The Library, Part 29

Standing on the decks inside the Blue Moon, the Witch and company stare out into the vast expanse of books displayed on a view screen within the ferryship. The ship begins to move, a slight lurch before the action catches everyone and all travel seamlessly forward with the ship.

The Blue Moon moves quickly in the pale skies of The Library, the books below devolving into a blur. Bishop Clement finds his way next to the Witch, taking in the silence on the bridge in order to collect his thoughts.

The bishop turns to the Witch as asks, "Where are we going? I have so many questions, and I feel I can no longer keep to myself with them. I need more information, about what we are doing, about myself."

The Witch stares out at the stacks of books flowing by underneath the ferryship, "And I owe you a lot of explanations. I don't think I can help you find them in the Academy anymore though."

With that said the Witch breaks from Bishop Clement, walking over to where Ailuros, Pleni, and the Moon Goddess all stand.

"What are we doing? I owe an answer to everyone I've led here." The Witch says to the three otherworldly beings.

Pleni's eyes light up, "We are on our way to our home here in Mag Findargat."

The Witch raises an eyebrow, "The Fey are in The Library?"

"Of course! Who isn't?" Answers Pleni, "Your Academy has been at war with us for centuries now."

The Witch sighs, "I'm not surprised, though I am surprised I didn't know about this war."

Pleni's smile turns mischievous, "The Academy only sends their most trusted and loyal agents to fight us, and then they send only men. One such as you was never under consideration for their most secret wars in this place of Knowledge."

"How long until we get to where we are going?" Asks the Witch.

Pleni says, "Normally, it takes three Earth days to get to the edge of the shroud protecting our settlement, but in a ship such as this we will be there within the hour."

"Can we not portal in closer?"

Pleni shakes her head, "No. Our law is clear, the locations for any and all to portal in to Mag Findargat with the intention of seeking entry into Sluagh na Marbh must do so three days travel by foot out from the edge of the shroud."

"Tight security."

"Necessary precautions."

The Witch takes a moment to look again out over the stacks streaming by on the view screen, "Would you, Pleni, be able to grant us access to books? I need resources to help Bishop Clement get a handle on their situation. I too am interested in how he came and continues to be."

"Yes! It will be my pleasure to help you gain new Knowledge!" Pleni responds.

"What will we owe you for your help?" The Witch says.

Pleni's eyes light up in anticipation, "We will discuss business when the time comes, just know you will be welcome as honored guests. Treat our home as your own."

The Witch turns back to Pleni, "Let me know when we reach the shroud, I'm interested in seeing it as we pass through."

"Good news! We're already to it!"

The Blue Moon drifts down to a crawl as it approaches a shimmering curtain of light that cuts off the stacks of books below and stretches up into the infinite sky of The Library. From the viewing screen the shroud unfolds to the left and to the right beyond sight.

Pleni steps away from the crowd and begins a spell, a magic circle forming under her feet. A burst of light shoots up from her hands, passing through the hull of the ferryship without issue. In a moment, an opening forms in the shroud large enough for the Blue Moon to pass.

The ferryship moves slowly and with deliberate care as it enters Fairy space. When the Blue Moon makes it through, the sky in the view screen changes drastically, the pale hue of The Library gives way to a darker scene, and everyone present on the bridge looks up to see a pale moon hanging in the sky.

Accompanying the moon in The Library are thousands of points of light resembling stars, and on the ground in the distance the canopy of a forest grows, misty air generating a mirage haze on the view screen aboard the Blue Moon.

The Witch, eyes looking out on the scene asks, "Is it always like this in here?"

Pleni answers, "The moon does wax and wane under a shroud of its own but it is always night in Sluagh na Marbh."

With the Blue Moon safely inside the shroud, the opening made for it closes once more. The ferryship moves away from the shroud towards the forest canopy in the distance, traveling only a short distance before settling down close to the ground atop leafy, overgrown stacks.

A moon pool forms in the bottom of the Blue Moon, and one by one the passengers aboard drop down into the stacks below. Remaining behind on the ferryship are Tola and the Moon Goddess herself as the Witch and company take stock of their surroundings on the ground.

Pleni takes charge and rallies the rest present, "Welcome to Sluagh na Marbh! The rest of our journey must be on foot. Worry not, for the gates of our fair city are only a few miles from here!"

Ernest, bags under his eyes says, "A few miles?"

The Witch puts her hand on his shoulder, "I'll help you get there. I'm sure this is Fey law as well."

Pleni smiles at the Witch before turning towards the forest in the distance and beginning the walk into the city of Fairies.