Contents
Folklore 517: The Chained Library
Overview
At the Hollywood Reservoir, the Professor lectures on the Chained Library and a once-hidden object—the world’s most powerful—whose reappearances follow specific dates, including this month. She warns students to avoid it but to report rumors. The lesson ties Los Angeles time anomalies to a looming, time-sensitive magical threat.
Summary
Holland drives to the Hollywood Reservoir, following the Professor’s cryptic clue that referenced films shot there. The class—now down to nine students—gathers around the Professor, who notes that time moves differently in certain Los Angeles places, including the reservoir.
The Professor introduces the Chained Library at Hereford Cathedral, explaining that medieval books were chained for value, but one volume was secured to protect the world from the magic hidden inside. She links the site to Saint Æthelberht, whose posthumous miracles drew the chained manuscripts there.
She recounts reports of visitors gaining unnatural gifts—like Mary Young’s halted aging—until the secret object was stolen. For a century, scattered miracles appeared across England, then ceased when the book returned hollow, containing only a slip of dates.
The Professor recites the sequence, ending with a date that matches this month. She reveals each date corresponded to the object’s reappearance and calls it “the most powerful object in the world.”
When asked if they should seek it, the Professor advises against pursuing the item but urges students to inform her of any rumors, tying the reservoir’s time-magic to the imminent return of the dangerous object.
Who Appears
- HollandProtagonist and student; arrives late to the reservoir class and presses the Professor about seeking the object.
- The ProfessorFolklore instructor; explains the Chained Library and a powerful object set to reappear this month; warns students off.
- ClassmatesRemaining nine students form a horseshoe around the Professor, react to the dates and implications.
- Saint ÆthelberhtHistorical figure in the lecture; his miracles link the cathedral to the chained manuscripts and concealed magic.
- Mary YoungLegendary visitor in the lecture; reputedly stopped aging after the library, reinforcing the object’s power.