<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/5e/Clarisse_by_bilopsis-d5xgb49.png)</div><div align="center"><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">Aelys Wimpenny (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=159096)</span></span></strong></div><br/>She considered the young man's words on their return trip to the house, hands drawing her hood back into place over her abundance of inky hair, the better to prevent anyone accidentally catching a glimpse of the pointed ears hidden within the silky strands.  "You're probably right, but threatening to curdle the milk in the udders of their livestock or inspire their wives' mothers to make an extended visit doesn't have<em>nearly</em>the same dramatic flair as raising the bones of their forebears."  She sighed wistfully at the thought of making those rude and unwashed peasants quake in their shoes and cower at the very idea of invoking her awesome wrath.<em>One day....</em><br/><br/>She followed the others into the house, stopping just inside to remove her damp cloak and find a suitable place to hang it so that it might dry.  After slipping a small mirror from one of the many pockets in her unlikely attire, she stood in the room with the others, combing her fingers through her hair and smoothing wrinkles from her clothing.  Here, she seems unconcerned with revealing the tell-tale points on her sculpted ears, assuming that if Innoki is accepted, then she would hardly be turned away.  Once her appearance was set to rights, she put her mirror away and accepted a glass of wine, taking a set and crossing her legs as her attention fell on the Councilor.<br/><br/>She listened, rapt, as he spoke of the books, a gleam of interest, and something less pure, alighting in her eyes as she considered the tomes that they were charged with protecting and delivering.  Sipping her wine, she let her mind wander the pathways of possibility, barely hearing the bit about the platinum, and caring little about it.<em>A month...a month here to possibly study those books...assuming the others will allow me...</em>She glanced around the room, gaze briefly pausing on the tiny, robed figure before moving on to the dwarf.  Clearing her throat, she shrugged a touch.  "I would be happy to stay and protect you, Kendra.  As I said, I owe your father much and my concern for your well-being goes beyond simple obligation.  I've heard stories about you for so long, that I can not help but feel protective.  In fact, since there is<em>some</em>concern about the contents of the books.  I think it would be prudent for me to read through them before we deliver them to the University.  Just to make sure there's nothing to really worry about."