Puffy white clouds drifted like a flock of sheep in the cerulean sky above.

Andor opened his eyes and the brightness was unbearable. He squeezed them shut again and buried his face in the soft and cool grass, anything to stop the terrible pounding in his head. He rubbed a tentative hand over his face, but even the touch of his fingers sent vicious needles prickling all over his skull.

Perhaps if he just stayed still and didn't move at all, the feeling of having been knocked over the head by a mountain troll might eventually go away again. To top it all off there was an insistent sharp pain at the tip of his ear. He swatted away what he thought to be a nasty bug, but it only earned him a pinched finger.

"Ouch, stop that!" Andor reluctantly opened his eyes and found himself staring into a pair of round bright yellow ones while he fought to adjust his vision. "Tell me you weren't here all night?"

Nebula only tilted her head sideways and clicked her beak once, unmistakably a yes.

Andor groaned, rolling onto his back. "I didn't sing, did I?"

"No, you didn't. As a matter of fact you passed out first, while your wonderful friends kept dancing and making a terrible noise. I don't even know how you were able to sleep through all that raucous."

"Oh, no!" He suddenly sat up bolt upright. Nebula fluttered up into the air with an indignant screech.

"I'm going to be late." He scrambled to his feet, adjusting his trousers and tunic. Both were thoroughly crumpled, but gladly not stained. There was no time to go home and get changed, so this would have to suffice. Hopefully Antelisse would not judge him based on his appearance.

"Late for what?" Nebula flapped her wings.

"I can't tell you that," he began, but her typical reproachful glance made him veer off. "Serande wants me to take something to the library of Valantes and I promised her to go in the morning, so I need to hurry."

His friends were still asleep, Bergil snoring, a bottle of wine beside him, his flute tossed into the grass, while Caladon had one arm wrapped around Elia, both of them looking rather content, snuggled up closely against each other.

"Those two had lots of fun last night. It was probably for the best that you were indeed asleep," Nebula remarked dryly.

Andor raised his eyebrows. "I didn't really need to know that."

"I'm just kidding. They were only dancing, nothing more," she hooted, which sounded suspiciously like a giggle.

He shook his head, but immediately regretted the sudden motion that sent his surroundings spinning. He would need to have a word with Bergil about that wine from Trevalis.

Andor dragged himself to the small pond to splash water on his face until the hammering in his head receded to a dull throbbing.

"Didn't you say that you were late already?" Nebula inquired from the boulder beside him.

Andor ignored her, gulping down some water and rinsing his mouth, but the stale aftertaste clung to his tongue like resin. He sat back on his heels and plucked a few of the toothy mint leaves growing in bunches at the edge of the pond, rubbing them between his fingers until they unfolded their fresh and fruity aroma. He chewed on one of them and stuffed the rest into his pocket, just in case. This wine wasn't to be trusted and he couldn't risk getting sick all over those precious books in the library.

Nebula spread her wings gracefully. "I'll leave you to your important mission then. I have some sleep to catch up."

And before Andor could bid her farewell she had soared up into the sky, surely heading home. He rose with a sigh, a part of him wishing that he could go home too, instead of running yet another errand. But he should not complain, not when Serande had agreed to his wish without any further conditions. He would see this through, if there was even only a far away chance of giving Rose back her life and relieving his conscience.

Andor reached for his bow and quiver and left his sleeping friends behind, unfortunately without a proper breakfast, not that his stomach would have been particularly receptive of any type of food. Perhaps after the library he would pay a visit to his parents to pick up the arrows he had left for Olear to fix. His mother usually invited him to stay for dinner, so today might be one of those days when he would not refuse such an offer.

The library of Valantes was a building that did not stand out because of its size or elegant facade, but because of what it contained behind the rather unassuming exterior. Although he had never set foot inside the ancient building, Andor had certainly heard stories of treasures hidden in its vaults deep underground between the roots of Atunar.

Standing in front of the narrow entrance marked by hewn stones, wasn't much different from his first day on the archery range when he was just a small boy, and the sight of the enormous targets and the general clamour had both been frightening and awe-inspiring. But at least back then he had known what was expected of him. Handling a bow had become second nature, but books still made him feel uncomfortable, or perhaps they intimidated him because he had never perfected the art of reading well enough to be considered sophisticated, another reason for someone like Gilren to think himself above Andor. Not that Gilren was an expert in literature, for all Andor knew, Gilren couldn't care less about books, however, his parents being rich had made sure that their children would have an excellent tutor no matter the subject.

While There are Books There is Hope was written above the entrance in golden letters, the only hint at what lay behind these walls. Perhaps he had been a fool for not having recognised books for what they were, objects of power. Serande's reaction to Rose's book had taught him as much.

He finally gave himself a push to step through the heavy wooden doors and straight into a lengthy entrance hall. After leaving behind the brilliant autumn sky the hall appeared dark, but his eyes adjusted quickly to the low light inside. Golden orbs in different sizes were floating above him, illuminating the rather narrow foyer tiled in dark wood. On both sides archways led into what he assumed were different sections of the library.

At least a dozen elves were populating the entrance hall, moving books around with floating baskets alongside them, a golden orb following each of them as they went about their business. No one seemed to take notice of him, so he set out towards another heavy door at the end of the entrance hall. He surmised that Antelisse's office was to be found behind it or at least someone there would be able to point him in the right direction.

Andor moved silently over the ivory stone slabs that were warm against his bare feet as if they were being heated from beneath. He focussed on the door ahead, but some remnant of childish curiosity made him peek into the archways as he passed them, each of them illuminated in a differently coloured light and long rows of shelves stretching on behind them.

A young female elf with a basket full of books approached him as he craned his neck to get a better look at one particular archway bathed in indigo light.

"Those are books about stargazing, books on archery are in the second archway to the right." She gave his bow a pointed look and added, "The bronze light."

"I'm not here for the books."

"Oh, well then you might be in the wrong place, as this is a library," she said pertly, describing a flourish gesture with her hand.

"I did not mean it like that," he amended quickly. "I am searching for Antelisse. Is she here?"

The young librarian gave him a disapproving glance. "Yes, she is." Her animosity was palpable in the air.

"Can you tell me where I can find her, please?"

"Through the large door in the back and then the first door to the right, that is her office." She turned away without sparing him another glance, her basket floating along dutifully beside her.

"Thank you," he said to her back and headed for the door.

He pushed it open and behind it lay a small, almost circular foyer with several doors, the one to the right bearing a heavy brass sign that read Head of the Library.

As he raised his hand, ready to knock, he reminded himself that dismissing books was not a good idea around here. Even though he was here on Serande's behalf, Andor was slightly nervous. What if Antelisse eyed him with the same disdain as this librarian? He pushed aside the thought, focussing on the task ahead and knocked.

"Come in," a male voice answered. Great, not Antelisse then, but possibly Etharos, just what he needed.

He stepped into a rectangular and surprisingly small room with a high vaulted ceiling, illuminated in a golden glow. The walls were mostly lined with shelves, some as tall as the room itself, their dark wood contrasting with the ivory stone floor. A large wooden desk stood in the centre and by its side was a smaller one. While the larger one was empty, a male elf sat at the smaller one and was now looking up from his writing.

"There are currently no openings for new apprentices," he said, appraising him in a way that made Andor sorely conscious of his less than flawless appearance. Perhaps he should have taken the time to get changed before showing up here in his crumpled clothes. "If you are searching for a specific book, one of our helpful librarians will surely point you the right way."

"I am not inter—, searching for books. I am here on behalf of Serande and I need to speak to Antelisse," he said, straightening his shoulders to make sure he looked as confident as possible.

The male elf raised a heavy eyebrow, his light grey eyes assessing him cunningly. If there were any secrets buried in the library, then this elf would be the one to uncover them.

"I'm afraid she is busy right now, but perhaps I could help you? I'm her apprentice, and Antelisse does not have time for every person showing up and requesting to speak to her. "

"I will wait for her." His instinct had been right then. This was indeed Etharos.

"It could be a while. She did not detail as to when she will be returning."

"That's all right. I have time. I will wait."

Etharos shrugged. "Suit yourself. You can wait over there." He waved a hand towards a small settee in the corner and directed his attention back to the parchment in front of him.

"Thank you," Andor said, but then Etharos looked up again and narrowed his eyes, "Wait, aren't you Andor?"

"Yes. I am," he said, not sure if he liked the tone of his question.

"I heard about your task and how you completed it with ease. Elysse needs more elves like you, who uphold our ancient traditions, and don't go soft every time they encounter a human. We must enforce and reestablish our dominion over those petty mortals, before they take over everything we have left."

"Of course," was all Andor could come up with, before he quickly made his way to the offered sitting area. More praise was the last thing he needed right now. If only Etharos knew what Andor had asked Serande to do, he surely would have poked his eye out with his pointy quill.

He removed his bow and quiver and sunk onto the cushioned settee. Why did Serande have to send him to a library of all places? There were books everywhere around him. In lack of anything else to do he directed his attention to the ones that were stacked on a spindly table beside it.

The one on top bore the promising title Herbal Remedies for Hangover, under it was one called Easy Spells for Everyone and a very worn copy of How to Train your Owl.

"Anything catching your interest?" Etharos inquired from his desk, his initial snideness forgotten. "These are the personal copies of Antelisse, so we usually do not give them away, but If there is a book you might like to borrow, I'm sure it could be arranged."

"Perhaps another time," Andor said, beginning to regret his decision of having agreed to wait for Antelisse.

He was studying the tiles on the floor in front of him, when the entrance door suddenly was pushed open by a lady who entered the room with energetic strides. A book clamped under one arm and a cup in the other hand, her eyes went from Etharos to Andor. The authority with which she carried herself could only mean that this was indeed Antelisse. She was as tall and thin as she was serious, her long black hair braided down the middle of her back, making her pointed ears more prominent. The simple dark grey dress was tied with a matching leather belt around her hips.

Andor rose from his seat and ran a hand over his tunic, even though there was nothing that could be done about his appearance.

"It seems we have a visitor," she said, placing her cup and the book on her desk and taking a seat behind it.

"Yes," Etharos began rather pompously, "this is—"

"I know who he is," she cut him off. "Andor, why don't you have a seat, so you can tell me what brings you here?" She pointed at the chair facing her desk.

He sat down, bringing his bow and quiver with him, and when she looked at him, her brown eyes seemed to swirl with more unspoken questions than what he felt comfortable with. Hopefully she would not put his knowledge of Elyssean literature to the test.

She took a sip from her mug and raised one eyebrow. "Well?"

"I bring a letter from Serande," he finally said, pulling out the letter and handing it to her. "She specifically instructed me to give it to you, and you alone."

Antelisse sucked in a breath, but then she took the letter from him, her eyes fixed on the yellowish parchment.

"So, it is time then?" she said as she turned the letter around in her hands.

"I'm not sure what you mean. Serande did not give me any message besides the letter."

Antelisse ran her long fingers along the edges of the envelope, tapping it lightly with her fingertips, and then slid it into the pocket of her dress.

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"Not here and not now," she said with a subtle glance towards Etharos who was bent over his parchment. He appeared to be completely absorbed in his work, but if Serande's judgement was anything to go by, it was probably only wise of Antelisse not to open the letter right away.

"There is something I want to show you," she said, rising from her chair and beckoning him to follow her. To Etharos she said, "Make sure to finish the inventory of the books on herbal lore. And when you are done with that, I want you to go through the library cards and see which ones need updating."

"Yes, of course," Etharos nodded dutifully.

Andor rose from his seat and followed Antelisse through the back door of her office into a long and narrow corridor, which gradually led downwards, the floating crystal orbs bobbing above them. More archways lined the corridor. On each of them there were shelves packed to the top with old tomes, manuscripts and parchments, but as they kept descending more of them appeared to be abandoned and empty. It seemed that this was an area that was not used anymore, as they did not encounter a single soul along the way.

"Don't fall behind," Antelisse called over her shoulder when he had slowed down, trying to keep up with the many twists and turns they were taking. The incline was steepening and the open archways were now replaced by vaults that lay behind heavy metal grates, their contents hidden behind a dense mist.

"What do these contain?" he asked once he had caught up with her.

"More books," was her only answer.

Of course, he could have guessed as much.

Finally they reached the end of the hallway which had taken them deep underground. Antelisse stopped in front of an unassuming grate obscured by shadows. 

"Hidden behind these bars lies the Blackthorn vault. It has been sealed many centuries ago and has remained closed since then, as only the right person can open it." She looked at him. "It seems that this moment has finally come."

From a crevice in the wall in front of them, Antelisse pulled out a delicate silver chain with a silver key barely the size of her fingernail.

"Hold out your hand," Antelisse said, dangling the chain in the air between them. "This key possesses the ability to open the door to this vault, but it will only respond to its rightful owner, for everyone else it is just a pretty trinket with no value whatsoever." She dropped the key into Andor's hand and it felt surprisingly heavy despite its minute size. He looked at it gleaming in the dim light, not sure what to make of all this.

"But how could this be mine? I have never heard of this key in my entire life. And why am I supposed to open this vault? What is in there?"

"You haven't heard about this key, because it has been kept here for safekeeping. Now the time has come for you to have it."

"I still don't understand. This must be a mistake."

"It is no mistake and you will understand soon enough. Just trust me. Haven't you been looking for answers, things you might have wanted to know about the past?"

"About the past?" He closed his hand instinctively around the key.

"Yes, it is always worth knowing about the past, for it holds many clues to our present and even the future. You might not think much of the volumes we keep here, but believe me they contain more secrets than the rest of Elysse combined."

"I still don't think I am the right person for this, even if the key were mine." He paused, feeling embarrassed. "I'm not really good with books."

Antelisse arched an eyebrow. "Then it's about time that you get started. It's all just a matter of practise."

"You mean now?" he said with bewilderment. Spending more time than necessary in the library was not really on his list of top priorities. "Serande didn't mention any of this. She only said to deliver the letter."

"Which you did and I am grateful for that, but trust me. This is in Serande's and your own interest, as a matter of fact it lies in the interest of everyone who has the wellbeing of Elysse at their hearts." She pointed with her hand at the grate beside her.

"But how do I know what I am looking for?"

"Just let your curiosity guide you...and one more thing," she said, lowering her voice although they were completely alone. "Do not mention to anyone the existence of this vault. It is essential that this remains between us."

"I promise," he said. If things kept going this way he would end up with an unbearable amount of secrets.

She gave him a satisfied nod. "Good, you are all set then. I will be in my office should you need anything."

"You are leaving?" he said, not sure if he should feel relieved or unsettled.

"Yes, as this is something you must do on your own. My task was to provide you with the key, the rest is up to you, besides I have other things to attend to." She brushed a hand over her smooth black hair. "Etharos might be messing up those library cards, and that's not the worst of it." A wry smile softened her stern features. "I take it that you will find your way back?"

"Yes, I will," he said.

"Good luck," Antelisse said, " we all are going to need it for what's to come."