The Library With No Books - The Keepers: Part 3

The Library With No Books
The Keepers: Part 3

   Without paying any attention to the wheezing Cailu, the trio still had their eyes locked on the magic display in front of them, where a young Haedian named Qeteh’s memories unfolded in front of them in a stunning visual. It was already enchanting to see how the crystal displayed the info in text that the young Keeper quoted to them, but it was also possible to display the knowledge inscribed in the storage crystals that way had left them all simply aghast.

“How is this possible?”

   Caelan was once again first to speak out as Cailu’s attention-catching uncontrollable laughter had started to tone down, leaving him gasping for air with a ridiculous wide grin plastered on his face. Since Meline and Aethone had the same question dominating in their minds, they also waited for the Hae to explain. The Keeper pouted as he was heavily thinking.

“I’m afraid I’m not the most qualified to explain the finer details, but let’s just say that’s how our magic works.”

   He hesitantly shrugged before he patted the crystal again, making the particles flow back into it and dissolve into the gem. He then gently placed it back on its rightful spot before turning to the guests.

“So, what else would you like to see?”

“Does it work like that with every crystal? That you can choose whether you want it in text or visual?”

   Meline couldn’t move on yet, she needed more answers. Aethone and Caelan were still standing completely still as they also wanted to hear the answer. Fortunately the Keeper seemed to enjoy their company and was proud and eager to explain.

“Not quite, depends on the recording method. Some record just visually, some in text and some can do both. It also depends on the type of information being stored.”

   Something behind the topsiders caught the young scholar’s attention. Cailu had recovered from his laughing session and was also looking at Khaldor, who had made his way here. He was carrying a satchel, which seemed to contain some storage crystals as he approached the visitors, a slight smug smile on his face.

“Khaldor, hello again! Do you require our assistance?”

   Aethone greeted the leader of the clan, to which Meline and Caelan also turned around to look. Khaldor didn’t say a word, just nodded in greeting before stopping in front of them. He opened the satchel and started pulling out crystals, handing one to each of the topsiders and one to Cailu. The young Haedian scholar knew what was happening, but he kept his mouth shut and curiously observed how things would go.

“What is this?”

   Meline examined the received storage crystal, but it looked just like any other. Aethone and Caelan did the same, sending puzzled glances towards Khaldor who was simply observing them with a warm smile, waiting for something to happen.

“I have a feeling he wants us to read these.”

   Cailu helped his companions out, and he was right as Khaldor’s smile stretched wider and he nodded to Cailu’s good guess. Caelan and Aethone shifted their paws to hold from the tips of the crystal, just like the helpful Keeper had taught them. Meline was a little hesitant as her magic tended to act up when she tried something new, but seeing she had no other choice she also placed the crystal correctly and started to very carefully seek and reach out for the magic in it.

   She was first to connect with it, being startled how she could feel right away what was in there. This first sensation made her disconnect and the glow in the crystal faded out. Caelan and Aethone had achieved the same first connection and Cailu was already scrolling through the info in it, smiling warmly at what he was seeing. Having received an encouraging few words from the young scholar, Meline took a couple deep breaths and tried again, this time being ready for it. She reestablished the connection, configured the intensity of it and felt it become stable. This was better, she managed to resonate with the Haedian magic without serious drawbacks and the crystal opened its secrets to her.

   Aethone and Caelan had similar struggles but they managed to get in their crystals without disconnecting from them. When Meline and Caelan were already scrolling through the info in theirs, Aethone was still regulating the bond between her and the glowing gem between her paws. Cailu had found the spot he wanted to conjure out, so he waited till others managed to see what Khaldor had presented to them without ruining the surprise. Shortly after, all three topsiders began to smile (even though in Aethone’s case it was just a relaxed look on her face). 

   Meline and Caelan simultaneously attempted to draw out the info first. They somehow knew how to do it, perhaps the crystal gave them the knowledge the moment they connected with it as both pulled the magical specks out of the crystal, which formed the glowing cloud that started to take shapes. Meline’s crystal presented a visual representation of her, with all her complex markings displayed to every detail. The magical version of her was standing still, smiling back at the real Meline while playfully swishing its tail. Caelan’s crystal displayed a text, which was from one of the books he had brought to the Crystal Mind to study. The elderly scholar’s eyes glimmered with happiness as he read the familiar words again, now etched in the Keeper’s sturdy storage crystal. Aethone summoned a visual representation of her sticking out her bright green tongue, which made her snort and smile. Just like Caelan’s crystal, Cailu’s was also displaying a text but in the Haedian’s language, and he seemed busy reading what it said.

   With Khaldor still observing them, proud that the topsiders can understand the flow of the Haedian magic, the three guests spent a good time going through what was in their crystals. They all sensed that the data in there was incomplete, so once Meline had her share of experiencing the wonder of indicina crystals, she looked at Khaldor.

“Is it normal that I can sense only some of the info? I can’t seem to reach it all.”

   Khaldor chuckled and shook his head, to which Aethone and Caelan also switched their attention to him. Cailu was still busy scrolling through the pages in his crystal, so he continued reading what was floating in front of him.

“They’re not complete yet, so there’s not much to reach to. I merely wanted to see what you think of the work me and my assistants have managed to do so far.”

   A warm rush of happiness washed over Meline’s heart. She summoned the info back into the gem and disconnected from it, handing it back to Khaldor with a sincere grateful smile.

“This is the most wonderful surprise I’ve ever received. Thank you so much for showing me this, Khaldor. It’s a great honor to have my humble knowledge kept in your spectacular library.”

   Aethone and Caelan also sealed the crystals again, making their bright glow fade into a faint one before handing them back to Khaldor with the same gratitude as Meline. Now the three topsiders could chuckle over Cailu, who was completely lost in the story he was still reading.