They said nothing for a time, then Kulgan called, “Gathis!”
Within seconds the creature appeared at the doorway “Yes, Master Kulgan?”
“Do you know what is contained within this scroll?”
“Yes, Master Kulgan. My master was most explicit in his instructions. He made sure that we were aware of his requirements.”
“We?” said Arutha.
Gathis smiled his toothy grin. “I am but one of my master’s servants. The others are instructed to keep from your sight, for it was feared their presence might cause you some discomfort. My master lacked most of the human prejudices and was content to judge each creature he met on its own merits.”
“What exactly are you?” asked Pug.
“I am of a race akin to the goblins, as the elves are to the Dark Brotherhood. We were an old race and perished but for a few, long before humans came to the Bitter Sea. Those that were left were brought here by Macros, and I am the last.”
Kulgan regarded the creature. In spite of his appearance, there was something about him that was likable. “What will you do now?”
“I will wait here for my master’s return, keeping his home in order.”
“You expect him to return?” asked Pug.
“Most likely. In a day, or a year, or a century. It does not matter. Things will be ready for him should he return.”
“What if he has perished?” asked Arutha.
“In that event, I shall grow old and die waiting, but I think not. I have served the Black One for a very long time. Between us is . . . an understanding. If he were dead, I think I would know. He is merely . . . absent. Even if he is dead, he may return. Time is not to my master as it is to other men. I am content to wait.”
Pug thought about this. “He must truly have been the master of all magic.”
Gathis’s smile broadened. “He would laugh to hear that, master. He was always complaining of there being so much to learn and so little time to learn it. And that from a man who had lived years beyond numbering.”
Kulgan said, as he rose from his chair, “We will have to fetch men to carry all these things back to the ship.”
Gathis said, “Worry not, master. Retire to your ship when you are ready. Leave two boats on the beach at the cove. At first light the next day you will find everything placed aboard, packed for shipment.”
Kulgan nodded. “Very well; then we should start at once to catalog all these works, before we move them.”
Gathis went over to a shelf and returned with a rolled parchment. “In anticipation of your needs, master, I have prepared such a listing of all the works here.”
Kulgan unrolled the parchment and began reading the inventory of works. His eyes widened. “Listen,” he said, excitedly. “There’s a copy of Vitalus’s Expectations of Matter Transformation here.” His eyes grew bigger still. “And Spandric’s Temporal Research. That work was thought lost a hundred years ago!” He looked at the others, wonder upon his face. “And hundreds of volumes with Macros’s name on them. This is a treasure beyond measure.”
Gathis said, “I am pleased that you find it so, master.”
Kulgan started to ask for those volumes to be brought to him, but Arutha said, “Wait Kulgan. Once you begin, we’ll have to tie you up to get you out of here. Let us return to the ship and wait for all this to be brought. We must be off soon.”
Kulgan looked like a child whose sweets had been taken from him. Arutha, Pug, and Meecham all chuckled at the stout magician Pug said, “There is no good reason to stay now. We shall have years to study these after the coronation. Look around, Kulgan. Do you mean to inhale all this in one breath?”
A look of resignation crossed Kulgan’s face. “Very well.”
Pug surveyed all in the room “Think of it. An academy for the study of magic, with Macros’s library at the heart.”
Kulgan’s eyes grew luminous. “I had all but forgotten the Duke’s bequest. A place to learn. No longer will an apprentice learn from this master or that, but from many. With this legacy and your own teachings, Pug, we have a wonderful start.”
Arutha said, “Let us be on our way if we’re to have any sort of start. There’s a new king to crown, and the longer you tarry, the more likely you’ll lose yourself in here.”
Kulgan looked as if his good name were impugned. “Well, I will take a few things to study while on the ship—if you have no objections?”
Arutha raised a placating hand. “Whatever you wish,” he said with a rueful smile “But please, no more than we can reasonably lug down to the boat.”
Kulgan smiled, his mood lightening. “Agreed.” He turned to Gathis. “Would you fetch those two volumes I mentioned.”