Too close. The terrified beasts broke the sledge out of the snow and began careering down the mountain.
Swearing a dozen dragon oaths, IT flew above the sledge as it crossed a snowy pasture and started onto a long ledge that ended in a cliff. Master Erick’s cry rose thin and sharp as he pulled uselessly back on the reins.
IT set ITs teeth. I will not be the cause of this man’s death. I will not be Uwald’s instrument.
The oxen hurtled on.
I will do what I have never before attempted. IT swooped lower, ITs claws extended.
The first ox plunged over the cliff.
Flapping ITs wings, acutely aware of Goodman Hame on ITs back, IT lifted portly Master Erick by his cloak and his tunic, deposited him in the snow, and landed at his side.
Master Erick waved his hand in front of his nose. “You almost killed me! And your smell may finish me off.”
Zertrum’s rumble rose in pitch and volume.
IT ignored the rudeness. “Master Uwald stole the Replica and hopes to contrive your death.”
“No!” from Goodman Hame.
“He wouldn’t dare!” from Master Erick.
“I hope to frustrate him. Goodman Hame here was trapped by a falling boulder and is injured. If you—”
“IT saved me, Master. You should—”
“Master Erick, do not delay. The mountain is not reliable. Spread your cloak over me. Sit on it. You will not be cold. Do not touch my scales when—”
The ledge they stood on trembled.
“Hurry!”
Master Erick scrambled up.
IT flapped ITs wings, but Master Erick was heavy! IT was still on the ground when the ledge collapsed beneath them.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Johan-bee stopped at the stricken high brunka and rocked on his heels. His sword vibrated. “Is she better?”
Phew! Elodie thought. He isn’t leaving. Then why the sword and longbow?
“No,” Mistress Sirka said.
Goodman Dror, still standing at her side, chimed in. “She could die because of you, you clumsy clod.”
Ursa-bee added, “Ludda meant no harm before. She can’t help her sharp tongue.”
Hoping to do some good, Elodie said, “I think it was unkind of her.”
Johan-bee headed toward the door, where they were standing.
Oh no!
“Marya didn’t want people to leave. Stand back.” He had appointed himself armed door guard.
“We’re not leaving,” Albin said, making room for him. “Lady El persuaded me to stay.”
“Step away. I don’t want help. People call me useless, but I can do this, and I need little sleep.”
What about when he wanted to use the garderobe?
Elodie and Albin moved a few feet to the side.
“Farther.”
They obliged.
“That’s a rare ability,” Albin said encouragingly, “being able to stay awake. Do you really need the weapons? You can just shout and I’ll help you. Someone else may get hurt.”
“Only if they try to force their way through.”
With Johan-bee’s luck, he might stab himself—or his arrow might bounce off something, come back, and end his sad life. Or he might injure someone else, not meaning to, as he’d already hurt High Brunka Marya.
“Ursa-bee,” Mistress Sirka said, “a drink of broth may do the high brunka good.”
“I’ll fetch it.” She hurried to the kitchen.
“Where is everyone?” Elodie asked.
Johan-bee said, “Most of the bees are searching. Master Uwald and young Master Robbie are in their room, and Master Tuomo is in his.”
Preparing to leave? Elodie thought.
“Ludda is cooking,” Goodman Dror said. “She says the last meal was ruined.”
Elodie had to hold herself back from laughing. While a brunka was insensible, while people and a precious ogre and dragon might be dying, while a mountain was on the point of exploding, a spiteful cook fussed over pottage and cabbage and beets. Why didn’t she help with the search?
Because she was a thief and knew where the Replica was?
Just as Ursa-bee emerged from the kitchen with a mug of broth, the door to the corridor opened. Master Tuomo, carrying a satchel in each hand, marched in, followed by Master Uwald, similarly burdened. Master Robbie lagged behind, bearing a large velvet sack in one hand and a small burlap one in the other. His eyes sought Elodie.
“Only Master Uwald may leave.” Johan-bee’s right hand rested on the hilt of his sword; his left held his bow. His rocking slowed. “He’s no thief.”
No one could leave! Elodie thought. What to do?
Master Tuomo halted but didn’t put his satchels down. His face reddened to scarlet.
“And Robbie.” Master Uwald continued toward the door.
“Only you, Master Uwald.”
Master Robbie stopped in the center of the great hall.
Master Uwald stopped, too, his face regretful. “I’ll come back for you, son.”
Elodie thought, Albin would never leave me behind. IT had, but IT was a dragon, and IT was hoping to save everyone.
What to do?
“If Marya awakens,” Master Uwald added, “she’ll let you come to me.”