Mazidi held her hands in her lap. “When I was around your age, I went on a journey to discover the origins of aqua magic,” she said. “I studied lakes, ponds, rivers, and the sea, but when it came time to explore the tundra, I was woefully unprepared for how brutal the icy environment would be. I was so young and naïve back then.” She let out a laugh before she continued her tale. “I almost succumbed to the arctic terrain, but a stranger saved my life and brought me to the grandest library I’ve ever seen. He said I could study there for as long as I wished. I stayed in the library for three years before returning home. I gained sacred, forgotten knowledge that I have tried to pass on to the younger generations…” She looked up at Elshana. “I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t study shadow magic because I didn’t view it as a relevant form of magic in today’s world. But there was plenty of information on shadow magic in that place—information that may be able to help you master your abilities.”

“That’s great!” Elshana said. “Why haven’t you mentioned this before?”

“Because I was afraid of getting your hopes up,” Mazidi answered solemnly. “Despite many pilgrimages into the tundra, I have yet to relocate the library that made me the person I am today.”

The sound of Vashti’s yawn echoed from the other side of the roof. She sat up and stretched her neck. “Now I know why they invented mattresses,” she said as she pulled herself up off the concrete. She sat down beside Elshana. “No need to explain about the library. I heard everything.”

Elshana pulled her knees close to her chest to preserve body heat. “Mazidi, what’s this idea of yours?”

“I have recently perfected an ancient form of magic called mist locating,” Mazidi replied. “It was used in a time before there were clear directions on how to get from one place to another, when mapmaking was in its infancy. Aqua mages would simply picture the place they wanted to go, spread mist over a map, and the desired location would be marked on the map by a single shard of ice.”

“So then all we need is a map,” Vashti said as she stood up. “I’m sure I can find one somewhere in this dreadful city. Give me ten minutes and I’ll have what we need.”

Mazidi shook her head. “Vashti, I appreciate your offer, but I’m afraid it’s not that simple.” She opened her knapsack and dumped dozens of maps onto the roof. “My belief is that the map had to be created during a time when mist locating was commonplace. To put it simply, magic had to be woven into the fibers of the map.”

Elshana nodded in understanding. “Where do you think we could find a map like that?”

“Before I came to the estate to train you, I scoured the city for any traces of a map from the ancient times. But the maps in the museums were just replicas and the libraries had nothing they could offer me. It was only yesterday that I realized the answer I’d been searching for might be waiting for me a few doors down the hallway.” She stared out at the city below. “I think the map I’m looking for may be in the archive room of the royal estate.”

Vashti’s eyes widened. “Are you certain?”

“There’s no way to know for sure,” Mazidi said. “I was on my way to scour the archives when the guards came to escort me from the estate. It was just about the worst timing imaginable.”

“Dammit, we have no luck, do we?” Elshana asked. “I guess our only option is to break into the estate and see if there’s a map.”

Vashti let out a rare laugh. “Good luck with that. The royal estate is one of the most heavily armed buildings in the entire kingdom. You’ll never be able to break in.”

Mazidi smiled warmly. “Elshana won’t be able to get in, but you will.”

“What do you mean?” Vashti asked.

“You were the only one of us that wasn’t banned from the estate,” Mazidi said. “You need to go there and explain that there was a misunderstanding and that you’ve come back to serve the king.”

Vashti shifted uncomfortably. “What if they don’t believe me?”

“The rest of the guards think you’re loyal to the royal family, so your presence should go unquestioned,” Mazidi said. “After all, you’ve done an immaculate job over the years. They trust you.”

A thought occurred to Elshana. “Wait a second. Why did you come with us, Vashti?”

“The end of the world is coming and I have the chance to help stop it. Sitting around the estate would’ve been a crime.”

“Fair answer,” Elshana said. “I’ll go tell Isidro about our plan.”

“Perhaps it would be best to give Isidro a few days to recover before we pressure him with any ideas or plans,” Mazidi said. “The poor boy was almost ripped to shreds by blood owls.”

“While he’s recovering, I’ll go get the map,” Vashti said. “It won’t take me more than a day.”

“You should wait,” Elshana said. “No offense Vashti, but I can tell that you’re exhausted. You need to go into this with a clear head.”

“A few days of rest will do us all some good,” Mazidi said.

“Okay,” Vashti muttered. “I’ll wait.”

Needlessly disgusted with the idea of staying in a homeless shelter, Vashti bartered one of her bracelets to a motel owner. In return, the owner would lend her a room for a week. It was a sad little hole in the wall with its two bumpy beds and stained curtains, but it would have to do. Elshana nabbed a few loaves of bread and a hefty hunk of cheese from a local street vendor that used to bully her for being a non-mage. It was a sort of necessary retribution. They would’ve starved otherwise.

Isidro was released from the hospital a day later. Much to his chagrin, Vashti had to push him in his wheelchair because of the bandages and bruises on his arms. When he arrived at the motel, he didn’t say a single word about how run down it was. He simply climbed into one of the beds and helped himself to a reasonable portion of bread and cheese.

While Vashti and Mazidi were out for a walk around the city, Elshana pretended to read the book she borrowed from the motel lobby as she observed Isidro. He looked nothing like a prince. A noticeable stubble had formed on his face, and the free outfit the hospital gave him was anything but regal. When he noticed Elshana staring, he groaned and asked, “Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s rude to stare at cripples?”

“I’m surprised that you’ve been able to recover this much this fast,” Elshana replied. “Knowing you’re going to be okay brings me peace.”

“You’re forgetting that I survived being poisoned,” Isidro replied. “The blood owls were nothing in comparison to feeling like my organs were melting.”

Elshana decided it was time to tell him about the plan. She told him everything from Mazidi’s discovery of the library to Vashti stealing the map from the archive room.

“It’s a decent plan, but it won’t work,” Isidro said. “Even if Vashti can get into the estate, she won’t be able to gain access to the archive room.”

“Why not?”

“The archive room is protected by a royal lock,” Isidro said. “The only people that can enter the room are people who I’ve personally given access to.”

“That’s where you showed me the book about the Seal of 1000 Years.”

“I didn’t show Vashti the book in that room,” Isidro said. “There’s no way she’ll be able to get inside.”

“But would I be able to get inside since I’ve been there before?”

“Most likely. I never removed your access from the room.”

“It’s settled then,” Elshana said. “Vashti and I will go get the map together. She’ll get onto the estate, then she’ll secretly let me in when no one is looking. It’s genius.”

“No, it’s risky,” Isidro replied. “I’m not even sure there is an old map in the archive room.”

“But if there is, it’ll be worth it.”

Isidro was quiet for a few seconds before saying, “You’re not wrong.”

As soon as Mazidi and Vashti returned from their stroll, Elshana jumped out of her seat and said, “Hey Vashti, guess what? We’re in this thing together. Are you ready for the heist of a lifetime?”