As I entered the tavern, the sound of chatter and the smell of food welcomed me like a warm hug. The kids were helping out throughout the guild house. Some watched Carson cook, others helped carry food and drink to tables, some of the younger ones weaved through the table playing tag. It was good to see them smiling and laughing, they deserved it.
I waved at Lixiv who was going through some of the record books with Aarson as I headed up the stairs. The sounds of the tavern lowered to a mere muffle as I approached Helena's office. The door was no longer there and the hallway smelled of iron.
"Helena? You good?" I called out.
I got a gruff sound of affirmation in return. "Come in."
Her office was darker than the rest of the guild house, coated with dark mahogany. Trophies of old kills dotted the wall: old hides, bones, and claws filled the walls to my left and right. Her desk was large and took up half the room, it was covered in paper and ink, her having been writing as I walked in. Behind her was a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled to the brim with books.
"Velyan, take a seat." Helena said without looking up. I took it. "Sorry for the mess. The morning got chaotic quickly with what Annalise dragged in."
She let out a deep sigh. "I called you up here to give the reward for grabbing Maxim." She reached under her desk for a moment, before placing a large tome on the table.
"I've compiled the sum of my knowledge into this book, a Guide to Duskmere. It contains knowledge on locations, beasts, and herbs that are helpful or dangerous for you. Maxim was kind enough to enchant it. Should you put the skin of a beast, or a plant, on here and spend ten minutes channeling magic, then the book can identify which animal or plant it is from. But more importantly it contains the description, habits, strengths, and weaknesses of many of the beasts in the Emerald Expanse."
"Thank you, Helena. Seriously." I had no more words to say.
"Thank you for retrieving an old troublesome friend." She said with a chuckle. "Speaking of that old bastard. He's offering rewards for information. If you find info that contradicts what is found in the book, or expands upon it, he and I are willing to pay a good price."
"I'll keep an eye out. Do you need anything else from me?"
"No. You are good to go."
I stood up and cast one final glance around the room, before exiting and heading towards the house Annalise mentioned, leaving the Dragonbreaker to her work.