Agnes
MATTHIAS LED AGNES AND VADA TO THE VERY BACK OF the library, to a solid copper door with an imposing lock.
He drew a ring of keys out of his pocket and used a large brass skeleton one to open it.
“These are the archives,” he said. “They hold the largest collection of Pelago’s most ancient texts.”
The archives were dim and cool, with a domed ceiling and walls made of stone. Sconces held lamps with glass so thick it distorted the flame within. The air was dry and musty and smelled faintly of peppermint. The shelves contained all manner of written work, leather-bound books with peeling spines, scrolls with fraying edges piled on top of each other, sheaths of yellowing paper. They followed Matthias to the back, where the oldest tomes were kept. Very carefully, he took a thick scroll out from where it sat in its own pigeonhole.
“These came from my family,” he said. “Writings from one of the earliest matriarchs of the Byrnes, a woman named Agata. They were donated to the archives by my great-great-grandmother. I’m sure my mother wishes she could get them back, but they belong to the university now. She came today, though, to read them. Secretly too—if the Triumvirate knew she was in Ithilia, they’d call her to Banrissa. It was the first time I’d seen her in . . . oh, years now. Not since Hektor’s wedding.” He held out the scroll to Agnes. “You should read this. It’s part of your history too, after all.”
The paper was so thin, she worried it would disintegrate in her hands. Vada leaned over her shoulder as they read. Most of the words were illegible, smudged or faded with time. But there was enough left that Agnes could piece together.
. . . set out to explore the north and discovered . . . island with palace atop a cliff. Jewels filled the waters . . . wanted to turn back but we had come too far to return to Culinnon with nothing . . . my duty as a Byrne for the f . . . a power greater than anything I ever thought possible . . . past, present, and future, all contained in . . . spoke to me and gave gifts that will keep this family strong for generations to come. I did not think at the time to . . . fog descended and became . . . off course and for days . . . there is more I know there is more. And it rightfully belongs . . . power that this country could not even begin to understand . . . will be tied to Culinnon for all time and therefore must be protected at all . . . rested and will journey again once the leg has healed. I must return to the island. It calls to me. It belongs to . . .
“An island,” Agnes murmured. “With a palace atop a cliff. This scroll is speaking of Braxos.”
“I am not liking the sound of this power greater than anything possible,” Vada said darkly.
“But we know Braxos holds power,” she said. “It has the tether.”
“How do we know that is what this scroll speaks of?” Vada said. “If humans cannot see the tether, as Sera says, then perhaps this Byrne is meaning something else.”
Agnes bit her lip. “Past, present, and future together, it says . . . and the power she found is tied to Culinnon somehow.” She looked up at her uncle. “Did she ever go back?”
“No,” Matthias said, running a hand over his thinning hair. “And she disappeared trying to find the island again. In our family it has long been known that she was searching for a Lost Island. It was just never known which one.” Then he frowned. “What is this tether you mentioned?”
“It’s . . .” Agnes debated how much she should tell him. “I can’t really explain it, except it’s the thing my friend needs to get home. It’s on Braxos—that’s why we need to get her there.”
Matthias sighed. “Agnes, it is valiant of you to want to help a friend, but I do not think anyone will ever reach Braxos. The waters are too dangerous, the fog too thick. Even Agata could not find it again.”
“We’ve got a navigator,” Agnes said. “He’s certain he can get us to the island.”
“How much have you paid him?” Matthias asked warily.
Vada grinned. “Not a single aurum.”
“He doesn’t need paying,” Agnes said. “Not that way. Besides, until we get Sera and Leo back, we aren’t going anywhere.” She paused. “What does Agata mean when she says gifts?”
Matthias opened his mouth but was interrupted by his own name.
“Matthias Byrne!” The voice that echoed through the library was rich and full of authority. Matthias started.
“Stay here,” he hissed. “Stay out of sight.”
Then he hurried out of the archives. Agnes and Vada crept forward at the same time, slipping through the doors and staying hidden behind the shelves. They peered over a row of books and saw an attractive, imposing woman standing in the central area, her sleek black hair unadorned, dressed all in maroon with a soft gray cape draped over one shoulder and pinned with a bronze brooch crafted in the shape of five stars.
“Nadia,” he said, making a hasty bow. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“Did you know?” Nadia demanded without preamble.
“Know what?” Matthias blinked at her.
“What your mother was planning to do.”
“My mother does not share her confidences with me.”
“Ambrosine was here, though.” Matthias’s face flushed a blotchy red and Nadia pursed her lips. “Don’t try to deny it, Matthias; you’ve always been a terrible liar.”
“Yes, she was here. She wanted to see the archives. I let her. The archives are open to any who asks to visit them. You know that better than anyone.”
Nadia gave him a wry smile and shook her head. “Let us sit,” she said. “The news I carry has wearied me.”
They took a seat at one of the tables. “What news?” Matthias asked. “How can I be of service to the Lekke?”
Agnes felt as if a spider had crawled down her throat and was scuttling around in her stomach. Matthias was working with the Lekke? But he’d told Agnes to stay hidden. If he wanted to sell her out to the Triumvirate, he certainly had the chance now and wasn’t taking it.
“There will be a council soon. The Aerin is calling for war against Kaolin. You know how the Lekke feels about violence.” Matthias nodded. “The decision to close the ports weighed heavily on her. As does the fighting that erupts there daily. She hates to see her country torn so. And now Ambrosine has made matters worse.”
“What has my mother done?” Matthias asked.
“She has attacked Princess Rahel’s pleasure ship,” Nadia said. “And taken the Byrne and his companion away with her.”
Agnes felt relief wash over her, heady as a dream. Her grandmother had Leo and Sera. They were safe.
Matthias did not seem to be having the same reaction Agnes was. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. “Oh no.”
“Yes,” Nadia said. “It was the worst possible move at the worst possible moment. Now the Renalt is more inclined to take action. She is even threatening to leave Banrissa and sail after Ambrosine herself.”
Matthias took off his glasses and cleaned them on his sleeve. “Damn my mother,” he muttered.
“The Lekke requires your advice before the council is convened and the vote for war is taken. I have been sent to bring you to her.” She leaned forward and placed a hand on his knee. “Your queen needs you now, my friend. She needs the honest and unflinching guidance you have given her throughout your years of service.”