Lord Robert soon sat comfortably in the cave. The skull sat rattling in the roiling water while Clot sat sharpening his beak on the hearth’s stone edge.

“Lichen or Birch?” XXXII XXXII asked Robert, “Or dandelion wine?”

“I’ve seen the state of your lichen my dear ExiExi. Birch if you please”.

The cave’s exterior, it’s location and changing paths, was a complete ruse. The interior was elegant, comfortable, warm and full of scientific paraphernalia and a magnificent cavern deeper in containing a vast library.

Robert, his family and others knew XXXII XXXII’s true identity; XXXII XXXII was really Lord Robert’s half brother, the other half being his sister too. Born with strange organs, she was set out on a pyre by the local clergy. As the clergy prayed, a red raven took roost on the upper most twig and the crowd, sensing an omen, demanded her release.

Serving tea on an elegant pewter tray, XXXII XXXII finally got down to business. "I know you’re in a hurry. Tell me brother, what is your need?