I notice you haven t told him or anyone else exactly how Crow Lee got access to the dimensional engine or how Oath Breaker got out, Molly said quietly.
I don t think I m going to tell anyone about the Original Traitor, I said, just as quietly. They don t need to know. It would only upset them.
Now you re thinking like a Drood, said Molly.
You re just being nasty, I said.
The Armourer wandered over to us, smiling widely. I have decided to introduce the two Merlin Glasses to each other and see what happens! he said grandly. Should prove most interesting!
Let me know when, I said. So I can arrange to be somewhere else entirely.
I m still concerned with where the other Drood Hall came from, said the Sarjeant-at-Arms, joining us abruptly. Not from the monster world, obviously. So what happened to the family of Droods in the ruined Hall? Who attacked them? I mean, who is there that could take out the Hall and our entire family so easily, so thoroughly?
And whoever it is, do they exist in our world? said the Armourer. Are they out there somewhere, right now, waiting for their chance?
You should never drink, Armourer, said the Sarjeant. It makes you paranoid.
The Armourer smiled. You say that like it s a bad thing. He looked suddenly thoughtful. I have been wondering. Could something be attacking Droods in every dimension? And perhaps heading our way? Should we perhaps be looking for a way to contact other Droods on other Earths to discuss the possible threat?
Part of me wants to say, Why go looking for trouble?
I said. But if you re right, trouble could be looking for us. Keep thinking, Uncle Jack. But don t try anything until you ve brought it before the council. We could be opening all kinds of cans of worms with this.
Speaking of which, said the Armourer just a bit vaguely, Come with me, Eddie. And you, too, Molly. Got someone I want you to meet.
He led us out of the Sanctity, closing the doors very firmly behind him, and then led us down a corridor and into a side room. And there waiting for us was my grandfather, the Regent of Shadows, and my father and mother, Charles and Emily Drood. We all stood around and smiled uncomfortably at one another. There was still so much left unspoken, so much unfinished business.
What happened? I finally said bluntly to my father and my mother. Everyone here thinks you were killed on a field mission that went wrong.
We will tell you everything, I promise, said Charles. But not here. Not in this place. Most of the family doesn t know we re alive, and we have good reasons for wanting to keep it that way.
We ve been hiding for a long time, said Emily. We have many enemies. Nothing else would have kept us from you.
You don t trust the family? I said.
Do you? said the Regent. Your uncle Jack and I have been discussing this, Eddie, and we ve come up with an idea. You ve done all you can for the Droods, and a lot of thanks you ve got for it. It s time to strike out on your own. Come with us. Join the Department of the Uncanny. Make a new home for yourself and a new family. Your real family. He smiled at Molly. You come, too, and find out what really happened to your parents.
Molly looked at me. What do you think, Eddie?
I smiled. I think that is a really interesting idea.