Eyes of the Calculor Read Online Free PDF Page B

notes of every one of the annoyed and flustered readers were inspected at portable desks, by the light of lanterns. Dragon Green librarians questioned everyone about their courses and past studies, then they were allowed to go, although under the escort of Dragon Orange guards.
    "Suppose it's the theft of some very rare book," said Rangen to Helicos as they stood waiting.
    "Have you been stealing again to supplement your scholarship?" asked Helicos.
    "Not from here," replied Rangen.
    Rangen watched as other readers were cleared to go. Being a gifted student of mathematics who specialized in associative logic, he had a tendency to look for patterns in everything around him— particularly in the mundane backdrop of everyday life. He watched for any variation in the treatment of those being questioned, but there was none. Now he looked further afield. A student of ancient Anglaic dialects was marched away to the distant gatehouse by a Dragon Orange. They reached the gatehouse, walked beneath the arch, and turned left. Rangen listened to what several more students were saying as he neared the Dragon Green questioners. Economics, sciences, mathematics, law, history; there seemed to be no connection between the way that they turned at the gatehouse and what they studied— law left, but economics right—sometimes. All those taking history left. Those with mixed disciplines were turned in mixed directions.
    Helicos reached the Dragon Green.
    "Name and field of study?"
    "Helicos Theon, University of Rochester, studying mathematics at the level of third year."
    "But Fras, your notes are to do with Archaic Anglaic," he said as he examined the notes that Helicos had placed on his desk.
    "I'm doing a short course of scholarly languages to assist my studies of ancient mathematical systems."
    "Class C," the Dragon Green said to his scribe, then he turned back to Helicos. "You may go."
    Helicos was already walking away beside a Dragon Orange when Rangen was chilled by a sudden suspicion. He began to unpack his notes very slowly.
    "Name and field of study?"
    "Rangen Derris, University of Rochester," began Rangen, who then dropped a sheaf of poorpaper to the flagstones of the plaza.
    "Hurry, hurry, there's others who wish to be out of here," said the Dragon Green.
    Rangen gathered up the notes, dropped some of them again—and
    out of the corner of his eye saw Helicos guided to the right by his Dragon Orange escort. The door to the right did not lead to the street outside. Rangen stood up and spread the papers on the librarian's desk.
    "Rangen Derris, student of languages," he said quickly and softly, desperately trying not to stammer.
    "Your notes are from the same texts as that last student," observed the librarian.
    "Why, yes. He is my friend; I am helping him with his Archaic Anglaic for some mathematics examination."
    "So you must know some mathematics as well?"
    "Not at all, that was why I chose languages, Fras Dragon Green. I have no talent for figures."
    The librarian glanced along the queue of restive students behind Rangen, then shook his head.
    "Class R," he said to his scribe, then indicated the gate to Rangen with his thumb.
    The librarian did not notice that Rangen had suddenly become suspiciously efficient while repacking his notes. Rangen began walking, a Dragon Orange beside him.
    "What is all this about?" asked Rangen as the gatehouse loomed nearer.
    "If you think a Dragon Orange would be told anything, Fras, then you have obviously never worked in a library. Turn left, and proceed to the outer gate down that corridor. No loitering near the gate when you are outside."
    Rangen stole a glance at the door to the right. Four Tiger Dragons stood before a closed door, and two of them had their flintlocks drawn.
    Rangen was no more relieved when he cleared the outer gates of the library walls and emerged into the darkened streets of Rochester. Knots of students were gathered here and there, obviously waiting for friends to emerge.