Early, in the predawn light, Amilisë woke from sleeping on a bench. The air was cold and crisp, but at least the sun was beginning to rise. Her tattered clothing did little to keep out the cold. She pulled the drawing from an inner pocket and examined it again. She had arrived at the library gardens late yesterday and it was closed, so she camped the night. One of the scholars, Master ibn Sualib, noticed her on his predawn walk through the library grounds.
He sat down on the bench and said, “you look cold.”
He grabbed a soft blanket from under the crook of his arm and dropped it over her shoulders.
“Thanks”, she said shyly.
“The drawing”, he said, “you are looking for a description in our records”
She nodded.
“Let me take you to my office so you can warm up, when the library is open, I’ll take you there.”
She got up from the bench and gingerly walked, still sore from sitting in a cramped cell, with Master Sualib.
