#earthrunes

Bronte chimes "And my axe"

He smiles to the Librarian, then chuckles as Bronte says her piece. "I don't suppose you have a copy of the tales of Scheherazade, do you, O Mighty Wyrm?"

"Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing. He was made captain of the Sultan's armies, and won several battles for him, but remained as courteous as before, and lived thus in peace and content for several years." Bronte chimes and moves to another shelf and begins to sort through books using gentle claws and agile tail.

And then she pulls out the book in question, at least a copy of it "Your wish" She says "is granted"

"Delightful. If I thought my meager study - I shan't scarcely call it a library - would please you, I'd be tempted to try to tempt you away. Alas, from one dragon to another, I can see that my own collection cannot compare to this library." Though, he looks over it thoughtfully. "...yet. But perhaps, someday." And he accepts the book graciously, and looks through as they await the Baron. "There are several mentions of horses within, including a rather intriguing one about a horse that can travel any distance, across mountains, over seas, in a blink of an eye - or rather, the turn of a screw. I had wondered if there was a clockwork element, but the story doesn't delve deep into the horse itelf... instead focusing on princesses and adventures." A sigh at this travesty.

"Ah, authors must be as they are."

The library door opens, and shuts, quietly.

Bronte puffs with pride at the praise of her hoard

A little gray smile. "And aye, we know the true mistress here."

"Hello?" A soft, familiar call.

It takes a moment for the Baron to look up and see - the Baron, but he is turning from the book, ah, but a finger left in to carefully keep the page. "Baron August, I would presume? Pardon, dear creature, would you hold this spot so that I don't bend the spine?"

And she leaps on the book gently, Bronte does, balancing "“The hunger of a dragon is slow to wake, but hard to sate.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin"

"Hello, August."

"I am, My Lord." He bows. "August Truthbranch.... hello, Zara." A gentle smile. "Bronte."

Thus freed of his burden, Aiden turns to bow slightly to the Baron Truthbranch. "Lord Truthbranch, thank you for the hospitality of your hold. Aiden Lowell ap Liam of Silverwolf Barony."

"I would hope to further impose on your skills for restoration - or at least, halt of any further deterioration, of a book that is rather dear to me. I was told you would be the one to ask?"

Another bow. "Not my holding, My Lord, but welcome. How can I help?"

Bronte chimes to August "A sweet sorrow undone" Happily to see him again

His forehead wrinkles slightly in confusion. "My apologies? I had assumed that you and the Baroness ruled alongside." Turning to lift the antique book on Bedoin deserts, travels and horsemen, the leather crackling softly even at this light touch.

He smiles for Bronte's quote.

"My Lady Coradel rules EarthRunes." He explains.

He nods in agreement, acknowledging the correction. "As I am sure she rules your heart." His smile fades a touch and he looks distant for a moment, distracted as he turns to glance over a shelf, not really seeming to see the titles he is perusing.

"Yes." Quietly.

The Liam waits politely.

It takes him a moment to realize he still holds the book. A blink, and he turns. "Ah. Here it is. A first edition..."

The Baron almost puts hands on, then stops and gets cotton gloves. "I see." He takes it carefully and examines.

Oh. A careful ballet of examination, consideration, and work.

It is no Treasure, at least not with a capital T, but it does have the feel of a well-loved and aged book, which is a treasure of it's own. "The spine has been cracking dreadfully, and I did not know how to stop it from splitting further."

Bronte looks concerned at the book and tuts softly "“A book is a fragile creature, it suffers the wear of time, it fears rodents, the elements and clumsy hands. so the librarian protects the books not only against mankind but also against nature and devotes his life to this war with the forces of oblivion.”
― Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose"

"Can it be preserved? That is, and still allow reading of it? If it needs to be set under glass, I shall - another copy can be found."

The Liam examines the book carefully without touching. "Leatherwork, surely. Perhaps .... yes, perhaps some efforts but it will take time."

"And, it might be copied without the effort of repair, or during the effort."

"I understand that it is part of a collection of books beyond the grasp of copyright that are available online. But I've never acquired a taste for computers, myself."

"If it were just to find a copy, I'm sure one could be printed. But, I would have this copy. If it can be restored."

"It is.... I think I can try."

A small bow to him. "Cost is no object. Whatever materials may be needed..."

"It would be our honor."

"Then I would be glad to accept whatever help you may offer."

The Baron (August) seems deeply involved in the book.

And Aiden settles back to finish his cup of tea, looking carefully over the copy of the tales of Arabian Nights, for anything else he may have overlooked in his earlier copy. His notes and pages for the sluagh to peruse, as he awaits his fledge to be returned and hear the results of her own journey.