"Fifty mark," the shopkeeper tells Nimue patiently.

Nimue delicately holds out a hand, indicating she'd like to inspect the book herself. "Nathaniel Hartl......I'm not familiar with the name, perhaps you could enlighten me as to his qualifications?"

    Astrid stops her browsing of the shelves when Nimue makes her request. She eyes the selection with curiosity. "Do you have business in the Eazim Forest too?!" she asks bluntly.

Nimue raises an eyebrow, looking down at the dwarven woman. "Not yet. But I have a certain specialty and it's always good to be prepared."

The shopkeeper places the book down on a reading table for Nimue to examine.

"Herr Hartl studied at the Great Archive in Tanemburg and dedicated most of his life to cataloguing the magical fauna of the Eazim region," she explains.

Nimue nods appreciatively. "It should make for an interesting read, then." She looks at Astrid again. "My destinations remain unknown to me. I suppose it's the will of Aralath." Or my grandmother, she adds silently.

Nikolai had been perusing the numerous book titles when he heard a familiar name arise from the conversation. "Ah, Nathaniel Hartl! I knew of him from my childhood at the Archives. He was a fascinating man; I read many of his works and would have loved to studied with him, but this was many years ago and in the days of his research I was but a scullion." He drifts off briefly into the ghosts of his past. Life in the Archives had never been easy as a child, but it had been better than what he was likely to have endured in his father's halls or more than likely the streets of Tanemburg. The hours between the menial labor where he could find a dark, candle-lit corner with a tome or scroll or obscure lore... that is what had made it all worthwhile. A small smile spreads across Nik's lips as he takes a deep smell of the unique scent of aged books; there was nothing like it and it was a smell that he deeply missed. He savored it for a moment, knowing it was likely to be some time before he would experience it again once they left the walls of Piotrgrad.

He turns to the proprietor with an inquisitive glance. "Would you happen to have anything on the studies of dragons? In particular white dragons?"

"Oh, yes, of course," the Elf replies. "We should have a copy of the Draconomicon on hand. Please follow me."

Nikolai is led across the room to a different set of shelves, from which the shopkeeper extracts a heavy book, placing it down on another table with a soft thud.

Nikolai nods. "That is exactly the sort of book I require, thank you. How much for such a tome?"

"Sixty gold pieces," the shopkeeper tells Nikolai cheerily.

Alaris waves as they part ways with the shopping group. "I will make arrangements for rations and rides. Ling and Astrid are already covered, I believe..." Then they turn back into the temple and make their way to the stables, where a special, oversized stall in the horse barn has been set aside for the use of Bogatyri like Alaris. A perfect circle of mithril is laid into the stone floor, etched with Celestial glyphs and coupled with moonstone and lapis lazuli at points around the circle. The paladin kneels inside the circle and cuts their finger with a ritual blade, then touches the circle with the gift of their life. The mithril begins to glow from within, and the gems glitter with the silvery light. In their mother tongue, they sing...

Lady, your servant calls. Glorify your name!

Lady, this is my hour of need. Bless me, my Lady, with a gift of your grace.

Lady, make me your symbol of joy and beauty and life and peace.

Lady, your servant calls. Glorify your name!

The knight makes their way back to their quarters and dresses for street work. They smudge their makeup with dirt to hide any distinctive shine of their heritage, and don an older set of tatty garments, lovingly maintained for such purposes. Slipping out through the almsway of the temple, they wander and mingle with other streetfolk, asking questions to learn which livery in this part of the city has a reputation for fair dealing and quality animal husbandry.

Nimue gently picks up the soft leather tome, and moves towards the front of the store. She nods to Astrid, catching Nik's eye on her way up. She smiles at the Elven woman. "You have an exquisite selection here. You must be one of the finest book merchants in the city." She holds up the book. "If we were to purchase the four tomes you've given us, perhaps a small discount on the total sum?"

The shopkeeper considers Nimue's proposal for a moment, before making an offer.

"How about one hundred and eighty two mark and seven taler for the lot?" She asks with an overly sweet smile.

Nimue looks around at the gathered group, gauging their reactions to the offer. After a moment of almost awkward silence, Ghoul pecks Nimue on the head again, giving an impatient squawk. Nimue winces and smiles at the shopkeeper.

"That sounds perfect. Thank you for your graciousness."

Once the books have been paid for, the shopkeeper carefully wraps them in sheets of linen for transport and bids her customers a good day.

     "Thank you," Astrid says taking her book and tucking it under her arm. "You have a nice shop here and I maybe I can make it back here one day. This book, " she pats the heavy tome, "will keep me busy for awhile." She gives the elf a smile and exits the shop with the others. 

     "I have some gems to buy for some spells. You all are more than welcome to come along." 

Nimue slips the leather tome into her bag. "I'll join you. I have a few gems I'm looking for myself." Her face grows pensive. "Then I have some business to attend to."

Rzadkie Rubiny isn't far from Schwarnbrunn. The wooden shopfront can be found just a few streets on, nestled into the bottom of the row of buildings at just-below-ground level. A short flight of stone steps leads down to its door and the sign above proclaiming the name above has been painted in red.

Inside, a teenage boy stands behind the counter, while deeper inside the clinking of metal on metal can be heard.

"G- g- good day," the boy stammers. "H- h- how can I help you?"

Nikolai thanks Nimue for her assistance in negotiating a discount on the purchase, then looks to the others as Astrid mentions seeking out gems. "I need to locate an armourer to best equip myself for this long journey. The battle with the fleder reminded me that my own protections are somewhat lacking. I shall meet you all back at the Sheep later." He winks to his companions and heads off into the bustle of the city streets until he locates a familiar leatherworker with whom he has done business before. He enters the shop with an appreciative sniff of the scent of the tanned, cured leather works hung on display. He waits patiently for the shopkeep to become available while he looks about.

    Astrid gives the boy a warm smile as she approaches the boy. "Hello there... Me and my friends here just needing a few gems... diamonds, in particular."