The Year Of The Bear - Ep.21
(Start at the beginning)
“This text has been in my family library for generations,” Fareamay began as she moved through the book at first in chunks, then slowly through pages in search of the reference. “Handed down from times forgotten. It doesn't even have a name. It’s more of a journal than anything, a collection of notes, personal entries, poems, musings.” She finished her searching and creased the book the middle so the pages laid flat. “I don’t understand the dating, only that it is from the previous age.” Her finger trailed down until she found the word, then shifted aside so that Carmel could see. He craned his neck and shifted to Faremay’s side, recognising the text as old-speak but being unable to read it with fluency. Though he could clearly see the word Yos at the tip of Fareamay’s fingernail.
“What does it say?”
Fareamay read, “The presence of Yos has made trade in the town of Enswend unprofitable. The plague of nations destroys everything it touches. Therefore I shall inform my associates to take our business to the east.”
“Enswend?”
“I tried to find record of such a place but there was none.”
“That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”
“Yes, and no.” Fareamay moved the book aside and looked wistfully toward the window. “The reference served as a clue, so naturally I investigated further. I reached out to friends and acquaintances with libraries of their own, and further still friends of those friends and acquaintances of those acquaintances, people with access to texts reaching far back beyond my collection. Back to the age of this journal. What I discovered was- nothing at all- a complete absence of time and history of anything through one particular era. There was the odd exception, references more benign that this one,” her hand floated toward the journal, “but as a whole, it is as though history, of a time, was erased.”
“Or perhaps hadn't started?” Dolev questioned.
Fareamay shook her head. “There are documents of the time before, volumes with great detail of kings, people, and places. Even after it, up to our current age. The presence of a hole between the two is unmistakable.”
Carmel gave a low grumble. “This doesn't help me,” He frowned, and bore his weight down on the desk at his sudden loss of what to do.
Dolev placed a softly laid hand on his shoulder which somehow lightened a heavy weight he hadn't realised he was carrying. He let go a sigh and stepped away from the table for a moment to himself. Dolev stepped into his place.
“What of other libraries outside of your friends? Surely there are records beyond your purview?” Dolev continued in Carmel’s wake.
“Of course, so I sent messengers. Though I have not heard from them all, it has been much of the same. This includes the Grand Library in the Kings City, and the Tower of Sages in the Scattered Isle. It is the same story over and over. Believe it or not- this is something of a hobby of mine.”
Dolev turned her body toward Lady Fareamay, looking at her directly to ask her next question, something in her body language demanding attention. “Is there anyone else?” She probed.
Fareamay shook her head, her wistful gaze shaken and her eyes drawn to Dolev’s so she was forced to engage. “No, no one.” She answered sincerely.
With their eyes now locked, Dolev tried one more time, “Are you certain? Perhaps someone outside of libraries, perhaps even your enemies?”
On an instinct, Fareamay began to shake her head but stopped. Thought drew her gaze back into the recess of her mind. The flicker of a thought, the realisation of a truthful response to Dolev’s question. She smiled, ever so faintly, a myriad of emotions working their way through her in an instant.
“Not Shamen, She says..” Her smile fell abruptly- “Don’t do that to me again!” She snapped, all the warmth drawing away to reveal a harsh elder woman as straight as steel who wasn't to be trifled with.
Fareamay composed herself, returning to the topic at hand despite her expression of offence. “There is one who comes to mind, yes. A serpent who lives in the hills Eastward. No friend of mine but no enemy either. He is of an age beyond counting, and has lived through at least as many ages as should matter. He is living memory- if you can convince him to share it.”
The revelation drew Carmel back into the conversation, “You’ve met this serpent?”
“Once, a very, very, long time ago. As a young fool I sought him out, for no other reason than to marvel at the wonder. I do not recommend you parlay with such a creature, but I suspect the lesser of two evils has already had you decide.”
“Where can we find him?” Carmel cut in not missing a beat, meeting expectations.
Fareamay nodded, “I can show you, but I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“You take Ms. Boot with you, so she can keep a report.”
“What?!” Julia squawked.
“Done.” Carmel agreed.
“And you must deliver something should you find the serpent.”
“Easy,” Carmel nodded, what else?
“Kass stays with me. Traipsing around the wilderness with a group of Bears is no place for a young girl.”
Carmel gave Kass a moment's consideration as she stared back, wide eyed and in nearly as much shock as Julia. “She’s all yours, under some conditions.”
“Agreed,” Fareamay held out her hand.
“Let it be settled,” and Carmel shook it.
(Continue to Ep.22)
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