And "poorly made and maintained" would suggest I can prise out individual flints, yes?
Correct.
- Am I carrying anything with me from previous rooms?
I'm going to say "no", because it will make my life easier from hereon in. You can be carrying the book you picked off the shelf I guess, which is a book on rubicund fishes :p
- Can I open the desk drawers and read the book without triggering some hideous death?
You can. The book appears to be some sort of bestiary, not completed. You're unfamiliar with the script used. The drawers are all empty.
- How flexible / fragile is the quill pen?
Reasonably solid, apart from the tips at either end. It's a decent size goose feather.
- What is the inkwell made of?
It's an inset inkwell - it's part of the desk.
- Can I slide anything under or around the steel-plated door?
It's a normal door - there might be a very thin gap at the bottom, it's not airtight, but you couldn't easily push a postcard under it for example.