“So what you’re saying is that we don’t need to be concerned about it?” Van clarifies.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. It’s important that you know that it’s down here, and that we may be attacked every now and then, but we’ve been looking after this bone for a long time now. It’s just something you need to know about House, especially since Neith is the owner of House, and you’re going to be here more often,” Ethel explains.
“Just another one of House’s quirks,” Griff smiles.
“Does the owner know about this?” I ask, ignoring the fact that she just said that I was the owner.
Ethel sighs heavily, “I think it may be time to end this debate once and for all.”
“River dear, could you go into the top drawer of the desk and bring the document inside to Neith?” Ethel asks him while I frown in confusion.
“Of course,” River nods, as he goes to do what she’s asked him to do, “do you mean the scroll?”
“Yes, that’s it,” Ethel confirms.
River pulls it out and then hands it over to me.
Unrolling it, I start reading, “It’s the deed for House. This house, all of its contents, and all magical responsibilities belong to Neith, daughter of Bhaltair and Emeri, King and Queen of Trieneliea.”
“So House is yours then?” Coen asks with a smile.
“What’s wrong?” Reed asks, and I can feel his gaze on me.
“Erm, I think there might be a mistake,” I start.
“It’s unlikely.” Doc disagrees, “From what I can see from here, it looks like an official deed.”
I nod. “Yeah, I agree with that. I’m not questioning whether the house is mine. It’s right here, there’s no denying that.”
“Then what are you questioning?” River asks.
I look up at them all, my eyebrows dipping down into a frown, “The date that it was signed.”
“The date?” Van asks. “Neith, you’re going to have to explain with more than just a few words.”
I sigh, “Sorry. It’s just this deed was signed and dated in twelve hundred and thirty-six.”
Raiden’s eyes widen, “I’m sorry, did you just say twelve hundred and thirty-six? As in seven hundred and eighty-eight years ago?”
I nod really quickly, “Uh-huh. That’s what it says here.”
“That’s got to be a mistake,” Coen agrees as he moves to look over my shoulder.
“It’s not,” Ethel says.
“How can that be?” Raiden asks.
“Magic,” Ethel replies. “House knew you were going to be its next custodian. House always knows, such is its magic.”
“Erm,” I stutter, not really sure what I’m supposed to say in this situation.
Ethel chuckles, “Well, we did tell you, my dear.”
“Why didn’t you show me this sooner?” I ask.
“Because you weren’t ready to know then,” she replies simply.
I think about it for a moment and then shrug, “Yeah, that’s probably fair. At least that’s something that I don’t have to worry about anymore.” I narrow my eyes slightly, “It says magical responsibilities. What exactly does that entail, and have I already failed at it?”
