"The Royal Archive." Thorne explained and my eyes widened.
"I thought only historians could enter." I said.
"Usually." He said as the doors opened and cold air drifted outward.
Then I stepped inside and the sight stole my breath. Towering shelves stretched endlessly into darkness.
Ancient scrolls filled wooden cases and thousands upon thousands of books occupied shelves that reached nearly to the ceiling.
Dust covered many of them. Others appeared untouched for centuries. The entire room felt like a hidden world. A kingdom of forgotten knowledge.
I followed Thorne deeper into the archive while Draven remained close beside me. The old historian moved confidently through twisting aisles.
Eventually, he stopped before a locked cabinet and after retrieving a key, he carefully opened it.
