#baronyofthesilverwolf

It was only a matter of time before Arthur found some of the books missing from the library at the hold

The first book, he assumes he misplaced.
The second, he shrugs off.
But the third, with Fornax warbling plaintively because it's missing, causes Art to throw up his hands in frustration, and try to think of who he might have seen in the Library last. Thistle is still MIA... Briar? HA! Julius.... no, he always shelves things promptly. Bluebell? Maybe she's toying with him. Or maybe the other kids, Blossom or Rochallor?

And he might recall what was said about Piskies

"Huh." He scoops up Fornax, and tells the little draconet, "Let's go find our books." Heading up to look for Maddern's room.

Madern's made himself at home, though some days he's gone, he's usually here 4 out of 7 days at least. He's long overstayed the customary three days but the Baroness has allowed him to stick around. Likely because he's cut work load in half for Marigold

He's been given a room, a small one compared to other bedrooms but cozy. The door is actually open a crack

As Art hesitates outside the door, Fornax lifts his head, flaring his nostrils and sniffing the air. Does he sense his missing books within?

The little dragon does, and his nose is keen

Art looks at the pointing snout, and then knocks on the open door. "Hello?"

"Oh hey, come in" Ernie's voice can be heard

When/if Art does, he sees a cluttered place. Ernie appears to be putting stuff in a cardboard box, not a large one

Invited, he no longer hesitates, but steps right in. He is straightforward in commenting, "I think some of my books are in here." A slightly raised brow.

"Oh" He looks in the box "I thought they were from the library here"

But he offers the box over

Indeed, three of the missing books, and one he doesn't recognize

Art blinks a bit. "Well, yes. Our books." He looks a little sheepish. "Fornax was looking for them... what's this?" The little dragon practically leapt from his hands to get at the box. "I haven't seen this one before."

"Oh you haven't?" A troubled look "Darn it, where did I pick it up then?"

Art plucks the book out to prevent Fornax from falling on his face, and reads the title.

The book in question has a worn leather cover that is so smoothed out that it makes the title near invisible, but there's a thin embossing of a star. That he recognizes.

He carefully traces a finger over the star, then opens it to see the inner title page. After a whistle of annoyance, he holds it close enough that Fornax can sniff the aged pages, the scent of old paper and leather.

If he opens it, Art can see it is chimerical ink inside. The mortal writing has it as just an astrology book, but the chimerical writing superimposes over that On the Nature of Trods and their connection, activation, and navigation based on Constellation shifts...'

He, of course, reads the title aloud. Fornax peeps. "Word!"

"Where did you get this?"

"Well, I..." A blush "I really don't remember? WHich is a problem. See, I' ma Piskie, and we .. have sticky fingers like pooka have a tendency to lie. It's not greed, I'd probably pick up a lucky penny before I took a 100 dollar bill..."

"Normally I borrrow stuff, return it, and then hope no one takes offense" he scratches his head "But if that wasn't in the library then I am a bit lost"

"Well, I'll put it in the library NOW. That makes sense, you know - if someone was looking for a book. that's where they would look. Anyways - hey, isn't that Thistle's... doohicky?"

Noticing the handle of some sort of eldritch tool the likes of which he understands not.

"Oh.. uhm.. yeah, I think so. She really makes the neatest stuff." He says "I also got this from her.. not that she knows it I guess. SHe just shoved it away as if embarrassed Weird huh?"

He looks a little torn. "You shouldn't go through her stuff." But also... "She doesn't always see her work the same way others do. She's her own worst critic."

"I can't always help it" He admits "I try not to pry, but in this case? Hey, beauty is life right? So how can saving this be wrong?"

"It's a pretty little tray." He thinks for a moment, then, "Why don't you set it out on the end table in the hallway there? If you realize you have anything that shouldn't be in your room, you can leave it on the dish. Then it's in use and Thistle can't hide it away again."

A pause, "Well, not 'can't', but maybe won't."

"Sure.. that's not a bad idea, thanks.. uh Arty? I forget your name"

"That's okay. I'm not very memorable." He says, with a bit of a grin. "I'll be sained soon, and then I'll know my real name." Wistful.

Ernie grins "It does have it's perks. Folks less likely to treat you with kidgloves"

"It's not so much that, as just feeling... a little adrift?"

"Like you don't know who you are..." A nod "It can be worse for piskies, not to 'one down you' but our kith blends, normally trhat's a good thing, but while unsained we're extra vulnerable"

"Well, you're here now, and sained, so you should be good to go, right?"

"Yeah, I like it here. NOw that I know the others are okay I feel better..well, others minus our guides" A wince "But it works for me. I help marigold around, snoop about the town... most of the kithain in the area are okay. Ace knows stuff though I think I'd be careful playing cards with him"

"Snoop? Are you a spy?" Brows UP.

Ernie arches a brow "You're a bit uptight, Art. Dame Gladiola rubbing off on you?"

He looks a bit affronted. "No, I was just curious. I've never met a spy. Most holdings employ sluagh, when they can."

"I'm not a spy, trust me, Thane Dancia made sure of that" He says wiping his brow "Terrifying." Art may notice that the police officer might have something in here that fell into Madern's clutches too.

"No, I meant... like, you could be. If you wanted to. For Silverwolf. I mean, if it's that easy for you to fit in with anyone?"

"It's not that easy" he says as he sits near the handcuffs on the shelf "Some of us are great at blending sure. I know some guys so forgetable they have to repeat their names a few times. "

"Well, it was just an idea. The Lady doesn't like sluagh, so we're fresh out of spies in that capacity. Not sure if she needs one... but hey, any feedback about the locals I'm sure is appreciated."

"Oh, you want me to spy on OTHERS for the hold? I'm not down with that really man.. I mean, sure I can tell you how they're doing but spying just seems tawdry" He ponders "Okay, Al makes fantastic burgers if you haven't tried one, but he does NOT appreciate you asking him to teach you the recipe"

"He's not a fan of nobles." Art looks down, paging carefully through the new book.

The book seems to have suggestions on trod shifts, and how to identify those that are linked to the constellations. SOme trods are constant but some very good ones open or close depending on the night sky views, others even shift destinations or key points.

"Oh .. sorry... " Madern says "Not all nobles are nice but the ones here seem cool. Well, I haven't really talked much with the Baron"

"He's not one for idle chatter. Though... if you get him started on one of his interests, he'll go on for hours if not interrupted. ...same for lessons, once he gets onto a topic, he just keeps going on- and it's... I feel like I shouldn't interrupt him? Except Miss Marigold scolded me for him missing lunch - as though I'm the one in charge of scheduling..." The boy runs a hand through his hair, grinning.