The library turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Giselle had been to many libraries through her life, including the Grand Library at Fluswell, home of the gnomes. Nothing could beat that library. Rows were stacked upon rows, many stories high and full of books and scrolls and parchments and anything you could imagine.

This library couldn’t hold a candle, as if you'd do so inside a library, to the one back in Fluswell, but it was impressive nonetheless. She was sitting at a large table, a magically lit lantern illuminating Thorogh’s Guide to the Mystical and Magical. It had been suggested by a particularly helpful librarian, who had not questioned what she was looking for or batted an eye, she had just helped.

The book was actually really interesting. The weapons section was surprisingly robust, in fact, Giselle had set aside a small notebook full of staffs and swords she would go after once this stupid contract with Amarth was completed. Unfortunately, she had found nothing on the Spear of Larnath. Not even a vague rumor of its whereabouts or a weapon with any similar properties.

Groaning, she slammed the tome shut and buried her face in her hands. Nothing. A pile of books stood to her right, and an even larger one on her left. She reached for the next one on her left and dropped it in front of her. Weapons and Artifacts: A Study in Weapon Design With Particular Relation to Magically Enchanted Items. Giselle rolled her eyes. This one didn't sound dry and ponderous at all.

“Can I help you with anything else?” The librarian was back, beaming at her. She was unassuming enough, a woman without any distinguishing features. Everything about her seemed average, from her height, to her mid length hair pulled back in a loose bun, to her clothes. The only thing Giselle was sure about was that this woman was fairly young, probably somewhere in her second decade.

The warlock looked over this human, who just stood there, still smiling in a pleasant way. She seemed kind enough, asking for more help certainly couldn't hurt anything? When she had first come in she’d only told her she was searching for ancient weapons. Why not spill the entire thing? Finding the Spear sooner would mean she was released sooner, there was no downside.

And the sooner she completed her contract, the sooner she could go see Gild again. He would be so thrilled to see her, he would agree to any adventure she wanted, even if the last one ended up with her being stolen by Amarth. She smiled softly, weapons would be a good start.

She couldn't help but wonder if he had succeeded in pacting with a demon after her. It would be an incredibly stupid thing to try to do, especially after seeing her get taken during their attempt. But, it would be a quicker way to power, if his stupid self was trying to come after her. He probably was.

She glanced up and found the librarian still smiling, though it had dropped slightly. “Sorry, my mind is a bit frayed,” she gestured to the books she’d already been through.

“That’s what I’m here for!” the librarian beamed again. “Anything in particular you are looking for? I’ve noticed a theme of magic among the ancient weapons you requested earlier. We have a wonderful selection of books involving magic and enchantments, with a great sub category specifically for weapons. And if it’s ancient you’re looking for, I can think of three off the top of my head we haven’t supplied to you yet that would provide more direct and meaningful information that the ones you haven't read yet.”

Giselle blinked, slowly. Once. Twice. She shook her head a little bit to clear it from the word barrage she had just received. “You are correct in what I’m looking for. I am hoping to find a specific magical weapon though, or at least some information about it.”

“What weapon?”

“The Spear of Larnath.”

The smile dropped as if someone had hit her. She hissed, “What do you know about it? Why do you need to know about it?”

“Uhh,” Giselle paused before offering a half smile. “Research?”

Giselle blinked a couple more times at the librarian. Humans had this weird affinity for things that were smaller than themselves. They always seemed to deem it cute, much to the consternation of the dwarven and gnomish race. That was one of the chief reasons dwarves, both men and women, grew such majestic beards. They wanted to combat that cute stigma humans placed on them. For once though, Giselle was happy with this stereotype as she tried to give this librarian the best puppy dog eyes she could imagine.

The librarian reached into her shirt and pulled a small necklace out and dangled it in front of Giselle. It was a tiny chain with a pendant hanging at the end of it. The pendant was a spear with a glaive shaped head, piercing through a sun or star or maybe just a circle. It was a bit hard to tell as the pendant swung on the chain from the women’s shaking hands.

“What does that mean?” Giselle asked as the women tucked the pendant back into her shirt, glancing around the library.

“I am a part of the Order of Larnath,” she whispered, still looking around like a startled bird, her head jerking a little with each glance. “We are tasked with finding the Spear and protecting it from those who would bring harm and evil to our world.”

“Ah, well you shouldn't have told me about your Order then,” Giselle said, leaning back in her chair. “I intend only to bring harm and evil to the world.”

The woman's mouth dropped as she stared at the gnome. “I.. you can’t.. If..”

Giselle started to chuckle, shaking her head. “I’m just messing with you. I’m glad you told me about the Order. I am actually trying to find the Spear for a very similar purpose.”

The relief on the librarian's face was palpable. She sighed and plopped down into the chair next to Giselle. “Thank the Seraphim. You were the first person who has ever mentioned the Spear outside of our Order and I don't know what I would’ve done if you were really evil.”

She paused, looking at Giselle. “You aren't, are you? I know you said you aren't, but that sounds like something an evil person would say to try to confuse me.”

“I’m not, I swear on the Seraphim. I won't lie to you, I’m not an ardent follower of any holy order, but I’m not evil. I’m really just a gnome, trying to make it in a crazy and chaotic world.”

The librarian smiled, “Thank you. I appreciate the honesty. And you're right, it is a crazy world. It's part of what drew me to finding the Spear and helping bring order back to the world.”

Giselle frowned. “What exactly does the Spear do?”

“I can’t really give you that information,” the librarian squirmed in her seat a little. “You seem like a person who would be a great help though, and if you want to, I can invite you to an Order meeting. Once you are there and approved, you can request all the information we have learned so far.”

Giselle ran her tongue over her teeth, thinking about the proposition. It was tempting. If anything she could go, find what she could, then bail. What harm was there in that? If this lady was part of the cult they wouldn't be too insane. Probably. At least they wouldn't be the violent kind. Maybe.

“Sure, I’d love to go to one of the meetings.”

“Perfect!” The librarian tore a sheet of paper from a nearby book.

“Uh, I'm not sure you are supposed to do that as a librarian.”

“It's fine,” she waved a hand flippantly. “I’m writing down the place we are holding our meeting. As luck would have it, the next one is tonight, just after the sun sets. Go to this address, knock on the door three times, and the password is Sun Rises and Darkness Falls. My name is Lara by the way.”

Lara handed the slip of paper over. “I only became a librarian to get easier access to information about the Spear. I look forward to seeing you tonight.”

Lara stood up and started to walk away. She paused, offering another beaming smile to Giselle, and then was gone, lost among the rows of tables and books and desks. Giselle turned back to the book in front of her, the torn piece of paper with an address next to it. She pocketed the address and tried to read her book, but couldn't get her mind to focus. This book would be here if the meeting didn't work out.

What was the harm anyways? Even if they are a bunch of wackadoos and happened to get weirdly violent, she still had access to enough mana to give them a fright. That, or start a fire to make enough of a diversion that she could get away.