Journey into the Void by Margaret Weis Page B

throughout the continent; and the Houses of Healing, run by the Order of Hospitalers. Surrounded by gardens, the Houses of Healing were long, low, and airy buildings, with enormous windows to admit the sunlight, which was believed to be conducive to health.
    Ulaf went immediately to the university building, a cylindrical structure supported by flying buttresses that extended from four freestanding towers. A veritable warren of convoluted corridors, the building’s interior was dark and windowless, designed to keep the minds of students focused on their studies, not gazing out into the world beyond. Because of the powerful and possibly dangerous texts housed within its walls, the university was not open to the public and was surrounded by a wall through which a single gate provided entrance and egress. The gate was closed at sunset. All entering after that had to pass through—or attempt to pass through—a small wicket located to one side of the main gate.
    The porter at the small wicket was startled, wary, and highly suspicious of a brother demanding entry at this ungodly hour, especially a brother wandering the streets in violation of curfew. Ulaf had only to show his credentials and explain his mission for the porter to shake his head in resignation and remove the magical spell that guarded the door.
    Ulaf was given a choice of using his own magic to cast light or taking a lantern. He thankfully accepted the lantern. He’d spent four years studying here and could have walked the maze of halls in his sleep. He went first to the kitchen. He washed his face and hands, splashed cold water on his face to wake himself up. He couldn’t remember when he’d last eaten and was thankful to find the bread and cheese left out for those who might be up late studying. Ulaf devoured a loaf of bread on the spot, cut himself a large wedge of cheese, and filled his pockets with apples. Munching the cheese, he made his way to the dortour, where lived the students and the Revered Brethren who worked in the Temple and its environs.
    Ulaf noted that there was more activity than normal in the Temple at this late hour. Revered Brethren strode purposefully through the halls, their expressions grim and preoccupied. Loitering in a hallway, Ulaf waited until he saw a brother leave his room. Ulaf slipped into the room (few doors were ever locked in the Temple), dressed himself in clean robes, transferred his apples to a leather scrip, then set off in pursuit of Rigiswald. Ulaf made a bundle of his dirty clothing and deposited it in the receptacle set aside for those novitiates whose duties included laundry.
    The library occupied an entire wing of the building, housing the most extensive collection of books on the continent. Here were thousands of books on magic, including books on the theory of magic, the religion of magic, and the practical uses of magic as practiced by every race under the sun. The library also contained books on a wide variety of other subjects ranging from books describing the rigging for a sailing vessel to manuals detailing the proper care for a horse with colic or the fine art of embroidering tapestries or how to prepare pickled swan’s tongues.
    The library never closed. Dwarven stone-lights—rocks magically enhanced to give off a warm, soft light—allowed scholars to pursue their researches far into the night. Access to the library was strictly regulated. Any of the Revered Brethren in good standing could obtain access simply by exhibiting credentials. Novitiates were permitted inside if they were accompanied by a tutor or if they had a letter from their tutor, then they were restricted to certain areas. Magi of other races were welcome, provided they came with references from the Church attesting to the fact that they used magic responsibly and that they were serious in their pursuit of knowledge. The king and the Dominion Lords were also permitted access to the library, the only laypeople to