Part 6 (1/2)

5.

Damian, following Sybil, reached the top step and gazed about the jumbled room. ”Ah!” he exclaimed when he spied the old man. ”Is this Master Thorston, the alchemist?” He went to the bedside. ”What ails him?”

”He's sleeping.”

”Wake him and tell him I'm here.”

”I'll do no such thing,” said Sybil.

”Then why are my green eyes wanted?” said Damian. ”Who is this disgusting boy? Why is that dirty bird here?”

Instead of answering, Sybil went to Alfric and took the Book Without Words from him.

”Pray, sit,” she said to Damian.

Damian glared at her. ”And if I don't?”

”Then you may leave. Now.”

”What is it you wish of me?” he said.

”We require a reading. Can you do it?”

”Of course,” said Damian. ”My tutor taught me.”

”Then sit.”

”I sit because I choose to,” said Damian as he sat, ”not because you tell me.”

Sybil put the book on his lap. ”Read this,” she said.

Damian contemplated a few pages. After a while he looked up. ”Is this some kind of joke?” he said. ”There's nothing here to read. If you would just tell me your master's gold-making secrets, I'll be pleased to go.” He snapped the book shut and stood up.

Sybil didn't know what to say.

”May I remind you,” said Damian, ”I'm Mistress Weebly's apprentice. As the town apothecary, she's very powerful. Accordingly, know that I too am powerful.”

When Sybil only stared at him, the boy flushed and added: ”In some ways, at least.”

Sybil s.n.a.t.c.hed the book out of Damian's hands and carried it to the bed. ”Master,” she shouted, as if he were deaf, ”we have two people with green eyes! They see nothing! Tell us what to do!”

When the old man made no response, Odo fluttered across the room and landed on the bed. Head c.o.c.ked to one side, he studied the alchemist intently.

”Master,” Sybil cried again. ”Speak to us. What shall we do?”

Odo hopped the length of the bed. Leaning forward, he stared fixedly at Thorston's inert face, c.o.c.king his head first one way then another. ”Sybil,” he said, ”he's not going to answer. Ever. Master Thorston is dead.”

6.

Tightness came to Sybil's chest. It was hard for her to breathe. Her head hurt. ”G.o.d's mercy,” she managed to whisper.

”Dead,” croaked the raven, his eyes blinking rapidly. ”Gone to wherever treacherous men such as he belong. We are lost!”

Alfric and Damian gaped. ”Did ... did that bird talk?” talk?” asked Damian. asked Damian.

Odo, paying no heed, kept muttering, ”Doomed. Cut off. Abandoned.” He leaped closer to the dead man's face. ”Cruel Master,” he croaked, ”did you forget your promise? Now the reeve will discover your death. But it's we we who shall lose everything.” Livid, he pecked the old man's nose. who shall lose everything.” Livid, he pecked the old man's nose.

”Stop that,” cried Sybil. ”Have you no respect?”

”Respect!” cried Odo. ”What respect had he for me? Or you, for that matter? None. He treated all with contempt. How long did I put up with him! What do I have for my pains?” he screeched. ”Nothing. Less than nothing.”

”That raven,” said Alfric, ”he's truly talking.”

”Doesn't he know,” said Damian, ”it's unnatural for beasts to talk?”

Odo leaned toward Sybil. ”Idiot!” he screamed. ”I warned you. Now what do you propose to do?”

”That talking is magic, isn't it?” said Damian. Nervous, he moved toward the steps Sybil whirled about. ”Anyone can talk,” she cried. ”You talk. I have yet to hear you say one intelligent word. Does that make you a bird?”

Damian's face turned bright red. ”You have no right to speak to me that way,” he said. ”I'm your superior.”

”Does your master's death mean that you don't want me anymore?” said Alfric. ”That I must go?”

”Come here, both of you,” Sybil snapped at the boys.

The two eyed one another. Alfric came forward. Damian stood his ground. ”What for?” he demanded.

”It's gold!” shouted Sybil, her frustration bursting forth. ”The secret of gold-making is in this book. But Master told us it can only be read by someone with green eyes.” She flung the book on the table. Some of the apparatus flew off and smashed.

”G.o.d in heaven,” screamed Odo. ”You've told them.”

”Well, then,” said Damian, a smile on his lips, ”if that's that's what it is, perhaps I may be of use.” He swaggered forward. Pus.h.i.+ng Alfric aside, he bent over the book. After a few silent moments he looked up. ”Nonsense” he said. ”There's still nothing here. Nothing.” what it is, perhaps I may be of use.” He swaggered forward. Pus.h.i.+ng Alfric aside, he bent over the book. After a few silent moments he looked up. ”Nonsense” he said. ”There's still nothing here. Nothing.”

”You try,” Sybil said to Alfric.

Alfric wiped his face with his grubby fingers and leaned over the pages, staring hard. In a few moments he looked up. ”Please, Mistress, there's nothing more than last time.”

”Fooled,” screeched Odo. ”Tricked. Deceived.”

Sybil, biting her lip to keep from screaming, went to the window and stared out. Bashcroft was lurking in a doorway, moving his feet up and down, beating his chest with his hands to keep warm.

”If your master,” Damian announced, ”is dead, there's little point in my staying. Anyway, there's something grossly unnatural here. A dead man. A bird that talks.” He smirked. ”There is nothing to stay for. I am leaving.” He moved toward the stairs.