“Yes,” replied Malachi. “Knowledge Is a Light, Lenora. Throughout history that light has at times burned very dimly, and nearly even gone out, while in other times it has blazed up gloriously. Beings like the one you just met—they seek to extinguish that light.”

“But whyever would anyone want that?” asked Lenora.

“The Forces of Darkness wish to control people, and it is ever knowledge that prevents them from doing so,” said Malachi. “They can only rule where there is ignorance, they can only create fear where the truth has been hidden, they can only gain power when the light has been snuffed out. Librarians are their greatest enemy, and we have fought them throughout time, and always will fight them as long as that light burns anywhere, no matter how weakly. When I was a young girl very much like yourself, I vowed to dedicate my life to fighting the Forces of Darkness wherever I might find them. And so I have.”

“And so shall I!” declared Lenora.

“It is a solemn vow, Lenora,” said Malachi, “and not one to be taken lightly. Few have what it takes to fight this battle. But I believe you can do it.”

Malachi rose to her feet, and she and Lenora shook hands solemnly, Lenora on her tiptoes and the Chief Answerer bending down.

“I know we’ll always win if you’re there,” said Lenora.

“I’m afraid that will not be the case,” said Malachi gravely. “Sometimes we will win—as we did just now—and sometimes we will lose. I once fought them at a library in Alexandria and lost. And then again at a library in Baghdad, and I lost there, too.”

Lenora remembered the tall, thin girl with her arms full of scrolls, running from the archers. “I think I saw you there.”

“Yes,” said Malachi. “But never fear—there have been victories as well.”

There was silence as both of them pondered the many battles ahead. And Lenora remembered how, when the darkness had come, she glowed.

Finally, Lenora spoke. “Someday I want to be just like you.”

Malachi smiled, a smile that was proud and perhaps sad, also. “If you put your mind to it, you will, Lenora. Someday. And congratulations,” she said, pointing a sharp finger at Lenora’s badge, “you are an assistant no longer.”

For the badge now read:

LENORA

FOURTH APPRENTICE LIBRARIAN

OFFICIAL COURT LIBRARIAN OF THE KINGDOM OF STARPOINT SEVENTEEN

HONORARY QUEEN OF THE PENGUINS

MOOSE PIONEER

MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF THE FORCES OF TRUTH AND LIGHT, WHO HAS FACED THE FORCES OF LIES AND DARKNESS AND PREVAILED

Lenora could not help but beam proudly.

“I must warn you,” Malachi continued, “while it is very good to solve problems yourself, you should also not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.”

Lenora flushed. “I should have told you about the people in bowler hats.”