The Belisarios
“There’s a new book in the study.” “Oh dear…” “Is that code for something?” “Yes” “Oh?” “It’s code for ‘there’s a new book in the study’.” Isaac stared for several moments. “So… not code.” “No.” “Care to elaborate?” “The study has a long aisle.” “Like a library?” “Like a library.” “...and?” “It’s full of memoirs. Every now and then, a book is added.” “Who adds it?” “The shelf does.” “So it just appears?” “Yes.” “Well, someone writes it. They just don’t know it.” “Do tell…” Isaac said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Something disastrous happens, a new book appears. Whoever created the aisle designed it that way.” “So, tragedies?” “The spell wasn’t looking for happy endings.” “Just sad endings we might be able to avoid.” ‘Should we go have a look then?” “We may as well.” Somewhere deep and echoing and far away. And then here. “The shadow...