“A useful question. Ursa-bee said that she and carping Ludda-bee as well as lumpish Johan-bee, after he returned from the garderobe yet again, dug up the last of the season’s beets.”
Master Robbie said, “A few bees also go out every morning to feed and water the beasts in the stable. One of them milks the goats. Master Tuomo stepped out after the snow began to watch the storm.”
ITs gray smoke darkened. “We have too many possible villains, including even your Albin, Lodie. I had hoped for His Lordship’s information to help me reduce the number.”
“Do you think something terrible has happened to him?”
IT never sweetened the truth. “I am resolved to find out. Shortly I will leave you.”
Then both her friends would be in danger. Elodie ground her teeth to keep from begging IT not to go.
“The danger to me is slight, Lodie. Fire cannot harm me, and I can rise above a rockslide. If I must, I will lift His Lordship out of danger.”
Elodie suspected that IT had an exaggerated idea of ITs strength.
“My fear is more for you. You may trust Master Robbie—”
“At your service.”
“Do not interrupt. You may trust him because he revealed the theft.”
Master Robbie bowed from the waist, a deep bow, much more respectful than the slight obeisance he’d given Elodie.
IT continued. “You may also trust the high brunka, who cannot gain by the theft. Share our discussion with her. When I am gone, she will be the only one holding back chaos. Help her however you can.”
They both nodded. IT waddled to the stable door. Master Robbie jumped out of the way of ITs tail. The two followed IT outside, where a cold day had descended into frigid darkness.
“Lodie, sleep tonight. Master Robbie as well. The thief or thieves cannot leave, and you need your faculties. Lodie, consult with Master Robbie as I have consulted with you both.”
That is, not at all, Elodie thought.
Master Robbie dared to say, “You’d like her to discuss her ideas with me?”
“I would. Discuss yours with her as well. If your deducing and inducing lead you to the miscreants, apply common sense before you proceed. Master Robbie: Lodie may act hastily and without thought for consequences—in a word, recklessly. Restrain her for both our sakes.”
Elodie protested. “Masteress, I’m not—”
“To their faces, you called a cruel king cruel and an enormous ogre—before you knew his kind heart—unfair. You thrust your hand into the high brunka’s rainbow.”
“But—”
“Farewell.” IT leaped into the air; ITs wings caught the wind; IT beat ITs way north.
Elodie shivered against the loss of ITs warmth. Fly swiftly. Take care. Stay safe. Hurry back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“These will do.” His Lordship stood in boots of a sort, a rough tunic, and an equally rough hooded cloak. “Thank you.”
Hours earlier, in midafternoon, Brunka Arnulf had told Goodman Otto, the hunter who’d shot the count, to ride to the nearest cottage for cloth to cover the ogre.
As soon as Goodman Otto left, the other men had departed, too, to gather their families and leave the mountain.
“Warn everyone on your way,” Brunka Arnulf said before they started off. He closed his eyes. “The rumbling is louder. Leave your herds and your flocks. There isn’t time.”
Fee fi! The poor beasts.
“Take refuge in the caves of Svye.”
Svye? His Lordship remembered, Bear Is So Zany, No Dogs Lie. Svye would be the mountain just south of Zertrum.
The hunters left.
“Master Count, the closest cottage belongs to Widow Fridda, who has five children. When you are no longer naked, will you help them?”
“Yes.”
He gave directions to the widow’s cottage. “Take them to the caves and then come back. She’ll tell you who else needs aid.” Brunka Arnulf mounted his mule. “Good luck. May the Replica be found.” He flapped the reins and started up the mountain.
His Lordship added dry brush to the fire. Nesspa would be missing his master almost as much as his master missed him.
Count Jonty Um’s shoulder wound smarted and was warm when he touched it.
The ground, which was bare of snow around the fire, felt calm and steady, but below, what agitation might there be? When would it rage so loud that humans and ogres could sense it?
Goodman Otto returned an hour later with a heap of animal skins, blankets, and long leather straps—and Widow Fridda on a donkey.
His Lordship ran behind the boulders but peeked out so he could see.
The goodman unloaded the supplies and left. The widow, a tall, solid-looking woman, clung to the neck of her donkey.
Another frightened person.
After a few silent minutes, the widow approached the boulder and threw a blanket on the ground then turned away. His Lordship wound the cloth around his waist and stepped out.
He could help no one barefoot. He picked up a skin and a strap, stepped on the skin with his left foot, and pulled it up to make a lumpy boot, which he attempted unsuccessfully to hold together by tying the strap around his ankle.