—For example, he had not considered that the Great God might strike by treachery. In addition, he did not know how to prepare for a siege. And he had no more than a sketch of the many ways that gunpowder can be used. I read to educate him.

Queen Estie already knew that Tak Biondi had studied poisons. She wanted to ask him when. Was it before or after Apprentice Travail had been stricken? But that approach was too blatant.

In any case, the servant was still speaking.

—The books are open to all, Queen. But no one is permitted to remove them from the library proper. Yet I have done so.

He gestured at his table.

—Magister Marrow trusted me.

With one hand, he rubbed his sternum. Tossing his hair aside, he gave Estie a glimpse of the confidence in his gaze.

She let the silence hang for a moment. While she considered her next question, she made a point of looking at Magister Rummage to remind the servant that he was in danger.

Tak Biondi was not troubled. If he had anything to fear, he did not show it. Instead, he asked a question.

Third Father continued to translate for her.

—Given time and the librarian’s trust, I read a great deal. Do you know, Queen, there is a book that you might find useful? It is an old tome, dusty with disuse, but perfectly legible. Long ago, a scholar named Lamit Karsolsky wrote on many arcane subjects. The book I mean is called A Complete System of Gestures for Speech with the Deaf and Dumb.

His smile sharpened.

—The words are demonstrated in diagrams.

Queen Estie knew what he was doing, but he caught her nevertheless. Gestures for speech? she thought. A whole system? The benefits were obvious. With gestures, people could address her without touching her. And gestures might be easier to learn than the intricate code of taps. Crayn might master it more readily. And her husband—

Gods! If Bifalt had that book—

Still, she recognized Tak Biondi’s ploy. She had used it herself. And he was not done. Rubbing his chest again, he added:

—I am surprised, Queen, that the librarian has not already offered you Karsolsky’s book. And I am utterly astonished that Magister Marrow did not share A Complete System with Magister Avail. I cannot imagine his reasons. Magister Avail should not have been made to suffer.

The hunchback was mute, not deaf. He seemed to take the servant’s gambit as a personal insult. He had not made his friend suffer. Glowering, he took a step closer.

But he stopped when Tak Biondi responded with a look like a taunt. It was too soon for threats. After a moment, Magister Rummage drew back into his corner, biding his time.

Queen Estie felt a strange tingling in her nerves. It was too faint to recognize, too brief.