Jasher and one of the drinlings who had accompanied Aram burst into the room. “We have a situation,” Jasher said.
“What?” Drake asked.
“Six ships on the northeastern horizon, coming this way, including an interceptor.”
“The wind is still from the east?” Drake asked.
“Yes,” Jasher said. “Aram found an observation room atop the highest dome. The ships just came into view using telescopes. They are still hours away. Aram thinks if we hurry, we might have a chance to escape undetected.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” Drake asked. “Farfalee?”
“Depends how long it takes to copy the scroll and a map.”
“Captain Aram has already run ahead to prepare the Valiant,” the drinling said. “He knows you will follow as soon as you see fit.”
“Anything you can do to help us hurry?” Jason asked Bactrus.
The old guide pursed his lips. “Possibly. Ask your friend if she ever held an office when she worked at the Great Document Hall.”
“Farfalee?” Jason asked.
“I attained the office of lesser loremaster,” she replied.
“Ask if she recalls her words,” Bactrus instructed.
“Farfalee?”
She spoke several Edomic phrases. They referenced fidelity in preserving the rich history of Lyrian, honesty in dealing with those seeking knowledge, and courage in protecting the documents in her care.
“Those are the words,” Bactrus told Jason. “The scroll is not a permanent part of our collection. I could release it into her custody as if she were the loremaster who came to return it to Cirum Elsador, the repository from whence it came.”
“Really?” Jason exclaimed.
“I have that authority,” Bactrus said. “And she is, after all, the only remaining person who can read it. Ask your friend to pledge to see the scroll either safely delivered to Cirum Elsador or else returned here.”
“I promise,” Farfalee said.
“Have her touch the scroll to the stone,” Bactrus instructed.
They did so, and the stone briefly pulsed with light.
Bactrus regarded Jason somberly. “The scroll is now under her stewardship. You also need a map.”
“Yes,” Jason said.
“We have diverse maps for purchase,” Bactrus said. “All part of a service once offered by the cartographers here. They are not so finely detailed as some available in the collection, and the selection is limited, but I am aware of five commercial maps that together should serve your needs. As with the antiquities shop, since there is no proprietor present, I can simply let you take them.”
“This could make all the difference,” Jasher said. “It will save hours.”
“You could attempt to copy our maps by hand,” Bactrus told Jason, “but it would require considerable skill to match the detail. The commercial maps will most likely serve better than any copies you might render.”
Bactrus led them to a side of the room crowded with counters, cabinets, and drawers. With his help, they collected five rolled maps. Farfalee scanned them to be sure. “These will serve,” she decided.
“Take care in the Fuming Waste,” Bactrus warned Jason. “The landscape is constantly changing. The main features should be relatively constant, but nothing on the maps can be guaranteed.”
“Right,” Jasher said. “To the entrance.”
“Can you lead us there double time?” Jason asked Bactrus.
“I do not tire,” the guide responded.
As they ran, Drake spoke up. “I’d like to peek at that antiquities shop before we go.”
“I wouldn’t mind a look at the cloakroom,” Jasher added.
“Every minute counts,” Farfalee reminded them.
“We’ll hurry,” Drake promised.
“I can lend you the stone,” Jason said.
“Much appreciated,” Drake replied.
“I wish we had time to hide the stones,” Farfalee said. “I don’t want to make it easy for our enemies to use these resources.”
“Maldor could probably learn a lot here,” Jason realized.
“If we lose the war,” Farfalee said, “this library will provide the means to significantly enhance his power.”
“Is there any way to lock the library?” Jason asked.
“It would require an acting loremaster who knew the words,” Bactrus said. “We guides have no such authority. The outer doors will open to any Edomic greeting.”
“Hiding the stones isn’t worth the effort,” Jasher panted. “If we bring the scroll, I can think of no immediate benefit the library can offer our foes. Unless perhaps there are useful items in the antiquities shop.”
“Very well,” Farfalee said. “You two check the cloakroom and the shop. But don’t lag! The time will be best spent escaping.”
They ran the rest of the way to the entrance without conversation. By the time they reached the lobby, Jason was damp with sweat and breathing hard. Only the drinling and Bactrus showed no sign of fatigue.
Jason handed the stone to Jasher.
“Does Nia know we’re leaving?” Farfalee suddenly asked.
“We already found her,” the drinling said. “She and the others have gone ahead. We’re the last people in the library.”
“Come on,” Farfalee urged, leading the way out the front door.
Glancing back, Jason saw Bactrus giving instructions to Jasher. “Thanks, Bactrus!” Jason called, but the guide remained focused on the seedman.
Outside, Jason saw that afternoon was progressing toward evening. He raced alongside Farfalee and the drinling through the greenery down to the beach, where they found Corinne and Nia waiting, along with Zoo and a single launch.
“How are you feeling?” Jason asked Corinne.
“Much better,” she said. She was on her feet and had some of her color back. “And I might stay that way. Nia did me a favor. She brought me a remedy for seasickness.”
Jason turned to Nia. “Really?”
“Tibrus is a medical expert,” Nia explained smugly. “He showed me a picture of an herb called langerhop that was once cultivated here on the island to help visitors who found the crossing unpleasant. He said it’s a potent remedy, working well even in chronic instances. I found a huge patch of it growing wild on the south side of the library. Corinne already sampled some, and we loaded a lot into the launch.”