We stepped into something of a massive library, broken up into three levels. Stairs zigzagged a line up the walls, connecting the levels. Before us were rows of L – shaped bookcases filled with all sorts of books, scrolls and papers kept in order by silver book ends. At our feet, an enormous map of the realm was painted on the black marble floor. Chairs and desks sat on the map’s corners. In the middle of the map was an elaborate silver pedestal.
‘Damn,’ Edde cursed.
‘Neven,’ a tiny voice whispered from a corner. I saw a black thing hurry across the map and hide behind the pedestal. I approached the center and pedestal and saw a black and white skirrat looking up at me.
‘Howdy,’ it said.
I sighed with a smile. ‘You following me Wolf?’
‘Yes and no. I got kicked out of the clan cause of Reddy going belly-up. So figured you ‘ave more cheese. You do don’t you?’ His orb eyes stared with earnest and sighed with disappointment when I said no.
‘Sorry Wolf, I’m just a slave.’
‘I’ll snuffle around the kitchens. Might get lucky for both of us two-legs.’
”Who yah talking to?’ Edde approached my side and went stiff.
‘Howdy two-legs,’ Wolf said unfazed.
‘It t-talks, it-’
‘Talks, yes-yes. Love to – gotta find cheese.’
He scurried off without a backward glance and disappeared behind a bookcase.
‘That skirrat talked,’ Edde turned to me.
‘Yeah one of Master Asuras’s experiments.’
Edde’s eyes bulged at the word experiment. Her mouth opened with more questions but closed before any could escape.
‘Dis place gives me the willies, lets go,’ Edde said and gestured for me to follow her. My eyes caught a thin gold edge. I was surprised I hadn’t noticed the thick book spread open between the pedestal’s hands.
‘Look Edde,’ I said.
‘No, we go,’ Edde grabbed my shoulder to pull me around. It was too late. I read the text on the pages and noticed a familiarity.
…and the Ryder stood before the armies of the world with her sword raised high. She was fearless amongst the afraid; steadfast against the howling devils and their thirst for souls…
My heart stopped for a split second. Bits and pieces of dreams whirled distorted images through my mind. I shook my head free and faced Edde, noting an expression of obvious concern.
‘Yah okay?’
‘Yes,’ I sighed. ‘No. It’s this page. I had a dream of facing an army and I read about it in this book.
Edde glanced at the page then at me, her worry not going away.
‘Coincidence.’
‘Is it Edde? I don’t know who I am? I have this stupid magic in me I don’t want and all these strange voices bugging my head.’
‘Voices?’ Edde’s eyes bulged. She crossed her arms.
‘Yeah, a snake voice and that of a woman’s now and then.’
‘Oh Neven – neva realized, er, how troubled yah were.’ She hugged my shoulders. ‘Slavery affects us in a ways. I’ve seen the worst in the best of folk – dah best come out of the worst.’
She pulled me eye to eye with her. ‘Always know dah rules and stick to ‘em.’
I nodded my head conscious of my frown, and followed her lead back through the corridors and finally to our cots.
