Arbiter Daos and the Librarian

This is my first attempt at creative writing but given that I am a bit of a frustrated writer and seem addicted to COX I thought this would be a good place to start. I have written a short story involving a conversation between Arbiter Daos (a person every villain is familiar with) and an eccentric character I made up called the Librarian. Nothing much happens in this story except they have a cup of tea and a gossip so don't expect action or car chases. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

As always please feel free to give me feedback but please be gentle... this is my first time

ARIBTER DAOS AND THE LIBRARIAN - PART ONE

He could never work it out but, to Arbiter Daos, it always seemed to rain whenever he arrived in Cap Au Diable. It was just after 1pm when he touched down at the small yet functional private airport on just outside Aeon City although the cold November weather and dark clouds hanging threateningly in the air made it feel much later.

He noticed that the wind was picking up as he stepped down from the jet and was hurried through to a Private Limosine by a Fortuna holding an umbrella. He said nothing to the young girl, he found it difficult to communicate with many of Arachnos soldiers for two reasons, one he held their lives in his hand and two, it was genuinely hard to communicate with people whos uniform covered them from head to foot with few visible features.

Once settled the Limosine started its journey through the streets of Cap Au Diable. He had only done this journey a couple of times before but knew what to expect. The airport was on the wrong side of town and they would pass through streets that were charged to the Goldbrickers. So called technical thieves but basically just a street gang with a leader with more money than sense. He knew as the Arachnos Limosine would pass them there would be a few rocks thrown or whatever but he paid them no heed. It is a sad day for Arachnos when an Arbiter’s private car could be taken out with a rock or bullet or rocket launcher for that matter.

Actually this part of the journey was fairly uneventful. No one paid much attention to the Limo as it passed quietly through the streets. Some citizens stopped and stared as only the very rich could afford cars in the Rogue Isles (Lord Recluse like it that way) and certainly Limosines were not something seen regularly. He occasionally saw a few Goldbrickers but they were otherwise engaged with Arachnos troups who were trying to cull their presence. If an Arachnos Soldier could not handle a Goldbricker, they had no right calling themselves Arachnos.

The downpour started in earnest has the Limosine came out of the slums of New Haven and made a sharp right turn onto the main bridge that would take him into Aeon City and the driver switched on the wipers of the car. He half listened to their rhythmic scrapping along the windshield as he mused about the town. It was called Aeon City as a mark of respect to the islands Governor and much revered scientist, Dr. Aeon, but in actual fact it was barely more than six or seven tall skyscrapers around a central statue of a globe. He knew most of the city could not have been constructed without Dr. Aeons amazing leap forwards in both magical and scientific discoveries. Now a good number of companies had set up here. He knew that Crey Corporation had a large branch office here, as did Arachnos itself (if only to remind Dr. Aeon that he was still being watched). Aeon Corp had its head office here and numerous professional firms had also set up in the relative safety of the central city.

But the Limosine passed by all those buildings and through Aeon City itself, he did not have business there today. Instead the car headed out of town and down a second bridge towards Aeon University, the Rogue Islands only school for higher education. Here the buildings were much older, more Victorian Gothic than the pristine silver white steel skyscrapers but they were also a lot more affluent. The Elite of the Rogue Islands lived here.

Eventually the car pulled up alongside a large black gothic-esque townhouse and the driver got out of the car and opened the rear passenger door so that the Arbiter could get out. He escorted him to the front door under an umbrella and the Arbiter pulled the large cord that was the bell.

“Wait here,” he said to the driver without looking at him.
The door was opened by a youngish man with non-descript brownish blond hair. The arrogance of youth caused the man to look the Arbiter up and down. Daos made a mental note to remember that.

“Arbiter Daos,” he snapped at the youth. “To see the Librarian.” He presented the youth with his card. He didn’t normally do that. He was an Arbiter, not only that but the Senior Arbiter with Arachnos and if he wanted to gain access to a building then he would show up and the Proprietors would ensure that access was given. There were exceptions however and this was one of them.

“Of course Sir,” replied the youth in a pleasant tone. “Please be so good as to come in and wait in the Library. I will enquire whether or not the Librarian is in.”

The Arbiter entered the house and was shown into a large oppressive looking room. At first glance the room looked rich and plush however a closer look yielded a different story. The chairs, although of high quality, were threadbare. The lights purposefully lit with low voltage bulbs to obviously save electricity and the carpets were in definite need of replacing. There was once money in this family but like many of the old families in the Rogue Islands, Lord Recluses rule had not been good to this house.

But this house had fared better than most. After all most of the old families had sold their properties and either downsized or paid to relocate. Not only had this family retained the ancestral home but the occupant could still afford a servant and judging by his age, could afford to pay the going rate. Not only that the books on the shelves were very old and extremely valuable. Despite not have much of an expert eye for the arts, Daos did notice several old tomes and one or two first editions that most experts would be amazed that they still existed. Of course, this was the house of the Librarian and Daos knew that this was only the tip of the iceberg.

He wondered over to the large arched window and twitched the heavy velvet curtain to one side to check up on his driver. It was still raining and the driver was leaning up against the Limosine enjoying a cigarette. Although he himself thought the habit disgusting, it was a better vice than most. Arachnos did not mind smokers, especially when the taxes on tobacco were such a good income to Lord Recluse.

ARBITER DAOS AND THE LIBRARIAN - PART TWO

“Arbiter Daos,” exclaimed a cheerful, almost naive voice behind him. “What a pleasant surprise.” It was the kind of voice that would grate on a pessimists nerves for just being far too jolly. He turned to face a grey haired middle aged man dressed in old fashioned, good quality yet worn grey three-piece suit and the Arbiter was mildly amused to note that he still had a pocket watch and chain dangling from the waistcoat. He didn’t know men still carried them. He didn’t reply but smiled and nodded to the man in a half formal greeting.

“It is rare that an Arbiter, especially one as highly regarded as you, takes the time to visit me,” continued the man in the same happy tones that people rarely, if ever used in the presence of an Arbiter. “Is this an official visit? Of course it is. Silly of me.”

“Yes Librarian it is,” replied Daos.

“Your time must be pressing,” said the Librarian. “But you must take time to have tea. Earl Grey isn’t it? Come through to the Lounge. It gets far better light at this time of day.”

They went through to a slightly smaller but better lit room with the same old fashioned worn furniture. However this room was not as oppressing. Chintzy touches were added here and there in an attempt to make the room more friendly looking and welcoming. Arbiter Daos was not certain whether or not this worked.

The Librarian went to a small circular old yet solid looking table with two high backed chairs and gestured the Arbiter to sit. The tea things were already laid out. Two dainty china cups, matching saucers, milk in a matching jug, lemon, sugar, spoons and plates. Daos sat where directed and made himself comfortable and he had to admit that the chairs was a lot more comfy than they looked. The Librarian sat opposite.

“We will just wait for the tea then when we are refreshed you must tell me the reason for your visit,” said the Librarian calmly and without any shred of either fear or even curiosity in his voice. “In the meantime, do tell me, how is Grandville? It has been so long since I last visited.”

“It has changed a lot over the course of the last few years,” replied Daos.

“So I understand. I really have been meaning to go over and have a look at The Web. I understand it is quite an astonishing piece of architecture. Is it true there is a large statue of Lord Recluse in the central plaza?”

“Yes. It was completed two or three years ago.”

“Goodness. Such industrial endeavours. And how is Lord Recluse? It has been too long since he last visited me. Such a gracious man don’t you think?”

Daos was surprised. He had no idea that Recluse himself had visited this house. He couldn’t help himself. He had to ask. “Lord Recluse has taken tea with you?”

“Oh goodness me no!” laughed the man clapping his hands in an almost childish manner. “Lord Recluse doesn’t take tea!” he paused, allowing himself to calm down. “He prefers coffee of course.”

The door opened slowly and the butler entered with a trolley carrying tea, an assortment of sandwiches and a large Victorian sponge. The two men watched him in silence as he set the tea things down on the table and left.

“And his Lieutenants?” asked the Librarian pouring a cup of tea out for the Arbiter. “They are well? Ghost Widow? Scirroco?”

“Mako is in good form,” replied Daos with only a touch of syrup in his voice. Mako was a monster. A true psychopath. There were rumours there was a certain amount of friction between him and the gentle cheerful man in front of him although the details were a little sketchy. Knowing what he knew about both men, it wouldn’t surprise Daos if the Librarian had just been a bit too cheerful with Mako. That sort of thing wound him up terribly.

The comment about Mako was not lost on the Librarian but he barely reacted. “Such an... angry young man,” he said choosing his words carefully. “One does hope that he will one day find his own inner peace. Do you know what I think?”

“No,” replied Daos. This should be interesting.

“I think that the worst thing Captain Mako could have done for himself was kill Scrapyard all those years ago. The two were practically each other’s Yin and Yang. Oh I appreciate Captain Mako did what had to be done at the time and no one could blame him for that but I have often wonder if the moment of satisfaction of him killing his arch-nemesis has left him feeling.... well.... hollow. Sandwich?”

The insight was unusual but not one that Daos had not heard before. He had several of Arachnos Psychiatrics conduct indepth studies into the minds of all of Lord Recluses’ lieutenants and that was one theory about Mako that had been offered up by them. He wondered if the Librarian, who had access to more books than he could imagine had conducted a similar private endeavour but in the end he decided not to comment and, instead, selected a sandwich. He bit into it and took a mouthful of tea to wash it down. He had to admit it was rather good and he could not remember if he had eaten at all that day. He suddenly remembered how hungry he was and, despite himself, he was actually enjoying the company of this overly cheerful gossipy man.

“Ghost Widow of course cannot take tea with me,” he continued happy to have someone to talk to. “But she is so gracious in her dealings. She actually allows me to conduct my little tea making ceremony when she is here and lets me ramble on even though she cannot properly participate. She is a true lady you know? Is it true she was a Fortuna before her death?”

“Before and during her death.”

“Ahh yes, one hears rumours you know. Quite a sad story I understand. Especially for her bodyguard. Wretch isn’t it? His sister sometimes drops by you know asking if I would look into various rituals that could restore him to his former self. Such a pleasant girl. Have you met her? I suppose not. People generally don’t socialise with Arbiters do they?”

“Not if they can help it,” said Daos with a cruel smile on his face.

“Must be such a difficult life for you. But rewarding no doubt,” he paused to top up the Daos’ tea cup. “I said the same to Black Scorpion when he last visited. He sat in that chair like you and we had a pleasant little gossip about the world in general.”

Daos nearly burst out laughing. It was difficult enough to imagine Black Scorpion in his huge armoured suit getting through the doorway of the room let alone sitting in the delicate and threadbare chair. And as for him sipping tea from a dainty china cup and saucer. Well, the idea was just to hysterical to ignore. He must remember that story next time Scorpion oversteps the mark.

“He likes herbal tea,” said the Librarian almost half to himself. “Camomile or mint. Soothing on the stomach I understand.”

“I will remember that at Christmas,” said Daos with a wry smile on his face attempting to hold back the laughter. The irony was completely lost on the Librarian. To save embarrassment he helped himself to another sandwich. “Why was he here?” he asked.

“My Dear Arbiter Daos, I couldn’t possibly divulge that. Not even to an Arbiter. I don’t have many rules of business but one is complete confidentiality. And payment of course.” He took a sip of tea and picked out a second sandwich.

Daos knew there was little point in insisting. It was true that as an Arbiter, he could have the man hauled off to Grandville, interrogated to within an inch of his life and pretty soon he would have a complete list of his clients and what he researched for them. This would in turn lead to many arrests and more torture, numerous plots would be foiled and Lord Recluse would be quite happy. The Librarian himself would be put to a quick death and no one would say anything.

Except, it was not always that simple.

Here was a man who was far more useful alive than dead. His work was invaluable. You needed research doing and if you had the money (and Arachnos always had money) you would ask him what you needed to know and he would shuffle off to his collection of many rare books and tomes and within a few weeks or even a few days you would have an answer. His research was always reliable and always correct. There was many an occasion when his work had made Arachnos and particularly Lord Recluse, extremely happy.

And that was the point, it was better to have Lord Recluse extremely happy all of the time than only quite happy on one occasion. Still, better at least let him know that he is not untouchable. “We know you do work for the Longbow,” he said running a finger round the rim of his tea cup.

“I do work for anyone that can pay me Arbiter Daos,” he replied innocently. “My needs are simple but it is very difficult to make ends meet. Cost of living you know. If people find my little talents of use then it is only right that they pay me what they feel I am worth. I make no judgment nor question the morality of what is needed. I simply offer my little talents where I can.”

Arbiter Daos drained the tea from his cup. Perhaps now was the time to talk business. “That is why I have come to see you,” he said softly. The affect was amazing. The silliness and the cheerfulness immediately vanished. The Librarian put down his cup and leaned forward.

“Go on,” he said.

“You have heard of the Destined Ones?” he asked.

“Of course,” replied the Librarian, a little of the silliness returning. “Such an interesting collection of people. I have, of course, met a few of them. Normally if they are working with the Mu or Circle of Thorns. In fact Magus Mu’Dhraken sent one of them over to me just the other day to collect some information I had been gathering for him. I believe she was a metahuman. Some are a little on the crude side and would rather go out and indulge in terrible violence than take tea but others are a little more generous with their time. Nevertheless, they are all likeable in their own way.“

“Yes, we had noticed that some had come your way,” said Daos. “Lord Recluse anticipates that more will cross your path over the course of the next few months and not just carrying out errands for the various so called movers and shakers of the Rogue isles. Many will have their own projects. Some of these projects will be dangerous. Some may even threaten Lord Recluse himself.”

“I see,” the Librarian looked uncomfortable.

“No,” said Daos comfortable with the fact that he was finally in control of the situation. “I don’t think you do. I am here at the behest of Lord Recluse to tell you that should any of these people come to you with such a request that you do your job and give them as much help as you possibly can. Send the bill to me personally and, in fact, double your charges. It will be paid.”

“Goodness. Such generosity by Arachnos.”

“Indeed. There is however one small point.”

“Do tell.”

“It is only a small matter but when you send your bill if you could perhaps put brief synopsis of what research you did for such people in with it we would consider that most helpful.”

The Librarian sat back in his chair, his fingers arched at his lips deep in thought. “What of any other little commissions I may receive.”

“We have no interest in them,” said Daos with a wave of his hand. A lie. In fact Arachnos would give him all the tea in China for to have him in their pocket but some things are just not for sale. But maybe they can be rented. “I assure you,” he added. “Most of these people will have no way of paying you for work. If you carry out their jobs they get to progress their careers, Arachnos gets to keep tabs on them and you get regular payment. It is a win win situation.”

“Hmmm...” the Librarian appeared to be thinking. The pause seemed to last a lifetime. Eventually he spoke. “Pheasant!” he exclaimed.

“I beg your pardon.”

“I have not had pheasant in such a long time. They were once native to Cap au Diable until the Circle of Thorns moved in and those uncouth Cold Demons started walking round the woods. It is so expensive to import now and when you do it is hardly fresh. Your little commission will allow me to buy a fresh pheasant once in a while. I should enjoy that.”

“Is that an acceptance then?” asked Daos growing impatient.

“Indeed!” said the Librarian. Both men stood up and shook hands warmly and Daos left the room unceremoniously. The Librarian sat down and helped himself to a third cup of tea and he sipped it with a smile on his face.

The butler entered the room. “Shall I clear away the tea things Sir,” he asked.

“Oh goodness me no,” came the reply. “But do freshen the pot Maitland. Sister Psyche will be here in a moment and no doubt will have a commission for me. She does so enjoy her tea and chats with me

THE END - FOR NOW!

I enjoyed reading this. It’s well written and the story, as a start to something bigger, kept me wanting to know more. I particularly liked some of the characterisation of the Librarian.

"Oh goodness me no!" laughed the man clapping his hands in an almost childish manner. "Lord Recluse doesn't take tea!" he paused, allowing himself to calm down. "He prefers coffee of course." Was obvious, but well done and made me chuckle, as was, Oh I appreciate Captain Mako did what had to be done at the time and no one could blame him for that but I have often wonder if the moment of satisfaction of him killing his arch-nemesis has left him feeling.... well.... hollow. Sandwich?". I also liked The two men watched him in silence as he set the tea things down on the table and left. which captured wonderfully that moment when you visit someone on business in their home and coffee and biscuits are set-up which always interrupt the conversation and leave you (well certainly me) with nothing to say for a minute and nowhere to look.

On a plot note, I was unsure how the Librarian would explain to those Destined Ones who came for information, that Arachnos was paying. Would this not raise suspicions? It’s probably an easy bit to get around and maybe my lack of knowledge of the background to the game world is showing, but it might be worth a quick line or two.

Also, there is the end of the first chapter. It doesn’t seem to have anything to make someone read on. Not that I would encourage the kind of cliff hangers Dan Brown managers (that’s far too much over egging of an already mass produced, plastic wrapped, cake in my opinion), but it might be worth adjusting things slightly. It really depends how you want to present the story as a whole.

Some small things I was a bit unsure of:

It was still raining and the driver was leaning up against the Limosine enjoying a cigarette. Was the driver really get soaked or did he have an umbrella or was smoke coming out of the car window?

Earl Grey isn't it? Personally I think the world should be rid of Earl Gray, it’s not a nice tea and there is far better out there however, you might want to have The Librarian suggest something else to the Arbiter such as Assam (which is a far better tea anyway imho ), maybe saying something such as “I know you usual take Earl Grey, but I thought you might enjoy Assam instead, a much less aggressive flavour.” just to highlight the former’s greater knowledge.

… Lord Recluse extremely happy all of the time than only quite happy on one occasion. Shouldn’t extremely and quite be swapped around?

It’s generally edited well. There are a few repetitions of words too close to each other (He didn't know men still carried them. He didn't reply but smiled …) and a couple of grammatical bits I think should be altered (But the Limosine … & But this house … I don’t think should be used at the start of sentences).

Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to more. As ever, if my comments don’t make sense, by all means PM me.

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I enjoyed reading this. It’s well written and the story, as a start to something bigger, kept me wanting to know more. I particularly liked some of the characterisation of the Librarian.

....

Also, there is the end of the first chapter. It doesn’t seem to have anything to make someone read on. Not that I would encourage the kind of cliff hangers Dan Brown managers (that’s far too much over egging of an already mass produced, plastic wrapped, cake in my opinion), but it might be worth adjusting things slightly. It really depends how you want to present the story as a whole.


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Oh I actually hadnt thought of developing the story further. It was just one of those things that popped into my head and I thought I would write it down. Thats why it came to an abrupt ending (I actually am not happy with the ending myself and think it needs work).

Your feedback was really appreciated Leigh and very helpful and as a result I will keep writing - I just don't know whether I will be developing these characters or starting something new (I already have another idea).

Thanks again