Page 25 of The Gargoyle's Glade
When we returned home that first night from the crossroads, my collection of animals waited politely a short distance from the portal.
“We’ve discussed this,” Seir told them, shaking a finger at the lot as he gently scolded them. “Go on. Give the lady some room.” Several of the small creatures backed into the grass or trees, and a few of the birds took flight.
“They’ll still turn up outside the cabin.” I smiled despite the strain they were putting on me. I couldn’t blame them. Not really. If I wanted to be heard and finding a conduit like I apparently was to make that happen was right in front of me, I’d keep it within sight when I could too.
Seir and I walked down the path together, animals quietly creeping along behind us.
“Whatever they need from you, they’re not willing to share with me.”
“You asked?”
He nodded. “I have. My mind speech is not the most practiced, but I get by. They understand me fine, but they seemvery set on speaking with you specifically. It seems very much like … loyalty? I’m unsure how to explain it.”
“I appreciate you trying.” Truly, I was flattered that he had. It made me feel less alone in this odd circumstance.
“You did well today. Are you planning to go back tomorrow?”
My head was throbbing and my legs ached. I’d been very busy without realizing quite how much. “Yes. Can you take me after breakfast? I need to get back early enough to see Jacks, I don’t like going too long between visits.”
Seir grinned and nodded, pausing as we arrived at the split in the path. “Of course. You’re welcome to come to our place to eat. Hailon loves having you.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks.” He raised a hand in a wave as he continued straight, and I took the curved path toward my cabin.
When I got to my little porch, I noticed that a quail carving had joined the hawk. My mouth twitched. Still, I left the little tokens of apology from Coltor as they were.
I also suspected that the extra eyes I’d started to feel following me around had less to do with the animals camouflaged by the fauna than they did the sulky stone kin I believed was keeping watch from a distance.
It should have bothered me far more than it did.
Work daysand weekends weren’t the same concept at the crossroads that they were in the city, but I told Seir I’d be taking a couple of days to rest after returning to the library for five straight, full days. The work was satisfying, even if I’d developed a chronic headache, my whole body hurt from the lifting and bending, and I had a sneezing fit at regular intervals.
He had just returned from one of his seemingly endless trips through a door in the wide hall full of portals to deliver a massive crate of contracts to the archives somewhere in Hell when I mentioned my ailments.
Seir paled. “Oh, Merry. I’ve made a terrible mistake, I’m so sorry.”
I laughed, thinking he was about to make a joke. “Oh?” I wiped my perpetually dry, dusty hands on a cloth I kept in the pocket of my apron. “It’s not that bad. I’m probably out of shape, maybe a little allergic to parchment dust.”
“No, it’s not that. Though I’m sorry that you’re uncomfortable at all, and Tap will be as well. But I didn’t think to mention the time because I’m used to it. It honestly didn’t occur to me at all.”
“Time?”
Seir sagged, the apologetic look on his face pitiful. “Time passes differently here. We leave in the morning and return in the evening in the glade, but here, about an hour and a half passes for every hour there. You’ve been working much longer than you thought.” He grimaced, horrified.
I considered this. Time hadn’t felt like it was passing any differently, but I’d been so busy I wasn’t paying much attention. I was seeing progress, and every day it got harder to want to leave in what felt like the middle of my project.
“Oh. Well, that explains some things, but it’s alright. Knowing wouldn’t have changed anything.”
He apologized twice more, then grabbed up another crate.
Sore and exhausted but also immensely proud, I’d continued on that day until I finished the whole wall. The shelves were all empty, wiped free of old dust, and ready for the new files to be installed.
“A job well done.” Tap offered his compliments as Seir and I prepared to go home. “Please accept my most sincere apologies.I’m embarrassed to have omitted several things accidentally, and very grateful for your efforts.”
“It’s fine,” I said, sure I was blushing.
“Take as much time as you need to recover,” Tap said, gently patting my shoulder before handing me an envelope.
“What’s this?”
