Strange encounter in the library

22nd of Shar 358

I found myself heading to one of the many libraries in this tower. I ran my fingers along the book spines, going row by row, to see if anything peeked my interest. I eventually arrived in a section of the library that was quieter than the other sections. A light layer of dust blanketed the shelves, the furniture, and the books. At the end of this area was a circular window with a little nook. The sunlight poured into the room; if there was anywhere I would love to turn into a cat and lay down, it would be here. As I got closer to this nook, I saw a bookcase along the wall and books strewn around on the cushion. Sat in the nook was a person, curled in the corner with a book in hand. She had long, flowing black hair, a long shirt, and piercing green eyes. As I approached, she looked up at me.

After building up the courage, I asked her if she knew of anyone who could help me find my teacher, Memory. She seemed confused by the question, remarking that she thought I was talking about a teacher here in the tower. I ask again, this time referring to my teacher as Åsmund. I stood nervously awaiting her reply. She then asked why I thought she was the right person to ask. I was unsure how to answer. She then said I came to the right bookworm and asked me to come sit with her. She cast a spell I did not recognize, and books started to come off the shelves, as if they were pulled off by invisible hands. Two books seemed to walk over to the nook by themselves before being placed in front of me. One book, titled "Forgotten Struggles", was very worn and dusty. The other, titled "Oblivion to all but One", had an intricately patterned cover and binding.

I sat there, looking at the books placed in front of me, nervous to say anything more. Her piercing green eyes felt as if they were reading my face like a book. She said that Memory was an interesting character based on what she had read. I know her now as Folio. Shortly after this, I gave her my journal to read over to see how I met Memory and my travels with him. The first book I decided to read was "Forgotten Struggles". The introduction explained how the book tells the stories of several lives. It was written by my teacher, Carrier of Forgotten Struggles. It tells of disturbing, tragic, and cruel tales of people long forgotten. Though I guess now that I know of these stories, they are no longer doomed to be. I never knew Memory had these stories, nor did I know he even wrote a book. Folio says that this book is at least 50 years old and that nothing has been written about Memory in decades. My writings about Memory in my journal seem to be more important than I thought they were when I wrote them.

I then read through "Oblivion to all but One". It read as an outsider's perspective of Memory's struggles. The observer, seemingly the author, followed Memory for a long period of time, and they remarked about how someone holding the burdens he holds is fascinating to them. They write about the stories that Memory told and how he seemed to be put at ease when a story he tells was remembered. This storyteller the book talks about does not match the hermit I know Memory as, but he did tell me stories and seemed to be at ease when I would write them down and remember them. I feel like the author is relatable to me, as I have been following Memory for a long time. I hope this time being separated from him will not be long. I thanked Folio for her help, and I decided to wander to the private rooms on the third floor. These books were helpful, but I'm hoping to find someone who can give more answers than books can. Especially since there has been nothing written of him for decades.

Along my way to the third floor, I came back into contact with Hornet, the elf from the group I have been traveling with. They remark on how I am the quiet type and ask me what I am hoping to find in the tower, and I tell them about my search for my teacher. They seem to think that my teacher is someone who teaches at the tower; I do not remember if I corrected that thought or not. They separated from me as we passed Solas'dir's office, and I continued upwards to the private offices.

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