Chapter 9:
Arthur's Point of View
Helmsforth Slums
"Don't know why Ah have ta do this..." Cassidy mumbled, and I glanced over at her as we walked through town. "Sorry. Ah don't an ta be rude. Just worried is all. It's not often manticores co out of the forest. Normally they stay clear of the town." She then shrugged. "Sure, so critters wander in every so often, but this is the first ti Ah heard of a manticore comin explorin."
"I can imagine it was pretty nerve wracking for you." The redhead nodded. "Understandable. Its why I didn't get upset when you started throwing punches."
We were walking through the market in town as we were chatting. All in all, the town was what you would expect in general. Stalls lined so of the streets. Others had full indoor shops. Regardless, the streets were filled with people going about their day. As we walked, I took in all the locations I could. A tavern and Inn got my attention. One was a place to stay, and the other I could get information.
However, there were other key details I noticed as we walked. A library was close to the town's main hall. Apparently, they had a town Elder. They oversaw most activities within the town and kept the town guard organized. I did learn that the guards were trained up on the mountain and were considered soldiers. Most asked to be stationed down here with a few exceptions.
"Ah already apologized for that." She said, annoyed.
"I know. Just explaining my side."
Stopping in front of the library, Cassidy gestured to it. "Ya want ta learn sothin? This here's the place ta do it." She inford . "Librarian is a little different, so be on your guard. She won't hurt ya, but just know that she's an overly curious creature." The grimace Cassidy made, made nervous.
Eyeing the library, a little wary now, I pressed for more information. "So, uh, what is she?"
"An Elf." Then Cassidy chuckled. "Not that she acts like one." Putting her hands on her hips, she continued. "Anyway, Ah'll be back here in a few hours. Learn what ya can here, and we'll talk when Ah pick ya up. Got a few errands ta run."
Before I could say anything, she left. "You've gotta be kidding ." I said with a frown as I looked at the library.
It was one of the larger buildings in the town, to be sure. Apparently, it was also one of many. The slums around the mountain's base were rather large. Many didn't want to walk around the other side to get to the hospital, or other places, so they are broken into sections. Multiple businesses are scattered through the slums, just like the farms. So, I'm sure there was more than one library, which made wary about going to this one.
Letting myself in, since it was a library, I was greeted to the sll of parchnt. Not surprising given where I was. However, there was no one attending the front desk. It was in an entryway that seed to block off the rest of the library. I found it a little odd but just moved towards it anyway.
"Hello?" I called out.
"..." No response.
A sign was posted on top of the desk. "Find whatever books you want to read and take a seat." I read slowly in a surprised tone. "At least it looks like I can read a sign," And then I looked further inside. "But what about the books..."
Moving passed the desk and through the doorway further into the library, I was greeted with shelves upon shelves of books. So were built into the wall and had a sliding ladder going all around the do shaped room. Others were small and held scrolls rolled up, all nice and neat. Other rows of shelving units separated the library into sections. Lastly, there was a small area to read.
"Excuse ?" I called out. "Is anyone here?" Again, there was no response. "Alrighty then."
Moving through the shelves, I began to search for anything that could help . Hoping I could read whatever language this was the only thing I was nervous about. When I first appeared in this world, the private study I arrived in had book titles I could read, but the statues were a different story. That was one of the main reasons why I ca to the library. It's likely I could read the common tongue, but if there were other languages...
"Let's see if I can understand this world's language from reading sothing other than a sign." I mumbled to myself softly.
Moving to the upright shelves in rows, I started to look through the titles. I did confirm that I was able to read. Thank god. Unfortunately, almost all the topics were wasted on . Many seed to be things about magic. It wasn't until I moved to the last row that I found books that were sowhat close to what I needed.
"The World of Crevalis." The title stuck out to . "Maybe this one?" Sitting down, I began to look over the book. "Our world of Crevalis is inhabited by many races."
"Want to learn more about Crevalis, huh?" Soone suddenly said from behind .
Turning, I saw a female Elf standing there with a curious look on her face. "Can I help you?" I inquired unsurely as she was invading my personal space.
"That remains to be seen." Grabbing my arm, she began to look over. "You were injured recently. At least, that's what the bandage tells ." Letting go of my arm, she put both hands on my face. "Left eye seems fine..." She mumbled then began shifting my head back and forth. "Right eye is covered. Hair is white. Uncommon for one so young and a human..."
Pulling away from , she disappeared right before my eyes. A puff of green mist was left behind but quickly dispersed. My eyes widened when it happened. Looking around, alard, I stood, but soon fell back into my chair as she reappeared. With a book in hand, she began studying .
"I don't know you, which ans you're not from this area or the top rung of Helmsforth. Are you new to Helmsforth, or did you co from one of the lower rungs?" I opened my mouth to respond, but she continued. "Or," Putting her finger up in thought, the Elf continued her questioning. "Maybe you ca from another section of the slums? The other side, perhaps? I haven't been over there."
"Excuse ."
Ignoring , she moved closer and used her free hand to open my mouth. "All features are human, despite the odd appearance. Including the teeth." Pulling back from , she suddenly looked at , even more, curious as she started going over my armor. "Fully armored in an armor type I've never seen or read about. This tells you're not from Helmsforth, and possibly, not even from Lestrania!" She declared.
"Look-"
Walking behind , she looked at my sword. "This appears to be made of a new tal entirely! Where are you from? Why are you here? Did you co to see specifically, or was my library sothing you were after?" Returning to my front, she glared at . "Do you want my books!?"
"What!? No! Why would I want your books?!" I asked, thoroughly confused.
"Doesn't seem to be lying." She mumbled as things started to float around the area. "Do you have magic? Perhaps a Half Elf?" Titling her head in surprise, she asked yet another question. "So many questions..." Once she stopped, she huffed. "Are you going to answer any of my questions or not?"
Picking up the book, I handed it back to her and started to leave. "Nope."
"Wait. What?! Why!?" She asked out in alarm and began to follow . "Is it because you're fleeing from the law? Is that why you won't answer my questions?"
"Sothing more along the lines of you being slightly insane." I replied.
Appearing in front of , the Elf glared as we ca to a stop. "I am not insane! Knowledge is a gift, and if wanting to know sothing is insane, then everyone is 'slightly insane,'" She gave air quotes. "You ca to this place to learn, did you not?" I nodded slowly. "See! Just like , you were curious! It just so happens you wanted to read, and I wanted to study you!" Laughing, the Elf was clearly amused at the situation. "We both wanted to learn sothing new! Now, co back, read your book, answer my questions, and let do a few tests on you." She finished sweetly.
Smiling kindly at her got her attention, which made her smile more sincerely and excitedly in return. "What's your na?"
"Ayda Farro! Nice to et you!"
The Elf was clearly a psychopath. She had green hair, pointy ears, green magic, was short, wore nice clothing and looked like the perfect librarian. Gold eyes looked at as she waited for to respond. However, upon taking a closer look, I saw she was rather fair in complexion and appeared to be of higher status due to her clothing. They were different from everyone else in the Slums.
"My na is Arthur. Can you do a favor, Ayda?" I asked suddenly.
"Oh." The Elf replied in a stumped tone. "Sure? I guess?"
Leaning down slightly, I spoke. "Please stay away from ," I said and walked past her. "I'll go to a different library. I don't care if I have to go to the other side of the mountain! I'm not getting experinted on by so random Elf!"
Her look of shock almost made it worth it, but then she appeared in front of again. "No! That's not fair! Didn't you read my book? You need to let study you in exchange for the knowledge I helped grant you." Ayda stated.
"I didn't even get passed the first sentence!" I told her. "You popped up as soon as I started reading!"
"Not my fault you're a slow reader." Was all she said in return. "Well, you can't just leave."
"Watch ." However, as I tried to leave, I found myself suspended in the air. "What the..."
Ayda walked in front of with a smug grin on her face and her book in hand. "So, you have no magic. Good to know."
Annoyed, I replied. "And how would you know that?"
"Because you would've tried to resist at least a little. Duh." The Elf inford with an eye roll. "Now, on to my tests. You seem to be mixed, which is always fascinating!" Again, she started looking over.
"I'm going to tell you this once. Put down, Ayda." My warning grabbed her attention as floated there motionlessly. "This has to be illegal, and as amusing as this was, I'm no longer amused."
Scoffing, she placed a hand on her chest. "Clearly, you have no idea who I am. If you did, you wouldn't threaten . I work closely with the priestesses, Arthur." Ayda explained as she grabbed my hair and pulled one strand out. "In fact, it was only just today I returned! Imagine finding soone in my library while I was away! Most people avoid this place!"
As I was getting ready to try and break free, a voice called out from the entryway. "Ah had a feelin this was gonna happen." Cassidy said suddenly.
Not even turning to look at her, Ayda continued to study . "Hi, Cassidy! Feel free to look around! If you have any questions, feel free to ask after I'm done with my previous guest."
Sighing, Cassidy wandered over next to . "Put him down, Ayda." She said in a tired tone but smirked slightly upon looking at my floating and annoyed form. "He helped down at the farm, and Ah promised Ah'd give him so help finding so answers ta his questions."
"The library is the perfect place to do that!" Ayda agreed. "Although it also depends on the answers you were looking for. If it's sothing taphorical, I must apologize, but we only deal with facts, magic, and science." She said in a matter of manner.
"Maybe so, but as Ah said, Arthur here helped out. Tryin ta return the favor. Should've known better than leaving him here ta deal with you alone." Cassidy gestured to the Elf.
"What does that an!?" Ayda asked defensively as she finally turned towards Cassidy.
Rolling her eyes, Cassidy then pointed at . "That ya treat everyone like a ragdoll and study them in weird manners without their consent."
Waving the explanation away, this ti, Ayda gestured to . "I have consent! He entered my library and read one of my books!"
Closing her eyes in frustration, Cassidy shook her head and then sighed. "That's not consent, Ayda. We've been over this! Ya can't treat people like ya treat your books!"
"Things are so much simpler this way." Ayda replied evenly. "Besides, everyone asks all types of questions all the ti and co to for help! Why can't I inspect the people using my library?"
"Ladies." I said in an annoyed tone.
"Maybe because it's a public library!" Cassidy just sounded exasperated at this point. "Ya can't just assu everyone's fine with ya pickin em up and draggin them all over!"
"Ladies." My voice raised.
Again, the Elf scoffed in the face of reason and logic. "Uh, yes I can." Pointing at like it was obvious, she spoke. "See?"
Enough. "Elf!" I said loudly, grabbing their attention. "Put. . Down!"
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