The Guild still stood, in spite of a mad Queen's threats against it. A disparate group of scholars and adventurers, those driven by a powerful curiosity to delve into books and dungeons alike to learn something new, what mattered was the gathering and preservation of knowledge, finding a way to share it if it would be useful - or protect it if it would be dangerous. He had sought them out, or they had come to him, and together they had formed this Guild built around lore in all its forms. Zariah's rule had sent them scattering, no greater threat to free knowledge than a power-hungry tyrant bent on control and propaganda, but for the moment her threat had subsided, and it was more than time to clean house and take stock of what remained.
He went to those places he had hidden the most important books with Kiada, bringing them back to their home below the Atheneum. He had swept and dusted, thrown open the doors between offices and let the light stream in from the sunken window wells to charge the glowstones in the chandelier. Fresh water and wood had been brought down, and when it was done he had looked around and felt satisfaction for what felt like the first time in weeks. His hands still shook, and his temper hissed and crackled beneath his skin, but it felt good to be here once more.
The first note he sent was toAmalia , the next to Samuel and Caiside . Others went out to those who had gone silent or missing, on the off chance they could be found. To Killian and Maea and Seiji , Loreseekers all. He asked them to join him in the evening, just after sunset, to share what they had learned and how each was faring. Whether he was guildmaster or not, these were still his friends, and they were all still colleagues. And at the appointed time and place he sat at the table - not at the head, but along the side, the kettle hot and cups laid out for those who would want tea. A bottle of Valair cider chilled in a bucket of cold water near at hand for those who preferred a harder flavor.
And so he waited to see who would come.
He went to those places he had hidden the most important books with Kiada, bringing them back to their home below the Atheneum. He had swept and dusted, thrown open the doors between offices and let the light stream in from the sunken window wells to charge the glowstones in the chandelier. Fresh water and wood had been brought down, and when it was done he had looked around and felt satisfaction for what felt like the first time in weeks. His hands still shook, and his temper hissed and crackled beneath his skin, but it felt good to be here once more.
The first note he sent was to
And so he waited to see who would come.
