“And here’s something else for you to consider.” He fished in his sleeve and pulled out a bedraggled scrap of paper. “I’ve been doing a bit of research about ondines, and I found something I thought you would want to see. It’s based on an old Norman manuscript from the time of the Conquest, but I’ve translated the passage for you.” He pulled the paper close, then stopped and blinked, looking bereft as he missed his spectacles again. “Well, I can’t read it properly now. But perhaps you can, my dear?”
I took the paper he held out to me and spoke the words aloud: “It is well known that the ethereal spirits of air were never very strong, and the spirits of earth and fire have long since been weakened by humans, who have done so much to tame their elements. But water spirits by nature are nimble and strong and ambitious, and their domain includes the oceans, which cover most of the globe. They take many forms, and they are by far the most dangerous kind of elemental, greatly feared even by Chantresses.”
“For ‘elementals,’ ” Penebrygg said, “I think you could perhaps substitute the world ‘faeries.’ Or perhaps even Melisande’s ‘Mothers.’ ”
I stared down at the tattered paper. Was that the explanation? Were we at war with a whole host of watery beings? If so, was Melisande their agent—or their leader?
“What about the two snakes?” I asked. “The ones I saw, and the ones on Melisande’s necklace. How do they fit into this?”
“Ah, yes, the snakes.” Penebrygg stroked his beard again. “They would appear to be a version of the ouroboros. A very ancient symbol, most often used to signify immortality and eternal rebirth. It was known to the Greeks and even the ancient Egyptians. You see it in alchemy, too.”
I looked at him in surprise. “In alchemy? Why?”
“Because immortality is one of the great goals of alchemy, my dear. Some also say the ouroboros embodies the mingled acts of destruction and creation that are part of the alchemist’s work.”
I sat up straight, the scrap of paper forgotten. “Then maybe it’s not magic we should be worrying about. Maybe it’s alchemy.” I told him about my conversation with Gabriel.
“How interesting,” Penebrygg said, clearly intrigued. “I suppose the green light you saw could represent the first stage of transmutation.”
I tried to remember what I’d learned about alchemy last year. “The first stage—that’s what you call the Green Lion, isn’t it?”
“Yes. And in alchemy, the Lion devours the sun, you know.”
“Does it?” As always, the arcane terminology of alchemy made little sense to me, but Penebrygg sounded very sure of himself. “Well, it’s true we haven’t seen the sun for days. But what about iron?”
“There, I must admit I’m less certain.” He was stroking his beard again. “But iron is important to alchemy. When you combine it with sulfur, you get sulfuric acid, the destroying fire. So it’s possible it has a destructive force that interferes with power over water.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, and I saw how weary he was. This discussion was taxing him.
“Thank you,” I said. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I should leave you now, but can I first help you to bed?”
“No, no.” He waved me away but couldn’t help yawning as he did so. “Must leave the bed for the boy.”
“He’s so busy, he probably won’t come back tonight. And even if he does, I’m sure he’d want you to have it.” I tugged at the counterpane. “Come, let’s make you comfortable.”
He really was exhausted, which made it easier for me to persuade him to do as I directed. I’d barely gotten him tucked into the bed before he was fast asleep.
Making as little noise as possible, I closed the door to the bedchamber before banking down the fire in the main room. My hand was on the latch of the outer door when I remembered my lantern. Looking back, I saw Penebrygg had set it down on a desk strewn with papers.
I was reaching for it when I heard quick footfalls outside. My pulse picked up as I recognized the tread.
The door swung open, and Nat walked in.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
BROADSIDE
Nat stopped short when he saw me. In the dim light, it seemed as if his face were covered with bruises, but as he came closer, I was relieved to see it was only mud.
“Lucy?”
“It really is me,” I assured him, holding up my bracelet. As he briefly touched