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“Indeed, this here knight be seeing much, like the fair lady hath embraced thou immortal abilities.”

Alex wondered how he could possibly note something like that, but before she could ask, he continued.

“Forgive me, Lady Alexandra, but with thine quest to seeketh the ancient kingdom, thou ought know there be no flying beasts left in Draekora. Many eras hath passed since the majestic creatures of old graced the skies of this fair world.”

“Oh,” Alex said, “I know there aren’t any draekons left.” If only that weren’t true. She would give anything to go flying with Xiraxus right now and clear her head of all her troubles. “You don’t happen to know where they went, do you? Or why? Or even when?”

Alex had been curious since returning to her time and she’d planned on asking Niyx when next they spoke. But if Sir Camden knew anything, she wouldn’t need to wait for answers.

“Alas, their fate be not a pleasant tale,” Sir Camden said in a low voice. “After the slaughter of their leader and many of their kin, those whom survived the massacre fled this here world, never to be seen again.”

Alex’s body locked. “What massacre? Which leader?” She struggled to draw a full breath. “You don’t mean—You can’t mean—”

“’Twas a sad day for the Sky Kingdom,” Sir Camden said. “Indeed, for all the races of Medora. The fleeing of the draekons was felt by all, but perchance none more so than the Meyarins.”

That part, Alex already knew. Because of theZ’ao—the draekon tears that created Myrox andmyraesand a host of other things. Tears that had been freely given to the Meyarins twice a year until the Draekorans had left.

What Alex didn’t know was when that had happened. Nor did she know if Xiraxus had survived whatever calamity had befallen the ancient race.

“Please, Sir Camden, if you know anything else…”

“’Tis little else I can offer you, fair lady,” he said, “for I know not what led to the grievous deed, nor how events unfolded in the wake of such dire happenings. All this here knight knows is that the draekons hath been gone for many a generation. So pray tell, Lady Alexandra, why dost thou searcheth for their domain above the clouds?”

Before she could answer, Sir Camden’s body started to vibrate and he held out a finger, asking her to wait.

While doing so, Alex decided that—for the moment—she would have to compartmentalise the news he had given her. For all she knew, his facts might be wrong. Both Zaronia and Xiraxus, along with the rest of the draekons, could be fine; safely tucked away somewhere after having decided to leave Medora for peaceful reasons. And until Alex had more details from a verifiable source—namely, Niyx—then worrying would do her no good. So rather than obsess over the ‘what ifs’, she instead chose to focus on why she was standing with the knight in the Library and where she was trying to go. Right now, that was all that mattered. It had to be.

After a few seconds of vibrating, Sir Camden stilled again, and only then did he speak.

“This here knight hath fallen behind on current events,” he said. “Thou seeketh Draekora not for the sky creatures, but for the Meyarin refugees who hath fled from Aven Dalmarta’s tyranny.”

Alex’s eyebrows rose. “How do you…?”

“The Library shares many secrets. One must only be willing to listen.”

Well, okay then. Alex was just pleased that she didn’t have to recite her story all over again. Once that day had been enough, let alone the numerous times she’d had to repeat herself for the teachers and her friends over the course of the week.

“So is there a doorway I can use to get there?” Alex asked. “I know there’s only one way into Meya and that’s through Raelia, but I’m hoping since Draekora isn’t technically part of Meya, there might be a way to travel there directly.”

“Indeed, thou wouldst require a doorway with thy link to theValispathinvalidated at present.”

That certainly was inconvenient. Alex was actually a little envious of the Meyarins Aven had Claimed since, unlike her, they had their own immortal inheritance to counteract Aven’s exiled blood and could still access the Eternal Path.

“Unfortunately, you’re right,” Alex told the knight. “So are you able to help me?”

“But of course, Lady Alexandra.”

With an about-face so abrupt that Alex jumped, Sir Camden turned and began walking down the corridor. He then stopped almost instantly, causing Alex to jump again when he turned back to her.

“The path to Draekora, ’tis not like the doorway to Meya,” he told her as he gestured with a gauntleted arm to the hallway. “Unlike the Lost City, there be no protection or warding upon the Sky Kingdom, so we needeth not travel the hallways to reach thine destination. Since thou hath previously stepped upon Draekoran soil, thou needeth only call forth a doorway at will.”

Relief filled Alex, because until then, she hadn’t known if she’d be able to make it back to Draekora so easily. “That’s fantastic news. Thank you.”

When Sir Camden didn’t say anything further, Alex fidgeted and wondered if she was supposed to do something more.

“Um, well, it was good to see you,” she said, retreating a few steps in preparation for opening the door she wanted. “I guess I’ll just—”

“Before Lady Alexandra travels afield,” he said, causing her to pause her steps, “thou needeth hear how to venture forth in thy next questing journey.”