[quote][color=#F4E7CA]"All done, Master Rezello."[/color] He said, respectfully holding the blade with both hands and presenting it to the masked knight.[color=#F4E7CA]"May it serve you well!"[/color][/quote]

Seeing that his ceremonial gesture didn't earn him any sort of showmanship he expected, Vesemir bit his lip and awkwardly placed the large spadone by the knight's side, then retreated back to the table. He drummed his fingers on its surface, feeling the weight of the ancient book he had just discovered in his hands, and tried to be optimistic. 

[quote]“I suppose then that book is your claim from this place? Or are we allowed to learn of its secrets for free? If I’m being honest here, I’d prefer the second, for it gives us plenty to choose from otherwise. However, with a limit of two, it would be appropriate for you to have the final say, darling. That said, I don’t think we can carry that enchantment table with us if it as fragile as you say.” [/quote]

[color=#F4E7CA]"That's a good question, my dear Fia,"[/color] answered Vesemir, transferring his gaze from the book in his hand to the human mage across the table. Fia, despite all she said, eluded a unique scholarly charm he could respect. He understood her pragmatic desire very well, but regarding this matter, his own was deeper, almost like a physical ache. [color=#F4E7CA]"The nature of the enchantment is easy to understand. Most of the gist is in the scroll and a specific spell Theriadore had outlined in this book. Mastering it would take... several years maybe, but beyond that, this is a valuable piece of historical item. No matter if Varenhaim has a hundred students remembering every line and every word in this book down to the letter, to have the real, authentic thing---the very pages Theriadore himself touched---lost forever would be a tragedy! I would love to bring this tome with me, if you don't mind. I am sorry, but we will have a lot of opportunities ahead of us, and I am sure we can retrieve more than just two artifacts." [/color]

Vesmir could only offer an easing, thoughtful smile to the human mage. Fia seemed to accept his reasoning diplomatically and shifted toward Stepan. 

[quote]“At the very least, I’m surprised our dear Stepan hasn’t said anything. He seemed to be most into the hidden treasures we’d find than most. I wonder where he has gone?”[/quote]

The mercenary was not far, leaning on the wall near the entrance with arms crossed on his chest.

[b]"I am still here, lassie. Don't worry."[/b] He approached them with a brow furrowed.[b] "Been thinking a lot about what that ghostly fella said earlier. Those who came before us. They were doomed because ain't none of them could agree on what shiny trinkets to pick. I don't want ours to end like them, infighting and all that crap. My share is what I get from my own sweat, and I am happy with it!"[/b]

[b]"Then again."[/b] continued Stepan. [b]"I'm more curious about the history of the land itself, anyway. Been meaning to ask that for ages, but I feel it would offend you elf folks somehow. It's just... you have a vast and fertile land here, boss. Why abandon it? Monsters?"[/b] he shook his head. [b]"Don't believe elf-folk couldn't handle that. The bossman, and that lassie with whitening hair are fairly powerful. Can't imagine specimens like you two are a rare sight in elf-land. So what is it?" [/b]

If the first question was a matter-of-fact that was commendable in nature, the second part brought up a sudden sense of uneasiness for the elves presented in that room, enough to have Mr. Elc roused from his idle daydream. Vesemir, who was the oldest of them all, raised his face to look at the masked ranger who observed the situation with shoulders tensed. 

Both elves seemed to be in a process of weighing what answer should be told. Understandable considering the majority of people in this outfit were humans; Stepan could be forgiven as a questioner, and Akari was a foreigner with no significance in this matter, so the only person worthy of consideration was Fia and Rezello, who was a native to this continent. 

[color=#F4E7CA]"Would you like a blunt but honest answer or the easy answer?"[/color] Vesemir asked back. 
[@Randomness]