Swiftly scanning through the last few paragraphs, Arias set the document aside with a low snarl and retrieved one of the many pages the librarian had retrieved for him earlier. While he suspected these would only work to provide him with the same information he had gathered a dozen times over, it was better to exhaust every possible avenue of research by comparison to dallying with idle thoughts. Or idle mages for that matter, a number of whom never ceased to infuriate him when they espoused the same systems that had been put into place for years beyond measure. It made him wonder if they even desired to explore the wealth of open ground that lay before them, eagerly awaiting even a single curious mind.
Letting out an exhausted sigh, he was about ready to rest his face on the table or attempt to tear apart the magical parchments when a mysterious figure sidled up next to him. With a hand extended, they set a scroll he had never seen before near his ever-growing pile. Just as this action was taken, a chill that would have bitten to an organics bone rolled through; yet it was powerful enough to even make Arias briefly shudder. Turning his gaze away from the table, he eyed the new figure.
Atramentous was the only word he could think to describe the incredible darkness that seemed to compose his fur. Looking up, white, black-circuited eyes met glowing crimson that bore an indescribable depth. While most would have found this new man sinister to the degree of immediately fleeing in the opposite direction, Arias learned long ago to never turn down help; regardless of the rather unusual package it may come in. Chipped tongue flicking at the air, he carefully retrieved the scroll, but did not yet read its contents as the fox finally spoke.
"The king." Arias cocked his head ever so slightly. He had met a good number that proclaimed themselves the royalty of various lands, but he did not recall a single instance where he had performed an action worthy of procuring such a debt. Let alone from a figure who obviously wielded great power if they were able to employ a creature such as this. Then again, there was an entity he often heard mentioned in hushed whispers among the various mages that used the library. A man who had risen to power in another prominent city, one that he had looked into for a time in order to decide if he should visit their grounds next. A place that he actually intended to go to once he was finished here.
Considering what to do next, he finally decided on bowing his head in response. He was not one to openly give away how unaware of a situation he may be, especially one in which the Fanged King was a responsible party. Instead he rose from his seat, matching the fox in height and possibly surpassing him by a few inches. Now that he was standing, he retrieved the scroll from the table and carefully tucked it into one of the plates that composed his right thigh. While he had every intention to pour over the document in full detail, he felt uncomfortable doing so within the confines of Circle City--let alone before this fox of no name and disconcerting disposition.
"If he wishes to know of what I learn, will communication be maintained in a similar manner?" Arias' eyes narrowed somewhat. While he was fairly certain this comment in and of itself would not give away how completely out of water he felt, he also thought it was a question he was required to ask. If the Fanged King bore interest in what he was researching and possibly intended to utilize it, he required the answer to such a question. Doubly so if this fox was going to be the sole go-between.