EPHEMERA

Text of a message from the Artifex Magnus to the Archivist Magister, marked URGENT

They are together. Free. They have the young Obscurist.

If they get away as a group, if Wolfe and Schreiber together can make their machine and teach others how to make it, then we lose everything. Knowledge becomes a common currency, as cheap as paper and ink, and all of the sanctity of the Library is lost.

It is what I told you from the beginning: there is no compromise with rebellion. You coddled Wolfe for Keria’s sake, and now it has led to this.

We have no choice. This is a threat we must deal with, quickly and decisively, whatever it costs.

Reply from the Archivist Magister, marked URGENT

You were right from the beginning, and I regret I was too cautious.

Kill them all.