On the University grounds the wind is still blowing strong, and Nillian has to focus on his footing to remain upright. He makes his way back to the main building he visited the other day, where the same man is sitting behind the main desk. The man immediately recognizes him, and greets him.
"Ah, sir Luckett! Back again? Are you still looking for Dr. Aeros, or is it something else this time?"
"No, no, I spoke with Dr. Aeros yesterday, thank you. Today I was wondering where the University Library is located? I am looking for some records from about twenty years ago."
"Ah, right! The Library has its own building. If you go out of the front entrance you will see the building on your left, with the two white statues in front of it, you can't miss it. Inside the head librarian can be found in the first office on the right, it would be best if you discussed your requests with him, as not all material is accessible to everyone."
"Of course, of course. Thank you very much!"
Nillian walks outside again, and heads towards the Library. The statues are easy to spot, but as Nillian comes closer they are not entirely what he expected. Normally statues depict a famous figure or person. But these statues... The first statue depicts some kind of human bird, a human figure with feathers and a beak. It has its wings hanging beside his body, but they very clearly end in hands. The other figure is again a human figure, but this time a woman with scales, gills and a tail. In her hand she holds some kind of spear that at the end splits into three points.
Not sure what to think about it Nillian shakes his head and walks into the library. At the entrance again a guard is checking all visitors, and after examining Nillian's badge he allows him to enter. Nillian makes his way to the head librarian's office, where he is greeted warmly. Then the head librarian asks how he can help him.
"Well, I am looking for two things. First off I am looking for the records of a workplace in the city, called The Wind Riches. I was wondering if it perhaps was a University funded workplace, in which case you should have that kind of records, right?"
"Yes indeed, if the workplace is University funded we will have all their records in our archive. What was the name again? Then I'll check it in the index."
The head librarian walks over to his bookcase, and removes a very large book. As Nillian calls out the name again the librarian begins to leaf through the book, searching.
After a few minutes of searching the librarian looks up apologetic.
"No, I am afraid it wasn't a University funded workplace, at least not according to our records. Perhaps you could get more information from the city hall, they should have records on every workplace in town."
"Yes, sadly I already went there, and it seems those kinds of records are not open to the public. Ah well, then I will just have to find another way of retrieving that information."
The librarian replaces the index, and he asks about the second thing Nillian wanted to ask.
"Ah yes. I visited Dr. Aeros yesterday, and his wife mentioned that all his old notebooks were added to the archives here. Is it possible to look through these notebooks?"
"Yes, yes, all old notebooks are open to members. Just follow me, and I will take you to that section."
The head librarian leads Nillian out of his office. They go up two stories and move through several different sections of the library. Each section is a large room filled with wooden bookcases. The bookcases reach from floor to the ceiling. A small rail supports a ladder with wheels, so visitors can still reach the upper shelves. The floors are all covered with thick carpets, muffling any sound of people walking. At several points a few tables are arranged, where people can sit and read, or work on copying information from a book. There are a few members and students walking and sitting round the library. But still the library is covered in absolute silence, not even the wind from outside can be heard. Nillian unconsciously begins to walk more careful to reduce noise, even though the carpets muffle any sounds.
Arrived at the final section the head librarian shows where the notebooks of Dr. Aeros are stored. Then he takes his leave, and lets Nillian alone. Nillian immediately dives in, and takes out the first notebooks. He takes them to a nearby table, and begins to leaf through them. It is then that he realizes that this is going to take a lot more work than he realized. The notebooks do not seem to be ordered, and the notebooks themselves do not say when they were written. So he will have to read through all of the notebooks in the hope that somewhere he will be able to find a reference to either the Great Bang of Gerardina Nott. Nillian sighs and goes to work.
Nillian spends the whole morning reading through the notebooks. There is a lot of material here, and despite himself he finds himself reading the notes themselves, and not only the comments in the margins. The notes are very interesting, describing the first experiments done with wind power. In another notebook Nillian finds the whole design process of the first wind cars, which seem to be created, amongst others, by Dr. Aeros. Another notebook only describes kites and the best ways to design them.
At one o'clock Nillian begins to become hungry. He replaces the notebooks that he removed from the bookcase and walks downstairs. Outside he follows some students towards the member cafeteria in another building. There he has a quick meal consisting of some sandwiches and tea.
Then it is back to the library, continuing reading the notebooks, looking for any mention of the visit of Gerardina Nott. He spends the whole afternoon studying the notebooks, reading and sometimes making notes in his own notebook. He has learned a lot about wind power and decides that when he has published his book about Dr. Biene he just might write an article or two about wind power.
At the end of the afternoon a member of the library tells Nillian that they are closing, and that he will have to return the following day. Nillian replaces the notebooks and walks outside. Then he returns to the city by wind car and goes to another restaurant for dinner. After dinner he spends the evening walking around the town, taking in the sights, until he has had enough and he retires back to the inn.
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