#earthrunes

She follow's Bronte's path, not wishing to crowd Zara, but intrigued by the subject.

"Stay gold, Ponyboy." Bronte chimes.

"They are quite real. For all that they have been selectively kept from the public eye and only just started to be sold outside of Central Asia in the past 30 years..." Coradel may have noted the name - wasn't there a horse that made a record for being one of the most expensive sale ever? 50 million?!

"Akhel-Teke," she tries out the odd name.

"There are some breeding records from the Eiluned lord here... but hm. Turkish sources would be better..."

"That...I've heard of that. Insanely specialized breeding. Quite expensive in auction."

She looks over the prints of the old paintings. "These...oh, I would love to see the originals. I'm certain they couldn't travel, though. Not without careful preservation cantrips of some sort."

Bronte gazes " They passed down all the roads long ago, and the Red Bull ran close behind them and covered their footprints."

"I have sought out more information after coming across hints in... more than one location, not the least of which was one translation of One Thousand and One Nights. Of magnificent horses of spun gold that worked magic... or were worked OF magic... and have sought to see where these stories came from. Because as likely as they are to be mere tales..." A small smile. "Aren't just we all?"

"Aye, indeed."

"And these are mortal tales..."

A smile. "No such thing as mere tales."

And a small nod to Bronte. "I've recently been given, oh. The most tantalizing, but frustrating hints... sometimes, an Eshu may be worse than a pooka, though I see how my contact wishes to temper expectation - after all, if she said that she HAD a firm sighting, no, even perhaps FOUND a fae-touched Golden Horse of the Karakum - well, I might already be on a plane, and the Virus restrictions be damned. And then on her head if it was merely a rumor." He is pacing now, voice still pitched low, but touched with excitement as he speaks of the research.

"But still, there is enough evidence to look further - but before I fund another expedition - and do note, it is not the cost, but merely being conscious of time and effort best spent - I wanted to look inward to ensure I had not missed any vital hints that may be in local records."

"Well...I know of the one sold at auction, only..." Coradel murmurs, looking at the images.

"Would you be willing to leave these here for further inspection?"

"There may be a code, or an encryption..."

"Your library has a good reputation of having expansive shelves, and I was was also referred here that you may advise as to a good restoration for the leather-bound copy, there. " He hesitates, and lays a hand on the scroll with the Arabic text. "This is a personal correspondence... but if you think perhaps I may have missed something in between the lines... I make a study of languages as a side hobby, but codes, I profess, may be beyond me. I might ask..." He pauses, and delicately switches to a different sentence path. "I would welcome your eyes."

And the remark of "Your Library" encompassed both Baroness and Sluagh lass.

A warm smile. "Perhaps Baron August would be interested in undertaking the restoration. He is a scribe of advanced skill."

"The restoration... aye, is more of August's domain. He is an artist of pen and ink, not canvas."

It does not go unnoticed. Baron August to the Baroness, yet simply 'August' to the librarian? A mental note, expression smoothly not remarking. "I would welcome his expertise. This was a rare find, and I while another copy could likely be had... it would not be this copy. Her tales were the first that sparked my interest in researching this breed."

"It is a lovely specimen... oh, that it could be preserved without losing the history ingrained upon it..."

"Do we have a copy of the tales, Miss Zara, even if not in such a copy as this?"

Bronte actually looks nervous

A soft touch of fingertips against the cracked leather cover. "It would be lovely if it can be done. I was afraid to take it to an unknown restorer, as there are horror stories of poorly done work that may actually degrade or ruin the books..."

"Aye..."

Straightening up a bit. "I trust your judgement, Lady Librarian, if you say that the Baron is up to the task." A glance around the library. "Nothing I see here even to the public eye would give me any doubt of the care taken in this library."

Coradel is pleased by the multiple compliments in these statements. "If you would excuse me, I can seek him out now, see if he has returned. I'm sure he'd like to see the the book, and probably best if we don't move it in and out of its bag too often."

"I'd be glad of it, if not an imposition. I do have a fledge to track down, and ensure that your Sir Ivory has not tempted her away with the delights of your gardens and grounds. Though, I would hope that her heritage lends loyalty enough to withstand one afternoon of Fiona's delights." A small smile, a jest likely.

"Trolls do have a way about them, aye."

"I'm certain Sir Ivory means her nothing but good will and support, Baron. And surely her pup will enjoy a good run through our hedgemaze. Let me go and seek my husband, and I will return. And if I may impose upon her hospitality, I know that the librarian serves an excellent tea." Perhaps a breech of sluagh protocol, there, but Coradel is the baroness.

"Indeed. Perhaps the kitchen could honor our guest with the Tieguanyin..."

"That sounds Chinese. Is it perhaps a green, or oolong tea? I do enjoy green tea in the afternoons, and a brisk black in the mornings. As of late I have been looking into lapsang souchong blends."

"Oolang, called, a'time, the goddess of mercy. The leaves are specially fermented..."

And he will gladly discuss tea with her as they await the Baron - he is no scholar of the leaf, but he knows enough to show that he at least has tried different styles enough for him to form a decent grasp of different blends.

And Coradel goes in search of August....