“The where?” Eva perked up.

“The Royal Museum. It is in the city of Solas.” Rovender lay down on his mat, resting his head on his large rucksack. He closed his eyes. “It is ruled by Queen Ojo. Perhaps there you might find someone with answers about your village.”

“Can you take us?” Eva asked.

“What is he saying?” Muthr said.

“He says there is a museum with other items like this,” Eva held up the WondLa. “He’s going to take us there.”

“Take you? I did not say that, Eva Nine.” Rovender opened one eye at the girl. “What I did say was that Besteel is on our trail. We’d be better off if we split up.”

“We will no longer require Mr. Kitt’s services once we reach the surface,” Muthr said. “With the Omnipod, we should be capable of locating a safe route to the next underground facility.”

“You’ll see how useless that thing is once we’re aboveground,” Eva muttered.

“Eva, let us not—”

“Not now, Muthr!” Eva barked. She looked over at Rovender. He appeared to be asleep.

Muthr sighed. “I think I shall check the structural integrity of this Sanctuary and keep watch for any signs of the intruder,” she said as she exited the gymnasium. “Try to get some rest, Eva. Tomorrow we shall continue our search.”

Eva lay back on her bedroll, staring up at the rivulet of water on the cracked ceiling above. She heard the ceiling weep—drip, drip, drip—into the green pool next to her. It reminded Eva of holograms she’d seen of caverns. Dark caves had always appeared mysterious and spooky when she’d explored them in the holo-chamber, yet here she somehow felt secure. Safe.

“Rovee?” she asked aloud.

“Yes, Eva Nine.”

“Do you really think we might find other humans in the city of Solas?” She turned on her side to face him, her head propped up on her hand.

“I cannot say, but it is a big city. There are many sorts that dwell there.”

“Muthr’s never been aboveground before. And the Omnipod is not really working right. . . .” Eva swallowed. “Could . . . could you take us there? Then we’ll leave you alone, I promise.”

The lanky creature remained still with his eyes closed. “There is a fishing village, Lacus, that’s about a two-day hike from here if we journey east through the Wandering Forest,” Rovender said. “I will guide you. Once in Lacus, though, you will be on your own.”

“How will we get to Solash from there?” Eva asked.

“Solas,” Rovender corrected her. “You can take a ferry across Lake Concors, which will bring you directly into the main port.”

“Thanks, Rovee.” Eva lay back on her bedroll. “Thank you so much.”

“Get some rest, Eva Nine.” Rovender crossed his large hands over his narrow chest.