Deep Desert Travel: We Come Bearing Gifts

I climbed up the rope to ascend the building quickly, tugging the rope to let the next man in line know everything was safe inside and then descended down the innards to find myself inside what was indeed the best put together library in existence. Surrounded by books for what felt like miles in every direction I truly was in paradise. But, I had grown up to stories of this magical place and knew that there was an all knowing librarian who had read every page in this place and was highly protective of it. Normally this guardian was peaceful but he would require a tribute of knowledge to enter, the worst part though was not knowing where this guardian was, it was unsettling to say the least.

Takeru pulled himself up the rope, his boots thudding against the side of the building as he entered through after Shitai, he waved Neo up behind him as he turned to behold the spectacle before him. Books. Books and scrolls covered every wall and rows of bookcases stretched off into the distance, there hardly seemed to be an end to it, and it extended many floors below it seemed. The place was truly wondrous, and undoubtedly filled with the knowledge of a thousand lifetimes. Takeru put a hand on the 'Essays' in his pocket, the tome had given him so much, and led him here, yet it paled in comparison to the trove found here.

Neo watched as the two clammbered up the side of the large tower and enter, grabbing the rope and now being signaled he could proceed up he started to climb. It didn't take long before Neo made it up and into the tower. Landing on the ground he marveled at the sight around him, not only was this place huge but the sheer fact that almost all the knowledge in the world was here was truly amazing, never had Neo expected to even come remotely close to a place such as this but now here he was. Even with him standing in awe of the sight before him he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.

From the shadows cast by several book cases on the other end of a bridge in front of the trio emerged a giant owl with black feathers and a white face. He easily stood fifteen feet tall and wrapped his wings around his body like a scholar's robes. His movements were smooth and fluid as though he was floating along at an average walking pace. When he was halfway across the bridge he began speaking to the group. "Welcome seekers of knowledge, to my treasure trove of information. There are merely two things that you should know before going any further, first that I shall require a tribute of some form of new knowledge for my collection or else you will be escorted out. Refusal to leave should you not be able to contribute will result in me adding your head to my collection for study." He would look off to the left to show a wall of all sorts of mounted heads, appearing to have everything but human so far. "Secondly, that I ask you to not delve into this free gift of knowledge with malice intent. Looking into my sacred library only to look for the destruction of others is unforgivable and thus I will not allow it. In addition to this rule you are not to destroy anything within these walls, doing so will result the same as you refusing to leave. So then, the first of you there with the white hair and eye patch. Come forward and pay your tribute."

I was awe struck by this sight, the guardian Fukuro was indeed a giant spirit owl who moved and spoke more intelligently than any man ever could. He explained the rules of the library and then called for me to give tribute first. I stepped forward and thought about what it was I would be giving and then as I got close enough I knew what it had to be. From my pack I pulled out an old black leather bound book with a symbol of the Aburame clan on the front cover. I held it out to him and spoke. "This is a copy of the Aburame clan's insect encyclopedia, currently up to date with all of our knowledge of insect species in the world." If he took my tribute I would step back and stand aside for the next person to come forward.

The first to offer something was a member of the Aburame clan who offered an encyclopedia of insect knowledge. At first this was unimpressive as the library held many copies of this book already from throughout the ages but as he said it was an up to date version complete with new species my interests peaked and found this to be acceptable. My wing swept forward and over his hands, the book would disappear for me to read later before finding it a place on the shelves for storage as he stepped out of the way for the next person. My wing pointed at the older man now, "You there, elder of this group, what have you brought for me?"

It was hard to mask the surprise that crossed Takeru's face as the owl swept down out of the darkness and began conversing with them, it was hardly everyday that a mythical creature confronted you and asked for knowledge. The truth was he wasn't prepared to hand over any form of knowledge to the bird, he had not known about this condition of entry and wished he had been warned earlier. All he had in his possession was the 'Essays', a priceless treasure of forbidden knowledge that had been hunted down across the world. He looked around at the vast treasure trove of knowledge and made his choice. Reaching into his pocket he held out the book to the bird. "I offer this tome, Essays on the Bijuu, it is a priceless treasure, the only copy i know of throughout the world, knowledge that many have sought to have erased from the face of this planet. I offer it to you in the hopes you will preserve it." Takeru stood and waited, it was a heavy price to pay, especially after the trouble he had gone to obtain this particular book, and he hoped it was worth it. With that he turned on his heels and walked away, to begin his search

[exit]

The old man offered me something quite old, almost as old as me and one of the very few books not already in this giant collection. My wing reached out once more and swept away the book to be placed in his personal collection. "Wonderful, I myself have been waiting for this book for many centuries and it is good to have it grace my shelves at long last. Now then the last one, the humble Sabakukage. What can you offer this all-knowing spirit?" I was curious about this last one, while the first one was obviously a book worm and the second a mixture of many things this last man didn't seem to be one that read much which was interesting considering books were nice but the creativity of humans and what they offered often amused me enough to allow them entry.

It took most of Neo's self controll to not attack the giant owl on sight when it first appeared. Upon further knowledge it seemed that this giant owl was the guardian of this information. Neo watched as the owl collected tributes from the rest of his companions and then it came to him. Neo wasn't particularly sure what to give but after some searching he found something that may have been enough for the guardian of knowledge. Pulling out a small note book he would hold it out for it to take "this is some if not all of the research me and my clan have put together on every metallic substance we could get our hands on, it isn't complete mind you but still...". The small note book had just about all one needed to know about anything that was metal and a little more added, weaknesses, defensive capabilities, base potential, and things of that nature Neo could only hope this was enough to please the spirit.

While not as impressive as the essays of the elder this notebook concerning metallic substances assembled by the most knowledgeable clan on such a subject could make for quite the interesting read so it was acceptable. My wing would one last time swoop over a person's hand and store away the final piece of knowledge. "A fine addition to the collection, it would seem each of you had something worthy of entry so you may enter and stay as long as you like. Just remember the rules of the library and you shouldn't see me again, for now that means farewell but should we see each other once more be prepared to feel the wrath of a spirit guardian." I would step up on the railing of the bridge we stood on and opened my nearly thirty foot wingspan and flew down into the deepest depths of the library to begin delving into this new knowledge.

[exit]

I was amazed, watching the owl as he flew down like a hawk into his personal chambers far out of human reach before turning back to the group. "Well guys it looks like we are free to do as we please. If only we had remembered to bring some kind of food." As I said this several foxes came out holding plates of food on their backs. Amazed I once more looked to the kage. "Um, well I guess food and water shouldnt be a problem so long as we ask for it. Im thinking that we should stay long enough to research whatever we want, I have no idea what that is yet so in order for all of us to discover this new opportunity I say we split up and meet back here in a week. I'll have one of these foxes tell Takeru for us since he seemed to be in a hurry, see you in a week." I would wave to them as I turned and walked towards a set of spiral stairs that led downwards into several different locations within the library to start looking for what I needed to learn.

[exit]

The spirit seemed satisfied with all of their tributes and made it's departure, looking around Neo noticed that Takeru had already took his leave as well. Neo watched as the foxes brought Shitai food and something to drink as well upon his call, helpful little fellas indeed. With everything now sorted out everyone now headed their own ways researching on whatever it was that they wanted and to meet up here in about a weeks time. Shitai had set off one way and Neo would set off in another, he wasn't sure what he was particularly after at the time but he was sure something would come to mind as he went through the giant collection of books and secrets "see ya in a week".

[Exit/Topic end]