The next day, Eble visited the library.
The library was a large, elaborate stone building, almost a castle. Turrets loomed in various places above, and the halls and tunnels were maze-like in design. It was renowned far and wide as one of the most reliable repositories of lore available. It was here that Eble hoped to find clues that might aid him in the search for his book.
Eble approached the intimidatingly large stone door that stood before him. He knocked, and moments later a wooden panel slid open above him. “Yes?” A voice said impatiently from inside.
Given that Eble only stood three feet and one inch tall, this was an understandably awkward situation. After a pause, he said “I’m down here…”
He heard a sigh from above, and the panel slid shut. Suddenly, the door swung forward heavily. Eble jumped back to avoid being bludgeoned.
The doorkeeper stood before him. He had an unsavory appearance- he must have been fifty years old, but he seemed older. His hair was gray and unkempt. Although he did not wear a beard, grey stubble coated his cheeks. His coat and trousers looked about two sizes too small, and a crumpled grey hat sat upon his head. He wore a scowl that seemed scarred onto his face by many years.
“Oh.” He said with a sneer. “A halfling.”
Eble looked up uncomfortably. He hadn’t seen this man before, and he didn’t know what to say.
“We don’t get many of your kind ‘round these parts, I’m afraid.” The man said snobbishly. “What is your business here?”
“I only seek information on this symbol.” Eble mumbled meekly, showing him the slip of paper.
After a pause, the man grunted angrily and stepped aside, giving Eble room to pass. Without another word he sat down on a chair behind the doors, and resumed reading a thin book.
Eble strolled into the library. It’s enormity never failed to surprise him, and he stopped in awe to stare forward into the looming hall before him. Books, scrolls, and even bits of paper filled the shelves to bursting, and there were even books set in the alcove above. With a happy sigh, Eble entered the maze of knowledge.
. . .
Eble perused for hours. He read this, and that… but nothing came up about his symbol. He did, however, find something else.
Eble had all but lost hope that he would find anything helpful, when with a jolt he recognized the name of his storiebook! He had been reading an old, dusty tome entitled The Positive, Negative, and Material Planes: A Study. What he read is as follows:
“Many believe that our world is the only one; That the so-called “real world” is the only true universe, and that all others are myth or legend. This is not so. Many worlds exist beyond our own, and can be found in the most unexpected of places. At the end of a rainbow, underneath a dark bridge, in deep tunnels burrowed into the earth- all of these places might contain a passage to another plane of existence. The end of a rainbow might lead to the positive plane, while the dark bridge might lead to the negative. The dark underground tunnels might lead to either, or both. Although what I shall soon open your eyes to will be wondrous and magical, be warned- once you stray down the path of a planar explorer and adventurer, you may quickly lose the road home.”
“Before close examination may occur, I must provide you, the reader, with a broader overview of the three planes we will be studying. First, the Positive Plane- The Plane Of Faerie.
“The Plane of Faerie is at its core a magical place. It is a realm of splendor and beauty, but also one of danger and malice. A visitor’s first impression of the faerie world is a feeling of floating serenity. Then the smell of flowers hits them, and they open their eyes in curiosity. They see the landscape before them, dazzlingly perfect, wild and free. Often, a visitor will forget to breathe upon their first sight of the rolling, colorful hills, and the gargantuan old trees that make the edge of one of the faerie realm’s many forests. Pale white lights dance in the trees, and the tinkle of music and laughter can be heard from deep within.”
“The Realm of Faerie cannot be found by just anyone, however- Nor by any map. It is a host unto itself, and rarely do travellers intend their journey there. A man lost in the woods might emerge to find something like what I have described above, unsure of how or why he came to be there. Many regret their involuntary displacement, but some rise to the occasion, finding that this world may just be where they truly belong.”
The chapter ended, and Eble drew breath in wonder. What a beautiful place!
He looked back down, and what he saw next shocked him.
“For more information, please consult the following: The Monkey’s Chains by Renly, Bran, and The Tales of Twil.”
. . .
Eble immediately began searching for The Monkey’s Chains, but it was some time before he found it. It wasn’t much more than a philosophy textbook, but again it referenced The Tales of Twil! How popular was his book? Eble didn’t realize that anyone except himself and his Loremaster knew of its existence!
He perused the library for a few more hours. He was about to give up on finding what US meant when he found the answer by mere chance! He had been reading a more in-depth book on the faerie plane:
“There are two queens of the Faeries in their perilous realm. Their names are not known, but they were once sisters, before their great sundering. The details of their relationship’s bitter end have not been recorded, but it is said that one sister turned to darkness, while the other sheltered herself in the light. The sister of light named her people seelie, and the sister of darkness named hers unseelie. The two have been at war ever since.”
“UnSeelie!” Eble shouted with excitement. Someone shushed him from the next shelf over.
Quickly Eble gathered his things and left the library. He returned to the Frogwhich Inn to share what he had learned with Arthur, but the half-elf was not there!
Eble walked over to the bartender. “Excuse me?” He said.
The bartender looked over at him in disinterest.
“Have you seen my friend Arthur The elf?” Eble asked.
The bartender thought for a moment, and shrugged. “Can’t say I have.”
“Will you let him know I was here?” Eble asked worriedly.
The bartender nodded casually. “I don’t know if he’ll turn up or not… He’s an Elf; He comes and goes as he pleases.”
Eble nodded and left the tavern. What had happened to Arthur? Had the thief who had stolen his storiebook taken him too?
‘
Eble pondered for some time as he walked slowly back to Ludwig’s. What was he to do? Only one conclusion came to mind… He had to go after the dark thief.
When Eble arrived he immediately began packing clothes, instruments, weapons, and provisions. He would leave the next morning, set off after his enemy.
Eble laid down and blew out his candle. Long he lay awake, however, pondering his imminent adventure. He had read so many stories and sung so many songs of heroes of old, dragon slayers and giant killers, great knights and daring battles. He could not help but wonder, though… now that his own adventure had finally arrived, would he rise to the occasion?
A small smile darted across Eble’s face…
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