Colby stared up at the window four levels above the ground.
It's certainly a long ways up, he thought, swallowing hard.
He reached out and touched the old worn stones.
Plenty of handholds at least.
He hesitated, trying to gather courage when he heard the sound of the groundskeeper making one of his irregular patrols. The fear of being discovered galvanized him into action. Reaching up as far as he could, he dug his fingers into a couple of the many crannies and heaved himself upward. He managed to get to the second window up when the groundskeeper rounded the corner.
Colby froze as the groundskeeper stopped right under him and peered out into the dark. Apparently he had heard some small noise. Colby remained motionless, trying hard not to make a sound.
Thankfully the groundskeeper didn't think to look up at the wall. He gave a little shrug and soon disappeared around the other corner.
Colby let out the breath he'd been holding.
That sure was close. He didn't waste any time in shimmying up the rest of the wall.
Cautiously he peered over the edge of the windowsill. He sighed with relief when no one was in the room. He crawled in and squinted about in the musty darkness. The book lay on Professor Buvim's desk.
He stared anxiously towards the door as he crept to the desk.
If someone should come in now... He forced the thought from his mind.
Finally at the desk he gazed down at the book. He traced his fingers over the intricate detailing of the cover. He took a deep breath and opened it to the first page.
Thwump! Something landed on the desk. Colby yelled in shock and fell over backwards.
Two yellow eyes shone out from the darkness. "And just what do you think you're doing, young man?"
Colby blinked as candlelight illuminated the room. Halver sat on the desk with a smirk across his feline features. "Tsk, tsk, master Colby. Sneaking about in the dark, being somewhere you shouldn't, looking at something that's private... That's not going to go over well with the professor."
"Oh please, Halver, don't..." Colby cut off his plea and bit his lip.
The wildcat raised his eyebrow. "Now, now, master Colby, you know I have an obligation to inform the professor what his students are up to. There's no putting it off." He jumped off the desk and sauntered over to the door. "Come along now, I'm sure Buvim is still up and about."
Colby glanced at the window. He looked back at Halver, who met his gaze knowingly. "I wouldn't try that if I were you."
With a sigh, Colby got up, walked over to the door, and followed Halver out. As he followed him up a flight of stairs, he berated himself.
Now you're really in the soup. Who talked you into this anyway?
Lydie. It was always Lydie. Picking on him, belittling him, tormenting him. She'd picked on him today, taunting him about his ignorance of his family. Then a change came over her.
"I heard Professor Buvim say that he remembers your parents from long ago." She'd placed her hand on his arm with big, earnest eyes. "If you want to find out about them, you'll have to look in his journal. I saw it in his office once. I overheard him say to Instructor Gircan that he had written something about them in there."
He remembered her sly smile when he asked. "How am I going to get a look at his private journal?"
And her answer. "Why, sneak in at night of course."
Colby grimaced at the memory. She'd said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. When he'd mentioned the danger of getting caught, she'd shrugged and as she walked away said over her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle it. It's the only thing you're good at after all."
"Here we are." Colby looked up in surprise as Halver's voice interrupted his thoughts. They'd reached Professor Buvim's rooms.
Halver scratched at the door. The professor's voice sounded muffled as he called out, "Coming." Halver scratched harder.
"I said I'm coming! Have a little patience you mangy animal! Land sakes, you'd think one would give an old man enough time to put on his robe..."
Professor Buvim's voice trailed off when he opened the door. He raised his eyebrows. "What do we have here?"
"A trespasser." Halver purred. "This young man scaled the wall and tried to take a peek at your journal. Unfortunately for him, I was just finishing my evening doze."
"I see." The professor opened the door further and stepped aside. "Why don't you come in, Colby? Thank you, Halver, I'll see you later."
Halver nodded and slipped down the hallway. The professor led the way to a set of cushions surrounding a small table. He sat down, gesturing for Colby to do the same. "Now, why were you trying to get a look at my journal? I assume you have a reasonable excuse other than some of the others daring you to?"
Colby swallowed hard and stared down at his lap. "Come now, Colby. I'm not going to bite without good reason. What were you doing in my office?"
"I wanted to find out more about my parents!" Colby bit his lip, sure that the professor would object to such an outburst.
Professor Buvim raised an eyebrow. "And why would you think I had anything about your parents in my journal?"
Colby clenched his jaw. As much as he would've like Lydie to get into trouble, he couldn't tell on her. Not without looking like a squealer.
The professor smiled. "Ah, I think I know. Young Lydie was it?"
When Colby didn't answer, the professor's smile widened. "I see. Why don't I show you what you were wanting to see?"
Colby watched in amazement as the professor left the room. The thought crossed his mind that this was his opportunity to escape, but he rejected it immediately
. I'll just get into worse trouble.
A short time elapsed before the professor returned with a small volume. He handed it to Colby. "I believe this holds the information you're looking for."
"But... this isn't the book on your desk!" Colby exclaimed.
Professor Buvim winked. "I can't just let my journal lay out in the open for anyone to sneak a peek, now can I?"
Colby hung his head. The professor squeezed his shoulder. "I'm teasing you. Look at page seventy-three."
Halver poked his head around the door. "Professor, come with me. Immediately if you please."
"Whats wrong, Halver?" The professor inquired as he started towards him.
"I'll explain on the way. Come!"
I've never seen Halver look so concerned. I wonder what's wrong? Colby wondered as the duo left.
Turning his attention back to the book in his lap, Colby took a deep breath. "What will I find?" he murmured as he carefully opened it. He gazed with surprise at his hands. He tried to stop them from shaking as he turned the pages. When he reached page seventy-three he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly opened them. The words jumped out at him from the page.
~to be continued~
