biblioklept
a person who steals books.
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There were a lot of guards around. All of them stood around a single place. In that place stood a pedestal. On that pedestal was a book. A large, old book with a heavy leather cover and ornate embossing. None of the party guests could see what was so important about that book. There were so many other pieces of art on display that many wondered about the owner’s mental state.
After all, why protect a book when a fine marble statue stood not twenty feet away? And then there was the display of fine jewelry that lined the walls in neat cases. And the paintings simply covered the walls. So why was the book the only thing with protection?
The owner of all the art on display, Lord Keller, made his way around the room, speaking to guests. All of them complimented him on the quality and variety of his collection. Many remarks and inquiries were made about where he got them or who made certain pieces. But nobody asked about the guards around the book.
That changed when one of the younger guests decided his curiosity outweighed the social problems that asking would cause.
“Simple.” Lord Keller said. “I anticipate that particular book will be the target of a thief.”
“A thief? Really?” The young lordling asked. “Why would this thief steal a book instead of the jewels in your possession?”
“Yes, really. First of all, that book is very rare, and just as valuable as anything else in my collection. More valuable than some, in fact. But yes, a thief. A very odd one. He’s been called the Page Taker. He only steals one thing. Books. Nobody knows why this is, but many a rare and valuable book have been stolen by this man.”
The young noble nodded. “Ah, I think I see. I do have to wonder what this Page Taker is thinking though. I mean, books?”
“A lot of experts are wondering the same thing. Personally, I think he’s a scholar. He takes books that aren’t found in any library, you see. I believe he seeks knowledge that others don’t have.”
“Sounds more like he’s just trying to make a name for himself.”
“Oh?”
“History is full of famous criminals, and all of them have something that sets them apart from a beggar stealing bread. Uncommon skills. A flair for the dramatic. In this case, an unusual target.”
“That might very well be.” Lord Keller said with a nod. “I still hold by my guess, but we can hardly know for sure.”
“At least not until he’s caught, yes?”
“Quite so, quite so. With any luck that shall be tonight. And if not, then at least I will be a small part of a no doubt great story.”
“I think I would prefer to not be in the story of a thief, if it’s all the same to you.”
“Of course, of course. To each their own. I have more fine people to talk to, so if you will excuse me?”
Lord Keller went off leaving the young guest to his own devises. The young noble’s eyes fell to the book, and then to the guards. He could imagine a dozen ways for a skilled thief to avoid or incapacitate all of them without being seen. Maybe he would hang around longer. After all, catching a famous thief was quite the story indeed.
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Remember, everything is valuable to someone. Just because you don't think something is worth having, doesn't mean someone else won't think it's worth having, no matter what it takes.
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