[IRP] Secrets of the Empire

[Swift_Assassin]

Wolfram brushed off his cloak and examined it briefly for any breaches. It held up pretty well through it. Etrurian scholars designed their cloaks to last. What good would the robe be if they lost half of it when ever magic got involved? He stepped backs and slipped his tomes back into their places and approached the desk. There it was. Of course it was. Wolfram grabbed the pipe while Paige examined the book. There didn't appear to be a place to flee quickly, at least to the naked eye. So where did this pipe come from?

Wolfram's glance went back to Paige who wiped something, oil perhaps, onto her skirt. As she quickly skimmed through the remains of the book, Wolfram examined the rest of the table. He found traces of oil, just like Paige had found. He looked at her briefly, wondering if she did the math yet. But then she grabbed the book and bolted back upstairs. Wolfram took a careful look around the room. Paige might not have realized it yet, but someone wanted that information destroyed. Perhaps Ostia had arranged to destroy the tomes in 'accidents'. Perhaps Paige isn't as safe as this castle might make her feel. Or Shad has been followed by Ostian spies trying to prevent his progress. Wolfram began his ascent to the main floor.

"It's not full of heroes. My...grandfather's cousin and his son were unrepentant murders who either killed or manipulated others into killing most of my family. The son used Dyrnwyn to kill my uncle, and my cousin used the sword to kill him, I think. I wasn't there. I ended up killing his father and reclaimed my families holdings. Most of which have probably been ransacked by now," Shad replied, trying to make her feel better. "You don't want Dyrnwyn anyway. Besides not needing any skill to kill people, it kills almost everyone who even touches the hilt. I wouldn't even risk touching that thing unless I know I'm on my deathbed."

"My family hasn't done anything of note in years. Back when the war with Bern was going on, when Prince Roy collected the Legendary Weapons, Dyrnwyn was left in the Western Isles unable to prove it's might against the weapons it was meant to replace," Shad continued. Kalin mentioned wanting a magic sword. "I would say Etruria might have smiths who could forge one, but I don't know if they'll have access the necessary materials nowadays."

When Paige came running to them, Shad hadn't even realized that she and Wolfram had left the main area. So when she revealed the name, he didn't know what she was talking about at first before it dawned on him. "Coran? Emperor....Coran of Ostia. Of Lycia. Does it give any description to the man?" When Shad looked at the book, he realized their might not be an answer. "You know what....nevermind that question. A name is enough for now."