Fevered

The Library and The Lion

 It's all too easily to lose oneself to the currents of sleep. I wake when the sun is much higher in the sky than it should be. I pull the hair out of my eyes and pluck my sandals off of the grass, carrying them as I run towards town.

The sun beats down on the back of my neck as I climb the hill. The grass ripples behind me, waves of emerald. The sun has taken the place of the waning moon, occupying a large spot in the sky.

I'm going to be late for work! My job at the library is light and easygoing, but Castor, my mentor, won't be particularly thrilled at my tardiness. He's old but strong, and his eyes seem to burn through me when I walk into the building. I adjust my dress and return to the shelves, making sure that I pay attention to where I step, having no time to put my sandals back on.

The sun catches on floating dust moats and fills the stone building with honey-coloured light. I begin to categorize the books behind the counter, avoiding Castor's wary glance.

"Late again Beatrice?" A gruff voice growls. I turn to face the lion behind me. Bowen is the biggest sweetheart I know, but he hides behind his dark fur and ruby eyes. He shakes his ebony mane and watches me sort through another handful of books.

"I slept in."

"I'm willing to bet you slept out." Bowen says, "You've stained your chiton green."

I look down at my white dress which is, indeed, grass stained. Not again.

"I like the hill." I protest, blowing the dust off an older tome. Bowen sniffles at the dust in his face.

"I'm sure that you'll drive Marcie to the ground."

"Marcie is as strong as a horse Bowen, now leave me to my work you insolent fool." I say, and nudge the animal's shoulder. He grunts and flops down onto the floor, laying his head on his paws. I roll my eyes, smiling at the animal.

"Have you seen Castor at all today?" I ask the lion quietly, nudging his paw with my bare toes.

"He asked the same about you earlier, Beatrice."

"I'm here now, and I'm working, much more than you." I say, and continue to move around the books. I finish my cart and roll it down the aisle to start restocking the shelves, placing the books alphabetically by author. Bowen grumbles and stands up, following me as I walk, making sarcastic remarks.

"If you aren't going to help, I suggest you leave. Castor hates when you muck around in here."


"I don't muck. I glide." He affirms, head in the air.

"Please." I snort, and try to kick him out of the way. He tilts his head to the side and a few books lift out of my cart and into the air, flying into their spots on the shelves. I grab the last few and stuff them into their places.

"If we run now maybe he won't catch us." Bowen whispers.

"Tempting." I admit, but stride back to the carts of books for returning. Ogya is a reading town, books are what fuel us all. The seaside and the life in it keeps us fed, and magic keeps us together.

"Let's just dash out of here." He says, and I grin wryly. I tangle my fingers into his dark mane and we run out of the marble halls.

We burst out of the doors and run down the dirt streets to the courtyard, and collapse on the first patch of thick grass we can find. The lion laughs his deep, rumbling laugh, and bats my head with a huge paw.