Testimony of Librarian Ania Dem and Thief Jorit LeeBefore the Commission on Knowledge and LoyaltyInterim Report
Among those questioned following the recent unrest—including several Pressmen, professors, and former students—the three-member commission found the testimony of librarian Ania Dem, lately of Far Reaches University, and her companion, the known thief Jorit Lee, by far the most confounding. The following excerpts are accurate examples of the transcript.
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Commission Chair Andol: Are you certain you understand the question?
Librarian Dem: While I understand that you wish to make a cohesive history, sirs, I won’t let you erase what does not fit. Not this time. The clock forgets nothing. Even if people are often less precise.
The three members of the commission do not react to these truculent words.
Commissioner Andol: But are you certain you remember everything correctly? Where is your proof?
Librarian Ania Dem tucks a few stray graying hairs into the braid coiled around her head. She sips her water, swallows, and adjusts her dark glasses.
Librarian Dem: Yes, we are certain this is the order of the past fortnight’s events. Of course we have evidence. We will give it to you once you tell us the Master Archivist is safe.
Several commission members (speaking at once): You are the Master Archivist, madam. There is none other. We suspect you’ve created an illusory figment in order to evade blame. If another Master Archivist exists, tell us where. And while you’re at it, locate the six missing Pressmen as well.
The librarian’s mouth purses, as if she is mildly concerned. The commission’s questions have grown repetitive.
Librarian Dem: I cannot tell you the Master Archivist’s whereabouts, but she does exist. Or did. Her name was Sonoria Vos. I don’t know the names of the six Pressmen still missing, nor their whereabouts, either. That was not our fault.
Her hands shake.
Unbidden, the thief speaks: I tell you, Sonoria Vos did exist. Does.
Commissioner Andol (ignoring the outburst): You say you followed another Master Archivist into the past, witnessed moments of the Five Kingdoms that are nowhere in the histories, nor taught in any university. How could you possibly know what you were seeing?
Librarian Dem: I have long experience with the Kingdoms’ different eras. I know what I saw.
Commissioner Andol: Of course, but how can you claim to have traveled in time? Where is your proof?
The librarian puts down her water glass. She looks up at the table of commissioners, a tear glimmering behind her glasses.
Librarian Dem: All librarians travel in time, Commissioner. Some more thoroughly than others.
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Commissioner’s note: Librarian Dem, lately of Far Reaches University, is absolutely dissembling. She and her companions are guilty of something. Given their guilt, it is a matter of debate whether their testimony should be included in the final record.