There are a few references in this story, some less obvious than others. Please let me know if there are problems with the story displaying or in need of corrections.
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A Rare Encounter


The morning was crisp, with calm winds blowing through the town of Cranston. The town was bustling with activity. Local villagers moving their freshly harvested produce to the town square to be sold. Aside from the villagers, other people were preparing to sell their wares. Cloth traders were putting their spools of fabric up for display. Goldsmiths and gem dealers were adjusting their jewelry and gemstones within their respective stalls.

Despite how early it was, the town square was already abuzz with prospective buyers and traders looking for a good deal. Amongst them was Amelia Ashdown. With black stripes complimenting her brown feathers, she was an owlmorph that wore a sleeveless white dress that reached just below her knees. Her large wings were folded neatly behind, unhindered by the dress. Her two crest feathers, though large, still managed to support themselves.

It was during this time of the day where Amelia was making her rounds, looking for something to bring back home. The owlmorph looked around, observing each of the stalls that were present. Her expression relaxed as she poked around the merchandise. One of the merchants she approached, a botanist, was selling an abundance of small plants. Although she liked small plants, her home already had enough plants. Amelia proceeded to move onto the next tent.

“Oh,” Amelia said in surprise, left hand on the bottom of her face. She had arrived at a merchant selling artwork. While Amelia appreciated artwork, she was choosy when it came to art style. She was currently examining a painting of what appeared to be a feline that was in mime clothing. Disgust crept onto her face; Amelia did not like mimes. The owlmorph moved swiftly away from the painting and the merchant.

“Something certainly smells fishy,” Amelia deadpanned, obviously aware of what stand she arrived at. The fishmonger she approached was selling fish of different kinds, including trout, catfish, and perch. Amelia held a hand over her beak, brows furrowed as she attempted to ignore the smell of the fish. Despite the smell, she found a small amount of amusement as she noticed the blank, big eyed looks the fish gave off. It made her think of one of her cousins. After feeling satisfied from her examinations, Amelia departed from the fishmonger.

While she enjoyed examining each stall of its merchandise, nothing seemed to truely catch her interest. That changed however as she came upon an unusual sight: a bookseller. Amelia approached the stall, face etched with perplexity but filled with interest. The bookseller, an anthropomorphic canine that resembled a Scottish Terrier, greeted her with a smile.

“I see you are curious about what I sell,” said the canine, age hinted within his voice.

“Well, it’s not often you get to see a bookseller or anyone dealing with books in Cranston. Lamburd is the closest town that has a major bookstore,” Amelia said pleasantly, not bothering to hide her interest.

Amelia set herself to examine each book the bookseller had to offer. It would take some time as the stall was larger than some of the others at the town square. She noted that there was a variety of genres. What interested her though were the informative books, the kind that covered topics, such as rocks or plants. Amelia was currently looking at a rather strange book. Noticing her confusion, the canine chimed in.

“That one’s called, ‘The Wonders of the Bathroom.’ It’s an odd one,” said the canine. Amelia wouldn’t argue about the canine’s comment. Putting the book down, she picked up another one, the book noticeably heavy and hard. No doubt the book was made for professional hands.

“The book you’re holding, ‘Engineering for the Astute,’ is popular amongst engineering circles. In my opinion though, you don’t look to be the engineering type,” the canine remarked. Amelia, despite being mildly miffed by the comment, admitted that engineering was never her forte.

Amelia looked at the books more closely than before, hoping to find something interesting. As she did, she noticed something with a silver trim with a black hardcover. Picking it up, her beak began to curve with a smile as she realized what the book was.

“Hugh Mauer’s: The Manterbury Tales?” Amelia read the title out loud. Her face gave away the interest she had in the book.

The book was a classic. The copy she held was the grandmaster scholar’s edition, complete with commentary from the author. The version of the book she held was rare, only sold to national library vaults for preservation. It was also rare in that the grandmaster scholar’s edition was banned from being sold to the public. Regardless of how this copy managed to find its way in the canine’s possession, Amelia knew it was going to be expensive. Nonetheless, she squared her shoulders, face adjusted with the look of determination. To anyone else, she looked like she was about to fight someone.

“Bookseller,” Amelia began with boldness in her voice.

“This copy of ‘The Manterbury Tales’ has piqued my interest. How much are you willing to settle for the sale of this book?” Amelia finished. Her owl eyes focused on the canine.

The canine quickly caught onto Amelia’s behavior, firing back his own response.

“That book has been in my possession for no more than three years and yet many before you have tried to bargain with me,” the canine responded. “Many have failed to understand the rarity of this book. For this book, I would have to sell it for five hundred sixty Sils.”

Amelia’s left brow raised, showing skepticism on her face. “Five hundred sixty Sils? You’ve held onto that book for three years, surely you would have decreased your asking price, no?” Amelia replied. “Plus, for five hundred sixty Sils, I could buy seventy-five pairs of gloves from the clothier merchant.”

“Why should I do that? This book shouldn’t be out in the public in the first place, and yet here it is. Have you tried selling something that was banned?” the canine responded with a hint of annoyance. Amelia began to realize that this canine was going to be stubborn, and difficult to convince. Putting her left hand on her hip, she thought a bit before coming up with a response.

“How many of those people appreciate books?” Amelia asked. “How many of those people have a library? I have books that hardly anyone else would own.” Amelia was hoping to wear down the canine. To her benefit, it seemed to be working as the canine bent himself in stress, his hand held out as though he was trying to emphasis a point.

“Well, anyone can have their own library. What makes you anymore different?” the canine stressed to the owlmorph.

Amelia smiled as she picked her words. “Do you or anyone else you know own one of the ten copies of the ‘Amk’ha Trials’ or ‘The Mistake of Pythagoras’?” Amelia said to the canine, who was now getting uneasy. The canine was also becoming slightly peeved that Amelia was now beginning to grill him.

“Well, I…I…well, not really…,” the canine began to trip up, left hand now resting on his forehead while his right hand on his right cheek.

Amelia continued her “assault.”

“I also own a copy of ‘The Box’ along with a rare third edition of ‘The Aldeenian Connection.’ Not too many people own that,” Amelia continued. The canine, realizing who he is dealing with, capitulated. It would be futile trying to resist further.

“Okay, okay. I can part with the book at a reduced price. I can sell it for five hundred Sils,” the canine stated, hoping Amelia would accept the reduction. Unfortunately for him, the owlmorph did not.

“Is that the lowest you can go? The book’s still going to sit around for at least another year at that price. I am willing to pay you three hundred fifty Sils,” Amelia responded, her right index finger on the book.

“You are driving a hard point, but because you’re polite and eager to buy this book, I’ll give you a deal. Four hundred twenty-five Sils is the lowest I can go. Again, only because you were polite,” the canine said with a smidgen of confidence.

“Three hundred seventy-five Sils is all you’re likely going to get,” Amelia flatly stated with an air of confidence of her own. Her right middle finger was now pressing down on the book with her index finger. The canine looked up towards the air as though he was looking for a sign from the heavens. After a few seconds, he turned back towards Amelia, and with a sigh, held out his right hand. Amelia lifted her right hand to meet his, a small smile forming on her beak. She knew that she had won.

“You drive a hard bargain,” the canine stated. Unaware to Amelia, the canine figured that the owlmorph was right.

Amelia had returned from the town square to her home, now entering her library. The room contained rows of bookshelves, each adorned with books of varying subjects and genres. While ‘The Manterbury Tales’ was interesting, the book could wait to be read.

Coming to a partially filled bookshelf, Amelia stored the book on one of its shelves. She stepped back with hands on her hips. She examined both the book and the bookshelf as though she were admiring an art piece. After a few seconds, the owlmorph smiled, satisfied that she was able to bring home something. Amelia then heard bells chiming from the living room clock. She realized that it was still morning.

“I must have rushed myself too quickly,” Amelia said to herself.

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