Lealta

The stack of books fits comfortably into her arms.  She hesitates for one moment before releasing it, and watches as the books sprawl awkwardly onto the growing pile.  Then she turns, and goes back for more.  Inside the library, soldiers and civilians alike cart more outside.  She knows by sight those who love the books: they are the ones who carry them as she does; like a child.  The soldiers grab books at random off the shelves and hold them, askew and unbalanced, against their uniformed chests; or gingerly and awkwardly, afraid to seem afraid to hurt them. Despite the chaos, the shelves empty quickly.  The supply of books, once seemingly