Arven was a little relieved that his new acquaintance had no problem with returning the artefact to the Africans. He wouldn't have been able to stop Arven from doing so, but his cooperation — and, dare he hope, his friendship in this adventure — would go a long way.

Still, it was a rare thing. England was a colonialist nation after all, and few colonialists allowed foreigners to keep their treasures.

"Hm, a book on African languages — and one on lost languages", he replied, and added them to Operine's stack. Arven could be scholarly at times, but here he was ill-qualified. He left the leafing to the curator.

"So you think it may be repaired or stimulated by a ritual?" Arven asked curiously, interested in Operine's musings on old magic.