The subsequent discussions about collaboration proceeded in a congenial atmosphere, with Richard and the dark-faced elder reaching a considerable amount of common ground.
Finally, as the conversation neared its end, the elder reached into his bosom and pulled out a small cloth bag, placing it on the table.
"What's this?" Richard asked.
"Open it and see," the dark-faced elder replied.
Richard didn't hesitate. He picked up the cloth bag, opened it, and took out the contents. Inside, he saw a piece of paper and a small glass tube filled with ink.
Both the paper and the ink were anything but ordinary.
First was the paper. It wasn't your typical papyrus or parchment; it was more like white silk. It was snow-white in color, smooth and soft to the touch, with a certain elasticity that almost made one suspect it was human skin. But the peculiar patterns on the surface clearly proved that it was not human skin but some more mysterious creation.
