Mel Odom - The Lost Library of Cormanthyr

"I'm sorry," Baylee said. "I couldn't tell if any water was going through with the books."

"Yes, and plenty of it. I mopped for hours. After I looked at those books, of course." Innesdav held up a hand and Xuxa flew down and grabbed the little finger of his hand. "Ah, Xuxa, and how have you been?"

Running for our lives, up against foes that we have not yet named, the azmyth bat replied, pursued and harried by the Waterdhavian Watch, and chasing after what could potentially be one of the greatest finds ever made.

"That," Innesdav said, "sounds almost like the accounting you gave me the last time you came here."

Xuxa chirped in amused agreement.

Baylee reflected on that event, trying to place the time in his mind. "That was when we found Tchazzar's scroll, which outlined how the smaller kingdoms of Chessenta united and what the trade agreements were supposed to be."

"Exactly," Innesdav nodded. "That scroll was supposed to have been writ in the blood of the men who agreed to it. And the man who could produce it would have controlled the lineage of those kingdoms and possibly been able to step into a ready-made country ripe for the taking. If the person seizing the scroll was a good enough mage."

Baylee nodded. The story had been told for decades since the fall of unified Chessenta. But Golsway had uncovered new knowledge that had led them on a merry chase to the scroll they recovered. It now resided in Candlekeep for security reasons. There were some who said that the ghosts of the men who'd signed the document could be summoned back from the beyond to wreak vengeance on the men who'd sundered the realm they'd put together.

"Did you ever discover if the scroll Golsway and I found was truly the Tchazzar Scroll?" the ranger asked.

"We checked as much as we were able. It certainly looks like it But there is only one sure way to tell, and no one here is going to allow that to happen."

They met in one of the many outbuildings that were as close to Candlekeep as any outsider was ever allowed. A terraced rock garden surrounded the building, dotted with numerous trees and stone benches. Natural springs ran through the rocks and across the landscaped areas.

Baylee felt at home there, relaxed in spite of the last few days and what still lay ahead, almost at peace because of the security he felt there. He sat across from Innesdav and beside Cordyan, too aware of her and too aware also that she was female.

Calebaan and Cthulad sat on another bench, the latter puffing contentedly on a pipe.

You should have been thinking more along those lines on the voyage to Candlekeep, Xuxa said.

Quiet, Baylee admonished. The junior civilar shifted beside him, and he wondered if the azmyth bat had included Cordyan in their silent communication.

"You were right about the logbook," Innesdav said. "It does contain maps of Glitterwing's library."

Baylee's attention centered immediately on the acolyte's words. "In Myth Drannor?"

"Not in Myth Drannor proper," Innesdav went on. "In a forest north of Mistledale. You are familiar with Mistledale?"

"That is a big forest," Baylee said.

"It is actually nearer the Standing Stone than it is Mistledale, I believe."

Baylee shook his head, thinking through the logistics of such an expedition. "If the library is underground, it could take years to find it. Surely there's a way to cut the search down. Have you read the logbook?"

"We're working on it," Innesdav said. "We believe the written language Skyreach chose was deliberately obscure. You have to remember, her grandfather schooled her."

"I didn't know," Baylee said. "I know very little of her."

"Well," the acolyte went on, "let me say that in the matter of his granddaughter, the apple fell not far from the tree. She was every bit as bright, every bit as driven, as her grandfather."

"What language is it?" Calebaan asked. "I'm quite good at languages myself."

"This one is long dead," Innesdav replied. "And to make matters even more complicated, Skyreach evidently created a code all her own as well with it."

Calebaan nodded. "Then I shall wish your people well with it."

"There is something else," Innesdav went on. "Here in Candle-keep, we have the means to open a dimensional door to the woods near Mistledale where you can find the library." He focused his gaze on Baylee. "I have talked to Ulraunt about the possibility of sending you there. But it would be on the behest of Candlekeep, and anything you may find would become the property of Candle-keep."

Baylee thought about the offer. He'd known when sending the books through to Innesdav that Ulraunt, the Keeper of the Tomes, would demand an entrance to the bounty that might be forthcoming. "Would I be given an opportunity to study whatever we find at a later time?"

Innesdav spread his hand. "Of course. Since I've known you, you've had an eternal invitation to this place. Should you succeed in finding this lost library, you could stay here the rest of your life studying if you chose."

Most people, Baylee knew, didn't get to stay at Candlekeep for more than ten days.

"It is a generous offer," Innesdav said.

And more than that, Xuxa said. If you found this library and it is as big as you say it is, where else would be better to keep it than here?

"Wait," Cordyan said, letting Baylee know the azmyth bat had projected her thoughts to everyone there, "what of Waterdeep? I represent some strong interests in these issues."

“The Lords of Waterdeep, you mean?" Innesdav asked. His quiet voice seemed barely louder than the bubbling of the streams.

"I mean Lord Piergeiron in particular," the civilar said. "He personally funded the ship and the men who have chased after Baylee Arnvold. If it had not been for us-"

"Young Baylee had already sent the book to us," the acolyte pointed out. "And I don't think you can truthfully say you saved his life in the Sea of Swords. It seems to me he'd already saved himself."

"The monk does have a point," Calebaan said. "I can take this group of men with him," Cordyan said. "Lord Piergeiron granted me leave to do as I saw fit. If you send Baylee into that library area without adequate manpower, you may very well never see him again."

Innesdav regarded her with a twisted smile that Baylee remembered all too well. "Child, every time Baylee leaves these towers, I know that could be true. Yet, could I protect him from all the wonders he would seek out in Faerun?"

"You're talking of sending him straight into the arms of this one," Cordyan said.

Baylee felt agitated as the two discussed him as if he wasn't there. "Wait a minute. This is my decision to make. If I want to go, I'll go, and it'll be on my own terms." He faced Innesdav. 'Tell Ulraunt that his terms are acceptable."

Cordyan turned to face him. "You'd stupidly throw your life away? Just like that?"

Baylee didn't know what to say. He wanted to be angry at her, but at the same time he was afraid to be too angry because it would make things between them even more strained.

"If that's true, Baylee Arnvold, you are not half the man I thought you were." Cordyan turned from him.

Confusion ran rampant in the ranger. He wanted to fight, to change her opinion, but he wasn't really sure where to begin, or that it would even make a difference.

"Actually," Innesdav said, "we were hoping you might offer assistance, Junior Civilar Cordyan. In return, we would be willing to grant Lord Piergeiron certain liberties within the towers of Candlekeep as well."

Baylee wheeled on the old monk. "What does she know about archeological digs? If you send her on this trip, she and her men could well destroy much of what you seek to save."

"Dear boy," the old acolyte said, "that is the chance we must take. There are many risks here. Even more than you might imagine." He stood. "Come, let us take our eveningfeast inside and talk further."