Chapter 2
Hey everyone sorry for the wait. I have to say I am shocked this story is getting so many reviews and followers. That came as a surprise for me and I am happy to see it. With that said not a lot is going on in this chapter. Right now, we see how the other mages of the world take the introduction of the MC and his book store. As well setting up some more actions that will have profound implications for the world.
On with reviews.
Marlastiano was it? I am not sure I am not good at comedy so all I can say is I try lol.
thank you. This story is more in the moment type of thing know what I mean. As for Naglee she will pop back up sooner or later.
Azai Jin thank you. I feel the same way. Need some ideas for the coming chapters so any ideas are welcomed. As for Yennefer being the first I was honestly thinking Vesemir but I am unsure how old he is at this point nor how active he is. As the time line is before the birth of Ciri but after the birth of her grandmother Calanthe. Putting it somewhere in early parts of the 1200's. I personally am going for the more badass Triss from the game not the show. Even though I thought the woman in the show was hot so I may keep the looks.
TheDarkS0ul I am shocked you have read that manga. I know very few who have.
Guest who said the MC is all powerful. He is very op but not all powerful. Like very one else he has to learn but don't be mistaken he is a force like no other in this world. He wishes to be left along to run his store but will move when he feels he needs to or must. As for the Master Mirror well I am unsure what he is. So I am going to with a powerful demon. One who can't match the being behind the bookstore but could match the MC in power. Maybe, not sure yet.
Monkiepawn that is a great idea for a story. If you find it again let me know or maybe I will make one myself. As for him being less active I don't think I will go that route but I think I can make a few stories down the road being told by people who have heard about him and stuff like that.
Doraemax I never thought about that. I think I will use it. I love it.
Master of the underworld oh they are going to end up everywhere lol.
Now with Q&A over who would you all like to see find the bookstore next? Depending on the next reviews I will use them if enough people pick the same person. No poll, however. Those are annoying to keep up with.
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-Aretuza-
Inside the hallowed halls of the great learning institute for sorceresses in the known world unbeknownst to most but a few outside the council room a meeting was taking place. A meeting that for one Tissaia de Vries held perhaps the great meaning for all in this room. If not for magic as a whole on the continent. Since that fateful night that her former student Yennefer had returned to Aretuza unannounced carrying the book that was currently resting on a stand in the middle of the room. She along with her student poured all their efforts into learning its secrets. Only to come up with nothing but the realization that it was perhaps the most powerful tome in the known world and was sadly beyond their understanding.
Even now she could feel its power coursing through her veins. Pumping inside her like her blood in her body did and the call from the book to read from it even more. It was scary, to say the very least. Exciting in ways she had not felt in decades as well but oh so very dangerous. She knew how dangerous the book was even before she started to read it with Yennefer but not to the extent she would after she got pass the first chapter, It was a wonder and testament that Yennefer's strong sense of self that she didn't succumb to its call. Yet to call the book a work of evil would be inaccurate despite how it may come off.
It desired to be read yes but that was all. It didn't wish to take control of the person who read it. At least not as far as Tissaia could tell. What truly made the book dangerous was what it spoke of. A brand of magic that none in their world was aware of. Shadow magic from the Shadow Realm the book called it but had as of yet to go into any great detail about what it was. But from what she could glimpse so far it was a very dark and powerful place. A place one did not wish to travel to if it could be helped.
"Well, Tissaia you have gathering us all here. Do you mind telling us what this is about." Artorius Vigo, one of the leading members of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers asks.
Waking up from the trance just looking at the book put her in Tissaia says, "Yes honorable members of the Brotherhood I have no doubt you all are wondering why it is that I have called you here today and with such short notice. To answer your question, I have bought you here today because my ex-student Yennefer has brought to my attention a certain set of tomes she has come into passion of. One of which you have all no doubt noticed is sitting in the middle of the room."
They had all noticed it. It kind of was hard not to as all of them were experienced mages and knew a magical artifact when they saw one. But while they all noticed it, they all didn't realize what it was they were looking at.
"So, the girl has found a book on magic. What does this have to do with the Brotherhood?" The voice of Stregobor, another leading member of the Brotherhood speaks up in a dismissive tone.
"Your eyes seem to be getting old Stregobor. Do not see what sits before you." Tissaia says to him.
"See what? All I see is a book on magic that gives off only a slight bit of magic itself. Hardly the greatest find as in these very halls are books that dwarf it in power." Stregobor says.
"Look harder." Tissaia commands him.
Which does not sit well with the old wizard, but he does as told none the less and looks closer. As do the others, and almost to the last man and woman realize what Tissaia was trying to point out to them. Then feel a slight sense of dread come over them at the power they feel coming off the book.
"My….my Tissaia I do believe I owe you an apology." Stregobor says, his voice cracking a bit.
"An illusion and a powerful one but not one I recognize." Philippa Eilhart says as she leans forward now interested in the book. Where before she could have cared less about it.
"Nor I," Stregobor says as he stands up and walks towards the book only to back off immediately once his hand touches the book. With a now worried look on his face.
"Stregobor what is wrong?" Artorius Vigo asks.
"This is no ordinary magical book." Stregobor states then looks at Yennefer and asks, "Where did you get this?"
Now normally Yennefer wouldn't worry about minding her tongue or showing any type of respect to the man before her. But she had agreed if not reluctantly with Tissaia that she would mind her tongue for now. So, before she answers she looks at her old teacher and sees her wave for her to go on and answer the question.
"From a bookstore ran by a man who called himself Gaius Julius Caesar." Yennefer says to them and waits to see if anyone has head of the man. When she saw not even a glimmer of recognition on their faces, she knew none of them knew him.
"None of you have heard of him?" Yennefer asks anyways. While it wasn't that surprising, it was a bit worrying. How could a mage that powerful remain hidden from the Brotherhood?
It was a concern shared by everyone in the Brotherhood and voiced by Stregobor, "It would seem we have not. That is worrisome."
"More so that he sold such a book to young Yennefer here. Or perhaps it would be better to say that he could without worry." Artorius adds in.
It is at these words that Philippa notices a sight twitch in Yennefer's admitting impressive mask. It was so subtle that if she was not so well versed in the political arts, she would have missed it. Luckly for her Yennefer was still young and had not yet truly mastered the art of hiding one's emotions. How normally she would have kept the knowledge that Yennefer was hiding something to herself to use at a later date but in this case, she felt doing such a thing would not befit her in the long run.
"You are hiding something from us Yennefer. You did not buy this book, did you?" Philippa says in more of a statement than question.
Looking at Tissaia first before she answers Yennefer gets a slight nod then says, "I did not."
This earns her more than a few mummers from the council.
"Dear girl please do not tell us you stole this book from this mage?" Stregobor asks. Every mage knew that you didn't do such a thing to a clearly very powerful mage. At least not on a whim.
"I did no such thing. It was…. I guess you could call it a gift. Freely given on his own accord with no trickery on my part." Yennefer answers.
It is an answer that doesn't reassure any of them and for the first time since this meeting began Vilgefortz says, "Yennefer such things like this book are not just given without a cost. While it may have seemed freely given there is no doubt a price that is yet to be paid."
Yennefer is about to rebuttal him but is stopped with Tissaia saying, "I have already check over Yennefer for any spells on enchantments. There were no except one."
And before anyone can ask what it is Tissaia moves and fires a spell at the book destroying it. But before anyone can ask what she is doing Yennefer holds up her hand and the book they saw destroyed right before their eyes reappears in it. Completely unharmed by the spell Tissaia had used. Making the hair on the back of their necks stand up but not because it reformed but because none of them, not a one felt any magic take place.
"A binding spell." Vilgefortz says but his voice sounds unsure about this. As his own eyes couldn't quite believe what it was that he saw or in this case didn't see.
"That is what I thought at first but as you can clearly see there were no obvious signs of magic taking place. I don't know about the rest of you, but I know of no magic that can go completely unnoticed to a mages senses." Tissaia says to them.
"Nor I." Artorius says casting a spell to break an illusions. If only to make sure that he had witnesses had indeed taken place.
"Have you tried to break the spell yet?" Stregobor asked, doing a poor job of keeping the shakiness out of his own voice.
"I have with every spell I know but to no avail. Whatever magic was used to bind this book to Yennefer is beyond me. As is the magic in the book itself." Tissaia says.
"Yes, you said that before. Tell us more of this magic. Perhaps it holds clues to the magic that was placed on your student." Vilgefortz says in a kind and steady voice.
Letting out a sigh Tissaia says, "I would if I could but sadly the book is far harder to understand and learn from than I had at first expected. Yennefer is further along in understanding it then I. Yennefer if you will."
Stepping forward Yennefer finally takes center stage after amazingly keeping her peace for more than a few minutes. "Honor members of the council The Book of Shadow's Vol I is as Tissaia has said a new form of magic. And I speak not of new spells never seen before but a whole new type of magic. One that works outside the realm of the one we know. Yet still follows some of the same principles."
Standing up in some shock at what Yennefer says, Artorius says, "That cannot be. There is no power other than Order and Chaos. If there was, we know of it."
"That is what I thought as well. That was till I read this book. Now I have to admit at first, I had believed, like the rest of you no doubt believe that it was full of lies. But as I kept reading the book, I unlocked the ability to call upon the power of a place called The Shadow Realm, the Realm of Darkness or simply the Shadow." Yennefer says and suddenly the room feels like it had become darker and colder.
Now to their credit everyone in the room keeps a level head but only a blind person could not see the worry and sweat on their faces. Not that Yennefer could blame them, seeing as the deeper she got into the book the more frightened she became of those Shadow Realm. So much so that she didn't even dare to say the name out loud on most days.
"As you can no doubt see even saying its name is strong enough to cause a reaction and the few spells I have so far learned while not powerful in the conventional sense are still beyond anything I have ever known. Wouldn't you say Stregobor?" Yennefer asks.
Looking all at once, everyone looks at Stregobor and sees him struggling to move for some reason.
"W…..what have you… done to me?" Stregobor can barely say.
"Look at your feet Stregobor." Yennefer says then looks down which allows him to do the same. Letting him see a unnatural shadow connecting him to Yennefer.
Releasing her hold on him Yennefer says, "The spell is called Shadow Imitation. A seeming simple spell that when cast connects one person's shadow to that of another. Forcing the one who the spell was cast on to mimic the movements of the one who cast it. And as you all have no doubt noticed I was about to cast it without any indication that I had done so."
It went without saying how scary that was to those in the room. While most in the room save a few like Vilgefortz avoided combat at all costs. They knew he or she who cast a spell first and unknowingly towards an enemy generally won the battle. The spell Yennefer had just used had to their scenes gone completely unnoticed. There wasn't even a hit, that she had cast a spell. A frighting thing indeed.
"I know what it is all of you are thinking and am too frightened by what this book holds and not just for its spells. The book…. the book that stands before you have a will of its own. It wants to be read, needs to be read. Even now I can feel its desire, its will to be read and while it may not wish me harm, it will not leave me till either I finish the book, or the storeowner calls it back." Yennefer says to them all.
Which ends up invoking a great desire to lock the book away. To break its hold on her or failing that finding the bookstore owner to break it for them. It is all for not however as Yennefer was sure that if the bookstore owner didn't wish to be found he wouldn't. And even if they did find him, she doubted they could do anything to persuade someone who called this book a beginner's guide to shadow magic. No, it was best that she simply keeps reading it. That way it would return on its own.
-Elsewhere-
Deep in the mountains of Blue Mountains, Filavandrel aén Fidháil looked upon one of the most peculiar site he had seen in his long life. At first, he didn't believe his scouts when they came to him about a strange building deep inside the mountains they were forced to inhabit. After all, why would there be a building here of all places and most importantly how was it they could have missed it. They have lived here, (if you could call what they did up here living) for a long time. Having scouted many of its caverns it should have been impossible for them to have missed it with how close it was to their main camp. But alas here it was standing right before his very eyes.
How was it that they had missed it and more importantly what was this foul feeling he was getting from the building? Filavandrel was no mage by any means but even so he could feel the magic coming from the building. It was powerful beyond measure and a mix of light and darkness. How was such a thing even possible? Filavandrel didn't know but it made his hair stand on end. As a proud elvish warrior, he was not about to admit to those under his command that he was afraid of this place. But nor was he going to risk good elvish men and women by having them join him in searching the place.
He was far too old to not understand the power of magic and those who practiced it. If some vile monster was behind the door of this building, he would face it alone. Why take the risk of doing so, some may ask. Well, it was simple his people were slowly starting to starve to death. The land would no longer provide what they needed to survive. As king of his people, he had a responsibility to look out for them. To provide for them and lead them. And while he did not know what was inside that place the magic coming off it gave him a bit of hope that something useful could be found inside.
So, looking towards his scouts he orders them to return to base. For he would go investigate alone. Nearly to the last man and women who were with him at first refused to leave him. Not willing to see their lord walk into danger on his own. Their disobedience to his command warmed his heart. To know he was loved by those who chose to follow him. Could a king or any leader rightfully ask for more. The answer was no, but he would not allow them to question him on this and sent them on their way. He would either come back alive or he would not and accept whatever fate had in store for him.
-Inside the store-
Failure is a part of life. This is a well-known fact that many think they understand but seldom do. Even among the most successful people in the world had failed at something at some point in their lives. So, there was no reason to get discouraged when one fails to do something right the first time. You just adjust and overcome that failure with a rousing success later on. Still, it stinged when one failure to accomplish what they set out to do. No matter how mild that failure may be.
"Like my own failure." I thought to myself as I let out a sad sigh.
Three hours, three long hours underground. Getting kicked around and slammed against the cave walls by that Earth elemental. If it wasn't for my connection to the bookstore and my unnatural strength, I was sure I would have died several times over against that thing. And connection or not getting the ever-loving shit kicked out of me got tiring after a while. And what did I get for all my pain? Nothing that was what I got.
Really looking back, it was my fault I failed so badly. I really should have practiced my binding spells more. They were just so hard to learn. Yes, I had the books, but unlike swordsmanship I lacked the talent for magic. For example, I wasn't lying when I had told Yennefer that the Book of Shadow's Vol I was little more than a beginners book. While I will admit I wanted to sound a big cool in front of the cold truth was that Vol I was easy compared to Vol II. If I had to give a comparison between the two, I would say Vol I was 1st grade math and Vol II was freshmen algebra. It was a big jump between the two and as for Vol III. Well, if Yennefer was as talented as the books claimed she was then I could comfortably say she would at least be able to learn book two. A feat I had not been about to accomplish.
Anyways back to what I was saying. I really had no talent for binding magic and this failing of mine lead me to killing the Earth elemental before I could sacrifice it to open the book I wished to read. It wasn't my fault really. I had succeeded in capturing it but in order to do so I had to weaken it significantly first. Sadly, it had died of its injuries before I could even drag it out of the cave it was in. Making all of the time I spent in the cave fighting it a huge waste of time.
Taking a sip of my tea I let out another sigh then say to myself, "Oh well nothing to be done about it now. I will just have to try again. But Gods above it took forever to find the thing in the first place. Now I would have to wait for my contacts to find me another one."
And they would find another one, I am sure of that. While I had only been in this world for a shot time I did have plenty of time to form my own certain type of spy network. Well spy network would be the incorrect choice of words. They were not really spying on anyone. Just looking for certain information and resources I needed to unlock books I currently don't have access to. I care nothing about the Northern Kingdom's politics and who was fucking who over or why.
Hearing the door open, and the bell above it give a light chime, I look towards the door surprised that someone was way-out here in the Blue Mountains. That was till I saw who it was or perhaps to say what race was before me. For I didn't know the man who stood before me, but it was clear by the way he walked and held himself that he was an elf. The ears were kind of a dead giveaway but if one was to watch them closely you could tell the difference between an elf and human just by the way they walked. Human's just seemed to stomp around when they walked. While elves just had this type of natural grace about them and where unbelievable light on their feet. Not to the point of the elves from Lord of the Rings who were said to be able to walk on top of the softest snow without sinking in. But still it was impressive to watch and was probably why even among the hardest of racists people generally found elves attractive.
Setting my tea to the side I stand up and give a small but respectful bow. "Good day my good Sir and welcome to my bookstore. How can I help you today."
Filavandrel didn't know exactly what to expect when he entered this building but whatever it was it was not this. To find a bookstore in the middle of the Blue Mountains sounded ridiculous enough to the ears. But upon looking at the proprietor things went from ridiculous to outright scary. For what stood before him was no human despite his appearance. It wasn't a well-known fact but the elvish race depending on the elf could in fact see the wisps of magic around someone. More so than human mages who could only sense it. And while his own eyes were not as good as seeing the wisps of magic like his father or mother. Even he could see the raging inferno coming off the man before him.
It put him on edge, but he was about to push down his fear and greeted the man or thing before him in turn, "Greetings my friend I am Filavandrel aén Fidháil. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
By the ever-slight widening of the eyes Filavandrel could tell the man know his name and took a step back to prepare himself least they came to blows. He knew all too well that the human's had a bounty on his head, and many wished to collect it. So, he would not let down his guard even if the man before him was no human.
Instead of aggression however is met with a smile and the man says, "Oh my what a twist of fate this is. To think I would meet the king of the elvish people way out here. How peculiar that is and makes me wonder why you are here?"
Looking like he was thinking about something the man just waves his hand and says with the upmost respect, "Never mind. It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness. Please forgive me for my humble style of dress. If I had known, I would be receiving a royal this day I would have dressed appropriately and prepared snacks. Sadly, all I can offer you is some tea and biscuits."
For a moment Filavandrel had to wonder if the man before him was insulting him with his words in some way. As he was hardly underdressed. While yes, the clothing the man had on currently were loose fitting, they were far from the rags Filavandrel was forced to wear now adays. Yet nothing in his tone gave the feeling of being insulted or talked down to for his own dress style. No, the man genuinely believed he was under dressed to receive royalty. The question was why he was being so respectful.
Honestly there was no reason I was being respectful toward the man. Who I could tell was a bit taken aback by the way I was treating him. I didn't know a lot about Filavandrel to be honest. As I still hadn't read the Witcher books despite having copies of them in the back room. It felt too much like I would be spoiling the ending to a book before I even got to read the beginning. So, I only knew his name because it was whispered by the few elves I had met over the years. And by my cute little student Naglee who often mention him along with some women name Francesca Findabair. Little Naglee often told me about how one or both of them would take back the lands stolen by human's one day. Leading the elvish people back to the glory that was once theirs. It was total nonsense of course but they were the beliefs of a child or the delusions of an idiot. Depending on how old they were. A child could be excused for such beliefs. An adult was a whole other matter however and would only get themselves with such talk. Personally, I looked at them as an evolutionary dead end. Not worth breeding to continue their line.
That said I would treat Filavandrel with the respect he earned by keeping his people going in this dark time for the elves. Perhaps I would even help him if I could. I despised racism in all forms and had marched for equal rights for all people in my old world. I would be dammed if I didn't at least try to help him a bit. The question was how I would help him without a lot of blood spilling.
"Hmmm there may be no way to do so." I think to myself as Filavandrel speaks.
"Do not mind if I do my good man." Filavandrel says as he takes a seat at the table where the tea and biscuits are.
The truth was Filavandrel had not eaten anything real in days and was starving. Making the smell of the freshly baked biscuits and tea too much to resist. Though he did resist the temptation of trying to rob the man before him of any other food he may have in this place. He had little interest in committing suicide at this point in his life.
After Filavandrel takes a seat, I move to pour him a cup of tea. Not because he was royalty but because I had what many people in my old world didn't, manners. Showing a bit of kindness to another in such a simple act cost nothing but could gain you everything. Like trust or if not that a stay of judgement on your character.
Taking a seat after I am done pouring Filavandrel some tea I look at the man as he tries to control himself from eating everything in front of him. Where the elves really starving so much that even their leader was so hungry? If so, that won't do now, will it?
"So, Lord Filavandrel what brings you to my humble shop this day?" I asked him.
Taking one last sip of his tea Filavandrel says, "My scouts came upon your shop earlier this day. They found it unusual to find a building way out here in the mountains and so informed me about it."
"And you came to investigate yourself?" I asked him.
"Indeed." Is all Filavandrel says.
"That was very brave of you milord." I say to him impressed.
"Was it now?" Filavandrel says trying to hide how scared he really was upon seeing the building and even now sitting in front the man before him.
"Indeed, it was. From what I have read in my tomes the Elvish people, no matter from what realm, have a natural ability to sense magic to a point. And that is for untrained and young elves. You're a fully grown warrior, however. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to stand before my shop." I say to him truly impressed. Seeing as little Naglee was very hesitant to enter my shop at first.
Hearing this is a bit surprising to Filavandrel. Many books on his people were burned or lost during the Great Cleansing as humas called it. So, to hear this man had not only a book but books on his people came as a surprise.
"You have a history on my people?" Filavandrel asks.
Smiling at the man before me I say, "Oh I have much more then that Lord Filavandrel. In fact, give me one moment."
I then stand up and go to a shelf and pull out a large blue tome and bring it over. Handing the book to Filavandrel he looks at the title of the book and his eyes widen in shock.
"The Age of Migration by Ayduin Jodithas." Filavandrel says in a breathless whisper.
While born centuries after the coming of the first of his kind Ayduin Jodithas was believed to be the only true elven historian to accurately detail the coming of his people to the Continent. It was one of those tomes that his people saw as a true treasure of their people. Something that should have been guarded with their lives and was. His father died trying to get a copy of this very book out of his family's library but had sadly died in the attempt.
"How did you come accurse a copy of this book? They were all believed to be lost during the fall of my people." Filavandrel asks.
Feeling a sudden chill come over him Filavandrel hears the owner of this place say, "Lord Filavandrel I take great pride in my store. There is no book that you can think of that I don't have or will have sooner or later."
Looking at the man, no the thing before him Filavandrel could swear he saw a dark figure behind him. Its hand stretched out its to touch him. To grasp him and pull him into that dark abyss that laid behind it.
Yet Filavandrel would not allow fear to grasp him, and he asks bravely, "You're not human, are you?"
Smiling at Filavandrel I answer, "Once upon a time I was. What I am now? Well does it matter what I am?"
"I suppose not." Filavandrel says as he takes another sip of his tea then opens the book before him. Reaching the first few pages like he had done once upon a time as a child.
"My people would give much to have this book once more in our possession. To gain back even if just a bit of that which was lot." Filavandrel says.
"You may take it if you wish." I say to him in an even tone.
Looking at me, I can see doubt in Filavandrel's eyes and hear him ask, "And what would taking such a book from one such as you cost me?"
Answering him I say, "Nothing Lord Filavandrel."
"Nothing?" Filavandrel asks in doubt.
"Yes nothing. Knowledge should be shared; books should be read. To give you that book so you can teach it to your people is reward enough for me. However,…."
I stop midsentence and get up to go get another book. This one is a green and blood red colored book. Then bring it over to him. Then continue saying, "There are two types of books in my store. Those that are mundane and those that are not. Now I personally place equal amounts of important all my books but with that said some carry a higher risk than others. Both to the reader and those around the reader."
I then place the book in front of Filavandrel who picks it up and reads the title, "The Harvest of Blood."
Then feels a chill go up his spine at reading the title. Before dropping it in some fright. Unable to hide it this time as what Filavandrel feels from the book is dark. Very, very dark.
"Do not read too much into the title Lord Filavandrel. Despite what you feel coming from the book it is not as evil as it seems." I say to him.
Looking at me with in even greater suspension then before Filavandrel asks, "Why give me this book?"
"Because it is what you need right now. Your people know little about growing things. This book offers a solution for that. One that can be brighter than the stars in the sky or darker than the abyss around them. The choice on how you use it will be up to you. That is of course only if you pay for the book." I say to him.
Filavandrel hesitates upon hearing this. Of course, he does. He could feel it. There was darkness in this book. Darkness so deep and evil that to even dare to look at this book was to curse yourself to a life of misery. But there was also light. A light that while hard to see was so bright that it gave him hope. Hope for his people. The only question was which did he listen to? Which was true and which was false.
To distract himself from the calling of the book in his hands he looks at the shop owner and asks, "Forgive me but again I must ask why would you offer me this book? Why help me and my people? What do we mean to you?"
Smiling at the man with a kind but tired smile I say, "Once long ago when I was younger, I fought against injustice. Standing in the shadows of far greater men then myself who believe in goodness and justice for all people no matter their race or creed. As I got older, I kept fighting till one day I could not. I know not what you will do with this book, but I am willing to give it to you if it will bring some balance to what has happened to your people."
Is what I say to him as I remember King and Malcolm. I didn't know the men myself, not personally. As I only got to speak with King once and not at all with Malcolm but was there standing among a sea of people. Hanging on their worlds and following them across those bridges. And while I knew that King would not approve of what I was doing by offering this book to Filavandrel the time for peaceful talks was long over. The elvish people needed the help this book could provide and all I could do was hope that they used it for more peaceful means than violent.
After thinking about it for a time Filavandrel says, "Name you price."
Making his choice. For good or for ill Filavandrel could tell his people needed what help this book could offer.
Later that same day one Toruviel aep Sihiel entered the shop her king had sent her to. Anger flowing though her veins at being sent here. She was a warrior for crying out loud. A great warrior and if you asked her an equally great huntress. Yet here she was, sent by her king to function as a fucking maid and cook to some strange human man. Who for some unknown reason built a bookstore in the middle of the mountains? At least that was what she thought at first. Then she saw and entered the bookstore itself.
Now she was no sorceress. Toruviel knew nothing of magic or now it worked. Yet upon entering the store she could feel an unbearable weight fall on her shoulders. Pushing her down to the floor so she was on her hands and knees. Unable to breathe, see or hear. In her bones she knew this was magic. Magic so powerful and willful that it made one helpless when standing before it.
That was till she heard a kind voice say in a half scolding tone. "That is enough all of you. This is no way to welcome a guest."
Feeling the force that was on her disappearing Toruviel looks up and spots the man who had spoken and can't help but think for a moment, much to her shame how handsome he was. He did not have the natural baring of a warrior, nor the regal looks of her king but a kindly one. He just had the type of face you either wanted to trust or knew you couldn't.
Reaching his hand out towards her she hears him say, "I am so sorry for that milady. The books do not take kindly to those who harbor ill attractions towards me. So, unless you desire a repeat of what you just felt I suggest you put any feelings of anger or aggression aside for now."
Taking the man's hand Toruviel looks around cautiously and says, "The…. the book are alive?"
"Yes." I answered her simply. All the books in this place were alive. All of them desiring to be read and held in someone's arms. Even the mundane books had a will of their own. They were just not as dangerous as the others. Well mostly anyways.
Toruviel gulps at this and tries hard to hide her fear at hearing this and fails to do so. But she will not allow herself to be scared off.
Instead, she focuses on the man before her and say, "I am Toruviel aep Sihiel and I have been sent here by my king to serve you."
Bowing my head respectfully to the women I say, "Welcome Lady Toruviel. I am Gaius Julius Caesar, but you may call me Caesar."