Iyona and Wren were gone the next day. Or what Orme assumed to be the next day. There was no sun in the green room, only that constant yellow light that seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Before they left, Wren and Iyona had piled all the books from the room around him. Close enough that he could reach them, far enough that he could lie down when he needed to. They also left a pot for his natural needs, and all the party’s dry rations. Orme had all kinds of biscuits and candies and bread. Some dry meat they’d gotten in exchange for a huge fish. And water. They left him all the water.

Orme couldn’t help them anymore, only wish they were going to be all right.

He grabbed the first book from a pile and started to skim through it. It was written in the Common Tongue, and he could read it. It was an encyclopedia on plants. Useful, but not what they needed. He took another book and thus started the week-long wait for his companions to return.

Orme read book after book, slept, ate, and repeat. And he waited, anxious. He knew Wren was in good hands, that Iyona wouldn’t let any harm happen to them, but what if harm happened to her? What if they fell in a trap, what if they encountered brigands, what if the army caught up with them, what if… What if?

It was nerve-wracking and there was nothing he could do except read as many of these stupid books as he could.

A week later, his mind was full of useless information and his water had run out. He lay sprawled on the floor when he heard a noise coming from the corridor they’d all arrived in what seemed like a long time ago.

He grabbed his sword, propped himself up against the wall behind him, and waited.

He heard their voices first. They seemed in good enough condition and not followed by disaster. Orme set his sword back down and greeted them as they entered the room.

“What took you so long?”

Iyona laughed “You cranky old thing, I missed you too”

Wren grimaced.

“Do you have any water perchance? Mine ran out yesterday.”

They settled down on the floor with him, taking out food and water. They all shared a meal in good natured silence, then Iyona asked about the books. “Did you find anything of value in there?”  Her eyes shone. 

“Lots, but nothing that will help on our quest yet. I’ve only skimmed through about half of them, I could use your guys help for the rest. Else it will take forever. Now tell me, did anything interesting happen out there?”

Wren shook their head. “Not really. We went for provisions and came back, didn’t meet anyone of import.”

Orme nodded. All was well. They all went back to the books and soon silence draped over them like a silken robe.