11
Sage guided us over to the imperious women who stood guard at the front desk. He offered them a smile they didn’t return. “Good morning, ladies.”
One of the oldest women, a matron of some age I defined as ‘Early Jurassic,’ stepped up and looked down her pointed nose at our travel-worn appearance. “How may I help you?”
“We’re interested in information about the floating cities of yore,” Sage told her.
She narrowed her eyes at him and her voice became as sharp as her beak. “Might I ask why you are curious about that period in our history?”
“Does a scholar need a reason beyond curiosity?” Sage countered.
She took a look at his cape and sniffed at him. “Are you a scholar?”
“One of the greatest, but where might we find these books?” he insisted.
She nodded to her left and down o
