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‘Even I’d heard about him,’ Kai put in, not very helpfully

‘Kai is my junior,’ Irene said before Vale could ask for clarification of that stateue Librarian must sound like soets passed down through the years to frighten the novices But there were stories about things happening to people one actually knew’

‘Things?’ Vale asked

‘People dying,’ Irene said bluntly ‘With pieces of the sent back’

Kai started ‘Was that why Doan, then stopped a fraction too late

‘I don’t know,’ Irene said She turned to Vale again ‘What Kai is trying to say is that the Librarian as supposed to be stationed locally, in this alternate world, has apparently been killed and ered the trap Ichaos forces These – forces – are so that Alberich uses’ She couldn’t keep the distaste out of her voice

Vale nodded ‘So chaosIs that ould teric"?’

Irene tried to think how to explain it She’d been planning to sidestep this part as ic ‘Not exactly According to our cosical , this is how things really work – ‘there are lawful and chaotic forces active in all worlds So as entities – or personifications of law or disorder if you like The lawful forces support reason and natural laws The chaotic forces support is that are blatantly irrational or disorderly For exaons are lawful forces and the Fae support chaos Fact versus fiction, if you like’

Vale stiffened like a hound catching the scent ‘So Lord Silver is a supporter of chaos itself?’

Irene nodded ‘This alternate is strongly affected by chaos Silver is certainly at least one of the lesser Fae, who are usually confined inside a single alternate I don’t know if he is one of the greater ones, but I sincerely hope not Such creatures even have the power toto do with the Library’ She wanted to make this extremely clear ‘We do not associate with the party invitations,’ Vale said drily

‘I want that book,’ Irene said flatly ‘So does he, it seems And so does Alberich I need to knoho has it If Silver or Alberich already had it, they wouldn’t be looking for it Once I have it, Mr Strongrock and I will be out of this alternate and won’t need to bother you again’