Stolen Magic Read Free Page B

of distress before she recaptured her thin smile.
    The mansioner in Elodie recognized the lie. “Lambs and calves! Someone did take the Replica. Masteress, this is terrible!” She held her head as if it might fly apart. “If the Replica isn’t found, Zertrum Mountain will explode.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    â€œA re your parents and Albin at risk, Elodie?”
    How kind His Lordship was, to think of them, and to crouch so that his face was level with hers. Her masteress looked merely curious.
    She said, “They’re safe. Thank you. Navon Mountain stands between our Potluck Farm and Zertrum. But many families live on Zertrum.”
    â€œExcellent deducing, Elodie,” IT said, “and whatever else you did to root out the truth. Pray, what is this Replica a replica of? And how will its theft cause a mountain to spew?”
    Elodie hardly heard. Was a bee the thief? How long had the Replica been gone?
    â€œLodie, I am waiting.” IT shifted ITs gaze to High Brunka Marya. “Madam, no doubt you have more informationthan Lodie, but I cannot trust you to be honest.”
    Elodie answered in a rush. “It’s a sculpture of the island. I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard it’s not much longer than my hand and even narrower. It’s heavy because it’s made of gold and dotted with jewels. Harald, the first brunka to set foot on Lahnt, who knew a few spells, had it made along with a marble stand to hold it. He put an enchantment on both. When he and his companions came to Lahnt three hundred years ago, Zertrum—that’s the middle mountain, the only one with a volcano—had just spewed. He fell in love with Lahnt as soon as he saw it, so he—”
    â€œIs this the case, Madam? It is more than legend? As long as this Replica remains on its stand, the volcano is quiet? Or must the pedestal be taken as well?”
    High Brunka Marya shook her head. “Only the Replica, Masteress. It can be taken off briefly to show people. However, the two must not be separated for long. It was stolen—just once, thirty years ago—but we got it back the next day. On the first day, the day of the theft, Zertrum may have rumbled, but so softly no one could tell. A little more on the second day. There were two brunkas on the mountain then, and they felt and heard it. When we placed the Replica back on its pedestal, the mountain quieted.”
    Masteress Meenore blew a puff of white smoke. “For how long will the protection dwindle before it vanishes entirely?”
    Elodie jumped in. “Brunka Harald extended the protection as long as he could, but even he didn’t know how long it might last. He thought three days at the most, and near the end it will be very bad—awful.” She quoted Brunka Harald: “‘The volcano will light the darkness.’”
    â€œThat’s right, lamb,” High Brunka Marya said. “Harald wished he could have sealed the volcano forever without a replica and without danger to anyone, but he didn’t know any spells that were powerful enough.” She shook her head sadly. “He was just a brunka who had memorized a few enchantments.”
    â€œMasteress”—Elodie balled her gloves in her hand—“my mother says the explosion will be the worst ever because the mountain has been quiet for so long.”
    â€œIrrelevant, Lodie. Alas, you mistakenly recited my rates for when I am at home in Two Castles. Elsewhere, High Brunka Marya, my costs and my inconvenience are greater. For finding this—”
    High Brunka Marya pointed at the oxen and burst out, “Are they ogres, too?”
    â€œI’m the only ogre.” His Lordship’s voice sounded pained.
    Elodie’s throat tightened in sympathy.
    â€œHis Lordship may be lying, Madam.” ITs smoke tinted red with irritation. “All the oxen may be ogres, and their fleas may be ogres, too. You may be harboring a