"You didn't deserve to be called stupid," I said. "Sometimes I just don't know when to shut up and let things go."
"That's not a good quality for a spy." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Pretending to be dumb can be a great disguise."
I chuckled. "Was that what you were going for?"
"Of course." He snorted. "Sometimes I don't know when to stop either. I get carried away clowning."
In the mess hall, we found Morek eating his breakfast while reading one of the tactical manuals we'd been assigned for self-study.
"How do you feel about a library expedition?" Codric asked as he slid next to him on the bench. "Shovia thinks we should explore the Citadel's mysteries while we can."
Morek considered for a moment. "Will it get us in trouble?"
"Maybe," I said. "But we'll probably get away with it. We are supposed to study on our own, but no one said it was limited to our rooms. We're just expanding our definition of where that studying takes place."
"And that includes what we're studying," Codric added. "They didn't specify that the manuals were the only source material available to us."
A slow grin spread across Morek's face. "Count me in."
After finishing breakfast and collecting a few manuals from our rooms for cover, we headed to the main library on the third floor. Its massive doors were carved with intricate patterns depicting dragons and riders, a masterwork that probably predated the current Citadel and had been salvaged from the wreckage of the one before it.
"Impressive." Codric ran his fingers over the details.
"And that's just the doors. I bet it's even more impressive inside," I said.
I was right.
As we entered, the library took my breath away. It stretched up through multiple levels, with bridges and balconies connecting different sections. Thousands of books lined the walls, their leather spines full of the promise of knowledge. The space smelled of old paper, leather, ink, and centuries of accumulated wisdom. I wasn't bookish, but I had to appreciate the vast knowledge stored in those volumes.
"Dear Elu," Morek breathed. "How does anyone find anything in here?"
"With great difficulty and a little madness," came a creaky voice from our left.
Startled, we turned to find possibly the oldest man I'd ever seen perched behind a desk that seemed to be made entirely of stacked books. His hair was white as fresh snow but stuck out in all directions as if he'd been struck by lightning. His eyes, though, were sharp and twinkling with amusement.
"Master Librarian Hadrick, at your service, cadets." He performed a seated bow that somehow managed to be both mocking and gracious. "Can I help you find anything, or are you just browsing?" He made air quotes with gnarled fingers.
"We came to study." I patted my satchel. "But we would love to get a tour of the library if you have the time to show us around."
"I would be delighted to introduce you to one of the largest treasure troves of knowledge in all of Elucia." Master Librarian Hadrick stood with surprising agility. "I assume you'll want to start with the historical accounts of great battles?"
"That would be great," Morek said. "Do you have anything about the first riders?"
The librarian pursed his lips. "That's restricted to graduates, but there is another section that might interest you. It's not typically open to first-years who are still unbonded, but..." He trailed off, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"But?" I leaned forward, letting my eyes go wide with interest.
"I'm feeling rather rebellious today. It happens when you reach my age—you stop caring quite so much about rules and start caring more about amusing yourself." He cackled. "But if anyone asks, I will frame it as wanting to ensure that knowledge reaches the right minds." He beckoned us to follow.
He guided us through a maze of bookcases, up a narrow spiral staircase, and into a section that smelled even older than the rest of the library. The books here were uniform—dark leather bindings with names and dates embossed in gold.
"The Archives of the Fallen," Hadrick announced with appropriate gravity. "Every rider who has perished in service to Elucia is commemorated here. These journals contain the writings of the fallen, when available, and also quotes of profound things they said, observations about dragons, reports from battles, notes from instructors and wing mates, and the circumstances of their deaths. We gather every scrap of information available about them and make sure it is not lost." He sighed. "Many of them no longer have a family to mourn their deaths and preserve their memories. Their brothers and sisters on the Dragon Force are their family, and this is their labor of love." He turned to me and smiled. "This is the next best thing to the journals of the first riders."
"This is perfect," I said. "Thank you."
Hadrick's expression grew serious. "These are not just books, young cadets. These are lives. Dreams cut short, loves lost, futures that never came to pass. Treat them with the respect they deserve."
"We will." I put my hand over my heart. "You have my word."
