had to look. Sir . . .â
IT held up a claw.
âOh. Masteress, I had to see who was crying. The sound was so sad.â
The high brunkaâs posture stiffened. She was certainly hearing this confession that the Replica had been left unguarded.
Ursa-bee continued. âI hurried. Then I didnât find anyone, but the weeping went on and on.â
Mmm.
âI thought the sound came from one of the rooms. It wormed its way into my head until I couldnât tell if it was in me or out of me, and I started crying, too. I opened door after door and found no one. Finally it died away.â
âAnd you returned to your post?â
âI waited a few minutes, hoping to find whoever it was.â
âDid you hear footsteps?â
âI couldnât hear anything over the crying. When it stopped I heard none.â
âMmm.â
âJohan and I got back at the same time.â
âWere you both coming from the same direction? Had he heard the weeping, too?â
âHe said he hadnât. I came from the east, he from the west.â
IT scratched ITs earhole. âYou said all was well?â
âThe Replica was still in its place. We made sure of that. If only it hadnât been!â She twisted the edge of her cloak. âWe would have discovered the theft immediately.â
âDescribe where it was kept, if you please.â
Ursa-bee looked nervously at the high brunka, who nodded. âItâs inâit was in Maryaâs chamber.â She went on to explain.
Very likely, IT thought, that the thief had been in the chamber, under the bed, behind a screen, somewhere! He or she had waited for the two foolish bees to leave and then made off with the prize. How remained to be discovered.
âHave you told anyone?â
âOnly you.â She shrugged. âAnd now Marya.â
âHas Johan-bee?â
âI donât know, but he doesnât say much, and he has a toothache. The barber-surgeon changes the medicine every so often. He may have told her.â
âHave you ever held the Replica in your hand?â
âA few times, Masteress.â
âIf you were the thief, could you conceal it on your person?â
âIâm not!â
IT stared at her with ITs flat, emerald gaze. âCould Johan-bee conceal it on his person?â
âIf he held it under his cloak. But we donât wear our cloaks when we guard. The corridor is too warm.â
Mmm. âAfter your watch, what did you do?â
âLudda gave us pottage in the kitchen. Everyone else had already eaten. Then she asked us to help her dig up the last beets.â Ursa-bee giggled. âJohan went to the garderobe again before going out. We didnât wait for him, but he joined us eventually. We harvested the beets and brought them in in two baskets. Afterward, I slept until afternoon.â
IT exhaled a long stream of white smoke. Progress had been made. âSend me another bee. Send me this Johan-bee.â
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A hunter picked up the wounded bird, who began to vibrate and grow. Frightened, the man let go and jumped away.
After a minute a naked ogre with a bloody shoulder faced the hunter. His Lordship blushed from his toes to his forehead. His shoulder hurt, but he wouldnât die of a single arrow. He wouldnât die of the manâs fear, either. âIâm Count Jonty Um.â
The man gaped.
âOf Two Castles. Your horse isnât afraid of me.â He reached out and took the manâs bow. âIâve come to warn people. The Repââ
The hunterâs knees buckled, and he fainted.
âMay I borrow your cloak?â His Lordship rolled the man over gently. Poor-quality wool, but it would have todo. âIâll pay for the garment.â He tied the cloak around his waist. Then he cleaned his puncture wound with a handful of snow. The cold stung. His shoulder ached.
What to do? The arrow had dropped the