“And you think that’s why they’ve been sniffing around the Mountains of Morning for the past six months,” Morwen said. “How did you find out what they were looking at? Or did they ask permission?”

“I don’t think Zemenar would ask permission for anything even if he was sure he’d get it,” Cimorene said. “He’d consider it beneath him. No, I saw him shut the book, and he was only a little further along from where I’d left my bookmark. Ow! That stings.”

“Good,” Morwen said. “It’s supposed to.” She closed the jar of salve she had been smearing on Cimorene’s palm and began wrapping the injured hand in the linen bandage. “Did Zemenar get what he was after?”

“I don’t think so,” Cimorene said. “He said he wanted to come back for another visit, and I don’t think he’d have done that if he’d found whatever he was looking for.”

“That seems like a reasonable assumption,” Morwen said. “Though wizards aren’t always reasonable. There, that should take care of things. Don’t take the bandage off for at least four days, and if you’re going to cook anything that has fennel in it, stir it left-handed.”

“Zemenar’s interest in the Historia Dracorum isn’t the only thing that points to his curiosity about the Caves of Fire and Night,” Kazul said, and explained about the book that had been stolen. “There have been other incidents as well, and nearly all the wizards we’ve caught poking around have been somewhere in or near the caves. That’s why no one thought much about it at first. Ever since King Tokoz made that agreement with the Society of Wizards, they’ve been claiming they’re supposed to have more time in the caves than we’re willing to give them. Everyone thought this was more of the same.”

“Not everyone,” Morwen said, giving Kazul a sharp look.

“I am widely considered to be unduly suspicious of everyone and everything,” Kazul said in a dry tone. “Particularly wizards.”

“And what do your suspicions make of this business?”

“I think Zemenar is trying to find out something about the Caves of Fire and Night,” Kazul said. “Something he hasn’t been able to learn from visiting the caves in person, hence his recent interest in histories that describe the caves, however briefly.”

“And you’re hoping I have something in my library that will help you figure out what it is,” Morwen concluded.

“I don’t hope,” Kazul said. “I know. Unless someone has run off with your copy of DeMontmorency’s A Journey Through the Caves of Fire and Night.”

“If someone has, he’ll regret it,” Morwen said. “Wait here, and I’ll check.” She rose and went out. Through the doorway Cimorene could see a room full of tall, dark-stained shelves.