Heart of Dorkness

Bane Five - Initiate

Bane Five - Initiate

Esme woke up with a deep intake of breath.

She was alive!

She was alive?

Her eyes fluttered open, then squeezed shut. It was too bright. The ceiling above was made of some white stone that practically glowed in the sunlight pouring in from a floor-to-ceiling window to one side of the room.

The glimpse shed gotten did reveal some things. Esme was in a bedroom, a very nice one. It took her a moment to place it. This was the guest bedroom that Valeria had given her.

She was alive, and not home.

Home.

She missed home. With Gertrude who was a bit scary. With her little room, much smaller and tighter than this palatial one, but which had all of her favourite books. The library... well, okay, the library here was pretty nice too.

So, youre awake, someone said from nearby. A feminine someone. Not one of her friends though, the voice was too old.

Esme didnt move, she didnt want her disappointment (and maybe a tiny bit of fear) to show. She didnt like the Dark Goddess. The woman was creepy. All tall and beautiful and lithe and so, so powerful. Esme could feel the power coming off of Luciana, like an old old scary thing.

She brought her head up a little and looked at the woman in the room with her.

Tall, but not as tall as the dark goddess, and with brown hair instead of black. A bit more of a rounded face, but with a strong brow. Not the Dark Goddess. The Goddess of Contempt. The Lady of Libraries.

Esme squeaked and pulled the blankets up over her head.

The goddess sniffed. Now whats that supposed to mean? She walked closer to the side of Esmes bed. Esme could tell that she was looking down on her. You know, I speak seventeen languages fluently. Admittedly, some arent used anymore, but the point stands. And in none of them is the sound you just made a word.

Esme gulped and lowered the blanket.

A little.

Just enough for her eyes to peek out. H-hi, she said.

Yes, hello, Semper replied. She was smiling now. My dear Luciana said that you were something of a... I believe the term she used was fan. Little Valeria had to explain that one. Interesting etymology there.

Esme nodded. Im one of your, ah, worshippers?

You dont sound so sure.

I am! Esme said. I read all of your diatribes, I studied... most of the texts. I even went to one of your schools! Thats where I learned a lot. Well, Miss Gertrude ran it, so we didnt really have a choice in the matter, it was learn or, ah... Im rambling. Im rambling in front of Semper. Up the blankets went again.

The blankets were tugged down and Esmes face was exposed, the thick material pinched between the goddess finger and thumb. Its fine, she said. Any friend of Gertrudes a friend of mine.

Esme gulped.

The goddess laughed. Oh, dont be shy. Youd think living with the Dark Goddess would rob you of some of that timidity.

Thats not my fault! Esme said. The idea that her goddess might accuse her of plotting with the Dark Goddess was awful. Valeria brought me here - with a dragon! I didnt want to come here! I didnt want to leave Montele, and Gertrude, and the Great Library. And Im not worshipping the Dark Goddess, I swear on Semp-- uh.

Semper chuckled, then she reached down. Esme went cross eyed as she followed the goddess hand, but it stopped above her head and rubbed her curly mess of hair. Youre a bit of a blabbermouth, arent you?

Esme died.

Or rather, she wished she died. All that happened was that her blood relocated itself to her cheeks. She might have unlocked the hitherto unheard of Dao of Shame as well.

Please burn my diary before you cremate me, Esme whimpered.

Semper chuckled again. Now, now, a fine future-archivist has no business dying when shes healthy and hale. Theres no time for it either, Esme. There are too many books to read for all that dying nonsense. Besides, you still have a lot to live for, I suspect. Sights to see, cities to roam, cute boys to kiss behind stables... or girls. I dont care either way.

Esme had been hopeful for a moment, but now she wasnt sure whether death would be the preferable answer or not. You dont think that I betrayed you? she asked.

Because you stopped by my friends house for a week or two? Semper asked.

Youre really the Dark Goddess friend? Esme asked.

We have tea once a quarter or so, and we share books. The rest of the pantheon frowns upon it, but they can rot for all I care. You dont become a god by bowing to the whims of others, little Esme. Besides, my Archivists profit from the relationship.

Esme nodded, because thats what felt right. She stored the knowledge for later though.

Semper tilted her head to the side. You dont like it here?

Esme folded her legs up. She wasnt about to step out of the bed when it looked like she was wearing nothing but a shift. Not in front of the goddess! Its nice? she started. Valeria really was sorry, I think, and Felix is fun. The training is really, really good. But, ah, Im not supposed to be here. I was afraid that youd be angry at me.

For exploring a place that no Archivist has ever reached? For tapping into the oldest library in the world for lost and obscure knowledge?

Esme didnt admit that she and Valeria had mostly been reading not-so-old-or-obscure fantasy stories. But Im not a worshipper of the Dark Goddess.

Then be one of mine, Semper said easily. If it helps think of it as a mission of sorts. Explore this place, read what you can, become stronger. Forge bonds with those who will one day be powerful. And once you do return, one day, Im certain you will find a place among the very best Archivists who have ever walked Monsterra.

Esme nodded. I can do that. Ill do my best, I promise.

Good, Semper said as she stood up. I am not impressed by those who squander the opportunities they have right before them. So work hard, little Esme.

I will, Esme said. She meant it too. Ill impress you, I swear.

Semper chuckled. So earnest. You know, Im beginning to see why Luciana adopted that little Valeria girl.

Esmes head swam for a moment. Uh.

Rest a little. Faintings never a good sign. Though you should be in relatively good health.

Thank you, Esme said. Thank you a lot.

Semper smiled. It was, quite literally, nothing. Impress me, and maybe next time I come over Ill even give you a mission.

A mission? Esme asked.

The goddess nodded. Indeed. Didnt you know? As a final part of their training to become Archivists, a candidate is given a mission, something to accomplish that will help one of the Grand Libraries.

Esme held back a gasp. Her hair was tingly in the way it always got when she was bottling in surprise. Youd give me one.

Maybe a small one, Semper said. She started towards the door, clearly intent on leaving. Sleep well.

Wait! Esme said.

She couldnt believe shed ordered the goddess. She couldnt believe that the goddess actually stopped. Yes?

Ah... will you be here for long? Esme asked. It came out as something of a squeak.

Semper shrugged. A day or two, certainly. Then Ill be off on my way to take care of whatever fires started in my absence.

Oh, okay, Esme said. M-maybe well see each other again, while youre here, I mean.

Im certain we will, Semper said. She snapped her fingers, and the door thumped open, two gangly figures dropping to the floor like potato sacks. Hello, Valeria. Hello... Felix, was it?

Ow, Valeria said from the floor.

You were spying on us? Esme asked.

Valeria jumped to her feet. It wasnt spying! We were just listening through the keyhole.

Esme felt the blood returning to her face. Anger, this time. You cant do that!

Sure I can. I just did. Hi, Semper! Are you staying for tea with Mom?

I am, yes. You three have fun now, Semper said as she left. And Esme, do try not to kill your friends. Youre... sparking there.

Esme waited until the goddess was gone before she started flinging pillows and lightning.

***