Edification

[Duquesne]

The architect had been helpless to avoid it. As this room evolved through draft after draft, it had come to resemble a library of special quality -- Aithne's Library of Lords.

It was home to a unique collection of works and memories that turned to ash in the hellish heat that ripped the mansion apart. In the wake of that horrifying destruction, which left a permanent void in his spirit and scars in his memory, the man had been grateful for the resemblance between the two libraries as it brought him comfort in the dark times that followed.

With Glenn Burnie's remarkable diligence, the collection here had become renowned well beyond the borders of the province.

"Monsters and beasts," he echoes, with intrigue a presence in his voice. A slow nod marks his approval, for here was a subject most relevant to the society of Myrken Wood. Perhaps, he thought as he quietly returns the boy's thoughtful gaze, Cherny might become an authority on such creatures, leading an informed strike against them in the years ahead. Knowledge is power, after all, and the youth of the province needed every advantage.

Cherny's more detailed response causes some quietness of mind in the moment, so that the man is caught in a prolonged study of the boy. "That is the question," he murmurs finally, lowering his attention to the boy's hands and the tome they hold, and after a moment's thought he turns and boots distinguished and weathered carry him in motion along the shelving. Spurs glint through their dust and coat-skirts weigh themselves heavily above, continue their motion even when the man pauses. He leans to select a book from a low shelf and moves now to return to Cherny while he opens the cover and checks the contents. "If you gain insight on the transformation of Elliot Brown," he begins as he pauses in the spot he had left a moment before, and closes the book -- of average dimension, older with a newer cloth cover, "I would be honored if you would share your findings. An exchange of knowledge, perhaps, for I intend to look into the matter also.

"In the meantime," he adds, offering this second book to the boy with features most subtle and earnest, "another reference to aid your research of monsters and beasts."

[Cherny]

With knowledge, the boy has found, comes a sense of security, of control; if one knows a beast's nature one might also know its weakness, and a thing can be understood then perhaps it might also be defeated. So he studies bits and pieces where he can, browsing the bookseller's stall at the market for volumes that might be of use; his millwork pennies earn him only the most battered and abused of books, but they are enough to feed his mind, scraps and morsels of knowledge eagerly devoured.

The architect moves away, and the boy glances for the door, wondering if perhaps that means this meeting is concluded - he is used to such, spoken to only for as long as he is needed, ignored in the moment after. But Ser Duquesne speaks to him again as he retrieves a second book, and the boy nods readily at his request. Their conversation is drawing to a close - the knight's book passed into his hands, a new task set in the form of discovering what has happened to the older boy. When this smaller volume is held out for him to take, though, Cherny blinks in some surprise, hesitating before reaching to awkwardly accept with one hand.

"Are, are y-you sure, ser?" For it is a fine book, its binding intact and its pages neatly arranged, not a sign of it having been dropped or torn or spilled upon; surely not a cheap thing, not from the warnings earned by covetously reaching for similar tomes on the book stall. The architect entrust a treasure to his care, and he recognises as a great honour, at once flattered and awed by the responsibility offered so freely into his hands.

"Th-thank you, ser. I, I'll l-look after it, s-ser. Thank you."

Is it unseemly for him to grin so widely? If so he will have to apologise, as restraining such a smile is quite beyond his power.

[Duquesne]

He is quiet in the midst of this moment's surprise, it's hesitance. But as Cherny accepts the book with awe and a grin so pleased, the man's eyes betray signs of a lifted spirit and some action at his mouth-corners suggests the approach of a smile. "I believe you will," he replies in earnest, this both an affirmation of surety and an acknowledgement of the thanks the boy has given. "Keep it for as long as it is needed, then return for another. There are more."

After a moment he raises his hand and offers it to the lad to shake, a show of equality and respect. "When you do, visit me in my study -- it is near the end of the hall. I would be glad for the company."