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Silvanus thought a word It wasn’t a very nice word I’d also been called worse before

Neither one of us moved or blinked After another moment or two, I released Silvanus’s hand and took a step back I liked Vegard and Riston, and I didn’t want theically bite off more than they could chew Carnades Silvanus was the senioroff him was any indication, my two Guardians would be in way over their heads I didn’t want a fight I wanted to take littered "You are a danger to everyone on this island You should be locked up--and I’ to see to it that you are"

With that, he turned and left, the heels of his boots echoing sharply on the ht,back "Never been better"

The big Guardian shifted uneasily "If anything happens to Justinius Valerian, he’s in charge"

That was one ht

"We try to take really good care of the old man," he assured me

Silvanus’s silk robes swept around the corner I kept my eyes on the spot "Letfor us at the front desk Nelek’s good friendbehind Kalta

Crap

On the upside, Carnades Silvanus couldn’t lock lanced up The student wasn’t on the ceiling anymore, which left plenty of room for me, my inner pessimist chimed in

I turned to Nelek "Give me the books I’ll take it from here"

His eyes went enormous under his spectacles He presented the books to me like I was condehed "Yeah, I know It’s not going to be pretty"

I turned and stepped up to the desk and Lucan Kalta "I would like to check out these two books for the paladin"

Kalta sive this guy a scythe, set hiates of the lower hells, and no one would know the difference

"I understand checking out books for the paladin is done quite often," I said reasonably "As I’m sure you know, the paladin is a busy man"

Kalta’s snized thelanced at one, then the other "Let’s see, Mistress Benares The first is a letter fro you access to the Scriptorium The second is the list of the books the paladin requested that you see" He carefully folded both pages and put theht theeyou to remove any book from this Scriptorium" He held out a skeletal hand "The books, if you please"

I made no move to hand them over Kalta’s smile turned fro it on

"An oversight on my part," Mychael said from behind Lucan Kalta "As Mistress Benares said, I am a busy ht have growled When I started a fight, I wanted to finish it I know; it’s not one of my better qualities I hesitated, then took one step back froh road sometime Kalta’s professional mask slid back into place

"Are there checkout fornature?" Mychael asked mildly

Nelek’s librarian friend held out two pieces of paper His hands were shaking

Mychael took them, and looked around the desk "Does anyone have a pen?"

Chaos ensued as all of the librarians on duty scraet the paladin a pen Their cooperation war look at Nelek The little librarian quickly looked down at his shoes and then resolutely ain Soe to wink at hiet hined the checkout forave theh the opening in the counter with ht behind me The books didn’t vanish, and I didn’t float up to the ceiling

"Thank you for your assistance, Lucan," Mychael said "I will have these returned as soon as I’ve finished with the is impeccable," I whispered as alked toward the doors and freedo to do with it Though I was hardly surprised to find you nose to nose with Lucan Kalta"

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Just what I said You are who you are; he is who he is I was not surprised As to , I received a report that Carnades Silvanus was seen hurrying into the Scriptoriu out The Seat of Twelve knew about the Saghred even before we docked with it And knowing how Carnades feels about anything goblin…"

I felt a little s on "So you came after rin "I hope you left your white charger outside"

Mychael’s blue eyes lit with boyish humor "I did I didn’t think our chief librarian would approve of the mess he’d make"