Stolen Magic(58)

How the gold and jewels shone despite the dirt!

Master Tuomo passed the Replica to High Brunka Marya, who held it against her chest. Ursa-bee took the box with the handkerchief. Everyone started back to the Oase, Mistress Sirka carrying the high brunka again and fairly leaping across the snow.

Would they be in time? Elodie wondered. The danger to Zertrum wouldn’t be over until the Replica had been set back on its base.

Everyone rushed toward the Oase. Master Uwald was ushered along between Master Tuomo and Goodman Dror.

Elodie walked behind the rest with Master Robbie. Whenever Master Uwald looked longingly at him over his shoulder, Master Robbie turned and walked backward.

When they were almost at the entry, Master Robbie whispered, loud enough for only her (and the high brunka) to hear, “This is the beginning of better.”

Lambs and calves, she admired him for that!

When they entered the great hall, High Brunka Marya was exiting into the corridor, supported by one of her bees and accompanied by three more, who, Elodie deduced, would stand guard over the Replica on its pedestal. Johan-bee lay on the floor with Ludda-bee looming over him and the sword point touching his chest. Another bee stood by in case he moved.

More bees took over to march him and Master Uwald out of the great hall. Elodie wondered where they’d be kept. As soon as they were gone, Ludda-bee dropped onto one of the benches at the table and wept noisily.

Deeter-bee sat, too, and took the last poppy-seed roll. “A historic event.”





CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE



“Meenore!” His Lordship’s voice rang in sudden silence.

The booming from below quieted. IT opened ITs eyes.

The flow of molten rock ceased. Outside the cave, the world turned the gray-white of drifting ash and new snow.

“Your Lordship, my Elodie deduced and induced and used her common sense and saved us both.”





CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO



The fires in all three fireplaces had burned down to embers. Bees went to stir them up and add logs. Everyone else stood between the table and the door, waiting.

High Brunka Marya returned. Her serene brunka smile, absent since she’d discovered the theft, had been restored. “The tremors have stopped.”

Elodie began, “Did the—”

Master Tuomo began, “Did the mountain—”

“I don’t think the worst happened, but”—the smile faded—“there must have been a great deal of damage.”

Ludda-bee burst out, “It isn’t our fault, what Johan did. We all tried to improve him. I certainly did.”

Elodie listened in astonishment.

Ludda-bee continued. “He isn’t a bee anymore, is he? He isn’t worthy. He never was, really.”

“He is a thief. The earl will decide if he’s still a bee. We’re to blame for making him suffer. He might not have listened to Master Uwald otherwise, but he’s to blame for stealing.” High Brunka Marya’s voice was firm, but her smile remained. “I can’t stop being happy.”

Ludda-bee piled platters onto her tray. “I’m glad to have my kitchen to myself again.” She marched out.

Albin asked the high brunka, “Did Johan-bee hit you on purpose?”

“I think he was just clumsy,” Ursa-bee said.

Elodie’s eyes met Master Robbie’s. “I disagree,” she said. “He and Master Uwald wanted to leave the Oase, which you”—she nodded at the high brunka—“were preventing. And they needed to talk without being overheard.”

Master Tuomo said, “Uwald and Johan-bee are confined separately, aren’t they?”

The high brunka said they were.

“In prison cells?” Master Robbie asked.

“We don’t have any of those, pup. In rooms with two bees guarding each one.”

“And they will be punished?” asked Master Tuomo.

“He did save your sons,” Ursa-bee said. “Don’t you pity him?”

Master Tuomo answered slowly, each word a blow. “I . . . do . . . not . . . pity . . . him.”

“Lady El, how did they do it? We should make a play of it, but I don’t understand.”


Yes, they should. She could portray her masteress again. That would amuse IT—if IT was alive. She took a deep breath. “Johan-bee had the handkerchief that weeps. I expect that Master Uwald gave it to him. He told you”—Elodie nodded at Ursa-bee—“he was going to the garderobe, but he hurried to the Turtle Room instead. It was a long way, but he had time—”

“—because he always took so long. Grand— er, Master Uwald was waiting in the corridor outside the privy. He probably peeked and saw you leave your post.”

Ursa-bee blushed. “I had to. The weeping was so piteous.”

Elodie took up the tale. “Master Uwald ran into your chamber, High Brunka, and straight into the storage room.”

“So that’s where he was when Johan and I made sure the Replica was still there. Then Johan must have gotten the Replica from him before going out to dig up the beets. He said he needed the garderobe again.”

Master Tuomo sat heavily on the bench by the table. “Master Robbie, girl, you did well.”

Albin said, “Lady El . . .”