2 The reading Room

If you missed chapter one, click here

“What’s up” Queried Ruby?

“Come quick Ruby” bellowed Tom “come and see what I found” Ruby ran up to see what Tom had found, Tom pushed open the big oak door even wider and took a couple of steps inside, the room was very large and round, and very high, In the centre of the huge room stood a rounded dark oak table, its four legs were elaborately carved with the faces of animals, ships and trains.

The only light came from the stain glass windows in the ceiling where it shone to light up the table in the centre of the room, the room was full of books, wall to wall, there must have been thousands of books, books of all shapes and sizes, all set on five levels, connected by five ornate metal stairways.

 ”Gosh” Said Ruby “It’s a library”

“Yes” said Tom “And a jolly big one at that, come on Ruby let’s have a look” The two children started to climb the first flight of steps to the first of the five levels, “I’ll race you” said Tom “You go this way and I will go the other, and the first to get back here is the winner” off they ran, Ruby screamed with excitement her voice echoed around the room and this just encouraged both of them to shout out even more.

Up they went to the next level and the next till they were both standing right at the top,

“Wow” shouted Ruby “Look how high we are Tom”

Looking down they could see the table in the centre of the room the late autumn sunlight shone right onto it and reflected off of something on it “What’s the on the table” asked Tom?

“I don’t know” said Ruby “I never looked on the table”

“Come on I’ll race you down” said Tom, and down the two of them ran, round to the next stair then down again to the next level until they finally reached the bottom Tom reach the table first and there on the table was a wooden box carved in the same manner as the table Tom opened the box, inside was a key, a gold ring, the ring had a large strange looking stone.

“I wonder if it’s real Tom. And look there’s a scroll, its in funny writing, read it to me Tom” 

“Calm down Ruby you get far too excited; now let me see what it says”

Tom read the words 

“Wear this ring, and on the word ‘HOME’ you and all you hold, no more will roam”

“Wow” said Tom “It must be a magic ring” and with that Tom slipped the ring onto his finger “We had better get back Ruby it’s getting late, not a word to Mum and Dad this is our secret, and tomorrow we can look around some more”