Lost Library Collection by Kate Baray

Author:Kate Baray [Baray, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kate Baray

22

Heike and Lizzie were about halfway done when John returned with Harrington. Harrington raised his eyebrows slightly and patiently waited for an explanation.

Lizzie explained her theory about “where” being the important message Matylda had been trying to convey. Harrington said, “Let’s get the rest down. It can’t hurt to have a look.”

They decided to empty the shelf up to the point at which it joined another series of shelves. It didn’t take long with three of them working. Harrington was busy studying the notes from the encounter.

When they’d finished with the books, Lizzie said, “We need to have a series of questions prepared. She’s caught us unprepared twice now. I’m sure we can make more efficient use of her time if we have a list.”

Harrington nodded briefly. “As soon as we’ve examined the shelving.”

Walking to the shelves, Harrington began by examining the seams visually. An hour later, the four searchers were frustrated and stumped. No mechanical triggers could be found. No false shelves. No encoded message on the shelving. The shelving itself couldn’t be removed without tools. Harrington—rumored to be excellent at warding—hadn’t spied a ward.

Most wards could be easily seen. The caster had to attach the ward to some physical object, and it was these points of attachment that were most easily detected. Unless the caster used sophisticated methods intended to obscure the ward—a reasonable assumption in this case. Even then, a talented caster—like Harrington—could identify a hidden ward. So long as the caster actually looked.

Harrington had looked. Then he’d utilized this opportunity as a teaching moment for Lizzie. “You’re here to learn, so learn.”

What followed was a minor dissertation on warding that Lizzie was still trying to wrap her brain around fifteen minutes into the lecture.

She wrinkled her nose. “Couldn’t you give me the Cliff’s Notes version?” When Harrington responded with a disdainful look, Lizzie altered her approach. “Maybe I can summarize, and you can tell me if I’ve got it.”

“Certainly.” Harrington settled into one of the chairs scattered around a worktable.

“Okay, so first I find my magic. Then I formulate a clear picture in my mind. In this case, since I’m looking for warding on a large, solid object, I should create a net that drapes like fabric. I then envision that net covering the surfaces that I’m scanning. Any contact between the net and a ward will create a reaction.” Lizzie stopped to gauge Harrington’s reaction. Mostly to see if her magic-made-easy explanation would pass muster.

Harrington gave her a bland look and said, “Try it.”

So she did. She carefully crafted a fine mesh net—but not too fine, because that needlessly ate up too much magical juice, per Harrington. Then she mentally cast that net over the now bare shelving. The push, or application of will, that drove the cast she accomplished with a hefty shove.

That shove was apparently a small miscalculation. In the moment her cast took hold and became visible, it was clear she’d made an error. Harrington’s sensing wards had a bright glow—hers was blinding.

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