She betrayed a quick rush of embarrassment. Or perhaps it was shame? “Forgive me, my lord. There must be large gaps in what you know of events here. I should have begun with them.”

She hesitated for a moment, then forced herself to continue.

“The former librarian was killed by gunpowder. His killer was one of Rile’s servants masked as a servant of the Repository. Magister Facile warned us of a traitor here. Now he is gone.”

At the King’s back, Crayn whispered, “I will tell you more if you wish, Majesty.”

Bifalt shook his head. He did not want to know more. Estie’s manner assured him that she had played a role in dealing with the traitor. That was enough.

“So,” he said to her, putting the subject aside, “that was Magister Marrow. And Magister Avail awakened your sorcery. There was a third when I was here before, the hunchback, Magister Rummage.” The man who had hurt him. “What became of them?”

She frowned at painful memories. “Magister Marrow was as arrogant and ungiving as you described him, husband. I would not say the same of Magister Avail and Magister Rummage. They were churlish, unhappy men, but they were good to me after their fashion. And they gave their lives for the Repository.

“The three of them ruled here for a long time. Now many things must be made new. The Repository is no longer threatened. It must change to fit its new circumstances.”

Holding her hands to steady himself, to claim her, Bifalt asked, “What does the librarian want of you, my lady?”

Mildly vexed, Estie frowned. “She wishes me to stay. To assume Magister Avail’s role. And she believes that I can help her in other ways. Fortunately, Magister Oblique understands that I will not. I will not abandon my realm again. Or you.

“I have my carriage. We can leave together when you are well.”

Bifalt tried to mask his relief. He may have succeeded. More easily, he inquired, “Then what will the librarian do? How will the Repository change?”

She considered her answer. After a moment, she replied, “There are many details, husband. I will not trouble you with them. One will suffice to show the nature of her intentions.

“You may recall that a man here, Apprentice Travail, was Magister Facile’s lover before she joined you in Belleger. He is the one who was poisoned.

“Since my arrival, Travail has given me many hours, teaching me how to endure my deafness. But he has not fully recovered from his poisoning. And he may never recover from the loss of Magister Facile. Still, the librarian sees more value in the sorcery of hearing than her predecessor did. She has asked him to accept the robe of a Magister, and to assume a great burden. She hopes that he will consent to teach others who share his gift.