Arthur stood there, dumbfounded.
He'd touched the book… twice now… The ancient tome titled the Age of Phoenixes sat on the table idly staring back at him through the ruby gems that served as eyes for the phoenix head.
Arthur touched it again, his mind failing to catch up to what was happening.
However, once again, the old battered chunk of leather didn't bat an eyelash. 'No, this can't be happening…'
Arthur lifted his hand of the cover of the book and placed it back on, a little more desperately.
Nothing happened.
'No no no no, you've got to be kidding me. I came here for answers. I've waited for so long…' Arthur's thoughts began to rage. His breath got faster and more laboured as he tried once more to touch the book.
Maybe it sometimes delayed to assess what he knew and needed time or repeated trials to finally acknowledge him.