Before the accident, Elian trusted his ears more than anything else. He could recognize people without seeing their faces. He knew the difference between the hurried footsteps of a messenger and the heavy boots of a guard. He could identify which librarian was approaching simply by the rhythm of their breathing or the quiet scrape of their shoes against the stone floor. His talent made him valuable at the Royal Archive. The Archive was the largest library in the kingdom of Asterra, a towering collection of books, maps, scrolls, and enchanted records. Its halls were rarely silent. Pages turned softly in reading rooms. Quills scratched against parchment. Wooden staircases creaked under the weight of travelers. Somewhere in the distance, bells marked each passing hour. Mehr sehen