Estie did not say, Because Magister Marrow trusted him too much. Instead, the Queen answered, “Because he is impertinent. Because his coming was timely for the Great God. And because he will not suffer for it if I am mistaken.”

The monk nodded to himself. Magister Rummage quickened his strides, drawing her and Third Father with him.

This far down in the mountain, the air was always cold. Despite the chill, however, the wide corridors were well-lit and dry. At the hunchback’s pace, Queen Estie felt warm enough. After a while, Magister Rummage brought her to a broad stairway. At its foot, lighted passages branched away in all directions. Here, Rummage told her, the servants had their homes. The hallway he entered stretched into the distance.

At intervals on both sides were wooden doors strutted with iron. To Queen Estie’s question, the Magister replied that the doors had been made strong in case the mountain shifted in its long sleep.

The monk added:

—This is not a dungeon, Queen. The Repository has none. These are comfortable quarters.

As they walked, Magister Rummage informed Estie that the four suspects had been instructed to remain in their rooms until they were summoned. Whatever they thought of their orders, they could all use the rest.

Before long, the hunchback brought her and Third Father to the door he wanted. Still holding Estie’s hand, he faced her. The light of a nearby cresset gleamed like eagerness on his knotted features.

—You are ready, Queen?

She hesitated. She had not felt ready for anything since her gift had come to life. She feared that the silence would drive her mad. But she knew how to do what the librarian had asked of her. What was the worst that could happen? She would hurt the sensibilities of a man she did not know. In any other outcome, the mute Magister’s presence would protect her.

She tightened her grip on herself and nodded.

Grinning, he released her hand and knocked on the door. His heavy fist rattled the door on its hinges. Finding it unlocked, he opened it and entered without waiting for an invitation.

Third Father raised an eyebrow at the Magister’s rudeness, but he did not comment. Together, he and Queen Estie followed Magister Rummage into Tak Biondi’s quarters.

The chamber was well-lit. In each corner, lamps rested on tall stands. Two lanterns shone on the mantelpiece. The fire in the hearth added its own brightness. Rows of candles burned on the end of the table that Tak Biondi apparently used as a desk. The books lying open there suggested that he had no reason to discontinue his studies.

The room itself was only a little smaller than her sitting room. It had two inner doors, one presumably for the bedroom, the other for the bathing room. Both were closed. But there were no chairs. When Tak Biondi read, he used the only stool.