A wagon pulls up to the tradehall...

[Jon]

"I got a delivery for Aelorn Volsun, " calls the driver to one of the clerks outside, "two barrels of lamp oil, and a crate of machine parts."

The clerk's shoulders slump in exhuastion, and he calls over a few orderlies to help collect the delivery. The clerk walks around the building to Aelorn's workshop, and returns after a few moments with a coin purse which he hands to the driver. He then helps the others move the goods into the workshop while the wagon driver urges his horse on its way.

[Arianna]

*Hearing Aelorn's name, Arianna saunters over to see what all the hustle and bustle is about.*
"Need any help carrying anything?"

[Jon]

"No miss, I think we got it all in hand." replies the clerk, pushingone of the barrels along on a hand cart, "There's always work to be had inside though..."

[Arianna]

"What's Aelorn working on that he needs all this stuff for?"

[Jon]

"I think you'd have to ask him, miss."

The clerk wheels the barrel behind Aelorn's workshop and out of sight.

[Arianna]

*Arianna skips over to the door of Aelorn's Workshop and knocks on the door.*

[Jon]

An assistant opens the door and calls out to Aelorn, "Its a Halfling woman, sir"

Aelorn looks across the contraption filled room, which somehow seems brighter inside than the daylight outside. Craning his neck around hanging armature, he spots Arianna in the doorway and waves her in.

"Ah, a mage. One who isn't more interested in armor than spellbooks. Come in, come in." Aelorn places a large ledger down on a table against the wall, and walks around the perimeter of the room, careful not to jostle any of the swings, ropes and lanterns surrounding the Statue of Buru in the center of the workshop.

"Mind not to disturb the apparatus. What can I do for you?"

[Arianna]

*Arianna steps into the room slowly and carefully as to not touch anything, but still looking around the room curiously.*
"I was wondering if you could help me with a question I had about the book I'm reading, but I can see you have your hands full. Do you need any help? I'd be glad to lend some assistance."

[Jon]

"Well, for now its just observation." Aelorn's eyes move from Arianna to the statue and back. "...unless you want to die a time or two."

"But you have a question about a book? If I can help I wouldn't mind a little distraction."

[Arianna]

"Normally, I'd jump at the chance to see what something does, but I have Sarong the Second to take care of now, so I think I'll pass this time. The question I have is about this book,"
*Arianna pulls a large, heavy book from her side bag. It is very old, the image that was once on the cover has worn off with age, and the pages have seen some heavy damage.*
"There is a man named Jack in this book, but he is mentioned several times. In one story he jumps over candle sticks, in another he falls down a hill, and in the third, he climbs a bean stock. I was wondering if it was the same 'Jack' in all three stories, or just a coincidence. My parents did say that it contains many different children's stories from different authors, so that may be the case."

[Jon]

Aelorn takes a moment to scan over the stories, his brow furrowed at times.

"I'm hesitant to believe they are all the same Jack. When I was young I'd read similar stories in elven books, and none of the elves in those stories were named Jack. There was Salla, a girl, who lept over a lamp, and Tellun, who climbed a giant strawberry vine to a troll's castle in the clouds... something to do with a lamb that grew golden fleece. The one about falling down the hill, I don't know of an elven counterpart."

Aelorn closes the book and hands it back to Arianna.

[Arianna]

*Arianna nods and slides the book back into her side bag.*
"I was also wondering how much Illusion magic you know. After I'm done studying Enchantment, I was thinking about learning Illusion."

[Jon]

"I know some illusion spells... and by the time you're ready I'll probably know quite a few more."

Aelorn pauses a moment in thought, then walks over to an open journal and begins writing something down.

[Arianna]

*Arianna waits for Aelorn to stop writing.*
"Well, when I'm ready to learn Illusion, I'll have to stop back by to pick your brain a bit. Hopefully by then I'll have gotten in good favor with Baebie. I'd like to become a sorceress if possible," Arianna says with a big smile.

[Jon]

Aelorn continues his focus on the book, but responds to Arianna as well.

"Sorceress of Bebai. Interesting choice. If you set your mind to it, I'm sure you will achieve it."