#bergen_county

"No, I suppose not," She says, "It is Bronte's, or yours."

Earl looks at Zara at that

"But ... more to absolve my guilt, than because of any debt, I'd ask you to do the Chieftain a good turn sometime. In coin of your choosing," Gerd say

"I can do that. Rivervale is not my enemy."

"But the book is not mine, no."

"Earl?"

Gerd blinks "I am..the very face of confusion"

"Long story, Gerd. I have dibs on the book. It may end up going to the mountain, but how about this, I will endeavour to make sure wherever it goes you have access to study it"

"I relinquished my claim, tis Earl's."

"The Mountain may be a fair choice..."

"Well, I trust Mountain Emmit to do right, yes" Gerd says "I think that's more than fair. Let me know if you change your plans regarding it" She hands it over to Earl.

"Oh. .uhm.." A look from Gerd to the cave "who wants to tell Bronte she can't take all twelve of those books with her?"

Hissss

"Bronte, remember, we're buying you a new book on the way home."

"...but only if you leave those here. Ask gerd nicely, perhaps you can visit to come read?"

"perchance to dream?" Bronte says hopeful.

"And maybe a sleepover, if Gerd wishes."

Gerd smiles, "of course. " And she does pull out one book a thick collection of novels together "And you may take this one for your own. I have two copies, one of which is going to a friend."

The Deed of Paksenarrion says the cover

"Assuming she doesn't have it already?" Gerd looks to Zara

"Hm. I do not believe so."

"It's very knightly, about a young woman who... well, refuses an arranged marriage,a nd becomes a paladin." Gerd says "A knight of a holy cause so to speak. "

"Ah. Well, I am sure Bronte will enjoy it."

"What do we say, Bronte?"

“I feel a very unusual sensation – if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude.
-Benjamin Disraeli" Bronte says happily/gratefully

Gerd laughs

A soft chuff.

"You're welcome. Oh, don't forget Zara still promised you a NEW book on the way home." She winks at the bookwyrm "This doesn't count or get her out of that."

Okay, that gets Gerd a lick

"Traitor." A smile for Gerd.

"Me or her?" Gerd smiles.

"Both?"

But Brontie flaps to Zara's shoulder and gives her a lick too

Earl says "Ready to go, love?"

"Aye. Thank you, Gerd - I am in your debt."

"Like I said, just do the Chieftain a good turn sometime in a coin of your choosing and we're square" a smile

"Need me to flicker flash you anyw.." THen Gerd realize who she is talking to "Sorry, Earl. I forget."

"It's okay' He smiles

"We could nearly go home... but.. no. Farm first. Get the book safe."

"Then...first, the farm, then home. LEt's move quickly" Earl says "Or Clem will try to abduct us again."

Bronte sighs happily "There's no place like home"

Then Bronte then makes an oh, sound "“August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”

Earl blinks "What? "

Bronte coughs "“Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars, not if you care for such things.”

She's clearly trying to tell them something "“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
― Helen Keller"

"I think, mayhaps, she misses her library?"

"We can go there after."

"Sounds good" He nods, and snaps his fingers to wish them away to the farm.

Gerd watches them go, then huffs "I could do it better."

And she turns back to write down her notes, wanting to recreate what she read as carefully as possible. Witches may surrender a book, but knowledge? Oh no.