After discussing more details such as who would run the inn while Emerson is gone, where to buy supplies, and what places you would be staying at on your trip, it was finally time to go to bed. Ophelia decided to go back to her home to update appointments and to notify an apprentice studying under her of her journey and all the proper measures to take in her absence. You, exhausted from all of the afternoon's experiments, decided to go to bed early.
   You woke up, not to the sun like yesterday morning, but to the sound of floorboards creaking. Emerson must be up. You're already up so you might as well chat with them. You exit your room and look down the hall towards Emerson's room. The house is dark so it must be pretty late or very early. Their door is wide open but you don't see them, they must be downstairs. You walk down to the living room, it's empty. Maybe the kitchen? Empty again. You listen a bit more carefully and realize noises are coming from his study. He told you not to go in there yesterday but surely he will understand.
   Walking down the hallway next to the kitchen you look at the pictures on the wall. They're no different from the rest of the photos in the inn. Portraits of relatives, landscapes, and paintings of the inn through the years. You reach Emerson's study and enter greeted by soft candle light provided by sconces on the walls. The wall in front of you is mainly a large circular window that is framed by long thick tree branches. There are cabinets lining the room filled with herbs, flowers, and vials filled with all sorts of materials. More herbs are hanging from wires hung from wall to wall. In front of the large circular window there is a desk with a mortar, pestle and glass bowls all on top of a nest of papers and books. Amidst all this organized chaos, Emerson was nowhere to be found.
   You are about to leave but you hear the floor outside of the study creak, signaling someone approaching the room. You turn around and see Emerson walking into the study. He is stone faced as he shuts the door behind him. "I thought I told you not to come into my study." He says softly.
   You explain how you wanted to talk with them before the trip but couldn't find them. You notice that Emerson has become reserved and his usual smile is nowhere to be found. "Emerson, are you mad at me?" you ask.
Emerson gives a small sigh, "I am. " he replies "I understand that you couldn't find me and that it's only logical that I would be in my study, but I had set those boundaries because this is one room that I would like to keep to myself." Emerson walks over to his desk and sits down. "But now that you're here, what is it that you would like to ask me?".
   You talk about all the strange things that you've noticed in the cottage. And as you take in all that you've experienced and combine it with the strange things in his study, you ask Emerson the one question hanging on your mind. Are they a wizard?
   "Am I a wizard? Well, no, not technically. I could be a wizard if I had a dedicated career of studying magic. A better term for me would be warlock or witch. My parents are wizards though." He opens one of the drawers in his desk and pulls out a pristine red book. He leafs through it and stops at a page where he quotes, "The Magic User's Guide, chapter 18, Wizards and Wizardry. A wizard is a magic user who devotes their life to the study and practice of magic. These magic users are different from witches/warlocks, as witches/warlocks study their specific magic as often as needed, whereas wizards study magic as a way to further the development and understanding of magic in all forms." Emerson closes the book and places it back in his desk. I have only studied my own magic, but I hope to study all kinds of magic in the future to become a wizard just like my parents that way I can help more people like you." Emerson puts the guide back into its drawer and starts sifting through the papers on their desk. "Speaking of you and your problem, I have pretty much mapped out our route to the palace, but before we do that we will have to stop at a friend's house. He is an avid traveler and has been with me on many of my adventures."
If he's anything like Emerson, then this should be a pleasant trip, you think as you move to Emerson's side of the desk to look at the map. "What's your friends name?" , you ask Emerson as you study the map.
   "His name is Mr. Toad. Don't get confused though, he's only a Toad by marriage, he looks very much like a frog and a dapper frog at that."
   "He sounds like a very pleasant traveling companion."
   "He is, but it will take a bit of convincing to get him to go with us. He doesn't like traveling to the palace, too many people and not enough ponds." They pull out a pocket watch to check the time. "Goodness! We should both be in bed if we want enough energy to make it to Mr. Toad's house. Go on up, I'll be right behind you."
   You take one last look around Emerson's study. It's still a mess, but everything is where it needs to be. Papers are scattered and herbs are everywhere but Emerson is in the middle of it all doing everything he can to help you.