At this point I should probably mention my destination. I was going to the Capital city of Sandar, specifically to the Hall of Records. One useful thing had come to mind after those interminably long conversations with the leader of that performing group but I needed to go to the City and check some details.
After presenting my registration papers (I used magic to copy a legitimate set and replaced the details with my own.) I entered Sandarlin and took a room at an inn. I put on my best dress, covered my hair in a manner considered 'proper' in the city and presented myself at the City Library.
The Librarian was a severe looking and surprisingly young man who spared me the briefest glance before asking what I wanted.
"If you please, Sir, I would like to see the City Records of land ownership. Most specifically the eastern borderlands."
"All records of land ownership are kept in the palace Archives and can only be viewed with the permission of the Minister of Trade, or an authorised under minister. Any other questions?"
"How many items does your magnificent library have?"
"One thousand, one hundred and seventeen, including fourteen centauren texts, three elven texts, and eleven Dwarven texts."
"There are people can read Elven?" I asked in surprise.
"Only five scholars in Sandar have ever mastered the language. Two are deceased, one is the youngest Prince, one is the Minister of Trade and I am the fifth."
"May I present myself as the sixth then, Sir?"
"You speak the language? He exclaimed, but you are a woman!"
"I am quite aware of that, Sir. Nevertheless I can read the language and I wish to be recorded as such."
"You must prove it."
"Of course, is it a formal test?"
"Not as such, you read a text to me and if you are competent I will record it."
"Very well. Are you busy now?"
"I... no, but... do you not wish to prepare?"
"I wish to be shown the book you wish me to read."
"Very well. First I will need your name."
"Lora of Sandar."
He nodded and wandered off into the labyrinthine bookshelves. When he returned with a sheaf of unbound pages, I asked what his name was.
"I am the Librarian, Mistress Lora; there is no need for any other title."
I nodded, and held my hands out for the first page. He handed it to me and I read it, silently, in about half a minute.
"You may begin when you are ready. Just start at the beginning and translate it as you go."
(Note: the books in question are written in a human translation of the elven language.)
I read slowly but with enough confidence that it would be obvious to an observer that I did comprehend what I was reading.
"I am, quite frankly, amazed that someone so young and... well, female has mastered the complexity of this language."
"I could not claim to have mastered it, but I certainly have an understanding."
"It is a marvellous language. I have tried to speak it, but alas my tongue is not quick enough. When I was younger, I had thought to travel to the land where the Elven people trade but it is too late for that now. My responsibilities keep me here I’m afraid."
"When you were younger? Forgive me but you seem no older than myself, Sir, and I have not yet finished my thirty-second year."
"Ah," said the Librarian, "you have not been in the city long have you? I am a Mage, Mistress, I have been the Librarian for seventy-five years and will probably continue in the position for another century at least."
"I had no idea," I replied in genuine astonishment. "Forgive me for insulting you, Lord Mage."
"I am not insulted. Now I need an address to put on the record."
"The Pink Unicorn's Retreat, My Lord."
It had been the only Inn with vacancies, there was some kind of Festival on in two days.
"My Lord. May I trouble you for a letter of introduction to the Minister of Trade? I would greatly like to speak with another fellow scholar, as well as your good self."
"It would also help you with the records you want to see, hmm?"
"You have seen straight through me, My Lord If you do not wish to assist me I understand, of course."
"No, I do believe I will. On the condition that you discuss the language with me at a later date."
"I would be delighted to."
"Very well, I will write the letter tonight. Please excuse me, I must return to my duties."
"Good day."
I left the Library in a good mood, even if the minister did not see me based on the Librarian's letter the man himself interested me. I returned to the, ridiculously named, inn to perform and to wait for a reply.