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Library [01/02]

If it looked like Thursday's office was being packed up, it was because Thursday was doing just that. The coffee-maker was working hard. The librarian was in and out between the office, the main library and Special Collections, making notes for the next librarian. There was a lot more to it than explaining the filing system.

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Karal looked up, startled. "You did? Glory, that's wonderful!" He studied her for a moment. "Isn't it?"

"He's now a known criminal and in the hands of the authorities awaiting trial," she explained, stopping what she was doing. "He managed to add kidnapping to his list of crimes before he was done, but he's been discredited on a national scale and he won't be hurting anyone again."

Karal nodded. "Then it is good news, and it's good to know that he'll receive what he deserves," he said, still studying her. "Would I be right in guessing you had a hand in his capture?"

She gave a slight nod. "I had help, but yes. Taking over the television and radio networks wouldn't have been possible without a few things I took home from here. I confronted him while my friends monitored the broadcast and moved into position to rush the warehouse when I gave the signal. He had Friday." Not wanting to dwell on that, she went back to organising her files. "As it turns out, his name wasn't Sullivan Pheces at all. It was Cocytus Hades. No relation to the Vice Principal, but he is the younger brother of two others of the Hades clan that I've run into before. We don't get along."

"That--" Sunlord. He shook his head and set the book he was holding down. "I'm even happier to know you and your son came through safely, and had good friends to aid you. Will it always be so dangerous for you?"

"I'd like to think not," Thursday replied. Between SpecOps and Jurisfiction, her life had always been somewhat complicated. She didn't see that letting up if she did take Bowden up on his 'carpet business' offer. "The immediate threats are gone for now. The Minotaur, the reason we came here in the first place, is trapped back in the BookWorld and with Cocytus out of the way, it's safe to go home. Life should be quiet and simple as long as I'm on my best behaviour and don't make any new enemies. If I do, I'll set my mother's cooking on them and they won't bother us again. Enough about me. I trust you're staying on for at least another semester?"

"A threat indeed," he said with a small smile. "I have been enrolled for another semester, but," he lifted one shoulder, "my duty must come first. My world is in danger, not immediate, not yet, but that could change. If it does, I will be called home." He glanced down as Altra settled at his feet. "There's something I would give you before you go, if I may."

Thursday nodded, but said, "you really don't have to give me anything, Karal."

"I know, but this is important." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box (http://pics.livejournal.com/vkandis_son/pic/000077rw), offering it to her shyly. "This will mark you as a friend to the Kin of Vkandis, wherever you might find them, in fiction or without."

Accepting the box, Thursday opened it and looked back up at Karal. She didn't understand all of the connotations of the gift, but she knew enough to understand who Vkandis was and what this kind of gift meant to Karal. "Thank you, Karal," she said sincerely, then closed the box gently to keep its contents safe. "Wherever you end up, be yourself. The people around you will be lucky to have you with them."

He blushed and looked down at his feet. "My thanks," he said quietly, then glanced back up hopefully. "There is something else, a traveller's blessing. I'd like to speak the words for you, if I may?"

A fleeting thought passed through Thursday's mind that Karal would have enjoyed the Oral Tradition section of the Great Library if it wasn't so perilous. She nodded. "Of course."

Karal broke into a smile and moved to rest his hand on her shoulder. "May the Sunlord grant you clear sight and the wisdom to choose well. He is a light in the darkness, a fire to warm you, and a flame to hold between you and those who would harm you and yours, until you reach journey's end," he recited, voice warm and clear. "Wherever and whenever that may be."

When Karal was done, Thursday placed her hand over his on her shoulder to show her thanks. "You'll write?" she asked hopefully.

"I will," he replied solemnly. "And I will miss you." He turned his hand and briefly closed his fingers around hers. "But I'm thankful that Vkandis granted me a chance to know you."

"Vkandis and I may not be on familiar terms, but I'm thankful to him as well that we met. Don't stop doing what you know is right." Thursday gave his hand a squeeze and let go. "Enough emotional drama," she said in a more assertive voice, knowing it was the best way to avoid dealing with the difficulty she was having with this goodbye. "There are books to pack. Do you think the school would notice if I took the entire collection with me?"

Karal looked utterly scandalised, and Altra snickered. Gathering up the stack of books on her desk, he held them protectively, trying to hide a smile. "I think I'd best go and reshelve these, lest you give in to temptation!"

Thursday didn't hide her smile. "Go on then. I still have the authority to boss you around for another day."

Karal grinned and gave her the best bow he could while holding an armful of books. "Yes, ma'am," he said smartly, turning towards the door. "I'll be in the stacks if you need me for anything else."

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Library [01/02]

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