Image Challenge 06 - Wax and Dust
Title: Wax and Dust
Author: oddsbobs
Character: Azkadellia
Rating: G
Summary: Az spends some time in the old library. (pre-series)
Disclaimer: I do not own Tin Man. I also don't own the shirt I'm wearing, so you can't even sue me for the shirt off my back.
Word Count: 606
Notes: I know the picture on the signet ring (if that's what it is) is probably of a guy, but I'm using artistic license. Also, this is taking place in the same universe as a story (for Farine) that's not posted yet. Means nothing to you guys, but it tickles me a bit.
There was a cavernous room hidden in the depths of the palace that few ever visited. Only the Master Historian, muttering to himself and smelling of dust, knew every nook and cranny of the place. On a rainy afternoon, mere minutes after the Master Historian had taken leave for lunch, a young girl slipped into the room.
She walked slowly among the bookshelves. The tips of her fingers brushed lightly against rows of spines as she passed. There were whispers in here, though she knew the others didn’t register them. It was as if all that knowledge was calling out just for her, only for her. She wasn’t beautiful like her mother or creative like her father. She wasn’t as beloved as her sister. They all thought her a pleasant child, very agreeable. It was her sister, though, who captured their hearts with her fearless curiosity and adorable sense of wonder.
But Azkadellia had this.
It had taken some convincing to get Tutor to allow her access to the archives. He hadn’t thought she was old enough to study the manuscripts of their past. Hadn’t Az shown him in the end? Hadn’t she proven how quick a study she was by picking up a commendable amount of Ancient all on her own?
She smiled to herself. None of them understood, except perhaps DG. Reading the ancient scrolls and books made her feel whole.
Some footsteps sounded in the corridor. Az broke off from her reverie. She’d have to be quick - the Master Historian would soon be back from his lunch break. There wouldn’t be a fuss if he found her in here, but there would be a problem if he saw her with The Scroll.
Az quickly pulled a step ladder to the furthest shelves. Standing on the tips of her toes, she was just able to reach the objects of her interest. She gently brought them down to rest on a table. There was a small diary, patches of its green velvet cover worn away from time. Inside was a mess of puzzles and riddles, intricately drawn diagrams and nonsense. Half of it was written in code. Az already knew this. She had looked in it only once before, when Tutor had told her the history of this object.
It was the tightly wound scroll that accompanied the diary which drew Az’s attention. The parchment looked as pristine as the day it was made. A red ribbon wrapped it tight, and the heavy wax seal remained unbroken.
Only the person to solve the mysteries of the diary could open the scroll, Tutor had explained. They weren’t sure what it contained, or even if it was truly important. Queen Ozmaria, whose face stared up at Az from the seal and whose magic preserved the scroll, was known for her eccentricity. Some said, however, that the scroll contained the most important answer of all.
Many had tried to figure it out. None had succeeded.
Az ran her fingers along the length of the scroll, allowing the protective magic to tickle at her fingertips. She stared at the smirking face on the seal. Someday she would solve the puzzle and open the scroll. Her heart fluttered at the thought.
Only a small moment passed before Az bundled the diary and scroll together and placed them back on the shelf. It was time to go back to her lessons, to listen to her teachers and obey her parents. It was time to be a princess again.
Still, the tingling thrill remained even after she left the library. Perhaps DG wasn’t the only one with an adventurous spirit after all.
Author: oddsbobs
Character: Azkadellia
Rating: G
Summary: Az spends some time in the old library. (pre-series)
Disclaimer: I do not own Tin Man. I also don't own the shirt I'm wearing, so you can't even sue me for the shirt off my back.
Word Count: 606
Notes: I know the picture on the signet ring (if that's what it is) is probably of a guy, but I'm using artistic license. Also, this is taking place in the same universe as a story (for Farine) that's not posted yet. Means nothing to you guys, but it tickles me a bit.
There was a cavernous room hidden in the depths of the palace that few ever visited. Only the Master Historian, muttering to himself and smelling of dust, knew every nook and cranny of the place. On a rainy afternoon, mere minutes after the Master Historian had taken leave for lunch, a young girl slipped into the room.
She walked slowly among the bookshelves. The tips of her fingers brushed lightly against rows of spines as she passed. There were whispers in here, though she knew the others didn’t register them. It was as if all that knowledge was calling out just for her, only for her. She wasn’t beautiful like her mother or creative like her father. She wasn’t as beloved as her sister. They all thought her a pleasant child, very agreeable. It was her sister, though, who captured their hearts with her fearless curiosity and adorable sense of wonder.
But Azkadellia had this.
It had taken some convincing to get Tutor to allow her access to the archives. He hadn’t thought she was old enough to study the manuscripts of their past. Hadn’t Az shown him in the end? Hadn’t she proven how quick a study she was by picking up a commendable amount of Ancient all on her own?
She smiled to herself. None of them understood, except perhaps DG. Reading the ancient scrolls and books made her feel whole.
Some footsteps sounded in the corridor. Az broke off from her reverie. She’d have to be quick - the Master Historian would soon be back from his lunch break. There wouldn’t be a fuss if he found her in here, but there would be a problem if he saw her with The Scroll.
Az quickly pulled a step ladder to the furthest shelves. Standing on the tips of her toes, she was just able to reach the objects of her interest. She gently brought them down to rest on a table. There was a small diary, patches of its green velvet cover worn away from time. Inside was a mess of puzzles and riddles, intricately drawn diagrams and nonsense. Half of it was written in code. Az already knew this. She had looked in it only once before, when Tutor had told her the history of this object.
It was the tightly wound scroll that accompanied the diary which drew Az’s attention. The parchment looked as pristine as the day it was made. A red ribbon wrapped it tight, and the heavy wax seal remained unbroken.
Only the person to solve the mysteries of the diary could open the scroll, Tutor had explained. They weren’t sure what it contained, or even if it was truly important. Queen Ozmaria, whose face stared up at Az from the seal and whose magic preserved the scroll, was known for her eccentricity. Some said, however, that the scroll contained the most important answer of all.
Many had tried to figure it out. None had succeeded.
Az ran her fingers along the length of the scroll, allowing the protective magic to tickle at her fingertips. She stared at the smirking face on the seal. Someday she would solve the puzzle and open the scroll. Her heart fluttered at the thought.
Only a small moment passed before Az bundled the diary and scroll together and placed them back on the shelf. It was time to go back to her lessons, to listen to her teachers and obey her parents. It was time to be a princess again.
Still, the tingling thrill remained even after she left the library. Perhaps DG wasn’t the only one with an adventurous spirit after all.