Chapter Seventeen

Despite the inconveniences that stirred up in his relentless search for the gnome throngs, he tactfully gave it all a chance to fade into oblivion hence, not allowing them to dim his enthusiasm to find the book.

            Nature caused him to cock his head at the direction of the wrist watch he wore and it was a minute over the five minutes he had earlier planned to put to use.

            But quite unfortunately the Gnome Throne hadn’t yet been found. He scanned around cautiously and breathed as hard as he could just to ease off the tension that had so much accumulated under the depressing search of the book. Nonetheless he continued to search in other to meet the unbridled expectation of the eccentric Caulin, Friend of the Imp, the only recognized son of Paige Granger. From the corner where Caulin did his part of the job, he realized there was a chance of Professor Grave walking into the Library and rendering all they have done absolutely useless. Providence was quite gracious to him his anticipation was so true, but it wasn’t Professor Grave but rather the sounds of some kids. Presumably, Caulin arrived at three different voices implying there were three different people. They were the kids in the Pantry.

            Sinking headfirst into his mother wits, he opted to lurk for a while; not wanting to allow little kids to terminate his plan. To him, it sounded like a pretty good plan and actually it was.

            Elaina walked slowly down to the lower part of the Pantry feeling useless and quite dejected. She never got to understand why less credence or no credence at all was rendered to the observations she made. Founded on that thought she retired and sat on the staircase brushing her tender hands vigorously through the fur of the cat; Bruno.

For about 22 seconds she was silent but repented when the other kids came rushing towards her.

“What do you want with me?”

She spat, quite rudely.

“Alright alright Princess Elaina!”

Kareem held up his two hands and did his perfect best to assume a more serious facial appearance to signify his concern.

“I think we would go and investigate. You should leave your beloved Bruno right here. He will be safe I think.”

Kareem said.

“No, no to the power of no!”

Elaina objected.

“Then you should carry him yourself if you so wish.”

Harry reasoned.

“That way, you can lead us to exactly where you heard those weird sounds. We really need to have a look.”

Elaina stood up from the dirty staircase and paced a little closer to the boys.

“Alright, we shall leave him here. I refuse to risk the life of my Bruno.”

She finally concurred.

“But I suggest that you go first Kareem. You’ve got your pen knife haven’t ya?”

“Yeah, copy that. It’s a pretty sexy idea. But what if I die, what do I get to do huh?”

“That will not happen because we shall play our cards tactfully. That means you should all be smart too because we shan’t risk a thing.”

Kareem advised copiously.

Meanwhile Professor Grave was almost by the Library gate already. His cold was still quite severe and he seemed perturbed over the fact that Mrs. Gilrae had been ravaging his Library illegitimately. With his Huge black coat on, he pulled the Library door opened stepped a foot into it but quite fortuitously, he was stooped in his tracks by the tender voice of a female. It was Ariadne Rooney.

“What do you want young woman?”

He asked in his old bullfrog voice.

“Actually it is you I want.”

Ariadne said quickly. Undoubtedly she was trying to create more time for the boys to operate and emerge victorious. It was the best and the right thing to do at the time; otherwise he will only walk onto Caulin and Jess who were engrossed with the search that never seemed to end. The look on Mr. Grave’s face for a moment put Ariadne off pertaining to the next thing to say. Obviously it should be something that will keep him away from the Library; which implies it must be something that should be of real interest to him. Graciously she figured just what to say.

“Professor Grave, there is a lot you need to know. I really think you should get to have that information right now otherwise things might get to quite an uncontrollable stage.”

She said.

“You sound bizarre, anyway; what is your name and just what do you have to say to me?”

He said coldly due to his terrible cold. It was obvious the hot coffee he took did not help much.

“Alright Professor Grave. I will first ask a favor of you; can we sit somewhere to talk. It’s quite an issue I have here.”

Professor Grave hesitated a while and then answered.

“Let’s get to my Library then.”

He said.

“Ehm, no I actually prefer being in the café. I don’t really feel comfortable in that Library.”

She smartly lied.

“So you are one of those who believe the Library is haunted. Let’s get going I’ve got limited time and I hope you talk about something incredibly relevant. I am very old and I hate to move around so much.”

He said.

            They were seated in no time and Ariadne had already put up something very convincing. As of the time, no student could be found around and that granted the chance for her to do her thing. The security men around held back in questioning the presence of Adne since she was found with Professor Grave. Definitely they had some space above the law where they took great advantage.

“Sir as I was saying, quite a lot is going on and I feel you should be told because I figured you are just the right man to handle this.”

“You may proceed my lady.”

He urged. Ariadne sighed gracefully and reclined in her seat.

“Two days ago I was strolling around the Enbaum Willow and came across a note which I did not hesitate to read. What I found out really took my breath away from my reach.”

She said and feigned an exasperated sigh.

“Yes yes go on I’m listening.”

He said desperately.

“Alright, the note said something about wizardry dominating among the Authorities of Gramway School. I mean some of our authorities are aligned to prominent figures like Drakeizar, the deathly wizard that wants to become a god.”

“You know about Drakeizar and what he wants to become. Just who are you young lady. Where is the note?”

He asked, getting tempered.

“Sir, I destroyed the note out of fear. I was so scared after reading the note that I dumped it in the trash.”

“Tell me all you read on that note.”

“It said there are a lot of wizards and witches in this school that are being overlooked by the authorities in charge simply because they are also just as that are. And I found out this school was once under some kind of damaging attack many years ago which left the two great divisions of Gramway; Moonfell and Horgward in complete ruins. But it’s a bit confusing for me because the note said one of the two divisions are currently operating as I speak. I had wanted to ask you, what are these divisions of Gramway and why did the note say Moonfell is operating?”

Ariadne demanded. She had wanted to lie to him about why she came to keep him away from the Library but pulling up bits from her wits, she told the truth she had found out sometime ago. Actually he took that decision just to extract some secrets from Professor Grave. She gazed at him closely while he did bits of thinking.

“Young lady, is that all you know?”

He demanded.

“Professor Grave, there is something that happens here in your Library all the time at midnight. It’s got something to do with the Enbaum Willow at the center of this institution. You see, according to that note; two men come into the Library each night to check on something hidden there. Well, I presumed they are after a valuable item there and I can’t figure out what that is. Quite unexpectedly these two men happen to be teachers.”

“Were their names stated in that note?”

“No sir, I would have told you that first. But there is a clue to find out who they are.”

“Aha, what is that?”

“They will be in the Library tonight by twelve to do whatsoever they come to do. They can then be apprehended.”

Professor Grave’s face looked pale and empty. It looked like he had a lot to say too but rather kept silent and fixed his gaze at the young woman who also sat confused at the way things were turning out.

            Ariadne, realizing the temporary cogitation of the Professor Grave checked her wrist watch and noticed time was far spent but had no idea whether the boys had successfully gone through with finding the book. But for the mean time she had to focus on finding how true the information on that note was. It sounded so much scary to her but she had to hold to her earlier composure in order not to screw things up. Something suddenly struck her mind which she put out immediately.

“One more thing Professor Grave, do you know of anything so precious hidden in your Library? Something extremely valuable that is capable of arousing the desire for protection in the hearts of men? Maybe that is why they say the place is haunted.”

She demanded.

“You should be patient my lady, quite a lot are on my mind as of now. You really should not be pacy.”

He said calmly. Ariadne Rooney affected a smile of firm understanding and waited to hear from him what he may have to say in reaction to the note and its revelation. The old man’s cold was getting severe and Adne noticed but did not know what to do. She was endowed with a great nature of not being able to see others in pain.

“Sara Horalod!”

She cast a spell under her breath and of course, Professor Grave couldn’t hear. He was immediately healed and felt incredibly cool. It was evident he was not responding to the revelation of Ariadne due to the fact that he was condoning the excesses of that terrible cold.

“Professor Grave, it seems to me that you are not feeling quite well.”

Ariadne said cleverly.

“Huh, no I think I’m fine.”

He said. She smiled genuinely, her luscious eyes scanning the poor face of the old man in an old fashioned manner. Not uttering another word she relaxed and hoped she will get the appropriate responses for her blissful revelation.

“You said there is wizardry among the heads of the school. And there are some teachers who also come into the Library every night to check on a valuable item. Right?”

He asked, getting quite enlivened.

“Exactly that sire.”

She replied.

“What about you, do you by any chance have magic? Are you a witch? You can trust me.”

He said. Ariadne blinked.

“Definitely no sire, I wouldn’t have told you all this knowing I will personally be implicated.”

She lied smartly.

“But do tell me about all this. I believe I have the right to know what is going on. I kept all this a secret just so I could tell you alone which means you owe me one.”

Adne said.

“Alright my lady, I will tell you but ought to swear an oath to me; you shall reveal to no one a word about this. Should I tell you all you need to know, it will mean your safety in Zaccrota will be solely valid on your silence? The moment your silence is breached, your throat could be slit with the best of Rannistar steel.”

“Rannistar steel?”

“Aye…there is a mystery behind the Rannistars. I could swear you know who they are.”

“Yeah then, I promise.”

“This school was once not a school but something else. I can’t tell you that now, forgive me. A riot broke up right here and it was between Drakeizar and the horrid prison of Magridinol. Actually that was after he escaped. Do you know of the enchanted fierce dragons guarding the gates of the prison?”

He questioned.

“No, not really.”

She answered respectfully.

“Well, those dragons and some creatures known as Honyxes came trying to trap Drakeizar for breaking out of the prison. Those two great divisions you talked about were damaged but Horgward was quite remediable so it was reconstructed.”

He paused.

“By whom?”

“I can’t tell you that either. But you may probably know soon alright?”

Ariadne nodded understandably.

“I personally do not know where the Horgward division is located on this great land. Isn’t that strange enough. By the way do you think I am also a wizard?”

He asked briefly.

“Ehm I will just be honest with you. I do not know what to think because with all you’ve said and even with how you reacted to the note… I am a bit lost and not so sure of what to think.”

She revealed.

“Great. I am not a wizard but I know the History of all that happened years ago because they were some time ago documented and published discretely. Let me tell you what, a man named Lord Stag did all that remarkable work but looks like he is dead now; I believe he would have been in the best position to answer your questions.”

He paused.

“What could it be that the men are after in your Library at midnight each day? Have you any idea?”

“First give me an incredibly good reason to trust you.”

“I kept the information on the note untold till now. That is a reason enough.”

“In that Library, a sorcerer once died. He was actually buried there before the Library was built. His name was Hyone. In that wizard’s heart slept a stone that revealed the different kinds of ranks in this wizarding world of Deruthe. Apart from that, certain horrid secrets are concealed in it and trust me, they are really horrid.”

“That implies you know some of the secrets that stone has right?”

“Not exactly my lady, and should I even know any I will not dare tell you because your life will be at peril.”

“And the stone?”

“The stone was made on an island called Rumvolt so often times the stone is referred to as the stone of Rumvolt. Some highly powered wizards in this particular world wanted to have that stone so Hyone buried it in his heart where it could not be reached. So when he died, the stone did not decay with his body so it is still in the grave; in the Library.”

“Why were they after the stone?”

“Hyone made it with the secrets he knew. Those secrets are unruly; they were afraid Hyone will let go of their secrets should he give out the stone. Hyone did his best to prevent that happening hence he placed it in his heart.”

Ariadne re-positioned herself in the seat and blinked.

“How did you get to know about this? If Hyone was really trying to prevent the stone from reaching anyone why on earth would he tell anyone that he hid it in his heart?”

“That is smart of you. But I don’t know why he did tell it out. As for me, I got to know it in a town called Azkamort. A good friend told me after I paid him 50,000 dollars.”

“That much?”

“It’s worth it my lady. Now Hyone is long dead but his stone lives till it is destroyed by those after it. It must be someone whose secret is also hidden in that stone or a fellow who desires to make a desirable history. I’ve got to find out who that is.”

He said and remained silent for a while. Immediately, he recalled what the little Elaina had told him about someone sneaking around the Library. What if that was the recalcitrant fellow putting out his efforts to uncover the Stone of Rumvolt. Well, it was actually Jesi that Bruno, the cat had run away from.

            Caulin felt a bit nervous at where he hid searching for the book. The voices of the curious kids had completely ruined his concentration that he was not himself while trying relentlessly to find the book.

“Where did the cat run from? We can start the search from there. Besides this Library is so big that we can’t possibly search everywhere for someone who may not exist.”

Kareem observed.

“Somewhere around the store.”

Elaina had said.

“You are not so sure of it are you?”

“No.”

“We can take the cat to the store and take note of how it reacts. We are sure to catch the one soon.”

Kareem suggested.

“Good idea,”

Baelor said, though he had to turn away to keep from grinning. As he stealthily pushed the door to the store a little wider, holding a finger to his lips for silence, Kareem hefted the cat’s front end onto his right shoulder and supported its weight in the crook of his arm. Suddenly Bruno begun purring loudly in his ear as it settled, kneading contentedly with its front paws.

            Elaina affected a faint smile as they peered into the greatly lighted store which was rather coincidental. By this time Jesi had managed to enter the office of Professor Grave without having the slightest idea how close the kids were in opening in on him. He had gone through half off the books in the office already and was getting ready to find the book wherever it may be. Caulin from where he was had seen the kids enter the store and was not so sure whether Jesi was still in there. Realizing the kids were out of sight, he moved towards the opposite shelve and continued with his search and for a moment decided to forget he had seen the kids around. The earlier he found the book the better.

            Hoffery Rannistar became unusually uncomfortable in his desk and by that time he could not figure out where in particular Ariadne had left to. Only goodness could tell what caused him to change his reaction towards Caulin and his two other friends. Everyone knows that the Rannistars had had a long time grudge with Mrs. Granger, Caulin’s mom. That had eventually run down to Hoffery who piped the enmity to Caulin. Maybe it would have continued down to the innocent generations yet to come.

            Now the kids were with the help of the big cat, searching to find the particular thing he had run away from. The store room was cool except for the scattered books all over the floor. The cat paced pugnaciously all around the room but could not find any traces that could lead it to the intruder. With due diligence, Bruno scorched around smelling the books for obviously an inexplicable scent he was not familiar with.

            But expectedly as the curious kids did their thing, grace super-abounded, preventing any chance on Caulin and Jesi who were engrossed with the search of the gnome throngs. After two other minutes of Caulin not finding the wanted book, he decided to join Jesi in Professor Grave’s office with the impression that it could be rather hidden there than in the main Library. Swiftly moving behind the shelves he made toward the office door a few meters away from the store.

Back in the store, the kids’ enthusiasm seemed not to be easily dimmed by their temporal lack of evidence against the supposed intruder. Miss Elaina moved to the gate and just at that time Caulin shut close the door to the office of Mr. Grave.

“Hey guys, rush up here,”

Elaina called urgently.

“Aha, what do you have to say?”

Kareem spoke fast.

“I think I saw the shadow of a figure.”

She said. The pretty face of the two boys went blank suddenly. Even Bruno seemed to have made up his mind to tear up the skin of the obviously unwanted foes. Just as expected, Jesi was shocked to see Caulin around to help in the search; that was not the plan they had hatched before.

“You are gross!”

Jess said, dabbing the rivulet of sweat that snaked down his graceful cheek with a tissue he picked from the desk of Mr. Grave.

“I know I am, have you found the book already?”

He demanded, with anxiety evidently drawn on his face.

“No but it’s cool you are here. Let’s do it quick.”

Jesi said.

“I even wonder why Professor Grave isn’t yet here. According to the information we had he should be here at this hour.”

Caulin said to Jesi as he joined in the search.

“I have no doubt she is doing something unremittingly to pin the old man down. She is a genius at that dude,”

Jesi analyzed, adoring the suppleness of Caulin.

“Alright then, check those drawers there while I molest this huge box of strange books.”

Caulin suggested and retired onto a black box he spotted behind the desk of Professor Grave.

“This box looks really old fashioned; which makes it very possible that those special books may be kept here. Ah, we should have figured that out long before. Definitely the book we want will be hidden away from the normal Library books. Funny, isn’t it?”

Caulin breathed as he desperately searched the box.

“Whatever, just fetch the stuff quickly? I am already worn-out.”

            Hoffery Rannistar’s anxiety climbed ceaselessly to the greatest height one could ever imagine. He had never felt that before as far as he could distinctly recall. He carefully gulped down a bottle of water but that could do almost nothing to curb his fears.

            He then stood up and took a few steps to the desk of Jaime Owls. Jaime was also a wizard who was very cunning to say the least. This boy of Twelve like Caulin himself had access to quite an astounding volume of secrets around which Gramway School spun. He had cute blue eyes that made him look all-knowing but Caulin hated him for something he once did to him. Jaime Owls had told him that his mom, Paige Granger was the most evil woman in the fatherland of Zaccrota; and that he will kill her if he got the chance. Since then he and Caulin hadn’t been in very healthy terms.

            Regardless of that, Hoffery liked him terribly well beyond anyone’s estimation. They had been buddies since they were eight where they both were taken to a wizardry school called Gerzziert. It’s location, nobody knew and not even the student of that school have the slightest idea where their school is situated. That’s quite inexplicable by the way.

“Hey buddy, have you by any chance spotted Caulin and his friends? I need to talk to them.”

Hoffery said to Jaime who smirked at the mention of Caulin.

“Caulin…I hate him.”

Jaime confessed.

“I know you do buddy, but have seen them around?”

He demanded casually.

“I detest those guys so I don’t look out for them. What is it with them anyway?”

Jaime said.

“I only have some business with them. I’m cool with them now for some reasons personal to me. Maybe I will tell you later but for now you should keep your head down.”

“Is that all?”

Jaime questioned.

“Yeah, never mind. I will see ya.”

Hoffery Rannistar said and walked out of the class.

“But what if I do mind?”

Jaime asked himself and narrowed his blue eyes. A smile formed on his face but dissolved right after.

            Walking on the long silent corridor toward the staircase, his uneasiness started to increase astronomically. Could something be wrong somewhere? What could that be? Hoffery wondered as he dolefully made his way to the flight of stairs. On the staircase something caught his attention which he fetched immediately. It was a bracelet that belonged to Ariadne. It had been given to her by her dad on her last birthday. Since that day she never took it off and it was quite shocking to find it lying hopelessly on the hard senseless floor.

            Hoffery took it up and stuffed it in his pocket. It didn’t take him long to realize that the Gore Trio was on another of their many pending missions. That was just the beginning.

            Professor Grave now decided he had spent a great time out of the Library already; he kissed Ariadne a good day and moved away. That was dangerous, very dangerous. She could not draw any conclusions as to whether the boys were done with the job. Maybe Caulin and Jesi would have looked for her if they were truly done and were in the class. Therefore she had to still do something to prevent Mr. Grave from breaking in on them while they were still on the search.

“Ehm Professor Grave, one more thing.”

Ariadne said thoughtfully.

“I’m old and I need to rest my lady, some other time.”

He said.

“No professor Grave, it may lead us to grab the intruder after the Leviathan’s stone, Hyone, any possible moment from now.”

She suggested.

“You look weird. I’ve never seen you looking that way before and it worries me.”

He confessed.

“Aright then, will you spend dome more time with me? It is very imperative.”

“Tell me,”

He said, allowing some more time. Ariadne sighed acceptably and moved a few steps in his direction. He run his hand through his thick brown hair and then through his beard. Ariadne figured out something to tell him which must be apparently be convincing to say the least.

“Yes Professor Grave, I have a suspect.”

She said valiantly.

“Do you?”

Professor Grave queried, rather sagaciously. His palms were clammy and the seriousness evident on Ariadne’s face in his candid opinion, anchored the necessity of granting her a listening ear. Obviously he could feel some of its heaviness piercing his heart and the only way he thought could aid in his defense was to accept her suspicions.

“Who do you think is after the stone of Rumvolt and just why do you suspect him?”

He said.

“Professor Shade Quist.”

Ariadne said confidently, looking him straight in the eye.

“My lady, you may be confused. What makes you say that?”

“First of all Professor Grave, are there guardians or protectors of the stone? Such a great ancient wizard as Hyone should not live his precious stone unprotected and insecure; or don’t you agree with me?”

She asked and smiled enigmatically. The old man blinked.  It was obvious he could not understand why she made that smile right after the question.

“I vehemently suspect Professor Sade Quist because he’s been acting really strange lately. Everyone in our class knows how queerly he’s been acting majorly with his choice of words. Trust me, it really freaks me out when he comes to class now a days.”

Ariadne said.

“That is not enough reason.”

“But I think it is.”

“No I disagree. At least once in one’s life, there will be behavioral alterations and that varies from person to person. Give me a better reason my lady.”

He requested.

“Alright then. I think he is very secretive and he doesn’t relate well with many of the students. He hardly stays in the staffroom and nobody for all I know, knows where he goes. No one even have the slimmest idea where he lives. I remember asking him and he failed to tell me claiming it was not necessary I knew. I am just confused right now Grave.”

She said.

“I shall see about that my lady.”

“Just how do you intend to do that?”

“Live that to me young beautiful. I’m not going to get you involved in this horrid mess. You are too innocent to know how I will do that. Can we meet tomorrow in my office?”

“Sure, it will be a pleasure to talk to you again.”

Adne said. Professor Grave stood up and fed her tender palm with with a warm and graceful handshake. He then sought to leave.

“I will walk you to the Library, do you mind?”

Ariadne obsequiously offered.

Professor Grave right-handedly gestured in the direction of the library signaling Adne to take the lead. Servilely, she made her way to the Library not so sure if she was taking the right action and at the right time. As they walked along the seemingly depressing corridor, Professor Grave wondered into the mystery of the words Ariadne Rooney made out pertaining to Professor Shade Quist’s possible connection with Stone of Rumvolt’s menace. It was true, and he was personally aware of the fact that there were some witches and wizards in Gramway against the entrenched principles of the institution. But for some authorities to get involved in such a heinous doing, made him itch terribly.

            He moved closer to Ariadne and took a cutting glance around. He sighed quite exasperatedly when he saw no one around.

“You know what I am, don’t you?”

He asked, his voice hardly more than a whisper. At her nod, the grey eyes shuttered for an instant, then turned back onto Professor Grave. She might have been wondering why he asked that question because it was unfortunately accompanied with an awkward feeling.

“An old man like me in constant charge of this strange Library?”

Ariadne shook her head, stifling a cold sigh birthed from anxiety.

“No,”

She whispered.

“I think I understand why you are asking me that,”

Adne added, with a preternaturally wise nod. She drew in a deep, steadying breath, possibly to assuage her nervousness and to allow into action a bit of her mother wits.

She continued.

“Listen Professor Grave, you don’t have to help me if you don’t want to. This whole thing will end soon; I will personally make sure the corrupted sorcerers are apprehended and thrown into the deathly prison of Magridinol. They will turn into Honyxes and guard this wizarding world of Deruthe. Even I will be alright.”

She said.

“You know Magridinol and what Honyxes are? You are a weirdo!”

“Whatever you say Grave.”

Ariadne said, drawing herself up with returning dignity.

“Nay, don’t get me wrong my lady; I am not trying to indict you of having anything to do with sorcery, or any wrongdoing. Don’t misinterpret me.”

Professor Grave said.

“Did I say anything, Professor Grave?”

Ariadne laughed. As her brows knit in question, she brought her hand to her face and rubbed the smooth palm against her cheek, her eyes not leaving the picture of the Library in her mind. By the time the fake picture dimmed, she realized her bracelet had disappeared. And the day’s events were hardly more than dimly harkened memories, as her mind flew back across the minutes she had spent before her rendezvous with Professor Grave.

Professor Grave smiled at her unusual behavior for a while. Ariadne continued to the Library, humming a little tune under her breath.