“So, erm, Macey- right? Tell me, how did you become a Royal Guard for Felicity?” Eulisses asked his companion, while moving down the well-kept busy streets of Narlême’s upper district. When he had left with the intention of checking out the library this morning, Felicity had insisted that he wouldn’t go on his own, and assigned her guard to stand by his side.

Maybe to watch me too - make sure I don’t cause a disturbance of epic proportions. Felicity seemed on edge ever since we set foot in this city. Certainly not fond of any possible additional headaches. Well, I’ll be the model of restraint, then.

“Most of the Royal Guard is selected from the military, by his Majesty himself. Although members of the royal family can petition for specific individuals to be considered. It has been so in my case: I’m from a minor noble family to the northeast. My father was incredibly focused on the ‘way of the sword’ as he calls it.”

Her eyes had a certain spark in them, like when one was fondly remembering the past, and so Macey continued.

“I showed interest in the martial arts early on, and my father fully supported it. Training was harsh, but I liked it. Her Highness was present, when I defeated every opponent in a martial tournament his Majesty hosted. I was 14 back then, and she spoke out adamantly in favour of me joining the Royal Guard, the wish I made as a boon for my victory.”

She held an innocent smile, but her eyes showed undying loyalty, and a fierce determination to cut down her mistress’ enemies without hesitation - a near perfect embodiment of the warrior spirit actually. Eulisses quickly averted his curious gaze and focused on the path ahead.

“Is that so? A most peculiar story I must say - thanks for telling me.”

“Anytime. You are one of her Highness’ important confidants, too, Lord Malinor.”

I wonder about that ...

They moved through the crowd of early risers to a grand open plaza. An imposing structure stood on the opposite side of the round square, with its massive rotunda and a number of smaller, secondary wings and towers emerging in a sun-like pattern, it resembled a cathedral.

A church, dedicated to knowledge only, and no god. Eulisses thought, as he moved across the plaza towards the library he sought out. The space seemed to be utilized as a sort of open forum, many a small wooden dais was erected, with one or several people standing or sitting on them.

Some were having a heated debate about current politics, like the recent change of leadership in the Wrachuridian government that has made waves throughout the continent. Others talked about the upcoming summit, or whether the recently tightened trade regulations of the Rochette duchy would have any negative effect on the ongoing economic growth predictions of the regions.

Eulisses didn’t get most of it, but was impressed by the display nonetheless.

They seem to be able to talk freely about all different sorts of matters, and are given this as a platform for it. I haven’t really ever seen anything of the like. Hmm … this sort of free exchange of opinions - maybe even knowledge?

Different ideas sprung up in the wizard’s mind, but he was snapped out of it by a particularly loud voice to his right. “The end is upon us! Doom is imminent, we can’t stop it and yet we all choose to ignore it when instead, we should fall to our knees and repent! It is all written, here, in this book!”

Eulisses turned his head, and was greeted by a hooded figure, dressed in black fabrics, who was hysterically waving around a book and pointing at the passersby while rattling on with their speech. A nearby man, who was attending an ongoing debate of whether the pixies of the Narmont forest should be addressed by their preferred gender pronouns - that seemed to change on a daily basis - or not, turned to him.

Huh? Pixies are apparently a thing in this world. Noted, pixie dust can be a potent alchemical ingredient and now I might get my hands on some …

When the man addressed him, Eulisses filed the information away for later and instead focused on the here and now. “You’re wondering about him, mister? He’s been here for about a day or two, always preaching of the end of the world or something and promoting his book. Odd choice, if you ask me. We told him a couple of times to keep it down a bit, as he’s disturbing the other discussions, but ultimately, he’s free to speak about anything he wants.”

He thanked the man for the information, who nodded and turned back to listen to the pixie gender identity debate. Eulisses however, approached the ominous black clothed figure.

Maybe he is speaking of the Convergences or something like that? They sounded pretty apocalyptic to me - might as well hear him out. Only a fool would dismiss everything at first glance.

“Hey, what is this ‘doom’ you’re yel -- talking about?”

The figure seemed surprised to be addressed so directly, and they paused for a moment to think of the right words. “The doom? Erm well … ,” they then continued to yell in a familiar manner, despite him standing right in front of them. “It’s the end of course! And, erm, you can read all about it in the book!”

They then suddenly switched personas, and continued on in a sleazy salesman manner, “Here, take it, touch it.” They held out the book towards him, hands clutching it so tightly their fingers turned white. They also indicated recent bruisings, as two fingernails were almost black from clotted blood.

Eulisses skeptically leaned back from the figure. “Is this some sort of scam?” The other person seemed considerably more confident with their current way of talking, as they immediately shot back.

“What are you talking about? I am only offering knowledge, as well as the opportunity to repent for your sins. How could you accuse me of such nefarious intentions? Are you looking to scam me?”

“This doesn’t even make any sense!” Eulisses cried out in frustration. He stopped, when Macey lightly patted him on his shoulder. “Leave it, some people are deliberately looking for confrontation. Don’t give them the satisfaction.”

He had to agree with her on that matter, and so walked away, after a final look at the strange figure. They only seemed to be unhappy for a very short moment, before they went back to loudly declaring that the end was near.

--

Afterwards, they entered the library without any further issues. Eulisses found out that the library was open to any citizen of Arcrary, but that they would be held accountable for any damages they inflicted upon the books and scriptures. In addition, there would be a fee in case they wanted to borrow any piece of literature work.

This however presented him with a problem, as Eulisses was no citizen of Arcrary.

Or Esaburg or any other country of this world for that matter. Depending on whether citizenship expires with your death, I guess, I wouldn’t be the citizens of any country, period. A discomforting thought, actually.

While he faced the librarian, an eldery woman who regarded him patiently behind her half moon shaped glasses, Macey thankfully came to his rescue. She flashed the woman a seal, and after she studied it after a moment of complentation, she nodded and politely spoke to them. “Ah, we are honored to welcome emissaries of the Esaburg Kingdom. I hope you will enjoy your visit as you browse through our collection.”

Eulisses flashed his companion a thumbs up. “Well done, Macey!”

She in turn tilted her head in confusion. “Is that a gesture from your homeland, Lord Malinor?”

“Eulisses is fine, actually.” he thought for a moment of how to answer a question. “Not really, I think. It’s something an acquaintance of mine back home used often, and after a while, it just stuck with me.”

“You seem to meet many interesting people, Eulisses,” Macey commented, dropping her formal speech without any hesitation. In fact, she looked way more relaxed speaking in a more relaxed manner, as if she had forced herself before to be overly polite and mindful.

“I like your way of talking informally better, it suits you,” he complimented her absentmindedly and didn’t catch the earnest smile on her lips that formed in response.

Now, where to start, I have a whole library to explore - and so much new information to gain!

He rubbed his hands together in excitement, as he regarded the massive library wall bookcases, lining along the walls of the rotunda over two floors - not to speak of the rows and rows of additional shelves running throughout the ground floor.

He had to slow down his gait, so he wouldn’t run up to the horizontal slab at the very centre that outlined the different sections and where to find them. He ran his fingers across the smooth marble on which the map was spread out.

Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a sense of touch right now! Let’s see .. contemporary history, fictional literature, encyclopedias - there we have it: Arcane Matters - second floor, north eastern section.

He made for the stairways, but paused and turned to Macey halfway through. “Ah, you don’t have to keep me company here, Macey. You can go and browse through whatever books you want!” Without waiting for her answer, he stormed up the stairs to his destination, leaving behind a stunned Royal Guard.

Only when he came before the arcane section did Eulisses lower his speed. A wooden archway from the wall on his left to the railing on his right, decorated with tasteful carvings, separated it. On its top, facing outwards, stood the letters ‘Arcane Section’. He currently was in the ‘Botany Section’, as indicated by the letters on the other side of the archway he now went through.

What surprised him though, was that not many people were present here.

Huh, the lower floor was packed much more densely, there are what - three people here?

On reading chairs along the railings, two figures were seated, one absorbed in their chosen literature, while the other was taking some notes on a parchment, with an open tome next to it. A woman with short brown hair, wearing a stylish but worn white coat, was browsing the shelves with deeply furrowed brows.

Having assessed his current company, Eulisses selected a random shelf and began to move towards it, mindful of not making too much noise so as to not disturb the others. Just at the very moment he passed the woman, she apparently decided to cease her browsing and turned to walk away without looking where she was going. The consequence was obvious.

“Ow!”

In a comical display of what his old acquaintance would certainly identify as yet another trope, the woman landed on her bottom. She rubbed her forehead, where she collided with Eulisses, who despite his appearance had no cushioning tissue whatsoever.

This … was like totally your fault! But I can’t really blame you, can I? It’s not as if I’m hurt or anything.

Instead of saying anything, Eulisses opted to just offer her his hand to help her up. She took it. Her gaze went from thankful to annoyed to interested in quick succession, as she looked him up and down, all the while not letting his hand go. He already regretted his actions.

“This, can I help you?” he finally called out. Her answer caught him off guard, however.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.”

Upon his baffled expression, she broke out in a soft laughter, that earned them a reproachful glance from the man taking notes, while the second one took none whatsoever.

“Oh my, I’m sorry,” she said and finally let go of his hand, “but I couldn’t resist. See it as amending for you bumping into me just now.”

Eulisses was wise enough not to point out just who had been at fault for that in his opinion. He may have been a reclusive, undead wizard, but he wasn’t dumb. “Well, let’s call us even then. So long,” he said and turned to leave, but was stopped by her.

“Wait, maybe you could help me? I tried to ask the other two but they didn’t know either,” with a bit of sulking, she added, “the one I could get to acknowledge my existence at least.”

He thought that he really didn’t want to, but his etiquette demanded of him to say instead, albeit reluctantly, “Well, I could at least hear you out, I guess …”

“Thank you, I swear, it won’t take long at all!” she said with a blooming smile that Eulisses was certain was at least half put-on. “Oh, by the way, I’m Caitlin!” she softly called out and held her hand out to him.

Why did she emphasize her words so strangely?

Totally missing the seductive undertone of the confident woman in front of him, Eulisses waited for a moment, before shaking her hand. “Eulisses Malinor.”