Fair.

Aella walked through Koob totally overwhelmed, she had a note with directions Claire wrote to get her to the library and who to ask for when she got there, but everything was so confusing, she couldn’t tell the main roads from the alleys here, it was all so big.

Eventually, totally lost, she had to ask for directions and found she had almost left the city the way she was going. Her stay here would take some getting used to.

–

eventually Aella found her way to a place where she had a good view of the town, and she got her first sight of the library, it was clear the people of Koob held knowledge as more important than anything else, the library was the most prominent building in the city, it looked like a coil, circling up a great tower. From here at least she would be able to find her way to it.

–

Aella stepped through the huge entryway into the library, it felt almost like walking on holy ground, she looked around and saw a big sign that said ‘reception’ over a long desk with 20 or so people sat working at it.

“umm, excuse me,” Aella said, “I’m trying to find someone, a err…” Aella looked at the piece of paper Claire had given her. “A Mister Irfan?”

“certainly, step into the elevator over there,” The receptionist pointed at a door across the room, “And ask for floor ninety four.”

“umm, ok…” Aella started off a little confused, and turned around before she forgot. “Thank you!”

Aella stepped through the door into a small room, the doors closed behind her.

“err, can I go to floor ninety four please?” Aella asked aloud, hoping someone would hear.

“Certainly, if you become disoriented please hold onto the bars.” said a voice that seemed to come from all around.

The room started to move, and Aella definitely needed to hold onto the bars, the elevator wound its way around the coil circling the building, she could see the whole city revolving around her. It was too overwhelming for her and she had to close her eyes until it was done, she just wasn’t prepared for that.

“Floor ninety four” the voice said. Aella was afraid to open her eyes and just stayed stuck, holding the bar on the side of the elevator.

“Oh goodness who is it, I’m very busy.” Came a man’s voice from behind her.

Aella tried to wet her dry mouth.

“U…Umm, I’m sorry, but I’m stuck.”

Footsteps sounded and came nearer.

“Oh dear, the elevator should really have warnings for people who don’t like heights, take my hand, I’ll lead you inside.”

“…ok” Aella reached one hand back and felt a man take hold.

“I’ve got you now, just follow me now.”

Aella followed the man inside and head the lift close behind her.

“It’s safe now, you can open your eyes.” Aella slowly opened her eyes and looked around, she was relieved to see this floor had no windows. She saw the man who helped her walking back to a desk and resume his work.

Taking some deep breaths, Aella found herself again and took in the floor of the library, it seemed to be two floors in one, with lots of papers, open books and large diagrams on the first, and on the second floor shelves and shelves of books.

“I haven’t seen anyone so scared of that elevator since…” Aella turned to seethe man was lost for words and looking right at her. “It cant be.”

“u-um, are you Mister Irfan? I heard you knew my mother and I was hoping you could-”

“Aella? My goodness how you’ve grown! You look just like your mother did when I met her! I have to say this is a very pleasant surprise, how is your mother doing?”

Aella looked down at the floor, she didn’t want to have to tell him what happened to someone he was clearly friends with, but her reservations said enough anyway.

“…I see, that is truly a shame, your mother was one of the lights that really brightened up the dim sky.” Mr Irfan took a moment to compose himself. “But dwelling on it wont do.” I assume you met Clark, and he told you I would be able to help you out.”

“I don’t know… anyone called Clark.”

“Ahh, he probably introduced himself to you as Claire, that’s ok. The boy has a few quirks.” Mr Irfan chuckled to himself “Oh and if you don’t mind please don’t tell him I know about Claire, I’m sure he’s working up to telling me himself… and now I’m rambling, just look at me!” he smiled at Aella. “Now, where was it, if you’d just like to wait on that sofa there dear, I need to dig up a few things for you and I’ll be with you as soon as I can, feel free to help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

Aella looked over to the sofa, “Umm, what’s a-”

“The small box with a door, its like a larder but smaller.”

–

Aella lay on the sofa, it must have been half an hour now that Mr Irfan went to the second floor.

‘why am I here’ Aella thought to herself. Was it for training, so she could become a warrior and kill the others? So she could kill Timon? Was it to understand just what was happening, to understand the bracelets and what they have to do with the white event?

Aella knew it was none of that really, she just wanted to somehow be a bit closer to her mother.