Keep+Them+Closer

(Authors' Note: This story takes place 10,000 years in the past, before the Phoenix was cursed and before current events in our world).
Grasping the cloak closer to her shoulder, Algæaca stared up at the great building before her. The trek up the mountain had been daunting, and had left her several times near the point of utter exhaustion. Her guide had been kind enough, although he’d spoken in a heavily accented voice that was hard for her to decipher. But she’d made it to her ultimate goal, and would now be able to collect the information that was needed. Heading through the lamasery, she kept her head high, ignoring the strange looks her received. She was rather shocking against the landscape that held her; A bright color against a stark background. However, she was used to the strange looks she received from people, and simply focused on what was ahead of her. Her guide was only leading by a few steps, bringing her the rest of the way there. He spoke to a couple of monks in their native tongue, one that she’d studied before she’d arrived but had not completely mastered, and they opened the great doors, allowing her inside. The first thing she noticed was the size; It seemed to be even larger on the inside then the outside. Her guide nodded to her, giving her a grin, telling her to enjoy her stay, and he’d set her up with a house in the lamasery, seeing as she was a lady from the south, and would be considered a special guest. He left her after that, and Algæca was free to wander around about. Grabbing the list she’d made for herself, she became engrossed in looking around the place, wondering where to start.

The sheer number of books, papers, scrolls and maps was almost overwhelming. There had to be some way of categorizing all this information, but she did not know where to start. All around her were huge caverns with smaller tunnels branching off from them; some leading to quiet alcoves well lit for study and others to more chambers full of books. Surely this place must contain everything ever written. There was no fire anywhere, but the rooms were lit by glowing orbs which gave off no heat but were the perfect brightness for reading. The place was warm and comfortable, despite the lack of fire.

Tables and chairs were set up in various places in the cavern and monks and visitors sat around them, engrossed in reading or quiet conversation. Some had pots of tea and small plates of snacks, but they all kept the food well away from the precious books and papers.

"Is this your first time at the Great Library? May I help you find something?" Aglaeca turned to find a white haired woman gazing at her with startling teal eyes and a warm, welcoming smile. She wore a white kimono, embroidered with blue and silver dragons. Her white hair was gathered in a bun at the nape of her neck. She looked neither young nor old...the best word that Aglaeca could come up with was timeless. "I am Madame Cho, librarian of the Great Library. It would be my pleasure to help you find your way around."

Noting the lack of fire, Algæca took in every detail of the rooms, and as well as the woman who’d approached her, introducing herself as Madame Cho, and offering her services. She was sure the woman was doing to same to her, so she didn’t mind letting her gaze linger, jotting everything down mentally. Algæca herself was obviously foreign to the land, Cho took notice of that very quickly. If her facial structure was not a clue, her coloring most definitely was. Her hair was a deep red, almost burgundy, which wasn’t all that strange. It was braided back,twisted intricately. But her eyes were an even brighter red, which was definitely not common. However, she wore the clothing of the land, a deep red kimono, decorated with fire lilies, She gave Cho a small smile, and nodded her head, as if showing a sign of respect.

“Indeed, it is my first time,” she spoke in the common tongue, although her words were accented with the tone of the south, “I am Lady Aglæca, and I am trying to find a few books that I can’t find in any other place. I would love some help, if you do not mind assisting me. While I’m sure I would be able to figure out the system eventually, it would be much more time efficient if I was lead in the direction I was supposed to be going in, by someone who knew where they were going.”

Cho returned the small bow. "You would be able to figure it out if you studied here long enough," she said. "First, the library is divided into quadrants: North, South, East and West. Within those, there are sections on history, geography, politics, religion, philosophy, customs, races, and so on. If you are more interested in fiction, the caverns are sectioned into genres: classics, contemporary, romances, poetry and more." She glanced at the woman beside her. "Come, let me show you around."

Cho began a slow stroll through the library, pointing out various places of interest. "We have tables in the main caverns for study but we also have smaller private alcoves, which are perfect for reading or working alone. We also have some spaces for two or three people to work together."

They walked past a small kiosk and the worker hurried out with two steaming cups of tea. Cho took one and handed the other to Aglaeca. The tea was green and fragrant, smelling slightly of pineapples and citrus. "As you can see, I do not mind if patrons enjoy a cup of tea or some snacks as they are researching. I just ask that they keep them well away from the books and papers."

Taking a small smell of the tea, Aglæca’s nose wrinkled at the overbearing scent. She’d never preferred fruity food herself, always liking something with a little more heat. However, she knew it would be rude not to accept it, and she wanted to be most gracious as she could. She sipped the tea, and followed behind her, both women traveling at a leisurely pace. Looking around as she spoke, Aglæca began to get a feeling of the library, at least, as much as she could. It was still terribly big, and she was sure that she would be able to get herself lost, if not for such a kind guide.

“Of course, wouldn’t want to damage any of the works here,” she agreed softly, and rather absent minded, the tips of her fingers rubbing against the outside of the cup.

Cho took a sip of tea from the delicate cup she held. "From your accent and your coloring, I would assume that you are from the South. That must have been an arduous journey for you. I hope you are well recovered. So tell me, my lady, what is it that you seek at the Great Library?"

Upon hearing her question, Aglæca perked up a bit, and nodded, “Indeed, your assumption is correct. I am from the south. And while the travel was difficult indeed, I was greeted and received in good company. I made the trip in order to collect some information from specific books that I couldn’t seem to find anywhere else.” Handing the list over to Cho, Aglæca allowed her to read it over. It was mostly histories, over different regions in the world.

Cho set her cup down on a nearby table and perused the list. "Hmmm," she said. "I take it you were not able to find any of these in Lexico?" She waved away Aglaeca's answer absently. "No, of course you weren't. Why come here otherwise? That was a foolish question. Forgive me."

She continued scrutinizing the list. "I see you have an interest in history," Cho mused. "But, of course, with the way the library is organized you would be retracing your steps quite often in order to get all of these. Why don't you come with me. I will set you up in an alcove, and then we can bring these volumes to you."

Cho led Aglaeca down a corridor and into a small chamber. The room contained a long mahogany table on which was a sheaf of paper, pen, and ink. Two comfortable chairs were pulled up to the work surface and a small globe glowed overhead, casting light in the space. A silky soft shawl was tossed over one of the chairs.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. Are you warm enough? I know that the temperatures here are quite different than what they are in the South. The shawl is there if you need it."

Cho moved to the entrance of the alcove and stopped a passing monk. "Jamling, we are looking for these volumes. Will you collect them and bring them back here please?"

The young monk bowed respectfully. "Of course, Most Holy. It shall be done." He then collected a cart and went in search of books.

Cho seated herself in one of the chairs. "It seems that we shall have a bit of time to chat before Jamling returns with your volumes. Tell me, how are things in the South? I sometimes feel that I am stuck here in the library with very little information about what is going on in the outside world."

Aglæaca was very thankful she’d run into Cho; running around the library, trying to find the books she needed, only to pass them when looking for another copy, would have driven her insane. She enjoy everything being organized, in the way she saw fit, and in one place.

“You are forgiven, although there was no need to apologize in the first place, Madam. Indeed, I checked Lexico, and was able to collect some of the information I needed, but they were missing the books on my list from their collection,” She sat down in the comfortable chair, thankful for being able to give her feet a little rest. She relaxed for what felt like the first time in weeks.

“Indeed, I am warm enough, but thank you so much for the shawl, it is very kind of you to supply one,” she smiled, pulling her cloak closer to her shoulders, “And you are quite correct about the weather. I feel as if I have experienced all seasons in the course of a week.” Chuckling slightly, she took another sip of her tea.

“The South has been been the same as it has ever been, although, many feel as though some great change is about to come,” she looked down into her tea cup, “Some people are claiming to feel something shift in the wind. Mostly the nomads in the Steppes. They say that the land soon will shift. But, for now, everything seems to be stable. Nothing for anyone to worry about just yet.”

Cho leaned back in her chair, relaxing a bit. She studied her companion carefully. "//A shift in the wind//. What an interesting turn of phrase."

Cho had heard that before. A shift in the wind. Not from the Numidians, although they were a people with lyrical souls. No, it was a snippet of an ancient prophecy. This woman was more than she seemed to be at first glance, Cho was sure of that. Yet she felt a kinship: a feeling that, given time, they could become great friends. Aglaeca was clearly interested in history and she was a True Seeker, coming all this long way in order to add to her knowledge. Cho had to admire that.

"I have visited the South many times," Cho said. "I know the feeling of being out of one's element. It is odd, is it not, that the two greatest libraries in the world are juxtaposed in such extremes? I am glad, however, that we will be able to help you here. Tell me, are you hungry? I can supply you with some snacks, if you wish. And perhaps you would do me the honor of joining me for dinner? My monks are excellent cooks. Tonight they are preparing crispy fish with a chili-plum dipping sauce. We could discuss what you have found so far and what you still seek."

At that moment, a slight rumbling was heard in the corridor and Jamling entered, pushing a cart piled high with books. "Most Holy, here are the books for our honored guest. Since she was interested in many histories, I took the liberty of picking a few more volumes similar to the books on her list. I was not sure if she had already seen them, but, if not, //A Brief History of the Guardians// and //Fire and Ashes: A History of the Phoenix// are both fascinating." He bowed as he presented the books to Aglaeca and then placed the rest of the volumes on her table. "When you are finished, my lady, simply return the books to the cart and I shall reshelve them."

“Very artistic, indeed,” Aglæaca nodded in agreement, “Although, there is something that I rather like about the phrasing of it. The words are deeper then they first appear, which I appreciate.” A small smile came onto her face then. It seemed the words and herself had a thing in common; They were much more then they were at first glance.

She continued to drink her tea, allowing Cho to speak without interrupting her. After she finished, she placed the cup down, and folded her hand together. She nodded when she agreed with the points the woman made. and looked upon her with interest. Her eyes never wavered to look around the room, for she felt that was extremely rude when someone was speaking to another. After she stopped talking for a moment, she threw in her two cents. “It is very interesting indeed. But, I suppose it offers a chance for more to be able to experience them. If they were both in the South, or in the East, it would be harder for others to get to, would it not?” At the mention of food, her stomach growled, and she looked away, rather embarrassed.

“Indeed, I would love something to eat, thank you so much for the offer. And I would love to join you in dining. The food sounds divine, as does your company, my lady.” The monk walked into the room, and she turned his attention to him. Agreeing to put them back onto the cart, and thanking him for the extra volumes, she took the books, taking one off the top, running her fingers over the leather cover. She smiled, loving the feeling, as well as the smell.

Cho stood and smoothed out her kimono. "I shall leave you to your studies. I hope to see you at dinner." Then, she and Jamling left Aglaeca alone in the warm and quiet alcove.

“I shall see you then, Madam Cho,” Aglæca waved, before opening the book, grabbing a notepad and a pen, and beginning her reading.

A few moments later, Jamling returned with a tray which contained dried fruits, nuts, crackers and, to Aglaeca's delight, a spicy cheese made with Southern fire peppers. Along with this was a glass of chilled chai tea. He made almost no noise as he entered the small room, set down the tray and then left Aglaeca to her research. Aglæca picked around the snacks, taking the edge of the hunger she was feeling. She thanked the monk for the food, and spent good couple hours compiling notes.

Aglaeca worked her way through several of the books before Jamling returned and cleared his throat. She would have been able to get through more of them if she didn’t need to keep notes, but there was no real rush for her to rush. "Your pardon, honored guest, but perhaps you would like to refresh yourself before dinner? Her Holiness has asked me to show you to the bathing chamber. She said that you might find it both restorative and warming." Jamling escorted Aglaeca from her nook, after assuring her that her books and papers would still be there when she returned, and led her from the library and into the lamasery. They traveled down the warm, white stone corridors and to a large door which had a bas relief carving of a river scene. Following him, she made herself a mental map, wanting to remember her way around. Each turn was marked, and she approximated how long each hallway was.When Jamling opened the door, Aglaeca could see a large bathing pool in the middle of the room with steam rising from it. "The bottom is sandy and the water constantly circulates. You will find soaps, bath towels and a robe in the cabinets," he said, pointing to a large wooden cupboard on the opposite wall from the door. "Her Holiness will expect you at the Tea Garden Pavilion when you are done and have changed. If you do not know the way, simply ask any monk you see and he or she will provide you with directions."

She nodded when he informed her were everything was, and thanked him again. As soon as he left, she undid the cloak around her shoulders, and let it fall to the ground, along with the rest of her clothing. She also unpinned her hair, and let it all hang loose. Stepping into the water, she allowed her muscles to relax, and took her time getting the weeks worth of grime off of her skin. She hated to keep her hostess waiting, but this was something she’d needed for a while, and figured Cho would understand. if she’d been in her position. By the time she’d finished, she smelled incredibly fresh, the scent reminiscent of white tea, and felt invigorated. Stepping out, and drying herself off, she changed into a new pair of robes, and folded up her others to be cleaned later. Combing out her hair, she put it up into a bun to keep it out of her face, and stepped out of the bathing house. Finding one of the monks, she asked for directions, and once they were given, she made her way down the long, winding corridors of the library.

Meanwhile, Cho had not been idle. The snippet of the prophecy drove her to look for the tome containing it. Although Cho's eidetic memory allowed her to recall everything that she had ever read, she still enjoyed the feeling of the paper in her hands and it sometimes helped her to sort her thoughts when she saw the words on the page. An eternity in the Library allowed her to quickly find what she was searching for in a book of prophecies by a Southern seer named Devorah Pythini. After flipping a few pages, she found the full text.

//Change will be kindled by a shift in the wind// //The Flame and the Ice, which once were twinned// //Will be ripped asunder and one shall fall// //Far from home, past the Withering Wall.//

//But do not fear, for the ember still glows// //Though the Fire will bow to the Lady of Crows// //The Ash, thought cold, will ignite once more// //The hearth will blaze and the Phoenix will soar.//

Even though Cho read it over and over, it still did not give her insight into why this woman had used the phrase. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but Cho was too old and too wise to believe in coincidences. She had always thought that the prophecy had referred to her brother, but now...perhaps this would be something she would only understand in time. Sighing, she slid the book back on it's shelf and went to ready herself for dinner.

The tea garden was a lovely green space in the midst of the icy terrain of Cho's mountain. Cho walked past a sand garden where a few of her monks raked the sand into waves that washed against the //Taihu// stones; limestone that had been worn away by the force of water over the years into fantastic lacy shapes.

The path that she trod was made of repeating patterns of different stones. White walls surrounded the garden, contrasting with the green tile roof and the red lacquerwork of the arches and doors. Etched into the arches were snippets of poetry reflecting on the beauty of nature. In the center of the garden was a jade green pond. Around its edges, willows wept long, leafy tears into the pool. //Koi// fish flashed and darted in the depths, while barred geese silently paddled on top of the water, gliding to and fro. A bridge arched from the path to a pagoda which floated like a lotus in the heart of the water where Cho waited patiently for Aglaeca to join her.

The air was full of delectable aromas; the piquant scent of the chili contrasting. but not clashing, with the sweetness of the plum. The fish was crisp and flavorful, with or without the sauce, and it was accompanied by jasmine rice, spicy spring rolls and stir-fried vegetables. There was tea again, of course, but this time it was an astringent blend made to cleanse the palate.

"Please," Cho smiled as Aglaeca arrived, "sit and eat and tell me how you like the Great Library so far."

“It would be my honor to indulge your request, Madam,” Aglæca smiled, crossing over the bridge, and joining her gracious hostess, her eyes drifting over the room, taking in it’s beauty. They had nothing like this in the South, the attention to detail was stunning, and she decided it was a much welcomed change in scenery. From the bleakness of the South, the icy terrain she’d been surrounded by for a week, the greens were soothing. Sitting down, she looked over the food that had been prepared, and curiosity sparked in her eyes. She was able to pick out a few of the scents and sights, the rest were foreign to her. However, everything smelled delicious.

“The library has been a worthwhile trip so far, my lady,” she replied after a moment, not wanting to keep Cho hanging, “ I have already so much in the short time I have been here, and hope to learn much more in the days to come. The research I am compiling would not be near possible if I did not have such a wealth of knowledge to draw on.” Having adored learning since she was a young girl, Aglæca could not hide the almost childlike excitement of being in a place filled to the brim with books. She’d only planned on staying a few days in the place, leaving after she’d collected everything on her list, however, being completely surrounded by the greatness that was the Great Library, there was no doubt that much more time needed to be allotted. She attempted to act professional about it, of course, not wanting to make herself out to be a fool.

“You must tell me, Madam Cho, how you ever came to acquire such a collection,” she picked up one of the tea cups, wafting the scent, before taking a small sip, “It must have taken you a hundred lifetimes to come even close.”

An amused smiled played about Cho's lips. "First, please call me Cho. I'm not really one to stand on formalities, although the monks do seem to think it is necessary. I suppose that you could say that the library is my life's work. I add to it constantly, for knowledge is our greatest treasure. What good is a weapon without the knowledge of how to use it? What good is magic without instructions on how to access it, to bend it to our will? And knowledge, like any other tool, is neither good nor bad in and of itself. The morality of knowledge is all in how it is used." She took a portion of the fish, rice and vegetables and placed them on a plate for Aglaeca. She did the same for herself and then settled back to observe her guest more closely.

Cho wished that she could be more open. Aglaeca clearly loved books and learning, almost as much as Cho herself did. The Southerner was obviously intelligent, her questions and observations clearly showed that. Cho felt herself warming to the young woman, feeling a certain kinship to her. But there was also that about her which made Cho wary. A certain scent, a look, as if something //other// was regarding Cho through those eyes. Not for the first time, Cho cursed her inability to do magic as a human. And of course, transforming into her draconic appearance was out of the question. No, for now she would have to keep her secrets. And, unless she missed her guess, Aglaeca was keeping secrets of her own.

“Tell me, I know the titles of the books you wished to see, but what exactly are you looking for in those books? Perhaps, since I know the contents of the Great Library very well,” Cho almost snorted at the understatement...she knew the location and contents of every book, scroll and paper, “I could help you find more information about your topic.”

“Well, Cho,” Aglæca made sure to stress the usage of her first name, and leave any sort of titles out of it, “Well my study focuses mostly on the area of the South, seeing as it is my homeland, I am very interested in the stories of the Guardians. Long have I heard of them, but I have never seen one with my eyes. My research is to see if they really are, well, real, and really do protect the land that they are assigned to. Currently, I am researching the Guardian of the South, or as the legends call him, the Phoenix.” She took a bite of the food Cho had offered her, and smiled slightly, enjoying the taste immensely. She kept her eyes on Cho, however, gauging her reaction, before continuing her explanation.

“It is a bit of a childhood exploration, you see. Ever since I was young, I was interested in the stories, but now, as I have gotten older, I feel the need to find some sort of closure. Well I find myself open minded, I am also a person who enjoys having facts to back up my beliefs. And those facts, I hope to find in your books,” she crossed one leg over the other, and continued to eat, quieting, at least for the moment. She had prepared herself with that response long before Cho had asked, in preparation that someone would ask her something like it while she was on her trip. If she were being honest, she’d thought of a million different scenarios, and had carefully calculated responses to each. She had indeed told the truth, but she’s added bits and pieces to make the story seem far more innocent then it really was. However, Cho had not seemed to notice this, and Aglæca stayed relaxed, not worrying.

“I would love it if I had some assistance. You seem to know so much, I am honestly in wonder of you. To have at your fingertips such a wealth of knowledge, which is, indeed, a wonderful tool, would be such a blessing.”

Cho nodded as she finished a bite of her fish. “The books are a blessing indeed,” she agreed pleasantly, “but the information that I can give you about the Guardians comes from slightly more...//personal//...sources.” Her voice, pleasant and well modulated, fell into the cadence of a storyteller. “Long ago, when the Creatorix formed this world, It fashioned four Guardians to protect Tetravier and its peoples. The Guardians of the North and West would be mortal; long lived, to be sure, but inevitably they would grow old and uninterested in the world, at which point they would step down and a new Guardian would be appointed. The Guardians of the East and the South would be immortal, a source of constancy in the impermanence of the Universe. They would help the new Guardians to grow in their roles. Thus, two mortals and two immortals kept the balance of the world.” A shadow of pain and loss passed over her lovely face. “Of course, growing up in the South as you did, you would not have seen much of the Phoenix,” she paused for a moment before adding, “but I can assure you that the people of the East know their Guardian quite well.”

“I must admit, while I’ve heard stories about the great Phoenix, I have never once seen him before,”Aglæca mused, taking a sip of her tea, her voice not holding a tone of disdain, but one of fact, and serenity, “I suppose he has just been preoccupied by far more pressing matters, or something of the sort.” Running her fingers over the smooth texture of the tea cup, she stayed quiet for a moment, before another question came to her mind.

“What sort of //personal// sources were you speaking of earlier, Cho?” She questioned, looking up, red eyes curious, “Have you met your guardian, the Guardian of the East, before?” While something about Cho’s tone while telling the story, and the look of pain that had flashed across her features, made it seem like the woman in front of her and the Guardians were more then simple acquaintances, she wanted to see if this suspicion was correct.

“You need not answer if the question is far too personal, I am simply curious, and am a lover of good, factual, stories of firsthand encounters.”

"Nonsense, my dear. I would not have mentioned it if I were hesitant to talk about the subject. Indeed, I have met all the Guardians at one point or another," Cho replied, "although I know the Dragon of the East the best, of course. There are several perks to being the librarian of the Great Library." She smiled her enigmatic smile again as she gestured around her. "I get to live in this lovely setting, surrounded by knowledge and learning and by people who value the same ideals. The Dragon of the East is much like this as well. She and I have much in common. But each Guardian is different. The Tortoise of the North is more isolated. He cares for the North, but keeps more to himself not wishing to interact with the outside world. The Tiger of the West can be truculent, so fighting and warfare are not disturbing to him. In fact, he generally enjoys it because he feels that only through chaos can we grow. The Phoenix of the South is particularly enamored of the Homo Sapyros, and why not? He created them after all. But, like most creatures with a fiery nature, he can be moody and mercurial, changing as quickly as the flames he loves. He can be comforting or dangerous, and sometimes both at the same time. The Dragon of the East is the one you are most likely to meet, for she is actively involved in her region, protecting it as best she can. She has been called the Lady of Wisdom and Compassion and so she is, but she is also the named the Arbiter of Justice and the Swift Right Hand of Vengeance. However, the Guardians are not gods, though some worship them in that way. They are...perhaps you would say ... overseers. Their main function is to keep the balance within Tetravier and the welfare of their people is secondary to that mission."

She paused and took a sip of tea, refilling both cups after she did so. The meal was finished and two monks appeared to clear away the main course and set out dishes of candied nuts, cheeses, dried fruits and almond cookies for the two women. Cho helped herself to a small plate of sweets and then fixed her teal gaze on Aglaeca. "Are there any //specific// questions about the Guardians that I could answer for you?"

“Well, not at the moment,” Aglæca answered, taking one of the cookies, and nibbling on the treat, “But, of course, I will most likely think of some. I mean, it is an awful lot of information to take in, and my mind must sort through it all first. I am not ungrateful for this onslaught of information, of course. Someone who has met all of the guardians, first hand? This is such a wonderful opportunity!” She was giddy, although she hated to admit it, and she was having a problem keeping herself still in her seat. This was more then she could have ever hoped for in coming to the library!

“The first thing that comes to mind, Cho, is the question of how you were able to meet all of them. Did they come to the library? Or did you seek them out, on a quest for greater knowledge, or something of that nature? What did they look like, I mean, what did they appear to be? I have heard that the East and South both have human forms, and these amazing other forms they can shift themselves to! I hate to ask a question based on cosmetics, but it plays a part in the story as well. How did they act? I am just so amazed and in awe of you, Cho, I must admit! This is just.. Amazing!’ Her words got faster as she spoke, and she stopped, attempting to rein herself in.

“...Sorry, I get over enthusiastic occasionally.....”

"You need never apologize for enthusiasm, my dear," Cho replied as she beamed at the younger woman's words. "Indeed, your passion for education in this matter does you much credit and appeals to my heart more than I can say." Part of her longed to reveal her true nature to Aglaeca, but there was still something that was holding her back; an icy tickle at the back of Cho's neck that warned of danger. No, it was wiser to be continue being cautious.

"As the librarian of this place, I am often consulted on matters of history and precedent. As for how I met the Guardians, the Dragon of the East is a frequent visitor here. The Phoenix of the South comes when he has need of me and the library. The Tiger has, on occasion, paid a call on me and I have been asked to go to the North to consult with the Tortoise. And yes, they do all have mortal and arcane forms. The Phoenix appears to be a man, but can transform into an exquisite bird with fiery scarlet and gold plumage. The Tortoise has several other guises: snake, a warrior dressed in black, a human or elf or dwarf, and more. The Tiger is snowy white with vivid black stripes and is most often male and almost always human. And the Dragon of the East...the poets say that she is close to 60 feet long, beautiful and terrifying, and her scales are all the shades of white that ever existed; pearl and opal, starlight and moonglow, snow and mist." Cho shrugged. "But that seems a bit flowery to me. The mortal forms of North and West constantly change, for those Guardians reign for a time and then grow old and are replaced. As to East and South, they are the closest for they have known each other since the beginning of time and it is said that they will never die. Many books say that Tetravier itself will protect them. Some even hint that the Creatorix will play a hand in defending them, should they be in peril."

Cho rang a small bell and a monk came in to light the colorful paper lanterns hanging in the pavilion. Only then did Aglaeca realize that it had grown dark as they were talking. "However, I am not sure I understand what you mean by your question about how they acted. Do you mean with mortals or how they act in between themselves?"

“Well, I suppose what I mean is, what are their personalities, if you know of them,” Aglæca chuckled slightly, running her hand through her red locks, her eyes shifting to the window that allowed her to see the darkness outside. It was getting late, and she was getting to the point of exhaustion, but she still had so much she wanted to learn. Cho was a wealth of knowledge, and she didn’t want to waste such a valuable resource.

“Like, how do they act when they are around mortals, and when they are with themselves? What do they enjoy, what do they dislike. I suppose, what I mean is, what are their human like qualities.”

Cho had noticed the fatigue in Aglaeca's eyes; not much escaped her notice. "Oh my dear, I could tell you enough stories to keep you up all night and well into another day! But that would not be conducive to your studies and it would be unfair of me. Come, let me fetch someone to show you to your rooms and we can talk more tomorrow. I am not going anywhere, after all. But you need a good night's rest." Aglaeca could see that it was pointless to argue.

Cho stood, ringing a bell as she did so. A young female monk soon appeared and bowed to Cho. "You rang, Most Holy?"

"Indeed I did, Jinora," Cho replied. "Lady Aglaeca is weary and would like to retire to her chambers. Would you show her the way?"

Jinora bowed to Aglaeca, "Follow me, my lady," she said.

Aglaeca followed Jinora out of the garden and down the halls and corridors, mentally mapping as they walked. Eventually, they came to her room and she entered. The room was warm, but not too warm for sleeping, and the bed looked comfortable.

That night, Agaleca dreamed. It was not a normal dream, as she was very aware that she was, in fact, dreaming. Everything was fever sharp and bright. She saw a great bird made of flame soaring through the skies, a white dragon flying next to it and twining around it, dancing joyfully through the starry night. She saw the bird falling, dying, keening out a song of almost impossible beauty mixed with infinite sorrow. She saw Cho, tears of bitter grief streaming from her eyes. Aglaeca knew that she was the cause of those tears, and yet Cho gazed at her with a look which encompassed both compassion and forgiveness. And she saw a road, forking into two directions; one leading to dark mystery and the other to a fiery light. Poised there, she was ready to take her first step, but before she could, she awoke. Dawn's rosy light was just reaching through the curtains in her room.

She was breathing hard, her body covered in a thin later of sweat. Having no idea why the dream had affected her so, she stood up slowly, wondering if there was a basin of water she could wash her face with, to get the substance off of her skin. After finding one in the room, accompanied by a small towel and a mirror, she went to washing. There was a small tremble in her fingers, she noticed, and she wondered why she was reacting like this. It had only been a dream. That was all. Although it had been crisp and clear, as if she was experiencing it first hand, there was no way she could have.

“Stop being so foolish,” she mumbled to herself, looking into the mirror, “There is a reason you are here, to get the information you need. Don’t screw it up. It was only a dream.” Taking a deep breath, trying to collect herself, she went toward the door, and opened it slowly, wondering where she was supposed to be going to get breakfast. Seeing one of the monks, she called to him, and asked him for directions.

The monk bowed respectfully to her and showed her the way to the refectory where the monks and guests at the library ate. There was a large breakfast station set up containing yogurt, breads, pastries, hot cereals, sweeteners, jams and fresh and dried fruits. Large carafes of hot water were available as well as small single serving pots for a large variety of teas. As Aglaeca helped herself to the food, another monk approached.

"My lady," she said, "Her Holiness has asked me to give you this." She extended a note to Aglaeca who took it, broke the seal and read it.

//My dear Aglaeca,// //I will leave you to your studies for the day, since that is why you came to the Great Library after all. However, I hope that you will join me this evening in the Tea Garden for dinner again where we can continue our most pleasant conversation.// //My best regards to you,// //Cho//

After breakfast was finished, Aglaeca found her way back to her study alcove, finding all of her books and materials exactly where she left them. She picked up one of the books and soon became engrossed in the reading. After a few hours, she chose another book from the pile. The title caught her eye: //The Teachings of Chomolungma//. Chomolungma? But, that was the name of the mountain, wasn't it? Was it also the name of the Guardian?

Opening the book slowly, the questions forming in her mind, Aglæca began reading. The more that she read, the more everything became clear. It didn’t take her long to piece everything together, but it was shocking, none the less. Her eyes widened, and she could hardly believe it. That was how Cho knew so much about the guardians! It was because she was one of them. A small smile came onto her face, as she took quick notes from the text. She could not believe her luck! She’d come in search of information about the guardians, and she’d stumbled upon one of them in the flesh. Part of her knew that this put her in a more vulnerable place, but it was a blessing she would not mess up.

She kept that book off to the side while she looked over the others, but the information the texts were providing weren’t really being absorbed. She was too busy thinking of her plan. She wanted to be at least one step ahead of the game, and wanted everything to go smoothly. Working until it was about dinner time, Aglæca finished up, and went to wash up, before finding her way back to the tea garden.

Walking toward the pavilion, she found Cho feeding the //koi// in the pond. The fish came and took the food directly from her hands. She smiled warmly as she looked up and brushed the remaining food into the water. "Ah!" she exclaimed, "My honored guest is here. Come, join me." Cho walked with Aglæca, escorting her to the pagoda, pointing out pleasant features of the garden such as the hidden lines of poetry etched into the archways.

They entered the pavilion to find a young monk there, who proffered warm towels scented with lemon, with which they could cleanse their hands. After this, a meal was set out. Aglæca could detect the pungent aroma of Southern fire peppers in the beef dish. This was accompanied by rice, vegetables, small dumplings with a salty dipping sauce and, of course, the ubiquitous tea.

Cho served her guest and then herself, and, once the initial pangs of hunger had been assuaged, she sat back against the pillows and regarded the other woman with a small enigmatic smile. "So, tell me, my bright flame, yesterday you asked me about how the Guardians acted. Have you gained any enlightenment in that area today?”

“A little bit, although I’m sure you are far more knowledgable in the areas,” Aglæca smiled a little bit at the name Cho had bestowed upon her, “I mean, from what I collected last night, you seemed to know them all so well. If I ask you a question, you have an answer. With the books, I must pick them apart, and take the answers I assume are right.”

While she seemed to be telling the truth, Cho noticed she seemed a little hesitant. Aglæca was convinced she was the Guardian of the East, but she was still trying to figure out how exactly to bring that up in conversation. It would be rude to come right out and say it, and she had no intent of dishonoring her most gracious hostess, but she still wanted to know if her guess was correct. If Cho really was the Guardian of the East, then it changed things. Aglæca was one for a clean cut plan, and if there was an alteration, she wanted to fix it as soon as possible.

“...Cho, I must ask,” Aglæca breathed slowly, and idea coming to her just then, “...Have you any experience in dream reading? It’s fairly common practice where I come from.”

Cho hid her small, amused smile by taking a sip of tea. Aglæca was an intelligent woman, she must have figured out Cho's true identity, and yet, she did not ask about it. She could be just being polite, or there could be more to it than that. Either way, Cho was content to let the game play out as it would.

"Well, I am most pleased to be able to assist you in your search then, and you must feel free to ask me //any// questions you wish. Part of the Library's mission is to aid True Seekers in their quests," Cho said.

She refilled both cups with steaming tea as she answered Aglaeca's question. "I am familiar with the Southern art of the fire-trance for the purpose of dream reading. Fascinating, although I tend to avoid fires myself. Here in the East we call dream-reading "Entering the Mystery." In the Mystery, we see far more than when we are asleep and dreaming. We can replay our dreams, speed them up, slow them down, examine and interpret individual moments. We can enter alone, although can be dangerous, but more often we enter with a guide, a Mentor, if you will. In the Mystery, the guide can see the dream also, and point out possible inferences."

She paused, considering her next words carefully. If Aglæca accepted, each would know //much// more about the other. "Have you had a disturbing dream? I have entered the Mystery many times, both as Seeker and Mentor. I could show you, if you would like."

Aglæca considered it, wondering if she really wanted Cho poking around in her head. While she had no intent to hurt her in anyway, there would be consequences, and the probability something could go very wrong. Cho might find out something about Aglæca she was not ready to share yet, and if this dream meant something more then she fully understood, Cho would have full access to it.

“Well, I don’t believe I would call it disturbing. However, the dream seemed... Off. Everything was crisp, and clear, as if I was seeing it first hand. It was like I myself was standing there, experiencing everything in the real world, as opposed to the dream world. You were there too, my Lady. It was simply... bizarre. Any insight, from past experience?”

"Just Cho, please," she murmured as she pondered the question. So, Aglæca did not want to walk in the Mystery. That confirmed Cho's feeling that Aglæca was hiding something, but it was really no surprise. Everyone had their secrets, after all. They were a closely guarded treasure, most wanting to keep them closer then most anything in the world.

"And I take it you were not suddenly taken ill last night, or, if you were, you miraculously recovered by this morning." Aglæca recognized it as a rhetorical question and therefore did not reply. "I believe that what you are describing is a prophetic dream, what we here in Xandi-lat call true-dreaming. In this dream, you were hyper-aware and remembered every detail of it after you woke, yes?" Cho sawAglæca's nod of assent. "Perhaps it is best if you tell me the details of this dream," Cho said. "After all, if I was there, I am a part of it."

Aglæca explained the dream, with Cho nodding or asking clarifying questions along the way. By the time they finished, Aglæca realized that she remembered more about the vision than she had thought possible. Across from her, Cho took a long slow sip of tea, her eyes considering. Aglæca felt like she was being judged, a feeling she was not keen on, and which made her skin crawl, but that Cho saw the potential of greatness in her. There was silence in the tea house for a moment, broken only by the occasional trill of a nightingale. Finally, Cho spoke.

"Well, perhaps it is time for us to end this enjoyable game and, as some mortals say, 'lay all our cards on the table.' I am Chomolungma, Guardian of the East. The bird of flame you describe is my brother, the Phoenix, Guardian of the South." She paused, gauging Aglæca's reaction. "Of course, you are quite an intelligent woman, and I would have been disappointed had you not already figured this out. I am glad to see that you did. But, oh, my flame," she continued sadly, "you have a difficult road ahead of you. You have set your foot upon this path and you must follow it to the end. And when you reach the end, you will have a choice. This will not be an easy decision, but nothing in your life has been or will be easy. And only you can make the correct selection. It is a dark road you travel, my dear, but you are a True Seeker. Tell me what you need to know. I am duty bound to help you."

Aglæca paid close attention to the others words, interested in what she was saying, but she tried to keep herself calm and expression blank. She did not want to be wearing her heart on her sleeve in this instance, or ever. This had been an unexpected twist in her story, and she needed a moment to process the older woman was saying. Looking down at the cup of tea in her hand, she ran her finger over the glossy edge, taking a deep breath, breathing in through her nose, and out through her mouth.

“I do not know where to begin, Cho,” Aglæca admitted after a few more moments of silence, looking up with ruby eyes, “I have many questions, many things I want, even need, to know. This is all happening so quickly, and in a way I never expected. I do not know what made me come here, but it seems now as though I was destined to find you.” She gave the woman across from her a smile, and Cho could see that is was genuine. Whatever she was hiding was not related to what she was saying right then, at that moment. It was another subject entirely, and something she was not keen to have come to light.

“The information I seek is anything you wish to tell me about your kind, the guardians. Something draws me to you, in a way that I have a hard time explaining. It is as if a higher source of power longs for me to know the information, for purposes I am even unsure of at this moment. But, even though I question what has lead me here, I will not ignore the blessing I have been handed. Please, my friend, share with me any information you find pertinent to the situation. Tell me the things that I could never uncover in any book."

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, preparing herself for what was to come. “Very well, Cho said. "These are the three great secrets of the Guardians. First, we must be involved and interested in the world in order to remain in our positions. When the Guardians of the North and West grow indifferent to the world and the people in it, they withdraw, grow old and eventually step down. Fortunately for me, every day I find new things to learn. My brother is like this too but, because of his mercurial nature, is more inclined to grow bored. Should he ever give in to the //ennui// he sometimes feels, it could be disastrous for Tetravier.”

She folded her hands serenely in her lap and gazed steadily at Aglaeca. “The second secret that I will tell you is this. We must be believed in so that we can maintain our power. That is one reason that I am so active in the world. I walk every day among my monks, the peoples of Ringence and Xandi-lat, of Utaea and Zanana. My militia in Jigme knows me. And they all believe. I would not die if people did not give credence to me, but I would become weak and eventually powerless. Belief is a potent force, and so is disbelief.”

She reached out and picked up her tea cup, adding more hot tea from the pot on the table in front of her. “I am a child of the Creatorix, born at the same moment this world was created. Here, on Tetravier, we Guardians are protected. This place shields us and guards us, even as we protect it. I have been beaten, stabbed, poisoned, injured in fights and yet, I am always healed by Tetravier.” She paused, taking a sip of tea. “I will be here until Tetravier itself dies, which //will// happen, since everything is ephemeral. It may seem like the Guardians are immortal, but that is only because the other races lead such comparatively short lives. Everything that lives must die. That is the truth of the world, of the universe, of the multiverse. And that is the truth of the Guardians, as well. We, all of us, will eventually die. But nothing that dies is ever truly lost for we are not this physical form,” she gestured to herself, to Aglaeca, to everything that surrounded them, “no, we are beings of energy and light and that part of us will live on. This is the Great Paradox...everything dies, but everything exists forever...it merely changes form. You will not find this in any book, for it is a secret that we cherish and keep close to our hearts.”

She sighed a little, tears sparkling in her eyes, which she brushed away quickly. “There. I have offered you treasures that many would kill or die for. I give these to you freely, so that you may complete your quest. I hope that you will think of me with fondness in the days to come, even though we may, in fact, be working at crossed purposes. And when we meet again, I pray that it may be as friends.”

Cho paused for a moment, considering her words. “Dragons cannot scry, did you know that? Something to do with the eyes, I think, but there may be another reason. For if I could see the future, I might try to change it to spare the ones I love any pain. But it is only through pain and loss that we can grow. So although I cannot tell exactly what will come in the fullness of time, I //always// know when I encounter a True Seeker. I feel this quality in you. I also know this: when you leave this place we will not see each other for many long years, but at the end of your journey your path will lead you back to me. When you see me again, you will know that your destiny is complete.”

Aglæca could not believe how willing Cho was to part with all of her secrets, and after the older woman had finished speaking, she had to take a moment to collect her thoughts. She needed to save and store the information, not wanting to lose it over the years to come. Knowing she’d have to transcribe it somewhere at a later time, Aglæca thought of this newly found information as her most prized possession that she would now guard with her life. After she thought it was properly away in a place where she could return for it later, Aglæca looked to Cho, and smile.

“Thank you, my friend, for all of this,” she reached out, taking Cho’s hands in hers, “This may very well be the kindest thing someone has ever done for me. I will treasure this moment and information always. I will keep it to myself unless otherwise necessary, of course, for you have told me they are secrets, and are therefore secrets I intend to keep. And as for me being a True Seeker, only time will tell how my story will unfold, I suppose. That is the surprise in life, though. No one can really know how it will turn out, except fate and destiny, if you believe in such a thing. But, if it means being able to meet you again, then I do believe all of this shall be worth it.”