Chương 47: 047

Pain exploded through my lower half, and I folded forward with a wheeze, swiping the offending object onto the floor as Time sighed. It is likely enchanted to hold more than it appears. Yeah. No kidding. I glared at the thing like it had personally betrayed me.

"This stupid thing better be important." Bending down, I snatched it up and turned it over. A plain leather cover met my stare, no runes, no markings, no embellishments. A book. Well. That explained the weight. Grumbling, I flipped it open and was immediately greeted by page after page of sweeping, looping symbols that looked like an argument between a spider and an inkwell. You wouldn't happen to know what this says, would you? Time's tone sharpened with interest.

Some of it is written in the First Language, the oldest known tongue. However, many of the words are unfamiliar even to me. It may be a new dialect, or a cipher the king devised to protect his writings. Given time, I could decipher it. He hesitated before adding, It bears a striking resemblance to the journal I discovered in the desolate future. That one was largely destroyed, but what remained had already been translated. If this is the same work… it may contain invaluable information. Great.

The journal joined the growing pile on the desk. I turned my attention back to the bag. Holding it carefully upright this time, I slid my hand inside. Then my forearm. Then my shoulder. Still no bottom. Given its former owner, it is reasonable to assume this is an enchanted bag of infinite space, Time explained. To retrieve an item, you must either know what you are seeking, or invert the bag and release its contents. My irritation dissolved into fascination.

Keeping the opening well away from any sensitive regions, I cautiously tipped the bag upside down. And immediately scrambled backward as a fox spilled out onto the floor.

"What in the fresh hell-?" Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The fox rose smoothly to its feet. Its sleek black fur gleamed like polished silk, catching the light as it turned wide brown eyes on me. Long ears twitched, each tipped with glowing rings of light. More rings shimmered around its paws, and when I glanced at its tails– plural –they bore the same ethereal adornments. For a long, taut moment, we stared at one another.

Tiny teeth bared as the fox crouched, fear radiating from its tense frame. Then its eyes ignited with an eerie blue glow. I raised both hands instantly.

"Hey! Easy! I'm not the prick who stuffed you in there, don't attack me!" The glow flickered… then faded. The fox tilted its head, studying me with unnerving intensity. I blinked.

"I'm sorry, is the magical night fox analyzing me?" Time cut in, faintly amused. It would seem so. The creature appears young, likely a recent creation of Nature's. It was not meant to leave its home. I cannot fathom how Silas managed to steal it, but Nature would be most grateful for its return. My voice softened.

"Hey… easy, little guy." I crouched slowly.

"I don't know what that asshole did to you, but I'm not him. I killed Silas. He can't hurt you anymore." The fox hesitated, then crept closer, sniffing the air around me. I stayed perfectly still, letting it investigate. Most of Nature's creations understand spoken language, Time murmured. Even at a young age. Keep your words simple, it is much like speaking to a small child. He paused, his tone darkening. A child who should not be this far from home. The realization hit like a dull ache.

"Hey," I said gently, meeting its gaze.

"You were taken from home, weren't you?" The fox's ears snapped upright, and it let out a small, sharp yip. I took that as confirmation.

"Well," I said, extending a hand, "if you want, I'll take you back. I've got a few things to finish first, but after that, I'll bring you to Nature. I promise." The change was instant. The fox spun in tight, excited circles, yipping happily before launching itself at me. I barely caught it as it bounced into my lap, a whirlwind of energy and warmth.

"Alright, alright," I laughed.

"Easy. Let's not get you hurt." It stilled reluctantly, tails swishing with pent-up excitement. When I stood, it clambered up my arm and settled around my shoulders, its warm body draped along my neck like a living scarf. The glowing rings weren't solid, but whenever they brushed my skin, a faint, tingling sensation followed. Ignoring the odd feeling, I reached for the bag. The fox tensed but didn't flee as I began stuffing the papers and scrolls inside.

Once everything but the journal was packed away, I asked inwardly, Do I need to worry about things getting crushed in there, or can I just toss stuff in? Time answered immediately. Kings can afford superior enchantments. If this is a true infinite-space bag, its magic will preserve its contents. If you wish to test it, gather everything you want and see if it fits. My gaze drifted to the towering shelves lining the walls, dozens upon dozens of books, stretching from floor to ceiling.

Excitement surged through me like lightning, and I grinned. Challenge accepted.