Have Faith In The Rot
Chapter 1, part 3
The cold wind yet again grabbed them tightly. A few pearls of sweat ran across Fariss’ forehead, having just started to adjust to the heat of the forge. A few raindrops replaced them shortly, as the clouds grew tighter above them.
“Oh for crying out loud,” Captain Hollander cursed, “A terrible night for rain.”
“How so, sir?” Fariss questioned, his footsteps growing muddy by the minute.
“We have a leak in our roof at home, and the carpenter is scheduled for tomorrow.” Hollander continued, chuckling deeply at the terrible timing.
“Your home? You live nearby?” Fariss eyes lit up slightly, “Would you tell me about your home, sir?” The idea of home felt so far-fetched for him at that minute. Walking through the mud in the cold rain. With barely a tree around.
“Of course,” Hollander responded, a smile sneaking onto his face. “It’s a lovely little cottage in the closest woods. About two kilometers down the mountain from here. It’s not much, but it’s our home.”
Fariss was enjoying the moment, “‘Our home,’ sir? I thought the paladins were sworn to the cause and none else. Who do you live with?”
The captain looked Fariss in the eyes with a smile: “You know your homework, recruit. Good job!” Hollander rested a heavy hand on Fariss’ shoulder in affirmation. “That is true. I live there with another captain, my assigned partner from when I joined many, many years ago.”
“Captain Arian, a master of the tome as much as I am of the sword. Her and I have fought more battles together than I can count, and her expertise of the tome has saved my life too many times as well.” Hollander told with clear pride in his voice. Proud of what they had achieved, proud of calling her a friend, and proud most of all for surviving this many years.
“But do not let that fool you!” Hollander continued, chiming, “She has bested me in sparring more times than I would like to admit. One of our best.”
“Wow,” Fariss could barely hide the glee he felt hearing the story. “Iit sounds like you two have seen a thing or two. I can understand why you chose to live together, sir”
Hollander spread out his arms and gestured to the lot they were standing in. “This encampment was one of the largest in the country back when it was built. Now with so little need for warfare, it has been reduced to just what you see.”
A sigh left this mouth. “Of course it is very nice to not need such armaments anymore, but it does sadden me to see what it has been reduced to.”
Fariss nodded, understanding the captain’s troubles. The rain was falling less and less. As Fariss looked up to inspect the dwindling clouds, a sign caught his eye. A sign with the symbol of a book and quill.
“Is that the library, sir?” Fariss called to Hollander
“That, it is, recruit, good eye! You had me all in my own head there.” Hollander laughed as they approached the building.
In front of them was a grand wooden building. Fariss was astonished at the size of the library, dwarfing the great town hall of his hometown. The library was supported by large pillars, decorated with shields of past battles. Ornate carvings covered the doors and windows. Some for decoration, and some being runes of protection. The two pushed the great, heavy oak doors open and immediately felt the dead silence of the library. Stepping just inside, the sound of the stopping rain disappeared fast behind them.
Heavy thumps sounded as Captain Hollander walked precisely up to the front desk. before he could even open his mouth, a shriveled branch swung out from between the shelves. Fariss stood in shock as he witnessed a less-than-human being appear in front of him. The sounds of roots crackling and leaves rustling followed as the creature of wood walked up to the captain.
The captain rested his hand on top of his head, and nodded at the creature to greet it. A low shriek sounded from the creature as it did a little jump. It seemed to wait for the next orders from the captain.
“Good evening, Snivilet, I am sorry to interrupt you this late.” Captain Hollander spoke with a broad smile. Hand still resting on his head.
Snivilet jumped a few more times, and mimicked the captain’s gesture. To the best of its abilities. A twig on its arm got slightly tangled in the crown, causing Snivilet to make a frustrated squeak. Yet it still stood there, awaiting more orders from the captain.
Captain Hollander slowly lowered his hand, and returned it to his side yet again. “I told you the other day of our emergency recruit, I want you to meet Fariss, newest member of the order.” Captain Hollander gestured to Fariss and stood to the side.
Snivilet jumped up and rushed to Fariss. Even without a face, it was clear to see the creature was excited to meet someone new. Snivilet tried to greet Fariss by bringing its arm to its head, but it realized its arm was already stuck to its crown. Letting out a low growl of annoyance, Snivilet tried to pull its arm loose, to no avail.
Before Fariss offered to help, Snivilet had a brilliant idea. If one arm was stuck, it could still use another. Snivelet raised its other arm above its head and bowed lightly at Fariss, inadvertently making an arc, and an improper greeting. But that did not matter. Fariss mimicked the greeting, and Snivilet jumped yet again, taking a moment to finally untangle itself.
Captain Hollander approached Fariss over the sounds of the struggling Snivilet. “That’s Snivilet, a small branchling. Fickle creatures created by paladins, mostly to be used for libraries.” Hollander explained, keeping an eye on Snivilet.
“Why are they used for libraries, sir?” Fariss asked, trying to not get distracted by Snivilet getting more and more tangled.
“They are made of wood, as you can see,” The captain explained, gesturing at the, now angry, tangle of branches. “And because of that, they have a special magical connection with everything wooden. Snivilet here knows every book in this library perfectly, and keeps them in perfect shape. It even carved the doors and windows itself.”
“Wow, that is incredible!” Fariss exclaimed, looking around in awe. “Who made this one, sir?”
“That would be me.” The captain answered with a smile on his face. “Twenty years ago when I first arrived at this encampment with captain Arian, my first task was to create our designated librarian, and so I created Snivilet.”
Both Captain Hollander and Fariss were watching Snivilet closely, as the little branchling got more and more tangled as it was trying to free itself by growing new appendages. Stumbling about on the wooden floor, it could be easily mistaken for an angry, sentient tumbleweed.
“Should we... help him, sir?” Fariss asked worriedly.
“Maybe we should.” The captain responded with a grin. “Alright Snivilet, hold still now. We’re gonna do the usual.”
In an instant, the growling shrubbery ground to a halt. To the best of its abilities it turned to the captain, chirping a little melody.
“One day you’ll have to learn to do this by yourself, Snivilet. You let your own branches get the better of you.” Captain Hollander spoke softly to Snivilet, as he unpocketed a small gardening knife. Carefully he began trimming Snivilet’s wild branches, reducing it to no more than a stem.
