Left alone in the hall, Mathea doesn't have to wait long before someone more agreeable shows up. "Excuse me, I'm looking for the acolytes from Maesfell," she says to the young woman carrying a large pile of books. "In the lay library," the acolyte says promptly. "Upstairs, and first on the right." "Thank you!" Mathea wastes no time. Ylva is so close! She hurries up the stairs and into the room indicated. The room has a long table in the middle and books arranged in alcoves round the sides. She recognises the two startled faces that turn to her, but neither are the one she is longing to see. She skids to a halt and demands, "Where's Ylva?!"