A Riddle in Ruby Read Free Page B

open silently.
    Beyond was a large circular room with a very old mosaic on its floor. It was not a picture of a knight slaying a dragon. Nor was it a scene of grand armies or ancient kings and queens. It was of a pepper mill, and it seemed very well taken care of.
    Eight corridors flared off from the circular room, and Lord Athen walked to the one opposite the bronze door. The other corridors opened onto high-ceilinged laboratories, and the mouse glimpsed beakers, forges, scales, burners, and innumerable gears. This corridor ended at a plain stained wooden door, upon which Lord Athen knocked.
    A voice from behind the door called, “Enter.”
    Beyond the door was another circular room, made from ancient brick. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves covered every wall. An older man in plain breeches and waistcoat, an open collar, and rolled-up sleeves stood with his back to the door at a long table, also filled with books, burners, and an ivory scale.
    The mouse hid under a bust of Zosimos of Panopolis, a classical scholar of chemystral science, of whose rich role in alchemycal history it was completely unaware.
    The boy scuffed his heel against the stone floor and looked about. “So this is where you spend your days now that the hierophants have shown you the door.”
    Snapping his book shut with a clap, the old manturned to face the visitor. He had a rough egg of a face, with a fringe of white hair. “The work we do here is essential. You know this.”
    â€œI know no such thing,” Athen replied. “Though I am certain the wardens of the Royal Society would be most intrigued to discover unlicensed, unsupervised alchemy not a quarter mile from the palace.”
    â€œWe have maintained balance for hundreds of years.”
    The man leaned back against the table, popped open a small crystal bottle of oil, and began rubbing it into his hands, which were stained and burned along the fingers and palms.
    â€œYour tinker’s claws betray you, Lord Godfrey,” Athen said. “How long until you are found by the Reeve?”
    Lord Godfrey Boyle, high alchemyst of the Worshipful Order of Grocers, ignored the question. “And yours?” He nodded at Athen’s gloves and asked, “Why the finery?”
    Athen answered, “Delicate skin requires protection, you know.”
    The man sniffed. It was eloquent.
    â€œYou sent word that I should prepare for a trip, did you not?”
    They stared at each other. The mouse was not uneasy, but only because it had no social sensibility or access to human feeling. At this particular juncture, it could be considered lucky.
    Lord Godfrey broke the silence. “Yes. I require you to travel to the colonies in the Americas.”
    â€œThe Americas? It is a land of wood, mud, and odiferous mountain men. I shall be bored past all endurance.”
    â€œNevertheless, I require you to travel there. You will seek out two individuals and escort them to the safety of the house of the Bluestockings.”
    Athen snorted. “The Bluestockings?”
    â€œThey have more power than you know, they are part of our order, and they will be your only allies in the colonies. You will find these two individuals, and you will escort them to safety. For many years they have hidden a secret of great value to us, and it may have been discovered.”
    Athen raised an eyebrow. “What secret?”
    Boyle ignored the question. He handed Athen a letter, camel and pepper mill on the waxen seal. “See that you use this wisely.”
    The boy examined the letter. “Why not one of your students?”
    â€œI need courage and loyalty, and you have those, despite your flaws,” Godfrey said.
    â€œAh! Danger then? Perhaps it will not be so tedious a journey after all.”
    â€œEnough!” He reddened. “This is no jest. Great danger will follow you.”
    Athen looked aside. “You are concerned for my welfare? I am touched.”
    The old man