Chapter 31: The Founding of the Alliance Part 6: The Matter of a Broken Heart
Ya Ya lead them out of Fortune Square and down towards the Dreaming Camomile Inn. But she turned off just before entering the street that lead in that direction, taking them instead past two guardian lion statues with their eyes and mouths glowing and stopped before a doorway that looked more like an entrance gate. The doorway was set into a rock face, with text written in Goldpaw script overhead, denoting this as the library; It had been carved out of part of the mountain on which Goldpaw had been built, and had consequently been protected from the flames. "Huh," Roland commented. "No wonder the library survived the fire."
"Indeed," Ya Ya replied."Now, I must warn you that while Goldpaw is in the current state that it is, the library has temporarily been transformed into a school for all of the children of learning age."
"Oh…"
She held up a hand. "Fear not, as I believe the school session should have already concluded for the day. But I give you this warning as you may find the library to be in some…" she shrugged apologetically, "disarray after housing so many children for a time."
He nodded. "Understandable."
"I would also imagine that you will be expected to observe library rules and keep your voices down."
He turned to Batu and Tani with a good natured smirk, placing one hand on his hip. "You think you two'll be able to handle that?"
Batu grinned back. "Oh I don't be knowin' about that, Roland. I've been told I don't be'avin' much of an indoor voice."
"Heh. I can believe that."
"Well you don't have to worry about me," said Tani, thumbing to herself. "I can be very sneaky if I want to be."
"I can believe that too."
"Shall we head inside?" Ya Ya suggested.
"Yeah. Let's." So they headed inside. The first thing they noticed was a reception desk for checking books out and for book returns. It was currently unmanned, nor were there any books waiting to be reshelved. A blue carpet spanned the floor from the entrance to the reception desk, muffling the sound of their footsteps as they approached, and a selection of stone tablets in a script Roland didn't recognise, but could still read, had been mounted on the walls just inside the entrance. Every other wall was lined with books almost from ceiling to floor, and there were alcoves branching off from the main room containing many more. Candlelit lanterns hung from lantern holders mounted onto the support pillars ringing the room, bathing the interior in a warm light. There was an enormous hole in the centre that the party approached as one. They leant on the wooden guardrails and peered down.
"Gosh," Evan gasped, as Tani breathed. "Wow." And Aranella uttered. "Heavens," in a hushed awe as the higgledies loudly whispered. "Higgledy pig!"
"Cor, look at that, mun!" Lofty exclaimed. "This must go down for miles!"
Roland silently thought the same. Floor after floor of books, scrolls and stone tablets revealed the library extended deep into the earth, and a number of dogfolk could be seen bustling about in the process of cleaning up and reshelving. Just how old was this library, he wondered. "So this is the library, huh?" He said aloud.
"Indeed," Ya Ya replied with a warmth to her tone indicating that she had found their reactions amusing. "I was quite the bookworm in my youth and spent much of my time here, when I could. But alas those days are long gone; I am Second Roller now, and have other matters consuming my time. But I still fit in a book or two where I can."
"It must be quite old," said Aranella.
"Oh yes," she replied, clasping her hands together in enthusiasm. "I believe the library has been accumulating knowledge from all corners of the world since the foundation of Goldpaw itself." She looked left and right. "Now as to the whereabouts of its current custodian… It seems I will have to go and look for them. Please wait here while I do."
"Sure," said Roland. He turned to Evan and Aranella after she'd left. "You two all right? You went real quiet after what Pugnacious said."
"Aye, ye sure did," Batu agreed.
Evan and Aranella exchanged looks, before Evan looked away, casting his gaze downwards as his ears drooped. "Is what he said about Father… is it really true?"
"Absolutely not," Aranella insisted with a resolute frown and shake of her head. "Perhaps it could be argued that there was more he could've done, but there's no denying that he wanted what was best, not just for mousekind, but for all of Ding Dong Dell." Evan said nothing.
"Well, Pugnacious is right about one or two things," said Roland. "Extreme actions are rarely taken without cause, and Mausinger had his reasons for taking such actions."
She folded her arms. "So what are you saying, Roland?"
"I'm saying I don't think Pugnacious was being too unreasonable, although he could've worded it better," he said, shrugging with one arm and shoulder. "All he's saying is that Mausinger, whether he's broken hearted or otherwise, should be given the chance to state his case before the alliance before we take decisive – and permanent – action. He wants to hear Mausinger out, to understand his actions before he moves to absolve or condemn him for it. What comes next after that happens will remain to be seen."
"So… does that mean I don't have a choice?" Evan asked, his gaze still on the carpeted floor. "That I have to forgive Mausinger for what he did so we can keep the alliance with Goldpaw?"
"Evan," he sighed. "Listen. You have to understand that sometimes your actions won't please everyone, and that you can't please everyone, and that's okay."
"Aye, 'e be right about that, lad," Batu added in agreement. "Though it'll not be an easy lesson te be learnin', Yer Majesty, fer one such as yerself."
"It sure won't. I know you want to help everyone, Evan, but if you try to please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no-one, least of all yourself. So long as you aren't hurting anyone, you should to do what's right for you, as well as doing what you think is right." He crouched so they were eye level. "All right?"
Evan looked up and nodded. "All right."
"And as for what's gonna happen with Mausinger? That's gonna depend on what we learn, and we're not there yet, all right?"
He nodded again. "All right." Roland nodded back before straightening up.
"I suppose I would like answers myself," Aranella conceded.
"So you'll gave him that much?" Roland asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "I suppose I will. But if those answers are not to my liking then I'll-" She abruptly cut herself off to glance at Evan. "Then I suppose we'll see…"
"Yeah. We sure will."
"We'll support you, Evan," said Tani as she placed a hand on Evan's shoulder. "Even if Pugnacious doesn't."
"That we will," said Batu.
"And so will we," Aranella agreed.
"Right," Roland added.
"And me, mun!" Lofty exclaimed.
"Higgle!" The higgledies chorused in support.
"Thank you, everyone," said Evan with a weak smile.
Ya Ya reappeared with the head librarian in tow. The head librarian was a plump, elderly dogfolk woman with greying hair pulled up into a bun and was clad in a sky blue top with a white fur collar and a grey skirt with a flower pattern in white. "Shu Ji," she said gesturing towards the party, "this is King Evan and his Kingmaker, Lofty."
"Hello!" Evan responded brightly.
"Howdy do," said Lofty.
"And this is their entourage, Mr Roland, Miss Aranella, Miss Tani and Mr Batu." They gave her a greeting as they were introduced. "King Evan," she gestured towards Shu Ji, "this is our Head Librarian, Shu Ji."
Shu Ji bowed her head. "Your Majesty."
"She has agreed to issue you all some library cards, but before she does, there is a small matter," she raised a hand with her fingers held milimetres apart, "with which she requires your assistance."
"What's that?" Roland asked.
"One of my assistants, Li Li has been acting strangely ever since the trial," Shu Ji explained.
"I bet you I can guess where this is going, mun," said Lofty.
"Lady Ya Ya tells me that you can help her."
"If it's broken heartedness, and sure sounds like it is, then we sure can, mun."
She clasped her hands together in hopefulness. "Then you'll do it? You'll help her?"
"Of course we will, Miss Shu Ji," Evan replied with a nod. "We help where we can."
"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty. I'll go and fetch her at once."
"Then I will take my leave," said Ya Ya. "I will see you all tonight." They all bid her farewell and she headed off.
Shu Ji returned with a sullen looking dogfolk girl trailing reluctantly behind her. Li Li had tan coloured fur and slightly darker shoulder-length hair, and was wearing a dark purple hat and a pale lavender dress edged in dark purple. Fastened onto the front of this dress was a gold, paw-shaped brooch with a red gem set into the centre. "Here we are, Li Li. This is King Evan and his entourage."
"This is King Evan?" she replied, her expression becoming an unimpressed frown. "He doesn't look like a king."
"Li Li," she uttered in exasperation. "You can't be saying such things to visiting royalty." She turned to the party, clasping her hands together apologetically. "I do apologise for her behaviour, Your Majesty. I assure you this is most unlike her."
Lofty nodded. "No doubt mun, she's broken hearted all right."
"What's the missing piece this time?" Roland asked.
"Belief."
"Any chance of there being someone with enough belief around here?" He gestured to take in the library.
"I guess we'll see, like." He turned to the higgledies. "Help us out won't you?"
They saluted. "Higgle!" And off they went.
"I'll go look too."
"All right," Roland replied. "We'll stay here then, given that we're not much help otherwise." As Lofty headed off, he turned back to Shu Ji and folded his arms. "So it's just Li Li, right? No one else has been acting off of late? Depending on the missing piece, it may not be as obvious as this," he said, gesturing to Li Li whose expression soured.
"Right," Tani added with a nod. "Like someone missing their enthusiasm could be mistaken for being really tired for example."
Shu Ji assumed a thoughtful posture. "I cannot say anyone else springs to mind. But I'll keep an eye out just in case."
"That would be best," Aranella commented. "Although if there is anyone else, Lofty or the higgledies will be sure to spot them if they are present."
"I see. So everyone who is working today will be cleared of broken heartedness."
"They will."
"That's a relief. It will also give me less people to worry about as well."
Lofty and the higgledies returned. "Higgle pig pig," they declared, shaking their heads.
"No luck mun," Lofty added.
"Wouldn't that have been convenient," Roland remarked with a shrug of "oh well". "I guess we'll have to go look elsewhere."
"Ya Pi's got belief to spare if no one else," said Lofty.
"Is that so?" said Aranella with a quirked eyebrow. She gestured ahead of her. "Then perhaps we should make our way up to him?"
"There be no sense in runnin' around lookin' fer somethin' we were already findin'," Batu agreed.
"Yeah, we already know where to go," Tani added.
"All right then," said Lofty. "Back to Fortune Square then, innit!"
"Hold on," she said, placing her hands on her hips and fixing Lofty with a withering look before continuing. "If you'd told us this earlier, that Ya Pi had belief to spare, we would've already taken it from him, and then we wouldn't be having to go back to him to get it now would we?"
"She has a point," Aranella agreed.
"Aye," Batu added as Roland said. "Yeah…"
"You did this with Niall," Tani added, folding her arms in annoyance. "And we were lucky we had to go back to him anyway."
"All right, mun, all right. Point taken," Lofty said, looking suitably admonished. "If we ever run into someone with a piece of heart to spare like, I'll let you know."
"Thank you, Lofty," said Evan.
"Higgledy pig."
"And the higgledies will as well," Lofty translated.
Roland turned to Shu Ji. "All right. We'll be right back then."
"Very well," she replied. "Li Li and I will wait right here." Li Li just sulked.
Captain Ya Pi was understandably most surprised to see them again so soon after they had departed for the library. "Why King Evan… is there… something amiss?"
"Yes, I'm afraid there is, Captain," Evan replied. "One of Shu Ji's assistants, Li Li, is broken hearted."
"Ah, then say no more. You wish to procure a piece of heart from me correct?"
"Yes, please."
"Then you are more than welcome to take what you need."
"Thank you, Captain." He traced the rune for Take Heart and a ball of light shot out of Ya Pi's chest and disappeared into the locket.
"Ah!" He exclaimed before placing a hand on his chest. "That was a most… unusual sensation."
"Did it hurt?" Tani asked.
He shook his head. "Not at all. It was just… unusual."
"We'll let you get back to work," said Roland.
"And we'll see this piece of heart to Li Li at once," Evan added.
Shu Ji watched, hands clasped together in hopefulness, while Li Li observed with disinterest, as Evan traced the rune for Give Heart. A ball of light shot out of the locket and into Li Li's chest. For a moment nothing happened, then Li Li was blinking rapidly as if coming out of a trance. "Oh," she gasped, clutching the brooch on her dress. "Oh goodness. I must apologise for my rudeness, King Evan." She shook her head. "I don't know what came over me."
"Li Li!" Shu Ji exclaimed as the higgledies cheered. "Thank heavens, you're all right now."
"All is forgiven, Li Li, don't worry," Evan assured her. He spread his hands. "You were broken hearted after all."
"Broken hearted?" She repeated.
"Don't say it, mun!"
"You mean… like in the books?"
"There's different. And I guess, like. Depends what they say, see."
"Gosh." She placed a hand on the side of her face. "I never would've thought that something like that would happen to me."
"Who does?" Roland commented.
She inclined her head as she continued. "Thank you for healing me, Your Majesty. Please allow me to help you in whatever way I can."
"We'd like that very much," Evan replied.
"Well, since we were already here to peruse the library," said Aranella. "She could help us by finding us all the books we would like to read, or showing us where we need to go."
"A splendid idea," said Shu Ji. "Li Li, I want you to see to it that King Evan," she gestured towards them, "and his entourage have their every needs met."
"I will be happy to, ma'am," Li Li replied with another bow.
"Now why don't we see about issuing you your library cards?" From behind the check in desk, she produced five library cards. They were made from paper, but were several layers thick making them quite sturdy and were laminated, were red in colour with each of the four corners coloured in gold and had Goldpaw script written in gold on the front, denoting it as being what else but a library card. "Just sign your name here," she said. "And your library cards will be ready to use." On the other side was more writing in Goldpaw script with instructions such as "If lost, please return to the library" and space for a signature. They signed their cards one after the other. Shu Ji smiled and inclined her head in place of a bow. "Welcome to the library, Your Majesty."
"Thank you," said Evan.
"I will leave you in Li Li's capable hands." She inclined her head once more and left.
Roland turned to the others and placed one hand on his hip. "All right. Where do we want to start?"
"What do we need to do again?" Tani asked, one arm folded across her chest with the other hand raised to her chin.
"We want information on the other nations of the world, but there are also a handful of subjects that our kingdom will need to learn."
"What subjects are those?" Li Li asked.
"Uh… from what I can remember," he said, scratching the back of his head, "… Farming and agriculture, and architectural design and city planning. At least those are our more immediate concerns at the moment."
"I see," she replied. "I believe we have a variety of books on those subjects. I can take you to each section in turn to see if there is anything that you are looking for?"
"Please do," he replied with an encouraging gesture. So they went to each section one by one and read through a selection of books. "These look like they're pretty informative… but," he glanced at Batu who was frowning at his book and scratching his head while Tani flicked through hers with a bored expression on her face that would occasionally shift to something more interested whenever she found a picture. "It doesn't seem like everyone can read Goldpaw script…"
She followed his gaze. "Ah… that is unfortunate."
"This also kind of screws with our plan to send our people here to learn…"
"Yes…" said Aranella, her free hand raised to her chin. "It seems they will have to be taught to read Goldpaw script before they would be able to make use of the library…"
"Unless you've got some kind of translation spell hidden up your sleeve?" He asked with an enquiring gesture.
Li Li assumed a thoughtful posture. "Not exactly… What you seek is something called a Reading Glass."
"A what now?" Batu asked with a baffled frown.
"A Reading Glass, eh?" said Lofty. "Haven't seen one of those in a long time, mun."
"What's a Reading Glass?" asked Tani, her expression a mirror of Batu's.
"I've heard of them," said Evan. "Nella taught me all about them, didn't you, Nella?"
"Yes, I did," Aranella replied with a nod. "A Reading Glass is a magical item that has the appearance of a magnifying glass, but instead of magnifying the text, it translates it."
"Into any language?" Roland asked with a mild frown.
"Only the language that it has been enchanted to translate into," Li Li replied. "We wouldn't have any Reading Glasses that would translate into…" she gestured helplessly, "whatever script it is you seek to translate into, but one could be re-enchanted."
"Where would we find one? Or any for that matter?"
"The library used to be in possession of a collection at one time, but since no one visits us from other nations these days," she sighed, her shoulders sagging, "I'm afraid they fell out of use some time ago."
"That's perfect. Do you still have them?"
"I'm not sure…" She confessed. "I tried to find them myself at one point, but," she shrugged apologetically, "I never turned them up."
"I see…"
"Of course that doesn't mean we don't still have them…"
"We'll be going away for three days tomorrow," Aranella pointed out. "Do you think you could try to look for them again in that time?"
"You'll have to make your request to Madame Shu Ji in person before I would be authorised to do that," Li Li replied.
"Great," said Roland. "Could you please fetch Madame Shu Ji for us?"
"Of course, Mr Roland," she nodded. "Please wait here, I will return with Madame Shu Ji momentarily."
"Thanks."
Batu turned to Roland after she had departed and folded his arms. "So'ow is that you can be readin' Goldpaw script? Or any script fer that matter?"
"I'm not really sure," he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "I just seem to be able to understand anything written… and…" He stopped and frowned. "Hold on, now that you've asked me… how is that you're all able to understand each other… and me for that matter?"
"Common Tongue," they replied as one.
"Common Tongue?" He repeated, one eyebrow quirked.
"That's right," Aranella replied. "It came about during a great era of peace and prosperity that occurred a few thousand years ago, as a way for all the many nations of the world to communicate and trade with each other, and is consequently now spoken in all parts of the world. There are of course regional variations in each nation, and each nation writes in its own alphabet but we are otherwise all able to understand each other with little issue."
"So then… am I," he pointed to himself, "speaking the Common Tongue?"
She nodded. "Indeed you are."
"Huh…" He replied. "I'd say that was convenient but… maybe I shouldn't complain."
"Perhaps the language was instilled in your head, in the same way your ability to read all manner of written text was?"
"I… guess that's possible."
"Maybe youe've got that Conductor fella to thank for that too, mun?" Lofty suggested.
"Maybe so, but…" He spread his hands. "All we can really do is speculate."
"But if it's true," said Evan. "Then it would seem that there is much that we have to thank the Conductor for." Evan's tone was exuberant, but still Doloran's words echoed unbidden. "Then he is deceiving you, Roland." And Roland frowned and looked away. Because this was all beginning to sound like something that was too good to be true. And if that was the case, then what did that mean? Before he could ponder the matter further, Li Li returned with Shu Ji.
"Your Majesty," Shu Ji inclined her head. "Li Li tells me you have expressed an interest in our Reading Glasses."
"That's right," Evan confirmed with a nod. "Do you have any idea where they could be?"
"Information regarding the whereabouts of our collection of Reading Glasses seems to have been misplaced, or lost – assuming it was written down to begin with. But as they are no longer needed by the library these days, recovering them has neither been considered a matter of priority or urgency, and so only those with a particular interest in their recovery have made any attempts to locate them. But if you make a formal request of me, Your Majesty, then I will be able to dedicate more hands to their discovery."
"Then I would like to formally request that a search be made for your Reading Glasses, so that my subjects might be able to make use of them."
She inclined her head. "It will be done, Your Majesty. Though I can make no promises as to our search's success."
"I understand. We only ask that you do your best."
"And we will. Is there anything else I can help you with, Your Majesty?"
"We'll be leaving for Capstan-upon-Hull tomorrow morning, and expect we'll be returning to Goldpaw in three days," Aranella explained. "I dare not assume that three days will be enough time for you to recover the Reading Glasses, but we hope you will at least begin a search in that time. Acquiring certain knowledge on some key subjects is something of a pressing concern for us, and we would appreciate your expediency on the matter."
"I see, then we will begin the search tomorrow. Is there anything else?"
"We'd like to learn more about the other nations of the world," Roland replied. "And then I think we'll be calling it a day."
"Very well. Li Li, if you would? And I will bid you all a good day."
Li Li lead them over to the section of the library containing what was known of the other nations of the world, both past and present. "Here we are," she said, gesturing to the bookshelf upon which there was an assortment of books. "Everything we have on the other nations can be found right here."
"In that case, we'll let you go," said Roland."
"Thank you, Li Li, you've been most helpful," said Evan.
"It was the least I could do, Your Majesty," she replied with a curtsy. She turned to leave but hesitated, before turning back. "There was um…" She nervously twirled a strand of her hair as she continued. "There was something I wished to ask you, Your Majesty… before I left…"
"Oh but of course, Li Li, you may ask me anything."
"You're ah… From what you were saying about your subjects, and learning those particular topics. You're building a new kingdom, aren't you, Your Majesty."
"That's right, mun!" Lofty replied. He placed his hands on his hips as he proudly continued. "It'll be a proper grand kingdom when we're done with it, see. And I'll be a proper grand Kingmaker too, won't I? Just you wait and see, like."
"We can't tell you where it is, I'm afraid," Evan added. "Oh, but we can tell you its name. Evermore. We are the Kingdom of Evermore."
Li Li clasped her hands together and said, very earnestly. "That's a wonderful name, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Li Li."
"And thank you for telling me, Your Majesty. Do come again."
"I'm sure we will, Li Li," said Aranella. "Take care." They exchanged farewells, and Li Li departed, with the higgledies waving after her. But her expression was one of contemplation, though what she was contemplating, Roland could only guess at.
Also being removed from the story is Boddly the "Librarian". Sorry but anyone who gatekeeps access to a library has 1) no business calling themselves a librarian and 2) no business running a library. Goodbye!
And she's totally unnecessary anyway. Like, Pugnacious is already a seer so why did they need to make another? What was wrong with rolling with the one they already had?