[@The Irish Tree][@Guess Who]

"You are most generous, Miss." Ashara said to her strawberry blonde benefactor, bowing deeply as she accepted the kump of amberlyte with both hands. She then waved goodbye in a soft manner, before turning and nodding to Kath. It appeared her colleague was ready to set off, back to their home, and to report their findings to Lord Rodias. In truth, Ashara was glad to be going back, for while walking outside and exploring a new land might seem exciting to some, to Ashara however, it was just a lot of work and extra hassle. Not to mention that nothing they had found or seen so far had really been graceful or pleasing to look at. The village was [i]rustic[/i], at best, the animals were all rather dull and non-stand-outish, the scenery was... Decent, perhaps? The only really eye-catching bits, to the fox at least, had been the amberlyte and the strange currency she had been giuen. But then again, this wasn't a trip made for sightseeing or searching for aesthetically pleasing vistas, it was an important scouting mission for all of Chateau!

Their trip back was rather uneventful, and aside from stopping a few times to let Kath draw and write in her book, nothing really noteworthy happened. Ashara was content with walking along, watching her companion with a warm smile, finding it rather cute how the usually calm and collected dragonoid librarian was now skipping about, like a giddy little girl. It was rather cute, and it made the fox-woman stifle a small giggle at hjust how unusual the sight was. The way back was a bit more troublesome though, as they had to move along paths and areas that would keep them from being spotted by the villagers down below... Not that any of them probably had good enough eyes to pick up two, small figures making their way up a mountain, but you never knew who might be watching from elsewhere... like their mysterious observer...

Regardless, upon reaching the gates of the Chateau, Ashara let out a sigh of relief. She had managed to keep both Kath safe, learn some information and made it back to their home, all in one piece. A resounding success!

Returning to the library on the 4th floor, Ashara was pleased to see Lord Rodias dutifully keeping his promise to Kath, about guarding her books. Well... At least, that's how it looked, until he opened his mouth and declared that the place had been raided and books absconded with. Ashara's face was stoically staring, first in disbelief, then in slight judgement. However, this faded quickly, as she reasoned that the Lord had many tasks to do, and in addition to needing both food and sleep, he also had to deal wtih the day-to-day needs and affairs of the castle proper. Surely, even his watchful and capable hands couldn't be everywhere all at once. In that sense, it was more so the fault of the thieving mimics, having taken advantage of their Lord's busy schedule to sneak in grab things they weren't allowed to touch. The nerve! [i]That[/i] Chapter Keeper really hadn't disciplined her children at all.

Before Ashara could say anything though, Rodias asked how their mission went... But Kath excused herself. Then there was a loud roar that made the entire place shake and quake in a rather violent fashion. Being close to the source of the noise, the Library was affected far more than any other region of the Chateau, and  even Ashara, with her nine tails and excellent sense of balance, found it hard to keep from bobbing about and around. Still, she [i]somehow[/i] managed, albeit she had to change back into her white-haired partial form to do so.

"Oh my..." She said, putting a hand on her cheek and tilting her head, a look of slight concern on her face.

Once Kath returned though, things would proceed as intended, albeit Ashara could sense a faint, growing aura of considerable resentment, or perhaps just pure rage, growing and eminating from Kath's general person... It was, [i]unpleasant[/i], to stand next to her while this was occurring, but she didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. Perhaps if giving their report quickly would allow them to be dismissed, she could escape before the dragonoid unleashed her fury upon the culprits, and any innocent bystanders unfortunate enough to get caught in the crossfire. THus, she placed a balled hand to her mouth and lightly cleared her throat, before looking at Rodias.

"Our trip down the mountain was rather uneventful. Apart from some small animals, and the very sparse cave filled with lonely creatures, there really was no hindrances to our descent." She began. "We approachd from the road, as per my lord's command, and entered the village under the pretense of being fledgeling sell-swords." She made sure to mention that they had followed his instructions and kept to his plan of pretending to be novice mercenaries. "The village itself pose no threat to the Chateau, or any of us. The townsfolk are mostly miners of considerably low power, and apart from a single individual by the name of Mars, their military strength consisted of a few lowly men with terrible spear-skills." She paused. "This Mars-person seemed unusually more skilled than the rest of the townsfolk though, I would estimate that he could, at least, fight on par or perhaps even outmatch any of General Gromgard's goblins, or Lady Chuunitrixx mimics, in single combat. But, as I said my lord, he is the only exception. The rest of the village would not stand any chance of opposing your will." 

She paused for a moment, letting Rodias take in this news, before moving on to more detailed matters.

"I also questioned some of the locals, and learned a few things. The hamlet itself is called Ambderden, named after an  ore that is apparently rare and valuable, called Amberlyte. I was fortunate enough to acquire a sample of it, here." She reached into her haori, retrieved the lump of unprocessed metal, and handed it to Rodias reverently, while bowing her head. "A villager told me that it was mainly used for making tools, but perhaps Lord Graft or Lady Oz could find other ways to use it?" She suggested, not knowing much about how to make the most of things like this. 

"I also learned that while the ore is rare and valuable, most of the profits that the village makes are taken, or paid in tribute, to a local lord called... Oh, what was it..." She trailed off putting a hand on her chin and rubbing it softly. "Duke... Duke... Long? Lark? No, that is not right... I think they said Larn. Duke Larn. Apparently, he is not well liked, and the villagers warned me that he had spies and ears all around the area, and that mentioning his name was a poor decision, at least in the open." She stated, looking rather unperturbed by this, likely thinking the man to not be as much of a threat as the low-level locals did.

"Oh, and the Mars-person I mentioned before, told me that apparently some strangers had been lurking about the village recently. Strangers wearing stranger masks, who kept at bay, but nontheless seemed to be observing the village." She proceed to describe the masks and other details she had learned about the [i]freaks[/i] before moving on. "Additionally, I was told that this nation is ruled by a High Queen, called Atlecia. Ah! Oh no!" Ashara suddenly burst out into a shocked, horrified face, and she fell to her knees, bowing profusely to Rodias in a panicked state. "F-forgive me, my lord! In my ignorance, i forgot to ask the name of the country! I am truly ashamed of my negligience." She apologized, earnestly and sad in tone, obviously upset with her own shortcoming. Still, once calmed down a bit, she reached into her robe again, and produced the small sack of coins, which for whatever reason, Ashara had been storing inbetween her cleaavge...

"This, my lord, is apparently what passes for currency in this realm. It is quite different from the coins of our old world. Here, have a look." She opened the bag and gently shook it, causing a handful of shiny pieces to fall out and into her lord's hand. "I did not recognize the materail they were made from, nor their inherent value. I am sorry, my lack of knowledge in these matters have proved most unbecoming." She again bowed her head apologetically. 

Though, once this was done, her face took a more stern and serious appearance. "Finally... There was an incident." She said. "While I was away form Lady Kath's side, I felt a ... Presence. An aura of power, one that rivalled that of our very own Chapter Keepers. It was only for a moment, and I did not catch a glimpse of the one from which it eminated, alas as I was too slow to come to Lady Kath's side." Ashara spoke with a tone that was not typically like her. Usually her serene and calm demeanor lent itself to giving her a soft and gentle presence, but while talking about this subject she was uncharacterisically serious and perhaps even stern. "I did not sense this presence while we returned to the Chateau, so I do not believe whoever this was managed to follow or trails us back to the Chateau itself. However, I cannot say for certain that such is the case." Her face softened a bit again. "That is all I have for you, my lord." She finished, bowing one last time.

Ashara had purposefully left out the details about the singing from the mountain, which had alerted and confused the townsfolk. For perhaps there had been rhyme or reason for the lady of the Sixth Chapter to do what she did, and Ashara wasa in no position to question or rebuke actions that may have been sanctioned by their lord. For now, she would just wait, see if her friend had something to add, or if her lord needed more from them.