The three didn’t linger outside. As they walked toward the back entrance to the warren of underground passageways where the Warblerans lived and worked, Sky quickly explained to her mother why she and Fifer were there.

When she was through, Copper nodded thoughtfully. “I think everything belonging to Queen Eagala has been preserved and stored in her old living quarters. Any journals, maps, and keepsakes will be there. You’re welcome to all of them.” She led them in through the opening and down the long passageway.

They popped in to say hello to Copper’s assistant, Phoenix. He sat at a desk in the room outside Copper’s throne room—which no longer had a throne in it. Copper thought thrones were ridiculous, not to mention uncomfortable. In place of the throne was a simple desk and chair, with a small sofa for constituents who came in to speak with her.

Sky and Phoenix, who had grown up together, chatted briefly like old friends. Fifer watched them. It was nice to see Sky laughing again. Then, leaving Phoenix to his work, Copper led them down another hallway, past rooms where Warblerans were making sails or creating hardware to repair their fleet. The three weaved farther into the heart of the island until they reached a gilded door. The handle and hinges were encrusted with sparkling jewels.

“I would have never guessed this was Eagala’s old room,” Fifer said sarcastically. Copper unlocked the door and swung it open, letting Sky and Fifer inside. Then the woman left them to rummage around as they wished. “Good luck,” she called on her way out.

Fifer and Sky looked around. There were shelves loaded with books and wooden boxes filled with notebooks and loose papers and maps and other drawings. There was also a crate containing gold rocks like the kind that Dev treasured.

Fifer knew from reading Lani’s books and hearing Sky’s stories that the gold had once been used to create long, thin needles with sharp thorns. The thorns were weaved into necklaces that were then embedded into the necks of the people of Warbler to silence them. Fifer knelt beside the crate and ran her fingers through the gold rocks. In their world the gold was worthless. But in Dev’s, this stuff would make a person rich. “We could have used some of this in Dragonsmarche,” Fifer murmured. She picked up a few rocks and examined them.

“Might not be a bad idea to take some with us,” said Sky, picking up a curious-looking book. She opened it and saw it was filled with diagrams and mathematical equations. She turned the book sideways, squinting to read handwritten notes in the margin.

“Are you sure Copper won’t mind?” asked Fifer, scooping up a handful.

“She has no use for them.” Sky put the book down and picked up a second.

Fifer pocketed the rocks, then closed the crate and opened the one next to it.