Beautiful Dreamer

Chapter 23

Drisellda and I had started to become very close after the night I came back from the king’s chambers in tears. She was funny and a very comforting presence when I needed it. She also knew tons of history about the castle which I found fascinating. Her family had worked for the royals for generations each one passing down the history. We would walk the halls together to pass the time and she would go into detail about each king and what he was known for each having some sort of ability to wield magic. 

As their line was diluted fewer and fewer of the kings were born with the ability to wield magic. It started to skip generations. Cardwell’s father had no magic himself so Cardwell was supposed to be the next one to have abilities. He however was born with none. Many theorized that the royal lineage was so diluted now that it was possible that no one else in the family line would ever possess magic again. It made sense why Cardwell was so obsessed with magic wielders now. He felt he was owed magic for himself. He was using me to get just that. He must also want an heir with abilities just like mine. I shivered at the thought of him touching my body to get just that.

We passed by a door that had similar markings to the ones that led to the throne room.

“Where does that room go to?”

“The library.” Drisellda said disinterested.

“I heard the library is huge.” 

“It is! Trust me I had to clean it before I became one of your handmaidens.”

“Can we go and see it?”

“I do not see why not. It is open to all as far as I am aware.”

Drisellda and I both entered the room. The library was just as big as Zachariah had described it to me. The walls were lined floor to ceiling with books. There were so many books that it did not seem like there was even enough room for them all. Books were stacked along the floor and upon tables. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen in my entire life. I was so awe stricken I could not even hear Drisellda talking to me for a second. I turned and looked at her.

“What was that?”

“I said that the king is an avid collector of books. Anytime he or one his officials leave the castle they bring back a book to add to the library. The last time someone counted we had three thousand four hundred and twenty-three books in all and that was two years ago. Who knows how many there are now.”

“That is extremely impressive. How do you find anything in here though?”

“That I do not know. I think he does have a book keeper though who comes and organizes the books.”

“You mean like a librarian?”

“What is a librarian?” She asked me looking a little confused.

“Sorry, I am still adjusting to these times. In the memories I was given the book keeper would be called a librarian.”

“Oh, I see. That must be so strange for you. Not being able to really understand the difference between what is real and what is not.”

“Yes, it is, but maybe if I read some of these books, I might get a better grasp on this world. Do you know when the book keeper will be back by?” 

“I can send for him if you would like my queen.”

“That would be amazing and Drissy please just call me Analise. I think we have become familiar enough that we can do away with the formalities.”

“Ummm... ok ...Analise.” 

She forced herself to say it even though I knew it made her quite uncomfortable. While she was out of the room, I looked through a few books. I headed to a table to start reading. I scanned through the pages of one, it was about different dialects that some places have. Another book was about types of peppers, and the last book I found was hidden under a stack of books. The uninhibited power of creation magic. My eyes widened in excitement; it was like I was meant to find this book. I heard footsteps coming toward me. I needed to hide this book; I could not risk anyone knowing what I had found. I held the book in my hand and it began to shrink to the size of fly. It would be easy to conceal it now in my fist. Drisellda came back with a rather older looking man. He approached me and bowed.

“My queen, I am the keeper of books, Drake McCoy. How can I be of service to you?” He asked.

I nervously fidgeted knowing that the book was in my hand and was hoping with everything in me not to get caught. I tried to remain calm and act normal.

“Pleased to meet you. I was just wondering with all of these books, how do you sort them, by category, alphabetically or perhaps by author?”

This question seemed to excite him. He walked towards a shelf motioning me to follow him.

“I categorize them by level of importance to the king. The shelves closest to the door is the books we have on magic. He has spent many days researching them. The next shelf would be history, of both his family as well as the neighboring kingdoms as well. Music, art, and other miscellaneous things are on shelves further back. I try to make sure I know where all the books important to the king are.”

“Sir McCoy that is truly amazing! You must have dedicated a lot of time to this.”

“Just doing my job, and you may just call me McCoy no sir needed.”

“Okay, McCoy, do you think I could borrow a few books to read please?” 

“Of course! Just as long as you leave the ones pertaining to magic here! The king would be furious if those were ever removed from this room. They are his most prized belongings. Let me just go get something to write down the ones you are taking so I can keep track of whose possession they are in.”

“Ummm...okay. I will take these two.”

He looked at me bewildered.

“My queen, do you really want to read about peppers? Surely there are other books that might interest you more.”

“No, this one is fine. One never knows when you might need to know information on peppers.”

“As you wish,” he said still a little confused by my odd choice.

I thanked McCoy and hurried back to my room anxious to dive into my stolen book.