William climbed the steps towards the Acropolis. Partway up he turned heading to the library of the city.

“More steps.” he muttered then climbed the steps of the library. Winded, he paused outside catching his breath, and examined the large statues which flanked the double doors.

They were carved of a black rock polished to a shine. Animals of myth seated as if watching. One gazing at the walkway. The other looking over it’s shoulder at the door.

They were strange impossible beasts. Massive animals with a short dog like face,. A flowing mane encircled their necks and ran down their back to their tails which looked oddly like the tip of a paintbrush. The sculpting was impossibly realistic as if a living animal was frozen in time.

William recovered his breath and entered the library. The library was quiet. Sound seemed to fade away. Only the murmur near the desk, the rustle of paper and the squeak of chairs disturbed the peace. All others were silenced by the walls of books.

William politely advanced on the central desk, “Umm ‘morn.”

A bored young woman rolled her eyes, “Whadaa ya want.”

“I’m looking for a book.”

“Lotta people are.” She droned on, crossing some records and stamping several cards, “What book?”

“One about dragons?”

“Biology, history, or fiction?”

“Umm. How they live?”

The woman raised an eyebrow, “Biology,” she gestured to the stairs, “Yelan. Third floor north corner. What’s in the bag?” her eyes narrowed and focused on Williams small package.

William gently extracted a sweet roll, “Thank you for your help”

The woman’s eyes lit up and she grabbed the still warm roll. “Thanks,” she muffled wolfing the roll down in a snap, “really hungry.”

William offered a second one, which the receptionist greedily took. He climbed the winding stairs, repacking the remaining bribes.

“More stairs.” William gasped for a breath at the top of all the stairs, glancing around, “Ahh!” he jumped.

A young man had appeared in William’s vision, “Hello can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Yelan?”

“Speaking.”

William waited for the man, who said nothing. “Right, I’m looking for a book about domestic dragons.”

The man gestured and walked to a large book at the floor, near “D”, and flipped through the pages, “Advanced entries of Draco?””

William shook his head, “Sounds... advanced?”

“Big book of Big Dragons?”

“Looking for small, domestic dragons...”

“Encyclopedia Draco Domestica,” Yelan nodded, “Probably your best bet.” He snapped and a light sprung from his finger tips and gently drifted away. He closed the directory and followed the light. William paused, before scampering after the man.

Yelan’s hand trailed through the winding stacks of books, William tried to keep up as the books tacks and walls seemed to shift before the duo. William swore he had turned left three times and ended up at a different location. “Here.” Yelan paused hand continuing tracing the stack, “Enco – encyle – Encyclopedia Draco-Domesticous.” he abruptly pulled a book, holding it out... “wait are you a citizen?” He recoiled clutching the book.

William groaned and dug through his pockets drawing a simple square copper medallion.

“Book loans are only for silver citizens... or...” His eyes traced the bindle which William opened to reveal sweet rolls. “-or -or citizens of upstanding quality as judged by a Librarian.” He snatched the medallion and eyed it briefly before gently pushing a stamp into it of a small book.

There was the odd smell of hot metal, and the small emboss was complete.

Yelan took a single roll before staring at the remainder. “I couldn’t...”

“I’m a baker, you are a booker?” William blushed, “It’s easy for me to bake. I can’t book.”

“Librarian,” Yelan corrected, “and thank you.” he scooped the buns into his bag and walked William back to the receptionist.

The front receptionist used William's citizen medallion as a stamp on a card retrieved from the book, “Make sure you return before three days after the waxing moon.” William calculated two weeks, then nodded.

“If you do not, or you damage the book, the keepers of knowledge will hunt you.” She leaned over, “Seriously, rule zero is don’t anger the guardians.”

“What’s Rule One?”

“Return your Books on Time!” She didn't yell but the seriousness came through in her voice. 

William left the library and glanced around nerviously. There was the sensation of being watched, and a hot breath on his neck. He turned to see nothing but the two large statues, each head frozen staring at his empty bindle.

“I’ll bring a sweet bun when I return the book.” William turned his back to the building.

There was a soft snort and a cold shiver walked up and down his spine. It was difficult, but he walked away without looking back.