A Goat's Library

Did she just miss something?

Was something wrong with Ray's arm? Lia looked on as a stumped Ray struggled to find his words. Lia slowly took her hand out of the candy jar, abandoning whatever she grabbed a hold of.

Capricorn waited for Ray to explain what was amiss, like Lia– the old mage probably didn't know how to react to the situation. When she followed Ray's gaze she noticed what had him so puzzled.

The gash in his arm wasn't bleeding profusely, nor swollen with Knupa venom— if the beast even was venomous– quite the contrary actually...

It's gone.

To Lia, the spirit of a wolfking hadn't really seemed like a magic form with 'healing abilities'. Besides that, Ray was startled to find his arm in a normal condition, which would mean...

It looked like Ray had reached the same conclusion just before her, "We really need a book on Ophiuchus' magic," he stated, determined.

Turning away from her to look at Capricorn, who had a questioning look on his kind but wrinkly features, Ray continued, "We came here to find more information about the zodiac mages, the old and the new. Anything surrounding the prophecy would be of interest as well, can you help us with that?"

The satyr nodded knowingly, "Signs such as ourselves are an unusual subject to seek out, but do not fret, I have legends and books on the topic laying somewhere about."

His little hooves hopped over a little closer to the pair, "Before that however, we skipped over a common formality," Capricorn started, "May I know your names before I kindly show you my hospitality?" The man's cheery smile never wavered, although now– both could find the sharpness behind his seemingly soft expression.

Not wanting to make themselves unwelcome Lia bowed her head curtly, "My name is Lia," she answered.

Her companion nodded along, "And I'm Ray, not much for last names I'm afraid."

The satyr hummed, "The name's Giles, but you younglings may call me Grandpa Gill."

Lia uttered a hardly agreeable hum. She was curiously inspecting the small, weird and colorful pebbles in the jar she had abandoned earlier.

She had decided to leave whatever they were alone when Ray had grabbed their attention with his perfectly fine arm... The satyr had called them 'little sweet' if she remembered right?

Said satyr clapped his hands together with a grin, "Please start your search for the books you wish to learn from, I will start the preparations for a meal so we can converse more over diner before long."

The guests both nodded gratefully as Giles hopped down the hall to the presumed kitchen.

Lia took that as her cue to once again try for a little sweet. When Ray didn't protest on her clear movement to get one, she swiftly grabbed a sweet– popped it into her mouth and wow okay... that's a flavor.

"Way more intense than berry mush," she mumbled, pulling a sour face.

"Berry what now?" Ray asked a bit absentmindedly, turning around a bookshelf to look at Lia, "You mean the jam you had with breakfa— What's with that expression?" He laughed, seeming a bit baffled as he changed his question.

Lia shook her head, wondering if she could just spit the thing out or if that'd be rude.

Ray picked up on her clear dislike of the sweets Capricorn provided, "Candy not your thing?"

Lia grumbled a response, deciding to dodge the obviously offending question she quickly swallowed the hard candy whole.

Ray guessed when everything is so new to someone they're bound to have unpleasant encounters with even more ordinary stuff and situations... like trying new foods.

"Jam..?" Lia stated, hopefully changing the topic a bit, "That's an odd name for fruity goop."

Apparently Ray found something very funny, uttering a snort of amusement, "Very odd indeed, way weirder than fruity goop and berry mush."

That was sarcasm wasn't it?

Lia didn't feel the need to reply to him, turning her back to Ray in favor of looking at old stuffy books. Luckily Ray left the conversation there, beginning to walk around between the rows of bookshelves.

They looked around the library, there were tons of shelves filled with books. Even next to the shelves there were piles of books stacked everywhere around the place. Surely there must be some information to find about Ophiuchus in one of these, the spirit was involved with a prophecy after all.

Hearing soft noises from the kitchen, along with a wonderful warm smell of food made her hunger more apparent than before. Which was unpleasant, a distraction was in order.

Moving further into the cramped space she takes in all the titles she can see, they're all very diverse, even if she cannot understand all of them completely.

Seeing all these different books was very interesting though, they all had a story, literally. The big old encyclopedia's as well as the newer looking novels had their own special charm. Some were decorated with beautiful artwork, others had shining calligraphy or were bound by patterned leather and pretty straps.

After quite a long time of scanning the books filling the cramped, albeit quite expansive library, the sound of a bell cut through the comfortable silence.

"Dinner is ready you two, I hope you're in the mood for a warm and vegetable rich stew!" Giles rhymed, holding a little dented bell in his left hand as the right one was still holding a big spoon.

The old goat's guests smiled gratefully and joined him in the cozy small kitchen.

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Capricorn turned out to be a wonderful old man, he listened to their retelling of the day's travels and was glad to hear they left the Knupa alone, he's been here for as long as he's lived on these mountains, which was apparently over 90 years!

He was pleased to find out he could provide food for people who had to do with some buns and fruit for the whole climb, but laughed when Ray got all irritated by their fae friend and his lack of information given about the trip.

After they all had their stomachs filled with quite the delicious meal, the two travelers helped clean up. Ray had been curious about something though, "Before... you said we could call you grandpa Gill," he began, "Are you a grandfather to someone then?"

Giles grew a very fond smile on his face, "Why yes I am. Great grandpa of a wonderful young girl named Lizzy, kind, spunky teen, as strong spirited as a ram." It was clear the man loved his grandkid.

That's when Capricorn got an idea, "Maybe you should visit her after you've read up about the signs. She's a smart cookie that one, knows stories of all kinds!"

Ray and Lia shared a look, the wolfsboy was quick to backtrack while gathering some dirty glasses, "Sorry, once we got the information we need, we're going back to share what we found with my sister. From there we're hoping to form a bit of a plan to help Lia and... yeah we're not really sure– but I know it'll be hectic and—" Giles cut him off by the wave of his hand.

"You misunderstand young lad, my granddaughter is special not only in the eyes of her great granddad. She is also known as the one with the ram, Aries. She'll know a lot about the stories you'll be researching as she brought the books here from all kinds of other libraries," he explained, putting dishes into a low sink.

Lia's eyes widened at the notion of another zodiac sign, she was under the impression that mages like herself would be a rare occurrence. Alveena had said she was the 13th sign, one she didn't think would ever be part of the prophecy. So there must only be twelve other zodiac mages then right?

Ray had the same surprised reaction, "That's a very interesting coincidence, I didn't even think to ask if you were familiar with the other signs."

The satyr chuckled, "Actually, I personally know two other ones as well," he added, "You see, young Taurus is the one for which my dear great-granddaughter fell."

Fell for Taurus how? Lia thought.

"They're a couple?" Ray asked, to which Giles proudly nodded.

Oh, fell in love... Lia was quite done with his rhymes already.

But he had mentioned he knew two more, "And the other?" Lia inquired.

"Sagittarius," The old man said, tone shifting to something akin to respect instead of fondness. "A strong soul, very protective of her clan and all life in her forest."

Oh she sounds interesting.

Ray surely thought so too, "Could you give us her location?" He immediately asked, "Your granddaughter's too if you will," he added.

Giles thought it over, precariously balancing the plates and glasses he finished cleaning on top of one another.

"You two have been strange but wonderful company so far, I'll give you a map so you know where the other signs are." He started looking around for something, probably some map, when he noticed the moon up high in the sky. "I reckon it's getting very close to midnight you two, if you're staying I am afraid the couches will have to make do."

Maybe not the most comfortable, but better than sleeping out in the mountains, "That's more than fine Mr. Giles, thank you." She bowed her head again, something the satyr appreciated before. "Goodnight."

Capricorn didn't seem to mind the way he was addressed, wishing his guests a good night rest as well before heading off to his own room.

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