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Latham smiles at Donovan's question and says, "Yes, of course you can't see it. We had a bit of an enchantment done upon it to protect us during this urgent time and someone was nice enough to build the home in the trees, so that no one accidentally runs into it." With that, Latham reaches up toward empty air and begins tugging on something. Shortly thereafter a ladder can be seen, leading up to a hut in the trees. "Anything else?" He awaits a response, but it is very clear he is anxious to get up to the home.

*Donovan smiles a bit at the hut that appears in the trees above him.*

"Yes, actually, there is one more thing Latham. I'll level with you, as you've been nothing but forthcoming with us thus far. I'd like it if a couple of us could come up for a few moments and have a look around."

*Donovan continues, apologetic in his tone.*

"You see, though we're very grateful for your assistance, the people of Haven have been duped before. Not everyone in town is quite comfortable trusting a mysterious and helpful scholar who appears when we most need advice on a powerful magical phenomenon. We've trusted people in the past, only to learn later that they had decieved us. Considering the circumstances, it's not a mistake we can afford to repeat. So if you don't mind giving Shale and Ian a quick tour and introducing them to some of your brothers, I'm sure we can put the fears of our townsfolk to rest."

Shale nods in agreement with Donovan, and then rubs his neck looking stressed at Ian.

He turns to Latham and speeks diplomaticly, "Yes, and I can sense a magical aura about you, but I can't place the spell's purpose. I had suspected it was giving you vigor to complete your mission to talk to Corbyn, but that guess seems to have been wrong. For all we know, it is some kind of illusion to mask one of our mortal foes, and I have been waiting for a polite moment to ask. I'd feel more comfortable if you could enlighten me before we enter your home or let you go."

Latham's expressions remain calm throughout the requests. When finsihed he nods, and says in as polite a tone as was given to him, "Yes of course I understand, but it would appear that I have already unwittingly duped you. My brothers are not here. Please understand it was not my intention to lead you astray on this matter. Our lives have been repeatedly threatened since we have undertook the task of stopping the prophecy. Somehow, our names have gotten out and we have received quite a few unsettling...encounters and letters and such. We know how important our work is and know that we cannot allow ourselves to be in one spot at the same time. Should we be attacked, we would all die and hope would be lost. They are stationed individually in huts similar to this one across the land. We can communicate at set times through magical means, which is how we avoid any overlap in our work and keep up to date on the information learned. Please understand that I must treat you with the same wariness as you treat me and cannot give you these locations. You are not the only ones to have fallen victim to deceit. That said you are more than welcome to come up and have a look around. Stay as long as you like but forgive my rudeness if I immediately go back to work." He stops, pauses, and then turns to Shale, saying, "The magic that you sense is a simple protection charm or perhaps you also sense that I an attuned with the magical ways of things. Now, would you like me to lead or follow?"

Shale mills over Latham's words for a while, "Seems a reasonable explination to me. These spells of arcane stealth and protection entrigue me. I would gladly help you and your brothers with your reasearch to learn more about them, but I don't want to seem presumtuous. Perhaps you would like to lead us inside so you can get started and we can see what you have to show us."

*Looking at both Donovan and Shale*

"Just let me know what you want to do to Donovan, you know this place and its people better than I"

*If led up to the hut, Ian shall keep his senses aware (spot and sense magic).. looking for anything that seems more odd that he has seen already.*

Turning to Shale, Latham says, "I'll be happy to teach you a thing or two when this is all over, but of course, priorities first." Latham heads up the ladder, followed by Shale and Ian (presumably). The climb seems longer than it appeared, but they finally reach the hut in the trees. Latham opens the door and enters the immaculately clean and quaint hut. There is a small table in the far corner, a bed off to the right, and books galore, all neatly arranged. The whole place does seem to glow with magic when sensed, but that is not all together surprising. "Feel free to look at anything you want," Latham says as he pulls a book from a shelf, opens it to the near the middle and begins studying it intently.

Shale doesn't miss a beat as Latham asks them to look around. Using his Spy knowledge, and sagely researching, he starts systematically scouring the books for anything interesting or that he thinks could help Latham. He nods to Ian, "This is going to probably take a while. If there's anything you want me to explain just ask. Don't stray too far though. Donovan waiting outside or coming in?"

*looking around* "Quite a nice place you have here.. could have used maids this good back where I grew up.. I was quite the slob."

*Looking at Shale* "Well as long as the books are written in a human language I shouldn't have to much problem understanding them, unless of course they are spells or such, while i know how to stop them, how to cast them is not my thing."

*after saying his bit to Shale, he gives Latham a quick nod and proceeds to slowly walk around and give the whole room a thourough scan..(spot).. in case anything interesting might be laying around the Latham may think unimportant but Ian might*

The vast majority of the books, including the one that Latham is studying, are written in a language other than common. At one point Latham looks up from his book and states very graciously, "I would understand if you felt you could not stay. I had thought that Corbyn expected you back in case larger parties were needed to secure the relics. I am not sure how long this will take and would hate for you to miss something so important, but don't get me wrong, you are welcome to stay."

It is noticed that the hut seems smaller on the inside than it did on the outside. Noticing or sensing confusion, Latham admits, "There is a door in the middle of the wall behind me that will reveal itself when you touch it. There is a small room there if you wanted to make sure all is secure." He does await a response before returning to his book...

*looking at Shale* " I am ready when you are"

*bowing to Latham* "Thank you for all your help and hospitalty, i do hope to see you again in the future"

*With that, Ian stands by where Latham said the door was and waits for Shale to finish what he is doing*

Shale nods to Ian and walks to the secret door to the other room Latham mentioned talking to him, "Ian, one of us should stay by the doorway just in case... though Donovan is outside if something odd happens magical portals can be tricky and with you and I on the other side of one he has even less arcane understanding than you do. So, you go in and I'll keep you covered."

Shale pauses momentarily to query Latham, "What language are those texts in anyway?"

*Once Shale is in place, Ian will touch the hidden door where indicated and once it opens step through.. keeping all his senses on high alert*

"allright Shale, I should be right back"..*grins at Shale*

Latham replies simply, "They are in one of the ancient tongues. Don't worry about the door. It's just another room, when I don't want to be found."

Indeed, as the door opens, another smaller room can be seen, fairly sparse with just a chair and a desk for writing.

*Taking a step into the room, Ian quickly prowls the room giving it a thorough once over.. then steps over and takes s seat behind the desk, quickly appraising anything that might be on the desk.. Once he is decided that there is nothing of note he will head out and let Shale know what he has found*