Princess Aravo Part 1

17

"Miss Irbis, what do you think of an offer of becoming a librarian of this palace's library?"

Irbis looked at him in amazement.

"A librarian? Here?"

"Yes. This job includes knowing foreign languages and such skills as to let readers that don't know them be able to acquaint with their contents. There are lots of ancient books and other works that need to be presented to visitors too. Actually it is a private library but two days a week it is opened for visitors. You should need to translate, write some articles and reviews to promote in public unknown yet literature, sometimes make theme exhibitions and also be able to work with mirrors and with system of security but about it later. Two times a week you would have a day off. Sometimes you may accompany me and my courtiers on the hunt and attend receptions. I warn you, this work requires patience and responsibility. I don't bear lazy idlers, remark this, miss."

"I understand, Sire. Such proposition is much more than I could even dream of and to refuse it and especially in my condition is just silly. It is must be a great honour."

"It is," the prince answered.

"I am not afraid of work. My father used to say that great quantity of work is not terrifying and that it is terrifying when there is no work at all."

"So you accept it as I see. I gave orders to give you other apartments in the palace that correspond to your present position. Now you have one million wers and it is much. You should also open a bank account. For working in the palace library you will also get wages. So we will easily keep an eye on you and I think that thus you'll also learn to be quiet and not to interfere in things that do not concern you. Please try not to get into stories."

"This will be the most difficult thing," Tobro said.

"And yet I ask you. You also should buy other clothes. Tobro will help you with it. And besides, about your father... Tomorrow morning you are setting off with my people to find his and your companion's bodies. Their memory should be cherished in the most suitable way. Maybe we will be able to know something more about them."

"I don't know what can be known. Robbers took all their things. And yet I appreciate this much, Your Highness."

"Don't mind. And also later I myself would like to see the cave you lived in."

"You see, Your Highness... My father used to say that the men with emblems of a black bear must never enter it. Excuse me but a black bear is your coat of arms... I loved him much and I don't wish to go against his will even if it offends you..." she lowered her head.

He was looking at her for a while.

"You are a good daughter..." he again was silent and then suddenly said. "Now Tobro will show you the library and you move to your knew apartments. Go. I have already sat with you to much and I have a lot of work."

She and Tobro went out of the room and started moving along different corridors and stairs.

"The prince has a sort of a sickness, doesn't he?" the girl asked as soon as the doors were shut behind them.

"Oh, yes... With several deceases at once... With one he was born, the second is politics... But I also think that one more joined these."

"Which one?"

Tobro just smiled strangely, shook his head and directed his eye somewhere aside.

"Time will tell," it was the only thing he said.

They came to the library. A little old woman came up to meet them. She had already been given instructions and was ready to show Irbis everything around there. It was a very big room and as a library very beautiful. The cases were very high and had a lot of different books on their shelves. Beautiful brown mosaics were on floor on which were seen images thrown there by light through the stained glass window. The library was divided into sections by principles of themes. The girl's future work would also require checking that all labels added up with themes, languages etc. There were not only books but also paintings, sculpture and other works of art. Everything was very valuable and needed to be kept safe from thefts and vandalism. The whole place was watched by eyes (thus were called little round things usually situated in corners at the ceiling) but Irbis should also know how to manage security system.

When you enter the library before you reveals a large space where usually exhibitions were hold. Before the first case there was a corner near a window with the librarian's desk. On it was a large mirror. The woman showed the girl how it worked and for detailed instructions she gave her a special book. Tobro from time to time spout jokes and told different facts about pieces of art. Some of the names of artists and works she had already known and was very interested to see them with her own eyes. She would work with them...

Concerning different events and advertisements she would be directed by the Master Manager. He met all their company and added his own guidance. Then he, Irbis and Tobro went to her new apartments. Suddenly when they were going along one corridor in a representative part of the palace the girl felt somehow dizzy.

"What is with you?" asked the Master Manager.

"Are you all right?" asked Tobro.

"Ah... yes... It just seems that I was here before..."

"You were here before?" both men asked.

"It is incredible but I have such feeling. Here we turn round the corner and there at the right side will be a funny carved wooden door..." she turned round the corner. "Here it is!"

The men followed her. She leaned to the wall holding her head.

"Where do those cries come from?" she asked.

"What cries?" asked Tobro.

"No... they don't exist... What is with me? It seemed to me that I heard cries and sky was dark outside and that there behind the windows was fire..."

"Prince Dolohor came to power with noise and fire. It is possible that your parents once were influential people in Tinalden and lived in this palace," supposed Tobro.

"Who knows... Please, gentleman..." she then addressed the MM. "Where were we going?"

"That way," he replied.

"Things are becoming more and more interesting,' thought Tobro. "Perhaps her family was loyal to the former dynasty. The prince may not like it... She is such a good girl... But who knows how he would react... After all it is just a supposition and I am a fool. I'd better be silent."