A journey of discovery

"Geralt, there is a rather impressive library in the city, is there not?"

"Yes, Fastira, there is. One of the finest known to man. Why do you ask?"

You ponder for a moment "If it and it's books are so wondrous, than why is it not in the private library in the castle?"

Geralt finds the questions difficult to answer "Well, your majesty, I'm sure there's multiple reasons. There's only so much room in our own library, and the books at Royal Academy are more or less a private enterprise. The seven-times removed Maiden Queen had it constructed along with an academy for education for the masses, thinking that information was too valuable to only be held by nobility and the wealthy."

"Education for all? What a quaint little idea, my ancestors certainly had some eccentric ideas." You comment amusedly

"Yes, well, the academy has stood well past her time. It's proven to be a valuable commodity, both for our countrymen and foreigners. Rare books are collected and bartered there, and has brought quite a few unconventional adventurers and travelers here, usually with other goods to trade."

"Well, let us see this library for ourselves. Lead the way..." Geralt takes a humble bow as he and his guards proceed to march in front of you. Having gotten the hint, the musicians and flag holders have been sent back to the castle, unneeded. The library sits in front of the academy, long since filled to capacity of promising minds. A sloped, spiral affair, that also serves as a beacon, it's crystalline roof reflecting the suns rays magnificently in the distance. Inside, the library is calm, cool, and quiet, a far cry from the environment outside. A welcoming place for any not built for these lands, especially the library's Dean. Her clothing, simple and flowing, belies her position, revealing her blue skin, covered in millions of tiny, iridescent scales. A Sea Elf, hailing from the aquatic kingdom of Mer. Easily distracted and frazzled, she dropped her immense stack of books to the floor at the sight of your presence

"Your Highness!" She keeled completely over in her bow of respect "I did not anticipate your arrival at all. I beg your humblest apologies or I w-"

You cut her pleading off "No apology needed. Please, be at peace. This is no official diplomatic visit. Call it..." you ponder for a moment "an intellectual curiosity."

"Yyyes of course. However may I serve you?"

"If I may, how is it that we are honored with a member of the Mer as the lead custodian of our academic institution?"

"You honor me, Your Majesty, as do your people. Linthalia is the one Kingdom of Men to ally with Mer. That alliance has been largely of mutual protection, of which we are all greatly beneficial, but I thought we could do more together, so I came to shore looking to share and learn information, and so I came here. The books in this collection don't go as far back as ours do, but they cover a much wider breadth of topics, which is not surprising for humans, I suspect."

"How is it you manage here, day to day?"

"I keep inside, generally. We can come and go from land and sea at will, but the land is more hostile to our kind. I come to and from the sea as the sun rises and sets, when it's cooler out."

"Fascinating, thank you sharing. You said your collection back home goes back further. Tell me, have you brought any books from home here? What is the oldest tome you're aware of here?"

You asked the right question, as the sea elf brimmed with excitement, "I know just the location, please follow my, Your Highness."

"Please, call me Fastira." You reply courteously, to which she kindly ignored

"Of course Your Grace, and you may call me Neshure…" As she expertly navigated the library, to an ancient tome kept under a glass case

"This is the oldest book in the library. We don't lend it out, as it's too fragile."

"What is it a book of?" You ask

"It's a book chronicling the history of our two kingdoms. Admittedly, I only know of its contents by what I have been told from my predecessors"

"And what are it's contents?"

"Rather dry, Your Majesty...if you pardon a pun." You both giggle at the remark "The previous Dean of the librarian was more interested in details of numbers and acumen than he was in social interactions, so I may have just been shared what was personally interesting to him."

"Intriguing Neshure. I would like to borrow it."

"B-b-but, Your Majesty, it's"

"I know, fragile. I understand completely. My personal Archivist Bruja would nearly die knowing this book existed and he didn't lay his eyes upon it. Let him transcribe what he can, for the Royal Library's own use. Trust me, he will treat it as though it were a child."

Her eyes show doubt and concern, but she understands the royal systems, and feels ultimately that you asking is merely a technicality "Yes of course, Your Majesty. This book, and all the others here, are truly yours, after all."

"Thank you Neshure, I'll ensure this book comes back to you in one peace, and we'll share any interesting finds in it."

"That would be superb, Your Majesty..." She prepares the book for departure and hands it to one of the guards. With the important find, you return to the castle. Bruja almost has a stroke at the sight of the book, but begins to work immediately on the task ahead. The day nearly over, you tend to the more menial tasks of statecraft, until you are pulled away by a seemingly urgent surprise...