[IRP] Secrets of the Empire

[Swift_Assassin]

Wolfram made his way up the stairs with the pipe in hand and his books added back into his cloak, mulling over the circumstances. The odds that this was the one book the person was reading seemed too slim for it to be a coincidence. Had they the foresight, they'd mix it up between a couple of other volumes to really sell the idea to whoever found the fire. But this just made it obvious without a doubt. "I don't doubt the accuracy of your statement, Paige, but I recommend caution. Considering the state of Lycia and the seemingly strained relations between Pharae and Ostia, I would conclude that libraries under control to allies of Emperor Coran would have their volumes locked up, while possible dissenters have theirs tampered with. The libraries in the those marches may hold protected copies, but the others may have already lost theirs in similar cases." Wolfram glanced towards his lord-nephew and remembered his tale from a few hours ago. "Pup, you mentioned the three of you saved a nearby village and the library within. Perhaps there's more of connection between the events than it seems. Could the empire be tricking fools into destroying these tomes and others in an effort to conceal this conspiracy?"

Shad didn't know if he was to respond to that or not. Could those Glass worshipers be related to the burnt book here? That...doesn't seem likely, but that only makes him think that it might be true. It did raise questions about where the leader got that tome from. "The leader of those men was using anima magic. You could argue that he was given the book to help spread the Church of the Preservation of Sanctity's message about the evils of those magics by unleashing it against it's own citizens. But that's...a bit overwhelming to think of." He paused looking as Paige unsure of how she, and the others, would react to those comments. "As for your question, Paige...try to stick to the roads or at the very least in eyeshot of them. It would also be good to have a traveling companion if possible. Bandits, brigands, and desperate refugees may try to accost you. And perhaps try to keep a low profile. If the person behind this burnt book is destroying the others like you suspect, he, or she, may have seen your face around the castle before he made his move."

Wolfram placed the pipe on the table after that comment. "There does seem to be something in here, but I lack the necessary knowledge to identify what they might have been smoking. It may have been someone elses, or it could be one of several the man uses. But that's all speculation. I wouldn't say to outright avoid people with a pipe, just use your judgement depending on the situation, that is, if what the pup said is true."