Just a bit under the weather.

Ariane made her way to Coleb’s lab, a place she had spent a lot of time during her time at the Academy. Entering the dwarf’s personal refuge, Ariane smiled as it looked exactly as she had remembered. The elf looked for her former teacher and found him quickly, reading an old tome at his desk.

“Master Coleb, it’s good to see you again,” Ariane said as she approached him.

The dwarf looked up from his book, “Who is it? Wait, Ariane? What a sight for sore eyes,” he said, not meaning it in a sexual way, “I haven’t seen you in years.” The dwarf stood up from his seat, a bit wobbly on his feet. The dwarf walked over and looked up at her, “You have not aged a day since I last saw you. You elves are really remarkable.” He held out his hands for her, “Give me a hug, child.”

The old dwarf looked a little more wrinkled than the last time she had seen him. Crouching down, she hugged herself to him, “Time flies when you are having fun. I’ve missed you and it’s good to see you as well.” She broke their hug and smiled at Coleb.

“Indeed, indeed… agkh, akgh,” Coleb coughed.

“Master Coleb, is something wrong?” Ariane looked concerned.

“Oh? Nothing dangerous, just a slight cold. You know it always happens with me when summer turns to fall. I’ll be fine soon enough.”

“That is relieving. From what Q’rin said, I had feared worse,” Ariane said.

“Q’rin? Hmmn, is that why you are here? He had mentioned he might find your help for the mission,” Coleb said.

Ariane frowned, “So he wasn’t lying about that one?”

“For once, no he wasn’t,” the dwarf shook his head, “I’m growing old, child. And an expedition into dangerous ruins isn’t what’s best for my health, I am afraid.” He sighed, “I am not sure why Q’rin became interested in Brakehollow, but I could not pass up the opportunity to have him retrieve the written history of it.”

“There must be some ulterior motive, I’ve never seen Q’rin lift a finger for anyone but himself. Is there anything else of interest in those ruins?”

“Certainly, but I can only speculate,” Coleb stroked his long beard, reaching nearly from his chin to the ground, “Rumour has it that the dwarves of Brakehollow had very sophisticated magi-tech, like golems or mining drills. Some even say they had the skill to make carts and wagons, that propelled themselves. Our dark elven friend may be looking for knowledge about one of those things.”

Ariane laughed, “And you don’t? That sounds like something you’d want.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, my dear, I do,” Coleb chuckled, “But they are only rumours, I wouldn’t want to get my hopes up. About the written chronicle of the city, I’m fairly certain. Any well preserved manuscripts of their magic and technology, I dare not dream about.” The old master turned to her, “But, should you find any, keep them safe. I wouldn’t trust him with those.”

“I wouldn’t dream of giving him something like that,” Aiane said.

“But enough of that for now, child,” Coleb said, “How did you fare while you were gone?”

The former student and master continued to have a pleasant conversation, talking about recent events and old times. But soon Ariane had to think about leaving to prepare for the journey. She bid her teacher goodbye and returned to the city on the lake’s shore, making her way to the shops and markets for a little shopping before heading to the Cat’s Cradle.