The Archive

We finally found an Archive library.

One that didn't also have the death sign sprayed on it this time.

It didn't look any different from any of the other libraries we visited. I guess that makes sense. Evil cult's probably don't want to stand out too much to the outside world.

Alicia headed straight for the reception counter and asked to see an archive broker. The librarian said she did not know what Alicia was talking about. “Don't bullshit me. I've been doing this shit for too long to fall for that. You've got information we need, call out your broker so we can make a deal.” Alicia said slamming her hand on the counter.

“Ma'am I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I have no idea what you're talking about. Please, don't make me call the police.” The librarian said with a serious frown.

I was starting to think we got it wrong and this was just another normal library. Until a door behind the counter opened and another librarian walked out. “It's okay Linda, we've been expecting these two. I'll handle it from here.”

“You've been expecting us? How is that possible?” I asked, thinking that with all this cult stuff maybe they were psychic or something.

“We've read your blog, dear.” The librarian answered.

“Oh.” I felt pretty stupid.

“My apologies, Broker Phi is out on business until next week. I imagine you do not wish to wait that long. While I am a scribe and not a broker I can still hear you out and see if we can work something out.” They said with a large smile.

“That'll work.” Alicia answered.

“Great! Follow me into my office please.” They gestured to the door where they came from. Alicia made her way around the counter and through the door. I followed close behind.

Their office was a small room with a large desk and a closet. For the rest it was very sparse. The only bit of color in the room was a poster of a smiling sun up on the wall. The scribe told us to sit down on two chairs in front of their desk. They then closed the door and sat down behind the desk.

They smiled again. “I'm Scribe Delta. It's nice to meet you two.”

“I'm..” I started to introduce myself but they interrupted me.

“Catrien and Alicia the Owl, correct? Like I said a few seconds ago, we've read your blog. Love the title by the way, I always enjoy a pun.”

“Oh, right.”

“If you've read the blog, you know what info we want.” Alicia interrupted. I noticed her looking around the room often. As if something about this place was bothering her. Which in turn made me slightly uncomfortable as well.

“Correct!” Scribe delta folded their hands together and leaned in closer. “Let's get to business then. We have the info you want. About the symbol on those papers and on Dr. Slager's location.”

“What's the price?” Alicia asked with a frown on her face.

“Well, this is kind of awkward. I'm not a broker, I'm not familiar with our usual rates for this kind of information. So I was thinking we could figure out something that'd help both of us. We too are worried about this cooperation between different groups of servants. Their goals especially worry us.”

“Get to the point.”

“Right! Sorry, here's the deal. We will give you the information for free. If you help us out with a little task we currently lack the manpower for.”

Alicia took a deep breath and rubbed her fingers over the bridge of her nose. There was a few seconds of silence. “You're gonna have to be more specific before I agree to anything.”

“Obviously!” They replied with another smile. “We have most of the information you need. There's just a tiny bit missing. However we do know who has that information. We also know where this person is. We just lack the manpower to go after them since they're a nest. So if you were to bring them to us, alive..”

“You'd give us the information.”

“Exactly!”

“They're a nest? I'm confused, what does that mean?” I asked. Alicia said she'd explain it later. She told Scribe delta she'd have to think about it. Scribe delta seemed to be okay with this. We then left the Library. We'll probably go back tomorrow. At least if Alicia ends up agreeing to go find this nest person. Whatever that even means.