So soon into my second commission and I've already had a calamitous setback. The gentlemen at the Scholar's Stair archives not only don't have any old spines from damaged books they'd sell me, they seemed horrified at the very idea. One might surmise I had suggested taking their most precious and rare volumes and hacking the spines off with an axe! Surely there must be books which have already suffered from the vagaries of mere academic existence, whose spines remain intact though their pages have been ruined by water, fire, smoke, or similar deleterious elements; and what purpose do those orphaned spines serve now? I am not blind to the sanctity of the written word -- I take pride in being a man of letters -- but I felt their reaction went beyond respect and into zealotry. They intimated I would have little luck securing such material hereabouts from any other. But I am under commission and shall find a way to meet my obligations, even if I must, to my own consternation and their horror, take spines from extant, whole books!
The advance on the commission will be enough to repay the kindness of the loan Arthur gave, out of mercy, or perhaps a tinge of regret for having called me a cad after hearing of Liffey passing an evening with me. The furor of that incident reached its peak about then. I hadn't seen her since the night in question, Caein had seemed critical and perhaps jealous, and then Arthur, goaded by Piper's gossip, took it the worst way too, as though I had misled the girl or had my way against her will -- surely he must remember the water pouring from his hair reminding him she would brook no less than her own wishes! I felt positively beseiged by criticism and suspicion, and the worse for it because I had been so fastidiously respectful and honest at every turn, but everyone took it as certain it was quite the contrary. All this has faded, though. Liffey had just been out in the woods, not avoiding me, and on her return, the storm of recrimination blew over. Even Arthur reassured me that my honor could be a comfort, even if no one else saw it, which is part of what led to the loan. I've not seen Caein or Arthur since, as yet, but I trust that, should they look at me askance, I will weather it with aplomb.
I was also put off by Arthur's reluctance to commission any furniture; he insists his estate is already well-supplied with legacy, I have no doubt with stodgy, unimaginative, and perhaps pretentious works, but if he shan't give me a chance to show him what I can do, then so be it. But my notice brought me this second commission, for one Fiontann Berengar, a person of some repute in Bree-town, as my sister tells me. He was laid up with some injury of the leg, but most agreeable to discussions of his particular needs, and quick to agree to my price. The work will not be particularly challenging, artistically or in terms of joinery; he favors straight lines, a clean aesthetic, and blocky forms, which make for easy construction. His wife, who I did not meet, is of the Rohirrim, so there's to be horse-head decorations, which afford some challenge; to make it the more elaborate, I will endeavor to ensure the grain of the wood follows the contours of the manes and coats. The true challenge, though, will be the concealed compartment, for which the book spines will be required for a fascia; it will take some cunning design to allow it to fold out with a clean angle of swing without displacing the books which rest against it. I think it shall be hinged on the distal, with a slight curve opposite. Counterweighting so it swings easily even when laden, while keeping the hinges fully concealed, will take some very delicate dovetailing. Perhaps this shall be a fascinating challenge and a showpiece after all, though sadly, it being concealed, it won't do much for my reputation. But one hopes if Mr. Berengar is pleased, he speaks accordingly to others of Bree-town, even if he says little about the true reasons for his satisfaction!
Things to see to:
- Hang Liffey's shelves tomorrow, once the paint has dried overnight
- Inquire at the Pony if Caein has collected my note concerning escort
- Find prices to hire a draught horse that can help with carrying lumber
- Ask Liffey where good walnut trees might be found in the Chetwood
- Ask the Elf at the Pony about other sources for book spines (she always has a book)
- Speak to the forge-master about hinges and locks for desk and hidden compartment
- Draw revised diagrams for the bookshelf, with counterweights and hinge concealment
- Send a letter to Mr. Berengar concerning progress and anticipated timeline
- Inquire for prices for chisels and planes
- Get more flowers for Margot and Eugenie, and also Piper
