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Knock knock. The tapping on the door intensified. "Hello, is mistress Ellenorasa Minora home, or Borsovis Forgine present?" shouted a scholarly young man. He had brown eyes, brown hair, and a pale complextion from being indoors most of his life. He donned a grey robe with gold trimming, the robe of the Head Librarian of the Great Library of Parook. With him was his assistant; short, dark skinned, blue eyed, and black hair, donning a blue and silver robe.

"Why don't we go in Mister Samus?" asked the short man, "I mean, they gave us a key."

"Prinik Vink, I've told you, they're older than the entire council of ancients combined, so they deserve our respect. Also, they are one of the last Elves and Dwarves in the world," said the Head Librarian. "And stop calling me Mister Samus, It's just Jenthac."

"Sorry sir," apologized Prinik, "but can we go inside? The books are getting heavy."

"Oh very well," sighed Jenthac. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an elegant key, placed it in the lock, and opened the door.

It was a beautiful room. The furniture was hand crafted mahogany, the curtains were fine silk, as were the down filled cushions. The rugs were woven with roses, that were reborn with the sun.

"Hello? Anybody home?" asked Jenthac to no one in particular.

"I think they're asleep," commented Prinik as he set his books down on a nearby end table.

"Well, then we will be quiet and make them breakfast," said the Head Librarian. "some roots and berries for Ellenorasa, and some fresh venison for Borsovis."

"Why don't they live in Parook like the other advisors to the king?" Prinik asked again.

"Because this small village of Palorn holds memories for them. Especially the Dragon's Pub, which was once owned by Borsovis himself. But in that time it was named the Brewer's Forge Inn," informed Jenthac.

"Ah, yes now I remember," his assistant said. "So when are we due back in Parook?"

"We leave this afternoon," Jenthac replied.

"Should I put the kettle on sir?" Prinik asked.

"Yes, of course, and I will go see if they have awoken by now," the librarian said as he headed for the stairs.

Walking up the stairs was like walking back in time. The elaborate portraits showing past events, each portrait going further back. At the top of the stairs was a ten-pointed star, and in each point was a painting of one of the ten great heroes of the War of Parnimonis: Enorave Volfsbane the barbarian, Porshau Picket the thief, Sharok Hornbeam the devout, Dominic Wizic the great socerer, Cairnoric Warine the strong, Borsovis Forgine the stout, Zantharzac Kingklan the shonishine king, Ellenorasa Minora the fatal beauty, Cresh the first free Arinic, and Alecarna Warine; the leader and the just. Next to them were other heroes of the war: Flerera the great Fire Wyrm, Mornoc the Shonishine, and many, many more.

After a while of looking at the portraits Jenthac heard a beautiful ringing voice at his shoulder, "I see you are admiring the pictures."

Startled, Jenthac turned, and saw an elf, lined with age but still incredibly beautiful. She wore a satin robe over a silk nightgown. Her hair was white with some hints of her former golden locks left, and deep blue eyes that showed past sorrows that had been covered by solemnities.

"Ellenorasa! You know I hate people sneaking up on me," Jenthac said.

"My apologies," said Ellenorasa, "but it's hard not to walk silently when you are an elf. Even if you're as old as I. And amazingly Borsovis is even older."

"Yes, some say the two of you were granted the gift of immortality," stated the librarian.

"More like a curse," Ellenorasa muttered. "Having to watch your friends, family, and race slowy die out."

"Except Borsovis," said an old man clomping his was down the hall. He wore the same style of clothing as Ellenorasa, he had a long beard, grey eyes, and he stooped with age, which only exagerated his short stature, making him seem like a large bird. "And Flerera, and Zantharzac, though they still refuse to join us in our entropy."

"Borsovis come, let me help you," Jenthac offered.

"I may be part blind, but I can still go faster without help than with," declared the dwarf.

"Well, shall we go down and have breakfast?" inquired Ellenorasa.

"Yes, we shall," replied Borsovis.

The trio walked back downstairs. Back to the present, and into the kitchen where Prinik was trying to cut roots, cook venison, and boil tea all at once, which he was finding hard to accomplish.

"Okay, some beech roots, berries, and apple slices," Prinik rattled off. "Venison, marinated with dill peppers," some whistling sounded from the wood stove. "Ohno-ohno-ohno!" he cried as he raced to save the tea from boiling over.

"Well, it seems you need help," said Jenthac as he stepped into the room.

"No sir, I have everything under control now," Prinik said leaning against the counter. "The only thing that needs to be done now is roast the venison slices."

"Then we shall wait in the dining room," Borsovis said with a little salute. "Oh, and could you put two gill of aged Dwarf Spirits in my tea Prinik? Thank you."

In the dining room, while waiting for their meals Ellenorasa asked Jenthac why he had decided to come on a day they had not scheduled for interviews.

"Well, I came to tell the two of you that I am to leave for Parook this afternoon," informed Jenthac. "I am done with the first volume, and His Majesty eagerly awaits it's arrival. You should be able to expect me back two months from now to finish the rest."

"Why does his majesty wish to have the volume so soon?" queried Borsovis.

"Because His Majesty wishes that the volumes be translated into all the human dialects as soon as each one is completed," Jenthac explained.

"Well, when you come back we'll most likely still be here," said Ellenorasa.

"Ah here is breakfast!" exclaimed Borsovis as Prinik entered the dining room.

Once all the food and drinks had been distributed, Prinik left the room to check on the luggage. Meanwhile Jenthac told them why he would be gone for two months. "The week trek each way, they need to make copies, the interpreters needsufficient time, each copy needs to be shelved, and the original to be put in the vault."

The two elders nodded in understanding. "We will look foreward to seeing you again," said Ellenorasa.

-

For the duration of the day Jenthac and Prinik prepared for the librarians' trip to the capital of Shoma: Parook. They packed the bags, loaded the carriage, gave back the key that Ellenorasa had loaned them, and wiled away the hours until they had to leave.

-

On the carriage Jenthac watched the world go by out of the windows. Prinik, seeing Jenthac was not in a talkative mood, looked under the seats and grabbed the volume that the librarian had finished, he had not been present during the interviews-

"You can read the book," Jenthac said suddenly.

Prinik, startled, jumped and saw Jenthac looking at him. "Truly sir?"

The head librarian nodded and turned to look out the window once again.

"Thank you sir," Prinik said excitedly and opened the volume.