6Blasc found the book.
"Ah, here it is. That was rather simple, wasn't it?"
The four children came from the far reaches of the library to gather around Blasc. They all wanted to see it.
"There is nothing enormously special about the book itself. It is what's inside the book that matters." He opened it up, and the children half-expected to see some mystical light jump out of its pages.
They were met by neither a light nor anything else out of the ordinary. It was just a simple book. The front page read:
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The Tales of Surindil: Volume 1
The first complete chronicle of the heroes of Surindil
Compiled in the 3,754th year of the world of Surindil under the direction of King Farius of the Elven Empire.
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Jameson was itching with excitement. "A book by the elves?! I never even thought the elves really existed, and it turns out there was a book written by them all along?!"
"Do not get too ahead of yourself, boy." A hoarse voice rasped from the desk. "You could never have seen that book before even if you searched library in the land. There is only one copy."
Liz, Robert, and Tom glanced at the man. He was adorned in a leathery ensemble of impeccable craftsmanship, undoubtedly imported from Esgalad. "Who are you?" they asked, almost automatically.
"Foolish children, look at his clothes. Who do you think he is? Greetings, Lord Fane of Azgaroth." He bowed slightly.
The crude man laughed a dry laugh and said, "My good Sir Blasc, you need not bow to an old friend. I know things may have gotten a bit difficult between our countries, but that has not yet tainted our brotherhood. I see you have found what you came to look for?"
"Yes, Lord Fane, and I expect we will need to hold council to discuss the borrowing of such a precious treasure. These children hope to use its wisdom to find an ancient relic."
Tom, Liz, and Robert were too star-struck to speak, and Jameson was still engaged with staring at that book.
"Very well. I will send word to Criad, Wold, Toldry, and Fenin. I believe they are the only ones available. Will you join me in the council, Sir Blasc?"
Blasc agreed and left the library with Lord Fane, taking the tome with him. The children were instructed to relax a bit in the city and restock their wares. If Lord Fane allowed them to borrow the book, the next step of their journey would make the Forest look like a cake walk. They left the library and began exploring the city.
Meanwhile, Lord Fane and Sir Blasc sent word to the other four lords that a council was to be held. Within an hour, three of the lords had arrived, but Criad was nowhere to be seen. It worried them. Punctuality was a virtue the lords valued very highly.
After some significant time of waiting, a ruckus arose at the front gate. A madman, lacking arms and clothed in bloody armor, was speaking incoherently to the guards. Lord Fane was called.
The lord approached the madman and calmed him. It was Tiris of Criad's court, and Fane knew him well.
"Surely, you had been traveling with your lord and master. You were not plagued by such injuries when last you were in my company. I suspect Criad has gone against the advisement of our council?" he inquired.
Tiris could manage coherency about as well as he could walk by that point (which is to say not very well), and his explanation was not very well understood by anyone present. Lord Fane sent him to Wold.
Wold met with Tiris in private, and the meeting was short. The lord emerged shortly after Tiris has entered. He spoke of the death of Lord Criad and of the power of Lady Banshee. Tiris was sleeping; Fane shivered.
The two lords returned to the others.
"I fear, Lord Blasc, that your endeavor can no longer be entrusted to these children," spoke Fane. "The Lady has grown in power, and Lord Criad has perished. The Council must devise a solution to this problem, and it must be done swiftly. We have no room to accommodate for child's play."
"I must speak with you in private," responded Blasc.