Outside Nillian sets off at a brisk pace, following the directions of the innkeeper. The city is quiet, only just waking up. Once or twice a carriage comes rolling by, and Nillian sees a few other pedestrians. The city on some points looks much like Kataras, but at other times the differences cannot be greater. A lot of seagulls are flying around, making quite a ruckus. Above the houses Nillian can see some cables moving slowly in the wind. Curious as what they are for he stops and examines them. Suddenly his answers are answered as some kind of gondola comes rushing by, using the cables as supports and moving with the help of several propellers. It looks very dangerous from the ground, and Nillian is happy that he is not up there. After shaking his head he continues his way in the awakening city.
Half an hour later Nillian notices something strange. After walking into a big square he sees that his view is obstructed by some kind of giant sail or wall or something. After looking at it for some minutes and not finding any clue as to what it is, he walks over to another pedestrian and asks her what it is.
"It's the Wind-catcher, of course! The University build it to keep the strong winds out of the city, and channelling them to the campus of the University, where they use the wind for research."
Nillian thanks the woman for the information and moves on. Now that he is close to the University he keeps an eye out for familiar faces, hoping to find someone he knows. The streets are filling up, and it is difficult to keep track of all the faces.
In the end he arrives at the University without recognizing anyone. Now that he has no one to guide him he first presents himself at the main desk, telling them that he trying to locate Dr. Aeros. The man behind the desk is a bit hesitant at first, but when Nillian shows him his memberships badge the man becomes much more talkative.
"Yes, Dr. Aeros. He is one of the researchers on Wind power, is he not? He used to be quite a name in the area, but in recent years his reputation has blown away, har har. He has an office in the Kreyton building, on the other side of the campus. But I am not entirely sure if he is around today. He sometimes works at home you see. I will see if I can give you some directions ... Oh, never mind, there is the man you need. Stephen!"
A young man enters the lobby, and when he hears his name he walks over to the desk.
"Yes?"
"Are you going to Kreyton? This gentleman is looking for Dr. Aeros, maybe you can take him there?"
"Oh, of course, no problem! I don't think he is in, but we can check. Let me introduce myself: Stephen White, junior researcher."
"Nillian Luckett, good to meet you."
Together they make their way into the building, and after a short walk they are at the back exit. Stephen is telling Nillian a bit of background about this section of the University and its history. At the back door he pauses.
"We will have to go a bit outside I am afraid. Because of the Wind-catcher and our location it will be windy, so be careful. You aren't wearing a hat, so that is at least not a problem."
Together they walk through the door, and immediately the wind begins to pull at Nillian. He doggedly follows Stephen and ten minutes later they arrive at the Kreyton building. The front entrance is small, which lead to a small hall with glass windows. In the hall Nillian sees a guard watching carefully, checking all the people for their memberships badge.
Behind the windows he can see a large hall where a lot of people are working on different machines. In one corner he sees people working on propellers, testing the best shape. Most of the room is taken up by a large steam train that seems to be adapted with a giant sail that can collapse with some kind of machinery. In the other corner Nillian sees several gondolas like the one he saw whizzing around the town.
Together with Stephen he takes the stairs to the third floor, where all the offices are. When they arrive at the office of Dr. Aeros it is indeed empty, no one in sight. Nillian sighs.
"When do you think he will be in?"
"Well, tomorrow at the earliest. I am sure he won't be in today. But you know what, if you have the time you could always visit him at home. I am sure he doesn't mind, he takes guests home all the time."
"Hmm, that would indeed be handy. Is it far to his house?"
"Well, he lives on the other side of town, but with the wind car you would be there in no time."
Stephen walks to the window and points outside.
"You see that small building over there? Just go there and ask to go to the marketplace. From there it is only a few minutes walk, here let me write down the directions."
Stephen hands him the note and Nillian thanks him. Soon he is standing outside again, and he walks over to the building that Stephen pointed out. There he sees that the 'wind car', as Stephen called it, is the gondola that he already saw that morning. A bit apprehensive he walks over to the gondola, and greets the driver waiting there. When Nillian mentions he has to go to the marketplace the driver nods, and climbs in the front of the gondola. Nillian climbs into the back, where there are several seats. One is already filled with a young woman, and as soon as Nillian is seated the wind car takes off.
The ride is not as bad as he feared, but still not very comfortable. The gondola swings quite a lot and the wind blows very hard, making any conversation impossible. So there is nothing to do but look outside and see the city whizzing along. They soon pass the Wind-catcher, and then halt at the top of the Post Office. The driver directs Nillian to another wind car, which takes him all the way to the marketplace. It arrives at a wooden structure in the centre of the marketplace, with an elevator and small stairs leading down. Nillian, not trusting his legs after the ride, decides to take the elevator. A few seconds later he is standing again firmly on the ground. The marketplace is almost empty, probably it not being a market day. Nillian looks around to get his bearings, then sets off toward the house of Dr. Aeros.
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