Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

(They each have separate knowledge corresponding to their designation, and the head librarians have more info than the lower ones)

"You'd have to apply with Lord Ash and have chosen a category to study and memorize," Ingrid replied, though her brow furrowed in hesitation. "I don't know why a Lord's daughter would want to become a librarian, though."

(Ahh nice, nice — I was envisioning like normal librarians and was like surely there can’t be that many people using the library to need to reshelve enough books to occupy a dozen people lol)

“Oh…” Ky hesitated. “… so… I’m not—?” Okay. Scratch that off the docket of possible career paths. “I didn’t realize. I’ve only been a Lord’s daughter for less than a month. I’m still learning what’s right and what’s not. I appreciate you letting me know.” She smiled a little, awkward.

(Oh no way, these are knowledge experts)

"I mean..." Ingrid hesitated. "There's no law against it. I'm sure it can be done and has been done. I was just curious as to why."

“Oh.” Ingrid still didn’t sound too convinced, so she was probably trying to be nice, Ky concluded. Gods knew Ky had had to lie multiple times in the past to spare the egos of nobles. Was she now one of the people that others had to do that with? Gross. “I’m just trying to figure out what I might be good at and also enjoy. I used to be a translator. But being a librarian seems more interesting.”

"A translator?" Ingrid's eyes lit up. "Oh, how wonderful! You'd be able to put those skills to good use as a librarian, I'm sure. We have two translators for each category; it's a very important part of the job."

Ky grinned at that, pleased by the thought of being able to be useful. Not that she had much choice — she was going to have to go to Rein eventually. You couldn’t just tell the king no, and she’d already run her mouth so he knew about her skills. She didn’t know how old the king thought she needed to be before she was employable, but unless he forgot by the time that many years rolled around, then there would be a summons coming for her, eventually, and she’d have to go.

But it was a nice thought, getting to be a librarian. Especially if Tomhas could use an extra one. Would that be cheating? ‘Working’ for her own father? She didn’t know. But it might be a loophole that let her stay at Caracal Keep for longer.

“I’m very glad to hear that,” Ky said with a grin. “Perhaps it could be a good fit someday.”

"Perhaps so," Ingrid agreed, though she still seemed a bit surprised that Ky wanted to be anything other than a noble. "The world can always use more librarians."

(Everyone: yer a noble, Ky
Ky: I will literally perish if someone doesn’t let me earn my keep)

Ky nodded in agreement, still smiling. “So… how long have you been working here?”

"I've been working here for nearly fifty years, now." Ingrid smiled proudly. "Came on at twenty-two and haven't left since."

Ky blinked at her, eyes wide. She’d know the kind woman was aged, but she never would have guessed she was seventy something. “That’s really neat!” She hesitated, briefly wondering how things had been different under Michael and Septimus, since she must have had to deal with them both. But, then, what was the point in sullying the mood? None at all. “Sounds like it was a good choice, then?”

"I believe so." She nodded. "It's been a struggle, sometimes...but I've seen this library survive Lords Michael, Septimus, and Michael the Second. None have cared for the library as much as Lord Gaius does. It's worth it to stay so long and have a Lord who values knowledge as much as I do."

Well, if she brought it up… “Do you know when it became so impressive, if the three of them didn’t value it?”

"Oh, many, many decades ago. The library started with Lord Venr Ash's son and it's been building and expanding ever since. There have been a few close calls, fires and the like, but we've lost surprisingly few items for how long the library has been functioning."

“That’s good.” Ky nodded. This was sheer nosiness at this point, but, “Does it affect you significantly who is Lord? Or do you mainly just stay in here unless he needs to know something in particular?”

Ingrid paused. "There are times," she said carefully, "when I have worried about the permanence of this library and its contents. But for the most part it only affected how much we were all allowed to relax when a Lord or his spouse or child came in. We all have a good relationship with Lord Gaius; he's very kind. But his brother very rarely came in here. And Lord Septimus and Lord Michael the First both required us to be immediately available, at full attention at all times."