Immediately, there was a CREAKING, GROANING sound. The niche moved, rotating on a hidden pivot to reveal a pitch-black gap. Delang raised the lamp to shine light inside, revealing several damp steps.
Delang beckoned to Eric and Gwen.
The secret passage was not long, and they soon reached the end.
The library had three floors, each with its own scriptorium. The secret passage led to the library on the second floor.
Delang explained that the library's collection was vast, and the books were arranged in a particular order. Only a handful of people, including Dean Brand, could find the exact book they needed. Belenga was one of them.
"I'll go down to the first floor and keep watch for you. I hope you can find some useful clues." With that, Delang handed the oil lamp to Eric and headed down a nearby staircase.
That left just Gwen and Eric alone.
"Let's get to work. You can hold the oil lamp for me."
Eric handed the oil lamp to Gwen and walked toward a bookshelf.
