Lidarion: Page 43

Deciphering the rest of the rhymes, riddles, and stories took them days. They spread throughout the library, following half remembered lyrics, and here say until they were confident they had properly figured out how to reach out to all the paragons.

Squints and Obla'reth compiled everything they had learned into a brand-new book. Something Obla'reth had never done before and was very emotional about. He sat with his copy of the book in the central greeting area of the library as the others packed their supplies for the return trip. He was overcome with joy and equally sad.

"You can come with us you know." Dean offered stepping back into the library to grab more supplies.
Obla'reth looked up from the book. "I'd be dead within days of leaving. Besides, someone has to be here when the new librarians arrive." He smiled.

Dean nodded. "So if you're not ready to leave, why the long face?" He asked.

Obla'reth stood and place the book on his chair. "I have overseen this library for so long that time has lost all meaning to me. Just as I assume it did for every generation of librarian before me. A line so unconcerned with its own history, that I have no way of knowing who came before me, or for how long they were here." He sighed and picked the book which bore his name. "But those who come after me shall know at least part of my story." He explained with a soft smile.

Dean nodded. "Good on you. A legacy you can be proud of is nothing to be sad about." He still seemed confused.

Obla'reth nodded. "What I have begun can not be stopped or undone, but it does leave my heart heavy to realize that in our quest to preserve the history of the world, we sacrificed our own." He took a long look at the endless stacks in the wing to his right. "How could so many generations of us been so blind?" He sighed.

Dean was silent for a moment and then cleared his throat softly. "Where are you standing right now?" He asked.

Obla'reth looked at him. "In the heart of the library." He replied.

Dean nodded. "And did you build this place?" he asked.

Obla'reth shook his head. "Of course not." He answered.

Dean nodded again. "Then they didn't sacrifice their history. You are standing in the middle of it." He pointed a finger at Obla'reth. "You, are the result of it." He smiled. "Not all history can fit in a book or be contained by mere words. Your people are proof of that." Dean gestured to the building they were standing in. "You aren't disconnected from your past Obla'reth, You live in it every day, preserving it for the future." He pointed to the book. "And you've just found a new way to add to it." He said before he walked back toward the grand feast hall.