When the waiter comes around he orders some tea and sandwiches. These are alright, not up to the standards he would expect at home, but nice al the same. Nillian takes his time, looking at the passing traffic and letting his mind wander.
Just as Nillian is pouring his last cup of tea Old Joe comes by, and he quickly finishes his tea. He decided that it would be best to return to the city hall, to see if perhaps there would be another clerk, who hopefully would be more helpful. After settling the bill Nillian climbs on the cart and tells Old Joe to take him there.
In the city hall there is indeed a new clerk, a very young looking man, reading the newspaper. Nillian approaches him and uses the same tactic as he used on the secretary.
"Good day! I am Nillian, a writer working on my latest book. I am doing some research for it, and I hoped you could perhaps help me?"
It has the same effect as before, the clerk jumps up flustered, and begins to stutter.
"Oh.. H..hello sir. Y..yes, of course I can h...help you. What do you need?"
"I am looking for information on a large order of coal, made twenty years ago. I already found out that the order was fulfilled by two companies, the Coal and Ore Company and Chokes Inc. But the Coal and Ore Company sadly has no records on where the order was sent to, and Chokes Inc. does not exist anymore. So I was hoping that you perhaps have their records in the city hall, and that I could have a look at them?"
The clerk's face falls, and he looks very apologetic.
"I am very sorry sir, but that is not possible. Company records are sealed, and only the city council has access to them... I am very sorry."
"Hmm, I was afraid of that. Do you perhaps know of any other way to get the information I am looking for?"
The clerk thinks for a moment and shakes his head.
"I wouldn't ... No, I have no idea, sorry. The records are all under lock and key here. The only way I can think of is finding an employee that was working there twenty years ago, but I don't think that is going to work. At least, I have no clue where you would find someone..."
Nillian thinks for a moment, with the clerk waiting nervously. He decides that he has to go for the long shot, in the hopes that will get anything. He turns back to the clerk.
"Keeping in mind what I am looking for, what records are open for investigation? As in, which records or documents could I get access to, which might have a clue?"
"Well ... the only records that are open to the public are the minutes of the city council, and their quarterly reports. But I cannot imagine that there will be some information about a coal order in those... Well, unless you are extremely lucky."
"As I do not have anything else to do, I might as well give it a shot, thank you. Where can I find these minutes and reports?"
The clerk brightens, as he is finally able to help Nillian. He puts a "be right back" notice on his desk, and leads Nillian into the building. They pass several offices till they arrive at a door which says "Reading Room". The clerk unlocks the door, and goes inside.
He quickly walks to the lamp and lights it, illuminating a large room filled with cabinets, bookcases and large stacks of papers lying loose. The clerk walks towards one of the bookcases, and shows Nillian where the records are kept. Then he goes back to the main hall, wishing Nillian luck.
Taking off his coat Nillian clears one of the tables of all its contents. Then he walks over the bookcase that the clerk indicated and removes the first few volumes, getting to work on finding some kind of clue.
After a long afternoon fruitlessly looking through old records and notes, Nillian hears his stomach rumbling. Standing up he massages his tired eyes. He then returns the records he was reading to the case from which they came. He thanks the clerk in the main hall on his way out, and quickly makes his way out the door.
Outside it is already becoming dark, and the streetlights are being lighted. Nillian looks around, and sets out toward on of the nearby restaurants. The restaurant is old, with small windows and nice wooden coverings on the wall. Inside it is warm, and the smells of delicious meals reach him almost immediately. Nillian is immediately shown to a table, and receives the menu from a friendly waiter. The restaurant is quite full, but most customers are already working on their deserts, as it is beginning to get late.
Because he feels that he deserves a treat, Nillian orders a meal of soup, pancakes with ragout, and ice cream. His orders are brought without delay, and he immediately digs in.
After a very good meal the restaurant is almost empty. Nillian takes a look at his watch, and sees that it is already past midnight. He quickly walks out of the restaurant and heads toward the inn, huddling in his coat as it is beginning to get chilly. The streets are deserted and silent. The only light is coming from the streetlights, all the houses are dark.
Nillian quickens his step, wanting to get to the inn as soon as possible. He passes a dark alleyway that he knows is a shortcut, and enters it. He walks in the dark for a few seconds as his eyes adjust to the dark.
Suddenly he hears footsteps from further on. Because his eyes cannot make out anyone he slows a bit, but keeps walking. In the distance he sees the light from the next street, but then the light is blotted out by a figure stepping in front of him. Nillian stops, then futilely tries to step around the figure.
"You're not going anywhere, mister. Hand over all your money, then we will see if you can pass..." the figure says to Nillian, in a deep, raspy voice.
Nillian hesitates, reaching for his belt pouch. Then he reconsiders, as there is no guarantee that that will satisfy the man before him. He takes a small step back, trying to make it look natural, as if he is making room to reach for his pouch.
Then Nillian hears more footsteps approaching from behind him, and his hopes go up. Another pedestrian! He quickly takes more steps backward and begins to give a shout.
"Help! I am ..."
But his shouts are quickly cut short, as the person from behind him hits him hard on his head, and everything goes dark.
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