Istredd's first real experience with Nott was visiting after the kidnapping and it is partly that paranoia that has him watchful for any dangers. It's not always obvious to him that he still has that instinct, but he is thinking about protecting Wilhelm in terms of Nott, not cults, at the moment. He probably will always think of Wilhelm, Kell, and Mat as 'the kids' that he dedicated himself to protecting over his own life. He has no regrets about that.

Especially not seeing Wilhelm out and about, looking settled into his life, maybe in a good place. They've all come a long way from then. He can tell Wilhelm noticed his immediate protective vibe but he simply smiles it off. They're safe.

"Yes, Oks is an amazing bookstore. It's old and out of the way, my favorite kind, because that's where you find the gold." He is going to nerd to an extreme if given a chance. Istredd usually can be a very flat or always level sounding person, but this is said with genuine enthusiasm. Books always get him there.

"I've been looking through the Borrel bookshops for their wartime historic titles, and cross-checked it with Oks, and voila. A much cheaper version of the same book I was looking at." Istredd actually was someone who did this sort of thing back home. Always looking for texts, for answers. And considering they don't have a lot of money, or at least he doesn't, he found cost cutting ways here. He's very pleased.