The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson

Author:Andrew Peterson [Peterson, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780982621431
Publisher: Rabbit Room Press
Published: 2011-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

28

The Legendary Library of Ban Rona

Janner didn’t say a word the whole ride home. Leeli, on the other hand, talked the whole time. She told Nia all about the O’Sally boys, especially Thorn, who had taught her how to harness a dog to a houndrick, how to clean the kennel, how to prepare the dog food, and about the basics of dogspeak. She said Guildmaster O’Sally had spent most of the afternoon watching her interaction with the dogs, asking her questions about the various whistleharp tunes she played, and writing notes in a little book.

“I remembered how the whistleharp calmed the sea dragons, so I thought I’d try it out with the dogs,” Leeli said. “I figured out how to—I don’t know—tell them things with the music. It was easy. Guildmaster O’Sally said I was good,” she finished with a blush.

Janner felt Kalmar looking at him and glanced up to see him mouth the words, “Real good.” A hint of a smile pushed through all Janner’s grouchiness.

When the carriage arrived at Chimney Hill, all Janner wanted was a long, cool drink of water and a nap. His joints protested when he lowered himself to the ground and limped inside after the others. Instead of a drink and a bed, however, he was greeted by Oskar N. Reteep standing just inside the door with a satchel full of books.

“Janner! I’ve cleared it with your mother. To the library we go! Bonifer’s waiting.” Reteep squeezed through the door and mounted the carriage.

Janner looked at Podo, asleep in front of the fire with his feet up, and at Kalmar and Leeli snacking on bread and jam at the table, then at Oskar waiting with the reins in his hands.

Nia called from the kitchen, “He’s been looking forward to showing you his work on the First Book all day.”

Janner heaved a sigh and grimaced his way back onto the carriage.

“My lad, you’re going to love the library! In the words of Omrimund, King of Something, ‘Get ready. It’s better than you think.’”

They wound down the hill, over the creek, and back to Ban Rona, turning away from the Keep and heading west, toward the harbor.

Without Kalmar on the carriage for all to see, Janner felt refreshingly anonymous as they made their way through town. For the first time, he was able to watch the Hollowsfolk go about their business as usual. When they weren’t scowling or cowering from a Grey Fang, they seemed pleasant enough—cheery, even. They greeted each other from front stoops, played with their dogs, chatted on street corners, and strolled the sidewalks in song. Janner’s spirits lifted. Oskar even stopped at a snack stand and bought Janner a jellymuffin and a cup of ermentine juice, which gave him a burst of energy and allowed him to forget his tired bones for a while.

Ban Rona was much more enjoyable when Kalmar wasn’t around, he thought, and as soon as he thought it he felt guilty. It wasn’t Kalmar’s fault, he told himself. But it was true.

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