Chapter 23 - The Library I

Wherein Rose explores another avenue of learning.

The day thereafter was a tentative attempt to find balance. 

Rose mailed her letters, including a few gifts for her family. The express mail service would see them delivered before the Winter Wake. She had written a new accompanying note to go with everything else, informing her family in a few short words of what had transpired.

Bosra and Valentina were both in accord with her plan to host the Old Year's party at their house. Whether it was because they felt sorry for her, or because they really didn’t mind, Rose didn't know. At this point, she decided to just run with it.

She went back to class, accepted the offers of support from her friends, accepted their contributions for a new instrument. She let herself be dragged to a music shop during lunch break, but couldn't decide. It did feel nice to know this handful of idiots cared for her.

Rose spent Hearthday afternoon, the last day of college before the winter reprieve, in the campus library, in search of more books on magic. To no avail.

Remembering the leaflet from her wizarding teacher, she gathered her courage and took the tube to the University of Unseen Art campus. She had nothing better to do anyway, since she couldn’t play for the appreciative crowd at Paragon’s Cup.

The University of Unseen Arts was a revelation. As she rounded the corner, she saw only the beautiful chalk stone walls, the ornamental parapets, the gardens with manicured hedges. Little road signs directed visitors to the right building.

Following one such sign, Rose made her way to the library. An independent structure, connected to the main building by a roofed walkway with beautiful arches. Rose wondered why she had never gone there before. Why hadn't she jumped at the invitation to visit a place as wonderful as this? 

Opening one of the double doors by its big brass handle, Rose found that the beauty continued. A wide hall stretched before her, the checkerboard floor creating an optical illusion of infinity. Natural light shone in through high windows under a vaulted ceiling; making the general atmosphere light-hearted. Frescoes representing the elements adorned the walls. Statues so exquisitely made Rose think  they would step down from their pedestals any second. Opposed doorways leading into a larger, more cavernous room; the library.

It was every book lover's dream. Dark, polished shelves stretched three floors up. A large open central area was a hub of activity. Brass balustrades were decorated with all manner of creatures wrought into the fencing. Rose windows, intricately carved, yet unpainted provided natural light for most areas. Where natural light could not reach, sconces and lanterns held amber glowing crystals.

"Can I help you?" a younger woman in a pleated indigo robe asked kindly, appraising Rose over the rim of thick lensed glasses. She had soft blue eyes, red hair that successfully escaped its braid in several places, and classical facial features – high cheekbones, angular jaw, straight nose. She could have stepped from one of the murals in the hall.

Rose smiled tentatively at her. "I... I'm looking for information on weaving magic into song. It's... I'm a bardic student?"

"And you couldn't find anything in your college library?" the young woman continued her question. When Rose nodded she smiled gently. "Come with me."

"Don't- don't I need a card? Or some sort of registration?" 

The woman with the glasses waved the question away. "You’re here for the library, right? Bureaucracy can wait."

As Rose got a tour and an impromptu lecture on how she could find what she was looking for if she came here again, she marvelled. There was no end to the beauty of this place. Maybe she should attend here. 

"Do you give music classes?" 

"Heh. No. Bardic College has the monopoly on those. I can give you a leaflet with courses we offer to rogue students."

Rose frowned. Rogues were thieves and assassins; swift-footed, silent, thriving on subterfuge.  

The woman giggled. "It's an inside joke. We mean those who come to 'steal' knowledge, but aren't actually a UA student.

"We have introductory classes in rituals and evocation starting in the new year. Usually they take place in the evenings, or on Hearthday mornings."

"I should be able to attend those." Her schedule for the new year, handed out that morn during the last class of the day, kept classes contained from Luminsday to Fielday, leaving Hearthdays and Sunsouldays free, every week.

The woman smiled. "They're for those who have other occupations. And it won't cost much. Older year students run those classes for extra marks."

At least that was the same as Bardic College’s introduction course. "Are the classes any good?"

"Yes. Yes, they are." The woman was grinning. This conversation was not the first of its kind. "I know what you're going to say, how can they be? But trust me, they are. Students here are not the same as at Bardic, you’ll see."

Rose openly gawked. "It's so different already. This library..." 

"Don't I know it, sister," laughed the woman. "It's why I practically live here, in between classes."

Rose’s attention went from the décor to the woman. "You are a student?"

"Yep. Luminsday, Taumday, Lawday. The other days I work here."

"Do you get paid for that?"

"Honorary stipend. But honestly, even without that I would."

"Why?" Rose asked, perplexed. 

"Because I get to be here." The woman raised her arms, tipping her head backward with a happy grin.

Rose smiled. This woman must love books like she herself loved music. Speaking off: "Do you have books on music theory, or sheet music?"

"That we do! I'm Marissa by the way."

"Rosa. Rose."

"Well Rosa Rose, we may not be allowed to teach music classes, by decree of the Sovereign King, may the Peace of Heaven be upon his brow, but we are allowed to stock all the books we want – and we want – because this is a private collection." Marissa winked. 

Rose laughed. It felt so good to laugh. 

Marissa led Rose to the right section. While Rose browsed the shelves, Marissa picked a few books she thought Rose might like. Then back to the central hub they went.  

"Here... This is right next to my favourite desk." Marissa pointed over to one diagonally across from the one she had chosen for Rose. Stacks upon stacks of tomes sat on the big mahogany workspace. 

Marissa explained what to do with the books once Rose was done with them, and how she could check out books she wanted to take home. Rose learned she could leave books at her chosen desk if she planned to return the day after. With a date counter, attendants like Marissa would know when to clear a desk.

Rose looked at the stacks on Marissa's desk. The creatively organised mess on top of it could not be from three days only. Marissa caught the glance. She winked. "I change the counter every day I’m here. Been here for six years, and at the same desk."

Rose was starting to feel overwhelmed by all the information.

"I'll leave you be with your books. Do you want tea, coffee, or hot chocolate? I'm making a run to the staff room in a few."

"Uhm... tea?"

Marissa beamed a smile at her. "Okido kiddo. You can't drink at your desk, but you can if you stand next to that bit of counter right there." The woman pointed to a sign over one narrow end of the check-out aisle that read: perishables. "I'll put your name on the cup." 

Rose watched Marissa walk away to unexplored parts. She sat down, picked up the slimmest volume and opened it. She stared at the pages of notes without reading.

She just breathed. Breathed in the atmosphere of the library again. It was massive. She could feel the magic in the air too. A subtle current. Emotionless potential. What she wouldn't give to play here. 

Unbeknownst to herself, she started humming. The notes carried through the cavernous hall of knowledge and stilled against the spines of thousands upon thousands of books. 

~

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