Xan raised his hand high. “So you’re not interested that Adela and—”
Alford banged his cup on the table. “I know Father Clement and his little friends think highly of you, boy, but I’ve heard all that I need. Go on now, all of you. Leave me to my work.”
Lucy’s eyes had burned brighter with each rude word, and now she seemed speechless with anger. She opened her mouth but, before she could release her ire, Xan took her by the arm.
“All right,” he said. “We’re very sorry for the interruption. We won’t trouble you again.” He bowed and took Lucy by the hand, pulling her out the door, with Giles trailing behind.
“Let go of me!” She pulled her hand away. “I was about to tell him what I really think.”
“Forget about him,” Xan said. “I don’t need him. We can solve this mystery ourselves.”
Just then a sound came at the chapter house door—someone opening it. Xan grabbed both their arms and pulled them around the corner.
“Go find that monk,” Alford said from within, apparently to the guard. “And I want to know who this Adela person is that those children mentioned.”
“I will take care of it immediately, Alford,” the guard said from outside. The door slammed shut and the guard’s footsteps faded down the path.
“So that’s why Alford was acting like that,” Xan said. “He wants the lady to think he did everything himself. Well, no way will I let him steal all the clues and take all my credit.”
“You mean our credit, don’t you?” said Lucy. “Come on, Xan. I think we could benefit from going to the chapel and praying for some help.”
“There’s no time for that,” Xan said. “We need to get back to the dorm.”
Lucy gave a huff but still followed him along the cobblestone road. Soon they heard agitated voices ahead. Brother Bernard was outside the refectory arguing with Alford’s guard.
“Interrogate me?” Brother Bernard said. “If you think I stole the jewel, tell my prior. Or you can turn my little cell upside down. I am certain you will find absolutely nothing of value.” The way the monk said that last sentence sounded pitifully sad.
“We will see,” the guard said. “I have just sent a guard to search your cell.”
“You did what?” the monk sounded offended. “Who gives you the right?”
“Lady Beaumont. And she derives her right from the Prior of Grenton himself.”
“Don’t hurt Bunny!” Giles said, rushing to the guard.
“Stay back, child, or I will put a paddle to your hindquarters.” The guard pushed Giles away.
“This is unacceptable,” Brother Bernard said. “The prince-bishop would never—”
“The prince-bishop is not here,” the guard said. “Lady Beaumont is in charge. Now, Brother, please accompany me without further resistance.” The guard ushered the monk toward the chapter house for interrogation.
“What should we do?” Giles asked Xan after they’d left.
“Exactly what we planned—solve this mystery before Alford. Let’s get back to the dorm.”
They hurried there, only to find John and Odo limping down the stairs when they arrived.
“What are you two doing?” Lucy said. “Let us help you.”
“We’re tired of sitting around like we don’t matter,” John said. “No one is taking that magician seriously. He didn’t need magic to fool those guards—tricks or potions could do it too.”
Odo nodded. “Or with a wave of his staff he could have poofed right into that room.”
“No one did any poofing,” Xan said. “Listen.” He explained about Alford and the monk. “If Eden’s Fire were in Brother Bernard’s room, he wouldn’t have offered to have it searched.”
“Unless ’tis at that magician’s house,” John said. “Why won’t you consider that, Xan?”
Maybe because Alford was interested in the Magician too. Maybe because the idea of magic and potions was ridiculous. Or maybe because John’s ideas were usually wrongheaded.
“Time is running out for us, John. Brother Bernard is depressed; he’s not acting like someone who stole a jewel. And this magician thing—’tis just ridiculous, can’t you see that?”
“Nay. We need to go search that magician’s cottage,” John said. “Someone does.”
By the time they searched that cottage, Brother Andrew could be back. Or Alford might find the ruby in Gilbert’s room and take all the credit. There was no more time to humor John.
“John, stop talking about magicians, okay?” he said. “Are you as stupid as you are blind?”
“Xan!” Lucy’s voice was harsher than ever before. “That’s a terrible thing to say.”
It might be terrible, but it was true. “I can’t keep wasting time on these addlepated ideas,” Xan said. “If I’m going to solve this before Alford, I need to focus on the clues that really matter.”
“Who cares who solves the mystery, as long as Brother gets his ruby back?” she said.
John’s face turned red with embarrassment. “You think you’re better than everyone, Xan, but you’re not.” His fists balled up. Had he not been blind, he probably would have taken a swing.
Just then a ringing of bells echoed about the priory. One of the monks called in a loud voice, “Everyone to the refectory! Monks and guests report to the refectory for a meeting. Now!”
The ringing bells sounded a second time.
“A meeting?” Lucy said. “What for?”
One of the lady’s guards hastened over to the dorm. “Come on, children. All of you.” Even John didn’t argue with the guard, who didn’t seem interested in a discussion. They followed the guard to the refectory, Odo on Xan’s shoulders, John on Lucy’s arm. None of them spoke to each other. John was brimming with anger under the surface, and even Lucy seemed bothered. Perhaps Xan had said too much—been too blunt.
For once, the refectory boasted no lush aromas, but it brimmed with monks and guests awaiting an announcement. Aubrey was already sitting at their usual table, and Gilbert and Adela were together in the corner again. Aubrey had no news to report about them.
Although no one else was in the mood to talk, Aubrey had no clue how tense things had become between Xan and John. He was chattering away as though everything was normal. “And what about that Alford fellow?” Aubrey said, looking around. “Where’s he at?”
Xan shrugged. “Probably still questioning Brother Bernard.”
Just then Brother Charles stood. “Attention, please. The lady has an announcement.”
Lady Beaumont did not speak until complete quiet had settled upon the hall.
“Thank you for your attention,” she said, finally rising in the silence. “As you are all aware, the prince-bishop will arrive tonight for the ordination of my son, Robert—er, Brother Andrew—on the morrow. Of course, my son is away at his very important prayer time right now”—she sighed deeply—“but he will hopefully return ere morning.”
She moved a stray hair from her wide forehead and unbent a crease on her elegant gown. “As you also have heard, no doubt, a dear family possession was stolen from under our noses. Now, this priory has many guests, and there are others on the outskirts who are of, shall we say, a more questionable character. I have spoken with the prior, and we agree no one will leave this priory ’til every room is searched and every person questioned by my servant, Alford.”
The refectory burst into chaos, with guests grumbling angrily. Some clamored for the Captain of the Guard, but he and his men would not return with the prince-bishop until after dark.
Though harsh, the lady’s solution was smart. Every room searched—even Gilbert’s room. Every person questioned—even Adela. If Eden’s Fire was still at the priory, they would find it before the prince-bishop and Brother Andrew returned. And Alford would take all the credit.
But what if the ruby weren’t at the priory? What if Gilbert had found a way to get it to that band of thieves? Or what if the Magician really did take it to his cottage? Then
what?
“Peace! Peace!” Brother Charles shouted above the din, to no effect.
Only after the Prior of Grenton waved both arms did the noise subside. “’Tis all very necessary, I assure you,” the prior said. “We thank you for your patience.”
The lady worked up a charming smile and put her hands on her hips, much like Christina would do back in Lincoln when she was about to get her own way. “Your inconvenience will be slight. Indeed, as we speak, my guards have already begun the search of your rooms.”
Another outburst of dissatisfaction rumbled through the place.
“Well,” Lucy said. “I guess we’ll find out the truth. They’re going to search Gilbert and Adela’s room now and, if they’re guilty, we’ll know soon enough.”
But that might not be the case. Gilbert and Adela were sitting at ease, content and undisturbed despite the commotion around them. Maybe they didn’t have Eden’s Fire after all.
Brother Charles came and stood behind Odo. “Do not worry, children. The lady had the guards search your dormitory first so that you could be away from all this stress.”
Odo smiled. “You mean we can go back to the dorm now?”
Brother Charles nodded. “Indeed. Return there and await further instructions.”
The guards were rounding up the guests to escort them to a line outside the chapter house. There, Alford would interrogate them. For now, the children seemed to be excluded from this.
“That ruby’s in Gilbert’s room,” said Aubrey, on their way back to the dorm. “You’ll see.”
Xan shook his head. “I don’t think so. Gilbert didn’t seem a bit worried. If they stole it, they may have already sold it. Or hidden it somewhere no one can find it.”
When they arrived at the dorm, John—who had been silent as ever—spoke again. “Well, some people might think I’m stupid, but I’m not just going to sit here. If no one else will deal with this magician, then I will. C’mon, Odo.”
They started limping across the grass, but one of the lady’s guards approached. “Halt!” the guard said. “All of you—up to the room. No one leaves ’til the lady says so.”
19
The Magician’s Secret
When they made it up the stairs—all heads hung low—Aubrey came and stood near John’s cot. “Now, John, exactly how were you and little Odo gonna get all the way to the Magician’s lair on your own?” Aubrey ended his taunt with a laugh.
John’s hand gripped his cot and his face became like fire. “You think that’s funny, Aubrey? Come here, and I’ll show you funny. C’mon! Where are you?”
That shut Aubrey up, but not for the reason John would have liked. Instead, everyone was staring in silence at one another with pity in their eyes. Even Giles stopped bouncing on his bed.
“Oh, I see,” John muttered. “Everyone feels sorry for the poor blind boy, huh?”
The mischief in Aubrey’s eyes had run dry. “Well . . . not that, really. Just—”
“I don’t feel sorry for you,” Odo said. “Because God—”
“Enough, Odo!” John said, bristling with anger. “You may think being a cripple is a gift from God, but I don’t! I was fine the way I was before.”
Poor Odo threw himself to his bed and pressed his face deep into his pillow, sniffling.
Lucy beckoned Xan to the stairs, where she sat. “This is no good at all,” she whispered.
“Aye,” Xan said. “I’ll bet Alford’s got us locked up here just so we can’t find Eden’s Fire.”
At that, Lucy got up in a huff and ran down the steps. Xan chased after her but didn’t need to go far—she was stuck outside the door because the lady’s guard still patrolled nearby. She glared at him. “What’s the matter with you, Xan? Are you really that blind?” Her kind brown eyes had turned to angry spears—never had they looked that way before.
“What’s wrong?” he said, taking a step back.
“You’re so—Ugh! You’re worse than my brother; worse than John; worse than Alford!”
Why was she so mad at him? Simply because he wanted to solve this mystery? “But—”
“But nothing! You’ve never been so—so full of pride. Brother Andrew would be ashamed. All you care about is beating them: Alford, John, Aubrey. Did you see what just happened with Odo? Did you even hear how you spoke to John before? You’re supposed to be helping him.”
Why was she so upset? Of course, he wanted to find the ruby and didn’t want someone like Alford taking the credit. And he didn’t like being bossed around by Aubrey and John. So what?
He took a deep breath and held his temper; this was Lucy, after all. “Well—well, I don’t know. I don’t understand. What do you want me to do?”
She took several deep breaths. When she finally spoke, her voice and eyes were gentle again. “Do what he says, Xan. Go to the Magician’s cottage. Maybe John’s right.”
That would be a first. But if the ruby wasn’t with Brother Bernard or that guild of thieves or Gilbert, then where was it? Shouldn’t he check the cottage to be certain? Perhaps the Magician—his voice so persuasive—had convinced the guards to open the door and forget he’d been there.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” he said. “But I can’t go anywhere with that guard standing out there.”
Lucy’s gaze nearly melted him as she smiled. “Well, a thought did occur to me about that.” She told him her idea about how to get around the guard. It was a brilliant plan.
“I love it,” he said. “C’mon. We’ll tell the others.” They marched up the stairs together, and he announced his intent to travel to the Magician’s cottage, as John had suggested. “But we’ll need a little ploy to get me past that guard out there.”
“You mean, like a trick?” Giles said.
“Exactly.” He touched Odo’s head, still in his pillow. “And we need Odo to make it work.”
Odo sniffled again but lifted his head from the pillow to listen. The others gathered round while Lucy explained her plan. Even John perked up on his cot.
“Is everyone ready?” Xan said, when they’d finished. “Any questions?” There were none.
Xan lifted Odo from the bed and gestured to Giles. “All right, Giles. Do it.”
Giles bounced down the steps, with Xan carrying Odo behind him. Then Giles ran by himself to the lady’s guard, who stood at attention near the edge of the meadow. “Help! Help!” Giles called in a panic.
“What is it, child?” The guard ran to him and grasped his shoulder.
“My crippled brother,” Giles panted. “He’s on the stairs, hurry!” He ran toward the dorm.
“Wait!” The guard looked to his left and right, uncertain of what to do.
“Come see, quick!” The boy’s innocent voice barely carried on the thin wind.
“Curses.” The guard rushed to the dorm, where Odo lay with his head on the bottom step and his tiny legs sprawled out above him. His little tongue stuck out limply from between his lips.
“Merciful heavens!” the guard said, seeing Odo’s crutch. “What has happened?”
But Odo didn’t speak, and Giles had already sprinted up to the room.
“Thank goodness you’re here!” Lucy called out from the top of the staircase. “Please, can you carry the child up to his mattress?”
The guard embraced Odo’s droopy body and lifted him to his chest. Then, taking each step with great care, he proceeded on the solemn march to the second floor.
Xan let the guard pass by and then crept to the door.
“Poor thing!” the guard said. “How did he fall?”
Xan snuck out the door and onto the grass.
“Fall?” Lucy said sweetly. “You are kind, but Odo was only resting.”
The guard sounded baffled. “But . . . the steps . . . his crutch . . . that other boy?”
“Giles is kinda excitable,” John said. “He just wanted his brother back upstairs, that’s all.”
“Hullo!” Odo said. “Thanks for the ride.”
With
that, Xan sprinted across the meadow, looking back to see if the guard was following. The others must have found a way to keep him busy just long enough for him to escape.
He slid down the embankment. All was silent. There were no signs that the guard had discovered what had happened. They’d done it; Lucy’s plan had worked!
He scrambled into the woodland and found his way to the westward trail. After a while, the blackbird statue stood before him, pointing the way to the Magician’s lair. He made the Sign of the Cross and said a quick prayer. Lucy would have appreciated that.
Then he followed the trail—up, up, up—resting only once. He made it to the panoramic view Lucy had admired and then pressed on. The sun was heading steadily back down to the trees.
This is what he’d feared. This journey would take up the only precious time left to solve the mystery before Brother Andrew returned. But Lucy hadn’t left him much choice, had she?
Eventually smoke wisped over the top of the hill—a dark, ashen haze that choked out the light. The Magician must be making another bonfire on the scorched ground near the cottage. If the old seer was outside, he might see Xan on this trail.
He stepped off the path into the brush. This kept him out of sight, but soon the dead leaves and branching thorns announced his presence with every step. With no other options, he returned to the path. Crouching low, he clambered up the last stretch to the cottage as quietly as possible.
This was an addlepated plan. Why had he let Lucy talk him into this? Even if he could get to the cottage unseen, even if he could sneak inside without being caught, surely the Magician wouldn’t have left the jewel sitting out on the splintered table in the center of the room. It might be impossible to find.
Still, he couldn’t turn back now. Someone needed to search the Magician’s cottage. If Alford didn’t find Eden’s Fire at the priory, this was its most likely hiding place. Unless they were wrong about everything and someone else had stolen the jewel, taking it far away.
He’d almost reached the crest of the Magician’s hill. Wood crackled on the bonfire; a musky smoke penetrated deep into his throat. He stifled a cough.
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