Chapter 17

Summary

• The chapter takes place in a gigantic and ancient library, where the characters are trying to find a book. The library is complex and difficult to navigate, with different systems and indexes in place to organize the numerous books.
• The characters discuss the history of the library and its immense influence on the development of their city and nation. The library holds knowledge and secrets that have been critical to their progress and advancement.
• They discover that the library is not fully catalogued; books were already in place when the library was discovered, and librarians and trainees have been working on organizing it ever since. This process has been made more difficult by each new head librarian changing the index system, making their knowledge indispensable.
• The characters also learn about certain dangers in the library. There are "helpers" - ancient machines designed to help users find information - but using the wrong helper could be dangerous. There were also guardians in the library in the old days to protect specific aisles or books.
• Livira, who seems to be less experienced than the others, grows frustrated with the tedious task of searching through indexes. Despite warnings from her companions, she decides to go wandering in the library in search of an "assistant" - an entity who apparently possesses all the knowledge of the library.
• Despite multiple warnings about the potential danger and difficulty of wandering the library, Livira refuses to heed them and ventures into the seemingly endless rows of books, leaving a trail of books behind to mark her passage.