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!”
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
At 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.