Marcus's Journal

Marcus knows his arcane research is madness — men have burned for less — yet inquisitiveness and danger ever travel together, per his father's saying. To study properly he needs books, and hears Henrik's Svartrau shop near Altenmarkt Square holds quite a collection; he will visit tomorrow.

Strangely, the fixation that once stole his sleep now seems trifling — the human heart is a queer organ. His fears have shifted to the overly kind, overly trusting Henrik: old foes might recall Marcus's sins and make Henrik pay for them.

The volume is his — Henrik will rage at the 'loan' but relent seeing what Marcus accomplished on his behalf. The bracelet answers the purpose precisely. Then: an end to dark arts, an end to fretting.