Treasure Beyond Price
Twenty-Seventh Day of the Second Month 293 AC
Wyla is indeed studying the lore of the fiends and their thralls. By the light of nothing more than a half-closed lantern, lit more from habit than from need, she is looking over some manner of stone codex bound in sinew and from the looks of it inked in blood, a look of frustration in her eyes. Though your tread is quiet and the door makes no sound she senses you approach somehow. Before you have a chance to greet or thank her she asks, "I would wager you have seen more of such fools than I, so tell me is it that only lunatics would join with such blatantly malevolent spirits, or do their minds crack under the weight of 'service'?"
"I take it that is not what you had wished for?" you ask in turn, motioning to the macabre tome she allowed to fall upon the splintered table with a thud.
"Some of it is," she answers with a sigh that somehow sounds weary from one who cannot truly know exhaustion nor slumber as mortals do. "One third cookbook, one third grimoire, and the last third raving lunacy and poorly-written poetry to add insult to injury..."
"I see," you answer with a smile, doing your best not to think about what the 'cookbook' is meant for. "To answer your initial question, madness begets madness, and as with a serpent devouring its tail the beginning of such foulness is more than can be guessed in most cases, nor does it truly matter. Their fate shall be the same in the end."
"One could almost become jealous of the trees, then. They can indulge whenever they please," she laughs, but there is something more murky and troubled in her gaze.
"I imagine most trees live rather dull lives," you offer, keeping your tone light. Then in a more solemn manner you add, "My lady, your aid has been of great use this night. In silence and in secret you have completed tasks few others could have done. Though you asked for no boon for this aid I would offer one regardless."
"Gold glitters prettily to my eyes as any other, and I have seen in your possession many treasures of sorcery... but by far the most precious none can easily carry." Wyla's words are measured and unhurried. This was obviously a matter she had given some thought. "I seek knowledge, access to the arcane texts you have gathered, perhaps a few words of counsel or aid from those who are not otherwise occupied. Those truly skilled in sorcery are quite rare yet and among them far too many are akin to the cretin who penned that." She glares at the book before her. "I am of course willing to mirror these terms though my own collection is not as extensive."
What do you reply
[] Accept (Full access to your library and possible minor action consulting)
[] Counter offer
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: I'm a little surprised no one thought the wizard would go for knowledge.
