"You'll sleep more soundly if you don't know. And I would prefer to be able to look my father in the eye and tell him that it was not I who betrayed his plan for a while longer yet."

"Well, that leaves us at a bit of an impasse, doesn't it."

"It does seem that way. Unless you care to escalate the situation?"

"I'm sure whatever your father's doing it's less urgent than the dragon-god attempting to eat the world."

"I have already said that I do not require the Scroll itself. Simply allow me to work these mechanisms, and then you may have it."

"I still don't know what you intend to do with the information, and excuse me for not trusting you entirely."

"I myself do not know what I will do with the information, for I do not know what it is. Any plans I may or may not have at the moment would be, of necessity, formless."

"Even vaguely - like what are you saving the world from."

"Darkness eternal."

"Would've thought you vampires would be eager for that."

"I'm sure if you take a moment to think, you'll be able to come up with some downsides."

"Downsides are pretty obvious, but most vampires I've run into aren't inclined to act rationally, there's been a lot getting killed trying to attack cities. And more than a few repeatedly attacking me."

"Again, vampires do not always act of unified purpose."

Lianda is not sure anyone who'd choose to be a vampire has anything resembling normal reactions to the world. Not anymore.

"I'm not sure this thing can actually read the scroll at all. If you're sincere, darkness eternal is definitely a threat. I'll read it, myself, and pass on any darkness or vampire relevant information."

"And go blind for your trouble?"

"The one who pointed me here is confident I can read them safely. His information appears trustworthy."

"Well, I suppose that would be better than nothing. I'll just wait until you've fetched it out then, shall I?"

"Sure. Though if you have any information on how this puzzle works, that'd be appreciated."

"I'm sure it would be."

Okay, then if no information's forthcoming, she can have a front row seat to Lianda... Basically button mashing. It does, eventually, work, with nothing exploding even.

And is there a scroll?

Yes.

Lianda holds out her hands, and it obligingly floats towards her grasp.

"Congratulations."

"We should probably get a move on."

"Now that you have what you came for, yes."