Henry H. Neff - The Second Siege: Book Two of The Tapestry

Vilyak gestured toward a dark corner in the very farthest reaches of the vault. Max felt a tingling in his stomach. Whatever had been calling to him surely lay in that corner, amidst its chests and cases.

What is it? asked Max, his voice hoarse and dry.

Have a look for yourself, said Vilyak. You know it far better than I.

Max pressed forward. Gliding past an open chest of gold doubloons, he saw what Vilyak had intended him to find.

There, propped against a cracked wooden wheel, Max found a sharp spearhead attached to a thick length of gray, splintered bone. He knew in an instant that this barbed, murderous thing had been calling to himbeckoning him forward like a sirens song.

Vilyak came to stand behind him.

That, Max, is what remains of Cchulains favorite weaponhis gae bolga. It is the greatest treasure that we of the Red Branch possess. As you can imagine, its pedigree and properties make it priceless.

Max remembered the tales hed read of Cchulain. The spear was made from the bones of a sea monster and given to Cchulain by those who lived beyond this world. According to the stories, it was a devastating weapon; a wound from the gae bolga was always fatal.

Do you think you could use something like this? asked Vilyak, his tone slow and cautious.

Max paused and considered the question, which hung suspended in the vaults still air.

I thought these things were reserved for the Red Branch, replied Max, finally glancing back at the weapon. Id have to be a member, and you said there can be only twelve.

Thats true, said Vilyak quietly, but one among our ranks is retiringtoo old now to be of creditable service. You are young, Max, but I have never seen one so gifted. You have already been blooded. Extraordinary times may necessitate exceptions, wouldnt you agree?

Max reached for the broken spear. He wanted to test the weight of it in his hand.

What on earth do you think youre doing?

Ms. Richters voice shattered the tranquility of the vault. Max jerked back his hand and turned to see the Director in the vaults doorway with arms folded and gray eyes ablaze, angrier than Max had ever seen her. Vilyak turned to face her.

Explain yourself, Commander, seethed Ms. Richter.

Good evening, Gabrielle, said Vilyak casually. How nice to see you. Id be happy to answer your question, but this vault is reserved for the Red Branch. If I were a stickler, Id say you were trespassing....

Maxs jaw fell open. The Director stood absolutely still, her attention fixed on Vilyak, who returned her stare with a patient smile, his black eyes fathomless and unblinking. Ms. Richter cleared her throat.

Max, you will step out of this vault immediately. Commander Vilyak, you are to return overseas at once and rendezvous with your squad in Paris. Another politician is missing, and there are power outages all over Europe. The situation is rapidly getting out of hand. You will take command of local field offices as you see fit.

Of course, Gabrielle, said Vilyak, standing at attention and leading Max out of the vault. Ms. Richter stepped aside as Vilyak closed the vault door, then patted Max on the shoulder.

Thanks for visiting with me, Max. Ill see you later. Be good and study hard, eh?

Yes, sir, mumbled Max, shrinking under the laser-like focus of Ms. Richters keen eyes. Vilyak smiled and spun on his heel, making for the door without a parting glance or word for Ms. Richter. The Director watched him go, then turned to Max with a sigh.

I look before me and see a student, she said. What does Commander Vilyak see?

I dont know, said Max, looking beyond her at the doors red seal.

I think you do, Max.

A recruit, I guess, Max replied, his cheeks burning hot. Im sorry.

Ms. Richter gave a gentle smile, her gray eyes shining silver as their crows-feet crinkled to tight creases. It was such a hard face, but Max thought she must have been quite beautiful when she was younger.

Youre getting so big, she said. Youre almost as tall as I am now, and its only a year ago that I had to stoop to look at you. Weve been through a lot this past year, havent we? I know Ive been very busy, but its time we had a talk.

Yes, maam, said Max, exhaling now that he knew the Director was not angry with him. But I should tell you that Davids found something importanthes sitting right over there.

Ms. Richter raised her eyebrows and walked toward Davids table with Max in tow. David was just pouring himself another cup of coffee while studying a golden talisman that he dangled from a finger.

David, groaned Ms. Richter, how many times do I have to ask you not to drink coffee, much less bring it into the Archives?

Im careful, David said defensively, still examining the talisman. And besides, I cant stopcoffee is the greatest invention of all time!

Yes, well, as much as Id love to debate the point, Max said you might have found something significant?

Very significant, said David with a sober nod, but I think we should talk somewhere else.

Ms. Richter turned and narrowed her eyes at a nearby table of bearded scholars who were taking great pains to overhear their conversation.

Very well, said Ms. Richter. Lets move to one of the reading rooms.

With just the slightest uplift of her finger, Ms. Richter raised Davids books and papers into the air. These followed behind the trio in a floating procession as the Director led Max and David into a snug little room off the second-floor balcony. The books and papers followed them inside, arranging themselves on a large table. Ms. Richter motioned for Max and David to sit in a pair of comfortable armchairs while she closed the door firmly behind them.

Now, she said, whats all this about? I didnt think I could fit any more excitement into one day!

The witches are telling the truthBram did promise three people to them, said David quietly. But it gets worse.

Go on, said Ms. Richter, her mouth a tight, straight line as she waited.

The Book of Thoth exists, and hes looking for it right now, continued David, playing with the strange talisman that lay on his palm.

Who exactly is looking for it? asked Ms. Richter.

Astaroth, whispered David. But it gets even worse!

David, would you please tell me what is the worst of it? snapped Ms. Richter.

Bram hid the book away, but one other person knew how to find it....

David glanced at Max and an icy, sinking sensation began to pool in Maxs belly.

Let me guess, said Max. Marley Augur.

Marley Augur, confirmed David with an ironic smile. Strange as it sounds, though, we actually have Augur to thank for tipping us off that the books in danger. He made this for Bram before he turned traitor.

David held out the talisman, a golden disk on a slender chain engraved with an eight-pointed sun. Max squinted as David cupped it in his hands. The sun was giving off an unmistakable glow, as though a firefly were trapped inside it.

The talisman indicates if the book is safe from Astaroth, said David. According to Bram, it shines if the books in dangercan you see it glowing?

Yes, said Ms. Richter, peering intently at it. How have you come to know all this?

I found a letter from Bram, said David. It was filed away with a bunch of other papers under Indecipherable.

So how did you manage to decode it? asked Ms. Richter.

Thanks to Maya, replied David, referring to his charge, a gazelle-like creature called an ulu. Reaching into his sweater pocket, David produced the mysterious vial of silvery liquid and a slim paintbrush. These are a few drops of Mayas blood, he explained. An ulus blood can be used to translate just about anything if its brushed over the words and the proper spells are spoken. Thats one of the reasons ulus are so rarethey were hunted down by Mystics and scholars, so now theyre almost extinct. What those awful people learned the hard way, though, is that the ulu has to give its blood willingly. If you take it by force, its composition changes to a very strong acidstrong enough to burn through whatever precious text its captors wanted to translate.