Chapter 17

“The Head Librarian was quite charming,” Bahya said. “I’m not certain about the crew boss though; I don’t think he likes me.”

“Sunder is not sure that you are appropriate for the work we must do,” Danel said. “We depend upon each other with the greatest of trust. You are the first priestess to ever be pulled into the cadre, which is concerning by itself. The fact that your goddess arranged for your placement is even more concerning. Come with me and let’s secure some dinner. I’m famished.”

As they walked, Bahya attempted to speak several times and each time she stopped herself. Outside the common dining room of the Librarians, Bahya placed a hand gently on Danel’s arm. “Please, I must confess a truth to you, Librarian, for I do not wish to sabotage your work. I did not volunteer nor did the goddess choose me. I was already on a short list for deportment back to the Temple for disobedience. Priestess Pachout considers me the most expendable of our mission to the Library of Ibados.”

“Thank you for your confession,” Danel said with smile, his hand on the door handle. “I’m confident that the goddess chose you, now that I’ve heard your story. Anyone who stands up to Pachout shows some of the character necessary for our work. Disobedience, malicious compliance, murder by words – these are traits that make one a good explorer. Come inside and eat in peace.”

She poked her head in the door. “These people are all Librarians. I can’t go in there.” She looked terrified.

Danel placed his hand on the small of her back and pushed her into the room. “Come and sit next to me. I’ll choose a table where I’m fairly certain the Librarians don’t bite, and if they do, it doesn’t hurt much.”

“Priestess Bahya, meet Librarian Frage,” Danel said, pulling out a chair for the priestess to sit. “What’s for dinner?”

“Fowl over biscuits with a thick yellow gravy and peas,” Frage said. “I snuck in a genuine Trikal beer.” She held up the napkin that had been covering the glass. “I miss this stuff something awful.” She took a sip and then she took a gulp, wiping the foam off her lip with her tongue.

Bahya thought it was funny. She covered her mouth with her hand to avoid laughing out loud while Danel nodded his approval. They looked up when the cart came through the kitchen doorway.

“What terrible happenstance occurred that brought you to meet Danel,” Frage said with focused curiosity. “A priestess no less, not even an acolyte.”

“The goddess,” Bahya said. She looked down, saying nothing more.

“Alright,” Frage said after she realized the woman was not going to say another word. “So, Danel, what about this priestess friend of yours? Have you known each other long? Have you discussed plans?”

“Knock it off, Frage,” Danel said. “Dining with Librarians makes her nervous. She is a Daughter of Raua, and she has been assigned to help me with my explorations. Head gave his approval in case you are following up with another question.”

Edel wandered in and took a seat at the table. “Already?” he said, looking at the priestess. “You always seem to find the beautiful ones while I get the ones with a hairy upper lip or awkward limbs or delusions of grandeur. Surely, I missed a lesson somewhere.”

“No, don’t beat yourself up so,” Frage admonished Edel before taking another surreptitious gulp. “You are our vanguard, sweeping away the undesirables before they reach the rest of us. Your gullibility is our saving grace, and we thank you for your service.”

Bahya snorted through her nose with mirth. It was a loud burst that had her clapping both hands over her mouth and nose with her eyes wide.

Second stood up at her table and announced in a loud voice, “Librarian Danel, perhaps you would like to introduce your guest to the room and while you’re at it, explain yourself,” She was not happy.

Danel stood up and faced the room. He bowed with common courtesy. “May I introduce Priestess Bahya of the Daughters of Raua. She has been assigned to the Explorer Cadre on the orders of her goddess. She only learned of her assignment mere hours ago and her world is suddenly atwitter. We have just returned from introductions in the Head Librarian’s offices, and we are famished. As the newest member of the cadre and only hours old at that, I invited the priestess to dine among my most favorite companions, of which my fellow green cords have shown her graciousness and comradeship.”

“I’m sure it’s all true, but it’s certainly not the truth,” one of the older Librarians called out. The entire room fell into laughter. Danel bowed to the gentleman and turned to face Second.

“Stand up, my dear Priestess of Raua,” Second said. “Are you here of your own free will?”

“Yes, Librarian.”

“Did Librarian Danel make any promises, oaths, or sworn statements to entice or coerce you?”

“No, Librarian. He did promise me dinner though, but not as an enticement. I’m here because it is the will of my goddess.”

“Good,” Second said. “May the goddess bless you in all your endeavors. Danel, you are overdue for a visit to my office for supervision. Tomorrow, perhaps?”

“We leave with Explorer Sunder first thing tomorrow morning, Second. May we schedule for when I return?”

“See that you do. I place the responsibility upon you to secure a slot on my calendar. Enjoy your dinner, Librarian.” She sat down and began speaking with her companion.

“Thank you, Second. Dat Apertos.” He turned back to the table and began filling everyone’s plates with the bowls and platter in the center of the table. After filling his plate last, he sat.

“What did you say?” Yoodma asked, still chewing her bite of food.

“I said ‘good appetite’ in her native tongue,” Danel said.

“Brownnoser,” Gerber said. “This is quite tasty.”

“I spent half the day pouring over old maps and purported blueprints,” Danel said. “Then one of the members of my cadre, Malchus, was arrested for drunkenness and I had to go pull his ass out of the gaol because ‘they’ll listen to the Librarian,’ which cost me hours of time. To top off my day, I had to go meet her boss,” he pointed at Bahya with his thumb. “Nothing like arrogance to ruin a decent ale I picked up while on the run.”