The office was surprisingly modest.
John had expected the Chief Archivist of the Royal Library to work in an extravagant chamber lined with priceless artifacts.
Instead...
The room felt comfortable.
Lived in.
Tall bookshelves covered every wall from floor to ceiling, each filled with carefully organized books, scrolls, and wooden cases labeled in neat handwriting. A large oak desk stood near the center of the room, its surface occupied by stacks of manuscripts, quills, bottles of ink, and several magnifying lenses.
Sunlight filtered through a single arched window overlooking the library gardens.
The scent of aged parchment mixed with cedar wood filled the air.
It reminded John of Elder Rowan's home back in Greenhollow.
A place devoted to knowledge rather than status.
Elena bowed respectfully.
"I'll leave you two alone, Master Aldric."
"Thank you, Elena."
She quietly closed the door behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
The elderly scholar continued studying John.
