Sodales,
I have a matter for your attention that caused an immense stir at the recent
Mummodiles meeting of the Normandy Tribunal, albeit behind the scenes and
not directly connected with any of the main business. At the time it was
a matter of fraught negotiations and accordingly not a subject for open
discussion.
The only clue at the time, upon which a few did comment, was that a Bjornær maga of unfortunate reputation and limited social skills was accepted in the new covenant being formed without the slightest demur from the other parties involved. It was clear that she had some unobvious advantage. The answer is that she had brought a number of books with her, and the interest was in one of these books in particular.
Maga Saskia had brought, and has convinced House Guernicus is legal owner of, a copy of "A Treatis on Fauna's Miracle", the premier summa for the Art Animál. Whereas this particular copy is in poor state of repair, it is an exceptionally advanced text and only three other copies are known. Further this copy includes a number of unique commentaries. All agree that Maga Saskia has done a great service by rescuing this from the Priscus library. There was naturally immense interest in, and much rivalry, over the book.
I can now reveal an outline of the deal that has been struck although many details remain confidential. Magus René (representing Maga Saskia and indirectly her covenant sodales) and Archimagus Mephitus (librarian of Petrusca) have arranged that the book will go to the Petrusca library. Archimagus Mephitus intends a restoration of the work which will take a number of years after which the work will be available for study. In return Petrusca will arrange the provision of copies of a number of common but high quality summae appropriate to a new foundation. It is fair to say that this one book will provide La Roche Caribet with a quite respectable Hermetic library.
Obviously Petrusca does not maintain a stock of spring covenant books, nor are its Magi willing to cease their researchs for a few seasons to copy books for a new foundation. Accordingly there have been an enormous number of further deals, involving most (quite possibly all) the covenants of the Normandy Tribunal and some outside it. There has been an exceptional level of trading of books, loans of books, access to book for copying and seasons of copying service. The books for La Roche Caribet library will be delivered over the course of the year, the libraries of many other covenants will be enriched in the process.
Redcap Aversus, schola Mercere
