I woke up to the sounds of metal being cut. It was loud. It was also late in the morning and I had no right to complain. I made my way downstairs into Vivi’s workshop. My friend just barely acknowledged my presence with a glance before refocusing on her work. She was using water formed into a thin line moving toward her claws. The liquid emanated from a basin that stood on the ground below her workstation. Above, a block of brass was being cut into.

As I observed, I noticed the water simply disappeared into her body. It accelerated right before reaching the claws and curved to carve the metal. Vivi was standing in the basin, the three feet touching the water being completely invisible. It took me a moment to realize she had turned them into liquid with how the light broke around the surface. That had to be how she made more water for cutting.

I spent almost an hour just watching the ocelot at work. She was extremely careful, only every carving tiny amounts of material. The clippings fell into the basin and were moved to the back by a constant current. The basin would have to be cleaned every once in a while but it seemed like a very comfortable way to work. She could completely focus on the stream used for cutting.

From the rough shape, I could guess this would be a dwarf. If I had to bet, I would say it was supposed to become Safrah. Why she had not kept at her own figure took me a bit to figure out. With all the action in the middle of the room, I had completely missed the finished figures in the back. There was myself made from wood and my steel feathers as well as Vivi made from steel with brass for details. Our figures stood next to each other imposingly watching over the workshop. Further investigation showed the steel clean and polished with a thin film covering it. My nose was not good enough to smell it but I presumed it was oil to prevent rust.

“Where are these going when you’re done?”, I asked.

“The city hall. Dor wanted to have them displayed after he saw the two of us but I said not without Safrah.”

“Neat. Is he paying you?”

“More than enough.”

I could see Vivi wanted to focus on her carving and decided to leave her be. Still, having a statue of myself visible publicly was going to be interesting. I did not quite feel as important as the dwarves made me out to be but they wanted Vivi, primarily. She simply did not want to be the only one. For that, I was thankful.

Safrah was reading the Thaumonomicon in her study, a few sheets of paper already covered in notes. I joined her for a bit.

“Good morning. What are you researching?”, I asked.

“Haa… Good morning. I’m not sure where this is going… My elemental weave seems interesting but I’m lacking use cases. It also needs a bunch of vis. I’m looking into enchanted fabric right now which can reduce vis expenditure for thaumaturges using artefacts. Maybe I can combine the two…”

“The stuff most make their robes from, huh? That’s probably a good direction. I would offer help but I’m still a little busy. Wait… I met a sapient spider that asked for a Thaumonomicon. Maybe she could give some new insight. Mind if I take your current research to her?”

“A spider? Where do you find all these weird people?”

“This one lives close to the goblin village. I’m gonna trade with her for some major vis crystals for Alex.”

“Major already? Weren’t you just trying to figure out how to get her started?”

“She had similar exposure to the Empty as I had. I believe that has something to do with it.”

“I see… Well, I don’t mind if you take a copy of my notes. When are you leaving again?”

“Two days from now. I need to wait for a delivery of brass and visit the library.”

“That’ll be enough time. I’ll have it ready when you’re leaving.”

“Alright. See you later.”

Safrah only mumbled a reply as she got back to her research.

I took off to see Les Adena, head of library. The dwarf was waiting for me in her office with a cup of tea for herself and a bowl for me.

“Welcome, Fio. I really enjoyed our talk yesterday. We should do something like that more often.”

I bobbed my head.

“I did as well. I’ll come by whenever I have some interesting stories to share.”

“Thank you. Now, there are a few things to discuss. Hungry nodes are dangerous and the knowledge we dwarves have about them is few and far between. I hope you will keep us up to date on your discoveries.”

“Of course. As soon as I have something concrete that is…”

“Very well. There’s one more thing. Here, take this.”

She reached below her desk and pulled something out of a drawer. I saw a glint of gold as she put it on the table. Her hand covered it during her next words.

“This is an important sigil for every Adena. Anyone carrying this can be relied on to speak the truth. I implore you to return it to any head of library if you ever feel you are no longer trustworthy.”

“I understand.”

“Then, here you go.”

She lifted her hand to reveal a delicate brooch in the shape of an open book. A quill and key were crossed behind its back. The book’s cover and the key were made from gold with the feather and the pages being silver. The brooch was worked in extreme detail with every line of the feather carved precisely. The book even had letters on it that my eyes could only barely decipher. They were too small for any dwarf without tools to read.

One of truth brings knowledge from afar. One of order brings knowledge together. One of strength defends knowledge against suppressors. One of wisdom keeps danger from those unbothered.

The Guardians guide. The dwarves strive. The beasts hunt. The animals grow. Only together may we survive.

“What does the text mean?”, I asked

“It’s an old poem from the first Adena. It serves as our creed. Any head of library has a Skill to let them read it without tools. They will know you are our aide in the keeping of knowledge.”

“Not the search?”

“No. One of wisdom keeps danger from those unbothered. We do not want you to teach us what may addle our minds.”

“Thaumaturgy.”

“Correct. There are truths in this world people are better off not knowing. I trust you to filter those words out for those who do not need to know.”

“And if you need to know it? My research into nodes will dive much deeper than just the surface understanding.”

“As I said. I trust you. You are a dwarf, Fio. Even if you do not look like it. And even with your Species saying something different.”

I bowed.

“Thank you.”

Both of us took a few moments to enjoy some tea. It was just warm enough to no longer burn the tongue. My shadows carrying the liquid to my beak made it quite enjoyable to drink. Eventually, Les picked up the word again.

“Have you heard your title, yet?”

“Title? Like… head of library for you?”

“Yes and no.”

“I have something like that?”

“You do. If you hear it it will show up as your Name. If nobody calls you Fio anymore, it may even become your only name.”

“I… don’t know if I want to hear it, then…”

“Of course. With your exploits in this short a time, it’s likely to change anyway. I still want to explain to you the difference between my ‘head of library’ and your title.”

I bobbed my head.

“What I am called is a title of profession. There are many libraries and each needs a head. Any Master of their craft carries the title ‘Master’, any clan head carries the title ‘clan head’. These titles denote a role in society.

“What you have is different. Your title was given based on your exploits. It’s something even Guardians rarely receive since they do not interact with many dwarves. What that means is you have earned respect similar to our worshipped leaders. If not for Vivi we would call you Guardian of Borsdown even without you bonding to the node. That is simply how far your reputation reaches.”

“So… I got that for helping conquer a major node to turn this place into a city?”

“You received your title for proposing to conquer said node. Also for living like a dwarf with us without leaving your roots behind. And your exploits with that goblin village are sure to change it again once those dwarves return to tell their tale. I am sure of it. You are simply too memorable.”

I scoffed. The embarrassment made it difficult to find a proper reply. Les Adena smiled.

“Now, I believe that is all from my end. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Yes, actually. I find myself needing to make more Thaumonomicons. I almost believe that will happen more in the future. I need some kind of supply for leftover books.”

“That can be arranged. I will send those unable to be repaired to your home if that’s alright?”

“Sounds good. I’d like to take those I can immediately.”

“We can do that. Well then. I wish you a journey of learning.”

I clacked my tongue.

“May you keep your knowledge”, I answered.

That made the head of library smile and we soon left her office. Les told one of the librarians to supply me with what I asked for. An hour later I had three Thaumonomicons ready to be distributed to anyone who needed them. Two were already reserved for Jaka and Selene. The third would definitely find someone as well. As for the regular book deliveries, they would be useful even if I did not have to make more of the magical tome. Books held the essence of knowledge which could easily be turned into soul or used for some interesting devices. Safrah could probably find a use for them as well.