The royal palace of Firanen sits on the Seabreaker cliffs and is a master-crafted fortress. During the course of the last demon war with a direct invasion of the human continent underway, the major powers of the land recognized Firanen’s defensive capabilities. Invaluable relics, as well as texts of both ancient and cutting edge knowledge were transported into the city for safekeeping. The surge, known as the Pageflight caused such an overflow of the city library that a park within the fortress grounds was appropriated to construct a new, bigger library in which to keep the most valuable and ancient books. Using knowledge from the books, the grand Kildenmelder Girlanfir, at the cost of his life, cast great spells to ensure the cliffs would not crumble. Another spell made sure that knowledge inside the books could not leave the library in the minds of its readers, lest the book itself was removed.

Passing through the outer ring of defenses of the castle proved to be a lot easier than the city gates. Serin’s work as a book-keeper within the library allowed her to pass with ease. Mariel only met with one sceptical look from a royal guard, but was let through without incident.

The two crossed the courtyard, lined on both sides by the royal guard. Zigzagging between scholars and scribes all busily copying texts and writing on stacks of paper. A few painters were capturing the beauty of the centrally placed fountain, topped by a marble statue in the image of a dolphin.

Once inside they were immediately split up. Serin was dragged off by a group of servants to solve a problem in the library while Mariel was gently led by a pair of servant twins somewhere else. After a long walk through a myriad of finely decorated corridors and opulent halls, she was finally led outside onto a big balcony overlooking the city.

“So why am I here?” She asked, but the servants simply shared a grin and said nothing.

“Can I leave?”

Once more the pair shook their heads in perfect sync.

“Don’t worry, it’s just that someone…”

“Wishes to have a word with you. The two twins complimented each with a perfectly formed, two-part sentence and immediately left the balcony.

“Hello child.” An old woman emerged onto the balcony wearing a resplendent dress and a gem-studded circlet.

“Your highness…” Mariel immediately bent her knees and lowered her head in reverence. The old woman chuckled and bid her stand.

“My, how did you know? Have you perhaps seen my picture?”

“No your highness… Your wonderful clothes definitively belong to royalty, but your signet ring bear the royal seal, and look well used with some crusts of wax still left on it… I guessed.”

The queen clapped her hands and a wide smile emerged on her elegant but time-worn face.

“You have such a keen eye my dear, I am truly thrilled!”

“Um, so why am I here? Where’s my mother?”

“Attending to some minor business, I wanted this time alone with you so we could talk a little.”

The queen led her inside through a different door, entering into something resembling an office. Lined up and down along the walls were huge stacks of books, documents and ledgers. A simple bed, a solid oak desk, an old cushioned chair with a matching footstool and some picture frames.

“Please sit my dear… Would you like some tea?” The queen sat down in the chair and grabbed a teapot on a tray with two cups and some additives.

“Yes please… But, should not I pour your tea your highness?”

“Not in here… This is my private quarter. In here, I am merely Patricia, this is where I indulge in simpler ways of life.”

The queen poured them a cup of tea each and proposed a small toast to happy meetings. The scent and flavour of the tea left Mariel stunned.

“But… Why would you indulge this simple lifestyle when you have everything you could ever want?”

The queen smiled and picked up an old dusty frame from her desk and handed it to Mariel.

“That’s me, when I was your age, I was a simple country girl living with my family, but I fell in love with a young and dashing prince…”

“Almost like a child’s tale…”

“Yes and I have never regretted it… But I… Would like to ask you some things that I feel are important.”

“Sure, I’ll try to answer as best I can.”

While Mariel and the queen exchanged words about Mariel’s childhood, Serin was busy concerning herself with various copies of books that needed proof-reading and approval.

The library’s interior had been mainly built out of stone, only the bookshelves and the necessary furniture were wood or in the case of the huge chandeliers; wrought iron. Tall bookshelves lined every single open section of wall, with tall ladders leaned against them. Librarians went back and forth, sorting books, making copies and returning books to their backbreaking spots high on the shelves.

“See to it that the pre-imperial texts are translated by next week… And bring three scribes to handle the copying!” Serin signed off on a paper and pushed a stack of books across her desk.

“Sorry Serin, you’re the only one that can handle this mess in a good way…” Her personal assistant Ghiranath apologized and disappeared through a nearby door with the books.

“Heavens above…” Serin sighed and signed another set of documents.

“Hey! Hold on! Those books belong to shelf F 418 C! Get it right the first time!” She shouted to a pair of librarians rolling a stack of books in the wrong direction.

After what felt like an eternity, the hustle and bustle had finally died down sufficiently to allow Serin to think about escaping to the banquet when the doors opened and the King, flanked by two guards and the Archpriest of Yulie strode into the library. Immediately the male servants bowed and the female staff bent their knees. Serin, without thinking made the Imperial courtesy by placing her open hand across her collarbone with her left hand.

“Your majesty? How may we serve?” She asked, but the king waved his hand dismissively.

“Oh, nothing like that my dear… I am merely here to bring you to my banquet… I appreciate your dedication, but this is your day off is it not?”

“Yes your highness, but I felt I could not leave this mess without attendance.” She made a gesture to the remaining, but noticeably lessened stacks of literature.

“You are the driving force behind the library after all… But speaking of dedication… I agreed to lend you to the Archpriest of Yulie briefly… Please come to the banquet hall once you finish up.”

“I will your majesty, post haste.”

The king nodded and left the room.

Serin put aside her fountain pen and walked over to the Archpriest and knelt before the old man.

“Your reverence? What service may I provide for you?”

The old man smiled behind his great white beard and bid her stand.

“No child. I am here to personally thank you.” The priest revealed a small wooden box in his hand and opened it, taking out a small brooch in the shape of a white rose. Serin immediately recognized the symbol and dropped to one knee.

“Y-your worship! I do not deserve such an honour!”

The old man bid for her to stand once more and gently placed the white brooch on her left, just next to her shoulder. “Your reaction makes you even more worthy. Yulie knows to treasure the selfless acts of her followers... Wear this brooch proudly with Yulie, and my thanks.”

“I accept this great honour with equal humility.”

“Thank you, child. Now go. Your presence is required elsewhere is it not?”

Serin took her leave and headed at once for the banquet hall.