Even though he kept to those primitive trails, it still took Khollo an hour to reach the courtyard outside the main hall, and another hour to make his way to the library. He descended the stairs into the library quickly, noticing that the stone was damp. But, when he reached the top floor of the library, everything was dry again. Khollo frowned, then saw a trickle of water falling from the small ledges he had noticed the previous day. Comprehension dawned on him and he turned around, running a finger along the crack between stairs and balcony. His finger came away wet.
The water must drain through here and then out into the pool, Khollo realized. Ingenious, really. But it’s amazing that the passages are still clear after all this time.
He heard Kanin’s voice in his head. You are at the library now?
Khollo frowned, not sure how to answer the dragon over such a great distance.
Direct your thoughts to me and I will hear, Kanin prompted.
Khollo focused on the voice, fixing on the idea that he was speaking to Kanin. I just got to the library minutes ago. It takes a lot longer without the benefit of wings. He paused briefly, waiting for a reply. Did you hear that?
Yes, Kanin replied.
Good.
Now, if you get in trouble, I will know, Kanin observed happily.
How’s the leg?
Hurts.
Khollo nodded, then remembered that Kanin could not see the small movement. Keep resting. I’ll let you know if I find anything interesting.
Kanin grumbled in reply and Khollo grinned, then began poking through the first bookshelf. He focused on scrolls, reasoning that this would be the most likely place to find maps. He was not disappointed. There were maps in the cubbyholes, along with reports, messages between rulers, and other official documents, but they all depicted places unfamiliar to Khollo.
When he had finished searching the scrolls in the first bookshelf, Khollo moved clockwise to the next bookshelf. And the next. And the next. He lost track of the time that was passing, and only when his stomach rumbled alarmingly did he go to a window and realize that it was now midafternoon.
One more row, Khollo told himself, returning to his work. Then I better head back.
He moved to the next row in line and began searching through the scrolls. The documents here were older, and far more fragile. Khollo had to take great care to avoid destroying them altogether as he reviewed them.
Near the end of the scrolls on the final shelf for the day, Khollo came across the first piece of useful information he had found so far. It was a map, and of a familiar place.
It was the third to last scroll. At first, he had difficulty making anything out. He was about to tuck it away when he recognized a word to the left of center. Fells.
Khollo squinted at the map, turning it this way and that. Finally, he realized he was looking at a detailed map of the Fells and only the Fells. A tiny portion of the Renlor Basin was also sketched in, but the main focus was the range of southern mountains. There was no marking for Ishkabur amidst the peaks, or for Narne to the west. There was a citadel marked among the highest peaks though that Khollo had not heard of: Dun Carryl.
The young warrior hesitated, glancing out a nearby window. He had stayed past his allotted time, and the sun would begin to set in an hour or so. He needed to get moving. He debated bringing the scroll with him, then decided to leave the delicate piece of writing where it belonged. He returned it to its place amidst the other scrolls and committed its location to memory. Then, Khollo made for the exit, climbing quickly back up to the surface.
I’m on my way back, he informed Kanin, jogging through the forest at a steady pace.
You’re late.
I know, Khollo growled, frustrated. I got distracted, last scroll looked like it might be useful.
And was it?
Don’t know yet.
Silence stretched between the pair, absorbed in their own thoughts. Be safe, Kanin said finally. I will watch for your return. My leg is well enough that I should be able to bring you up to our level with no problem.
Good, see you soon. Khollo ended the conversation and returned his attention to running.
At his increased pace, Khollo reached the main hall of the Keepers in just under three quarters of an hour. He took a short break, no more than a few minutes, then pushed on towards the holds. He’d forgotten just how quickly the sun set in the jungle, and he was starting to worry that he would not return before dark.
Finally, Khollo caught a glimpse of the holds through the trees. He sighed in relief and slowed his pace to a brisk walk. He was safe. Kanin would be waiting for him, and they could review what Khollo had found, eat, and rest. He was already planning his dinner when a growl shocked him from his thoughts.
“Kanin?” he asked, surprised. The noise had not sounded like the dragon, but it was hard to be sure. And the sound had come from the jungle, not from the holds. Khollo drew his Sen-teel and continued moving towards the holds.
Another growl sounded through the jungle, lower, more menacing. Definitely not Kanin.
Kanin, do you see anything moving down here? Khollo asked, unsettled.
Like what?
Like something big that growls.
No. Silence. The trees are too thick. I cannot even see you from the ledge.
Okay. Be ready if there’s trouble.
Khollo increased his pace. Behind him, he heard the jungle foliage rustle urgently, and then rapid,
