Thalenir walks in the front door of the Merchant's Hall carrying a small stack of books. He places them on a clear table and opens the top volume, flipping through its pages. After a minute or two, he taps his finger approvingly on the page and leaves it open.
Taking his attention away from the books, Thalenir scans around the room, finally locating the object of his search. From a pile of discarded furniture in the corner, he pulls out a rickety chalkboard and places it on the table behind the books. He surveys it for a moment, brushing off the dust.
As he goes about similar preparations, Thalenir speaks aloud to himself, "I certainly hope he's serious about this."
Thalenir looks up and nods. "Very good. Please sit," he says, gesturing to a bench in front of the books and chalkboard. "We have a lot to get through, and I have only a few days I can spare for it. I hope your brain can withstand a beating as well as your body can."
Without waiting for a response, Thalenir starts writing notes on the chalkboard. "We'll begin with a general overview of history. Now, Orn's history is subdivided into 1,000-year periods called ages, with the six ages being the Dawning, the Age of Wonders, the Age of Ascension, the Vedrischtal..."
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
His lesson complete, Kirell bows graciously to Thalenir. ?I am in your debt, won?t you join me for an ale. I need to find Kevass, and if my intuition servers me I?ll find him at the Shady Rest. I have much to consider, and an ale or 5 will help me make since of it all?. With that the Angori strides for the door.
Friends come and go, but enemies gather at my feet in a heap.
Thalenir rubs his eyes wearily as he packs up the books. "Perhaps in a bit, Kirell. I promised that I would return these to Adyslaine, and I have some business with her anyway."
"As for being in my debt, think nothing of it. I would only ask that you share your knowledge with others as freely as it was given to you, that Jastrey as a whole might grow wiser."
He parts company with Kirell on the way to the Shady Corner. "I'll be along in a bit. Until then, horizon be your home, my friend."
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
Kirell appears at the door. ?Now, more than ever, I understand the value of knowledge. I am willing to put in the time and effort, as long as you are willing to teach me?.
What if the Hoky Poky is what it?s all about?