Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Radiant

I picked up the feathered quill and went through all of the exercises Master Oromis had taught me. The only sound that graced the library was the scratching of my quill across the parchment. It almost felt like I was back in Master Oromis's hut doing the exercises while he watched with his wise eyes. I wasn't going to let my mind fool me into thinking that I was safe and sheltered from prying eyes.

It didn't take long for me to finish the exercises. I checked my work and the neatness of my quill marks. It looked good, just the way Master Oromis would want it to be. Neat, orderly. I set the parchment to the side and got a new one to practice writing in the Ancient language. I wanted to make sure I fully understood the language, like Master Oromis said, 'there are many ways to go about something, what matters is how.' Energy expenditure was a topic that was heavily implied in every exercise we did.

I stood up from the table and started to walk around the library, in search of scrolls that I could glean information from. I picked up a few that were about war and strategy. They would be useful. I set the scriptures on the table before walking through the library once more. I turned down an aisle that was at the back of the library, somewhat hidden. There was plenty of light due to the many windows that decorated the stone walls.

The scrolls in this section were coated in dust. No one had been back here in a long time. I picked up a couple of scrolls on one of the shelves and brushed the dust off. History of Alaegeasia I already knew. I set the scroll back on the shelf and looked up the scrolls on the top shelf. There was a raggedy scroll that looked years older than the others.

I stretched on my toes, trying to reach the scroll, all I could do was brush my fingers against the very edge of the scroll. I let out a growl and tried to grab the scroll one more time. I started to curse under my breath about my height. I just had to be short. My fingers once again brushed against the bottom of the scroll. A hand appeared next to mine and grabbed the scroll.

I froze and refused to turn around. I had been so immersed in getting the scroll I hadn't even sensed him walk into the library. I returned to my normal height and played around with the scrolls I had already pulled out. Murtagh set the scroll down next to the others.

I stopped fiddling with the other scrolls and picked up the scroll I hadn't been able to reach. I turned around just enough to head in the direction of the exit and tried to bolt for the door. I just ended up caged in with no exit.

"Are you just going to ignore me, your highness?"

"You know I hate being called that," I said, deciding that the scrolls looked extremely interesting. "Is there something you need?"

"This is a library. I think I'm entitled to visit it."

"I mean is there something you need from me!" I snapped as I gathered the scrolls in my arms.

"Do you normally take midnight walks?" I narrowed my eyes at him, that would explain how I got back to my room last night.

"It's a new habit."

"And is throwing candelabrums at your guards head a new habit as well?" I scowled at Murtagh.

"Do you like people entering your room when you're trying to sleep?"

"Well, when the guards usually hear screaming, that usually isn't a good thing." He replied, leaning against the nearest bookcase.

"Well, the guards need to mind their own business." I snapped as I stalked over to the table I had been occupying. I dropped the scrolls on the surface and braced my arms against the table.

I needed to be mean. I needed him to hate me. I needed him to detest my presence.

"I didn't know you were interested in military tactics."

"And why would you care what I'm interested in?" I spat out. I was inwardly stumbling over every word that left my mouth. My fingers dug into the solid wood of the table as I forced the harsh words I didn't mean out of my mouth.

"I know what you are trying to do, Mal."

"Then if you do, you will know that I want you to leave!" A hand touched my arm. I jerked my arm away from the touch and bit my lip.

"Forgive my intrusion, your highness. Your lunch is ready." Frida said from the doorway of the library.

"Thank you, Frida, I will be right there," I responded evenly before gathering the scrolls and standing up straight. I turned around and stared into the ornate design of Murtagh's tunic. "If you will excuse-- "

My words were cut off when two hands seized my face. My head was forced upwards, so I had to stare into grey eyes. Hurt. Pain. Suffering. Desperation. Those feelings filtered into my mind and body, causing a shiver to go up my spine.

"I know what you are trying to do, Mal," Murtagh repeated in a soft voice. "I know what you are trying to do, and it won't work."

"Any what is that?" I countered back, raising an eyebrow.

"Excuse me, your highness!" Lydia's voice rang out through the empty library. I jerked back slightly and slipped passed Murtagh before striding over to her.

"Yes?" Lydia bowed her head.

"Forgive us, but Frida and I forgot to mention tonight's ball, we need to start preparing you soon if you are to be ready." I smiled at Lydia.

"No trouble at all, I was just about to return to my room," I replied as I glided over to her. "Shall we?"

Lydia and I left the library and headed back for my room. But the entire way down the hall, I could feel a burning gaze in my back. Hurrying back to my room, I quickly ate a bowl of fruit as Lydia and Frida dove into my closet.

Just as I finished off a bunch of grapes, the two women pulled a sparkling blue gown out of the closet. It was an off the shoulder ballgown with a cathedral train that was so large I was sure that the material could be used to make two separate dresses.

"You do realize that I need to move in that monstrosity," I commented as they hung it on my mirror.

"It might look like you wouldn't be able to walk in it, but it's mostly on the train," Lydia said as she smoothed out nonexistent wrinkles. Frida started to riffle through one of the larger chests in my room as if she was looking for something in particular. "Besides, the female population of Ûru'Baen is a bunch of scheming, conniving, sociopathic quim's who find pleasure in the suffering of others."

"Lydia!" Frida erupted, giving Lydia a look. "What would your dam say!?!"

"She'd say the exact same thing," Lydia quipped. "Only in more vulgarity."

I heard Frida sigh. It sounds like Lydia's mother is the type of woman I enjoy in my company.

"You need not worry about such language," I replied whimsically. "I can tell the difference between a mewling quim and an obtuse heifer."

The sound of something hitting the floor met my ears as Lydia started to let out gasps of breath. Frowning, I looked up at Lydia and saw her turning red as she tried to stop the laughter that I was sure wanted to erupt from her mouth. Frida marched into view and gave both Lydia and me stern looks.

"Need I have to separate the two of you!?!" She demanded as she placed her hands on her hips. I pressed my lips together as my body shook from laughter. Grumbling Frida went back to digging through the jewelry chest.