Alberta blanched as she entered Halifax’s chambers. What she assumed would have been a mostly tidy space was absolutely ransacked. Sets of apprentice robes lay crumpled on floors and tables; leaves of paper littered the ground; and for some reason, a mossy throw rug was stuck to the ceiling.
Nova’s mouth dropped open as well. “Did the thief do this?”
Halifax, who had entered last, took in the mess for only a moment before leaping into action. “Oh, no, this was—it’s not normally like this,” they explained, frantically brushing pens and empty potion bottles off their desk and into a cupboard. “This was my mess. Not my usual mess!” they clarified, muttering a quick incantation under their breath that sent their robes flying to the closet. “It was… I was searching for the rings. And forgot to tidy. I’m so sorry,” they said, chasing the last of the dust away. “Truly, Alberta, you have my apologies,” Halifax finished, out of breath and leaning against the nightstand, their projected casual air a cover for how bothered they truly were.
Alberta stared them down. “Detective Alberta,” she corrected coolly.
“Oh. Right. Yes. Of course, I’m so sorry,” Halifax blustered. “Please accept my apol—ow.” At that moment, the rug had decided to come unstuck from the ceiling and fell onto Halifax’s shoulder.
Alberta hmphed, unimpressed. “So where were the rings?”
“Right—right here.” Halifax stumbled their way over to point at their top desk drawer, straightening their glasses as they went.
“Hmm.” Alberta said, leaning in to look at the drawer. She opened it and closed it twice, examining it from all angles. Continuing to hum, she walked all around the room, looking closely at every part.
“They aren’t here,” she proclaimed when finished.
Halifax eyes widened, impressed. “How do you know that? Have you found a clue?”
“Hm? Just a hunch.”
Their face fell. “A hunch?”
Alberta nodded, grinning. “I felt it in my gut as I walked in. Do you ever get those feelings? Where you just know something isn’t true. I’ve always said mine are especially reliable.”
Halifax glanced at her dubiously. “Are you sure you have the credentials for this?”
Alberta scoffed. “Of course I do,” she said, as Nova mouthed no emphatically behind her. “Well, since this was a bust, I suggest we ask around the hallway. See if anyone noticed someone entering your room who wasn’t you.”
“I— fine,” Halifax said. “I suppose.”
“Isn’t the library close by?” Nova said.
“Just down the hall,” Halifax offered. “Why?”
“The librarian—you know, the Marquis de Calgary—is usually quite attuned to the comings and goings. Perhaps we should go ask him!”
Alberta snapped her fingers. “Brilliant idea, Nova! Especially since I’ve got some holds coming in. Tap two trees with one spigot, eh?” She elbowed her companions before taking off once more, Halifax and Nova doing their best to keep up with her.
—
As was the case with many other rooms around the palace, the library resembled nothing of the grand building’s stony walls and dusty candelabras. Instead, a vaulted ceiling guarded the many large, varnished bookshelves that lined the room. Small yet intricate chandeliers hung from intentional points throughout the room, emitting just enough glow to see the near vicinity. Most of the room’s light came from the giant, many-paned windows higher up on the walls; in all, it looked somewhat like a cathedral, but one that worshiped learning instead of virtue.
“Hello!” Alberta called out, her voice echoing in the large chamber. “Calgary! Are you there?”
“Up here!” a reedy voice called from within the stacks. The group wandered the maze of shelves until they finally caught sight of him, perched at the highest rung of a bookshelf ladder precariously shelving a tall stack of books. He glanced down, peering over his glasses. “I’ll be with you in a moment!”
The Marquis de Calgary gave the perpetual air of a very large moth. His feathery powdered wig had thick brown sausage curls, which, when pulled up, looked like antennae, and his skin was the pale rosy beige of porridge. He constantly dressed in shimmery bread-colored brocades, and the pince-nez that perched on his long nose gave his inquisitive eyes a bug-like quality. It didn’t help that he was usually found surrounded by dust and shelving books many feet off the ground.
After he had finished sliding the last book into place, he slid down the ladder with remarkable ease. “Hail, Lady Alberta! And greetings, Miss Scotia and Apprentice Halifax. How goes it?”
“It goes only so-so today, my dear Calgary,” Alberta replied.
“Oh dear,” he said. “That’s not good. What seems to be the problem? Not a lost library book, I hope.”
“Not exactly,” Nova said. “We’re searching for something of Halifax’s, and Alberta suspects someone might have taken it. We wondered if perhaps you saw anyone suspicious in this area at around midday.”
“Anyone suspicious, you say?” The Marquis pondered. “Normally people-watching is one of my favorite activities, but I’m afraid to say I didn’t do much of it today. Too preoccupied with thoughts of the wedding, you know.”
Halifax drooped, dejected.
“Now that you mention it, though, I do remember seeing Sir Province around here. He seemed to be in quite the rush. Last minute wedding adjustments, I’d expect.”
The group murmured. “We ran into him as well,” Alberta said. “He did appear quite stressed.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help,” the Marquis said. “Is there anything else I can do? I’ll be here for a few more hours, but then I’m supposed to retrieve the official Marriage Treatise from the archives.”
“I did get your carrier goose that I’ve two new books to pick up,” Alberta said. “Do you still have them?”
“Ah yes!” The Marquis leapt up from leaning against the ladder. “Right this way…”
Minutes later, the Marquis was stamping out two battered tomes under Alberta's name.
“Again, if there’s anything else I can do, let me know,” he said, handing the books to Alberta. “I could keep an eye out, if you let me know what you’re looking for.”
“That’s alright,” Halifax mumbled. “Thanks anyway.”
The Marquis smiled ruefully. “You are quite welcome.” Turning to Lady Alberta, he continued, “I do hope you enjoy your books.”
She grinned. “I know I will.”
“You know, if you’re interested, I have quite the number of detective stories in my library here. Saskatchewan Holmes, Miss Manitoba, Niagara Drew…” For each example, he ticked off one finger.
Alberta sighed. “Can stories ever compete with lived experiences, Calgary?”
The Marquis inclined his head in acknowledgement. “I suppose not. Though, I did read this one spectacular enchanted manuscript that was…”
“Thanks-for-your-help-gotta-go!” Alberta grabbed the arms of Nova and Halifax and steered them out of the library. Once the Marquis began talking about books, it was hard to get him to stop.
When they arrived in the hallway and were far enough out of earshot of the Marquis, Halifax let their subdued front drop and gave a despairing groan. “This is hopeless.”
Alberta, who had already begun to read one of her books, looked up. “Nonsense. I said I would find the rings, and I will find the rings.”
“How?” they exclaimed. “You’ve got no leads.”
“I… hmm.” Alberta tapped a finger to her chin. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Could you try another finding spell in this area?” Nova asked Halifax. “Maybe they were just out of reach the first time.”
“I can try,” Halifax said, though their tone suggested anything but confidence. They took a loose thread from their pocket and whispered some words to it. It began to glow a neutral taupe color before multiplying dramatically and weaving a translucent web in a dome expanding the hallway. After a few moments, the dome dissolved with a bright pop, sparkling red residue falling everywhere.
“Is that good?” Alberta asked, but Halifax’s puckered eyebrows and welling eyes gave her all the answer she needed.
“I give up,” Halifax said. They sat down in the middle of the corridor and curled up into a ball. “Come find me when the wedding is canceled. Better yet, start planning my funeral."
Alberta frowned and was about to start speaking when Nova put her hand up, signaling her to wait. She knelt beside Halifax and patted them on the back.
“It’ll all be okay,” Nova said. “It’s not your fault at all.”
“It might be!” they exclaimed, but Nova shushed them.
“There was nothing you could do. The rings were stolen, plain and simple. Take a breath, now.”
Halifax drew in a big gulp of air, then another.
Keeping her same gentle tone, Nova asked, “do you feel better now?”
Halifax nodded, though they were still slightly shaky. “Could I perhaps… have a hug?”
Nova complied, wrapping her arms around them.
Alberta watched until it became unbearable, tapping her foot. “Alright, that’s enough. These rings aren’t going to find themselves.”
Halifax stood up, then reached a hand down to Nova to help her.
“I hate to admit it, but there is someone who could probably do a better finding spell than the one I just did,” they said, drying their eyes. “They might be the key to solving this whole thing.”
“Who?” Alberta asked. “You’re the most adept mage in this court! Besides, Lord Ottawa, of course, and he’s out of the question, since…” She stared at Halifax, realizing. “No, surely you don’t—?”
Halifax nodded. “It’s time,” they sniffed. “I appreciate your help, but I think I should own up. There’s only so much we can do.”
“But— no, I can do more!” Alberta said. “We can go through your chamber again, and—”
Halifax held up a hand. “It’s alright. I’m sure. I’ll go talk to Lord Ottawa, and get his help. And even if we can’t find them, I’m sure there’s a replacement somewhere. Or at least something they could use before Nuna makes a new pair.”
Alberta raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure? Because I’m still detecting a hint of uncertainty. You’re sure you’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Even though—”
“Yes!” Halifax crossed their arms, glowering at Alberta.
She held her hands up in surrender. “On your own head be it.”
Halifax exhaled sharply. “Please stop talking before I change my mind. Do you want to solve this case, or no?”
Alberta, for the first time that day, kept silent.
Points: 17415
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