Night was graying toward dawn. The flat land that led to the stable must have been the Oase vegetable garden before the blizzard. There Master Uwald was found, panting with effort as he dug. When he saw them, he waved the bread knife, but Master Tuomo ignored it and wrested the shovel away. Goodman Dror took the knife and held Master Uwald by his elbow.
“Careful!” High Brunka Marya clung to Mistress Sirka. “Don’t damage the Replica, Master Tuomo.”
Master Tuomo dug delicately but with haste, removing small quantities of dirt.
“There!” Ursa-bee breathed as a ruby appeared.
Master Tuomo dropped the shovel and continued with his hands. After a few minutes he unearthed the entire Replica as well as the box that contained the handkerchief that wept.
How the gold and jewels shone despite the dirt!
Master Tuomo passed the Replica to High Brunka Marya, who held it against her chest. Ursa-bee took the box with the handkerchief. Everyone started back to the Oase, Mistress Sirka carrying the high brunka again and fairly leaping across the snow.
Would they be in time? Elodie wondered. The danger to Zertrum wouldn’t be over until the Replica had been set back on its base.
Everyone rushed toward the Oase. Master Uwald was ushered along between Master Tuomo and Goodman Dror.
Elodie walked behind the rest with Master Robbie. Whenever Master Uwald looked longingly at him over his shoulder, Master Robbie turned and walked backward.
When they were almost at the entry, Master Robbie whispered, loud enough for only her (and the high brunka) to hear, “This is the beginning of better.”
Lambs and calves, she admired him for that!
When they entered the great hall, High Brunka Marya was exiting into the corridor, supported by one of her bees and accompanied by three more, who, Elodie deduced, would stand guard over the Replica on its pedestal. Johan-bee lay on the floor with Ludda-bee looming over him and the sword point touching his chest. Another bee stood by in case he moved.
More bees took over to march him and Master Uwald out of the great hall. Elodie wondered where they’d be kept. As soon as they were gone, Ludda-bee dropped onto one of the benches at the table and wept noisily.
Deeter-bee sat, too, and took the last poppy-seed roll. “A historic event.”