“Here it is, hidden in alphabetical order, as you thought,” whispered Steve as he pulled an ancient tome from the shelves of the classic fiction section.
“Excellent,” replied Jackie, “He served us well by moving it from Special Collections.”
Together the pair returned to the office with their precious find.
“What now?” asked Steve.
“We wait.”
The book had been missing for decades, ever since it had moved it to the barely used classic fiction section, in practice more a museum display of books, and MISSING was stamped on its record card. On a high shelf it sat unnoticed while a feverish hunt had gone on around the world to no avail.
It looked unassuming enough. A plain navy blue cover with chipped gold edging, the faded name of the author and title upon the spine. Events, though, had transpired; secrets had been discovered and now it was down to Jackie and Steve to protect them.
After they had been waiting a short while, Steve asked, “What’s so special about this book- it’s just a lot of old stories and pictures.”
“Not everyone thinks they are merely stories, do they, you know that.
“It is not that, though you are right.
“This book is a one-off and it hides a secret, supposedly. A secret the author took to his grave, only for it to be discovered centuries later. Hidden somewhere inside is the means to find the entrance to the Underearth and all those hellish creatures and people who live there - including He Who Destroyed, of course.”
Steve shuddered. “Why not burn it then?” he asked incredulously.
“Well, that might be best. Our predecessor didn’t in case someone ever had a good, genuine need to go down there. The information could well be dangerous but in the right hands could do a lot of good.”
At that moment, a youngish man with close cut hair and beard walked in.
“I was expect-” started Jackie.
The man pointed at the book and gave a page number, “They sent me instead.”
Steve opened the book, saw the picture and was amazed when he saw the caption.
Jackie was less impressed. “You expect us to believe you’re Merlin. Any wizard can change their appearance.”
“Only I know about that portrait. You know how little seen that book has been. Anyone else would have killed you already. And..” He pointed to the window behind them.
Beyond it stood a tree where one had not stood before. One that could only have been Merlin’s tree with its singular leaves and beyond ancient boughs.
“Fine. Take it.”
Merlin stepped forward, whisked the book away, turned his back and was quickly gone.
Back to his tree and his endless movement with another item to add to the collection of things he knew his future apprentice would one day give away and help cause the end.
“Excellent,” replied Jackie, “He served us well by moving it from Special Collections.”
Together the pair returned to the office with their precious find.
“What now?” asked Steve.
“We wait.”
The book had been missing for decades, ever since it had moved it to the barely used classic fiction section, in practice more a museum display of books, and MISSING was stamped on its record card. On a high shelf it sat unnoticed while a feverish hunt had gone on around the world to no avail.
It looked unassuming enough. A plain navy blue cover with chipped gold edging, the faded name of the author and title upon the spine. Events, though, had transpired; secrets had been discovered and now it was down to Jackie and Steve to protect them.
After they had been waiting a short while, Steve asked, “What’s so special about this book- it’s just a lot of old stories and pictures.”
“Not everyone thinks they are merely stories, do they, you know that.
“It is not that, though you are right.
“This book is a one-off and it hides a secret, supposedly. A secret the author took to his grave, only for it to be discovered centuries later. Hidden somewhere inside is the means to find the entrance to the Underearth and all those hellish creatures and people who live there - including He Who Destroyed, of course.”
Steve shuddered. “Why not burn it then?” he asked incredulously.
“Well, that might be best. Our predecessor didn’t in case someone ever had a good, genuine need to go down there. The information could well be dangerous but in the right hands could do a lot of good.”
At that moment, a youngish man with close cut hair and beard walked in.
“I was expect-” started Jackie.
The man pointed at the book and gave a page number, “They sent me instead.”
Steve opened the book, saw the picture and was amazed when he saw the caption.
Jackie was less impressed. “You expect us to believe you’re Merlin. Any wizard can change their appearance.”
“Only I know about that portrait. You know how little seen that book has been. Anyone else would have killed you already. And..” He pointed to the window behind them.
Beyond it stood a tree where one had not stood before. One that could only have been Merlin’s tree with its singular leaves and beyond ancient boughs.
“Fine. Take it.”
Merlin stepped forward, whisked the book away, turned his back and was quickly gone.
Back to his tree and his endless movement with another item to add to the collection of things he knew his future apprentice would one day give away and help cause the end.
Written for the Light and Shade Challenge from the written prompt, "There it was, hidden in alphabetical order," by Rita Holt.
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