[center][h1][b][i][color=662d91]Castle of Solace[/color][/i][/b][/h1]

[@Ponn][/center]

After a while, the King took his leave of the girls. He wanted to hear more from the Oracles, but alas, the state calls. Also, Bandersnatch seems to have strangely withdrawn his siege. The citizens of the castle were elated and began celebrating, but the King remains... unconvinced.

"Draygon's men have a way of being cruel and cunning," he tells the Oracles. "Even if Bandersnatch had no way of ending the siege, we must remain vigilant against an attack by treachery. I'll see to the defenses and the men, in the meanwhile Sir Gravy will lead you to the royal archives so you may find what you seek there.

"Take care, fair maidens, and may fortune smile upon you on your journey..."

With that, the knight Sir Gravy guides the two girls to the Archives, whereupon they find endless scrolls and books, some new, others old, some even older than the castle itself. The good knight offers his aid, but he can't seem to find anything by Julie Anderson.

Sarah take the opportunity to turn to Stephanie.

[color=ed145b]"So what was your mother like?" [/color]Sarah asks curiously. [color=ed145b]"She seems to be a dedicated sort, if we're reading her works this long after... whatever happened..."[/color]

"My sincere apologies, dear maidens," Gravy says, "it appears I cannot find the tome, though the scribes assure me it's here somewhere; Master Tornel referred to it quite a bit, so it must be here. Give me a second..."

He tries looking again, in a shelf, but something small falls out.

"Hmm? What is this?" he says, picking up the small object and holding it to the light. "How odd, it seems to be a gem - nay, merely a crystal. Rather shiny, but it doesn't seem to be worth much... Shouldn't this be in the Royal Treasury instead?"