Chapter 36
Summary
- In chapter 36 of "Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes" by Juvenal, the protagonist, Livira, is thrown through a portal and lands in an ominous environment, with an assistant who appears to be possessed.
- An entity known as the Escape appears to have taken over the assistant. The assistant ominously tells Livira that she has "written herself in" - suggesting that she is fully under the control of the Escape.
- A raven aids Livira in evading the corrupted assistant. The raven seems to understand the danger they are in and leads Livira through the library chambers in an attempt to escape.
- Livira is pursued relentlessly by the corrupted assistant. Remembering that "the Escape" infected the assistant, she deduces that it is trying to kill her.
- During the pursuit, Livira uses a heavy ladder to block the assistant's path and allow her to extend her lead. However, the assistant begins to methodically toss books and climb the shelves.
- Out of options, Livira rotates the ladder vertically, causing it to slip out of the assistant's reach. The assistant appears determined to capture her, warning her that someone named Jaspeth is after her.
- Jaspeth, as Livira recalls, is a book thief, arsonist, and enemy of knowledge from a children's story about the foundation of the library.
- Using the ladder as a bridge, Livira with the Raven in her arms, manages to escape to another chamber. She finds relief when the door refuses the assistant, seemingly due to the corruption within it.
- After her escape, Livira thanks the Raven for its help and leaves. She recalls her past adventures and decides to document her experiences in a series of books. She faces the danger of being discovered by the librarians, who disapprove of fiction and would likely banish her for stealing and writing on parchments.
- Livira concludes the chapter with her musings about storytelling and shaping reality, and her intention to write about herself and Evar in her future narratives.