Mysteries of Aurora - Thursday 5th September - Afternoon and Evening

 

Freya opened her eyes as she stepped out of the Coffee House cafeteria and looked across the Plaza at the Library. She saw that the varied architectural styles of the various sections that she could see didn’t clash. ‘That’s something I can talk to Alexia about,’ she decided. “Interesting,” she said.

 

“What is?” Daniela asked.

 

“The way the varied styles of the Library don’t clash.”

 

“They must have considered that.”

 

“It is certainly, yet another thing to look into,” Freya considered.

 

“There are certainly a lot of things to find out here.”

 

Freya nodded. “I guess most are too busy with their studies to do more than scratch the surface.”

 

“Four or more thousand years of history,” Daniela considered.

 

Freya took out her tablet and took a photo of the Library as seen from that vantage point. “Another thing to sketch,” she said with a smile.

 

“So, you do a lot different kinds of art?”

 

“Of course. I use all sorts of mediums.”

 

“Very versatile,” Daniela commented.

 

“I’ve had to be adaptable,” Freya said as she headed off towards the Library.

 

 

Olivia looked out over the university and the city from the rooftop café after finishing her meal. ‘I have called Urbs Aeterna home all my life, and yet I hardly understand it.’ That was one reason why she was studying Aurora’s history. It was the history of her home.

 

 

Freya looked at the directory in the Grand Atrium again. “Renaissance Art of Aurora, should be in the Renaissance Section.” She found that it was. “Of course.” But, was Alexia still in the Information Science Section?

 

She decided to see if Alexia was still there or not first.

 

 

She found that Alexia had left. ‘Not surprising, she had to go to lunch herself.’ She then headed to the Renaissance section.

 

 

The afternoon passed, Freya read about various Auroran artists from the Renaissance, many of whom she had known about, but she learned more about the context of their works. But she soon found some mysteries. Some of them had mysteriously stopped their work, and others works had been lost over time, even from the University’s art gallery.

 

She wondered about those mysteries as she headed back to Sigrun Sigurdottir Hall late in the afternoon. It was obvious to her that there was a link between them. ‘But what?’ She didn’t want to get involved in conspiracy theories. ‘I’ll have to be very careful.’

 

 

Olivia also found some discrepancies in some of the records following the Capture of Urbs Aeterna. ‘But some of the records could have been lost over time, despite the University as it existed at that time meticulously recording events.’ She looked at the time. 4.53. ‘I better get back,’ she decided.

 

She headed back to Janus Hadrian Lodge on a ground level path, as she didn’t want to get the sun in her eyes.

 

 

At dinner, Freya joined Dana and a few others. She filled Dana in on what the professors said.

 

“See, you were worried about nothing,” Dana said.

 

Freya nodded. “But it’s natural to be worried, given how difficult some years of school were.”

 

“That’s true. But I see there’s something else on your mind.”

 

“There are some mysteries from the Renaissance I have found.”

 

“And what are those?” Dana asked.

 

Freya then explained what she had found about the artists and missing works.

 

 

“That’s certainly something,” Dana said.

 

“But I’ll need to be careful. I don’t want to be involved in conspiracy theories.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“So, I’ll need to research carefully. Try not to make spurious connections, and ask for second opinions on everything,” Freya said.

 

“That’s the best you can do.”

 

“So, you want to help me?”

 

“Me? You know I’m studying Entomology. I only know the outline of Auroran history and most of what I do know is after Munnsland was added to Aurora,” Dana answered.

 

“Maybe it’s an opportunity for you to learn more.”

 

“I’ll consider it.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

At the same time, Olivia returned to Janus Hadrian Hall. She had spent the afternoon looking at more records from the Capture of Urbs Aeterna, as well as the analyses by historians in later centuries. Most of the later historians, especially those in the Renaissance had only hinted at the inconsistencies. There was one thing she was thinking of. That people within the University had hidden the information. ‘But there is no proof, and I don’t want to go down a rabbit hole that leads to conspiracy theories.’ She decided to seek out others who would help. ‘At least I will talk to Janara about it.’

 

 

Janara saw Olivia enter the room. “What’s up?”

 

“Oh, What we talked about at lunch.”

 

“You found more?”

 

Olivia nodded. “Yes. I would like help.”

 

“That’s not my area. You would be better off with classmates.”

 

“I have met one today, Flavia, but you would have a different viewpoint.”

 

“I’ll think about it,” Janara responded.

 

“Thanks.”