Hard Bound, page 12
Fiona stopped pacing. “Wait, they don’t simply control summer?”
“No, they were meant to be a representation of the whole Circle, not just me. The others would never have liked that. We only wore them on special occasions as it was.”
Fiona sat on the settee rubbing her temples. The guide had said that they were the embodiment of summer. But that season alone. And everyone called them the Summer Crowns. “Drat.” Fiona tugged her scarf out of her dress and started pacing. She liked having it in her hands when she needed to think.
“What is it?”
“Everyone knows of the crowns as Summer Crowns.”
“They do?” Mac asked. “I hadn’t gotten a visit from Olea since I gave her the solution to the chests. Her letter just mentions crowns. Does it matter?”
“If everyone sees them as Summer Crowns, and everyone only talks about the crowns’ proprieties to mimic summer, that means that the real crowns were never seen. That they never made it out of the chest in front of the Order of Seven. They only ever pulled out crowns that acted as summer, not as all the seasons.”
“Someone replaced my crowns before Olea ever got to the chest?”
“Or Olea replaced them and stole them herself.” Fiona quieted, gripping her scarf. She felt awful saying it like that, but it was a theory.
“She would never do that,” Mac said. “She would have nothing to gain. I would let her study them without any obligation, and we planned to do just that after the Order of Seven had gotten their fill of them.”
Though Mac seemed adamant, the timing was shaky. “Do you think anyone would’ve had an easy time getting into the chests?”
“Doubtful. Olea is extremely fastidious about securing her finds. Only those she trusts would have access to it. She wasn’t storing it at the Pavilion until a couple of days before the unveiling.”
So someone wouldn’t have gained entrance to the chest until days before it was opened in front of everyone. But then how would any of them have gotten into the chest without breaking the cipher locking it? “When did you give Olea the solution to the cipher?”
“A couple of days before the unveiling was supposed to happen.”
A couple of days were more than enough time to pull off a theft. Fiona began pacing the large room again. “That means two days to get into the chests, replace the contents, and close up the chest. Thus, changing the Seasonal Crowns for summer. They wanted to hide the theft to buy them time, so they replaced them with false items. But clearly there was some sort of issue, because the items were stolen again two days after the unveiling. That’s when Orsa’s bracelet was found and the display items disappeared as well.”
Mac rubbed her face. “I’m not following.”
“Orsa may have very well stolen the old display items, like the bell and watch and the crowns. She may have also stolen the journals and solution to your cipher. She gave no proof she did, but she confessed to me and Gaili today.” She left her immediate doubt to herself. Fiona stopped pacing. “But someone else stole the original chest contents before they were even unveiled. Looking at the doors and skylights of the Pavilion, gaining entry would be trivial. Getting into Olea’s office is much harder. It all depends on who had access to your solution or who else knew how to break your ciphers.”
“No one but I could know that key.”
“What about the other seasons?” It was possible that Mac wasn’t as secretive as she thought. If the other seasons were alive, they may know precisely what to do.
“I’m the only person in the Book who knows my work, Fi.”
“I don’t know, Mac.” Fiona perched on the desk. “You’ve been gone from the Court a long time. It’s possible someone else found the chests before you gave them up and had a chance to study them but couldn’t get into them. Clara was studying all the old seasons and their accomplishments. She could’ve done it.”
“She’s probably researching for a new invention or because she’s joined the Seven. You’d have to know my mind, the way I think, which key was even needed. It would take decades to work out a key,” Mac said, “if it can be done.”
“Some people have that time.” If Mac could be over two hundred years old there was no real accounting for faekin ages. Perhaps they all had more flux in their age than they let on. “I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch.”
Mac sighed, looking a bit older than even her usual self. “Time, sure, but not my knowledge. But if someone took all the crowns, you need to be looking for someone with an interest in elemental chaos. That’s not even Clara’s field of study. The crowns are facsimiles, yes, but all together they could create unprecedented cyclones or push the seasons out of alignment. Copper could be in real danger.” Mac covered her face with her hands and shook her head slowly. “I shouldn’t have been so careless. Foolish of me to have left everything in others’ hands.”
“You thought they’d be under the watchful eye of Olea. You couldn’t have known anyone else would get to them first.”
“No. But I should’ve,” Mac said. “The only ones in the Seven I know are interested in elemental chaos are Dragomir and Sofia. You should ask them about it.”
Fiona sat up. “Dragomir hasn’t reported in today.”
“Well then, that draws the line directly to her, right?”
“Perhaps,” Fiona admitted, “but what is the motive? That I haven’t directly figured out. But I suppose it’s time to find out where she’s gone.”
“If you need anything,” Mac said, pushing away from her desk, “I am only a turn away. I wish I had something to offer you.”
“This is enough,” Fiona said. She had always thought of Mac as somewhat like family, having known her so long, but now she felt as if that sentiment was actually true. “I should get back to Gaili and finish up things in the city before nightfall. The Order of Seven has requested we house in Copper for as long as we can so they have access to us.”
Mac nodded. “Some ways of power never change. Do be careful out there. Dorin has been shifty to Olea for months. He’s hiding something, even if its inconsequential.”
Fiona was surprised to hear Dorin’s name in the context of a warning but nodded in turn. “We’ll speak again before this is done. I’m sure of it.”
“Good luck, Fi.”
Fiona closed the door with a click. She noticed then that the wood felt warm to the touch, like a bench in the sun too long. What else might she notice of the world now that she was bound to a seasonal spirit?
Back on the main floor of the Thread, the patrons barely seemed to have missed Mac. The system of canisters and pipes Mac had created were pouring from the walls into mugs. A small smilodon was running a few orders from the kitchen out to tables. Fiona had never lingered on the fact that Mac never employed faekin folk, but now she could guess why. And why so much of the cleverness behind the system was so that it could be automated to a degree. How alone and hidden must she have felt?
“You look contemplative this evening.” Dodger waved his orange-and-black spotted paw and grinned. He was in full Travel Guild uniform: long black jacket and a dark-blue tunic that cinched with a tight belt. A bandolier of vials crossed his chest and a large pouch hung from his side. “I suppose you didn’t hear me say hello. Or are you ignoring me again?”
Fiona broke out into a wide grin. “Never would I ever, friend. I haven’t time for a drink, but I would like to know how you’re getting on.”
“To be talked to by the famous investigator Fiona Thorne is an honor in itself,” Dodger said. His tail twitched behind him, belying the anxiousness hidden behind his teasing tone. “I’m happy to walk and talk if you have places to be.” He held up a wrapped box. “I have a drop-off to do as well.”
“That would be lovely.”
They exited from the Thread into the winding streets of Spine. The light was fading in the sky and darkness quickly approaching. Although the day and night cycles were similar to all the mortal pages in the Book, they weren’t quite exact. There was never a shining beacon of sun or a stalking emblem of moons. Just light for a time and then dark for another. Fiona did sometimes miss the moon of Rise and staring up at it for reasons she couldn’t even fathom.
“So,” she began, turning to Dodger, “how are you? I wanted to call on you this week, but I took a case…” She trailed off, trying to say something less awkward. After the fight they had recently about Fiona being an unsupportive and somewhat distant friend, she wanted to put in real effort the way Dodger always did.
“A zebra doesn’t grow their stripes overnight, Fi.” Dodger laughed. “Call on me when you can. And as to how I’m doing, quite well actually. The Binder has thought very highly of me after the dealings with Blaze and Petronia. In fact, he’s promoted me right below Gilded.” The Gilded were the highest leaders in the Travel Guild and ran each department of the organization. The coordinated manner in which the entire Guild worked helped it spread from page to page easier than others, like the Followers, who tried to compete with it.
Fiona stopped, clapping Dodger on the back. “That’s excellent. Very well deserved. You’re the best jacket there is, as far as I’m concerned. It’s time someone else thought the same.”
“Yes, well, I don’t know about all that.” His furry cheeks deepened in color. “But I will get to handle some larger casework and even leave headquarters now and again.”
“Good. You don’t travel the Book often enough.”
“I’m still waiting on your invitation to the next case.” He grinned. “I believe you mentioned the words travel the Book and pick up clever things.”
She chuckled. “I think you added some words in there, but you’re quite right. After this case, friend, and you’ve got it. In fact, this may be the only one you can’t touch.”
“Court of Copper, is it?” Dodger nodded knowingly. “Sometimes being Guild has its perks.” The Court of Copper blocking the Travel Guild from interfering in their matters did leave jackets out in the gutter. Unless they traveled in on holiday of course.
Fiona rolled her eyes. “Faekin aren’t all that bad, you know. Just a bit different than the other mortal pages.”
“Chaotic. You mean a bit more chaotic than the other mortal pages.” He grimaced. “But no, I know. There are only a few in the Guild. The Binder for one, if you can believe it.” He looked chagrined. “Though that’s not well known. Keep that in your scarf like other secrets.”
Fiona smiled at the new information, tucking it away. She didn’t know a lot about all the leaders of the Spine, but she wanted to understand her home and how the power worked. She wanted to make changes for page turners, and you can’t make changes without understanding the layout. “You have my word. But how is it you know and others don’t? I had assumed his appearance was common knowledge to Guild people. Surely those who practically live at the Hinge see him come and go.”
“I know the Gilded have private councils with him, but not jackets. The only reason I know the Binder at all is he helped educate me.”
“What?” Fiona frowned. She had never heard this bit before. “I thought you came to turner training same as me?” With family left behind but excitement and eagerness to learn how to survive as a page turner.
“I did, but only because the Binder found me when I came to Spine the first time. Or was thrust here. Without parents I wasn’t really watched on Kerus. That’s nothing new though. There were quite a few of us on the streets then. Less now, I’m happy to say. But one day I was stealing bread in the dusty desert, then sick as a blotter. The next thing I know I’m pulled to this place. Strange and confusing with no real knowledge of where I was.”
This was quite different than Fiona had known. Dodger had spoken of his time in Kerus as a rough upbringing, but when she had met him in turner training many years ago, he fit in so well. She thought he had always been here. She was reminded once again of how poorly she had faired at really getting to know Dodger. Thank Larrakane she had been given a chance to be better at it. “And so, because you had no family, you had no one to support you after leaving training?”
“Correct. But I did, in the Binder. He got me into training. I was unread, as any new turner would be. I stayed with him afterward, and long story short, he’s made me the smilodon I am today.” He smiled. “But that’s neither here nor there.”
“I find it fascinating. I’d love to hear more about it,” Fiona said earnestly. “If I can survive the Court, I’ll pop ’round for drinks and a proper questioning.” They had gotten to Fiona’s door. Fiona invited Dodger in, but he waved her off.
“I know that gleam in your eye, and I don’t mind it. You’ve got things to work out for your case. So have I. Petronia still isn’t talking, but I think we’re narrowing down on how the Painted Edge managed to get the airship out of Rise.”
“I would like to know of it when it can be told,” Fiona said. “Actually there’s another party who may contact you. They could be of assistance there as well. I told him to drop my name to you since your boss—old boss—Evenhell is out on leave. Fali is his name. He’s an elephas with the Followers.”
“And you suppose he should be told about the Painted Edge?”
“Actually, the other way around. He has a wealth of information, and between the two of you, you may sort it out. I have no doubt about that. I had told him to talk to Evenhell after my interview with her, but with your promotion”—she smiled—“you’ll be an even better connection.”
Dodger nodded. “I’ll seek him out then.” He held up the bag again. “Although I’m on my way to her now actually. She’s taken ill and been homebound for the last week. I’ll see if she has anything pertinent to tell him.”
Fiona frowned at the discrepancy. Fali had said vacation. “Well, no matter what the case, I’m glad he can work with someone I trust.”
“She isn’t all that bad, Fiona.” Dodger laughed, starting down the lane away from her house. “A might stubborn and chaotic, but she’s persistent and loyal. Two things I know you to value.”
Fiona waved him on, shaking her head, and closed the door. Or tried to anyways. Opening it had dislodged the stack of letters that had arrived since she had been gone. There was one with a seal far more alarming than the letter from her mother, which she still hadn’t opened. It was an official seal of the Queen. She cracked it open, scanned the familiar wording, and gave a deep sigh. Every few years page turners native to Rise were invited to visit with the sitting ruler. Invited was what they called it, but a forced reminder of their loyalty was what it was. A stay of several days at the palace, dances, and more awaited her. She had several weeks to prepare, but still, the date had arrived all too soon.
“Oh, Fiona. Is everything alright?” Gaili said behind her, interrupting her thoughts. The faun’s arms were laden with packed bags. More were being unloaded from a small carriage at the end of the walkway.
Fiona quirked an eyebrow at the bags but stopped when she noticed that Gaili’s golden skin shimmered in a way she’d never seen before. Did it have something to do with Mac’s binding? “Er, yes, simply looking over some correspondence. What do you have there?”
“Oh, just some things from the shop. If we’re going to be staying in Copper for a few days, I need to complete some orders and perhaps craft a few things.”
“Gaili, I…” Fiona started, concerned that Gaili might try to do something to prove her worth to Clara and her family. She struggled with what to say. “Do try not to overwork yourself.”
“It’s kind of you to be worried about me,” Gaili said with a shadowed smile, “but there’s so much else for you to be thinking about. Don’t spend time on me.”
Taking a deep breath and ignoring the desire to tell her friend exactly what to do, she changed the subject instead. “I think we should talk to Elinor and give her an update before we go back.”
Gaili nodded, some of the shadow leaving her face. “I’m sure she won’t be pleased to hear Orsa admitting to guilt.”
“Yes, nor the facts that there are too many suspects, a lack of evidence that Orsa didn’t do it, and that she’s making demands.” Fiona tugged on her scarf. She wondered how Elinor would react to Orsa’s message. She hated giving bad news to people, and news about a family member even less so. “Also, that there may have been two thefts instead of one.” Fiona recounted what she had deduced with Mac. She left out Olea’s involvement and Mac’s true nature, linking it more to overheard gossip from Mac.
“Two thefts! Well, I suppose we have our work cut out for us.”
“Yes, we do indeed. Let’s get to Elinor so we can return to Copper and lay it all out. I want to have a solid plan of action for tomorrow.”
A chimney, bricked and smoking, sat atop the red tiled roof of the modernized house they walked up to. Striding up the long stone path nestled between dark gray flowered plants, Fiona felt as if she was being watched at every step. She glanced to the glazed windows but saw no form or figure behind them. Shaking it off and squaring her shoulders, she knocked. Expecting to see a servant for a house this grand, Fiona was surprised when Dodger opened the door.
His face mirroring her own and his whiskers twitching, he said, “Fi. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to meet a client.” She glanced past Dodger to the darkened interior chamber. “How come you to be here?”
Dodger opened the door wider, ushering them in. “This is Gilded Evenhell’s home. She has a friend staying to take care of her. She’s asleep, though, so I was on my way out.” His brow wrinkled. “You didn’t tell me she was your new case.”
“She isn’t,” Fiona murmured, glancing at Gaili, “but I’m sure the explanation is clearer than that. Her friend and our client must be one and the same.”
