The next days passed in a very cozy way. Agatha had to recover from her broken leg, and Roud’s ship needed some repairing after the collision with the cloud on the wind Island. The sun was shining every time it was up in the sky; they luckily had no bad weather days, which made Agatha’s mood happier. Menethas had fun cooking some delicious meals while singing from time to time. Roud repaired his ship, taking things from Menetha’s hangar and playing around with Bracchius on the small grass field of the Island. Agatha slept a lot in those days, while Menethas sometimes brought her a potion he had cooked for her, and other times some nice coffee.

  On the third day, Agatha woke up while Menethas was preparing coffee again, sitting next to the fire, very focused on watching the coffee rise in the moka. She took the crutch they had built for her the days before, left next to the sofa she had been sleeping on, and walked to Menethas.

  “Good Morning, Menethas!” said Agatha,

  “Aaaaah! For Lord Kloud, you just scared me!” replied Menethas,

  “Oh, I am sorry, Menethas, you have not seen me walking since three days, but thanks to Roud’s spell and your potion, I can almost put my foot on the ground! It is so magical!” said Agatha happily,

  “Oh, do not worry, your majesty...” replied Menethas,

  “Mmmh, I am not used to this majesty thing...everything is going on so fast! Do people really need to call me your majesty?” asked Agatha,

  “Oh, no...they do not have to, but they will anyway! Ahah! I can call you Agatha if you wish, but if you do not want people to call you your majesty, you can always find another ‘title’ to use that will make you feel less uncomfortable...”, replied Menethas,

  “Like what?” asked Agatha,

  “Well, there was a time when I was younger...it really made me feel uncomfortable to be titled as the Wizard of Wind! So I only pretended to be called by my name, but when I was around my twenties, I thought it was cooler to boost my ego a little, so I pretended people would call me or introduce me as the “Azure Wizard”... ahah! You know, it's easier to flirt with girls when you make yourself important...ahahahah! But then I grew up and magic became my only love. I spent hours, days, months, and years in my library to look for knowledge to help this upcoming Era better...so since then, I then pretended people to call me Wizard of Wind, because afterall that is who I am, dear Agatha”, replied Menethas

  “Interesting, so maybe I should ask people to call me...wait, you just said you have a library?” asked Agatha,

  “Oh, yes...it is right behind that door, up the stairs,” replied Menethas. “Yes! Coffee is ready!”

  “What do you mean, it is behind that door? That door is in the wall. If you open it, you will fall outside!”

  “Oh, really? I never thought about it, but it is there”, replied Menethas,

  “Can I go check your library?” asked Agatha,

  “Nice of you that you ask, as the next queen you could also pretend to see it...” replied Menethas while pouring coffee into the cups.

  “Oh, thank you! Can I drink the coffee later?” asked Agatha,

  “Oh, nonono, coffee is hot now, I can help you walk to the library and also bring the coffee myself up”, replied Menethas,

  He left the coffee on the table and helped Agatha walk up the stairs. They reached the door in a minute. Once at the door, Menethas looked at the coffee on the table, lifted his finger, and said:

  “Randash”

  The coffee cups began to float in the air, and a gentle, warm breeze brought them into Menethas’ hands.

  “Ok, let’s enter...”, said Menethas,

  Agatha opened the door, and she was in shock. Behind that door lay a library so big that three full houses could fit inside...

  “How on...sky...is this possible?” asked Agatha while walking inside.

  Menethas followed her with the cups of coffee. The library had multiple stocks of wood and furniture, all filled with books. In the middle, there was a spiral staircase made of white bones. Carved in the staircase motives of clouds. The staircase went up to a small glass dome where you could see the landscape around. While taking the staircase down, you would find other layers of the library. Each stock of the library had its own rolling library ladder. The most astonishing thing was that inside you had small clouds moving around, and you could feel a gentle, refreshing wind too.

  “This...is...unbelievable, Menethas!” said Agatha,

  “Really? Is it? I think you still need to see so many things in this world, Agatha, but thank you...” replied Menethas,

  “What are these clouds for?” asked Agatha,

  “They are for fun...ahah!” replied Menethas. He left a cup of coffee for Agatha on a small table next to them and then sat on a cloud while drinking his own cup of coffee...

  He then pushed himself from the ground, and the cloud flew upwards with him sitting on it.

  “That is fun indeed!” said Agatha, smiling,

  She gently sat on another cloud and pushed it with her crutch. She was flying around the library. She looked at some books and read some titles:

  “Agriculture of the Sky Mountains”

  “How to fly your ship properly.”

  “Wind magic level 1”

  “Fusion of magics”

  “Clouds of the Sky Mountains”

  “Dwarves of the Air or Cloud Dwarves”

  “Masters and Lancers Volume 5”

  Agatha stopped her cloud. She took ‘Dwarves of the Air or Cloud Dwarves’.

  “Menethas? What is this book about? It says Dwarves of the Air or Cloud Dwarves. Is it a fantasy book, like a story for children, or am I missing something?” asked Agatha,

  “Your eyes never miss, Agatha! There is no point in hiding the truth from you anymore, I guess. As our future queen, you should know everything in order to help the parliament rule properly and be the example of our kin; also, as a Flying Knight, there is a code you should read that you have to honor. There are some clauses of the code you should keep an eye on because they collide with the Queen’s duties, but you will check...”

  “Menethas! The dwarves! Please...” asked Agatha impatiently,

  “Oh, right, apologies. Dwarves of the Air, or Cloud Dwarves, live in the air like us, but not in the Sky mountains. You see, the Elves of the Air live in the Flying Steppe, and the Cloud Dwarves also come from earth, but they have basically conquered all the rest of the skies as the most cunning and courageous explorers of the Sky. Their ancestors were wild and savage. Afterwards, the two brothers of the dwarves of the savage lands had a duel, and since then, some dwarves remained in the savage lands following the lead of the older brother, where they still live underground in those lands no one dares to enter, while the other brother left with his other kin following innovation and technology. They grew fast with knowledge till they even conquered the skies. They did not fight anyone in the skies, and they are very welcoming. They simply found other sky islands and discovered ways to even build cities that fly! They are allies of the Sky Mountains and very funny guys indeed.”

  Agatha did not know what to say... the world she had known for just ten days had completely changed. The excitement to get to know and the fascination of discovering new things were making her head and heart explode.

  “Can I...stay here and read for the next few days before we leave?” asked Agatha,

  “Sure, stay here as much as you desire. We must probably stay for about three more days...have fun, Agatha”, replied Menethas while leaving the library with his coffee cup.

  Agatha could not believe where she was, what she was doing, or what the future held. She immediately opened the book and started to read:

  “ A strange folk, these Cloud Dwarves—bright green or blue eyes, a faintly languid air, overbearing to those who lack a certain tact, yet quick to laughter and splendid company once you win their favor, often accompanied by a fine mug of freshly foamed ale or Azure Ale. It seems unthinkable that they descend directly from their distant cousins, the Dwarves of the Wild Lands, more commonly feared as the War Dwarves.

  Ah, how we laughed. I still remember that flaming red beard of his, trying in every way to tame the waves of the wind. Imril… what memories. Ahem...back to our tale.

  I must admit that among the hundreds of people beneath our star, the Cloud Dwarves are among the most curious. For all the flaws one might find in their temper, they possess a virtue so rare it shames even the noblest qualities: a vivid hunger for life itself.

  Yes...ahah...that is precisely what drives a man, or a dwarf in this case, to change his fate.

  The legends speak of twins, Faerth and Droud, sons of Draen, ruler of the Dwarves of the Wild Lands. Within them lay the strength, discipline, and traditions of a millennial kin…or so they say. It is no accident that all Wild Dwarves bear a pair of vowels in their names, and it is most curious that history would have Droud become the first Cloud Dwarf upon the earth.

  The vowel a signifies ardor, fury, passion.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The vowel e stands for devotion, tradition, and unchanging time.

  But the o and the u of Droud speak of dream, moon, world, and wind, waterfall, and storm.

  It is no accident that the Cloud Dwarves revere a cloud as their god—and why not invoke it from time to time. Time itself wished for Droud of legend to become “Cloud” in sound—an allegory most intriguing to my taste… ahah.

  One day, the brothers fell into dispute. Droud noticed that when sheets of paper were passed above a flame, they fluttered briefly before burning to ash. The young dwarf attempted to craft a Sphere of paper, fastening it to a small wooden platform with a candle atop it. The platform began to lift… to sway in the empty air.

  At the sight of this marvel, Droud burst with life and ran to call his father, Draen. But when Draen arrived, Faerth and several curious dwarves followed, drawn by the commotion. Droud demonstrated his discovery. Draen watched in silence.

  Faerth, however, stepped forward. And as Droud explained...dreaming aloud of what such a creation could mean for their people...Faerth seized the balloon and cast it into the fire.

  There was a fight. Faerth called it sorcery. Droud, beside himself, nearly charged him. They were separated, and Draen decreed that the Arena of Judgment would decide who was right.

  Droud won the duel...through speed and wit.

  In the Arena of Judgment, each duelist may choose his weapon. Faerth chose Kaernath, his battle totem...a massive trunk used by the Wild Dwarves to crush their foes.

  Droud spent the night building a small hot-air vessel...crude and incomplete compared to the swift Spheres that now streak across the skies. He entered the arena amid the laughter of his own people. At the end of the ceremonial music, he leapt upon the craft, cast off the sandbags to rise higher, and hurled stones at his brother’s head until Faerth collapsed senseless.

  Ahahahahah!

  Of course, that is the Cloud Dwarves’ version. Among the Wild Dwarves, it is said that Faerth struck his brother down with Kaernath in a single blow… mmm.

  The legend tells that after the duel, Droud chose exile. He would not rule over a people unwilling to change...bound to traditions so old they smelled of dust. He resolved to depart in his vessel and discover the world.

  Yet he had not foreseen that others might be as captivated as he. Before he could depart, nearly a hundred dwarves blocked his path...willing to follow him, if only he would teach them to fly.

  Droud’s generous heart filled with tears. And within a month, the Cloud Dwarves flew away from the Wild Lands.

  Masterful traders, the Cloud Dwarves are among the best-known dwarven peoples to men. Strange though they remain, I suspect it would be difficult for a man to picture a dwarf in any other way… ohohohoh!

  Their most common vessel is the Sphere...or so men call it. Each dwarf names his Sphere upon its maiden flight. I have seen Spheres called Noble Rat, Bearded Globe, and even Breast! Ahahah! That one belonged to a dwarf rather fond of women, though he never quite grasped the true art of courtship.

  Yet there are noble names too: Thoun Tearth—Storm of Lightning; Roun Fies—Blade’s Lament; and the most beautiful of all, Douin Merkath—Shot of Lead. What memories…

  The Sphere is built of stout wood and cords as firm as stone. Rectangular in form, it allows a steam engine to be mounted at the stern to drive a directional propeller. To shield the engine from the elements, the Cloud Dwarves devised a most curious solution: they placed furniture around it.

  Yes...furniture!

  Often, a table, for dining during long voyages. Or, as in Shot of Lead’s case, a small cupboard. For a time, it was fashionable to mount a wardrobe...an idea from a dwarf named Froilin, who fancied himself practical and carried many spare parts. The fashion passed. In sudden maneuvers, the wardrobe would inevitably tumble from the Skreaky onto the wooden deck of the Sphere, so called because it creaks constantly once aged.

  It is wise to polish it well. Old Imril refused. He said the creaking made him feel at home, wherever he was.

  The most curious feature of the Sphere is the Escape.

  Each Sphere bears two lateral wings, to be opened only in peril. Why? Because once unfurled, the speed becomes nearly uncontrollable...landing safely is all but impossible unless one is a Duonor.

  A Duonor...a Master of Clouds...is the archetypal warrior of the Cloud Dwarves. Swift, precise, unrivaled in aerial combat. Some specialize in a single wing discipline; others change wings mid-flight, spinning about their foes and striking from impossible angles.

  I cannot say whether true war disciplines exist among them. It has always seemed to me that each fights in his own way. I find it delightful.

  Imril, of course, loved gunpowder… ahah. I recall the day he circled a troll like a lightning bolt and shot him clean between the eyes!

  They trade in all things...clothes, weapons, toys, kitchen tools...

  But one chain caught my attention during my travels: the famed Duerth Maonkrum, the pear liqueur of the western orchards. Ahhhh… what delight.

  No matter how harsh or dull life seemed, a single drop down my throat would restore my smile. Imril knew this well...he always brought me the finest upon his return from Dumroth Kraeli, the great capital of the Cloud Dwarves.

  I have never seen it. They say it lies beyond imagination...and beyond reach… unless one is a Cloud Dwarf, of course! Ahahah!

  Some claim it is hidden underground. Others say it stands high upon a verdant hill like Mourth Kraeli, one of their greatest bastions of trade. Mourth Kraeli is famed among men. Any man seeking fortune...or objects of true worth...goes to Mourth.

  Trade is life to the Cloud Dwarves. And one must guard every route fiercely, if one intends to go on living…if you take my meaning…ohoh.

  And so, where is the capital itself?

  It resides high in the sky.

  Yes...high in the sky!

  Above the clouds floats an intricate city of wooden platforms held aloft by colossal balloons. Taverns suspended in air, shops, halls of commerce...all linked to a central platform that once was the city’s sole foundation.

  But a sky-city need not remain where it stands.

  The Cloud Dwarves’ capital shifts with circumstance. Weather is vital...they never linger in the heart of a storm. At times, they reposition to ease the flow of important trade routes.

  No one may ascend to the capital...unless in true emergency.

  Or with proper permission…ahahah.”

  Agatha could not stop reading; she kept reading and reading, and so on and on... till she fell asleep on the cloud in the library. Roud passed by with Bracchius and brought her a blanket.

  “Good Night, Agatha. Your passion for Knowledge will save us all...”