Stolen Magic (19 page)

H
is breath coming in painful bursts, Count Jonty Um raced along the rim of the chasm, hoping to find a way off the mountain. The two people he'd dug out of the collapsed cottage managed to stay on his shoulder.

Below his thoughts, he felt animal terror, the fright of all the beasts he'd ever shape-shifted into. In the distance, through the roar of the fire, he heard voices crying out in despair and pain. He slowed. Fee fi! One voice sounded nasal, metallic, and not in pain. He stopped.

Couldn't be. Meenore wouldn't risk ITself to come here.

He heard the voice again. Singing! Fo fum! IT had, but where was IT in this confusion?

“Here—Meenore!” he roared. Running again, he continued to shout.

E
lodie cursed herself for not thinking.

“Marya, I had to hit you with a bench before you'd help me.” Johan-bee wasn't rocking, and his hands were steady on the longbow. “Master Uwald was always kind—the last time he was here, too. Master—”

“Anyone who is kind to you is the worst knave that ever lived.” Ludda-bee's hands inched toward the nearest platter.

“Ludda, I will loose this arrow at you if you move again or say another word.”

She stopped, her eyes bulging, her cheeks puffed out.

What to do? Elodie thought.

“Master Uwald,” Johan-bee said, “please dig up the
Replica and saddle two horses. Please come back and tell me when you're ready.”

“Excellent, Johan.” Master Uwald took the bread knife. “I'll use it if I must. Robbie, come. Don't you want to be rich?”

“No, thank you. I want to be a barber-surgeon.”

Master Uwald winced. He circled the table to Master Robbie's place and grabbed his elbow. “Come. You need someone who loves you.”

Master Robbie, looking an appeal at all of them, went with him.

High Brunka Marya flicked her hand. A few inches of rainbow sprang from it and melted away instantly.

“Goodman Albin,” Master Uwald said, “may I trouble you to open the door?”

Albin hesitated.

“Do it!” Ursa-bee cried. “He'll kill Marya.”

Albin hauled open the big entry door. As he did so, Master Robbie broke free of Master Uwald's grip and bounded to the middle of the great hall.

“Robbie!” Master Uwald took a step toward him, then wheeled and left, into a night that was brightening toward dawn.

“Wherever you go, we'll find you,” High Brunka Marya called after him. “You won't— Uh!” She shifted
on her bench and gripped the table. “More tremors. Johan, you must—”

“Mistress Elodie and I”—Master Robbie spoke forcefully—“went to the room where the magic boxes were kept. . . .”

Why was he saying this? Elodie wondered. He was looking straight at her.

“We touched the
daffodil
.” He almost shouted the word. “How we
laughed
.”

What about it? No one was laughing now.

“I was
weak
with laughter. Then she— She's such a
mansioner
.”

Lambs and calves! Despite her fear, Elodie pushed out a bubble of laughter. And another and another. Everyone smiled, even Johan-bee. She began to giggle. Albin joined in first, probably mansioning, too.

She stood, the better to laugh, and laughed harder, her laughter becoming real despite the tremors, the terrified people and beasts, her masteress, His Lordship.

Everyone laughed. Ursa-bee covered her mouth while laughing. Master Tuomo threw his head back. High Brunka Marya's shoulders shook. Master Robbie laughed while he nodded at Elodie.

Johan-bee's mouth opened wide with his laughter. He cried, “It's so funny. I helped steal the Replica.”

Elodie hugged her belly, which ached from laughing.
Tears ran down her cheeks, tears of laughter and fear and sorrow.

Johan-bee's arms trembled with the force of his laughter. The longbow and arrow fell.

Master Tuomo, whooping with laughter, ran at him and toppled him. Albin snatched up the bow and arrow. Master Tuomo pulled the sword out of its sheath and pointed it at Johan-bee's chest.

With an effort, Elodie slowed her laughter.

Had Master Uwald already dug up the Replica?

Would he really come back for Johan-bee? She doubted it.

Ludda-bee took the sword from Master Tuomo. “Go catch Master Uwald. Johan won't get away from me. Will you, you great nincompoop?”

Two bees stayed with her, but everyone else who could surged toward the entry door, leaving the high brunka on her bench.

She cried, “I want to be there.”

Elodie turned to see High Brunka Marya take an unsteady step. Mistress Sirka and Goodman Dror returned. Mistress Sirka scooped her up and carried her out, followed by Goodman Dror. The three of them and Elodie followed the others, who were disappearing down the stairs.

M
asteress Meenore drew breath to start ITs song again and heard His Lordship calling. From where? The tumult distorted sound, but a breeze momentarily tattered the smoke that blanketed Zertrum. IT saw His Lordship, running, one shoulder lower than the other, with two people clinging to that shoulder—running in the wrong direction, away from IT.

As IT chased His Lordship, IT devised a plan, though IT doubted there would be time. IT flew over them, turned, came down on a steep slope a few yards from the mouth of an enormous cave, probably newly made.

“Meenore! You came for me.”

IT enjoyed for a sliver of a moment the humans' terrified faces. “Put your cargo on my back.”

His Lordship nodded and reached for the two. He
glanced up the mountain. A river of molten rock flowed toward them as fast as gravy from a ewer.

No time to take the people and fly, IT thought. No time for His Lordship to shape-shift.

But they might reach the cave.

His Lordship saw, too, and sprinted toward it, still bearing the people. Masteress Meenore, who could only lumber on land, flapped ITs wings to give IT speed.

They reached the cave in time as the molten rock poured down. IT didn't mind the temperature, but IT couldn't fly through the flow. The people and His Lordship would soon die of the heat. Already their faces were red and strained.

Coursing up through ITs claws came Zertrum's rumble, this time far more powerful than anything that had gone before. The explosion was certainly moments away. Even a dragon couldn't survive that.

How strange, IT thought, accepting ITs fate, to die in this foreign place, attempting to save people and an ogre and becoming for eternity the good dragon.
Enh enh enh.

N
ight was graying toward dawn. The flat land that led to the stable must have been the Oase vegetable garden before the blizzard. There Master Uwald was found, panting with effort as he dug. When he saw them, he waved the bread knife, but Master Tuomo ignored it and wrested the shovel away. Goodman Dror took the knife and held Master Uwald by his elbow.

“Careful!” High Brunka Marya clung to Mistress Sirka. “Don't damage the Replica, Master Tuomo.”

Master Tuomo dug delicately but with haste, removing small quantities of dirt.

“There!” Ursa-bee breathed as a ruby appeared.

Master Tuomo dropped the shovel and continued with his hands. After a few minutes he unearthed the entire
Replica as well as the box that contained the handkerchief that wept.

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.”

“M
eenore!” 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.”

T
he 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 . . .”

She shook her head. “I can't leave until I know what happened to my masteress.” And His Lordship.

“But you can sleep. High Brunka? We can return to our rooms, right?”

“Oh, lamb! And pup! Yes. Go, everyone. It's morning, but no matter. Sleep!”

A
t the very moment the Replica was reset on its pedestal, the chasm closed on Zertrum and the volcano ceased spewing. The flow of molten rock that had already been released pooled and cooled quickly. New snowfall soon extinguished the fires that had broken out in myriad places.

But Zertrum didn't return to its previous state. Boulders that had moved stayed moved. Some farms that had been rich became sandy or too wet or too dry—or the reverse. Folks who'd been injured weren't miraculously cured. Worst of all by far, the seven people who'd been killed remained dead.

His Lordship and Masteress Meenore had to sleep and eat before flying back to the Oase. They slept the day
through, then hunted—His Lordship as a wolf—and dined. By nightfall they were ready. The count raised his arms to shape-shift.

“Wait!”

His Lordship lowered his arms.

ITs white smoke spiraled upward. “I have deduced and induced that the villains are Master Uwald and Johan-bee and that the Replica was buried where and when the beets were harvested. At the Oase, I trust you will attest to this statement. I wish not to be accused of claiming brilliance only after the facts are widely known. If I was mistaken, so be it. I will accept the shame.”

His Lordship nodded, shifted, and began to fly. IT rose, too, but IT couldn't match a swift's speed. The bird doubled back and circled the dragon to keep pace.

Upon waking, after sleeping around the clock, Elodie followed her rumbling stomach to the great hall. Before she went in, she heard coughing, and her heart rose to her throat. Inside, she found her masteress filling the entrance and His Lordship (dressed in his own clothes, taken from the stable) seated on a mound of mattresses that had been placed at the trestle table. Nesspa lay nearby, his eyes fixed on his master. As before, IT occupied the head of the table. The high brunka perched on her stool at the other end.
Bees and guests sat on the benches. Elodie raced across the great hall. She had hugged IT before so she didn't hesitate this time and stretched her arms across as much of ITs belly as she could reach. The corner of the table dug into her side. She inhaled deeply and licked her lips to fully take in ITs odor.

ITs white smoke curled in a spiral. “Mmm . . . Elodie . . . teeth and scales! If you must. Mmm . . . You were a credit to me. My confidence in you has been gratified.”

E
lodie! Credit to IT!

Finally, she stepped aside. “Zertrum didn't explode, did it?”

“No, Lodie.”

She nodded, taking in the information. “When did you get here?”

“Perhaps half an hour ago. We deferred discussion of events on Zertrum until you joined us.”

She felt a rush of gratitude.

IT turned to Master Robbie. “A portion of Elodie's credit belongs to you.”

She was happy to share. “We solved the mystery together.” She ran to His Lordship, who patted his mouth with the tablecloth, smiled his sweet smile at her, and stood, his head grazing the stone ceiling.

She wanted to hug him, too, but she never had, and he
was a count, so she contented herself with matching the ardor of his smile, if not its sweetness.

He sat again. “Would you like pottage?”

She nodded.

He ladled pottage into a bowl. A smiling Ludda-bee sat next to him, clearly reveling in his appetite. His own pottage filled a tureen. The others were seated, too, more tightly pressed together than usual.

“Why didn't you come right back to us?” Elodie said, addressing His Lordship. She took her bowl and squeezed onto the bench next to her masteress. “Did something happen?”

“Yes.”

They all waited.

He put down his spoon. “When I was a swift, an arrow pierced my shoulder. As a bird, I couldn't fly.” He resumed eating.

“So you had to get better.” She paused for him to say more.

After the silence had stretched for half a minute, he said, “Meenore found me.” He didn't mention the people he'd rescued.

“Your Lordship, if you please, relate the solution of the mystery as I revealed it to you on Zertrum.”

Count Jonty Um obliged.

Master Robbie, sitting across from His Lordship, clapped his hands. “Whales and porpoises! IT knew.”

Elodie suspected he wanted to be a barber-surgeon only because he couldn't be a dragon.

High Brunka Marya said, “Masteress, brunkas pay our debts. What is your fee?”

Elodie remembered that High Brunka Marya had promised a reward of a hundred silvers.

IT helped ITself from a platter of boiled eggs. “Madam, it is the quite reasonable sum of three gold coins.”

Albin laughed.

Three gold coins equaled only seventy-five silvers. “But—”

“Lodie, do not tell me that I should be charit—”

“Masteress, there—”

“You have interrupted me, Master Robbie. I hope your reason is excellent.”

He explained about the reward.

“I see.” Blue smoke rose. “Nonetheless, I have named my price. I will not amend it.”

High Brunka Marya opened her purse and produced the coins.

Albin asked, “How much of this will Elodie receive, Masteress?”

Elodie squeezed her hands together; she thought she deserved a portion.

ITs smoke tinted a delicate pink. “None. I pay her a salary.”

The high brunka tucked her purse back under her cloak. “I'll go with you when you leave the Oase.”

At gale speed, IT deduced her meaning. “You must not cease to be the high brunka.”

Elodie blinked in surprise.

“I failed in the most important thing.”

“You learned humility. The next high brunka will not have.”

Elodie thought, IT has no humility!

“I'll think about what you say.”

“There is a point upon which you can satisfy me,” IT said. “It is my theory that you could not maintain your rainbow over the door for years or even weeks.”

A rainbow fluttered out of High Brunka Marya's hand.

It was true! The high brunka was a mansioner, too!

IT pushed ITs bowl away. “I further contend that you made your claim to force the thieves to expose themselves, and the bumps on your head are proof of your success.”

The high brunka's smile widened, but she didn't answer.

“I have eaten my fill, and now, Madam, I should like to see the Replica. Please bring the pedestal as well so there is no danger of a fresh disaster on Zertrum.”

The high brunka left the great hall with four of her bees.

“Elodie, what do you deduce from this?”

She knew instantly and was shocked. “High Brunka Marya is willing for at least four bees to know where the Replica is hidden.” How could she be careless again?

“Precisely.”

While she was gone, His Lordship stood and stepped away from the table. Ludda-bee and another bee cleared the meal, and several other bees dismantled the table.

High Brunka Marya returned holding the Replica. The four bees carried the heavy marble pedestal between them.

“Unite the pedestal and the Replica, if you please.”

They did.

“Ah. Beautiful,” IT said, “and the workmanship is superb.”

Elodie admired the Replica anew. The whole sculpture was no more than nine inches long, three or four inches wide, solid gold, curved as Lahnt was curved, spired with Lahnt's seven mountains in a line. The beauty lay not so much in the gold or even in the jewels that ran along the mountainous spine, but in the detail: the cliffs and crags marked with thin lines of rock fissures, the tiny evergreen forests, the specks of boulders.

“Masteress?” Elodie touched Zertrum on the Replica. “Do you think the real mountain is different now from the way it is here?”

“Mmm. It cannot—”

“Let me see, lamb.” The high brunka leaned in close. “Bees and ants! The Replica is altered. The mouth of the volcano is flatter, and right here there used to be a forest.” She pointed.

“What about the south slope?” Master Tuomo said, coming to stand next to her. “Can you see where Nockess was?”

“I can't tell, dear.”

“Fascinating,” IT said.

Bees and guests crowded close to see.

IT tapped a claw impatiently on ITs elbow. “Step away, if you please.”

Only the high brunka hesitated.

“If you do not trust me now, Madam, you have learned nothing.”

She backed away.

Flames flickered about ITs snout. IT aimed a jet of white fire at the base of the Replica.

Elodie deduced what IT was about: saving Lahnt forever.

“Is IT . . .” Master Robbie whispered in her ear.

She smiled at him. “I think so.”

After a minute IT turned the pedestal while continuing to flame, until the fire had licked the base of the Replica all around.

Finally IT swallowed ITs flame. “High Brunka Marya, Lahnt no longer needs to hide the Replica, and you can never again be indiscreet about its location. It is now inseparable from its base. Zertrum is safe for perpetuity. You may thank me.”