Sword and Pen (The Great Library #5)(19)

“I appreciate your congratulations and prayers, Ambassador Santiago,” Murasaki said. “Though not the presence of your fleet beyond our harbor.”

He pressed a hand to his heart and bowed slightly. Very slightly. “The Archivist understands that with the chaos, the Kingdom of Spain felt it necessary to ensure the safety of the Great Library from incursions by other, less scrupulous nations. Change is necessary, of course, but change is also a moment of weakness. We brought our nation’s strength only to ensure a peaceful transition of power.”

“How very interesting. Such a noble cause, of course,” Murasaki said. “And yet, as you see, our Great Library functions as it always has done, without pause or—as you said—chaos. Your concern is appreciated, most certainly. But I assure you that we neither need nor have requested your intervention. My sincerest thanks to your king, but I must now demand that you—and all the nation-states allied with you who stand at your side today—withdraw your warships and go in peace. I would also ask that before you go, you swear to renew the treaties your nations swore with the Great Library.”

That woke some whispers among the diplomats. One in the front of the crowd said, “Your Majesty—”

“I am not a queen,” Murasaki said. “Nor an empress. I am merely the most senior administrator. Please address me as either Scholar Murasaki or Archivist.”

“Apologies. Archivist, we aren’t authorized to renew treaties that our monarchs and governments have rejected. The criminal behavior that the Great Library has lately engaged in fully justifies this, I believe.”

“Criminal behavior,” she repeated. “I trust you are referring to the actions of our prior Archivist, who did indeed exceed the power vested in him. He should have been checked by the Curia of Scholars, except that he handpicked his allies to support him in most cases. But the Great Library itself has committed no such crimes, nor has it violated the terms of any of the treaties that have been in effect with most of your countries since the time of Julius Caesar. We have removed the offending person from his post, and I pledge to correct all the wrongs that he has done. What more can be offered?”

“Perhaps it’s time the Great Library realize that we can manage our own affairs.” The man who spoke was English, Khalila thought. Possibly Welsh. “And we can build and maintain our own libraries to fit our own needs. There’s common talk now of a machine that can print thousands of copies of a document in a day. If true, the Great Library has outlived its usefulness.”

It was a bold, shocking statement. It was also true, in some sense. It was what Wolfe had known, and Khalila had come to realize: that for the Great Library to continue, it had to change. It had to adapt.

Murasaki smiled. Smiled. “If you believe the Great Library is not useful, then I assure you, Ambassador, you have not studied nearly enough history to understand the import of what you have just declared. We will change to the needs of the world, as ever. But what we offer is not simply books on shelves. It is commonality of scholarship and knowledge. Without it, the world could easily fall into darkness and chaos, without a shared culture or understanding. And that, we will not allow. If you wish to withdraw from the Great Library’s alliance, then you may do so. You may live in your small, dark corner and light a candle and pretend it is the sun; in time, you might even believe it. I certainly cannot stop you. But I will mourn for those you drag into the darkness along with you.”

Khalila caught her breath at the elegance of that cut. The ambassador’s face reddened, but when he opened his mouth to reply, Alvaro Santiago jumped in.

“Archivist, we may discuss treaties tomorrow, if you wish to do so. But today, we are gravely concerned for the state of this city and its vulnerability to attack. None of us can afford for the Great Library to be destroyed. So we ask your permission to enter the harbor, disembark our forces, and assign them to guard your most vulnerable treasures. Clearly, the Archives must be protected at all costs.”

“All costs?” Murasaki’s eyebrows rose. “You would advocate invading our city and taking ownership of our Great Archives to protect them? No, Ambassador Santiago. I am afraid that will not happen. We will protect the Great Archives, as we have for three thousand years. And no nation’s army will set its foot on the streets of Alexandria while I draw breath.”

If the ambassador was thrown at all, he certainly didn’t show it. “I certainly did not mean to imply invasion. We only offer our help to enhance your security.”

“An Archivist who stays in power with the help of foreign armies is not an Archivist,” Murasaki said. “So I once again must decline your offer. Send your fleets home, and I will welcome you back to your establishments here within Alexandria, and we may resume normal diplomatic discussions. Refuse, and I will see your embassies permanently closed and your staffs exiled to their home countries. I trust I have made myself clear, Ambassadors.”

For once, Santiago didn’t seem to have an answer at the ready. A tall, regal woman beside him stepped forward and said, “Honored Archivist, I am Ceinwen Parry, ambassador from Wales. My king has directed that his troops assist in securing the Great Archives against any possible damage. We will never withdraw without seeing this done.”

“Lord Commander,” Murasaki said, and Santi stepped up to the foot of the steps, facing the assembled diplomats. “Instruct our guests what they may expect, should they attempt to enter this city.”