Chapter 4: Books and Crannies
After some time, Hyldie found where she was looking for- a small, old fashioned-looking shop, with a sign hanging over the door that read, “Books and Crannies”.
Another sign in the window read:
OSCAR N. RETEEP
Proprietor/Bookseller/Intellectual/Appreciator of the Neat, Strange, and/or Yummy
As Hyldie arrived, the owner himself was in the window, putting books on their shelves. When he saw her, he waved. Hyldie smiled and waved back.
Hyldie opened the door, and was greeted by the smell of new and old books, dust, and pipe smoke. The bookshelves were filled with books, as well as other odds and ends. Candles, skulls of various kinds, and other curiosities littered the shelves. She had just stopped to admire what seemed to be a preserved gunkee head, when she heard a familiar voice behind her:
“In the words of Ingrid Jingleburger, ‘It’s good to see you, Hyldie! How are you and your father?’”
“Hyldie turned around and beheld Mr. Reteep smiling at her kindly. “Hello, Mr. Reteep,” she said. “We’re doing very well, thank you. How about yourself?” she added.
“Never better, never better! I just obtained an exquisite crate from the royal library of Torrborro. They didn’t want it, so of course I had to take it. Unfortunately, they seem to all be about cats,” he cleared his throat, “Nonetheless, I plan to read them all today.”
He noticed that Hyldie’s eyes had lit up at the word ‘cats’ and hastily added, “Of course, they’ll be available to buy as soon as I read them. Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
Hyldie thought for a moment. “Come to think of it,” she said, “I was wondering if you have Volume 8 of Pembrick’s Creaturepedia. You see, I already have volumes 1 through 7…”
“Indeed!” Oscar jiggled. “Why, you’re in luck! I just had a shipment of those come in last week. Follow me.”
He led Hyldie through a maze of passages, and finally to a bookshelf labeled “Pembrick”.
“Here they are,” he said, motioning to a section of books. “I believe you will find volumes 9 and 10 there as well.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reteep!”
“Any time, my dear, any time!” The round man smiled at her. “When you’re done browsing, let me know, and I’ll check you out at the desk.”
After much consideration, Hyldie decided to select volumes 8 and 9. She wanted badly to buy all three, but because of the amount of money she had brought, she had to be content with two.
As she made her way to the front desk (which was easier said than done) she saw that Oscar was talking to someone. It must have been an intense conversation, for the man’s thick eyebrows were drawn down far over his eyes. He was a tall, elderly man, but the first thing Hyldie noticed was his wooden pegleg, which he wore where his right calf should have been. When he saw Hyldie approach, he nodded politely, and turned to leave.
As he disappeared through the door, Hyldie asked, “Who is that? I don’t remember seeing him in Glipwood.”
Oscar cleared his throat. “Oh, him? That’s Podo Helmer. He just moved in from Dugtown with his daughter and grandchildren.”
“That’s nice,” Hyldie remarked. “I don’t think that anyone has moved to Glipwood for some time.”
Oscar avoided her eyes. “No, lass. Are those the books you’re checking out?”
“Yes, sir.” Hyldie handed him the books. Evidently, the man was uncomfortable talking about this subject, so she decided to change topics. “What do you think about what happened, Mr. Reteep? To Anniera?”
“Ah, that’s all people ever talk about today, isn’t it?” Oscar’s eyes unfocused for a moment, then looked back at Hyldie. “If you want my opinion, lass, it’s that Skree had better be prepared. Our king’s army has never had much military might, but I believe that it would serve us well to be ready. These are changing times, lass.”
“But Mr. Reteep,” Hyldie said, “Surely, we’re too far away for us to be in any danger? Anniera is miles across the sea.”
“Aye, lass. But as I said, these are changing times. We thought that Anniera would never fall, and it did. It brings great sadness to those even on our end of the sea. My thought is that it never hurts to be ready.”
He handed Hyldie her books. “It was good to see you, lass. Tell your father I said hello.”
“I will, Mr. Reteep. Thank you.”
As Hyldie left, she felt a seed of doubt forming in her mind.
Could anything really be possible? Why would these creatures even want Skree?
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This chapter seems a little farfetched, I know, but I couldn't help but have Podo walk into the bookstore. If this were a real book, I would probably remove this chapter because it seems repititious and doesn't really get the story anywhere. What do you guys think?
This was fun! I think having Podo in the scene helps tie in your story better actually! If he was in it too much it would probably distract from your character’s story but like this it’s perfect! 👍
Interesting! It's a bit hard to believe that people could forget Anniera existed after only nine years, but I guess that's an Andrew Peterson plot hole, huh?
I love that you had Podo in the bookstore! He and the rest of the family must have just arrived from the Phoob islands and he needed to talk to the one person in Glipwood he could absolutely trust! And Oskar had an excellent story about them coming from Dugtown! That would make sense since Podo grew up in Glipwood but hadn't been there in years. And if the Igibys are there, the fangs can't be far behind! A few months, perhaps? Maybe?
I loved this!! I always enjoy chapters like these honestly, they add life to the story!
I love this story!! Great chapter!
Now the Wingfeather family enters.
At least she was able to get one more book than she would've initially.