Page 141 of A Baron of Bonds
He looked doubtful, but did as he was told, closing his eyes and slowly slipping over books and verdant hanging vines. He found the end of the shelf and started on the next one down. He stopped when his fingertips hit a book pushed slightly forward.
“Magical Creatures and Their Power: How Felgren Feeds its Fauna.”
“Perfect,” I praised. “Start there. I’ll keep looking for something else.”
Philius sat against the bannister, opening the book to begin skimming its pages. He still hadn’t asked me anything about what he felt at the Blight, so I waited for him to begin that conversation when he was ready.
I tilted my head, my eyes darting over the spines in this section. It was fairly well-off compared to some of the other floors. Some halls of books had become shadowed remnants of where the Blight had grown over their surface.
I paused at the bloom of jasmine, white and pink blossoms falling over the top shelf to greet me. I leaned in to smell them, appreciating Viridis correctly. They began to grow, trailing down to fall upon a book second from the bottom floor shelf. I reached down and pulled the thin book out, reading aloud, “The Moon-Callers of Felgren Forestby Conduit Dynah Elspon”.
“Moon-Callers?” Philius asked, still skimming his book.
“Wolves,” I answered under my breath.
I opened the book, seeing the table of contents containing subjects such asLumen MagicandGreat Communicators. Once again, Viridis had provided me with exactly what I’d needed.
“Thank you,” I whispered, grinning when a warm breeze swept past me.
I sat down next to him, folding my legs underneath me and opened the book to the introduction.
“I do not write to write well. I write this book to inform future conduits. That is all.”
I laughed. I’d never read a conduit manuscript that had started like that. I flipped toLumen Magic.
“I have studied lumens since the day I got here. These beautiful wolves should be studied by more channelers for their magic. When a lumen is born, the mother brings her pup (only one is born at a time unlike wolves outside of Felgren) to the Great Stream. I don’t know why it is called the Great Stream. That name is simple compared to the fantastical names of things throughout Felgren. I am now realizing I am off topic.”
I laughed again.
“Is it a humorous book?” Philius mumbled.
“It is actually, but I don’t think she meant it to be.”
I continued on.
“When her mother brings her pup to the stream, she holds their head in her jaws and bathes it in the water. I have seen this happen myself once while I was here (lumen pups arerare) and have read reference to this in some other books in Viridis.
After my research, I’ve concluded this is done to help the pup grow in magic. The water of the Great Stream is full of magic and power. I have bathed in it myself and drank its water, feeling stronger with both. I do not recommend bathing in the water unless it is summer or you will freeze your?—”
“Philius!”
I glanced up from my book to see Rell and Renn tumbling up the stairs. They rushed to us, giggling as they continuously were, and stopped to catch their breath.
“Yes?” he asked with a smirk.
“All the channelers are getting together to visit Ilyenna and Talon. Mychael is bringing some of his soup and we’re bringing these.” Rell held out a bouquet of purple and white iris.
“And why are we visiting Ilyenna and Talon?” he asked, closing his book.
“Ilyenna’s with child!” Renn burst.
He looked to me and I nodded.
Rising from the floor, he stretched his arms over his head, handing me his book. “Okay, what can I bring?”
“I don’t know,” Rell stated, shrugging.
“How about some wine for Talon? You know, to celebrate?” Renn smiled wide, sprouting dimples on her freckled cheeks.
