading throughout the room. Suspiciously, he drew his breath uncertain of what effect he himself might encounter. He did not trust Lina to leave anyone unaffected; if anything but to remind him just who and what he was dealing with. Breathing on hold, he stepped inside.
For a brief moment he felt the dull pulse of an electrical current pass through him, and when he looked at his hands, a silvery light danced along the outlines of his hands. But both quickly subsided, the faint light had all but completely faded away. He let out the breath that he had been holding in, relieved that, whatever it was, it was over. It wasn't what he expected---he didn't know what to expect---but it wasn't altogether pleasant either. Like the mage lights spread throughout the entire Library , he felt slightly oppressed by the nagging impression that he was being closely watched. It would take some getting used to.
Satisfied, he turned and left the chamber through the entrance which he had come, not bothering to examine the object encased in the glass pillar at the far end of the room.
"Yes, I see," he said, "this would be a very effective spell indeed, and judging from the strength of the magical presence inside, the protection spell is probably worth the time spent finding it." Zelgadis did not have to explain that the object inside was not anything he would be looking for, the page had already known and nodded quietly in his understanding. This had been meant to be no more than a demonstration of the Library 's mechanisms. The heavy doors closed on their own accord as Hansa led his charge towards a gentle incline that would lead them to the monastery above.
The continued their ascent until they had reached the second floor, where Zelgadis found himself being ushered along the inner terrace that surrounded a lush central green. The public works of Seyruun all had striking gardens and this one was no exception; its immaculately kept greenery seemingly endless save for a lone white statue casting soft shadows in the receding afternoon light. He was a little miffed at how quickly the time had passed underground, without any natural light to indicate the hour. Hansa stopped walking to grant Zelgadis the small respite of leaning against the rail, silently accommodating for the weariness Zelgadis was too proud to admit to feeling and the servant was too disciplined to mention.
"The mage lights dim and intensify on the hour with the corresponding time of day, and at night they burn the same but in shades of blue," said Hansa, in response to his unasked question, " It was thought that a system that relied on sonic implements to keep the time would require excessive maintenance, besides there being the possibility of the noise interfering with the spells inside. The mage lights maintain themselves and are surprisingly easy to adjust to. This is why I had forgotten to tell you of this function. Please forgive me." At this, the page looked undeservedly sheepish. Zelgadis, feeling more than a little guilty, answered as quickly as he could.
"My pardon is unnecessary, you have been more than obliging. I should have suspected that as much had been accounted for an undertaking so large as this," he said, implicating the entire Library with an inclusive, abstract gesture.
"My respects sir, but it is necessary. I have failed some part of my duties, and therefore have betrayed the princess's trust in me," Hansa said earnestly. Zelgadis would have laughed this away if he had not seen the acute sincerity and subconscious reproach so fixed within the servant's gaze. He had no choice but to intone his otherwise tacit forgiveness.
Apparently satisfied, the page continued on, as if none of this had occurred, "You will, of course, be given a map of the Library which will explain some of the features more in depth."
Zelgadis did not waste his breath wondering how much more "in depth" this map would be. Instead he asked, "This map, is it anything like the 'recognition spell' that had been cast on me? Should I be concerned about any sensitive information within it that only a limited number of people should have access to?"
"Why no, everyone can get access to this map. They are given a copy upon arrival. However, most of the Library 's visitors are accompanied by a monk who has been assigned to their exclusive service, therefore they find no need for the map," Hansa registered the disappointment Zelgadis was unaware he felt.
"You are a particularly important visitor, sir. An ordinary visitor would not have one of the palace staff attend to them. I suspect the princess would have assigned herself the same tasks that I now humbly administer, if she had not been pressed in so many matters of State. It is in fact, an honor to serve you," he said.
"I assume this is all being said for my benefit, lest you should be disappointed at my feeling slighted," Zelgadis remarked sardonically.
"I am but your humble servant, sir, that is not for me to assume," said the clever aide.
"Spoken like a true diplomat. Touché. You will go far in the service of your State, 'but'?"
"However, my superior, Eu'Faalda, would have expected more from you, if such a thing were the case."
"The chamberlain, am I correct? I would expect as much from him."
"He is a wise and venerable man who has served his State for many years. In his age, he takes liberties unthinkable for any lesser servant, which he is allowed in deference to his years and experience. He apparently has high expectations of you." Zelgadis laughed at this, understanding precisely what sort of man the chamberlain was. Then his tone became serious.
"So just what has Amelia told you about me?" For a moment he felt marked by the cuff he had kept hidden on his person. He felt exposed, and he hated it. He was almost resentful of Amelia's regard.
"As Eu'Faalda would put it, 'it is not for a Prince to share his affairs with his subjects, it is for him to keep the distance between underling and master lest the lesser wrongly presumes equality'. I am her grateful servant, sir. I would want to know nothing except how to better serve Her Eminence." Almost. Instead of being embarrassed, as he expected, every consideration had been made to assure the opposite. He was tempted to feel disappointed.
"Thus you compliantly attend to my needs."
"I am her humble servant and yours," Hansa bowed, unsarcastically.
"Then, with respect, I will no further keep you from your good work," and Zelgadis's returning bow was just as respectful, even with its slightly caustic affect. Hansa smiled briefly, as if to acknowledge the innocuous jest. Then, just as before, he employed his uncanny skill at continuing as though the previous conversation had never taken place.
He nodded towards the half of the monastery on the other side of the common green. "That side is where our educational facilities can be found, along with it the monastic dormitories and living quarters---on this side, here, is the main temple for performing spiritual rites," He said, indicating an adjacent annex. He then motioned towards a door they had passed not moments ago. Zelgadis remembered passing this room and seeing, through large, leaded windows, a swarm of monks consumed by clerical tasks in a room roughly the size of a public dining hall, similarly furnished with elongated benches and wide tables.
"This is one of the rooms where all of the Library 's investigation and curative work is carried out. If you should want, I am authorized to oversee a collection of monks who will work solely at your disposal. If the nature of your search is a sensitive matter, we can arrange it so that no one will know your motives without hindering the research."
"Do not trouble yourself, that will not be necessary."
"It would be for the purpose of convenience. It's of no trouble at all, sir."
"It's been noted, but I that will not be required."
"If you distrust our methods of security, I can assure you that there would be no cause for concern. But if the services of so many will cause your unease, then perhaps only I---"
"You have done enough already, a appreciate your time. I relieve you of your service. Please return to your regular duties." The page looked crushed.
"Of course, you are correct. I shall take my leave of you now," he bowed deeply, and made for a quiet retreat. Zelgadis liked the clever, competent young man, and was impressed by his unconscious dignity. He had not meant to insult the page, nor depreciate his service when it was deserving of praise. In his mind, it would be the least he could do to offer his explanation. He called after him, and Hansa stopped and stood in respectful wait, as it was in his nature to comply.
"You do not owe me an explanation. Only the ill-trained ask the reason for their dismissal."
"This has nothing to do with any mistake you didn't make, you have been irreproachable," he began, "As you have probably noticed, I am not the most. . .social. . .of people."
"It is not for me to judge, sir, and my position requires me to dissuade you from divulging any information that would encourage that level of familiarity between us, but," Hansa added, "If it is your intention to reveal some personal aspect of yourself, might I suggest that we, at least for the time being, dispense with the formalities associated with our respective roles."
"Agreed," and Zelgadis was relieved, the arrangement had long begun to be tedious.
"I will admit to being curious about you as a person," Hansa reluctantly confessed. Zelgadis smiled at this, knowing full well why this was, on so many levels, so.
"No doubt you have been kept in the dark about me," he said, and then went on to explain the exact nature of his quest, while intentionally leaving out the details that related to Amelia. He watched the page carefully as he said this, waiting to weigh his character against his reaction. Hansa's neutral expression came as no surprise.
"May I speak candidly sir?"
"Go ahead," said Zelgadis, who knew that even though it was the page's suggestion that he be able to do so, he would not easily go against his nature. Hansa looked at him thoughtfully.
"You never struck me as a particularly vain man, sir." This statement took Zelgadis by complete surprise.
"Well obviously not, it has very little to do with vanity," he countered.
"I meant no disrespect sir. I had previously assumed that this was your natural form, and that assumption had no influence on my perception of your character, and now that I know the truth, little of that opinion is changed. I just do not understand why someone would go to such lengths to correct something so insignificant. I have always believed in something Eu'Faalda once said to me: 'no man should allow his circumstances cloud his vision of himself as a man'."
"I don't understand, I know who I am as a man; how is my concern insignificant?"
"Have you not incredible power at your disposal? Have you not been able to achieve great things with that power? Have you not vanquished your enemy who inflicted this form upon you? Has there been anything denied to you; is there anything that you would have if you had remained in your original form that you could not have in this form?"
"I was human, Hansa. That was stolen from me. My humanity is denied to me. Isn't that enough?"
"You have already indicated that you have very little social inclination, and it is my impression that your reticence is equally a matter of preference independent of necessity. But haven't you already fulfilled your need for human companionship? Have you not reciprocated relationships with loyal and powerful friends? Did they become your friends out of fear or out of respect? In these ways, is it not possible that one form has either more or less of an advantage that the other? Perhaps you will find that you have limited yourself as a result of your attempts to forge your existence in one form over the other. It was not my intention to sway or attack any of your beliefs. However, as a cleric by first vocation, I feel compelled to remind you that there is a choice, and that two forms do not have to be mutually exclusive. But my opinion is of little significance beyond what you have already assessed for yourself. It is your choice, ultimately, and if it is so important, then yes, that is enough."
It had never occurred to Zelgadis that this intelligent, soft-spoken servant at one time might have been a scholar of the spiritual arts, but it explained the experience and position he had acquired far beyond the abilities of his years (he was, in fact, roughly around the same age as he, if not a few years younger), and his extensive knowledge of the Library and its magic. His respect for Hansa increased dramatically. He did not want to dwell upon his advice, though, and since the page had left it open for his complete disregard, he decided to save that debate for some other day.
"Yes, it is that, and I have made my choice," he said after a while, and smiled at the former monk.
"Then I will ask you to permit me to help you," he replied, "your knowledge of the Library is meager in comparison to mine, and that knowledge will be of great value to you in regards to your quest. Furthermore, you need not fear undo exposure, since you have already voluntarily revealed to me your motives."
"And if today was any indication of the value of your service, I would be a fool, indeed, to dismiss you."
"That is your decision, sir."
"But at your suggestion, 'sir', most appropriate to my cause and welcome, lest I abandon my original argument."
"Of course, sir. Then might I also suggest we take our leave; it has become very late."
"Well put and well received, 'sir', lead the way and I will follow," and the two of them began the trek back to the palace. In such a good humor, Zelgadis threw out what was he thought was a harmless remark.
"One last thing," he said, "what was that statue in the center of the square?"
"That was the Queen, to who's memory this educational facility is dedicated. Seeing the statue here always reminds me of her epitaph. It reads 'Children are innocent and love Justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer Mercy'." That was all Zelgadis thought about the matter, and Hansa continued delineating that evening's menu as if nothing had been said.