The Melancholy Imp

Linala sat down in a dusty chair and gathered her nerve to speak to the Diviner. "Here...here's the package from Forsyth," she stammered, unwrapping it from her apron's pocket. "I would have been here sooner, but I had to chaperone that helper of yours to the laundry."

"Leave it on the other chair next to you." He slammed the book closed with a puff of dust and climbed back up the ladder to return it to the bookcase. He took his time coming down again, and appeared to be somewhat distracted. Linala waited patiently, arranging her skirts. Finally, he jumped off the last rung of the ladder, his feet crashing onto the floor. "Oh, you're still here, I see."

"Well, yes...I thought that I could have your professional opinion..." Linala's voice trailed off. Both of them looked to the door she had left ajar, suddenly creaking as it began moving by itself. Neffer's diminutive face peered around its edge.

"Sorry...I guess you'll have to get Gnash to oil that door again, Diviner Raight. I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"Not at all, Neffer. Come in; it's always a pleasure to see you. Linala was just seeking my advice on a matter. Linala...?"

Linala's words gagged in her throat. She couldn't ask her question now, not in front of one of the apprentices. "Oh, it was nothing, really. It can wait until you're not so busy, Diviner."

"As you wish, Linala," Raight replied, escorting her to the door.

"I think she left because of me," Neffer said sheepishly. "But I was on my way to Herbalist Ryan's shop so I thought I'd stop in and ask if you had anything you'd like me to run over there for you?"

 "Yes, I have some charts you can deliver for me please, and don't worry about Linala. Some people think that their worries are more important than other's. It's not your fault that she left in such a huff."

He shuffled up to the chair and picked up the package Linala had left for him, and then handed Neffer a roll of parchment charts. "This doesn't seem to be what I expected," he said, studying the small parcel. "I don't think it's even from Forsyth; look at this unusual string." He turned the package around and looked at the seal on the bottom.

"String's just string to me, Diviner Raight, but I did want to ask you about Gnash. I'm worried about him. He seems so lost and distracted, and quite often ignores me altogether."

"We've spoken of this before, Neffer. Gnash is getting his sight. It may be some time indeed before he feels like himself again. Nothing he can do but learn to use it now."

He patted her on her shoulder. "Now get on to your Master Ryan. The cook is going to be upset if she doesn't have her garnishes before the dinner bell!"

"But it seems more than that, Diviner. He never laughs any more, and just today he?"

"It will pass, Neffer," he assured her, dropping the small package on his desk before leading her gently towards the door. Neffer turned quickly and headed back to the desk.

"I must have dropped my list," she said, bending down to pick it up.

***

Gnash had taken only a few, less than enthusiastic strides when he was suddenly overcome with a sense of foreboding. The hallway darkened around him as if a shadow of evil had momentarily obscured the sun's welcome light. A familiar image briefly flashed into his mind, but was gone in an instant. "Neffer!" he shouted, setting off again, this time racing as fast as his little legs could carry him.

***

"Here it is," Neffer said. "I would never have been able to remember to get all of-"

The small package on the Diviner's desk exploded into a fireball, engulfing Neffer's body in an instant. A second, larger explosion ripped through the room, bringing down much of the ceiling.

Diviner Raight stood frozen in the middle of his office, a look of absolute horror on his face as the large, walnut bookcase crashed down on top of him. When the flames died away and the dust eventually settled both he and Neffer lay silent and unmoving amongst the ruins of the room.

Gnash stood weeping in the doorway, blocking the path of many curious onlookers gathering in the hallway behind him. "What have I done?" he sobbed, crumbling to his knees.