The Book Keeper
By TimeAndLife21
Chapter 13
It was a hot and sunny week, hot even for Kathmandu. Not very much clouds in the sky and not even the occasional rain would cool everyone down. The students and apprentices were melting in the heat, the Masters were complaining of the heat as well. Stephen wasn't a summer person. He hated summer with a Passion. He preferred the cooler fall time temperatures and early spring days with the occasional rainy day. Today was the day that he despised being outside. Not even his studies would keep his mind off of the heat that permeated Kamar-taj. The only one that didn't seem to be affected by the Heat was the Ancient One.
He was sweltering, and he was grouchy. He entered the library hoping to be cooled down, but it didn't seem like it was meant to be. He found himself at the desk and took a seat. He was wondering where Anaiah is when her heard muttering and grumbling.
"Freaking hot...I'm gonna die...I need the cold…." He could hear Anaiah's muttering and he summoned the strength to get up and find her.
He found her alright. She was wearing a lighter version of her green and silver robes. They looked to be made of cotton instead of the heavy leather and cloth that it is usually made out of. Her hair was up in a bun, but some strands of it was out and he could see the sheen of sweat that was on her neck and face. She was putting books away when one fell out of her hands and landed on the floor with a heavy thud.
She looked exasperated and groaned.
"I hate the heat...I just want to go to a water park, is that too much to ask for? No. Hell drenching myself in the Ganga river sounds like a dream." She spoke out loud.
"Sounds like a plan…" He said out loud.
She turned to see stephen and he noticed that Anaiah wasn't wearing her usual glasses and she looked like she was about to suffer heatstroke. Her face was flushed and her eyes looked partially glazed over.
"Tch, the sooner I put these books away, I'm heading out to the Swiss Alps. I know the Master that lives in a rather large cabin up there. The heat here is killing me." She said as she picked up the book and placed it away.
"You can do that?" Stephen asked.
"We don't force people to stay here if they don't want to. We have some of our younger students who come would go home after their studies to be with their families." She said as she wiped at her forehead with the back of her hand.
"They are not Orphans?" He asked.
"Some of them are Orphans that come here for shelter, but often they become permanent residents here...like myself." She smirked at him. "Other students come here to learn the Mystic Arts and then go back to their families at the end of the day, and the kitchens would let them take food home so that their families won't have to worry another day of eating, The older students would stay here longer as they would climb the ladder of becoming a Master."
"And then there are the Masters here that have children here that are following their parents steps to become a Master." She smiled at him.
"So they come and go?" He asked.
"Depending on the situation. Most of that is up to The Ancient One and the Three masters of the Sanctums." She spoke.
"Sanctums?" He asked.
"I'll tell you about them later. Even after being here for quite some time, Doctor, you don't know everything about us." She chuckled.
Stephen had a very vague feeling that he was being mocked, but he let it slide.
"When can we leave?" He blurted out as he wiped the sweat off of his brow.
"Why Doctor Strange, are you assuming that I'm going to take you with me to a nice cold place away from here?" She spoke as she placed her hand over her heart.
He glared at her. He wanted to get out of the heat just as much as her, if he can get some kind of relief he wouldn't complain.
"What was that you were saying a while back? 'Take frequent rests so as not to exhust myself as I'm learning the Mystic Arts?' I'm pretty sure that you said something about that." He smirked at her.
She gave him a look of 'Really? You are trying that crap with me?' but she shrugged anyways.
"Ask the Ancient one if you can come with me. I'm sure there is some more spells that you can learn at Lucia's Cabin." She said as she then picked up the pace.
"You better ask her soon, I'm planning on leaving as soon as I'm done." She spoke as she disappeared into the Library.
He intended to do just that.
"You want to do what?" Mordo asked dumbfounded before the Ancient One could say anything, although she had a rather mischievous look in her eyes.
"I don't have to repeat myself…" He muttered.
He was desperate to get the hell out of the heat. And if it's to go to the Alps, he would even go back to Everest in order to have a break from the heat.
"I think that would be a fine idea. Put some of your spells to the test in a different environment. Perhaps Master Lucia might even assist you." The Ancient One smiled gently.
"He wouldn't last five minutes with Master Lucia." Mordo muttered.
"I heard that." Stephen glared at Mordo.
"You were meant to. Master Lucia isn't as she seems. I can only hope that Anaiah will explain your situation to you, least Master Lucia take you on and throw you to the wolves to survive." Mordo said almost spookily.
"Mordo... " The Ancient one chided almost laughingly.
"She is terrifying! I think she only tolerates you and Anaiah, Master!" Mordo exclaimed.
"I see no problem with the situation...if that is fine with Doctor Strange?" She spoke as she turned to Stephen.
"If I can learn more, that would be ideal." Stephen said almost humbly.
"Very well. I wish you luck then." She smiled as Stephen left the room.
What Stephen didn't realize that the next few days his world is going to be flipped upside down once again...and not just because he would be learning new spells. No, it's something much much more.
TAL21: Short chapter again, but trust me, i would say that this short arc will be pivotal for both Stephen and Anaiah. There will be some humor in the next couple of chapters (hopefully longer than 4k words) but there's going to be some changes fluffy and heartwarming changes, but changes nevertheless. After this arc, we are jumping right into the meat of the Doctor Strange movie once again. And i won't be doing Shout Outs, for this chapter because i don't have time for it. XD I have work in less than an hour and a half and it takes time to reply to your reviews! I will do it after i write the next chapter! I hope you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving and went into a food coma, and were safe during Black Friday shopping. I'll see you guys in the next chapters! PLEASE leave awesome and lengthy detailed reviews! I love chatting with my readers!
Question Time!: I got the soundtrack to Doctor Strange. My favorite songs of course is the Master of the Mystic Arts theme, but I also enjoyed Strange Days Ahead, Smote and Mirrors, and Go for Baroque. What are your favorite scores from the Movie soundtracks?
KEEP ON READING AND WRITING! :D