A terrible drought and stone disease dried up the lands of the Land, turned the Stone Gardens into a wasteland, and destroyed all the flying ships. The Lower City is ruled by hammer-headed goblins - the Guardians of the Night, and library scientists are forced to hide in the underground Secret City. The inhabitants of Sanctaphrax sense the approach of a catastrophe; only Supreme Academician Vox is not afraid of this. The forgotten ruler is making cunning, evil plans for the future, and an important role in them is assigned to the Trickster Coroder, the Library Knight. The Trickster would give anything for airships to plow the skies of the Land again, but for now he will have to endure many tests, dangerous and unexpected: slavery to Hestera Crank, the disgusting role of a traitor, the decisive battle with the merciless Shrike in the tunnels of Secret City...