I missed the hustle and bustle of the cafe. When I compared that rush to one or two customers a day in the shop, my job seemed slow. Yet, I reminded myself it was okay for the day to be slow. This wasn't like a normal job where I'd be getting a six-month review. These days may be slow, but they were accomplishing important things.

The Cat napped on the counter while Indigo listened to a story on her MP3 player. I knew she hoped a dragon would show up for lessons, but the Cat had said it might take a few days. That made me wonder if he was in contact with them somehow, even though it shouldn't be possible from what I could gather.

For now, I sipped on my warm tea and worked on the crossword puzzle in front of me. The shop was open, but so far no one had arrived. The Cat reassured me once already that we would have a customer, and that timing wasn't always perfect.

Books were piled everywhere today. The normal bookshelves were around the back wall, plus an additional row. Toward the left of the room were even more shelves than usual. The table in the center also had random stacks of books. It was a bit disorganized, more random than usual, and it made me twitch a little, but I had to trust that Betty knew what she was doing.

At first, I'd wanted to see what I could find, but then I noticed the dust. It covered everything, and it bothered me. No matter where I looked beyond the counter, there it was. I didn't know how Betty could handle it.

Indigo hadn't even gone to her hideaway today. Instead, she was behind the counter in a tiny cat bed I'd found her. The Cat had said it was good enough, as long as she didn't come out when the customer was here.

Right now she was in her own world, listening to dragon stories, her tail flicking lazily.

My fingers tapped on the counter, and I wished whomever this was would hurry.

It took another hour before they showed up, right as I had decided to go prep lunch. Suddenly, the door opened and the bells rang. The Cat snapped to attention faster than I'd ever seen. It put me on edge.

I checked to make sure Indigo was in her own zone, and she was.

In walked a crocodile. Not really a crocodile, but the being definitely reminded me of one. It stood upright and wore a loincloth around its midsection. It had a backpack made with some kind of leather on its back.

Water tried to push in behind it, but something held the liquid back at the door. The creature's tail swept along the floor behind it, leaving a trail of dampness.

"Welcome to Meow," I said, trying to figure this whole thing out.

"I've finally found it," he said. I assumed it was a he, given how masculine the voice was, but I didn't know for sure. "The temple of knowledge…" His small black eyes darted every which way, not landing on one spot for more than a few seconds. "The elder was correct."

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Cat, what's going on?" I asked in a whisper.

"Let him have his moment."

That caused me to stare at the Cat, wide eyed.

"This is the place where I can learn words, correct?" asked the crocodile.

Everything in me snapped to attention. "We have books, yes." This crocodile wanted to learn how to read? All of my concerns vanished. "What are you looking for?"

The crocodile suddenly moved quickly toward the counter, and I wanted to step back, but I resisted. Just because they looked strange didn't mean I should be scared.

He pulled his backpack off and pulled out several books. They all looked like they were primers to learn how to read. "I've made it through these, but I need more. I think I have the basics down, but I want to be a sage, and the elders agreed! No more hunting! Just learning and guiding the tribe. But I had to find this place, I have to learn first."

"Tell him to look at the stack on the main table, the big green book at the top," said the Cat.

I motioned behind him. "My friend says what you are looking for is on the table. Start with the large green book."

The crocodile turned around and carefully picked up the first book. Dust rose into the air and I ignored it. He then flipped through the pages, carefully keeping his claws from tearing the pages. His small eyes glowed with pleasure. "This is all about my kind, stories of us! Of our kin, ones who have left and changed!"

He picked up the next book and flipped through it as well, then the next one.

"I don't know if I can pay the price for this knowledge," he said sadly, as he turned back to the counter.

I glared at the Cat. If there wasn't a way to get his guy these books, I'd be pissed.

"The stones he has for payment will work," grumbled the Cat. "But make sure you ask about the gold as well."

"You have some stones, yes? Plus some gold?" I asked.

The crocodile frantically nodded and dumped his backpack out. The blackest stones I'd ever seen tumbled out, followed by clumps of gold the size of my fist. "Are you sure? We can't do much with these, but we trade them to outsiders and they seem like them."

"Okay, we don't need all of that," said the Cat. "Maybe half, but make sure he takes at least five books."

I separated out the black rocks and the gold into two piles, then pushed half back. "Take those three books, plus two more. We will take these stones."

His eyes grew wide as he twisted back to grab two more books. "You are generous with me! I thank the forest spirits!"

Eventually, I got him to put the leftover stone back into his bag, and the books as well.

"I will not forget the temple of knowledge!"

I waved as he headed out the door, then stared at the gold. "How much gold is this?"

"You'd be rich on your planet. The black stones are Black Opal, used in jewelry, but more valuable when used in magic." The Cat nudged one. "You better put them in storage."

"Hey Betty…" I asked, and the stones sank into the counter, along with the gold.

"You're getting good at that."

I shrugged. "I appreciate Betty and her skills. She is an amazing partner." I nudged the Cat. "Just like you."

The Cat blinked a few times in surprise.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.