The Wyvern's Spur - Kate Novak [10]
"By twelve days," Gaylyn added.
Gaylyn, Giogi guessed, was one of those women who were good with figures.
"Fortunately," Drone continued, "I had the notion to check out that door within minutes of the theft. Sure enough, it stood open. I sealed it with a wall of stone and left magical guards to tell me if anyone tries to break out by that door or the door from the crypt to the mausoleum. No one has. The would-be thief is still stuck in the catacombs. So, you see, none of us can be the thief, since none of us are missing."
Giogi wondered idly, if he hadn't managed to return to Immersea before that evening, whether his family would be sitting around suspecting him of the crime.
"Since only a member of our family can enter the crypt, it's up to us to deal with this thieving rogue Wyvernspur," Aunt Dorath said. "No one else need know about this notorious incident. All we need to do is search the catacombs," she announced. "First thing in the morning."
"And will you be leading us, Aunt Dorath?" Steele asked with a smirk.
"Don't be absurd. This is a job for healthy young men like yourself and Frefford."
"And Giogioni," Uncle Drone said. "Can't leave him out."
"That's all right, Uncle Drone," Giogi insisted. "I can guard the crypt door or something, in case the thief gets past Steele and Freffie."
"Nonsense," Steele said. "We need you, Giogi. Besides, don't you want to renew your acquaintance with the guardian?"
"Actually, no," Giogi retorted sharply, glaring at his cousin. If looks could kill, the rest of the family would have to have summoned a cleric for Steele.
Aunt Dorath gave Giogi a cold look. "Giogioni, I won't have you shirking your family responsibilities. You can help by carrying the water flasks or something."
"Yes, you can be our provisions officer," Steele said. "But leave the land urchins behind-and don't forget your key. It'll remind the guardian that you are a Wyvernspur after all."
Giogi began breathing a little too deeply, and the room seemed to tilt. Steele's taunts were wasted on him-he was too busy fighting off a rising panic. Frefford moved to his side and clamped a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine, Giogi. We'll all be down there together"
"You can't possibly still be affected by that scare you had as a boy," Aunt Dorath insisted.
Giogi did not answer. His mouth moved, but no words escaped.
"Well, that's settled, then," Aunt Dorath said. "I suggest you all get a good night's sleep so you can get an early start. That includes you, Giogioni. Don't spend the rest of the evening carousing in town. You must be at the crypt at dawn. This is not a duty any of you dare take lightly. Until that spur is back in the crypt where it belongs, none of us are safe. You may scoff all you want, but I know for a fact that the spur's curse is no silly superstition. Its absence will bring evil upon us."
Giogi shuddered, anticipating meeting the guardian again. Gaylyn lay her hand nervously on her belly. Frefford returned to his wife's side to comfort her. Julia watched Steele, who fidgeted with impatience. Uncle Drone studied the stain on his robe.
Everyone remained speechless for several moments until Drone said, "I'll see you to the door, Giogi," and held an arm out for help in rising.
Still in shock, Giogi stood automatically and helped Drone to his feet. He held the parlor door open as the old man shuffled through, and he followed his uncle out.
After the door had closed behind them, the old man patted Giogi's arm and said softly, "Dory's right, you know. It's time you were over that fright you had as a child."
"Aunt Dorath wasn't locked down there," Giogi objected as they descended a staircase to the main entrance hall.
"Well, actually she was once, but that's neither here nor there. Listen, my boy, I have something very important to tell you, something I couldn't tell you in front of the others."
Suddenly reminded of Sudacar's